Fragmented Dreams: Magical Past

CHAPTER 26: SHADOW REALM

I was floating downwards, my arms wrapped around my friends as we huddled together. I was too afraid to open my eyes, in denial about what just happened. The air around us was hot and humid. So thick that I could almost choke on it. After what seemed like an eternity my feet finally touched the ground. My body felt lighter here like if I were to jump, I could fly ten feet into the air. Sunita was crying, sobbing quietly into my shoulder. I decided to chance it, opening my eyes to see Zachary standing before me, his face mostly normal, except for the cold dead eyes of the possessed.

"Zac-"

I would advise against shouting in the Shadow Realm, you do not want to draw any attention to yourself, Zachary said, cutting me off. He wasn't speaking out loud but I could hear him clear as day.

H-how? I thought.

Those who possess Dark Lunar abilities can speak to each other via the shadow realm just as those with Bright Lunar abilities can talk via the dreamscape.

I think I only understood about half of that, I admitted. Basically, if I want to talk to you, I just have to think about what I want to say in my head.

Correct.

I began to look around me, taking in my grim new surroundings. This was a world much like that of my nightmares. The sky was a deep purple, swirling with black hazy clouds. All around us was floating debris, crumbling fragments of an old forgotten world. I could see some abandoned buildings off in the distance. Dead trees seemed to be crawling out of the ground, angry and gnarled. I froze when I saw movement. There were people here, except they weren't real people, more like shadows. I held my breath, watching as they slowly stumbled around. Most of them seemed to be heading somewhere, intent on their journey while others were standing still, twitching every so often so you knew they were alive. My eyes darted around, trying to take in as much as possible. They eventually fell on the edge of our floating platform and I craned my neck to see what was below. All I could see was inky blackness, moving and writhing slowly.

A sea of wraiths?!

I clung tighter to my friends, hoping they would stay quiet until we could leave this place.

Okay, you've got me here, so tell me what you want, I demanded, glaring up at Zachary. Who are you anyway?

A long-forgotten friend.

F-friend? You must be joking, I scoffed.

I would like to tell you my name but it would only cause you pain. Zachary glanced up at the sky, his eyes narrowing slightly. We can not stay here long or your human comrades will go mad.

Then why drag me down here at all? Why not just talk to me in a normal way?!

Your guardians would never allow you to return! They would see you linger on Earth and die, he snapped, glowering down at me.

"They would never!" I retorted loudly. I gasped, trying to stop myself as the words tumbled out of my mouth.

Foolish child!

One of the shadow people had heard us, its head jerking to look in our direction. Awkwardly it wandered over, sniffing oddly into the air with every few steps.

We must go, Zachary said, waving his arm outward. His shadow surrounded us in a bubble, lifting our group upwards just in time to avoid our unwanted visitors. The shadow person began to shriek, upset that its prey was gone. A shiver ran up my arms as I listened to its cry.