Chapter 2: Ancestral Cave
Knight Manor, Ireland
Nathan opened his hazel eyes. The sunlight beamed through the window, giving the room light. He was blinded by it and so he used his arm to cover his face. He twisted his head on the side finally lowering his arm.
The place was familiar to him. The patterned wallpaper, the king sized bed, the black curtains and the view of entrance of the manor. It has been 8 months since Nathan was able to sleep in his bedroom.
“I’m…..home?” He whispered to himself.
Suddenly, the doors creaked and a person came in with a big smiling face. Carrying a tray with food, the woman walked gracefully approaching Nathan’s bed. She placed the tray on the bedside table and bent down to give his son a tender welcoming hug.
“Welcome home, my son” Natalie Knight’s voice was like that of an angel’s
“M-mother.” Nathan wrapped his mother around him. He closed his eyes and felt the care that his mother was giving him.
“It’s nice to have you back Nathan. I’ve been worrying about you all this time.”
“That’s okay mother. I’m here now.” Nathan was calm. Then he finally loosened his grip.
“Here’s some breakfast for you. And some Darjeeling Tea too” Nathan’s mother handed the drink to his son.
“What soothing fragrance.” Nathan said as he absorbed the tea’s smell into his nose. After that he took a sip.
“Mother,” Nathan spoke
“Yes my dear?” Natalie replied.
“If you will, can I have some alone time for moment?” Nathan asked his mother.
“Of course my dear, you can.” Natalie kissed his son’s forehead and left the room silently.
Nathan frowned. Even though he was glad to be home, Nathan was still not smiling. His face was still expressionless even though his mother’s feelings were able to reach him.
Opposite to his bed was a portrait of him and Percy. They were wearing green tail coats that were paired with green shorts. In the collar line was a blue bow. Nathan stared at it for seconds and then turned away. What’s that ridiculous picture doing in here? He thought.
Nathan got out of bed. He was wearing sky blue pajamas that were just right size for him. He opened his huge closet and found a lot of expensive clothes and shoes. He grabbed a polo shirt from the hangers, khaki shorts and a pair of rubber slippers. He changed his pajamas and decided to do some strolling around the mansion.
Made during the Victorian era, the Knight manor has been standing firm for more than 70 decades. The foundations were built from stone and every year it receives repairs and check-ups for any cracks and damages. The manor was built at the edge a cliff just above the Antrim shoreline in Northern Ireland. At the entrance are tall metal gates and after passing them there are various plants and flowers that can be seen growing beside the pathway. Around the huge estate is wide grassland in where the cattle gather while below, waves collide with rocks and make loud roars.
Nathaniel walked passed the mansion’s main door and followed a secret trail that was not so secret anymore. It started behind the bushes concealed by the trees leading to the west wall. The rear side of the mansion was forbidden to children since it was dangerous and one might fall off the cliffs with one careless step. There weren’t any back doors built in the mansion and the both sides of the house were constructed with a high concrete wall so no one could pass. Railings made of metal were placed at the overhang just in case someone would be able to find a way at the back.
That rowdy child, making a trail that leads to the back just to get to that mysterious cave. Nathan stopped walking. as he reached the high barricade made of cement. He knelt down the ground and felt the overgrowing grass.
There should be a hidden hole here, that's what Robert told me.
Before leaving the manor for business, Nathan was able to ask Robert, a servant of the house, about the secret path. He found out that it's not the trail that is secret but the hole Percy dug that leads to the opposite side of the wall. Now, Nathan was curious about the cave and since the tides were low and the forecast predicted a fine weather, he was now determine to enter the cave even though he's telling himself not to.
After minutes of touching and feeling the ground, he finally found and opening. It was covered by fake grass but the color was slightly different from the real one. Nathan cleared those and found a round hard lumber. It was placed there tightly by Robert after Percy's accident but with a single hit from Nathan's hand, the seal was broken into pieces.
"Karate could really be useful at these times." Nathan lowered himself inside the hole.
The size of the passageway was really small for Nathan. He considered thinking that Percy did not want adults to fit in the hole and so he made the short tunnel small in order for just kids to fit in and crawl. Nathan started to push himself forward. He tried his best to move but still he had difficulty with his movements. Nathaniel was starting to get irritated by the dirt rubbing on his shirt.
