《The World Between》


 Chapter 1 - A Different World

    This is the story of how a simple girl with an insatiable curiosity wound up in another world. Like Alice in Wonderland, her journey began by delving too deeply into the unknown. However, unlike Alice, she did not find herself in a whimsical land of fairy tales. Instead, she stumbled upon the World Between¡ªa dying realm caught between life and death.


    The World Between is a strange and somber place, akin to purgatory. It shares many of the same axioms and rules as the material world: there is gravity, and its inhabitants need to breathe, eat, and sleep. They possess no magical abilities and cannot defy the laws of nature. Yet, the stark difference lies in its atmosphere. The World Between is perpetually gray, overcast, and rain-soaked, shrouded in a cold mist that clings to everything. It is a mere shell of what it could have been, a once vibrant world now slowly decaying.


    On a cloudy, still day, within an overgrown, old gray-stone mansion that had long seen better days, Vre stood in a large room cluttered with sketches, books, and advanced technology. Her pale blonde hair framed her green eyes, which were fixed intently on the documents spread out before her. She wore a high-collared white jacket over a black bodysuit, complemented by black boots and gloves, her attire blending practicality with a hint of mystique. As she stared at the materials on the table, the dilapidated mansion around her seemed to hold its breath, waiting for what would come next.


    She took a brief moment to tear her eyes away from the papers and books and look out the window. The trees in the courtyard, with their pale leaves, were motionless and quiet, though she could hear the faint songs of small birds outside. Vre took a deep breath, her brow furrowing. Her research on the Abyssal Taint was not progressing as quickly as she had hoped, and she felt at a loss for what else to explore to gain a deeper understanding.


    In the beginning, when she had first arrived, she was drawn to learn everything she could about this enigmatic World Between. She remembered that day vividly, though it was not unlike any other. Her previous life was a distant memory, overshadowed by her new identity and purpose. She was Vre now, tasked with understanding and saving this dying world from the corruption that threatened to consume it¡ªa daunting mission, but not one she faced alone.


    The day she had arrived was marked by a wrong turn. She had been on her way home from work, having stayed late to resolve a technical issue for a high-ranking official. The main road to her home was closed, forcing her to take an unfamiliar route that led over a bridge. It was raining, and her car radio was malfunctioning. As she fumbled with the controls, a bright light suddenly pierced through her windshield, accompanied by a loud static from the speakers. She closed her eyes against the blinding light and, when she opened them, she found herself standing on a dirt road in a forest, her car and belongings nowhere in sight.


    She was disoriented but relieved to find she still had the clothes on her back, as it was cold and the rain was relentless. There was enough light for her to see her surroundings. Fighting off panic, she quickly assessed her situation. Two paths lay before her: one led deeper into the shadowy forest, offering no light, while the other led towards distant streetlights, glowing orange in the gloom. She checked herself over and, satisfied she was unharmed, pinched her arm to confirm she wasn''t dreaming. The pain assured her she was very much awake.


    "Alright," she whispered to herself, scanning the forest once more before setting off towards the streetlights.


    This was how she had come to the World Between. Reaching the streetlights, she found a tired-looking village comprised mostly of brick, wood, and stone houses. There were perhaps twenty houses in total, along with a larger building that appeared to be a church, and a bar from which she could hear the sounds of people.


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    This was how she met the people of Demure. She remembered the looks she received as she first entered the Bellisade, the local bar. Tired, gaunt-faced men had gone silent, and a few frazzled women also caught her eye. It was here she met Jonah, who quickly approached her when he realized she was new and in need of help. Jonah was a volunteer militia member for Demure and also the local preacher. He was a tawny-skinned man with broad arms and curly brown hair that lay like a shelf on his head.


    Jonah introduced her to many things, and she confided in him completely. It turned out that all the people in Demure had once led normal lives on Earth. They hailed from various backgrounds but now found themselves in the World Between, where everything was different. The population was sparse, with people living in scattered villages throughout the forest. The world outside was largely unexplored and fraught with danger, hence the need for a militia.


    Demure''s militia primarily focused on protecting against what the villagers called "the rain men." This phenomenon occurred when the rain no longer fell from the sky but instead began to rise from the ground, signaling the arrival of the rain men. These beings, phased in from another world, had half-rotted skin and lifeless gray eyes. They couldn''t be killed but could be slowed down¡ªdismembering them allowed others to escape. The first time Vre saw them, she was terrified.


    But the rain men were not the only danger. Legends spoke of passages between worlds, explaining how this place came to be known as the World Between. Initially blessed by gods, the world was corrupted by something known as the Abyssal Taint. The "taint," as it was commonly referred to, infected not only the world but also everyone living in it. Jonah told her that because she was here, she was tainted too. It meant there was something wrong with her and that she wasn¡¯t supposed to be here¡ªnone of them were¡ªbut they couldn''t leave. No one had found a way back, even though it was the World Between. Other beings came, but humans could not leave. At least, not that anyone had figured out yet.


    ¡°So if these other beings come here, why don¡¯t they help us?¡± she had asked Jonah. ¡°Why don¡¯t they help us leave?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s actually beneficial for them if we¡¯re here. We seem to keep this world from crumbling apart even more. So I don¡¯t think they want us to leave. Not like they¡¯d tell us that, though. They don¡¯t really talk much that I¡¯ve seen. They just pass through.¡±


    ¡°Weird,¡± she thought. ¡°And then, why a church? Are people here religious?¡±


    ¡°More or less,¡± Jonah nodded. ¡°Belief in God goes a long way when you¡¯re stranded in a strange, dark place. The beings that come here¡ªthey believe too. Sometimes I see them standing outside the chapel doors. The church is the only thing that seems to make them stop for a while and stay.¡±


    ¡°And you? Are you religious? Do you believe in God?¡±


    ¡°I do.¡± Jonah said firmly, though there was a darkness in his eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t before I came here, though. There was a man who convinced me years ago, who built the church before I got here. Saxon, was his name. He told me this world was built by the gods a long time ago and was meant to be a thoroughfare. As a way to travel. But I guess they got carried away, and one of the beings that came through brought with him the taint. They ain¡¯t supposed to let those kinds of beings in. There¡¯s all sorts, you see. Some of them seem like wardens, patrolling the place. The darker kinds need to be kept out, lest they spread the taint even more.¡±


    ¡°¡®Tis the same with what happened on earth, you know. People talk about the beginning of man, the original sin, right? The serpent in the garden. Are you familiar?¡±


    ¡°I am.¡± Vre nodded, wondering where he was going with this. ¡°The one who tricked Eve into eating the fruit, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. You remember what the fruit was?¡±


    ¡°The fruit of the knowledge of good and evil.¡±


    ¡°Right. He said humans would become like gods. And then we ate, and then the gods said, man is like us now. He can never come back to this garden nor eat of the tree of life, lest he live forever. So when we tasted that fruit, the one that taught us of evil, was when we opened our hearts to the taint. Corruption was able to spread in us, and now it takes root in our heart. The only place that doesn¡¯t have that corruption is that garden of the gods. Elysium.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember hearing any of that when I went to church, Jonah.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t sure if she believed him, but seeing no other way out and realizing she couldn¡¯t escape even if she tried, Vre offered to help. Technology was not a foreign concept here, and that was her area of expertise. They had electricity and gadgets that controlled running water and devices that measured ionic particles and weather anomalies. She offered to help maintain the technology in Demure, initially staying at the Bellisade. There were a few women who stayed there, too, so she didn¡¯t feel so out of place. But then she met Drake.

 Chapter 2 - The Mysterious Man

    Drake came in one night for a drink, and of all the people in Demure, he looked like he had the darkest story to tell. His face was moody and cold, and though he was not old, his peppered gray hair was unkempt and long. He wore nicer clothes than the rest of the villagers, though textiles and clothing options were not a major concern here. There was no shortage of fashion choices, something she later learned about through the village''s trade connections.


    The Bellisade was filled with low talk and murmurs, and the occasional clink of glasses as people gathered after another gray day of work. It had been about a week since Vre had first arrived. When she wasn¡¯t piecing together the history of this world or trying to understand it, she helped around the Bellisade, serving meals with the owner, a round woman named Sandra. It was Sandra who first pointed out Drake to Vre, her chubby white finger directed at the strange, gloomy man sitting at the bar.


    ¡°That man never comes in here much. He must be particularly lonely tonight to be all the way down here. He¡¯s a scientist, y¡¯see. Does all kinds of weird experiments in the north part of town. I never liked him much, but he looks like he needs a drink. You think you can take one to him? Your pretty smile might cheer him up.¡±


    ¡°I dunno about that,¡± Vre scoffed under her breath. But she didn''t mind being nice. She filled up a glass with lager and brought it over to the man Sandra had pointed out, setting it down before him with a smile.


    ¡°Hey there,¡± she greeted with a light, bubbly tone. ¡°I¡¯m new here, and I don¡¯t recognize you. What¡¯s your name? I¡¯m Vreja, or Vre for short. I just got here about six days ago.¡±


    Drake let his dark eyes travel over her in a manner that made Vre uncomfortable. His gaze lingered for too long on certain parts before finally meeting her eyes. ¡°Drake,¡± he gruffed, his voice like gravel as he pushed the straggles of hair from his eyes to see her better.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Drake,¡± Vre said professionally. Her blonde hair glinted in the dim light, as radiant and refreshing as the sun, which this world so rarely saw. She extended her hand in a good-natured manner, and after a moment, he slowly accepted. His skin was cold to the touch, and his fingers were as thin as bone. Vre didn¡¯t let it bother her and instead smiled. ¡°What¡¯s your story? Sandra said you don¡¯t come here much. Consider me intrigued. What do you do, Drake?¡±


    He took a long drink from the glass she had brought him, the taste of the beer lingering on his lips as he looked her over. ¡°I¡¯m an academic,¡± he said finally, in barely more than a whisper. Maybe he wasn¡¯t used to conversing, she thought. But he continued, ¡°I consider myself a scholar of the particular nuances of the World Between. I¡¯ve been studying the beings that come and go, and the nature of this world as a whole.¡±


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    ¡°Really?¡± Vre was genuinely intrigued. Most of the people she had met in Demure didn¡¯t seem very interested in the beings. She herself had only caught a glimpse of one, perhaps, during her first week here. She had seen a glimmer of light through the trees one day, in the shape of what could have been a man. But nothing concrete. ¡°I¡¯ve heard people talk about these beings, Drake, but no one seems to know much about them or to care. People keep to themselves. But you know about them?¡±


    ¡°Aye,¡± he nodded slowly. ¡°You can¡¯t be surprised, though, right? It was the same on Earth. These beings surround us all the time, but people can¡¯t be bothered. It takes a very sensitive soul to see these things on Earth. But here, they¡¯re plain as day. Yet, people still don¡¯t care. It¡¯s always been that way. The spiritual and the divine don¡¯t mix well with the mortal dust shells that we are.¡±


    ¡°Dust shell?¡± She thought about it, then shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of a meat prison or a bag of bones before. Dust shells are new.¡±


    He scoffed. ¡°You know what I mean. We¡¯re flesh and blood and a tiny drop of spirit. Consider these beings to be the opposite ratio¡ªmostly spirit, with a tiny drop of flesh and blood. Depends on the being, though¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d love to learn more about them,¡± she smiled. ¡°I¡¯ve always been interested in that kind of stuff. I used to want to pursue it, to dedicate my life to spirituality and figure out the mysteries of the universe. But then I got a job. Got a house. A¡­¡±


    She trailed off when she was about to say ¡®boyfriend.¡¯ It had been nearly a week since she¡¯d talked to Liam, and she didn¡¯t know if she¡¯d ever see him again. She was mixed up with all sorts of feelings about that.


    ¡°Anyway, I¡¯d really love to learn more. Would you be up for talking about it sometime?¡±


    Drake studied her again as the sound of the room quieted down. People were starting to head out, and Sandra and the other girls were beginning to clean up.


    ¡°Actually, I have a better way for you to learn if you are sincere about your desire to know more.¡± He finished his drink with a large swig, watching her.


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°I could use your help. I live in the northern part of town, where some of the houses are abandoned due to the lack of people to maintain them. I needed a large establishment to conduct my research... and experiments. There are things I can do alone, but many tasks would benefit greatly from having two extra hands. You seem like a capable and bright young woman. If you are agreeable, my house is plenty large enough for the two of us. You could stay with me and help with my research. Unless, of course, you are happy here.¡± He glanced around again, not without a smidge of judgment.


    Vre thought about it for a moment, also looking around. She wasn¡¯t overly bonded to this place, but the women had been kind, and she got to see the people of Demure fairly often. But on the other hand, she did want to know more. If she was stuck in this strange, gray world, then she didn¡¯t want to just sit idly by. This might be a good chance for her, even if it meant partnering with this strange man she had just met.


    She met his gaze with an excited glimmer in her eye. ¡°Alright. I¡¯d love to help out. Where do I start?¡±


    Drake grinned, an uneven gesture that pulled his features into a weird slant. He grabbed a nearby napkin and took out a pen from his overcoat, scribbling a small map. He handed it to her.


    ¡°Bring your stuff and come by tomorrow. It¡¯s just me and Herb that live there¡ªHerb¡¯s my bird¡ªso bang loud on the door when you get there. I¡¯ll come let you in. I¡¯m excited to work with you, Vre.¡±


    She found herself smiling. ¡°Me too, Drake. Me too. See you tomorrow.¡±

 Chapter 3 - Forsaken Mansion

    ¡°I said you should offer him a drink, not go live with him.¡±


    Sandra, the Bellisade¡¯s bar owner, was leaning against the bar with her arms crossed, watching Vre who was fully dressed and standing by the front door. It was early morning, and the rustle of wind could be heard whipping against the door. It was not raining today, but the skies outside were as gray as ever and there was a bit of chill in the air.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s a good opportunity. You were very kind to take me in, Sandra, but I know you have your hands full already. You don¡¯t need another mooch living under your roof.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what the Bellisade is for, kid. I established it a long time ago ¡®cause we kept getting people stuck here in this world and we needed a place for people to go. You¡¯re not a bother. You can stay as long as you want.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re so kind.¡± Vre smiled. ¡°But it¡¯s not just being a bother¡­ I want to help more. If I¡¯m stuck here, I don¡¯t just want to just spend my days waiting on people who need liquor. I want to know why we¡¯re here. What secrets this place has. Maybe there¡¯s a way back. The beings that come here¡­ they don¡¯t stay here forever. There¡¯s got to be a way. Maybe we can figure something out.¡±


    Sandra sighed. ¡°Well, that¡¯d be nice, but you ain¡¯t the first that¡¯s tried. Still, I suppose it¡¯s not so bad. You¡¯ll be with Drake, that moody codger, but promise me you¡¯ll look out for yourself. This World Between ain¡¯t no place for a pretty young lady to be on her own and heaven forbid going to live with a strange old man. If he lays a hand on you, you let me know, okay? Just ''cause we¡¯re in this damned place doesn¡¯t mean he can be an animal.¡±


    Vre made a face but then laughed. ¡°That¡¯s a good point, but I guess I didn¡¯t get that impression from him,¡± she said, though she remembered the way he had looked at her initially. He had definitely made it obvious he saw her as a woman and hadn¡¯t minded what he saw. ¡°I¡¯ll keep my guard up. I have a boyfriend back home, and I haven¡¯t given up hope of seeing him again.¡±


    ¡°I hope you do see him again.¡± Sandra¡¯s voice belied a bit of sadness. ¡°I miss my husband. It¡¯s been twelve years for me. Dunno if he¡¯d even remember me.¡±


    Something softened in Vre¡¯s expression, and her lips went tight. ¡°That¡¯s terrible.¡±


    They looked at each other for a moment, but Vre¡¯s decision was finalized. She walked over and gave Sandra a hug. Vre was of middle height, but Sandra was a small, circular woman and though she was a bit hard around the edges, she let Vre hug her happily.


    ¡°Well, come around and say hi sometimes, okay, kid? Bring that codger with you.¡±


    ¡°Is he really that old? He didn¡¯t look it.¡±


    ¡°I dunno. He¡¯s been here since I got here. He hasn¡¯t changed much.¡±


    Vre chuckled. ¡°Alright, well. I¡¯ll be going now. Thanks for taking me in, Sandra.¡±


    ¡°See ya, kid.¡±


    Once outside, it was windier than she had been expecting, and the thin, black jacket she wore did little to cut through the cold. She didn¡¯t know if this World Between had seasons yet, but it felt like the start of fall to her. She had only a small sack on her back, filled with a loaf of bread and a few pieces of fruit. She didn¡¯t have much to her name. The clothes she wore now had been left over at the Bellisade, specifically meant for new refugees like her. She had chosen black jeans, a white blouse, and a black jacket. She had her clothes from when she had first arrived, including the boots she had been wearing. Those boots had seen her through everything.


    She pulled the rough map that Drake had drawn out of her pocket and gripped it with both hands to protect it from the wind. It was a map of the town, and she assumed she was heading north toward the treeline that separated Demure from the large forest she had first appeared in. She hadn¡¯t been back to the forest since. But the map showed a path heading in this direction, veering to the left or west a little ways in.


