Page 35

A Tomb of Mist

Grace

I prance down the grand staircase, ready for today’s training session, only to spot Pearl waiting for me at the bottom of the marble steps.

“Hey, Pearl!” I wave at her.

“You’re late, let’s go.” Her voice is full of ice as she flips her long, wavy curls over her shoulder and turns away from me sharply. I watch with furrowed brows, confused, as she starts walking the opposite way of the front entrance.

“Where are we going? The front door is that way,” I call after her, observing the way her long legs carry her farther and farther away.

“We aren’t training today. I want to show you something, but it’s inside the mountain.”

I run to catch up to her. “What is it?” My voice full of curiosity as we stroll down a hallway I’ve never seen.

Pearl is silent, she hasn’t even looked at me. She seems off today, more reserved. No, that’s not it, she seems upset. She’s using her sergeant voice already, and we aren’t training yet. Did something happen? I don’t ask any more questions as I follow her. We march down many halls and past the many rooms; all of which ooze elegance. There are tall spires reaching into the vaulted ceilings while columns litter the hallways. Elaborate carvings are etched into walls; beautiful creatures I’ve never seen and creatures I wish I will never see again. I can’t believe I’ve never been down here. I had no idea this palace was so vast. If it wasn’t for Pearl, I’d be totally lost.

We go deeper and deeper into the Black Palace, down staircase after staircase. Each passing hallway gets darker and less elaborate. It’s strange. It’s like walking through the progress of a masterpiece, but backward. After a while, we are strolling down dim stone caves. Pearl stops us at a torch set on the wall, the last before a vast dark hallway. She reaches for the wooden stick and inspects the flaming blackened cloth before we continue. The orange glow casts dancing shadows into the crude hallway. I admire the many grooves as if someone had chipped chunks of black slate away by hand—piece by piece.

“It is only darkness from here on out. Stay close to me,” Pearl warns.

I stay in the light of the flames, walking next to Pearl as we descend the stone hallway. There are no more rooms or halls, just the corridor we are walking down. As we go, the air starts to feel colder, and the hallways feel darker. The light of the torch becomes suffocated the further we go, the darkness encroaching on us. I am constantly looking over my shoulder, feeling a creepy crawling sensation shiver up my spine. Something watches me from the shadows, I can feel their eyes.

Finally, she stops walking. I peer around her to find a stone arch. Beyond it lies a wall of pure darkness. The cavern walls have disappeared. I’m unsure if they were engulfed in shadows or if they have completely collapsed. I squint my eyes, trying to see past, but it’s of no use. The darkness is impenetrable.

“I wanted to bring you here. This room is sacred.” Pearl holds up her torch to the crumbling stone archway. I can barely make out carved runes along the worn stone. The light of the torch is absorbed into the shadows as the wood struggles to keep its flame. I feel a cool sensation against my shins and glance down. A black fog swarms our legs, reaching its swirling clouds into the cave behind us.

“What is this place?” My voice sounds so small as I try to squint into the room once more, the instinct to see before me is strong. There is no use trying to see in this place, the dense shadows are too thick.

“This is where Ro was born,” Pearl whispers in revelation.

My head whips to her face as I try to make sense of what she said.

Pearl steps over the threshold, past the archway, and into the swirling fog. “There is a great Darkness that lives in this room. The first time you go in, it can be overwhelming. It will be cold, and the Dark will try to grasp you at your soul. It’s going to read you, your fears and your weaknesses. It will know you at your deepest level and strip you bare. The first time Tai brought me here, I walked in, and I thought I was dying. I figure it is probably what it feels like to succumb to the darkness of Death.”

“I’ve already felt what it means to die. I am familiar with the darkness,” I say.

“You don’t have to come in, I won’t make you.”

I have already experienced a little darkness, what’s a little more? I want desperately to go in and see the place where Ro was created, I’m not going to let a little shadow scare me away. I square my shoulders and take a hesitant step through the stone archway. The air turns thick as my foot lands on soft billowy ground. I stop, screwing my eyes tight and holding my breath as I wait for something to happen.

