AI A twig snapped in the darkness. The sound echoed through the empty forest, conjuring images of screaming crows and crashing trees. But it was just a twig. Just a few yards behind me. And footsteps . Slow, deliberate footsteps .
Fuck.
I had to get to the grove. It was the only way out of this nightmare. The only way back to the city. To into my life that didn't feel like a waking nightmare, where I couldn't shake the feeling I was being followed , watched. Hunted.
I was no stranger to bad decisions. Most of them came with screaming headlines and cell phone camera footage. But this one, oh this one was particularly impressive. Following a stranger into a dark forest. Because of a riddle carved into an ancient oak.
"The grove's heart stone is hidden deep in the forest's embrace." Like was following a riddle into the woods alone.
I jogged, branches scraping my face and fingers reaching to ensnare my clothes. The thing chasing me-because it was definitely chasing me-was not human. I was too far into fae-touched grounds. Where magic was real. They didn't wear human faces, taking those borrowed skins as mere Juniors.
Inculpam Regis comes before me, barring my path. I skidded to a stop, too close to the massive oak to not see the Barnet Rune carved into its bark. A accuse-stone. A trap for the unwitting or unwanted traveler. But it wasn't the carving that made my heart hammer against my ribs.
Behind me, looming in the gloom , the pursuer paused. It sniffed the air, a cold clammy nose. And chuckled. A chilling wheeze. And then it spoke.
"They have you." A croak. A bark. Splitting the air and my mind equally.
I-it's not possible. The grove hadn't have more than a dozen visitors in the last century. It wasn't possible for it to know-
"She marked you. You're hers now." Its voice seemed to come from all around me. Cold breath tickled back of my neck. "And this grove will stop you from joining her."
I cringed as I stepped closer to the accusation oak. Its leaves shook as if alive, agitated by my nearness. The facility waited beneath a green-glass sheet, but I couldn't go any closer. The defending rune flared brightly, chasing me back a step. I had to find the heart stone. I had to escape-
The traitor stepped forward faster than I could blink, carved nails scrabbling on bark. I ducked as the branch intended for my skull whipped over me. I spun, right leg snapping up in a biting kick before checking my motion. The enemy backpeddled and I launched into a runner, leaving the forest for a spread of high meadow grasses.
Behind me, the accusar twisted its hand back on an invisible rope. Its fingers dug deep beneath bark, renting ribbons of ie-thick sap that snapped in its wake. In mine. The magic behind it began to peel away the centuries of moss cloaking the grove.
I needed a weapon. Something to turn the fighting odds in my favor.
A sizzle cut a horizontal line across my field of vision, sparking stone and sending it flying. A younger oak snapped, the attack barely missing me. The grasses were on fire where its magic struck. Scattering golden sparks across the path I had been clearing.
I pulled my smaller knife free and crouched, digging gloves into the dirt, ready for another bolt. Instead, the traitor materialized in the attacking rune's smoky wake. It looked at me like it was expecting a reaction.
What did it want from me? An inquiry? A guess? We were fighting here and now. And it seemed to want me to think about it.
Smirking contemptuously, it nodded to the blade in my hand. "You like to cut people," it murmured, describing a figure leaning forward with its free hand. Long. Imitating a knife. "Your mother cut people. But you don't know how to cut."
Its voice started quiet. Coming closer, like it was telling me a secret. The pounding of my heart drumming behind my ears drowned that part out. But one phrase looped through my head as the traitor spoke.
Keep calm and kill people.
My grip grew slick on the worn handle. It wasn't made for my hand, but it worked. "I've killed people," I answered, hoarse. The admission tasted like blood.
"Hmm." The figure drew back, as if considering this . "And do you ever feel bad about it?" It shook its head before I could respond. "No, you enjoy killing people. Your mom showed you how."
I shoved to my feet, jabbing forward with the blade as I lunged. The traitor blurred backward, avoiding the strike by hair's breadth. It placed its feet and tensed, preparing to deliver a riposte of its own.
All anyone talks about are the traitors' tusks. Not their eyes. The eyes are what you destroy. Let the tusks stand as a warning. The eyes tell you everything you need to know about an opponent.
But you only have one opponent right now: yourself.
My breath came in harsh pants as I stared at my reflection in the blade. The training knife glinted in the dying light. Its silver surface spiderwebbed with cracks. R vekitimeniitsa dented into the side.
"Volodea," I breathed. I raised my gaze to my not-face in the curve of the steel "Let the past go." It said. "You can't change what's already happened."
I could though. Like a story I'd had a hundred times before but still couldn't get right, I always came back to the moment I'd killed my parents. Why I'd killed my mother. The traitor wanted me to remember that night . To call forth the memory that had shaped me for so long. That I couldn't let go of.
"I know it's hard," it said in a soothing cadence. "But you can't bury the past." My free hand shot out, grabbing a fistful of its shirt and jersey and ribs as I flung us both to the ground. It hit the dirt with an oof before rising into a sloppy crouch. The knife in my hand was heavier now, but still functional.
In a desperate gamble, I lunged at the traitor and grappled with it, letting the dagger fall from my fingers as I shoved my open palm into its chest. Light flared between us and then exploded outwards, clearing a safe distance to tumble away in a crumpled heap. The rune flared to brilliant life and a corruptive darkness enveloped us.
As quickly as it had risen, it vanished, leaving me flat on my back, staring up at a night sky full of stars. There was no more light coming from the rune on the tree, no sign of fighting in the grove.
Hissing painfully, I rolled onto my side. United Rune stood between me and the tree, impossibly tall and wider than I would have thought possible. The energy it had expelled had torn ribbons in the sky, exposing another layer of space that was closer than it should have been, the edges of the universe unfolding before my eyes. A star disappeared into their maw and emerged as searing light that faded to black.
It was so close. The heart of the woods. The veil. The transition between planes. The magic that bound them together and kept them separate. The nexus point of all fae and all mortal.
I pushed myself upright I'd found it. The heartstone. And with it, my ticket home. Now I just had to get out from where I was. Not something likely to happen anytime soon, given the black miasma rising from its depths .
United Rune was the last of the old fae guard, the oldest ones left. Some said they'd been there since the beginning of time. Others said they were there when the world was young and magic still walked among us. Maybe it was both. Maybe it was neither. The point was, they'd lived longer than we'd been alive and they weren't going anywhere anytime soon.
That's what the stories said, anyway. The tales told 'round campfires and in pubs when no one was looking. United Rune was the boogeyman of the fae courts. They were the ones that kept the wild magic in check. The ones that made sure the fae stayed in the shadows and didn't rampage out in the human world like they used to.
They were the cops at the end of the road, the enforcers for the old ways. And here I was, betting on the heartstone to get me out of here.
Like any good gambler, I went in with a plan. First off, I needed a weapon. Something to even the odds against United Rune. And I knew just where to find one.
Pulling my stiletto dagger from my sleeve, I crept up to the rune, trying to get closer to the corpse. But the thing was a lot larger than I expected, spanning several feet wide at the base. Its body was a mass of tangled limbs and pulsing flesh, making it hard to see where one ended and the next began.
I'm off my game, I thought to myself. This monster's what, a couple weeks old? And here I am, alreadyinking back and reverting to old habits. Forget about planning and taking it slow. Forget about the plan. Just get the stone and get out. Fast.
Then a sound shattered the fog. Hooves. Many hooves, all pounding in unison. A clamor of metal foul and lusty greetings.
I seized the moment. The heartstone offered protection from United Rune. But entering it's grove had triggered an alert to the faerax. Its pack now came to finish what it's first ruler couldn't.
