Chapter 32 - The Underground Chamber
The tunnel ended inside an enormous natural cavern hidden beneath the northern ridge.
Crystal-clear water flowed through an underground stream, reflecting the flashlight beams across towering stone walls. Old wooden walkways crossed the cavern, many of them damaged but still standing.
The rescue team stopped in amazement.
"This place isn't on any geological survey," one rescuer said.
Henry smiled faintly.
"It was intentionally erased."
In the center of the cavern stood a rusted steel platform.
Elias immediately recognized it.
"This wasn't built for mining."
Henry nodded.
"It was a loading dock."
"For what?"
Henry remained silent.
Instead, he pointed toward several enormous wooden doors built directly into the rock.
Each door carried the same faded anchor symbol from the ancient map.
The rescue team leader slowly approached.
"They're sealed."
Elias examined the heavy chains.
"No."
He knelt near the floor.
"The locks were opened recently."
Fresh scrape marks gleamed beneath decades of dust.
Someone had entered the hidden chamber not long ago.
Then a faint humming sound drifted through the cavern.
May you like
Electrical equipment.
Running somewhere beyond the enormous doors.
