Page 83 of What Beats Within the Tunnels

“The breath-holding—is that our primary concern?” Lyra asks, her feet shifting in the sand.

“No, there’s more. We must be wary of powerful currents, drastic temperature shifts, and something called portal pools. But if we maintain our formation and stay close, we’ll overcome them,” I reassure her.

She tilts her head, curiosity evident. “Portal pools?”

Before I can respond, Colton interjects, “They’re like shortcuts within the caves, pools that transport you to different sections. But a wrong move and you could become disoriented, even risk drowning.”

“Remain close to me and they won’t be a problem,” I insist, hearing a rare fragility in her voice. The impulse to console her surges, but I push it down.

“Lighten your load. Shed anything that might hinder you,” Colton suggests, stripping off his boots and tunic. Always seeking an opportunity to undress.

“Lyra, retain your shoes. Though I’d enjoy the sight of you in fewer layers, the cold will bite, so best to keep them on,” I counsel, a protective edge to my voice. “Also, don’t part with your weapon. Without magic, it might be our best defense.”

As he stows a dagger, Colton chimes in, “I can fend off the cold, but you’ll feel it. And indeed, keep your weapon accessible.”

“Shall we proceed?” I propose, motioning toward the water.

“Get on my back. Hold tight until we’re farther out,” Colton tells Lyra, helping her find a grip. A rush of envy washes over me as I watch Lyra wrap her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.

The instant the initial wave grazes me, the water’s cold bite pierces my skin, despite it reaching only to my waist. The last time I dared this journey, intoxication numbed the cold and suppressed my apprehensions. Memories of Z threaten to surface, but I squash them. Now isn’t the time. My focus needs to remain unyielding, especially with Lyra’s safety on the line.

“We’ll need to begin our swim soon!” I call out, raising my voice to cut through the wind’s howl and the waves’ clamor. Choosing my moment, I dive deep, evading an impending colossal wave. Breaking the surface on its other side, I’m relieved to find Colton and Lyra mirroring my maneuver. Several repeats later, battling both waves and a treacherous current, the seabed eludes my feet, pushing us further into deeper waters.

“Tread water momentarily. I need to ensure we’re aligned correctly.” Without waiting for acknowledgement, I submerge to scan our surroundings. Despite my keen vision, the murky water limits clarity, but as the seabed plunges I confirm our position. Resurfacing, I beckon them forward. “Only a bit further!”

Diving once more for reassurance, I find our entry point. With determination, I summon my magic, hauling three massive rocks from the adjacent cliff. They hover weightlessly before us. Addressing Lyra directly, since Colton is versed in this tactic, I explain, “Take one of these stones, clutch it against you, and dive. Its weight ensures rapid descent. Use your feet to maneuver, hands clutching the stone. When we approach the entrance, I’ll guide you. At that point, you release the stone.”

Her response is swift, eyes determined. “Understood.”

Securing a boulder, I inhale deeply, meeting Lyra’s gaze one last time. With a wink, aiming to diffuse the tension even by a sliver, I plunge into the abyss below.

Lyra is at the forefront of my mind, but I resist the urge to glance back. I have to trust her capabilities, and knowing that Colton shadows her offers some semblance of reassurance.

The technique works remarkably well as the chilling grasp of the water intensifies. In the muted light this deep, the faint luminance ahead signals the cave entrance. The closer I get to the cave’s mouth, glowing ever-so-dimly, the more its details become visible. I let go of my boulder, propelling myself to the entrance, and grab onto its rocky perimeter.

In the dim glow, I see Lyra tailing closely. Her resilience fills me with pride. As she nears, she drops her rock, and I extend my arm, drawing her into the embrace of the cave and myself. What comes next is something I hadn’t disclosed, an opportunity I’ve been yearning for.

I place my hand firmly yet gently on the back of her head, pulling her face closer. The surprise in her eyes is evident as they widen, but under these circumstances resistance isn’t an option. I signal her to exhale, mimicking the action myself. Calling upon the remnants of my magic, I take a deep breath then press my lips against hers. As she opens to me, every instinct screams to explore, to savor this intimate moment, but I suppress the urge.

Instead, I concentrate on the purpose, transferring the magically imbued air into her lungs. This will be the last time we can call upon our magic until we make it back out of here.

As we part, I glimpse at Colton, his stoic expression betraying nothing, though I’m certain I’ve pissed him off. Meeting Lyra’s eyes, I offer a reassuring nod and guide us deeper into the cave.

Schools of Neostripes encircle us, their bodies emanating a radiant neon green. These peculiar fish seem invariably drawn to these intricate caves. It’s a mystery why, but their bioluminescence is crucial, making the treacherous journey somewhat bearable.

The cave’s constriction isn’t for the faint of heart, a tight squeeze that forbids the luxury of standing or any extensive movement. A full rotation of one’s body within this narrow recess would be a commendable achievement. I latch onto submerged rocks, propelling myself through the water, striving to conserve the limited air we have by maintaining a brisk pace.

Every now and then I pause to steel glances into the depths below, windows into eerie aquascapes teeming with unseen life. This unique landscape is one of the wonders of Nighthold, its elusive beauty concealed by the difficulties of reaching it. These aquatic apertures are like portals into cosmic canvases, the creatures below illuminating the water in a symphony of lights and flashes, resembling the constellations, a living homage to Brysta.

As I swim over one of these windows in the cave floor, I point downward, hoping Lyra glimpses the spectacular view beneath us. Despite our mission, the surreal allure of this concealed world is worth a moment of marvel.

I count the windows as we pass over them. After the third one, we approach a small fork, and I guide us to the right. I learned the hard way the left leads you back out, and going straight results in a dead-end. The cave narrows uncomfortably, and I sense we’re nearing the first amphitheater when a current begins to tug at me. I yield to its pull, and soon we emerge into a vast pool — the first amphitheater. Swiftly, I reach back for Lyra’s hand, drawing her up to the surface with me.

We clamber onto the rocky shore, taking in the striking darkness. This place could be the epitome of romance if not for the haunting memories of my past experience. My eyes involuntarily drift to the black sand beach, the very spot where I tried to resuscitate her. Pushing away the recollection, I turn to Lyra as Colton joins us.

“Are you alright?” I inquire.

“Yes, this place is mesmerizing. It feels like an entirely different world. Hard to believe we’re submerged beneath so much water, yet here we are, breathing and on solid ground,” she says, her eyes taking in the glowing plants and creatures.