Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

F iona

The afterimage of the shimmering shield pulsing with an unearthly glow was burned on the back of my eyelids. It was accompanied by the surge of energy that enveloped us. How the hell was it pulling us away from the familiar realm into an abyss of the unknown? There had to be some cosmic force that had reached out and snatched us from our reality. There was no resisting the force as it dragged us through the fabric of existence. My senses were overwhelmed by the dizzying whirlwind of magic, the air crackling with energy as we were swept away.

Amidst the chaos, a primal fear gripped my heart. I swear to all the gods and goddesses, my terror squeezed that vital organ like a vice. I struggled to make sense of the swirling darkness that surrounded us. All I knew was the sensation of being yanked in every direction.

My fright won out, and I let out a primal scream. I could hear Violet's panicked cries mingling with my own. Her voice was a desperate plea for reassurance in the face of the unknown. And somewhere in the distance, Aislinn's voice echoed like a haunting melody as well. Her words were lost in the void that stretched out before us.

Pain consumed me as it seemed like my body was going to be torn apart. Between one agonizing second and the next, a heat engulfed us. The intensity made me worry it was going to sear my skin with its fiery touch. For a moment, I feared that we were hurtling towards our doom. Were we destined to be consumed by the inferno that raged around us? But as the flames licked at my skin, I felt a strange sense of protection wash over me, like a warm blanket wrapping me in its comforting embrace.

In the midst of the chaos, I reached out blindly. My hand sought the reassuring grasp of my friends. Our fingers intertwined, forming a lifeline that anchored us to each other in the swirling maelstrom of magic. Though I couldn't see them through the darkness, their presence was a source of strength in the face of the unknown.

Time seemed to lose all meaning as we hurtled through the void. All I knew was the heat and the pull that tried to yank me apart. Each moment stretched into eternity. It felt like we were suspended in limbo, trapped between worlds with no way of knowing what lay ahead.

As the pull on us waned, I struggled to regain my composure. My mind raced with fear and uncertainty. "Aislinn! Violet!" I called out into the darkness, my voice echoing into the emptiness. But there was no response, only the eerie silence of the void.

Desperation clawed at my chest as I reached out with magic, casting a protective barrier around us in a desperate bid for safety. It was a feeble attempt to shield us from whatever horrors awaited on the other side. It took everything I had to hold onto hope in the face of the unknown.

As abruptly as we were yanked into a realm that felt like a distorted mirror of our own, it ended. A surge of raw energy enveloped us, swirling and pulsating around our bodies like an invisible vortex. It was a sensation, unlike anything I had ever experienced, a dizzying mix of excitement and terror that left me reeling in its wake.

I was so disoriented that I had no idea we were heading for a rough landing. I bounced off of the ground and gasped as pain shot through my left shoulder. It took a second for my vision to focus, and I wanted to scream when it did. We weren't on Earth anymore.

Instead of our world's familiar sights and sounds, we found ourselves in a dark and foreboding forest. Its twisted branches reached out like skeletal fingers toward the moonlit sky. Shadows danced ominously across the forest floor, casting strange and unsettling shapes that seemed to move of their own accord.

But it wasn't just the eerie landscape that set my nerves on edge. No, it was the palpable sense of danger that hung heavy in the air. The feeling of impending doom that permeated the place sent a chill down my spine. I could hear the distant howls of unseen creatures echoing through the trees. Their mournful cries were a haunting reminder of our precarious situation.

As I struggled to regain my bearings, my attention was drawn to Violet, who lay sprawled on the ground in a tangle of limbs. Horror washed over me as I took in the sight of how much blood covered her. It obscured the extent of her injuries but I knew she was bad off. Her face was pale and drawn. Her breathing was shallow and labored. Blood trickled from more than one deep gash on her head. It stained her hair a dark crimson.

"Violet!" I cried out, scrambling to her side and nearly collapsing beside her. "Please tell me you're alive!" Tears threatened to break free and flow like a river down my cheeks. I bit them back, knowing if I let loose now, I wouldn't be able to stop.

