The Universe Beyond Ours

Chapter 12 (Part 3)

"I'm... I'm sorry, too. But maybe you're right. I'm being a toxic butthole," Denis sighed, acknowledging his mistakes as he lowered his eyes.

"Don't call yourself that. I take it back," Harris said, shaking his head gently.

"Well, am I not being a toxic butthole for being envious of other people's success? Thank you, Harris. You said what must be said. You've opened my eyes, and now, I need to change something about me," Denis stated courageously.

"Wow... remember when I called you weak?" Harris asked, his eyes sparkling with respect.

"Uh," Denis murmured, his brows arching with confusion.

"I regret saying that now. You're actually strong," Harris asserted with a smile.

A flash of redness painted Denis' cheeks, and his eyes sparkled with stars as Harris' words penetrated his heart. "Oh... thank you," Denis replied, returning the smile.

"Say, let's get the totems," Harris suggested, inclining his head towards the cave-like opening.

"Sure, let's go," Denis responded, beaming.

     Denis and Harris stride towards the cave of the mound, navigating the ocean of dead goblins. As they are about to reach the totems, a mysterious fog summons like blinding light. Denis and Harris recoil, and as the mist dissipates, Lyvie appears with two escorts flanking her. Smirking, Lyvie grabs the two totems before Denis and Harris can touch them.

"W-who are you!?" Denis stammered, his eyes widening.

"I am someone who can help you, Denis," Lyvie replied with a sinister smirk.

"Huh? How do you know my name?" Denis asked in disbelief.

Who was that girl? Why did she know Denis' name?

"You! Drop the totems!" Harris yelled, his eyes fixed on Lyvie.

"Why would I?" Lyvie shrugged. "We all know these are totally useless since Denis doesn't need to return to his universe. All he has to do is... join our coven," she winked. "And... we'll give him everything he wants."

"Denis, don't believe a word that girl is saying," Harris urged, turning to face Denis.

"Well, it's up to him to believe it or not," Lyvie giggled. "All I'm just doing is inviting him to our coven where his desires can be fulfilled!" she stated proudly.

Philip, Meredith, and Presley entered the den and spotted Lyvie. Swiftly, with their teeth clenched for battle, they charged towards Lyvie.

"It's her!" Meredith gasped.

"Denis!" Lyvie called, catching Denis' attention. "So... what do you choose? I'll give you a few days to decide."

     Just as Philip, Meredith, and Presley are about to reach Lyvie, Lyvie taps her sceptre against the ground. Then, purple flames summon, blocking Philip, Meredith, and Presley's path. Lyvie then chuckles, and dark fog spawns around her and her two escorts. When the fog fades, Lyvie and her two escorts are gone.

     The purple flames die, and Philip, Meredith, and Presley turn around and lock gazes with Denis and Harris. They all stare at each other in disbelief, their eyes reflecting dread and worry. Later, Denis and his friends gather inside the car, closing the door with a resounding slam. A cacophony of buzzing voices reverberates within the vehicle as everyone struggles to speak.

"Who was that girl anyway!?" Denis questioned.

Everyone didn't want to answer Denis initially, but they knew they had to inform him, at least.

"That girl... her name is... Lyvie," Meredith revealed. "She's the girl from the different universe that got transported here just before you came," she disclosed. "She was all nice... honestly... until a warlock that threatens to dominate the world pulled her into the dark side," she said. "Now... she wants 'you' to be part of their coven."

Denis' body trembled with fear as he listened to Meredith. Acknowledging the danger, he asked, "...Why does she want me to be part of their coven...?"

"We're unsure," Meredith replied. "But we must collect the two remaining totems in Geveria before she steals them. Otherwise, you won't be able to return to your universe."

"Oh, uh, how about the two totems she just stole?" Denis inquired, his voice shaking.

"We'll get it," Meredith affirmed confidently. "...Hopefully."

     The car's engine growls with determination, propelling it forward on the winding road ahead as the sun, a molten orb of fire, starts its slow descent towards the horizon. With each passing moment, the world is cast in deepening twilight, shadows lengthening and merging into a cloak of darkness that hints at mysteries yet to occur. A sense of foreboding lingers in the air, like a whisper of uncertainty that tugs at the edges of consciousness. Could this be the prelude to an event of seismic proportions, a harbinger of challenges that loom on the horizon like gathering storm clouds?