Earth Guardian (Deities Series Book 2) Read online

  A yelp comes out of her mouth as Tage sinks several centimeters into the sand. It’s above her knees now. “What the?” She tries to move, but she sinks farther.

  “Stop moving, Tage,” Smoke cries. He tries to pull her out, but the girl is stuck fast.

  “Damn it, if it wasn’t for my bum leg, I could pull you out!” Smoke’s body sinks into the sand to mid-thigh. “Fuck!” He struggles, causing him to sink a little more. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard him swear. His sister swears enough for the both of them.

  “Freeze, both of you—all of you,” Dr. Mara shouts.

  “This can’t be happening, it can’t be happening.” Tage is starting to cry. “I’m just making it worse—I’m useless.” Her body sinks deeper, as if being sucked in like quicksand. “Shit!”

  “Stop talking, Tage, be still. I know it’s hard, but calm your heart rate now.”

  Tage’s eyes widen as the sand reaches her hips. She’s breathing too fast. She closes her eyes and slows her breath, keeping her arms on top of the sand, as if it will hold her.

  The rest of us are still as statues. I examine the sand. I could probably survive under there, if my powers are working enough. But the others …

  “Ridge, this is an earth trap. See if you can think of a solution. I can’t make sense of the hieroglyphs, they don’t explain anything. Damn it, if only I had studied harder. Ahh—” The doctor sinks up to her thighs.

  “Shut the fuck up, everybody. It only happens when we’re talking.” Ash looks at the sand, her arms at the ready, but her body stays put.

  I have no idea what to do. Everyone is too scared to talk or move. I look at the walls, trying to see if there’s an earth symbol for me to touch. I don’t see it anywhere in here. I must find a way to control the sand. I place my palms flat on the sand, pouring my energy into it, visualizing each individual particle. Several grains lift and float just above the pile. I try harder; sweat prickles my forehead. Finally, I give up, letting out a breath of air, the sand dropping. What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I move stupid sand? What good am I down here, I can’t do anything.

  The ground drops beneath my feet as I am pulled down, the sand rising quickly up my body.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  I suck in a breath of air on instinct, but I stop sinking when the sand reaches my waist. Why did I sink? This is terrifying, not having solid ground under my feet. What’s to keep us all from being buried to our death any second? I’m trying desperately to stay calm, but my mind is racing and panic is skimming my body.

  “Think, everyone,” Torrent speaks quietly. “Ridge, what were you thinking before you sank?”

  “I tried to move the sand, but I couldn’t, you saw.” I’m trying not to snap.

  “What were your thoughts right after that?”

  “I, I thought how my powers are no good and I’m not helping at all.”

  “That’s it,” Smoke catches on. “Every time we think or say something negative, we sink, right, Torrent?”

  Torrent nods. “Yes. I think it’s anytime we condemn ourselves, actually.”

  “You’ve got it, boys,” the doctor sounds out of breath—maybe she’s just as scared as I am. “Self-judgment. Uttering falsehoods about ourselves.”

  “Or even thinking them.” Torrent looks serious.

  “So, when we say or even think a fucked-up thought about ourselves, that’s a ‘falsehood?’” Ash is still holding her hands at the ready, while keeping her palm light flickering.

  “It must be,” Dr. Mara says. “Wait a minute. In the Book of the Dead, you have to say the correct Negative Confession to each Judge. Maybe it’s in here somewhere. Can you guys put on your headlamps, whoever can reach theirs?”

  “I can use my palm fire.”

  “Don’t, Ash. Save it for when we really need it. Besides, you’ll move around too much.”

  “If you only use your head, it doesn’t make the sand shift as much,” the doctor says.

  Torrent and Ash then comply, adding bright light to the room. The rest of us are too scared to move. They point their lights wherever the doctor directs, as she scans the hieroglyphs again, one section of wall at a time.

  “There—I see it. Okay, I think we should each say these words. Repeat after me, everyone. Ready?” We all nod. “Hail, Usekh-nemmt, who comest forth from Anu, I have not committed sin.”

  She says the words a few at a time, and we repeat them after her. Our echoes die into silence as we all look at each other, waiting.

