Haze of Dusk (A trilogy) Read online

  After a long hush journey, we reach a lofty peak that encloses us with heavy gray limestone. The place is abandoned by life, and by nature. “We are here.” He says inserting a grimy uncovered surface. I sneer. Is this it? The scary cavern everyone fears, for I see nothing but an area conserved with walls of rocks and a desiccated ground, in which the soil looks more like sand and the rocks ascend tall. We weren't near the top of the mountain, but possibly amidst. Vaniele revealed for hundreds of years nobody has survived the cavern, except three years ago there was a first survivor. Khysso Shorewen was asked to search for a treasure for the Srovio, since he's fearless and the strongest he accepted the mission, and came back alive. Of course he returned. He has my stone—the undying my ass.

  Khysso saunters through the tall walls with a stretch hand, moving it around the rocks. I watch him bemused. He briefly stops, and gazes at a wall motionless.

  “I found the opening. It's here… come…” he persists. I prepare my equipment and hurry to him. “I will open the gateway. Now, are you ready?” I rush a nod. The walls begin to quiver. It's there I grasp why the headmistress restrictedly ordered for the cavern to be closed if I didn't come out on time. It’s magically created, and I don’t have the wisdom in how to open or close it, meaning if Khysso closes the cavern, I will stay inside forever. “It is set…find the dragon’s head and come back before the next sundown. You have twenty-four hours," my heart accelerates. It hits me like a hook falling down a ship. I’m going to battle this on my own. I hold my shoulder bag firmly and take a step forward.

  “Judyala,” he calls. It’s the first time in a long time he calls me by my name. I slightly turn to him. He picks up his arm in a fist, and opens his thick-manly hand. My eyes rise. He holds the Siren stone. “Take it… it is yours…” I’m confound by his decision. Is he really giving it to me, but why?

  “I do—”

  “Just take it. Stop being so capricious,” he cuts in a growl. I’m not capricious. Whatever, he’s right. It’s mine. I put my hand over his. The earth trembles sturdily, impossible to hold still. We lose our balances. Khysso and I fall to the ground as the stone rolls away from us. “The stone!” I yell crawling to it. I extend my hand, magically bringing it to me. I clasp the stone and sigh in relief. But a fracturing noise steals my attention. I wheeze in panic. Beneath me, the earth splits briskly consuming me. “Judyala,” Khysso shouts. He reaches out a hand seizing mine, halting me from falling down the hollow. My body hangs in the air. My slippery hand, bit by bit slips from his.

  “Give me your other hand!” he groans.

  “I can’t, I’m holding the stone…”

  “Give me your damn hand!” he bellows in terror. A massive rock falls down from the top wall, fiercely shattering the ground, creating more turbulence. My hand slides from Khysso. I release my other hand to grasp a jammed-rock that obtrudes from the core of the surface. I gape as the stone falls into the hollow. My mother’s gift… gone forever, this time for real. A pressure elevates me. Khysso uses his magic to lift me. Once I step ground he secures my hand, and we sprint, for plenty of rocks fall from the mountain. We wish to focus on our powers to stop the rocks. If not, we will be buried by them, but because of the abnormal speed of the rocks, Khysso has a better idea, and together we jump inside the open portal, entering the cavern of death.

  A heat wave bolts through the area. I cough inconsiderately. The thick dust that encircles our surrounding is unsafe to inhale. The cave is falling apart. The sounds of the rocks smashing still thrust hard. I gaze around. The dust derives my sight, but I hear Khysso’s groaning. I follow his moaning. Something tells me he's not well.

  “Khysso…where are you?" I worry. I crawl in search for him. Against the wall, I see a figure. I gasp. Khysso bleeds from the top of his arm. I dash to him, overlooking the dust around us. “Oh-no, you’re hurt…it’s because you didn’t have the stone… oh lord, the stone.”

  “Could you stop thinking about the damn stone!” he snaps. What’s wrong with me? He’s in pain, and I’m dumbly being thoughtless. “Don’t worry, I’ll heal you…” I move closer to him. “Heal me…” he says doubtful, the dusk clings on his dark hair. I slowly undress him. A sharp rock has penetrated the gentle skin between his arm and chest. I carefully pull it out. He groans, but takes the pain well. I search my bag for a small clear container with a water like substance. Like a good healer, I clean the wound with Exafolic; a disinfectant that helps restores the internal. Healers could easily mend, but if not done correctly the process might damage the injured. I let the remedy foam, and I lay my hands over his wound. I let the renewed energy take over me, releasing it to him. My hands glow cherry, gradually sealing his wound. The mess of blood stays behind. I breathe roughly. I'm glad the cut closed, and he can move his arm with no trouble. This means all is well.

