Chapter 35- Fallen and Found

The Winding Path

Liam’s POV

The motorcycle roared beneath us as we left Hunedoara, the sun beating down mercilessly. I clung to Cyrus with as much dignity as I could muster, which wasn’t much. The indignity of it all – a Fae prince reduced to playing backpack to a demon hunter. If the Seelie Court could see me now, they’d probably die laughing. Then again, that might solve a few of my problems.

„I’m starting to think you’re taking the scenic route on purpose,“ I shouted over the engine’s roar, my voice dripping with sarcasm. „Trying to extend our quality time together?“

Cyrus’s only response was to accelerate, sending us careening around a particularly sharp bend, nearly unseating me in the process. I could practically feel his smirk. Bastard.

As we blazed down highways and wove through country roads, I found myself oddly fascinated by the changing landscape. Villages flashed by, quaint little pockets of mortality that looked like they hadn’t changed in centuries. The air grew cooler as we climbed into the Carpathians, the mountains looming like slumbering giants. It was beautiful, in a quaint, mortal sort of way. Nothing compared to the ethereal vistas of the Fae realm, of course, but I had to admit there was a certain charm to it.

As we neared our destination, the road became increasingly treacherous, all hairpin turns and steep inclines. „You know,“ I mused, mostly to distract myself from the death grip I had on Cyrus, „I haven’t traveled like this in… well, ever. It’s almost charming, in a primitive sort of way.“

„Glad you’re enjoying the trip,“ Cyrus grunted. „Maybe next time we can take a leisurely stroll.“

I laughed despite myself. „Yeah, right. If we survive this, I’m never setting foot on one of these metal deathtraps again.“

Five hours and countless winding roads later, we finally arrived at Peștera Polovragi as the sun was beginning its descent. Cyrus parked the bike in a small clearing, concealing it as best he could behind some bushes, and I practically leapt off, my legs wobbling embarrassingly.

„If you tell anyone about this little joyride,“ I hissed, straightening my clothes, „I’ll turn you into something small and slimy. Perhaps a newt.“

Cyrus just rolled his eyes and started towards the cave entrance. The cave mouth yawned before us, a dark maw in the mountainside. As we approached, I noticed a weathered sign near the mouth of the cave.

„Well, well,“ I said, peering at the faded text. „Looks like we’ve stumbled into yet another Dacian hotspot. Apparently, this cave was sacred to Zalmoxis.“

Cyrus frowned. „Zalmoxis? Sounds like a prescription drug.“

I snorted. „ Close, but no. He was the chief god of the Dacians. Supposedly went into a cave for three years and came out even more divine. Rather on the nose, don’t you think?“

„Let me guess,“ Cyrus deadpanned. „Kate’s somehow connected to all this?“

„Got it in one, you clever little bloodhound,“ I grinned. „Either our dear Kate is the reincarnation of some Dacian high priestess, or she’s being cosmically pranked by their long-dead spirits. Either way, it’s becoming a bit of a theme.“

We entered the cave, the temperature dropping like a stone. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and ancient secrets – a bouquet I was unfortunately becoming all too familiar with.

As we ventured deeper, I couldn’t help but notice the eerie silence. No dripping water, no echoing footsteps – just an oppressive quiet that seemed to press in from all sides.

„Cozy,“ I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. „I’ve been in tombs more welcoming than this.“

We explored every nook and cranny of the accessible areas, but found nothing more exciting than a few impressive stalactites and the occasional bat.

„Are you absolutely certain this is the right place?“ Cyrus asked, his patience clearly wearing thin.

I bristled. „Yes, I’m sure. The Fae Scriptures and Iele were quite specific. Unless, of course, they decided to play an elaborate practical joke, in which case I’ll be having words with them later. Possibly with fireballs.“

We found ourselves staring at a crude drawing on the cave wall – a skeletal figure that looked like it had been sketched by a particularly morbid child with poor fine motor skills.

„Ah yes, nothing says ‘sacred site’ quite like cave graffiti,“ I quipped.