  The room rumbles, then I’m sucked down into the cool sand—like I’m being pulled with a great force. I grab a quick breath and close my eyes just before the sand covers my head.

  Then I drop through air with the falling sand, landing on a pile of the soft stuff, more dropping onto my head like an hourglass. I take big breaths of air as the sand stops. I shake my head and try to wipe all the sand off me.

  Thumps follow as each of our team drops into this new chamber, much bigger than the last. Torrent’s and Ash’s lights flash around, giving brief glimpses of the painted etched walls. The ceiling has several large square holes where we fell through. Bits of sand are still falling here and there.

  I jump up and help the others to their feet, as everyone coughs and gasps for air.

  “I thought we were dead.” Ash shines her light around the room. Several steps lead up to a stone doorway in the center of a long wall. The falling sand has already covered the first two steps.

  “Smoke, are you okay? How’s your leg?” Tage puts on her headlamp.

  “I’m fine, babe. How about you?” They help each other brush sand off.

  “Good job, team. We’ve survived two rooms.”

  “Great, and we almost fucking died in both of them.” Ash crosses her arms, her palm light going out. “You sure about this mission? What have we got to show for it?”

  “Be patient. Everyone take a break while I read these glyphs.” Dr. Mara begins her careful study, shining her bright light on the wall. Smoke and Tage work together with his notebook and her photography. The rest of us sit and rest.

  “Ridge, when you’re ready, see if you can open that door.” The doctor is now taking pictures of the walls, too.

  How will we ever survive this labyrinth? I get up, shaking my pants legs and brushing the sand from my clothes. It’s even in my underwear and in my hair.

  I take a deep breath and bow my head for a moment. Jesus, thank you for helping us through that. Please protect us and help us to get out alive.

  Once I’m calm, I go to the door and look around. There it is, the earth sign. I put my hand on it; the door opens with a heavy grating sound.

  “Wait, stay away from the door,” Dr. Mara is sharp. “I’ve found something. Tage, write this down. I’ll read it aloud. ‘Four are the rituals of the youths of power: Earth, Air, Fire, Water.’”

  “So, we have to find four rituals?” Tage finishes writing. “Maybe that’s doable.”

  I bow my head a moment, praying for guidance. “Amen,” I murmur.

  “Ridge, did you say ‘Amen’?” The doctor is pointing to a long row of pictures. “Look here, there’s an ancient prayer inscribed to the Hidden God, God of All, called Amen. ‘O Amen, who art in heaven.’ Sometimes it was pronounced ‘Amun.’”

  “What?” That sounds like the Bible. “Are you sure? What else does it say?”

  “The prayer reads: ‘O Amen, O Amen, who art in heaven, turn thy face upon the body of thy son, and make him sound and strong in the underworld.’ It must have been said in ritual.” The doctor closes her pack and puts it on. “Okay, soldiers, move out. Lights on, all of you.”

  “Could it be that the Egyptians foretold the coming of Jesus Christ?” Smoke asks “Jesus wasn’t born for another two-thousand years or more.”

  “Of course you would know that,” Tage says.

  “Dork,” Ash says.

  I adjust my headlamp before turning it on. Dr. Mara walks with me as we venture out the doorwa
y.

  We come into another medium-sized room at the level of the doorway. There’s a closed stone door in the wall to the left. The bright painted colors shine in our lights as we scan the room—walls, ceiling, and floor.

  “What amazing workmanship.” I can’t help admiring the shining etchings surrounding us, though my nerves are still trying to settle.

  A stone rasping sounds as the door slides shut behind us. As soon as it clicks closed, each of our lights goes out and we are plunged into darkness.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  A spark of flame flashes before going out again.

  “Damn it.” Ash sparks another flame, but it also goes right out. “Fuck.”

  I can feel everyone’s fear thicken.

  “It’s okay, Ash, keep trying.” Dr. Mara’s voice echoes lightly in this close room. “Keep calm, so we can use our heads. Did everyone get a look at the room? Try your phone lights.”

  “Yes, there’s a door at the end wall,” Smoke says. “But my phone isn’t working, nor is my headlamp.”

