The Key to the Future
Admir clutched the map with trembling hands, while Solmar raised the dimming oil lamp to illuminate the faint images. They were still rattled from their narrow escape from the band of raiders in Tarangire, as well as the nasty, eight-legged spiders that pursued them in search of an easy meal. It was only their quick thinking and stealth abilities that had spared them from the clutches of those monstrous beings. Now, they found themselves deep within the dark forest of Tarangire, a place that lay between the territory of the giant sand spiders and the safety of the next city.
"The map indicates that we are here, while the portal appears to be located in the concealed sand caves of Nuziqin. We're at least a two-day trek on foot to reach it. Fortunately, we're both well-acquainted with the area. We can't linger here any longer; we have to escape this cursed forest and move past the spiders. I want to avoid having any more chasing after us," Admir remarked.
Solmar concurred with his friend: the sooner they could escape, the better. Each step they took away from one peril brought them closer to others lurking ahead. Admir carefully rolled up the map and tucked it securely into her blouse for safekeeping. The two raced alongside the winding brook. It was the same one on the map that it indicated would guide them out of the forest and into the barren wastelands—an expanse of sand dunes riddled with holes where spiders lay in wait, poised to strike. Their hearts pounded as they delved further into the gloomy, twisted forest. Admir jumped at the sight of glowing eyes watching them from the shadows as they raced along. Solmar scooped her up and secured her on his back, promising she would reach their destination faster this way. He was correct; they moved through the landscape with remarkable ease. With skillful agility, he dodged, leaped, and turned at just the right moments, deftly avoiding branches and pitfalls in their way. Thankfully the forest had started to fade away behind them. They surged through the gnarled archway of branches and emerged onto the expansive stretch of sandy dunes. The grains of sand still held the warmth of the scorching sun from earlier in the day, but the creeping chill of night was gradually turning the landscape into a serene sanctuary for diverse wildlife. Admir gestured beyond Solmar's shoulder, directing attention to the sandy dunes of Nuziqin, that rose majestically against the pale glow of the moon. Beneath those dunes lay a hidden cavern filled with treasures. Getting to that location would be relatively easy, but unearthing the treasure without losing their way would prove to be a far more challenging endeavor. Solmar galloped effortlessly across the sands, his hooves perfectly aligned for optimal balance and speed. Suddenly, a massive spider erupted from the ground, its long legs propelling it swiftly after Solmar. Without a moment's hesitation, the Oryx accelerated, darting across the terrain. Admir, intrigued, glanced over her shoulder and was startled to see not one, but three spiders were in pursuit.
"We just need to get to the caves and find a hiding spot inside. Once they realize they've lost us, they'll move on. Now go, Solmar—run as fast as you can!" shouted Admir.
The Oryx leaped gracefully like a gazelle, zigzagging in various directions and causing the spiders to collide with one another, which momentarily hindered their pursuit. Admir glanced back to see the spiders bewildered by this unexpected evasive maneuver. They had crashed into each other, provoking a chaotic skirmish between one another. They hissed, bit, and grappled, momentarily oblivious to their targets moving away. Solmar had successfully led them out of the spider's territory, well beyond their line of sight. They had moved far enough from danger that they could afford to take a break. Solmar came to a halt, drained and out of energy, gasping for air as he tried to regain his composure. Admir gently slid off his back and extracted the map tucked inside her shirt. Unrolling it like a scroll, she examined it under the glow of the full moon, since their oil lamp shattered during their hasty escape. Admir scrutinized the map carefully, eager to memorize its images, names, and distinct roads in case they ever lost it, or if it was ever destroyed.
"The map shows a stony path that winds its way among the thorny cacti, leading us toward Nuziqin under the scorching sun. We ought to look for a rock overhang to take shelter under for the night; the wait until dawn will be lengthy. I suggest we start a small fire and fast until morning. Luckily, our water skins are full. Let's search for a suitable place to settle down for the night," she proposed.
Solmar agreed and was happy to survey the horizon. He quickly noticed a promising boulder nearby. "What about that spot to your right?" asked the weary Oryx.
Admir felt relieved that Solmar had discovered an ideal location for them. It was conveniently close and situated low within a rock cleft, offering a safe haven from any spiders that might come in search of them. The hideout featured a ledge that provided just the right amount of shade from both the sun and rain, while still allowing a refreshing breeze to flow through. They planned to take advantage of this sheltered spot to build a decent fire. Admir ventured out to gather old, dry branches and any useful kindling she could find. Returning promptly to assist Solmar in igniting the fire for the rest of the night, relying on its warmth as the temperature began to drop.
