THE 33 KEYS: Key 2 - ANSWER THE CALL "Listen for that Perfect Beat"

CHAPTER 92: A PURER SUN

The stairway walls are now a kaleidoscope of animated colour with mud tiles for steps. Nevertheless, that does not cast a shadow on the Cattleyas that line the pathway. For their rich burgundy lipstick is exactly the mood I need to wind down my journey. Much like it needs the warm pinkness of the petals to lend serenity to the long hallway.

And as I make my way down, the stillness brings me clarity. I begin to understand more about the ritual. The importance of harmonizing my throat with my feet. Later on, the separation of one from the other. I see why it had to be done, both standing and lying down. I come to understand the importance of harnessing power from all angles.

For this simply cannot be the imagination of a dying girl. Something meaningful is happening here and I'm at the core of it all. So perhaps it's time that I accept it and see where that path eventually leads to. At present it's toward a cracked door just ahead. Thankfully, a tiny crack. Because the small amount of light below the door is enough to blind even the most experienced sun gazer.

The closer I get, the more it increases too. Almost as if intensifying to keep me away. But I stand my ground. This is the last throne, for goodness sake. I'm not going to let a little thing like blindness stand in the way of my treasure, am I? And it's that persistence that works in my favour. For its strength wanes when I reach an invisible marker, to become as nothing by the time I yank the door open.

Now I am staring into a sun that has never before shone over the whole of the Karmic Islands. One no one will believe I had access to. Then it falls from the sky without warning. On to a golden throne guarded by three beasts. A bear, viper and lion.

"Hello," says the final throne master, hand extended. "I'm Purson."

"I'm Mary," I reply. "No doubt you already knew that. But still."

"Let me be the first to congratulate you on casting eyes upon the pure sun."

"All I want to know is whether or not I have to do another circle ritual?"

"I thought it was clear."

He flashes me a confused look.

"What? Did I say something wrong?"

"Mary, you've been approved by the Great Mother herself. You are the circle."

"So why am I here with you? Everything's over, right?"

"I'm here for two reasons, actually."

"Other tests, no doubt."

"Closure," he reveals. "And to show you an ancient secret never told before."

"Closure with what?"

"A conversation you've wanted to have a while now."

"With who?"

"Your surrogate mother."

"Who? Ebony?" I say weakly. "She's here?"

"Take as long as you like."