The Gateway

Chapter 72

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

12:54 am

(Michael's POV)

"You think we should get someone?" I ask Weiss as I looked at the trapdoor built into the ground. There was rusty metal handle on the side of the door. Weiss slowly nodded.

"Probably." Weiss said quietly. I look around the vast open area of different types of plants. I spot a tomato in the corner of my eye and grind my teeth. I wish the people in the kitchen didn't use so much vegetables. Almost everything I've had so far always had plants. No meat! Even when we get meat, it was always a thin piece of ham. I force myself to look away from the tomato and back at the trapdoor.

"We should we get then?" Weiss looked around and stomped her foot.

"I don't know!" Weiss said in an annoyed tone. "There has to be someone we can get!" I look up and look around again. I squint and notice a black-shaped horse figure. I focused on the figure, I smile as I see the horse look towards me. The figure had a long, black mane with a curved black horn on the top of its head. I notice a blue blanket hang off the Kirin's back as it came closer. I noticed a tiny arm hug the side Sombra. If Sombra is here, then is Ivan is here too? He could just be riding Sombra though. It's not like I could see him behind Sombra anyway.

"We could get Ivan." Weiss stared at me with a glare in her eyes.

"I feel like he wouldn't care about this." I shrug as I look at Sombra slowly walking towards me and Weiss's direction. I notice a familiar head with bright blond hair run up to Sombra and stretch her arms wide open. Alice suddenly stopped and backed away. Sombra stopped and looked at her. Alice looked back with a wide smile, Her smile faded as I saw her eyes shift to something on Sombra's back. She looked around and finally noticed me and Weiss. I happily waved at her, it took her a second but she eventually waved back. I look towards Weiss, she was awkwardly stared in Alice's direction. She shyly waved back.

Sombra stared to walk a bit faster. Alice started to jog to catch up with Sombra. It was only a matter of minutes before Alice and Sombra approached me and Weiss. Alice looked nervous as she kept glancing at Sombra's back. Alice's hands were caked in dirt, there was a faint smell of fertilizer around Alice. I wrinkled my nose at the smell. I look towards Sombra and notice spots of blood on the blue blanket. I flinched at the sight of blood. I instantly build up the courage and walk to the side of Sombra.

Instead of some horrifying sight, I saw Ivan peacefully sleeping under a blanket. There was pillow below his head and another blanket below his body. I take a step forward and gasp. There was a huge purple bump above his right eye. His nose was bent to the side. The bottom blanket was soaked in blood. His chest slowly rose with shallow ragged breaths. He let out a faint whistling noise every time he breathed. Alice slowed raised her hand and shook Ivan's body. Alice looked at her hand as blood stuck to her hand. She desperately wiped her hand on her pants, only a tiny spots of red appeared on her pants.

Ivan groaned as he put his hands on Sombra's neck. The blanket fell off him as he looked around. He had dark purple bags under his eyes. I notice tiny holes in his left thigh, left shoulder, and right shoulder. He hunched over as confusion fell over his face. Alice tapped his thigh. Ivan winced before looking at Alice.

"Do you need... a bandaid or something?" Alice asked in a shaky voice. Ivan slowly shook his head as he took out a pill bottle with the label Pain B Gone.

"Is this the camp?"

"Where else would be you be?" Alice quickly asked.

"At a train station." Ivan slowly lifted his right leg over Sombra. Sombra bent down as Ivan slowly jumped off. Ivan softly patted Sombra's neck and looked at Alice. "Alice can you heal me?" Alice quickly nodded her head. Sombra snorted and laid down on his side. Weiss rubbed her arm uncomfortably. Alice looked at her hands before doing her hand signs. A bright green light emitted from her hands as Ivan blankly looked into the distance. I look at the trap door and look back at Ivan.

"Do you know anything about that?" I ask Ivan while pointing at the trap door.

"I didn't even know something like that was in the camp." Ivan looked up at Alice as Alice moved her hands to Ivan's forehead. "What about you?" Ivan asked Alice. Alice shook her head and raised an eyebrow.

