The Gathering: Race For Immortality

Chapter Thirty Three: Fountain of Youth (Nat)

I smiled to the others as we took our first steps into the opening.

The air inside was cold and moist. At first it was dark but as we stepped further into the cave small torches lit up along the walls as if by magic. Actually, it probably was magic.

The tunnel appeared to go on for quite some time. I hoped Mhercee and reqium would catch up by the time we reached the end. It just didn't seem right finishing this quest without them.

Nonetheless, we walked forward into the tunnel.

"It smells like an old basement" Paz muttered.

Our footsteps pittered like the sound of raindrops on the hard stone.

"Seriously, we're this close to immortality and that's what you're thinking about?" Jaeson asked with a chuckle.

"I wonder if we're the only one's who have ever made it this far.." I mused.

"Given the nature of our prior challenges, I would imagine this final stretch is full of tests." Aeirah warned.

I looked around and glanced back at her.

"These walls look pretty solid to me, Aeirah. I don't think anything's going to pop out at us." I laughed.

Paz chuckled with me.

"Ahh." Jaeson stopped in his tracks.

I spun around to see him hunched over, clutching his thigh. He winced.

"Something hit him!" Aeirah exclaimed.

"No, he's been hurt for a while." I said, moving closer to Jaeson. "What happened?" I asked, crouching down to examine his wound.

"It- it's just a small cut. I'm fine, let's keep going." He said, standing straighter.

He tried to hid the permanent grimace of pain with a forced smile.

"The light's useless." I muttered, getting up.

It was impossible to see anything below our waists.

"You sure you're okay?" Aeirah asked.

Jaeson gave an assuring nod.

"We're this fucking close to the stone, who gives a crap if he's feeling okay?" Paz scoffed. "No offence." She said, turning to Jaeson.

"She's right, come on." He nudged me and we all started walking again.

He was limping though, falling behind with each step.

The path seemed to go on forever. We were on a definite downward slope, and I wondered if this led all the way down to the under kingdom.

Paz had pulled into the lead, and Aeirah was right behind her. I slowed my pace, keeping beside Jaeson. His strength was fading. I could tell there was something really wrong with him.

He cursed, pulling in a sharp breath.

"You're hurt." I stated in a whisper, forcing my eyes onto his until he met my stare.

"Nat, we're so close." He said with pleading eyes.

I put my hand to his forehead for a brief moment.

"Fuck, you're burning." I said, pulling away.

"That's not good." He said nonchalantly.

"No. It isn't."

"I need to find that stone." He whispered, picking up his pace.

"Jaeson, are you delirious? What you need is a doctor. We're five minutes away form the entrance. If we turn back now you can make it." I tried to convince him.