    The streets were quiet. The only sounds were the breeze rustling through the distant trees and the cawing of crows. Vre wrapped her jacket tighter around herself and started walking.


    As she neared the treeline, the village seemed to fade into the background, replaced by the dense, foreboding forest. The path was narrow and overgrown, and she had to push aside branches and underbrush as she made her way deeper into the woods. The light dimmed as the canopy thickened, casting eerie shadows that danced in the corners of her vision.


    She followed the path according to the map, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The silence of the forest was broken only by the occasional snap of a twig underfoot and the rustle of leaves. After what felt like hours, but was probably only a short while, she reached a fork in the path. The map indicated she should take the left path, leading her toward Drake¡¯s mansion.


    The air grew colder as she continued, and she noticed the trees becoming more twisted and gnarled. Finally, through the thick foliage, she glimpsed the outline of a large, imposing structure¡ªthe mansion. It was a gray-stone building, ancient and in a state of disrepair, with ivy crawling up its walls and broken windows staring like empty eyes.


    She approached the front door, a massive wooden portal with rusted iron hinges. Taking a deep breath, she raised her hand and knocked loudly. The sound echoed through the empty halls inside, and she waited, shivering in the cold.


    After a few moments, the door creaked open, revealing Drake. He stood there, looking as moody and mysterious as ever, but with a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.


    ¡°Welcome, Vre,¡± he said, stepping aside to let her in. ¡°I¡¯m glad you decided to come.¡±


    Making measured eye contact with him, she nodded. Vre stepped into the dimly lit foyer, feeling a mixture of anticipation and unease.


    She had never been in a bonafide mansion before. Albeit, this one was in a sorry state. It was very dark inside, even through the large windows. Every corner seemed to harbor shadows and cobwebs, and the foyer, though large, was devoid of furniture or light, save for the gray glow from outside.


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    Drake closed the door with a heavy thud, turning to face her finally. He was wearing a long-tailed suit today, a dark green color with a plaid vest underneath. His speckled hair was combed neatly behind his ears, making him look a bit more sophisticated and less like the wild scientist he had appeared to be the night before. He stood a few inches taller than her, even with her boots on, and the shadowy atmosphere did nothing to soften his imposing presence.


    She was startlingly aware that she was alone with him. She hoped she hadn¡¯t made a mistake coming here, but she decided to give it her best shot.


    ¡°How are you, Drake?¡± She smiled easily, her light presence an anomaly in this dark place.


    ¡°I¡¯m good.¡± He did not smile in return but instead stepped past her, beginning to walk further in. ¡°I have been thinking a lot about what I would have you do when you arrived. To be honest, I was not sure if you would accept. But your curiosity seemed genuine, so I wanted to be prepared. It isn¡¯t often that I have¡­ visitors.¡±


    She followed him as he led her deeper into the mansion.


    There was something hauntingly beautiful about this old building, even in its state of disrepair. She could smell the must and dust in the air as they walked into a grand room with a huge staircase that led upstairs, branching halfway up to separate into the left and right wings of the house. On the ground floor, there were many doors¡ªa large archway to her immediate left led into what looked to be a sitting room, and numerous other closed doors with heavy handles lined the room. Upstairs, she could see hallways, more doors, and beautiful paintings that she couldn¡¯t wait to examine. She noticed there was one single light on, indicating there was electricity, at least. The mansion was breathtaking, and quiet. Peaceful and somber.


    Abruptly, she heard the scurry of little feet approaching. A small form darted out of the sitting room towards them.


    ¡°Bwak.¡± A full-sized black chicken scampered through the room and disappeared in an instant down one of the hallways. Drake did not seem perturbed in the slightest, but Vre was baffled.


    ¡°Was that¡­ Herb?¡±


    ¡°Aye. That was Herb. He¡¯s a little skittish, but he lives here too. You¡¯ll probably see him running around frequently.¡±


    Vre frowned. A chicken was not what she expected. ¡°...Aren¡¯t chickens female?¡±


    Drake gave her a look but didn¡¯t respond. He motioned for her to follow him behind the grand staircase and led her to what she guessed was an observatory room. She gasped when she saw the state of it. The windows were massive, taking up the entirety of the wall, though all she could see outside was an overgrown and tangled courtyard.


    Dominating the room was a large, intricately carved wooden table, strewn with an assortment of papers, sketches, and various scientific instruments. Surrounding the table were more bookshelves than she could count, each crammed with ancient tomes, modern textbooks, and handwritten journals. Some bookshelves even had glass cabinets, displaying delicate specimens in jars and peculiar artifacts that she could only imagine their origin.


    On one side of the room, a large chalkboard was covered with complex equations and diagrams, some of which seemed to merge scientific principles with arcane symbols. A few easels held detailed maps and star charts, while a nearby desk was cluttered with open books, a microscope, and various measuring tools.


    Technological devices, some larger than she was and some small, were scattered throughout the room. One corner housed a towering machine with blinking lights and a low hum, reminiscent of a mainframe computer but with modifications that made it look almost alive. Nearby, a collection of smaller gadgets lay neatly organized on a workbench¡ªsome with lenses, others with tiny gears and cogs, and a few that seemed to pulse with a faint, eerie glow.


    Hanging from the ceiling were several intricate mobiles made of metal and glass, their components spinning slowly and casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across the room. These seemed to be part art installation, part scientific instrument, perhaps designed to measure atmospheric conditions or cosmic energies. In another corner, a series of shelves held rows of vials and bottles filled with brightly colored liquids and strange powders, each carefully labeled in Drake¡¯s precise handwriting. A few of these substances emitted a soft, phosphorescent light, casting an otherworldly glow in the dim room.


    ¡°Wow,¡± Vre whispered. ¡°This is amazing.¡±


    ¡°This is my lab,¡± Drake explained. ¡°This is where I spend most of my time. I have a separate space in mind for you, but I wanted to at least show you the heart of where my research is. I don¡¯t mind if you come in here, but be cognizant and wary of everything. Do not touch things that you do not know what they do. Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fair,¡± Vre nodded. ¡°I¡¯m a beginner here. I don¡¯t need to be getting blown up or summoning demons accidentally.¡±


    Drake curled his lip in what could have been a smile. He began to show her around the lab, pointing everything out as he went.


    ¡°I mentioned that my primary focus is on understanding the different beings that frequent the World Between, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Many of the books I have collected here are my research on them, including where they are from and the stories they can tell. I¡¯ve been here for a long time, and it never ceases to amaze me how many different realms there are out there. Back on Earth, it was so easy to think our existence was the only one. That humans were alone¡­ we get so caught up in the mundane, material stuff that we don¡¯t even fathom the different states of being out there. But there is so much. And it¡¯s all¡­ twisted. All of ¡®em. Except for Elysium.¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯ve heard that mentioned before. But what is it?¡±


    ¡°The way I think about it is like Eden. It¡¯s the original God-made world. It is a land of no darkness at all.¡±


    ¡°Does such a place really exist?¡±


    ¡°Yes. But it¡¯s almost impossible to get to for people like you and me, when we carry taint in our hearts.¡±


    ¡°Ah, I heard about that too. Jonah mentioned it. What is the taint, exactly? Is it like sin?¡±


    ¡°Mmm¡­¡± Drake shook his head as he found a seat in one of the chairs that surrounded the great table. ¡°Not exactly. But that¡¯s what I¡¯d like you to focus on. I¡¯ve spent a lot of my time, and will continue to be researching these different beings and these worlds. But the taint has something about it too, and I wish I had more time to devote to it. If you¡¯re really interested in staying here and helping¡­ I think you should investigate the taint. It ain¡¯t sin. But I am convinced it is the reason this world is the way that it is. And the reason for darkness at all. If you can find a way to overcome the taint¡­ perhaps we could find a way to Elysium. For everyone.¡±


    Vre considered what he was saying. The absurdity of the situation was not lost on her, even under the gravity of what everything appeared to be. Under normal circumstances, she would never have dreamed of entering a different world where the skies were forever gray to investigate the very nature of evil with a strange scientist who lived in a mansion with a chicken. She glanced around at all of the furniture, the apparatuses, the tomes, and the books.


    A sprinkle of rain began to fall on the windows outside.


    ¡°I do want to know more,¡± she said, more to herself than to him. ¡°I don¡¯t want to just be on standby.¡±


    ¡°So then you¡¯ll do it?¡±


    ¡°Investigate the taint?¡± she said, ¡°Sure.¡± She felt a prickle of fear tickle the back of her neck as she said it. The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees.


    Drake looked at her squarely from where he sat, then nodded. ¡°Then let me show you to your room, and where you might be able to start learning.¡±

 Chapter 4 - The Taint and the Rain Men

    Another night settled over the mansion Vre had come to call her ¡®home-away-from-home,¡¯ its eerie silence broken only by the echo of her footsteps through the empty halls. She had settled into a routine of research and well-being, poring over distant, obscure texts and mysterious devices that defied her understanding in the dimly lit rooms.


    Drake was often absorbed in his own work, keeping to himself and leaving Vre to her thoughts. He didn¡¯t seem bothered in the least to keep his nose in books or tinker with his devices. Even with the occasional appearance of Herb, who would fill the lab with soft clucks, it did little to break the overwhelming silence.


    The weeks passed slowly. When she first came to stay with Drake, Vre had felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of living in a dilapidated old mansion and researching occult mysteries. The constant drizzle, the gray skies, and the solitude felt like something out of a dream. The reality, however, was that the research and silence were maddening. After the first few days, she found herself incredibly lonely. She often wondered about the people she had left behind¡ªher family, her friends, her boyfriend. Had they forgotten about her? Did they even know she was gone?


    She often sat in the windowsill of the old mansion, watching the leaves in the trees rustle. There was no one to see her here. No one to talk to. Just a world of gray, with denizens stuck here and beings who came and went.


    The mansion itself was a labyrinth of decaying grandeur. Once opulent rooms were now shrouded in dust and shadows, their former splendor hinted at by tattered curtains and broken chandeliers. Vre¡¯s bedroom, tucked away on the second floor, was sparsely furnished with a creaky four-poster bed and a rickety desk. Long, red curtains and tapestries hung on the wall. Every night, the wind howled through the cracked windows, making the old house groan and creak as if it were alive.


    Despite the loneliness, Vre threw herself into her research on the abyssal taint.


    She meticulously cataloged her findings, though progress was slow and often frustrating. Books contradicted each other, and very few referred to the origin of darkness explicitly as the taint. It was more complex than that; she found herself delving into many records on the history of creation, trying to pinpoint when things had become corrupted. Everything seemed to suggest that creation was good, that humans were good, but something had happened to make them sick with something that was not good. It was almost like digging through code, trying to find the trace of when a computer program turns into a virus.


    She learned a lot about the nature of man and spirits and different philosophies on existence. She delved into the mysteries of life, death, spirits, and the soul. She studied the distinctions between God and gods, understanding that the divine was not a single thing to be understood but a tapestry of different entities and realms. The gods went by many names¡ªElohim, Watchers, Devas, Asuras, Grigori¡ªthe list was endless. But even the gods believed in something higher, something out of reach. The unnamable, ineffable purity that creation was supposed to be¡­but was not.


    And on the flip side, the endless depth of horror from which the ¡®taint¡¯ supposedly originated.There were records of a place called the ¡®Abyss¡¯ as one of the worlds that connected to the World Between, but nothing on exactly what the Abyss was.


    And even as she learned about the abyssal taint, she had the thought¡­what could she even do about it? She was just a regular person. Even if she one day understood it, what could be done? And how could this ever help her get home?


    One night, overwhelmed by the isolation and the heavy thoughts swirling in her mind, Vre decided to leave the mansion and seek out the company of others. She informed Drake of her intention to go to the Bellisade, but he seemed indifferent, barely acknowledging her departure. With a sense of urgency, she made her way through the damp forest, the lightest of rain falling around her. Her trusty boots crunched on the dirt path, providing a comforting rhythm to her hurried steps.


    As she walked through Demure, she noticed the familiar sight of the chapel where Jonah often spent his time. She saw him standing outside, engaged in a conversation with what must have been one of the spiritual beings she had heard so much about, but had never seen up close. Instantly, she knew this figure was not human. The moment she tried to focus on its face, she was overwhelmed by an inexplicable wave of fear. It was as though the very essence of the being repelled her gaze, and she felt a blinding sensation even though no light emanated from it.


    The being was very tall, draped in white robes that seemed almost ethereal. It wasn¡¯t just its height that struck her, but the fact that it hovered about an inch off the ground, defying the natural laws of gravity. As she continued to watch in astonishment, the being lifted into the sky. It had no wings and made no sound, yet it ascended effortlessly, as if gravity held no sway over it. Vre stood frozen in awe, her mind struggling to process what she had just witnessed.


    Jonah, noticing her wide-eyed amazement, beckoned her over with a smile. His expression was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the otherworldly encounter she had just experienced.


    ¡°You look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost,¡± he said, his voice tinged with amusement.


    Vre approached him, her steps tentative. ¡°What was that?¡±


    ¡°That, my dear Vre, was an angel,¡± Jonah replied calmly. ¡°They are rare visitors here, but they come from time to time. Their presence is a reminder that there is still a connection to the divine, even in a place as dark as this.¡±


    "An angel? Why was it here? What do they want?¡±


    Jonah¡¯s smile faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. ¡°Angels come for many reasons. Sometimes they bring messages, other times they watch over us. They rarely intercede. They are beings of purity but they too can become corrupted if they aren''t careful. This one in particular was bringing a message about battles that are happening on the outskirts of the realm. It seems the enemy forces are gaining ground.¡±


    "Right. This world is a battleground, you mentioned. Well, I hope that is all far removed. I guess good of the angel though to come give us news."


    Jonah nodded. ¡°Where are you headed? Haven¡¯t seen you in a few days. You gettin¡¯ on okay?¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes, I¡¯m okay. I¡¯ve been trying to read everything I can get my hands on, Jonah, to understand where exactly we are and what the taint is and maybe how we can get home. But as much as I learn, there isn¡¯t anything tangible to do even if I understand that creation is corrupt and the taint is spreading. Did you know people before me tried to remove the taint by dissection before? That didn¡¯t work. It¡¯s not a physical thing by default. It¡¯s a spiritual thing. But nobody knows anything about the human spirit. It¡¯s all just talk.¡±


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Jonah smiled at her with a slight crease in his eyes. ¡°Holy books might be able to help you, there. Or even talking to an angel. But good luck getting them to sit still for more than a minute.¡±


    Jonah decided to accompany her to the Bellisade, but once at the door, he mentioned he had other business to attend to, so she went in by herself. The Bellisade was as familiar as ever, with the low drone of voices and the occasional shuffle of tableware being set down. She greeted Sandra, who bubbled over with a cheery smile, happy to see her and informed her that there was another refugee she had just taken in. She brought Vre over to meet him. A young man this time, who was standing behind the counter with a bewildered expression on his face.


    She imagined that had been her when she first came here, too. This man looked very nervous, perhaps in his early twenties. His hair was starting to thin and he had a splatter of freckles on his face. He had a wiry copper mustache and thin lips, and she learned his name was Norm. He was studying to be an accountant back in the material world. They made small talk for twenty minutes or so, and as she sat at the counter swigging from a tall bitter beer, she started to recognize just how lonely she really was. She was desperate for anyone¡¯s company.


    Talking to Norm made her heart hurt. He was nice and all, and she was sure he appreciated having someone to talk to, too¡­but it really just made her miss her home. She didn''t know how long it had been since she disappeared. She didn¡¯t know anything about what was happening back home. Was time still passing there? Were things at a standstill? Maybe this was all just a dream and she¡¯d wake up one day back at home with Liam, snuggled up in her warm bed, ready to return to work the next day.


    ¡°Do you remember what day it was when you came here? Like what date?¡± Vre asked him.


    ¡°Oh, yeah, sure. November 14th, 2024.¡±


    His answer made her stomach flip.


    ¡°I see. It was October 2nd when I came here. So that means¡­¡±


    ¡°Time still passes.¡± Norm said quietly, nodding. He had a drink in his hands but he had barely touched it.


    The rain continued to fall against the building outside, the sound of it beginning to pick up in intensity. The wind was starting to kick in. The mood around the Bellisade was beginning to shift, too. People were not talking as loudly as before. They glanced towards the door, their expressions on edge.


    Sandra gave her a serious look. ¡°Hey, girl. I think this might be one of them times. I think the rain men are coming. You might be wanting to get out of here.¡± She turned to Norm. ¡°You can stay with me. We¡¯ll need to head to the basement, though. The militia will be around to protect us if they sense them coming.¡±


    ¡°The rain men.¡± Vre swallowed deeply, steeling herself. She¡¯d only witnessed this phenomenon once in her time here thus far, and it was only for a brief moment. Those inhuman things that materialized when the rain started to fall backward from the earth.


    ¡°Do you think you can make it back to Drake¡¯s?¡± Sandra whispered, the tone in her voice urgent.


