Eternal

By the time we emerged from the woods, Marcus was already waiting for us and I saw him take a double look, as two figures approached him, fully emerged with flames. The only thing I struggled with was maintaining the mask of fire upon my face, but it was growing easier every time I tried.

“If it wasn’t for your ebony hair shining through, I would have had no idea that was you Unya, it’s incredible what you have managed to accomplish,” he stated, sounding completely in awe.

“This is nothing dear Marcus, this girl has remarkable talent, we are very lucky to have her on our side,” Replied Ishira. As we all fell into step and got ready for my demonstration.

Chapter Forty-One

Lawson

When I could finally open my eyes, I was met with utter darkness. The sin eater was gone, and I had no idea where I was or how to get out of there. I was utterly alone with no guide to show me the way.

I was not known as one to panic, but my doubts about this all being a trap began to resurface and I did not appreciate being left in the dark, both figuratively and literally.

I found my way to my feet and as I felt my way along the walls, I realised I couldn’t seem to find any trace of a door. I was just about to give up my search when a figure suddenly appeared before me shrouded in the blackest robe I had ever laid my eyes on, I had no idea who this mysterious person was, but I held myself high and refused to be intimidated, and then they began to talk in a musical voice that washed over me with an utter calmness I had never felt before.

“Dearest Lawson, I cannot begin to describe how pleased I am that you chose to seek me out, after all the lies Hades had fed you with, I had started to question if my prophecy about you would ever come to fruition. I know you have things you wish to ask me, but I would prefer not to have to stay in this dank cell any longer than necessary.”

She reached her hand out for me, and with only a few doubts in my mind I placed mine atop off hers and in moments we were standing in a luxurious living quarter. The walls were filled with many different kinds of jewels, with roman style lounges and modern-day sofas, there was a roaring fire, but with green and blue flames instead of the usual orange and red tones. There was food fit for a banquet and quartz for floors. I had no idea where I had been taken, but I had a sneaking suspicion I was no longer in either realm that I had familiarised myself with.

She guided me over to one of the sofas that was so soft, you could almost trick yourself into thinking that you were in fact sitting among the clouds, she then seated herself on a chair that was placed before me and removed her hood.

Her face was as pure and pale as porcelain, with platinum blonde hair that seemed to shimmer in the light. Her eyes were the colour of the brightest violet I had ever seen, and her voice never seemed to lose that musical tone it held. She retook my hand and held it clasped in between her much smaller ones and all I could do was continue to stare at the marvellous creature before me. She had a crystal blue gown on that started as a bodice and came out at the hips as it flowed down the rest of her body and seemed to shimmer just like the rest of her.

“My sweet Lawson, you have become so lost and have wandered from the path that had been set before you, but now I wonder if you had to go through all of those ordeals just so you could be led here. If you are willing to humour me for just a little while I will try to answer your questions, it has been so long since I have seen anyone else except for Maurice and he can only save me from loneliness so much.”

“I’m not sure what you expect me to do, but it seems a fair trade to me,” I replied as I tried to clear my mind of thoughts I should not have been thinking and reminded myself of why I was really there.

“All I ask is you share dinner with me, once we have finished you may ask all that is troubling you.”

How could I really argue with that, especially if she was as lonely as she led me to believe? So, I sat with her as we ate and tried to describe the earth that she had not seen in centuries and told her stories from my past when the times had seemed so much simpler than what they had become.

After we finished a meal fit for a king, we returned to our previous positions and she sat there and stared at me intently, obviously waiting for me to begin.

“What is the true prophecy regarding the ebony child? Is it really Unya? What will become of her? And finally, what really happened to Lilianna?”

She showed no signs of affect by my questions, except for her eyes dilating slightly and her breathing seemed to hitch for a moment.

“You have asked questions that cannot be answered in any simple way, as there is no conclusive answer except for those that have already passed. When I originally gave that prophecy to Hades, it had been against my will and because he forced my hand, I withheld certain pieces of information that could have been vital to him. To repeat the accurate words of my prophecy may confuse you and we do not have the time for me to explain what I have already said, so I will try and put it the best way I can.

Unya was always destined to be the chosen, if Hades had succeeded with his original plan with Mihaela then it could have been Arianna, but it was never meant to be that poor child. When the shadows took control of her, I was able to intercede, you see the shadow power had to be awakened, it was my doing but I could not prevent it. It had to be done, but when I offered her an out, she gladly took it. Her selfless actions paved the way for Unya to become what she needed to be. Unfortunately she was destined to always lead a hard and painful life until her eighteenth took, but I did not want Hades to corrupt her so I hid her identity from him, saying that I only knew it would happen and forfeiting I knew when that exact moment would come.

I did however tell him someone with your power would be the only one who could deliver her. Knowing he would choose you and I hoped you would not be too far gone to realise what it was you had to do and endure to make sure Hades would never be successful.

Unya will have great abilities that could destroy all of the gods, from those in Olympus to Hades himself. But she will lose her way and when that day comes, she could either end up dead from the hands of those above or a slave to Hades who will only use her for what she can do until she is no longer useful and then he too will end her life.

Unya could never be allowed to survive, especially once she proves just how capable she truly is. The only way to ensure her safety is to guarantee that she wipes the entire line out, of course others will take their place, that is unavoidable, but new blood needs to step in before this entire world is chewed up and destroyed.

As for your final question, I was able to get Maurice to let a few friends know of her near demise, if they had even been ten seconds late she never would have come back, after she did she was too weak

to go too you, by the time she was healed. Well you had already ended numerous lives and destroyed any hope in her heart she could still be with you. It took her a long time to move on from you Lawson, but eventually she found love again, only to have him nearly destroyed by yourself that night in Venom. I know you can reverse what you did to him so the healers would have a better chance at rejuvenating his poor devastated body. This must be done, if he dies, she will seek you out and will be your enemy for life. He was her husband Lawson and he is the one she was always supposed to be with. I know you loved her, and she loved you too, but it was never supposed to happen. You killed because you were hurting, but you took it out on the wrong ones. I will tell you who was responsible, but not until I have your word that you will not seek revenge.

I have an important job for you, that will take many great sacrifices on your part, but if you follow my instructions to the letter, then we may just have a fighting chance of ending Hades reign for good.

I know you have developed feelings for Unya as well and I will not tell you to ignore them, I honestly believe you should embrace what you feel, but you must also understand that you were not put on this earth to love, you are here for a purpose and maybe that in itself is greater than any love could ever be.”

I was utterly gobsmacked, and I think she appreciated it was a lot to take in, but I knew I had come too far to turn back now, and I gave my word that I would do as she asked of me.

“We must seal our deal on a kiss, do not break your vow Lawson, it would hold dire consequences if you did.”