Barcode: Cavern of Youth (7 page)

It took a little convincing, but Dennis allowed me to walk to the arena and enter the dungeon. He was well aware I could see him trailing me, but at least he gave me some sense of independence.

I thought he’d try to knock me out in order to stop me from leaving, but I guaranteed him I could hold my own by hiding in the dark parts of the cave and using sniper materials to pick off any enemies.

Not many intruders take the route regularly. Most people are simply discovering the caves for the first time and turn around after hearing the “ominous voice” warning them of danger. Once or twice a month I’ll have to kill a group that refuses to leave.

Though I promised myself I’d never sit in the cave, I break. There’s no way I can stand for six hours with these wraps. So, I find a rock in a dark section and take a seat.

The layout is still as beautiful as always. In fact, I can sense more colors and sounds. With my hearing restricted by the bandages, things are brighter, like when I dream.

The space I’ve crammed myself in is elevated and gives me a wide view of the area I’m stationed to protect.

Normally, Dennis uses professors and ex-gladiators to guard the dungeon, but I’m not sure why. On my first day, he told me that protecting the caves was important in case anyone tried to attack the school from below, but that’s illogical. The stairways leading up to the school are hidden in the dark. You’d have to know about them in order to attack. Not to mention, most of the doors are booby-trapped. Opening them from the inside will make everything go kaboom.

I doubt Dennis knows the true reason we’re here. He made a comment about receiving great compensation from businessmen that want all intruders killed, but couldn’t tell me anymore. Regardless of why I’m here, I actually enjoy the scenery.

I sense nothing but bats for hours.

Without warning, a small man walks around a corner. He’s skinnier and shorter than me. His flesh is pale, almost to the point that it’s blue, and his hair is red and curly, like an Afro. Though he is the size of a child, his muscles are ripped, and his hands are four times larger than they should be and calloused.

The man carries an extremely large shield. I don’t plan on attacking because I’m aware that he notices me. I no longer have the element of surprise. It seems that coming here alone was a horrible mistake. Oh well. I hope he kills me quickly.

“Hey, my friend. There’s no way you’ll work like this,” his raspy voice booms like the man that appeared in my room the night after I killed Spencer.

“You have to speak proper English with me. Mind reading isn’t one of my skills.”

“You’re too weak. I can’t stock the basement if you’re like this. I only chose to work this section because of the great job you’re doing. Most of the gladiators they leave stationed here are worthless.”

“So you know me?”

“Yes. Kode Payne. You’re a legend to the blacksmiths and deliverymen. Everyone wants your route. Even the areas nearby are special because of you.”

“Amusing. Tell me more.”

“I can’t say much here or with you like this. If I die, Hades will send me back to the underworld for a month. I have to teach you how to breathe the fog or you’ll get us killed.”

I don’t know what he’s talking about, so I shrug my shoulders and nod my head. My nameless guide gestures for me to follow him. Though I’m not supposed to leave this post, there’s no way I’d turn down a random adventure where someone I don’t know could possibly set me up and kill me.

As we walk down the uneven pathway, I ask Mr. Blue-Skin, “Why did you appear out of nowhere? I never heard you coming.”

He doesn’t answer, but walks over to a wall with a large hole. For a second, he disappears in the shadows. I can hear him stuffing the shield in the space. Then, he appears behind me from another dark corner. We continue our expedition.

“Deliverymen can travel through some shadows, but we have to show ourselves to hide weapons. I always carry multiple packages and hide them once you leave—Hades said you’d hear me if I stepped out. Then, I reenter the shadows until I’m back home. There’s a select group of people, hunters, that know about our abilities. They often come down here posing as militia or wanderers. You’re one of the only gladiators that never fall for their traps.”

“Nice. Where are we going?”

Mr. Blue-Skin leads me to a corner where two massive rocks meet. “We’re not allowed to speak of it until we’ve entered the area.”

“Mysterious. I like that. But if you want to build this relationship, you’ll have to open up a bit more.”

His giggle is the very opposite of his raspy voice. The high-pitched sound almost startles me.

“You’re funny as well.”

Turning sideways, he shimmies between the two stones. I never could have fit in this tiny space in my big-boy size. Being the younger, weaker me, I slide through almost as easily as he does.

