The Chaotic Configuration -Book 3 in The Chaos Chronicles

Chapter 12: Catacomb of Bones

“So, this is Ragnarok?” Jamie asked as she looked at the entrance. It was an entrance to a cave with two Minotaurs guarding it. Every so often, a customer went in after being searched and strangely, sniffed.

“Yes, this is the entrance to Ragnarok. Now, make sure you spray yourself with some more Amorphophallus titanum!” Vanth advised through their mindlinked.

“Do I have to? It really stinks!” Jamie moaned.

“Now, you know how I feel! I have to put up with your sweet smell for years. So, put your big girl pants on and spray yourself like a cat on heat!” Vanth replied.

“I heard that but, I approve!” Fluff said.

Jamie sighed and said, “OK, OK! I understand!” Jamie took out the bottle and liberally sprayed herself. She tried not to gag at the rotting meat smell but was unsuccessful.

“I agree, it needs more of the decomposing smell, but it will have to do!” Vanth commented.

“Are we ready?” Tracker said and Jamie nodded. The group all walked towards the entrance and were stopped immediately by the Minotaurs. 

“State your business!” A Minotaur with a gold ring through his nose said.

“Pleasure of course! We want to see the bloodshed and death!” Tracker said with a smile. 

“Prepared to be searched!” The Minotaur with the gold ring said. Jamie suddenly felt the Minotaur’s hands all over her body. They lingered over her breasts and privates, making Jamie angry.

“Hiss now!” Vanth growled and Jamie did with pleasure. The Minotaur jumped back clearly, receiving the message that she was not interested. The Minotaur took one long sniff and nodded to the other Minotaur.

“Bloody pervert!” Vanth snapped.

“Be aware that it is an audience participation night, do you still want to enter?” The Minotaur asked gruffly.

“Yes, we are aware and we still want to enter.” Tracker said cheerfully.

“Then go and do not stray from the path, Ragnarok will not be responsible if you do! Next!” The Minotaur said and with that, they were dismissed.

Jamie moved forward into the cave and it took a minute for her eyes to adjust. Jamie gasped as she realised that the whole path was lined with bones. The walls were completely covered in them, even the torch holders were makes of carved bones. 

“Take a torch and stay close. The Minotaur was not joking about staying on the path!” Tracker warned.

“Where are we?” Jamie said as she took a bone torch from the wall and held it up. Despite the ghoulish building materials, it was obvious that some care had been taken to decorate the place. The torch, for example, was made out of a long thigh bone, which was topped by a small skull that had been skillfully carved. On closer inspection, Jamie saw it had an ornate swirl pattern carved into it. 

“It is called the city of bones or the bone catacombs. It is where the warriors who have returned to the source are buried.” Tracker explained as they started to walk along the path. 

“There is so many!” Jamie commented. The bone path had many other paths splitting off from it. Jamie looked down a couple and saw that some of them led to caverns that were filled with bones. The bones have been lovingly staked by type, one layer long bones, one layer skulls. The result was a bone wall that reached the cavern’s roof.

“The Great War took many lives on both sides. Since then, the Empress has not been merciful. She had taken her rage and greed out on the creatures of the realm!” Vanth said in a voice stricken with grief.

It was then Jamie realised something, the chaos inhabitants had not wanted war as much as the inhabitants as the realm of light. Also, unlike the realm of light, its people had been oppressed, their homes destroyed and had their crops fail. All due to the actions of their so-called Empress. Was it surprising that Father Light and Mother Universe wanted her to redress the balance? Were the creatures of chaos that different from the creatures of light? Didn’t the people of Chaos and Light want the same thing, to look after their family and live in peace? 

Jamie suddenly heard a loud purr and looked down to find Fluff rubbing against her legs.”You are beginning to understand, Moonchild!” Fluff said approvingly.

“I...I ..always tried to judge creatures on their actions, but I did not expect such widespread oppression!” Jamie privately mindlinked Fluff.

“Nothing is ever black and white, remember that Daughter of light!” Vanth said.

“I will, I promise!” Jamie swore.

Every twenty meters or so, there was a skull embedded into the wall with an arrow and a rune on it. Jamie identified the rune as a protective one. “What is down here? I mean those are pretty strong protective chaos runes carved into those skulls!” Jamie remarked.

“Ah, well, legends has it that the Grootslang is lurking down here!” Tracker said with a chuckle.

“Grootslang?” Jamie asked, she has never heard of the creature before.

“It is not a legend, it is true! Grootslang is the sister to the chaos dragon and is a primordial being. She is a black serpent, who is the size of an elephant! Her fangs are said to be able to Pierce through any amour and she will devour your soul for eternity!” Vanth explained to everyone, Jamie even felt her shudder.

“But, she is just an old wives tale to scare children! Besides, the legends say she migrated over the sea of sorrows!” Tracker scoffed.

“Are you sure about that Lubricant boy? Why don’t you go down that path to the left for a bit?” Vanth challenged. When Tracker hesitated, Vanth chuckled.

“I think we can all agree that we will just stay on the path!” Jamie said as she rolled her eyes. Sometimes, being in this group was like being with a bunch of children!

Vanth must have heard Jamie’s thoughts because she said, “Well, it is good practice for when you bear Amon’s and Eric’s young. The way you three go at it, I am surprised you are not young already!” 

Jamie blushed and mindlinked back, “You really are incorrigible sometimes Vanth! Besides, you know high gods and goddesses struggle to bear young!” 

“But you forget, you are the Goddess of wild magic! Birth and death are all part of your domain!” Vanth pointed out.

“Can you just drop it please!” Jamie snapped through her mind linked.

“Why? Surely you want to start to think about the future? Having little hybrids running around!” Vanth said.

“No, I don’t !” Jamie bristled.

“Why not...I mean..” Vanth began to mindlink.

“Because the chances are none of us are getting out of this alive!” Jamie suddenly blurted out, making everyone look at her.

“Well, on that optimistic bombshell, I am happy to announce that we are here!” Tracker said as they entered a huge cavern.

Jamie gasped as she looked around, it was the largest space she had ever been in and it was rammed packed full of people. Jamie managed to push herself to the front of the crowd expecting to see the fighting ring, but instead, she saw the ring far, far below her. She was on the top level and there were at least 10 levels below her. 

Jamie saw elevators made of wood, rope and magic zipping up and down, transporting creatures between the levels. The lower the level, the fewer creatures and more luxurious the observation areas became. Jamie also spotted various traders walking around selling their wears. Everything from popped snail eggs through to spelled bracelets that enabled the wearer to see the fighting ring below. Jamie shifted her eyes into eagles and looked around. 

“How am I supposed to find anyone in all these people!” Jamie asked.

“Oh, well rumours are the owner of this is linked to the resistance. That is why yo7 were sent here!” Tracker said.

“Great! How do I get to see them?” Jamie asked enthusiastically.

“Ah, well that is the problem. You can’t see the owner, unless..” Tracker said.

“Unless, what?” Jamie said impatiently.

“Unless you win a fight against the Ragnorock’s champion” Tracker said with a smile.

“Oh, that is just bloody perfect!” Jamie said a roar erupted from the crowd. The first match was about to start!