Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

“ T here was a way into this place. The way out is still there. We just need to shed some light on the matter,” Nana said in a steady voice despite the strain of the case on everyone. She muttered something and conjured a more powerful orb of light than I had floating with us. Hers managed to push back the shadows and illuminate the room. Without the darkness, the name Chamber of Shadows didn't fit.

As the entities protecting this place were pushed to the outer edges by Nana’s light, we saw what looked like a place where a creature of the sea would feel at home. It wasn't filled with symbols, altars, or anything I’d come to expect from Lyra and her Tainted witches. The chamber was dominated by a large, shimmering pool of water surrounded by delicate seashells and coral formations. Its surface rippled with an unearthly light. There was also an ornate, silvery chaise lounge that sat near the water's edge, draped with seaweed and pearls.

“Is this... where the siren lives?” Stella asked with wide eyes .

“It sure seems like it,” I said in a whisper. It felt like we were intruding on her private space. And without the oily feeling of malicious magic, it seemed wrong. “It looks like her personal lair.”

Layla moved toward the center of the room, where a mesmerizing water orb floated above a plinth. It radiated a cool, bluish light. The surface was smooth like a crystal ball, but it seemed to be made entirely of water. When we got closer, the surface started shifting and swirling with images. It was mesmerizing and beautiful.

“This must be how she sees everything,” Aidon observed. “She’s got an eye on the world and no one knows it.” Scenes of the ocean depths and distant shores played out as he spoke. It was interspersed with glimpses of a siren. Was it the owner of this chamber? The one stalking me? Whoever we were looking at was weaving her magic and plotting schemes.

“What do we do now?” Layla snapped. Her frustration was a live wire lashing out of her. “We're trapped in here.” She’d shifted and was now slipping clothes on, although she looked ready to claw through the stone surrounding us.

“We need to stay calm,” Nana said firmly. “There has to be a way out. The siren wouldn't trap herself in here.”

Murtagh wore a grim expression. “We need to understand what we're dealing with. This lair, this orb... it's all part of her power. There’s an answer somewhere here.”

“Okay, how do we fight something like this? I know nothing about siren magic,” Stella pointed out. “She's got the whole sea at her command, and I have a feeling we’re surrounded by it.”

“We've faced worse.” Tseki's voice was steady and reassuring. “We just need to find a way around her magic.”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. “If this orb is how she sees the world, maybe we can use it against her. There has to be something in here that can help us make it work.”

As we stood around the water orb, the light Nana conjured highlighted more details of the lair as it moved. It landed on delicate glass bottles filled with shimmering liquids. It was the way their contents glowed softly in the dim light that caught my attention. They sat on shelves carved into the stone walls. There were ancient tomes next to the containers. Given the siren’s association with Lyra, I bet the books were likely filled with dark spells and forbidden knowledge.

“I can’t imagine that this place is filled with her secrets," Nana reasoned. “She would make sure no one could enter the space she kept the heart of her powers. We walked right in here.”

Stella's eyes lingered on the orb. “I would agree with Nana, so why did she want us in here. She laid the breadcrumbs leading us here.”

"Then we haven’t triggered whatever the Chamber of Shadows is supposed to unleash.” I shuddered and moved closer to Aidon. I didn’t like that thought.

Stella's eyes went wide. “Then let’s not do that. The power here... is ancient and potent. Not something I want to tangle with.”

Nana's grip on Tseki’s arm tightened. “I don't think we’re going to get out of here until we get the magic working in here. And that is going to involve those shadows.”

Stella sighed and took several steps away from the orb. “I wish I could say you’re wrong. We might as well get this over with. My mom needs us.” She shot me a wry look and continued, “If we need to use her magic against her, let's show her what she’s messing with.”

Nana and I chuckled and joined Stella. “I say we start with a simple reveal spell,” I told them. “And before you say that’s not enough pizazz, let me remind you that we can pack it with a punch.”

“As if we’d do anything less,” Nana sniffed.

