The Dead King

Chapter 24 - Crystal Cavern

It was about half past one when Oscar and Vera reached Sunset Forest. The network of trees earned its name from being the western-most expanse on the continent of Grandom, one that would see the last of the sun before it set over the horizon. It was also considered one of the largest forests at the time, while it wasn't as old as some of those around Niyeton, the father mountain, it had seen rapid growth in the last few centuries.

Sunset Forest was home to a secret base deep in, one that Oscar and Vera were trying to get to. John Reech had hidden the entrance so well, even those that were privy to the hideout had difficulty locating it.

Oscar was lucky to have Vera with him – she had taken more care to study where it was, and without her, Oscar might've had to wait at a local town for another base member to eventually pick him up.

"You better find it!" Oscar declared, balancing his battle staff on the back of his neck, with a hand holding it on the right end. "Reech is gonna be peeved if we don't get back to him soon."

"Like you're any help. I'll be sure to let him know I did all the work in getting us back," she responded in frustration.

Vera had all the landmarks memorized, for the most part. The real difficulty was finding the mossy stone door beside a drop off. No easy feat, seeing as every rocky face in the forest was covered in moss.

Oscar was growing tired of the traveling. He had half the mind that Vera was as lost as he was, but held out hope in her as she seemingly guided them in circles. Eventually though, a familiar sight flooded his gaze, a specific creek with lily pads.

"Oi!" Oscar pointed out, ready to let Vera know they were in the right direction.

"I know, we're almost there," she said, relieved.

"And here I thought I was losing hope on you," Oscar teased.

From there, it was smooth sailing to the entrance. After passing the creek, the two of them walked down a slippery incline. They took a sharp right, and before them was a small mossy cliff face. Vera approached, looking intimidated before the puzzle in front of her.

She started studying the uneven stone, looking for something specific. Oscar stood in the distance behind her, twirling his metal battle staff in impatience.

Some time passed as her hands traveled along the stone face. She felt every nook and cranny, looking for something out of place.

"Pressure points, Vera. You're trying to find the points that push in!" He obnoxiously reminded her.

She sharply turned around, and gave him an evil stare, part annoyance, part frustration in lack of his help.

To Oscar though, he felt as if he had been quite helpful. He had continually reassured her about any doubts he thought she might have – a service he had been offering for free.

He gave her an easy shrug from the stare. She turned around and continued her search.

Oscar turned his back on her, and gazed outwardly to the forest in front of him. He scanned his view, keeping an eye out for anyone who could be witnessing their actions. Vera was taking a long time, and Oscar knew that it would increase the risk of someone spotting them, giving away the base location.

Not that anyone would be out here. The base had been cleverly established in a chunk of the rainy forest far from any civilization. He still began to wonder, though, if anyone had ever accidentally stumbled upon it. Reech was so secretive, Oscar wouldn't put it past him to make the witness 'disappear' from some unfortunate event in consequence.

Click!

Oscar turned around to see Vera pushing in the final pressure point. A large portion of the wall began to vibrate. She quickly gestured him over to her.