Siren's Kiss

29: Sugarcane and Its Yields Part One

Althea stood silently on the platform, dressed in a deep blue toga, holding a tray with the sacrificial offering of their most fattened beast. All the creatures of Eldoria gathered around, with the alpha of the jackals by her side as her guide. An Amazon called for silence after three loud gongs, and the platform beneath the queen began to lower.

Below lay a secret passageway, a hidden cave deep within the island. Water cascaded through gaps in the stones, leaving the ground wet. The darkness was pierced only by the flickering flames of the torches carried by the guards accompanying Althea. Although this wasn't the queen's first journey through this hidden path, each visit felt like a new experience. They moved barefoot, careful to remain silent until they reached a wide-open glade.

Before them lay a natural basin filled with water, nestled at the base of a tall crevice illuminated by sunlight streaming down from above. Lush, vine-covered plants grew everywhere, creating an otherworldly landscape. In the center stood a raised mound with stone steps, scattered with ancient treasures and covered in moss. Atop the mound was a large, natural stone formation shaped like an archway, with a delicate stream of water pouring from a crack in its middle. Surrounding the stone were huge carved structures, remnants of a long-lost civilization.

This was one of the few warp portals, created by the gods, that connected worlds. Althea placed the sacrificial offering at the base of the basin and took a step back. The guards set their torches on the walls, and they all waited in silence.

Suddenly, the flame from the torches began to crawl to one another, connecting to each other until they formed a circle made of embers. They went round and round until their flame became gold. Specks of golden dust exploded all around them, igniting the whole place alive. Their group moved across the cavern, through the water, onto the wide stepping stones, taking in the scene with awe.

Althea approached the central stone before the archway. As she neared, the vines moved, retreating from the central stone as if in reverence. The water within the archway began to ripple, forming a glassy surface that shimmered with light. Althea reached out and touched the water, her fingers meeting the cool, smooth surface. The ripples spread from her touch, creating patterns that seemed to resonate with the ancient magic of the place.

The water from the archway spread through Althea's fingers, up her arm, until it enveloped her entire body. In an instant, she was pulled into the archway and vanished. The guards, unfazed by the spectacle, kneeled and bowed their heads, murmuring prayers in an ancient, unknown language. The alpha of the jackals retreated into the shadows, sitting back with his tail curled beneath him. Like the guards, he waited patiently, his gaze unwavering, fixed on the archway.

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Althea appeared to have stepped into another realm; snow fell gently around her. Before her, stood an immense fortress carved from a massive rock mountain, resembling a grand cathedral. The structure boasted towering spires, turrets, and menacing gargoyles, all coated in a layer of permafrost. Icicles hung everywhere, and scattered throughout the scene were dark crystals, each containing a swirling mass of black flames.

This world was a blend of darkness and gold, an eerie combination that hinted at the immense power residing here. Althea felt a shiver run down her spine as she took in the display of their combined might. Gathering her courage, she made her way towards the castle. The fortress's sheer enormity was intimidating, but she resisted the urge to turn and flee. She knew the way back was sealed. Until her purpose in this place was fulfilled, she wasn't permitted to leave. This was a one-way journey, and only the divine couple who ruled this realm in oblivion could grant her the way out.

As she navigated the extraordinary landscape and approached the castle, Althea felt an intense presence, a sense that someone was watching her every move. Suddenly, she heard the deep, rhythmic woosh of massive wings reverberating through the ground, each flap a symphony of raw power and precision, slicing through the air with controlled, majestic force.