Chapter three

The cave wasn’t only big but long as well. They have already entered but it still stretched far inside. “I’m beginning to think that we are inside the mountain. No wonder it is situated at the foot of it. A cave this big can never be on top of it. But come to think of it, how is the mountain still standing with this big hole under it, why is it not collapsing?” Asher wondered.

            Mariah followed him quietly, the cave gave off an eerie feeling and the fact that Asher was there with her was the only reason she kept going. Finally, Asher stopped and she nearly bumped into him. She walked to his side to see why he stopped and to find out that they have reached the end of the cave and also, there was a big ancient looking coffin lying right in the center.

            “Okay. This is making me feel like an archeologist that had just stumbled upon a mummy’s tomb.” He chuckled at his own humor and glanced at his sister. “Well, did he say anything about a coffin?”

            Mariah shook her head. “He only said he is in a cave in the Eastwood Mountain.”

            “So far as I can tell, that coffin is the only interesting thing in this cave. I mean, we saw nothing else since we walked into it, did we?”

            Mariah shook her head.

            “Anyways, since we are here, let’s see what the coffin is about.”

            “Do you think it is the right thing to do?” Mariah asked, for some reason, she could feel fear building inside her, like whatever would be inside that coffin would be stronger than them.

            “Do you have any other option?” Asher glanced at her.

            Mariah glanced around and sighed, knowing he was right. The coffin was the only interesting thing in the cave and besides, if the man is not in the coffin, where else could he be? She means, he said he is inside the cave, but there is no sign of anyone even living in the cave for centuries. She shook off her fear and joined her brother. There was no inscription on the coffin or anything to tell of what is inside it or the calamity it would bring shall it be opened just like in those scary movies and stuff.

            Asher cleared away the cobwebs on the coffin and blew out the dust to reveal that it was actually a fine work of art. It was white in color or should be white for the years was shown on it and it was decorated with gold. Asher could tell with just a touch that it was real gold, after all, his father has a treasury filled with gold bars. “I wonder how old this coffin is. With the fine mastery it was worked on, I can tell that whoever that was buried here is not a simpleton. At this stage, it could even be a king. But What kingdom would bury their king in the mountain, far from the kingdom? There is no way that this mountain is a kingdom and if they can afford such luxurious coffin, definitely they are not poor.”

            “Could it be he was cast out?”

            “You are fond of spending time in dad’s library, ever come across a king that was banished or cast out?”

            Mariah shook her head.

            Asher ran his fingers on the coffin with a slow whistle, “take this to the outside world now and it would fetch millions. Now I really wonder how long it has been in here. The cave entrance was sealed off, no doubt they didn’t want this tomb to be found. I kind of feel like we are going against history by being here.” He glanced at his sister, “well, what do you think, should we open it?”

            Mariah stared at the coffin, she could feel a pull to it, an urge to lift up the lid. However, caution was still ringing in her mind like a warning bell. “What do you think?”

            “It’s up to you,” Asher said. “We are here because of you, whatever you want.”

            Biting her lip, Mariah glanced around and after some seconds, braced herself. She doubts that there is anything in this world that they can’t handle. Besides, she has her brother with her. “Let’s do it.”

            Asher grinned and Mariah saw instantly that he wanted to open it and found herself wondering if this was really for her or to satisfy his curiosity. But she didn’t call him out on it. Asher gently balanced his hands on the lid so as not to act rashly or even damage the coffin and then he tried to lift it but then…nothing. He tried again, but the lid refused to lift.

            “Try pushing.” Mariah said and joined him as they started pushing the lid. A creak was heard and they shared a look, guess it slides instead of lifts. They added more pressure and as the lid came undone, the tip cut Mariah’s palm. “Oh, fuck,” she groaned, staring at her now injured hand. Two drops of her blood dropped inside the coffin as Asher placed the lid on the floor and went to her.

            “You okay?” He asked.

            “Just a cut. It’s healing already.” She answered as the cut fully healed and she wiped away the blood.

“Now, what do we have here,” Asher said, staring into the coffin. “Okay, we have a dead body, or should I say, a dead skeleton.” He chuckled, fanning out the smoke that covered the coffin. A skeleton dressed in a tattered what looked like to be a white robe was what he saw. There was nothing special about it, and there was also nothing else buried with it, not even golds. “Hmm, this guy looks like he has been here for centuries. However, it shocks me that the bones have not disintegrated. I mean, nothing special seemed to have been done to preserve it so, obviously, it should be nothing but dust now. Don’t you think?” He glanced at Mariah but saw fear in her eyes. “What is it?”

Mariah was too shocked to speak and could only point at the coffin, bringing Asher’s gaze back to it.

“Goddess,” Asher gasped, stepping back from the coffin quickly for the dead skeleton was now getting up. “What in the world!”

“A-Asher…” Mariah called in a trembling voice, not knowing what to do or the best way to react.

Asher too was shocked as his gaze locked on the now sitting skeleton. The first thing that came to his mind was to grab Mariah’s hand and teleport out of there but he remembered at the next second that he was the Alpha King and he needs to protect his wolves. If this skeleton ends up being a problem, he will never forgive himself for running now and especially even if one person dies at the hands of this skeleton.

He was already preparing himself for a fight but right before his eyes, the skeleton vanished. He gasped, his fighting instincts kicking in instantly as he searched for its presence with his demon powers.

Mariah’s shaky gasp brought his gaze on her and he froze when he saw the bony hands on her shoulders. His fingers clenched in tight fists as he tried to not act rashly and then end up hurting his sister. He could see the fear in Mariah’s eyes as she remained stiffened while the skeleton hands caressed her face.

“Get away from her,” Asher warned, his voice firm and dangerous. But if it heard him, the skeleton didn’t show it and instead, shocked them when it titled Mariah’s head and buried his face on her neck.

Mariah screamed at the pain of torn flesh and it took her only a second to realize what was happening. The skeleton was…sucking her blood!

“Mariah!” Asher screamed and attacked this time, punching the skeleton right on the head that the skull broke and it was forced to free Mariah. Pushing Mariah behind him for her to heal, Asher’s eyes burned red as his fangs elongated, baring at the skeleton.

However, the skeleton didn’t attack. Rather, it raised its skull up and remained like that as gentle breeze blew into the cave, waving its robe. And then, right before their very eyes, they watched as hair started growing on the skull’s scalp. It was long white hair and it flew gently to the soothing breeze. Flesh also started covering the bones.

Mariah stood behind Asher, her hand covering her mouth at the wonder she was witnessing and right before her eyes, the skeleton became the man she had been seeing in her dreams for over a century.