THEY HAD BEEN walking down the corridor for over fifteen minutes and still hadn't found a way out. At one point, Gregory suggested that he go back, admitting that perhaps they had taken the wrong path, Giovanna objected, convinced they had guessed correctly. However, their hope faded as time passed, and they sank deeper and deeper into that chilling dungeon of endless steps. Added to the fear and uncertainty was the decrepit smell emanating from the walls, a rancid odor that permeated the entire room and their clothing.
The heat was stifling, so much so that their clothes clung to their skin, soaked with sweat. The pressure increased as the stairs descended, for this must have been the critical point of the descent, and the air was nearly unbreathable. In fact, they were convinced that if they didn't reach their destination soon, they would suffer an anxiety attack.
To make matters worse, they discovered, to their horror, that the light from their flashlights was losing intensity. And they had no replacement batteries.
— Damn it! I never thought the Ark was hidden in the center of the Earth — the detective complained, desperate at the approaching problem.
— Now is not the best time for censure — Giovanna commented. — We must remain calm and face any setback with integrity.
— Do you intend to go through with this? — he retorted, furious. — As you can see, there is no Throne of God down here...! It was all a mistake!
— I'm sorry, but I don't feel the same way. — She seemed disappointed, her companion's fickle nature driving her crazy. — I know we should continue, that's what my heart tells me. Please... — she begged, taking his hand.
— Don't abandon me now, when we're so close!
Evans took a deep breath. She, as always, was right. Backing out wasn't the best option. Then, driven by an uncontrollable impulse, he put his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Before she could comprehend what was happening, his companion placed a light kiss on her mouth.
— This is in case it's the last thing I ever do — he told her tenderly.
Giovanna smiled with satisfaction. Gregory could be charming when he wanted to be. As a reward, she was the one who passionately grabbed his head and kissed him again.
— And this, for trusting me — she whispered in his ear, when their lips parted after a few moments.
Evans was about to tell her she was the most wonderful woman in the world when he realized his flashlight had stopped working. Giovanna's was emitting an orange glow, a sure sign that the batteries were about to run out. They only had a few minutes left before they would be in total darkness.
— Shit! — Gregory Evans muttered, barely holding back a curse. — We'll definitely never make it to the Throne Room.
— We'd better hurry... — was Giovanna's practical advice. — We might be close.
They descended as quickly as possible, hoping to find an exit in time. The light was fading rapidly. They could barely see the outlines of their bodies, much less the countless steps they were treading. The situation was so dire that even Giovanna began to lose hope. The truth is, they were both already terrified.
And then what they feared most happened: the flashlight stopped working, and darkness descended upon the corridor. They were trapped in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by the darkness of an ancient, alien, and hostile underworld. It was as if they were at the gates of hell.
— Let's be guided by touch... — the Hyperion detective's voice sounded different, with less certainty.
She remained silent, but moved to one side until she was leaning against one of the damp stone walls. With her other hand, she reached for her partner's. Together, shrouded in darkness, they slowly descended the steps, hoping for a true miracle.
And it was then that something incredible happened, something unprecedented, something they could not believe until a few minutes had passed, for fear that it was a dream from which they would eventually wake up: the carved stones of that narrow passage emanated a faint golden light, which, little by little, illuminated the path.
Driven by curiosity, they felt the wall, trying to understand what was happening. They felt their palms warm. It was a gentle warmth, transmitting serenity, a peace that definitely influenced their altered state of mind. The light fluctuated in rippling waves, coming and going, imitating the movement of breathing. With an unsurpassed optical effect. It was as if they were caressing an enormous living being made of stone, with a very particular consistency, for they soon had the impression that the thing intended to communicate with them through its radiance.
— I can't think of a logical reason to explain it — Greg muttered, his hands still on the wall. — But whatever it was, it saved our lives!
— Phenomena like this only manifest themselves through the work of the Great Architect — said a familiar voice, coming from several steps below.
Giovanna let out a sharp cry of surprise, but then she was reassured when she saw that it was Balkis and good Hiram.
— We did it, Greg! — the Spanish woman began to cry, overcome with emotion at being in the presence of the Guardians.
— Yes, my dear…— Balkis hugged her tightly. — You have reached a point where very few have managed.
— We feared for you. That's why we came forward to welcome you — Hiram said. — We sensed your distress down here, and Sephora decided we should help you.
He pointed to the steps that disappeared further down the circular stone corridor.