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Darkness created that sword. It cannot enter this place,the voice repeated.

Then what the hell am I supposed to do with the thing? I was told to come here by one of your own.

In darkness it was created, and in darkness it must be destroyedcame the response.You can enter. It must not.

Well, fuck.

Amusement rolled around me. Which was good, because for one brief moment, I’d totally forgotten just who I might be talking to.

I glanced down at the sword in my hand and then did the only thing I could do—tossed it in the air. I wrapped the wind around it to ensure it stayed beyond the reach of ghostly hands but kept it within the overall protection of my bubble.

Then, with another of those unwise deep breaths, I followed the direction of the voice and stepped into... nothing. Everything. There was no sound, no wind, no darkness or light. No protective bubble and no icy cold.

There was nothing here but a vast emptiness that was utterly silent, and yet it was filled with all sorts of sensory stimuli.

No sound but there was music.

No flowers and yet I could smell the sweet scent of them.

No sunshine but it caressed my face and warmed the chill from my bones.

It was unreal and beautiful, and it scared the hell out of me.

Someone like me should not be in a place like this.

This place is far more than you can seecame the voice.You are not, and never will be, equipped to see the full extent of it.

Then why was I told to come here?

To control the storms, you must meet their master. Only he can grant you the skill and the means to control that which would otherwise destroy you.

So you’re not this master?

Amusement filled the air, a rumble that was warm and oddly endearing.I am merely the gate master. I accept all calling cards and ensure the appropriate god or goddess receives them.

So that’s what this is? A request for help rather than actual help?

And did that mean I had to go through the whole fucking journey up the mountain again to get a reply?

It is indeed a requestcame the response,but you do not need to return. If your request is granted, the master will ensure you receive the necessary information.

How?

That is not for me to divulge.

Meaning I just had to hang around and hope for the best? Great.

What about the sword? Is there someone who could advise me where to take it?

You already have the means to seek a fuller answer, young pixie.

With that, I was yanked out of the silent, beautiful darkness and in the full force of the storm.

Right into the middle of a goddamn battle.

ChapterTwo

It wasn’tthe ghosts who attacked, although they continued to tear ineffectually at my bubble. It was the weather, and it wasn’t a natural ramping of the storm’s ferocity, because there was dark intent behind the wind’s actions.