Chapter 26 - The Return (1/2)

Persephone

After hiding from all manner of creatures and monsters, we made it the pass. It was unassuming, just a small crack on the wall, but I knew the story, I couldn't look back or touch him. Solskin was still weak, and I worried that he might collapse. I wanted to rest until Solskin was well, but he refused.

I could see a small fire burn in his eyes. He wanted to get out of the Underworld. He had something to do, something to accomplish. I forced a nagging doubt to the back of my mind and entered the crevice. I all could do was hope Solskin could pull through.

The path was long and steep. The floor was unsteady and each step sent rocks tumbling over the edge and into the dark abyss. There was no sound. No rocks hitting the edge, no wind ruffling the clothes, I could not even hear my footsteps. With each passing moment my anxiety grew. I felt a seed of doubt enter my mind: Was Solskin still behind me? The question burned in the back of my head. The temptation to look at Solskin was overwhelming. Occasionally, I would catch myself starting to turn around.

”Look, and it's all over.” I berated myself. I tried to think about other things, but eventually, my mind would drift back to the question. It was torturous. I didn't know how, but I managed to find the strength to not look back. The anxiety was suffocating. As I was just about to give in, I could see a light.

”The end!” I screamed with glee. I ran into the light, relieved that it was all over.

I opened my eyes. The world was silent. The early morning shone through the window. I quickly got up and ran to Solskin's body. Ripping away his shirt, I could see the fresh scar from the sword. I pressed my ear against his ċhėst and put my hand up to his nose.

There was nothing. Not even the faintest of breathes or heartbeats. Did he fall? Did I look back without knowing? Did he ever enter the pass? These thoughts quickly raced through my mind. I failed. I didn't save him and now… He was gone. Forever.

I sat back, wallowing in despair. He was dead. I hugged my knees and stared into his face. His eyes were closed and he was expressionless. He looked serene and tranquil. I stared for hours, griefly silently for my second lost friend.

Just when I was about to get up, I felt a soft wind fill the room. It was warm and comforting, like a loving embrace. I saw Solskin's eyes flutter. The movement was so small that I almost didn't notice it, but I was sure he moved. I rushed back down, pressing my hands against his ċhėst, trying to force him to breathe again. Underneath my hand, his flesh turned gray. His face contorted and blood began to trickle out of the his mouth. I felt something tug at my soul. Pain racked my body as I fell to the ground, seizing uncontrollable. I felt like my soul was suċkėd into a vortex of blades. I stared at my hand in shock. The hand had taken another appearance. It was was skeletal in nature with sharp ends.

Something whispered in my ear, ”Be careful of what you touch.”

Mordred

Water was trickling somewhere nearby. The constant dripping was the first thing I heard. The next was murmuring. My ear was ringing and I could bȧrėly make out the words.

”...the ritual...not too long.”