The Gems of Element

Part 2: Earth Region ~ Chapter VI

'I've been sitting in this crusty cell for an hour.'

Just kidding, it's been 7 minutes. I've been counting the time in my head. It's not the best way to pass the time, but it sure does distract me from the dead rat carcass in the corner. Although with how dark the cell is, the only other thing I can focus on is the sounds of the squeaking of the other rodents who are currently busy devouring each other. 

The one thing that I have no choice but to deal with is the smell. Oh God, the smell is absolutely awful in here. I expected it to smell like blood of course, but instead it smells like moss, sewage, and a dash of rotting bones courtesy of the skeleton hung up on the wall next to me. At first, it was a little bit intimidating I'll admit. I mean, I did nearly faint when I noticed it for the first time coming into the cell. It was the first time I'd ever seen an actual human skeleton, not counting the plastic ones you see in the school lab.

To be honest, I don't know if I'd rather smell blood or this.

"Sir Leon!"

A guard from far away suddenly says. I stand up slowly, not to put too much stress on my back as it's been through enough already. 'RIP my poor back.'

"Where is she being held?"

"Who?"

I walk up to the front of the cell to get a better listen. The second person who is supposedly Leon sighs loudly.

"There is only other one person currently alive in here. I know you saw us come in, so tell me where she is!"

"I- Okay then, she is not far. Come with me and I will take you there."

I hear them approaching me. The echoes of their footsteps get closer to where I'm being held. I'm nervous, but I have to be tough. I hope whoever it is, is really Leon. No matter, I'll be ready. A figure appears around the corner, runs up to the cell door, and unlocks it.

"Lady Sera! Are you alright?" The figure currently obstructed from my vision from the backlighting of the torches says. "We must leave this place immediately. Please, come with me." I couldn't see the person's face from the absolutely trash lighting in this place, but my gut is telling me not to trust him. The man held out his hand for me to take, but hah! I'm not falling for it.

"Who are you?!" I yell at him louder than I expected it to be. He jumps back in surprise, and I do too.

"It's me, Leon. You do not need to be afraid, I'm here to escort you out." The man says slightly shaking his outstretched arm, clearly getting impatient at my hesitance.

"Out? Really?"

I take a moment to consider my next plan of actio- *sniff* All of a sudden the sweet fragrance of the dungeon hits my nostrils once more.'Okay nevermind. I don't care if he really is Leon or not, I'm getting out of here! Hopefully I'm just being paranoid.' I take his hand and he drags me out of the cell, and into the stone corridors of the dungeon. I look back and wave goodbye to my dear friend, the skeleton. I'll never forget him, or her... them. I couldn't really tell, they were a skeleton after all.

The lighting may be terrible down here, but it's enough for me to see the vague outline of the back of his head. The flames from the torches help me make out the brown color of his hair. Although it did make it look slightly yellower from the fiery atmosphere.

After a few short turns and even longer hallways we finally make it to a flight of stairs leading up. We start climbing, but almost immediately I have to take a break. I let go of his hand and put my hands on my knees to rest. My breathing is loud and heavy which I do regret doing because I could taste the smell of the dungeon, it wasn't good. Leon turns to me, or at least I think he does. It's not bright enough for me to be sure, but I think I saw a turning motion he made so he's probably looking at me.