Hellbound Heart

Chapter 395  Light and Darkness - Part 13

"As much as I want to keep her here a bit longer, Alicia needs to leave this world now, son," Kali said. She held both Alicia and Zeke's hands, and they could feel her hesitation, as if she didn't want to let go yet. But Kali's eyes were firm and full of conviction. She had the look of a mother willing to do anything to help her child, even if it meant parting forever.

"Alicia, my dear, please listen…" she began, gently pressing Alicia's hand. "I'm sorry that we don't have time left to even chat a bit longer. You have to get out of here as soon as possible. I will help you and Zeke cross dimensions. But once you two are there, Zeke will have to leave you behind. You will stay there until you're cured, while Zeke must return here immediately."

Alicia shifted her gaze to Zeke before she nodded at Kali. "I understand, Mother," she replied.

Kali smiled at her, lifting her hand to gently caress her cheek. "You will be cured and return to Zeke and Azriel, my dear. So be strong, always, and never give up."

Alicia closed her eyes, pressing her cheek against Kali's palm, savoring the warmth while she could. "I will… I promise, I will."

Kali's eyes shimmered with pride. "Good. Remember, no matter how dark it gets, there is always light waiting to guide you back. You have the strength within you to overcome anything, my child."

Alicia nodded, unable to speak due to the surge of emotion. They hugged once again. They all held on as if trying to imprint the moment into their memories. As they finally pulled apart, Kali nodded at Zeke, a silent communication passing between mother and son.

Zeke acknowledged his mother's gesture. He took a deep breath, steadying himself, and then stepped back, wrapping an arm around Alicia's shoulders.

Alicia and Zeke moved to the center of the altar and they watched as Kali began to perform the spell. Her movements were fluid and graceful, each gesture imbued with an ancient power. In that moment, she truly looked like the queen of darkness, her silhouette bathed in the ethereal dark glow of the altar, her dark, silky hair swirling around her like a living entity.

Kali's chant grew louder, the words resonating with a deep, melodic cadence that seemed to echo through the ruins. Shadows danced and twisted around her, as if responding to her call, creating a mesmerizing display of dark magic. Alicia could feel the power building.

As the spell intensified, the ground beneath them began to hum with a low, resonant vibration. Kali's eyes met Alicia's, and in that moment, Alicia saw a sense of fulfillment and peace in Kali's expression.

The dark magic swirled around them, forming a protective barrier as the portal began to materialize. Alicia could see the edges of the vortex, a swirling mass of darkness, growing clearer with each passing second. With a final, sweeping gesture, the spell concluded, and the portal solidified into a shimmering gateway. Zeke's grip on Alicia's hand tightened and when Alicia looked at him, she knew they needed to go now.

As they crossed the threshold, they looked back one last time. Kali stood there, her form still glowing with an otherworldly darkness. It was bittersweet. Even though Alicia had only just met Kali, not even an hour ago, the prospect of this being their last encounter filled her with a deep sense of sorrow. She already felt an ache in her heart, knowing she might never see this remarkable woman again.

But Alicia understood. She knew that Kali had been waiting for this moment for so long. Alicia wished Kali could stay here a bit longer, perhaps until she could return, but she also knew that Kali deserved rest. She deserved to finally stop waiting and be free.

"Stay strong, my children," Kali's voice rang out. "And remember, love will always guide you back to each other."

Kali's eyes then met Alicia's. And in that moment, Alicia saw Kali's smile—a smile that made her heart lighten despite the surrounding darkness. It was a smile filled with gladness and love, an expression that conveyed so much without a single word. Kali looked genuinely happy, and that was more than enough for Alicia.

"Thank you, Mother," Alicia whispered. "I will never give up."

With those words, the darkness swallowed them and the world around them dissolved into a blur. …

Alicia opened her eyes and found herself alone in a soft bed. The spacious room was dim but utterly mystical, illuminated by the faint glow of what seemed like enchanted lanterns. The air was filled with a soothing fragrance, like a mix of lavender and something otherworldly.

Slowly, she rose from the bed, the plush blankets sliding off her as she moved. Her feet touched the cool, polished stone floor, and she headed towards the large window that dominated one side of the room. She drew back the heavy, velvet curtains, and the sight that greeted her took her breath away. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Her lips parted in awe as she gazed outside. She was inside a massive castle. Beyond the window, a dark landscape stretched out before her, unlike anything she had ever seen. It was dark, but it was a darkness filled with beauty and wonder. A gleaming blue river wound its way through the dark valley below, its waters sparkling like liquid blue sapphire.

Scattered across the landscape were houses and small castles, their windows glowing softly in the dimness. The entire place seemed to be alive with a subdued, magical energy, bustling and lively despite the darkness. She felt as if she had stepped into a dream, a place out of a fairy tale, where anything was possible.

Where was she? This was definitely the place where she would be cured, right?

She did not expect this. She thought she'd be brought to another desolate world but this one was literally a dark paradise! This realm looked peaceful and thriving, but Alicia knew she needed to learn more about this place to be sure of its safety. Because there was only one thing she was certain of right now: she was going to meet someone very strong, someone who could help her. The Light Queen named Evielyn, Gavriel's wife.