  “Your witchcraft comes in handy after all,” he utters standing. I violently glare at him. “I am not a witch. Female arclaws are witches…I’m not a damn arclaw,” I hiss at him. He grimaces, “you have an attitude problem,” he says putting back his bloody shirt. I open my mouth about to snap, but I’m overcome by his hard-rock body. Khysso Shorewen's body is unbelievably perfect. His muscles are slim. His chest and stomach rip— the bronze of his skin daringly captivating. What is wrong with the men in Doomsvell, why the damn hot body? I swivel, not wanting him to notice how suddenly heat provokes my tension.

  “Why is it so hot in here? I can barely breathe,” my throat is dry. The temperature instantly makes me sweat, but I’m not sure if it’s truly hot, or these are my female desires detonating. “And we are just starting. The closer you get, the hotter it will get. Take it from me, it will be disturbing.” He says. I peek at him. He wears his top. I sigh in relief, thankful for the clothing on him. “Now that I’m stuck here, follow me. I will show you the way.” He walks ahead of me. My prior anxiety is gone. For some reason, with him, I know I'm secure.

  The further we enter the carven, the more a hot vapor swifts our way shutting us down. We cover our faces, preventing the heat waves from destroying the uncovered skin. Breathing becomes a severe complication. I have to gasp in order to gulp down air. We arrive into a bright room. The limestone walls are crimson of the heat it has captured. “Careful, do not get too close to the walls. It will melt you.” Khysso says as he strides ahead. I frown. Even if he didn't mention it, there's no way in hell I’ll touch that red wall, for it looks unsafe. Passing the scorching walls, the tiny hairs on my arms begin to tingle until it fades. My skin creases, a fiery bristle burns my insides. I sweat a manner I never have, dropping to the warm grimy ground.

  “I can’t…I can’t go further…” I breathe heavily. I’m fussy by the heat. Khysso walks to me. “It is going to get hotter. You have to be stronger,” he takes my bag and digs in it. If I had any strength I would reproach his snooping, but my weakness overpowers any hurdle. He looks at the remedies and smells the water. He scowls. Tactfully, he pours a combination of the remedy into a pouch of water. “Drink this,” I grasp the water and drink. I gag, and slam the water back to him. It tastes like a rotten lemon, with orange zest. “It’s sour and disgusting.” He chuckles.

  “Drink it. It'll strengthen your skin, and influence your respiratory system. It will help you continue, for the heat will be greater. Go,” he shoves it back to me. I take it from his hand. I cover my nose and swallow the disgust. I take a deep breath, and I grab another pouch of water to remove the bad taste out of my mouth. I sip; my eyes on him. He stands still, wearing his black collared cloak, yet, he doesn’t shed a sweat. “Y-you’re…you’re not hot? Why…you’re not sweating…” I stutter, distress by how perfect he looks.

  "It's not as hot as you think." He says arrogantly. What is he implying with that, that I’m puny? “And I can take the heat better than others—hurry up. We have to get to the dragon. That antidote won’t work forever.” You better make things better.

  “Let the antidote work. I still feel as if I’m drowning in this
heat.” I pour water on my head, wetting me entirely. The refreshment drains the blazing sensation that eats my skin. Khysso gives me his back, staring away. The memory of him and Casandree together crosses my mind, heating my inside, causing discomfort. I shake my head in disgust. Really, to taint the environment by doing that thing is just repulsive. Don’t they have a bedroom, why meet there?

  “Bastards…” I garble sipping from my almost empty pouch. Khysso turns to meet me. He stares at me with those devious eyes I dislike. “Come again? What did you say?” Why sound so polite you sick man-whore.

  “I can’t believe we lost the stone…” I say softly, not wanting to demonstrate my anger. “Believe me. That stone was as important to me as to you,” I scoff.