Laughing, we joined hands and started with a spell to unveil anything that was hidden within the room. our voices blending in a chorus of incantations. My fingers tingled with energy as I focused on pouring more power into the enchantment. Our energy bounced around the space and aggravated the shadows. They surged forward and swarmed us. A cry escaped my lips when contact left a red welt on my forearm.

Aidon positioned himself in front of me and took the brunt of their attack. Anger bubbled when I saw him flinching from pain. I added power to Nana's light orb and it brightened. It sent beams of light piercing through the shadows. When they were pushed back, I cast a protective barrier around all of us and Nana and Stella joined me.

“We need to try something different,” Nana called out as the shadows darted forward, trying to reach us. They didn’t get close enough to hurt us, but they tried. For a moment, they disoriented me. Thankfully, maintaining my magic had become a reflex, and my protection didn’t waver.

I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling the pulse of magic around us. “Stella, focus on the water. Nana, keep the light steady. We need to channel the power of the elemental force.”

Focusing on the water orb, I tried to tap into its power. Blue sparks danced along my fingertips as I wove my spell. I channeled the magic laced in the elemental forces that coursed through the chamber. It pulsed in response to my efforts to draw upon it. The water orb flickered, and the images within shifted more rapidly. The shelves carved into the stone walls vibrated with the power we were unleashing.

“Go for the ball of water,” I told them when I realized they might be concentrating on the pool of water. Stella’s energy shifted and then struck the water orb directly. It glowed brighter, reacting to our combined magic. The images within the orb began to swirl violently, the water inside churning with an almost sentient force.

The shadows were even more irritated. They moved so fast it threw me off my guard, and I dropped the spells I had cast. Nana’s light dimmed, we lost our protection, and the formless shapes felt like liquid as they scalded my skin. I tried to step away from them, but they were everywhere at once. The searing pain was like being burned by acid.

“Focus, Phoebe!” Nana shouted. Her face was contorted with effort. “You hit on something. Just a little more, and we might be able to get out of here! We need to synchronize our spells.”

Stella nodded and jerked away from the shadow wrapping around her. “I'll split my focus on this and on binding the shadows. You two push your magic into the orb.”

The air around us shimmered with energy, and the water orb began to glow even brighter. I gritted my teeth against the pain and refocused my mind on the spell. Stella's voice grew louder as she chanted her spell over and over. Oddly enough, her mantra helped me keep my eye on the ball. The shadows pressed harder. Their touch was like fire against my skin. And my vision blurred with tears, but I didn't stop.

The water orb's glow intensified, making the shadows retreat. A spectral form began to emerge from the sphere. The magic we had unleashed swirled around the orb. The air smelled like salt, and the sound of crashing waves was all around us. The spectral form took the shape of a woman. It hovered in front of the stand. The woman’s presence was commanding and serene at the same time.

The figure was ethereal, with translucent skin that shimmered like moonlight on water. Her dark hair flowed around her like tendrils of seaweed. And her eyes glowed with an ancient, magical light. She regarded us with a mix of curiosity and malice. I swear her gaze pierced through to our very souls.

“You have disturbed the balance,” the spectral form told us. “The prophecy has been set in motion, and your actions have sealed your fate.” Her voice echoed through the chamber like a haunting melody.

I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like what came next. I hated vague prognostications. “What prophecy?” I blurted.

The spectral form's eyes seemed to pierce deeper as if weighing our very essence. The shadows around us writhed in response. Thankfully, they didn’t get any closer. I imagined they were as afraid of the specter as we were. Not that I blamed them. The woman was looming over us.

Her voice cut through the air with an eerie yet soft resonance. “The prophecy speaks of a chosen one destined to confront this looming evil and restore balance to the realms of magic and mortals alike.” I had a bad feeling about who that was referring to. I was five months pregnant. I did not want to be the subject of a siren prophecy.

We stood in silence, the weight of her words sinking into us like stones. A chill ran down my spine as the spectral siren continued. Her voice wove a tapestry of fate that hung heavily in the air.