A bad idea, I knew the pull of the stone. My blood surged in response. I couldn't stay here. Couldn't let it have my blood. Its mark. It would kill me. And worse. But if I went in-
Breaking from the brush, I sprinted towards the heartstone's clearing. The pack gained on me fast, a madness in their eyes. Hounds leapt, fangs snapping inches from my flesh.
I saw United Rune's revelation in the distance. Pale and glowing white, almost transcendent. Almost. Not yet infinite. Give it time. Giveit forever.
Only meters away now. A crescendo of Pip and barking closed behind me. I could sense its excitement, its eagerness to devour me whole.
The sky overturned above me and became acid green. The world peeled like an onion, leaving only the core inside the stone. Time reversed and unmade itself. I collapsed as its light washed over me.
United Rune howled at my passage. A primal, angry sound echoing across the ages. The pack fell eerily silent. Just the rush of air on the other side as I fell into the void of their waiting.
I tumbled through the void, danned light and warmth for company. Perpetual blue shades. On and on I fell.
Finally I crashed into a solid floor with hard bone and flesh. My head smashed against unforgiving metal as it dizzied me, making the room spin round and round. On instinct I rolled, scrambling for footing, and collapsing at the tower's base.
Tower. I looked up to see a blinding light spilling from crystallized stone walls, pulsing magically.
brunodundahDiagram
The Heartstone acted as its own realm, flicking into existence at the behest of one's intent. Fully aware of the key.
coratioThe stones of the Heartstone seemed to contract, then expand. A telescoping that went on forever, folding infinite spacetime into a circle of black that I could walk inside. Would walk inside, I supposed if I wanted to reach safety.
One could walk inside the reflect. Alex's footsteps fell soft on tiled floors that looked like irregular asteroids . A dull twilight tinged in red-orange shone down from crystallized roof, giving everything an eldritch glow. Rune markings on the stone wall pulsed in time to Alex's heartbeat and breath.
I looked at the contrivances in the Heartstone's passage very carefully . Angela claimed I severed secrets. I did what I'd been forced to. Nesrin and Angela could put up with it for another hundred years. All the better to come back.
I wanted no more part in it. I had what I needed. Now all I had to do was get back to the city and hope the fae had enough fear not to follow me there.
The hounds were still baying behind me, their baying rising and falling like the tide. They would find no trace of me in here-not unless. A nine-foot tall metal door stood between me and my pursuers. It bore a circle with a triangle at its base. The sigil of Hel.
I grasped the fixtures and pulled hard. The doors parted slightly , just enough for me to slip through. Where I stepped out was not where I had entered. It most certainly was not Puller County, Ill. A craggy hill rose in front of me, decorated with autumn leaves and spongy mosses. Overhead, a blazing sun beamed down through clouds of blue and orange. And beyond the hill, an immense forest stretched to the horizon.
I was outside the city. But how? The Heartstone had spat me out into the wilds. Hel had shunted me to Faerie, outside of the city limits. One step beyond the border between worlds and nothing to show I had ever been. Not a help. A hinder.
The hounds brayed wildly behind me now, their massive shadows blotting out the light. They would be on me in minutes. If I ran, they'd chase. And if they caught me... there was no telling what they would do.
I fell to my knees as the full scope of my situation finally hit me. This wasn't what I had planned. This wasn't what I had wanted at all. In a desperate bid to escape United Rune, I had somehow stumbled upon a Heartstone. And in that single, impulsive act, I had managed to do what countless mages couldn't-bypass the supernatural barrier surrounding Faerie itself and enter one of its hidden sanctuaries. Scheme or no scheme, I was now squarely out of my depth. And with the hounds bearing down on me fast, I had only one choice left: take the only escape I could. I grasped the broken cusp of stone and asked.
The hounds bayed, a raucous clamor like thunder. They had crossed over, into Faerie. The chase was on. My feet pounded the scorched earth.
The tree-line beckoned, a dark wall of shadowy green. But to get there I had to cross the burned-over field. I could hear the hounds gaining on me, their breath hot and ragged. Twice, I felt their breath on the back of my neck, and each time I bolted forward, hoping I'd feel earth beneath my feet instead of fang and claw.
The ground burned beneath my feet. The once verdant grass now looked like the dry, lifeless husk of the desert, charred and blackened by something that should never set foot in Faerie. A chilling certainty crept over me as I sprinted towards the sanctuary of the forest, leaping over the twisted roots of long-dead trees. This land had been colonized by the fae. The humans were gone . And now, the fae had set their sights on me.
The hounds bayed and I leapt between twisted roots. Blinding pain tore through my chest. I landed heavily, all the breath knocked out of me. But I couldn't stop. Couldn't give the fae the satisfaction of hunting me down. I had to keep moving.
My head spun. The cusp of the Heartstone swung in front of me. I grasped it and fell through. I tumbled head over feet down a rabbit hole during of blue crystal and ethereal sound. For hours. Days?
Without points of reference, I could only guess the time that had passed as I plunged deeper into the Heartstone's abyss, skipping and hopping through infinite layers of space and time. I caught little snippets of truth along the way-knowing what I knew meant the difference between life and death, knowing what I could do-how to teleport, bend space, and escape jaurs. But no genuine understanding. Not yet.
Then the blue faded to black. The floor rose up and cracked my knee. Screaming in pain, I caught a hand on the wall. Black.
Booted feet stomped down and women voices spoke in the common tongue, although the words slurred. The Heartstone hummed faintly near my face and getting to my feet, brushing rust from my jeans and pulling down my collar. The cold blackness of a moonless night filled the chamber. Runes pulsed and throbbed around me, the light fading and returning like a heartbeat at some unknowable distance. The keystone of Hel's control over Midsummer.
The chamber wavered around me, pieces of it vanishing and reappearing at random intervals. The crystalline floor stretched away in all directions, arteries of dormant blue veins connecting it to the world. Scattered about were mounds of furs and screens of wood. Cages hung from the ceiling, housing dozens of sleeping figures in various states of dress undress.
Gaunt women in tattered cloaks stumbled up and stared at me with wild eyes, dirtying their faces and hands before I grinned at them and tried to untangle my wrists from the shackles with my teeth. A shackled woman looked up at me and spoke a deformed tongue, moving her cheek against my right hand in order to release her from the bindings.
"Thank you," a familiar voice washed over me. Malphora. I hadn't heard that tone in a long time.
I stepped forward as the door opened, the light from the hallway illuminating the long shadows of the chamber. Stepping through the doorway, I walked down a familiar hallway, stepping into an empty room. I turned to my right and opened the door, revealing an ornate throne room.
United Rune was perched on the throne, a macabre smile playing across his lips. "It is a pleasure to see you again, Aurora." His voice was a dry whisper , like paper crumpling.
I stood before the subject, trying to find words, but finding none that seemed appropriate . Finally, I stepped forward again, risking any punishment that might come my way. "I did what you said. I found the Heartstone and freed you. I kept my end of the bargain. It's time for you to keep yours. Let me go, and don't you dare try to stop me from taking Bronwyn."
Malphora's eyes narrowed . "Your demand is presumptuous, human." Her voice was icier than any winter chill I'd ever known. "You may have freed me. But you do not have the authority to make demands of Hel herself or of United Rune."
I tensed, ready to lunge for the Heartstone at a moment's notice . But Malphora held up a hand, and the world slowed around us. The few fae who'd been in the chamber froze mid-motion, crystalline blades poised to tear vitae from my hollowed-out corpse.
"I can keep you alive, girl," United Rune breathed, stepping forward. His skin hung slack on its bones. "But only if you renounce all claims on Bronwyn and on leaving this place."
Malphoria's stony gaze was full of warning, her lovers voice barely a whisper . "Freeing me and betraying me is one thing. But United Rune will not be pleased if you refuse his offer. His power is not to be trifled with."
