Rise of the fallen

Chapter Four

*POV Nameless Woman* "Hurry up!" Matthew yells from the jagged rocks above, each step as if he's made this climb a million times. So sure of himself he picks up his pace.     "I can only move so fast... These short legs are useless!" I say admiring the long green vines cover the side of the cave he so desperately wants to get to. The forest is thick and lively with the noises of animals all around. An eerie feeling creeps up on me as we near the entrance to the cave.     "How did he talk me into this? I should have stayed home." I mumble under my breath, as my hair begins to stand on end throughout my body. Matt is always talking me into these weird adventures. Nothing ever happens but he insists on finding something new to do every weekend... I guess things could be worse... I could have one of those boring boyfriends who only want to play video games or stay on their phones.     "Why can’t we use our wings to get to this damn cave?" My voice is thick with curiosity, kinda upset that we can’t just fly there. Walking is for the birds.     We finally reach the entrance to the cave, pushing past the thick vines, a spider crawls across my arm.     "AAH," Shaking my arm, the spider is flung into the bushes next to the entrance. There is not a hair on my body that isn’t uneasy.     "Scaredy cat" Matty snickers as my face turns white. We place small headlamps on our heads as we begin our descent into the damp dark cave. The dripping of water can be heard all around us from the stalactites threatening to hit us in the head if we aren't careful.     My headlamp begins to flicker about halfway into the cave, heading for a tunnel in the back. I take my headlamp off and shake it to recharge before placing it back on my head. Shining the light down the long tunnel, I can see something glimmer. Slowly we creep closer using the walls to stable us with each misplaced step. It's tight and cramped and the walls feel like they are going to crumble in on us at any moment. I grab ahold of Matt's hand, and he gives it a squeeze to reassure me. "I’m scared" I whisper as he guides me forward... With each step, I can hear my heartbeat louder and louder... We round the corner toward the glimmer and come across what looks like a mummy coffin. Cobwebs and fresh webs surround the coffin. It seems bigger than what would be necessary for just a regular ol' mummy and what is it doing in the middle of the Andes mountains. The coffin is solid gold. Small rubies, emeralds, diamonds, and many other jewels line the sides of the coffin. Engraved on top looks to be an ancient Hebrew script... "היזהר מהנופלים"     "What do you think it says?" Matt looks at me knowing I can read any language thrown at me. I stare at the coffin analyzing each letter, running my fingers over each notched piece of gold. "Beware of the fallen."     Backing away from the coffin slowly, I grab Matt's hand leading him toward the small tunnel that leads us here. Realizing what it now contains, I want nothing more than to leave it in peace.     *BOOM* Suddenly Matt and I both fly into the cave wall. My body hits with such force that the breath is knocked right out of my lungs. Slowly I get up as my ringing ears throb in pain, trying to focus on Matt. I can see him, his head is bleeding and his leg is broken. Bone protruding from his leg as blood leaked from his wound. As I crawl toward him, my own body not exactly in the best of shape, I pull off my t-shirt revealing my bloodstained tank beneath. Great, I'm bleeding somewhere too. Hoping my ability to heal will take care of it, I try to splint Matty's leg but find nothing to keep it straight. Instead, I focus on pressing my t-shirt to his head, hoping he's not dead.     "Matty wake up babe" I begin to shake him gently getting more desperate with each shake "Baby come on! Wake up!"     The hair on the back of my neck begins to stand once again. Slowly and reluctantly I look behind me. The coffin that once was sealed has been opened. The top has completely blown off. Against my better judgment, I rise to my feet and begin to inch closer, not sure if I really want to know what this mysterious coffin truly contained. The lid lays on its side to the right of the coffin. With each step I can hear my own heart leap, trying to fly out of my chest. As I peer into the coffin, disbelief overwhelms me. It’s empty…     “Say my name,” a deep voice thunders through the cavernous depths of the sacred cave, promptly sending every hair on my body visibly on edge once again.     "Who are you?" I squeak, knowing the answer.     “You know me! Say my name, Mahamin!”     I squint my eyes, straining to see in the dark cave. My headlamp is as crushed as Matty's leg. My eyes adjust to the dark as I notice a man, taller than any man I’ve ever seen, standing on the other side of the coffin. The shadow of the cave covers the man’s face, but I know exactly who and what he is.     My hands shake as I stumble back into the wall, trying to back myself up to the entrance of the tunnel.     “Oh, but it is dear child. Now, SAY MY NAME!”     “Run.” I hear Matty's weak voice, getting louder with each word, “Run, RUN! DO NOT LOOK BACK! DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME! SAVE YOURSELF!”     I hesitate for a moment not wanting to leave him and Matt throws some rocks at me, forcing me to the realization once again that I'm in danger. I can hear him yelling at the man, egging him on to bring the focus off me as I scuffle through the rocks of the tunnel. I make my way to the opening of the first cavern as my feet go into autopilot.     **whoosh** my wings push me into the air.     I can hear his giant wings thrust him into the air behind me.     The sun feels good on my damp cold skin as I reach the mouth of the cavern. No time to relish the moment. My mighty wings aggressively push me past the abundant forest around me and above the trees, a piercing roar sends me diving into the trees once again trying to avoid this giant man with wings dark as night, as he swoops down to grab me.     “Where is the princess?” he booms once again.     “Screw you!" I yell as he tries once again to frantically grab me, "You’ll never find her! You should have stayed comfortably in your hole!” A brilliant light staggers him as I release my raw power. My luminous wings relentlessly push me faster and faster trying to merely reach the guaranteed safety of the mighty tower in time.     “I can see the tower. I can surely make it!” An anxious glance behind me promptly tells me he’s still following me. I undoubtedly know if I can reach the tower, I’ll be ok, and I can warn the beloved princess. I must. Her innocent life and safety depend on me merely reaching this damn tower.     Suddenly, with a crack that could be heard for miles, a bolt of lightning strikes my wing. It sends electricity shooting through my body causing me to plummet to the ground. Everything seems to always go in slow motion when you're falling to your death. Searing pain courses through me as I realize I will never see Matty again, I will never have a family, I will never feel the rush and pure joy as I fly with the wind flowing through my wings like soft whispers gently pushing me along.     As I near the ground just outside the tower, my wings lift me into the air once again. I try to slow my descent with each thrust. My wings crumble and twist; they can't support me any longer. I hit the ground with such force that everything goes black. Darkness, pitch-black, eternal nothingness. Underneath the deafening void, a forceful voice calls out to me.     “SAY MY NAME!”