Insight

by Tina Engel

  “Lily, you get your wish, for now, and a cat you will be. You will go ahead of Emilee, quiet and sneaky, to keep watch, and share with Emilee and her group, what may be in front of them.

  “Weylyn you will split up your pack, half of your pack come with me. You and the rest will go with Princess Emilee to find Brett. Where Brett is, I am sure, you will find Stephan and the sword.

  “Albee, you will go with them also, hopefully you can weaken Stephan enough, and Emilee, using all the powers that you have acquired, rescue Brett, retrieve the sword and take back the relic that had given Stephan powers. Mephisto will want it back. We must not let that happen.”

  “What are you going to do?” I asked Douglas.

  “I will take the rest of the Wolves, trolls and Rose, and find Shinar.” Douglas said.

  Rose looked at me and said in a panic, “I should stay with Princess Emilee, she needs me.”

  “Rose, Shinar needs you more. Emilee is strong without your blood now, but Shinar isn’t.” Douglas said, sternly.

  I was taken aback by Douglas’s lack of compassion, and I could see it hurt Rose’s feelings, when he said that I didn’t need her.

  Before I could say anything, Douglas seemed to grow double in height and anger covered his face as he commanded, “Do as I say, all of you! There have been enough questions! Do as you are told or face the consequences, when this is all over!”

  The ship lurched as the anchor was dropped, making a large splash and Adam came down from the control room.

  Douglas calmed a bit and returned to his normal size as he pointed towards the beach, and said, “Princess, can you create an opening here on the deck of the ship that can take us to the beach on the island, just over there, below that peak?”

  After opening several doorways, I figured this should be a snap, not a far distance, compared to the other doorways I had created.

  Rose came over to me and took my hand in hers, and looking at Douglas, gave him a snotty glare. Lily started to laugh, and came over to me and took my other hand. Douglas just shook his head with a look of annoyance and everyone stood there staring at me, waiting.

  I gazed off in the direction of land, looking at the peak which Douglas had pointed out. I could feel Rose and Lily’s hands in mine and I felt strength coming from them both. I did still need them, all of them. I wasn’t alone.

  Then in front of me, a glowing sphere appeared. The center looked like an abalone shell, and it was swirling in a circular pattern. I had done it again. Well, I had done it with the help of my friends, family actually, yes, family.

  I looked from Rose to Lily, as they still held my hand and they both had smug grins on their faces as did I, I was sure, and we all looked over at Douglas. He was glaring at first but then a softness took over and a smile appeared on his lips.

  “Yes, yes, you do work well together. I suggest you remember this later on, when you all seem to be in disagreement. It will happen, I assure you.” Douglas said, as he shook his head.

  He bellowed then, a change in attitude, “Do you all know what you are to do when we get to the island? If not, speak now, we don’t need any mistakes!”

  It was all silent as I looked around the deck at all the faces, unwavering, and determined, but I couldn’t help thinking that there must be some fear hiding down deep inside of them. I felt fear but realizing this, I pushed it away, I couldn’t let it affect me. Brett’s life was at stake and I had to save him.

  I asked then, “Is this the place where Varda sent Mephisto?”

  Douglas, with a look of acceptance, answered, “Yes Princess, it is.” Douglas looked over towards the island then and continued, “This may be the time, finally.”

  Douglas sent the wolf pack through first, to make sure it was safe for the rest of us. When a scout came back through to let us know that all was clear, we all went through one at a time, Douglas coming last.

  It took Douglas a few minutes to come through and I was concerned at first, thinking that something was wrong and maybe I should go back to get him, but then he appeared.

  The look on my face must have shown my concern and curiosity, and Douglas said, “The weather is getting treacherous, and the ship is struggling to stay afloat with the waves crashing over the deck. I sent them back through the doorway, to wait.”

  I looked at him in disbelief, as everyone started to talk at once, all seeming to be concerned. I held my hands up and shouted for all to “Shut up!”, and they did.

