Realms of the Otherworld Box Set

by Jana LaPelle

  ​“Nothing satisfies. Nothing…” Another one groans, before it screeches into the sky above, “Moooorre…”

  ​They continue to gobble up the remains of the large creature until next to nothing remains. I watch their ghoulish behavior and wonder how I can get around them without drawing attention to myself. Then, as if by majic, an enormous banquet table appears in the clearing. It’s laden with all matter of fruits, vegetables, meats, pastries, and desserts. It’s as if someone or something heard their cries. The clearing is overrun with more of these ghoulish creatures as they crawl over one another to get to the food laden table. One races past me toward the table before registering that someone other than its brethren is here. It turns it sunken, black eyed gaze back toward me, it’s head cocks from side to side before it screeches, “Fresh meat!” His call is shrill and grating to my ears. They all freeze their gluttonous consumption of the banquet before them. Some with their jaws unhinged as they try to stuff more and more food into their mouths. They turn and look my way as if trying to comprehend that I’m actually standing there. Each in turn cocking their heads assessing me. For one crazy moment I think that they look like zombies. Their movements are jerky, but after watching them descend on that table I know that they move quickly when it suits them.

  ​“Mister, it’s time to run now.” I hear a familiar little voice whisper behind me. His voice wobbles with fear, “The gorgers are nasty creatures. Please, follow me. Now!” His voice rings with finality as he turns to run.

  ​With one last look at the clearing in front of me, I take off after Pip. His retreating back is heading in a direction that we have not come. His red wings are tucked in close to his back so that he can run through the forest. His talon clawed feet gain traction kicking up dirt and debris as he weaves in and out of the trees. The gorgers are shrieking after us. I can hear them chittering and fighting with one another to get ahead of the other as they crash through the forest behind us. I chance a glance over my shoulder and see that they are gaining on us. There are too many of them for me to stop and stand my ground.

  ​“Where are you taking us, Pip?” I call after my little friend.

  ​“Never you mind Mister, just follow me.”

  ​If we get out of this mess, I’m going to have a serious talking to Pipperton. What was he thinking following me? We continue to crash through the forest toward what sounds like a rushing river. I can hear the gorgers gaining on us as we burst out of the forest. I quickly realize that we are running out of ground, the river is about twenty feet below the cliffs. Unsheathing the sword at my back, I turn to face our attackers and yell, “Take to the sky Pip!” The first of the ghoulish creatures burst through the forest. In one slashing movement, I remove its head from its body. Black blood spurts from its neck as it drops to the ground, its body still twitching. Several more come for us before seeing the down body on the ground in front of them. They drop to the earth beside it and begin ripping and tearing at the gruesome flesh. It’s as if they can’t help but consume anything they perceive as edible. My stomach turns at the sight.

  ​“Mister! Take to the water. They can’t follow you there. Now! Before the rest of them get here. I’ll follow you downstream.”

  ​I look up to see that Pip is riding the air currents above me, and think, at least he’s safe. Turning back, I see the rest of the gorgers break through the tree line. Several approach me, cocking their heads at me, their soulless eyes assessing before they lunge for me. My sword slides effortlessly into the gut of one taking it down in a cry of agony. Unsheathing my bloodstained blade from the abdomen of my assailant, I whirl on another, slicing it in half. They keep coming, more and more spilling from the woods. With each gorger I take down, I buy myself time as the others cannibalize their own fallen. Hissing and screeching and fighting ensue before others spill over the growing pile of gorgers. Just as I’m about to jump into the river below, two of those heinous demons land on my back, pushing me over the ledge of the cliff. A growl escapes me on the way down when I feel both creatures bite into my back and shoulder. We tumble ass over end into the cold water of the river. The two immediately let go of me as we surface. Their screeches of agonizing pain are all I hear as I make to swim as far away from the hungry demons as possible. I turn back to see that the two are writhing in agony, their bodies have erupted in black blistering sores that begin to bubble and foam. The water around them is boiling and eating away at them. I watch in horrified fascination as the two literally dissolve in the water right in front of me.

