Beyond the Veil

Chapter 44

Sera couldn't describe how it felt to have her feet planted on solid ground.

Feeling the hard rock beneath her as she stood underneath the mountain was one of the best feelings she had felt in what felt like forever.

They're home.

They needed a game plan. Sera hadn't had food or water in days, the portal was still open, and Tyler was likely still in the forest.

"First things first. You need water." Saul said.

"I brought some when I was here before I entered the void. How long do you think we were in there?" Sera asked, walking over to her old bag of belongings.

Her things look weathered, like they had been sitting here for at least a few weeks.

"I have no idea, maybe 2 weeks if I had to guess." Saul said. He was happy to be home.

After Sera drank to her heart's content, she walked over to Saul and pulled him into her arms.

They sat in silence for a moment just holding each other, reveling in the journey and everything they have been through.

"I'd have never imagined that you were the missing piece to closing the portal." Saul said, resting his chin on the top of her head, pulling her into him. "All the times you came here, on your own journey. After all of the time I spent keeping you from this world... it was waiting for you the whole time."

"As someone very wise once said, 'everything happens as it should'." Sera teased. "Speaking of which, let's see if this works." Sera said, pulling the crystal out of her pocket.

Sera stood before the ancient portal nestled deep within the heart of the forest, the crystal shard from the spirit world cradled in her hand. The surroundings pulsed with a vibrant energy as if the very forest acknowledged the significance of the moment. She could feel the trees, the earth, and the spirits that inhabited this place, all holding their breath, waiting for what was to come.

With a sense of reverence, she approached the portal. Its dark, gnarled frame seemed to pulse in tune with the crystal she held, as though they were old friends, long separated and now reunited. The portal beckoned like an enigmatic doorway into the unknown.

Sera extended her hand, allowing the shard to hover above the portal's hollow. She could feel the resonance, the connection between the crystal and the portal, and a knowing washed over her. With gentle precision, she lowered the shard into the gaping hole on the side of the portal, a perfect fit.

As the crystal met the portal, an intricate dance of light and energy ensued. The crystal's ethereal glow intensified, casting iridescent beams of blue and green into the surrounding space. The portal responded with a low hum, as if whispering ancient secrets.

Sera felt the magic building, swirling around her like a crescendo in a symphony. The forest seemed to hold its breath, as if the very air trembled in anticipation. It was a profound moment, a fusion of two worlds, bridging the gap between her reality and the spirit realm.

Then, as the portal absorbed the crystal, a dazzling burst of light emanated from within, like a starburst in the night sky. The energy surged outward, washing over Sera in a radiant wave. It was as if the forest itself exhaled, releasing a sigh of relief.

It was complete.

"We really did it." Sera exclaimed.

"We're not done yet. Stay here while I take care of Tyler." Saul said.

"There's no way, I'm staying here. We're a team now." Sera said, demand evident in her voice.

Saul cracked a smile at her and gestured the way out of the cave, "lead the way then, my warrior princess."