Enter Abyss

Chapter 12; A strange new world.

Once Archer had been patched up, Galen took him to the feasting hall to be reunited with his friends. Then, they sat down to a hot meal of...food, Archer hoped.

"What IS this?" he heard Pip ask as she picked up a wriggling creature that resembled a fat finger. Its skin was bluish grey, rubbery, and the thing had no eyes. One thing was for certain; it was definitely alive.

"Ah, that," Galen scooped one of the slimy creatures up and sunk his teeth into the flesh with a soft squish. The creature stilled instantely. Grey juices dripped from Galen's chin as he merrily explained. "These are shadow slugs. Very tasty once you get over their initial texture." Wiping his mouth on his sleeve, he then gestured to what looked like blue moss on the center of the table, "And you really ought to try the moon moss. It's quite delicious this time of year."

Archer swallowed, exchanging a glance with Cogs then Pip. There was no way in the Underworld that he wanted to eat a slug, but he also did not want to be rude. So, with revultion slowly building in his stomach, he picked up a bit of moon moss-- for he was not brave enough for the slug-- and took a hesitant bite. 

Instantly, he gagged and began coughing. It tasted like dirt and... cave? It was grainy and terrible and he hated it. But, like all polite guests should, he merely took a sip of water and said in between gasps and dry-heaving, "It's wonderful."

To his surprise, Galen only chuckled softly. "I understand that it is not what you are used to. Though, I am afraid it is all we have. Still, the others who came from the surface have learned to love it--"

"Wait!" Cogs suddenly burst out, "There are others? Others from our world?"

The king nodded, brushing away his silver bangs from his eyes. "This has gone on for quite some time, yet though we do not know why people continue to enter the Abyss."

"It's a ritual." Archer explained once his breath came back, "They sacrifice one person every year to the Abyss to appease the gods."

"You have gods on the surface world?"

"At least a hundred. Do you have gods here?"

Galen shook his head, coughing ever so slightly. When he spoke, his voice was weak, "We have always honored the Ancients. That is, our ancestors who came before us and bestowed upon us the gift of magic."

There was a beat of silence. Then Pip suddenly burst out laughing, causing several in the dining cave to turn and look at her. "You can't use magic. No one but the Keepers can use magic. It's not possible."

Archer watched as Galen arched an eyebrow and lifted his hand. Violet light sprang from his fingers in whisps, curling delicately around his arm before disappearing entirely. "What would you call that then?"

'Amazing!' Archer thought, excitement bubbling through him, 'I'd call it amazing, that's what.' Not many people in Maufaria could use magic, and those that did were forced to become Keepers. Yet here... why Archer could learn magic! Then when he returned to the surface, he could protect anyone who was being hurt by a Keeper. He could even start a revolt; a revolt to abolish the ruling tyranny of the Keepers forever. He could help people in ways he never could with his inventions.

"Show me," Archer begged, "I must learn magic."

But Galen was already shaking his head. "The art of magic is not in my blood." he then brushed away his bangs to reveal the gem embedded in his skin, "The power comes from this stone; yet I do not know why or how. For years, I have studied its secrets, wondering what the key to magic was, yet I have failed over and over."

"Is there some way I could implant a gem?"

"Archer, please, your face is ugly enough." Pip butted in, warily chewing on a piece of moon moss.