Coming From the Shadows Series
Coming From the Shadows: Lydia
An Ancient Trap
February 14th, 1906 A.D.
In the heart of Mexico’s untamed jungles, vines wrapped themselves around the ancient trees, the air was thick with the perfume of damp earth and decay; deep within stood the ancient temple once belonging to the Aztec people; covered in moss and bathed in filtered sunlight that barely penetrated the dense canopy; here an ancient artefact was protected; the Imperium had learnt of its existence after much research.
The Cultists that were active within Mexico had agreed to welcome the Minotaur’s Cultist; Elizabeth Smythe; the daughter of George Smythe, at sixteen she was still in training, George had organised for her to travel, the aim was simple, she had to prove her usefulness to the Imperium, in blind obedience, she went off without hesitation, meeting with the Mexican Cultists who escorted her to the ancient Aztec temple; because of Elizabeth strict upbringing and training, she had a rather cold personality, she was usually at the throat of someone she would speak with.
It was her blind loyalty and naïve obedience that rubbed the Mexican Cultist; Amado Raúl Vega the wrong way, he wasn’t very keen on Elizabeth.
Amado while loyal to the Imperium recognised the issues within the organisation, and was not afraid to call things out, he would not blindly obey, it is why he commanded so much respect amongst its council, and why he was left in command of the Cultists in Mexico.
As dusk fell under a blanket of stars; the group found themselves at the foot of the temple, the air buzzed with tension; Elizabeth had spotted something opposite of their position, someone else seemed to be observing the temple as well, she felt some concern about a possible encounter, though the idea it could also be her sister crossed her mind, she could pay her back for the previous year; her involvement in what happened at their fathers Estate, a rage was building up inside of her just at the mere thought of an encounter with Lydia.
“Come” Amado said quietly, kneeling down near Elizabeth, he had noticed the expression on her face, his eyes drifting in the direction opposite their position “If they are here to interfere, we’ll be able to deal with it” he tells her “But we are to enter the temple; recover the artefact and leave” he tells her
“If my sister is amongst them; I want to deal with her; nothing else matters” she says, her tone is icy; the angered expression present indicating her deep hatred; Amando shakes his head in response
“The temple and its contents are more valuable to us; now.., come along” he tells her; his tone was commanding, and his gesture was quite clearly an order to move, Elizabeth was not happy, but she had little choice but to follow his instructions
Opposite the Cultists encampment was a group of three individuals; they were fully aware of the Cultists, in fact they had actually been observing them unnoticed for some time, the only reason they made their presence known was to test the waters, to find out exactly who it was they was potentially dealing with.
Seated around a camp fire was two men and a woman; Dudley, seated with a rather angered look present was unhappy about giving their position away, he was the younger of the two men; when he spoke, he spoke with strong Irish accent, indicating somewhere from Southeastern Ireland, but his two companions, they however spoke with thickly laced Russian accents.
Khariton and Evelina; they had encounters in their home with the Cultists that operated in the shadows f the Tsarist regime, they like Dudley understood just what the Imperium represented, and knew that if the group was here, then there must be something of great importance that they need to interfere with “We made our presence for a reason” Khariton said; of the three, he was the unofficial leader of their little group, his experience within the Imperial Russian Army had a lasting impacting on him; it had honed him into the man he had become; the air of confidence radiated around him
“We had the element of surprise” Dudley shifted his gaze; he could make out the movements of the Cultists in the direction of the temple “They wouldn’t have expected us” he said
“We need to make sure they really are Cultists” Khariton said; he wasn’t certain yet; but he didn’t want to make a wrong assumption, it was possible they had tracked a group similar to them; after all, he had heard of a group that was very active across Britain and Portugal that had made great waves against the Cultists of the Imperium
“I suppose” Dudley looked towards Khariton, he was becoming agitated, he wanted to get into the temple, the possibility of losing the artefact was present in his mind
“Settle down” Khariton commented, he shifted his gaze in the direction of the temple; Evelina had remained rather quiet, but her eyes were also on the temple
“Shall we get started” Evelina says, finally breaking her silence, turning her eyes towards Khariton, making a gesture in the direction of the temple “I am certain that is enough of a head-start; yes?”