  ​The water current begins to pick up taking me downstream, and I’m quickly swept away from the gorgers. They peer over the cliffs edge, screeching and crying in frustration as I’m taken further away from them. It takes all my concentration to remain afloat in the turbulent waters. I’m tossed about in the rapids and nearly miss hitting boulder after boulder as the river carries me away from those monsters. The water is turbulent around me and I can tell that I’m picking up speed. I fear the reason for that is there is a waterfall up ahead. Bobbing like a cork in water, I continue to make my way downstream at an increasing pace.

  ​“Mister, you need to grab a hold of that downed tree.” Pip calls from above me. I can hardly hear him over the roar of the water.

  ​For an instance, I’m submerged before I struggle back to the surface. I see the tree. I know that I only have one shot at this, the water is moving too rapidly and if I mess this up, I’m going over the falls. There’s one branch that is lower than any others and I angle myself toward it. My position is just about perfect. I reach up and clutch the branch. Got it. Grinning broadly, I begin pulling myself up. Then I hear the branch snap with a loud crack. I scramble to reach the trunk before the branch gives way. Just as I’m close enough to reach the trunk, the branch tears away from the rest of the tree before my hand finds purchase. Bloody hell. Suddenly, I splash back into the water below and I’m being carried away by the fast current of the rapids. Well hell. I’m done.

  Chapter 12

  (Ashlinn)

  Luc proved to be a gracious host. He’s actually very charismatic, witty, and funny. As the meal wore on, I realized that his intent was to put me and my companions at ease, and maybe even to keep us distracted. Once I caught on to his motives I just sat back and watched him in action. Tarron and Tolin are completely enthralled with his story telling. I watch as they hang on his every word. Laughing at his jokes and even comparing battle scars of all things. It makes sense. Tarron is The Horde King and appointed ruler of the dark fae. Then there is Tolin, who is Fomorian, each have their own dark tendencies. I get it. They have a lot in common.

  Clearing my throat, I decide it’s time to move on, I interrupt their banter, “Hello? I believe there is a tour of the depths of hell that we need to take before I can leave here.” I cock my head and pin the three of them with a glare. “Guys, feel free to stay here and hang with your new buddy. I get it, you guys are connecting. I’m so happy for you,” I say, sarcastically. “Honestly, guys, the bromance can continue later, after I get my education of Hell. I can see you three are becoming new BFF’s.”

  Jasmine lands on my shoulder and smiles, “By the goddess, I love your sass. I’m with you, let’s get to Alaric and get out of this god forsaken realm. I honestly don’t like it here.”

  “I agree, Jaz,” standing, I push away from the table, “You guys are useless. Why I thought I needed either of you here is beyond me. I should have brought Lexie and Jasmine. Why don’t I leave you to your little boy’s club and I’ll go out there after Alaric, because he’s the reason why we’re here. We haven’t seen him since we got here. Not in person. All we’ve seen is what Luc has shown us, and even then, he was emerging from the cave, from his safe haven. We have no idea as to where he is now or what he has run across in his time on his own, but by all means, continue your little bonding exercise. You coming, Jaz?” I call over my shoulder as I walk toward the door of the study.

  “I’m on your heels. Now we’re
talking.” My heart lightens at her enthusiasm.

  “You won’t get far Ashlinn, the staff understand that you are not to leave the premises without my consent.” Luc challenges me.

  Turning back to the prince of darkness, I sigh, “What do you want from me? I’m here. I’m ready, willing, and able to learn about your world, yet you digress. Seriously. Lay it on me, Luc. Otherwise, I’m out of here.”

  Luc chuckles, “Easy there tiger, we’re getting to that, all in due time.”

  “Due time?” My laugh is derisive, “It’s past time Luc, and has been since the moment I walked in this room. I’ve been patient, but now, I need more. I need to move on. I need to go after my kindred.” I pause as a flicker of a vision threatens me, I get a single image before it subsides. I look back at Lucifer and cock my head as I assimilate what I just saw. Then I blurt, “One day soon… you will understand my need. Until then, let’s get on with it.”

  He growls, “What do you mean? What did you see?”

