Their footsteps echoed through the hall as they walked into the abandoned temple. Kyle walked up to the side picking up a wooden lamp holder. Snapping his finger the lamp lit up. They walked deeper into the temple
Ashley's eyes wondered around the building. It looked ancient, with drawings of what she assumed was the goddess nyx magnificent on the wall. Every part of the wall she looked at was an art of what the goddess was capable of. She stared in awe
Kyle stopped almost making her collide with his back, taking a step back she paused to look up ahead at what he was looking at. It was an alter of some sort
A table made of the finest marble, it was white and still glittered untouched as if one has been keeping it clean for the past centuries. They were symbols written at the sides of the alter. She didn't know what it said but it seemed like Kyle did as he lowered himself carrassing the symbols with his finger.
Taking a step aside he said "kneel"
She took a step forward kneeling by the alter. She didn't know what was happening but she learned to not question him after what happened last night
Words of ancient language started to pour out of Kyle's lips. Ashley watched him carefully, the words foreign yet felt familiar to her...soon the symbols started to glow. The room brightened like he was summoning something from the unseen
"Grant us passage to your realm, great goddess of the night" he finally said
The room went dark—silent
Ashley's looked around confused.
Kyle let out a deep sigh
"What happened" she asked
"She has refused us entrance to her realm" he replied
Ashley stayed quiet, slightly aware of the reason why the goddess refused them "is it because I'm alive?"
Silent for a bit "yes" he answered
Her heart fell into her stomach. Was she really going to die? She thought about to loose hope
"But there is another way to enter" he said, lighting up Ashley's mood, she was willing to take any chance she had
"Its like using a back door into her realm...and evading her"
"So typically going into her realm without her permission" she ascertained
"Yes" he replied "it might be dangerous and there's a possibility that you won't wake up if we don't succeed, but I'll try my best to protect you"
He paused for abit
"Are you willing to take that route"
Not hesitating Ashley nodded "yes...yes I am"
Seeing her resolve, he took a deep breath
"Okay then...lie down on the alter, you're going to sleep" he instructed
Getting up from her kneeling position, Ashley stretched herself on the alter. The cold surface pressed on her back. She wondered how she was going to sleep when this wasn't even comfortable.
As if reading her thoughts, he said "I'm going to put you to rest. When you sleep, whatever or whoever you see is not real...do not talk to them and do not follow them if they ask you to. The realm of dreams isn't unfamiliar to you, just walk until you see a lake I'll be there waiting for you" he said
Ashley gulped, her heart beating loudly. She was scared but she stilled her resolve. Nodding to his instructions, she closed her eyes, hearing him whisper
Soon she fell into darkness, still darkness....
Kyle watched her fall into slumber. When he was sure she wasn't conscious he spoke "reveal yourself"
A transculent creature almost like mist, hovered out of the wall. Moving with whispers "reaper" it's voice like soft echoed through the wall
A mireling. Creatures born from dreams and imaginations. They were the servants of Nyx—used to be, now they hover around her temple like lost souls awaiting their masters return
"Why have you been following us" he asked voice sharp. He didn't turn to look at the creature, his eyes were glued to the sleeping Ashley, tapping into her emotions to make sure she wasn't in any danger.
"It's been centuries since we have seen a mortal inside this temple" the creature whispered. Hovering closer
"One more inch closer...and I'll erase you from existence just like your goddess" he threatened making the mireling float back in fear
"You have no respect for our sovereign" it said, sighing loudly
Kyle didn't reply. His brows creased. Why would he respect someone who abandoned him when he needed her the most. Why would he respect a mother who never loved her child.
"The mortal you bring to the temple...is a child of prophecy, her fate is not meant to be alive. Why do you keep her still?" It's said, floating around at a distance like a barrier was stopping her from moving
"That is not something you should be concerned with...leave before I make you—permanently"
"The child staying alive will be a burden to you...she will be your downfall" the voice faded slowly leaving Kyle to his thoughts
Taking a deep breath. He watched his sleeping bride. Right from the time he agreed to her request of staying alive he knew—there was going to be repercussions
Ashley opened her eyes inside a forest, looking around she was alone. The trees stood held high. the moon as the only source of light to guide her through.
She wondered, if this was the place Kyle spoke about. Taking a step forward she walked through the forest with no direction in mind, only following wherever felt right to her
The forest was quiet, not even the sound of crickets could be heard. She hoped she wasn't trailing off the direction she was meant to follow. Kyle didn't exactly give her a map to follow or tell her how to find the lake he spoke off
"Ash..."
She heard her name whispered through the wind, turning her head around she paused, she was probably hearing things
"Ashley..."
Turning her head again, she stopped walking. The voice sounded like her best friend Leora. She wanted to call out... remembering Kyle's instructions she stopped. Turning to keep walking
"Ashley please don't go"
She saw her—leora. Only she was transparent like a ghost
"Lee?"
"Yes..." She answered
"How are you here?" she asked, her brows drawing together in concern. This was the realm of dreams maybe she was dreaming, she mused
"I am no longer in the human realm—he killed me" she replied
Confused. panick written all over her face "he?!" Ashley asked, following her as she moved through the forest
"The reaper...he killed me" Leora said, her voice coming out broken and hurt "and you let him...you left me"
Ashley's heart sank, no no no no...it couldn't be—she couldn't be dead. Kyle promised her that she was alive. The memory of her disappearing through smoke, was like a realization to her. Her breath hitched.
"He said he didn't..."
"He lied..." She replied "I begged you not to leave me Ash, why did you leave me?" The voice cried out
Ashley broke down, her hand covering her mouth in tears
"I warned you not to trust him...but you didn't believe me" the voice continued solemnly
Every word was like a dagger through her heart "I...I didn't mean to Lee...I was—"
"You only care about yourself....why don't you just die— come be with me" the voice called out
Tears rolled down Ashley's cheeks, maybe I should die....her heart ached, all she wanted to do was protect the people she loved. Not leave them to die
'whatever or whoever you see is not real...' Kyle's voice echoed in her mind, slowly bringing her to her senses
Standing up from her knees, she wiped her tears, she refused to believe her best friend was dead. She didn't know why but she trusted the reaper to know he kept his word...walking away
"Little star... are you going to abandon us again?"
She froze, eyes widened...that voice belonged to her dear brother— Elias.