They rose straight out of the land with no warning. One step you were in nearly flat country, the next you were staring at stone climbing hard into the sky. No long foothills. No gentle slope to ease you into it. Just rock thrust up and left there, broken stone, sharp ridges, scrub brush clinging to dry terrain, trees twisted and stunted by wind and thin soil.
Harry studied the line of the peaks, the way the stone broke and piled on itself, the ground tightening into narrow gaps as it rose.
Jo moved up beside him, bow slung across her back. She followed his gaze, squinting at the rock face.
"No climbing that," she said.
"No," Harry agreed. "We need to find the pass."
She was quiet a moment, eyes tracking the ridgeline. "Ruins should mark it. That's what Korven's map said."
"Should," Harry said. "Assuming the map isn’t a lie."
Jo glanced at him. "Negative waves, Harry."
He couldn't help a small grin. "You were paying attention to that?”
“Always.”
“You’re right. Those ruins will be there. And the pass will be open."
"Better."
When they were ready, they set out to the west along the base of the mountain, keeping to the flat ground. The mountain ran close on their right, a hard wall of rock, while the lava field lay off to their left.
The footing was rough but even, stone and grit packed down into a firm surface, and they made good time. As the miles passed, the mountain held its line while the lava field slowly fell away, the gap widening until, by the time the mountain began to curve, it lay far out across the plain.
As they rounded the curve, the mountain face opened into a natural amphitheater in the rock. At the base of the broad half-circle, sunlight flashed off black stone.
Harry narrowed his eyes, fixing on the glint. What first looked like shadow resolved into a high, semi-circular wall, about twenty feet tall. Above it, rising clear of the wall, he picked out the stepped outline of a pyramid, black obsidian stacked in hard, deliberate lines.
Beyond the ruins on the mountainside, green cut through the stone, laced with bursts of red and yellow. Lush. Thick. Vegetation and flowering growth climbing where nothing like that should grow. Water spilled down on either side, pale ribbons sliding over dark rock.
"There they are," Jo said, gesturing ahead. "Right where they should be."
Cedric's gaze lifted past the ruins. "Why is the mountain green and blooming?"
Harry followed the vegetation with his eye. It climbed in ordered rows, thick bands clinging to the stone. "It looks like terraces carved into the rock and covered with growth."
“If Toby were here, he’d tell us it’s almost over,” Jo said.
Stan snorted. “Aye, he would. Right before somethin’ tried to kill us.”
Cedric grinned and slapped Stan on the shoulder. “Come on. Let’s go meet today’s disaster.”
Harry nodded, and they started forward, boots crunching on stone as the black pyramid grew larger with each step.
As they closed the distance, the details of the wall emerged. Carved battle scenes ran along its face. Warriors locked in combat. Priests bent over captives on an altar. Giant serpents coiled through the stone, jaws wide as they swallowed enemies whole.
Well System, that’s not disturbing at all.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
:: System: Agreed. Almost certainly not a sign of things to come.
Stan glanced around, and pulled a spear from inventory. “Boss, are you sensin’ anyone? Or any giant snakes?”
Harry shook his head. He reached outward, letting his senses stretch. “Not yet. Just insects. A lot of them, though.”
Cedric gazed up toward the greenery. “With all the vegetation, that is to be expected.”
Jo grimaced. “Right. Anyone want to bet we’re about to see a swarm of locusts?”
Cedric shook his head. “No. I do not think I will take that wager.”
They slowed and came to a stop before the wall. Up close, the stonework stood out. The blocks were irregular in shape, no two alike, yet fitted together with exacting precision, seams tight and deliberate.
Harry stood and studied it. “This reminds me of a place on my world called Machu Picchu. I always wanted to go there with Martha.”
Jo glanced at him. “You never went?”
“No. We were planning it, but she got sick.” He rested a hand on the wall, his gaze dropping.
“I’m sorry, Harry,” Jo said.
He lowered his hand and shrugged. “Let’s find the way inside.”
