The Arks: Over Heaven (by Ben)

Chapter 43: Skylord

Part 2/3

Waiting for them was a small, narrow walkway made of ice, the middle carved out and missing. It was a bridge to another part of the cavern, and below the bridge were many sharp stalagmites of ice and rock. Sharp and tough, the cavern’s mouth seemed fit to swallow the two if they dared to make a slip up. A cold bead of sweat slowly traveled down Loki’s hairline, and to the bottom of his helmet.

“That’s quite the drop,” Loki said with uncertainty.

“It is,” Mr. Mo replied, eyeing the bridge nervously. It seemed fit to crack and break from the slightest touch.

“Maybe we should turn back. There’s gotta be another way,” Loki insisted, turning around.

“No. We can make that jump,” Mr. Mo barked, his voice hoarse and demanding. Loki turned around to see Mr. Mo run forward.

“Mr. Mo!” Loki cried out as he outstretched his arm.

Mr. Mo bent his knees, and the ice began to crack under his boots. He made one giant leap, his arms up in the air and his head pointed to the ground.

CLUNK!

Mr. Mo landed on the other side effortlessly, not a single step even taken on the bridge. Loki was petrified, his pupils shrinking and shaking.

“Come on. The faster you do it the faster the fear fades,” Mr. Mo said, showing Loki the palm of his hand. Loki blinked his jade green eyes, and they began to scan the jump.

It was far too big to jump with his pure strength, he certainly would not have been able to make the jump. He’d have to cross the bridge.

Loki stepped forward, gently placing a boot on the bridge. It showed no signs of cracking, so Loki proceeded. He placed the other forward, then again, until he reached the end.

Now there was a small jump he’d have to make. Loki shut his eyes, his heart hammering against his chest, telling him to stop. He could feel and hear it in his ears.

Badump, badump, badump!

“Come on… No more holding back,” Loki muttered as his eyes jolted open again. Loki let out a grunt and he jumped forward, his arms flailing in the air, but as he landed on the bridge, the ice cracked, and exploded into a million shards.

“No!” Loki cried, stumbling backward and falling into the void…

Without warning, an arm grabbed his wrist, and Loki was left dangling above the spikes. Mr. Mo’s head peeked from beyond, and Loki let out a sigh of relief. But that sigh of relief turned to anxiety as he could see Mr. Mo’s arm shaking.

“Ugh. You’re a real heavy kid I’ll tell you that,” Mr. Mo grunted. He gripped his wrist as tight as he could.

“Easy, I don’t wanna fall and…” Loki looked down and gulped. He looked back up, and with sudden power Mr. Mo lifted Loki up with a cry. Loki’s body felt lighter.

Mr. Mo grabbed his other wrist and pulled him up, and the two were left sprawled out on the ice. Mr. Mo was breathing heavily, his eyes pale and blue. The blue was slowly starting to fade though.

“Whew. That was- That was close,” Loki said, “Thank you, Mr. Mo. Thank you.”

“You’re right. A bit too close,” Mr. Mo replied, ignoring his gratitude. He sat up and patted the dust off his shoulder. Then, he got on one knee and propelled himself up, raising an arm out for his student.

“Come on. Let’s go.”

The two wander down a thin, narrow, icy pathway until eventually the cavern expanded again. Loki felt fear invade his heart again. It better not have been another thin ice bridge with spikes waiting below.

Luckily, it was something a lot better.

First of all, the cavern was humming with power. Loki could feel his implant humming and vibrating. And so was Mr. Mo’s. Mr. Mo grunted, gritting his teeth and blinking his eyes rapidly.

Scattered throughout the cavern were strange veins made of some black metal, and humming with a blue light. As they hummed, so did the strange artifact in the center of the room. Floating up and down on an obsidian pedestal was a strange object that resembled a wing. It was glowing orange and had some orange light within. It rotated slowly, its power waiting to be used. A beam of light was pouring down onto it, which came from a hole in the ceiling.

“What IS that?” Loki asked, pointing his thumb at the artifact.

“No clue,” Mr. Mo replied honestly. He shrugged, “Why don’t you grab it and find out?”

Loki walked forward and gingerly reached his hand out to touch it.