I held firm despite the temptation to comply. Malphora and United Rune exchanged uneasy glances, their actions predicated on my immobile freeze-frames.
"Agree to his terms," Malphora urged, low and biting. "It's your only chance."
"Hah." A dark chuckle escaped United Rune's desiccated lips. "I wondered how long you would last, Aurora." He looked to one of the fae cousins. "Bring the others." He spoke. They looked to his cousin, then back to him -- youngest of the coterie, not susceptible to my magic. They obliged.
I crossed my arms. "I'll go. But not until I have a few things straight. First, there were no fae here. None of you. Just a crazy, impossible maze in the middle of nowhere."
United Rune fixed me with the same dead-eyed stare as the hounds, but held his peace. The fae spread out in front of me. Still as statues.
"That's right." I nodded. "And I'm not leaving without my friends. Or Bronwyn. Where is she?"
"You really want to play this game?" A thousand hatreds flickered through the space between us, catching flames and fanning into flames. "She's not part of any deal you two made." United Rune gestured to the nether bounds of this uncanny hell. "She's far beyond your reach now. And far beyond anyone's touch."
United Rune looked at his hounds. They snarled and snapped at his command. But they saw his final point. Cold glacial rain sweep their faces and teeth. Their eyes, glittering with malice, shiftened and cleared as his stakes made themselves real. And each knowing they were about to ruthlessly tear fast, faster, and fastest.
I circled around the stone-sealed heartstone, the sickly blue light of Hel flickering in my eyes. Turning my head in confusion. "This place is a nightmare." I said aloud. "A mad, twisted hell of my own making. Where are my friends?" Defiance colored my voice. The promise of more than the fading echoes of their laughter.
United Rune felt warmly toward Cooper, in his own misguided way. He'd bullied Cooper the same way he'd bullied Rory's mother.
"No." A distinct chill washed through his roots. "She's not here."
I growled low under my breath. Fear turned to rage and surged through my blood. "Then where is she?"
"Far from your reach."
I glared at him, hoping to come across as threatening. He simply stared back, unamused.
"Well we'll see about that." I turned my wrist, touching the Heartstone. The blue light pulsed aggressively. Southern heat washed over us, intense and humid. I swallowed and took a step forward, suppressing a growing dread. Squaring my shoulders and stepping across the chambers cracked and broken lengths of blue crystal formed an intricate network linking the the floor to the column's base.
United Rune tensed, protective over his charges of children and jewels scattered across the garden path. To my left, a closet full of furs and decorative fans sang to me. Ahead, a chess set in onyx and crystal automatically folded out when approached, easily beaten by any player who spoke the right triggering phrase.
Off the side path, a green door cracked open. I peered into crack and recoiled from illegal nesties of spouses.
I choked down a growl of frustration. Why did everything here have to be laden with rules? Phrases, patterns. The same way United Rune leaned on obligation in this realm to enforce his will, manipulating mortals into behaving a certain way.
I scanned ahead. A blue-black tree into the cusp-puns! Cradles! Baby-! Ten white fa hands holding crystal implements from a tool chest. Ten! Twigs! Simply add water and watch the magic happen.
"No," I said aloud. My eyes caught on the row of flowers peeking from beyond the Wizard's oilcloth coverlet. Seeds tucked off to the side of my basket.
I squatted down level with the fae on ground level. It looked closer, now that I was here. Pussy willows and hollyhocks surrounded the white walls of the finit tower.
"Don't do anything stupid, nun." I swore under my breath. I'm only here to find. But then I noticed the leprechauns. All five of them clustered eerily close, locking claws at my feet. Honed metal scraped skin. A fresh cut joined the dry blood and fang marks on my arm.
Secure, right under the thirteen miniature crystal chandeliers hanging paper tulips were rustled from the branches.
"I know you don't miss Bronwyn much." United Rune spoke, completely deadpan. I stood up straighter and circled him warily , keeping my eyes on the leprechauns as they paced as well. " Bronwyn is one of my favorite children," A single eye glinted with admiration. " She's a quick learner, and doesn't complain about the work."
My stomach turned. " She's a slave, you mean." I spat. " Cooper was too. You should know all about slaves. Isn't that how you climbed the ranks? By torturing and threatening anyone below you?"
United rune rolled his singular eye heavenward. " Ah, yes. The old resentment of a former slave." He shook his head as if clearing flies . " Even now, after all the good you've done for her, Bronwyn still sees you as just another of Hel's caste. She sees me as a friend and a benevolent master. And you-" he pointed a bony finger at me. "-you are the girl who keeps her in chains."
I couldn't help but flinch, hating how he made my blood run cold. But I kept my composure. " Where is Bronwyn, then? If she's not here, where did you take her?"
" Ah, the hounds haven't told you?" United Rune cocked his head at a high-pitched whine coming from the traitor. " She's with her people, as has always been her fate. Like you and your friends, she never truly belonged here."
I clenched my fists at my sides. " This isn't over. You and I both know she's not safe with your fae monsters. Once I find my way out of here, I will tear this place down brick by brick if I have to, until I have her back. And I will make you watch as I do it."
"You're not ready." United rune took a step forward, his ancient body remarkably spry. " You've the power and know the way. But do you have the heart to pay the price? Do you know who you are, really ?"
I narrowed my eyes at him. " I know who I am. And I know what I'm willing to do to protect those I love. But you? You don't know me at all."
Malphora loomed larger than I remembered, standing behind United Rune. She looked at me with concern in her eyes. " Aurora, please, listen to him. Don't do something you can't take back."
I rounded on her, determined not to let United Rune win this battle, even if it meant my anger got the better of me. " You abandoned us, Malphora! All this time, you've been here, safe and sound, while we were being pursued and hunted! You could have told us about this place, how to find it. We wouldn't have had to suffer as long as we did. How can you ask me not to do this? After everything that's happened and everything you've done?"
Malphora's eyes darkened with regret. " I know I've failed you. All of you." She reached out a hand but I backed away, not wanting her comfort. " But Aurora, you don't understand. This place isn't a sanctuary . It's a labyrinth. A trap for the unwary and the unprepared. United Rune has lived here for millennia, learning the patterns and mastering the masters. Do you really think you can overthrow him on your own?"
I hesitated, the seriousness in her tone sinking in. I glanced at United Rune's hounds, who watched me with cold, calculating eyes. Malphora was right. I had no real plan beyond getting in and demanding they let Bronwyn go. A plan born out of desperation rather than thought. But the alternative was unthinkable. Leaving Bronwyn to whatever fate United Rune had in store for her.
" I have to try," I said, my voice breaking slightly . " She's one of us. Family. I can't abandon her."
Malphora nodded slowly , understanding my resolve . She looked to United Rune. " You might be more powerful than I expected. But not yet. Wait. Gain. Plan. Return with allies who understand the rules of this realm." She glanced back at me. " Even if you emerge victorious, the price will be high. Are you prepared for that?"
I considered her question, the weight of what I was about to consecrate. Was I ready to sacrifice the life I knew, the people I loved, for the chance to save Bronwyn? Was I willing to pay that price ? I met Malphora's gaze and held it for a long moment, seeing the reluctance in her eyes, the worry that she might lose me as well if things went wrong.
A long, heavy sigh escaped United Rune's chest. The wariness faded from his expression, replaced by a deep sadness. " You remind me of her, you know. Strong-willed. Determined. But far too headstrong for your own good." His single eye flickered over to Malphora. " You have potential . But you lack discipline. A reckless emotion will be your undoing in the end."
I bristled at his assessment. " I'm not my mother. And I'm certainly not going to let you dictate how I live my life."
