The Land Of Shadows (13 page)

~*~

Luna~

Alchera falls to her knees, crying in agony. It sounds terrifying, as if she is being torn apart from within. She grabs her head and blood starts to trickle from her ears and nose. I’m at her side before another scream can tear loose from her lips, reaching for her hand.

I don’t notice Raighne stumbling to his feet, and as I’m about to take hold of Alchera he picks her up. “We need Alder!” He yells, and then starts to run in the direction of the village.

“Raighne! No, wait!” I’m up and after him, but he puts a significant distance between us as he runs into the ever-growing dark night with a speed I’ve yet to witness anywhere on Vaalbara.

I do my very best to catch up and I’m in time to see him reach Alder in the middle of the village.

“Set her down, my son,” Alder instructs, hovering over Alchera. I keep my distance as I catch my breath, and watch Alder touch Alchera’s forehead. She grabs Alder’s hand, clutching it tightly in her own. Now if only she had done that with me back at the Virtues! I can see Alchera is fighting something we can’t see. I see fear in Alder’s eyes and that scares me.

“Alder … Help … Me!” Alchera’s words are soaked in pain. Her feverish eyes burn into his worried ones. I move a little closer, ready to offer my help.

I glance at the full Hunter’s Moon and draw some more energy, readying myself. I promised Alchera to protect her. I might not be able to see my enemy right now, but given the chance I will step in and help her!

“Release her!” I stare blankly at Alder. I’m sure a simple demand like that isn’t going to work.

I’m shocked, because it actually works! Void appears once again, standing dangerously close to Alchera and Alder, and he looks angry. He leans forward, turning his head first this way then that, as if he is proud of the pain he’s causing her.

Alchera squirms on the ground at the mere sight of him. With Void’s back half turned to me, I slowly inch a bit closer. He has his soulless eyes focused on Alder and I’d like to keep it that way.

Void, the possessor of all that is dark, the ruler of evil, is but a few feet away from me! Within him live the darkest shadows, with every cruel and heartless intention. He is what nightmares are made of, the purest form of the most terrifying insanity that eats away at our souls. He will destroy a mind only to leave it within the body – empty of all a person once was – a hollow carcass that barely resembles a once normal being. I tell myself this. A reminder of why I have to take these final steps. I have to kill him!

“You, Alder, do not dare tell me to leave her alone,
brother
.” His voice is dangerously low, dripping with venom. And then he moves. My heart drops as he begins to circle the pair slowly, as if he wants to tear their throats from their bodies. “You, Alder, cannot rid her of me. You still have a lot to learn before you will ever be a match for my powers,
brother
.”

His fingers catch my eye as they move and with every evil hiss he gives, it looks like he’s playing a piano – the movement makes Alchera quiver in pain.
So that’s how he’s inflicting pain on her!

“
Brother,
such an empty word.
Family,
you gave it up so quickly for a village full of undeserving weaklings.” My head snaps up. He took those words right from my soul! Did he get into my mind after all? “I will take one of them from you tonight, one that is keeping your precious village hanging on your every word. Let us see what happens when chaos erupts in the perfect existence I have allowed you to have all these eons.”

“You fight a one-sided battle, Void!” Alder’s normally tranquil voice shakes with fear for the village – the village I am not a part of. It will be better for my soul to die before I become a monster like Void.

A satisfying smile forms on my lips and I reach with both my hands to the heavens, gathering all the power the moon can offer me. I let the energy flow through me, charging every cell in my body. I’m ready to die and to take this monster back to the very Hell he comes from!

“My Sweetling, you seem to be feeling ill. Is it the insanity throbbing in your head that is bothering you? Is it the agonizing stabbing at your mind that has you squirming in such pain?” Void looks at Alchera in such a kind manner that it almost sickens me. He almost looks worried.

Raighne lunges forward and I have to keep from striking at him. He is really starting to work on my last nerve tonight! Void, however, is caught off-guard by Raighne’s attack.