  “The paintings are on every surface again,” I add. “And neither are mine.

  “It’s a medium-sized room,” Torrent says. “The ceiling is kind of tall.”

  “Anything else, soldiers? Think.”

  “Nothing else,” Tage says.

  “Did anyone look at the ceiling for any shafts or holes or anything?”

  “There’s nothing like that, and nothing in here.” I shift my pack. Come on, Ash.

  She manages to keep one tiny flame going. As if she’s holding a single candle. The glow of light only extends a few centimeters.

  “That’ll do, Ash, come with me so I can read the walls. The rest of you, stand guard, and keep alert for any sound.”

  The rest of us arrange our backs to each other, in the middle of the room. My senses are heightened, my nerves on edge in this blackness. The tiny glow of Ash’s light doesn’t even reach us. It looks far away in a corner of the room.

  We wait a long time. The tiny light shifts along the wall every once in a long while.

  “Ah, here it is, above the door. This is the ‘Chamber of Darkness.’”

  “Well, that explains it.” Torrent is sarcastic.

  Is he trying to be funny? It’s super annoying.

  “Is there a sin we need to confess?” Tage’s voice is tinny in the darkness.

  “Let’s see, this room is ruled by ‘Disposer of Speech.’”

  “What the fuck does that mean?” Ash’s single flame wavers.

  “I’m not sure. Let’s move over here so I can keep studying.”

  We stand. The darkness is squeezing my heart, making it heavy. I am having trouble breathing.

  Another hour must have passed, and the darkness grows heavier.

  Is the doctor trying to take her slow, sweet time all over this room?

  “Tage, stop looking at the light.” Smoke snaps.

  “I can’t help it, everything else is pitch black. My eyes just go there.”

  “Well stop it. We have to keep watch.”

  “Will you two shut up?”

  “You shut up, Tor, and don’t talk to my girlfriend like that.”

  “You’re the one talking to her like that, asshole.”

  “What’s gotten into you guys?” The doctor voice turns toward us. “Stop. I need to focus.”

  I can’t take this. How long do we have to stand here?

  “Fuck it, I’m sitting.” Torrent sits with a thump as he releases his pack.

  “What are you doing, Tor? We have to keep watch.” Smoke sounds angry.

  “Do you guys always argue like this?” Their voices grate on my strung-out nerves.

  “Don’t you talk to us like that.” Tage rustles a bit and I assume she’s now sittings, too. “I’m sick of this standing.”

  “I’m sick of all you guys.” Smoke’s voice is loud.

  “Stand up, lazy-asses.” Smoke stomps the floor. “We’re supposed to be on duty.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do,” Tage’s voice echoes loudly. “I’m staying sitting.”

  “No, damn-it. Anything could happen, don’t you shits get that? Fucking civies …” Smoke shifts back around.

  “Who are ya calling a fucking civie?” Torrent gets up and stands right in front of Smoke, his chest out. Ash’s light is coming near, I can just make out the two boys.

  Smoke punches Torrent, who staggers back and stops his fall. Curving back up he throws his fist into Smoke’s nose, knocking him to the ground, blood gushes down his face.

  “Stop it!” Tage wails. She helps Smoke up, but he abruptly brushes her off.

  “Soldiers, stop it this instant.” The doctor and Ash have joined us in the middle of the room.

  Smoke launches at Torrent, and they are full-on fighting, their shadows in the tiny flame bouncing off the dark painted walls.

  “Knock it off, assholes,” Ash shouts. She’s clenching her free fist, rising on her toes slightly, body tense. She jumps into the mess, her light going out as she scuffles and punches with the guys.

  All is pitch dark as their cussing, scuffling and gasps hit the air.

  “Stop it now!” The doctor shouts. “Ridge and Tage, can you stop them?”

  I grab the nearest soldier, turns out to be Torrent. I pull him with all my might away from the middle. He’s pulling against me, covered in sweat.

  “I got Ash,” Tage shouts.

  “Light, Ash,” the doctor’s voice is loud. “Now, solider.”

  The single flame lights up Ash’s palm. She is breathing heavily, covered in dust and streaks of blood.

