All Hallow's Eve 2: Memories

Chapter 5

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"With child? This is great news!" I said, then hugged and kissed her.
I couldn't believe it, I was going to be a father. I felt fear and excitement all at the same time. Was I too young - was she too young?

I had to let the idea of being a father settle, let it marinate for a while. Taking a deep breath, I grabbed Niamh's hand. I squeezed it gently and smiled at her.
"It's time," I said, "come with me."
She nodded and smiled back at me. We both walked through an opening in the trees and entered the dark void.

*****

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, do ya mean to tell me, you just went straight in?" Sean enquired, "Without even knowing what's in there!"
"Look it was a different time. Fear never entered into it." The storyteller explained, "Can I continue?"
Sean nodded with an apologetic tilt of his head.

"Thank you."

*****

It felt like we were sucked into another dimension, and in hindsight, we probably were. It was so dark I thought there was no sky, no moon, and no stars either. Niamh squeezed my hand tightly not knowing what or where we were. Suddenly a pale blue light appeared on the ground in front of us. It resembled an upside-down flame caused by gas. Whispers and soft moans of pleasure filled the darkness.
"It's a Wisp!" Exclaimed Niamh excitedly.

"Wisps" or "Will-o'-the-Wisps are small lights, beacons if you will, guiding any wandering soul astray. Niamh ran to the "Wisp" and stopped when she felt the cold water on her feet.
"What the....?"
"Wait there!" I yelled realising she was entering the moat encircling the inner part of the Fort.
Wisps always began over boggy marshy ground.

Both of us waded carefully through the wet, moss-filled moth keeping our swords aloft. Just before we reached the Wisp, it vanished. That's when we, really began to worry. Not knowing what lurked there in the darkness or below the water waiting to grab either one of us.

The water was up to my chest and we were about halfway across. I could still feel the bottom and thought it wouldn't get any deeper than this. Just then I saw another Wisp underneath the dense woven tapestry of thorns that guarded the inner circle of the Fort.

We moved through the cold water as quickly as we could and all the time hoping no subnautica creature would seize our legs. Reaching the far side I looked back and noticed bubbles, like something breathing underwear.
"Quick!" I yelled, "Out of the water!"
The bubbles stopped.

Niamh reached the Wisp first just as it disappeared like its predecessor. Another one materialized further through the thorns. We would have to use our swords to cut our way through. I suddenly heard a watery sound like something coming out of the moat.
"Go, quickly!" I whispered aggressively.

Niamh crawled and hacked her way through the barbed vegetation but she was moving too slowly. I grabbed her ankle to get by and was lucky enough to evade her sword as she thought whatever creature that came out of the water had caught her.
"Will ya hold your horses, it's me!"
"What in Danu's name are ya at?"
"Just let me pass," I said as I took off my shield. When in front of her I cut at the bottom of the briers. Then I forced the thorned branches up with my shield.
"Quick, crawl through!"

When Niamh reached the other side I followed and the thorns snapped down shut like a dragon's mouth. I felt around until I found a long branch. Cutting it off with my sword I then sharpened one end. I treaded the stick through the briers and squired it into the ground.
"There, that should hold it!" I said with confidence while resting my sword on my shoulder.
"We'll see!" Niamh didn't share my enthusiasm.

Inside the fort, visibility was no better. When I looked up there was no moon, no stars, didn't even seem to be a sky. Wasn't even sure if you could see the sky from in here.
"We should have brought some way of making fire!" Niamh exclaimed.

Suddenly another Wisp caught our eye. Each time we got closer, another would appear, then another and another."I think they're trying to lead us somewhere!" Niamh, unable to conceal her excitement.
"Aye, but where?" I inquired apprehensively.
"Who cares, let's just follow them."

I couldn't be sure if it was just dark, there was a fog or dragon's brea...., no, it doesn't bear thinking about."
We continued on the trail of unnatural natural beacons. The grass, or whatever it was, felt brittle beneath our feet as if burned.
"Just be careful where you're walking!"
"Don't worry, I will!" Niamh answered.

It became colder the further we went. The ground changed and was now flat rock with loose stones. Each footstep echoed like being in a cave and occasional moisture dripped and also echoed. A soft wind howled up ahead but distant.

"What's this?" Niamh quizzed. Her voice echoed for what seemed like an eternity.

"What's wrong?"
"The Wisps have stopped. There's only two left!"
"Maybe we shouldn't have gone...., Just keep going."

Niamh walked towards the second last Wisp. The sound of stones scattering, a body falling to the ground, a sword hitting against the rock, then, "SHITE!"

"Niamh! Niamh, what happened? Where are you? Niamh!" I yelled at the top of my voice. There was no answer, only my voice recurring in an echo. I ran to the treacherous Wisp. I lost my footing, slipped and landed hard on my back. Luckily my shield absorbed most of the impact. As I turned myself around to get back up my hand brushed against something familiar.

I grabbed it. It was Niamh's sword. When I stood back up I stuck her sword in my belt.

"Niamh!" I called out again.
I moved closer to the Wisp and then suddenly felt...., nothing.

"Aaaaaaaah!"