"Such is the folly of youth." United Rune's voice took on a lecturing tone. " You think yourself so strong, so brave. But you have no idea what you're truly facing. This is the domain of the Faerie. ancient and untamed. Even I, as old as I am, could spend a lifetime exploring its depths and never know all its secrets. And what is Bronwyn to you, really ? A friend? A lover? A mere passing dalliance? She is willing to accept her fate and move on. Can you not do the same?"
The words stung, but I refused to let them break me. "Bronwyn is more than any of those things. She is family. We've been through too much together to abandon her now."
Malphora stepped forward, placing a hand on United Rune's arm. " Aurora's determination is admirable. Foolish, but admirable. She will not rest until she has Bronwyn. And who are we to stand in her way?"
United Rune regarded her for a long moment before letting out a huff of resignation. " Very well. I can see that nothing I can say will dissuade you from this course of action." He nodded to his hounds, who closed ranks around us. " But know this. Winding through Hel's domain is a delicate art. One wrong step and you'll find yourself lost for ages. And there are worse things within the abyss than fae beasts."
I swallowed hard, suppressing a shiver. The hounds' eyes glinted with a predatory hunger. But I refused to let my fear show. " I'm not afraid of your abyss. I'll go through it, over it, or around it. Whatever it takes to save Bronwyn."
United Rune studied me for a long moment before a slow, reluctant smile spread across his face. It was almost paternal in its affection . " You are a worthy foe, Aurora Carter. It has been a long time since I had an opponent with your spirit and determination. Very well. I shall not stand in your way. But do not think this means I approve of your actions or forgive you for interrupting my hounds' hunt."
I nodded curtly, not trusting myself to speak just yet. My heart pounded in my chest , equal parts fear and exhilaration. I had wanted this. The chance to prove myself against United Rune's power. And now that I had it, I intended to take full advantage.
Malphora looked between us warily , sensing the unspoken tension . " Aurora, are you sure about this? There's no coming back from this. United Rune will not forget this slight. And neither will the fae. You will be marked for life."
I met Malphora's gaze steadily, my resolve unwavering . " I know the risks. But I also know that I can't live with myself if I don't at least try to save Bronwyn. No matter the cost."
Malphora sighed, nodding slowly . " In that case, I have no choice but to help you. But I must warn you. The fae will not make this easy. They are master manipulators, and they will use any means at their disposal to prevent your escape. You must be on your guard at all times."
I glanced over at United Rune, who watched us with an unreadable expression. " I know. Goodbye, Malphora. And thank you. For everything."
I turned to United Rune. " I'll be seeing you soon." With that, I turned on my heel and began walking down the corridor, the hounds falling in step behind me.
As I walked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settle over me. The walls seemed to press in closer, the air growing thick and oppressive . I had a feeling that this was far from over. United Rune was too powerful, too ancient, to be so easily thwarted. There would be trap after trap, obstacle after obstacle. But I was determined to see this through, no matter the cost.
The corridor stretched out before me, a dark and twisting path leading deeper into the unknown. But I pressed on, my resolve unwavering . I had to find Bronwyn. I had to save her. And I would, no matter what it took.
As the hounds and I walked on, the distant howls of the abyss closed in behind us. The sprit of United Rune's domain surged in the Heartstone, an ancient and powerful magic bowing to its reckoner autonomy and subverting expectantly to its master. The domain was only one of many, a fractal within the abyss leading up and down, winding back on itself and burrowing away.
The name of my destination thrummed in the swallowed light. And bronwyn.
United Rune's power was strong here. It pulsed through my veins with every beat of my heart. I could feel it in my bones, my blood, the very essence of my being. I was part of it now, bound to it, just as it was bound to me.
But even as the power filled me, inland and extraterrestrial cobwebs of the abyss unfurled around us. A boundary between this domain and the next, the wall of a domain leading to the next. The sixth WR floor.
Malphora had warned me. United Rune ruled only a small part of the abyss. Beyond this boundary lay other fae domains, equally powerful and equally dangerous. Each with its own rules and perils.
I hesitated for a moment, suddenly uncertain. But then I thought of Bronwyn. Of the danger she was in and the help she needed. I couldn't abandon her now, not when I was so close.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward. The boundary SH shifts fast and vial, the surrounding walls further darkening with the arcane REC medium bounding this domain. My eyes screwed up against the assault and I stumbled slightly on the sensations. But I pushed on, onward.
United Rune's domain shrank behind me and something else expanded in its place. A different magic, ancient and foreign. I could feel it like a weight settling over me, a heavy coil of power waiting to spring.
The hounds panted behind me, their breath clouding in the sudden cold. They seemed uneasy , milling about and snapping at the air.
The boundary faded into a wall of shadow around us, solid and impassable. But faintly, very faintly, I could sense a door. A focal point to another domain.
I coalesced my power and struck the wall with my palm. A glowing handprint blazed in the stone for a moment before fading back into shadow.
The door cracked open before me, a shimmering portal revealing another twisted cavern beyond. The hounds yipped and lunged forward, eager to be off.
I stepped through into the new domain, the final barrier between me and Bronwyn.
And stopped dead in my tracks.
For standing before me, at the edge of a lake of dazzling light, was Bronwyn. Whether inCatch or an actual living BRON somebody.
She stood straight-backed and composed, her eyes wide and disbelieving. Her pink hair was colt and tangled around her shoulders, somehow even more luminous than I remembered. She wore the same clothes she'd had on when she was captured , but they looked cleaner, fresher than they should have been after being worn for so long.
For a moment, we simply stared at each other. Then slowly, hesitantly, she began to smile.
" Aurora ?" Tears glimmered in her eyes. " Is it really you ?"
I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded, unable to speak. She was here. She was alive. And she was safe.
Bronwyn started to run forward, her arms outstusc, Her smile widening into a full-blown grin. But then she froze, her eyes widening in horror.
I whirled around, following her gaze.
United Rune stood behind me, his massive form looming over us. His single eye glowed with an otherworldly light, fixed intently on Bronwyn.
" Told you," he said softly . " She isn't yours to take."
The hounds snarled, advancing on Bronwyn and I moved to shield her. But even as I did, I realized my mistake.
United Rune's power surged through him, striking out at an invisible barrier. The hounds yelped in pain and rolled back.
I looked back at Bronwyn - and found her gone.
Vanished into thin air.
I stared at the empty space where she had been, uncomprehending. What had happened? Where had she gone?
United Rune sighed, his chest deflating. He regarded me with something almost like pity.
" You still don't understand," he said softly . " She wasn't illusion. You just can't see her anymore."
I shook my head in confusion. " What are you talking about? Where is she? What have you done to her?"
United Rune chuckled, the sound echoing off the cavern walls. " Oh, my dear Aurora. You are so young. So human. You still think in terms of physicality. Of flesh and blood." He waved a hand dismissively. " But Bronwyn is beyond all that now. She has become a part of the abyss. Of the magic that permeates everything here. You cannot see her because she is no longer a separate entity. She is the abyss."
I stared at him in horror, my mind reeling. " You've...you've merged her with the abyss? Made her a part of the magic?"
United Rune nodded, his expression sorrowful. " It is the ultimate fate of all fae. To become one with the magic that created them. Bronwyn knew this. It was her destiny. And now, it has come to pass."
I shook my head in denial, tears springing to my eyes. " No. No, I don't believe it. She can't be gone. I won't accept it!"
United Rune sighed, stepping forward to place a comforting hand on my shoulder. " I know it is hard to accept. But it is the way of things here. Bronwyn made her choice. As will you, in the end. You cannot escape your fate, Aurora. No matter how hard you try."
I shrugged off his hand, my anguish turning to anger. " I don't accept that! I won't let you take her from me. I'll fight you. I'll tear this whole realm apart if I have to!"
