[This is a work of fiction, only meant to be enjoyed, not to be taken literally. We mean no offense to anyone, any organization, or any religion.]
[1] Chapter 1: Eyes of Apophis I
March 26th
XX Mountain Range
It was afternoon.
The skies were tinged with a tint of gray as clouds drifted overhead.
Yet..
Even the clouds couldn't block the scorching sun as its rays mercilessly rained down from above.
"Fuu. Just a little bit more. Let's keep at it."
A voice resounded as sloppy footsteps trudged across a barren, rocky landscape.
Naturally, this was followed by a mix of short breaths escaping in rhythms.
The harsh weather, combined with the steep incline, made the climb increasingly difficult.
But they continued regardless.
Among them was a young man with shoulder-length black hair and dark eyes.
He wore soft fabrics meant to ward off the heat.
At the moment, they offered little comfort.
He lifted his head, sweat clinging to his features before dripping away.
Then his gaze shifted to the people around him.
In total, there were about twenty.
A group of archaeologists gathered to unearth ancient relics for study for a student majoring in archaeology like him.
This was precisely the kind of opportunity he needed.
But now.
He tightened his teeth against his lips as his eyes became hazy.
"Ugh… I can almost regret it."
"Ishanna boy, Instead of complaining, step on it!"
Just as he complained, a hand whizzed through the air, landing on his back.
"Ow!"
The sharp sting accompanied by searing heat made him arch forward in pain.
His expression contorted into one of pain as his hand found its way to his back, clutching it.
"Dammit… that actually hurts."
Ishanna glared at the middle-aged man with a gruff voice and untamed beard, laughing.
He was laughing as though he found it funny.
"Not funny, old man."
Still rubbing his back, Ishanna pushed onward, pointedly ignoring him.
Despite that, the man fell beside him soon after, matching his pace as they went.
"Say, why did you even join the expedition?"
While stroking his untamed wild beard, he turned his gaze to Ishanna who kept his gaze forward.
Ishanna tilted his head slightly, casting him a tired look. Then he sighed.
Raising a finger.
"Curiosity, I guess."
Ishanna shrugged, keeping their gaze forward, spotting a few other students like him.
"I've read a lot regarding all these relics dating back to history mysteriously appearing."
Hearing that, the man beside him nodded too.
Indeed, that alone is enough to make anyone curious.
Not to mention if they had the chance to join, they would join.
And in this case, the University of Ainsworth happened to be conducting an expedition.
"I guess, gahaha."
Like Ishanna, he too then glanced at the student at front then back to the boy.
"I thought you'd be a bit more materialistic. Like some of your fellow students."
Saying that, the man lifted his hand and formed an okay sign and a grin spreading across his face.
One Ishanna knew all too well.
And that symbol—that was definitely the symbol for 'stash' or 'money', if Ishana recalled.
"Professor, don't make me laugh."
While adjusting the strap of his bag, brushing his finger against the fabric, Ishanna continued.
But the man, Ishanna's archaeology professor, simply donned a sly smile.
Then he continued forward.
He took a few steps past Ishanna on the rocky mountain, and then—
"Alright folks, we're almost there, it's just that open cave in front."
He stopped for a moment, planting his feet on the rocky ground with both hands on his hips.
"First things first upon reaching there, we rest for a bit before continuing."
"Make sure you also get geared up for deep exploration."
With a swing of his hand to the left, he gave the final command.
"Yes sir!"
The response echoed from the group ahead, students and personnel alike answering as one.
If he didn't wear that stupid grin all the time… he'd actually be intimidating.
A sigh slipped from Ishanna as the thought crossed his mind.
However..
'Just like he said.'
Ishanna looked forward.
Just in front, a hollow hole was gouged out of the rocky structure there.
It resembled a dark gouge, resembling a mouth waiting to swallow them whole.
And judging from the flow of wind… They had indeed reached their destination.
The entrance to the cave was in front of them.
"Haah… finally!"
"Ugh, I seriously thought I was going to die."
Coming to a stop, amidst a clearing in front of the cave.
Several students, males especially, immediately collapsed where they stood.
As for the female students, however, they were more reserved than the males.
They sat on a nearby rock formation instead.
But still, the exhaustion was the same for everyone. Seven females and thirteen males.
That was the total of everyone here, both students and personnel alike.
