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The Valiant
Ch. 16 Cyclops is that you?

Ch. 16 Cyclops is that you?

I led the way down the narrow winding staircase that was carved into the Keep. Behind me, Cliff, Sam and Tyler followed in single file. The close quarters and dim light made our descent a cautious one. We are just able to make out the steps in front of us stumbling occasionally on uneven stones. Our only light source was from bioluminescent worms that clung to the walls. The worms covering the walls came in all shapes and sizes, flashing different hues of green and blue. Their sticky strands crisscrossed the stone like a tangled web of electric veins. As we passed them they emitted the sound of a faint hum, almost like a buzzing within the stone. From time to time we had to raise our voices slightly to be heard over this constant buzz. Soon the trapdoor entrance behind us, shrank away into a small circle of light as we continued down. We no longer hear the sounds of the wind or rain outside. The stairs twisted tighter and angled inward, the walls felt like they were closing in as the corridor spiraled down, making us walk in a slight crouch. Cliff's head just brushed the ceiling. I heard Tyler slipping on the worn steps, sending small stones clattering ahead into the blackness. We stopped, listening for any response, before continuing. As the stairs narrow, we are forced to twist our shoulders sideways, our backs press against the damp stone walls slick with worm slime. Cliff in front of me and Sam directly behind, our shoulders constantly brushing in the confined space. Tyler ducked to avoid the worms that coated the ceiling in a thick tapestry, their viscous strands stretching long. Each step was a balancing act, arms outstretched to steady ourselves on the walls as we scanned the uneven steps for any loose stones or holes. It became a careful dance just to advance a single step further. As one foot descended, the other had to be lifted and twisted to avoid tripping. Progress was slow. I stumbled occasionally on an unexpected dip or rise in the stone steps. Nothing was quite as it seemed here. Colors leached away into a monochrome world of grit and grime lit only by the worms. Even the stairs themselves seemed to ripple and sway as the worm light rose and fell.

I paused on the stairwell to catch my breath, my chest heaving from the exertion of trying to balance myself on the uneven descent. The narrow stone staircase seemed to go on forever, twisting down into the shadows below. I leaned against the wall, feeling the cool dampness of the stone against my skin. Tyler and Sam joined me, their chests heaving as well. Cliff leaned against the wall ahead of me.

"You okay, Carter?" Tyler asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah," I said, panting for air. "Just need a minute to catch my breath."

Sam wiped sweat from his forehead and looked around. "This place just doesn't seem right," he said.

I nodded in agreement. The greenish light from the worms barely illuminated the steps ahead, making it hard to see where we were going.

"Let's keep moving," I said, taking a step forward. "But take it slow and steady."

As we moved farther into the Keep, the worm light on the walls faded and it became nearly impossible to see. I had to strain my eyes just to make out the steps in front of me. Behind me, Cliff nearly fell and he muttered a curse and caught himself against the wall.

"Is this stairwell ever going to end?" I hear Sam questions, as he stumbled over an uneven step.

"The corridor widens, just up ahead." Cliff said as he advances towards the dim light in the opening.

The four of us found ourselves on a midlevel landing. The area was surprisingly large, the only openings in the walls were thin slits each on as tall as a man. But no wider than my hand. Gray light passed through the opening providing slightly more light than the worms. Sam peered out one of the opens in relayed that the storm had not yet passed. We could feel the keep swaying as winds buffeted it's side. I studied the wall of the landing looking for any clue as to what this place might be. Then I heard Cliff, something startled him. When I turned to look he was face to face with an intricate carving. It protruded from the wall and was moving.

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"Hey guys this thing is alive," Cliff said grasping the hilt of his sword.

I stepped closer to inspect the wall feature. It definitely was moving and it appeared to be a face. But this face had only one eye, located in the center of its forehead, Its thick lip parted to reveal a single tooth. It mouthed something, silently. Lines across it forehead creased when we did not respond.

"Now what?" I heard Cliff say. " It's mute. No point in wasting our time here" The eye widened, hearing Cliff dismissed its attempt to communicate.

"I am not mute," An angry voice filled the landing. "I am the Bringer of Storms and you are intruders in my Keep. Why are you here? Who as sent you? that fool GlensKel?

"Glenskel must be the dwarf that we encountered first," I whispered to the others.

" I can hear you," The Bringer of Storms sing songed from the wall.

"We have only spoke to one of your people," I replied. " He told us we must climb the keep before we can meet the Elders."

"GlensKel. He always sends the strays into my keep." The face paused for a moment, closing its eye as if in deep concentration. "Tell me your not hear seeking the Stormheart too?"

"There have been others?" Cliff quizzed.

"The has been another, and he wore that pendant around your neck." The face in the wall leered at Tyler. "Where did you find that? did you steal it from the demons?"

I stepped forward close enough to look straight into the single eye. Close enough to see it's blood shot vessels. Close enough to see it's pupil widen in surprise. "The Ice demons they where here?" I asked.

"With their master, and the gem you have taken from them." The Bringer of storms accused.

"They are dead," Cliff added matter of factly. " Carter here, and myself disposed of them in the Maze of Icefall."

A single eyebrow raised, and the face whistled what I could only imagine sounded like an approval of bravery. "Impressive." the word rolled off its plump lips. "And their master?"

"Unknown, never saw their master," Tyler piped up, the pendant now glowing around his neck. Mariasol appeared to be agitated, her light grew bright, dimmed, grew bright and repeated the pattern.

"GlensKel knows not what he sent me," The Storm Bringer roared with laughter. "Your bravery alone is enough to converse with the elder's, but you will have to find your way through the cavern polyps."

"Cavern polyps?" Sam questioned.

"Oh yes, there," The massive eye gestured as best it could to the wall on the left. I turned to follow his gaze, attached to the walls and ceiling ahead of us are enormous, gelatinous creatures covered in waving tendrils. They are as big as yoga balls, their huge frilly tentacles dangling outwards towards us. The tentacles begin to wave slowly as if sensing our presence. I stand frozen, staring up at these bizarre creatures.

"The Elders are beyond my little pets," the massive eye said.

One by one we walked under the nearest polyp. As I passed it, several tentacles descended on me and brushed against my shoulders. It's suction cups grasping at my shirt. I recoiled involuntarily at the realization that the polyps were assessing us, determining if we were suitable to consume. Glancing up at one of the polyp's bulbous bodies I saw its circular mouth rimmed with writhing tubes. Inside each tube were rows of jagged teeth. I passed it cautiously and the polyp swelled and throbbed as if readying itself to snap down on me.

"They've fed on GlensKel's challengers before," the eye said. "Those who are not quick enough." I noticed the bones scattered on the landing floor and felt a surge of panic.

All of us walked swiftly, our steps hurried as more probing tentacles descended around us. The polyps seemed to be working on a collective attack, tentacles extending, retreating, grasping at us as we passed.

"Keep moving," the eye urged. "Do not stop." The polyps writhed and swayed above us, their tendrils exploring. I glanced back at the massive eye, still watching calmly from the wall.

The polyps' tentacles lashed out, wrapping around our legs and torsos. Sam screamed as he was yanked into the air, struggling against the strong suckers. The polyp's throbbing body loomed above, it's thick circular opening revealed row after row of jagged teeth. Thick strands of mucus dripped from the writhing tentacles, burning my skin, as I reached unsuccessfully for Sam.

Sam was pulled closer to the gaping mouth wide with rows of man eating teeth, his cries growing louder and echoing against the cave walls. cries that curdled my blood.