There was a brief hesitation then his tension softened, and he hugged her back. “I’m sorry I failed to protect you.”
But within seconds Hayden pulled away. He reached his hands into his pocket and pulled out the stone Tira gave him. “I have to put you inside this, or otherwise you won’t be able to pass through the portal.”
Kori gave him a curious stare.
Hayden returned the look. “Trust me.”
As he was about to place the stone against Kori’s forehead, he heard the Libitinari’s voice in his head.
It’s going to kill you.
Turn around and strike now.
A sudden scream from Kori caused Hayden to spin around. No longer was the marionette strung on a cross but now standing several feet away from the two as if it was manipulated by an invisible puppeteer.
“Son of Raiziel,” a low distorted voice growled from it. “First your father stole from my brother, then he stole from me.”
It began to walk towards Hayden and Kori like a rattling clumsy giant, “and I think your soul will be more than enough to compensate for my loss.”
Hayden shoved Kori behind him and placed the gem into his pocket. He then held out his hand to summon Delilah, but instead the Libitinari appeared.
“What the hell?” Hayden shouted.
Hayden felt the energy from his body draining away as the ebony steel blade began to glow crimson. Then as if his arm had a mind of its own, he swung the sword releasing a surge of energy in the form of a sphere no bigger than a wrecking ball. The blast hit the marionette before he could reach Hayden. The puppet burst into flames and stopped in its tracks.
“Our paths shall cross again son of Raiziel.” The flames fizzled out right as its body dissolved into nothingness.
“Was that the Eater of Souls,” Hayden said staring at Libitinari. Steam rose steadily from the blade then it puffed away in a cloud of black smoke.
When Kori Didn’t respond, Hayden swirled around and saw a look of fear plastered across her face?
“C-can we go?” she said.
Hayden nodded, looking from her and over to the pool. It hadn’t wavered, but he had a feeling it wouldn’t be long before it did.
He retrieved the stone from his pocket and pressed it against Kori’s forehead. She grunted as her body was reduced to a ball of light. With the sounds of mechanical humming, the stone sucked the soul inside like dust into a vacuum. It glowed for several seconds then dimmed out.
Hayden tucked the stone into his pocket and looked around the white emptiness one last time then ran and dove into the pool. A split-second later it closed.
WHEN KORI REELED BACK into consciousness, she felt she was lying on a real bed. She opened her eyes and lifted her head but soon realized she had little to no motor functions, especially when she tried to stand. Kori clumsily fell back onto the bed, staring up at a rocky high ceiling. She lifted her head once more, seeing she was in a brightly colored garden. It was illuminated by a host of bioluminescent vegetation. A distance away she heard the voice of who she assumed were her friends. Directly across from her, echoes of light breathing could be heard. Gathering what strength she could muster, Kori sat up. Immediately the area began to spin. And as it came into focus, she saw that she was alone except for Ethan who was sitting on the bright grassy ground. His legs were crisscrossed, arms folded, and chin tucked into his chest. A light snore escaped from him.
Kori smiled as she slid her legs from the grassy bed. She took a moment to study the bed with child-like curiosity.
“Odd.”
Though her voice was barely above a whisper, it was enough to awaken Ethan. Sluggishly he looked up at Kori’s confused face. He was unmoving for a moment. Then without saying a word he bounded to his feet embracing her. “Welcome back!”
Kori remained silent taking in Ethan’s familiar scent.
“Let’s go tell the others,” Ethan said as they parted.
He led her to the large stone well, where the three siblings and a tall woman with clothing made from wood were stationed. Hayden and Brianna were sitting on the ground like Ethan was, although they both looked exhausted, they weren’t sleeping. Dominic stood close to the well, peering over it as if he wanted to jump inside. But the strange lady was nearby to monitor him like a mother would her own toddler. As they got closer Kori heard the lady ask. “The Eater of Souls is also angry with Raiziel?”
Hayden nodded, “it appears our dad is a very infamous person.”
Tira opened her mouth to speak but paused as her gaze spotted Ethan and Kori approaching. Hayden got to his feet. “H-how are you feeling.”
Kori gave him a small smile, “I’m great actually, and happy to be back.”
Dominic imitated an overdramatic kissing gesture.
“It’s not even like that,” Hayden said defensively.
Dominic laughed heartily. “Then why did you two share a bed?”
“What?” Ethan screamed.
As the three boys bickered back and forth, Brianna introduced Kori to Tira.
“I’m so sorry you had to experience the void,” Tira said.
Kori watched as Hayden, Ethan, and Dominic argued. “Yeah, but I’m glad I have people like them on my side...even Dominic.”
“Don’t lie, he’s a complete jerk,” Brianna chimed sourly.
Tira smiled and looked at the girls, “are all of you ready to head home?”
Brianna and Kori nodded in harmony.
Tira turned towards the still squabbling boys.
“Quiet down all of you,” the sternness in her voice ended the quarreling between them.
She motioned for Dominic to hand her the carcerem orbis. Once she had it, Tira instructed the group to form a circle around her and to lock hands.
“Are you boys sure you don’t want to keep the remaining carcerem orbis for yourselves?” Tira’s bright green eyes traveled from Hayden to Dominic. “After all this world is your birthright.”
“No thanks,” Hayden answered sharply.
Dominic nodded his agreement. “I’m allergic to responsibility.”
“Very well then,” Tira retorted.
“What will happen to you and purgatory?” Brianna asked.
“With Giovanni gone I’m finally free to leave the Island and purgatory can now begin to heal.”
“You can be this world’s new warden.” Dominic said.
Tira laughed as she cupped the carcerem orbis in her hands. “That’s not up to me.”
The orb glowed bright red in her hands and released continuous powerful winds. Including Tira, everything fell away like sand in an hourglass. The ground erupted into showers of dirt and plant matter. The trees melted away and even the cave’s ceiling flared up in brightly blooming colors of light. So many sounds were resonating around them; it was hard for anyone to make heads or tails of what was happening. Kori wanted to scream but found it difficult to breathe, so instead, she closed her eyes tightly hoping whatever was happening would end soon.
Then the explosions, and heavy winds had ceased. All around her, her world was silent...
... KORI OPENED HER EYES and saw sawdust swirling around as if she was standing in a dusty old library. But upon closer inspection she noticed she was standing amid a ravaged classroom. There were overturned desks, broken glass, papers and books scattered about the floor and light fixtures hanging from the ceiling. But the gaping hole in the wall showcasing a view of the school’s empty courtyard was what really caught her attention.
“We’re back,” Ethan shouted. “And alive...” his voice trailed off as he squatted and picked up a digital clock. “Only an hour passed. We were in purgatory for days.”
“Oh, that’s because time flows faster in prison worlds,” Brianna answered matter of factly.
Ethan nodded automatically but there was no real conviction behind it. He was still confused. Nonetheless they were home and could leave the demolished scene before-
“What in the hell happened here?”
>
The teens froze.
Principal Crowder, a few janitors, four firemen along with a few students crowded the broken doorway.
With all eyes on them, Ethan waved nervously, “we’re so screwed.”
About the Author
Brandon Chandler was born in the original south, in the state of South Carolina. He's a former U.S. Army Soldier and Currently works in healthcare. He's also a family man and a lover of anime, Video games, and the power of tacos
LAMENT OF PURGATORY (ASHWOOD CHRONICLES #1) Page 33
