by Jana LaPelle
“Absolutely not!” Rhynik steps out of the doorway as we approach their dwelling. Rhynik flashes me a look of pure hatred. He’s made his feelings about me clear. As far as he is concerned, I’ve overstayed my welcome.
I nod, acknowledging him before turning to Pip, “Your uncle’s right, Pip. This is something that I must do on my own.” As we enter their abode, I see Paynga, her face is etched in concern for her son. I take Pip’s talon clawed hand in my own, “I never should have offered to take you and your family with me without talking to your mother first. It was wrong, and for that, I apologize.” I look over to where she stands by the kitchen table, she smiles sadly and nods. Acknowledging my apology. Looking back down at Pip, I continue, “You… my dear little friend, deserve a chance to grow up and find a she-imp of your very own. There are no imps where I’m from. I spoke out of turn.”
Pip hangs his head and says, “So… this is goodbye? You ain’t coming back, are you Mister? I ain’t never goin’ to see you again. Am I?” His little voice trembles and I can tell he’s close to tears, but I’m mistaken that they’re tears of sadness. His eyes flash with an indignant anger when he looks back up at us all, he yells, “It’s not fair! I don’t want you to go!” He stamps his talon clawed foot, “I never got no chance to know my real father, never got no opportunity to know what having a real da would be like, not till I found you Mister, and now you’re leaving. It’s not fair!” Pip wrenches his hand out of mine and turns, racing from the room. We all watch in stunned silence.
Muttering under my breath, “I had no idea. I should go talk to him,” I look over at Paynga to get her approval.
“Alaric… maybe it’s best if you just eat and go. The sooner you are gone, the more quickly we can get back to normal. I’m sorry, I really do think it’s for the best. I’ll talk to him once you are gone.”
I study her for a moment, her striking alabaster beauty reminds me more of a white marble statue in her stillness as she waits for my assent. I nod, “I never meant to cause any of you any grief. Please tell Pip, that I’m forever in his debt. He will always hold a piece of my heart, and I will never forget him.” I grab a few things to munch on in my travels and then go grab my backpack that I packed last night. I gather the few weapons that they could spare and strap them to my body. As I walk toward the door to their dwelling, I turn and address Paynga, “Thank you… for all you have done for me. I owe you a debt that I cannot repay. I hope Pip can eventually forgive me. I do love that little guy.” Looking over toward Rhynik, I nod, “I’m ready.”
He grunts and mutters, “Finally, it’s about time. I knew you were going to be nothing but trouble and the one to suffer from your spending time here is little Pip.” He motions for me to follow him, but his words sting as they strike home, and I fear that he may be right.
I trudge after Rhynik, hoping that Pip will understand one day why I had to leave and why he had to stay. I hate to leave him without saying goodbye, but most importantly, breaking my promise to him. I just wish things could be different. Pip was right, it’s not fair. None of this is fair. These people live in fear every day that they will be discovered. They just want to live their lives without the fear of becoming slaves. That’s not too much to ask. The imps choose this life over being able to take to the skies to fly. They choose to be confined underground and deny their natural inclinations. That’s no life for any of them.
I look around to see that Rhynik has led me out of the cavern and we stand at a crossroads of a maze of tunnels. The Foxfire fungus lights up the walls in these dark and dank passageways. Giving off just enough light to light my way. Rhynik gestures to the tunnel in the center. “Follow that pass. It will lead you to a staircase that will lead you to the surface. There is no way to get lost, no other tunnels that intersect. You will come out in a copse of trees but will be headed toward the Great Divide. For what it’s worth, Alaric. I don’t think ill of you. I just knew you would wreak havoc within our family, and I was right. You need to go, and I need to go find Pip.”
“Rhynik, thank you, and for what it’s worth, I’m glad I met you and your family before being exposed to the rest of the beings in this realm. Tell Pip…” I try to think of something that will help him move on, but I’ve got nothing. Sighing, I say, “Tell Pip that I love him and if things were different, I would have been honored to be his surrogate father.”