“In the darkest hour when shadows reign supreme and hope is but a whisper on the wind, the chosen one shall rise. Born of light and shadow, they will wield the power to mend the rift between worlds. They will bring forth a new dawn from the heart of night. Nothing will be saved from her influence. Not even the depths of the ocean.”

The siren's cold and knowing eyes swept over us. It was like she was seeking the truth within our souls. “The path is fraught with peril, and many will fall before the final battle is won. Trust not in the obvious, for deceit runs deep. The chosen one will be known by their heart, not their lineage. And their strength will come from the bonds they forge.”

Aidon exchanged a glance with me. His expression revealed his thoughts aligned with mine. “She is talking about one of us. And you don’t want it to be you.”

Nana narrowed her eyes at us. “Of course, it’s one of us. And the answer is obvious. However, we can't dismiss it. If this prophecy is true, we have a duty to fulfill. The fate of our world could depend on it.”

Stella gripped my hand and shot me eyes filled with fear. “I hate prophecies, but Nana is right. The one thing that’s bugging me is why the siren is after you. Shouldn't they want to help us rather than stop you?”

A deep sense of destiny awakened within my soul in the moments since the spectral image started talking. It was a calling that beckoned me toward an uncertain but crucial future. “I don't think they want us to succeed. I imagine they’re afraid of what their lives will be like if I do.”

Nana's gaze remained fixed on the spectral siren. “People are often foolish, clinging to their fears and insecurities. The siren might think that means Phoebe will try to steal her limelight or put rules in place for her life.” Hearing Nana say it felt like she was sealing my fate where I wanted to put it onto someone else.

The siren's form began to waver. Her image flickered like a dying flame. “Heed my words, for they are the keys to your salvation. The chosen one must walk a path of sacrifice and courage guided by the light within. Only then can the balance be restored, and the realms be saved from eternal darkness.”

Her voice faded after that leaving us with a profound silence. She still hovered there, staring at us without saying a word. It was unnerving and likely added to the sense of destiny that awakened within me. It was strong and real. We were standing on the precipice of something monumental, and there was no turning back.

Layla stepped forward with a scowl. “What the hell does that even mean? While it’s fairly obvious Phoebe is the chosen one, how can we be certain? If it’s someone else, that person needs to step up.”

Murtagh, his usual stoicism cracked by a hint of concern, added, “That’s not where we need to put our efforts. We are in this together, so if it is someone else, we can avert disaster. What is more important is understanding more about the prophecy.”

“I would agree. It would help to put the pieces together.” I turned to the spectral siren and asked, “Can you recite the prophecy to me in full?”

The specter inclined her head and clasped her hands in front of her body. “In the darkest hour when shadows reign supreme and hope is but a whisper on the wind, the chosen one shall rise. Born of light and shadow, they will wield the power to mend the rift between worlds. They will bring forth a new dawn from the heart of night. Nothing will be saved from her influence. Not even the depths of the ocean.

“The path is fraught with peril, and many will fall before the final battle is won. Trust not in the obvious, for deceit runs deep. The chosen one will be known by their heart, not their lineage. And their strength will come from the bonds they forge.

“When the skies bleed, and the seas boil, when shadows consume the stars and the earth trembles with their weight, the chosen one will stand at the crossroads of fate. Their choice will shape the destiny of all realms, and in their hands lies the power to save or to destroy.” Her gaze intensified as she told us, “The prophecy is now awakened. Prepare for the trials to come, for the balance of all worlds rests upon the chosen one. ”

Stella started pacing a short circuit in front of us, staying clear of the shadows hovering around the edges. “It’s even worse hearing it all like that. But, I am more convinced this hero is you, Phoebe. Not that you are in it alone. This is bigger than my mom and the siren. We need to get out of here and stop Lyra. She’s the evil behind the danger.”

I was shaking my head when the pool of water across the room started frothing. The specter vanished, and the water orb stopped glowing a second before a head emerged from the pool. A naked body followed suit. This was no spirit. This person was flesh and blood. My heart started racing when I felt the power coming off of the woman. There was no doubt she was a siren. She prowled forward, swaying her perfectly curved hips. She opened her mouth, and I hastily cast another earplug spell just to be safe.