  “What are you thinking, Douglas?” I asked. “How can we get back when the ship is not here? They won’t know when we need to get back on the ship!”

  Douglas just looked at me, saying nothing, just waiting, and then said, “Think Princess! The doorway is right there in front of us, yes?”

  I smiled then and replied, “And the end of the doorway is on the ship.”

  Douglas, smiled and then shouted, as he pointed to a few of the wolves and some of the trolls, telling them that they would stay and watch over the doorway. Our lives depended on it being there, when we got back.

  We followed Douglas, as he headed up a small mountain. When we reached the top, not far, I could see the Chapel.

  “Come, quietly and quickly.” Douglas whispered. “We don’t need anyone or anything seeing us. Do they know we are here? There is a good chance they do. If not, we need to keep it that way for as long as possible.

  “As soon as we reach the doorway between the chapel and Hades, they will know someone who doesn’t belong has entered, trespassed and the true ruler over Hades, the Devil himself, loves newcomers.”

  We all followed him as he headed in the direction of the chapel, walking carefully, so as to not disturb the ground underneath our feet.

  As we entered the ancient chapel, even though it hadn’t been used in years, there was still a presence of others, and I knew that it was spirits that could not be seen with the naked eye, watching over the doorway, keeping evil in and those from this side, out.

  I could feel them, they knew we were here, and had been waiting a long time for me to come. I could see them then, rainbow wisps moving slowly, gliding around us, inspecting us, to make sure we were all here for the right reasons, to stop Mephisto, but also to prevent all who dwell in Gehenna, as well as Hades from escaping.

  We followed Douglas down a set a rock stairs that led to a dead end, it seemed, but when Douglas put his hand to the stone wall, an opening appeared. A rush of hot air escaped and hit me in the face. I felt nauseous, the smell was that of filthy and wicked thoughts.

  Douglas was next to me, suddenly, and putting a hand on my shoulder, asked, “Emilee, are you alright?”

  I looked up at him and looking around at the others, I could tell they were experiencing the same thing by the looks on their faces.

  “Yes.” I replied, knowing that I had to be strong, not just for Brett but for all of these fey, who were helping me.

  I looked towards the opening and saw the rainbow wisps blocking the entrance. Only I could see, and suddenly they moved slowly, circling the entrance, leaving an opening large enough for us to enter.

  Douglas said with caution in his voice, “We can enter now.” And I realized that he too, must be able to see the ancient spirits, the rainbow wisps.

  Douglas continued, “Once we enter, you will not be permitted to leave without Princess Emilee or myself. Entering is easy, but leaving this place is almost impossible.”

  We entered the opening to a tunnel and walked single file for a few minutes, until we came to a large cavern that had several tunnels branching out from it.

  Douglas asked then, after we were all in the cave, “Emilee, what do you see? What do you feel?”

  I looked at him with questioning on my face, but then I shut my eyes, and taking a deep breath, I reached out to find Brett. I saw him then, chained, hanging limp.

  I could feel my diamond warming, the lava pebbles upset. They felt him too, Kimberlite, I couldn’t see him but felt his presence somewhere here
in Hell.

  I knew which direction to go to enter Gehenna and I knew which direction Douglas had to go to find Shinar. I could feel it all, the hate, the ugliness, the sadness and despair. There was regret and there was even pleasure, so many feelings, emotions, rage and even fear. There were so many dark souls, those who made bad decisions and couldn’t or wouldn’t work to fix things, and those who willingly and joyfully made destructive choices.

  My hearts were heavy, full of sadness and pity over what I was feeling, the cries I heard, some of sorrow wanting to repent, but it was too late, but some full of fury, wanting, needing to continue their venomous ways.

  I opened my eyes then, and looking around, I saw all the faces of my friends, the wolves, trolls, Albee, Douglas, Rose and Lily all watching me, waiting as if holding their breath, just waiting.

  I also saw the grey wisps coming from the tunnels, swirling around all of us, but they were not the ones full of fury but the souls full of regret. The sadness that was radiating from them, was so painful, and I could see in everyone’s faces that they were feeling it, and I knew that we were in trouble.