I don’t wait for Rhynik’s retort, I just turn and make my way through the tunnel. It doesn’t take long for the silence around me to fill me with dread for the next leg of my journey. I’m completely alone with no clue as to what I’m going to run into. All I know is that I need to find my way to Ashlinn and the rift.
Chapter 10
(Ashlinn)
I hang my head when I realize that he’s gone, and I have no idea as to when we will be reunited again. I drop to the floor and struggle to hold back my tears. Tears that are going to fall no matter what I do. I’m so angry with our current situation I can hardly contain my rage. I hate that once again we are separated, and things are beyond our control. I never wanted to be a goddess. Not in this lifetime anyway. What was I thinking in my previous life? Why the hell would I forego having my memories reinstated once I ascended? I’m sure that it would have helped me understand why this mission was so important to me at that time. All I have ever really wanted in this lifetime after my awakening was to live and exist in peace with Alaric and our family. I scream out into the universe, “Why?! Why can’t we just be a family? It’s not fair! Always being separated! I just want to live my life with Alaric and the twins and be a normal family. Is that too much to ask? Why have we been pitted against so much?” In my rage, I snatch up the decanter of water by the bedside and throw it across the room. It smashes against the wall and shatters into hundreds of fragmented pieces. I stand there, my chest heaving. I feel as though I’m suffocating, I drop to my knees, and wrap my arms around my body, rocking as I try to regain my composure. Lifting my hands, I sob and cradle my face as I bow my head. Desperately trying to put myself back together again.
“Ash?” I hear Jasmine’s timid voice from over my shoulder, “It’s going to be okay, I have faith that you and Alaric will make it through this.”
I look over my shoulder to see my concerned friend. She looks so sad, after witnessing my break down. I wish with all my might that Jasmine could hug me right now, because I could really use a hug from my friend. I try to smile at her but fail miserably. Taking a deep breath, I try pulling myself together when three large males rush into the room. Luc is front and center, causing me to see red. Scrambling to my feet, I reach for one of my throwing knives only to realize that they are missing, which just pisses me the hell off. Flames flicker to life, beginning at my fingertips and making their way up my arms. I point a flaming finger at Luc and say, “You drugged me and my companions. You are deliberately keeping me from Alaric. You deserve much more than a fireball up your ass. I want to know what your end goal is, and I want to know it now!” My voice has taken on a growling quality as my panther pushes for the shift.
Tarron steps in front of Luc, gaining my attention, “Mo solas, calm down. Luc was just showing us where Alaric is and assuring us that he is safe.”
I glare at him, and retort, “Safe? You think he’s safe? He’s getting ready to head out into the Fields of Punishment to make his way here.” Pinning my gaze on Luc, I ask, “What happens when he is discovered by the wrong sort, Luc? What happens if he runs upon the slavers? What then?”
Luc mutters under his breath, “There are far worse things than the slavers to be concerned with right now. Come on, little goddess, you have rested long enough. You can douse the flames. They wouldn’t harm me in the slightest.”
“Gah… You are infuriating.” I sputter as I begin to calm down.
“I have been told that a time or two. I have nourishment that has been prepared for you and your companions. We will take our meal in my study. It will be easier to show you what I’m talking about from there.
”
Tolin steps forward, coming over to me, he grins broadly, “Little Bit, you should see his enchanted table. It is really cool.”
I look up at T, shaking my head in consternation, “How are you okay with all of this, T? He drugged us. Just to keep us here longer, to keep us away from Alaric. I swear I don’t understand why you are not mad.”
“I was at first, but Tarron and I have been awake longer than you Ash. We’ve had time to talk to Luc and calm down.”
I turn away from everyone in the room and see the state of the far wall and floor, which instantly puts me in my place. Turning to Luc, I ask, “Do you have a mop and broom. I have a mess to clean up before we head to your study.”