Aislinn joined me and reached for Violet but hesitated when Violet groaned softly. Her eyes fluttered open as she struggled to move. "I... I think so," she murmured weakly.

Aislinn's expression was grave as she assessed Violet's injuries. "We need to get her help," she said. Her voice cracked as she spoke. "She needs Zreegy." The look she gave me then made my stomach twist in a knot. It screamed we might be too late already. That wasn't something I would think about yet. Violet had to live.

I nodded, my heart racing as I tried to devise a plan. "But where do we even start?" My voice trembled with fear. "We're in the middle of nowhere, with no idea of how to get home. Or where to go here for any help."

Aislinn glanced around the dark forest, furrowing her brow in thought. "We'll have to search for signs of civilization," she said finally. "There must be someone or something out here that can help us."

But even as she spoke, a sense of unease settled over me like a ton of bricks. We were stranded in a strange and hostile world, with no one to rely on but each other. And as I looked down at Violet, I knew she wouldn't make it home. Her face was twisted in pain, and she had lost most of her blood. Time was running out. We had to find help and fast or risk losing her to the darkness that surrounded us. My heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vice, and I couldn't catch my breath.

Aislinn's voice cut through the chaos like a beacon of reason, but I didn't hear what she'd said. I turned to her. My heart pounded with a mixture of fear and urgency. "What?" My throat was thick with the pain of repressed emotions, and a tear escaped. Then another. I didn't bother trying to stop it now.

Aislinn's gaze swept over the murky darkness, her eyes glinting with determination. "We need to move her over there," she pointed towards a cluster of massive boulders, her voice surprisingly steady amidst the turmoil. "Those big rocks will offer us some cover while you cast a stasis spell on her."

Relief flooded through me at the prospect of finding refuge amidst the uncertainty of our surroundings. "I can do that," I replied as my tears flowed. "Let's get her over there."

With a shared sense of urgency, we lifted Violet's unconscious form and began to navigate towards the safety of the boulders. The ground beneath our feet felt uneven and treacherous. Each step was a precarious dance on the edge of disaster. Violet's pained moans echoed through the night air. They made me think of the danger that lurked around us. I swear all I could see in the foliage around us were glowing eyes.

"Hang tight, Violet," I whispered, my voice barely audible through my emotions. "We'll get you through this."

As we reached the relative sanctuary of the boulders, Aislinn and I carefully lowered Violet to the ground. The rocks loomed over us like ancient guardians. Their rough surfaces offered a fleeting sense of security amid chaos.

"Okay. I'm going to cast a stasis spell so we can get you home to Zreegy or find you a healer here," I told her.

Violet's eyelids fluttered open, a glimmer of pain and resolve flickering in her gaze. "Thank you," she whispered weakly, her voice barely a whisper. "But don't worry about that. I'm a phoenix, remember? I regenerate."

Relief washed over me in a comforting wave as Violet reminded me of her relatively new nature as a phoenix. The tension and grief that had gripped my heart released its hold. It wasn't entirely gone. My throat tightened with emotion as I reached out to grasp her hand. "I still don't like seeing you suffer like this," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "You're one of my best friends, Violet, and it breaks my heart to watch you die."

Aislinn echoed my sentiment with a gentle nod. "It's going to give me nightmares for years to come. The only way I can get through it right now is knowing you will come back. And don't worry. We're both here for you, Vi," she reassured her, her voice filled with sincerity. "You're not alone in this."

Violet's gaze flickered between us. Gratitude shone in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered. "Please, just... keep an eye out."

I squeezed her hand gently. It was a silent promise passing between us. "We've got you, Violet," I vowed. I wiped my face and nose with the bottom of my shirt. "We'll look out for you, no matter what."