Her song drifted through the room but cut off when we didn’t go all gaga over her. She scowled at us and snapped her fingers. Power whooshed around the room with that, and the shadows surged forward. They were just as liquid and still burned like acid. They swarmed us, their touch searing our skin and sending waves of pain through our bodies.

"Stay close!" I shouted, casting a protective spell. Stella and Nana joined in, their magic intertwining with mine as we tried to push back the relentless evil.

The siren's laughter echoed through the chamber. It was a chilling sound that made my blood run cold. “Pathetic fools,” she taunted. “You think your pitiful magic can save you? You’ve walked into my trap.”

“Your plan?” I asked with an arched brow. “Don’t you mean Lyra’s?” The shadows clawed at us. Their touch was burning through our defenses. Aidon swung his weapon to dispel them, but his efforts seemed futile against their relentless advance.

“Your struggle is meaningless,” the siren sneered. “The prophecy is in motion, and you are but pawns in a game you cannot comprehend.”

Nana's light flickered and wavered under the onslaught. “We need to get out of here,” she grumbled.

Stella gritted her teeth, focusing her energy. “She’s not going to win. We’re more powerful."

“You cannot escape your fate,” she hissed, raising her arms. The pool of water behind her churned violently.

“You've misinterpreted the prophecy," I said, stepping forward with a confidence I barely felt. “The chosen one will end the darkness and restore the balance between realms.”

The siren laughed, a sound like broken glass. “Do you think you can change fate? The prophecy is just words. I am the power here. I am the one who will bring darkness to this world.”

Stella's grip on my hand tightened while her eyes remained fixed on the siren. "Why are you doing this? What do you gain from plunging the world into chaos?"

The siren's smile widened. "Power. Control. The satisfaction of seeing mortals and witches alike bend to my will."

Nana's voice was steady, but I could hear the underlying fury. “You won't succeed. We'll stop you.”

The siren's eyes gleamed. "You? A group of misfits and children? You have no idea what you're up against."

Aidon stepped forward. "It's you who are mistaken.” He let some of his power leak through. It was enough to make the shadows back off.

The siren's expression darkened, and her power thrummed in the air around us. "Then come, chosen ones,” she sneered. “Let me show you the true meaning of despair.”

With a flick of her wrist, runes we hadn’t seen on the ground flared to life. I accessed my power and had it manipulate hers. I told it to open the way out. While I was busy trying to use her display to our benefit, the chamber filled with a blinding light. The shadows twisted and danced, forming grotesque shapes that lunged at us.

My loved ones fought the creatures while I worked. They fought back with everything they had. Aidon's blade flashed and cut through shadows. Stella and Nana channeled their magic and bombs exploded inside the darkness, making it dissipate.

“You can't win,” I shouted. “We are stronger, and we will bring balance.”

The siren's laughter turned to a snarl when I managed to open an exit in the wall. Tseki rushed over and shifted into his dragon form so the stone couldn’t roll back into place. The siren bared her teeth at me and growled, “You are nothing!”

But even as she spoke, I could see the cracks in her confidence. If I wasn’t mistaken, that was fear behind her eyes. The siren's eyes darted between us and the exit. Her fury was palpable. She took a step back and bared her teeth at me. “This is not over,” she hissed. “You may have won this battle, but the prophecy is still in motion. And I will find you alone at some point.”

Stella stepped forward with her hands glowing from residual magic. “Good luck with that. Phoebe is never alone.”

With a piercing glare, the siren gave a guttural scream of frustration. She turned and leaped back into the pool of water. I sagged as her form disappeared beneath the surface with a splash. The water stilled, and the oppressive darkness began to lift.

I took a deep breath as my heart pounded in my chest. “Is everyone okay?” I asked.

“We're fine,” Nana replied as she moved to Tseki’s side and leaned against his dragon where it was squished into the exit. “But we need to move before she regroups,” she finished.