"Seriously, how did Robert get pass here?" Nathan doubt. "Oh yeah, he's a thirteen year old car wash boy. His father must be the one responsible for the seal." As Nathan looked up, he saw light coming from outside. He continued to struggle inside the small hole until finally, he was able to break free.He stood up and stretched his body and then after that, he wiped off his sweat on the forehead.
"I thought I was going to be stuck there for ages." He said as he proceeded to his destination.
The view of the ocean was magnificent. The waters were like glittering diamonds that scattered endlessly throughout the ocean. The seagulls communicated with each other as they flew high above the sea.
This must be the old rope. Nathan thought as he grabbed the dirtied cable. The rope was tied to a rusted iron bar.
Nathan began to pull both sides of the rope to test it's strength. It turned out that it was durable and it could have supported Percy's weight. Also, the tips of the cord didn't snap but it was cut by a something sharp instead. Learning all this, Nathan was surprised and was in disbelief. He stood up and thought of the events that might happened during Percy's death.
Could it be that someone cut the rope? But who would do something evil like that? Nathaniel analyzed all the possibilities and then suddenly it hit him. Robert was the one who found the rope! He would've been the one who cut it. But wait, Robert was Percy's pal. He could never betray my little brother unless...
Nathan was close to a conclusion. He leaned down the railings and searched for the cave. Not far below the cliffs, Nathan spotted an opening.
Unless Robert knew about the cave and the things hidden in it. He wanted to have it and so he killed my brother for him to steal whatever it is. I must get to the bottom of this! Surprisingly, Nathan's attitude changed for a moment. He got the long rope that he was carrying with from the very beginning and started to tie one end on a sturdy tree. He tied the other end around his waist and carefully, he climbed down the slippery cliff.
Honestly, this is so pathetic of me. Why am I even doing this knowing that nothing will change. Curse my soul. Nathan thought while going down.
Finally, Nathaniel was able to set his foot on the sand. It was his first time going down the cliffs. He dipped his feet in the water and to him it felt good. Nathan began approaching the dark entrance. He walked cautiously, wondering what might be hidden inside the huge cave.
Suddenly, Nathan felt pain on his right foot. He looked down and saw his foot bleeding. Something hidden from the sand wounded him and so Nathan knelt down and began to dig. Moments later, something cold touch his hand. He cleared out the sand to see what it is and later, he found something that looks like a black knife. The blade was shaped like a diamond and it had four edges. The handle was wrapped in white clothing and it seemed a little rusted.
"What is this thing" Nathan had never seen anything like it.
He picked up the unusual knife and continued to head on the cave. As he reached the entrance pitch black entrance, he took every single step with prudence. The cave was dark inside so Nathan switched on his mini flashlight that he got as a souvenir from one of his business trips. He walked through the darkness and the steep path. He had been walking for hours and yet there was nothing interesting that showed.He reached a small tunnel and crawled until he stood up and stopped at a particular room that amazed him.
At one wall of the cave was an engraved family tree. Nathan moved closer to it so he could read the words clearly. As he read on until the bottom, he was shocked by what it really was. These are generations of the Knight! Percy and me are even here. Nathan was fascinated.
He beamed his flashlights to different directions and found several old chests and trunks. To his curiosity, he opened them and found some unbelievable treasures.
"This is impossible!" He said in total disbelief. "All of these are the family's keepsakes. Gold, diamonds, faded photographs, antique instruments, how did they all got here.? This must be what Percy was telling me about." Nathan's eyes were wide open.
He never thought that this cave was a place in where his ancestors would store all there precious items. Since the room was far from the only entrance, even if the cave was submerged in water, the place would not be completely flooded. If a lot of people knew about this place, many would venture out and steal these items and so only a number of people were told about it.
Nathan sat at a damp stone and waited for himself to be calm. Just then, out of the blue. The weird knife floated out of his pocket and started on glowing.
"Wh-what's happening in here?!" He was surprised of the glowing knife.
Then, the cloth that covered the handle loosened itself and weird markings were revealed to be written on the handle. The markings glowed even more and then suddenly, a purple colored vortex appeared in front of Nathan's eyes. All Nathan could do was stare with astonishment,he was unable to move. Then the vortex got bigger and without prior knowledge, Nathan got sucked in.
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