chapter 21 - Into The Unknown

Henry's comprehension deepened as he grasped the concept. "I see now. So that's why I didn't sense any permanent change in my abilities."

The old man paused, his gaze flickering with a hint of concern. "Time is of the essence, my young friends. Tomorrow, during the full moon, is the ideal moment to enter the devil's world. But I must warn you, this is a perilous journey. I can't promise that you will return unscathed, or even alive."

Asher took a deep breath, determination gleaming in his eyes. "If we must face devils to reach Neverland, so be it. I carry the essence of a devil within me. Our decision is made; we're going."

Henry cautioned, "Let's not make this decision lightly. It's a matter of life and death."

Alexia interjected, her voice resolute, "Why hesitate, Henry? We can't wait our entire lives for the gate to appear."

Asher chimed in with a smirk, "She's got a point, Henry. You've got me by your side; I won't let you die."

Henry chuckled, shaking his head. "Damn you, Asher."

The old man observed their resolve and nodded. "I can see the decision has been made."

Asher confirmed, "Yes, it's settled. You start preparing what we need for tomorrow."

After their discussion, they returned to the guest house. Henry reminded them, "It's our third day here. Let's talk to the manager and see if we can stay another night. We'll pay for it."

Entering the guest house, Henry took the lead, addressing the manager politely. "Hello, I hope you are doing well."

The manager replied, "Hi, yes, I am fine. How can I help you?"

Henry explained, "We want to stay one more night here and we are willing to pay for it."

The manager considered for a moment, then responded, "You can stay. I can see it's your third day here, and you want to stay another night. It will cost you 6 shillings, 2 shillings per person."

Henry checked his wallet and realized they only had 5 shillings. He hesitated, then said, "Excuse me, but we only have 5 shillings."

The manager pondered for a moment and finally agreed, "Hmmm, okay, it's acceptable. I understand that you are warriors and may not have much money."

Grateful for the manager's understanding, Henry headed to their room, and they had dinner together.

The next day arrived, and it was almost midnight when they gathered with the old man. He asked, "Are you ready?"

They replied in unison, "Yes, we're ready."

The old man formed a circle around them and began reciting an incantation. After a while, he placed his hand on the ground and commanded, "Open."

Suddenly, a towering column of light enveloped the circle, piercing the night sky with its brilliance. They felt a powerful force tugging at them, and in the blink of an eye, they found themselves in a vast, dark space, surrounded by shimmering stars of all colours. They clung to each other's hands, disoriented yet resolute.

Then, as swiftly as they had been transported, they found themselves lying on a strange, dark terrain. The atmosphere felt oppressive, making it difficult to breathe.

Asher's voice broke the silence. "Are you guys okay?"

Alexia responded, her voice strained, "I'm alright, but this atmosphere is heavy, and breathing is a challenge."

Henry added, "Let's find some cover and assess our situation."

As they scanned their surroundings, they noticed that the ground beneath them was uneven, covered in an eerie, dimly glowing moss that provided some illumination. The sky above was a tapestry of swirling, otherworldly colours, casting an eerie and captivating glow on everything.

Asher examined a small, glowing stone he had brought with him. Its faint light revealed a treacherous landscape, with jagged rock formations in the distance and strange, twisting trees that seemed to defy gravity.

Alexia's grip on Asher's hand tightened as she whispered, "This place... It's unlike anything I've ever seen."

Asher squeezed her hand reassuringly, his eyes reflecting a mix of wonder and determination. "We're in this together, no matter where we are."

Henry, ever the strategist, pointed to a nearby rocky outcrop. "Let's head for that cover. It might provide some protection from this oppressive atmosphere."

As they cautiously made their way towards the rocks, they couldn't help but feel the weight of their decision. The path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty, and the true nature of the devil's world remained a mystery they were determined to unravel.

As they ventured deeper into the cave, the faint light of a familiar glowing stone captured their attention – the very same stone they had encountered in the library.

Alexia's surprise was palpable. "Hey, that's the same stone we saw in the library, remember?"

Asher's recollection was swift. "Yes, I remember. So, that means someone took these stones from here."

Alexia pondered aloud, "Yeah, maybe. Anyway, how are we going to find a Shadow Lord?"

Henry, the voice of reason, chimed in, "Let's consult the scroll the old man gave us. He mentioned it would guide us."

