The Mines (Part 2)

Kael followed Rykor down a narrow tunnel. Drops of water periodically fell from the ceiling and landed on his hair and face. 

His hair, already damp with sweat, clung to his forehead as the tunnel narrowed further, forcing them to walk in single file.

The walls were rough, cold stone, but somehow, the air inside the mine was thick with moisture, making it feel as if the very walls were closing in on him. Each breath felt like it was heavier than the last. 

"We're almost there," Ryker called back. "Try to keep up. If you get lost in these tunnels, you might never make it out."

Kael shuddered at the thought and jogged to catch up.

Just when he thought their trek would never end, the narrow tunnel opened up into a vast cavern. The space was enormous, far larger than he could have imagined would exist underneath a mountain.

Glowing stones embedded in the ceilings cast an eerie blue-green light across the cavern, creating shifting shadows that seemed to pulse in rhythm with Kael's heartbeat.

And in the center of it all, nearly thirty people had gathered. 

Some were seated on carved stone chairs, their tired eyes staring blankly into the glowing light, while others lay sprawled out beneath rough blankets on the floor, the hollow rise and fall of their chests the only sign of life.

"This is where you'll be doing all of your work. We've found multiple obsidian veins in this area over the past few years. It's proved great for morale," Ryker explained.

"How long will we be down here?"

"Once the royals have their quota. Who knows when that'll be. Might take the rest of our lives."

Kael stopped in his tracks. "I…I can't stay here for that long."

"Ryker!" A voice called out. "Who's the newborn?"

A woman stepped from the darkness, her presence immediately commanding attention. Her long brown hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, moving with fluid grace as she pivoted to face him. Kael's heart skipped a beat. She was unlike anyone he had seen in the mines—there was an air of quiet authority about her.

"His name's Kael Duskborne," Ryker said, grinning. 

"That's a creative name," she said, giving him a side-eyed glance.

"Exactly what I said," Ryker chuckled. "Newborn's getting two names now? Never thought I'd see the day."

She turned to study him fully. Her eyes, a vivid shade of purple, caught him off guard. The color was both unnatural and beautiful, standing out in stark contrast to the dull, monotonous environment around them. It seemed both unnatural and beautiful. 

"Well, Kael Duskborne," she said, finally breaking the silence, her voice silky but firm. "Let's see if you're as interesting as your name suggests. I'm Elysia. Don't forget it."

"I-I won't," he stammered. 

"I'll help him get settled in. Show him what's what." Ryker gave Kael a clap on the back and pulled him away from the woman.

"Who was that?" He asked in a hushed whisper, once they were out of earshot.

"Elysia? Yeah she does that sometimes. Gets you all jittery and nervous. But she's our leader down here, don't forget to show her that respect."

As they moved deeper into the makeshift camp, Kael's mind raced. There was something off about Elysia—something hidden beneath her calm exterior that made his instincts scream for him to be cautious. But what was it? Just the strange eyes?

"Here is our current vein," Ryker said, pointing. He ran a finger against the smooth black rock. "In less than an hour everyone else will be awake, and we'll get to work harvesting."

"Who are we harvesting all of this for? Who are those royals that you mentioned?"

"The genetically superior. Their bodies were crafted to perfection. Beings with powers, I've heard. In short, they're people we don't wanna upset."

"What kind of powers?"

Ryker shrugged. "No clue. Never seen 'em. That's just the rumor though."

"So we're just supposed to keep mining this stuff for them?" Kael asked, his voice more serious now. "And they never show their faces?"

Ryker's laugh was low and humorless. "They don't need to show their faces. The royals don't come down here. They send their officials. We don't even get to see 'em. All we get are orders and quotas. And it's best if we meet those quotas. If you don't follow orders down here, well…." He trailed off, the threat hanging in the air, heavy and unspoken.

"Gotcha," Kael said. "We don't wanna find out."

"I sure don't," Ryker chuckled. "I'm perfectly happy down here. All my years of mining have made my body strong as stone. With each shipment of obsidian comes a new shipment of food and fresh water. I've never gone a day without a full stomach."

Kael's stomach chose that exact moment to rumble loudly, as if to punctuate Ryker's words. He grinned awkwardly. "Speaking of…"

Ryker's eyes widened in exaggerated understanding. "Right, of course. I'll make sure you get something to eat. Can't have you starving and weak down here. You'll need your strength to survive down here. Come on."