Raighne throws a forceful punch at Void’s heart, and it sends Void’s body flying. He hits the ground hard, but doesn’t stay down. He gets up and then all hell breaks loose. He shimmers back to Raighne, and then without even touching Raighne, but with a flick of his wrist he sends him flying through the air. I memorize this for my own protection and get ready to make my move. Void doesn’t need to touch me to hurt me. I must expect anything from him.

“Well, I can see our time is up here. It is best we go now,” Void laughs, slightly out of breath. His eyes are on Raighne who is already getting to his feet. Perfect distraction! Maybe it’s not such a bad thing that Raighne is here.

I place my feet well apart to get a steady stance and then summon every bit of energy I have to my right hand. The night grows darker as I feed off the moon. My body hums with power and it seeps from my very pores. Lifting from the ground with the force of the energy surging through my body, I take the small advantage I have. I attack with a violet orb, and it streaks directly at the monster who dares to threaten Alchera.

Void catches sight of the light pulsating toward him, but it’s a moment too late to put up any kind of defense. For the first time in decades Void truly meets his match and my orb hits him square in the chest. I lift my head with satisfaction as he is thrown back a great distance. His image flickers back and forth from the monster he wants us all to see, to an elderly man, until he comes to a staggering halt. Seeing the old man gives me new hope. He’s not the powerful creature he wants us to believe, with his hair as black as a raven’s wing and eyes as dark as the pits of hell. He is only a mere immortal like me.

I can do this!

“You will leave her alone, Void!” My voice echoes through the night with power and warning. I feel my confidence building. “Face someone who can take you.” I blast wave after wave of energy into him, slamming him back again and again and closing the gap between us.

“Luna!” I hear Storm’s voice coming from somewhere, but my full attention is on the devil in front of me.

I push all the light out of me. The violet light transforms to a glimmering pearl as I give Void another solid blow. I lunge forward, hitting him full in the chest with both hands. It’s time to connect with him and take him out.

Void staggers backwards, shimmering while he stumbles, giving the illusion of a broken hologram. Glancing up at my moon for a split second, I make my first mistake and take my attention off him. Void grabs my hands and a deafening cry escapes his lips as his filthy black nails dig into my skin, yanking me down to the ground with him. Blood sprays from his mouth, splattering over me, as my light sears him from the inside out.

As he brings me to my knees, I come face-to-face with the demon of shadows, but there is a huge difference between us – I have a destiny to fulfill - he just has to die.

“That’s right. Hold on tight, old man.” I mock Void and lean in closer as I push more of my essence into him. It must be a sight to behold as the light of the moon meets the shadows of Hell.

I make my second mistake when I look into Void’s empty eyes. They are so black they seem to be bottomless pits that lead the way straight to Hell. I feel fear ignite inside my heart and my breathing becomes raspy. I’ve made the fatal mistake of looking into the deepest shadows and what I see brings tears to my eyes.

“Let them go!” My voice sounds strangely empty in my own ears as reality dawns. I have just attacked Void! I’ve managed to bring him to his knees. But the reality does not stop there. He still has the upper hand and I know I can’t kill him before saving them.“Let me go before you die.” I cringe at the words leaving my lips.

“That was not a wise thing to do, you insolent fool.” Void stares me down with his black eyes before he releases me and struggles to his feet. “You will pay for this.” His menacing words scare me but I refuse to show him how much.

I feel weak and struggle to keep myself from falling face first to the ground. I lift my chin and growl at him, “I will kill you! Maybe not tonight, but I will!”

He is right though, I am a fool. Instead of spewing stupid words I should have guessed his next action. But I am too late. Void shimmers away and appears quickly at Alchera’s side, only to disappear with her seized in his arms.

~*~

The Journey

‘Twisted, twisted shadows.

Hide from the light that burns in the night.’

What is stronger?

Friendship or love?

Which would you die for?

Storm~

“No! Alchera!” Luna immediately jumps to her feet and starts to run toward the Virtues River. I make a mad dash for her and take her off the ground, slamming her body back against mine. It feels as if this is becoming a routine of late. She runs and I grab for her. I need to sit her down for a good one on one! She almost got herself killed tonight!