"Gahaha. You all should rest well, we have the whole day, so there's no need to rush."
Once more, the professor of their department came to the middle while addressing them.
Naturally, upon hearing that, a sigh of relief escaped everyone, Ishanna included.
"You look like you have it easier than everyone else, Flores."
Ishanna lifted his head slightly.
The first thing that entered his view was a card dangling directly in his line of sight.
[Ainsworth University]
Department of Archeology
Name: Margaret Hawthorne
Gender: Female
An old, gray card with worn edges, with a small photograph and a few lines of text.
It was their student identification card or so it was called.
Raising his head further.
He caught sight of a black ponytail swaying faintly in the breeze, framing a bespectacled face.
"Oh, it's you."
"Eh?"
She straightened at once.
One of her eyebrows lifted as she shifted her weight forward with a hand settling on her hip.
"What sort of weak reaction is that?"
As she did, her ponytail flicked with the wind, outlining her figure as she stood there.
'..guys, meet my annoying class rep.'
Ishanna closed his eyes for a brief moment before pushing himself upright.
Then looked at her through narrowed eyes.
"Well, I'm tired.."
Though he said that listlessly.
'Compared to you, who had it much easier with basically no load on you…'
He had a different thought in mind.
But like him. "Tired?"
She looked at him from head to toe for a moment, regarding him with a tilt of her head.
"Is that just your usual excuse for not doing anything?"
Ishanna's lips twitched.
Figured. For some reason, if she didn't get on his nerves at least once a day, something was wrong.
"Says the one with enough energy to start an argument."
He let out a breath, shaking his head.
"But, you know, I think it's best to get some rest, you know, for later exploration?"
Slowly, he raised his gaze again, just in time to see the irritation building on her face.
Her eyes sharpened.
Then, with a sharp turn and a haughty stomp of her shoes—
"Hmph. I just hope someone doesn't slow us down."
She didn't spare him a glance as she walked off toward the others resting on the far side.
Watching her retreat, Ishanna reached up and tugged at his collar.
The fabric, damp with sweat and streaked with dirt along his back, clung uncomfortably.
And just as he did…
"Lucky break as usual."
Someone dropped down beside him.
From the corner of his eye, Ishanna saw the figure tugging at his own buttoned shirt.
He was just as restless and overheated as Ishanna was.
[Ainsworth University]
Department of Archeology
Name: Akachuwkwu Reeves
Gender: Male
Ishanna glanced toward the blonde-haired male beside him.
His friend and his mate.
"Give me a break. She originally had no interest in coming. I still wonder what changed her mind."
Reeves glanced at his black-haired male with his lips curling into a sly smile.
"Ahh, yes, I know… stop trying to show off."
"Bwk—cough cough!"
Ishanna almost choked on his spit, recoiling forward with a cough.
As if he weren't the cause, Reeves leaned in and began patting his back slowly.
"Easy now, easy now."
Ishanna slapped his hand away.
"You..!"
"Come on, I don't want to hear it."
Reeves rolled his eyes before continuing.
"Who's the one rivaling the smartest girl in our department, and who's the one salty about it?"
He raised a questioning eyebrow as he said it, spelling it out plainly.
But Ishanna wasn't having it.
"She's the competitive one."
"Dawg, ever since she scored higher than you last semester, she's been salty. She thinks you held back."
Ishanna knew.
Still, he only tilted his head with a dull, almost listless innocent expression.
It was as if he genuinely didn't understand what Reeves was talking about. …him? Hold back?
Seeing that reaction, however, prompted Reeves to snap his fingers.
"Exactly. That."
"She's been salty to everyone even before then. Superiority complex, much?"
"...that I agree."
Reeves nodded, letting the topic drop.
Both of them fell silent, sitting on a rocky ground beneath the relentless sun.
Minutes passed like that, until—
"I hope you're all ready. It's time to head in."
Their department professor, Lukham, came forward announcing that, to many's dismay.
Groans rippled through the crowd as several students slowly sat up.
Most dragged themselves to their feet.
"..Uhh."
Soon enough, they gathered with Lukham at the front, facing him.
"Now then, not all of us can go in. A few will wait outside while the rest go in."
Saying that, Margaret then stepped forward with pencils in hand, covering their tips.
"We'll run a simple ballot; whoever draws an unsharpened pencil stays."
