"Look!" pointing up at the ceiling. "I think that's the answer."
We follow the drip of the water, watching as it falls in perfect time with the letters above. I make my way over to the 'C,' standing beneath it like I'm waiting for a goddamn baptism. And then, after what feels like forever, the water finally falls, hitting the pool with a musical note that sends goosebumps across my flesh.
But that's not all. As I peer into the shimmering water, I see a silvery phrase floating there, like a message in a bottle from the great beyond. "In harmony, we seek the light," I read aloud, my voice hushed with awe.
"Whoa!" I exclaim, repeating the message before disappearing like a mirage in the desert.
Erik and Rhyland look at each other with pure wonder, like they can't quite believe what they see. "Go to the next note, Little Huntress," Erik instructs, his voice tinged with excitement. "E."
I don't need to be told twice. I scramble around the pool's edge, eyes scanning the ceiling for the elusive 'E.' And there it is, etched into the stone like a beacon of hope. I wait with bated breath, my heart pounding in my chest as the water drips down, down, down.
Then, with a musical chord that echoes through the cavern like a heavenly choir, another phrase appears in the pool. "With courage found, we take our flight." I read, my voice trembling with anticipation.
I repeat the phrase like a mantra, determined not to let it slip away. And then I'm off again, searching for the following letter in this crazy, musical scavenger hunt. 'G,' where the hell are you?
I finally spot it at the front of the pool, sprinting over, my feet slipping on the damp stone. I wait for the drip, my breath caught in my throat. When it falls, the words that appear in the water nearly bring tears to my eyes.
"A leap of faith shall guide our way."
"One more, baby," Rhyland encourages, his voice low and steady.
But the final letter, that damn 'A,' is nowhere to be seen. I circle the pool like a shark on the hunt; my head cranes back as I search every nook and cranny. And then, finally, I spot it, tucked away in the back corner like a shy child at a party.
I scramble over the stones, my heart racing as I wait for the final drip…
"To the treasures that softly sway."
And then, we wait. We wait for something, anything, to happen. A hidden door to open, a magical staircase to appear, a freaking genie to pop out of a bottle and grant us three wishes.
But nothing happens. Nada. Zip. Zilch.
I sigh in frustration, my shoulders slumping as I repeat each message like I'm trying to decipher some ancient riddle.
"In harmony, we seek the light; With courage found, we take our flight. A leap of faith shall guide our way to the treasures that softly sway."
Just when I'm about to throw in the towel and call it a day, the cave starts to rumble. It's like the very earth beneath our feet is shifting, groaning like an old man getting out of bed in the morning.
I watch in amazement as the floor beneath the pool separates, the water dumping through like a pair of majestic waterfalls. It's like the cave itself is transforming before our very eyes, revealing secrets that have been hidden for centuries.
"Oh my gosh," I breathe, my eyes wide with wonder. "This is it."
I stand there, my jaw practically hitting the floor, as the water drains into the depths below, revealing a gaping hole that seems to go on forever. The cave has opened its secrets to us, inviting us to dive headfirst into the unknown.
Without hesitation, I step into the now-empty pool, my feet slipping on the slick stone.
I peer over the hole's edge, my stomach doing a little flip-flop as I take in the sheer drop. Down below, I can see that all the water has settled into a larger chamber, forming a pool that could swallow a small army.
I glance down at my wrist, where my bracelet glows brighter than a supernova. Clearly, it's flashing "This Way, Genius!"
I look at Rhyland, our eyes locking in a silent exchange that speaks volumes. We both know what's next and what the final piece of the puzzle must be. We all say in unison, our voices echoing through the cavern like a chorus of destiny.
"A leap of faith shall guide our way."
Rhyland
66
Igrip Dani's hand like a fucking lifeline, my fingers intertwined with hers so tightly I can feel her pulse racing against my skin. "On the count of three," I murmur, my voice low and intense as I meet her gaze.
