Chapter 16

Adam stood on that third beach, the pebbles and rocks underfoot crunching beneath his shoes. Delilah was next to him and she alternated between glancing at Adam and looking around with an uncharacteristic air of insecurity. She hadn’t spent that much time here on this beach.

Adam folded his arms, trying to project confidence as he stared at the blank cliff wall. He was nervous despite everything. Additionally, telling everyone where he was intending to go had been emotionally exhausting. Every conversation had felt a little like a goodbye — even though that wasn’t what he intended. But there had been tears, with emotions running high. Adam had been glad he’d gone through with it though. Seeing everyone so invested in his well-being ... well, it had really put everything into perspective as to how lucky he was.

But now it was time. Adam had put this off for far too long — even though he’d thought he had time enough prepare himself. From everything that he had read in the journals, from everything he had gleaned from reading between the lines — hell, even from what he had guessed — Adam knew the answers were here.

Adam had always been somewhat of a passenger when he had entered the Cave in the past. From the very first time he had stumbled inside, to when he had entered while chasing Todd. Adam had never gone inside with clear purpose. And that was what would make the difference today.

At least, that was what Adam hoped.

The Cave responded to will. What he intended, what he wanted mattered. Just like how he had chased down Todd by willing himself closer, just like how he had faced down the shade of Delilah’s grandfather, casting him out. Now Adam hoped that entering with the express purpose of communicating would make a difference.

As long as what he feared — that the old cult leader had somehow damaged the Cave — wasn’t too serious.

Beside Adam, Delilah shifted uneasily on her feet.

“Do you have to do something to summon it, or...?”

Adam didn’t answer straight away. He just stared at the cliff face. Delilah had insisted upon coming with him. Of course, as soon as she’d announced that Kendra and Holly had demanded to accompany Adam as well. But he had held firm; mainly for the reason that if something were to happen, Delilah could look after herself far better than anyone else could.

Adam focused himself, delving deep. The Cave had appeared as if by accident the first time. Perhaps in answer to his unwitting plea for somewhere to hide? But now Adam demanded that it appear for him. He was going to have his answers.

Delilah gasped; in the space between one breath and the next an opening appeared in the cliff face. It wasn’t the crack that had appeared when Adam had first entered, squeezing himself inside of the narrow opening. It wasn’t what Kalista had described either — a vast and gaping cavern. Instead, it was more like a portal. A symmetrical opening, four feet wide and eight feet high. What’s more, it looked actually hewn from the rock. Carved with purpose. Constructed. For Adam, the Cave had changed. It didn’t look like a natural formation. Not anymore.

Adam breathed out, long and steady.

“Huh. That’s ... different.”

Delilah looked at Adam, her eyes wide in her beautiful face.

“That’s not how it appears for you usually, is it.”

Her tone made it a statement, not a question. Adam shook his head.

“No. It’s never looked like that before. But a lot as changed. And ... I’m seeking an audience. I’m not wildly flailing about, if that makes sense.”

Delilah reached down and took Adam’s hand. She squeezed him hard, with what felt like all her strength. Her face was composed, but Adam could feel the rising panic within her. Delilah licked her lips as she turned to look at Adam.

“Do you want me to come with you?”

Adam turned and gently pulled Delilah into him. He cradled her in his arms, gently at first and then tighter. She was breathing a little too fast. Adam planted a kiss on the crown on her dark hair, breathing in her scent.

“No. But thank you. It’ll be okay, Delilah. Don’t worry.”

Delilah let out a shaky laugh, burying her face in Adam’s chest. Her voice was slightly muffled.

“How could I not worry? I’m sorry, this isn’t helpful of me. Disgraceful, even. But I’ve never see that before. All that I’ve learnt, all that I’ve been told ... seeing that opening just appear — Adam, it makes me afraid. What have I been playing with all these years? And if you go in ... I’m terribly afraid you won’t come back out.”

Adam didn’t immediately try to comfort Delilah. That would be disingenuous and he knew she wouldn’t appreciate meaningless platitudes. What’s more, she might be right. The worst could indeed happen.

“Delilah, I know. But I have to do this. What happened last night ... I need to find out more. And how the Cave now looks — that’s a good sign. I think so, anyway. It means that I’m on the right track.”

Delilah lifted her face from his chest. She looked up at him, her glorious eyes over-bright. Delilah smiled.

“You brave boy. No, you courageous man. Alright. But come back to us — no matter what. Understand?”

Adam cupped Delilah’s face, leaning in and kissing her gently, tenderly. He smiled.

“I will. I promise.”

Adam kissed Delilah once more, fleetingly and soft, and then let her go. He turned and strode into the Cave. His steps sure and determined.

He was going to get his answers.

Adam strode through a stone corridor, darkness swirling around him in a manner that suggested it had nothing to do with light or shadow. The glowing mushrooms on the stone walls cast an eerie luminescence. It was different from Adam’s previous visits, and yet not. It was like he felt the Cave changing to his intent and will. Every step carried him a vast distance and also not far at all. Perspective seemed optional.

All of a sudden, Adam reached an opening. An amphitheatre of stone appeared before him, more expansive than what he had seen before. The stone edifice that Adam had last seen the huge figure seated at was still there ... but it was empty. No overwhelming presence, no vast being with a crown of horns. Nothing.

Adam came to a stop in the centre of the opening, and gazed around. The walls of the cavern seemed miles away, and yet Adam felt he could reach out and touch them. He searched, looking for something familiar. He’d wanted to talk to the being that had communicated with him before — wanted to ask what ‘the promise’ was.

Adam almost missed them at first. Two figures, hazy and indistinct. He recognised them immediately, he had seen them before. One was the tribal elder, the weathered crags of his face delineating great age and authority. His piercing eyes screaming out sorrow and resignation. The other was the explorer. Clad in tattered cotton and leather clothing. He still had his burlap sack, but it was on the ground and he was seated upon it, his head resting in his hands.

Adam stared at them in dismay. Even though he recognised them, they were so different from the last time he’d seen them. They had been hazy to begin with, but now their forms were rent and torn. Their very essence seeping out and away. They had gaping holes in them, huge wounds that would be the end of any living person. The explorer was missing almost his entire right shoulder, and the chieftain had a gaping hole in his lower stomach.

The last time Adam had seen them, there had been the nebulous suggestions of women standing behind them both. The women they had bound to them with the power. But they were almost invisible now, mere wisps. The faintest of shadows.

Adam swallowed hard, trying not to give in to panic. What had happened here? He could guess, but he didn’t want to jump to conclusions.

There was no sign of Delilah’s grandfather.

“What happened here? Can you tell me?”

Adam took a step towards the two figures, reaching out in entreaty. He wasn’t hoping for much, and he was surprised when the explorer actually lifted his head. He stared at Adam for along moment, and then his mouth began to move.

“— — o late. H — — — one witho — —”

Adam frowned, trying to understand. Part of him was thrilled. They were actually communicating! But it might all be for naught. The figure was trying to talk, but the sounds were not lining up with the way his mouth was moving. In addition, it was fragmented; like Adam was only hearing a portion of a portion.

“What? I can’t understand you!”

This was even less than he had hoped, but it was still something. Adam looked around again, hoping to see the antlered head, smell the overwhelming musk ... but the vast figure was still absent. Only these shades remained.

Adam focused his attention back on the damaged explorer. He was still trying to speak.

“— re is anot — — — n’t be enou — —”

Adam stared in frustration. He just couldn’t put it together. And even if he could, he needed answers. Answers to what this place was, what the point of all this power was.