Eterna

~Chapter 23~ A Part of Your Darkness

I asked around the local bar, but no one seemed to need any favors that could gain me access to the isle. 

I scoffed, irritated and tired of the stench that surrounded the place.

"Excuse me..." A cloaked woman approached me. "I heard you were interested in gaining passage to the Dead Isle?"

I raised a brow. "Who wants to know?"

"My name is Iraza. I lost something very valuable to me...something I cannot replace. The only way I can redeem myself for what I've lost is by going to the Isle myself...but, I can't do it without assistance. The Dead Isle is the closest place to the Underworld in this realm."

I sneered a bit. "If you can get me a boat, I'll go with you. This is no favor."

She nodded. "Th-Thank you so much, traveller. You won't regret it. We should leave now, before people begin to ask questions."

The Phoenix sailed smoothly over the dark waters, making port on the shore of the Dead Isle.

"Finally..." Reuben sighed. "I don't know if I could take anymore of that..."

"Aye. We're on the shores of the Dead Isle. This way we can intercept Evelyn without fear of losing her. Drop the bridge!" 

Isaiah dropped the bridge, while Sera and Kalu stepped off.

"What about Harley?" Kalu whimpered. "We can't leave her...She could still be alive..."

Roxy gritted her teeth. "We can't waste time here any longer. Devon's sea serpent won't rest until it finds her, dead or alive."

Devon nodded. "Let's go. We can't afford to miss Evelyn."

"We made port on the East of the Isle, while Evelyn should be arriving on the southern shore. We'll head that way."

Everyone followed Roxy, their heads hung with thoughts of Harley's sacrifice.

I pushed the boat forward, the young woman seemed burdened with sorrow.

"So, if I may ask, what is it that you lost exactly?"

She sobbed a bit. "Something irreplaceable. Something I'd be ashamed to lose without trying to gain some sort of closure."

I grunted at the woman's vague description, but understood that everyone had their secrets.

"I will let you know now, that when we get to the Dead Isle I cannot help you search for what you've lost. I have my own business to attend to."

She nodded. "Don't worry. You don't need to help me search for it. Just being there with me is helpful enough."

I looked back at her hooded figure as I guided the boat forward. I let out a sigh, as I thought about how Kalu and the others were holding up.

As we came to the shore, I pulled the boat up on the sand and offered the cloaked woman my hand. She took it, nodding gratefully. 

"Thank you, traveller. You are most kind for doing this for me."

"I already told you, this is not a favor. I just needed to get to this island, and you had access to a boat."

"Actually..." She paused. "You're helping more than you think. Like I said, you being here is all the help I need..."

Her voice no longer held the kindness and weakness it had earlier. There was a grit and a sense of instability.

"Who are you?" I growled.