Something to Prove - Part 3

Former Chapters: (1), (2)

The ramp behind the gaping maw of the stone face was unusually dark for this part of the dungeon. Astryon and Terrence had to half walk - half slide their way down, both of them adamantly hoping that this was not some stone giant’s esophagus they were traversing. Eventually the tunnel leveled out and Terrence paused to look back up the way they had come.

“You do realize that was much too steep to easily climb back up. I have rope, in a pinch, but…” He grimaced, his tail lashing.

“But it would be slow going even if we managed to establish some kind of rope and pulley system.” Astryon confirmed, following Terrence's gaze. “Which means we better hope this tunnel loops around somewhere nearby or else this is going to be a much longer venture than either of us planned for.”

The two Coursers made their way down the passage side by side, Terrence’s round hooves clopping, Astryon’s split ones clicking daintily. The lights of their lanterns cast cool pools of light that contrasted against the ruddy tinged stone on this level. Unlike most of this part of the dungeon, there was no lava to be found and none of the open flames that could pour from cracks in the living stone. These region, as near as they could tell, was ashen and dead. Slowly the tunnel began to widen out, and ascend. For the first time on this level, they spied growing things. Blackened vines sprouted up from the floor, little by little at first, and then in greater numbers, and taller. Soon they covered the floor, tangling around their hooves and forcing them to tread carefully. Neither of them recognized the type of vine, but it coiled and curled, creating fanciful black filigree across the floor.

They were watching their steps and not the tunnel ahead when a sound brought their heads up. A figure stood in the path, short and squat, but upright on two legs. Its face was indistinct, shrouded by a blackened hood and the features seemed to waver like a heat-mirage, but cracked and blistered black hands stretched out to them, imploring. Flames wreathed the figure, though they seemed neither to give off any heat, nor to touch the vines or the terrifying specter. Thick-fingered hands grasped at the air, clenching and unclenching, seeking…

“The Forge…” Came a barely comprehensible moan, sending chills down both Coursers’ spines. “THE FORGE!” This time the words came as a demand, and both Astryon and Terrence backed up as the figure stepped toward them. 

And then it was gone.

They stared at one another in silence for a long moment, not even daring to breathe. But whatever they spectre had been, it was gone now, and the passageway was silent once more. 

“So… that happened. You saw that, right?” Terrence asked, still looking a little pale around the nostrils, which were flared wide to take in any scrap of scent. 

“Yeeeep.” Astryon agreed. “Don’t suppose you’ve seen a forge down here anywhere have you? I haven’t really done so much exploring on this level. Too blasted hot.”

“I haven’t seen a forge, but you know… there are definitely areas of this section that seem… crafted? Maybe the whole level is one great forge. The molten rivers are certainly hot enough to melt steel. And think… those channels we passed in the open cavern? Those could have be sluiceways.” Terrence looked thoughtful as they continued picking their way through the vines. 

Almost as surprising as the appearance of the spectre, the tunnel suddenly widened out and then ended altogether. Unremarked by either of them, the tunnel had apparently ascended, because now they stood in bold, crimson moonlight in a garden neither of them had ever seen before.

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