"I really hope we won't need to run for our lives tomorrow; I'm not sure my legs can handle any more. One thing's for certain, I'll be sleeping soundly tonight—my body is completely worn out. I hope you can find some rest as well, my friend. Sweet dreams, and goodnight," said Solmar.
He rolled onto his side, curling up against the rear wall. With his front half oriented toward the crackling fire, he shut his eyes and drifted into a deep peaceful sleep. Admir followed soon after, ensuring their surroundings felt secure. She nestled closer to the fire, keeping watch over it for the rest of the night. Before long, the two were enveloped in a tranquil state of mind, liberated from the fears of their pursuing enemies. In the depths of their dreams, they united on secure, familiar ground. Admir envisioned discovering the portal and felt a thrill at the thought of the sunrise illuminating their path. Similarly, Solmar found himself within the caves, standing in a singular chamber that contained the key to the portal. They communicated with each other as if it was reality, though it was just a dream—a shared dream interwoven through their telepathic connection. In her dream, Admir watched the sun rise beautifully. The warmth it emitted, felt so genuine that she could almost believe she was standing in its blazing rays. When her eyes finally fluttered open, she realized her arm had slipped into the fire pit. Fortunately, it was only the fading embers from the night before. Although the sun was now up, the warmth she had felt enveloped her completely. Luckily, there was only a slight singe on her arm, it was nothing severe. Solmar woke to see Admir tending to her burn. Leaning in for a better look, he confirmed that the burn was minor and remarked on how fortunate she was not to have sustained more serious injuries.
"You must have been feeling quite lively in that dream we shared, or maybe you just really wanted to warm up," Solmar replied with a chuckle.
Admir snickered back, "Not exactly, but I realize we need to get moving right now. We should leave before anything stirs and comes looking for us. We must reach Nuziqin today, with no stopping," she said firmly.
With those final words, the two left the ledge and embarked on a rocky path flanked by clusters of towering cacti. Along the ground, vibrant succulents adorned the marked trail, transforming it into a prickly garden escape. The winding, stone-laden path twisted and turned as they moved forward. A refreshing breeze lingered in the air, still holding onto the coolness of the early morning before giving way to the day's heat. Admir hurried along, while her companion moved at a slower pace, his muscles aching from the exertion of the previous night. He understood that pushing himself to the limit would result in pain the next day, but he would have made the same choice all over again, if given the opportunity. Nevertheless, he remained resolute in his quest to accompany his friend and venture toward the caves. Beneath the surface lay an unwritten future waiting for them. Solmar's thoughts wandered as they often did lately, contemplating the potential of the portal: fortune, strength, and eternal power. Admir shared similar musings; her gaze transfixed on the towering dunes of Nuziqin. With each step along the desolate path, their destination drew nearer, interrupted only by a few lizards darting across the rocks and the occasional tarantula ambling toward the shade. Above them, the hoots of an Arabian eagle-owl echoed nearby, while the distant silhouettes of vultures circled above in the clear blue sky.
"Look! I see an opening just ahead. We have finally made it to the entrance of Nuziqin." Admir pointed out.
They were both elated to have made it this far, no one would be able to stop them from finding the key and portal now. All that remained was to step inside and follow the map to the hidden portal key. Admir paused at the entrance of the cave, peering into the darkness. She waited for Solmar to make his way beside her. Turning to look up at him she eyed him with a worried gaze. Discerning her concern Solmar quickly set to work on a solution. They couldn't venture blindly into the cave without a source of light. The clever Oryx found a bundle of dry branches, tying a vine around both the top and bottom. Lighting the tips created a makeshift torch for their journey. Handing it to Admir, who now wore a brighter smile, Solmar wasn't finished he went off to gather more in case they needed a backup. He collected the items he needed and followed behind his friend deep within. The torch functioned flawlessly, illuminating the area with plenty of light. The cave was frigid, with stale, musty air enveloping the space. Ancient cobwebs clung to the rugged rock walls, deep within, echoes of bats followed by mournful wind noises created an eerie atmosphere reminiscent of long-gone pharaohs. The overall aura of the cave was ominous enough to frighten most people away. However, it was not enough to deter these two adventurers, or anyone else drawn to the mysterious portal keys within.
