Hotel Blue Moon (Inspired by Hotel Del Luna)

Chapter 25: Into the unknown

"Which site did you check, Miss Ae Ra?" Chang Min chuckled. "At this rate, you can become a tour guide yourself! Finding mysterious places in Korea? That seems like a hell of a business model." 
"I know right?" Ae Ra laughed nervously and looked at Chan Seong who was as confused as she was.

*

Chang Min stopped the car midway because the path that followed was too narrow and bumpy. They decided to proceed on foot, with the guide and one of the police officers leading the way, and Chang Min, Ae Ra, and Chan Seong followed them. The other police officer stayed at the very back, following closely. 
When the guide said that the path to the tomb was dangerous, he was underplaying it. As the group followed the trail, trees of every shape and size whose branches reached out to them. There were constant rustling sounds around them, animals scurrying after seeing the humans. The guide called them out to a clearing in front of them, which turned out to be a cliff. There was a ledge to the left of the cliff along a mountain face. It was so narrow that they could walk one by one, and only sideways.
Beneath them was the most beautiful green foliage they have ever seen. There was a small creek running far below, which seemed to disappear into the trees. The group inched slowly, each of their steps is unknown to them as the next.
"Over here!" The guide called out. Ae Ra did not dare to lean and look, so she kept walking at a steady pace. 
"The path is winding into a cave." Chan Seong who was in front of Ae Ra chimed. That's when Ae Ra finally saw what could be described as a terrifying cave. 
"We have to go through this?" Ae Ra shouted, enough for the guide to chuckle.
"Yes, Miss! Through here and we'll be in the tomb in no time!"

The group stepped into the crown of the hill when they were hit by a sweet smell of the wildflowers surrounding them. Ae Ra took a deep breath, taking in the scent. The sun now shone with its entire strength, and as if on time her stomach rumbled. Chang Min noticed it and chuckled.
"Let's rest here for a while and we will move in 20 minutes." He set down his bag and plopped on the grass. The group followed suit as Chan Seong handed out Gimbap to everyone. They all gobbled down their rice rolls while Ae Ra's was untouched.
"Nervous?" Chan Seong inquired, mouthful. Ae Ra nodded without looking at him.
"You gotta eat. We need more energy now that we are right in front of what we were looking for."
"Yeah..." Ae Ra nodded, but couldn't bring herself up to eat. Chan Seong nudged her slightly to get her to take a bite.

When the break was over and everyone was ready, one of the police officers who accompanied them took the first step into the cave. It was surprisingly well-lit, but once they were a little bit in, the light began diminishing. Everyone whipped out their flashlights, and the group slowly advanced inside the creepy cavern. The air in the cave was eerily cold compared to the outside, and a musty smell lingered around them. It seemed like at least fifteen minutes had passed when suddenly the guy at the front of the group stumbled. 
"Careful!" Chan Seong moved swiftly and caught his shirt, only to find out he almost fell inside a thirty-foot drop.
"Crap..." He huffed and thanked Chan Seong profusely. Chang Min patted the guy's back and shone the light into the pit. He noticed a stone staircase a few feet away and motioned the group to follow him. 
The cave got progressively colder by the minute as the group descended into the pit. Ae Ra clutched herself instinctively when a chill ran down her spine. 
"Chan Seong, can you feel this?" 
"It has gotten a lot colder here. Maybe because we are going far underground?"
"Probably, but this feels like how the Hotel turned cold before Aghui came." Ae Ra paused, terrified. "What if we are being led right into her trap?"
"Do you think so?" Chan Seong questioned. "It's not like what we say will convince Chang Min and the rest, but we have to tell them about the danger!"

"There is something here!" Chang Min called out. Ae Ra nodded to Chan Seong and the two looked ahead to where Chang Min was pointing. 
It was a shrine, built entirely on stone. There were statues that looked like they were hundreds of years old, scattered throughout the place. Some were intact, others were broken down, turned to dust. In the middle of the room was a stone slab, covering a much larger stone structure beneath it. There was some inscription on it, but they could not read it from afar. 
"I guess this is it..." Chan Seong whispered, looking at Ae Ra. Ae Ra gulped. 

"Welcome to King Jumong's lost tomb!" The guide extended his arms to the side, grinning.

*

The forest surrounding King Jumong's tomb was bustling with sounds. The creek flowing through the forest was visited by a family of deer to drink its water. The birds sang above them and the bees buzzed near the flowers, when all of a sudden, a bright blue light shone in the middle of the forest. Birds suddenly went crazy, the deer scrambled to their feet. 
The blue light slowly materialized into a once beautiful tree, now decaying. Surrounding the tree, a building began forming. Its patio and ivy covered walls would have been recognized by anyone who knew it. The once functioning neon sign flickered, before dying completely. The giant hotel doors swung open, a man in black robe stood in the doorway, watching with a blank expression around him.

"Aghui must be here. The energy here is shrouded with negativity." The Grim Reaper stepped out of the hotel, clutching the sword tied to his waist. 
"Then what are we doing here?" Kyung followed, visibly shaking. Mr. Ha hit his head gently. 
"We should help our owner, Kyung! Not to mention Miss Jung risking her life!" 
The Grim Reaper stepped into the grassy plains, his eyes searching for Aghui amongst the trees surrounding them. He spotted a cavern atop a hill net to them and drew his sword at it. 
"What is it?" Mrs. Park asked, hiding her fear. 

"She is there. So is everyone else we have been looking for."