Is this the place?
Yes, the trapdoor is under those stones.
Then let’s do it
The two foxes then set to work, removing stone by stone the debris covering the wooden trapdoor.
Oh, and thanks for collecting my tools
You wanted them
Sure, but uh, thanks the same.
No problem. Take the cost of your tools out of my share.
The fox looked at her for a moment, unsure of what to say. Or even if he should answer, but she just kept working, continuing to remove rock after rock. Seeing that it didn't seem to be a suggestion, but more of an order, he shrugged, getting back to work as well.
It wasn't too hard to get them?
No, it wasn't too deep
I wouldn't have thought you get wet for me
He said just before receiving a clod of dirt right in the head. Surprised by this sneak attack, he dropped the rock he had just lifted and fell backwards into the tall grass. Rubbing his face, he pulls the earth from it.
Ok, ok. I get it. Let's say I didn't say anything
The vixen stops working to looks at him
What did you say?
He rolls his eyes, while she laughs. Getting back to work
And what exactly do you think we will find under there?
The way to make some of that magic latern oil
He says as he removes the last stone blocking the hatch. Now free of the heavy stones blocking it, he bent down to pull the rope that served as a handle.
With a heavy creak, the trapdoor opened with difficulty. The joints rusted and creaked until the trapdoor was finally fully open, leaning against a rock in an open position, revealing an old, broken and dusty staircase leading to what appeared to be a storage space. The bottom was flooded, water had seeped in and created a small basin covering the last wooden step. From this position, the fox could see two skeletons bathing in the shallow water. It was obvious that no-one had been here for a very long time and that they had been lying there for hundreds of years.
There are dead bodies at the bottom of the steps...
And blood against the trapdoor
Said the vixen, pointing at the marks, causing the fox to look up.
Dry up. What happened in there?
No idea, but if you wanted to know. It's a good time
The fox looks at the corpses a little uncertain.
Well... Women first?
The vixen chuckles, crossing her arms
Exactly, go ahead.
He sighs before muttering to himself
A guy tries...
He stands up and stares into the depths of the cavern, motionless, attentive. A strange feeling came over him as he looked at the corpses at the foot of the stairs. A few seconds passed in silence, then a minute of listening. Passively waiting for one of the skeletons to come to life, but nothing happened. There was only the sound of drops of water coming from the cave and the wind in the trees. Until the vixen got impatient and said in the same tone.
Are you waiting to take root?
No, no, I'm going.
replied the fox in a worried tone.
Well, when you have to go...
he whispered as he put his first foot on the step, which cracked instantly, causing him to step back and the vixen to growl.
You go or I'll throw you down! Your choice!
Ok! Ok! Roh...
He put his foot back on the step, but this time he put it on the edge, close to the supports. Again, the board creaked, threatening to fall, but it was more stable than is first try. So he put on the second step and then went down one step and then another. Slowly but surely, the fox reached the bottom of these in a long process of positioning.
See, you didn’t die!
Said the vixen as she stood over the trapdoor.
Thank you, Cynv. Very reassuring...
He said with a sigh
It's Cynvia and what do you see in there?
The fox took a few moments to look at the room he had just entered. The room wasn't very big. There were lots of wooden crates and other storage, but what attracted the fox was the strange cross erected in one corner. A skeleton was still attached to it. Still in that lovely armor that had survived the test of time. At the foot of the cross, a box lay at the bottom of the water, completely covered in semi-transparent liquid.
Hmm... It's dark... It's got a lot of web. And another corpse with a beautiful suit of armor. He's tied up... wait, he's got something under his feet... it looks like a...
With that, the trap door slammed shut. The vixen, surprised, fell on her back while the fox quickly turned his head towards the trapdoor, his voice filled with concern
Cynv! What's happened? Why is the trapdoor closed!
I don't know, a draught probably...
Oh... O.. Ok, Ok..
He turned to continue observing, but it was at this moment that a very light and sweet melody was heard, accompanied by a bluish glow. The fox couldn't believe what he was seeing. There was no corpse on the cross, but a reptilian apparition, surrounded by two translucent individuals. The rest of the room had also changed. The skeletons that lay at the foot of the stairs were now absent. So were the accumulated water and cobwebs, while the writings erased by time were now clearly visible on the walls.
Faced with this scene, the fox was stunned. With his mouth slightly open, he tried to understand what had just happened, but he had no time to do anything before he heard a female voice echoing through the room. It didn't seem to be coming from the female form, but rather from the room itself, echoing distantly under each sentence.
We can't do this...
In a tone of anger, a male voice then took the place of the female voice. Resounding in the room and in the fox's ears
We've got no choice!
The fox, panicking, drew his weapon, pointing it at the strange sight in front of him.
Hurry up! Something's going on here!
But the vixen couldn't open the trapdoor. She tried to pull and pull, but nothing happened. This one wouldn't move a inch.
I'm trying, but it's stuck!
The male voice fell silent and gave way to the female voice, her concern weighing on the fox.
I'm sure there is another solution. He's our friend after all...
The fox's eyes were fixed on the scene before him. He couldn't make any sense of it, despite the words, nothing was moving, none of the strange ghostly figures show any movement. They were frozen in place.
Our friend? Don't be ridiculous, he's just like the others!
replied the male voice firmly, forcefully. Causing the fox's fangs to gnash.
Hurry Cyn! Open up! Please!
But nothing happened, the vixen continued without pause, without letting up, but the trapdoor wouldn't listen.