"I was here yesterday, that wasn't here yesterday." Alice said. I nod and walk towards the trap door. I bend down and grab the handle. Weiss quickly stepped forward and grabbed my arm. I look up at her, Weiss was nervously smiling at me as she gently pulled my arm away from the handle.

"Shouldn't we get someone older to do this?" I blink at her response.

"Why?" Weiss shrugged.

"What if there's something important down there? Or maybe! There's a monster down there." Alice quickly chipped in.

"Do you mean a Yokai?"

"It doesn't matter, they're still monsters." Alice tilted her head.

"I guess they are? Yokai are real, but aren't monsters supposed to be not real?"

"What ever they're called they still don't feel real." Weiss looked down at the trapdoor and backed away.

"What if there's something cool there though?" I look at Ivan. Alice took her hands off Ivan as limped forward to look at the trapdoor. His face still had bruises on his face but they were just a bit smaller. Even the holes in his body were only shrunken down by a bit. He struggled to breathe as he looked at the trap door.

"I wouldn't go down there, I'd rather not risk my life for some mystery." I roll my eyes and stare at the trap door.

"So no one wants to open it?" I say disappointingly. Ivan stumbled forward and sat down on the ground. He heaved for air, his eyes shifted around like he was reading something. He squinted his eyes and stood back up. He looked down at his body and then at me.

"If you want to explore it then I'll help explore later." Ivan said as he turned around and walked back to his Kirin.

"Why not now?" I ask Ivan. He turned around and pointed at Weiss.

"Could be dangerous. It there is something down there, and you went down now. You would be defenseless without a weapon." I stare at Ivan expecting him to add more to his argument. He sighed at pointed at his bruise. "And it's not like I can fight right now?" Weiss raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't know you could fight." Weiss added. Ivan glared in her direction.

"How did you think I got hurt?" Weiss looked down and said nothing. Ivan bent down towards the front door. He took out a flashlight and quickly opened the door. His legs shook. I take a quick peek inside. I felt my body stiff as a rotting wooden ladder led down to a deep dark cave. I heard drips of water fall onto the stone floor. Ivan quickly closed the door and took a step back. "I definitely wouldn't go down there."

I felt a desire to go down there and explore build in my chest. I felt exciting knowing that something unexplored was under my feet. I take a step forward and open the trapdoor. Ivan looked down at me with a nervous look. "I definitely wouldn't go down there."

"Let's just explore the beginning." Ivan looked over at Weiss, Weiss looked back while shaking her head.

"Later Michael!" Ivan said with annoyance in his voice. I look at Alice, she had a suspicious look on her face.

"It's just a cave, lets just explore the parts where the light reaches." Alice said to Ivan. Ivan rolled his eyes and looked towards me.

"Michael you go first then." Ivan commanded. I smile and quickly move towards the ladder. I giddily climb down the ladder and step onto the stone. I turn around and look into the darkness. The darkness was slowly replaced with light the longer I looked at it. I felt something cold drip down my back. I turn back towards Ivan with a nervous smile. Ivan stared at me and tilted his head towards the ladder.

"Can you go instead?" I said in a squeaky voice. Ivan's cold stare turned in a glare. he breathed in deeply before responding.

"Michael, I want to go to sleep. You could go down there yourself if you want to. Weiss and Alice don't even want to go." Ivan commented with an annoyed tone in his voice. Weiss quickly shook her head.

"I don't mind going, I just think that getting someone older would be better." Ivan took one glance at Weiss before looking back at me.

"I'm fine with doing that, but Michael wants to go down there. I just think that he should be the first one down there then." I felt my body tensed up. I felt adrenaline rush through my body as I step toward the ladder.

"I'll do it." I say reluctantly. I felt everyone stare at me as I climb down the body. I look behind me only to be met with darkness. The shadows started to shift back into the cave. Light slowly crept in. I hear wood creak right above me, I look up and see Ivan slowly climb down with a flash light in his hands. He jumped of at the last step and pointed the light into the cave. Ivan gasped for air as he tapped my arm with his flashlight. I looked down at him with confused face.