Cyrus ignored me, focusing on a nearby sign. „Can you read that?“ he asked, pointing to the Romanian text.

I leaned in, translating aloud: „It speaks of a magical portal that opens on the night of the Resurrection, leading to another plane of existence. Apparently, two friends once passed through. One returned, babbling about lost time and floating beings in white. The other… well, let’s just say he won’t be writing any travel guides anytime soon.“

„Great,“ Cyrus muttered. „Another dimension-hopping story. Just what we need.“

I was about to make a witty retort when something caught my eye. The death drawing… was it shimmering? I focused my magic, probing gently at the wall.

Suddenly, the crude skeleton became translucent, revealing a hidden passage beyond.

„Now, look at this,“ I smirked at Cyrus, unable to keep the smugness from my voice. „Looks like my Fae senses are tingling. Shall we?“

We stepped through the barrier and found ourselves at the base of a spiral staircase that seemed to stretch endlessly upward, disappearing into darkness.

„After you,“ Cyrus said dryly.

„Oh no,“ I countered, „I insist. Your youthful vigor should be put to good use. Besides, I’d hate to deprive you of the opportunity to play the big, strong protector.“

As we began our ascent, I explained the connection between the challenges ahead and the seven capital virtues: chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility.

„Not exactly Fae strong suits,“ I admitted, my breath already coming a bit faster than I’d like. „Which is why, loath as I am to admit it, having you here might actually be useful. You humans do love your moral quandaries and self-righteous posturing.“

Cyrus snorted. „Glad to know my years of grueling training have prepared me for a cosmic ethics exam. And here I thought I’d just be killing demons.“

We climbed in silence for a while, the only sound our labored breathing and the occasional curse as we stumbled on the uneven steps.

„So,“ Cyrus finally broke the silence, his voice carefully neutral. „What exactly happened with Kate while you were… away?“

I grinned, unable to resist the opportunity to twist the knife. „Oh, you know how it is. Girl meets Fae, girl discovers her true potential under said Fae’s expert tutelage. The usual story of self-discovery and… shall we say, mutual exploration?“

I could practically hear Cyrus’s teeth grinding. „And I’m sure all that ‘tutelage’ was strictly professional.“

„Now, now,“ I tutted. „A gentleman never kisses and tells. Although,“ I added, my voice dripping with suggestion, „I will say that our dear Kate has… blossomed in ways that would make even the most jaded Fae blush. Her enthusiasm for learning is truly… insatiable.“

Cyrus’s face darkened, a storm of jealousy and disbelief warring in his eyes. „You’re lying,“ he growled, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice that thrilled me to no end.

„Am I?“ I purred. „I suppose you’ll just have to wait and see, won’t you? I do so look forward to your face when we’re reunited. I’m sure Kate will be eager to show you everything she’s learned.“

The thought of Kate throwing herself into my arms, all newfound confidence and barely contained magical energy, while Cyrus watched… well, it almost made this whole ordeal worthwhile. The torment on his face would be absolutely delicious.

As we continued our seemingly endless climb, I found myself pondering Cyrus’s obvious attachment to Kate. „You know,“ I mused, „I would have expected you to be experiencing some nasty withdrawal symptoms by now. Saintly energy can be quite the addictive little rush for you fragile mortals.“

Cyrus remained silent, but I could see the tension in his shoulders.

„The fact that you’re still so… invested,“ I continued, enjoying the way he bristled, „suggests that perhaps your feelings run deeper than mere addiction. How quaint. And potentially useful, I suppose. Love does make such excellent leverage.“

„Shut up and keep climbing,“ Cyrus growled.

And so we ascended, into the unknown depths of the mountain, each step bringing us closer to whatever trials awaited. The air grew thinner, the darkness more oppressive. But we pressed on, driven by duty, desire, and the faint hope of redemption. Little did we know, the true tests were only just beginning. And I, for one, couldn’t wait to see how spectacularly we might fail.

The darkness of the staircase seemed to stretch on forever, swallowing us whole with each step. I’d had enough of this inky abyss. With a flick of my wrist, I summoned a ball of ethereal light, casting it upwards to illuminate our path.