They continued on, following the curve westward. As they went, a gate rose into view ahead of them, towering another twenty feet above the wall.
It was carved from the same black obsidian. A massive serpent’s head, mouth gaping wide. The upper jaw arched overhead, fangs bared. The lower jaw formed the threshold beneath.
The scale was massive. The fangs framed the entrance like pillars. The eyes were set high and deep, polished smooth, catching the light in a way that made them seem aware. Making them feel watched.
Inside the maw, a passage stretched roughly a hundred feet, twenty feet high, before opening into the ruins beyond. Rows of buildings ran straight and ordered. A wide avenue stretched away from the gate, leading directly toward the pyramid at the far end.
Jo lifted a hand and rubbed at the back of her neck. “Danger sense has my hair standing up.”
Stan nodded without looking away from the gate. “Same. Olly says it’s a trap, sure and certain.”
Cedric turned toward him. “Can you see anything with your spells?”
“Lemme ‘ave a look.” Stan stepped sideways, mumbling under his breath as he shifted along the front of the serpent’s mouth, peering inside without crossing the threshold. He paused. “Nothin’ with Detect Magic.”
He muttered again, voice low and steady. He leaned forward, eyes tracking the stone. After a moment, he nodded once. “Find Hidden did the trick.” He pointed with his spear. “Plates on the floor. Triggers, I’m guessing.”
They clustered close, eyes on Stan as he pointed out the pattern only he could see.
Harry glanced at the floor. “Are the plates the triggers, or the safe spots?”
Stan scratched at his chin. “My gut says they’re the triggers.”
“Alright, then. Do we go one at a time?” Jo asked.
Stan shook his head. “If’n it trips, best we’re all through, yeah?”
Cedric nodded. “Agreed. Close together.”
They lined up behind Stan as he moved forward, pointing with his spear as he went. "Here. Here. Skip there. Watch your feet." Just over halfway through, he stopped and looked back at them. “We’re gonna have to jump here.”
“How far?” Jo asked.
Stan pointed ahead. “About a spear’s length.”
Harry leaned to get a better look. “No way around?”
Stan shook his head.
Cedric studied the ground for a moment and nodded. “Then we jump.”
Stan took a breath. “I’ll go first.”
He took half a step back, surged forward, and leapt.
The moment he landed, a loud mechanical clicking echoed through the stone.
Stan spun around, eyes wide. “Uh...”
Harry, Jo, and Cedric exchanged a single look.
Harry reacted first. “Run!”
They rushed forward together as panels snapped open in the ceiling. Sand poured down in thick sheets, blinding and choking.
The torrent slammed into Jo's shoulders and drove her to her knees. She went down hard, the weight holding her down as she tried to rise.
Harry burned vitae into strength and speed. The world slowed. He grabbed her by the back of her armor and hauled her upright, half-carrying, half-dragging her forward as sand poured down around them.
Harry's boots sank as he dragged Jo forward, the ground rising with each step. Ankle-deep, then knee-deep, forcing them to climb upward as they ran. By the threshold it was waist-high and still pouring. He scrambled up the shifting pile, boots finding no purchase, pulling Jo with him. They burst through the gate and tumbled clear, hitting the ground outside in a tangle of limbs. Behind them, sand piled until the serpent's maw choked full and sealed itself shut.
They stood, hacking and spitting. Sand clung to everything. Jo bent double, coughing hard. Stan spat and dragged a hand across his mouth. Cedric was blowing sand from his nose, face twisted in disgust. Harry wiped grit from his eyes and looked up at the pyramid's stepped face, tracing it to the summit.
A pale glow flickered there, steady and rhythmic.
"Anyone else see that?" he asked.
Jo looked up and nodded slowly. "Yeah. I see it."
***
This story is free to read on RoyalRoad.com
If you are reading this on another site it is a pirated copy. If you enjoy the story please read it on RoyalRoad.
You can find the official updated story here: