Chapter 123

Both Douma and Chachamaru kicked the door open at once. They were met with another dark area with two narrow hallways that spiraled further in.

The air was cold that the torch Douma was holding went off on its own.

"So no surprise?" Chachamaru scratched his neck, a little fearful about what lies in the dark hallways, this part of the ancient temple was eerily quiet.

And then he smelled something that served as a clue to which path they should take. Douma knew Chachamaru sensed a presence of some sort that came from one of these hallways. They had to pick and choose carefully, however if the source of the smell was harmless that it would be incredibly helpful.

"Where's the smell coming from Chachamaru?" Douma didn't need to ponder about the question, he could already tell from Chachamaru's sniffling that the feline caught something.

"From that tunnel over there. It smells like meat, dead meat I'd say."

"Alright than lead the way."

The giant listened carefully to the footsteps approaching his lair miles away. They were fast and got louder.

Douma and Chachamaru didn't need to rely on any light source right now, the final destination was right around the corner.

It wasn't long until they reached a large door with similar patterns and carvings as the previous one. Likewise, it took a little more effort to get it to open.

"We're doing this again huh?" Chachamaru said to Douma who nodded, the both of them getting into the same stance. 

The both of them kicked the door open at the same time. They were met with a large room that was dimly lit by the two torches from each side of the throne.

Of course, that throne had someone sitting on it and as expected it was no other than the giant from the rumors that Banri told them about.

"The big guy sure is intimidating." Chachamaru remarked, as the giant got up from his throne and stomped towards them. His appearance blended in with the ancient temple, sashes of gold hung around his neck and shoulders, armor that covered his arms, torso, and knees with a helmet on his head that reminded both Douma and Chachamaru of a Viking. The iron bands on his wrist had spikes on them and he wore a necklace of bones and a skull right in the center.

"My guests have arrived." The giant held his mace over his shoulders and gave the two friends are cold glare.

Whatever you do, don't attack him yet. He might've set up a trap around here somewhere. Douma gazed at every corner of the room including the ceiling. The giant wouldn't let anyone into his lair if he didn't plan something beforehand.

Chachamaru let out a nervous laugh, "Uh yeah that's right now-"

Douma stepped up getting ready to take out his fan in case the giant decides to strike, "The meteorite that everyone's been talking about, you're the one who hid it somewhere according to them." The blonde interrogated the giant who seemed unfazed by this confrontation. "Where is it? Don't try to hide it from us."

"Why should I tell you? It's not worth of any value to the likes of some puny humans." The giant scoffed, his menacing voice booming that even the ceiling was practically shaking.

Clenching his fist, Chachamaru stomped closer to the giant, gritting his teeth threateningly, "Look if you don't tell us where it is than no more nice games got it?"

The giant was fuming at Chachamaru's response. Who does this cat think he is?

"You guys think this is an attraction or something?! It's my temple and I make the rules here!" The giant yelled angrily.

Douma and Chachamaru exchanged glances with each other, the very same thought in their heads. The giant changed personas real quick.

Grumbling to himself, the giant was at the verge of throwing a tantrum which worried Douma and Chachamaru, the entire place probably wouldn't be able to support his big fuss. Not to mention, the giant's head was only a few inches away from the ceiling, should he bump into on accident, that would create another problem especially if it agitates him.

"Well it's suitable to be one." Chachamaru commented.

"Grrrrrrrr!" The giant kept his feet apart and raised his voice. "Do you know who I am because you clearly don't! I'm Churaka, the keeper of the Aztec Temple's treasure!"

Douma found this rather entertaining. What happened to the confrontation? They better not lose track of their main objective, "Nope not at all, but nice to meet you I guess." He responded condescendingly.

The giant pointed at Douma who stood there relaxed. "How could you be so clueless about me? Which news network are you getting all your information from? It must be outdated!"

"Definitely not from a flintstone news network." The blonde stood there with his arms crossed while Chachamaru raised a brow at him.

"Grrrrrrr! Such mean guests!" Churaka gripped his hair and started wailing like the huge crybaby that he is.

Yeah I think we've been pretty mean. Chachamaru glanced at Douma and then back at Churaka who was still whining about how awful they were towards him.

Churaka spun around and glared at them with a grin. Both Douma and Chachamaru were taken aback by the sudden smiley demeanor that Churaka was putting up after his breakdown. However they paid no attention to the tricks that Churaka was planning, instead they had their eyes on the treasure at the back of the room. Gold and jewelry scattered on the floor, Churaka hid the meteorite well because it was nowhere to be seen. They'll find it eventually though.

When Chachamaru turned around to see if there was anything of value lying around beyond the pile of gold, he saw bones of what appeared to be animals that Churaka must have slaughtered.

No wonder Chachamaru was able to pick up this scent easily, Churaka's meals were right here. But if he wanted to keep this room lavish he should at least clear the mess he made. Both Douma and Chachamaru were dealing with a former couch potato.

The giant smiled more when he noticed Douma and Chachamaru looking at the treasure he kept at the back. "You're not getting my treasure. Take a step towards it and you're finished!"

Douma was about to take out his fan. This giant was obviously asking for a fight at this very moment. "Atlas is here to get the meteorite for research. If you don't cooperate, you're the one who will be finished. Dare retaliate and you'll make a mockery of yourself." The angel threatened Churaka.

With his mace held tightly, Churaka slowly raised it from the ground and narrowed his eyes at Douma who stood there boldly. It made Churaka sick, no one has ever had the guts to order him around like that.

"The meteorite is mine! You're not having it!" Churaka swung his mace around threateningly and purposely moved it towards Douma and Chachamaru who stepped away from the incoming weapon.

It didn't hit them and they knew it wouldn't, but Churaka wasn't playing around. He really didn't want any guests at the ancient temple, this is a way for him to get his enemies to lower their guard down. Distracting them with his act of naivety.

"Do you seriously think you can just come here and take my treasure like those civilization of people who used to live on this island?!" Churaka continued, still swinging his mace around like a lunatic.

Both Douma and Chachamaru winced, the ancient civilization that used to inhabit this island. They saw the writings and graphics on the walls. But why did they leave? And how did Churaka end up settling down in this ancient temple? Perhaps this island has more history than everyone thought, it didn't just start with the meteor.

"Churaka, what happened to that civilization?" The blonde asked the giant who stopped swinging his mace when he heard his question.

Surprised by Douma's sudden politeness, Churaka crouched slightly and stared at the angel. Nevertheless, he will answer Douma's question even though they were sworn enemies.

"They used to live here on this island centuries ago, even residing in this temple to keep their precious items. Years later, new communities showed up and the early civilizations passed it down to them. But the very last group took all the relics and artifacts because they believed the civilizations before them had trusted them with it." Churaka explained to Douma and Chachamaru.

"Well that's somewhat true but they never stated their reason for leaving. They just disappeared and were never seen again so I moved in here, alone... But hey at least I don't have to pay rent!"

The treasure shimmering at the corner of Chachamaru's eye caught his attention once again. The major factor was missing in this tale that Churaka was telling them about. "What about the treasure over there." He pointed.

Churaka laughed and flailed his mace at the back of his shoulders. "They forgot about that!"

That explains why this island is so desserted, but why did the bandits choose to set up their camps over here of all places? No doubt they're here for the meteorite but with the dangers lurking about on this island, starting a living here is too much of a risk. It didn't make any sense but Douma wasn't going to question it, the bandits were part of the dangers on the island. 

And they still couldn't get past Churaka despite their numbers. They must really fear this giant.

"Clone Island is a look alike of the other one beside it. At least that's what explorers call it when they were looking for the meteorite," Churaka spoke again. "Now it's filled with those bandits and their pirate activities, they're bad company."

Douma took note of everything Churaka said, the information was significant enough for Atlas to consider. Clone Island's history has finally been dug up after many years of being secluded from research projects because of the lack of evidence regarding the meteor case and the dangers that lured people away.

"Yeah I agree. They got their butts kicked so the treasure is safe now." Chachamaru said, turning slightly to Douma who was well aware of the irony behind his statement.

"Good. They're really annoying! Constantly trying to steal my treasure! I won't allow that to happen!"

"Too bad, cause we're here to take all of it. It's over Churaka." Douma demanded.

"Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Of course that's what everybody wants! Bring it on!" Churaka yelled, raising his giant mace that was a few inches away from touching the ceiling.

Getting into a fighting stance, Douma and Chachamaru got ready as Churaka began charging at them. The two friends ran towards the incoming giant, Douma taking his fan out and Chachamaru unsheathing his claws menacingly.