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Snippet #2820983

located in Cairo, Egypt, a part of Gods Among Us: Reborn, one of the many universes on RPG.

Cairo, Egypt

None

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Tarren Havenfield Character Portrait: Soledad De Leon
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Tarren Havenfield
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Host of Anubis | Song | outfit | #575772
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Always had a fear of being typical
Looking at my body feeling miserable
Always hanging on to the visual
I wanna be invisible

Looking at my years like a martyrdom
Everybody needs to be a part of 'em
Never be enough, I'm the prodigal son
I was born to run, I was born for this
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The two of them had been walking down the rather small passageway for what felt like forever, but Tarren knew it couldn't have been for more than five minutes. While they didn't talk much, aside from the occasional 'You hear something?' or a curse at the presence of a sudden insect. There was something oddly calming about the whole ordeal, even if the possible prospect of dying in an ancient crypt was looming over them, at least Tarren wasn't alone. That was a plus at the very least. Tarren barely even realized that Sol was still holding onto their arm, only noticing when they felt a slight pressure. Looking over at All with a raised eyebrow. "It'll be okay." Tarren reassured her, giving a small smile. "We'll find a way out of here and, never have to be in this damn place ever again. And I may just kill Price when all of this is over. they grumbled.

Stepping a bit away from Sol, Tarren shone the flashlight along one of the walls, their fingers barely skimming over the old stone. Making sure not to repeat what happened in the other room. Their eyes scanned over the strange markings, only stopping to look at Sol as she walked up beside them. Tarren gave them a quizzical look, but before either one could speak, there was a low rumble coming from up ahead, Tarren listened intently, their eyes widening as they realized that something was coming towards them. And at a rapid rate. Looking back at Sol, they acted on instinct and pushed her backwards in a small alcove that was tucked away in the wall, using their body to shield whatever was approaching from the hall. In doing so, Tarren dropped the torch, the light faded and there was the sound of something all too large steam-rolling through the passage way. Tarren held their breath, keeping their eyes locked on Sol who was further in the alcove. But just barely. It turned out to not be as big of a space as Tarren anticipated, and was just barely enough room for the two of them. Tarren had practically collided with Sol, but kept her far away enough that if anything happened to them, she'd be fine.

After a few moments passed, and whatever it was came and went. Silence filling the air once more. Other than the sound of heavy breathing from the both of them. Ren waited a few more moments before speaking up again. "You alright?" Ren asked, they were able to discern how she was from the slight shaking of her body before she spoke. Vocalizing she was more or less fine. It was still too dark to entirely reassure themself that she was okay, but Tarren had to trust her. They looked around, and felt around for something. Anything at all around them to help locate the torch. But to no avail.

Ren took a few steps back, attempting to get enough room to look through their backpack for the other flashlight. But it was barely ten seconds after doing so, there was another rumble below their feet, which shook the old stone, and a large wall shot up between the two. Entirely separating Sol from Tarren. "Sol?? Sol!! Are you okay?!" they shouted. Not sure how thick the stone exactly was that now stood between them. Tarren went silent to hopefully hear confirmation from Soledad. And thankfully, after a few more seconds. They could hear Sol yell something back in return. Just not exactly sure what was said. "I'm gonna try to find a way back to you, okay? I promise! I'm gonna find you!" Tarren shouted one more time. Their voice shook for the first time, noticing their hands were also shaking slightly. They took a few deep breaths before turning back around to face the hallway from where they came. But what they could make out in the darkness, that wasn't the case. "What the fuckā€¦?" they mumbled.

Tarren felt around their environment feebly, hoping to find something to help figure a proper way out. The sudden wall that rose, dividing them from Sol had closed off any source of light on their end. Remembering they had a lighter in their pocket, Ren retrieved it, using the flame to guide their way. Keeping another hand on the wall, stopping as they felt something metallic hit their hand. With furrowed brows, Tarren looked to see a single, actual torch, propped against the wall.