  The other two are lying on the ground, gasping. They’re spotted with dirt and sweat. Smoke has blood gushing out of his nose; he’s holding his shirt to it. A large bruise is forming over Torrent’s left eye.

  “You stupid kids fell right into the trap.” Dr. Mara’s eyes are blazing in the yellow light. “Patch yourselves up, now.”

  “What’s the trap?” I get out my first aid kit to help Smoke, but Tage is already on it.

  “The sin under the Disposer of Speech is quarrelling.”

  “It was Smoke’s damn fault, he started it.” Torrent stands and grabs his pack.

  “Fuck off, it was your fault, Tor.” Smoke slaps Tage’s hand away as she tries to wipe the blood off his face.

  “That’s enough, soldiers. Stop talking, all of you. Bunch of stupid-ass kids.” Dr. Mara takes a big breath. “Okay, we all have to control ourselves. Repeat the confession after me.” She consults her notebook while Ash holds her light near.

  “Hail, Sera-kheru …”

  “Hail, Sera-kheru,” we grumble together.

  “Who comest forth from Unaset … I have not been a stirrer up of strife.”

  We repeat the sentence and wait in the darkness, but the heaviness begins to squeeze my heart once more as the cold nothingness stretches into eternity.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “Nothing’s happening, why is nothing happening?” Tage’s shrill voice breaks the silence as I hold my breath in the dark.

  The group shifts slightly; fear fills the room.

  “Stay calm, everyone. Let’s say it again. Repeat after me.” Dr. Mara takes a deep breath. “Hail, Sera-kheru …”

  “Hail, Sera-kheru,” our voices echo quietly.

  “Who comest forth from Unaset … I have not been a stirrer up of strife.”

  Everyone is breathing heavily in the black. After another tight minute, Dr. Mara starts again.

  The rough grating sound interrupts us as I let out the breath I’d been clutching onto. There is a rush for the door, not even halfway open.

  “Discipline, soldiers,” the doctor barks. “One at a time. Ashley first, check for a fire symbol.”

  The group stops, Ash’s tiny light moves through the doorway.

  Their military training is impressive. I hope I can be as quick in my actions and know exactly what to do. I take a breath, calming my heart.

&nbs
p; Just as the door opens all the way, a small roar of lights flare into braziers and sends a welcoming glow into the passage beyond.

  “A hallway, thank God,” Ash says.

  We file out of the dark room. Relief floods me as I sit down.

  “Soldiers, break time.”

  Everyone sits after a quick look around. This hall is not as wide nor as tall as the other. The bright yellow light shines on the welcoming glint of gold and vibrant colors, comforting my soul.

  “Ridge, can you close this door? We’re done with that place.”

  I search for the earth sign by the doorway. Though I’m in plenty of light now, it doesn’t shine into the dark room at all—like there’s a thick wall of black fog in there. I touch the symbol and the door slowly slides closed with a final thud. Thank you, Lord, for helping us out of that one. My shoulders relax as I breathe out.

  Why aren’t there artifacts or statuary in any of these passageways? Egyptians would have filled this place with lots of sculpture, pottery, and nick-nacks.

  “Where do you guys think all of the Egyptian stuff is? Like statues, sarcophagus, and the like? We’ve been down lots of hallways and into rooms and haven’t seen any of that.”

  “Ridge is right,” Smoke agrees. “Also, depending on the era of construction, Old, Middle, or New Kingdom, there would likely be a ton loaded columns in this place. Tall columns covered in hieroglyphs, with Papyrus leaf motifs on the capitals and plinths. The later the construction the fewer columns needed as they learned to use ceiling vaults to carry the structural load across fewer columns. But like Ridge said, we haven’t come across any of that, nor the columns. How deep do you think we are in the labyrinth?”

  “How many of these rooms do we have to go through?” Tage asks after we’ve rested a minute.

  Dr. Mara flips through her notebook as we dig in our packs for a small snack and water. “Smoke and Tage, please help me with notes.” Torrent also readies his notebook and pen. “Let’s go over what we know,” the doctor settles on a page. “There are four elemental rituals.”