Fulcrum of Light (Catalyst Book 2) C.J. Aaron (unputdownable books .TXT) 📖

his right, a there was a thin hole bored into the rock. The clear sounds of running water babbled in the distance.

“Welcome, Ryl,” Paasek said, patting him on the shoulder. “Grab a pack. In it you'll find extra dried rations, a lantern, extra fuel oil and several spare torches. Use them all with care for the journey in the dark will be long.”

Ryl hefted his second pack. The satchel was heavy, and the added weight, though necessary, would no doubt slow them down.

“We wait for one more, then your journey will commence,” Paasek continued.

“I'm here,” Andr's hushed voice rang out through the dark. The mercenary moved quickly to collect his pack, casually throwing it over his shoulder.

In the flickering light of the burning torches, Ryl viewed the party assembled before him. The faces of the four phrenics were still cloaked in shadow, but their tattoos looked alive in the wavering light. The Vigil struck a confident pose, yet he could see the uncertainty on their faces. Andr stood as he always stood. His face held its usual impassive pose, yet Ryl knew the mercenary was ready to face whatever challenge was thrown his direction.

Ryl sent a wave of calm over the group. He watched as the Vigil relaxed slightly, while the phrenics stood resolute.

Paasek stepped forward, torch in hand. He pointed the flaming stick toward the small opening chiseled into the rock.

“Your path lies within,” he whispered. “Vim will wait patiently for your triumphant return. Stay safe. Farewell, my friends.”

His gaze surveyed the group before resting firmly on the phrenics. He spoke to all though his message pointed toward the awakened few. There was an understanding behind his words.

“Trust in your senses,” he whispered. “Stay together and you will find your way through the dark.”

Chapter 44

Ryl was the last to move through the opening of the hastily chiseled offshoot. Paasek grabbed him by the shoulder, stopping him as he made to pass.

“See them home safely, Ryl,” he whispered. He made no attempt to hide the pained emotion in his voice. “All of them.”

“I will do all I can,” he acknowledged. Paasek nodded before slipping away, disappearing into the darkness.

Ryl quickly caught up with the rest of his party. The group waited on a small patch of smoothed stone near the edge of the black water. To their left, the river bubbled up from under the rock wall, its gentle waves lapping quietly against the river’s edge. The tunnel stretched high above their heads; its stalactite ridden ceiling barely visible in the glowing light of the torches.

Their plan was to march in a closely packed single file; the phrenic with heightened senses and mindsight were to maintain the lead as well as the rear guard. Andr and the Vigil would maintain the middle of the order. To conserve their limited resources, one torch would light the front while the second illuminated the rear. Once the torches were spent, the lanterns would be used to light their passage through the dark.

Knowing their prescribed tasks, the party set off without a word. They'd only just begun their trip through the tunnels yet Ryl already longed for the light of the sun. How long would it be before any felt the warmth of its rays on their skin?

There was visible excitement, an eager anticipation in their steps as they began their trek. They moved cautiously at first, their torches swaying from their path to illuminate the slow-moving water a step from their legs. The surface appeared an ominous black in the flickering light. What creatures resided in the depths was a mystery none were eager to discover.

The pace increased steadily as they moved further under the mountains. Aside from the sounds of the water, their occasional muted conversation and shuffled footsteps were the only noises to break the silence of the tunnel.

They continued marching onward, step after step, mile after mile following the lazy path of the river. The party stopped to eat from their carefully planned rations when they could stand the hunger no more. They slept in shifts on the damp ground when their legs grew too weary to carry on. The light of a single lantern illuminated a feeble halo around their makeshift campsites. One set of eyes remained ever vigilant, scanning the darkness for any signs of motion.

As the days passed and the weariness set in, tempers grew short as patience frayed. Their minds were in a constant state of heightened awareness. The harrowing thoughts of devilish, unseen creatures lurking outside the light of their small fires addled their minds. Shortly after their march resumed on what was their fourth day underground, their progress ground to an abrupt halt. Ramm, held his fist up, signaling the stop. Ahead of them, the pathway vanished under the cold, dark waters of the river.

The phrenic hefted his massive warhammer in one hand, holding the torch out in front of his body with the other. He gingerly poked the butt of the weapon into the water, finding the path only inches below the surface.

“The water is shallow,” he grumbled. “I see no other way past.”

The light of his torch disappeared into the darkness several meters to their front.

“Vox,” he said quietly, turning to the phrenic at his rear. “Can you give us some light?”

“Aye,” came the quiet response of the phrenic elementalist.

Ramm dropped to a knee.

Vox’s tattooed left arm glowed in the darkness—Ryl could see the bones silhouetted through his skin. He raised the arm in front of his body. Flames inched their way up his forearm coalescing into a small glowing ball of flame that floated just above the palm of his hand. As the last of the flames joined the others, he closed his fingers around the burning ball. In one fluid motion, he reared his arm back, and heaved the fireball into the darkness ahead.

The ball of flame burned with a brilliant, white fire. A sphere of daylight surrounded it as it moved into the depths of