Alibaba P.O.V. 1st Person
I carefully walked into the shadows ahead, light only shining so far in front of me. Except for the occasional glowing moss every now and then, of course. I noticed the tunnel becoming less rounded and more square, a few bricks being picked out on the walls. Soon a complete section of a brick wall was in view with alcoves for candles. The tunnel must be changing, or were these walls here all along? No no, it wasn't. This is different.
The rock started to clear up, and Jamil seemed to notice this as well. We drew closer to a lit entrance as we all gasped, squinting into the bright light. "Ah, now this is a dungeon! This gate practically screams 'This way to the treasure room!'" He was like a child the way he became excited. Practically jumping up and down and unable to refrain from shouting. He didn't seem threatening at all like this. But I was still on guard.
We had come to a stop, admiring the great hall. It was symmetrical, decorated with pillars, inscriptions, and brick. The path we were on had large spikes carving upward and keeping us in place. A large dragon head hung above us with the same spikes hanging downward from its mouth. In front of us was a large table with some sort of ancient writing on it. Jamil rested his hands on it, leaning in closely to read the inscription.
Goltas, who was still holding Aladdin, and the red headed boy, who I finally learned was Morgin, stood alert not too far behind. The slave stood at the young Lord's side, but stared at me. Their bright (e/c) eyes locked with mine. I watched their blank expression, they were awfully cute. I smiled, sending a wave. Quickly though, they hid behind their Master. "There's an inscription. Is this an ancient language?" I glanced over his arm to stare at it carefully immediately recognizing it. "Hm… if I'm not mistaken this is the Tran language." Seems he knew it too.
"Tran... a few small southern tribes still use it." He stared at me in shock, handing me a bit of corn to which I shoved in my pocket. "You're pretty smart! I'm surprised a commoner like you can even read!"
"I-it's nothing!"
"Hmm... my teacher taught me some Tran. Let's see 'this path is the dragon's point of truth...?' This can't be right…" He was deep in thought. His translation was wrong, and I hoped maybe I could use this to my advantage. He might see me as even more useful and keep me alive.
Trying to play it off as a guess I spoke up. "Maybe it says 'Pass the dragon's fangs to reach the truth. All resides in the dragon's tail.'?"
He stabbed my arm, causing me to tumble over. Clutching onto the sore and bleeding limb, I heard Jamil comment, "I was just going to say that!" He stared down at me before he spat, "Commoners should know their place." He walked ahead not bothering to look back. I saw that slave glance over their shoulder, but just continued to cling onto his arm. I clenched my fists, 'Argh... he does anything he wants! But just wait... I didn't suffer this for nothing!' After getting up and brushing myself off I quickly caught up with them.
Taking a look at what they all had been staring at I nearly choked, "My lord… what's that?" I stared ahead at the hall in front of us. Spikes hung from the ceiling and the floor was filled with small holes. I hadn't seen anything like this so far in the dungeon. The only threat I'd faced other than him was those monsters.
"That is what you are here for. Feel free to step forward!" He motioned ahead as I observed it. 'It's so obvious, I have to walk between the spikes and the holes in the floor.' I looked back at them, Jamil who cheered me on, Aladdin who was asleep, Morgin, Goltas, and that slave who stood emotionless at bay. I couldn't understand what they were thinking. Then my gaze traveled back to Aladdin, my friend, who was deep asleep and had no idea of the risk I was being forced to make. He was the only one here who really cared if I survived this. So I ran at an inhuman speed. The spikes began to fall, and I could feel Jamil's anticipation burning into my back. Fortunately for me, I was quick and managed to dodge every last one that came my way. I could hear their gasps in the distance.
"Whoa! He's quick!" I overheard Jamil shout. I couldn't help but start to feel a little cocky now. But I distracted myself as I almost missed one. I tumbled back hitting the ground rolling away in a painful thud. Luckily, I was at the end and no serious damage befell me.
"I did it.." I huffed, letting out a relieved sigh. I wiped my brow, the others would soon follow, maybe I could do this. But then I heard a clinking sound. A trap door opened up from underneath me, and I began to fall. I stared down beneath me at the spikes that reached up from below and threatened me. I reached out above me, but none of them would come to save me.