The Other Tide

Chapter XVII

As they turned to leave, the swarm of locusts was nowhere to be seen. But the room started to rumble, shaking uncontrollably. Sariah looked towards the entrance, seeing water spill through. The waterfall from the ridge had exploded, causing a massive flood. "We should find higher ground." Sariah turned, looking at the only exit. Up...

The moon shone brightly through the opening in the ceiling. "There's nowhere to go." Akira broke the silence, the group backing up on the pile of money where the pedestal sat. They all huddled closer as the water rose. "We'll have to swim our way out." Sariah pointed out. All their heads looked up, spotting the exit. Cassian grabbed her hand, looking down at her. Her eyes met his, turning her head towards him. "I-.." Cassian started before he was interrupted by the water bursting through the walls. Sariah gasped as the water rose to their ankles. Flooding the whole room.

The water would rise quickly, filling the room. Sariah swam towards the top, grabbing onto a vine. She pushed herself up, leading the way out. The water rose to the top, spewing out like a water volcano. Sariah gasped for air, holding onto the side. She coughed up water as the others made their way to the surface. Water dripped from her hair onto her face. Cassian emerged, catching his breath. The moon shone down on them casting a glow. Sariah looked up, noticing the moonlight shining on a path down below. They were currently on the top of the pyramid, several feet in the air. "I think I found something." She said, pointing to the path. The others turned their heads, watching as a path cleared. Trees moved on their own, cobbled stone planted itself. "Isn't it a long way down?" Akira gulped, looking down at the ground below. "What? Is someone scared of heights?" Arien chuckled, patting Akira on the back. Akira shoved his hand. "No, I was just pointing it out." Akira crossed his arms. "Enough." Mohan said, already pulling himself up and over the ledge. He started to climb down, holding on the vines that grew on the walls. Arien followed right behind him. Cassian turned towards Sariah, noticing how sad and distant she looked. He watched as Akira carefully climbed down, leaving the two alone. He swam over to her, holding onto the edge. "If it makes you feel better, I'm going to miss him too." Cassian spoke, looking out at the distance. Sariah wiped water from her face. "I just can't wrap my head around the fact he did that. He knew that treasure was cursed, so why?" Sariah hid her face in her hands. The water rippled around them. Cassian sighed. "I'm sorry...he was a great friend and a best mate." His hand reached out to her. Sariah lifted her head, looking out his extended hand. Her eyes glanced up, meeting his. "He was...a great friend." She softly smiled, the moon creating a glow in her eyes. Cassian smiled back, their fingers brushing together as she took his hand.

After a while, they finally made it to the bottom. Sariah hopped down, the last one to make it down. "We should hurry before-.." "Before reinforcements show up?" Alya interrupted, all heads turning towards her. She crossed her arms with her men behind her. "Seems the trials couldn't stop you and I suppose the pyramid's traps couldn't either." Her eyes scanned the group. "More less." She added, referring to the odd number. "Now, since you seem to have a knack for solving things like this. I suggest working together." Alya cleared her throat. "Since I clearly can't convince you otherwise." She snapped her fingers, Kyro stepping forward. He walked over to Sariah, taking the locket out of her hand. "Hey!" Sariah tried reaching for it as he walked off, Cassian grabbing her arm to hold her back. Kyro dropped it in Alya's hand. Alya examined it, finally getting her hands on it. "I can't believe I'm looking at the very thing that can break curses." She tilted her head to the side, letting the locket hang. Sariah watched, her mother's necklace catching her attention. It hung around her aunt's neck, reflecting the moonlight. Her head turned to the last spot the moon shone, quickly stepping forward. She grabbed the necklace, running over to the spot. Alya and Cassian's heads turned immediately.

Sariah dropped to her knees, placing the necklace on the ground where the light rays landed. The light bounced off the reflective surface, shining past the trees. Sariah stood up as the others joined behind her. "That's our way forward." Sariah said, picking up the necklace.

"Then lead the way." Alya extended her hand towards the direction. Sariah looked ahead, holding the necklace in one hand. She took a deep breath, stepping forward. Whatever lies beyond those trees was for sure the end of this adventure. She could feel it...