Washed Away

Chapter 18 - Into the Shadows' Lair

I really have to update this more often. Sorry guys =(

A levels are a pain in the posterior so I cannot say when the next update will be. I have written a plan for what is going to happen though so hopefully you won't have to wait as long as you did for this one =)

Until next time! x

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Silence rang out though the forest as we stared at what laid before us. A huge metal shell rested half in half out of the grassy ground, the once polished to perfection steel now was rusted with ivy wrapped around it. Cobwebs hung like drapes over the entrance to the apparently empty shell, the darkness taunting them to enter and face the danger which lay ahead. I gulped audibly and glanced at my fellow companions. They all had the same expressions as I did; shock and terror. Ky momentarily closed his eyes and tilted his head, shadows falling over his face and leaving me to guess what emotions were stirring around him. Suddenly, he raised his head so sharply that I was surprised that he didn't get whiplash.

"Ready to go?" He asked, the once pale face with shock now shone with a ferocious courage that I couldn't help but smile. His bravery was just what the others needed to be shocked out of their stupor and they all stared at him, obviously wondering where this new found bravery came from. Without warning, he started walking forward, the leaves crunching underfoot. I followed after, with Caelia, Amara, Felix and Lora on my heels.

It was absolutely terrifying to watch Ky get swallowed up by the blackness, but it was almost heart-stopping once I entered it myself. For a moment all I could see was blackness, until Ky lit up with his lux navitas and illuminated the cave. The steel surrounding us was washed with the brilliant light, reflecting back to us our petrified faces. I ran my hand over the wall, shivering as the cold bleed into my skin.

“I do not like this.” I heard Lora whisper from behind me, her voice bouncing off the walls and making it sound ten times louder than it was.

“None of us do.” Amara hissed back. “So keep your mouth shut and keep walking.”

I was shocked at the wording Amara had used, sensing that some of my vocabulary had rubbed off on her. Her words had seemed to do their job, as Lora didn’t utter until we reached a fork in the path. Ky used his lux navitas to light up the two paths one at a time, pondering which one we should take. I felt a something touch my shoulder and I squeaked in fright, until I realised that it was Amara just trying to pass me.

“Sorry.” She said, not noticing my erratic heartbeat as she caught up to Ky. My nerves were set on edge as they conversed so I took a few deep breaths to try and calm down. The others joined me and I noted the sceptical looks they gave each other. Finally, the siblings turned to face us.

“Since our time is rather limited, we have decided that we are going to split up into two groups.” Ky explained, crossing his arms. “So, Elaina, Lora and Felix will come with me down the path on the left, while Amara and Caelia will take the path on the right.”

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“Please tell me that we are not going to split up again.” Lora whimpered, clutching onto Felix’s arm. Ky sighed and I could tell that he was getting more and more frustrated with every passing moment.

“If we split up we will find the others more quickly.” He explained. “I am sure that Amara and the others are in the same predicament as us by now.”