“Wait! First, we have to talk about what we are going to do before we go-” Raighne furiously interrupts, stalking towards us.

“Luna, why did you stop? How could you let that monster live?” It looks like he’s about to lose total control of his emotions. I know he worries for Alchera, but that is uncalled for! Luna did great, facing off against Void.

Luna drops her head and leans into me as if she’s trying to hide from Raighne’s wrath. Her voice is filled with pain and hurt. “I … I did what I knew was right. I could not kill him now. Not when there are other lives to be saved.”

What? What other lives?

“You could have stopped him … and yet you did not. Instead, you allowed him to take Alchera.” Raighne’s voice is dead with anger, as if all the life has been taken from his soul.

I tighten my arms around Luna. Just thinking that it could’ve been her, I don’t even want to tolerate the idea! I feel her search for my hand and she grips it tightly. I squeeze back, giving her the extra support she seeks.

“If I killed him they would be lost forever,” Luna blurts out and before I can ask her who she is referring to Raighne interrupts again.

“Who can be more important than Alchera? Tell me this, Luna! Who, on the face of Vaalbara, can be more important than her?” His words are like knifes and his eyes burn with rage.

“I am not saying she is not important, but to leave their souls in those dark pits would be unforgivable. I will go free them and bring her back.”

This battle of words between them is frustrating me. I want answers of my own.

Raighne snaps out of his shocked state and stalks towards us with a threatening gait. In one swift motion I move Luna behind me and take a protective stance.

“You are not thinking clearly, Raighne!” I’ll only warn him once and then he’ll have a fight on his hands, one we cannot afford to waste time on fighting right now.

“I want to know who she keeps referring to!” Raighne scowls at me, as if he might actually take me on.

Luna’s small voice raises the hair on my neck as her hands dig into my back. “Aurian and King Eryon. I am talking about them.” She whispers the words into my shirt, as if I can protect her from the hurt and shock on our faces.

“Child, what are you talking about?” Alder’s voice is now burdened with the horror we all feel.

“He has them in the pits, in the Shadowedlands. I hear them calling, begging for help.” She peeks around me to look at Alder, and all I can do is stand like a salt pillar.

The whispers I could never make out – she can hear them? It was Aurian and King Eryon?

“How can you be sure?” I don’t mean to snap at her but my emotions are running rampant within me, thinking I could’ve helped Aurian and King Eryon, yet I did nothing to ease their suffering!

“They were both killed by Adeth’s blade – a blade forged in the pits of the Shadowedlands. The blade imprisoned their souls, stopping them from crossing over. Now they are being held captive by Void. I have to set them free before I can kill him.”

Luna steps away from me and I want nothing more than to grab her back into my arms, but I just can’t. Not right now.

~*~

Luna~

Storm’s brusque tone and cold demeanor is a great disappointment. I can take it from everyone else, but not him. I always hoped that he would be on my side.

Alder frowns, scrunching his thick white eyebrows together on his forehead. “That does present a problem we did not foresee. You should have told me this sooner, child!”

I can’t believe I’m in trouble for wanting to help! And now, of all times, my lips begin to tremble as I feel the tears building up. I’ve never seen Alder so angry and it’s tying my stomach in knots.

“You saw how close I came to killing him. I can do it again.” I step cautiously towards Alder, pleading with him to listen.

“And you will! Enough time has been wasted!” Alder’s anger thunders into the night and I take a cautious step back, bumping into Storm. His hands settle on my shoulders and I want to shake them off.

I don’t understand Alder’s anger and reaction towards me. I did my best. I expect his support if nothing else.

“She did more than her part, Alder.What you demand from her is absurd.” Storm’s voice is cold. His words are clipped as he voices my thoughts partly.

I brace myself for more harsh words from Alder, when a scream rips through my mind. Another scream sets my pulse racing. It’s Alchera, I can feel her. I jump into a fighting stance, ready for anything that might appear out of the darkness.

