The Antechamber

Jannis grabbed his torch, untouched by the aquatic interruption, and began making his way toward the blank section of wall. Using his nail, Jannis traced horizontally along the smooth stone until his finger stuck in place. Sliding his nail up and down as a sort of confirmation, he motioned to Gwyn to approach.

“Here it is,” Jannis started “We’ll need to push against this section right here, and the wall should swing forward!”

“Hmm, alright…” Gwyn replied uncertainly. He braced his shoulder against the stone where Jannis had his finger earlier, and on the signal pushed against it.

“Hrngh!” the duo groaned, the stone refusing to budge.

“Are you sure this wall is supposed to open up?” Gwyn questioned.

“About as certain as I am that you came from above!” Jannis replied, frustrated at the comedy of errors that has become this entire day. Taking a step back and retracing with his nails, he confirmed this was an entrance stone, but why wasn’t it opening? As Jannis started to pace the width of the stone, his shoes caught on uneven tiles.

‘Scriptsmiths don’t use tiles…’  the thought entered Jannis’ mind and guided his vision downward.

The floor was carved from the selfsame stone that lined the walls, and from prior research the Scriptsmiths opted to use whole pieces of stone wherever possible. Lowering the torch to the floor confirmed arcing wear marks from the entrance stone, but in the opposite direction from what he expected.

“Well this is embarrassing,” Jannis chuckled, “I had us push on the pull section! Come, I promise this time it will work!”

“You’re staying quite positive through all this…” Gwyn muttered as he shuffled over toward the Canid. Jannis gave the signal to push, and this time the stone began to give way, but only for a moment before seizing up. No matter how much effort the pair gave, the stone would not move forward any further.

“No, we’re so close…” Jannis labored out, collapsing onto the ground in defeat.

Gwyn scanned the entire room, assessing his current situation. He was going to die down here if he can’t get out here, and according to the breathless Canid this hidden door is their ticket out of here…

“Stand back.” Gwyn told Jannis before assuming a stance not dissimilar to the one he takes right before casting a lure. He positioned himself as close to the wall as possible while still giving him space to push with his hands.

“Heor!”

The sudden exclamation started Jannis. Before his eyes, the Braeling began glowing dully, with the source seeming to center at the feet. This was definitely some sort of magic, but not one that would have been taught at the academy. As soon as Gwyn shouted, he began pushing against the stone door with renewed vigor. At first, the stone continued to stubbornly hold its position, but Jannis could feel the aether was different than when he first entered. He initially paid it no mind; it was as stagnant as the air in the chamber. Now, however, it was actively moving – no, pushing – in the direction of the wall.

Gwyn gritted his teeth, continuing to push against the stone. While there was no threat of him slipping, his stamina was another story. He was almost at his limit when he felt himself slowly fall forward. The door was opening!

“Jannis!” Gwyn shouted, his posture slowly transitioning into a deep bow.

Jannis scrambled to his feet and grabbed Gwyn’s collar to keep him from falling forward. The stone wasn’t fully turned, but more than enough for both of them to pass through. Gwyn released his concentration and stumbled forward before leaning against the wall.

“…Opened your door…” He sighed, wiping sweat from his brow.

“That you did!” Jannis replied, clapping the Braeling’s shoulder, “And it is much appreciated... though if I may be a bit forward that was an interesting incantation you used right there…”

“Oh, that…?” Gwyn responded quietly, “It’s just… something we always did. My family, I mean…”

“Ah, yes. I am familiar with Braeling custom,” Jannis quickly interjected, hoping to break the tension, “and while my master of your language is lacking, I do believe you said something to the effect of anchor, is that your birthsign by chance?”

“You ask a lot of questions, but yes.” Gwyn retorted as he pushed himself off the door.

“My job is to ask questions, though it’s usually relegated to papers and stones.” Jannis groaned out as he returned his materials into his backpack before grabbing his torch again, “Don’t forget your affects, my companion.”

Gwyn had completely forgotten about his rod and tacklebox. While it was not likely he would be casting a line anywhere underground, he wasn’t about to just leave family heirlooms behind. He inspected the rod, verifying it somehow remained unscathed from him being pulled underwater and through the lakebed. After confirming nothing of importance was left in the chamber, Jannis and Gwyn crossed the threshold into the settlement and began their search for an exit.

The pathway immediately following the entrance was utilitarian in design and function, a pathway wide enough to allow foot traffic in both directions extending far beyond the limits of their torch. Various rooms would reveal themselves as they traveled further along the pathway. As they passed, Jannis confirmed some rooms were marked with cuneiform next to the entrances. As much as he wished to make camp in one of the rooms and study further, he understood his primary objective was to find a way out. The abnormal silence as they walked was not lost on either of them, but neither dared more than hushed whispers lest they weren’t alone.

After a brief eternity of silent pilgrimage through the settlement’s winding hallway, the pair noticed a pinpoint of light in the distance. As they approached, the point slowly turned into a glow and noise could be heard from far beyond. Gwyn and Jannis quickened their pace as the light slowly revealed a large opening and the disparate noise coalesced into what could only be described as chanting. Jannis reached the end of the hallway first, holding out his arm in an effort to keep Gwyn from passing him. Unfortunately for both of them, Gwyn was lower to the ground than Jannis anticipated and the Braeling slipped right underneath.

What greeted Gwyn was a large antechamber with numerous torches and braziers alight with flame. The ceiling was far beyond the reach of the light and down below was a circular structure with numerous serpent-like creatures arranged in a semicircle. The chanting, now clearly isolated to these creatures, was in a language wholly unfamiliar to both Jannis and Gwyn.

“Hey Jannis,” Gwyn whispered, “What’s the deal with snake people?”

“Aspis…” Muttered Jannis, “They’re interlopers from the rotweave. Whatever they’re doing, it’s nothing good for either this settlement or Llynbrith above.”

“The rotweave?” Gwyn replied, he had only heard that the rotweave was a dangerous place deep underground, deeper than anyone sensible would to want to go, “How did they get here, and what can the two of us even do?”

Before Jannis could answer, out a massive explosion rocked the antechamber ahead of them, blinding Gwyn. He ran out of the hallway to look down at the Aspis chanters, noticing two of them were on the ground, presumably dead, and opposite him was a young girl wearing a tattered, but unmistakable uniform of the Brightharbor Academy.