The Path of Time ★ [3] ? (EDITING)

The Killing Caves

There was a point to be made in her words, and it reached me just fine. As ironic as it sounded, there really was no time to squabble over our relationship issues. We could argue about it after we saved all of time. That way we actually had time to argue.

Far in the distance, natural formations stood in the bleak darkness. I didn't know how long it took us to reach them, but we'd finally made it to the Killing Caves. We were close to Gilliam.

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Torches burned dimly on either side of the cave's entrance, flickering ominously in the darkness stretching out for miles. A wooden post stuck out of the ground nearby, a warning that losing your way in the catacombs was an easy feat and so enter at your own risk. The cave's mouth was separated into three corridors leading into the labyrinth: tombs of importance, tombs for the wealthy, tombs for the ordinary. And so Gilliam could be anywhere.

We dismounted the Parthenope. As I slipped off mine, I felt it shaking. Even at the touch of my hand it jumped suddenly. They pranced nervously and dug their sharp claws into the ground. I had a sick feeling that we weren't going to be riding them back to the camp somehow.

We made our way towards the cave entrance. I heard whimpering coming from behind me, and I watched, sighing, as the Parthenope turned tail and bolted back the way we'd come.

"Well, that's just perfect," Clint grumbled. "How the hell are we gonna get back to the camp now?"

"That is not our priority at the moment," Astra said. "We must find Gilliam before it is too late."

Steve perched his hands on his hips. "Three tunnels–"

"Three groups," I interrupted. I knew he had the same idea, and I knew where he was going with it; he and I were going to have to go together, something I didn't approve of. I didn't need protecting. I didn't want protecting. I wanted to get Gilliam and get out. I didn't want to discuss our issues like I had a feeling we were going to if I'd let him handle this. "Stark, Barton, Wanda. Nat, Sam, Cap." I turned to Astra. "You and me."

Her purple eyes flicked from me to Cap before she nodded. "Fine."

Steve slightly stepped towards me. "Hold on–"

"Come on," I ordered to Astra, and she followed me towards the first tunnel that led to the important tombs.

I shivered as he grasped my wrist. I kind of missed the touch of his skin on mine. "Be careful."

I sent him a chilling glare as I ripped my arm from his grip. "I can take care of myself."

And then Astra and I entered the tunnel. I heard Steve taking the lead with the others, and then the voices behind me trailed away.

It was dark, even as Astra and I held up glowing hands to light the way. We couldn't see ten feet in front of us. All my senses were completely heightened; my eyes stretched out ahead to try and see, I could smell something rotten and damp, I could hear only our boots crunching on the dirt below, the walls were sharp as I ran a hand along it.