Eternal Echoes ✔

Chapter 36: Olivia's Secret

The group stepped cautiously into the newly revealed passageway, the light from their compasses guiding their way through the dense darkness. The walls of the tunnel seemed to close in around them, adding to the sense of claustrophobia. The cold, damp air and the echo of their footsteps created an eerie atmosphere, amplifying their anxiety.

Thomas led the way, holding the book tightly. His mind raced with the implications of what they had just learned. The sacrifice the man spoke of weighed heavily on him. He glanced back at his friends, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the compasses. They looked determined, but he could see the fear in their eyes.

The tunnel twisted and turned, occasionally opening into small chambers filled with more ancient carvings and artifacts. They moved through each one carefully, taking note of any symbols or clues that might help them understand their journey better. The carvings depicted more scenes of rituals, sacrifices, and celestial alignments, reinforcing the gravity of their situation.

Olivia's heightened senses picked up on subtle changes in the air and the sounds around them. "I hear water," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

The group paused, listening intently. Sure enough, the faint sound of flowing water reached their ears. They followed the sound, their steps quickening with anticipation. The tunnel soon opened into a vast underground cavern, with a river cutting through its center. The water glowed with an ethereal light, reflecting the shimmering stones along the riverbed.

Thomas knelt beside the river, dipping his hand into the water. It was icy cold, sending a shiver up his spine. "This is incredible," he said, marveling at the beauty of the glowing stones.

Michael, always practical, scanned the cavern for any signs of danger. "We should be careful. There could be traps or other obstacles."

Daniel nodded, his protective instincts on high alert. "Let's stick together and keep an eye out for anything unusual."

"Newsflash!" Rachel began. "Everything here is unusual."

Her remark lightened the tension for a moment, drawing nervous chuckles from the group. Yet, the vast cavern's beauty and the glowing river kept their senses sharp and alert.

As they moved cautiously along the riverbank, they noticed a series of stepping stones leading to an island in the middle of the cavern. Dominated by a large, ornate pedestal, the island seemed almost otherworldly. The compasses around Emily's and Michael's necks pulsed with a stronger light, as if drawn to the pedestal.

Thomas stepped onto the first stone, testing its stability. "We need to get to that pedestal," he said, determination edging his voice. "I think it holds the key to the artifact."

The group carefully made their way across the stepping stones, the compasses' light guiding their path. As they reached the island, the air seemed to thrum with a powerful energy. The pedestal was adorned with symbols similar to those on the door, but these were even more complex and mesmerizing.

Thomas approached the pedestal, the book in his hands vibrating slightly. "This is it," he said, awe filling his voice. "This is where the artifact is hidden."

Emily and Michael stepped forward, their compasses glowing brightly.

"What do we do now?" Rachel asked.

Thomas scanned the pages of the book, searching for instructions. "There's a passage here that describes a final ritual. It requires the compasses and something else... something from each of us."

"A sacrifice," Olivia said quietly, her sightless eyes reflecting the glow of the compasses.

Thomas 'sread aloud, his voice steady despite the growing tension. "The ritual requires a token of personal significance from each of us, something we hold dear. Only then will the artifact work for us."

The group exchanged uneasy glances, each contemplating what they might have to give up. Olivia, wiping away a lost tear as she brushed against the scar tissue on her face, felt a deep, emotional pang. She understood the gravity of what was being asked more than the others.

"Guys, don't do this." her voice was soft and quiet, filled with pain and regret. "You'll regret it."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of her experience. The others paused, their expressions conflicted.

Daniel, stepped closer to Olivia. "We have to, Liv. We've come too far to turn back now."

Olivia shook her head, her voice trembling. "You don't understand. The cost... it's too high. This thing... it will take more than you're willing to give."

Rachel looked at her, eyes wide with concern. "Olivia, what happened to you?"

Olivia's hand unconsciously traced the scar on her face. "I unwillingly made a sacrifice, to the amulet, to the dark entity within it. I didn't ask for anything, it didn't ask me either, he just took it... my eyes, my sight." Tears were bailing out of her eyes, as she spoke. "It is more than just losing something dear to you. It's about losing a part of yourself."

The group stood in stunned silence, the gravity of Olivia's words sinking in. Daniel stepped closer to her, his expression a mixture of empathy and determination. "We hear you, Olivia. And we're sorry for what you went through. But this is our only chance. Our only way home."

"Yes, we do!" Olivia carefully took out the compass amulet that's been inside her pocket since the moment they arrived in the 1940's. "I can get us back." she stammered.

Olivia shook her head vehemently. "No, it's not," she insisted. Carefully, she reached into her pocket and pulled out an old, weathered compass amulet. It glinted faintly in the dim light of the cavern, looking ancient and mysterious. "I can get us back," she stammered, her voice trembling with urgency and fear.

The group stared at the amulet in shock. It was identical to Emily's and Michael's, but this one was whole. Thomas stepped closer, his eyes wide with realization. "Olivia, how...?"

"This compass," she explained, her voice steadier now, "it's connected to the entity that took my sight. It followed me here, just like it followed me after the mayor disappeared."

Michael's eyes narrowed in confusion. "But why didn't you tell us about this sooner?"

Olivia's voice wavered as she continued, "I was scared. And I hoped I could protect you by keeping it hidden. But now, with the artifact and the sacrifices... I can't let you do this without knowing there's another way."

Emily glanced at her own compass, then back at Olivia's. "So, what do we do now?"

Olivia took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I simply wish for us all to go home. He took my sight, something I held dear, now he's under my command and has to fulfill my wish." Olivia explained. "Besides, he's been begging me to use his power to satisfy my desires."

The group stared at Olivia, absorbing her words. The implications of what she said hung heavy in the air. Thomas spoke first, his voice tentative. "Are you sure about this, Olivia? Using the entity's power?"

Olivia nodded, her resolve clear. "Yes, I'm sure. I've been afraid for so long, but now I see that the only way to truly be free is to confront this power head-on. It's time to take control and use it for something good. We need to go home."