Shape-Shifter's Promise

Chapter 17

We climbed the stairway to the clouds and felt a wave of peace come over us. When we reached the top we saw the great creators themselves. As promised we were greeted with open arms.

“Welcome my children how was the war?” Mora asked.

“Solved and ended forever oh, Great mother.” I answered as I bowed.

“Your paradise is well earned my Ancients. Who is this?” She asked as she saw my new nephew, Max.

“This is Siobhan's only surviving child from her old life, Max.” I answered.

“Ah, now I remember, your siblings have waited a long time to see you again.”

“Luna and Shayela? But how?” Siobhan asked.

“They came to us that very night your paradise fell apart. Once we were told what happened as they walked our stairwell they saw their evil father wake up as you ran away. If it were not for my husband here he would still live, you only knocked him out even though there was a lot of blood. He woke up after you ran away from that horrible place. He killed your friends in anger before Fren noticed he had awakened. My mate was not nice as he took his soul and cast him away.”

“Where did you send his soul?” Siobhan asked.

“He didn't take it from his body yet, we have him in a dark place. My mate insisted we have him chained for you until you were able to see him again. He is in there.” Mora said as she pointed her muzzle to a large cave to her right.

I recognized it by the atmosphere around it.

“The Cave of Sorrows. That is even cruel by my account my Creators.” I said.

“Yes it is, but I put him there so he could not escape the truth to what he had done. He deserves every bit of what those voices say to him. I have no doubt he has almost gone mad. Of course he has eaten everyday since he was put there but he has only gotten the kills of a murderer, when he sees the small rabbits he gets for lunch he screams because at first he thinks we throw the bodies of his children at him. But after a while he notices the difference. You may go visit him, but when you get back we would like to hear what you think should be done to him.” Fren said.

“I will tell you when I have decided, my lord. Come on guys let us go see this traitor to his own kind.” Siobhan said and we walked to the cave.

“Wait,” Mora called and came to us with small necklaces that had white ivory pendants that looked like a small flame. “Wear this and you won't hear any voices that will torment you.”

“But we haven't killed anyone.” Seth said.

“I know, but voices of your friends and family that have passed away in the past may torment you if you enter, these necklaces were forged with protective spells in the flames of Fren's blacksmith's fire. He makes all our special gifts if we need him to.” She explained as she put a necklace on each of our necks.

“Thank you.” We said as we turned to enter the cave.

It was very dark, but after a few feet we saw small torches with blue flames. These flames were the shade of sorrow. The color was indescribable. As promised the voices didn't touch us. Not long after we entered we saw a door on the wall and beside it was plaque that read:

“Those who enter this wretched place shall look into the eyes of a soulless creature. Its past was full of sorrow that it caused and it is now cursed to hear the voices of the dead souls it killed...Enter if you wish...”

Siobhan sniffed and we all saw the tears. We nodded to the door and told it to open. It slowly creaked inward and the light of the torches got larger as the door opened. Laying in the center of the room was Carson. He was a pitiful sight. A single chain in the wall attached to a shackle on his ankle forever cursed him to stay in this room. His breathing was ragged as we watched him there.