A coy grin curved Khariton’s lips as he nodded “Da” he said, moving his hands to his knee’s he pushes himself upwards, grabbing the rifle he had resting beside where he had been sat, he throws it over his shoulder, the leather strap keeping it in place as he began moving forwards; Evelina and Dudley following him after Dudley had kicked dirt to snuff out their fire.
Elizabeth felt a sinister chill sweep over her as she and Amado enter the ancient temple; the air was damp and stale; Elizabeth noticed the intricate carving covering the walls, they almost seemed like they watched her with malevolent eyes, every step taken echoed within the silence, punctuated by a distant sound of dripping; Elizabeth felt for the first time a feeling of exhilaration but also a little unnerved; she knew these were sacred grounds; grounds veiled in darkness.
Amado noticed the look in her eyes, he could see what she was feeling by her expression, and began to wonder what George teaches her, what kind of training methods he uses that makes her difficult to be around during initial interactions; that coldness and snappy attitude she displayed, it had been replaced by amazement and wonder at the new environment ‘There was hope for her’ he thought, perhaps if she was to interact with other Cultist groups, learn from other Cultists; she could avoid becoming like her father.
Exploring the temple’s interior, Cultists present with them voice their concern about the opposing group, Amado, while acknowledging their concern, simply instructs that they find the artefact, and then they can deal with anyone who attempts to oppose them.
As the Cultists progressed ever deeper into the shadowy depth of the temple, the unsettling heaviness enveloped them, it wrapped around their bodies like a shroud.
The air thickened, it was charged with palpable energy that seemed to pulsate in time with their heartbeats, each step that was taken echoed through the stone corridors, reverberating off of the cold, damp walls that had absorbed countless whispers of the past.
The intricate carvings that lined the walls transformed ominously with their progress, what had initially been intricate carvings of long forgotten deities gradually morphed into forbidding illustrations depicting a pantheon of deities whose names long slipped into obscurity, these were no benevolent gods of light and purity; they were the embodiment of evil, the twisted expression of hunger and fury was vivid in detail; the portrayal of gruesome ceremonies replete with stark imagery of human sacrifice – it was a stark reminder of the blood-soaked history that lingered in the very stones beneath their feet.
Elizabeth felt the weight of this oppressive atmosphere pressing down on her, what had been amazement and wonder had started fading to the back of her mind, her breathing had grown more laboured as she kept her eyes on the depictions, it horrified her, but these depictions were not too dissimilar to the world that her father wanted, a world of misery, chaos and poverty.
The chill air seeped into her bones, an insidious reminder started to tug at the back of her mind, maybe she was too obedient, she started to wonder of the vision her father had was really the world she would actually want to live in; she felt like she could sense the echoes of the ancient chants, the distant cries of those lost to those dark rites of yore; the stories of human sacrifice scared her.
This history was not just long, it was steeped with blood and sorrow; a testament to the darkness that thrived in the shadows, Elizabeth felt her mind starting to race with questions; and, she had no doubt that her father would be speaking highly enthusiastically about what she was looking at, no doubt plotting how to bring such a world about.
The unfathomable acts of barbarity and evil her father wanted was something he always pushed in her education; the more attention she paid to the carvings, a realisation dawned; was this temple really Aztec “Is it clicking yet?” Amado queried, Elizabeth turning her head sharply towards him; he could read her expressions easily he made a subtle indication towards the carvings on the wall “Is it sinking in that this is no Aztec temple” he said ominously “This is far older than that; far, far older” he told her, slowly moving off again, continuing to walk after that brief pause to question her
She shifted her attention to the walls a moment before quickly moving to catch up with him and the rest of the Cultists.
As Khariton, Evelina and Dudley stepped through the grand entrance of the ancient temple, they were immediately enveloped in an atmosphere that was thick with a mysterious history; they could smell the scent of damp that hung in the air; they had allowed the Cultists a rather generous head start, but now was the time to begin their pursuit.