"Just take it." Ivan said as he stretched his arm out. I take the flashlight out of his hand. I sheepishly point the flashlight down the cave. I heard someone jump down from the top of the ladder. I heard a loud thud hit the ground. I look behind me and see Alice on her feet with her arms stretched out. She tumbled forward a bit and caught her balance. I look up and see Weiss slowly climb down the ladder. I look back down into the cave and start walking. I didn't think Weiss and Alice would actually come.

Ivan quickly stumbled forward to my side with a tiny sword in his hands. The sword was light brown, there were white cloud engravings going down the middle. I look away from the sword and look back into the cave. Did he have to pick the ugly brown color? I would've just chosen white.

We walked silently into the cave. I stop and look over my shoulder. There was a tiny beam of light coming from the roof at the entrance. I look forward and stare at the blank stone walls. I notice the cave's wall turn to the side. I look back towards the entrance and back at the turn. I look at the Weiss. Weiss squinted her eyes at me.

I think Weiss was right, getting someone else would've been better. Ivan looked at me and pointed at the beam of light.

"You wanna go back?" Ivan said with a bit hope of in his voice. I look over my shoulder and into the darkness. Light slowly covered the cave. I felt my pupils widened as everything suddenly brightened. I look down at the flashlight and turn it off. I saw Ivan turn to his head towards me, his glare was aimed towards my left. His eyebrows were furrowed his eyebrows with anger.

"Turn on the light!" Ivan yelled loudly.

"Why though? It's so bright in here." I commented calmly. Ivan stomped his foot and pointed towards my left.

"It's dark as hell in here!" Ivan shouted as he got out his phone and pointed his phone around the cave. I heard Alice sigh as he pointed his phone towards Alice and Weiss. Weiss squinted towards my direction. Ivan stumbled towards the front, Alice quickly followed but Weiss waited for me. Once I reached Weiss's side, we started to follow after Ivan and Alice. Weiss looked towards my direction. She leaned in towards me.

"Can you see in the dark?" She whispered. I slowly blink and look around. I think I actually might be able to see in the dark. Everyone else seems to be having trouble seeing everything. I can perfectly fine though. I look towards Weiss and nod my head. Weiss stared blankly in my direction. She nudged my arm expecting an answer. My eyes widen as I remember that she can't see in the dark.

"I think I can." Weiss let out a faint chuckle. I heard her mutter, "Lucky," under her breath. Ivan stopped and turned around. I quickly spun around on his heel and pointed his phone down the tunnel, he pointed his sword down the tunnel.

"What was that?" Ivan asked with a stern look on his face. Everyone stayed quiet. Ivan looked towards me. "Turn on the flashlight Michael." I quickly nod and turn on the flashlight. My legs froze as a small brown paw grabbed the wall from behind on of the curves. I look over to Ivan, he stood his ground. His index finger stretched out and looked like it was pulling for something. Ivan glanced down at his hand and grunted.

I walk backwards towards Ivan with my eyes on the brown paw. A creature suddenly stepped out from behind the curve. The creature looked like a normal woman, the only thing that was wrong with the woman was her face. Her forehead was huge when compared to everyone else I knew, the woman creepily opened her mouth. My legs shook from the sight of bright red gums, there wasn't even a single tooth to be seen. Her ears stretched out to the back of her head. Her hair was gathered up into clumps, her hair reminded me of the way a sheep would like before they would get sheared. I wanted to puke at the sight of her. "Ivan I think we should go." Ivan nodded and slowly walked back.