  I smile a wicked, secretive smile, “One day soon, the prince of darkness will meet his match.” I laugh before continuing, “I just saw a flicker, but it will be. Only then will you understand what it means to have everything you have ever wanted, to only be whole once you complete the bond. Only then you will understand that you will move mountains, if that is what it takes to keep your kindred safe. The need will bring you to your knees, and you will beg for mercy if that is what it takes. I look forward to the day you find humility!”

  Luc assesses me, his head cocked as he takes in my meaning before nodding, “Alright, little keeper, I hear you loud and clear. My arrogance sometimes gets the best of me. You know, I always wondered what it would be like to have premonitions. I may be the keeper of The Underworld, but I’m not all knowing as my father is, that gift would come in handy at times.”

  I scoff, “It’s not all that, if it were, I would be given more information so that I could prevent certain things from happening, but that’s not how it works.”

  “No… you’re right, that’s not how it works. So, I bet that it can be a burden more often than not.”

  Jasmine speaks up, her voice clipped, “It has been a burden for them both. Now let’s get the ball rolling on this little show and tell.”

  I smile at my sprite friend and her fierce loyalty and I whisper, “I love you, Jaz. I’m going to get you back to Camoryn, and everything will be right as rain.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “I know I’m right.” I smile at Jaz before looking over to Luc, “Come on, Luc. Let’s get on with it.”

  He motions to us all, “Come on over here everyone.” He waves his hand over the table and the scene changes. The 3D image on the table flattens before the pixels begin to build on one another to form a new image. The scene becomes darker and more sinister looking. He motions for us to draw closer and we do. He explains, “This is where the most destructive and deadly demons of Hell are kept. There are shadow demons, fire demons, demons that feed on envy, desire, greed, gluttony, wrath, pride, you name it. These demons have been forced into the darkest depths of The Underworld. It takes every soul that resides here to keep them at bay. When someone like Morríganna seeks to raise them from their prisons, it takes a lot of sacrifice. Sacrifice that she is ready and willing to pay in order to meet her end goals.”

  “Fuck,” I whisper.

  “Language, little keeper,” Luc admonishes with a smile. “I know you don’t trust me, and you shouldn’t. My motives are completely self-serving. This is my realm and I don’t intend to bow down before a sniveling, power thirsty, mentally unstable goddess. The Morrígan must be stopped for balance to be maintained for all The Realms, but you already know this. When she raised Cú Chulainn from the dead her plan was twofold, she wanted Lainn back for selfish reasons, she imagines herself and Lainn as the perfect power couple to rule The Realms. She has taken her lover back with open arms and she wants him to lead her amassed army by her side. He is as fierce a warrior as I have ever seen in battle. Given the right conditions, he will be nearly unstoppable. Secondly, and probably the most ingenious part of her plan, she wants the veil between The Realms to fall. She wants to create chaos between The Realms. That absolutely cannot happen. Morríganna has been short sighted in her lofty goals, and has not foreseen how this will play out, she only sees what could be her ultimate victory. She has lost sight of potential pitfalls to her ambitions. If the veil falls, then the gates of Heaven and the cell doors of Hell will be cast wide open and all matter of creatures will spill forth. The Otherworld and The Mortal Realm will become a battlefield the likes of which have never been witnessed before.” Luc’s crystalline penetrating gaze meets my own horrified expression as his words sink in.

  “Bloody hell.” Tarron mutters, “This is way worse than I imagined it to be.”

  “Game changing.” Tolin says.

  If the tour that I just took of the underbelly of Hell is any indication of what we can expect, then life as we know it will end. The repercussions will be devastating for us all. I can’t help but think of the twins and what this can mean for them and Sammy. Swallowing thickly, I lift a hand to scrub down my face. Glancing back down at Luc’s enchanted table, it’s really just an enormous scrying device, I watch as all matter of demon and demon spawn interact with one another. The scene is what nightmares are made of and a shiver racks through me. For the most part, these demons are locked down in what I would liken to general population in a mortal prison, but the ones that are the most dangerous, they are locked away, isolated in the lowest depths of hell.

  Luc interrupts my pondering, “Ashlinn, what are you prepared to do about this situation?”