After a moment, I open my eyes hesitantly and look around, glancing to Pearl, but nothing ever comes. I relax my shoulders from their hiked position by my ears. I guess it already knows me. I take another step, fully immersing myself past the arch and hit a freezing fresh wall of air. It rushes past me, pushing me into a cold I’ve never known. The bite is so extreme, it’s like falling through a frozen lake, drowning in numbing water. My body immediately tenses, and I inhale sharply. A shiver runs up my spine as piercing sharp claws gouge down my back. I arch, a gasp escaping me as ice grips my heart, throttling it in the stronghold of a beast’s grasp.

Shadows force their way down my throat, filling it with frost and pure terror. I try to scream, but it’s swallowed into the void. Fear fills me as I choke on my own darkness. The vile taste coats my tongue, making my stomach turn. My lungs burn for air, but nothing is coming in as the shadows block their entrance. My body convulses from the intrusion in my body, and I fall to my knees, my strength dwindling as my will is broken down. This darkness is not what I have experienced, this is so much more. It’s potent and deadly.

Is this what fills Ro’s soul?

Finally, the dark expanse lazily retreats from my body, leaving ash in its wake. I cough and sputter as it slithers from my throat. My bones weak and spent as I struggle to stay up.

“Grace, are you ok? That looked rough.” Pearl rushes to my side, her voice concerned.

My eyes water as I inhale deeply, a putrid taste left in my mouth. I feel naked, like I’ve been turned inside out, every crevice investigated. I hold myself in my arms as I shiver, feeling greedy eyes on me, watching me from the shadows.

“It’s ok, it’s done. It got what it wanted from you.” She tries to rub my back softly, but I flinch away from her touch.

“Please—I’m sorry … I feel like I was violated. I need space.” I shiver, trying to recover from the onslaught. I feel it lurking around me, it’s wisps playing with my feet. The chilled smoke reaches out to my hand, caressing my fingers.

Pearl lets out a breathy laugh in disbelief. “I think it likes you.”

Its gentle mist kisses my skin, playing with my arm as it reaches its icy fingers across me. I narrow my eyes to its frosty tendrils. “You could have been a little more gentle,” I whisper to it.

I feel a wind caress my face, blowing a stray strand of hair back from my face. The act similar to how Ro lovingly caresses my face.

“I think it senses your connection to Ro,” she mutters, astounded.

I feel it pulling at my arms, urging me further inside.

“It wants me to go inside,” I say nervously, looking at Pearl.

She nods at me. “Come over this way. I want to show you this.”

Pearl walks me across the dark until we reach an obsidian wall. She holds the torch close to reveal symbols carved into it. The symbols are familiar; I’ve seen similar ones on Ro’s body. I touch the black stone and outline the symbol with my finger.

“What do these symbols say?” I feel the smooth grooves in the cool stone.

“I cannot read them. They are written in Godspeak. Truthfully, I do not know all they say. Tai told me it tells the story of how Death was made and what he was created for. Darkness itself carved them into the walls when Death was born, and he was brought into existence.”

I gaze at the wall. The symbols reach up and up, the wall never seeming to end.

“All these symbols say that?” I feel the wall in awe .

“It isn’t just the story Darkness says, it is the story every realm says about him. It is how he was born, in every religion, every realm,” she emphasizes.

Pearl walks me along the wall, the symbols never stopping.

“How far does this cavern go?”

“None of us know. Tai says he has never found the end,” she whispers into the dark air.

“Ro was born in here?” Disbelief fills me as I narrow my eyes into the bleak shadows.

“When Ro was born from the blast of our world, he was born here, within this darkness. This is where his soul was created. Tai once told me the birth of Death was painful. He said Ro came into the world screaming. He wasn’t whole when he was created and was adopted by the Darkness, forged in its cold shadows. It filled his empty spaces and fused itself to him. When the Void inside him burst, that is when he was formed. Kai was created in the Void, but Ro carries it within him. Without souls, he was nothing but shadows. When life was given to the world, Death was gifted purpose,” she explains.

