Redemption

Chapter 28

Azalea blinked. Her surroundings had changed in an instant. The dark throne room transformed into the one where she had her soul judged, the two rivers ahead of her forked. Her family was right behind her. Glancing at the river that led to Gehenna she shivered, suddenly bombarded by her memories of that place.

Iram motioned for her parents to move closer to the riverbank.

"We will meet on the other side." Her mother reassured her.

Walking to the foot of the river they glanced back, waving to Azalea. She smiled, waving her hand in farewell. Side by side they stepped into the river, joy radiated through their features, disappearing into its unending depth.

Azalea strode forward, eager to join her parents. A strong force stopped her in her tracks, her limbs frozen.

"Where do you think you are going, Thorne," Iram said menacingly.

Her heartbeat doubled, as he moved closer. Taking her hand, he stroked the tattoo.

"I just need to remove this, I don't need you accidentally calling me when you are in Caelum," he said.

Breathing out a sigh of relief, she watched as the ink slowly faded away and with that, her solid form was no longer. Looking down her form shimmered once more, the gaping wound that had killed her had returned. Iram gestured to Azalea to move forward. Pausing, she faced Acrux who was quiet the whole time.

"Thanks for everything, you're still an ass though."

His eyes glinting, he nodded his thanks. "You're not bad yourself." Hesitating he said, "You are stronger than you think, do not let your past chain you, fate can be moulded with your own hands, do not forget that."

Her brows furrowed, and she nodded, but not before she saw annoyance flash on Iram's face.

Drawing in a breath, her heart raced as she walked to the river, side by side with Iram.

"Finally have what you wished for, Congratulations, Thorne," he said gesturing for her to enter.

Gliding forward, the water calm and inviting, the opposite of Gehenna. Slowly the water split revealing a descending gold staircase into it is watery depth. Walking down the water urged her forward, her soul at peace. A doorway stood steps away, from where she could see greenery and her parents enjoying the greenery.

"Caelum," She breathed out in awe. Everything she worked for was in arms reach. Temptation coursed through her body.

The difference between entrance and cell in Gehenna was stark, and Azalea felt a sense of overwhelming gratitude for being able to live here for all of eternity. Holding her breath, she stepped through. Abruptly her world was flipped, she toppled through tumbling across as she zoomed past urged by some outside force. Azalea tried to stop but she couldn't, her form not allowing her to grip the walls.

Landing face-first on a cold floor, she got up. Swallowing away the strange sense of deja vu, as she turned to examine the room. The cell was eerily similar to the one she was in Gehenna but more spacious. Chains snaked out, from nowhere clamping down onto her wrists. Azalea tried to shake it off, panic overtaking every fibre of her body.

"No. no, no, not again. This is just a cruel joke, yes a joke just one of his little games." she muttered trying to calm herself down. "You'll go to Calum and soon eternity with your parents, just wait."

"I do love to see mortals' insane optimism." Iram's voice echoed against the walls.

"What the fuck are you doing, get me out of this shit hole." Azalea hissed.

He chuckled, his laughs transforming into bellowing laughs. The sound was so loud, it pierced Azalea's ears.

"I am afraid I can't do that. Oh, this is the most fun I have had in ages," he replied, still chuckling.

"What did you do, Iram?" She asked, anxious.

"I did what I promised, Thorne, why are you surprised?" he asked.

"The deal was to take me and my parents to Caelum in return I complete your insane task and restore the balance. Which I did. So tell me why I am not living a life of peace and tranquillity like you promised." She questioned shaking her arms to clang the chains together.

"Why does a mere mortal keep questioning me anyone else I would have personally dealt with their torture, but ill entertain your tantrum."

"Get to the point, Iram." she hissed out, her unease tripling.

"I promised you and your parent's passage to Caelum, and I delivered. Welcome to Caelum," he said amusement coloured his tone.

"How is this Caelum, this is another cell," she said confused.

"This is Caelum, it is not my problem that you expected otherwise. I believe I would know important places inside my realm."

"Why is it so dark, and identical to my old cell, explain everything," she said slowly trying to understand.

Sighing he said, "You mortals believe Caelum is a place filled with peace and where every desire you want is fulfilled for eternity. That is a lie; because Caelum is where you are standing right now. It's just another name for a place in Gehenna." he laughed. "When you bargain it is crucial to be aware of all the facts and that is your fault. You will live the consequences of your action for all of eternity."

He chortled, and the cell plunged into silence.