The Rival of Gods

Chapter Twenty-One: Messiah

The dimension they walked now was far preferable to the realm of the Fish King. For one thing, the walls around them were more real and grounded. It was like a greenish glowing rock, and though it led down, it seemed to twist around along the path. Sahshir glanced back at one point and saw the stair was gone.

Yet, as he walked along the floor, he found himself disoriented. Glancing back, he saw that gravity seemed to be shifting. Their group was walking in a spiral. Nagos and Amasara, directly behind him, were on the wall to the left. Further back, Isamu, Oresa, and Urus were on the ceiling, and Tuor was on the opposite wall.

The group was walking in a spiral, constantly moving around. And the passage itself was moving upwards, then down, and so on.

"So what's this Road of Ancient Stone like?" asked Oresa.

"It's a dimension below the world's surface," said Urus. "It extends into other dimensions. Those who walk it experience it differently each time. Once the goblins dwelled within it until Anoa the Bright exterminated them. Now it is subject to the whims of whatever demon or creature is near it.

"We'd best go and quickly."

"Tuor, will you lead here?" asked Sahshir suddenly.

"Of course," said Tuor, drawing out a rope. "Stay close and tie this rope around your waist. We cannot afford to get separated."

It took a minute or two to get the rope around everyone. For one thing, the distorted nature of the passage made it difficult to coordinate. When one person moved toward another, they shifted and bumped into one another. Eventually, they managed it by passing it into a line.

"Now, lead on," said Sahshir.

"That I will," said Tuor.

Sahshir went to the rear of the group, walking alongside Oresa. Oresa, however, looked disturbed.

"What's wrong, Oresa?" asked Urus.

"Well, um, I was hoping we'd get to go back to Sorn," said Oresa. "Are we sure about this?"

"About what?" asked Sahshir.

"Entering the Dark Land of Gel Carn?" asked Oresa. "Things have only been getting more dangerous, and now... well, we're almost there."

"I agree," said Cadas.

"Oh come on, Cadas," said Isamu. "What's the problem? We head in, snatch the Heaven's Eye, and head out."

"But Isamu, Gel Carn is the heart of Anoa the Bright's power," said Oresa. "It's said that every part of that land is awake and hunger for blood. Pandora, the Sorceress, controls the flies, and Gail Arengeth roams there.

"What's more, I heard...

"I heard that the spirit of a legendary knight inhabits the castle of Gel Carn. A being who cannot be killed cannot be defeated. No one may face him and live."

"Alright, now this sounds like a challenge worth fighting," said Isamu. "If this knight guy is invincible, that's just because I haven't beaten him up yet."

"Though crudely delivered, you speak the truth," said Tuor. "Nothing is invincible. Even one without weaknesses may be drawn out into exposing themselves.

"How do you know so much about this, Oresa?"

"Well, um, I used to talk with travelers when they came to visit us," said Oresa. "Back when I lived in the palace, anyway. Nagos was one of them."

Tuor nodded.

"You are correct, Oresa," said Tuor. "Gel Carn is a dangerous place. I would never consider going to seize the Heaven's Eye with Pandora and Arengeth present.