Chapter 15:

“What do you think that is?” Yue Yang asked, the same question that has floated once again the party several times. This was only just within the last few seconds. The group was huddled around the strange stone structure now seemingly resembling a doorway or an altar. This was apparent after Yue Fei and the other dug around the stone slowly revealing a larger structure that it is now.

“What do you think it could be?” The question came once again.

“Hell if I would know, what makes you think that I would recognize something like this.” One of the members just shrugged.

“Take a guess or something.”

“Oh yeah, just pull something straight out of my ass huh.”

The bickering continued.

Such was the conversation was happening all around Yue Fei. Though he didn’t entertain any of it, seemingly lost in his own world as he studied the object in front of him. His focus was so affixed to the alien material. His fingers brushed against the unnaturally smooth like marble, yet sturdy as steel in texture of the structure. He just couldn’t wrap his head around it, just what was this material?

“Open it.” Yue Fei’s voice broke through the chatter voice around him. As all voices in unison ceased and all attention was now focused on him.

“How are we even going to do that?” He didn’t know who spoke.

“Well, it’s a door its bound to have a switch or something right so just….” Yue Fei replied as his hand traversed across the smooth surface. Till finally he touched something that seemed to have triggered a response. The door frame lit up in a display of dancing light just for the briefest moment before it faded away.

“Whoa what was that?” someone cried out admits the chaocphy of confusion.

“Some pattern light show of some kind.”

“Yeah, no shit sherlock, but how and why is the question here.”

“It’s the activation sequence to open the door.” Nip Fung said softly in realization. The comment didn’t fall upon deaf ears, as all got the message. Causing everyone into another frenzy.

“For real? Let’s find out.” Fei reached out his hand before stopping. Hovering over the stone before finally retracting it. “Does anyone remember the sequence of how it went?”

“Hold on I think it went like this first.”

Yue Fei reached his hand over the marble like stone again. The light showed began once again. He touched the illuminated spots that appeared just for mere seconds, following the sequence in which the light show had commenced. As soon as he finished, there had been an audibly mechanical like sound. The sounds of seals being released and unknown mechanism, being forced to work.

Slowly the alter began to change sliding aside into the wall. Releasing an open pathway leading deeper into the rock. A gust of stall air sweep over the crew, as fresh air was then ushered through the as if to cleanse its innards for their arrival.

“Well, isn’t that just welcoming sight.” Mi Liu commented bracing against the gust of wind. It took a few more seconds before subsided returning the air to its original calm state. Looking through the dark corridor however no one made the first move. All were waiting for someone or something to happen. Nothing did and nobody moved. Everyone fixed into place as if held back by some unseen force.

“So…. should we go in?” after a while longer Lee Shin asked out loud to no one in particular. Not a soul answered, so transfixed upon what they had discovered. “Well?”

“I think we should wait till the morning, its late we need to rest. Our armors are still recharging after all. I rather be armed with proper tools then some pickaxes and shovels.” As to show his point he lifted the pickaxe, in his hand and his half exposed upper body. most if not all members currently were of the same state. They hadn’t worn their combat suits when they started their excavation. As they didn’t know what to expect if they were attacked and had left them in the factories to recharge their batteries. Luckily, they had found a still fully functional generator for that. Plus working in such tight spaces with such heavy armor was not ideal. Even unexperienced miners like themselves, were wise enough to know that fact.

“But I think we need someone to watch this hole in case something pops up. Don’t want anything to catch us with our pants down.” Wu Song continued off where Lee Shin had stop. “That’s a fact, so any volunteers?” Kai spoke with a little too much enthusiasm. The words hung on the air before one hand rose to answer the call.

“Alright I’ll do it.” Mengya spoke up as he stepped forward. Taking up a spot near the doorway.

“I’ll join you.” Yue Fei took his position on the opposite side to Mengya.

“Well then, now that’s all decided, and all let’s get some rest, we leave at first light.”

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With that everyone else scattered heading back outside of the tunnel. Leaving Yue Fei and Mengya alone, to stand sentinel within the dark cave. “You rest first I’ll take first watch I wake you up when its your turn.” Mengya spoke those words before Yue Fei could get his out. Even quicker he had even raised a hand up before Yue Fei could retort back.

“I got this, just get some rest.” With that the descices was made. Yue Fei offered no more resistance. Picking a spot not to far away from the open maw of death before him, he sat down. He didn’t feel it as potently as before, now with the door fully open and with no understanding in how to close it. The eerie sensation he got from the dark path make the back of his neck flare up. He laid with his back to the wall his eyes fixed into the gaping maw of pure nothingness. Yue Fei just couldn’t keep his eyes of it. Almost franticly as if in anticipation of the boogie man to suddenly pop out for a scare.

Though he could keep his focus for long. The long days of work along with the fight they’ve fought just hours ago, was beginning to catch up to him. His eyelids were heavy, he could hold them up any longer. Thus, let them fall and embrace the comfort of sleep. He didn’t have long to enjoy it however, as he suddenly awoke with a violent jerk. He didn’t fully understand why, but his body just did, alert to something. He felt the presence of something, something dangerous. Far before the trouble scream of desperation had reached his ears. He and most of other humans may have forgotten mankind’s natural predator instincts, due to the lax use of it in the past few centuries, never truly went away. The world that which Yue Fei and the others came from just simply had no use for it. However, being thrown into this new world filled with dread danger, along with the disappearance of the comfort, one they had become so uncustomed to, had set their natural instincts back to default settings.