“Luna?” Ignoring Storm, I concentrate harder on Alchera. I try to see if I can connect with her like I did back in the forest, but Void’s voice paralyzes my mind and drives me to my knees as it echoes throughout the village, darker than I ever remember it being.

‘
Ah, the pebble in my shoe has joined us
.’ He sounds like his eerie self again. ‘
What should we do first, my Moonflower? What must your punishment be? Maybe I should punish Alchera instead, make her pay for your stupidity?’

“Leave her alone!” My eyes grow wild at the thought that I might’ve caused Alchera more harm by taking on Void.

‘You have tested my patience enough!’
Void’s voice slithers to me and drags me to the ground until I’m kneeling on all fours. It vibrates through my mind leaving a trail of toxic sludge behind. I’m left numb, unable to move with fear. I might be stronger in body, but Void is mentally much stronger than me.

‘You want to save your precious Alchera? Well you cannot and will never be able to! Instead, you will watch her suffer. You, Luna, will endure her pain. Your so-called talent will be absolutely useless, as you watch me drain the life from her. The one you call your heroine will burn out like a fading star and there will be nothing you can do about it
.’

I hear his sinister laughter creeping closer, but I still can’t move a muscle.

‘Perhaps you should have taken your chance while you had it, hmmm? You should have killed me, but you are too weak.’

Alchera’s cry echoes loudly in my mind and it drives me crazy not knowing what he’s doing to her. A sharp pain stabs at my brain, yet still I remain frozen, unable to grab at my head as shadows once again claw their way into my mind.

‘I have not yet greeted you properly, Sweetling. Welcome to the Land of Shadows, my kingdom. Do you favor my name for you? Does it not bring back tender memories of your dear friend Robert?’

His voice is the darkness that engulfs the deepest caves of Vaalbara. It’s every fear ever felt.

‘Alchera…
’ Void’s voice sends shivers through me. ‘
Hmmm … are you angry with me for bringing up dear old Robert? He had such a fondness for you. Do you want to hear how he died? Of course you do! You hated him so much, after all.’
Void’s empty laughter echoes in my mind, making me cringe.
‘He was suffocated. The very air was sucked from his lungs as he was squashed in his car like the insect he was.’

“Stop! Please stop!” Finally words explode from my burning chest. “I’ll do anything you ask of me!”

It must’ve been what he wanted to hear because everyone shoots into action. Storm lifts my face to his and I can hear Alder call on Awo. I only become aware of the blood trickling from my nose and ears when Storm tries to wipe it away.

‘You will be begging me to take your soul. Mark my words, my Moonflower, you will pay for what you have done tonight. You have one of two choices; you stand by Alchera and share her pain,’
he laughs again
, ‘or you give up and save yourself.’

I hate him! I hate him so much! “I will not give up!” I spit the words at him.

There is an unholy silence before his voice cracks over us again, even darker than before.

‘
I will be the very essence of life to both of you before I am done.’
His laugher stabs at my mind – sadistic thorns that promise nothing but ultimate destruction. ‘
I really want to make a grand impression on both of you so that you will always remember me. You will think of me for all time without end. That would be pleasing, even delightful, do you not think? I will have you begging for my mercy in no time.’

Every inch of me is tense with anger. I want to destroy Void, now more than ever. I rise to my feet. There is nothing left to do but leave immediately. I need to get to Alchera as soon as is possible.

“Do not move a muscle, Luna! So help me, we will do this together,” Storm says before I can move a muscle.

Alder steps closer. He looks deep in thought as he looks from Storm to me.

A strange feeling sweeps through me. I feel Storm tensing next to me and then I’m slammed with all the emotions I’ve been fighting. The pull to stay with Storm is so strong that my body takes on a mind of its own and leans towards his. I crave his strength and warmth more than the air I breathe. I’ve always loved him, but right now it feels as if he is in every ragged breath I suck in.

