Into the Ruins (III)
“Quick, hide. Someone’s coming.” You hush the girls and herd them behind the metal block, extinguishing your lantern as you do so. The room turns pitch black.
“The knights?” Sophie whispers, crouching down while still keeping a respectable distance from you.
“Most likely,” replies Elizabeth, who is instead so close that you can hear her breathing in your ear. “We’re not supposed to be here, so it’s better if they don’t find us.”
“Shh.” You remind them again to be quiet. A strange, oppressive pressure is bearing down upon you. Someone… or something… is beyond that door, and they are about to enter.
The door slides open. The dim glow from the hallway illuminates multiple figures, marching into the room in single file. The lead figure is holding a large lantern to light their way. You recognize them – the same knights in white who were in the clearing earlier on. There are four of them. Scotty’s father enters shortly after, walking besides someone who looks like he could be the leader of the knights: a young, blonde man with a more ornate uniform lined with gold trim and a short mantle swishing in his wake.
Then, the last man enters. He is tall, very tall, and very thin, dressed in a black robe that looks tattered and torn, stained with the dirt of long journeys. His cheeks are sunken and a long beard covers his chin. His black, straggly hair is parted down the centre. But despite his gaunt countenance, his eyes burn with a dark intensity.
“We’re here, monk,” says Nathaniel. “Is this the room you wanted?”
“I hope we were not dragged all the way up the Tower on a wild goose chase,” says the commander, casting a cold eye around the room. “Are you sure of this?”
The bearded man walks quietly towards the centre of the room, taking slow, measured steps. “It is as God has ordained, Alexei. This is the place.” His voice is sonorous, and you can’t help but take a deep breath at the weight of it. You do not understand why, but something feels
wrong about him.
“I had thought it would look grander,” sniffs Alexei. “No matter. If you are correct, then your introduction to the Tsar is secured,
strannik.”
“God is always correct, and God’s words are what I obey.” The man – apparently a monk – raises a jagged, wicked knife to his palm. The blade tears the skin with ease, drawing blood. He places the bleeding hand over the crystal orb, chanting something in a language you do not understand. The red liquid drips over the orb, and orange sparks come to life within it, dancing, joining, until they form a small flame that sparkles with all the colours of the rainbow.
There is a loud rumbling that sounds like it is coming from far, far away, and tremors shake the floor. The girls grab onto each other, stifling back a scream of surprise while you steady yourself calmly. It is as if the entire ruins is about to collapse in on itself. Thankfully, that does not happen.
“It is done,” says the monk when the rumbling subsides. “The way is open. Another of the gates will have opened. We can now come one step closer to the Throne of God… All is for the sake of our Tsar.”
“Indeed, may God bless his reign,” says Alexei solemnly. “All that is left is to witness the open gate with our own eyes. The thirtieth floor… the White Wall.”
“That is where we must go, yes.” The monk stares upwards before closing his eyes. “One step closer to God.” Suddenly, his eyes snap open, and you press yourself against the metal block, ceasing your spying. “We have visitors, it seems. There seems to be someone… hiding outside the door.”
At that exact timing, the door slides open, revealing Andrew with his sword raised, and Scotty trembling behind him.
“Scotty!” shouts Nathaniel. “What in blazes are you doing here?”
“You should have kept a tighter leash on your son, Mr. Howell,” Alexei frowns. “Bring them in.”
Two of the knights step forward to execute his orders. But then, Andrew does something panicky and probably quite foolish.
“S-Stay away!” Shouting, he raises his Astra over his head. A mild blue gleam coats the sword and he swings it at the knight approaching him. The blade flashes so fast that you can hardly see it, and then you hear a strangled scream. Blood flies through the air as the knight falls back, clutching the cut across his chest. It doesn’t seem to be deep – the knight remains on his feet, and he glares at Andrew. Angered, he whips out his revolver, pointing it at the petrified boy.
“Calm down!” shouts Nathaniel, grabbing the knight’s gun-arm. “Alexei, get your men under control! They’re just kids!”
You take another deep breath and frown. Where you are, you cannot see the monk… but you have the feeling that he is looking right at the metal block you are hiding behind.
***
A. You take out your slingshot and shoot out the lantern. Returning the darkness should distract them long enough for an escape attempt.
B. You take out your slingshot and shoot at Alexei. Being the leader here, if you distract him you should also throw the knights into disorder.
C. You shoot the monk. It is risky, but he is a mysterious factor, and you don’t know what he can – and wants to do - should you give him the chance. This should hopefully create enough of an opening for your surprise escape.
D. You reveal yourself while having the girls remain hidden. If you attract their attention on purpose and play for time, the girls might be able to find an opening to sneak out.
E. You wait and see how everything plays out – it is too risky to do anything at the moment. Besides, you don’t think they are going to kill you even if they find you… probably.