Admir passed the torch back to Solmar as she reached for the map again. She unrolled it in front of them and studied it intently. Identifying their location, she carefully examined the route leading to the concealed key. Looking up, she squinted to adjust to the pitch blackness surrounding them. Admir searched for any landmarks that matched the images on the map. One image that stood out was depicted by a rock formation, resembling a beaded Gila monster, but there was nothing that seemed to correspond within the entrance. They realized they needed to venture deeper in search of the distinctive rock, so they moved forward cautiously, paying close attention to each step. The ground beneath them shifted with the sand, countless scarab beetles crawled across the surface. Occasionally, Solmar would catch sight of scorpions along with venomous snakes and hairy spiders scuttling by. Admir was beginning to feel anxious; insects were not her favorite creatures. She wasn't accustomed to being in places that swarmed with creepy crawlies. She quickly made her way to a clear rocky ledge up ahead of her, grateful that it was free of any creepy bugs. Solmar followed closely behind, bringing the light with him to illuminate the path ahead. Just a few steps away, at a corner, stood an unusual rock jutting out more prominently than the others.
"Look over there, that must be the rock; we're on the right track. The map indicates there are several of these lizard-face rocks along the path to the key. I wonder why they chose the beaded lizard?" she asked.
Solmar simply shrugged, believing his guess was just as valid as hers. Satisfied to see advancement, he gently encouraged her to continue forward. As they rounded the corner, the shape of the large rocks came into clearer view, oriented toward a narrow path. Leaning in that direction, they were soon set to arrive at a broader area with various options to choose from. The rock they sought was the recognizable Gila rock. After exploring a few more paths, they found themselves at a dead end. The wall was solid rock, providing no alternative routes to investigate. Could this really be the reason why no one had ever found the key? Admir felt bewildered as she examined the map repeatedly, trying to retrace their steps. Solmar double-checked their choices too, and they were both convinced they had made the right decisions—so why did the path come to an abrupt end? Overwhelmed with confusion and frustration, Admir sank down to the cold sand and buried her face in her hands. Doubt crept in as she questioned whether this had all been just a legend, if their journey had been in vain. All those lives lost for what could very well be a fabricated tale. Solmar was resolute in his determination to persevere. Drawing on his wisdom and the map, he meticulously searched for the concealed key. It became clear that they had not failed, but that the key was exceedingly well-hidden, they had reached their destination after all. Along the edge of the map were several riddles inscribed. As he surveyed the vacant area, Solmar began to read them aloud.
"I am a reflection of what exists above, A mirrored truth wrapped in a shadowed love. Explore the shadows where light dances bright and discover the key that will illuminate the night. 'What does this mean?' he pondered to himself."
As Admir gazed up at Solmar, she spotted the flickering light of their torch illuminating their surroundings. Her attention was drawn to something unusual far above Solmar, where a glimmering ceiling of glass stones twinkled. Admir pulled gently on Solmar's pant leg, urging him to look up where she was pointing.
She stated, "Look at that polished stone; its reflective surface appears to reveal a hidden symbol that points to the key."
Solmar gazed in astonishment at her remarkable find. How on earth would they reach it? His mind raced, desperately searching for a solution to yet another challenge. He scrutinized the rock wall around them and spotted what appeared to be natural hand and footholds for climbing. It seemed almost too easy, yet that was exactly what they needed—a straightforward solution. He handed the torch back to Admir and began to scale the wall. Each handhold concealed a mystery within the shadows. Halfway up, Solmar felt a movement in the holes. Suddenly, a slick black tongue darted out, brushing against his hand. He froze in terror, realizing the reason behind the Gila monster-shaped formations of the rocks: the wall was teeming with them. As it slithered from its dark lair, a vividly orange beaded lizard emerged to fix its gaze on Solmar. He felt another creature sliding across his hoof. He was in a precarious situation, with a venomous lizard poised at each of his limbs. Fearful, Solmar glanced over his shoulder at Admir. Noticing his abrupt halt, she immediately asked what was wrong.
"It appears the rocks were a clue to what was concealed, safeguarding the portal key. Gila monsters inhabit every crevice of this rock face. I can't move, or they'll bite me," Solmar said, trembling.
"Then just jump; the sand is soft enough," replied Admir.
It was their best option. The alternative was to remain frozen on a rock surrounded by venomous lizards. Solmar glanced back at the Gila, which was drawing nearer to attack. He loosened his grip and fell back onto the sand with a jarring thud. A groan of pain escaped him as his body hit the ground.
"Ouch! The sand is tougher than it appears. The previous night's escapades definitely don't help to the matter," said Solmar.