    ¡°I can.¡± Vre nodded, feeling the warmth of the liquid courage running through her as she downed the last of the beer with a swig. ¡°I¡¯ll be quick. I¡¯ll go now.¡±


    Sandra nodded. Vre, along with a throng of others who had picked up on now is the time to leave, headed towards the door. The rain outside was falling in thick, cold drops but at least it wasn¡¯t falling up.


    Everyone shuffled wordlessly out of the bar and into the streets, knowing that the best chance of survival was to get to a quiet place and lay low. Don¡¯t stay in a pack. Don¡¯t group together. When the rain fell up, you should be silent and pray they don¡¯t hear you.


    Vre pulled her jacket tighter around herself, the chill of the rain seeping into her bones as she hurried through the empty streets. The atmosphere was tense, and the distant rumble of thunder added to her growing sense of unease. She glanced back, seeing the other villagers dispersing in different directions, each seeking their own refuge. Rain stung her eyes and her feet slipped in the mud as she tried to walk fast. The light was very dim and the trees swayed ominously.


    As she neared the edge of the village, the rain began to intensify and the first signs of the unnatural phenomenon appeared. As she looked, droplets began hovering in the air, then slowly rising back toward the sky. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she forced herself to keep moving, her boots splashing through puddles as she made her way toward the mansion.


    The forest loomed ahead, dark and foreboding. Vre took a deep breath and plunged into the trees, following the familiar path that led to Drake¡¯s mansion. The rain was now falling upwards in earnest, and she could hear faint, unsettling whispers carried on the wind. She heard voices that sounded like moans. The trees seemed to close in around her, their twisted branches reaching out like grasping hands.


    Her pace quickened like her heart that was pounding in her chest. The mansion came into view, a hulking silhouette against the stormy sky. She reached the front door and pounded on it, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The very air around her seemed to be closing in.


    Drake opened the door almost immediately, his expression grim. ¡°Get inside, quickly,¡± he said, pulling her in by the arm and shutting the door behind her with a heavy, final thud.


    She stood in the foyer, dripping wet and shivering, but relieved to be away from the rising rain and the impending danger. ¡°The rain men... they¡¯re coming,¡± she managed to say between breaths.


    ¡°I know,¡± Drake replied, his eyes severe and his voice curt. ¡°We need to stay inside and keep quiet. They¡¯re drawn to noise and movement and you were making plenty of it. Follow me.¡±


    He led her through the darkened halls of the mansion, their footsteps echoing softly against the old wooden floors. They descended a narrow staircase that led to the basement, the air growing colder and more oppressive with each step.


    The basement was a maze of narrow corridors and storage rooms, filled with old furniture and forgotten relics. Drake guided her to a small, windowless room and motioned for her to stay by holding up one finger. ¡°Wait here,¡± he whispered. ¡°I¡¯ll be back. Just stay quiet.¡±


    ¡°Wait, you¡¯re leaving me here?¡±


    ¡°Yes. You don¡¯t know how to fight them, so you''re useless coming with me. You need to just stay here, wait for me to get back. I need to secure the doors to the outside. I won''t be long.¡±


    Vre didn¡¯t like the sound of that but she nodded, slightly enraged by his comments but the fear was more pronounced. She nodded. Drake disappeared into the shadows, his footsteps headed upstairs, leaving her alone. Fear thumped in her throat. She took in her surroundings slowly, her eyes adjusting to the shadows. The room was cluttered with boxes and old books, the air thick with dust. Thunder cracked from outside. She was not a moment too soon in getting back. She could hear the faint sound of the rain men above, their eerie moans sending shivers down her spine.


    The sound of the rain seemed quieter now, and she knew it was because it was not falling on the roof anymore but falling up. Just moans, the occasional rumble. She didn¡¯t hear any sounds of fighting.


    She waited for what felt like several minutes. Drake had not returned yet. She leaned against the far wall and ss she listened, she heard a faint, almost imperceptible noise coming from deeper within the basement. It took her a moment to realize what she was hearing was real--It sounded almost like the sound of wind passing through the hall. Was there a door open down here? She panicked, thinking maybe it would lead outside. That there would be a way in. She stood up, her heart racing, exiting the room she had been told to stay in and followed the sound down a dimly lit corridor.


    The sound grew louder and she realized what she was hearing was a whisper. It was coming from an ominous looking, white wood door at the end of the basement hall. The door was slightly ajar, revealing a pitch-black void beyond. Why was it so dark? Why was there a whisper? She felt a wave of dread wash over her, paralyzing her for a moment. But the whisper urged her on.


    She was close enough now that she finally understood what it was saying.


    If you want to understand the darkness, trust and proceed.


    ¡­Enter? No, no--her body stopped her just before the door. She couldn''t see anything inside of it. She could just close it. But something about staring into that darkness made her think something was staring back. She could still hear the unholy voices of the rain men outside the mansion. But whatever was in this room, inside this darkness¡­ that was something different entirely.


    Feeling like she could be sick with fear but summoning all her courage, Vre opened the door and stepped into the darkness. She felt around for a light switch but found nothing--the air was thick and cold, and she was immediately disoriented. She felt like she couldn¡¯t breathe, that every sense that she had was being drowned in the black. Immediately she regretted coming in here.


    But before she could leave, against every shred of her sanity, she felt something soft touch her right arm. It made her skin curl--she wanted to pass out, to scream, but she had chosen this--she had to accept the consequences.

 Chapter 5 - Xerith

    If there were no eternal consciousness in a man, if at the foundation of all there lay only a wildly seething power which writhing with obscure passions produced everything that is great and everything that is insignificant, if a bottomless void never satiated lay hidden beneath all--what then would life be but despair?


    "Fear and Trembling, the Sickness Unto Death" - Soren Kierkegaard


    Fear and curiosity had led Vre to step into the dark room she had found at the end of the hallway, beneath Drake¡¯s mansion. The rain men were most certainly still outside and Drake was nowhere to be found, but she¡¯d heard the whispers coming from this dark alcove beckoning to her and found herself unable to resist.


    The moment she entered the darkness she felt a touch on her arm, first from her forearm and then sliding to her shoulder with such gentle pressure it might have been mistaken for a cobweb. She couldn¡¯t see, but she could feel. And she could hear.


    ¡°Hi, Vre,¡± said a male voice, no longer a whisper but a deep, resonant sound that seemed to bleed through reality.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Vre whispered, her voice trembling in comparison.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I won¡¯t hurt you.¡±


    She stood perfectly still, her breath hitching in her throat. She felt another touch, this time on her cheek. The touch was gentle, almost reassuring, but it still sent a jolt of fear through her. Slowly, the darkness around her began to lift, just enough to reveal a faint, ethereal glow. The soft light outlined an extremely tall figure standing before her, his presence both imposing and otherworldly.


    Vre''s eyes widened as the figure became clearer. He had luminescent, light gray skin that seemed to drink in the darkness, and deep gold eyes pierced through the gloom, fixing on her with an intensity that was both unnerving and strangely comforting. His short, messy black hair framed a face that was as enigmatic as it was striking. He was wearing what looked to be a hard, leather armor outlined in gold with a high collar around his neck.


    But it was his jaw that truly struck fear into her heart. Darker than the rest of his face, the skin around his jaw stretched up to his ears looked more like smooth rubber than skin. It gave him the appearance of a nightmarish creature, sharp and wicked, with teeth that gleamed ominously. Though he was smiling, he was terrifying. His fingers were long, ending in points that seemed more like claws than human nails.


    ¡°Who are you? What are you?¡± Vre managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.


    ¡°I am Xerith,¡± he replied simply. His voice was like a low growl, vibrating through the air. ¡°You could say¡­Well, I suppose you could say I am a guardian, Vre.¡±


    She shuddered, not from cold, but from the sheer otherworldliness before her. ¡°A guardian... of what?¡±


    ¡°Of the balance,¡± Xerith answered, stepping closer. His presence was overwhelming, a mixture of menace and an inexplicable allure. ¡°Between light and darkness. Between order and chaos. Between life and the abyss.¡±


    Vre felt a chill run down her spine. ¡°Why are you here? Why do you know my name?¡±


    ¡°That is a good question indeed. I have been watching you for a very long time,¡± Xerith said, his golden eyes never leaving hers. ¡°And I have been waiting for the right time to make myself known to you, especially now in light of the threat of those creatures outside. You have been tasked with understanding the nature of darkness, right? Of evil. Of the taint that pervades, that seeps through the cracks. I can help you.¡±


    Perhaps it was the sheer shock, but she found herself saying, ¡°Do you think you could have chosen a better way to show yourself to me and offer to help besides luring me into a dark room?¡±


    To her surprise, Xerith laughed. ¡°Possibly. I could have appeared to you in a different way, perhaps in your room or while you were out walking through the woods. But there was a part of me that needed to know if you would choose to come to me if I called to you, despite your fear of the dark.¡±


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    He was smiling strangely at her. Affectionately, even.


    Vre frowned deeply, unnerved beyond measure at how close he was standing to her. This was her first real interaction with a being beyond, a being not from this world or hers or any that she knew of. Why here, why now? A guardian? What kind of a being was that? Her mind was flooded with questions, but he was right - perhaps if he could help against the rain men, and help her understand the taint she had been charged with researching, perhaps he was worth hearing out. She didn¡¯t know what alternatives she had, anyway. She could at least hear him out.


    But he was standing so close¡­ Like a viper in the darkness, daring her to ask more of him.


    Outside in the hallway, she heard her name being called frantically by Drake. She wondered how long he had been calling to her. She could hear his footstomps approaching--he must have been running down the hallway.


    Before he got here, Vre met Xerith¡¯s gaze fully with as much muster as she could gather. ¡°You said you¡¯d help me?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°And what is it you want in return?¡±


    ¡°The same thing as you, Vre. To help stop the taint from spreading further. There is an ebb and flow of things that must be maintained¡­but I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve seen and would agree, that the blemish of evil is everywhere and there isn¡¯t much light to be seen right now. Not just here¡­but in all worlds. The good side is losing the battle.¡± He wasn¡¯t smiling anymore when he said those words.


    ¡°Are you the good side?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± His eyes glittered. ¡°I¡¯m in between. My job is to maintain the balance. Nothing more.¡±


    Well, at least he was honest. He certainly didn¡¯t look like he would be one of the good guys. ¡°And how will you help me? Will you just¡­come with me? What were you thinking?¡±


    ¡°If that would be agreeable to you, that is what I was thinking, yes.¡± A thin smile crept back onto that monstrous grin of his. ¡°I would like nothing more than to accompany you while you are stuck here in this World Between. What do you say, Vre? Partners?¡±


    He extended his long, dangerous looking hand towards her though the darkness, lit only by the luminescence in his eyes.


    ¡°Vre!¡± She heard Drake shout again. ¡°Where are you!?¡±


    She quickly took Xerith¡¯s hand, sealing the agreement with a cold lump in her throat. She didn¡¯t know if she was being a fool or just totally dumb, as shaking hands with this creature felt like something that could end poorly, but she found herself drawn to him regardless.


    ¡°Sure.¡± She said, ¡°Partner.¡±


    And just like that, Xerith vanished just as Drake opened the door and the light from the hallway came flooding in. The room she was in was not so dark now, and was simply a storage room where old furniture had been collected. Vre glanced around frantically, still feeling the lingering touch of Xerith¡¯s hand on her own.


    ¡°What are you doing?!¡± Drake looked at her, bewildered. Drake¡¯s eyes were wide with alarm, and he grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her slightly. ¡°Vre, what were you thinking? The rain men are outside, it¡¯s not safe to wander off like this!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Vre stammered, her heart still racing from the encounter. ¡°I¡­ I thought I heard something.¡±


    Drake narrowed his eyes, his grip tightening for a moment before he let her go. ¡°This place can play tricks on you. Come on, we need to get to the safe room.¡±


    As he led her down the dimly lit corridors, Vre¡¯s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and questions. Xerith¡¯s presence still lingered in her mind, his words echoing in her ears. She glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting to see his luminescent eyes watching her from the shadows.


    They reached a small, reinforced room at the far end of the basement. Drake quickly secured the door behind them, bolting it shut with a heavy metal bar. The room was bare except for a few old chairs and a single lantern that cast a weak, flickering light.


    ¡°I secured the perimeter, but we should be safe here.¡± Drake said, his voice low and tense. ¡°The rain men usually pass by if they don¡¯t hear or see anything. We just need to stay quiet and wait.¡±


    Vre nodded, though she was hardly listening. She had so many questions, but now was not the time. She needed to focus on the immediate danger and trust that Xerith would reveal more in due time.


    The minutes stretched into what felt like hours as they sat in silence, the faint sounds of the rain men¡¯s moans drifting through the walls. Vre could feel the tension in the air, every creak and groan of the mansion amplified by the quiet. She stole a glance at Drake, who was staring at the door with a grim expression. His face looked particularly gaunt, and his hair was damp. She wondered if he¡¯d been outside.


    Finally, the eerie sounds began to fade, and the tension in the room eased slightly. Drake let out a slow breath, standing up and motioning for Vre to follow him.


    ¡°I think they¡¯ve moved on,¡± he said, unbolting the door. ¡°We should be safe to go back upstairs.¡±


    As they made their way back to the main part of the mansion, Drake turned to her, his expression stern. ¡°You need to be more careful, Vre. This world is full of dangers, and we can¡¯t afford to make mistakes.¡±


    ¡°I understand,¡± Vre replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. She thought about asking him about the guardians, but held off for now. ¡°I¡¯ll be more cautious.¡±


    Drake nodded, his gaze softening slightly. ¡°Good. Now, I¡¯m going to check the grounds. You should stay here--get cleaned up. You''re a muddy mess and your clothes are probably soaked through. The rain men should be gone now. I¡¯ll be outside if you need me.¡±


    Vre watched him walk off, his thin figure disappearing into the shadows of the mansion. She turned and made her way up the grand staircase to the second floor, the sound of the now gentle, normal sprinkle of rain drumming on the building outside.

 Chapter 6 - An Explanation

    Vre sat on the side of her bed, half tucked under the sheets, the weight of the night¡¯s events pressing heavily on her shoulders. Her encounter with Xerith, running from the rain men, seeing a real-life angel¡ªall of it had left her shaken. She had stripped herself of her normal clothes after taking a bath in the washroom down the hall. Now, she sat in a silky, long nightgown that was nearly as pale as her skin, her damp blonde hair falling in loose waves down her back.


    It was cold and it was late. Her room was dimly lit only by a single, ornate lamp beside the bed. The soft, golden light cast shadows that danced across the cracked-paint walls.


    Exhaustion tugged at her, but sleep felt elusive. How could she sleep with these oddities running through her head? Every time she closed her eyes, Xerith''s inhuman face loomed in her mind, his intense gaze haunting her thoughts. She had no idea what to make of him. Part of her wondered if it had even been real.


    ¡°Thinking of me?¡± A voice, deep and resonant, sent a shiver down her spine.


    Vre¡¯s eyes snapped open and she glanced around. Standing there, she saw his tall imposing figure leaning against the doorway that led to the hall. His luminescent skin cast an eerie glow, and his deep golden eyes pierced through the shadows, locking onto hers.


    ¡°Xerith. So you¡¯re real, then?¡± she breathed, her voice trembling with disbelief.


    ¡°Did you doubt, so soon, that you would see me again?¡± He smiled, his jaw making his features look lopsided. ¡°My apologies. I thought it too soon to explain myself to the man who lives here, so I decided to reconvene with you when you were alone again. May I come in?¡±


    She shifted in the bed nervously but nodded. She sat up a little taller in her bed but pulled the blankets over her legs.¡°Yes, you can come in.¡±


    He stepped closer, his footsteps making no sound, until he was beside her. He took a seat at the end of her bed where the mattress dipped slightly under his weight. The bed creaked. For a moment, they sat in silence, the air between them thick with unspoken words.


    Vre¡¯s heart pounded in her chest the more she looked at him. ¡°Why are you here, Xerith?¡±


    Xerith''s expression softened. His golden eyes were reflecting a peculiar mix of longing and sorrow. ¡°I know you have many questions, Vre, and I promised to help you understand the taint and the darkness that plagues this world. We will get to that. But there¡¯s something else you need to know, something that goes beyond this immediate threat.¡±


    She met his gaze, her curiosity apparent. ¡°What is it?¡±


    Xerith hesitated. She might have been imagining it, but he didn¡¯t appear to have that same confidence he had in their first encounter downstairs. This time he seemed a little restrained. Gently, he lightly brushed his long fingers against her hand. His touch was cold but not unpleasant. ¡°You and I¡­ Vre, we have met many times. You don¡¯t remember, but we¡¯ve known each other for a very long time.¡±


    She stared at him wordlessly for a long moment. Xerith seemed to be gauging her for her response, but she didn¡¯t know what response to give him. ¡°What do you mean? How is that possible?¡±


    He smiled. He reached for her again, this time to touch the side of her face but she shrunk back from him with a flinch. He instantly pulled his hand back and his smile diminished.