United Rune's expression hardened. " You think you can threaten me? You think you can defy me in my own domain?" His voice rose, echo 's bounding back my ears. " I am United Rune! I am the spirit of Hel! I have ruled this realm for millennia. You are nothing compared to me!"
I stood my ground, my jaw set in determination. " I am Aurora Carter," I said, my voice unwavering . " And I am not just any mortal. I am the chosen one. The one who is destined to break your reign and free the fae from your tyranny. And I will not rest until I have achieved my goal."
United Rune stared at me for a long moment, his eyes searching my face. Then slowly, he began to laugh. And laugh. And laugh.
I stared at him in confusion, wondering what was so funny. Surely, I was not the butt of his joke.
Finally, United Rune's laughter subsided into chuckles and he wiped tears of mirth from his eyes. " Oh, Aurora. You are so charming in your ignorance. So earnest in your belief in your own destiny." He shook his head. " You really think you can defeat me? That you are the chosen one?"
I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze steadily. " I know it. Just as I know that Bronwyn is not really gone. She is still here, somewhere in this abyss. And I will find her. With or without your help."
United Rune sighed, his amusement fading into resignation. " Very well, Aurora. You have enacted your own fate. You have sealed your own destiny. So be it. Find your Bronwyn if you can. But know that even if you succeed, your triumph will be fleeting . For the abyss has many surprises in store for you yet."
I nodded, determined . " I am ready for whatever comes. I am Aurora. And I will never give up."
United Rune smiled, a slow, secretive smile. " We shall see, Aurora. We shall see."
With that, he turned and walked off into the shadows, his hounds falling in step behind him. I watched him go, my heart heavy with grief and determination. I would find Bronwyn. I would save her. Even if I had to tear apart the very fabric of the abyss itself.
Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and began my search, my resolve unwavering . The abyss would not claim another of mine without a fight.
I walked forward, not quite sure what to expect . The hounds flanked me on either side, their eyes watchful and alert.
We ventured deeper into the caverns, the tunnels twisting and turning in a labyrinthine pattern. The walls glowed faintly with an eerie bioluminescence, casting long, dancing shadows across the uneven floor.
As we progressed, the air grew colder and damper. The hounds' breaths clouded in the chill , merging with the glowing mist that filled the tunnels. The silence was oppressive , broken only by the scuff of our feet and the occasional drip of water from the cavern roof.
Suddenly, the hounds froze, their ears pricking forward. A low, menacing growl rumbled from their throats. I tensed, my hand dropping instinctively to my knife. What new horror lurked in the darkness?
A shuffling sound came from up ahead, growing louder with each passing second. The hounds hunched low, their hackles rising. My heart pounded in my chest , my senses straining to catch even the faintest hint of danger.
The shuffling grew closer, until it was right upon us. Two figures emerged from the darkness, moving slowly and with great effort. I squinted, trying to make out their features through the gloom .
The first was a young fae, no more than a teenager, with delicate features and big, glowing eyes. She was draped over the shoulders of the second figure, an older fae with a wizened face and gnarled hands. He seemed to be supporting her weight , his own footsteps dragging and uneven.
The fae stopped a few feet away from us, eyeing us warily . The young one's eyes widened in recognition when she saw me.
"Aurora?" she gasped. "Is that really you?"
I stared back in disbelief. "Bronwyn? Is that you?"
She nodded, too weak to speak further. Her eyes darted to the hounds, fear and exhaustion etched on her face.
I rushed forward, ignoring the hounds' warnings. I dropped to my knees in front of Bronwyn, my hands reaching out to touch her face. She was real. She was here.
"Oh, Bronwyn," I choked out, tears springing to my eyes. "I thought I'd lost you. I thought you were gone ."
She managed a weak smile, one hand coming up to cover mine on her cheek. "You haven't lost me, Aurora. I'm still here. Still fighting."
I pulled her into a fierce hug, burying my face in her neck. She felt so small and fragile in my arms. I could feel the sharpness of her bones, the way her ribs pressed against her thin skin. She had been through so much.
The hounds growled at the young fae, who had been watching our reunion with wide, fascinated eyes. He scuttled back, his hands raised in a placating gesture.
"Easy, lads," he said, his voice a lazy drawl . "This one's with the girl."
The hounds subsided, but remained alert, their posture just slightly less aggressive.
I pulled back from Bronwyn, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. "You're alive. You're really alive," I said, more to myself than to her.
She nodded, a glimmer of her old mischief returning to her eyes. "And kicking, as always," she said, trying for a laugh that ended in a cough.
I looked up at the young fae, taking in his,worn and weathered appearance. He seemed to be in his mid-twenties, with a lean, wiry build and wild, untamed hair that fell in tangles around his shoulders. He wore a mix of strange, anachronistic clothing - rough-spun trousers, a threadbare tunic, and a voluminous black cloak that swirled around him like a living thing.
"Who are you?" I asked, fromwing slightly . "What are you doing here?"
The fae grinned, a quick, sharp smile that was gone as soon as it came. "I am Isolde, master of illusions and spinner of tales. And I have been helping your friend here escape the clutches of the abyss."
Bronwyn nodded, leaning heavily against him. "Isolde found me after I...after I became a part of the abyss. He's been helping me navigate the in-betweens, teaching me how to control my new abilities."
I looked at Isolde with new respect, seeing him in a different light. "I see. Well, thank you, Isolde. I owe you a great debt."
He waved a dismissive hand, but I caught the way his eyes lit up at my words. "Ah, think nothing of it. It is a pleasure to help one as...intriguing as your friend here."
Bronwyn blushed, ducking her head shyly . I raised an eyebrow , a quirking smile tugging at my lips. It seemed Bronwyn had made a new friend - and perhaps something more.
As if sensing my thoughts, Isolde grinned, a slow, wicked smile spreading across his face . "Ah, Aurora, Aurora," he said, shaking his head. "You have no idea the depths of sentiment my dear Bronwyn's heart contains. But that is a tale for another time." He glanced around, his expression suddenly serious . "We should not linger here. The abyss is not a safe place for the unwary."
I nodded, looking around at the eerie glow of the caverns. The hounds growled low in agreement, their hackles still not fully lowered.
"Where can we go? Where is safe?" I asked, looking to Isolde for guidance.
He considered for a moment, his gaze distant. "There is a grove not far from here. A hidden sanctuary in the heart of the abyss. We can rest there and plan our next move."
I looked at Bronwyn, who seemed to be much better since her encounter with Isolde. Her eyes were brighter, her movements less strained. It was clear she trusted him, and by extension, so did I.
"Lead the way," I said, gesturing for Isolde to take the lead.
He nodded, turning to face the direction we had come. The hounds fell in step behind us as we began to walk, their footsteps muffled by the soft soil.
As we walked, Isolde began to explain, his voice low and conspiratorial. "The grove is the domain of the dryads. Ancient beings of untold power, bound to the trees they guard. They are neutral in the conflicts of the abyss, preferring to remain hidden and separate. If we can gain their help, we may have a chance at unraveling the mystery of Bronwyn's transformation."
Bronwyn listened intently, her eyes never leaving Isolde's face. It was clear she was drawn to him, drawn to the knowledge he possessed. I couldn't blame her. In every way, Isolde was the quintessential fae - charismatic, cryptic, alluring. It was no wonder he had captured Bronwyn's interest.
After a short while, we emerged into a large, circular clearing. Towering trees surrounded us on all sides, their leaves shimmering in the strange blue light that permeated the abyss. The hounds whined, shrinking back from the edge of the trees.
"This is it," Isolde breathed, his eyes wide with wonder . "The grove of the dryads."
