Chapter 18 : A Bargain with Death
Elena felt a cold shiver run down her spine as she gazed at the swirling vortex of darkness before her. The air around her felt heavy and oppressive, like she was drowning in a sea of shadows. She took a deep breath and stepped forward, determined to face whatever lay beyond the portal.
As she crossed the threshold, she felt a sudden rush of wind and was nearly knocked off her feet. When she opened her eyes, she found herself standing in a vast, barren wasteland. The sky overhead was an endless expanse of dark clouds, and the only sound was the howling of the wind.
Elena took a few tentative steps forward, feeling her way through the darkness. She had no idea where she was or what she was looking for, but she knew that she had to keep moving forward. She had come too far to turn back now.
After what felt like hours of wandering, Elena spotted a figure in the distance. As she got closer, she realized that it was Death himself, his bony fingers wrapped around a scythe that glinted ominously in the dim light.
"Ah, little Elena," Death said in a raspy voice. "I have been expecting you."
Elena felt a chill run down her spine as she gazed into the empty sockets where Death's eyes should have been. She knew that he was a powerful being, one not to be trifled with.
"What do you want from me?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Death chuckled, the sound sending shivers down her spine. "I have a proposition for you, little one. You see, I have been watching your journey with great interest. You have proven yourself to be quite resourceful and determined. I believe that you could be a valuable asset to me."
Elena frowned, unsure of what Death was getting at. "What do you mean?"
"I am in need of an apprentice," Death said. "Someone to help me collect the souls of the living and guide them to the afterlife. I believe that you have the potential to be that apprentice."
Elena's eyes widened in shock. She had no desire to become the servant of Death, to spend eternity collecting the souls of the departed. But she knew that she couldn't simply refuse his offer.
"What's in it for me?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Death smiled, revealing rows of sharp, gleaming teeth. "Power, my dear. Immortality. The ability to travel between worlds at will. All this and more could be yours, if you agree to become my apprentice."
Elena hesitated, her mind racing. She knew that making a deal with Death was dangerous, but she also knew that she couldn't defeat the Baba Yaga alone. Perhaps if she accepted Death's offer, she could gain the power she needed to save her sister and defeat the witch.
"All right," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll be your apprentice."
Death's grin widened, and he extended a bony hand. Elena tentatively reached out and shook it, feeling a chill run down her spine.
"Excellent," Death said. "We have a deal. Now, let us return to the mortal realm. There is much work to be done."
And with that, Death raised his scythe and sliced open a portal in the darkness. Elena followed him through, her heart heavy with dread at what she had just agreed to. But she knew that there was no turning back now.