Shadow Cursed

Chapter 36: A Hopeless Illusion

Drip, drop, drip, drop. The sound of water falling on the ground started to drive my crazy. I sat up on the small uncomfortable cot and shrunk into the corner. Days passed since I awoke alone and scared, many more to follow. People would come and go, but none paid attention, all moving as if they had no emotion. The voices spoke to me, telling me tales of horror and pain. Lost trapped, tortured souls wanted freedom. The water kept dripping in the old dungeon, long forgotten.

I slept a good amount of the time. I was alone, and I had known no one would come to save me. But even in sleep I couldn't escape the darkness I was trapped in. Emotionless faces without names haunted me.

Celeste, don't give up my dear. I believe in you. A voice awoke me from my sleep, an angel's voice. I looked around but I couldn't see any living or undead soul besides the guards patrolling the empty cells. You can't see me, but I can see you. I cradled myself in the corner of the cell nervous. Was I finally going mental and the end was near? I listened for the voice once again, but nothing. I was getting my hopes up for nothing.

All of a sudden a bright light enveloped my vision and blinded me for a minute. I opened my eyes and looked at my hands, I was on a solid surface. I stood up with shaking legs, and found myself standing on the shore of a lake. The sky was a light blue, beautiful. And the ground was a sandy shoreline with pebbles.

As I walked closer to the water I saw the outline of a figure emerge. Her long hair was free flowing and covered her wings. She turned to face me as I approached. "Greetings, welcome child."

"Hello?" Was the only word able to leave my mouth. My throat was dry from not being given any food or drink while being imprisoned in that cell. "Is this real," my voice cracked.

In front of me, water appeared and it rained over me, my throat was no longer dry and I felt no longer tired. "Come closer."

I walked step by step until my bare feet were touching the gentle waves rolling onto the sand. Her features resembled mine, hair the color of dark chocolate, eyes deep as the color of the sea, and skin slightly pale from hiding inside all summer long. Her wings were a snowy white color. I was looking at a reflection of myself, "Who are you?" My voice came out almost inaudible.

She took my by my hand, "You have come so far and I'm proud of you child." Her voice flowed like the water. "Not all is lost my dear, your answer you seek may be closer than you think." It calmed my nerves down.

I felt unsafe here with her. She treated my like a daughter and I didn't know who she was. "Who are you?"

"You may not know who I am, but in due time you'll learn. I'm a goddess, and I've been watching you." Her feet left no foot prints as she walked around me, "Child, I can not tell you who will assist you. But I can say she will find you soon." She stopped and stood in front of me, her eyes looking into mine.

I stared in confusion, "She?"

"I have to go, but I will be back soon." She hurried off into the water toward the sun set.

I followed her, "Wait!" The water soon became too deep and I started panicking, I couldn't swim. I struggled to stay afloat giving up to sink below the surface.

I opened my eyes again to find myself soaking wet in the dungeon on the floor. A cloaked servant was holding a bucket and complaining. "Look whose finally awake." They harshly pulled my arms and lifted me to my feet. My legs felt like jelly. "Stop day dreaming stupid, it wasn't my idea to come get you. But the master has sent for you so I'm here now and I'd rather no lose my soul. So hurry up!"