Retrieving it, Tarren placed the torch against the lighter, hoping it may catch alight. Sure enough, it did. perfect. It was only now with the help and aid of the torch they were able to see around them more clearly. Strange markings and imagery spread across the chamberā€™s walls. Some of them appeared familiar, but still holding that unfamiliarity of them. Continuing on, Tarren had found themself going down a small corridor, that was just barely wide enough for one person to walk through comfortably.

The air was entirely still aside from the sound of their own footsteps, the sound of the fire crackling from the torch they held, and their own heartbeat that sounded like it was pounding in their ears. Pressing onward, the wallway came to a sudden stop, more markings along the end.

Tarren knelt down to try to make out the strange markings, this time it was specifically imagery with no text. But there was still some strange grooves that ran along the wall. It was what appeared to be a small basin about halfway along the wall from the floor. Roughly where Renā€™s hands would be. Studying the wall, the grooves continued downward before stopping. All along the way, it seemed to resemble a pipe-like fixture, leading from a sink. At least itā€™s what reminded Tarren of. Looking it over one more time with a quizzical expression. Studying the images one more time, it slowly became clear to Ren for what this was. A puzzle.

Did it lead out somewhere? Offer up something in turn of completing it? Anything could have been possible at this point. Placing the torch along a mantle on the wall, Tarren retrieved the book from earlier. Skimming through the pages until they found something. After a few minutes, Tarren landed on a page that looked similar to the images they were looking at now.

Offer up part of one self, may you pass onward when the deed is done. the script in the book read. Tarrenā€™s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Pausing for a moment, before finally looking at the basin properly, within the center of this stone-line formation, was a drain.

Offer up a part of one selfā€¦, Tarren repeated in their mind. Trying to think of what this meant. Tarrenā€™s eyes were transfixed on the object that laid before them, tracing the outline of the fixture once more, observing where the small pipeline ran off too again. It was then that Tarren noticed it. Another indentation alongside the pipe that ledā€¦somewhere. Right?

ā€Offer up a part of yourselfā€¦ā€ Tarren mused once more aloud.

Pausing for a moment, before Tarren reached into the side pocket of the backpack, retrieving a medium sized switchblade. No harm in at least trying, right? After taking a deep breath, Ren open the switchblade and brought their left hand up, looking down at their palm, then the knife.

ā€One way to find outā€¦ā€ Tarren mumbled aloud, before taking the knife and quickly bringing it across the palm of their hand, and then turning it as they squeezed to empty the blood into the small basin that sat before them. Hoping and praying to whatever existed that this would work. After a few moments, there was what sounded like muffled shuffling and sliding behind the stone-wall. Gears? Tarren questioned. There was a small rumble, and the end of the pathway slowly opened up, revealing the continuation of the hallway.

Taking a moment to realize it had worked, a small grin appeared on their face before a burning sensation started in their left handing. Remembering what Tarren had done, they rifled through their backpack, retrieving the roll of gauze and a bottle of water. Tarren first washed the blood away, and then quickly bound their left hand. They still had three-thirds of the roll left. Good to know.

Turning back to face the remainder of the hallway, Tarren took a deep breath, and continued on.

---

It must have been hours later, as Tarren was still walking down this small hallway. Beginning to think that this must have been some endless hallway as part of their purgatory, right? This must have been what this all was. Some sort of demented afterlife. If they had actually died, and this was it, it only felt fitting. To traverse the rest of their immortal existence, alone and going nowhere. Why in death would anything have been the opposite? Only felt justifiable to them.

Just a little more. This canā€™t go on forever, right?[i] Tarren thought to themself. There had to be some end in sight. And that was when it finally happened. Another dead end of the corridor.

