3 How I Got Here

"Seems like we hit the jackpot ey Johnny?" said Melissa who is still feeling ecstatic to what she was seeing.

"Yeah, looks like we found what we came here for, The golden staff of Cyrus!" I quoted since all the events that lead to today were not in vain.

"If we can get our hands on that thing and get out of here somehow we could be millionaires and celebrities!" John said, gleefully.

"Yes, but there's just one thing we need to check if there are traps first" Melissa said.

As Melissa was grabbing something in her backpack that she was carrying the entire time. It was a bit plucked by the sharp edges in this forsaken tomb. She then was holding a sand bag in her hands straight from her ragged bag, I face palm to realize that we were doing this Indiana Jones style.

"What? isn't this what you should do in traps?" Melissa said.

"Shouldn't you examine the trap first? Is what you were told in Archaeology school?" I said while having a poker face.

"I don't think we were taught to avoid traps back in Cornell University?" Melissa replied confusingly.

"Then whats with the sand bag?" John said.

"Oh this? Its just to make sure it isn't a trap" she said with confidence.

I stood there, not flinching at what I just heard "WHAT? You do realize that isn't necessary to be a counter weight, I mean we don't even know how many pounds it weighs!" I retorted.

"Oh relax I'm not gonna put it on the altar silly, its not for that no no no" said Melissa while waving her hand to signal a no.

"Then what is for?" I inquired; rather than answering right away she pointed at the ground to which it I saw a pressure point.

"For that off course!" she said while facing at me, I was a bit shocked, I didn't even spotted the flat pressure plate on the ground. Soon I was blushing red in embarrassment.

Seeing my unease Melissa grin and said "Look whose redden now?" she teased me a bit until I broke off the awkwardness in the atmosphere.

"Alright, I get it! no need to rub at me" I look the other way around.

"Aww... Your so cute when your flustered. If Jake was here he would have told you how much of a wuss you are" said the flattered Melissa who is making me more red.

"Ack fine, Melissa I concede, I was wrong to yell at you again." I said while rolling my eyes, seeing this made Melissa relax a bit and satisfied as well.

"Heee~ I'm glad to hear, now then back to business. Once I throw this bag of dust, we should be alright" she then tossed it to the pressure plate and then it hit the where it was intended.

We immediately went for cover in the ruble left behind the explosion, I then sat next to her hoping nothing would happen.The sand bag landed on top of the pressure after a click sound - to our surprise - there was nothing.

"Hmm? Seems like it was a zilch. C'mon John we gotta go get the artifact." said Melissa in a short tone. Then I spotted the black tendrils again. My eyes were widened as I reached out to Melissa.

"Melissa!" I shouted but she was already caught by the clustering of the tentacles. She was soon wrapped around by it in a moments notice, as this was ensuing; her face began to look grim.

"Oh no... she's here?!" Melissa shrieked.

"S*it! gotta get you out of here!" I shouted and frantically search in my backpack to grab his knife - but misfortune happened in a blink of an eye. I see the tendrils enveloping her as if she was sinking in quicksand. John fastens his pace.

"What is happening to me?! John, help me!!!" Melissa screech for John to hurry and lessen the tentacles that was coiling her tightly in every direction.

"Ah- I got it!" I yelled in relief; I was holding a swiss army knife back when I was in the british army. "Hold on Melissa, I'll get you out of there!" I said.

"HurRY!" she said as the slender tentacles squeeze her.

I quickly went ahead and started cutting through the seemingly impenetrable black tentacles cut straight through them one by one. Then the immortals appeared and snatched me right away.

"Hey, let him go!" Melissa scream in exasperation.

"Let none touch the staff" - "Let none touch the staff" - "Let none touch the staff" they said repetitively in a cold monotone. Estir appeared in the darkness.

"How dare you ruin the ritual of your presupposed travel to the gate of eternity!" said the flustered priestess.

"Hrgh, hmp! arhk! Why are you letting us go to that so called gate?! What's so important about that?" Said Melissa who is also frustrated.

She stared at her with grim eyes "You will know later" then she knock Melissa unconscious.

"No! What did you do to her-" he was too was soon blacked out.

*****

"Argh! what happen? Oh right Melissa!" as soon as John woke up he surveyed the room he was in and saw a motionless Melissa laying in the other side of the room.

He reached out to her but could not, somehow he couldn't move his legs so he crawled towards her. Then he heard footsteps - tip tap tip tap tip tap - the sound becomes much more louder as each step pass. he hurries to Melissa's side. Trying to act as a defense.

