WNWN XXXV

Early the next day they were up and after a quick bite of breakfast they were soon on their way.
By now familiar with the path through the caves and taking advantage of the lamps they had spaced along the way it wasn’t long before they came to the passageway.
“Let’s get it done,” said Paul.
Conrad said nothing and turned on his lamp and soon disappeared into the entry way. Paul followed.
The interior of the passage was wet and slimy to the touch. The same foul smell of the cavern wafted through here too.
There was a low, green bio-luminescence which lit the way. Fortunately the distance they had to crawl wasn’t that far. Soon they came to the exit and stood in a large, well defined room.
On the walls were incredible murals still vivid after hundreds of years. Large glyphs accompanied depictions of fierce gods and demons, mythological monsters and tormented souls. The overall impression foretold apprehension and danger.
They also discovered a huge, ornate gate of an ancient design.
“The gates of hell,” Paul mused out loud.
“I think you’re right,” said Conrad.
To their surprise the gates opened easily to the touch and they walked through.
There they found the heat more intense and fumes more noxious. Far below them coursed a stream of molten lava, this surely was hell. The lava cast off an eerie, glowing reddish light and in the shadows they seemed to see something moving, strange demonic creatures staring with glowing eyes.
Both men were filled with fear.
“What are we doing here,?” asked Conrad, his eyes wide with fear, his voice quaking.
“I think there is nothing we can accomplish here,” said Paul, exceedingly calmly under the circumstances. “Let’s go back.”
“Yes sir,” said Paul, and they turned and began re-tracing their steps.
Suddenly there rose from the lava pit a huge, hulking lava monster with bulging eyes and a mouth full of fire. He soon was in their face and he reached out his molten, misshapen hand and pointed to them.
“I am Chunka-cal,” his deep voice boomed. “You are not to leave this place. Once mortal men enter here there is no escape.”
The two stood and stared, transfixed.
Paul then heard El Indio, speaking to him inside his head.
“Do not run or show fear. You can overcome this demon because his will is weak. You have power. Power comes to those who seek it. Seek it now.”
Time seemed frozen in the moment until, suddenly, Conrad could take it no more. He turned to run but the path crumbled beneath his feet and he plunged down towards the sea of fire.
Paul stared in horror as Conrad’s body fell.
“You have the power, seek it,” the voice said.
Paul then jumped in after Conrad. He felt no fear, only power and confidence. He was in control. He swept down, like Superman and he caught Paul in his arms before he hit the worse part of the heat and just as swiftly they were back on the ledge, singed but ready to face Chunka-cal.
Paul told to Conrad to run, which he did and he turned to face the monster.