All characters in this story are over 18
"I think we should turn back now," Alex said nervously. They had been walking through caves for the last hour, and he was scared they were already lost.
"Are you kidding," Jason said from up ahead, "we've come this far, why would we turn back now?"
"Because I think we're lost," Alex insisted, "if we get stuck down here we could die."
"Nobody is going to die Alex," Maggie said, and Jason and Chris both laughed, "Chris has been marking every turn, right Chris?"
"Ya, I still know where we are," Chris said, while staring into his notebook, "we're about to be right under the main hall."
"What do you think these caves were used for?" Maggie asked, knowing Chris would know the answer.
"Probably for lots of things," Chris answered on queue, "most likely they were used for secret transportation during wartimes, or refuge."
"When did they stop using them?" Alex asked, apparently moving on from his concerns.
"When the castle was abandoned is my guess," Chris answered, "so about five hundred years ago."
"Whoa guys, check this out," Jason shouted from up ahead. The others all rushed forward to see what he had found. They entered a circular room with a low ceiling, and a large round stone table in the center.
"Wow," Chris said as he walked over to the table, "this must have been a sacrificial chamber. They probably came down here to do secret meetings and other nefarious gatherings."
"Cool," Maggie said excitedly. Chris leaned over and began inspecting the table carefully while Alex and Maggie watched. Jason was circling the room, looking for anything interesting.
"Look here," Chris said, and shone a light on the side of the stone, "you can see where they used to strike the stone."
"Wait," Alex said, taking a step back from the table, "did people die in here?"
"Most likely," Chris answered in a businesslike tone.
"Like they were killed, in here?" Alex said, clearly disgusted by the thought.
"Most likely yes," Chris nodded, "I would guess that they used to sacrifice people on this very table. Look, you can see the stone is darker over here, that could be from blood."
"Ugh, can we please get out of here," Alex pleaded.
"Quit being such a sissy," Maggie told him. "This place is cool. Besides, what are you afraid of, ghosts?"
"As a matter of fact, I am," Alex nodded.
"Hey guys check this out," Jason said, and Chris and Maggie hurried over, "I think there might be a secret compartment behind this stone."
"How can you tell," Chris asked, looking the stone over and seeing nothing unusual.
"Here, watch the light," Jason said, and slowly brought his flashlight across several stones, ending on the one he was pointing to. Maggie didn't see anything, but Chris had got it.
"The edges," Chris said excitedly, "you're right, there is something back there. Let's try to open it."
"Wait, you guys," Alex said nervously, "I really don't think we should be doing this. We aren't supposed to disturb anything remember."
"Relax, Alex," Jason sighed as he moved his hands over the stone, "we're not going to get in any trouble, I mean does it look like anyone takes care of this place to you?"
"Still, we have no idea what's back there," Alex whined, "what if it's a head or something?"
"That would be pretty awesome Alex," Maggie said, and Jason laughed again, "now shut up and let us work." Alex began pacing back and forth while the other three looked for the hatch. After more than twenty minutes, they were all getting frustrated.
"Ok, you tried," Alex said, "now can we please leave."
"No," Chris said angrily, "we need to open this, now if you're going to keep whining this whole time why don't you just head back by yourself."
"No," Alex said in a high-pitched voice, "I mean, I don't have the map, you do."
"Well, then, just stop whining," Chris sighed, "why don't you try looking around, maybe there's something we missed."
They continued searching for a way in for nearly an hour. They were all sweating and panting from the lack of air. Chris knew they would have to leave soon no matter what, but he was determined to get into the secret hatch. Jason was still moving his hands along the hidden stone, when he let out a hiss, and removed his hand quickly. Everyone walked over, and saw that he had a deep cut on his right hand. It was already dripping blood, and Chris brought out his little first aid kit. He tied Jason's hand, but he knew it needed real medical attention.
"Ok, now we're leaving," Alex said forcefully, "seriously guys, that cut needs stitches, and its going to take a while just to get out of here. I know you want to get in there, but we have to go."
"I know," Chris said dejectedly, "we'll just have to come back another time."
"Wait," Jason said, and walked over to the stone. He wiped his bloody hand along the stone, leaving a dark blackish looking mark on its face. "So we remember which one it is," he said, and started walking back. All of a sudden there was a metallic click, and the stone popped forward, and fell onto the dirt.
"Whoa," Jason said slowly.
"Holy shit," Maggie said, "did that thing just open because of the blood?"
"Fascinating," Chris said, and hurried over to the stone.
"Guys, we have to go," Alex said, his face white as a sheet, "I mean it."
"For Christ sake Alex, do you have any idea what we just found?" Chris said as he turned the stone over. "My god, it's a teftstone," he said, as much to himself as anyone else, "these are just from legends, no one has ever seen one before."
"What is it," Maggie asked, sounding more nervous than she had before.
"I'm not totally sure," Chris said, "I know they're supposed to respond to the elements. But there are also legends of all kinds of black magic being involved."
"Seriously," Alex whined, "can we please leave the black magic blood rock alone and leave, Jason is still bleeding."
"I'm fine Alex," Jason said, examining the hole in the wall, "you need to see this Chris." He reached in, and carefully brought out a buddle of black cloths rolled together.
"Oh wow," Chris said, taking the buddle with delicate hands.
"What do you think it is?" Maggie asked breathlessly.
"I don't know," Chris said, and began unrolling the cloths.
"Stop!" Alex shouted, and they all flinched, "you are not opening that thing down here, no way, absolutely not. You can take it with you if you want, but you're not opening it down here."
"Maybe Alex is right," Maggie said.
"Ok fine," Chris said, and folded the cloth over again, "we'll take it with us."
"Thank you," Alex said with a deep sigh of relief, "does that mean that we can go now?" Chris put the folded bundle under his arm, and they left the chamber room. It took them over an hour to make it back to the surface, and they were all exhausted by the time they made it.
The first thing they did was drive Jason to the nearest hospital. It turned out he needed nearly a dozen stitches, and would be there for several hours. The other three headed down the street to a little café. They ordered coffee, and Chris brought out the bundle. He began to unfold it again, and Alex stopped him.
"What if its something bad?" Alex said nervously.
"Like what," Chris asked, "its too small to be a head, it looks like it could be a book of some kind."
"Well that could be bad," Alex said, "I mean it must have been buried in a wall in a cave for a reason right?"
"Why don't you go check on Jason then," Chris said, "because I'm going to open this and see what we've found." Alex looked none too comforted, but he stayed. Chris carefully unfolded the layers of black cloth. As he unfurled the last piece, the thick black leather face of a book appeared. There was a sun shaped symbol in the center, though it was as black as the rest of the book, and there were several black markings at the top.
"I don't like this," Alex whined, "that book looks evil."
"Excuse me," Chris said to a man sitting at a nearby table, "my French is not so good, could you please help me translate these words here." He showed the man the book, and the man took a long scrutinizing look.
"I am sorry," the man said in a thick French accent, "that is not French. Perhaps it is Latin."