  I focused on my shield and imagined it surrounding us, with the grey wisps pushed away, and as I imagined it, the grey souls were pushed to the outer edges of the cave.

  There were great sighs of relief, and looks of calmness appeared across the faces of my friends. I put my finger to my lips to hush everyone, as they were all whispering to each other.

  I focused on the grey wisps, dark souls, then, wanting to communicate, for I believed that they wanted to help, wanted to do something to try and achieve redemption. I shared with them the fact that they were hurting us with their sadness and despair. The best way to help would be to stay away from us and keep all the evil grey wisps away from us too, if possible.

  I told them if they helped us, I would try to help them, if it was possible, to get another chance at life and start over. I repeated that I would try, but couldn’t promise it would help.

  I felt a pull then, like something was wanting me to go towards the opening of the tunnel that I knew was where Shinar was. As I approached, there was a darker grey wisp in the middle of the opening.

  I somehow knew, it was the tree fey that belonged with the tree, in front of my house in Pineville. He was dead, and here in hell for his acceptance to work with Stephan and Mephisto himself. He was full of shame and sorrow. I touched his mind and saw a memory, one of him watching me play as a child. I saw him, standing, leaning against his tree, smiling as I played. I felt a moment of joy and then the regret and sadness came back with a vengeance. He was one of Mephisto’s spies. He was the one who told Mephisto where I was.

  “We will help you child.” He said, “Even if there is no hope for us now, for we made our choices and had many opportunities to fix our mistakes.”

  At that, they all disappeared, some into the tunnels and some into the walls until it was just my friends in the cave. I released the shield and turned to look at Douglas when he asked me what I saw.

  I told Douglas and everyone else what was going on, about the grey wisps, dark souls, and that they were going to help. I pointed to the tunnel where I was sure Shinar was, and where I was to go to rescue Brett. Each tunnel was a way into Gehenna, deep into the realm of Hades.

  It was Lily who spoke next, “Well shall we get this show on the road then, before those ungodly lost souls come back and cover us with their sadness and despair? How we can trust that they will help is beyond me.”

  I looked at Lily with a scolding scowl and she just said, “What?” Like a cat does.

  I looked to Douglas then and said, “I need to find Shinar too, I must give her something and soon.” And I pulled the small vial with the liquid in it, out of my pocket.

  “You will give it to her, Princess, don’t worry about that, but Rose will strengthen her first, enough to get her out of here.” Douglas calmly said.

  He continued then, “Trolls, you know what to do, burrow quietly but quickly, and Lily, do your thing.”

  Lily, did just that, turned into her cat form, turned away from us, lifted her tail with attitude and pranced into the cave.

  The trolls went to the walls between the tunnels, disappeared as small holes appeared where they touched, and as they all vanished into the small tunnels, the openings closed back up. Before the last small troll tunnel closed, a young troll turned and gave me a large grin, waved and he was gone.

  Rose came up to me and gave me a big hug, but it felt wrong. Even though she was holding me tight, and I held tighter yet, it was as if she was barely there. When I let her go, she smiled meekly, and walked over to Douglas.

  “I’ll take care of her, don’t worry Princess.” Rose said. And I wondered why it was Rose who had to tend to Shinar before I would.

  I watched them disappear into the tunnel and at the last minute, before the last one entered, a wolf, I sent part of my shield in that direction with them. I could feel it encircling them all, even the trolls. It wasn’t as strong as when I was in the middle of it, but I hoped it was protection enough to stop the grey wisps from sensing them.

  I placed what remained of my shield around the rest of us, as we headed into the opening of the tunnel that would lead me to Brett, Stephan and maybe Kimberlite.

  After walking for some time, I started to wonder how, with so many of us entering Hades, could we do this without Mephisto knowing we were here. Of course it was possible he knew. Why would he let us just prance in here and save Brett and take Shinar? I suddenly felt like this was a big mistake. What were Douglas and Varda thinking?