"Ah your awake John, I know your still shocked to why your legs are numb and none-responsive but I assure you wont be needing them in your voyage to Korsan, alongside with your mistress here.

"W-what are you talking about? Where are you taking us? WHAT ARE YOUR TRYING TO ACHIEVE BY SENDING US TO WHERE-EVER YOU TAKING US!" John yelled; panic struck.

The cell doors were open and Estir got near to him with the gentle smile she had before.

"Don't worry, you'll soon know the answer when you get there. Although you won't be seeing your friend since you two will soon to be inhabiting the dead but not deceased bodies of your new home, Korsan" she said as she caressed his forehead to his soft brunette hair.

"But what happens if I say no?" said John who still had Melissa in his arms, not want to lose her as well.

"I'm sorry but you don't have a choice, the moment you step foot in the Naqsh-e Rustam, I was told not to kill you two but one of you didn't have the favor of the gods so I let him die before he could do any harm to the catacomb." said Estir in soft timbre vocals.

"So what are you gonna do to me? Forgive me but I am only 5 inches." John said finally calm to understand and crack a joke.

"Hmm~ your quite assuming to listen, John~" Estir said arousingly, as she gets closer to John. He in return was bewildered.

"What? am I somehow your favorite?" John said sarcastically.

"Perhaps, but there is no time to indulge in pleasure, you two have a duty to do and you must finish it. Whatever the cost maybe and whatever it will take from you; just like how I sacrificed mine..." She suddenly began tearing up, her face wasn't flustered nor affected but remained serene as droplets flow at her cheeks.

Confused if this was a way to trick him into joining them or if she was telling him the truth but one thing that remains certain - they are getting isekai'd. John was contemplating whether he will say yes or no, he started hearing moaning next to him.

"Mrghhh, John whats happening? Is it morning already?" Melissa said half asleep,

"Melissa? thank goodness your awake!" he hugged her tightly the moment she wakes up.

"John??? where are we- ARGH!" she said while looking the room spinning up and down until she lay her eyes on Estir she started yelling.

"HRRRAAAGGGH!" she grabbed my knife and thrust it towards Estir, before I could react Estir already blocked it.

"haa-haa y-you you c-can't keep us from... getting the staff... HAh!" said Melissa who is still exhausted by what happened.

"Johnny! *Strong Exhaling* how long was I out?" Melissa turns her attention to John while still gripping at the knife even though it was still blocked.

"I-I actually don't know how long we've been unconscious, probably a few hours past" he said without the slightest regard.

"W-wha? ok how about you then? how long have we been passed out?"Melissa said - still pointing at the knife at Estir.

"A total of 1 hour 37 minutes and 4 seconds from now" Estir said nonchalantly

"Wow that long, I must have slept like a baby" John said.

"Oh yes, you have been sleeping like an infant; not you" Estir said in front of John with closed hands then turns to Melissa dismissively.

She was a bit addled at what was going on, but disregarded it immediately. So she asked "Then why are we here in the first place?" Firmly pointing the knife at Estir's face.

"I'm afraid that its already too late for that" said Estir who quickly got up. Pulled a bit of hair behind the back of her ear.

"We have delayed long enough; its time commence the ceremony, guards seize them and make sure they don't have any of those fire-blast that can create another room collapse" Estir said. They soon brought us to a different room where this time there was another altar. The guards quickly tied us up in chain so we won't have a second chance to escape. The ritual has begun; just like before several scribes that I couldn't understand started floating around but this time it was us.

I was struggling to let go, but no avail. Everything started to distort in time; reality was now warping. All of it were beginning to distort my vision including all my senses, I felt weird. While my dizziness was beginning to a close I saw Melissa - opening her mouth - trying to say something.

"What is it Melissa?" were my last thoughts

Whoosh!

Just like that their souls were gone. Estir can see them, hovering and flying up the sky. "they're just like those floating lanterns" she said.

"Are you sure this will bring Korsan peace?" someone then spoke,

"Yes, I'm certain of it." Estir replied

"Then what should we do about their bodies?" the strange voice inquired.

"Burn them, they won't be needing them in the future." she said with a stern look and vigor.

"As you wish, Archmagos." the voice then disappeared along side with the bodies.

"I pray a safe journey for both of you" Estir said in a gentle voice

_____________________________________________________________

Back in the city of Isstvan where John was still hazy by the rock that hit him in the head. Tumbling down as his legs couldn't support the weight due to the dizziness. Then the guard came to him with concerned eyes.

"My lord?! Are you alright?.... Duke Cromwell, is everything fine?" said the armored guard but I only covered my face whilst I kneel on the floor.

"Thats how I got here..." I whisper to myself frightfully.