Cursed

Chapter 7 - Decipher

"The doorway you seek is hard to find,
secluded from the world.
The power it contains is strong,
for no man nor girl.

Mirroring your reflection,
it tries to trick your mind.
But your eyes will be jet black,
darkness is all you'll find.

Death is what it consumes,
both day and night.
Watch as the world around you,
disappears from sight.

Forever you are trapped there,
making amends for your sins.
You believe it to be the end,
but truthfully this is where it begins."

The enchantress slowly read the passage located on the top left corner of the map beside the Kingdom of Serenity. The kingdom circled in a thick red ink was the location of the doorway.

"I have never heard of the Kingdom of Serenity before" Evangeline stated truthfully, as they all studied the intricately drawn map.

"That is probably because no one has made it past the valley of death" the enchantress replied pointing towards the valley. "And for the last fifteen years the Kingdom has been known as the Kingdom of Ashes. The once magnificent kingdom, full of gold and jewels was supposedly torched by dragon fire, reducing it to nothing but dust. The surviving citizens had no other choice but to flee, the descendants of their people now scattered around the globe. That must mean whoever created this map already knew where its next location would be."

"The valley of death" Evangeline breathed, raising her eyebrows. "You have to go through hell to reach heaven."

"Fifteen years ago" Alexander muttered in thought, ignoring both of his female companions previous statements. "That is when my father disappeared."

"Was the doorway destroyed?" The enchantress questioned, as Christopher's words echoed in Alexander's brain.

"Yes" he replied, "it was burnt along with most of his possessions after he disappeared."

The enchantress nodded in thought, "if a doorway is destroyed another in a different location will open and take its place. That explains why the Kingdom of Serenity was so badly destroyed, not because of dragon fire but because of the doorway. As soon as it open it brought the Kingdom to its knees, the doorway was protecting itself from any possible harm."

"A doorway can protect itself?" Evangeline asked in disbelief, causing the enchantress to send her a glare.

"That was what I said, wasn't it?"

As she turned back towards the map, Evangeline rolled her eyes.

"Why are you acting like this?"

The enchantress stayed facing away from Evangeline and sighed. "I am worried" she lied her thoughts returning to the vision she had seen when she came into contact with Evangeline's rings. "For myself, the safety of my people, you and your kingdoms. It is too much for me to worry about."

Evangeline nodded in agreement, "yes it is quite a burden, but I have to ask. How is an inanimate object capable of protecting itself?"

The enchantress smiled slightly, her unpleasant mood lifting, "the darkness that is held within purgatory is hidden behind one single sheet of reflective glass. I highly doubt that it is strong enough to contain its power. Surges of dark energy must escape it every day, turning the environment around it to ashes, hence the Kingdom of Ashes."