The Awakening

Chapter Twenty Nine

"Shit," Avelon muttered, her heart hammering against her chest as they dashed through the labyrinth of towering shelves. The library's door beckoned just ahead of them, while dark tendrils of living shadow slithered behind, hot on their heels. Avelon's felt as though her heart could leap from her chest. Her lungs were next.

It felt like a surreal, twisted dream for Avelon. The guttural roars of the Quillshifter echoed from the depths of the library. The sounds were primal, reverberating through them as it fought against the encroaching darkness threatening to consume everything in its path.

"Do you think Balor knows we're looking for more information on his experiments?" Brianne gasped, her voice shaky between laboured breaths. She was struggling to keep pace with Avelon's frantic strides.

She shot a glance over her shoulder at Brianne, ready to shout that she did not know, but the sight behind her froze her in place. Brianne froze as well, but for entirely different reasons. A shadowy mass was creeping up Brianne's legs, tendrils curling around her ankles like blackened fingers.

"Brianne!" Avelon's voice was laced with worry and fear as she lunged for her friend, grabbing her hand in an attempt to pull her away.

The warning came too late. The shadows had latched on, dragging Brianne down with a sudden force that sent her crashing to the ground. Brianne's shout of surprise was filled with pain. Avelon did not stop pulling, her heart pounding like a war drum, even as the darkness began its slow, deliberate climb. The darkness hissed as though it was tasting Brianne's flesh as it rose higher. Avelon felt the weight of dread settle in her chest.

"GO Avelon! Take the tome and fucking hide it!" Brianne exclaimed, her voice strained as she struggled and fought against the shadows clasping her feet. Her voice trembled in pain. Eyes blazing with determination, she fought against Avelon's grip, desperate to break free and send Avelon back to their room. Without her.

Avelon's eyes darted around, panic tightening her throat as the shadows inched closer, swallowing the light around them. The darkness rose up to Brianne's knees. She yelped aloud, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. The shadows were somehow harming her.

"No!" Avelon shouted, gripping Brianne's arms tightly, trying to pull her free. But Brianne was like a statue, solid and unyielding, her eyes pleading even as they flicked downward in horror.

""Gods!" Avelon cried, anxiety clawing at her as she scanned their surroundings for anything—anything—that could help.

Use yourself, child.

Avelon froze, her heart racing as she locked eyes with Brianne, recognizing the urgency reflected in her hazel gaze. The voice was not hers, and it was not Brianne's either.

Avelon took a deep breath, frustration mixing with desperation.

You're not exactly helping me, little voice.

Warm laughter rippled through the air, sending a chill down Avelon's spine. Brianne's eyes widened at the sound, making Avelon's thoughts empty out completely.

"You heard that?" Avelon whispered, disbelief tinging her voice.

Brianne nodded slowly, her face pale and overwhelmed with fear and pain.

Avelon still stood frozen, contemplating her next move and wasting precious time. She was momentarily sidetracked by the urge to tell Brianne of all the odd voices she had been hearing since she arrived at Vexar.

Focus. Now is not the time. Use yourself. The voice snapped with urgency.

She groaned in response, frustration bubbling beneath the surface as she tried to make sense of the voices' words. Use herself? She eyes narrowed as she tried to find a way of using herself. Was she supposed to jump into the dark herself?