Just as Solmar glanced back, he spotted the Gila monsters racing down the wall after him. He had stirred them from their slumber, and they were in hot pursuit. Acting on instinct, Admir grabbed Solmar by the arm, and they dashed out of the room in a frantic hurry. They searched the walls for a secure hiding spot as one by one, the Gila monsters emerged on their stubby black legs, their beaded, thick tails dragging behind and leaving long snake-like trails in the sand. Some moved swiftly, while others took their time. High above, a concealed ledge offered shelter for the two friends. They kept a watchful eye until no more lizards could be seen escaping the room. Admir then suggested it was safe to go back inside and try again. Although Solmar was reluctant to attempt it once more, he recognized that they would at least have a brief opportunity to try again. However, he needed to act quickly before the ravenous lizards came back. It wouldn't take long for them to notice that their target was no longer in sight.
He hurried to the wall and ascended more quickly than ever, relieved to find that all the Gila lizards had vacated their chambers, making the climb easier. Solmar glided up the rock face with remarkable ease, reaching the top. As he pressed his head against the ceiling, the stone felt like cold liquid beneath his touch. With his left hand outstretched and his right-hand gripping tightly for support, he explored the only opening in the polished stone, searching for the hidden treasure within. Inside the icy chamber, he discovered a large vintage skeleton key. Solmar clutched the key and tucked it into his shirt pocket. He slid down the wall, emulating the lizards' descent, eager to find the fastest escape route. Admir lingered at the doorway, anxiously anticipating the return of the beaded creatures. To her unease, she could hear the sound of their swift approach. She called out to Solmar, urging him to hurry and exit the room once more. As the lizards returned, the two of them slipped back into their hiding spots, observing silently from above while the Gila monsters made their way back to their resting chambers. Defeated by their enemies, the lumbering reptiles retreated into their cozy burrows and settled back into slumber. Fortunately, Admir and Solmar had managed to escape unscathed once again. They waited for all the lizards to enter before descending from the ledge. Now in possession of the first key, they were ready to seek out the second one hidden within the same caves. Solmar grasped the torch, lifting it high so Amir could see the map once more. She unfolded the map, reviewing the same section that Solmar had examined earlier. This time, she focused on the second clue leading to the next key.
"In an ancient tomb where pharaohs rest, a treasure awaits in a boundless abyss. A key must be found to open the mighty gate, where the sun sets low in the desert crate," said Admir.
"We need to return to the area where we had several paths to choose from. One of those paths leads to the location of the other key. From what I gather, it seems we'll soon have to meet with the dead," Solmar replied.
Stepping out of the cramped hallway into the expansive, shadowy room, they felt a sense of uncertainty about the vastness surrounding them. The darkness concealed everything, leaving them to wonder if unseen creatures or even spirits from a distant past were observing them. A shiver ran down Admir's spine at the mere thought. With the map still unfolded in her hands, she scrutinized the details carefully, noting that the second key was within their reach. They needed to head through the door that would lead them into the Pharaoh's chambers of fortune. Admir led the way down another hallway, just as dark, narrow, and lengthy as the previous one, but this one was lined with unlit torches. Without hesitation, Solmar ignited each torch, progressively brightening their path. The flames flickered so brilliantly that their own torch seemed to fade into the background. They cautiously made their way down the silent hall, where the air was thick with a foul stench. The unpleasant scent of decaying flesh and burnt oils hung heavily in the atmosphere. A chill permeated the space, causing fog to form with each breath they took. Admir felt a sense of dread creeping in as they ventured into the unknown. Suddenly, the arched doorway ahead, opened into a much larger room. Everywhere they looked, mounds of shimmering gold and precious jewels sparkled enticingly. Ancient clay vessels hid intriguing treasures within them. Solmar could only imagine what he would find, but they needed only one item to discover and that was the key to the future. Admir quickly re-read the riddle aloud to Solmar. They both focused intently on significant words that stood out: Pharaoh, sun, and crate.
"We need to find Pharaoh's tomb, once we find that we can gather the rest of the information." said Admir.
They navigated through the gold, inspecting every detail closely. The room perfectly matched the description of an abyss, its expanse seemingly endless, brimming with treasures at every turn. Discovering the correct tomb was going to be a lengthy process. Unfortunately, the space was cluttered with numerous golden tombs surrounding the trove. They opened each, one by one, only to find either empty containers or those laden with eerie spider webs. Although the task felt daunting, they persevered in their quest for the elusive key. Having already secured one, they refused to give up easily on finding the second.
"Look over there, that tomb has crates surrounding it. Perhaps that is the one we seek." said Solmar.
They both agreed it was worth a try and approached to open it. As they did, they recognized the three words that had captured their attention from the riddle now lay before them. The first word, the Pharaoh's tomb, was surrounded by crates, their second word choice. While searching, Admir failed to notice that the bright light enveloping them wasn't from the torches anymore, but from a small beam of sunlight streaming down through a manhole-sized opening in the ceiling above, leading to an abandoned well on the upper level.