    ¡°Sorry. I¡¯m getting ahead of myself.¡± His face looked bitter. ¡°Vre. Would you allow me to tell you a story? About when we met for the first time.¡±


    ¡°Um. Sure?¡± She wasn¡¯t sure she believed him, but he began anyway.


    ¡°Long ago, before there were so many worlds and before the cosmos was spread so thin, the nature of things was simpler and more easy to define. The universe was like an eternal womb--full of potential but empty of anything real or alive. There were beings of spirit and beings of entropy, and different locations to house those beings. Cold places, like the maw and the Abyss and bright places, like Elysium. But these beings, these places were not made of anything you would recognize and not like man. Complicated man--who is not just spirit but matter, too.¡±


    ¡°One day, the Great Spirit--the big one, you know who I mean. Call it what you like, the cosmos has had many names for its creator, and from what I understand He¡¯s not particular--breathed life into this lifeless womb and since then, eons of changes, lives and stories have since taken place.¡±


    ¡°You and I were not around for this part. Technically, I came first. In the grand design of things I was fashioned to be a guardian, like I told you, to keep the entropy and the taint contained and away from this new material form of creation. There are many like me. We are not born--we are just made. Though I have a body here, I am mostly spirit in nature. If you cut me open, it doesn¡¯t matter. I can¡¯t physically die. But I can be corrupted and influenced. Long periods of guarding the abyss can do things to a person¡¯s soul no matter how stalwart one tries to be.¡±


    ¡°Sorry - I¡¯m getting off track.¡± He grinned slightly, ¡°I was made first, was my point. A spiritual guardian meant to keep the barrier intact. But humans have a way of wanting to know what is beyond their borders, even borders of reality--even if it hurts them. Just like when you walked into the darkness downstairs in the basement, you must have been afraid. But your curiosity spurred you on, didn¡¯t it? You might have died. It was the same so long ago. A curious little girl, covered in the dirt of the earth about to enter the darkest place she was not supposed to go. But she just had to know.¡± A corner of his mouth turned up briefly.


    ¡°I just happened to be there when you found the rift where the abyss and its taint was seeping through. Mankind was nothing at that point--hardly more than civilized animals. But you were just a little girl--rebellious and beautiful. You were a child so you could see the veil more easily. The abyss would have consumed you had I not stepped in. You were both scared and so brave. Yet when you saw me¡­¡± His face curved into a pained smile. ¡°You smiled at me. You were so bright and thankful. It took a mere second for me, for my entire existence and purpose, to go from just endlessly protecting against the taint to suddenly wanting to protect you.¡±


    Xerith paused, looking pained, his eyes glistening as he looked down at his hands. ¡°I feel like I am not doing this story justice, but that¡¯s okay. In this World Between, there is a way for you to get these memories back if you would like to. So that they are not just my memories anymore.¡±


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Vre was speechless. Of course she didn¡¯t remember any of that--it sounded like something completely made up, something fantastical. Was he saying that there was such a thing as previous lives? She could see the weight of the words he was saying, the burden he carried. But she didn¡¯t know if she could just believe him blindly. What if he was just trying to trick her?


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I understand.¡± She said, ¡°You said you met me when I was a child? In what...some kind of different life? I don¡¯t ever remember seeing you before. Are you saying that I have been¡­reborn?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly. A human body only lives once. But I mentioned you are both matter and spirit, did I not? Though your body may pass away, the spirit is eternal as long as it meets certain criteria. You have not always been Vre. Your personality, your genetics, your DNA and your body are not always the same. I have watched you be a child countless times. I have watched you grow, fall in love. Become old. It is all transient. Yet you keep returning to the material world for reasons that are unknown to me.¡±


    He looked thoughtful, but then a smirk suddenly grew on his face. ¡°Though I must confess, I do extremely like the body your spirit resides in now.¡±


    She gave him a confused look. ¡°What did you say?¡±


    ¡°I said, Vre,¡± Xerith slid closer, placing one of his large hands on her side and pinning the blankets beneath her. He leaned in, his breath a cool whisper against her skin. ¡°It has been a long time since I last saw you like this. As a young woman within my reach, so close I can touch you. You have no idea how badly I want to.¡±


    Her throat went completely dry, and heat flooded her face. She squirmed to get away from him, untangling herself from the sheets to stand up and stepped a few feet back. Standing there now in her nightgown, she wished she could cover herself more. She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling exposed. She felt like prey being watched by a predator, the way his gold eyes tracked her every move.


    The smile on his lips was playful, yet there was an intensity behind it. ¡°Sorry. Getting ahead of myself again, aren¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°I have a boyfriend,¡± she stammered, her voice barely more than a whisper. ¡°Back home. His name is Liam.¡±


    Xerith''s smile remained, though it seemed tinged with a hint of sadness. ¡°Yes, I know. You always were the loyal type.¡± He trailed off, his gaze distant for a moment as if lost in memories.


    Silence filled the room as they looked at each other, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily between them.


    ¡°You said there is a way for me to reclaim these¡­memories you¡¯re talking about?¡± she asked tentatively.


    Xerith nodded, still reclined on her bed. ¡°If you wish to, yes. Nothing is ever hidden from us completely. There¡¯s always a way to know the truth. I can help you.¡± He hesitated briefly, his golden eyes searching hers. ¡°And we can also help this World Between, if that is your wish.¡±


    Vre sighed, feeling the enormity of it all pressing down on her. ¡°When I first came here, the villagers really helped me get oriented. But no one really knows what to do here. We stay out of the way, we keep quiet and we just survive. They say things have been this way forever. It¡¯s no wonder people just spend their days drinking at the Bellisade. There isn¡¯t much to do. I¡¯ve been researching the taint alongside Drake, who¡¯s been interested in beings like you from other worlds, but I¡¯ve been struggling to figure out what¡¯s the point of doing that, too.¡±


    ¡°But that is the nature of this World Between, Vre. It is a crossroads for us spirits, but for your kind, it is a sort of prison. A purgatory you wind up in when you are listless and void of purpose.¡±


    ¡°What? Is that why I came here?¡± she asked, her voice tinged with frustration. ¡°Then how come no one can get back?¡±


    ¡°Because the way is sealed for humans. Your matter prevents it.¡± He smirked, the expression both charming and sad. ¡°Don¡¯t take this the wrong way, but you¡¯re too thick and too dense to pass through.¡±


    To her surprise, she smiled, amused by his bluntness. ¡°You don¡¯t say.¡±


    Xerith grinned and rose from the bed, walking closer to her. His height was imposing, a good head above hers, but this time he kept a respectful distance. ¡°It doesn¡¯t have to be that way, though. Like I said, nothing is impossible, and as someone who has guarded the veil for a long time, I happen to know many ways to help you return home. Even from the World Between.¡±


    ¡°You keep mentioning doing what I wish.¡± She shook her head, feeling a mix of confusion and hope. ¡°What about what you wish? I thought you wanted my help to seal up the taint?¡±


    ¡°I do. Guarding against the abyssal taint and keeping the balance is my duty. But I¡¯m also curious about your wishes, Vre, because having a desire and a wish is the first step to getting out of purgatory.¡±


    She felt something stir within her as she looked at him. Everything he told her was so fantastical and hard to believe, but as her eyes trailed over his bright eyes, his gray skin, his strange armor-like attire, his jaw, and his long hands, she found herself wanting to know more about him. A guardian who had watched over her for a long time¡­ It made her feel very small and insignificant just thinking about it. She still didn¡¯t know what she wanted.


    ¡°How do I get those memories back?¡± she asked in a small voice, barely more than a whisper. ¡°The ones where I would remember you?¡±


    Xerith¡¯s smile crept back on his face. ¡°We¡¯ll first need to leave Demure and the people you¡¯ve met here. The World Between is so much more than just this little dreary village. I can take you along the trade route, to the Silver Cathedral. We will need something that only they can give. A key, metaphorically, if you will. Once we have that, the secrets of the World Between will be more apparent.¡±


    Her head swam as he said more things that she had no idea about. She was still wary to trust him, but it was obvious he knew much more about everything here than she did, and if she wanted any chance of figuring this place out and returning home then he was certainly her best bet.


    ¡°Alright.¡± She nodded. ¡°Should we leave in the morning, then?¡±


    He nodded. ¡°Sure, we can. There isn¡¯t any significant rush to get there. It is just the first part. But don¡¯t let me keep you from resting¡­¡± He smirked, and extended his arm towards the bed to indicate she should return there.


    Vre frowned, looking at him seriously. ¡°And what will you do when I am resting?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know. What would you like me to do, my dear?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like you to give me some privacy and peace.¡± She said, a little strongly. But his playful antics were not something she was sure she could trust, especially when trying to sleep. There¡¯d be no way she¡¯d ever fall asleep with him hanging around here.


    The smile lingered on his face, but there was longing in his gold eyes. ¡°Of course, Vre. If you need me, don¡¯t hesitate to call on me. I can always hear you, no matter how far away, especially when you say my name. I hope you sleep well. I look forward to our journey tomorrow. It is quite the trek from here, so get some rest.¡±


    She nodded politely. ¡°Yes, I will. Thank you.¡± She fidgeted a bit with her hands. Shyly, she chanced a small smile at him. ¡°Goodnight, Xerith.¡±


    The light in his eyes intensified briefly, a warm glow in the darkness, before he vanished completely. Vre was left standing alone in the old bedroom, accompanied once again by the shadows cast on the walls and the creaking and blowing of the wind outside. She let out a long breath, her mind still racing with thoughts of Xerith and the journey that awaited them. Climbing back into bed, she pulled the covers tight around her, hoping for sleep to come.

 Chapter 7 - A Party Forms

    She wasn¡¯t certain how long it had taken her to fall asleep, but she eventually woke to the morning. She hadn¡¯t gotten great sleep, but instead had tossed fitfully and had woken several times. She felt anything but rested, but she was anxious now that morning was here to start on the journey to the Silver Cathedral that Xerith had mentioned last night.


    She slid out of bed and made her way quietly down the hall to the bathroom to get washed up. The hallway was dimly lit by the pale gray light filtering through the cracked windows, casting long shadows that danced across the faded wallpaper. The floorboards creaked softly under her feet, a testament to the mansion''s age and the many stories it held within its walls.


    Entering the bathroom, Vre was greeted by a space that, despite its wear and tear, still retained a certain old-world charm. The porcelain tub, claw-footed and slightly discolored with age, sat beneath a small, frosted window that allowed a sliver of morning light to stream in. She turned on the water, the old pipes groaning and creaking to life as the water splashed into the tub. After a long moment, the water finally grew hot enough to create a thin veil of steam, filling the room with warmth.


    Vre slipped into the tub, letting the hot water envelop her. She reached for one of the glass bottles of soap perched on the edge of the tub, the old-fashioned label faded but still legible. The soap''s fragrance, a blend of flowers and earth, filled the air, grounding her in the present moment. She lathered the soap in her hands and washed herself and her hair, the familiar ritual providing a sense of normalcy in an otherwise strange world.


    After cleaning herself, she stepped out of the tub and dried her body with a thin, worn towel. The fabric was rough against her skin but served its purpose. She wrapped the towel around herself and tip-toed back down the hall, her wet hair dripping slightly as she made her way back to her room to get dressed. The hallway felt even cooler now against her damp skin, the chill of the old mansion seeping into her bones.


    Black, tight pants hugged her legs, offering both comfort and mobility. She paired them with a white blouse featuring a delicate ruffle on the collar, the neckline slightly lower cut than what would be considered modest. Her trusty, well-worn boots, scuffed from countless journeys, completed the ensemble, and she pulled on a black jacket that hugged her form snugly. These simple clothes, though not too different from what she would have worn in the regular world, felt almost out of place in the eerie, timeless setting of the mansion.


    She glanced at herself in a tall, antique mirror in her bedroom after getting dressed. The mirror''s surface was slightly tarnished and cracked, but it still reflected her image clearly enough. Though it was still her face that looked back at her, she could see the loneliness in her own eyes, the weight of her isolation etched into her features.


    This world wasn¡¯t her home. She thought about Liam, her boyfriend back home. They¡¯d been dating so long she considered him more than just her boyfriend¡ªthey¡¯d been together for five years. While Vre was the quiet and curious one, Liam was charismatic and handsome. She pictured his wide smile, his beautiful teeth, and the way his warm brown eyes looked at her with a mix of affection and amusement. His presence had always been a comforting anchor in her life, a stark contrast to the unsettling uncertainty of the World Between


    She had been hoping one day they¡¯d get married. They¡¯d talked about it a few times, but Liam always said he wasn¡¯t ready. That was OK. She could wait.


    Her heart clenched when she thought about him now though. Was he waiting for her? Did he think something happened to her? Where was he, now?


    She shook her head rapidly to dispel the bad thoughts entering her head. She could feel her emotions rising and anxiety starting to creep in. No. She had to stay focused. It might be possible to leave this hell of a world now, with Xerith¡¯s help.


    After getting dressed, she made her way downstairs, finding Drake already in the kitchen, absorbed in his notes and books. The kitchen, like the rest of the mansion, had an air of faded grandeur. The once-polished wooden countertops were now worn and scratched, and the cabinets, though intricately carved, showed signs of age. A large, cast-iron stove dominated one corner of the room, its surface cluttered with various pots and pans. Herbs and dried flowers hung from the ceiling, their fragrant scents mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.


    In the center of the room stood a heavy wooden table, scarred from years of use, with papers, open books, and various scientific instruments strewn across it. Drake sat at the table, deeply engrossed in his work, a furrow of concentration on his brow. He had a pot of coffee already brewed, the rich, dark liquid filling the air with a comforting warmth. Vre walked over to the old, slightly chipped ceramic mugs hanging on a hook by the stove and selected one.


    As she poured herself a cup of coffee, the steam rising from the mug, Drake looked up from his notes, his expression curious. ¡°Morning, Vre,¡± he greeted, a hint of surprise in his voice. ¡°You seem... different today. You¡¯re washed up and dressed like you¡¯re leaving. Did you sleep well?¡±


    ¡°Morning, Drake,¡± Vre greeted, trying to sound casual. She hesitated for a moment, then decided to be straightforward. Drake¡¯s research was primarily on the other beings who came to the World Between, so he might be the best one to talk to about what happened. ¡°Yeah, I think I am going somewhere. I met someone last night. Someone... not from this world.¡±


    Drake raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. ¡°Oh? Who did you meet?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Before she could respond, Xerith materialized in the room beside her through tendrils of black smoke. His black armor glistened in the dim light, his black hair framing his striking gold eyes and that fearsome jaw and long fingers. The suddenness of his appearance made Vre jump, spilling some of the coffee she had just poured.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    ¡°Ah!¡± She yelped as some of the hot liquid hit her hand.


    Drake was startled too. He pushed back from the table, the chair he was sitting at screeching across the wood floor. He stood up, staring at Xerith hard. His eyes were scanning him from head to toe, assessing if he was a foe.


    ¡°Oh, Vre¡ª¡± Xerith was laughing to himself. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡ªI hope you didn¡¯t get burnt. Are you alright?¡±


    Initially fuming, she checked herself to make sure she didn¡¯t get any on her white blouse but after a moment chuckled and sighed. ¡°Oh, yes. I¡¯m alright. You¡¯re going to be nothing but trouble, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Who is this?¡± Drake asked warily.


    ¡°Sorry.¡± Vre turned to face him, holding the mug in her hand more tightly now. ¡°Drake, this is Xerith. I know this is sudden, but do you remember when you came to find me in the basement last night, when the rain men were outside? Well... Xerith was the reason you found me in that room. He¡­called me in there. I heard his voice. Long story short, he says there might be a way to get out of the World Between and possibly help the taint from spreading. He¡¯s a guardian. He says if we go to the Silver Cathedral, we can get some sort of key that will unlock more of the World Between.¡±


    ¡°He was in the mansion?¡±


    Vre tried to recall more of what Xerith had said. ¡°I can¡¯t say I understand it all, but I think it¡¯s worth a shot. He said he could help.¡±


    ¡°A guardian¡­?¡± Drake narrowed his gray eyes thoughtfully, and the atmosphere in the room grew tense.


    Xerith watched Drake calmly, a small smile on his face as he waited for Drake to size him up. He extended one of his long, dangerously curved hands towards Drake. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Drake. I¡¯ve been watching over this realm for a long time, and Vre has piqued my interest. I believe we can help each other.¡±


    Drake looked at Xerith''s extended hand, then back to his face, his eyes narrowed to slits. ¡°You may call yourself a guardian, but you can¡¯t fool me. You are covered in taint, Anunnaki. You are an abyss watcher. You are too close to the darkness to be trusted. Vre, I would be very, very careful around this being. If he is already lying to you by calling himself a ¡®guardian,¡¯ you can¡¯t be sure what his motives are.¡±


    Vre felt her heart drop. ¡°What?¡±


    Xerith made a deep noise in his throat, no longer smiling. He dropped his hand. ¡°Your understanding of my role is not unlike my own understanding, Sir Drake, no matter what you may call me. I would behoove you not to cast doubt on my intentions so quickly. I mean no ill will and am sincere in my desire to help.¡±


    Drake''s eyes remained sharp, filled with suspicion. ¡°I know what the Anunnaki are capable of. They are manipulators, beings who dwell too close to the Abyss. If you think I¡¯ll let Vre wander into the dark with you, you¡¯re mistaken.¡±


    Xerith¡¯s expression turned serious, his voice low and resonant. ¡°I understand your caution, Drake. It is wise. But know this¡ªI have guarded the veil against the Abyss for eons. Though I may guard against the darkness, my intentions are pure, and my commitment to maintaining the balance is unwavering. Vre is crucial in this fight against the spreading taint, and it is her choice if she will proceed into the darkness to learn more. She already chose to once. I, for my part, will protect her with my existence.¡±


    Drake looked between Vre and Xerith, his face a mix of concern and contemplation. Vre could see the wheels turning in his mind as he weighed his options. She felt a surge of determination, despite the confusion and fear gnawing at her.


