Loving the Dead

Chapter 22

The water rushed around me, chilling me to the bone. I put a bubble of energy around me, and a soft light was shed in the dark.

I swam farther and farther down, my ears popping from how deep I was. I finally reached the bottom of a few minutes of swimming. My legs were tired, but I pushed past that because I had a task to fulfill.

I stood standing in the murky water, except I was completely dry from my bubble. I was much stronger since the last time I visited the Spirit World so the heaviness of the water didn't faze me.

I breathed in, closing my eyes. I felt the power rippling underneath my skin and I put my arms straight out, my palms touching the bubble of energy. The power seeped from my fingertips to the bubble, turning the soft white light to a blinding blue green light. My hair swirled around me from an unknown wind, and chills arose on my skin.

I then moved my arms so they were on my sides, my hands still touching the bubble. The dome expanded, so I could take atleast 20 steps in all directions and not touch it.

I then kneeled and punched the ground with so much force the ground shook beneath me. The fish swimming around my dome fled.

I stood up and backed up from the place I was standing because a light began emitting from the brown mud. A streak of white light shot up from the ground, going straight up and hitting the top of the dome. I covered my eyes, the light blinding me.

I uncovered my eyes after feeling the light dim, and a magnificent sight stood before me.

The Spirit World Entrance.

A smile spread across my face. I did it. And without anyones help.

I walked over to the entrance and was about to step through the portal when I heard my name being called in the distance.

I turned around, a confused look on my face. I couldn't see anything through the dark so I walked over to the edge of the dome, peering through the blue green light. I saw two balls of light in the distance, getting closer by the second. With a gasp I bakced up from the wall of light and tripped over my feet, landing on my butt with an oomph.

The two balls of lights stopped in front of the dome, and then slowly pushed through the dome.

I didn't know what they were so I shot an energy pulse at them but it just passed righ through them and the dome. I backed, looking behind me to the entrance.

All of a sudden the two balls erupted in a blinding light and I curled into a ball on the ground shielding my eyes once again.

Once the light was gone I got up and looked at what was standing there.

Aiden and Zahara.

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My mouth was wide open as I stood there, staring at them.

How did they know I was here?

'Aiden? Zahara? What are doing here?"

Aiden stepped forward, his eyebrows knit together. Angry energy surrounded him.

"Annora, you should have let me know you were leaving! You're not skilled enough to go against him. I can help you. You can get seriously hurt!" His angry words turning into ones of worry.

I couldn't take it anymore.

"I am sick of everyone thinking I can't take care of myself! I've practiced and and practiced and am more powerful than I have ever been. And Belmiro will make me even stronger. I know how to take care of myself and use my own powers.' My voice rising and my hands shaking with fury.

"Annora I know you can control your powers but the Spirit World is a place of light and darkness. You need to be careful."

"How am I supposed to learn anything if you are always following me around like I'm a child? Yes I understand the dangers in this but I need to do this by myself."

Aiden looked down at the ground, sighing. "All right. I don't see how I am going to stop you so I'll let you go. Just please be careful. You never know how Belmiro will react."

I uncurled my fists, letting the tension roll of my shoulders.

"I'm glad you understand. I'm apologize for yelling, but Jacob reacted the same way."

Aiden nodded, and Zahara floated forward past him.

"Annora, I'm sorry to treat you this way. But's I'm not sure what I would do if anything happened to you. I was sent over here with you not only as a companion but as a protector. I know I'm not doing the best of jobs but I try my best. Be safe Princess" Zahara said, with a light in her eyes that I had never seen before.

Respect.

Zahara respected me and that was one reason why I looked up to her. She never stopped me from doing what I loved, and followed me where ever I went.

With that, I bowed and Aiden and Zahara did the same. I turned around without looking back, and entered the Spirit World.

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A foreign sun shined down upon my face, and warmth spread through me after being in the cold water.

I looked around me and the brilliant purple sky pulsed in the air. Animals scurried around with little children chasing them. It saddened me when I thought about how these children must have arrived here, but it was nice to see them so happy.

I looked over to my right to see the dark forest that gave me haunting memories. I turned to my left and a beautiful green meadow spread through the world.

This time I wasn't a ghost so I had all my powers will me. Just to make sure, I snapped and a pulsing blue light appeared in my hand. I put my palm up to the sky and shot it straight up. The light burst, little blue sparkles raining down on me and the kids. They all rolled around, giggling and looking supremely happy. I smiled, knowing the happiness I caused for them.

One of them ran up to me, her big brown eyes full of a soft light.

"Who are you?" She asked, wiping her light brown hair out of her eyes.

I kneeled down, looking down into her eyes. "I'm Annora. And who might you be?" I asked, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"I'm Elizabeth. Are you the Princess? I heard all about you! One of the fiercest pirates out there, and quite beautiful too!" She said with a toothy grin.

"Yes I am! And thank you little one." I said.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to finally become a Queen. I have to meet a very important Keeper to do so."

"Oh! Are you going to choose Marlow? Or Alistair?" She asked bouncing up and down.

I looked down at the ground, away from her eyes. I sighed and said "No. I'm going to meet Belmiro."

Elizabeth's smile faded, and she stopped bouncing. "Belmiro? Princess no, he's dangerous. You should choose Marlow. She's such an amazing Keeper."

"Yes I know little one, but I have this strange pull towards the spider. I know it's dangerous, but I must do it."

"Alright Princess. Best of luck to you." With that she did a small curtsey and ran back to play with her friends. She turned back around and waved with her small hands, her friends joining her.

I waved back, and turned my back on them.

Time to do what I came here for.

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Phew! Finally updated! (Sorry for that)

What are your predictions? Do you love the story? Or do you hate it? Constructive criticism is gladly accepted!

(Except for @aragornlotr77, you're predictions are pretty lenghty girl, calm down (;)

This chapter is dedicated to @bailey000 for being one of my bestest friends and supporters, and yes Bailey, Elizabeth was based off of Ruby except kinder to me xD