Sighing, he takes in my destructive actions, “Ashlinn, I see that you are going to wreak havoc on my crystal. From here on out you have been downgraded to mundane glass. Either way, you should not concern yourself with that, it will be taken care of, I’m curious though, how did you know that Alaric was heading out to find you and the rift?” He eyes me curiously.
“I was about to ask Tarron what he meant when he said that you were showing them where Alaric was?” I retort, Jasmine takes that moment to nimbly land on my shoulder.
“It would appear that we both have information to share. Come, little keeper, you need to eat. I have much to show you and I will confirm for you that Alaric is alright for now.”
I concede, “Alright. I am hungry, but so help me, if you try to drug me again, I will not be responsible for my actions.” With that I march out of the room and wait patiently on the landing for my escort.
Jasmine’s wings flutter, reminding me that she is still on my shoulder, I look over at my friend to see that she is as skeptical as I am. Looking around my surroundings, I realize that I have absolutely no clue as to where I am, and I have no idea as to how long I was knocked out in my drugged stupor. I follow Luc, Tarron, and Tolin at a bit of a distance. In a whisper, I ask, “How long have I been out?”
“Honestly, Ash, I have no idea. This place, what I have seen of it, is so bizarre. The sky has no sun, it’s always just an eerie red glow, kind of like a perpetual red twilight, but without stars. Where does the red glow come from? It’s really freaky. That, and I haven’t been able to track the passing of time. I have noticed from the city below that the inhabitants there do retire for what I would consider an evening’s slumber, and then are back at it again. It’s as if they are in sync to when morning rolls around, but I have no idea as to how that is determined. I’ve not seen one clock anywhere.” She shrugs her miniature shoulders and stares back at me with wide eyes.
“So, you noticed the town seemed to sleep. During that time did I sleep through one or two of those cycles?”
“At least three. You were out a long time. I was worried that you had become our very own sleeping beauty.”
“Very funny, Jaz,” I quip, but then can’t help but ask, “While I was out, did you do a little investigating?” My curiosity getting the best of me. We reach what looks to be the second level of this massive place and turn down a hall. Luc disappears into a double door entry way. I pause to hear what Jasmine has to say.
She whispers, “Yes, but this place is locked down tight. The She-demons come and go at Luc’s bidding. From what I have gathered, they are his royal, bad ass, army.”
“Little Bit? You coming?” T sticks his head out of the room and pins us with a curious look. His excitement is evident, he can barely contain his grin, he looks like a kid on Christmas morning, “Come on,” he urges.
My exasperation at this situation is still riding me hard, but I take a deep, calming breath, and ask, “What can possibly be so-”
T grabs my hand and pulls me forward, saying, “Trust me Ash, you have to take a look at this.”
He pulls me into Luc’s study. I’m reluctant to follow him, but it is physically impossible for me to resist. I look over to see Tarron and Luc studying the table in the middle of the room. On the far wall, I see several large, flat screen monitors playing out scenes that look to be recorded here in this realm. They look out of place here and I wonder if they operate on electricity since nothing else in this realm appears to run on a type of power that I’m familiar with. My gaze swivels back to the table. Luc waves his hands over the ornate table and then his hands and arms raise upward and then the scenery changes. Suddenly, I’m looking down on Alaric as he exits a tunnel. I look up to find Luc, “How? How is it that you…” My breath catches. “Is this real?”
“Yes, Ashlinn, it’s real. What you are seeing here is happening in real time in this realm. Alaric is just now making his way back out into the Fields of Punishment. From here I can monitor what is going on and where. I can send you to your kindred at this moment, but you and Alaric need to understand this realm. I need to show you the underbelly of The Underworld. Before that though, you need nourishment. You have been sleeping for a while. Come, we will eat, and then you will get an education on The Underworld.”
I fight my need to argue, and inhale deeply calming myself. This is happening whether I want it to or not. At this point it is probably best not the fight the prince of darkness.