Evelina, her eyes wide with fascination began examining the intricate depictions that adorned the walls, reaching out to touch the cold stone, tracing the lines with her fingers, she noted something “Look at this” she said; the depictions seemed to dance under the flickering light of their torches, her voice was both filled with bewilderment but also awe “Some of these seem to be Aztec in nature; but there is something odd about them” she said “It’s as if the original works have been deliberately overwritten” Khariton approaches along with Dudley to get a closer look “Do you see how the layers overlap; it is like a history book written in layers” she tells them
Moving closer, Khariton squinted, getting better view of the engravings, as Evelina continued her analysis, pointing out specific details that caught her interest “These motifs here” she continued “They are geometric patterns and representation of deities, reminiscent of something older than the Aztec iconography, far older” she shifted her eyes towards Khariton “It’s like the Aztec people were trying to hide what was originally here”
Dudley standing a little bit further back than Khariton decided to chime in “It is possible that the Aztecs stumbled upon this place during their reign, maybe recognised its significance” he says, a contemplative expression present on his face “Maybe they felt the need to impose their own culture onto what was already here, maybe as a means to claiming it or an attempt to connect with the past, it isn’t uncommon for civilisations to overwrite the beliefs of others, especially if they feel a sense of superiority”
Khariton listened carefully, but something at the back of his mind just seemed to suggest different to him, he offered his own response, it was succinct and firm “No” he said simply, shaking his head “This temple predates the Aztecs by centuries, perhaps millennia, what we’re seeing here isn’t an act of homage, it is an effort to complete erase the history here”
Evelina nodded thoughtfully, she appreciated Khariton’s perspective, even though she had been investigating the Imperium far longer than him; his only reason for becoming involved due to a simple encounter in Siberia that saw a confrontation between him and Cultists; it seemed as the Khariton was picking up on things about the Imperium and what they sort out very fast, the reason behind his commitment to fighting them.
The more that they examined the wall, the more they realised that they wasn’t just standing in a physical space, but also a tapestry of intertwined cultures and forgotten stories; each layer of art representing moments in time between an ancient culture and those that came after them.
They decided to carry on, delving deeper into the temple’s heart; Khariton’s certainty hung in the air like a spectre; pushing onwards to pursue the Cultists, there was a sense of urgency building, they needed to prevent them from acquiring what was hidden within the temple.
The Cultists eventually found their way to a vast chamber; an expansive space that felt ancient and otherworldly, it’s ceiling was lost in darkness; an impenetrable void of darkness that swallowed any hint of light.
At the very centre of this foreboding chamber was a massive stone alter, a monolithic structure that towered in the chamber with an imposing presence, the surface has intricate symbols etched into it, depicting symbols of power; they were cryptic in design, something the Cultists were unfamiliar with; there was hints of dark rituals and forgotten dark histories.
As Amado moved cautiously forwards, he felt the air grow colder, there was a biting chill within the air that seeped into his bones, sending shivers racing down his spine; each step he took only heightened his awareness of the oppressive atmosphere that was enveloping him.
The closer he approached the altar, the more pronounced the sensation became, a nagging feeling he was not alone, that unseen eyes were watching him with intensity, it was an anxiety that gripped his heart, building with each hesitant heartbeat.
Amado found himself halting abruptly, positioned only hallway to the altar, despite the straightforward nature of their goal-their mission; approach the altar, collect the artefact and leave, it felt different, distinctively different, normally this task would require a measured approach, steeped in respect for the ancient powers at play, yet now, an unmistakable aura of malevolence hung in the air, something he couldn’t identify, but could sense it deep in his gut.
It felt unearthly; like he was trespassing in a realm not meant for the living; were his very presence felt like it was a disturbance.
They had been confident at the start, but now the Cultists of the Imperium felt as though they were intruders in a sacred domain.
Whatever dark forced resided within the shadows of the chamber appeared to regard them with disdain, their very presence a blight upon the sanctity of the ancient site.
Amado could almost feel the weight of their judgement pressing down on him, it was a tangible reminder they were unwelcome here; the silence was deafening, punctuated by the soft echoes of their footsteps, each one a reminder of the thin line they found themselves walking.
Swallowing in nervousness, Amado found himself backing off, slowly edging backwards away from the altar; he couldn’t explain it to himself, but any further steps forward, he felt like it would be a mistake.
Elizabeth simply stood with a bewildered expression, the air around her was thick, she could feel a sense of dread and impending doom, a palpable tension, the unease radiated from the Mexican Cultists she was with, she noted their eyes of concern, expressions of fear, the way they murmured to themselves; yet, despite all this and the foreboding atmosphere she could feel, the teachings instilled by her father, echoed relentlessly inside of her head; drowning out any hesitation.
