GREG FOUND HIMSELF, ONCE AGAIN, in an uncomfortable, or rather, distressing situation. Giovanna was dragging herself along, leading the way, and Umbert was following behind him, which only heightened his particular sense of claustrophobia, as it was akin to being enclosed inside a coffin. He didn't want to think about it at that moment, focusing his attention on the intense pain radiating from his knees.
Sometimes, due to the steepness, it took a lot of effort to lift his legs, and he ended up hurting himself on the wooden planks embedded in the canal floor. He was sure his skin was covered in bruises, as the fabric of his pants was chafed. Then he forgot the physical pain and focused again on the psychological one, as the tunnel walls narrowed like a funnel, like the Murcian crypt of the Vélez chapel.
The last nine meters seemed endless. He hadn't even arrived yet, and he already wanted to escape that decrepit rat trap that stank of excrement.
He was about to give up when he saw that Giovanna could pull herself upright. The flashlights illuminated the rocky walls of a rectangular room, completely empty, the ceiling of which could be touched with one's hands, arms outstretched. Before them, at the far end, a narrow channel opened up, like the one they had come through. They also saw a shaft, about two meters wide and three meters deep, drilled into the ground. Monroe told him it was the Chamber of Chaos.
— May I ask why we came down here if there's nothing of interest? — he asked nervously, the echo of his voice vibrating in the room.
— Don't worry... — Giovanna advised. — The initiation ritual is an act of faith... — Then, noticing a certain skepticism on his face, his companion added pragmatically, — ...that's what they told me. —
— There's no better way to put it — Umbert Monroe said, shining his flashlight around him. — Here begins the purification of the soul, in this terrible place that represents hell, where we will enter until we reach the Light.
— Well, I think we should get out of here as soon as possible... — said Evans, who was really feeling unwell. — This chamber gives me the creeps.
— Try not to think about it... — Giovanna leaned closer to caress his cheeks. — Everyone who walked this path returned safely!
His uncle let out a laugh.
— And what is it now? — the young woman asked, with slight tension, turning her face towards him.
— It turns out what you just said isn't true. Some never completed the initiatory journey. It's a detail Balkis omitted, fearing they wouldn't continue.
— Did you make it? Did you make it to the Ark?
— Yes, in the company of Séphora.
— And what happened next? — That was news to Giovanna, so she persisted.
— I was unable to complete the initiation process due to my ignorance, and so I did not remain in Egypt, as I had intended. I was unable to correctly solve the Throne divination, even though I had sat on it with Sephora. Therefore, instead of becoming Guardian, I was appointed to the position of Master, the man responsible for preserving the secret of the lodge, even at the cost of staining his hands with blood. I believe I was punished for my pride. — Then there was a second attempt, but this time with Khalib playing the role of Hiram... And he successfully overcame the challenge. Of course, he had always professed Sufi philosophy, and this was an advantage for him.
— Wait! Back up. — Gregory Evans took a few steps closer to Umbert. — You acknowledged just now that not everyone reached the Throne Room. What happens if we fail?
— Everything will be fine, don't worry — The master turned his back on him, going to a small opening on the other side of the chamber.
Very upset, Greg went after him.
— Wait a moment! — she demanded sharply, grabbing him by the shoulder. — You still haven't answered my question.
Monroe turned to face him. He was furious, but soon calmed down when he realized Giovanna was also waiting for an answer.
— Before you reach the Throne, you will come across a crossroads on which your lives will depend — he warned them seriously. — In the corridor of four doors, inscribed on one of the walls, you will find a vitally important riddle: the mystery of Wisdom. Use Latin to solve the riddle and rearrange the anagram. And you, little one...
He looked at Giovanna decisively.
— Remember that story I once told you, young lady, the one about a man who built a private garden and named it Rocha Gate Park. It will be of great help to you.
Without waiting for an answer, Umbert signaled them to enter the narrow corridor.
— But uncle... I heard that this tunnel ends a few meters further on — Giovanna said, discovering that this was the path they should take to reach their goal.
— The stone blocking the passage is actually a tilting stone. It will be open when you arrive — he informed them.
— From there, it's up to you to find the Throne Room.
— Now that's a good one! Aren't you thinking of coming with us? — Gregory Evans felt betrayed when he realized he was abandoning them to their fate.
— Balkis told me to wait here — was his only, curt reply.
— Wait for what? — Giovanna asked, as irritated as her companion.
— The arrival of the intruders... — He pointed to the mouth of the descending tunnel through which they had descended. From it emerged a diffuse beam of light, which gradually grew larger.
— There's no time to waste — he continued. — They'll be here in a matter of minutes.