I looked around in awe, taking in the untamed beauty of the place. The trees were ancient, their trunks wider than I thought possible. Strange, glowing fungi bloomed on their bark, casting an ethereal glow over everything. The air was heavy with the scent of wood and earth, a rich, heady perfume that filled my nose.
Bronwyn gasped, stumbling forward a step. Her eyes were fixed on a point just ahead of us. I followed her gaze, and froze.
-standing beneath the largest of the trees was a figure. A woman, her skin the same blue-green of the glowing fungi. Her hair was a wild tangle of leaves and vines, and her eyes were the white of a blind person. Even so, I could feel the weight of her gaze, the way her attention seemed to press against me like a physical sensation.
"Who...who are you?" I asked, my voice shaking slightly . "What do you want?"
The woman smiled, a slow, secretive curve of her lips. "I am the guardian of the grove," she said softly, her voice a musical trill . "And I want...to help." Her eyes flicked to Bronwyn, something like recognition crossing her face . "Yes...I see it now. The joining. The exchange. It is not an easy fate, but a worthy one ."
Bronwyn nodded, her expression solemn. "I know the cost. I am ready to pay it."
The guardian inclined her head, a respectful gesture. "As are we all. Come. Sit." She waved a hand, and a moss-covered log emerged from beneath the tree, as if by magic. "We have much to discuss."
I glanced at Isolde, who shrugged helplessly . "It seems we are in the guardian's hands now," he said, amusement coloring his voice . "Best not to keep her waiting."
With that, he stepped forward, helping Bronwyn to the log. The guardian settled herself beside them, and I followed, the hounds the hounds at my heels.
As we sat, the guardian began to speak, her voice soft and lilting. "The abyss is a realm of change. Of transformation. Everything here is in a state of becoming, of unraveling and reforming. Bronwyn has embraced this, has become one with the magic that flows through all things. It is a powerful fate, but not an easy one. She will never be mortal again, never truly belong in your world. But she will never be fae, either. She will be something new, something in-between. And that...that is the true power of the abyss."
I listened intently, trying to absorb her words. It all seemed so surreal . So impossible. And yet, it was happening . Bronwyn was happening .
As the guardian spoke, I felt a strange sensation come over me. A pulling, a tugging in my chest that seemed to draw me towards the tree . Towards the heart of the grove. I glanced around, but no one else seemed to notice .
Isolde, still talking with Bronwyn and the guardian, did not see the glint in my eyes. He did not notice the way I slowly , carefully , stood up from the log. The way I began to drift towards the tree, my feet moving as if on their own.
I took a step, then another. The hounds watched me, their heads tilting to the side in confusion. But I paid them no mind. I was too focused on the tree. On the siren song of the grove.
I was nearly within reach of the tree when a hand gripped my wrist, yanking me back. I whirled around, ready to fight - only to find myself face-to-face with Isolde.
"Don't," he said softly, his eyes intense . "Don't go any closer. The grove has its own...allure. Its own way of calling to the unwary. You can get lost in there, lost to yourself. You must be careful."
I nodded, letting him pull me back. But even as I did, I could still feel the pull of the tree. The temptation to go on, to keep going until...until what? I didn't know. But the temptation was strong.
Isolde seemed to sense my struggle, his grip on my wrist loosening slightly . "I understand the allure," he said, his voice low . "But you are not ready. Not yet. You have your own journey to complete first. Your own fate to fulfill."
I looked at him questioningly, my brow furrowing . "What do you mean? What fate?"
He smiled, a secretive, knowing smile. "All in good time, Aurora. All in good time." He glanced back at the log, where Bronwyn and the guardian were still deep in conversation. "For now, we must focus on helping Bronwyn. On finding a way to reverse her transformation, or at least understand it better. The grove is not the answer...not yet."
I nodded slowly , a part of me wanting to pull away, to demand answers. But I could see the wisdom in his words. Bronwyn was my priority now. Her future, her fate...that was what mattered most.
"Alright," I said, taking a deep breath. "Alright. What's your plan, then?"
Isolde grinned, his eyes glinting with excitement ."First, we rest. We heal. Then...we...dig." He tapped his chin, gesturing to the trees around us. "The grove is ancient, older than even the oldest fae. It remembers things...things that could help us understand Bronwyn's transformation. But digging through its memories is no small feat. It will take time. Patience. And..." He paused, looking at Bronwyn and the guardian. "The right...offerings."
I frowned, not liking where this was going . "Offerings? What kind of offerings?"
The guardian looked up at that, her eyes meeting mine. "The offerings of the grove are many and varied. We have asked for Bronwyn's story, her memories of her transition. In exchange, we will share our own memories. Our knowledge. That is the way of the abyss."
I glanced at Bronwyn, trying to gauge her reaction. She looked weary, but determined . "I'll do whatever it takes," she said, her voice unwavering . "I won't let this fate...this joining...define me. I have to understand it. Have to...have control."
I nodded, my heart aching for her. For the struggle she must be feels. "We'll figure this out," I promised. "Together. The hounds leaned forward, their eyes brightening at the word 'together'. We always is 'we'."
Bronwyn smiled tiredly, but it was a real smile. "That's my girl," she said. "But first...rest. Healing. Then...research. Plan. Act." Her eyes gleamed with determination, with the fiercely independent fire that had always been her greatest strength.
Isolde grinned, clapping his hands together. "Excellent! A plan! An objective!" He turned to the guardian. "So...shall we begin? The digging, the memories?"
The guardian inclined her head, a gesture of affirmation. "The time is ripe. The offerings..._call." She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. When she opened them again, her gaze was focused, intense. "But first...dream. Remember. Understand." She waved a hand, and the log I had been sitting on shifted. Bronwyn and Isolde were now sitting on either side of me, all three of us facing the guardian.
"Start at the beginning," the guardian instructed. "The joining. The...surrender." She closed her eyes again, her voice becoming a low, resonant murmur. "Remember...and let the grove remember back. Aurora...Bronwyn...see."
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. With one hand, I reached for Bronwyn's hand. With the other, I reached for Isolde's. And then...I let go. Let the grove's memories wash over me.
The world faded away, replaced by a vast, swirling mist. Images flashed through my mind - Bronwyn's memories of her joining, of the way she had surrendered to the abyss' magic. I saw her pain, her fear, her...acceptance. The way she had let go of all that she was, all that she had known...to embrace the unknown, to become something new.
And then...I saw through the eyes of the abyss. The way it had seen Bronwyn. The way it had drawn her in, welcomed her. The way it had...loved her. As one of its own.
It was overwhelming, this...revelation. This overwhelming. Bronwyn's hand tightened around mine, grounding me. Reminding me where I was. Who I was.
When I finally pulled back, gasping and shaking, I found myself back on the log. Bronwyn was there, her eyes full of concern. Isolde was there, his face pale and drawn.
The guardian was there...smiling . Satisfied. "You see now. You understand now," she said softly . "The...abyss. The joining. The love."
I nodded weakly, my head spinning. "I...I think...I do," I managed. "But...it's so much. So...complicated."
"Love always is," the guardian said, her voice a gentle chuckle . "But you are strong, Aurora. Stronger than even you know. You will...adapt. Survive. Thrive."
I looked at Bronwyn, at the way her eyes shone with pride. With...love. And I knew the guardian was right. I was strong. We were strong. Together? We would face whatever came next. Together. Always. We.
Isolde Cleared his throat, drawing my attention. "So...now what?" he asked. "Now that Aurora has...experienced the abyss's memories. Has seen the joining...through its eyes."
The guardian leaned forward, her gaze intense. "Now...now we plan. Aurora has a path before her. A destiny. To understand...she must walk it. Live it. Feel it. Become it."