The Imperium’s relentless pursuit of ancient artefacts was not just a duty, it was a mandate that transcended caution ‘Act First, Question later’ her father would tell her time and time again, instilling a sense of urgency and purpose she just couldn’t ignore.
As her determination to not fail her father ignited, Elizabeth steeled herself, making a move and forged ahead, she dismissed the frantic protests of the Cultists who scrambled in an attempt to halt her movement; the frantic gestures and urgent whispers fell on deaf ears as she pushed past them, her focus fixed firmly on the altar ahead, shrouded in mystery and ancient power.
Amado, witnessing her reckless disregard felt a surge of alarm wash over him, it was as if time slowed, he could hardly process the sight of Elizabeth as she darted past him, her silhouette was a blur against the backdrop of the ancient temple, she had become a whirlwind of ambition and disregard, it terrified him.
The altar, a focal point of ancient power pulsated with otherworldly energy that Amado knew shouldn’t be tested, the unseen eyes watching them would not remain unseen for much longer if Elizabeth completely disregards the threatening atmosphere that had made him back off “Elizabeth!” he shouted, his voice cutting through the tense air in a desperate plea
He took a step forwards, but the weight of that oppressive atmosphere, the dire threat he could feel held him back, he could see her determination, she was oblivious to the dangers she could unleash, Amado’s heart raced as he considered the ramifications of what Elizabeth was about to do, not just endangering herself but everyone else as well; a delicate balance was about to be disrupted.
As Elizabeth approached the altar, she could feel her pulse quicken, she felt exhilarated, but also dread; she could feel the unseen eyes upon her, she knew what was going to happen; but that voice, that voice kept repeating; she wouldn’t let her father down, she was wrong to feel the need to question; reaching forwards.
On the altar, nestled amongst the shadow and dust lay what appeared to be a rather unremarkable wooden box; it’s surface was rough and weathered, and at first glance blended in seamlessly into the surrounding environment, it gave no indication of any secrets inside of it; however, everything she had learnt from her father, Elizabeth knew better; as she got closer she felt an unsettling sensation washing over her accompanied by a faint, eerie whispering that seemed to drift from the box itself, it was a sound that pricked her senses, it drew her in with a melodic yet sinister hum that danced within her ears; sending a chill racing down her spine.
The closer she came to it, the more palpable the ancient energy became, it coursed through her like an electric current, awakening something.
Compelled by an insatiable curiosity now, Elizabeth slowly reached her hands forwards, towards the box; her fingers began to tremble in anticipation as she made the attempt to lift its lid; yet, to her surprise it remained stubbornly sealed, refusing to budge under her touch.
A frown creased her brow as confusion flickered across her face, determined, she grasped the box, turning it over in her hands, examining it from every angle; she tried to discern the source of its hold.
But now in her hand, the whispering intensified, it seemed to echo inside of her mind, intertwining with her thoughts in a chaotic symphony that began overwhelming her senses.
The sound was maddening, it was as if voices were trying to communicate with her; something vital, yet the message remained shrouded in obscurity, she was overwhelmed by a sudden unease, dropping the box and watching in disbelief as it struck the ground with a loud thud that resonated through the chamber like the toll of a bell, devoid of any bounce or give.
The noise was jarring, especially for an object that appeared so innocuous, and the vibrations of its impact rippled through the stone floor sending a shiver up her spine, the whispers continued to swirl around her, it was now far more frantic than ever; the altar began to tremble beneath of feet, Elizabeth’s heart began to race as the realisation struck her-her moment of thoughtless disrespect had just triggered something profound, something ancient and powerful.
By instinct Elizabeth took a step back, her gaze darting upwards, the oppressive darkness loomed above her, a void that swallowed the chambers ceiling, and from that abyss erupted the sounds of inhuman screams.
They were guttural and haunting, echoing through the stone walls, resonating in her very bones, at the same time, there was a deep grinding that filled the air, the unmistakable sound of stone upon stone as ancient mechanisms stirred to life, responding to the disturbance she had caused.
Panic erupted amongst the Cultists as stone doorways began to descend ominously; the escape routes beginning to dwindle.
