Kansnubra Island: (HARRY POTTER) Inspired

CHAPTER 19

The sun had already set, and they decided to camp for the night at the foot of the mountain. At daybreak, they prepared themselves for the climb.

Jorge was shaking his head.

"I'm not going up there!" he said in a frightened voice. Alix put her hand over her mouth, to muffle her giggle.

"Jorge, if you prefer, you can stay here, alone, waiting for the Plenauso?"

"I..."

"Calm down, young man," said Aldrich. "We are going to check our equipment and make sure it's safe for climbing."

Before they even began exploring, Garley noticed something strange on the rocky mountain wall as he looked for other ways up.

"Hey, guys! What is that?" There was a small fissure in the dark rock, and then another forming the shape of a perfect sphere. Next to that, yet another larger sinewy crack coming from the ground and extending almost twelve feet up.

"What's so strange, Garley?" asked Alix, frowning. "They're just cracks that form naturally on rocky mountains."

"Wait...I need to try something crazy!"

Garley deliberately walked towards the spot he had pointed out. He lifted his sword and positioned it along the smaller crack. He felt a little silly doing so, but he felt like that is what he needed to do. He thought it was worth a try.

His sword fit the crack perfectly. Everyone watched and waited for something to happen. He then turned the sword in the direction of the circle. The rock quaked and a few seconds later, the larger fissure began to open slowly, revealing a secret entrance. A strong current of humid air blew from the passage and a strong smell of mold filled Garley's nostrils.

Johnny and the others, still amazed by what had happened, remained silent until Garley spoke in excitement.

"Wow! I knew there was something here."

Without a moment's hesitation, they all lined up and walked in, even Alastor—since the entrance was high and wide enough.

When Aldrich, the last in line, stepped into the cave, the rocky wall began to move again, shutting behind them with a loud bang. In the darkness, only Alix's whisper could be heard.

"Oh god! We're trapped!"

Johnny asked for all of them to remain calm as he enveloped his sword with blue flames. This bleak and gloomy light revealed a staircase of irregular steps sculpted in the rock wall going straight up and disappearing into the darkness.

"At least there are no scorpions or other horrifying creatures chasing us," said Garley, in an attempt to appear excited. The mere thought of the mountain's height made him exhausted.

They began to climb. Garley, Alix, and Jorge led the way, followed by Alastor. There were some cracks on the wall from which light came; these helped them see the endless steps of the staircase.

At a certain point, Jorge broke the silence, all covered in sweat, complaining. "I can't go any further! I think I'm going to faint..."

"Don't be so dramatic, Jorge. It hasn't even been half an hour since we began to climb!"