"What do you see?" The woman's gaze focused onto Ivan. The woman suddenly took of sprinting. My eyes widened. I turn towards Ivan. Before I could call out to him, a blur rushed past me. Ivan's phone flew up into the air. I saw the woman tackle Ivan to the ground, Ivan held on tightly to his sword. He let go of his sword, the sword flew up into the air and hovered in the air. The sword flipped and aimed towards the woman's back. The woman swiftly closed her fist and slammed her hand onto Ivan's chest. Ivan gasped for air as his sword dug deep into the woman's back. The woman screeched as she dug her nail into Ivan's cheek. Ivan screamed as an icy blue spear appeared in his hand. Ivan wildly swung at the woman's neck. The woman leaned back and slammed her fist onto Ivan's nose.

A loud crack filled the cave as wind gathered Ivan. A deafening boom echoed off the walls the woman was launched a few feet off of Ivan. The woman quickly jumped back up onto her feet while Ivan struggled to move. The woman swiftly ran towards Ivan. Ivan quickly picked himself up with the wind. Ivan's spear flew out of his hand and went straight through the woman's chest. The woman surprisingly wasn't fazed. Ivan dropped to the ground, the spear came back and swung at the woman's neck. The back of her neck split open. The woman's fell on top of Ivan, blood seeped out of her neck with each passing second. The woman raised her hand, her arms tensed as her hand plummeted straight through Ivan's chest.

Ivan's body twitched as the woman fell back. Blood puddled around Ivan as the woman's body stiffened. Ivan groaned as he placed his hand on the floor. Alice quickly rushed over to Ivan and pointed towards me. Her arm's shook with fear.

"M-m-Michael, take off your shirt!" I froze for a second. It took me as while to comprehend what she just said. I felt my cheeks heat up as I took off my shirt. I threw my shirt towards her, Alice caught it and held it tightly to Ivan's chest. Ivan gasped for air as he weakly reached for Alice. Alice bit her lip as Ivan took out a bottle with a green liquid. Alice looked around nervously. I look over my shoulder, I felt a tight feeling pulse throughout my chest as I searched for any more creatures.

I quickly run over to the woman and yank Ivan's sword from out of her back. I look over my shoulder and scan the cave for anymore of those creatures. I look back towards Alice. Alice looked towards my direction with fear in her eyes. She took quick glances around the cave.

"Michael help me carry Ivan." I nod and quickly go over to Ivan's phone. Weiss towards my direction. I toss it towards Weiss. She stumbled forward and was barely able to catch Ivan's phone. I rush over towards Ivan's feet and put the end of the flashlight into my mouth. I take a sharp breath of air through my nose and lift up his feet. Alice grabbed Ivan's armpits as Ivan groaned. Ivan stretched out his arm and tried to give Alice the green bottle in his hands. Alice grabbed the bottle and tossed it to the ground. Ivan glared at Alice as she grabbed under his arms and lifted him up. Alice groaned as she started to walk backwards. We quickly rushed towards the ladder. Weiss walked by our side with Ivan's spear in her hand.

Ivan's shirt soaked up all the blood flowing from the large hole in his chest. Ivan's usual brown skin was now a pale white. Ivan's forehead was drenches with sweat. Alice yelped as her back hit the ladder. Alice looked at Ivan and at the ladder. I felt a rush of air come down from the trap door and surround Ivan. I felt the wind push my hands away . Ivan suddenly flew through the trap door. I saw his body fall to through the sky, I waited for a thud but I didn't hear anything. Alice quickly climbed up the ladder. I take the flashlight out of my mouth and point down the cave.

"Weiss you go up first." Weiss quickly scrambled up the ladder with Ivan's phone in hand.

"Thanks," She quickly said before climbing out of the cave. I take one quick glance down the cave before quickly going up the ladder. I climbed out of the cave and closed the trap door. I look over at Ivan, he was sitting up and drinking a bottle with a green liquid. Alice was by his side, she had her arm stretched out towards the bottle. Ivan leaned back as he drank the entire bottle. Ivan dropped the bottle and took out a bottle of pills. Alice quickly snatched the pills out of his hand and toss it to the side.

