Marshen knelt next to the landing and dipped his fingers in the water, then placed them inside his mouth.
“That’s disgusting—people died in there,” I spat, pointing towards the nearest skull.
“It’s fresh water. I cannot shift.” Marshen’s gaze fell on the stairs once more and he tilted his head.
“I wouldn’t call itfreshwater,” I argued. “And what are we going to do about the—”
“Come here, bring the light. I think there’s something written on the stairs.”
I knelt next to him, one eye on the inscription, the other scanning the water for shadowy snakes.
Across the waters where no bridge lies,
Guardians lurk with ancient eyes,
They crave on despise, hate, and anger,
They feast on spite, rage, and rancour,
Mercy and forgiveness is what they neglect,
Control and leniency is what will protect,
The ancient will tempt your mind and your soul,
It might let you pass, it might swallow you whole,
So tell me, traveller, brave and true,
Will the wise guardian let you through?
Or will it devour you when it tests your soul,
Eats you alive until you’re no more than bone.
“I do not like this,” Marshen said.
“Me neither…it’s like a twisted game of eat or pass.” My words came out bitter.
“I’ve spent one hundred and seventy-one years honing my skills, my instincts, training and fighting. I don’t know if I can allow myself to just stand by or even submit to it. I’d rather take that thing to its death with me.”
“You’re one hundred and seventy-one years old?” I asked, eyes wide.
“One hundred and eighty-five.”
“Wow, you’reold.”
“Thanks.”
“And you’d rather die? Really? Have you forgotten that people like Alma and Blake need us alive?” Marshen dropped his gaze. I paced along the ledge. It was strangely silent, other than the distant buzzing and soft splashes. “Marsh, you’ve sharpened your body, yes, but I’m sure all those years of training coached your mind as well. Till now, the riddles proved right, didn’t they? I am ready to go in and do nothing else but try to walk to the other side as quickly as possible. Are you?”
“Well, it’s been one leap of faith after another. Why not add one more to the list?”
He moved closer, towards the ledge.
“Put that away!”
“What? You’re really expecting me to enter unarmed. What if it attacks?”
