MCSM: Deceiving Perfection #5

Part 3 (Jesse)

After a LONG ride horseback, and two and a half miles of deep sea swimming, (About a three-day journey) the group finally made their way to the island. Jesse has an especially hard time swimming. Plus bump after bump on that horse. She didn't realize how difficult this would be. Not to mention how often Lucas was checking on her. The others were starting to notice. The surprise was going to be ruined! She couldn't let that happen. So, she tried her best to cover it all up.

Oddly, now that they were on the cursed island, Jesse was relieved. And exhausted. Luckily, Radar piped off, "Hey, we should take a break before we go running to find that temple. Let's have some lunch!" The others shrugged and took a seat. Jesse sighed, and sat on a very fortunately placed log. Lucas sat beside her and squeezed her hand comfortingly. Jess and Petra immediately pulled out their bows. "Loser has to cook!" They yelled, somehow in perfect unison. They went speeding off. Radar laughed, "People always say opposites attract, but those two are basically the same person, and they work perfectly!"

"No kidding." Lucas laughed, "At least none of us have to cook."

A few minutes later, Petra returned with a sheep draped over her shoulders, and Jess dragging his feet behind her. She chucked the sheep on the ground, "Alright loser. I'm hungry."

After they refueled and rested, Jess stood, "Is everyone ready to go?"

Lucas looked to Jesse first, who nodded. Then Lucas, then Radar. Petra was already walking away. Jess followed her. The others scrambled to grab their belongings and ran after them.

After following a map for a while, they found the temple. It was practically in perfect condition.

"I thought nobody lived on this island. How is this temple undamaged? There isn't moss or decomposition seemingly anywhere!" Lucas gaped. Radar grinned, "It must be the stone! It has powers, right? I bet it keeps this temple undamaged!"

"Oh this stone gets cooler by the second!" Petra fangirled. Jesse tapped her chin, "It is indeed incredible, but if it can keep the temple this perfect, imagine what skills the monsters within will have."

This was a frightening statement. It even left Jess and Petra in silent thought.

"Then we'd better gear up." Jess stated. He lifted his helmet out of his duffel bag and set it slowly on his head, "This will be a bumpy ride."
————————————————————
They approached the entrance. Petra grabbed Jess' hand, Jess clung to Jesse's, she gripped Lucas', and Lucas grabbed Radar's. They took a deep breath and walked to the door.

BEEEEE- a buzzer started, then a scanner lazered over them, but didn't hurt them.

A robot-sounding voice echoed. (Don't worry, it's not PAMA) "You are an intriguing group of individuals. You consist of strength, bravery, love, intellect, wisdom, and many more pleasing qualities. You are much different from most people who come in search of me."

It's alive? Jesse gaped, I wasn't expecting that!

"Yes, I am indeed a different artifact from any other in the galaxy. I however, lack emotion. What I do not lack is good judgement. For thousands of years I have sought worthy candidates for my power, but I have yet to find anyone."

Petra squinted, "How can we prove ourselves worthy?"

The voice spoke, still monotone,  "Petra Lihn Johnson, you seek the stone for unworthy reasons. As does your love interest. Jesse Fern Porter, Lucas Damon Porter, and Radar Jax Lowenthal have peeked my interest. Their intentions lie not with me, rather ensuring each member's safety. They are wise. They are aware of my power."

"So those rumors are true?" Radar twiddled his thumbs, "You can kill people, take their limbs, give them mental issues-" He cut himself off and stared at the ground, afraid of the answer.

"They brought their fate to themselves."

The group looked at one another.

"You question the meaning of my statement. Alas, I must allow you to learn the meaning of that yourselves." The entrance doors slowly opened. The Order gaped inside the spacious building. It was all white with a neon green stripe tracing the whole wall. The room was long and empty. "I thought there'd be monsters or something." Petra slouched, disappointed.

"Wait- so we're still going through with this?" Radar's voice shook. Jess turned to him, "Petra and I love a little bit of danger. The stone likes you guys, so I don't think you'll need to worry anyway."

Jesse's gaze traced the walls, floors, and ceiling. I see no traps." She began walking slowly ahead. The others did too. "Well there's gotta be some sort of puzzle here. There's no other doors." Jess stated, "The question is, what is it?"

Jesse's finger traced the corner, "Uh guys!" She called, concerned, "This wall is a separate piece!"

"So is this one!" Petra called back. Radar tapped his chin, "From the looks of things, it's like those walls in movies, where they just close in on the victims who hardly get a chance to attempt an escape from inevitable doom and they get squeezed until their bones and insides are-"

"Ew." Lukas interrupted, "We get what you're talking about, but let's not think about it." The others blinked. Nobody expected such a morbid statement from  Radar.

The ceiling opened up, and a massive creature dropped down, grabbing Radar with two of its hairy, long legs. It had glowing green eyes, the same color as the room. Radar hardly amounted to a fourth of its height. It resembled a tarantula, but it's fangs were far more menacing, and two of its legs and half of its face was cyborg. When it turned to challenge the others to save their friend, the screech of grinding metal followed.

Radar screamed. It turned back to face him, and hissed. Neon green goop covering him. Suddenly, The entirety of Radar's eyes turned the same color, and he started panicking. "No! Don't leave me Cari!" He flipped around, "Jesse! What did I do?" He crumpled to the ground, shaking.

The other four raced to the opposite end of the spider-like beast. In sync, they drew their weapons.