Love & Deceit

Chapter 22: Wasteland

"Serona, as in the most tranquil serene city in existence...that Serona?!"

The solemn expression on his face was answer enough. I muttered a curse under my breath, taking in the barren landscape that has become Serona. God...This used to be the most beautiful place in the entirety of all the dimensions...

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I walked through the portal, James' hand in my own, being warmly greeted by an aroma that I could only describe as a coalescence of different flora. I looked around at the scenery, the pink trees, the chirping birds, the unicorns running off into the distance. I feel...peaceful. Which is a tough feat in my line of work. I could already feel the tension from my shoulders start to dissipate, and all I could think of, was snuggling with my beautiful fiancé under one of these trees that seemed to transcend anything I have seen throughout my entire existence. James must have noticed my expression.

"You look...lost in thought. Is everything okay?"

I smiled, turning my head slightly to give him a quick kiss. When I pulled back I stared adoringly into his deep blue eyes.

"Everything's perfect."

He smiled back at me.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

He looked off into the distance.

"There's Umumare."

"The Shaman?"

"Yes, he's an old family friend, and he's going to be keeping us perfectly serene during our visit here."

"Paradise awaits, my love."He said as he walked into the transcendent beauty that is Serona, taking me with him, hand in hand.

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"Raven!"

I shook my head, snapping out of my stupor at my brother's deep baritone.

"W-what?"

"I called your name like four times, where was your head?"

"No where important."

Matt looked like he was about to say something, when I swooped in.

"Anyways...what happened here?"

My brother gave me a dark determined look.

"What do you think happened?"

My eyes went wide as my brain put the pieces together.

"The Darkness..."

His solemn look was more than answer enough.

"We need to move, it's not safe here."

"The Darkness is gone, Matt. It's already ruined this place. But maybe we can find out where its next destination is."

"Let's get going then..."

So we started walking across the eerily barren landscape, death a lingering scent in the air, awaiting anything to jump out at us, to give us a clue as to where The Darkness went.

We walked for what seems like hours when we stumbled upon one of the Serona Shamans near death, sprawled out on the floor in a pool of crimson shaded blood. Oh my god...that's Umumare.

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"James, it's an honor as usual." Said Umumare, bowing deeply. Prompting my beautiful fiancé to bow as well.