Our feet are silent as we walk through the dark clouds. I look out to the darkness, the pitch-black expanse calls me forward. Its shadows grab my hand, pulling me away from the wall and into the black fog.

Pearl clutches onto my other hand, following my lead.

“When the first soul died, it came to him, called for him specifically. He knew it was precious, it needed safekeeping. That’s when he created a link to the afterworld. He made the Isles, keeping souls safe in a world for their eternities. When he felt dark souls, the ones capable of harming the others, he made another world for them; the Infernals.”

My breathing quickens as the grip of darkness holds me tighter, slithering up my arm.

“Life is made to be with Death. He protects it. You mortals spend a short time in your respective kingdoms, experiencing and feeling new things, figuring out your souls. The rest of eternity is gifted to him.”

The shadows stop pulling as its dark serpent tail yanks me down onto my knees. I grunt from the force as I hit the soft ground, never making a sound into the expanse.

“What was all that about Darkness?” I breathe, rubbing my sore arm. I put my hand down before me to lift myself up, landing it into something wet. I freeze, the tactile sensation making me want to gag. What did I just put my hand in?

“Was that water?” Pearl asks, confused .

“Is it? I don’t know. It’s wet, but I’m too afraid to move.” I shudder.

She comes down to my level and places her hand next to mine. “I don’t feel anything.”

I look at her, she is fucking with me. “Pearl, don’t mess with me right now. I have had shadows inside my body, choking me and filling me. It wasn’t a fun time, and now I placed my hand in something wet,” I whine.

“Grace.” She chuckles. “I’m serious, there is nothing there. What do you feel?”

I take a deep breath and swish my fingers around. I feel the liquid forced through my fingers as I move my hand around. The liquid splashes around on the surface, creating a current within my fingers.

“It feels light, like water.” I look down but see nothing but black.

She frowns, trying to see my hand as well. “What is the Darkness telling you to do with it?”

“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.

“Well, it led you over here, and only you can feel it. Do the math.” She spells it out to me like a smart-ass.

I pause and glare at her. Why in the world would the Darkness want me to feel a puddle?

Suddenly, I feel a force slam my head into the water. I try and pull my head up, but it holds me under the water. I scream, bubbles grazing my face as I thrash, but the Darkness doesn’t let up. I lose air quickly as I struggle, the cold liquid filling my mouth. I gurgle, frightened, as I give the last of my air and water fills my throat.

My body goes limp as Darkness invades my mind.

My soul is pulled, forced through dark clouds as I soar. I race through shadows, a frosty breeze chilling my face as water turns to wind. The breeze eases across my cheeks as dense smoke parts, coming to a stop slowly. Suddenly, I’m thrust back onto my feet. I pause, catching my breath before I rub my eyes, refocusing them to the shadowed cavern I’ve been shoved into. The intense cold sends shivers across my body, shaking my muscles and biting my bones. I hold myself as I squint into the dark. It’s quiet. The only sounds, my thunderous heartbeats echoing in my ears, and my shaky breath whooshing in and out of my lungs.

Where am I? Where did it take me? Movement shifts on a boulder before me amongst the dark fog, and I whip my head to find I’m not alone. A large naked man sits despaired as his sullen eyes stare into nothingness on the rippling ground .

It’s Death, I would recognize him anywhere. Although, his appearance is different. Ethereal. Dark shadows dance on his pale, bare skin like wisps of a flame. His grey eye glows a fierce silver as it swirls bright, contrasting with his raven black hair shaven close to his head. He is magical and so sad .

I watch as Darkness extends a wispy arm lovingly to console the sulking God. Ro lifts his hand, inviting it.

“What would you ask of me?” His melodic, deep voice sings into the cavern, sending shivers up my spine. I reach my hand to him, desperate to touch him. He sounds so beautiful, yet so despaired.

