Page 69 of Wild Temple
A slight breeze drifted through, like a breath of air. An exhale. There must have been another opening in the cave system that created a draft. It had the effect of creating a low, ominous groan. The sound was disturbing enough to ward off most who dared venture into the dark abyss.
Several steps into the tunnel, my flashlight beam raked across the floor, revealing a pit that spanned the width of the passageway. It was the first challenge to thwart the unsuspecting. It had once been covered with stone tiles, loosely mortared together. One wrong step, and you’d fall to your doom. Most of the tiles had fallen away over the ages. My flashlight beam revealed the bones of many who’d misstepped.
The pit was too long to jump across.
A long column in the center of the pit split the difference. The platform was just wide enough for a foot—a touch point on your leap across. Nothing more. Not a place to linger. With two skillful strides, one could traverse the chasm.
But there were no assurances the column could support my weight. Thousands of years of erosion could have weakened the stone.
The primitive glyphs carved into the walls were deep enough to grip with a finger, but that would be precarious at best.
I stood at the edge, contemplating my next move. This is where most would turn back—anyone with half a brain.
This is where you proved yourself. Bravery. Skill. Ingenuity. The ancient ones were watching. Were you worthy of the elixir of Mata Vaya?
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Itook a step back, psyched myself up, then sprinted toward the pit.
I leapt into the air, traversing the chasm of doom. My foot touched down on the pillar, then I springboarded across to the other side and landed on the ledge.
My pulse throbbed my ears.
I looked back at the pit after I landed and caught my breath. The central pillar was still standing. That was a good thing. Otherwise, I'd be stuck on the side for all eternity. And if the legends were true, and Mata Vayadidextend life, that might be a long time.
I took my next steps with caution, wary of false floors. I figured most of the booby traps in this place had already been sprung by countless explorers before me.
Booby traps in ancient temples always seemed like the stuff of fantasy movies, but there were ingenious ways to rig up deadly traps with primitive materials. With pressure platesin the floor, cables made of vines, counterweights, and bamboo spring arms, it was possible to shoot poison darts through holes in the walls. But after centuries of decay, any organic material used to create such booby traps had long since disintegrated. Still, I kept a cautious eye and did notice suspicious holes drilled into the cave walls just ahead.
I crouched below and continued with caution.
No poison darts flew at me.
I continued down the long, narrow passageway without triggering any devices.
I stepped into a large, domed room. The natural formation had been enhanced by the primitive builders. Maybe they weren't so primitive after all. Alcoves were cut into the walls, and the remnants of ceremonial urns remained. Some fractured, some still intact. There was a stone altar in the center of the room, and a shaft of light that seeped through a fissure in the ceiling illuminated the centerpiece.
The air in the cave was damp and thick. Cooler than outside in the jungle, and that was a welcome relief.
I continued past the altar and crept into the chamber beyond—another cavernous area that was home to a pool of water so blue it almost seemed fake. The builders of the temple had carved steps from the stone that led into the water. Fed by a natural spring, this was the Water of the Divine.
The Spring of Life.
My flashlight beam penetrated the surface and illuminated the translucent water. The crystal clear, natural spring water was untainted by pollution. I knew better than to drinkwater from unknown sources. It could contain bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and all kinds of nasty things. It may have been rumored to give life-extending properties, but it might also make you sick.
So far, I hadn't seen another way out of the cave.
Something rippled the surface as I moved to the edge of the water. I took a quick step back. There was something in there. I'm not sure I wanted to find out what it was.
I searched around the chamber, looking for another way out, but didn't find anything.
I was in the cave long enough that the others got curious. Footsteps and voices echoed off the cave walls, and flashlight beams slashed the darkness.
One by one, they made the crossing. First JD, then Hannah, then Brooke. They were still cuffed, and it was difficult to get the proper momentum without full arm mobility.
Fortunately, they all made it across with relative ease.
The center column seemed to be holding up well.
