Keeper of the Lost Cities: Elysian

Chapter 57

"It's time," Wyrden said for what seemed like the hundredth time. "If we do this, there's no turning back. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Elysian nodded and swallowed. She took one last gaze around the dark cave, one they thought was suitable for this experiment.

The experiment was something that none of them were sure about- it could lead to a multitude of different possibilities. One of the worst being her death. The best-case scenario would be nothing happening, as far as Wyrden thought.

One of your kind must harness light and dark...

It was dangerous, irresponsible, and reckless...

It was totally. Absolutely. Fine.

Nothing's going to happen, Elysian prayed. I'm going to be fine. Nothing's going to change.

But the ominous words from the encoded message had to return and make her anxiety spike up again.

Embrace the change.

"If something happens, you have to restrain Mort first," Elysian reminded, mostly trying to distract herself. "If I... Well, if something bad happens to me, my control over him will be released."

Mort was a vital part of the process, but Elysian wasn't sure how he felt about it. His gaze was hard as usual, and his thoughts were murky and conflicted on the subject.

Was he happy? Angry? Neutral?

"Yes," Wyrden answered, waving a vial of black smoke at her. Seeing her worried expression, he added, "No, it won't kill him. It'll just knock him out for an hour... up to a week. But that's not the point. You should be focusing on you- because you're the one who's going to be affected most by this."

Elysian squirmed. "I know...my instincts are telling me to go through with this, like I'm going to be alright. I'm just so worried about you."

"I'll be alright," Wyrden said firmly. "Now... are you ready?"

He retrieved two move vials, the ones containing the substances that revolved around everything.

From Elysian's memories, Wyrden had called them something unfamiliar, but Sophie knew by their color and experience that they were ethertine and magsidian.

"Let's get this over with," Elysian murmured. She reached for the vial containing ethertine and gave the other to Mort.

Now filled with only determination, Elysian counted, "Three, two, one."

Both she and Mort opened their vials simultaneously. Both drew on the power within- the power at the core of the very elements.

The rippling darkness grew like an enlarging snake and lunged toward Elysian, but she stood there unafraid.

The ethertine rose to meet the darkness. At first, they were like two warriors meeting in battle but then more like allies or old companions.

Then Elysian saw a galaxy of blinking stars.

There was the briefest flash of pain and then everything disappeared.

When she came to, she was back at the base. Wyrden was the first person she saw, at first a hazy blur.

When she tried sitting up, she felt a wave of nausea slam into her.

"Try not to move," Wyrden's voice said from her right.

Then, she tasted a warm liquid in her mouth. "Drink," he instructed.

Swallowing was painful, but Elysian forced every drop down her throat.