Living Hell

Chapter 13: Akuji Bridge

It seemed as though hours passed, but finally we reached land. Blue land, exactly like the tunnel, but it wasn't the tunnel we were in anymore.

It had taken awhile to get to land and I had explained to Sagiv about my little pit-stop with the Sirens, Laveda had to give me the duty of keeping up a shield, but said nothing to me. Instead she meditated the rest of the way until we reached land and Slick, well he completed his potions about half of the way and then had slept the rest of the journey to land off. He hadn't said anything to me either, he didn't care, he was just kind of happy his helper hadn't been eaten.

I sighed now as I stepped off the canoe and onto the surprisingly comfortable sand-like land. I knew where we were going now and I also knew getting into the Sins wasn't as simple as passing through a treacherous tunnel.

Slick had paid Talos and urged him to wait for us, but the boatman wasn't so sure about staying this close. Just because Talos was more immune to creatures of Hell, for well, being a boatman, it didn't mean the Sins would want him around.

"Please? How will we get back, Talos?" Slick begged, his long, hairy hand reaching out to the boatman.

"No. The Sins do not wish for a boatman to loiter around at the second entrance to their realm. I must go," Talos murmured and shoved off before Slick could grab him.

Second entrance? Ah hell, I knew it.

I looked away from disappearing Talos to Sagiv who hadn't spoken to me in awhile.

"Are you well, Rave?"

"After the last event I had? Not entirely. But I'll be fine. The sooner we get this over with the better," I muttered, not having the slightest idea why Slick needed to come here.

Sagiv nodded, hearing the meaning behind my words.

"You wish to find Jake still?"

I nodded once, not speaking because of Laveda who was now leading the way into a land tunnel- one which appeared long and narrow due to the thin walls and darkness.

"You realize that he may not have his soul essence anymore and could be the creature you spoke of, right?"

I nodded again, wishing I could explain to Sagiv my uncontrollable desire for the Daemon that Jake could become.

I sighed again, and nodded my head at Laveda, a question in my eyes as I watched her use Magick to create a bright, green glowing orb in her hands to light the way.

"I don't know why she wishes to come. I do know by her scent she's comfortable here and isn't in the slightest bit afraid."

"Hmm.." I murmured softly and ended our discussion when Slick shoved past.

"Outta the way! You're takin' too long. Speed it up, I do have things to attend to," he cackled and fell in line behind Laveda.

I noticed she kept her eyes on him, just in case he tried something.

Did she have someone? Or was it she just didn't want to deal with sick perverts? That's another mystery to solve, I mused.

I scratched Sagiv and reached into the bag I had slung on him and pulled out the gourd full of water. I uncorked it and would've practically gulped it down had I not needed to save it. I must've become dehydrated during my struggle with the Sirens and holding the shield up.

I placed the gourd back and my attention was drawn instantly to Laveda and her glowing green orb that was now smaller due to the tunnel becoming larger.