He chuckled, his voice rang out through the empty halls, Dark and Husky. "Wouldn't you like to hear it?"
I gulped, straightening my spine as I stared straight into his glowing red eyes. I resisted the overpowering urge to lower my head.
"You're too weak. Don't even bother trying."
The force intensified. My knees buckled and I yielded, collapsing on the floor.
The Progenitor clapped his hands together. "Now, let's get back to business."
My limbs were heavy as lead. I couldn't move an inch from the ground.
I stared helplessly, realising how powerless I was.
He stared at me meaningfully, "I make the rules and I also break them at will."
Charon, the being I had forgotten existed, spoke up, his voice slightly quivering. "My Lord. She is a mortal, she's not worthy."
"I did not grant you permission to speak, Charon." The Progenitor said coldly.
Thunder cackled.
A cold sweat dripped down Charon's forehead, his face was pale and his lips quivered. "Forgive me, Lord."
The Progenitor averted his gaze, his eyes gleamed a bright red. Brighter than I had ever seen, but it dimmed faster than I could blink.
"You cling desperately unto life, Human. I believe I can help you."
Hope bloomed in my chest, and I grasped at my life saving straw.
'Finally.'
"-Only on one condition. Rona Reid, Are you willing?"
My answer came out raspy, unsure. My nails dug into my skin.
I was being reckless, I knew. But this was my only chance. "I'm willing."
The Progenitor smiled, one that didn't reach his eyes.
My instinct screamed at me. I just made a deal with the devil.
-
Charon walked beside me, deathly silent.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" I asked, my voice still shaky as the progenitor's words rang clearly in my ears.
"You will be my assistant."
His footsteps halted, and he stared at me. "There's nothing left to say. You've gotten your second chance. Don't regret it."
"Why should I, that's all I've been after since I was dragged into this godforsaken place." I retorted.
Charon took a step closer, his gait threatening.
"Your desire goes against everything the fates stand for."
I placed my hands on his chest, feeling the bony cartilages and gaps as I pushed him back. "What the fates stand for is none of my business. I do what I want."
He grabbed my hand, squeezing it tightly. I winced. "What did I expect from a mortal? Selfish. Greedy. Wanton fools." He threw my hand away, his eyes shot daggers at me.
I struggled to match his pace as he strode down the hallways.
"How is he so fast?" I grumbled under my breath, pushing my legs to move even faster.
Charon eventually slowed down, matching my pace as we passed by a series of identical looking doors, with frames so high you'd think they were made for giants.
"Giants once lived here." His words cut through my thoughts.
I snapped my neck in his direction abruptly, "How'd you know what I was thinking?"
He snorted, tracing his phalanges across the engravings on the walls. "Nothing is hidden in the land of the dead."
'But I'm not dead, ye-'
Charon stopped, he rested the palm of his hand against the door and it glowed. A faint iridescent purple. "This is where you'll be staying, Assistant."
I took a slow step forward in front of the door. Charon lifted my hands, placing it on the spot his palm had once been. It glowed, paler but present.
Warmth pulsed through my veins.
The gigantic door whirred open, sending a gust of wind my way. I covered my nose, breaking into a fit of cough as I fanned the dust away.
Charon stood by the side, watching.
I raised my brow, gesturing towards the room.
"We might as well go in."
"I can't." He whispered vaguely.
I pulled his arm, stepping past the threshold. A faint hum rang in my ears. I felt it again, the warmth.
My hand was empty, hanging in thin air, Charon stood on the other side of the threshold, his hands folded behind his back.
The doors whirred to life again, about to shut him out.
"Be careful, Human." He whispered.
An unsettling feeling sank in my chest.
The doors shut.
I turned back, staring into the darkness. The hair on my neck rose and a chill crept up my spine as I heard a faint giggle in the empty space.
I shook my head rapidly.
'No, Ghosts do not exist.' I reminded myself. I raised my fingers, its pale, nearly translucent skin mocked me.
I spun on my heels, banging the door with my last ounce of strength. I screamed at Charon to let me out.
The faint giggle behind me increased in intensity into a full blown laughter that seemed to caress my skin.
From the corner of my eyes, I caught a flash of light.
"What's the worst that could happen?" I whispered under my breath, taking a step forward, towards the light.
With each step, it grew brighter, bursting into a Novae. I squinted, shielding my eyes.
It dimmed slowly, eventually clearing off.
I stood, my jaw hanging on the floor as I took in the sight before me.
"This...This Is-."
Not the magnificent ceiling, the canopy bed, the lush comforters, none of that.
It was the jaw dropping, picturesque scenery that was laid in front of me.
I could see the rocky mountains in the distance, the river and the transparent souls that glittered like night lights.
The dark skies were occasionally lit by lightning.
It was straight out of my wildest imaginations. It was ethereal.
My hair whipped around in the imaginary wind, and a faint voice flickered in the distance, "Welcome."