“It’s different this time,” I said, looking up at Rod with wide eyes. “The Earth is communicating. Not just allowing me access, but actively showing me things.”
“The Earth remembers this place is a medicine wheel,” Cael said. His connection to earth magic allowed him to see most of what I could, just not Grandfather. “Before Blackstone’s corruption, this was a site of healing and communion.”
Beneath the pervasive layer of wrongness, earth magic still flowed. Blackstone had tried to smother it with his dark arts, but his corruption was just a surface wound. Below, the ancient magic waited, gathering its strength like a coiled spring. The Earth found cracks and gaps in the perversion and was helping us find Grandfather.
“This way,” I said when we reached a new hallway.
My connection to Grandfather grew stronger as we walked down a sloped tunnel. Given how far underground we’d gone, I started to question my decisions. If I was wrong, we’d all die, along with any hope of saving the world.
Rod fell into step beside me and clasped my hand. His confidence quelled most of my doubts without him saying a word. It wasn’t blind trust, but a willingness to trust in us, the same way we’d maintained our faith we’d be together one day.
The air grew thicker, heavy with the unpleasant scent of corruption that reminded me of the demon cave in Romania. There was more here than just holding Grandfather prisoner. I couldn’t say what, but it was foul.
After another turn, I felt three life forces ahead of us. None of them were Grandfather. I stopped abruptly and pointed to the right.“Three guards around the next bend,”I said silently.
“How close?”Eldwin asked.
Concentrating on the signals, I traced back mentally.“Twenty feet, maybe a bit more.”
“It’s obviously a trap,”Eldwin said.“They have to know we’re here.”
It didn’t make sense. If Blackstone knew we were here, why let us keep going? I checked to be sure it was really Grandfather I felt.“Father, I need your help.”
“What’s wrong?”Dad asked.
I wanted to appear competent, but getting us killed was worse.“If this is a trap, maybe it’s not Grandfather I’m sensing.”
I opened my thoughts and showed him what the Earth revealed. Father accepted the invitation and moved through the information. I waited anxiously, hoping he didn’t tell me I’d been wrong.
“It’s him, Cinaed,”Dad said, withdrawing from my thoughts.“But I share your concerns. If it’s too easy, something’s wrong.”
We shared our concerns with the others, but no one had an explanation that didn’t scream trap.
“We push ahead and trust in our superior skill,”Eldwin said.
I was still hesitant but didn’t have a better idea to suggest. The mages conferred quietly before Eldwin and Roderick charged around the corner. Bart and Cael continued their role, staying alert for a potential ambush.
The guards were where my earth sense had warned. They had their dark stones charged and glowing with power and released their magic when we came into view.
Our attack unfolded with deadly precision. Eldwin struck first, pink energy streaming from his stone in a protective barrier that absorbed the volley of dark magic. Sparks cascaded across the tunnel ceiling, briefly illuminating the shocked faces of our adversaries.
Behind him, Rod pivoted to the right, his gem casting a brilliant white light that formed into three arrow-like projectiles. They streaked past Eldwin’s shield, targeting the nearest guard with unerring accuracy.
“Cael, the floor!” Bart called, purple energy pulsing in harmony with his mate’s blue.
Cael dropped to one knee and pressed his sapphire against the floor. The Earth responded instantly, rippling outward in a wave that disrupted the guards’ footing as they attempted a counterattack.
Their spell went wild, striking the ceiling instead of our group. Chunks of rock rained down, but Bart created a dome of purple energy that dissolved the debris.
Father and I moved left as our guards went right. Phoenix fire danced along my fingers, and I hurled flames at the nearest enemy mage. Father’s attack mirrored mine, and our burning attacks struck together.
The enemy mage had a smug expression as his shield easily repelled our attack. I smirked back at the fool, because we were a diversion. Rod’s white energy sliced through the distracted man’s defense, engulfing him in a deadly barrage.
Hro joined the phoenix guards, and the three charged the woman with their swords. Her counterattack washed harmlessly off a pink shield, leaving her open-mouthed with surprise. Eldwin finished her before she could recover.
The entire encounter had lasted less than thirty seconds.
“Everyone alright?” Rod asked, scanning our group.
