The Darkside

Into the Shadow

"Octavia no!" Christen and Brain shouted as they tried to grab on to me, but it was too late: the darkness sucked us in. I held on to Dad tight as I chanted a spell, trying to get us out, but it didn't work: we were being taken to the shadow prison, but while we were still moving, Dad and I were separated by the whirling shadows surrounding us.

"Dad!" I shouted. "Octavia! Honey, I love you and your sisters. Please, try to get yourself out!" he yelled back. "I'll get us both out!" I said as Dad disappeared before my eyes. I ended up in a bare land with nothing but darkness.

Meanwhile, Christen and Brian hurried home to give the news to Melissa and Aunt Cassie. "No! Why didn't you save her? You can teleport; you could have pulled her out!" Melissa cried. "Don't you think we tried? We love Octavia, too, but we were too late. By the time we spotted her, she and your father were being sucked into the shadows," Christen said. "We know, Christen. Don't mind Melissa, she's just upset," Aunt Cassie said.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you," Melissa said. "Don't worry, all is forgiven. Now, let's try to come up with a plan to get Octavia back," Christen said. "Dad, too," Melissa replied. "Yes, him too, although he doesn't seem like someone who should be around you," Brian said. "We don't know the whole picture yet, do we?" Melissa asked. "Yes, let's keep an open mind," Aunt Cassie said.

"So, how do we get them back?" Melissa asked. "Well, first, we need to awaken Anastasia," Aunt Cassie said. "But she's mad at us, especially at Octavia. She will never help," Melissa said. "But Octavia wasn't the only one who was taken by the shadows now, was she?" Aunt Cassie asked. "Dad," Melissa said. "Yes, she'll help us, if not for Octavia's sake, at least for your father's sake," Aunt Cassie said. "But wouldn't she attack us when she awakens?" Melissa asked. "Yes, that's why we are going to heal the evil in her first. So let's get to it," Aunt Cassie said.

They went through the grimoire for a strong healing spell and decided to infuse two healing spells. As they stood over Anastasia and recited the healing spell, which they followed up with the awakening spell, she woke up looking around confused. "What happened, and why am I lying on the floor?" she asked. Aunt Cassie and Melissa explained to her what had transpired. "No...we have to help them," Anastasia said. "Yes, and we need to work together," Aunt Cassie replied.

They were going through the grimoire to find out about the shadows when Melissa heard a voice in her head. "Did you say something?" Melissa asked, turning towards Anastasia and Aunt Cassie. "No, did you?" Anastasia asked. "Wait, did you two hear that, too?" Aunt Cassie asked. "Yes, there was a voice. What's going on?" Melissa asked. "Octavia is trying to communicate. Let's hold hands and concentrate," Aunt Cassie said.

They did, and they could hear me as I said, "Dad and I are trapped in a shadow prison. We got separated, but I am sure he's close. It's just bare land with nothing but darkness. Help us. Listen to my voice and I will lead you to us."

"Let's find out about this place. Melissa, keep in touch with Octavia while Anastasia and I look for any information on it," Aunt Cassie said. "They went through the grimoire and found out that there are hundreds of shadow prisons, one for each person—and that they're used to imprison people who have been cursed. It was also said that, if left there for long, the 'prisoner' would eventually turn into a Zadamazal: a person cursed to inadvertently poison every environment they set foot upon.

"Well, that explains the dead plants," Aunt Cassie said. "I can't believe Mom would do such a thing," Anastasia said. "Well, believe it, honey; a furious woman is capable of terrible things, while a furious witch, on the other hand, may just burn the whole world just to destroy one person." Aunt Cassie said. "But she even turned me dark because of her hate for my dad and my mom," Anastasia said with tears in her eyes. "That's what happens when love turns into hate. Now, let's see how we can get our family back," Aunt Cassie replied, touching Anastasia's hand.

They checked through all the spells and found one that opens a doorway to the Shadow Prison World. They called out to Melissa, Brian, and Christen and then began to recite, "Zadaxarian bozalawiz grinizaraz zoliovaza."

As they kept going, a doorway opened, sucking them all in.