BXBX NOVEL Chapter 4 Ch: 04
The two friends stepped off their private plane and were immediately greeted by three men. The man in the center stepped forward and Nathan made the introductions.
"Vincent, I\'d like you to meet our local guide,"
"This is Alexandru, an archaeologist I\'ve hired for this adventure." Nathan\'s tone was filled with excitement.
"You always think of everything, don\'t you?" Vincent turned to Nathan, a small smile playing on his lips.
"That\'s why I\'m the brains behind this operation. You just get to be the muscle." The two friends laughed.
"What muscle? You just want to play " Vincent shook his head and chuckled at Nathan\'s comment.
"We both know that you\'re more interested in the treasure than the history," he teased, but there was a hint of affection in his voice. Nathan just rolled his eyes and grinned, the two old friends easily falling into their usual banter as they set off on their adventure.
"I\'m not here to play," Nathan bragged like a scholar. "I\'m here to uncover a piece of history."
"Is that so? And what makes you think you\'re qualified to do that?" Vincent raised an eyebrow,
Nathan straightened his back,
"I may not have a Ph.D. in archaeology, but I have resources and knowledge that many professionals don\'t. Plus, I have Alexandru here to guide us."
Vincent couldn\'t help but shake his head,
"Well, I hope you know what you\'re getting into. These ruins can be dangerous, you know."
"Danger is just part of the adventure, my friend." Nathan just chuckled,
"You\'re always so impulsive, Nathan. This is why you end up dragging me into all these crazy adventures," he said with a teasing tone.
"Hey, what\'s life without a little bit of excitement? And who better to share it with than my best friend? Plus, think about the stories we\'ll have to tell once we uncover the secrets of this ruin." Nathan chuckled,
"Yeah, I guess you have a point there," Vincent admitted. "But let\'s just make sure we don\'t get into any trouble while we\'re here, alright?"
"Don\'t worry, I\'ve got everything under control," Nathan replied confidently. And with that, the two friends set off, eager to explore the ancient ruins and uncover their secrets.
As they traveled through the winding streets of Rome, Vincent couldn\'t help but be in awe of the ancient structures that surrounded them. Towering columns and grand arches loomed over them, a testament to the city\'s rich history and architectural prowess.
Despite the frenzied pace of life in the city, Vincent felt a sense of peace and serenity as they cruised through the streets, taking in the stunning sights.
As they drove further, Vincent found himself lost in thought. His mind drifted to Elaine and he imagined her by his side, exploring the city together. He pictured them walking hand-in-hand, taking in the sights and sounds of Rome, laughing and talking as they went.
In his daydream, he was filled with a sense of happiness and contentment. He longed for the reality of this imagined experience to become a reality, for him and Elaine to be together and explore the world side by side.
Finally, they reached their destination: Castel Sant\'Angelo.
As the SUV pulled up, Vincent felt his heart skip a beat. The imposing structure loomed in front of them, its walls stretching high into the sky. The castle had once served as a fortress, but now it was a museum, showcasing the rich history of Rome.
The stone walls were weathered with age, but they still stood strong, a testament to the strength and resilience of the ancient city. The moat that surrounded the castle was filled with emerald green water, and the drawbridge was down, inviting visitors to explore the interior.
Nathan on the other hand was already out of the car, eager to explore. He called out to Vincent with a hint of excitement in his voice,
"Come on, Vincent! Let\'s go see what secrets this place holds!"
"What secrets?" Vincent asked skeptically. "This is just a museum."
"Oh come on, Vincent," Nathan said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Alexandru, please explain to our friend what you and your research team found under this castle."
Alexandru stepped forward, a look of serious determination on his face. "We discovered a tunnel. It\'s been buried underground for centuries, and we believe it could lead to something truly extraordinary," he said, his voice low and steady. "
"Nathan, come on now . Tunnels are common in Rome. There must be hundreds of them beneath us right now. What makes this one so special?" Vincent said skeptically.
"Don\'t be a killjoy, Vincent, and just let Alexandru lead us. I will show you why this tunnel is so special."
Nathan\'s enthusiasm was infectious, and Vincent found himself giving in to his friend\'s encouragement.
"Okay, okay," he said, holding up his hands in surrender.
"Let\'s see what Sir Alexandru has found. Lead the way."
Alexandru led them to a secluded area inside the castle. The place was restricted to tourists and only VIP personnel were allowed to enter. The group followed him through a maze of twisting hallways, the walls of which were lined with historical artifacts and paintings. The air was thick with the scent of must and damp stone, giving the place an eerie and mysterious atmosphere.
As they walked, Alexandru filled them in on the history of the castle and the surrounding area. He spoke with passion about the ancient Romans and the battles that had taken place on the very ground they were walking on.
Finally, they reached a heavy, metal door guarded by two uniformed men. Alexandru stepped forward and showed them some kind of identification. The guards stepped aside and the door creaked open, revealing a dark, spiraling staircase that disappeared into the depths below.
"Didn\'t you say this tunnel was just discovered?" Vincent asked, his tone suspicious. "Why do I feel like it\'s been here for centuries?"
"That\'s a great question," Alexandru replied, his voice steady. "You see, our team only recently uncovered the entrance to the tunnel, but it\'s been hidden underground for centuries, preserved in perfect condition."
He paused, glancing at Nathan. "We believe that this tunnel holds the key to unlocking some of the greatest mysteries of Rome\'s past. But, of course, there are those who don\'t want the truth to be revealed, which is why access to this place is restricted."
He gestured to the two guards, who stood at attention, watching their every move. "But don\'t worry," he added with a small smile. "We have clearance to be here. We\'re in good hands."
He remained skeptical, but he chose not to voice his concerns. He didn\'t want to ruin this special experience for Nathan, who was like a kid in a candy store, full of excitement.
"Let\'s stick together," Alexandru reminded them. "The tunnel is like a maze, and it\'s easy to get lost if you\'re not careful. We need to stay close and follow the markings on the walls."