Bloodtide

Part 31

We got up early to finish our journey. This island was huge, and the jungle was vast and dense, with foliage that seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction. I still couldn't shake and understand why John refused to run last night.

He had the perfect opportunity yet stayed... it was bugging me all morning as I continued to give him slight glances. His expression was unreadable, as if he was holding back some crucial piece of information.

"Are you hot?" Griffin asked, catching my attention.

"What?" I questioned, not understanding why he asked such a thing.

"You keep fidgeting, so I wondered if you're hot," he spoke with more clarity.

"Oh, no, just confused about where we're going," I semi-laughed, trying to mask my unease.

"Understandable. I apologize for not finding you quicker and saving you from those barbarians," he added, his tone sincere.

I nodded, appreciating his concern but still distracted by my thoughts. The events of last night replayed in my mind. The moon had been full, casting an eerie glow over the clearing where we had camped. John had every chance to escape when the guards were distracted, yet he chose to stay put. It didn't make sense.

As we trekked deeper into the jungle, the sound of wildlife grew louder. Birds called out to each other, and the occasional rustle of leaves hinted at unseen animals moving about. The air was thick with humidity, making each step feel heavier.

"Men, we've made it!" Jones shouted as we looked up to see a huge cave.

"What is in there?" I whispered to myself as we all paused. There was a huge river separating us from crossing.

"How do we get over the river?" one of the royal guards asked as Jones smirked.

"We obviously swim," he joked, causing my body to freeze. If I touched that water, I would transform instantly. There had to be another way inside.

"Why don't we use a bridge? Or step on the stones?" I asked as the men began to walk towards it.

Jones stopped and turned to me, his smirk fading slightly. "A bridge? Here, in the middle of nowhere? You're dreaming, lad."

"But look," I pointed towards the side of the river. "There are stones. We could use them to step across."

The men followed my gaze and noticed the large, flat rocks protruding from the water's surface, forming a natural stepping path. Jones scratched his beard thoughtfully before nodding.

"Alright, we'll give it a go. But be careful. That water looks treacherous." Jones laughed.

One by one, the men began to step onto the stones, carefully balancing themselves. I hung back, watching each man make his way across. My heart pounded in my chest, knowing the danger the water held for me as the currents were picking up.

Jones, now at the front, reached the other side and turned to face us. "Come on, move it! We haven't got all day!"

Griffin walked ahead of me determined to follow Jones. Taking a deep breath, I stepped onto the first stone. It wobbled slightly under my weight, but I steadied myself. Slowly, I moved to the next stone, then the next. The sound of rushing water filled my ears, reminding me of the ever-present danger.

As I reached the halfway point, one of the stones shifted beneath my foot, causing me to lose my balance. My arms flailed as I tried to regain my footing, but it was too late. I slipped and plunged towards the water.

Just as I braced myself for the icy water, a strong hand grabbed my arm, pulling me back onto the stone. It was John, his face determined as he hauled me up.

"Thanks," I gasped, my heart racing.

"Don't mention it," he replied, guiding me to the next stone.

Finally, we all made it to the other side, and I breathed a sigh of relief. The cave loomed ahead, dark and foreboding. Whatever secrets it held, we were now one step closer to uncovering them.

"Let's move," Jones commanded, leading us into the cave. The air grew cooler, and the darkness seemed to swallow us whole. But we pressed on, determined to discover what lay within.

"Are you alright, Ella?" I heard Henry ask as I was still shaken up a bit.

"The stones can be slippery, often shake people up," John commented as we walked beside him.

Henry looked at him, not truly believing him but keeping an arm around my back as we walked. "I am fine, Henry," I smiled as he nodded.

The damp air inside the cave wrapped around us, mingling with the faint smell of moss and earth. Shadows danced on the walls from our flickering torches, creating an eerie atmosphere. I tried to shake off the lingering fear from my near fall, focusing instead on the path ahead.

"Stay close," Henry instructed, his voice echoing softly. "We don't know what we might encounter in here."

As we ventured deeper, the cave opened up into a vast chamber, the ceiling high above us and the walls lined with strange markings. I squinted, trying to make sense of the symbols etched into the rock.

"So, this treasure," I began cautiously, "have you been looking for it for a long time?"

Jones smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Yes, look at this," he called out, his torch illuminating a section of the wall. "These carvings... they tell a story."

Henry and I approached, intrigued. The carvings depicted scenes of people worshipping a large, serpentine creature, offering treasures at its feet. My heart quickened at the sight.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

John ran his fingers over the carvings, his expression serious. "This must be the legend of the Serpent's Hoard. It was said that an ancient serpent guarded a treasure beyond imagination, hidden deep within a cave like this."

"A serpent?" Henry scoffed. "Sounds like a tale to keep children from wandering into caves."

"Perhaps," John replied, his eyes narrowing. "But legends often have a grain of truth."

"Enough about these fake stories. Let's find this treasury and get off this dreaded island" Griffen interrupted.

We moved forward, deeper into the chamber. The air grew colder, and the sound of dripping water echoed around us. Suddenly, a loud hiss filled the air, and we all froze.

"What was that?" I whispered, my grip tightening on Henry's arm.

Jones motioned for silence, his eyes scanning the darkness. "Stay alert," he whispered back.

As we inched forward, the hiss grew louder, more menacing. My heart pounded in my chest, fear creeping in. We rounded a corner and came face to face with a massive stone door, intricately carved with the same serpent motif.

"This must be it," John said, his voice filled with awe. "The entrance to the Serpent's Hoard."

"How do we open it?" Henry asked, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.

John examined the carvings closely, then reached out to press a series of symbols. The ground trembled slightly, and the stone door began to grind open, revealing a dark passage beyond.

"Ready yourselves," Jones ordered. "We don't know what lies ahead."

We stepped through the door, torches held high, and entered the passage. The walls were lined with more carvings, telling a tale of great battles and hidden treasures. The air was thick with anticipation.

As we reached the end of the passage, a blinding light greeted us. Shielding our eyes, we stepped into a vast cavern, the floor covered in glittering gold and precious gems. In the center of the hoard lay a massive, coiled serpent, its scales shimmering in the torchlight.

The serpent's eyes snapped open, and it let out a deafening hiss. My blood ran cold.

"Men, prepare for battle!" Jones shouted, drawing his sword. "The legend was true after all."