DC: Dark Monarch

5: The League Of Assassins [3]

I look around the pit and all I see is looming darkness, pitch black. The flashes of spectrum from the torch illuminate a better part but it won't be consistent and won't be long until it runs out of juice.

I take in a long breath collecting myself, trying to extend my senses to get an idea of what's out there but surprisingly I can't feel anything.

'It's the structure, your focus is getting bent back, blocking yourself out from concentrating on a specific spot, we are either in a tunnel or a dome, stay silent and try to lower your presence as much as you can.'

Yeah, yeah, sure, totally possible, it's not like I'm carrying a ball of fire in my hands.

'Throw the torch away or find a stand.'

I sighed, mentally exhausted at his words and walked ahead, waving the torch as I made my way.

I tried to raise the fire to take a look at the ceiling in case I was stuck in a tunnel but I couldn't find the roof.

I felt a cold breeze above my cheek and my steps halted briefly as I heard footsteps following closely behind.

'We are not alone.'

I should have turned around to find the origin of the noise but decided against it as I felt like it was an obvious trap.

'We don't have an idea about the premise, keep moving.'

Bruce urged and I followed without complaint, I kept walking for a while without minding the multiple steps behind, they were still far but they have increased in number and their distance is decreasing every second.

After a few minutes of walking I stumbled my foot against a layer of sand brick, I lowered the torch and found a small staircase leading up to a pyramidal structure, possibly an ancient altar of sorts.

I turned around one last time and just for a moment caught a glimpse of a black silhouette before it escaped from my view.

'Move faster, they are close.'

He didn't need to say twice as I was already on my way up the stairs, I skipped steps and ran up while keeping a note of both the sides.

The final layer of bands came undone as the torch glowed brighter, I have a maximum of 3 minutes before I lose the light and I don't really want that. Whatever they are, I'm sure their eyes have already adjusted to the darkness, they have an advantage and I don't want to give them anymore.

I stopped running as I reached the top of the stairs and stood on an oval platform, it was a stage with a broken black square, Greek writings on its sides and center, confirming my previous suspicion of this place being an altar.

'Get closer to the center, stay on top and get ready to fight, our chance of winning has just increased.'

It was common knowledge to have and hold high ground in a fight, I turned back and waited patiently for whatever was coming up but instead of footsteps I began to hear growls.

'Step back and calm your breathing.'

I stood over the altar and took a deep breath, preparing myself for the upcoming fight and just as I breathed out, I sniffed the air back at the hint of a familiar scent.

I looked down at the sides of the altar and they had a water way but filled with black liquid, I knelt down and dipped my fingers into the dark fluid before sniffing it.

'Oil.'

"Fuck it"

I dropped the torch inside it as flames bursted up, the altar had a connection with the rest of the structure and the fire seemed to spread, illuminating the edges of the building and before long I found myself inside a huge domed arena.