While tightening my stomach, I ask, “What’s your name, Mr. Blue-Skin?”

“We’re not allowed to say out here, but I like Blue-Skin. If you call me that, the others will be so jealous. Can I tell them?”

“Sure. Break a leg.”

The moment we exit the cramped space, I smell sea water. Blue-Skin and I walk to the edge of a large cliff with a golden bridge attached. The waterfall on the opposite side travels nearly half a mile before striking the river below.

“Hey, Blue-Skin.”

“Yes, Kode?”

“Why do I smell sea water underground, and more importantly, why is it boiling hot?”

“The cavern is mythological in a sense, but I was told not to talk about those things with you.”

“What
can
you say out here?”

“We’re permitted to talk about the replica of Hades, but I was told you don’t listen to those types of things. It’s best we simply press on.”

The bridge is beautiful. It illuminates the entire space. I believe this is the source of light for the golden glow.

The steaming rocks near the walkway are also magnificent. Dangerous, but that’s how I like them.

In the center of the bridge, my right leg gives way. Though I want to continue and get away from the unbearable heat, I can hardly move. Blue-Skin turns around and sits on his knees. He doesn’t say a word. Once I stand up, he continues leading again.

I drag my legs over the last half of the bridge with Blue-Skin occasionally looking over his shoulder. We exit the area of the boiling rivers and enter a dark blue and purple room. The walls are still made of stone, but everything is neatly shaped.

The area stretches for at least a mile, but I can’t hear far enough to recognize an end.

“Hey guy. I’m sick of walking.”

“No worries. We’re here.”

“You brought me to your infinitely stretching office with nothing in it. Give me a break.”

“Actually, this is the door. We’re only allowed to talk about the Cavern of Youth in this place.”

My eyes leap from my head, “The Cavern of Youth? Are you serious?” I grab the little man by the shoulders. “Do you know how long we spent looking for this last year, and it was here all this time?” My excitement quickly fades. “This isn’t how I imagined it.”

“Keep walking. You’re currently standing on the river, and we must continue to the shore. Once we’ve passed, you’ll see what’s actually in front of you. You can only enter with someone that has seen the cavern before. Otherwise, you’ll roam this room endlessly.”

Blue-Skin leads the way and I follow. Though he said “we’re here,” there’s still quite a bit of walking to do. Nearly a quarter mile later, I feel myself getting restless.

My chest expands and contracts rapidly, and I can hardly control my body. A dark presence that reminds me of Tartarus surrounds me. Death. I haven’t seen her in some time.

Logically speaking, I should take a break. I would, but something strange happens: the ground grabs my left heel.

Suddenly, the world changes. Blue-Skin steps onto the shore of the cavern. We’re no longer in the infinite room.

We’re surrounded by waterfalls and a ceiling almost a mile high. Here, the rocks are organized as well, but like an underground cathedral. There aren’t any sharp stones threatening to crush me in case of an earthquake. This beautiful world reminds me of an underground garden.

Rocks are covered with greenery. It’s not mold or limestone. There are actual plants and flowers. Trees without leaves have broken through walls and the ground to reach around corners.

Cracks in the ceiling shine with small rays of what looks like sunlight, but I know it’s the golden glow of the bridge making its way down here.

The fluid I’m standing on is solid enough to support me, and even stranger, it’s creeping up my leg. The water pierces my skin like a burning dagger. I try yanking my leg away. “I can’t move my foot.”

“That, I cannot help you with. I’ve never seen the water do such a thing. I can try running through the shadows to find someone who may be able to assist you.”

“You do that. I’ll be here. Dying.”

“But he doesn’t know of your new appearance. If Hades sees you—”

“I’ll shoot him. Go!”

Blue-Skin flinches and immediately disappears.

I close my eyes just in case someone sneaks up on me. I don’t want that secret out of the box while I’m in this predicament.

The water makes its way up my leg and seeks my testicles. Though I’ve remained calm up until this point, I doubt I could withstand that pain, so I blare, “Help!”

While still carrying the vowel in my plea, I hear thunderous stomps marching my way. A large shadow zips towards me. When it’s only several feet away, a hand stretches out of the darkness. The callouses on the mysterious palm scratch my neck as the hand clutches my throat and draws me out of the water. With one swift motion, the shadow throws me against a stone on the shore.