"What the hell!" Ivan screamed as he leaned forward towards the bottle. Ivan's eyes widened as he clenched his heart. He breathed deeply as Alice gently pushed him back onto his back. Ivan tried pushing Alice away, Alice simply swatted his hand away as she began to do her hand signs. Ivan struggled to breath in air, the skin on his face started to turn into a light purple. I felt a stream of hair rush around Ivan, I heard a loud gasp come from Ivan as the purple faded away. Alice's hands started to glow a bright green. Alice placed her hands on Ivan's chest. Ivan weakly kicked at the air as he tried to pry Alice's hands away. Alice ignored everything Ivan did to her.

Alice looked over at me and Weiss. Alice pointed to her side with a worried look.

"Go get my sisters!" Alice demanded. I nod and quickly grab Weiss by her shoulder. Weiss bent down and put Ivan's phone on the floor. She tossed Ivan's spear on the ground as I lead her away. I searched around the garden frantically.

Where would her sisters be anyway?

12:42 pm

(Ivan's POV)

I stared up at the sky as Alice laid her hands on me. I shivered as a cold wet feeling wash over my body. My lungs struggle for air, it felt like my lungs were squished together in my chest. My whole body felt heavy, it was like the weight of the world fell onto my shoulders. I shift my eyes and look at the pill bottles. I felt a wave of pain crush my body as I stared at the bottle. I use the wind and bring the bottle into my hands. Before I could open it, Alice snatched it out of my hands and threw it further. I quickly sit up and glare at her.

"Why would you do that! Again!" I felt a warm liquid come up my throat. Alice stared at my lips as I felt something leave my mouth. I wipe my mouth as she responded.

"Those are bad!"

"How!" She pointed to her side and jabbed her finger into her skin.

"It's bad for the kidneys!" I roll my eyes.

"Alice, do you know how much it hurts to breathe? I just need sleep and pain killers." Alice frantically pointed at my chest.

"Have you seen yourself?" I look down at and stare at the wide, hole that led to the middle of my stomach. I felt queasy looking at it. I felt my eyes droop as seconds pass. I put my hand on the ground. I let fingers move through the dirt as I thought about my bed. Why couldn't Sombra bring me home? I don't even know how Sombra got here, but at least I got a new quest from the cave. I stare at the trap door. I stare up at Alice. "The trap door wasn't here before right?" Alice nodded her head.

I wonder if Nuxiel has anything to do with this then. But if he did do this, then he would've at least told me about it. But then again, he does leave notes on my desk. He might've left a note on my desk. I sigh as I look over at Sombra. I wave over at Sombra. Sombra came over to my side.

I pick up myself with the wind and plant myself on Sombra's back. Alice quickly got up and lightly grabbed my leg. I look down at her. She had a nervous look in her eyes, she kept taking glances at the trap door right by her feet.

"I don't think you should leave yet." Alice said in a squeaky voice. I raise my eyebrow.

"Why not?" Alice pointed to my chest and then waved her finger randomly around my body.

"It's just that... you don't look good."

"I have medicine at home, I'll be fine."

"I would just feel better, if you waited for my sister." I roll my eyes before responding.

"Alice, why do you care?" Alice's nervous look turned into a glare.

"Because I care about you? Is that not a good enough reason for you?" I lean back in surprise.

"What do you mean by 'care'?" Alice sighed with annoyance.

"Because you're a friend you idiot!"

"We don't even talk that much!"

"But we talk enough to where I actually like talking to you!" I shifted uncomfortably in my saddle. Alice tapped her foot as she waited for my response. I lift myself up and slowly put myself on the groan. I let out a silent groan as I dropped myself a few inches from the ground. Alice quickly walked up to me and crouched down. I felt my body throb with pain. Alice stared into my eyes with a stern look.

"Can you at least get me my pain killers." Alice frowned as she got up and turned around. She looked around before turning back around.

"I don't know where they are." She said proudly. I slowly blink and breath in deeply.

"Do you at least have anything for pain?"

"Nope."

"I regret listening to you."