Back to the old times, when mankind had to fight and overcome their next obstacles daily just to survive. He was more alert, more accustomed to his senses, this one being their sixth sense in particular. All wild creatures had this sixth sense, the ability to detect danger, despite all the arts and achievements mankind has made over the years. Debasing other life forms back home, saying humans are superior, but the truth of it all were they still the same as them. Humanity were also still just animals, albeit far more intelligent, thus humanity too had their own sixth sense.

He jumped to his feet, heart pounding in his chest. He didn’t need to look around for the cause of this sensation. It was the damn hole in front of him, something had come out of it. A shadow figure seemingly made of mist and darkness had poured out of it. Its shadowy tendrils had spread out of the maw, tangling around Mengya despite his frantic attempts to swope at them. He might as well just to swipe at air. Cause of his efforts seem to offer any effect, passing through without any noticeable resistance. Though it whatever it was seems to have physical effect on its surroundings.

Warping around Mengya limbs tightly before lifting him off his feet. Before Yue Fei leaped into the air, bolting forward with such seed he had just barely grazed Menya’s limbs. Then crashing against leading to Yue Fei crashing into the tunnel walls causing the whole mountain to shake slightly. He recovered quickly fighting to see through the dirt in his eye. Only to see Mengya get dragged away into the doorway.

Yue Fei cried out in anguish at his failure, he bellowed out shaking the air. Clearly his cries were heard or was it because of the tremors he was causing. Cause it caught the other’s attention outside the tunnel. As mere moments later he could hear the frantic footsteps coming through the tunnel.

“Hey guys what happened~!? What’s with all the rumbling!?”

The frantic cry of Yue Yang echoed off the walls around. Yue Fei had risen back up to his feet by the time they’ve arrived. Closing his eyes once more as the group skidded roughly to a stop near him sending clouds of dirt in the air.

“Cough-cough something, something took Mengya.” Yue Fei spoke, spitting through the dirt that went into his mouth. “Who or what took him!?” Kim-sing asked having grasped to hold up Yue Fei steady on is feet. “What happened?”

“I don’t know! Something just took him I didn’t even see what it was. It was made of mist and shadow, or whatever. Look we’re running out of time; we need to go after him.” Yue Fei made to move but found himself held by both Kim-sing and Wei Li Jing. “Hold on there buddy, there no point in rushing in blind.”

“But we need to get Mengya~!” Yue Fei protested pushing back. However, the two held firm. Lou Feng came trotting over to him. “He’s right Yue Fei, there’s no telling what dangers we might face in there.” He gestured towards the still open doorway. “Rushing in in the way that we are now will only get us killed. We need to get back outside and get our gear and other supplies that might help us properly in this situation.”

At that Yue Fei ceased his ramblings and clamed his nerves. Lou Feng was right, his reasoning had had resonated with Yue Fei, there was no retort he could give. However, that didn’t mean his frustration had gone. Gritting his teeth, he gave a slight nod to Luo Feng. He received a nod back in response, before turning to his team. “Jacky, Bob you two will stay here to guard while the rest of us goes back to get our equipment.”

They two just nodded their acknowledgement and gave a simple reply. “Ok.”

“That’s not going to be a good idea, Yue Fei and Mengya had gotten jumped with just the two of them. We can’t afford to lose anymore members” Shen Yi spoke up then. His words then sent the entire group into. “That’s true.” Lou Feng contemplated again, before deciding their next course of action. Then my team and I will stay here, you guys go get your stuff first, once you’re done come back to relive us, once we’re back, we’ll head inside together.”

“Sounds like a plan. Let’s go we don’t have time to waste.” Kim-sing said pulling Yue Fei along, as the rest of their team moved with them. Silently they went, expect for the sounds of quick thudding of their boots on the ground beneath their steps. Wordlessly they went to the quarters where they had left their armor. It left like life years were going by every second it took for the bay doors to open, at least for Yue Fei. He was restless, itching to get to his equipment and rush back into the cave. Once it was door was up, he bolted in

The storage space was set up in differently than others. There had been barrier walls erugted to divide up the space within as rooms. However, these were not their destination. Instead, they went inwards towards a particular wall where they armors stood on make shifts stand. Wires and cables jutted out from the walls they stood in front of. Each member went to their armors and equipment, Yue Fei included. Each one quietly working on their weaponry and donning on their armor. The sounds of cables falling to the ground and clothes shuffling can be heard but not from Yue Fei’s side. He had stopped before his armor as if in a trace.

There his armor hung on its stand, his weapons on their makeshift racks beside it. He looked at his helm as it in his mind stared back at him. As if it was challenging him. Over the last few days, he couldn’t not help but reminisce about certain aspects of his new life. Like how he could help but feel naked in form of his own suit of armor. Like he was looking at mirror, looking at himself instead of a piece of equipment. Lately he couldn’t help but identify with his battleplate.

It wasn’t just himself it would occur to him but to everyone else as well. Looking around the space seeing his comrade at arms, he knew them just by their plate alone. It defined them, it was who they are. When they donned, their armor moved with them, it becomes a part of them more like a second skin and metallic muscle than a suit.

Looking back to his suit, his other half. Yes, his other half, as of now he was but two halves of one being. Looking into the hollow lends of his helm, made him vulnerable, a feeling he briefly felt. Yue Fei threatened by his own warrior aspect hanging so blunt and silently brutal on its stand, as if it would reach out and crush him for his weakness. The weakness that he felt that allow a brother to be taken under his grasp. Perhaps things would have been different if he was whole, the feeling fled. He reached out for the armor and unclicked the seals.