That's not true! He's helped us many times and you know it. We can’t kill him. There must be another option, we just have to find it.
Retorted the female voice, filled with sorrow. Grief that made the fox take a step back.
Another option? Don't be stupid! We've tried everything! There hasn't been any sun for months and no ship can make it a few metres through the water without the creature destroying it! And I'm not even talking about the sick fish we keep catching! Each one is stranger than the next! No, we're running out of time. We've got to sort this out today before it comes back or we all starve to death!
said the male voice in a burst of impatience and anger that made the fox shake his head in refusal.
Vix! I can't open the trap door! Get away from it! I'll try something else!
But the fox didn't answer her, he was lost, completely absorbed in the strange conversation.
I know. But there must be another way... We can try throwing the box into the sea again. The last few times it seemed to calm him down...
Said the female voice calmly, almost timidly. Slightly cut off by the distant sound of a sword striking something solid.
Again? How many times are you going to do that! Every time the box comes back to us! Whether it's on a beach or in our nets, he sends it back to us! No, there's something missing for him to accept it and forgive us!
Says the male voice, carried away in a rage. Causing the fox to crinkle his eyes, carried away by the same emotion
Maybe.. but covering the box with blood?... No.. I.. I can't do it.
Mutters the female voice, visibly beaten. The fox imitating her. Ears lowered and tail between his legs
Then give me the knife, I'll take care of it
Says the male voice with determination, but on these last words. The strange shapes disappeared, as did the music, returning the cellar to the way it was when the fox arrived. There was no trace of the event that just occurred. Everything was back to normal. The bluish light had disappeared, the skeleton in armor was tied back in place, while the other two were back at the bottom of the steps, soaking in the same water they'd been in for years. The walls, worn again, the writing on the walls, rendered illegible by time. The only thing that didn't seem to have changed was the music box still lying in the water. Exactly in the same place, flawless, without a trace of time. It was at this very moment that a sword broke through the trapdoor, leaving a hole through which the vixen took the opportunity to bend over and look through.
Ahh! At last! Vix! Are you all right down there?
But he didn't answer, and she squinted, not understanding. She saw nothing but the fox standing there. Sword in hand, motionless, and the two skeletons he had mentioned at the bottom of the stair. He didn't look wounded, he didn't look exhausted by a fight either. He was simply. Motionless and silent
Ok? Wait for me, I'm coming...
This time, she grabbed the rope again and pulled to open the trapdoor. It finally open, creaking as it did the first time. The vixen didn't take the time to descend gently as her predecessor had done. She simply jumped down, her weapon still in hand as she looked around for a threat, but saw none. Turning to the fox, she asked him
What happened? Why did you scream like that?
The fox, who was still staring at the wooden cross, didn't react.
Hey? Vix? Hello? Are you alright? The darkness didn't break you too much?
But she got no answer from him. Seeing him still staring at the old wooden cross despite these questions, she lost patience and grabbed him by the clothes to shake him. Trying to make him come to his senses.
Hey! Vix! I'm here! Wake up!
She was about to slap him when he finally regained consciousness.
Ahh no let go of me!
He shouted, pushing firmly at the vixen, who let him willingly, taking a few steps backwards to absorb the momentum.
Vix? Are you alright?
She said worriedly, her eyes squinting.
What's happened here?
The fox was a little further away, against a wooden crate, breathing rapidly as he caught his breath, his eyes staring into a empty space.
Cynv...I... I don't know... I... I don't feel well...
He leans against the wooden crate. His eyes staring at the water at his feet
Ok? Erm... Do you want some water? Maybe something to eat?
He shake his head
Well.. er, all right.. Just, stay there and I'll take a look around to see if there is anything useful...
Not knowing what else to do, she turned to go towards the only point of interest in the room, the cross and its skeleton.
Hm. Must be worth something.
she said just before grabbing the armor firmly and pulling it towards her, dismembering the skeleton which fell to pieces in the water.
Do you think it's magic? It’s really well made after all.
I ... don't know
The fox replied slowly, faintly
We will see at the boat then
But as she turned to leave, seeing nothing else of value. The fox got up slowly from the box.
The box... You have to... take the box
The box? What box?
The fox then pointed to the music box that was still lying in the water, now accompanied by some bones.
Oh! Yes, nice eye! I hadn't noticed.
She laid the armor against the cross and bent down to pick up the music box. Turning it over to inspect it
It's really beautiful. Well carved, well detailed, the writing looks old... On the other hand, the key and the statuette that goes inside are missing. It's a shame, it would have been worth a lot more if it worked, but I think you can get a good price for it anyway.
She stood up, picking up the armor as she went to join the fox, his eyes still staring into a empty space. She look at him an instant. Uncertain what to do about it
Euh...Well, shall we go?
He nodded and set off up the steps. This time, without fear, without comment. He reached the top in record time... For him. The vixen did the same, unconcerned, climbing the steps that were still creaking and arriving at the top a little after the fox.
You were right to bring us here! Beautiful armor and a music box! These are great finds!
She said happily as she put the box away in her bag and attached the armor to it.
Teige will be happy. We can leave him the armor and take the music box. We may not have found the magic trick you wanted, but at least...
As she spoke, she looked at the fox. He was still pale, staring at the sea on the horizon. She sighed and went to join him.
I think that's enough for one day. We should go back to the boat and get some rest.
He nodded, as she put her arm around his neck. Gently guiding him out of the ruins of the lighthouse