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Crypt

‘This is a mistake, Hal.’
It was the man’s frustrated grunt that prompted once again the grating of stone and straining of tensioned cables, each sound echoing off into the darkness of the chamber. By the dim light that seeped through the room, Duhan grimly observed the crew heave at the ancient stone, sweat shining on their brows. Beside the struggling men his captain watched and grimaced, his cold expression accented in the blue glow. The first mate could tell Hal’s patience was running thin.

As the crew continued, Duhan took another wary glance at his surroundings; given how long they’d all been in here, the eerie stillness of the stone constructs around them had begun to make him uneasy. Flanking the centre of the room where they stood, four abstracted faces watched blankly. Their forms were worn by time, but the distinct carved design of the Father still caught the light of the cold braziers. Duhan shivered. He was already convinced he had seen enough.

His thoughts were cut short as Hal barked a command, his voice careening off the high walls.
‘Again! We will not leave until we have what we came for!’ Quiet groans of exhausted protest were quickly stifled as the captain snapped. ‘Enough! Put your backs into it this time. And…heave!’
With glacial speed, the huge stone block began to move, a deep rumble emanating from it. A chill ran down Duhan’s spine.
‘Hal, this is ridiculous. We can’t-‘
‘That’s it, men! Prepare again!’ Hal turned sharply to Duhan, eyes flickering with annoyance. ‘What brought you on this escapade, eh? Are you going to join us, or get in our way?’
‘Even if the crypt is here, disturbing it could doom us all!’ An edge of urgency crept into Duhan’s voice as his eyes widened. Another sidelong peek confirmed the section of the floor was moving. The men, inspired by their progress, had begun to coordinate themselves, the resounding ‘one, two, heave!’ booming through the temple. Hal was still glaring at his first mate, the glimmer in his eyes now one of anticipation.
‘We have searched for months. The secrets of our enemy’s loss will be revealed to us! This is a victory to savour, Duhan, can you not see?’
‘I can see, Hal. I see this as the madness it is. What secret could lie here? It is a temple, nothing more. Now stop chasing your end!’

With a final roar of effort, the stone slab was wrenched from its place on the floor. Duhan and Hal were buffeted by a rush of musty air that whistled past them to the entrance. The men fell back, their grapple-lines slackening in exhausted victory. The surge of air stopped roaring in the two men’s ears, and the stillness returned to the chamber. Duhan looked down at where the slab once sat. The gap revealed emptiness, a gaping maw that stretched down into complete darkness. A simple stone staircase disappeared quickly under the floor. Beside him, he heard a single chuckling exhalation from the captain. Turning to face him, he saw the grin now stood triumphantly on his face.
Duhan’s voice returned from his shock, quiet and low.
‘What do you think you will find?’
With a spark and a flare of orange, Hal brought up a glowing torch.
‘I will find the truth.’

~Story by RedMire