The Return of the Kings of Metal: Part IV continued...
` ` `With renewed vigor we all redoubled our efforts to reach the end of the stairway. When we finally came to the last step I thrust my torch through the small doorway at the bottom. The flickering light revealed only a cracked and worn marble floor covered in a carpet of dust, and beyond and above, where the flames failed to reach, was a dark nothingness. Cautiously we stepped out onto the obviously ancient marble, buried by time and dust, and marveled at what was obviously a vast hallway. Freed of the confines of the stairwell, the illumination provided by the torch still only barely managed to reach the great walls to either side of us made of white stone that glimmered in shades of yellow and red from the glow of the flames, but before us was an endless gulf of blackest night. Lining the walls at regular intervals we could just make out the massive feet and legs of great, towering statues made of the same stone as the walls that disappeared into the darkness above us.
` ` `In wonder I slowly stepped closer to one of the colossal statues and raised up the torch to illuminate it in all of its grandeur. I barely came up to its ankles. Above me soared perfectly chiseled, muscular legs that led up to a massive torso covered in the robes of a king. At the far reaches of the torch's light, it's contours wreathed in flickering light and shadows, was a face. Proud, powerful, regal. On its chin was a great beard, perfectly trimmed and yet somehow wild. Its eyes held a profound wisdom while projecting the strength to command great armies. On its brow rested a magnificent crown.
` ` `But most awe-inspiring of all were its arms. Its left rested upon a stone sword, but its right was extended straight out in front and slightly raised so that the statue's eyes rested on its hand with a stoic intensity. The hand's middle and ring fingers were folded and held in place by the thumb, while the fore and little fingers pointed outward towards the opposite statue.
` ` `As my eyes drank in the majesty of this king, preserved in stone for all time, I felt the Light of True Metal swell within me until my entire being, from head to toe, sang with its glow. From the gasps of my companions behind me I knew that I was not alone in this wondrous sensation. And even as I was filled with the Light, the statue towering before me began to glimmer with its own inner Light. Before our very eyes every statue in the cavernous hall, of which there were at least twenty, began to dimly glow so that it was lit by a faint radiance that finally allowed us to see it in its entirety. Even with this new illumination the hall was still veiled in gloom, but it was less forbidding that it had been, and there was now an odd sense of peace about it that seemed to be linked with the Light of True Metal emanating from the statues.
` ` `Yet the hall was a ruin. The rest of the floor was as we had already seen; cracked, covered in a thick coat of dust, and it had even buckled in places, leaving great holes. The walls had been stained by ages of grime and filth until they had become sad and grey. They still stood firm, but great cracks had appeared, and here and there were rents where the stone had fallen into piles of rubble on the floor. The high, vaulted ceiling was also intact, and obviously of masterful craftsmanship, but large roots had forced their way through, undermining its integrity until it looked to be standing only by its own willpower and determination. But no grime, no dust, no crack touched the statues. By all appearances they stood as they must have stood since the day they were first made.
` ` `In awe Oscar turned in a slow circle, taking in everything around him, "By all the Metal Gods, what is this place? I feel the light of True Metal emanating from every stone. Even in ruin there is more power in this hall than anywhere I have ever been..."
` ` `None of us had any answer for him.
` ` `Turning to Joey I asked, "So, still think this is a poseur trap?"
` ` `He could only shake his head, speechless as he gazed about him in amazement.
` ` `Setting the now useless torch on the ground I looked to the end of the hall, faint with distance. From a wide doorway opposite the one we had just exited, I saw the light of yet another torch which had obviously been the source of the weak light we had glimpsed from the stairs.
` ` `"Dudes," I said, pointing to the far doorway, "I think we're expected."
` ` `This time there were no objections as we started down the long hallway. The hands of the statues, extended in supplication to True Metal, formed an arch along with the statues opposite them that soared over our heads as we passed underneath. Although the statues were identical in height and clothing, each of their faces was unique, but they all projected the same power and nobility. Walking between them we saw corridors choked with rubble and cobwebs leading into pitch black darkness where we could hear the skittering sound of rats.
` ` `Voice hushed in reverence, Kerry asked, "Hey, I thought we were under the desert. How in the name of Dio can all this be under the desert?"
` ` `"Not even the greatest Defender of the Faith can ever truly understand all the power of True Metal," replied Oscar, "All we can do is bask in its brilliance."
` ` `Eventually we came to the end of the hall and reached the doorway where we were assailed by a wall of oppressive heat that was just as sweltering as the stairway. Indeed the hall itself had been no less stifling, and yet somehow we had not felt it. Now that we were leaving though, the heat returned with a vengeance. With one last regretful glance at the great hall we entered the doorway.
` ` `Beyond was a high, wide corridor of yet more of the same white stone. The walls were carved with beautiful reliefs depicting unfamiliar scenes of battles and ceremonies and celebrations. The faces of the men and women set in stone were as majestic as those of the magnificent kings in the hall, and the flickering light of the torch set in the bracket by the entrance made them seem alive in all of their glory. The ceiling above us was likewise vaulted, though not nearly so high. All of this led to a great set of double doors made of oak and gilded in gold and silver. But the carvings were covered in layers of dust, the ceiling cracked, the doors dull with grime and filth. Yet we marveled at the faded grandeur around us all the same.
` ` `As we left the hall and came ever closer to the doors, the Light of True Metal that had filled us so completely in the hall began to fade, though it never truly left us. Yet, the Light that remained became laced with a profound sadness, as of a great tragedy. The joy and wonder that we had felt gradually turned into dread.
` ` `Eventually we came to the great doors and stopped, gazing at them with an impatience to continue our journey, but also a reluctance to leave the hall and all of its wonders.
` ` `Finally I gave a regretful sigh and declared, "Well, there's no time like the past. Kerry, help me get these damn doors open."
` ` `"Why thank you, kind sir," quipped Joey, "It warms my heart to see a doorman so committed to his duties."
` ` `"Shut up, Joey."
` ` `It was nice to see that things were back to normal.
` ` `Grabbing hold of great iron rings we pulled mightily at the doors, but the hinges had long since gone to rust and refused to budge. But with the strength granted to us by the Light of True Metal still within us, they eventually gave an ear-splitting shriek and slowly began to swing open, inch by inch.
` ` `When they were finally open enough to admit us, I dropped the iron ring and turned to my companions, but both Oscar and Joey stood rooted to their spots with matching looks of thunderstruck amazement. Peering through the doorway in confusion I gasped in utter shock at what I saw beyond.
To Be Continued...