Page 87 of What Beats Within the Tunnels

I squint, trying to make out her features. “Ryella?” My voice wavers with uncertainty and hope. She responds by letting the shadows enveloping her dissipate, drawing nearer with every step.

I’m taken aback by her mesmerizing appearance. Cascading down her back, her hair is a fiery cascade of strawberry waves. A dusting of freckles decorates her face. But it’s her eyes that capture my attention the most – they’re a void, an endless abyss of black. No whites, no irises, an infinite swirling darkness.

“As I see, you’ve made contact with the sole dark grimoire. You seek the awakening of your magic before your nineteenth year, don’t you?” Ryella’s words are gentle but probing. I manage a nod, my voice eluding me.

“Do you truly think you’re prepared to harness such might?” Her obsidian eyes penetrate mine, probing for truth.

“I have to be ready,” I reply, determined not to avert my gaze.

“Follow me,” she instructs. We walk together, surrounded by plants, each more captivating than the last, all possessing a potent mix of beauty and danger.

Eventually, we approach a gazebo, distinguished by its unique pillars—carved figures of a serpent, an eagle, and another creature I can’t quite identify but am sure I wouldn’t want to encounter. The heart of the gazebo doesn’t feature a typical fountain but one that seems to flow with pure, shifting shadows.

Ryella takes a seat, gesturing for me to join her. The situation feels surreal, but I move to sit beside her.

“Dark magic wasn’t born from wickedness. It was humans who tainted its reputation,” she muses, watching the dark tendrils weave around her fingers.

“I think they’re scared of what they can’t grasp,” I observe, intrigued by the shadows that move as if they have a life of their own.

“I have limited time. Staying separated from your body for too long could have consequences,” she warns. I simply nod, bracing myself for what’s to come. “Since my time on Earth, numerous dark Sorcerers have arisen. All of them, unfortunately, were overwhelmed by the very power they sought to control, leading to their undoing,” she reflects, a weight of countless ages behind her words. The unsettling sensation in my chest deepens. “This magic won’t inherently be evil, nor wholly good. Instead, it will mirror the essence of its wielder – your innermost nature.”

Her words strike a chord in me, reminding me of something I’d read in Drew’s book about the last dark Sorcerer and the Luminary Council. “While dark magic isn’t malevolent by nature, it’s compelling and yearns for dominance. Yet such desires aren’t detrimental if harnessed correctly,” she continues.

Desperate for guidance, I ask, “But how will I discern the right way to harness it?”

“You are special, Lyra. The light will be your salvation,” she says.

“The prophecy?” I ask, voice tinged with anticipation.

“Do you ever wonder where prophecies come from?” she begins, her eyes deep pools I can’t look away from, “They’re either the dreams of the gods or mere superstitions crafted by mortals. In your case, I’ve dreamt of you for a very long time, Lyra Lewis.

“I must caution you. Your journey will not be an easy one. The dark magic will incessantly attempt to lure you in, seducing you with tantalizing promises of power and domination. There will be others too, who will try to ensnare you, coveting your unique abilities for their own ends. But take heart, for you won’t be contending with the shadows by yourself. Should you choose wisely and truly unite with the light bearer, a soul untouched by the relentless shadows, his illuminating presence will be your salvation. His unwavering light will empower you to resist the allure of the darkness, ensuring that your heart stays resolute and your motives remain untainted. For he is your destiny,” she declares.

I gulp, the weight of her words pressing down on me. “And if I fail, if I choose wrongly?” I venture, dreading her response but knowing I must face the truth.

“Should that happen, not only will you doom the one you’ve chosen, but you will also be your own downfall. The darkness will swallow you whole, and Eguina will be irrevocably altered, becoming unrecognizable. There’s so much more I’d like to share with you, but our time is running out. Are you prepared?” she asks.

I have a torrent of inquiries in my mind, but I muster the courage and utter, “Yes.”

She rises suddenly and moves to the fountain’s edge, motioning for me to follow. “Once you immerse your hands in this fountain of shadows, your dormant magic will manifest. You will inherit the wisdom and skills of past dark Sorcerers. With each passing day, your strength will flourish,” she intones, her voice rich.

As I hesitantly approach, she suddenly reaches for the pendant around my neck, pulling it free. My heart races, and I instinctively try to reclaim it. “It’s alright,” she soothes, holding the stone aloft. “You will become far more enduring than this mere trinket. Consider this my gift.” With a fluid motion, she casts the necklace into the swirling shadows below. “It’s only fitting that your pet partakes in your newfound strength. From now on, his fate will be intrinsically linked to yours.”

My fingers graze my bare neck, feeling its absence sharply. Chepi will now have a life tethered to mine, and perhaps even some unique powers of his own. As I begin to articulate my flood of questions, Ryella insists, “It’s time.”

I cast her a final, lingering glance, sensing an inexplicable bond with this enigmatic goddess. The urge to embrace her, to convey my gratitude, is strong, but the beckoning shadows of the fountain urge me on. Taking a deep breath, I plunge my hands into the engulfing darkness.

As soon as my hands plunge into the shadows, Ryella vanishes. Everything around me becomes intangible, leaving only the fountain and me in a void. The inky tendrils rush forth, enveloping my hands, climbing my arms, and then wrapping my entire being, leaving a chilling caress in their wake. As the fountain overflows, my body becomes a canvas of moving darkness.

Then a torrent of experiences engulfs me. It’s not merely witnessing the lives of past dark Sorcerers but inheriting their essence. I don’t watch from the sidelines; I live their moments after the awakening of their dark magic. I feel their triumphs, their tragedies, and their ultimate demises. With each memory, I am imbued with the understanding of harnessing this arcane power. It’s an education unlike any other, a lifetime of knowledge gifted in mere moments.

It’s a sensation that defies description, a profound merging of emotions, knowledge, and sheer power. It’s as if the universe has whispered its ancient secrets directly into my soul, leaving me both overwhelmed and enlightened. The weight of centuries and the wisdom of ages flood through me, making it impossible to articulate the depth and magnitude of what I’ve just experienced.

I take a sharp inhale, my eyes flying open to find myself cradled in Colton’s arms. “You’re awake. You’re okay,” he murmurs, his gaze locked onto mine. As I take in our surroundings, the vast chamber enveloping us, it feels as if everything has shifted. It’s as though I’m perceiving the world anew. The rich green of Colton’s eyes seems even more intense, every nuance of the cave stands out in stark detail, and the distant rumbling is punctuated by the delicate sound of dripping water from overhead stalactites. Everything feels heightened, more vivid.

Nyx suddenly pushes Colton aside, his glowing gray eyes scanning me intently. As I reach out, he draws me into a tight embrace. “Everything’s okay, Princess,” he murmurs soothingly. Even though I know this closeness might pain Colton, I take comfort in Nyx’s words. He’s my light, the one I am destined to be with.

Pulling back slightly, urgency tinges my voice. “Where’s Samael?”