  “Really, why is it so important? Let me guess, because it has kept you alive? Its invulnerability, it’s so important to you, ehh?” I suppose in a nasty tone. I’m suddenly annoyed by his immorality, his presence, his smell. “That stone was the only memory I had of my mother. It meant a lot more to me, unlike you,” I sass.

  “Then why did you lend it to me in the first place? That’s if it was sooo important to you,” he ridicules me. I gnash my teeth hating his repellent way of expressing. “You’re a prick,” I hiss drinking the bit of my water. Khysso glares.

  “Isn’t that what you and your immature friends call me behind my back? Do you think I don’t hear? Prick…what an indecent word for a young lady to say. But then again…you are no lady.” I stand in a rush wanting to punch him right in the face, of all people, why do I have to share my time with him? “I think we should continue before this gets ugly.” And I mean it, for my heart is accelerating in rage.

  “Tell you what, girl. I’m not taking your attitude and disrespectfulness any longer. There’s no need for me to continue doing this. Do it yourself." The fury in him is clear. He drifts away. I assume he’s going back to the entrance. I laugh loudly, hoping he hears me. “Whatever, I don’t need you. I can do it on my own!” I yell, but he’s gone. I’m deranged with anger. "Yeah, go back to your whore you hog." I say under my breath. An inner sore pierces my tummy. What just happened… did we just argue? I'm the one who should be mad, not him.

  I gaze at my surrounding. There are three different paths. Regret suddenly flows in my thoughts. I pick the nearest passage and head down the dark alleyway. The antidote helps me support the heat, along with smooth inhalations. I follow many paths that lead me to a loop that brings me back to the beginning. It is there I grasp I’m rotating the cavern. I must be doing something wrong.

  “Alright this is wrong!” I grumble standing in the same spot Khysso left me. Seriously, why did I let him go? What went on inside me? I take another track, this time I know I’m going the right way for the temperature rises. Finally, I’m pursuing the correct track, a place that crinkles my skin. The blackness I walk into blinds my sight, becoming a problem. But I disregard it and continue, hoping to find an ending and the dragon’s nest. “I must be close…” I say feeling a briskly hot gust—a swift yet rough hand grapples my arm and yanks me. I recognize his heavy pant.

  “Not one step further…” he says. I frown. I want to kick him for aggressively taking me, but I’m also relief to see him. Khysso jostles a white fire into the ceiling, illuminating the room. What he reveals squeezes my heart and heaves it to my stomach. The startling scene almost knocks my socks off. There’s lava on the narrow trail. One more step of mine, and I would’ve turn into flames. I put a hand on my chest. I’m grateful, and I seek to embrace him, but I hold my desires.

  “H-how did you know?” I question gushy. I’m appalled by the skeletons on the ground near the lava, their feet cut out. Some warriors dragged themselves out of the lava. Others probably died trapped. There are over a hundred, and if it wasn't because of him, I would’ve been one of them. “Instincts…” I lower my head, ashamed of my earlier behavior towards him. “Come,” he is quick and walks away before I can apologize. I follow him. “I’m starting to believe this is not all a coincidence. This is all planned.” He speaks as he marches ahead. I gasp.

  “You think!” I yelp behind him.

  “Rare antidotes, six patches of water…in which each have Cely, an unusual remedy that does not allow dehydration. Usually when punished, the leaders don’t allow any type of remedy inside the cavern, only a weapon can be entered. Why did they allow you to have it all? Besides, a leader or highest priestess has to be the one to accompany the betrayer, not an untrustworthy instructor. Moreover, the earthquake seemed to be magically intervened, basically forcing us to enter. People do not make it out of here alive, except they knew if they forced me in, I would assist you, for I’m the rare survivor.” He halts to meet with me, “I guess you are well protected aren’t you? You have everyone watching over you.” He says smugly.

  “You’re wrong. If that’s the case why did they send me here? Why punish me?" Does he think he's such greatness that he was the one chosen to guide me? But by Vaniele’s attitude towards it all, I figure he’s right about his theory. “You broke 84 rules, what do you want, a crown,” again he mocks me. “They have to demonstrate to the others a deceiver is penalized. No matter how special you are.” Khysso leads me to a path also covered in lava. “What’s going on…this wasn’t here years ago,” by his tone I can tell he worries.

  “What do we do now?”

  “This must be because of the treasure I took out years ago. The dragon must've changed the cavern.”

