In The Tunnel

“No way! Don't tell me we are passing through that dark tunnel, there could be snakes at the end! I am not endangering my life!" Amira said and stopped walking.

The woods were dark and eerie, and the only noises being made were that of crickets.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, lady, but it's the shortest route to Elijah's monastery," Marcus replied, shining his flashlight down the tunnel. "Besides, I’ve been through this tunnel countless times, and nothing's ever happened. You are welcome to stay behind, once you get sacrificed, greet my grandfather hi once you meet him in hell,” he said with a mischievous smirk.

Amira furrowed her eyebrow angrily, "You will be going to hell yourself, mate! I am not passing any godforsaken message for you!”

“Don't mind Marcus, he talks like a fool sometimes. No one stays behind, we are all going together and nothing will happen to us," Jacob said with determination.

Rose scoffed, her eyes fixed on the dark entrance. "That's exactly what they say in horror movies before everything goes wrong," she muttered.

Anita chuckled. "We're not going to let a little fear of the dark hold us back, are we?" She asked with a smile.

Jay took a deep breath and stepped forward, his heart racing. "No, we will not. This is about saving the world, so let's keep moving."

While they all nodded in agreement, Bobby was busy looking at Arianna. It was very rare for the both of them to have a disagreement or fight, and whenever it happened, it was always hard to settle it.

As they entered the tunnel, the air grew thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. The crickets' chirping grew louder, and Anita felt like they were being watched.

Suddenly, Anita stopped, her flashlight beam dancing across the walls.

"What's wrong?" Arianna whispered.

"I thought I heard something," Anita replied, her voice barely audible.

Arianna's heart skipped a beat, and she tried to listen attentively. "What kind of something?"

Anita shook her head. "I don't know. It sounded like...whispering."

Arianna’s eyes widened. "Whispering? We have to get out of here, fast. Guys, move your legs."

"The rest of us can't hear anything, so why should we pay attention to what she hears? She might just be imagining things,” Marcus said, looking at Anita suspiciously.

"We'll listen to her because she is the Dragon's Daughter! So less talking and more walking, dumb asshole!” Jacob replied to Marcus, his voice filled with irritation.

Rose giggled at the language Jacob had used, and she shot Marcus a funny expression.

While everyone kept walking, Amira stopped her hands beside her ears. “Humm, guys, l think I can also hear the noises,” she said with an urgent tone and her eyes widened in shock.

"Search the tunnel,” a husky voice echoed in the quiet woods, and they all heard it.

“Oh no! They've caught up with us! We have to hurry;" Bobby exclaimed and they quickly took to their knees, running down the tunnel with full velocity.

“I thought you said that this path was safe, how come the keepers find us?" Jacob yelled as he increased his speed.

“How am I supposed to answer that? Am I one of the keepers?" Marcus replied rhetorically.

“Who knows, maybe you even sold us out! A simp like you can not be trusted. If it wasn't for our urgent need, I wouldn't have suggested you join us!” Bobby said to Marcus with jealousy in his tone.

"How dare you! I'm risking my life for this mission, just like the rest of you, you have no right to accuse me." Marcus's face twisted in anger.

"Enough!" Arianna shouted, her voice echoing off the tunnel walls. "We can't afford to fight among ourselves. We have a common enemy to focus on, let's keep going."

As they continued running, the whispering grew louder, and the air thickened with an eerie energy.

"What's happening?" Rose asked, her voice trembling.

"I think we're being surrounded," Anita replied, her flashlight beam dancing wildly.

Suddenly, the tunnel lights flickered and died, plunging them into darkness.

"Keep moving!" Jacob yelled.

In the darkness, they stumbled and tripped, desperate to escape the keepers. A faint glow appeared ahead, and they sprinted towards it. As they came out from the tunnel, they found themselves at the edge of a dense forest.

"Where's Elijah's monastery?" Amira asked, panting.

Marcus pointed to a distant peak. "That way."

But before they could move, a voice echoed through the forest.

"I have found the sacrificial item...." It sounded like the voice of a woman, but it was a young man. He was dressed in the keeper's garment, and a sharp sword was in his hand, ready to slice whoever he saw standing in his path.

Anita’s eyes locked onto the darkness, her heart pounding.

"We need to protect Anita," Jacob said, stepping forward.

"No, we need to protect each other," Jay corrected.

The young keeper's eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, but when he saw that he was outnumbered seven to one, he took a step backward and opened his mouth, ready to call for backup, but Rose picked up a stone and threw it at him, surprising everyone.

They all looked at her with furrowed eyebrows, wondering the meaning of what she had just done. Rose gave them an ‘I tried’ gaze and focused on the young keeper in their front.

The stone hit the young keeper's mouth, silencing his cry for backup. He stumbled backward, clutching his bleeding lips.

"Well, nice throw, Rose!" Jay exclaimed.

"Had to think fast,” Rose shrugged.

The group charged towards the keeper, but he swiftly regained composure.

"You'll never get out of here alive," he snarled, pointing his sword at them.

Anita stepped forward, her eyes flashing with determination. "We'll take our chances.”

With a fierce battle cry, the group clashed with the keeper. Swords clashed, and punches flew.

Bobby shielded Arianna, while Jay and Jacob flanked Anita. Marcus and Amira took the keeper's sides.

Rose darted between the fighters, using her agility to evade the keeper's blows.

Just as they seemed to gain the upper hand, the keeper's eyes glowed brighter.

"Reinforcements are coming!" he shouted excitedly.

The group exchanged worried glances.

"We need to finish this, now!" Jay yelled.