Chapter 11
(Alaric)
I know I did the right thing by allowing Paynga to deal with Pip without my interference. She is better equipped to deal with his hurt feelings, after all, she is his mother. As a father, it just doesn’t sit right with me. I broke my promise to him, and now I’m never going to see the little guy again. I don’t want to be that male. The type of person that walks away from someone that means so much, but Paynga really didn’t give me much of a choice, not that there really was one. I just wish that things between us had ended differently. In a very short period of time, that little imp got under my skin and became very important to me. I know if he hadn’t found me when he did, I wouldn’t have made it this far. I hear the brush behind me rustle, pulling me out of my reflections. Snapping my head around, I look to see if there is something or someone behind me, but once more I don’t see a single thing out of the ordinary. That’s the second time that I’ve heard the brush rustle in my wake. Stepping behind a large tree trunk and then another and another, I quietly move to hide myself from view within the shadows. I stare out into the darkened woods behind me, I watch and wait. Nothing. I shrug it off, my mind must be playing tricks on me.
Above me is another story, the nocturbeast have been circling overhead off and on for what seems like hours. I feel as if they are somehow tracking my progress. Since leaving the safety of the caves, I’ve gotten a good look at the beast in the sky. They are a cross between a raven and a panther, my guess is that they are some type of griffin. They look massive and from my hiding place in the forest, I have seen that, at times, there are a few that are being ridden. From this distance I have been unable to make out the figures riding the beasts. The branches of the massive trees of this forest have kept me hidden from their view, and so far, out of their clutches. I’m not sure how long I will be able to rely on this wooded place to cloak me from their scrutiny. Every so often I hear them screeching overhead, and I have to admit that the sound unnerves me. I have very few weapons. None of which are exceptional. By the goddess, I miss my own swords, at least The Sword of Light did not end up in The Morrígan’s clutches, and I’m thankful for that. I know that Ashlinn would have retrieved it the moment I relinquished it.
Turning back to the path in front of me, I begin trudging along once more. This place is strange and just a little creepy. The trees grow at odd angles and the shadows here are disconcerting. The undergrowth is dead and rotting in some areas, but in others seems to thrive. The tenebrous woods is a contradiction with every step I take. Since entering this place, I have yet to hear the expected sounds of birds or insects, there is just an odd quiet that surrounds me creating a sense of unease. Looking around, I push forward. The undergrowth and trees give way to a rocky path that winds through the forest. It quickly bec
omes obvious that this path is traveled frequently to keep the undergrowth at bay. In the distance, I hear some sort of commotion and make my way forward. It sounds as though an argument is taking place. I step back into the forest and navigate the trees away from the path, keeping it in sight as I draw closer to what appears to be a small clearing to take in the horrifying scene in front of me.
The gaggle of creatures are arguing amongst themselves. They appear to be some sort of humanoid. Their skin is pale and a pasty grey, what hair they have is stringy and in patches, they are emaciated to the point that they are little more than skeletal looking creatures. I watch as they bicker amongst themselves, shoving and pushing one another away from a large beast that lays dead upon the ground. The one closest to the kill turns away from the others and knells down to… By the goddess, it’s mouth opens and begins to elongate displaying razor sharp teeth. It begins to tear into the flesh of the beast with a ferocious intensity. Blood and flesh are plastered to its face and cling to its teeth. The others see that their companion has abandoned the argument and roughly pull it away and toss him to the side. Honestly, I’m not sure if its male or female. The others begin tearing into the creature. I watch in horrific fascination as they devour the beast. It’s as if they are piranha, not stopping until they have stripped the meat down to the bones and even then, they beat the bones on nearby rocks to break them open to devour the marrow within.
“More. I need more.” One of them moans. Its agonizing cries unnerve me.
“More. More. It’s not enough. It’s never enough.” Another one rasps out. Its bloody hands clutching its concave belly as if in pain.