  I felt Brett then, in my mind. He was weak but there, and not the least bit happy that I was coming to get him. I stopped walking then and put myself in Brett’s mind, and suddenly, I was standing in front of him again. This time though, I was there, not just in mind but body too. Somehow I was able to go where I was thinking. But how, I didn’t know.

  Brett, looked at me in horror as a hand wrapped around his body and pulled him into the rock wall, chains and all, as the rocks that the chains were imbedded in, that held his hands up, crumbled.

  I felt him then, behind me, and as I turned, Stephan was there so close that I could feel his breath. He had a look of anger on his face, and suddenly I was back with my group. I gasped as I started to fall back, but Weylyn was close enough to catch me in midair.

  The other wolves were now in four legged form, growling and snarling as if there was danger close by. I couldn’t feel Brett anymore, he wasn’t here in this tunnel or this area of hell. Kimberlite, or something, took him and Stephan knew we were here. We had to leave, get out, or these fey would be hurt or worse.

  I told them we had to go back, and without arguing, they followed me as we backtracked and ended up back in the cave. I went to the wall where the trolls had disappeared in and put my hands on it. I sent out a thought, strong and loud, for them to return, come back to the cave. It wasn’t a suggestion, but a demand.

  I backed away from the wall, stood with the rest, and strengthened my shield as much as possible. I tried to communicate with Douglas but wasn’t getting anywhere, then I thought of Rose and Lily. They were closest to me, Rose, especially. So I thought of Rose, and soon could see her, feel her and I was there, in front of them.

  Douglas, with a shocked look, exclaimed, “What are you doing!?”

  Before I let him finish, I shouted, “Go back, you must go back. We are waiting there for you. Hurry!”

  And I suddenly was back with Weylyn, Albee and the other wolves. The trolls suddenly started to appear out of holes in the walls of the cave and I combined the shield that was around them, with the shield around the rest of us.

  Suddenly the tunnel that Douglas, Rose and the other wolves had gone in, crumbled, when the ground shook as if an earthquake had struck. When the dust settled the only tunnel left open was the one that lead to the chapel where we had entered.

  “We must get out of here now before this entire place crumbles aroun
d us. I won’t let you die.” I shouted. “Go!”

  We all ran towards the opening, as all around us, grey wisps, angry and vile, swirled around the shield, trying to get in. We made it to the opening of the tunnel where the ones guarding the entrance to Hades stood firm. The rainbow colors covered the opening. I went up to it and putting my hand through it, the rainbow effect dissipated and I shouted for all to get through the doorway quickly.

  I sent them all up the rocky steps to the chapel and as the last one headed up, Albee stopped and turned to look at me, as I turned and went back the way we had just come. The rainbow wisps covered the entrance once more. I instructed the rainbow wisps, no one, good or evil would be permitted in until I allowed it. I was kind of liking this power that I had. Okay, not really, but I was trying to feel confident with my newly found authority.

  Chapter 20

  The few shall die,

  So that many

  Will live.

  As I looked through the rainbow covered opening, I could see Albee standing there on the other side. He placed his hand on the protective cover that blocked the entrance, but as he touched it, his hand came through.

  I shook my head and said “No.” but he stood there waiting for me to take his hand.

  “I’m coming with you Princess, it is my job to help.” Albee said. “Take my hand and accept me, letting me through, or I will come without your permission and will be stuck in there, forever.”

  I didn’t understand what he said but I had the feeling that he meant it, he would enter with or without my permission, so I reached out, took his hand and he walked through the rainbow covering.

  I was angry with him for disobeying me, but there was a part of me that was happy to not be alone. “What do you mean?” I asked. “You will be stuck here if I don’t allow you in.”

  “Those who enter after doing sinful things cannot leave, and when I allowed Stephan into my house and trusted him, even though I felt he was up to no good, it put a negative mark on me. I can and have been working towards making amends for my lack of judgment and my weakness, allowing Stephan to impersonate me, but I have not forgiven myself yet, so the negative mark remains.” Albee said.