The Seven Swords of Diya: An Indiana Jones Fan Fiction - Part 2

Chapter 319: Cave, Kamchatka Wilderness, Soviet Union, 1960

Cave

Kamchatka Wilderness

Soviet Union

1960

"Big Rock Chase?" Shorty echoed, looking at Indy.

Indy squinted in the gaze of Shorty's cigarette lighter's flame. "At this point, Shorty - I'm not sure you want to know."

Emily was standing next to the large rock that she'd attempted to crawl under moments ago. "Dad was in a ruin where when he took off with the artifact - for a museum I'm certain -" she winked. "And a large boulder chased him out of the ruin." She looked at Indy, her tone carrying Marion's sass. "What museum did that gold idol end up in?"

"Belloq's private museum," Indy mumbled.

"Aunt Zipporah said you raided that to rescue her, Uncle Nate and Zev during World War II," Emily mused, studying the structure. "Found a crystal skull and Mom broke it over Belloq's fortune telling mistress's head."

"When did she tell you that?" Indy stammered.

Emily smiled back at her father. "Zev and I would ask her for bedtime stories - you'd fall asleep about three sentences in. Then she'd tell us the good stuff."

Indy offered a growling sigh.

Emily shut her eyes. "Shorty, hold the light high and see if you can spot anything in the darkness beyond the rock. I'm looking for what should be a series of lines, crevasses or footholds."

"I can't climb, Em..." Indy warned. "And you and Shorty can't haul me up alone. Not without Lizavet's help."

"I don't think we'll need to haul you up, Dad," Emily smiled. She pointed at the keystone boulder. "That rock is gonna fall outward. I just have to figure out how to trigger the trap without being under it."

"Ideas, Em?" Indy asked.

"Don't know, Dad. I'm makin'-"

"Emmaline - don't you dare finish that sentence! I know your planning system!" Indy rolled his good shoulder and moved out of the way, beside Shorty. "Shorty, when it falls - it's gonna fall hard. There's gonna be dust, and chaos and -"

"In other words, Dad - I should hang onto my potatoes?" Shorty grinned.

Indy gave a second growling sigh. "Yes, son."

Emily was climbing up the network of fallen cave debris next to the city wall. "Relax Dad - this ruin is for ritual purposes. If there was a sacred artifact inside they'd have to put it back when they're done. It's meant to keep on standing."

"What does she mean 'for ritual purposes'" Shorty asked, watching Emily climb.

Indy shut his eyes, knowing exactly what Emily had said, "It means archaeologists have no idea what they're talking about and they're just making things up as they go." He blinked. "She made me say it. Dammit! EMMALINE!"

"Yeah, Dad?" She popped her head over the edge of the rock wall.

"What did I say about your planning system?" Indy glared up at her, preparing to lecture his wild child.

"That I am your little rival." She grinned saucily - looking so much like Marion Indy knew he'd never win the argument.

"And I learned from the best, Dad. What did you expect?" Emily grinned, securing her hat brim, looking down at Indy and Shorty from the top of the city wall. "Looks like it's a key or locking system here." She paused. "How many swords do we have?"

"Four," Indy answered.

"Six," a voice corrected.

"LIZAVET!" Shorty shouted.

Lizavet strode out of the darkness, her two swords glowing.

Emily grinned, present with two swords, standing at the top of the wall.

Shorty, wearing one sword, rushed toward Lizavet.

Indy blinked - barely believing his eyes - reaching for his sword. "Shorty! Don't!"

An apkallu monster rose, grabbing Shorty as the form that mimicked Lizavet disappeared. "We have your son, Dr. Jones! Give us our freedom."

Indy gripped his sword. "Like hell...."

"As you wish."

A volcano rumbled. The underground cave trembled.

Emily saw the flaming river from the top of the wall. "Run, Dad! That's lava!"

She grabbed her two swords and stabbed them into the keyholes, wrenching the locking mechanism.