Storm slips his hands into my hair and draws me to his chest, giving me a place to rest. I can’t keep the sigh in, and let it out against his chest as I find what my heart has been missing all these long years.

The bliss joining us lasts only for a moment before Alder’s voice disturbs the sweet peace. “So it has been written and so it shall be for all time without end.”

‘What the?’
I yank away from Storm and glance worriedly at Alder. He adds nothing else to his odd words, and when I look back at Storm every alarm in my gut sounds its final bell. I might as well have been condemned to the pits along with Aurian and King Eryon.

~*~

Storm~

“No! No, it cannot be! Storm, your eyes … you have the eyes of a guardian.” Luna tenses, ready to run at any moment. I was hoping she wouldn’t notice immediately, but then Alder had to go and say something! When our bond was sealed, I felt it. The need to protect her and to love her, multiplied by thousands in a split second. I felt as our souls became one and was caught up in the emotions for a while.

“It is a true rarity when Awo forms the bond of guardian and charge. A new destiny has been written, and so what is joined can never be undone.”

Again, Alder has to go on with his words expected of the High Priest of Vaalbara! Now is not the time to throw it all on Luna! I scowl at Alder to try and silence him, but the sadness on the elder’s face stops me.
Why would he think this is wrong?

“You are speaking in riddles, Alder. I do not understand.” Luna’s bewilderment forces me to forget about Alder for now.

“You are now Storm’s charge, Luna. He is now your guardian.You have been given a destiny and we need to go to the Holy City to hear what it is.”

Oh no! That should just about do it for Luna.

Luna doesn’t listen to the rest of what Alder has to say. The hurt and rejection showing on her face pains me as she shakes her head in denial. It is the worst of insults a guardian can be given – to be made a charge.

“This must be my punishment for failing Alchera. Awo has turned his back on me.” I reach out for Luna, but she shoves me with so much force I take a few steps back. By the time I gain my balance she has literally disappeared into the night.

“Let her go for now. You need to hear her destiny first and get reinforcements before you join her.” I’m not happy letting her go. Reluctantly, I follow Alder because I need to have this talk with him. Now that I’m Luna’s guardian they better not keep any secrets from me.

Raighne follows close behind. He’s oddly quiet and I wonder what he’s planning.

As soon as we enter the Holy City I feel my strength renew. The golden streets make the night look younger than it is. Birdlife chatters from the tree tops and that’s when I notice there is no moon in this city, but only the ever present golden glow.

“There is no night here?” I’ve only seen the city from the outside and have my reasons for not coming in to offer my praise to Awo. How can I when all this darkness surrounds us?

“There is no curtain between night and day. Here, life simply
is
.”

Just the thought that Alder hides himself in this City of Light, glimmering with polished stones, brings out my anger from earlier. How can he afford himself such luxury, the beauty of the river of life, while he knew about the evil coming for Alchera?

My anger boils hot inside of me and I let Alder have it, “You knew Void would be coming! You knew and did nothing, but still you have the audacity to dare judge Luna?” Alder’s face grows fatigued, but I don’t care. “Did you have to be so unforgiving with Luna? She fought Void while we just stood there! No one has ever gone up against him!” Saying it out loud makes me feel regretful for the lack of protection I offered her.

“It is her destiny, Storm!” I don’t expect such a fervent outburst from Alder. “And seeing as you have been chosen as her guardian you might as well know all of it now.” He certainly doesn’t look pleased to be telling me anything, as he leans heavily against a pillar and offers a deep sigh. “Only her light can defeat his darkness. So it has to be. It became her destiny on her eighteenth birthday. It was either her or Lucius and she chose the destiny for herself. She has been training for tonight. She was prepared for Void. She knew he would come.”

She knew Void was coming and she didn’t tell me? Is this the reason she changed?

Alder goes on, “There was a prophecy, one given to us the day the twins were birthed.” Alder suddenly looks hundreds of centuries old, as he takes a seat on a nearby bench. I can’t sit, I feel jittery with the need to get to Luna pulsing in me, screaming at me to hurry.