The air thickened with tension as the Cultists rushed in a frenzied attempt to flee, their eyes wide with terror, the desperation to escape the chamber before they became sealed within its dark embrace.
Within that chaotic moment Amado rushed to Elizabeth, his pressures brought Elizabeth back to the present, his aura was a little reassuring to her, his grip seized around her wrist, pulling her towards the nearest exit “We have to go; now!” he urged, urgency laced his voice; without hesitation, Elizabeth followed his lead, adrenaline was surging at this point; the echoes of ancient whispers and panicked screams was like a haunting melody.
Coming directly towards them, Khariton’s heart raced as he spotted the fleeing Cultists, their frantic figures darting through the dimly lit space of the temple’s hallway; the clear desperation in their frantic movements was unmistakable, they were clearly in a panic.
The air around them was thick with a palpable sense of dread, amplified by the chilling sounds of inhuman screams that echoed ominously behind the fleeing figures.
Khariton felt a shiver rush down his spine, the source of such terrifying sound was something he could scarcely imagine, and a gnawing instinct urged him to do as the Cultists were doing as the Cultists were racing in their direction.
With quick and decisive motion, Khariton along with Evelina and Dudley turned and they began running as well.
As they moved Khariton couldn’t shake the feeling that they had all been ensnared within a trap; the temple that had once seemed sacred now felt much more like a labyrinth; every twist and turn in the corridor they raced through only deepened the unsettling sensation.
In that moment, Khariton cast a glance at Evelina, he saw the understanding mirrored in her eyes, she too had grasped the terrible truth, the once familiar space had transformed into a nightmarish maze, a disorientating expanse were every corner seemed to lead further and further from safety.
The realisation struck him like a cold wave, this temple was not merely a place once used as worship to some ancient deities, but a place of confinement; perhaps designed in such a way for the very being depicted on the walls; the celestial beings that the Imperium seemed to want to bring into the world, for their aims to bring chaos and misery; a meticulously crafted prison to keep such power and ancient beings bound and contained.
The implication of this realisation filled Khariton with a renewed sense of urgency.
“We need tog et out” Dudley exclaimed, his voice breaking through the cacophony of fear and chaos surrounding them; Khariton glanced at him, he could see the determination etched in Dudley’s expression, he nodded in agreement.
They could linger any more, they had to find a way out, and they had to do so before whatever had been unleashed catches up to them; the echoes of those horrific screams just grew louder; a sinister reminder of the looming danger that thrummed beneath the surface of those ancient stone walls; the race for survival had begun, and there wasn’t any time to waste
Unlike the other Cultists who fled in a panic towards the door through which they had entered the larger chamber; Amado and Elizabeth instinctively veered away, propelled by an urgent sense of self-preservation that outweighed the instinct to run into the crowd.
The horrifying inhuman screams echoed in their ears, reverberating through the stone walls like a haunting melody pf despair as they navigated through a series of winding corridors and sharp turns; a sinking realisation washed over Amado, they had been ensnared by the temple; within its labyrinth
The very essence of the temple which initially had seemed just to be an ancient temple to marvel; it had revealed itself as something much darker – it was a prison, he realised that it was the kind of prison that was designed to contain and bind the celestial beings they themselves were trying to free, it was a sanctuary of entrapment, Elizabeth’s reckless action had unwittingly triggered all of this off, the temple was trying to protect itself, trying to prevent anything from leaving.
With each step Amado felt the weight of their dire predicament pressing down on him; the options to escape were few; but there were some that could lead to freedom, albeit through harrowing means; the grim reality of the situation loomed large, the prison was insatiable, and it demanded a sacrifice – a price that he dreaded to appease the ancient powers that held sway within these cursed walls.
But it was what made it successful; the beings it was designed to contain, it wasn’t their blood it was open for; it was human blood; human sacrifice, with beings that were not of the earth, it made for a perfect prison to contain the beings trapped within.
Despite the overwhelming dread Amado felt as it settled heavily in his gut, he made a resolute decision; he would guide Elizabeth through the treacherous passage, steering her towards the slivers of hope that glimmered within the suffocating darkness.
His determination to see her escape even if it meant he would be left behind; trapped forever in this nightmarish realm.