Though I’m free of the burning water that wanted to stop me from ever having kids, I now face a bigger threat.

Even if I weren’t bite-sized, the fearsome man would still stand two heads above me. He probably weighs five hundred pounds and should definitely lay off the fried shark, because his belly is massive.

Removing me from the wall, he scrutinizes my face. I’m still trying to stop the ringing in my ears and breathe through the hand wrapped around my neck. I’d open my eyes, if I weren’t in this unbearable pain.

The brute smashes me into the ground and the back of my head explodes. I feel blood pouring from it. My spine is severed and exposed, but I’m not dying, yet. For some reason, I can’t.

“Who the hell are you?” The words feel like a thousand fists smashing into my face, one after another. I cough up a heap of blood, and he mumbles, “Black?”

Blue-Skin dashes from the dark with a woman as attractive as him—meaning ugly. “Hades. That’s Kode.”

“Okodemah? Oh, I’m sorry little one. They didn’t tell me we’d have such an honorable guest. Come here buddy.” Hades grabs my boot and flings me into the water. I smash against the surface, hard. “Stop doing that to him sweetheart. Let him have a sip. I’ve told you about Okodemah a million times.”

The water flashes a bright gold. I assume that’s her way of saying,
No.

“Now you listen clearly,” he continues, “he has as much right to be here as any. Open up your arms or deal with The Writer yourself.”

The water glows blue then drowns me. Within seconds, she pulls me down thousands of feet, and I hear Hades’ powerful voice yell, “You know who he is, so spit him out. Now!”

She complies. Instantly, I’m pushed and pulled through the water with incredible force. Once she rejects me, I fly to the cavern’s roof and fall towards Hades.

I release a vehement shock wave that knocks the others into the walls. As they recover, I observe my arms and legs. I’ve grown an inch or two, and my wounds are healed.

“It seems she was playing a practical joke on you,” Hades laughs with his vicious voice. It doesn’t bother me as much anymore. Why not? “She liked you more than I assumed. I’ve never seen her heal anyone that much.”

“Who is she?” I ask so clearly that I shock myself. My voice no longer sounds weak or broken.

“Well, I treat them as one, but they’re the Daughters of Danaus. Crazy with practical jokes. Should see what they did to their husbands. I have all fifty on video, if you want to take a peep.”

“I’m good.”

“What are you doing here? And is that the Seal of Solomon?” Hades rushes to me and binds both of my arms to my torso. This time, I have the strength to push him off. “Look at that. So you were actually able to release the Hysminai. They will train you well. Believe me.”

Blue-Skin interrupts by timidly saying, “Master.”

“You,” Hades growls. “I was prepared to drag him to the shadows. Why didn’t you tell me you were bringing Okodemah?”

“I was on my way, but the girls grabbed his foot. I went to retrieve a Charon.”

“Your girlfriend?” I ask.

Both of their skin colors turn red.

“No. Nothing like that.”

“Stop being a wimp and ask her out. I don’t have any advice on how to get it done, but you can’t be scared forever.” I slap Hades on the arm. He doesn’t even notice, but my hand throbs horribly. “Now, where’s the fog I need to breathe?”

“Is that why you’re here? To learn how to use the fog?” Hades asks.

The Charon and Blue-Skin turn yellow and smile at each other. Then Blue-Skin says, “Yes. The bandages are sapping too much of his strength. I want him to know how to breathe the mist.”

“So he can protect you?”

“Essentially.”

“That’s a bit boring. I thought you were here to see me.”

“Your voice.” I recollect, “You’re the guy that sat at my bed after I killed Spencer, right?”

“Yes! Wait. You didn’t remember my face?”

“I never saw it. But your booming vocals nearly killed me.”

“You were still weak. I could see how that would be a problem.” Hades walks away. “Well, you two are clearly busy. I want you to learn how to use the cavern as well. When my slaves die, they’re forced to spend time in the shadows. You’re protecting my most gifted group, so I’ll let you get to work.”

“I think I have some questions for you.”

“We all have questions, but you shouldn’t ask until you’re ready for the answers,” he says, waving. “I also work at The Darke Lord shop near Seth’s place. Catch me there if you’re ever in town.”