As Ares crawled deeper into the cave, the captain of the guards watched the precipice carefully. The cold wind howled through the rocks, and the rain fell relentlessly, making every movement more difficult. "We need to retrieve that bastard's body," he ordered in a firm voice, though frustration leaked through his tone. "We need proof to give to Sir Asteris' parents and brother. You three, take the horses and ride to the villa. Bring strong ropes and a metal anchor to secure them!"
The three men immediately mounted their horses and galloped off, riding through the muddy path under the heavy rain. The hooves sank into the ground, splashing mud everywhere, but none of them slowed down. Meanwhile, the rest of the guards waited in silence, their cloaks soaked, hands gripping the reins. No one spoke—the only sound was the rain hitting the rocks and the distant rumble of thunder.
Twenty minutes later, the three men returned, carrying long, sturdy ropes and a heavy metal support. "Let's get everything ready," the captain said, and the guards immediately began securing the ropes to the anchor, testing the hold carefully.
"Proceed with caution," he ordered.
The first guards began to lower themselves slowly. The precipice opened beneath them like an endless void, an abyss that seemed to watch with invisible eyes. The torchlight was weak, nearly powerless against the darkness that stretched endlessly. Every step was calculated, every movement requiring intense focus.
When it was the turn of a young guard, he hesitated. His sweaty hands struggled to grip the rope, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. The rain didn't help: it slid down his arms, making the rope slippery.
Suddenly, a lightning bolt split the sky with a deafening crash, briefly illuminating the void behind them. The guard flinched, and in his panic, lost his grip on the rope. "DAMN IT!" he yelled, desperately trying to grab it again, but his hands slipped away.
"AAAAH!" His scream echoed through the precipice, a desperate cry that was lost in the darkness. His body fell into the void, hitting the ground with a terrible CRACK. The silence that followed was louder than the thunder itself.
The guards who had already descended rushed to him. "HELP…" he managed to whisper weakly before his strength faded. A dark pool of blood spread quickly beneath his body. The guards tried to save him, but it was useless.
"Enough, he's dead," the captain said, his voice broken. The look he gave the body was full of pain, but also anger. Clenching his fists, he said, "This is all that bastard's fault. I swear on my name that I'll find him. And he'll pay."
The remaining guards carefully descended the precipice, while three stayed above to watch the ropes and anchor. Once they reached the bottom, they began searching. Every step was accompanied by the rustling of rain and the echo of their boots on the rocky ground.
They found nothing. No trace, no clue, no sign of passage. Every stone seemed the same, every shadow darker than the last. The ground where the cave once stood was now smooth, as if erased by an invisible hand.
Ares would have been terrified to discover that the cave he entered had vanished without a trace. The darkness seemed alive, a silent guardian guarding its secret.
"Captain…" one of the guards ventured, his voice hesitant. "Maybe… maybe we should go back. The weather's getting worse, and there's nothing here."
The captain stared at the darkness for a long moment, grinding his teeth. Then he nodded reluctantly. "Let's head back."
The guards climbed the precipice carefully, avoiding looking at the abyss behind them. Once back on top, they mounted their horses and began the slow ride back to the villa. The return was quiet and slow. The rain kept pouring, the horses' hooves splashed mud with every step, and the air seemed colder.
When they reached the villa, the captain dismounted and turned to his men. His gaze was hard, but the weight of failure was clear on his face.
"It's not over," he said in a grave voice. "That bastard is out there. And we'll find him. No matter the cost."
Meanwhile, Ares continued crawling deeper into the cave. His body was tense, his breath ragged, but he didn't stop. Every meter felt the same, yet different. The rocky walls closed in around him, the darkness enveloping him completely.
"This light…" he thought, when he finally saw a glow in the distance. "Is it an exit, or another trap?" He kept moving forward, his heart pounding fiercely in his chest, driven by a force he couldn't explain.