The third word was "sun." A sunbeam cast a sharp angle down to a particular crate. Admir and Solmar exchanged a glance, seemingly reading each other's thoughts, and rushed over to open the crate. Inside, they found four golden scarab beetle pendants, evenly spaced atop some dry packing hay. As they picked up the pendants, confusion washed over their faces regarding their purpose. Admir scanned the tomb again, searching for clues. She noticed there were four small holes in each corner of the tomb, mirroring the shapes of the pendants. Realizing that her scarab might fit into them like a key, she placed the beetle carefully into one of the holes, and it fit perfectly. She twisted it to the right, and suddenly, a whooshing sound filled the air from the spot where she had inserted the beetle. Observing her actions, Solmar mimicked Admir, placing his two scarabs into different holes on the opposite side. He first turned the one at the top, directly across from hers to the left instead of the right. The same sound resonated from the hole. Pleased with the result, he then repeated the action with his second beetle. Admir carefully set the final scarab beetle inside the tomb. She anxiously lingered, contemplating the potential consequences of opening it.
"What if this is a trap? Or what if the Pharaoh were to come back to life and kill us?" she said, a look of worry on her face.
Solmar gently placed his hand over hers and assisted her in turning the beetle.
"Whatever happens, it will affect both of us. You won't be alone in this. Now, let's go get that key," Solmar replied.
They rotated the beetle to the right, unlocking the Pharaoh's tomb. A gust of wind rushed out with an unsettling intensity, but this time it hovered around the burial chamber for a while longer. Solmar tugged the lid toward them, exposing the mummy within. Admir felt a sense of relief to find him still lifeless and perfectly preserved. As she stepped closer to search for the key, Solmar pulled the door open wider, causing the mummy to sway outward onto Amir. She let out a terrified scream as she fought to shove the mummified figure away from her. Dropping into a crouch to avoid the corpse of the deceased Pharaoh, she reassured herself he was still undeniably dead, though his eternal slumber had clearly been interrupted.
The Pharaoh lay sprawled beside the terrified mongoose. She cautiously peeked from her arms, which shielded her head, and gazed at the lifeless form. Solmar remained silent, his expression one of shame. He felt regret for allowing the mummy to fall onto his friend. Gently, he leaned down to reassure Amir, then extended his hand to pry open the Pharaoh's tightly clenched fingers. Nestled within the cold grip of the mummy was the second key. With a swift motion, Solmar broke off a finger from the mummy and carefully extracted the key, slipping it into his own grasp. Admir was pleased to discover that they had both keys. Now, all they needed to do was locate the third key and find the portal. According to the map, they were to exit the Pharaoh's cave and search for an ancient temple ruin, nestled deep within the western jungles, near the borders of Egypt. Carefully aligning the keys, Admir noticed that when they interlocked, it could create a single larger key. This arrangement also left space for the third key to fit in. Once they had that final piece, they would be able to open the portal. Mishandling the keys was like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle. As they clicked seamlessly into place, a soft glow emanated from their connection. Suddenly, the key began to tremble, radiating a smoky yellow light. Beneath their feet, the ground trembled ominously, and sections of the cave started to give way, crashing onto the sandy floor below. Alarmed, they glanced up at the lone opening, their only escape from this grand treasure chamber. With urgency, they scrambled up the hill of gold bars and jewels, finally reaching the escape hole and climbing out safely. Solmar was the first to emerge and immediately reached back to help pull Admir up beside him. They stood in disbelief at what they had achieved.
They had to act quickly, before the ground beneath them collapsed and sent them tumbling back into the treasure pit. With urgency, the two raced toward a nearby solid boulder and took cover, hoping the earth would settle. But instead of calming, the ground continued to tremble and began to fracture. What was once a unified landscape had splintered into tiny, floating fragments. The desert region was isolated, while Africa and Egypt separated into their own distinct world. The United States divided in two, forming separate islands. Other continents followed suit, breaking away and drifting into orbit as the planet's waters slowly drained into a window in the base of the expanse below. The Galaxy enveloped them in a breathtaking tapestry of colors. The sun hung motionless in the distance, its light unwavering and leaving the earth unchanged. No one had predicted this outcome. Admir felt a sense of unease, recognizing that it was her actions that had led to this moment. If she had kept the keys apart, the world might have remained intact, or perhaps this chaos would never have unfolded had they possessed the third key. She was convinced that the absence of that key had caused the two to disrupt the balance of the universe. But it was too late now; the world was in turmoil.