    ¡°Drake, I need to do this,¡± she said, her voice steady. ¡°I need to find a way back home, and if Xerith can help me, I have to try. We can¡¯t stay here forever, just surviving.¡±


    Drake sighed heavily, running a hand through his long hair, slicking it back. ¡°Well, I can¡¯t stop you. I want that, too. But be cautious, Vre. The Anunnaki are ancient beings not from this world, or our world. Keep your guard up. And you, Xerith¡ªif you harm her in any way, I will find a way to end you no matter what you say you are.¡±


    Xerith nodded solemnly, as if in agreement. ¡°I understand your concern, Drake. Your mistrust is not unfounded. I swear on my existence, I will protect Vre.¡±


    Drake¡¯s tension seemed to ease just a fraction, but the wariness in his eyes remained. ¡°If you are unopposed, I would like to come with you. I have heard of this Silver Cathedral but never ventured there myself. Together with this Anunnaki, if he should really deem to help us, I believe we will be sufficiently guarded against the rain men should they resurface. We may do well to encounter the militiaman of Demure, too.¡±


    ¡°You mean Jonah?¡± Vre asked, surprised.


    ¡°Yes, I believe that was his name. He frequently deals with the celestial messengers who come from the Silver Cathedral and would be interested to know we are going there. He may be of assistance to us.¡±


    Xerith¡¯s eyes flickered with a dangerous intensity. ¡°You know, I offered to help Vre, but not you. And now the preacher man, too?¡±


    The tension in the room thickened, the air heavy with unspoken challenges. Vre watched the two men stare each other down, daggers in their eyes. Xerith stood tall and intimidating, his presence a blend of otherworldly power and menace, but Drake met his gaze unflinchingly, his stance unwavering.


    As Vre observed them, she couldn¡¯t help but recall Xerith from last night. The tender, playful demeanor he had shown in her room starkly contrasted with the rippling, almost palpable power emanating from him now. She much preferred the first version.


    Without a word, she reached out and gently touched Xerith¡¯s arm where the sleeve of his armor met his gray skin. The contact sent a jolt through her fingers, as if she were touching raw electricity. Instantly, she felt the intense energy he was exuding dissipate as he turned to face her, his eyes softening.


    ¡°Please, Xerith?¡± Vre met his gaze as fully as she could manage. Though Drake may not have been afraid of him, she still was. But not enough so to not reach out to him.


    The look in his eyes was unrecognizable then. He stared at her fully, eyes tracing over the details of her face. Then he smiled, a laugh escaping him with only a twinge of bitterness. ¡°If that¡¯s what you wish, Vre.¡±


    She smiled up at him, feeling a mix of gratitude and hope. ¡°Thank you.¡± Vre felt a sense of relief wash over her. With Drake and Xerith both on board, their chances of success seemed higher. ¡°Thank you, both of you. We should prepare and leave soon.¡±


    Drake nodded, though his wariness seemed to double after watching their interaction. His eyes flicked between her and Xerith, a mixture of concern and determination etched on his features. ¡°...Agreed. Let¡¯s gather what we need and find Jonah. The sooner we leave, the better.¡±

 Chapter 8 - A Party Forms Pt. II

    The morning air was thick with laden humidity, a testimony to last night¡¯s heavy rain. The sky was overcast, a blanket of gray clouds that seemed to press down on the world.


    Vre led the way toward the path that led from the mansion to Demure. It was a narrow and winding path, flanked by twisted trees whose bare branches reached out like skeletal hands. Few trees still had leaves remaining, especially after last night. The ground was damp from the recent rains, and the scent of earth and decay lingered in the air.


    ¡°You know,¡± Vre said, thinking of what had happened. ¡°I¡¯ve never actually seen a rain man.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to, if you can help it.¡± Drake muttered sourly. ¡°They¡¯re disgusting. Gray and putrid and rotting, their flesh dripping off their bodies. Like something out of the pits of hell, if you ask me.¡±


    Drake was behind her, carrying a shoulder bag he had packed for the trip. Behind him trailed Xerith, whose presence was a reminder of the otherworldly nature of the journey they were about to set out on. According to Xerith, if they kept a steady pace, it would be about a two-day walk from Demure to the next encampment and then another day or so to the Cathedral.


    Vre had packed a sack too. She¡¯d been able to fit a loaf of bread, a lamplight, and a small rolled-up blanket. Drake had a canteen¡ªthey¡¯d have to share drinks. She was uncertain if Xerith needed to eat or drink at all.


    She called back over her shoulder. ¡°Do you know much about the rain men, Xerith?¡±


    ¡°They are a unique phenomenon only found in the World Between. They are those who have been lost here, who have died not in their own world. A trace of spirit remains in their discarded matter, but it is trapped here. I mentioned this world can be a prison for your kind, did I not?¡±


    ¡°You did.¡± Vre frowned and shuddered at the thought. ¡°So if we die here¡­that¡¯s what we become, is that right?¡±


    ¡°That is correct, Vre.¡±


    She shuddered.


    It did not take long to arrive at the village. It was still fairly early, and Demure seemed fairly abandoned when they arrived. The small houses held no lights, and the streets were empty. The only sound was the soft rustle of the wind through the trees. Vre could see the chapel up ahead, its steeple rising above the rooftops.


    Vre took a deep breath and steadied herself. She stole a glance at Xerith, who had walked up beside her now that they¡¯d stopped outside the village boundaries. He stood out like a sore thumb.


    ¡°What would you like to do about¡­traveling together, Xerith? I¡¯ve seen you disappear and appear before, but you¡¯re here now. Are you wanting to accompany us on foot?¡±


    ¡°Are you concerned about what the other villagers will think of me?¡± He smiled slightly, looking down at her. ¡°I don¡¯t think you need to be that concerned. This is the World Between. Different beings pass through all the time. I am just one of them. Unless, of course, you¡¯re saying that you don¡¯t want me to travel with you? Just to appear when it is convenient for you?¡±


    She frowned deeply, shaking her head. ¡°That¡¯s not what I mean at all. I¡­¡± She hesitated, watching his face. ¡°I would be happy if you¡¯d travel with us. I want to learn more about you.¡±


    Drake nodded in agreement. ¡°He should not pose a problem, as long as he behaves himself.¡±


    ¡°Well, that settles it, then.¡± Xerith grinned, his unnatural smile splitting his face. ¡°Shall we?¡±


    Leading once more, Vre began walking towards the chapel. The three of them walked through the quiet streets of Demure, the village seemingly asleep under the heavy sky. The houses, with their weathered wood and sagging roofs, looked as though they had been abandoned for centuries, though Vre knew the villagers were likely inside, waiting out the dreariness of the morning. The only sound was the soft rustle of the wind through the trees, accompanied by the distant cawing of crows.


    As they got closer, the heavy wooden doors of the chapel creaked open to reveal Jonah himself standing in the doorway. His curly brown hair was particularly frizzy today, likely from the humidity, and his face looked tired. Deep lines etched his face, and there was a weariness in his eyes that spoke of long nights and constant vigilance. There was a small commotion happening behind him. Two men were lifting a homemade stretcher with a body on top, preparing to carry it outside to where Vre and the others stood in the street. The body was covered in a white sheet, but a faint splatter of blood was bleeding through, adding to the somber atmosphere.


    But Jonah was not concerned with the body¡ªhis attention was locked onto them.


    ¡°Saw you coming,¡± he called out to them. ¡°You made it through the night then. But didn¡¯t expect you to come back with company. I know Drake, but who¡¯s your friend?¡± He jammed his thumb towards Xerith. ¡°Is he going to be a problem?¡±


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    "Morning, Jonah," Vre called out, trying to keep her voice steady. ¡°This is Xerith. It¡¯s a long story, but we were hoping to talk to you. Are you alright? What happened here?¡± She asked, watching as the men carried the body past.


    ¡°Somebody got caught last night by the rain men. The militia wasn¡¯t around to help them,¡± he said bitterly, his eyes flickering with a mix of anger and sadness.


    ¡°That¡¯s terrible.¡± Vre¡¯s heart clenched in her chest. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Jonah.¡±


    ¡°It happens. Wish it didn¡¯t, but it does.¡± Jonah''s voice was heavy with resignation. ¡°The guys will still be checking the rest of the town to make sure we got everyone else. Glad to see you¡¯re alright, though. You said you needed to talk to me about something?¡±


    Vre nodded. ¡°It¡¯s about the Silver Cathedral.¡±


    Jonah''s eyes widened slightly at the mention of the cathedral. He glanced around, then nodded. "Let''s talk inside."


    They followed Jonah into the chapel, the wooden door creaking as it closed behind them. The interior was dimly lit, the only light coming from a few candles flickering on the altar. A few men moved around still, around the area that had become a makeshift hospital with no shortage of blood left on the floor. The air was cool and filled with the faint scent of incense. The chapel was small but well-kept, with rows of wooden pews and a simple wooden cross hanging on the wall behind the altar. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows, giving the room an ethereal glow.


    Jonah led them to a side room, where they could speak in private. The room was cozy but sparse, with a small table and a few chairs. Shelves lined the walls, filled with old, leather-bound books and religious artifacts. He closed the door behind them and turned to face the group, his expression serious.


    "Tell me what this is about," he said, folding his arms and leaning against the table. His eyes moved from Vre to Drake and then to Xerith, lingering on the latter with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.


    Vre took a deep breath, quickly summarizing the events of the previous night. She explained how she had made it back to Drake¡¯s mansion just before the rain men arrived, hiding in the basement while Drake secured the house. She described hearing Xerith calling to her from the darkness, meeting him, and the revelation that he might have answers about the increasing taint and a possible way out of the World Between. She mentioned that Xerith had spoken of finding solutions not just for her, but potentially for others trapped in this liminal realm as well.


    She left out the details about being lured into a pitch-black room and Xerith¡¯s visit to her bedroom afterward. She also chose not to mention his claim of having known her for a long time or the possibility of reclaiming memories. Those were private matters, and she didn¡¯t feel ready to share them yet.


    Throughout her recounting, Xerith¡¯s gold eyes flickered with a strange, almost ethereal light, but he gave nothing away as to what he was thinking. He remained silent, his expression inscrutable, adding to the air of mystery surrounding him.


    Jonah listened intently, his brow furrowing as he absorbed Vre¡¯s words. When she finished, he straightened up, glancing between Vre and Xerith.


    ¡°You know, I¡¯ve been to the Cathedral myself before, a couple of times. It ain¡¯t a place for the faint of heart. It ain¡¯t just some building you walk into. It¡¯s a supernatural superhighway¡­all sorts of beings coming and going. But they¡¯re all regulated by the Vizier. Is that who you¡¯re going to see?¡± Jonah¡¯s voice was measured, thoughtful.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± Vre looked to Xerith, hoping he¡¯d chime in.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Xerith nodded. ¡°The Vizier¡­or rather, his assistant, can grant keys to those deemed worthy of possessing them. This is the first step in investigating the taint further.¡±


    ¡°And why, exactly, do you need Vre and Drake to do this? To get these keys? I thought that was your job, guardian...Why is it you need two humans to help you?¡±


    Xerith met Jonah¡¯s gaze evenly. ¡°Maintaining the balance between light and darkness is my duty. The spread of taint threatens that balance. We maintain the balance, but we cannot turn back the tide of it. Humans have the uncanny ability to both sniff out the origin of darkness and go headlong into it. They also have the ability to turn the tides of it.¡±


    Flippantly, he added, ¡°Technically I do not need Drake¡¯s help nor your help nor any other human for that matter. I offered my allegiance to Vre alone, but she sees the need to involve others. That¡¯s typical for her. No man left behind, after all.¡±


    Flustered, Vre blushed deeply. ¡°How can you say that? I just met you. You don¡¯t know what¡¯s typical for me or not!¡±


    He grinned wickedly, leaning closer to her. ¡°Oh, you¡¯d be surprised how many times this same situation has played out, Vre. You can never just let a poor soul go or do things alone. Oh, the things I could tell you¡­¡±


    ¡°Will you stop talking!?¡± She glared at him, her embarrassment quickly turning to frustration.


    Xerith snickered, and Jonah and Drake exchanged an uncomfortable look.


    ¡°Well,¡± Jonah cleared his throat, ¡°it¡¯s obvious that you got yourself in over your head with this¡­alliance you have formed, but I can see where you¡¯re coming from. If this guardian says that he has knowledge that might help us escape this forsaken place, then you¡¯re right¡ªwe¡¯ve got to act on it. But you can¡¯t go alone. The World Between is dangerous, especially for someone who doesn¡¯t know how to fight. If the rain men come again, they might catch you. I can come with you and at least escort you to the Cathedral.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll come, too?¡± Vre looked hopeful. ¡°That¡¯d be much appreciated. I am admittedly nervous to get caught in the rain on the way.¡±


    Xerith looked annoyed, but Jonah nodded in response to Vre¡¯s question. ¡°Yeah. Give me just a few minutes and I¡¯ll get ready. If you want to wait in the front foyer, I¡¯ll be just a bit then we can get going.¡±


    Vre nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She turned to Xerith, who was still watching her intently. ¡°Are you ready?¡±


    His expression softened slightly, though the intensity in his golden eyes remained. ¡°You have no idea. Lead the way.¡±


    With that, they moved to the front foyer, where the dim light filtered through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the stone floor. The adventure to the Silver Cathedral was about to begin, and she could only hope they would find the answers they sought.

 Chapter 9 - A Dark Forest

    The time had come to set off through the mist and gloom¡ªthrough the forest that surrounded Demure to make their way toward the Cathedral that lay supposedly at the heart of the World Between.


    Vre sat by herself in Demure''s chapel pew, waiting. The chapel was empty now, save for her and her companions. They were waiting for Jonah to accompany them. Drake was pacing in the entryway, his methodical footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor. He¡¯d been fairly quiet, but still seemed keen on coming with. His knowledge of the different entities of the World Between would no doubt be helpful.


    Vre was glad that Jonah would also join them. She knew that he had experience in fighting the rain men, despite him being a preacher, and though she knew Drake was capable enough of fending them off on his own she wasn¡¯t sure how she would fare if they got into trouble. She had never been one much for physical strength or even really being in shape. She prayed they wouldn¡¯t run into them, if only for a few days. It wasn¡¯t that long of a journey. Perhaps they would be okay.


    As for Xerith, she was unsure what to expect from him. He said he''d protect her, but she wasn''t sure she could trust him at all. So traveling as a group seemed the best bet.


    The whole thing seemed surreal. The chapel''s sparse interior, with its simple wooden pews and a modest altar draped in white cloth, seemed like a sanctuary against the unknown dangers they were about to face. The faint light from the stained glass windows painted the worn wooden floor in muted colors, adding to the somber atmosphere.


    She felt a tickle of wind across the back of her neck, and in the next moment, Xerith was sitting beside her. His long arm brushed against hers as they both stared at the altar at the front of the chapel. It was a small wooden altar, covered in a white cloth, with an old book and a small gold plate on it. It was very simple, very sparse, but fitting in its own way. Demure was not a town of grandeur.


    ¡°Everyone seems to think this is going to be dangerous,¡± Vre spoke quietly. ¡°Is it really so bad? You travel to the Cathedral all the time, right?¡±


    Xerith met her gaze, the playful smile she¡¯d come to associate with him nowhere to be found at the present. ¡°Spirits come and go, unhindered by the threats that plague the humans who are trapped in this world. Danger to me is much different than danger to you. While I am threatened by corruption¡ªby taint that could overcome my will¡ªyou are threatened by physical danger. You face flesh and blood opponents who could snuff the life from you."


    ¡°I¡¯ve never had a problem walking through the forest up to Drake¡¯s house before.¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t wandered far,¡± he said, with a careful smile. ¡°But we will be fine. You will be fine. I¡¯m a guardian, remember? I will protect you. I am quite seasoned at keeping you safe.¡±


    She felt a small heat rise to her face at his words. She looked away from him, hoping he didn¡¯t notice.


    Jonah returned, his presence filling the small chapel. He looked like he had washed his face, and had certainly changed his shirt. He wasn''t covered in blood splatter anymore. He had both a sword at his side and a pistol. The weight of his weapons seemed to underscore the seriousness of their journey. He handed Vre a six-inch sheathed knife, the handle worn but sturdy. He handed one to Drake, too.


