Obsidian's Reign ¹

∷ Chapter 46 ∷

FALLING OFF THE building was just as scary as it was invigorating. Clara could hear Adric's mocking tone in her head, played on repeat as he emphasised her brutal landing should a moment of distraction cost her life. She recalled tipping over the edge of the parapet, feeling the wind as it rushed past her with the speed upon which she was falling.

It was scary to think of what awaited her should the portal choose to fail her, but the thought was forcefully silenced, her desire to live far outweighing the horrors of such absurdities.

She had anticipated an end far worse than what was waiting for them on the other end of the portal—a stretch of light, so bright, she could hardly discern the silhouettes of her fellow companions. It took a mere glance, however, to determine, that none had fallen to their deaths, a welcoming relief she felt the need to enunciate with a relieved exhale.

"Where are we?" Rylan asked, cringing at the way his voice seemed too loud in the space surrounding them.

"This is what is primarily known as the void," Celdric explained with a mild grimace though he'd ventured a whisper. "In the event, an individual happens to fall through the portal, they'll be stuck here for eternity until they've been set free."

It took a minute for his words to sink in, but when they did, he was greeted with a slew of uncomfortable expressions.

"That's . . . nice," Adric muttered.

"We shouldn't spend too much time here," Celdric said, gesturing for the others to follow him. "Let's go."

None protested his invitation to leave, even as he walked forth into the brightness beyond, navigating the void with ease. They continued on the same path for some time before Celdric stopped, reaching forward to grasp at what appeared to be nothing, only for the others to be mistaken when he seemed to pull apart the white to reveal an ordinary-looking office beyond.

"If you will," he said, earning apprehensive looks from everyone except the prince who shrugged and stepped through the opening. He'd had enough of the monotonous setting and was only too grateful to be rid of it.

The minute everyone stepped into the office, the tear in the void seemed to disappear completely, mimicking a doorway, albeit a rather unorthodox one.

"Welcome to my office," Celdric said.

Rylan took a cursory glance at the space and scoffed at the mediocrity of everything he saw.

"Charming," he said, unable to stop the sarcasm that seeped into his voice.

"I believe we have more pressing issues to deal with than the interior decorating of the place," Jae interrupted with a stern look in Rylan's way.

Turning to Celdric, he asked, "What do we do now?"

"We get to Luther."

Celdric crossed the room to his desk, rifling about the numerous stacks of documents covering its surface before pulling one from the tallest pile. He reached for a rolled up length of parchment from somewhere behind him, moving to push aside the mountain of documents as he unrolled the parchment, securing each corner with random pieces of stationery within reach.

"This is the location of Luther's office," he said, jabbing the blueprint with the eraser end of a pencil.

"If he sticks to this schedule," he paused to indicate the document. "He should be in his office right about now."

"Let's go, then," Adric urged with impatience.

"There's a slight problem," Celdric said, hesitating. "I can't take all of you there. It's too risky and the chances of getting caught are much too high."