“Alice?” I whisper. There’s no response. “Alice, is that you?” I say, a little louder this time.
Before I have time to react to the silence, silhouettes of women form out of the misty air and surrounding space. Wispy shadows swirling around like playful spirits emerge from everywhere. They twirl about as if they are dancing with a soul that doesn’t exist, making their way down the dark tunnel, which reminds me of my dream. A dream I had when I was twelve years old, but is still vivid in my mind.
I gasp for air. Blood feels as if it's leaving my body, and I tense.
Have I died?
Did we get lost in the blizzard and I am actually gone?Am I a spirit dancing along these walls?
“Serene…” A soft voice echoes in the darkness.
I don’t move. I stay still and firm, my chest rising and falling while my palms turn sweaty.
“Serene… you must come my way,Serene,” the woman’s voice resounds into my ears.
As my name repeats in the dark tunnel, I force my legs to move toward the voice. My body moves even though my mind screams to run back. My eyes begin to darken, the world around me vanishing.The worries of my sister fade from the calmness of this voice, and the concerns for Alice being left behind deteriorate. I mindlessly follow the sound, which strengthens with every step I take, and watch the dancing shadows.
The glow from the stalagmites brightens my walk into the dark tunnel, allowing my eyes to wander on this unpredictable journey. They change to emit a soft, golden light that illuminates the tunnel, casting a warm glow on everything in sight. A far off light source at the end of the tunnel is now in sight, which casts more dancing shadows before me as if they are inviting me forward.
As I approach the end, my heart pounds in my chest with anticipation. I should be afraid, yet,I am not. The voice is now so close that my skin tickles like a warm breath radiating on my skin. But once I reach the end of the tunnel, the voice instantly stops.
Everything goes quiet.
My mind seems both at peace and invigorated at the same time now that the silence has returned. When I finally step into what seems like a massive room carved out of rock, I can’t believe my eyes. I bite my bottom lip, trying to feel any sort of pain to make sure I am alive.
That I am here, truly witnessing what is before me.
This hollow is covered in thousands of shimmering crystals that sparkle with an iridescent glow. The hues radiate like stars, as if a rainbow has kissed every inch of the stones. My eyes drift to my hands, catching the lights flickering across my skin. The voice that lured me here was coming from somewhere deep within this chamber, a hauntingly beautiful melody with the sounds of my name echoing. The presence is fierce. The shadows have disappeared as well, but there is an uncomfortable sensation as ifI am not alone.
“Tilly?” I whisper out, half hoping she’ll pop out and say she’s been messing with me.
After no response, I conclude I’m the only one here. Tilly isn’t here.
Did she experience this?
Out of nowhere, a bright glow forms from the side of the wall, and there, beam five massive stones hovering over the ground. As they float, delicate tapping music bounces off each stone, creating an orchestra of their own. They are rotating around themselves like planets orbiting in their own solar system.
How is this even possible?I stumble backward, my heartbeat thudding loudly in my ears.
My hand reaches out to the stones, feeling heat radiate off of them.
I cannot scream. I cannot even talk. The oxygen feels as if it has left my lungs.
They emit various shades of deep hues and an illuminating energy that covers this underground ravine in an unearthly light of swirling patterns. My eyes flicker as the colors and light dance around in each stone, as if I could touch one and fall into a whole new world.
Is this the rumored treasure?
Reaching my hand towards one of the beaming stones, its mysterious presence consumes me completely. It steals my breath away while bringing tears that stream down my face.
After what feels like an eternity, my hand finally touches the fire stone.
And then I am gone.
Chapter 2
“The hunt is in your blood, remember who you are or the Realms shall fall into darkness.” - Book of Azure
A GASP ESCAPES MY LIPS as I jolt upright.