  “Oh yes, the treasure, what was it?” I curiously ask. He tilts his head to meet with me, but as usual the stare is swift and he looks away. “An eye of the dragon,” he admits looking at the lava. I scowl.

  “How is that a treasure?” I argue.

  “The eye of the dragon makes dosfylio, a tonic that can –”

  “Remove any powerful venom,” I cut in finishing for him. He chuckles, probably impress by my comprehension. Only high priestesses, sorcerers and wizards of old age know the truth of dosfylio. “You have been well trained. I assumed it must be nice to be a spoiled brat.” I'm not a spoiled brat. Why does he have to insult me? Now I remember why he easily exasperates me, but this time I swallow the frustration. I’m completely in need of Khysso.

  “I will create bricks. We have to cross in sixty seconds of an hourglass. That is how long I can fight nature’s magic law,” I frown.

  “Huh, what are you talking about? You can break the magic law,” he grimace.

  “What are you talking about?” He sighs. “We don’t have much time. I’m going to count to three, when I say run, you run, understood?” I nod. “Ready,” I put aside my curiosity, and once he yells run, I sprint with him. By his desperation and the track of the bricks fading, I can tell he speaks the truth of his powers. In the end, Khysso can’t break the magic rule…but then the tree…why?

  I notice a light flashing my way from a curve entrance. I run agile— I’m delighted we're almost out of this hell. A bit more striving I think, but a powerful heat wave dashes to me pushing me down. My body hits Khysso, together we hit ground. Given that I’m in the front the wind causes me further damage. The wave blinds me. My eyes burn disturbingly. “The bricks are fading, Judyala!” I rub my eyes, but the blur is thick. Khysso obtains me. I blush in a jiffy. Like many years ago, he carries me to safety, protecting me from the windy heat by holding my face close to his shoulder. The smell on his collar is captivating. His manly fragrance is fresh, accelerating my pulse, and touching my heart in an outlandish manner.

  Khysso steadily puts me down. I stare spelled by him, taken aback by his thoughtfulness. “Is your vision better?” He asks softly, his green eyes on me. I automatically nod, forgetting the world around me. My eyes burn, but my eyesight is more than perfect, especially to look at him. The growling of the dragon shakes the cave, Khysso’s hands meet my hips, but I disregard the touching for the echoes are terrifying and the area is bloodcurdling.

  I gaze around. The ring-shaped realm is crawling with magma, the cracks on
the rigid walls from the high top gush out lava, covering the rocks with its filth. The bottom has a deep hollow that is tainted in a hot fatal redness; dropping signifies a slow death, a long dark torment. If there's a hell, I’m seeing it right now. We stand on a cut surface, with an open view to the deadly bottomless. On the midpoint of the area, there's another round shaped base that's sustained by a thin line of solid rocks. The complication is crossing the narrow fragile bridge, to obtain the puzzling center. This is it, the end of the cavern, the beast’s lair.

  “This must be how an ant feels when it’s inside a house, insignificant.” I say aloud feeling tiny. “The dragon waits on the center. Remember to use your sword,” he insists. I rush a nod, and touch the sword given to me by Vaniele that is sustained by a weapon belt on my hip. “Alright, let’s do it,” Khysso shakes his head, his rejection disquieting me. “Forgive me, but this is your task now. I’m sure my task was to bring you here. That sword is your ally. If I intervene, they will know…and the upcoming might be fatal. For you, your guardian and I,” he says seriously. I sigh. My stomach abruptly wrangles with ache. Without him, I feel unprotected, but he's right. It's my journey, and I have to face it on my own.

  My knees and heart jiggle as I skip on the unsteady bridge. I fear isolation. I dread facing the monster on my own. Crossing the bridge is a hassle, it stirs so much I think the worn-out ropes can break or worse— trip and drop. With trouble, and cautious steps, I get to the midpoint. I sigh harshly. I'm relief I made it alive. I look all ways. The strong heat melts my skin. I can’t imagine my heart if I didn't drink that antidote. It’s impossible for any human to get this far without it. I search my bag for a pouch of water, but a growling from beneath trembles the room. I yank out my sword. Coming from underneath the bottomless; flying far above the ground is a three headed gigantic dragon. Its pale-red color fits the fiery atmosphere.