“Not even a single one? Dude, there are like a million languages here. Do you know how old this place is?”
“I’ve not the faintest clue, Nyx, but I’m sure you’re going to annoy me until I drag the answer from you.”
“Oh yeah. One letter at a time, too. Better get your stick out and write it down on the floor. Unless you can’t spell, of course. It wouldn’t surprise me.”
Chaos reached for the reins, but Brooks was quick to shut him down. He wasn’t fast enough to stop the temperature drop.
“Geez you’re so easy to rile.”
“It’s not me you have to worry about.”
“Who then? Are you just a projection of the god you’re supposed to be? Are you a messenger of God? A shepherd, perhaps?”
Fuck it. Brooks took one hand off the leash and let his passenger slip to the surface and surrounded her with his shadows.“We are one, you petulant child, but he’s kind enough to spare your life. I am not so merciful. The next time we meet under these circumstances may very well be the last.”
Nyx jumped back, hands shielding her body as fear sparked in those violet eyes.
Chaos pulled back of his own volition with a satisfied hum and Brooks asked, “Does that answer your question?”
Nyx dusted imaginary dirt from her clothes and cleared her throat. “It does, along with a few others.”
“Good. Shall we keep walking?”
“After you.” She gestured, her voice trembling from the dying adrenaline.
Brooks continued down the funneling walkway and examined the etchings in the stone. The further they walked, the older the languages became. So old, in fact, that he could read them.
His brows drew together.“Are you seeing what I am?” He asked Chaos.
I’m always seeing what you do.
“Goddammit, I know that, but are you reallyseeing?”
Dozens of eight pointed stars were scored into the wall and, when the artist grew tired of etching, they drew in blood. This section was different from the others, though. Encompassing the star was a circle, and on either side was a crescent shape with the points facing outward.
“What does it mean–”
“Why is your star surrounded by moons?” Nyx pulled him from his silent conversation.
“Moons?”
“Yeah,” she nodded and traced the shapes with her finger. “This is the waxing crescent, then the new moon, and the waning crescent.”
“Moons. They’re moons.”His passenger was silent, but apprehension rolled in waves through the both of them.“What do you know? What aren't you telling me?”
“Are you guys coming?” Xia’s voice rang from the end of the darkened path.
Nyx shrugged her shoulders and kept walking, leaving Brooks to stare at the symbol alone.
“Brooks?”
“Almost there,” he called, before turning to go. He jogged the last few paces until he hit the wide opening to the cavern. It looked exactly as it had in Nyx’s memory, and the crumbling details were even more stunning in person.
“I know it’s grand, but we really need to get moving.” Nyx said as she pushed past him. “The portal is up here.” She jumped through the mess of candles in the same path as the memory. Upon the altar, she ran her hand over the well and stepped up to the foot of the statue.
Brooks looked at the figure and exhaled. It was nearly an exact likeness. The only detail out of place was the star. Rather than being carved into his forehead, it was extended across his naked chest.
“They did more than see you.”