“Let there be light,” I quipped, feeling rather pleased with myself. The soft glow revealed rough-hewn steps spiraling upwards, disappearing into the gloom above.

My smugness was short-lived. The sudden brightness awakened the cave’s slumbering residents – a swarm of very angry, very loud bats. They descended upon us in a flurry of leathery wings and shrill screeches.

“Bloody hell!” I yelped, ducking as the furry fiends dive-bombed us. One particularly brazen bat tangled itself in my hair, its tiny claws scratching at my scalp. “I thought bats were supposed to be blind!”

Cyrus swatted at the air, his face a mask of annoyed concentration. “They’re not blind, you idiot. They use echolocation. Didn’t you learn anything in your centuries of existence?”

“Well, excuse me for not being up to date on mortal zoology,” I snapped, finally freeing myself from the bat’s clutches and extinguishing my light. “There, happy now? We can stumble around in the dark like proper adventurers.”

As the bats retreated, we were plunged back into near-darkness. Only the faintest glimmer of my Fae essence provided any illumination, barely enough to see the next step in front of us.

“I suppose we should use our lights sparingly,” I grumbled, not enjoying the prospect of this treacherous climb. “Though I’d rather not plummet to my death because I couldn’t see a loose stone.”

We continued our ascent, bickering with each labored breath. The stairs were uneven, some barely wide enough for a foothold, others unexpectedly deep. More than once, I found myself stumbling, my heart leaping into my throat.

After what felt like hours of endless climbing, my legs trembling like a newborn fawn’s, disaster struck. Cyrus, a few steps ahead of me, suddenly lost his footing on a crumbling edge. He teetered backwards, arms windmilling wildly.

“Cyrus!” I shouted, lunging forward. My hand closed around his wrist just as he began to fall. For a moment, we both teetered on the edge of oblivion, the yawning darkness below promising a quick, if unpleasant, end to our quest.

With a grunt of effort, I pulled him back, both of us collapsing against the cold stone wall, hearts pounding.

“Well,” I panted, “that was exciting. Try not to do that again, will you? I’d hate to have to explain to Kate that I let her favorite puppy fall down a hole.”

Cyrus glared at me, but there was a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. “Thanks,” he muttered grudgingly. “Maybe we should take a break.”

He tossed me a bottle of water from his pack. “Use it sparingly,” he warned. “We don’t know how long we’ll be in here or when we’ll be able to refill.”

As we rested, our breathing slowly returning to normal, I couldn’t help but ask about his charming sibling. “So, your brother survived our little tussle, did he? I have to admit, I’m almost impressed by his tenacity.”

Cyrus nodded, his jaw clenched. “Yeah, he’s alive. No thanks to you. He was in the hospital for weeks.”

“Oh come now,” I smirked, “I think Kate deserves most of the credit for that particular performance. She’s quite the spitfire when properly motivated.”

Cyrus’s eyes darkened. “What exactly happened that day? I need to know everything.”

I leaned back against the cool stone, savoring the memory. “Well, your delightful brother decided to play the role of draconian dictator. When I arrived, Kate was tied up in a chair, looking like she’d gone ten rounds with a troll.”

“What do you mean?” Cyrus pressed, his voice tight with barely contained anger.

I sighed, my own anger rising as I recalled the scene. “She was a mess, Cyrus. Bruised, exhausted, furious. Your brother had threatened her, even struck her. Left quite the mark on her cheek, too.”

Cyrus’s fists clenched, his knuckles white. “I saw that mark,” he growled, his voice tight with shame and rage. “I should have done something then, not just stood by like a coward.”

“Oh yes, you should have,” I nodded, my voice hard. “Apparently, he didn’t appreciate her refusal to become a good little soldier for your organization. But our Kate, she’s made of sterner stuff. Once she gave me permission to enter, well… let’s just say we gave your brother and Marcus a taste of their own medicine.”

“Tell me everything,” Cyrus demanded, his eyes blazing with a mixture of rage and guilt.