As the moment arrived for when Amado had to part ways with Elizabeth; to let her continue onwards alone, he paused; coming to a stop, an instinctive decision that drew Elizabeth’s attention, she too came to a halt, her brow knitted together in confusion, she turned to face him, she had questions, he could see it “Go” he instructed, his voice steady despite the air of uncertainty that was hanging around him “Now, you need to follow this passage, it will lead you out” his words were meant to reassure her, to bolster her confidence “Don’t lose hope for the exit; just trust me” he added, his tone seemed to be softening
With that, he turned away from her; the decision he now needed to make weighing heavily; he knew what the end result was going to be, what dangers lurked that could stop him if they wanted too; as he raced back into the darkness of the abyss, Elizabeth stood listening to the sounds of his footsteps fading into the void, there was a mixture of fear and determination swirling around her; guided by his last words, she did as instructed, following the passage to find the exit.
Amado found his way back to the very chamber that they all originally had fled; it was both familiar and foreboding, only one of its ancient stone doorways had not fully closed, a narrow gap offered a way inside, with determination coursing through his veins, Amado crawled on his hands and knee’s, feeling the cold, rough stone scrape against his skin as he managed to wriggle his way beneath the doorway; returning into the chamber.
The air was thick with the remnants of their fear, without wasting a moment he rushed over to the altar; an ominous symbol of sacrifice, he drew a knife from his belt, he felt its weight in his hand, the weight it carried of responsibility and resolve.
Looking upwards, Amado understood the gravity of the situation before him, he knew he was going to open the way for the others to escape; taking a deep breath he steadied himself, steeling his resolve, accepting the harsh truth he was willing that he was willing to trade his life to allow the others their freedom; the knife glinted in the dim light, reflecting the flicker of hope that resided within him.
Meanwhile within the winding maze of the dim corridors, Khariton felt the subtle shift in the atmosphere, something had changed; as they pressed forwards he realised they were fast approaching the light of the outside world, the warm glow of freedom drawing them like moths to a flame.
Yet the realisation that an unseen hand had intervened to allow their escape was one he hesitated to question, deep down he sensed knowing the specifics would unravel them fragile peace of mind that freedom had brought to his mind; as they emerged from the temple into the open air; they discovered Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was clearly worn out from all of her frantic running, her face was pale and her breathing was heavy; but she, like Khariton and those with him, were free, she was confused though; she doesn’t remember seeing them amongst their group, a realisation quickly dawning as she remembers the opposing group.
While the Cultists had yet to escape the confines of the temple; Elizabeth was currently alone, and not knowing who these three are, she was wary of them, the idea she has found herself with people opposing the Imperium was now a very real danger to her; as Khariton, Evelina, Elizabeth and Dudley stood in silence, they grappled with the gravity of their situation; however, it was Dudley’s expression that betrayed a far darker motive – his eyes glinted with a hint of murderous intent “No!” Khariton snapped, his voice rose sharply; he could see what Dudley wanted to do, moving in front of Elizabeth he eyed Dudley carefully “She is a child!” he shouted
Dudley, unwavering in his anger, countered with fervour “She is a Cultist; one of them who causes so much pain and misery, we should end her right here and now!” the tension crackled in the air as the two men faced off, the weight of a moral dilemma hanging between them
Khariton shoo his head defiantly, refusing to allow Dudley to act on any violent impulse; he asserted himself as a barrier between Dudley and Elizabeth; in that moment, Dudley hesitated, he wouldn’t risk a confrontation with Khariton, no matter the depths of his disdain for the Imperium and their Cultists, each second stretched into an eternity.
Faced with little option, Dudley moved, since he wasn’t going to fight with Khariton, he decided to get moving instead; Khariton glanced to Evelina, she could see relief in his face, the two glanced to Elizabeth briefly before they decided to follow Dudley’s direction.
Elizabeth was left to wait for the Cultists alone; the events played in her mind over and over; she again found herself questioning her father’s teachings; why did Amado turn back, what did he do that allowed their escape; how did he know were to go; all these questions just kept repeating in her head, she sat down on the floor as she awaited the Cultists to emerge; her eyes briefly shifting to observe Khariton, Evelina and Dudley as they disappeared into the jungle.
Written By: Westley H.
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