[See Part 1 for Disclaimer.]
"Oooooo," Kimberly fumed. "If something doesn't happen
soon I'm going to freak!"
Adam looked up. "Like more of those skeleton things coming to kill
us?"
Kimberly's expression changed immediatly. She sat right down on the floor.
Adam was seated a few meters across from her on the carpet. Tommy was inspecting
the room. The torches on the walls burned brightly as rolling thunder could
be heard outside. Wherever that was.
"Anything Tommy?" asked Adam.
Tommy was silent for a moment before replying, "Nothing."
Kimberly looked down and exhaled.
"I just don't get it," Tommy continued. "What are we supposed
to do?" He joined the others on the floor.
"Well, let's put together what we know," Adam suggested.
"Alright," Tommy said, thinking. "We know we're in some
kind of game, or challenge. We've already met two other...heroes, I guess.
I wouldn't be surprised if there are others in this...thing."
"Yeah, that makes sense," Kimberly agreed. "But who's behind
all of this?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," said Adam.
*****
"Now, we're not going to have another outburst like _that_, are we?"
Thor looked up from his chair, where he was once again chained, his godly
powers seemingly useless. "I do pity thee, swine."
"And why, may I ask, is that?"
"It is not wise to fool with the gods."
"I see," The Keeper replied, considering what the Thunder God
had said. "But here I am, not a god. And there you are, a god, imprisoned
by me. Something certainly isn't right." He laughed to himself.
Thor laughed, too. But a deep, disturbing laugh. "I do pity thee..."
he repeated.
The Keeper felt a chill creep up his spine as he gazed into the Thunderer's
eyes. He then quickly took leave of the room.
"Herc? Where are we _now_?" It was a phrase which Hercules was
hearing more and more.
"Iolaus, each you've asked me that, have I ever been able to give
you an answer?"
"Well...no."
"So why do keep asking?"
"Uh...you never know. Someone might answer."
"Right..." Hercules turned full circle, surveying the area. Green
fields as far as the eye could see.
"So, which way?" asked Iolaus.
"Your choice."
"Follow the setting sun?"
"Sounds good to me."
****
Kimberly squinted, irratated. "Stop, please..."
"What?" asked Tommy.
"I said, get that light outta my eyes," Kimberly rephrased.
"Light?" asked Tommy. Adam's head shot up. There was light reflecting
from somewhere. Quickly looking around, they located where it was coming
from.
"So where'd this come from?" Kimberly said, but quickly added,
"Wait, forget I asked. Forget I asked."
Adam and Tommy were looking over the mirror. "Do you think it's safe
to touch?" asked Adam. The mirror was roughly seven feet high, four
across. It was attached to the wall opposite the fireplace, between two
torches.
"Let's see..." Tommy extended and finger and slowly moved it
towards the mirror. Upon contact, Tommy quickly retracted his finger as
the mirror began to ripple, like water.
Tommy looked down at his finger, then back at the mirror, where the ripples
we growing smaller. "What the-?" he said.
"Weird," Kimberly said, looking over the mirror. "Do you
think it's a door?"
"Maybe," replied Tommy.
"Is it safe?" asked Adam.
"I didn't feel anything when I touched it," said Tommy, "so
I think it's safe."
"Do we go through?" asked Adam.
"Through?" Kimberly exclaimed.
"Hold on." Tommy reached up and removed one of the flamming torches
from the wall. Slowly, he pushed it through the mirror, flame-end first,
and then pulled it back. The flame was still burning.
The Rangers exchanged confused glances.
"I wish Billy was here," Kim said.
TBC . . .