12:59 am

I sleepily stare up at a family set of black eyes. I stared directly at the middle of her messy hair as Alice stood by. Alice's sister took her hands off my chest and turned her head towards Alice.

"I left something in the cabin, could you go get it for me?" Alice nodded and turned around. Before Alice's sister could tell her what she forgot, Alice jogged away. the woman stared wide-eyed and chuckled. She turned back towards me with a smile on her face.

"I didn't even get to tell her what to get." She said while trying not to laugh. I stare at the back of Alice's head. I felt a dull throb of pain pulse through my body as I got up. My legs still felt weak, but at least it was a bit easier to breath now. I could even feel the bruise near my eye shrink. I shakily stand up and stare at her. The woman's light hearted expression suddenly turned into a stone cold look. She looked over her shoulder and scanned the area for any people. "Did you do the water think I told you about?"

"We got water plant done but we just need electricity now."

"I thought you had the electricity thing done!"

"When I first came to you, I was just getting people to help me." The woman frowned as she looked around the garden." She took a quick glance at the trap door.

"Uh-huh," The woman said while she slowly stood up and walked over to the trap door. She looked over her shoulder and put her hand on the trap door's handle. "Do you know anything about this?" She said while lifting up the door. I quickly push the door down with the wind. The woman quickly took her hand off the handle and looked at her hand. A tiny piece of skin was ripped off as she turned back towards me. I shake my head and lay on my side. A dull throb of pain reminded me of the punch I took to the side. I groan as I sit back up and respond.

"I thought you would know something about this." She shook her head and frowned.

"We're going to have to tell Coach about this." I nod and painfully stand up.

"You tell him, I want to sleep."

"You were there, Coach is need is going to need to know what was down there."

"Then get Alice!" The woman glared at me and let out a deep sigh. She looked down as a loud chirp came from the top of her shoe. I notice a cricket hop off her shoe as the woman slammed the bottom of her shoe onto the cricket. I shiver as I look around for any more crickets.

"Do you have anything for bugs?" She asked while walked towards one of the plants. She grabbed a nearby eggplant that had tiny bite marks on its side.

"I'm working on it." I sleepily say. I look away and look for Sombra. I grit my teeth as Sombra was nowhere in sight. Where did that Kirin go? I close my eyes and imagine Kirin rising from the ground. I heard the earthy sound of dirt moving, I open my eyes only to find Sombra standing right in front of me. I quickly fly on top of Sombra and shift around until I was comfortable in my saddle. I look towards the woman. She stared straight at me with the half eaten eggplant in hand. She looked at Sombra and smiled for just a second. I point in a random direction before talking to her. "I'm going to go to my house now." I say before tapping Sombra's neck.

"Wait hold on," the woman softly said. Sombra stopped and turned towards her. "Do you think you could bring some animals to the camp. A confused came onto my face as I listened to her.

"What kind of animals?" She stayed silent for a while.

"Barn animals."

"Like pigs?" I asked with a confused tone.

"And cows. Maybe sheep?"

"I'll try? Do you have anywhere to put them?"

"I was also going to ask you about that." I roll my eyes as Sombra turned away from the woman.

"I'll try to work on that too."

1:05 pm

I shakily walk into my room and look around. I felt my eyes close as my my head began to nod. My head jolted up, my eyes widened in an attempt to stay awake. I notice in the corner of my eye, I notice a small piece of paper resting on my desk. I wobblily walk over to my desk and pick up the piece of paper. My head swirled as I read the paper

Dear Ivan,

I know that recently you found the entrance to Jigoku that I have put in the Shinto camp's garden. I have put the entrance there so that the Shikome wander the garden. I know this would discourage people from growing the plants and vegetables needed to feed the camp (the camp does not have animals to farm). Take any actions needed to weaken the camp (or you could find a way to make people rely on you because of the situation).

From, Nuxiel

I yawn as I toss the paper into the air and look towards my bed.

I rub my eyes and wobble over my bed. I smile as I take off my gloves and run my hand across my bed.

I can finally get through this long day.