The World In A Book

Chapter 8 - Third Obstacle "The Cave's Labyrinth"

The peacefulness was overwhelming Daisy and Robert. The path to the mountain was nothing like the fierce jungle.

"I can't help but notice how peaceful it is here. It bothers me, so boring" said Robert.

"Don't say that, Robert! We barley made it out of the forest alive," said Daisy.

"That reminds me. What did you guys experience after we got separated," said James with interest filling him up.

"Horrors...," simply replied Daisy while her eyes turned deep dark.

"It was crazy back there, you have no idea. We saw a huge eagle feeding a baby bear cub to its newly hatched fledglings, and then the cub's parent tried to climb the tree where the nest was seeking revenge but the eagle flew down and the two monsters wrestled. They were distracted so we made our quick escape," said Robert.

"I will eat your children just as you have eaten mine,"  said James impersonating the bear jokingly making everyone laugh.

"You two will be our guide back home, so please do try to take care of yourselves and stay out of danger's path," said Steve.

At last they have reached the mountain and started climbing it.

"The explorer who hid the book here must have surely been a monster. How was he able to pass by the fog and the monster infested forest and then climb up this huge mountain," said James.

"You got it wrong James. Ever wonder why he never came back to the village," said Steve.

"No way," said James.

"Yes.., that's my theory. The journey drained all of his energy and he died perhaps in the cave or on his way back," said Steve.

"That worries me! What if he died on his way to here and never actually made it," said Daisy.

"That means that this cave could be empty and there is no book it it! Then this  whole journey would have been for nothing," said Robert.

"No matter what happens this journey will never be for nothing. At the bare minimum we have mapped an unexplored piece of land. We could also establish trade relations with the village in the middle of the peaceful plains and gain some of their knowledge in exchange of some of ours," said Steve pulling himself up to the caves mouth.

"Finally! This is where the book lies dormant," said James trying to take the first step into the cave but was stopped with a load of bats rushing out. "Watch out," said James as he ducked and covered his head.

"Everyone please be extra careful. We didn't come here just to die," said Daisy worried about the others. "Actually just come back here James," she said pulling him away from the cave's mouth.

"You are worrying too much for nothing," said James badgered as he was being pulled back.

Daisy took an arrow out of her quiver and placed it on the bow and shot it inside the cave.

"From now on before we progress i'll shoot an arrow to clear the path," said Daisy.

"Good idea," said Steve agreeing with her.

They walked in and the path branched into left and right.

"This is gonna be painful," said Robert.

"Do we split? It will be faster that way," asked James.

"Idiot. Only Daisy has an arrow and bow. Only she can clear the path," said Robert.

"Sissy," said James teasing Robert.

"This is no time for jokes," said Robert mad.

"I know, but we also don't have time to waste so you three head that way and i'll head this way," said James.

Everyone stared at him and were amazed with how confident he was. They cared for him and his safety, but they also liked the idea of finding the book faster so that they could head home sooner than later, and that made them agree to his offer.

"It's settled then," said James heading right while the others went left.

"How can he be so brave," said Robert in admiration.

"Maybe it's because of the fall," said Daisy.

"Well, Steve fell too but he didn't make any such offers," said Robert.

"Are you trying to say that I'm a coward," lashed Steve at Robert.

"Calm down kids," said Daisy shaking her head.

The cave curved left and right. The paths narrowed then widened. Not too soon they  stumbled upon a circularly shaped room lit with bright crystals.

"It's beautiful," said Daisy looking around.

To their surprise they found James trying to lift a boulder in the middle of the room.

"Need some help with that," said Daisy with a smirk.

"Ahh," exclaimed James looking behind him.

"The two paths were connecting," said Robert.

"I guess so, and by the way the book is inside this rock," said James.

"How do you know," said Steve.

"When I entered this room I found this piece of rock slab that had an engraving of a boulder that was hollow on the inside," said James handing it over to the other.

"And you concluded that the book is hidden inside the hollow boulder," said Steve.

"Yup," said James as he went back to lifting the boulder. His face turned red as he poured all of his energy into lifting it then he tossed it to the side trying to break it making the whole cave shake. 

"Easy," said Daisy covering her head from falling debris.

James sighed as he fell to the ground trying to regain some energy.

"Yes," screamed Robert in joy.

"What's up," said James looking at him.

"The top of the boulder came off," said Robert pointing at it.

Everyone gathered around the boulder.

"The boulder was hollow on the inside, so you simply had to place something in then cover it with another matching rock like a lid," said Steve amazed.

Inside lied a small rectangular box.

"The book must be in the box," said James in awe reaching for it.

He grabbed the rectangular box and slowly started opening it. All four of them looked away as a shining explosion of blinding light came out. In the box a slightly burned book lied.

"This is it," said James.

"Our entire journey for this," said Steve.

James opened the book and read in awe.

"No way," exclaimed James.

"My turn! My turn," said Daisy grabbing the book eagerly reading a bit of it. "Amazing," she said with widened eyes.

Robert and Steve took turns to read some of it, too. Then they decided that it was time to head back home to deliver this treasure that they have found.