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of psychic power unheard of in the annals of occult lore. |
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"Nor do you feel. Go slowly, we are close." |
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The duo felt their way along, for the first time feeling the cloying presence of the mountain over their heads in the oily condensation that seeped into their fingertips and the oppressive humidity that clung like parasites to their lungs. The only sounds were the wind whistling softly through the narrow passageway, and their labored breathing. |
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"Stop!" the Dark Man hissed. The water running down the walls was sparkling like a million tiny fireflies. "There is light ahead." |
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Rounding a right bend in the corridor, they entered the huge subterranean cavern. The Dark Man took note of the burial platforms and the lighted torches. "She is here." |
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The goateed man whispered, "She? What of the man?" |
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Grasping the talisman tightly in both hands, the black giant searched the vault with his mind. After a moment he uttered a single word: "Seek!" |
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The necklace emitted a low hum followed by a burst of weak light that shot to the top of the cavern and hovered there for a few seconds before gradually fading into nothingness. |
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Frowning, the Dark Man turned to his assistant. "The woman is at the other side of the cave, but the man is gone." |
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"Where could he have gone?" |
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"Another secret passage, perhaps. We will find him later. First, the woman." |
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The goateed man put his hand on his master's arm. "Could it be a trap?" |
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The Dark Man looked down at the goateed man's hand as if it were some loathsome insect. "If it is, Mr. Trigg will be very sorry." |
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The Dark Man stepped cautiously into the cavern, holding the talisman out away from his neck like a diving rod. Despite his confident words, he was worried. Locating the Rand |
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