  His question sparks an irritation that borders on anger and I snap, throwing his words back at him, “Luc, just what are you prepared to do about it? The way I see it, it’s not just Faerie and The Mortal Realm that will be affected. Why should I be the only one prepared to do anything about this situation. Alaric and I have been tested to our limits in recent months. WE, are still being tested while everyone else sits back and watches events unfold. So… I will ask you again, Lucifer… what are you prepared to do? Are you going to sit back and watch while everyone else does the heavy lifting? Because the way I see it, you have just as much, if not more, to lose as the rest of us!”

  “Mo solas, it would be best-”

  “Tarron, don’t even complete that sentence. I want to hear what the prince of darkness here is willing to do. I want to know if we have an ally here or a foe.”

  “Ashlinn, I’m just saying-”

  “No, she’s right Horde King, she needs to know where I stand. You, Tarron, are dark fae, you and your horde. I will always side with the dark fae, due to their dark tendencies. However, Ashlinn and Alaric are another story.” Luc fixes me with another of his penetrating stares as he silently assesses me and my companions.

  “Ashlinn, why are we even here if you are not going to listen to our counsel?” Tarron asks, his exasperation evident.

  I smile sweetly at Tarron and Tolin, “Duh… You’re the muscle. You both are here to have my back once we go after Alaric. I can handle myself here with dear old Luc.” Both of them roll their eyes at me and I can’t help but chuckle.

  Tolin throws his hands up, “Luc, man, she’s all yours. We are officially bowing out.”

  I glare at the two and notice that Jasmine is pacing the table. Her expression is one of soul wrenching sadness. I know that she is battling her own personal demons. The most pressing of which is, will Camoryn forgive her. Turning back to Luc, I ask, “So what’s it going to be?”

  His smile is dazzling, “We have a common goal little keeper. When the rift grows large enough for my army to amass and descend on Faerie, you have my word that I fight with you and your cause. Balance must be restored. For all of us.”

  “I get that, I really do, but I want you to swear your allegiance. I need to hear you say it. In this, are we allies? Can we count on you when the ti
me comes?

  “Yes, little keeper, I swear my allegiance to you and this cause, in this, we are allies.”

  Chapter 13

  (Alaric)

  ​Fuck. Fuckity, fuck. My arms flounder about trying to keep my head above water as I quickly approach the falls. Wildly, I look around, but there is nothing for me to latch on to, nothing to save me from my impending doom. The roar of the rushing water is all I hear. I take deep gulping breaths as I brace myself for the inevitable. The heavy current carries me forward. Every time I’m dragged under the water, the roar of the rapids drowns out all sound from the surface, and the muffled sounds of the rolling water engulf me. Just as I breach the surface one last time, gasping for air, I feel the pull of gravity as I go over the edge, my limbs flailing to keep me upright. I cry out, “Bloody hell!”

  ​At the last moment, I feel something grab my arm, and for a moment my descent is slowed. I look up to see that Pip’s clawed foot has my arm in his grasp, but I’m too heavy for my little friend. He can’t carry my weight. His wings struggle to keep us both in the air, and I fear his delicate looking wings will be injured. I shout above the thundering water, “Let go, Pip! I’m too heavy.”

  ​“No Mister! I can’t! I won’t!”

  ​We continue to drop, and I know that I need to do whatever it takes to get through to him. I look up into his wild eyes, and I smile, “It’s okay, Pip. Let go. I’ll be okay.”

  ​The strain is evident on his face, and regret passes over his features before he nods. He releases me, and then, I’m free falling, my limbs are whirling as I plunge downward at least one hundred feet. The turbulent water below approaches quickly. Feet first, I plunge into the depths of the river under the waterfall. I’m battered by the rolling water as it continually beats down from the falls above. My sense of up and down is wrecked, my body is rolling end over end in the frothy, bubbling water. I have no idea as to which way is up and which is down. My lungs are burning with the need to just breathe. For the first time in my life, I’m worried that I will not make it back to Ashlinn, and I renew my resolve. I fight and struggle to find my bearings. My lungs on fire, I breach the surface, and gulp in deep breaths of air.