    ¡°Just in case,¡± he said, his voice grim. ¡°The rain men can¡¯t be killed. Your best bet is to slow ¡¯em down and try to run. If you can disable ¡¯em, you can get away. Don¡¯t try to fight. Just run and hide.¡±


    She nodded. The lump in her throat felt heavy.


    The four of them set off, making their way through the quiet streets of Demure and reaching the outskirts of the town quickly. The village seemed to hold its breath, the only sounds the soft rustle of leaves and the distant cawing of crows. The forest loomed in front of them, its towering trees casting long shadows that seemed to reach out and envelop them.


    The path was wide enough for several people but was incredibly overgrown with brush and laden with sticks and roots marbling the dirt like veins. The further they went, the more the world seemed to close in around them, the oppressive weight of the forest pressing down on them from all sides. The air grew cooler, the light dimmer, and the sounds of the forest louder and more unsettling.


    The path turned, and Demure could no longer be seen behind them.


    Vre glanced at Xerith, who walked with silent steps and a quiet confidence beside her. His presence was both reassuring and unnerving.


    For a long time, they walked in silence. No one seemed ready to break the quiet, perhaps too intent on listening to the forest for danger. The air carried a definite chill, and Vre was glad she at least had her jacket. But there was also something else¡­something she couldn¡¯t place her finger on. An imperceptible feeling that something wasn¡¯t quite right. A gnawing anxiety grew in her heart the further they went.


    She glanced at her companions to see if they felt it too. Jonah, with his broad shoulders and curly hair, seemed focused on walking. The lines under his eyes revealed he had likely been up all night helping the town, yet he had still decided to escort them. He was a selfless man. And Drake, with his long peppered hair that he tried to keep smooth and his upright, rigid walk, wore a wool long coat but didn''t seem frazzled. He looked very pale, but his eyes were hidden from her view.


    Unsure of how long they¡¯d been walking, they ventured deeper, and the forest grew darker, seemingly alive with unsettling sounds. The wind sounded like whispers, coming from all angles, yet no one was talking.


    Jonah bristled, his hand now on the hilt of his blade. ¡°It¡¯s getting harder to see.¡±


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    He was right. The thick foggy gloom around them grew denser, making visibility difficult.


    Drake fell back to walk beside Vre. He was now on her left, while Xerith remained tangible on her right.


    ¡°Stay close,¡± Drake said, making eye contact with her. ¡°We don¡¯t know what¡¯s out there.¡±


    Suddenly, Jonah stopped and pointed ahead. ¡°Did you see that?¡± he whispered. ¡°Something moved.¡±


    Vre focused her eyes on the shifting gloom. The more she looked, the more the twisted trees took on grotesque shapes. The trees appeared to almost have human-like forms, their gnarled branches resembling twisted limbs. But she didn¡¯t see anything moving.


    ¡°This is messed up.¡± Her voice quivered with fear. ¡°I don''t see anything, but I¡¯m not sure this is such a good idea. Should we go back? Why is the forest like this!? I don¡¯t want to die here. I don¡¯t want to become a rain man! This¡ª¡±


    ¡°Vre, be quiet!¡± Drake placed his hand on her shoulder, his expression urgent.


    ¡°Keep moving,¡± Jonah motioned for them to follow him.


    Xerith was silent. Vre turned to find him, for a split second fearful that he wouldn¡¯t be there. That he might have led them into this forest to lose their minds and their lives, then abandon them. Horrible thoughts filled her mind¡ªall the possibilities of what if''s and maybes. Was this a mistake?


    But her fears were imaginary¡ªhe was right there. Walking silently slightly behind her, his golden eyes a warm beacon in the dim light. He was scanning the woods with a calm, placid look. The sight of him brought a sense of comfort, enough to settle her senses back down. He gave her a quiet smile, and she took a deep breath, steadying herself. She could do this. They could do this.


    They walked for what seemed like hours. Maybe it had been. There was no way to keep track of time. Though the forest still whispered and the gloom remained, nothing had jumped out to kill them thus far but it was starting to get darker. Not because of any supernatural phenomena, but just because it was turning to night. That alone was terrifying. She knew they would have to spend one night in the woods to make it to the Cathedral. But that didn''t mean she was ready for it.


    The light dipped low, casting long shadows that intertwined with the twisted branches of the forest. The temperature dropped noticeably, and an eerie silence settled over the woods.


    ¡°We should set up a camp before there¡¯s no light left.¡± Jonah was gesturing off the path. ¡°Somewhere just off the main walkway. There looks like a rock formation there. Let¡¯s go check it out.¡±


    Their feet crunched through the brush, branches tugging at their clothes as they stepped off the path. Sure enough, it was not just a rock formation but a series of carved pillars with one large monument in the center. Vre took out the lamplight¡ªa small metal lamp the size of her hand¡ªfrom her pack and turned the dial to illuminate what she was seeing.


    She shuddered. It was obviously a sculpture of some sort, faded thin. It depicted some kind of human creature but its mouth was set agape, staring at the sky. Thorny vines had grown into the rock inlay around it making it look constricted.


    ¡°This will do.¡± Jonah said, making the decision. He was already at work clearing out some of the brush in front of the big sculpture, making a flat area. ¡°Drake, can you find some dry kindling? I brought a tarp we can use as cover if it rains. Use your knife if you have to.¡±


    Drake grumbled, but set his pack down and retrieved his lamplight and unsheathed his knife. He walked away, examining the underbrush and forest floor to do as Jonah had directed.


    Vre found herself drawn to the forest trees. As the others worked, she wandered a short distance away, inspecting the bark of a nearby tree. It was rough and gnarled, but something about it seemed off. She reached out and touched it, her fingers coming away with a sticky, dark substance. It had an unnatural sheen and an acrid smell that made her wrinkle her nose.


    "What is this stuff?" she murmured to herself, wiping her hand on a piece of cloth she had brought along. Her curiosity was piqued despite her fear.


    "Don¡¯t touch it. You should stay close," Drake called out, his voice tense. "Stay in the camp. We don''t know what else is out here."


    She nodded and returned to the camp, where Jonah and Drake were coaxing a small flame of fire to life in the center of the area they had cleared out. Jonah had hung the tarp off of two of the pillars, supported by a long stick in the ground and they had set their packs underneath it.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be a cold night.¡± Jonah frowned. ¡°But if we can keep this fire going at least we¡¯ll have light and some warmth. Should get some more wood, get some food in us, then take shifts until it gets light.¡±


    Outside the camp, darkness had fallen in earnest. It was so black it felt like the rest of the world didn¡¯t exist. Their lamplights hardly made a dent in the dark even when they shone them outward.


    ¡°I can gather you wood.¡± Xerith offered. ¡°Back in a moment.¡±


    His tall form melded into the blackness before anyone could oppose him. The three of them that remained looked at each other, then sat around the fire they¡¯d built and opened their packs to find what food they¡¯d brought.


    They ate without speaking. The forest around them came alive with the sound of insects and the uncomfortable groans of the trees. After a short while, Xerith melded back into view and set down what he¡¯d found¡ªseveral branches, and two thick splintered logs. His long arms were chock-full of material to be used.


    ¡°Thanks, Xerith.¡± Vre smiled. He said nothing, but gave her a very human-like wink.


    ¡°We should sleep in shifts.¡± Jonah said. ¡°Xerith, do you need food? You are welcome to have some of my rations if you like.¡±


    ¡°You are kind, but I am fine. I do not require food, nor sleep. I am able to keep watch while you rest, if you like.¡±


    Jonah and Drake exchanged wary glances. "We don''t trust you," Drake said bluntly. "There¡¯s no way we would be able to sleep and leave only you watching out in a place like this.¡±


    Vre felt a pang of frustration. "I''ll stay up with him," she offered. "Would that help? I can''t sleep right now anyway."


    ¡°And leave you alone with him?¡± Drake stared at her like she was daft. ¡°He already seems to like you a little too much. I¡¯m not sure that¡¯s wise, Vre.¡±


    ¡°It might be for the best though.¡± Jonah said, rubbing his face. ¡°If you and I rest first, Drake, we¡¯ll be more alert for the rest of the journey. It¡¯s not like we¡¯ll be far from her. She can take the first shift with Xerith, then you, and I¡¯ll take the last shift. I know we don¡¯t trust him, but let¡¯s not treat him like an enemy. He has offered to help us, after all. We¡¯re out here because he said we can find a key at the Cathedral and we chose to believe him. We hardly know him but for that matter we hardly know each other, too. Let¡¯s not doubt each other so soon and try to make it through the first night, alright?¡±


    Drake glowered at Xerith uncomfortably. ¡°Fine. But don¡¯t think I am not watching you closely, Annunaki.¡±


    Xerith just smiled, his lopsided grin and bright eyes an uncomfortable visage against the darkness of the forest behind him.

 Chapter 10 - Night Terrors

    In the pitch-black darkness of a starless night, the fire crackled softly. Its warm light cast long, dancing shadows that flickered against the twisted trunks of the trees in the forest, creating eerie shapes that seemed to move and breathe with a life of their own. Vre sat as close as she could to the flames, the warmth a small comfort against the creeping chill of the woods. Xerith sat cross-legged beside her, his golden eyes nearly as bright as the firelight, casting an otherworldly glow on his face. The cold pressed around her, a tangible force despite the perimeter of warmth.


    Drake and Jonah had seemingly managed to fall asleep, their backs positioned toward the fire, their breaths slow and steady in the still night. The smell of the campfire smoke made Vre''s mind a little hazy. She had camped before, in her world, but it was not necessarily something she liked to do. She was definitely more of an indoor kind of person, especially now as she pulled her jacket tighter around herself, trying to ward off the cold. Her hair was a wavy mess, and she had it pushed to one side to better manage it.


    Xerith was looking at her. His gaze was intense and unwavering, the firelight reflecting in his golden eyes. ¡°Would you like me to help you keep warm?¡± he asked, unabashed, breaking the heavy silence that had settled over them. He scooted a little closer so that his arm was touching hers.


    She glanced at him, trying to read him. He was so intent on her, especially when left alone. His advances were a little strong, not just because of him being inhuman but also that he knew she still had a boyfriend back home. There was something undeniably charming about his assertiveness, though.


    She shook her head, unable to accept. ¡°No¡­I haven¡¯t given up hope yet on seeing Liam again, so that... that wouldn¡¯t be right of me. Even if it was just for warmth, that would be cheating.¡±


    ¡°Not to be a downer, but it has been several months now since you first came to the World Between, right, Vre? What will you do if he¡¯s forgotten about you or moved on?¡±


    His words stung in her heart. ¡°Why would you say something like that? Do you think if you plant that thought in my head that I¡¯ll just immediately fall for you instead? That would hurt, Xerith. Liam is one of the few thoughts that has brought me comfort since I came here. I hope he hasn¡¯t forgotten about me so soon.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± Xerith winced, his expression softening. ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯m sorry, Vre. That was rather cruel of me to say.¡±


    She met his gaze and saw what she took for honest remorse there. She gave him a small smile. ¡°What are you looking at me like that for?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to memorize how you look right now. You¡¯re always a little different¡­ Over the years I¡¯ve enjoyed getting to know the things that are new about you and some things that remain the same.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± She felt herself blush, despite what she had just said. His attention was still flattering.


    ¡°Mhm. Like right here¡­¡± He reached a long hand up to her face, moving slowly as if not to startle her. His fingers, cool and smooth, brushed against her cheek, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. The touch sent a shiver down her spine, and she found herself leaning into it ever so slightly.


    A hint of a smile played at the corners of his mouth. ¡°You have the same determined look in your eyes. It¡¯s something that never changes, no matter what form you take.¡±


    Vre felt a mix of emotions swirl within her¡ªconfusion, curiosity, and a reluctant attraction. ¡°You speak as if you¡¯ve known me forever.¡±


    ¡°In a way, I have,¡± Xerith replied, his voice a low, soothing murmur. ¡°Each time I see you, it feels like rediscovering an old friend. A friend I¡¯ve sworn to protect. I never get tired of seeing you again. It¡¯s always a challenge to get you to remember me, but it''s also always exciting. Every time is different and new¡­but some things stay the same.¡±


    The sincerity in his words touched her, and for a moment, she allowed herself to believe in the possibility that their connection that spanned lifetimes. The fire crackled beside them, the warmth battling the encroaching cold of the night.


    ¡°Tell me more about these memories,¡± she asked quietly, her curiosity getting the better of her. ¡°What else do you remember about me?¡±


    Xerith¡¯s eyes gleamed with a mixture of sadness and fondness. ¡°I remember your laughter. There is not much to laugh about here in the World Between, but there were times you and I had the most joyous adventures. I remember the way you care for others--how you always want to make sure everyone is always included. And I remember the times we fought side by side, facing dangers you can¡¯t yet recall.¡±


    Vre¡¯s heart ached with the weight of his words, the possibility of a shared history she couldn¡¯t remember. ¡°I wish I could remember, too.¡±


    ¡°In time, you will,¡± Xerith assured her, his voice steady and comforting. ¡°For now, let¡¯s focus on the journey ahead. The Silver Cathedral holds the answers you seek, and this world is dangerous. I¡¯ll be by your side every step you take, but it¡¯s up to you to keep going, Vre.¡±


    She nodded, listening to him speak, her eyelids growing heavier despite the chill and the fear of the dark woods surrounding them. She hadn¡¯t moved away from him¡ªshe was still very aware that her arm was touching his in an almost nervous, schoolgirl-like way. "Will you keep talking to me?¡± she asked quietly. ¡°Tell me about your world. The place you come from."


    He nodded, poking the fire with a long stick to make it spark. ¡°Of course, Vre. The place I come from is a place much different than this, and much different than your world. It is not so much a ¡®place¡¯ as it is a boundary¡­ The abyss I guard has many names, but it is a place where nothing can escape from. Think of a black hole, like in your earthly science classes. The Abyss is like that¡­a terrible, awful, dark and crushing place that even devils fear. I was fashioned, among many others, to guard the boundary to that place. A place between that and here.¡±


    ¡°How do you guard it? And is it okay that you¡¯re gone from there? How is it if nothing can escape, that the taint is spreading?¡±


    Xerith shot her a grin, his mouth widening. Something in his eyes looked playful, mischievous as he looked at her. ¡°Guarding the abyss is no simple task. The boundary is a threshold between realms, a place where the fabric of reality is thin, where the pull of the abyss can draw in not just light, but souls, dreams, and even the essence of life itself. My presence there acts as a ward, a living barrier that strengthens the boundary, ensuring nothing escapes its pull.¡±


    He paused, his eyes reflecting the flickering flames. ¡°However, the radiation, or the taint as you call it, is a different matter. It seeps through the cracks, like a miasma, an invisible toxin that corrupts everything it touches. This taint is analogous to what your kind might call a ''spiritual virus''. It spreads insidiously, often unnoticed until it has taken root, corrupting the purity of the spirit.¡±


    Vre listened intently, picking her head up, her eyes wide with fascination. ¡°So, you¡¯re fighting something you can¡¯t see?¡±


    ¡°Precisely,¡± Xerith nodded. ¡°The taint is an energy, a dark resonance that can warp and twist both the mind and spirit. It¡¯s not just about keeping entities from escaping the abyss; it¡¯s also about preventing this corrupting influence from spreading. The taint seeks to weaken the boundary, to make it porous so that the horrors within the abyss might one day break free.¡±


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    He leaned closer to her, his expression serious. ¡°My absence from the boundary is temporary, and I am not the only guardian. There are others like me, maintaining the vigil. However, my mission here is crucial. The taint is over capacity in this realm, and if it is not contained, it could unravel the very fabric of this world, turning it into a mirror of the abyss.¡±


    Vre shivered, not from the cold, but from the weight of Xerith¡¯s words. ¡°What can we do to stop it?¡±


    Xerith¡¯s eyes glowed with an inner light. ¡°Understanding is the first step. Recognizing the signs of corruption, the subtle changes in behavior, the growing darkness in one¡¯s heart. Everything has a source¡ªa root. Once we get the key from the Cathedral, it will be easier to understand. It¡¯s a battle fought on many fronts, both seen and unseen. I could do it alone, but I would much rather do this battle with you.¡±


    Everything he said made her head swim with more questions. As she watched him explaining to her the mysteries of the cosmos and spirituality, she wondered if she was dreaming.


    ¡°Have you explained all of this stuff to me before?¡± she asked, her voice quiet now.


    He smiled, as gently as a being like him could. ¡°Many times, Vre. Each time, it¡¯s like telling you a story anew, and each time, you listen with the same wonder in your eyes.¡±


    The fire crackled softly beside them, the warmth a small comfort against the encroaching cold.


    ¡°Thanks, Xerith. For explaining.¡± She whispered. She wanted to believe him, to believe all of the things he was saying. It was too good to be true though, wasn¡¯t it? The more she thought about it all, the more her head and her heart hurt. She¡¯d only known Xerith for a day now, but he spoke as if he¡¯d known her forever. It was confusing. Terrifying.


    But the thought of someone watching over you was very comforting, too.


