Dungeon

CHAPTER 27 - ASHES OF THE FORGOTTEN

"I am not going to fall to my death, ok?"

Ethan picked up the book and prepared to leave, but stopped short when a sudden thought crept across his mind. What if I leave now and this loser dies? That horseface will think I murdered him and will put me behind bars!

Bryan was assessing the statue when his gaze caught the frozen form of Ethan. "Why? I thought you were going to leave."

Ethan grunted, put the book back down, and scanned the statue and the frankincense holder above it. "Uhm, you sure there isn't any other way? We could grab a ladder or something, you know?"

Bryan rolled his eyes and saw the fading brightness of the afternoon light. "We haven't got much time to do searching, and besides, the lady might come any time soon. We are doing this now!"

Ethan wiped his eyebrows and tried to calm his frightening mind. "And how exactly are we doing this?"

Bryan pointed to the statue and then to a small window that was affixed to the dome. "We climb all the way to the top of the statue and reach that windowsill." He then motioned to the dangling frankincense holder. "Then we grab the holder and swing all the way to that panel."

Ethan gulped back his fear and tried to concentrate, his eyes almost seeming like they were about to doze off. "I'm going first, as I don't trust you at all! What if you try to sabotage me?"

Bryan rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Sure, go ahead!"

Ethan strode near the statue, his hands filled with sweat and his heartbeat already rising. He tried to put a strong grip on the statue's hand to halt his body upwards, but his sweaty hands gave away. "You mind hoisting me up?"

Bryan chuckled and made a mocking face. "I thought you were so good at everything, but you're just pennywise!"

Ethan tried to control his surging anger, his mind looming over the task before him. Just wait till I get up there!

Ethan stepped on Bryan's back as he mounted on the floor. He grabbed the statue's shoulder and climbed up on it, which was effortlessly easy because of the ground support. Wiping away the bead of sweat that had accumulated on his forehead, he stretched himself to the window and sat on the windowsill.

Bryan stood up and heaved a huge sigh. "Now stand up on the windowsill, grab the holder, stride a few steps backwards, and run to make a swing."

Ethan obeyed the instructions, his hands trembling while holding the holder. Bryan turned back to roll his sleeves and prepare for climbing the statue when suddenly a loud scream echoed throughout the hall that startled his body.

"Aaah! Hey you! Help me out of here!"

Bryan turned back to see Ethan dangling to and fro, hanging onto the frankincense holder. "What the hell! I asked you to swing to the portal and not to swing and play!"

Ethan tried to muffle his screams, but each and every second seemed excruciating to him. "I tried, ok? But it didn't work! And come fast, it's burning my-"

Bryan's gaze followed down to Ethan's pants and the tip of the holder. His eyes bulged out as his mind filled with sympathy. "Uhm, is it lit?"

Ethan felt his insides burning as his body rummaged with endless thoughts. "Yes, you dumbass! And if you don't help me, my entire future lineage is at risk, ok?! Come up here quick!"

Bryan tried controlling his laughter as he took a few steps backward and started running towards the statue. He effortlessly swung his body straight to the shoulders of the statue with the help of the huge marble hands. He leaned towards the window sill and stood on it, catching the dangling holder along with Ethan.