The air around us crackled with a mixture of grief and desperation as Violet's final breath left her body. Aislinn and I exchanged glances, our expressions wrought with sorrow and disbelief. The night seemed to echo our silent anguish. Logically I knew she would come back, but in that moment, it didn't matter. Aislinn was right. Watching Violet die was going to haunt me for the rest of my life.

"I can't believe she's gone," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. The weight of Violet's absence settled heavily upon me.

Aislinn's gaze lingered on Violet's lifeless form, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I know," she replied, her voice choked with emotion. "It just doesn't feel real."

A sense of urgency gripped me as we knelt beside Violet's prone figure. "We have to get her clothes off of her, or she isn't going to have any!"

"Shit!" Aislinn cursed as she grabbed Violet's boots while I started on her shirt.

With trembling hands, we hurriedly stripped Violet of her clothes. We barely managed to get her panties off when her phoenix flames flickered ominously. I stood with Aislinn and watched as they licked at Violet's pale, lifeless skin. The heat of the magical fire was a comfort. It was the power that was going to bring our friend back to us.

The flames reached above the boulders, and Violet began turning to ash. The tears were ready to fall again when a sudden movement caught my eye. I conjured my bow and arrow as I gaped at what we were facing.

The creatures approaching us were unlike anything I'd ever seen before. Their monstrous forms stood tall and imposing. They had sinewy muscles rippling beneath mottled, leathery skin. Each step they took seemed to shake the ground beneath us, sending tremors of fear racing through my veins.

Their eyes glowed with an eerie, otherworldly light, casting menacing shadows across their grotesque features. Jagged horns protruded from their foreheads, gleaming with a deadly sharpness that promised pain to anyone foolish enough to cross their path. They were the devil's version of a unicorn on two legs.

As they moved closer, the stench of decay filled the air, overpowering and sickening. I could feel my stomach churn in revulsion as the foul odor assaulted my senses, threatening to overwhelm me. Devilcorn. My mind conjured the name from my observations. It was fitting.

I shot an arrow at one of them. It dodged the projectile with deadly grace. Their movements were fluid and precise as they closed in on us. It was clear that we were facing a formidable enemy.

Instinct took over and I fought in earnest. I notched an arrow and let it fly. The shaft sliced through the air with deadly precision. I continued firing as I took a stance in front of the ashes where Violet was regenerating. Beside me, Aislinn unleashed a torrent of elemental magic. She engulfed one of the creatures in a searing blaze rivaling Violet's phoenix's heat. I prayed these assholes didn't regenerate from flames like Violet.

That victory was short-lived, as another creature emerged from the darkness. Its snarling visage was a chilling sight. With a cry of defiance, I drew my bow again. I was prepared to face whatever horrors lay ahead.

The battle raged on, each blow landing with a sickening thud as we fought tooth and nail to protect our fallen friend. Aislinn's voice broke through the chaos. "We can't let them take her," she declared. Her eyes blazed with the same fierce resolve I felt. "Not while we still draw breath."

I nodded and continued firing arrows. "They won't know what hit them."

The creature on the rock jumped down, making me lunge for it while screaming, "No!"

Before the hooves could crush Violet's delicate skull, she pulled her knees to her chest and kicked out. Her swift action sent the creature reeling. The night erupted into a symphony of chaos then. The creature's hideous form thrashed wildly as Aislinn launched herself forward. Aislinn's fluid movements were precise as she tackled the beast to the ground. The sound of their struggle echoed through the night while I returned to face the other creature. It had two arrows sticking out of its chest.

I heard Aislinn yell, "Get dressed, Violet! You need more protection for your skin." I wanted to tell Aislinn that was good thinking, but I was too busy firing arrows at the Devilcorn trying to eat me for dinner.

Violet's retort was sharp, her defiance evident even amidst the chaos. "I'd rather not put those bloody clothes back on," she declared. I felt her magic and heard her chant a cleansing spell. I was glad no other Devilcorns had shown up because she was completely sidetracked.