    It wasn¡¯t cheating if she didn¡¯t do anything romantic, right? She tried to reason with herself. She could let him watch over her¡­care for her. As long as she didn¡¯t overstep the boundaries¡­right? Her heart hurt. Her loneliness hurt.


    Apprehensively, she leaned her head against his shoulder with her heart in her throat, blinking her eyes as she stared at the fire. He didn¡¯t move--didn¡¯t react at all. He sat there as her support, unwavering in his steadiness.


    They sat there for a long moment, listening to the soft rustle of the wind in the branches. The forest had been mostly quiet, to her relief. But as they sat there, she felt something cold and wet strike her cheek.


    She reached to touch her face and realized it was a drop of water. A light one, but then followed by another. She heard the drops starting to hit the forest floor around them too.


    Rain.


    Rain would not be so bad, despite that it would make them even colder and possibly put out their fire. Except for what it might bring with it.


    Vre picked her head up off Xerith¡¯s shoulder and went on high alert. The droplets were falling at a steady but light rhythm now, but she wasn¡¯t sure what to do.


    ¡°Xerith,¡± she began, her voice tense, ¡°Do you think it¡¯s safe to stay here?¡±


    The rain had also begun to stir both Jonah and Drake, who were starting to rise from their sleep.


    ¡°Shit,¡± she heard Drake grumble darkly. Jonah stretched his shoulders out from where he¡¯d been sleeping in the dirt.


    ¡°Was hopin¡¯ we¡¯d get through the night without rain¡­¡± Jonah sighed. ¡°Was sincerely prayin¡¯ for it.¡±


    Xerith¡¯s eyes narrowed as he scanned the dark forest, his heightened senses probing the shadows for any sign of danger.


    As the rain intensified, the fire began to sputter and hiss, struggling to maintain its life against the onslaught of water. Vre shivered, pulling her jacket tighter around herself, the cold seeping deeper into her bones. The once comforting crackle of the fire was now a desperate struggle for survival.


    A distant howl echoed through the forest, a mournful sound that sent a chill down Vre¡¯s spine. She glanced at Xerith, who was now on his feet, his golden eyes scanning the darkness with a predatory intensity.


    Taking a cue from his stance, Jonah stood and readied his hand at his weapon. ¡°What is it?¡± he whispered, his voice barely heard above the rain.


    ¡°The forest moves,¡± Xerith said. ¡°But there is nothing there. Nothing except ghosts, anyway.¡±


    Vre¡¯s heart pounded in her chest as she stood, her muscles tense with anxiety. ¡°Ghosts?¡±


    ¡°They are harmless. Phantoms, nothing more. But they¡¯re there.¡±


    The rain continued to fall, a relentless curtain that blurred her vision and muffled the sounds of the forest. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, made her jump, her imagination conjuring all manner of horrors lurking just beyond the firelight.


    ¡°We should go. Should try to find shelter. Stay together. Don¡¯t get separated, or I might not be able to find you.¡± Jonah motioned for them to grab their belongings from under the tarp. ¡°The rain ain¡¯t goin¡¯ up so it¡¯s just a normal rainstorm for now. But we¡¯ll freeze to death if we just sit here. We gotta get somewhere dry. Follow me.¡±


    Without another word, they began to gather their belongings, their movements hurried and tense. The forest around them seemed to close in, the darkness pressing down on them with an almost tangible weight. Vre¡¯s hands trembled as she packed her bag, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty.


    Jonah led the way back towards the main path, followed closely by Drake and Xerith. Xerith moved silently, his presence a steady anchor in the growing storm. Vre followed him closely, her eyes darting nervously around the woods. She could hardly see anything. She pulled out her lamplight, but even it was pathetic against the gloom. The rain was now a steady downpour, drenching them completely and extinguishing the last embers of their fire.


    Suddenly, a flash of movement caught her eye. She turned, her breath catching in her throat as she saw a shadowy figure slip between the trees. It was gone in an instant, but the brief glimpse was enough to send her heart racing.


    ¡°Did you see that?¡± she whispered urgently to Xerith.


    He nodded, his expression dark. The rain dripped from his hair and made his skin gleam. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Vre. I''m surprised you can see them, but they can''t hurt you. You will get through this¡ªjust stay close and trust me.¡±


    But as they pressed onward, the forest seemed to grow more oppressive. The once faint howls grew louder, more frequent, a chorus of mournful wails that seemed to come from all directions. Vre¡¯s breath quickened, her heart pounding in her ears. She could feel the weight of unseen eyes watching them, a malevolent presence lurking just beyond the reach of their lamplight.


    Xerith paused, his golden eyes narrowing as he scanned the darkness. ¡°We need to move faster,¡± he urged. ¡°There¡¯s something... more out there. Not just phantoms.¡±


    Jonah and Drake exchanged uneasy glances, their grips tightening on their weapons. The group quickened their pace, the rain-soaked ground making their steps treacherous. Vre stumbled, her foot catching on a hidden root, but Xerith¡¯s steady hand caught her before she could fall.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling.


    ¡°Stay close,¡± he repeated, his gaze never leaving the shadows.


    They pushed forward, the rain pounding down around them, a relentless drumbeat that masked the sounds of their pursuers. The path twisted and turned, the trees closing in like a labyrinth. Vre¡¯s lamplight flickered, its weak glow barely cutting through the gloom.


    Then, out of the corner of her eye, Vre saw it¡ªa figure, pale and ghostly, standing just off the path. Its eyes glowed with an eerie light, its mouth twisted into a silent scream. She gasped, clutching at Xerith¡¯s arm.


    ¡°There!¡± she cried, pointing towards the apparition.


    The figure vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving nothing but the dark, rain-soaked forest in its wake.


    ¡°We¡¯re being hunted,¡± he said grimly. ¡°I do not know what that was, but I doubt it¡¯s going to let us go easily.¡±


    Fear clawed at Vre¡¯s heart, but she forced herself to stay focused. ¡°What do we do?¡± she asked, her voice barely audible over the rain.


    ¡°We keep moving,¡± Jonah replied. ¡°We find shelter and make a stand. Together, we can face whatever comes. We¡¯re probably about halfway to the next town. This is the worst of it. If we stick together, we have a guardian on our side. Surely we can take it on. Right, guardian?¡± He called out Xerith specifically.


    Drake scowled, his face deep set in fury. ¡°The ghosts and the phantoms are just distractions. Don¡¯t let it scare you. I¡¯ve heard tales of these woods trying to separate its travelers. We need to find shelter and hope to bloody hell that the rain stays falling down and doesn¡¯t switch directions.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Jonah nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

 Chapter 11 - Lost and Found

    The rain was relentless, a cold and unforgiving downpour that soaked them to the bone. They had found their way back to the main path they were following out of Demure, but the forest at night was a web of shadows and eerie noises¨Ceach step feeling like it could lead them deeper into danger. Vre could barely see the path ahead, her lamplight a weak beacon in the oppressive gloom.


    "Keep moving," Jonah urged, despite the already steady pace they were keeping. "We''ll find shelter soon. Keep your eyes peeled."


    Xerith was silent, bringing up the rear. Even he seemed on edge, his golden eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of the unknown threat that stalked them.


    The howl had grown louder, more insistent, as if whatever was out there was closing in. Vre''s heart pounded in her chest, her breaths coming in shallow gasps. Whatever she had seen back there in the forest replayed in her mind. She forced herself to stay calm, to focus on putting one foot in front of the other.


    Suddenly, Jonah halted. He raised his hand from the front and they all stopped, listening intently. The rain drummed around them, but beneath its steady rhythm, there was a new sound¡ªa low, guttural growl that sent shivers down Vre''s spine.


    "What is that?" Drake whispered, his voice barely audible.


    "Not a phantom," Xerith replied grimly. "It is something alive. I can hear it breathing."


    They moved cautiously forward, every sense on high alert. The growl grew louder, more distinct, echoing through the trees. And then they saw it¡ªa pair of glowing red eyes, peering at them from the darkness.


    Vre''s breath caught in her throat as the creature stepped into the dim light of their lamps. It was massive, its fur matted and slick with rain, muscles rippling beneath its dark hide. It snarled, baring sharp, glistening teeth.


    ¡°A wolf?¡± She asked, but it was so large that it couldn¡¯t be a normal wolf. It was easier as large as a horse, and it¡¯s jaws about twice the size of her head. She stared at its salivating mandible and its deep red eyes, knowing that it meant to hurt them.


    Wordlessly, Xerith placed a hand on her shoulder and stepped protectively in front of the group. Jonah drew his weapon, readying himself for a fight while Drake fell back with his knife unsheathed to the back of the group. The creature seemed to study them, its eyes filled with intelligence. It took a step closer, its growl vibrating through the air.


    Vre felt a surge of fear, but also a strange determination. She had come this far, faced so many dangers. She couldn''t back down now. She pulled out her knife too, the one that Jonah had given her.


    With a sudden, fluid movement, Xerith lunged at the beast, his form a blur of otherworldly motion. His body seemed to meld with the darkness, becoming a shadowy figure with only the fierce glow of his eyes cutting through the night. The creature roared, its massive claws swiping through the air with deadly force, but Xerith was quick, his movements a dance of dodging and striking unarmed with precision and grace.


    "Go!" he shouted to the others, his voice carrying an urgency that held no room for argument.


    Jonah and Drake didn''t need to be told twice. Drake grabbed Vre''s arm and pulled her along, sprinting through the forest as fast as they could. Vre''s heart pounded in her chest as she glanced back, catching a glimpse of Xerith locked in a fierce battle with the monstrous creature. The wolf-like beast towered over him, its eyes burning with rage. Its snarls echoed through the trees, and she watched in horror as it lashed out with its claws, narrowly missing Xerith as he twisted and dodged through the shadows.


    The ground shook as the creature''s massive paws struck the earth, and she heard the splintering sound of a tree being shattered by the force of an impact. The noise reverberated through the forest. Xerith moved with a fluidity that seemed almost supernatural, his form weaving through the attacks with an agility that left Vre breathless.


    Drake urged her forward, his grip firm on her arm as they followed behind Jonah. They raced through the rain-soaked forest, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the downpour. The darkness pressed in around them. Vre''s mind was a whirlwind of fear and concern for Xerith, the image of his glowing eyes burned into her mind.


    As they ran, the sounds of the battle grew fainter, but the eerie howls and snarls of the creature still echoed in her ears. They pushed forward with desperate urgency, the rain blurring their vision and making the path slippery. Her footing slipped several times, causing her to trip in the wet underbrush. The mud clung to their boots, making each step a struggle. Ahead, they spotted a rocky outcrop, a small overhang just visible in its shadow.


    "In here!" Jonah called, leading them towards it. It wasn¡¯t much¡ªnot a full cave by any means, just a divet in the rocky surface, but it was at least dry. The overhang provided a small respite from the relentless downpour, its rocky surface cool and solid against their backs as they huddled together beneath it.


    Panting and soaked, they huddled together. The dampness clung to their clothes and skin, and their breaths came in visible puffs in the cool night air.


    "What was that thing?" Drake asked, his voice shaky, his eyes wide with residual fear. His grip remained on Vre protectively, his thin fingers pushed into her arm.


    ¡°You can let go.¡± Vre said to him, panting. ¡°Thank you, Drake.¡±


    He met her eyes with a steely expression and released her.


    "It was just a wolf," Jonah answered her, his face grim. "But it¡¯s been twisted by the taint. It¡¯s no longer just an animal anymore, but something wicked--something born of this corrupted land."


    Vre shivered, pulling her jacket tighter around herself but it was useless. The chill seemed to seep into her bones despite her effort of just sprinting. "Do you think Xerith will be okay?"


    Jonah met her gaze, his expression serious. "You know as much about him as anyone, but I for one am happy he was here. He seemed to be holdin¡¯ his own... Believe in him. I¡¯m sure that would make him happy. If he hadn''t been here, it would have been you and me fightin¡¯ that thing, Vre. And I dunno about you but I don¡¯t think we were quite as well equipped for that."


    They stood in tense silence, the rain continuing to pour outside. The rhythm of the rain seemed to echo the beating of her heart. This world was nothing but danger and darkness, she realized, a constant fight for survival. She''d just gotten used to Xerith being around. Now that he was gone, she felt terribly alone.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. Sorry, I''ll get it together. How much further do you think until the next town?¡± Vre asked, her voice a whisper in the heavy silence.


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    ¡°I thought we¡¯d be getting close by now.¡± Drake sighed, frustration evident in his tone. ¡°We¡¯ll need to keep going. As soon as we catch our breath, we should go. We¡¯re not going to be able to remake a camp with us all being soaked, and it isn¡¯t wise to just stay still. Not unless we want hypothermia.¡±


    Vre nodded in resignation. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±


    By some mercy, the rain was starting to let up. The storm had left the air cooler and less humid than it had been, but also made the forest seem oppressive with how quiet it was now. They could no longer hear any sounds of fighting or anything else for that matter, besides the crunch of their footsteps as they walked back towards the path. Everything seemed rather still, the silence heavy and foreboding.


    She kept hoping she¡¯d see Xerith reappear. She¡¯d seen him vanish and reappear before, and she found herself praying internally that he¡¯d do that again.


    Drake was scowling, grumbling as he dug through his pack. ¡°It¡¯s all soaked through¡­¡±


    ¡°What is?¡± Jonah asked, glancing over.


    ¡°My journals. Not going to be able to read anything in them. It¡¯s fine, I¡¯m sure I have them all memorized anyway, but I¡¯d spent at least a year on this one. I had a map drawn of something a being had described for me a long time ago that showed the way to the Cathedral.¡±


    ¡°That would have been good to see!¡± Vre exclaimed, her frustration evident.


    ¡°Yeah, well. We might not be able to see it at all now.¡± Drake''s voice was heavy with disappointment.


    They walked on for quite some time. None of them seemed eager to talk--their ears were trained on listening to the sounds of the forest now, but everything seemed quiet. Occasionally they heard an owl or a rustle in the branches, but it never turned out to be anything more than a field mouse or a moth.


    After what felt like hours, the sky started to lighten. The ability to see even a small bit was such a welcome reprieve to her anxiety. She knew the woods were still just as dangerous in the light, but she was happy to be able to see. Slowly, more and more light crept into the woods until they didn¡¯t need their lamplights any longer and were able to put them away. As they walked, her wet clothes chafed the inside of her thighs and under her arms continuously, but she didn¡¯t complain--it could be worse. She could be dead.


    ¡°Good news.¡± Jonah spoke up as he pointed on ahead. They could see a cluster of buildings grouped together--what looked like log cabins all huddled around a center square. ¡°Regnum.¡±


    ¡°Regnum?¡±


    ¡°Name of the town.¡± Drake explained. ¡°Neighbor village. It¡¯s close to the Cathedral. We won¡¯t have to spend any more nights in the woods.¡±


    ¡°Thank the heavens.¡± She breathed.


    There was still no sign of Xerith.


    As they approached, she saw a figure dressed in white dart between the upcoming houses. It looked like a woman, but it was hard to see her--it was like Vre''s eyes couldn''t focus on her face. A moment later, another woman followed after the woman in white, but this time wearing drab brown clothes with a mess of wavy hair trailing behind her.


    ¡°Anka!¡± The woman in brown called. She must have been calling out to the woman in white.


    Jonah, leading the way, approached the woman first. She spun, looking alarmed to see anyone approaching.


    ¡°Who are you?!¡± She balked. Her face was lined with dirt and wrinkles, though she didn''t look very old. Her eyes darted between the three of them approaching, looking wary but not afraid. ¡°You comin'' out of the woods so early in the morning. You from Demure?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Jonah nodded, and gestured to the rest of the group. ¡°I''m Jonah. This is Drake, and Vre. We just made it through the woods and are on our way to the Cathedral. Are you able to help us? We got caught in the rain, and I''m ¡®fraid our supplies are soaked through. What''s your name? Who was that woman you was just chasin''?¡±


    ¡°Ah, that''s Anka.¡± The woman shook her head. ¡°Angel that comes by these parts probably once a week. Tryin'' to get that girl to sit still is like holdin'' a candle underwater. Don''t work too well.¡±


    Jonah put on a good-natured smile, chuckling like he understood. ¡°Angels are like that. I met a couple myself.¡±


    Drake cleared his throat loudly. ¡°Don''t suppose you might have somewhere warm and dry for us to dry out our clothes before we continue? We won''t get in your way, I promise.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I didn''t catch your name?¡± Vre asked, making eye contact with the woman who finally took notice of her.


    ¡°Isabel. Goodness, you look like you''ve seen better days.¡± She said, looking Vre over.


    She wasn''t wrong. She was sure she looked like hell right now.


    ¡°Follow me. I''ll look for Anka later. We have a group house where travelers can stay. Human or otherwise. You''ll be able to dry off yer clothes and regroup. Cathedral''s not far. We got a lot of people tryin'' to make their way there.¡±


    Grateful, the three of them followed towards a large two-story log building that was located close to what Vre assumed was the center of the town. It was still early in the morning, but there were two other people in the building when they arrived--one was stoking a large fireplace in the middle of the great room and the other was sitting at a long, wooden table with eight chairs. Neither of them looked up when the crew entered. Isabel stood at the doorway, not overly eager to lead them all the way in.