Shadows dance across his bare skin, twirling and swirling.

“I do not know my purpose. I am the only one.” His voice is dejected as his head droops.

Dark wind caresses his face, and he leans into it, like a lover embracing its touch.

“I am the only one,” he whispers, his face pained.

Ro’s thick brows furrow as his eyes fall.

His downcast gaze wanders the room, looking for something as he sighs.

“I am the only one.”

Suddenly, I’m jerked backward, the clouds closing on the vision of Ro as I’m slung through the shadows. I’m back in my body instantly, my face still in the water. I throw my head out of the puddle as I gasp for air, coughing and hacking up dark liquid.

“Grace!” Pearl catches me, slapping me on the back, trying to help me as I choke. “Where did you just go?” she yells frantically.

“Water,” I manage to bite out as I keep coughing.

“But … you were gone.” Her hand drops from my back.

I look up at her, panting with a dripping face. “I saw Ro, but like, in the beginning. It showed me Ro when he was born.”

Pearl stares at me with wide eyes, the orange glow of the torch shimmering in her pools of baby blue. “Why would it show you that?”

“He was really lonely, I think.” I recall his sad, beautiful voice. “I believe … maybe … it was thanking me? For being his companion.”

“For being his mate,” she corrects me as she ponders. “It makes sense, Darkness and Ro are joined within their beings. It has accompanied Death through his existence and seen how lonely he is. With you here, he is finally happy.”

I smile, panting quietly as I look out into the dark room.

“Or perhaps, it has seen other things and wanted to remind you not to hurt him,” Pearl says, the atmosphere changing to a thick tension.

I whip my head to her, my brows furrowed. “What do you mean?” I ask.

“I know you spoke to Velaya.” Her voice serious.

I pause, my breath catching as I stare at her. “Did you tell Ro?” I whisper.

“No, and I won’t. I understand you want to go home, but please understand they are not the way. They are going to come for you, Grace. They are going to say things about Ro. You need to remember who he is, truly. He did things during the war that haunt him. We all did. His choice to cut everyone off from magic was not easy. Creatures have died and lands are becoming extinct. We have all suffered, but he did it to protect your kind. That’s all he’s ever tried to do since his existence.”

We stare at each other, hot guilt eating into my heart and scratching at my gut.

“He hasn’t been the same since the war. He was distant before of course, but the war gutted him. Ro has been completely removed from us … until you came here.” She gives me a small smile. “You’ve changed him, Grace. I’ve never seen him so free. Please remember your mate the next time you think of leaving.”

The walk back is silent as I stare at my feet shuffling across the stone. I can’t meet Pearl’s eyes. She is right, I have my mate now. It would crush him if I left, and for something as selfish as revenge. Part of me misses the stability of my old life before I went down this path.

I’ve had nothing but pain and misery since my life was returned to me. It’s been surprise after surprise, and damn do I hate surprises. It would be easier to give up and turn back, return to my old life, and get my revenge. But then I would miss out on everyone I have met here in Elyssus. I smile as I think of my new family. I don’t think I have a choice in this. I don’t regret the direction I’m headed.

Fallon wouldn’t want me to risk my life avenging him. He would want me to live my life, be happy, and stay with the people who want to protect me. And, I am happy, truly. Evie would straight kick my ass for doing something as stupid as ditching my mate to avenge her. A small smile graces my lips. I miss them dearly, but maybe it is time to heal that wound.

Pearl’s sweet voice rings into the hallway, breaking the tension. “I’m sorry to pounce on you like that, Grace. I needed to bring you somewhere so you’d understand. Somewhere I could talk to you quietly. I’ve almost lost my mate once, and it was the worst feeling I’ve ever had. I don’t want either of you to go through that. You have something really special.” She lowers her voice to a whisper, “If you’re truly set on leaving, just bring him with, ok?”

I smile at her sincerely. “I’m not leaving, Pearl.”