I had just thrown another magical bomb at the Devilcorn when Violet rejoined the fray. She had her bow and arrow in her hand and was firing alongside me. Several projectiles hit our target. Its enraged howls echoed through the night. But even as we fought with all our might, the creatures proved formidable adversaries. Their thick hides seemed impervious to our conventional weaponry, shrugging off arrows with disdain.

"We need to try something different," I shouted over the din, my voice tinged with urgency. "Our weapons won't work against them."

Aislinn nodded in agreement, her eyes alight with determination. "We'll have to use our magic." That comment was for Violet and I. Aislinn had been using her elemental powers and had managed to kill the other Devilcorn. Aislinn's hands continued moving in intricate patterns as she summoned pillars of earth to ensnare the creatures.

As the creatures thrashed against their earthen prison, I focused my energy and created a magical bomb. Keeping my intent focused, I unleashed a barrage of them. They hit one creature and then the other. Violet's spells joined mine while Aislinn's elements came to the party. The Devilcorn was engulfed in a blinding inferno.

But even as the creatures faltered, their resolve remained unbroken. With a ferocious roar, one of them broke free from its earthly confines. It lunged forward with renewed fury. "Watch out!" Aislinn's warning came too late as the creature barreled towards Violet.

Its massive form headed right for her. Reacting on instinct, I conjured a barrier of shimmering energy. I made it deflect the creature's charge. It bought us precious moments to regroup .

"Thank you," Violet gasped, her voice filled with gratitude. "Let's finish this."

With renewed determination, we launched a final assault, our combined magic weaving a tapestry of light and shadow that enveloped the creatures in a dazzling display of power. Their shrieks died as they burned to ash. When the dust settled, and the echoes of battle faded into the night, I realized there were likely more creatures on their way to find us.

"We can't stay here," I declared urgently. "We've already attracted too much attention."

"You're right about that," Violet said as she walked away. Aislinn and I followed her lead.

Summoning a veil of magic, I cloaked our movements and conversation as we exited the wilderness. "We need a plan," I said. "Wandering aimlessly won't get us anywhere. Not that we know where we are."

Aislinn nodded in agreement. "Returning home may not be our best option," she mused. "We weren't prepared for this. Who knows what other dangers this realm may hold? We don't have many potions or weapons with us. And no one knows where we are."

Violet frowned. "How do we even get home? And even if we did, should we? The shield might be here."

"We can't get home, so I say we table that discussion for now." My suggestion was met with head nods from my friends.

We fell silent then. The forest around us pulsed with foreign energy. The twisted trees loomed overhead like ancient guardians. I swear it felt like they were going to come alive and grab us.

"Ah, nothing like a leisurely stroll through the enchanted woods," I quipped when the tangled underbrush seemed threatening.

Aislinn chuckled softly as she scanned our surroundings with caution and curiosity. "Who needs a day at the spa when you can navigate a deadly jungle instead?"

Violet shot us a half-hearted smile, though her eyes betrayed her unease as they darted nervously between the looming trees. "I vote we stick to spa days from now on," she whispered. "We need to stay sharp in case we run into anything out here."

"I've been thinking," Aislinn interjected. "Do you think Artemis misunderstood the shield? I mean, it pulled us here, nearly killing us in the process. Its nature might be to hurt whoever it comes into contact with."

One of my eyebrows shot up on my forehead. "That's a possibility. It might have been trying to find its way home."

Violet raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Or maybe it's trying to find its way to our throats," she countered, a shiver running down her spine at the mere thought.

I shook my head, pondering the possibilities. "Either way, we need to figure out how to deal with it." The rest of what I would say was cut off when I spotted a sign of civilization. "And maybe that weird house up ahead holds some answers."

"This looks like the perfect setting for a horror movie," Violet remarked as we got closer to the structure.

Aislinn nodded in agreement, her gaze sweeping over the decrepit facade of the house. "I wouldn't be surprised if we find demons killing things inside."

