“When you’re lost in the nightmare of life, just hold my hand, and follow the sound of my heartbeat to find sanctuary in my heart.” ―
The two pantars riding atop the dragon steeds led Nathan and Shadow at spearpoint along the path leading to the main entrance of the Dark Master’s lair. Shadow placed himself between the pantars and Nathan. Any thought of running for safety was hopeless. The Black Mountains were too steep to climb and only scattered rocks and boulders occupied the trail other than the prisoners and their escort. The fossas had even abandoned the journey.
Through the dusky atmosphere Nathan saw an emerging shadow caused by a gigantic mountain ahead of him as the group rounded a bend in the trail. In the center of the mountain’s base was a split where the mountain rose sharply on either side forming a canyon. The air was danker than ever. Aside from the heavy hooves of the dragon steeds’ stomping on the rock path along with Nathan’s anxious breathing there was silence. The group entered further into the mountain’s foreboding mouth. The overhanging ledge of the mountain momentarily created total darkness. Nathan spotted two large fires on each side of the path some distance ahead. One of the pantars aggressively rode his steed into Shadow’s blindside knocking the reptilian off his feet. Shadow was caught unaware but he regained his senses and instinctively sprang back to his feet in order to maintain his contact with Nathan, but the pantar and his steed were now in between Shadow and Nathan.
The curious pantar leaned over to position his head near the boy. He smelled the child deeply. The odor of the child even with the Rafflesia smeared on him was familiar like the creature that the pantar had captured earlier.
It was customary under Cato’s order that two pantars would occupy each side of the cavern’s entrance at this point. The Dark Master however had lost two of his pantars in the forest when Shadow had protected Nathan at the fallen tree that crossed the ravine above the river of lava. Cato assumed that the pantars were slain during the battle in Alkebulan’s forest. He could never imagine that Shadow had overwhelmed the wildcats while protecting Nathan. Even the pantars driving Shadow and Nathan deeper into the mountain’s belly could not conceive that Shadow had caused their pack’s demise. With six pantars playing in the contest along with the two lost pantars, Cato was only able to spare the remaining two that escorted Shadow and Nathan.
The group continued to march deeper into the mountain. Just when the trail ahead of Nathan darkened again another fire was spotted further along the trail. They continued on for a time until the group approached a fork in the enclosure of the mountain. One path led to the series of caves where Kyle had been held. The pantar pointed his spear in the other direction gesturing for Nathan to follow that course. More than once Nathan spotted red eyes lurking in the shadows of the dank cave. He attempted to linger in order to reach Shadow’s side, but the pantar would not allow him to do so. Nathan was more terrified than at any point in his journey. His heart raced with anticipation. The air abruptly changed when Nathan spotted a brighter light shortly ahead of him. The narrow entrance of the cave dramatically widened. The air was less musty. The pantars dismounted their steeds alongside a large circular stone that had a hole chiseled through its center. Shadow used this moment to reposition himself next to Nathan. He placed a reassuring hand on the child’s shoulder. The memory of his departure from these caverns would have occupied Shadow’s thoughts if not for his concern for the child. Nathan’s heartbeat became steady with Shadow’s gesture. Shadow had not forgotten that his father’s command to the pantars was to destroy his son if he ever returned. Here they were together again. The pantars, however, had different orders now that the child had been captured.
The familiar surroundings ushered the memory of Shadow’s misery during the time he lived in the caves. Although his father and the pantars had complete disregard for Shadow’s mental capacity, his resilience far exceeded their estimation of him. His compassion was a foreign thought that the Dark Master and his followers could not perceive. His courage in placing the well-being of the terrified child ahead of his own self was incomprehensible to his father. Who then, if I may ask, has the limited ability? The commander whose rules are forged from an understanding that all creatures are inferior or the creature who is able to persevere in this realm of intolerance? Shadow would never know how profound his strength was for the boy who would otherwise have to confront his impending and unimaginable doom alone. The reassurance he offered by placing his hand on Nathan’s shoulder enabled both prisoners to glimpse beyond despair. As Mana had taught him Nathan heard Shadow without speaking. Nathan did not hear Shadow’s words nor did he hear his thoughts. Instead he heard the rhythm of shadow’s heartbeat offering comfort.
One of the pantars placed his shoulder against the log protruding from the circular stone and moved the stone to one side. The other pantar led the dragon steeds into the opening that revealed a large inner room where the beasts were kept while the remaining pantar led Shadow and Nathan into the great cavern.