ā€Youā€™ve got to be fucking with me.ā€ they groaned, looking up at the wall in front of them. ā€This canā€™t be the end, right? I...I canā€™t die in here. I canā€™t. Not like this.ā€

Tarren pressed their forehead against the wall in front of them, closing their eyes as they did so, ā€If there is anyone listening...Please...Donā€™t let this be the end. I can't go out like this. Not without saying goodbye...Please.ā€ Tarrenā€™s voice broke towards the end, defeat slipping way.

Silence filled the hallway once more as Tarren tried to think of anything to say or do in hopes of getting out of this hell hole. It was only upon reopening their eyes, that it hit them. Gone were the walls of the small hallway. As well as the wall in front of them. Tarren now found themself in a large, mostly empty chamber. Looking around to gain their barings, they realized this was more of some underground cave than any of the chambers and crypts they had been in prior to this very moment.

ā€Hello??ā€ Tarren called, even though they knew this was futile. Their voice echoed within the cave. Knowing it was pointless, as well as best to keep their energy they remained silent.

Taking a few steps ahead, they realized not only were they in some cave, but it was a subterranean lake. Looking down the small ledge of stone they were on, down below was a large expanse of water that separated their side of the room from the other. ā€This is just lovelyā€¦ā€

Tarren noticed a small outcrop of stone that led into the water of the shallow side of the lake, before dropping into deeper waters. Slowly and carefully, Tarren made their way down the slope. Deciding to let themself drop roughly three feet down from where they stood. The sound of crunching stone beneath their feet didnā€™t provide any comfort to them.

Looking around and after dusting themself off, Tarren made their way towards the small outlet of stone. From the placement they found themself, the chamber seemed to be smaller than they expected, but still much larger than they had anticipated. Looking into the lake, if Tarren had to guess, the deepest part of the lake could have been anywhere from fifteen to twenty feet deep. Just fuckinā€™ perfect.

Ever since the accident that happened when Ren was a child, with their father falling asleep that nearly resulted in Tarren drowning, they never learned how to properly swim. The fear and trauma they endured that day had kept Tarren from any large body of water. Mainly lakes, rivers, but especially the god damn ocean. [i]Fuck all of that.


Letting out a soft sigh, Tarren continued to look around the chamber, there was nothing on either side, until they focused on the other wall. Across the lake, there appeared to be a door. Where did it lead? Better to be to god damn Narnia. They hated everything about this. Being underground, with a lake, and being who knows the fuck where now, didnā€™t make this whole ordeal any less bad. Not knowing if this was some sick game devised by the school or whatever, all Tarren wanted was to be out. Even if it meant a daily grade.

It was only when looking back at the lake again, that Tarren saw it. Something appeared to be shimmering below the surface. Well below the surface, they mused. Maybe it was a piece of this puzzle, or something? Or just a trick of the eyes. Tarren had been stuck underground for who knows how long at this point, and all they wanted was to get the fuck up out of here. Fuck all of this. They already regretted coming along when they first heard about this whole trip, and now they really regretted it.

Tarren knew full well, that they couldnā€™t give up now. They just had to push forward. But getting into that water would be the most difficult part. Going against their better judgement, Tarren removed their boots, leaving them next to their backpack after they shrugged it off. Placing it down on the small outlet of the stone floor. For but a moment, Tarren dipped their foot into the water, just barely breaking the surface.

Expecting the water to be naturally cold, seeing as they were underground. But pleasantly and curiously enough to their surprise, the water was warm. Thankfully it was entirely crystal clear, and Tarren could see the bottom from where they were at. There wasnā€™t any creatures or even fish in the water, which on one hand made sense, but was somehow even more unnerving.

Tarren let their feet wade in the water, growing accustomed to it. Before slowly slipping into the lower end, letting their body submerge up into their shoulders. They could go this far, it wasnā€™t so bad. Right? It may as well have been the best time to teach themself how to swim, right? No no one to embarrass themself in front of. Or, things could go entirely wrong and theyā€™d drown. No one would be the wiser. And in that moment, Tarren didnā€™t know what one would be the less wanted option.