I obliged, painting a vivid picture of Kate’s righteous fury. I described how she had managed to stab Eric with his own dagger, pinning him to the wall like an oversized butterfly. The satisfying crunch as her fist connected with his jaw. The raw power she had unleashed, sending both Eric and Marcus flying across the room.

By the time I finished, we were both seething with renewed anger at the treatment she’d endured. Cyrus looked like he was ready to march back to the organization and tear it apart with his bare hands.

“I was there,” he muttered, his voice thick with self-loathing. “I was in that house, and I did nothing. I even tried to stop you at first. Some protector I turned out to be.”

“Yes, well, hindsight is a marvelous thing, isn’t it?” I replied, not unkindly. “But dwelling on what-ifs won’t help us now. We need to focus on getting that artifact and helping Kate.”

We resumed our climb, the tension between us palpable. After a while, I broke the silence. “Just because I asked for your help doesn’t mean I trust you,” I said. “You didn’t leave the organization even after seeing what they did to Kate. Why?”

Cyrus sighed, his breath echoing in the darkness. “I wanted to leave right away, believe me. But I realized staying put me in a better position to protect Kate and gather information. If I’d stormed out in a righteous fury, I’d have been cut off completely.”

I scoffed. “Protect her? How exactly did you manage that from afar? Send her good vibes and positive thoughts?”

He had the decency to look sheepish. “I couldn’t do much actively, I admit. But I could track any signs of her using the organization’s resources. Keep an ear out for any plans they might have had to go after her.”

“And what did you learn from this brilliant strategy of yours?” I prodded.

Cyrus’s face darkened. “Eric and Marcus spun a story about Kate being kidnapped by you. They painted you as some sort of villainous Fae who had manipulated and enchanted her. It was easier for them than to admit they’d driven her away with their actions.”

I laughed bitterly, the sound echoing off the stone walls. “Of course they did. Can’t have their perfect little world view shattered, can we? Heaven forbid they admit that their methods might be less than ethical.”

“I’m leaving as soon as I know Kate is safe,” Cyrus insisted, his voice firm. “I want to help her live the life she wanted, away from all this supernatural chaos.”

“Oh, that’s rich,” I countered. “You think you can just whisk her away to some quaint little mortal life? She should stay with me in the magical realms. At least there, she has a chance of learning to control her powers properly.”

Cyrus snorted. “Safe? If she was so safe with you, we wouldn’t be on this ridiculous quest for a magical artifact, would we? Face it, you didn’t protect her either.”

“It was an accident,” I snapped, before realizing my mistake. Cyrus’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, and I quickly added, “Her ending up in danger, I mean. These things happen in magical realms. You can’t wrap someone in cotton wool, especially not someone as naturally trouble-prone as our dear Kate.”

We continued our ascent in tense silence, each lost in our own thoughts. The stairs seemed endless, each turn revealing only more steps disappearing into the gloom above. Our legs burned with exertion, lungs working overtime in the thin air.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, we saw a glimmer of light ahead. It grew steadily brighter as we climbed, hope giving us a second wind. Our legs wobbled like jelly, lungs burning as we gasped for air. We stumbled up the last few steps, emerging into a vast, brilliantly lit cavern.

The sudden brightness was almost painful after hours in near-darkness. I squinted, trying to take in our surroundings. The cavern was enormous, its ceiling lost in shadows high above. Crystalline formations jutted from the walls, refracting the light into a dazzling array of colors.

“Well,” I panted, leaning against the wall for support, my legs trembling from the exertion, “that was… invigorating. I haven’t had a workout like that since the last Seelie Court revel. Those can get quite aerobic, you know.”

Cyrus rolled his eyes, but I could see he was just as exhausted. “Save your breath,” he gasped. “Something tells me we’re going to need all our energy for whatever comes next.”

I nodded, surveying the cavern with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. “Indeed. Shall we see what fresh hell awaits us now? I do so love a good challenge, especially when the stakes are this deliciously high.”

With a shared look of determination, we stepped further into the cavern, ready to face whatever trials lay ahead. The fate of Kate hung in the balance, and with it, our own futures. No pressure, right?