"Luca, thank you," Kallasi hugged me and I began transferring her power back to her.
"No, keep it, I won't need it anymore," she returned.
"My child, I'll see you on the other side in time," she whispered and walked to the Tree of Life. As it absorbed her, a leaf of Life detached from the Tree and embedded itself in my heart.
"For when you need us," Kallasi's fading voice whispered.
"El Roi bless your journey," I wished her and set off for the pink brick road to rescue Adam and Bella.
The road led me to a waterfall-cloaked opening. I slowly stepped into the water so blue and choked as black liquid rushed from my mouth and skin. My fear heightened as my insides twisted painfully.
There, I struggled in the water, guttering as the volume of the liquid was higher than speed I was able to get it out. So, it began flowing from my nose.
Time felt unending as I floated belly-up and stared into the sun. What is this?
Soon, the spewing liquid and the pain stopped. I submerged myself into the water and washed the black, thick liquid from my face and body. As I surfaced for air, I found my body felt stronger. The slight joint pain, I never noticed til it was gone, was gone.
I called upon Kallasi's power, the Encyclopaedia opened and flipped to the relevant section:
Lingquan Water- a Spiritual Spring; a body of water with healing and cleansing abilities.
-Black liquid is a sign of poisoning.
-Red liquid is a sign of hidden dark spirits attached.
-White-
I'll read on later...
*
Meanwhile, the nurse paged Director Anai as Luca's comatose body secreted thick black liquid.
*
I waded to the opening behind the waterfall and it led into a red-soiled canyon. The Encyclopaedia sensed my desire and opened:
Princess Rosalia Maroya Lyssa Fiori of the Florence Isles. The Crown Princess. Daughter of Queen Ira and Prince Mars. Blessed with the spirit of Arianna.
WHAT?!
Caldera Canyon- the elusive-scape; never in one place for too long to maintain its neutrality and anonymity.
-Former prison of the Lost Sorcerer.
-Current prison of the Two-Headed Hybrid.
Damn it! I don't have the time to get into that drama!
The Canyon had narrow corridors so, I could only fit sideways. I shuffled along the pink brick road and after a few turns, I heard a long, mournful howl harmonized by a high-pitched whine of astonishment¹, and, if I strained, I could hear little unintelligible whispers.
Steeling my heart, I kept to the path. I was led to the heart of the Canyon: a large structure stood imposingly, only coming into view when I crossed an invisible barrier. Once again, I felt the Encyclopaedia move.
There is no passage until the Druidstone Edifice reads your heart and accepts you or imprisons you.
Enclosed:
YOU ARE READING
The Empire's Descent (First Draft)
FantasyExcerpt: "Luca, it's a male Vampyr in the Green Grotto!", she burst into his office to inform. Luca rolled his eyes and clutched the desk before him, where he gripped splintered under the force. "Does it still hurt that much? Ari said you'll be able...
