Chapter 81: The Lost Past
Melissa’s POV
When we set out, the moon was high. As though it hid secrets no one had ventured to reveal, the ancient and silent deep forest towered above us. Every step felt heavier, as though something invisible was observing us, and the air was heavy with the smell of pine and moist ground.
Kane was walking next to me, solid and comforting. His hand momentarily touched mine, then clenched into a fist. Zephyr led the way, using his keen instincts to lead us through the shadows to the alleged site of the artifact.
“We’re running out of time,” Zephyr whispered. He spoke quietly yet firmly, with a hint of desperation. “The Forsaken might already be looking for this location if they know it.”
I gripped my cloak more tightly. “Do you think this relic will tell us the truth?”
Even in the low light, Zephyr’s golden eyes were keen as he looked back. We have no other leads. We must comprehend Darius’s origins if we are to stop him.
Kane’s mouth clenched. “What happens if we dislike the truth?”
Zephyr ran a hand through his silver hair and moaned. “After that, we’ll need to decide it.”
I suppressed the uneasiness that descended upon me. We needed to locate the artifact. Additionally, we needed to locate it before Darius did.
We strolled in silence for what felt like hours. Finally, Zephyr came to a sudden stop. “We’re present.”
What was left of an old temple was in front of us, half-buried beneath heavy soil and vines. Its pillars were weathered and shattered from ages of neglect, and it was carved from dark stone. The entrance was adorned with strange markings, which were the goddess’s faded but still energetic symbols.
Pushing dirt from a carved insignia by the doorway, Kane took a step forward. “This location is ancient.”
Zephyr whispered, “Older than any record we have.” “Let’s discover what mysteries it contains.”
Dust and ancient magic filled the air inside. The moonlight filtered through the damaged roof, illuminating the ancient inscriptions that covered the walls. My nostrils were filled with the smell of rot and antiquity, but underlying it was something else: power.
I brushed my fingers across the chilly stone, pausing at a seemingly more readable lettering than the others. As I read the lines out loud, my heart raced:
“There was no birth of the Forsaken. They were produced.
Kane’s forehead wrinkled. “What is meant by that?”
Zephyr knelt and brushed the engravings with more dust. As he read, his countenance grew gloomy. “They were made by the goddess.”
I felt a chill go through me. “That isn’t rational. Why would she make such a hazardous thing?
Zephyr paused and then went on. She desired to create something more robust. A shifter of the new kind. However, something went wrong. They got unsteady. Too strong. She was powerless over them.
With a sharp sigh, Kane’s fists clenched. “So why did she not destroy them?”
I had no response, but I had a feeling we were going to find out soon.
The temple was suddenly filled with a low rumble. The earth shook beneath us.
Zephyr’s head jerked upward. “Something is not right.”
The floor then fell before any of us could respond.
“Melissa!” The ground collapsed beneath us as Kane yelled and lunged for me.
I extended my hand, grabbing for his, but the ground gave way too soon. As I fell into the blackness, my cry was drowned out by the rush of air.
I hit the ground hard and felt pain go through my side. It was impossible to see because of the dust and debris in the air. Coughing, I forced myself to stand.
“Kane?” My voice reverberated, but nobody answered. I was by myself.
I ignored the aching pain in my limbs and forced myself to stand. The room where I had fallen was enormous, with bizarre symbols lining the walls that gave off a faint glow in the low light. I felt a chill go through me as a peculiar hum vibrated through the air.
I noticed a glimmer of movement. From the shadows, something-someone-was observing me.
With my heart racing, I turned slowly and gasped as I noticed a big, elaborate mirror in the middle of the space.
Unlike everything else, it was not covered with dust. It appeared to be unaltered.
I took a cautious step forward. The surface of the mirror seemed odd-almost fluid-and rippled a little, as though reacting to my presence.
I gazed at my image. Then things changed.
It wasn’t my picture that was staring back at me.
Her face and hair were the same as mine, but her eyes-oh, her eyes gleamed silver.
She gave a smile, but it was not a friendly one. It was incorrect. Twisted.
Her lips moved as she came closer, muttering something I could hardly hear.
“Your existence was never intended.”
My breath caught. “What?”
The head of the reflection cocked. “Madela, you don’t belong.”
With a pounding heart, I staggered back. “Who are you?”
Shadows coiled over the edges of the mirror as it grew darker. My reflection, the reflection, grinned.
“The truth is on the way.”
The glass then broke.
I was knocked off my feet by a powerful force that exploded from the mirror. The room was filled with a chilly, oppressive blackness that seemed like invisible hands gripping my flesh. As the pieces of the mirror soared into the air, glimmering with a strange, unnatural light, I gasped and stumbled backward.
The chamber echoed with a deep, unnatural voice. “You can’t escape who you are.”
Then-
Everything turned dark.