At that, Reeves leaned toward Ishanna.
"That, I've never been good with luck-based games like this."
Ishanna raised her hand gently, patting his shoulders.
"Well, good luck then."
With that, he stepped forward, quickly taking a pencil before Reeves could react.
Naturally, he got a sharpened one.
"...sweet."
He dangled it in front of Reeves, who could only slump as he walked toward their class rep.
Naturally—
"A bust."
Reeves covered his face with his palm.
"Don't worry, I'll sightsee for both of us."
Ishanna clenched his hand with an excited expression, making Reeves pale even more.
"Now then, for those heading in, make it to the front of the entrance with your equipment."
Once more, Lukham gave the order, and…
"Wait, huh?"
Ishanna turned to his friend who was now holding a box-like device in hand.
"Is that a box camera?"
"Yup, the latest,"
Reeves suddenly appeared beside him, pressing closer.
"Ishanna, please, I need this. You know how much I love ancient writings and manuals as well as their languages..!"
The heritage is strong with you. Ishanna wanted to comment, but he held his tongue.
Eventually, with a sigh, he gave up.
"Fine, I guess I have no choice."
Swiping the box camera along with a few notes, Ishanna made his way toward the entrance.
The remaining half stayed behind.
After all, if something went wrong, someone had to contact the office station down the mountain.
"You're all here. Well then, let's head in."
Everyone braced themselves.
Ishanna, along with a few male students and personnel, held lanterns.
With that, they formed a loose perimeter around the team.
The females stayed toward the middle, and like that, they moved in.
Cool air brushed against them as they crossed the threshold.
"Wind, huh? Then there are probably tunnels around it."
Lukham muttered from the front as the males lifted their lanterns closer to the enclosing walls.
The more they entered, the darker it got.
More so, the chilling breeze.
"Is everyone together?"
Lukham's voice carried through the narrow space, bouncing off stone and returning as a faint echo.
He turned slightly, moving his gaze around as he counted both people and lantern light.
"Good, we continue like this, make sure to keep it down so as to avoid complications."
Everyone nodded without a word.
In a place like this, even a careless sound could mean trouble.
For example, a collapse, or even something far worse than a collapse.
Their spacing and posture made it clear they knew that much.
Even the usually outspoken Margaret Hawthorne kept silent.
"A few tunnels spotted on my side."
Ishanna raised his lantern toward the wall.
Narrow openings ran along the stone, some climbing toward the ceiling's crevices.
And just then..
"Same here."
"Here too—"
More voices followed as others noticed the same.
"Right. Let's keep moving. There's a high chance our target's further in—"
Before Lukham could finish,
Margaret spoke instead, punctuating it with a dismissive wave of her hand.
They moved on.
Eventually, the passage opened into a wider clearing.
Within it, several holes and tunnels were carved into the stone. Three of them even stood out at the other end.
Immediately, Ishanna turned.
From where they had entered, he drew a knife from his strap and carved an 'X' into the rock beside the passage.
"Good job, Flores, immediately marking our exit."
Lukham then stepped forward, naturally, to the one which air wasn't pouring out from.
The left one.
"Everyone, here."
Without another word, everyone went toward it. It was different from when they first entered the cave.
The air here was stale without the rush of wind they felt earlier.
Like that, they followed another long tunnel and finally.
Tap!
Their feet came to rest on solid ground once more.
But this time, it was vastly different.
It was a vast clearing with a high ceiling that rose above them with a kind of texture.
As the glow spread outward, a quiet sense of awe settled over the group.
The walls were jagged, with ancient, undecipherable writings on them.
On some parts of the walls were stick drawings.
Ishanna reached out, brushing his fingers against the rough surface.
"A… war."
Several figures were in the air with various-looking weapons.
Below, a land was depicted, and several figures on the ground brandished their weapons.
They were aimed at the people in the sky.
All around the mural, shapes resembling flames, and falling stars, rained down upon the earth.
Regardless, Ishanna retrieved Reeves' box camera.
Click.
A sharp burst of white light flooded the space. He continued, capturing angle after angle, until—
"Uhm, guys, you might wanna see this "
At the far edge of the clearing, a student stood before a massive stone door, slightly ajar.
Raising his lantern, a depiction of what seemed to be a person and a vine curling around them.
"This is…"
Everyone was mesmerized by that ancient stone wall.