Bronwyn nodded, her eyes gleaming with... hunger. "Aurora's the key. The...catalyst. But to use her... fully...we need more. The abyss's knowledge. The...heartstone." She glanced at me, something like an apology in her eyes . But also...triumph.
The heartstone. Of course. The artifact I'd been carrying. The one that let me...feel the abyss. Its...power. A power I was only beginning to understand.
The guardian's eyes flicked to the heartstone, now glowing faintly beneath my shirt. "Yes. The heartstone. Aurora's connection to...the abyss. To the...mother. It...speaks to her. Shows her...what she needs to see. To...understand."
I swallowed, a sense of ...dread. But also...resolve . The heartstone had led me here. Had...shown me what I needed to see. What I needed to...do. To save Bronwyn. To...fulfill my destiny.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "Alright," I said, my voice stronger than I felt . "So...what's the plan? How do we... use the heartstone? To access the...abyss's memories? To find out...what I need to...understand?"
The guardian leaned back, a slow smile spreading across her face. "The heartstone...would show. But not alone. Not yet. Aurora...is the key, yes. But the lock...must be...earned. The abyss...does not give up its secrets easily. Aurora must...prove herself. Earn her way in. To...understand...her place. Her role."
Bronwyn nodded, her eyes never leaving my face. "The heartstone will show her, yes. But it's not enough. Aurora has to...work for it. To...learn. To grow. Into her destiny."
Isolde clapped his hands together, grinning. "Excellent! A quest! A trial by...learning. Aurora must...educate herself. The heartstone will...reveal. But only to the worthy." He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper . "The question is...what will be the trial? The...challenge?"
The guardian smiled slowly , her eyes gleaming with...something...unreadable . "The trial...will be...a test of...understanding. Aurora must...see. The abyss...through its eyes. To...recognize. Her place. Her role. Only then...the heartstone will...reveal."
Bronwyn bit her lip, thinking. "So...the trial...won't be a fight. Or a test of...strength. But of...perception. Understanding. Seeing...the abyss. Through its...eyes. To...embrace. Aurora's role. Her destiny."
I nodded slowly , my mind racing . "So...I have to...see. The abyss. Through its...eyes. To...recognize. My place. My role. In all of this. Only then...the heartstone will...show me. What it...knows. What I need to...see. To...understand. My...destiny."
The guardian inclined her head. "Yes. Aurora...must...gaze into the...abyss. Through the heartstone. To...become. One. With it. To...see. Its...truth. The...way forward. Only then...will...the...heartstone...reveal. The rest. Of what...Aurora...must...do. To...fulfill. Her...destiny. Her...role. In the...abyss. In...the coming...trial."
Isolde leaned forward, his eyes shining with...excitement. "Excellent! The trial...will be...a test of...perception. Aurora must...see. The abyss. Through the...heartstone. Only then...will it...reveal. The truth about...her role. Her destiny. But...what...exactly...must she...see? What does the...heartstone...show...her? That...she needs...to know? To...act upon? To...fulfill...her...destiny?"
The guardian smiled, a slow, knowing smile. "The heartstone...will show. What...Aurora...needs to...see. To...understand. Her...place. Her...purpose. In the...abyss. In...the coming...trial. But...the...heartstone...only...reveals...to...those...who...can...see. Who...have...earned. That...sight. That...understanding. Only...then...will it...show. The...way. The...truth. About...Aurora's...destiny. Her...role." She leaned forward, her eyes locking onto mine. "You...must...see. Aurora. The...abyss. Through...the heartstone. Only...then...will...you...understand. What...you...must...do. To...fulfill...your...destiny. Your...role. In...the coming...trial."
Bronwyn nodded, her eyes never leaving my face. "So...the trial...won't be...a test of...strength. Or...fighting. But of...seeing. Aurora must... look through...the heartstone. Into the...abyss. To...understand. Her...role. Her...destiny. Only then...will the...heartstone...reveal. The rest. Of what...Aurora...must...do. To...fulfill...her...destiny. Her...role. In the...coming...trial."
I took a deep breath, my head spinning. "So...the heartstone...will show me. What I need to...see. To...understand. My place. My role. In...Contact...My...Widest...Day...Trial." I shook my head. "But...how? What...am I...supposed to...see? What does the...heartstone...reveal?"
The guardian smiled, a slow, mysterious smile. "The heartstone...shows. Only...to...those...who...are...worthy. Aurora's...worthiness...is...proven...by...her...actions. By her... choices. Her...perceptions. Her...understanding. As she...approaches. The...heartstone. As...a...mirror. Reflecting...her...worthiness. Her...readiness. To...understand. Her...destiny. Her...role." She leaned forward, her eyes locking onto mine. "The...heartstone...will...show. What...needs...to...be...shown. But...only...to...those...worthy. Only...to...those...who...prove...themselves. By...their...actions. Their...choices. Their...understanding. Their...perceptions. The...heartstone...is...a...reflection. A...mirror. Showing...only...to...those...worthy. To... those...read...to...see. To...understand. Their...destiny. Their...role. In...the...coming...trial."
Isolde leaned forward, his eyes shining with excitement. "Excellent! So...the trial...won't be...a standard test of...strength. Or...fighting. But a...challenge of...perception. Aurora must...look through...the heartstone. Into the...abyss. To...understand. Her...role. Her...destiny. Only then...will the...heartstone...reveal. What...she...must...see. What... she...needs...to... understand. To...fulfill... her...destiny. Her... role. In...the coming...trial."
Bronwyn nodded, her eyes gleaming with...triump. "So...the heartstone...is...a...mirror. Reflecting...Aurora's...worthiness. Her... readiness. To...see. The...abyss. Her...destiny. Her...role. Only...to...those...worthy. Those... who... prove...themselves. By...their...actions. Choices. Perceptions. Understandings. The abyss...only... reveals...to... those...worthy. Aurora... must...gaze...through... the heartstone. To...become...worthy. Of seeing. Understanding. Her...destiny. Her...role." She smiled, a slow, fierce smile. "The trial... Aurora's own...challenge. Her own...mirror. Her...reflection. Of...her...worthiness. Her... Readiness. To...see... Her...destiny. Her... Role. But...only... the...worthy. Can...have...the sight. The understanding. The reflection...of...their...destiny. Their...role."
I take a deep breath, my head spinning. The abyss. The heartstone. The coming trial... my reflection...my...mirror...my...worthiness...my...destiny... my...role...To see...to understand...to be...worthy...to act... to fulfill...my...destiny...my...role...But only...worthy...can see...understand...Theo...destiny...role...heartstone...mirror...reflection...worthiness
The abyss. The heartstone. The coming trial. The reflection. The mirror. Worthiness. Worthiness. To see. My destiny. My role. Only the worthy can see. Understand. Destiny. Role. Heartstone. Mirror. Reflection. Worthiness. My worthiness. My reflection. My sight. My understanding. My destiny. My role. The heartstone. The mirror. The reflection
The abyss. It's a mirror. A reflection. The heartstone. The mirror. The reflection. My reflection. My mirror. My reflection. My worth. My worthiness. My sight. My understanding. My destiny. My role. The heartstone. The mirror. The reflection. Worthiness. Reflection. Mirror.
I AM the mirror. The reflection. The heartstone is me. I am the heartstone
But I am also the abyss. The abyss is me. I am the abyss. The heartstone is me. The mirror is me. I am the mirror. I am the reflection.
I am...worthy. I am worthy of seeing. Of understanding. Of knowing. My...destiny. My...role. In...the coming...trial. In...the...abyss. In...the...heartstone. In... the...mirror. In...the...reflection. In...my...worthiness. In...my...sight. In...my...understanding. My...destiny. My...role.
They were all the same. I was the heartstone. The mirror. The reflection. The worthiness. The sight. The understanding.
