Chapter 153 Before reincarnation 2
Chapter 153 Before reincarnation 2
Beros followed the gate keeper deeper into the abyss, conscious of the dark shadows slithering past his feet – dark magic.
This was the dem of dark magic, and also where it was born. No one knew what creature brought about it. No one knew the creatures that lodged deep in the abyss, only the keeper knew, and Beros couldn’t resist asking a question.
He cleared his throat “Is there?” He began, but paused when another creature slithered across his feet, this one sent goosebumps up his spine. He turned to look at it, and as he looked at it, a creature began to form.
“Keep Moving” the keeper said, drawing Beros’ attention from whatever was beginning to form. Beros swiftly turned away and followed after the keeper.
“Do you – do you know all the creatures here in the abyss?” Beros finally asked.
The creature said nothing, it only continued moving deeper into the abyss, and Beros began to wonder if it had been a wise decision for him to follow the keeper, after all, the keeper reeked of dark magic.
“I know all the creatures here, they are all under my control” the keeper finally said.
“ And it is one of them that has requested for the abyss to be opened to let you in”. Beros’ eyes widened at the keeper’s words.
He had thought the keeper had finally decided to help him recover Elara’s soul, but he had been wrong.
“Who, I mean… what was it? Who is it that asked for the gates to be open?”
At this question, the keeper stopped walking and turned to look at Beros, it’s shadows swirling all over the place, concealing his identity.
“I hope you know what you are doing boy, this path you’re on, there is no redemption, only darkness.”
Beros was taken aback, he didn’t know why the keeper suddenly thought to tell him that. Was it a warning? Wasn’t he already in the abyss? He couldn’t turn back now, could he?
And even if there was a way for him to turn back now, he wouldn’t. He would not leave this abyss without Elara’s soul.
He merely swallowed as the keeper kept looking at him, as if waiting for an answer from him. Beros finally decided to speak.
“I’m not going back, I have come this far already. I will not leave without her soul”
The keeper was quiet for a few seconds. The shadows that had been slithering across the wall stilled, as if they understood the weight behind Beros’ words. The air grew colder.
“As you wish, war deity. You have been summoned by Aranath”.
The words made Beros take a step back. He had heard about the tale of Aranath, who was the oldest creature in the abyss. In fact, the abyss was its own creation, but he was somehow trapped in it.
The details of the story weren’t accurate. The only sure thing was that Aranath was old, impossibly old and the embodiment of black magic.
Beros shivered at the prospect of meeting such a being, but the keeper had resumed walking and Beros could not back down now.
They walked for a while until the keeper came to a stop, his hand pointing to a cave in front of them, Beros could feel the magic from the cave from where he was.
“There, go down there, he is waiting for you”. Beros stood, looking at the cave and wondering what dangers lurked in there.
“Hurry,” the keeper said after sensing Beros’ hesitation.
He wasted no time and began walking into the cave. As he walked in. The darkness engulfed him, he called forth his fire and it came alive, though it seemed as if the darkness tried to snuff out the fire. He had to use more magic to keep it burning.
He walked deeper into the cave and came into a chamber, dark, but the walls were lined with symbols written in something that glowed.
He tried to read them but suddenly felt a presence behind him. Whoever was here was stronger, much stronger than Beros was.
“Hmm. Warmth” the voice drooled, breezing past Beros’ ear. “It has been a while since I felt that. Maybe I should have told the keeper to accept your fire”.
The shadowy figure appeared before him and slowly formed into a young man, harmless looking, but those deep red eyes spoke of tales and dangers Beros knew nothing of.
“Can’t speak. Or you won’t ?” The man said again, only this time, the voice was normal.
Beros took in a deep breath, as he thought of what to say, when suddenly he felt a familiar pull. His eyes widened at the familiar sensation.
“Ahh, you recognize her, don’t you?” Aranath said, waving his hands in the dark and a little glowing spark began floating towards him. Beros’ breath caught in his throat.
“Her – her soul, how do you have it?” He finally asked when he found the words to say.
Aranath shrugged, allowing the faintly glowing orb to land in the middle of his palm.
“Such a fragile little thing, isn’t she?” Aranath said, ignoring what Beros had said.
“Give her back to me,” Beros said through gritted teeth.
“I would assume that is why you are here, love, it makes us do things, doesn’t it?” Aranath asked. Beros didn’t reply, his eyes were fixed on Elara’s soul in the palm of a creature strong enough to destroy everything.
“You can have her” Aranath stretched his palm towards Beros.
Beros hurriedly reached out to grab the orb and put it in his own hands.
“But the minute she leaves my side, she ceases to exist”. At those words, Beros looked at the orb in his hand and he watched as it began to grow dimmer.
“What – what is happening to her?”
Aranath shrugged “I told you, she ceases to exist the minute she leaves my side. My Magic is keeping her alive for now”.
Beros hurriedly pushed the orb towards Aranath who received it gently back into his arms, with a smirk on his lips.
Beros watched as the orb began to glow brighter again.
“You see, she’s awake now” he said as he stroked it.
Beros knew what the stakes were now. Aranath would not let Elara’s soul go without demanding something in return.
“What do you want? Tell me and I will give it to you” Beros said fiercely.
“What do you think I want?” Aranath raised the soul to his eye level, while locking eyes with Beros “A soul for a soul, that is the price”.
Beros thought about it for only a second before giving his answer.
“You have it, take my soul. Take my soul and give me hers”.