But, letting out a small sigh, and stretching a bit, Tarren began to wade back and forth through the water. Growing accustomed to the more shallow end as they spent roughly twenty or so minutes practicing taking laps back and forth the widened stretch of the shallow end of the lake.

After they felt comfortable and secure enough, to at least even attempt to make the dive, they slowly swam over to where they remembered seeing, well, whatever it was below the surface. Taking a deep, steady breath, Tarren finally took the literal plunge and dove down. They didnā€™t know what surprised them more, the fact they could see perfectly fine underwater, or the fact that they could see more clearly now than they ever could before. But now wasnā€™t the time to focus on that, moving further down into the water they pushed.

Deeper and deeper they pushed through the water. It felt almost like an eternity, before finding themself half way down. They knew at this point, theyā€™d run out of air before reaching the bottom. Tarren took a moment to collect themself, and let their body sink like a rock allowing their dead way to take them down. Once they felt something hit their feet, Ren opened their eyes once more, seeing a small object partially obscured by the sand on the bottom of the lakeā€™s floor.

Reaching forward, their fingers wrapped around a small, orb like shape, pulling it up. To only see what looked like a chain was looped around a small ringlike fixture that supported the object. Instinctively, Tarren put the object around their neck, seeing as it appeared like a necklace and pushed themself back up to the surface.

Once Tarren finally broke through the surface of the water, taking a large intake of breath. Tarren felt like their entire body would go weak any moment, but they managed to doā€¦it? Whatever it was to even begin with. Remembering the chain around their neck, they looked down now that they were above the surface. It must have been some sort of artifact, but it didnā€™t look like it belonged in this sort of culture.

Tarren shifted onto their back in the water, and swam back to the little outcrop where they had put their things, and pulled themself out and onto the stone floor with whatever remaining strength they had left. Tarren had all but sunk onto the stone floor as their back collided with it. Finally feeling like they could breath

It finally hit them, Tarren had finally overcame their fear of the water, however adrenaline induced it was. They did it. ā€Suck on that one, Scott.ā€ Tarren forced out with a chuckle, still taking deep breaths to recompose themself after that whole ordeal. Tarren just laid there for a few minutes, letting their body come back down from the adrenaline rush. Sitting back up, Tarren looked around, knowing full theyā€™d have to swim over across the lake to even inspect the door. ā€Fuck meā€¦ā€ they mumbled out in annoyance. Slowly pulling themself up to their feet, Tarren grabbed their backpack, immediately regretting having to swim across the way with it. But in the end, they did it.

Somehow, Tarren managed to keep the backpack above the water as they made their way across the way. Tossing the backpack onto the solid ground on the other side. Seeing the door was only a few feet from where the start of this side of the chamber was. Pulling themself out, Tarren made their way over to the door-shaped structure. There was no normal doorknob or means of opening it.

All that there was, was a small indentation where a doorknob would be. Puzzled for a moment, Tarren examined the whole wall more closely, being sure to rest their left hand as it still ached. That would come back to bite them in the ass somehow. Tarren just had a feeling.

After a few minutes, Tarren had an idea. Taking the chain from around their neck, they looked at the objected on more time, before looking back at the indentation. After a bit of toying with it, Tarren was able to force the small orb-like object from the outer ring that held to the chain, and placed it within the indentation. There was silence, before a low rumble and a faint blue-white light from the orb.

It lasted only a moment, but it was just as soon was over. There was a soft click and the orb popped out, Tarren just managed to catch it in their hand, and placed it back within the metal ring. Putting it back on, Ren kept it close and picked up their backpack, putting it on as they looked on ahead, another hallway opening up before them.

Tarren took a deep breath, stabilizing themself, and pressed forward. Following wherever this new hall led them to. At this point, they were following everything blindly, hoping it would lead them somewhere back to the others. Anything was better than being alone for the rest of well...Whatever this was...