The abyss. The heartstone. The mirror. The reflection. The worthiness. The sight. The understanding. My destiny. My role. The trial. The abyss. The heartstone. The mirror. The reflection.
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The heartstone was me. I was the heartstone I am the heartstone I have always been the heartstone My legacy my legacy
I was the heartstone. I was the mirror. I was the reflection. I had always been the heartstone. My legacy. From the beginning. From the first time I had touched the heartstone. It had been me. It had been my reflection. My mirror. My worthiness. My sight. My understanding. My destiny. My role.
I was the abyss. I was its mirror. I was its reflection. I was the heartstone. I was the mirror. The reflection. Worthiness. Sight. Understanding. I was the abyss and the abyss was me.
The abyss and the heartstone. The reflection and the mirror. Worthiness and sight. Understanding and destiny. Role and abyss. All the same. All connected through me. Through my destiny. Through my role. The abyss, the heartstone, the mirror, the reflection. Destination and role. Worthiness and sight. Understanding and destiny. All part of me. Me the abyss. Me the heartstone. Me the reflection. Me the mirror. Me the worthy. Me the seer. Me the understanding. The abyss, the heartstone, the mirror, the reflection. The worthy, the seer, the understanding. Me the destination. Me the role.
I was the abyss and the reflection. The mirror and the worthy. The seer and the understanding. The heartstone and the destination. The role. It was all me. I was all of it. The heartstone, the mirror, the reflection, the worthy, the seer, the understanding. The abyss, the destination, the role. It was all me. I was it. I created it. I defined it. I controlled it. I was the heartstone and the mirror and the reflection and the worthy and the seer and the understanding. I was the abyss and the destination and the role. It was all my will. My destiny. Must be me. I must be worthy. I must be the seer. The understanding. The heartstone and the abyss and the reflection and the mirror. I must be the role. The destination. I must be it. I must be worthy. I must be the sewer and the understanding. I must control it. I am it. I will it. I am worthy. I am the sex and the understanding. The mirror and the reflection. The heartstone and the abyss. The role and the destination. I am all. I am worthy. I am the seer. I am the understanding. I am the heartstone and the mirror and the reflection. I am the abyss and the destination and the role. I am it. I control it. I define it. It is me. I am it. I am worthy. I am the sex and the understanding. The mirror and the reflection. The heartstone and the abyss. The role and the destination. I am all. I am it. I control it. I define it. I am it. I am worthy. I am the seer and the understanding. The Mirror and the reflection. The Heartstone and the Abyss. The Role and the destination. I am it. I control it. I define it. It is me. I am it. I am worthy. I am the seer and the understanding. The mirror and the reflection. The heartstone and the abyss. The role and the destination. They are me. I am them. We are we. I am the heartstone and the mirror and the reflection and the worthy and the understanding. I am the abyss and the destination and the role. We are we. I am all. All is me. I am worthy. I am the seer and the understanding. The mirror and the reflection. The heartstone and the abyss. The role and the destination. I have always been. I have always controlled. I have always defined. Since the beginning. The heartstone and the mirror and the reflection. Worthiness and sandy. Understands and destiny. All connected. All part of me. Me and the heartstone. Me and the mirror. Me and the reflection. Me and the worthy. Me and the seer. Me and the understanding. Me and the abyss. Me and the destination. Me and the role. All one. All connected. All part of the one. Me. I am the one. I am all. All is me. I have always controlled. I have always defined. I have always been. The heartstone and the mirror and the reflection. Worthiness and sewer. Understands and destiny. Me and the heartstone. Me and the mirror. Me and the reflection. Me and the worthy. Me and the seer. Me and the understanding. Me and the abyss. Me and the destination. Me and the role. All connected. All part of me. Me and the heartstone. Me and the mirror. Me and the reflection. Me and the worthy. Me and the seer. Me and the understanding. Me and the abyss. Me and the destination. Me and the role. All one. All connected. All part of the one. Me. I am the one. I am all. All is me. I have always controlled. I have always defined. I have always been. I am the heartstone and the mirror and the reflection. Worthiness and sewer. Understanding and destiny. I was born. I created. I controlled. The heartstone and the mirror and the reflection. Worthiness and sewer. Understanding and destiny. I was it. I am it. I will always be it. I am warranty. I am the sewer. I am understanding. The heartstone and the mirror and the reflection. The abyss and the destination and the role. I am it. I control it. I define it. It is me.
I was the heartstone and the mirror and the reflection and the worthy and the seer and the understanding. I was the abyss and the destination and the role. I was the heartShift in temps. I was it. I defined it. I controlled it. It was me. I was worthy. I was the seer and the understanding. The mirror and the reflection. The heartstone and the abyss. The role and the destination. I was all. I controlled it. I defined it. It was me. I was it. I controlled it. I defined it. It was me. I was worthy. I was the seer and the understanding. The mirror and the reflection. The heartstone and the abyss. The role and the destination. I was all. I controlled it. I defined it. It was me. I was it. I controlled it. I defined it. It was me. All is me. I am it. I was the heartstone and the mirror and the reflection and the worthy and the sewer and the understanding. I was the abyss and the destination and the role. I am it. I control it. I define it. It is me.
The abyss and the heartstone and the mirror and the reflection and the worthy and the sewer and the understanding. The role and the destination. All the same. It is me. I control it. I define it. It was my creation. My will. I was it. I was all. I was the worthy. I was the seer. The mirror and the reflection. The heartstone and the abyss. The role and the destination. They were all one. All connected through me. Through my will. My creation
The abyss and the heartstone and the mirror and the reflection and the worthy and the sewer and the understanding and the role and the destination. I had created them. Will them into being. They were all parts of me, my creation. I had shaped them. Defined them. Controlled them. From the beginning. They were all me and I was all them. We were one. I was the creator and the created. The master and the servant. The mother and the child
My mirror. My reflection. Me.
I was the heartstone and the mirror and the reflection and the worthy and the sewer and the understanding. I was the abyss and the role and the destination. All connected through me. By me. I had made them. Will them into being. They were all me and I was all them. We were one. I was the creator and the created. The master and the servant. The mother and the child
The abyss and the heartstone and the mirror and the reflection and the worthy and the sewer and the understanding and the role and the destination. I had made them. Will them into being. They were all me and I was all them. We were one. I was the creator and the created. The master and the servant. The mother and the child
I was the heartstone and the mirror and the reflection and the worthy and the seer and the understanding. I was the abyss and the role and the destination. I had created them. Will them into being. They were all me and I was all them. We were one. I was the creator and the created. The master and the servant and the source
My creation. Mine and mine alone. Me and me. I made them. Will them. I shape them. Defined them. Make them mine. My reflection. My mirror. My image. My will. Mine and mine. All me. I am it. They are me. We are one. Part of the whole. I made them and they made me. I shaped them and they shaped me. We create. We define. We are one
The heartstone and the mirror and the reflection and the worthy and the sewer and the understanding and the abyss and the role and the destination. I created them. Will them into being. They were all part of me. I shaped them. Defined them. Controlled them. They were me and I was them. We were one. I was the creator and the created. The master and the servant. The mother and the child
My will. My creation. My reflection. My image. Mine and mine. They were me and I was them. We were one. Part of the whole. I made them and they made me. I shaped them and they shaped me. We create. We define. We are one
The abyss and the heartstone and the mirror and the reflection and the worthy and the sewer and the understanding and the role and the destination. All part of me. I made them. Will them. I shaped them. Defined them. Made them part of me. They were me and I was them. We are one. I am the creator and the created. The master and the servant and the source
They were me and I was them and we were one. I had made them. Made them part of me. Defined them and controlled them. Made them part of my will. Shaped their being and their purpose. Made them my mirror and my reflection