Josh placed one boot on the first step, careful to check that the old stones didn't crumble under him. It held and he moved up next two then crossed the circular center to stand in front of the partial curved wall.
"What are we doing here?" Aaron came abreast of Josh.
"You'll see," Josh said.
One hand reached out to the aged stones, while his other hand rested on the hilt of the dagger at his side. The rough stone scraped across his palm. Josh ran his hand along the stone blocks and felt inside each niche until a slight tingle went through is fingers. The dagger in his other hand hummed. A tiny jolt shot through his fingers.
Josh pressed against the stone. It grated inwards and the block next to it slid open.
"Is that what I think it is?"
"Yes." Excitement and a feeling he couldn't describe ran through him.
"Don't touch it, Josh"
"I know the legend." His fingers wrapped around the dagger.
His other hand pulled out the knife at his side. Josh held both up and an arc of light shot from one to the other. Both blades shaped into a lightning bolt. The light between them died, but not the joy that sang in Josh's blood.
"See, Aaron, they didn't strike me dead. That means I was meant to own them."
"As long as innocent blood doesn't taint them."
"I don't intend to."
"Good intentions don't always stand," Aaron muttered.