I winced and shook my head. "Well, let's hope they're friendly demons," I said, trying to lighten the mood.

Violet arched an eyebrow at me. "Is there such a thing?"

I smirked at her. "You'd know better than me."

Violet chuckled and inclined her head as she stepped under a low-hanging branch. "There are some decent ones. Not all are blood-thirsty monsters."

The moon hung low in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the landscape as we stood in the shadow of a tree away from the house. Its silhouette stretched upward. The walls were weathered by the passage of time. I couldn't tell if it was made from stone or not. It didn't look like anything we had on Earth. Whatever it was, it was iridescent and shimmered and shifted in the moonlight.

"That's the epitome of cozy?" I remarked dryly.

Intricate carvings adorned the dormers. Tall, slender spires reached skyward. Their tips brushed against the velvet-black expanse of the night sky. Each spire was crowned with a glistening crystal that glowed with a green-blue light.

As we approached, a sense of awe and wonder washed over me. This was no ordinary dwelling. It was someone's sanctuary. Could it also be a haven for those who sought refuge in the heart of this darkness?

Aislinn and Violet shared a weary chuckle, their breath forming clouds in the cold night air. We approached the house cautiously, the crunch of leaves beneath our feet would have echoed in the stillness if I hadn't cast a silencing spell.

"Looks like we've stumbled upon someone's house," I muttered. The air around us was heavy with ancient magic that sent shivers down my spine.

Huddled together in the shadow of a tree, we deliberated our next move, weighing the risks of venturing into the unknown against the allure of discovery. Before we could come to a decision. However, a sudden presence made itself known behind us. We turned to find ourselves face-to-face with a woman of striking beauty and undeniable power.

Her presence was a tangible manifestation of the otherworldly energy that permeated the air around us. With a sinking feeling in my gut, I realized that she must be a demigoddess. Her divine lineage was evident in the ethereal glow that surrounded her.

"Salutations, travelers," the demigoddess greeted us with a knowing smile, her voice a melodious echo in the stillness of the night. "I am Kitris and it is my home you are stalking."

Kitris was tall and regal. She moved with grace as she closed the distance between us. Her long, flowing hair was the color of midnight. It cascaded down her back in waves. Her eyes were a piercing shade of blue that held a depth of wisdom and knowledge. She wore robes of rich, dark velvet and embroidered with intricate patterns of stars and moons. We stuck out like a sore thumb in our shorts and t-shirts.

I glanced at Violet and Aislinn, silently communicating our mutual wariness. Trust didn't come easily, especially in a realm as enigmatic and perilous as this one. Her eyes were wise yet open. There was nothing malevolent coming off of her.

"Hello," I replied cautiously. "We're a bit lost, I'm afraid. Could you perhaps tell us where we are?"

Kitris's laughter danced on the night breeze. It was a musical cadence that sent shivers down my spine. "That's a first. No one has ever come here because they were lost. You find yourselves in the realm of Nocturne," she said in a voice tinged with amusement. "As for how you got here, well, that's a question I'm rather curious to hear the answer to myself."

I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing with a flurry of thoughts and doubts. But in the end, I knew that honesty was our best bet in a realm as unforgiving as this. Still, I opened my magical senses and delved deeper to test if my first impression was correct. I found nothing but sincerity and warmth. My gut told me that Kitris could be trusted. She was a friend, not a foe.

Before I could second-guess myself, the words spilled from my lips in a rush of honesty. "We were brought here against our will by the shield," I blurted out.

Kitris's eyes widened in surprise, her expression a mixture of curiosity and concern. "The shield, I'm not familiar with that," she admitted. "I'd like to hear about that more as it is indeed troubling news. Come, let us discuss this further inside."

Violet looked at Aislinn and me and shrugged a shoulder. I nodded, and the three of us followed Kitris into her home. Was I leading us to our doom? My luck wasn't great lately, so there was a fifty-fifty chance we wouldn't make it out of there.