LOVER OF THE DEAD

Chapter 13: The cursed Path

NEXT DAY

The golden sunlight seeped through the cracks of the wooden cabin, painting the dust-filled air with a soft glow. Avriel stirred, her eyelids fluttering open as she stretched her arms. Just as she was adjusting to the light, a voice cut through the silence.

"you're awake?"

A startled gasp escaped her lips as she turned toward the source.

"God, Iver, you scared me!" she huffed, pressing a hand against her chest.

Iver leaned against the window frame, his arms crossed, amusement flickering in his mismatched eyes. "That's the only job I have. Did you forget I'm a ghost? Or are you just getting too comfortable?"

Avriel rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Cut the crap. We need to find the sorceress today."

At the mention of the sorceress, Iver's smirk faltered. A strange, distant expression took over his face. "About that..." he muttered, exhaling slowly.
"I feel like I'm having déjà vu."

Avriel frowned. "What do you mean?"

Iver let out a dry chuckle, his fingers twitching slightly. "Years ago, I was in this same situation. Me and my... girlfriend. We tried to find the sorceress after I made a pact with her. But it was too late."

Avriel raised an eyebrow, tilting her head playfully. "Ooo, your girlfriend? That's interesting! But if you've already been to her before, you must know where she lives."

Iver's teasing demeanor faded, his expression darkening. "Well... yes." His voice was quieter now, laced with something Avriel couldn't quite place. "But the forest where she resides... it's enchanted. Twisted by spells. It doesn't just let you walk in. It makes sure you never find her."

A beat of silence passed between them.

Then Avriel reached out, giving his arm a reassuring squeeze. "Don't be sad, Iver. I'm sure we'll find a way."

Iver's POV

I stood there, watching her, the warmth of her hand barely registering against my cold skin.

She reminded me of Dyanne.

The way she spoke, the way she stood by me without hesitation, it was hauntingly familiar. But I couldn't let myself fall into that illusion. Dyanne was gone. She died because of me. And I swore to myself, I wouldn't let history repeat itself.

I don't know what kind of attraction I feel toward Avriel. It's not love. IT CAN'T BE.Love only happens once in a lifetime, and mine had already been given away. My heart was buried with DYANNE.

I won't fall for someone else.

Avriel's POV

I watched him, feeling something strange stir inside me.

The more I looked at him, the more... at peace I felt.

How was that possible? I met him only a week ago. And yet, it felt like I had known him forever. As if he had always been a part of my story.

What kind of magic is this, God?

______

That Afternoon

The air was thick with tension as they prepared to leave. The weight of what they were about to do pressed down on them like an invisible force.

Avriel adjusted the strap of her bag, glancing at Iver. "Let's go and kill that sorceress."

The moment the words left her lips, Iver stiffened.

His gaze locked onto her, wide and unreadable, as if he had seen a ghost.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm the human here, not you."She frowned, nudging his arm.

Iver blinked, shaking his head. "It's just..."His voice was quieter now.
"That was the first thing she said to me, too. When we were heading to kill the sorceress for the first time"

Avriel's breath hitched. "She?"

Before she could ask, Iver forced a smirk. "Never mind. Let's go, Avvie. Just... be careful."

The Cursed Forest

The entrance to the jungle was nothing more than a path swallowed by shadows. The moment they stepped in, the world behind them seemed to vanish.

The air was heavy with an eerie stillness. No birds. No rustling leaves. Just an unnatural silence stretching into the distance.

Avriel shuddered. "This place feels... wrong."

Iver nodded. "It should. The forest is alive. It doesn't want us here."

The deeper they walked, the stranger things became. Trees twisted in unnatural ways, their bark pulsating as if they were breathing. Faint whispers curled around them, voices too distant to understand yet too close to ignore.

Then the path changed.

Avriel stopped, her heart pounding. "Wait... weren't we just here?"

Iver turned slowly, scanning their surroundings. His expression darkened. "It's started."

The forest was looping.

They had been walking in circles for three hours.

Avriel wiped the sweat off her forehead, panting. "Iver... what is this place?"

Iver's jaw clenched. "It's the same way I remember... but something's different."

Avriel took a deep breath, trying to think. "You told me the forest is enchanted. There must be a way to break this spell and find the sorceress."

Iver ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "There has to be. The sorceress binds people from reaching her. But..." He trailed off, then his eyes lit up. "If the spirits of the forest think we're here to make a pact with her, they'll let us pass."

Avriel stared at him. "Then let's make them believe it."

Iver exhaled, then stepped forward. "Listen up," he called out into the emptiness. "We are here to seek the sorceress."

The trees rustled in response, an unseen wind sweeping through the jungle. The whispers grew louder.

Avriel swallowed. "We want to make a pact," she added, her voice steady despite the unease curling in her stomach.

Silence.

Then the ground shook.

A bone-chilling laugh echoed through the air, wrapping around them like an unseen force. The trees Moved. Roots coiled like serpents, twisting and writhing, forming a narrow path that stretched into the darkness.

Iver and Avriel exchanged a look.

The spirits had accepted their request.

Their path was set.

But something about the laugh made Avriel's skin crawl.

It felt like someone or something was waiting for them.

___________________________________________

Hii loves🤎
I'm really sorry for updating after so long. But I hope you guys are still invested in the story.
I will be more active now, thank you for giving the love and support.

AND, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT DYANNE?