Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 748: A Barren Landscape 2 ()
As Xenon had predicted, they soon came upon a cavernous entrance etched into the base of the volcano. The jagged opening seemed to have been formed overtime, as a result of the rock that had been weathered due to age and repeated contact with high temperatures. The entrance was just large enough to fit three people standing side by side and it dug in deeply into the volcano, such that it had created a tunnel passageway of some sorts.
From first glance, one could only see the darkness stretching on and on within the depths of the cavernous opening, and it was unclear if it led to a dead end further in or if it would lead right into the heart of the volcano itself. Xenon was certain Menarx was in there and this meant at some point, this entrance or some other entrance had been used to get into the volcano as the caldera above was not a feasible way in.
"This is it." Xenon muttered, he glanced back at Neveah, offering a hand. "Don’t let go. I’m not about to lose you here..." He warned sternly.
"And remember, if anything goes south... I’m taking you and getting the hell out and it’s not up for discussion. If it’s you or anyone else, you already know there’s one choice."
Neveah nodded. "I’ll stick right by your side and I won’t do anything... overboard."
Xenon interlaced their fingers and then he led the way into the entrance. The temperature within the volcano was even colder than it was outside, so much so that it was like a shift from a cold night breeze to a chilling winter draft. It was difficult to believe that this same volcano had once erupted lava hot enough that it rendered all those miles surrounding it as barren lands.
All the way here, there has not been a hint of greenery in sight, it had been so for decades and counting. The only signs left of the scorching temperature this volcano was known for were likely the geysers, but somehow, they did nothing to stabilize the cold temperature. Now inside the volcano itself, the geysers were no longer a concern, not at the moment at least.
The ground beneath their foot was treacherous, the earth was cracked and brittle for the most part, and other parts were uneven. Careful as their steps were, there was the occasional crack of cinders beneath their boots, or at least beneath Neveah’s, Xenon’s stealth was far more attuned to such environments whereas Neveah had never seen an actual volcano for herself, the wolf territory did not have any of those. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
It took only a moment for Neveah’s eyes to adjust to the darkness enough to be able to see her way ahead. The walls on both sides of the tunnel-like passageway were blackened with evidence of soot that had remained this long after the last eruption and centuries worth of heat and pressure had also played a part in turning the walls a permanent shade of black.
The acrid stench of sulfur was stronger now and it seemed to bounce off the walls themselves, Neveah scrunched up her nose, though it did not do much to combat the pungent smell.
The sounds of the outside world had all but disappeared completely and they had not even gone so far into the tunnel. It seemed to be an entirely different world within the tunnel, the hum of the night wind left behind for the distant rumble of shifting rock and an equally distant echo of dripping water.
"With the tunnels all twisted, it should be okay to have a little light. But not fire..." Xenon said to Neveah. "Dragon fire and volcanos don’t go so well together."
"I understand why Keila would come here then. Even a battalion of dragons would have to approach in human form and give up the idea of using their flames...or risk stirring up a temperature that might awaken this sleeping disaster." Neveah murmured as she summoned the magic curling within her and in a moment, a small orb of golden light hovered ahead of Xenon, lighting his path.
It provided just enough light for them to see ahead but it was not so bright that it would draw attention to them, just in case they had unexpected company while going down the passageway.
"Keila is smart, she was trained at the academy and in the ways of battle by the finest dragon lords. She knows far more about dragons and the Asvarian stronghold than any other fairy...far more than any Fae has the rights to." Xenon agreed. "We will be paying heavily for that."
"It is no one’s fault things have turned out like this." Neveah replied with a shake of her head. "She was allowed the same privileges granted to any rider of her standing...there is nothing to regret."
Xenon hummed in agreement. The deeper they went, the air grew increasingly heavy. The stench of sulfur also thickened, which made it difficult to breathe without irritation. A short walk later and the passageway split into two tunnels leading in opposite directions. Xenon grunted beneath his breath, his displeasure building at the sight.
He stopped before the two tunnels and tilted his head slightly, glancing between both, eyes narrowed in concentration. Neveah knew Xenon was not trying to differentiate between the both by visual comparison, instead, he was tracking Menarx.
Neveah allowed him the moment he needed to determine the right path. With her senses affected by the strong smells in the volcano, it was difficult to trust her sense of smell to track Menarx, Xenon’s link to Menarx was their best bet.
"This way. Stay close to me." Xenon finally said after a short moment and he led the way down the left, his hand still held Neveah’s firmly and he had not let go for even one moment since they ventured into the tunnel, as though if he did, the tunnels would separate them.
Neveah was not certain why, but Xenon had been growing increasingly sensitive and added with his obvious distaste for this terrain, she silently hoped they could be out of here soon enough.
They walked on for a few minutes before a familiar scent was finally discernable to Neveah. It was still masked by the stench of sulfur and the volcano’s fumes but it was unmistakably Menarx’s, Neveah could recognize that scent anywhere.
"Menarx...he was here about an hour ago." Neveah confirmed to Xenon that he was on the right trail. "His scent has long faded but I can still tell he was here."
"Good. But an hour is a long enough time to cover a distance." Xenon commented. "Especially for a dragon lord anxiously seeking out his rider."
"We should hurry then." Neveah said.
Xenon nodded and they hastened their steps. The tunnel was getting wider now as they went further, the walls were now farther, but there was something else that did not seem to be a positive change. A low, pulsing vibration had begun beneath their feet, it was barely perceptible but it was still unsettling.
"Geysers?" Neveah asked hopefully. The deadly water jets that shot up through the surface of the barren landscape were perhaps the cause of these vibrations, or at least Neveah hoped they were.
"The same way the winds stopped howling in here...we shouldn’t sense the geysers this deep inside the volcano." Xenon responded truthfully. He glanced down, his brows narrowed as the pebbles and debris around their feet began shifting.
"Veah!" Before either of them could say a word, the ground beneath Neveah’s feet caved in and Neveah’s eyes widened as she fell through, dangling off the cracked space in the ground.
Neveah’s eyes took in the pitch black cavern beneath her feet and then glanced up at Xenon whose grip on her hand was the only thing keeping her from plummeting into the abyss of darkness below and the uncertainties it concealed.
The ground had not stopped trembling, Neveah could feel it and she could hear the cracks spreading, in no time, Xenon would also lose his foothold. Xenon grunted beneath his breath knowing what Neveah was about to say. "There is only one choice."
Without another word, Xenon dropped down through the crack Neveah had fallen through, grabbing Neveah’s waist in a flash, he spun them around in the air so his back would hit the ground first and his hand held Neveah securely to himself.
Dirt and debris rained down all around them as the entire level they had just been standing on collapsed and crashed down. It all happened in a flash and Neveah just stared at Xenon in horror. But she did not get the time to question his choice, from her angle watching their landing, a sharp, pointy rock soon became visible, and Xenon fell straight for it.
A shriek tore out of Neveah’s throat and her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach.