Alexia couldn't shake a peculiar feeling. "Speaking of the old man, his eerie smile during

That circle ceremony still haunts me. I can't fathom his purpose."

Henry tried to rationalize, "Well, we can't know for certain. Let's delve into the scroll."

With anticipation, Henry unfurled the scroll and began to read aloud: "As you embark into the Devil's world, anticipate desolation. There will be no immediate presence. But heed this: during every full moon, all the devils convene in one place, obedient to the will of the Shadow Lords. Your mission is to locate a sizable castle nearby, one that will stand uninhabited. Enter it boldly, for you will find it devoid of life. Proceed to the throne room – that is your path to encountering a Shadow Lord. I shall reopen the portal in precisely 7 days. Bear in mind, these 7 days in your earthly realm will fleet as a mere 3 days in the realm of the Devils. Return to the precise spot where you initially arrived. Farewell."

Asher couldn't contain his curiosity. "How did the old man possess such knowledge?"

Alexia provided a reasonable hypothesis. "Perhaps he has traversed these lands before, or he knew someone who had."

Asher concurred, "Hmm, perhaps. Well, there's no point in delaying further. Let's press on."

Exiting the cave, Asher held the fragment of the glowing stone, casting a dim luminescence upon the murky landscape. They wandered through the eerie night, navigating its darkness and mystery. Eventually, their eager eyes spotted a colossal castle looming in the distance.

Asher's enthusiasm spilled over. "Look, there it is!"

Their excitement surged, hastening their steps as they entered an abandoned town. The decaying wooden houses, shrouded in darkness, sent shivers down their spines. Once again, Alexia found herself instinctively clutching Asher's arm, her apprehension betraying her.

Internally, she questioned her actions. "What are you doing, Alexia? Fear should have no hold over you. Why am I holding his hand?" A voice within her seemed to answer without her consent, "Because it wants to be near him."

Abruptly, she shook her head to clear her thoughts. "Damn it, Alexia, what's happening to you? This isn't like you."

Asher, observant of her behaviour, voiced his concern. "Are you alright? What's on your mind?"

Alexia refocused. "Wh-what? Oh, nothing. I'm fine."

Henry, growing impatient, interjected, "If your romantic interlude is over, can we proceed?"

Asher, a hint of irritation masking his amusement, responded with a smirk, "I'll fill you in later, Henry. Hehe."

After traversing the eerie landscape for a while, they arrived at the grand entrance of the colossal castle. Its four towering pillars seemed to stretch impossibly high, and the entrance gate itself was a lavish display of gold and diamonds.

Upon crossing the threshold, they found themselves in an expansive, desolate hallway. The bats, their dark forms weaving through the silence, were the sole signs of life in this eerie place.

The throne lay on the veranda, commanding attention with its grandeur. It was a massive piece of dark wood, imposing in its size and design. The seat was adorned with plush, red royal velvet, inviting anyone to sit and revel in its comfort. In front of the throne, a row of seats stretched out, accommodating more than fifty people at once.

Asher contemplated their next move. "Let's find a hiding place. When he arrives, we can reveal ourselves. We can't take any risks. It's unlikely that he'll greet us with open arms; we are intruders here. We need to be exceedingly cautious. I can't shake this feeling that entering this castle was a mistake."

Henry agreed, "True, we can't just waltz in when all the devils are gathered."

Alexia interjected, trying to ease the tension, "Alright, let's put that aside for now and find a place to hide."

They located a room and settled in, preparing themselves for the imminent encounter with the Shadow Lord. The room was shrouded in darkness, and they sat in silence, waiting patiently for his arrival.

As time passed, the eerie stillness of the castle began to weigh on their nerves. Alexia, tired from their journey, couldn't help but succumb to sleep. She rested her head on Asher's shoulder, seeking solace in his presence.

While she slumbered peacefully, Asher and Henry became acutely aware of the sounds echoing through the castle. The hushed conversations of the arriving devils disrupted the prevailing silence. Footsteps, like distant thunder, reverberated through the grand halls, making their hearts race with apprehension.

The uncertainty of their situation pressed down on them as they waited in the shadows, every sound intensifying their unease. They exchanged wary glances, realizing that their confrontation with the Devil was drawing nearer, and they couldn't predict the outcome...