    ¡°This building is just set up for travelers. There''s some rooms upstairs, but nothing is really managed. Henry keeps the place clean--that''s the old man you see there by the fire--but other than that you''re on your own. You can stay as long as you like, but no one is going to feed you. You''re on your own there.¡±


    Jonah nodded, understanding. ¡°Got it. Is there still the old store down the street? I brought some things to trade.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you mean Mikey''s? Sure is. You''ll be fine then. I see you know what you''re doing.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the help, Isabel.¡±


    The heat of the fire beckoned her. She caught the eye of her companions and took it as a silent understanding that they were on their own for a moment. She broke away from them and went to go stand by the fire, soaking in the heat. They hadn''t made it to the Cathedral yet, but at least they''d found warmth and people. Nowhere was really safe, as she was sure Regnum had its own share of danger from the rain men, but it was at least better than the woods.


    The warmth of the fire soothed her aching muscles and brought a semblance of comfort to her tired mind. She looked around the room, taking in the rustic charm of the log cabin. The walls were adorned with simple decorations, and the wooden floor creaked softly underfoot. She felt a pang of nostalgia for a simpler time, a time before the World Between.


    Eventually, exhaustion caught up with her, and she decided to retire to one of the rooms upstairs. She climbed the creaky wooden staircase and found a small, modest room with a single bed and a wooden chair. The window overlooked the village square, where she could see a few villagers going about their morning routines.


    She closed the door behind her and sank onto the bed, letting out a sigh of relief. Her body ached from the long trek through the forest, and her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and memories. As she lay there, the dim light filtering through the window cast long shadows across the room, creating a peaceful yet eerie ambiance.


    Her thoughts drifted to Xerith. She couldn''t shake the worry gnawing at her heart. Was he okay? Would he find them again? As she closed her eyes, she tried to remember the brief memories she had of him. His golden eyes, his gentle touch. His playful demeanor and the secrets he held. The memories that he said he had, of her. Was it real? She tried to recall her most distant memories. Of her being a child, playing in the tall grass catching grasshoppers. Of playing make-believe, talking to her imaginary friend, out on the playground of her old school. Her tall, bright eyed imaginary friend who was always with her to make her smile and play games alongside her.


    Was that him? Was it all¡­true? As she lay in the relative darkness, she imagined his face. The shadows playing on the walls seemed to shift and move, creating shapes that resembled his grin and his eyes. She stared at them, her heart aching with a mixture of hope and despair.


    Then, she realized she wasn''t imagining it. The shadows coalesced into a familiar form, and his eyes glowed softly in the darkness.


    ¡°Xerith?¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    He stepped forward, his form becoming more solid, more real. She could hardly believe it. Half asleep but elated, she rushed over to embrace him without thinking about it, just elated he was alright. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close.


    ¡°You''re safe,¡± she murmured against his chest, her voice trembling with emotion.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he replied softly. ¡°And so are you.¡±

 Chapter 12 - Mixed Up but Pressing On

    Vre''s heart was in turmoil. The past 24 hours had been a whirlwind since Xerith had come into her life, filled with frantic escapes, a freezing night in the woods, and the revelation of the Cathedral and the key. Amidst it all, she couldn¡¯t ignore the overwhelming emotions that flooded her whenever Xerith was near. It was irrational, she told herself¡ªhe wasn¡¯t human, he was not Liam, and he could be dangerous. Yet, here she was, enveloped in his arms, feeling a sense of belonging that defied logic.


    His body was solid and warm. As his arms wrapped around her, she felt a mix of comfort and shame. She knew, the moment she touched him, that she shouldn''t be doing this. His arms so easily folded around her shoulders, and his fingers brushed through her hair. Her hands rested on his back, feeling the strength in his muscles with every movement.


    She tried to rationalize her actions. This was just relief that he wasn¡¯t injured, right? He had fought off that beast, and she was just glad he was safe. But the rapid beat of her heart and the warmth spreading through her body betrayed deeper feelings. The way his presence quickened her pulse couldn¡¯t be meaningless.


    "How did you find me?" she asked, her voice a whisper even though they were alone.


    "Oh, that''s easy, Vre. I''ve told you. There is a connection between us that transcends any time or space.. I will always find you."


    How could he say those words with such a straight face? A surge of confusion washed over her. Memories of her childhood, this strange familiarity with him, and the reality of their perilous journey weighed heavily on her mind. Slowly, she pulled back from him, though both of them seemed reluctant to let go. Her eyes searched his face for any sign of injury or exhaustion, but he looked as strong and composed as ever.


    "I remembered something," she said. "When I was a child, I had what I thought was an imaginary friend who looked a lot like you. I remember it now, but I hadn''t thought about that in years. Was that... was that you?"


    An affectionate smile crept onto his face, and he gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. ¡°Indeed, Vre. I''ve been with you longer than you could possibly comprehend. You are a woman now, though. Do you still think I am imaginary?¡±


    Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked into his golden eyes. There was a depth there, a connection that she couldn¡¯t deny. She was close enough that she could feel the heat of his breath against her skin. Xerith''s fingers trailed down her cheek, his touch sending shivers down her spine.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re imaginary,¡± she breathed. ¡°You¡¯re as real as this place is, but now I¡¯m terrified that everything you¡¯ve said might be true. It¡¯s a lot to process. I feel like I know you, and even though you¡¯re frightening and strange I¡¯m not so much afraid of you as I am that you might actually be exactly who you say you are. Someone really important to me.¡±


    She reached up to touch the skin along his alien-like jaw. The skin there was smooth like rubber, a darker color than the rest of his sharply contoured face. As her fingers ran over his skin, he parted his lips slightly, revealing his wicked teeth. She touched her fingertip to the point of his teeth, feeling the prick of them, a tangible reminder of his otherworldly nature.


    His expression remained gentle, his touch tender as he handled her like the greatest treasure. The way he looked at her, with such reverence and affection, made her heart clench.


    ¡°I¡¯ve waited a long time to see you again.¡± Xerith murmured.


    Her mind was a whirlwind. She was undeniably drawn to Xerith, the pull between them almost magnetic. She couldn''t remember anyone ever looking at her like that way he was doing so now. She felt so...wanted. Yet, the thought of Liam, her boyfriend from the world she had left behind, gnawed at her conscience. She couldn¡¯t just abandon the memory of him, even if she might never see him again.


    ¡°I¡­ I need to rest,¡± she said, stepping back reluctantly. ¡°I¡¯m exhausted, and my mind is spinning. I need time to think about all of this. It¡¯s been a really long night, and I¡¯m just happy we all made it through the forest alive. We¡¯ve just started this journey though, right? I¡¯ve got to stay focused.¡±


    Xerith¡¯s eyes held a mix of understanding and regret as he released her from his embrace. ¡°Of course, Vre. Take all the time you need. I¡¯ll be here.¡±


    She nodded, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. With a final glance at his comforting yet alien presence, Vre forced herself to return to the bed that had been set aside for travelers in this halfway town of Regnum, as Xerith faded into the shadows. She wondered if he was still there, watching her. She wondered how many other people had come through this way, headed towards the Cathedral in the World Between looking for a key to get home. She sighed, forcing herself to lay back down, her clothes still a modicum damp after last night. Her tired body sank into the mattress and pulled the blanket up with force.


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    She couldn¡¯t afford to be distracted. They needed to get to the Cathedral, find the key, and understand this cursed world if she ever hoped to return home. Resolutely, she pushed aside her swirling emotions and closed her eyes, allowing exhaustion to pull her into a restless sleep.


    Her thoughts drifted to Liam. Simple, kind Liam. She had to stay loyal to him, didn¡¯t she? Even though he was so far away, even though she might never see him again. The guilt twisted inside her.


    Sleep came, and the warmth of Xerith''s presence lingered, but the urgency of their quest pressed heavily on Vre''s mind. When she woke, the room was empty, and hunger gnawed at her. She straightened herself out as best she could and descended the creaky wooden staircase to see if she could find Jonah or Drake. The morning light filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow on the rustic interior. Knowing she was just a traveler in this place, she tidied the makeshift room on her way out, grateful for the town''s hospitality.


    Downstairs, the large room was bathed in the glow of the fireplace. Drake sat at a table, his surly presence contrasting with the room''s cozy atmosphere. He was straightening out several books that looked water-damaged¡ªlikely the journals he had mentioned before. Jonah was nowhere to be found.


    ¡°Hi, Drake,¡± Vre said as she approached. She tried to tidy her hair, feeling the tangles and smoothing out her wrinkled clothes. ¡°Did you get some rest? Where¡¯s Jonah?¡±


    Drake shook his head glumly. ¡°No, we¡¯ve been up for the day talking to Regnum¡¯s chieftain about all sorts of messed up news. You don¡¯t want to know. It¡¯s nothing that concerns us, really, but Jonah got dragged into some politics regarding the increasing frequency of war attacks near here and the angels needing assistance. That girl¡ªIsabel, the one that helped us find this place¡ªshe came by with that angel she was chasing and explained the whole thing. Might be a change of plans. That Anka girl might come with us the rest of the way to the Cathedral.¡±


    Vre lifted her eyebrows as she listened to him. ¡°That¡¯s a lot to have happened. Anka is an angel, right? Sorry I missed it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. And yeah. Flighty little thing. You look like you could use a change of clothes before we head out again. There¡¯s a guy here that can help with that¡ªHenry was his name. Jonah went and bought us some morsels we can have as rations, so let¡¯s get you a meal, too. Haven¡¯t seen any sign of the Annunaki though.¡± He gave her a look. ¡°Don¡¯t suppose you have?¡±


    Vre wasn¡¯t sure if she should lie or tell the truth but decided on the latter. ¡°He¡¯s okay. He disappeared after he came to see me right before I fell asleep, but he made it through the battle unscathed.¡±


    ¡°Mmm.¡± Drake acknowledged her words but didn¡¯t look either pleased or displeased.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to ask you, why don¡¯t you like the Annunaki? What is an Annunaki? I¡¯ve never heard of that term before.¡±


    Drake considered her carefully before deciding to answer. ¡°The term Annunaki translates to ¡®those who from heaven to earth came.¡¯ Some of the earliest writings we have on earth tell tales of the Annunaki architecting our physical and spiritual world from the cosmos where their kingdom lay. That being said, there¡¯s a lot more to them than just being a ¡®guardian¡¯... our ancestors revered them as deities.¡±


    He paused, his expression darkening. ¡°That being said, they are notorious for playing with mankind. They are not just simple one-dimensional entities. I wouldn¡¯t trust one. Xerith said he wants to try to find a way to seal up the taint, which might be true. But I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if he has another motive for being here, too, and especially with him seeming to have such an interest in you. Be careful, especially as we get to whatever this key is that he told us about.¡±


    Vre frowned deeply. ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, you asked, so that¡¯s my reasoning. When you¡¯re ready, let¡¯s proceed towards this damn Cathedral so we can figure out what this key is he was talking about and see if it can really help us get outta this godforsaken in-between world.¡±


    She had to bury her emotions and doubt for now. Obediently, she sought out Henry, the caretaker for the travelers'' group house, and was able to trade her dirty clothes for some fresh ones. They didn¡¯t fit her quite as snugly as her previous clothes, but they were fully dry and clean. She received a long-sleeve tan cotton blouse and a heavy linen skirt that tied around her waist. It was double-layered, and she was quite pleased with it because it was so warm. Henry gave her a sweater, too, which she pulled over her shirt. The bad part was though, she had to give up her boots for new ones. These new boots were not like her combat, sturdy boots from before. They were flat soled and made of leather, but at least they were warm.


    She went back to join Drake. He was packing his bags now but had a bowl of soup and a loaf of bread set out for her to eat.


    Next to him sat a small, blinding figure that she couldn¡¯t look at directly. It was the angel she had seen before¡ªa petite woman with breathtaking ebony black hair that fell to her waist. She was sitting at the table, humming a small tune and rocking left and right in her seat.


    Vre felt someone materialize behind her.


    ¡°This will get interesting,¡± Xerith¡¯s smooth voice said, close to her ear.


    Drake and the little angel stood as they approached.


    ¡°So Jonah won¡¯t be coming with us, then?¡± Vre asked, looking between them.


    ¡°No, no,¡± the angel replied with a melodic voice. ¡°Jonah is needed at the northern ramparts. I will take you to the Cathedral. Hurry, hurry¡ªif you eat quickly, we can make it there by midday!¡±


    Xerith gave Drake a cool glance before focusing his attention on the small angel with the black hair. The angel did not seem too concerned about him, nor did he seem concerned about her¡ªthey seemed indifferent towards each other.


    Vre quickly ate the meal Drake had prepared for her, feeling the warmth of the soup spread through her tired body. The bread was rough and dense, but it filled her stomach and gave her the energy she needed.


    Once she was ready, they gathered their belongings and followed the angel, Anka, out of the village and onto the path that would lead them to the Cathedral.

 Chapter 13 - The Cathedral

    According to the villagers of Regnum, the path to the Cathedral could be traversed in less than four hours. Anka, the petite black-haired angel with an ethereal glow, led the way--her light illuminating the gray, misty morning. Vre, Drake, and Xerith followed quietly behind her, having lost Jonah--the village fading behind them quickly into the distance.


    Anka flitted more than she walked, her steps weightless and her form a beacon of light against the gloom. Her demeanor reminded Vre of a child, though she was just as tall as Vre.


    ¡°Anka?¡± Vre called out.


    Anka was humming a somber tune, seemingly oblivious to their presence.


    ¡°Is she really leading us to the Cathedral?¡± Vre asked, turning to Drake. ¡°How exactly did we wind up with an angel instead of Jonah?¡±


    Anka twirled around mid-air, hovering as she moved backward. Her faceless, radiant visage took Vre¡¯s breath away.


    ¡°Jonah was needed elsewhere,¡± Anka said with a chirp. ¡°He will meet you at the Cathedral later. Isabel asked me for a favor, to bring you to the Cathedral in return for Jonah helping out Regnum. Hmm, yes. Yes. It¡¯s a favor to my friend Isabel.¡± She repeated herself innocently, her voice melodious. ¡°You don¡¯t need an angelic escort to go to the Cathedral, but if you do have one, you will be taken more seriously. You are going in hopes of receiving a world key from the Vizier, right?¡±


    Vre nodded, though she wasn¡¯t sure what that entailed. She¡¯d find out soon enough, she supposed. Still, she hoped that Jonah was doing alright, wherever he was.


    Still adjusting to the feel of the new clothes she¡¯d received, the long, brown skirt was warm and practical, though she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of being an old-fashioned maid. She didn''t typically wear such feminine clothes. The creamy tan blouse was soft against her skin, and the wooly white sweater she wore over it provided much-needed warmth. Her new boots, which she had traded her combat boots in for, were much flatter and made of a soft leather. Everything about her outfit was a far departure from the tight pants and black jacket she was accustomed to, but looking at her companions the outfit made sense. Drake wore a long frock coat, Anka a white ankle length dress, and Xerith had his black and gold armor.


    Xerith hadn¡¯t said anything since they left. He walked beside Vre patiently, his long legs matching her stride. Even if he was silent, his presence alone gave her comfort. She recalled what Drake had been telling her about the Annunaki. The thought that she had an ally in some kind of ancient entity was some serious firepower. The contrast between his dark, imposing armor and her simple, earth-toned clothes was stark, yet there was a strange harmony in it.


    ¡°It was really nice of Henry to have spare items for travelers in the World Between. He said these clothes would be more appropriate for traveling here,¡± Vre said, trying to make conversation. ¡°I suppose he was right. They¡¯re warmer, at least.¡±


    The trip was quiet and gray, but uneventful. That was a welcome reprieve. She kept her mind preoccupied, trying to remember and rationalize everything she had learned in the two months since she had come to the World Between. It had been so long she could barely recognize herself from who she used to be--the worker bee that worked the nine-to-fives in a technology sector. Now she was a just traveler, like others who came here¡­hopeful to be able to find her way home through this gray and miserable world. But unlike others, she had been studying the taint and had befriended a researcher who studied the different entities here. And, she had Xerith, who had clues on how she might be able to go home.


    At long last, the Silver Cathedral loomed ahead, its towering spires piercing the dark sky. Anka¡¯s light little body bounced on ahead, and each step they took felt like a step into another world, a place where the veil between the realms was thin. The ancient stone structure was covered in vines and moss, giving it an eerie yet majestic appearance.


    Vre¡¯s heart raced as she took in the sight. It was huge--way bigger than what she had in her mind. True to it''s name, above the massive metal doors was a dome that rose up into the misty clouds that blanketed the land. There was a smattering of birds that dove and flew continuously around the dome and the spires. The flitted like Anka did, and they were of all shapes and sizes, some larger like birds of pray but many that were small and clustered together.


    There was a kind of courtyard that they were approaching. Outside the courtyard she could see stone gargoyles perched on top of a wall. As they approached, however, she could see that their eyes were blinking. Not stone, after all, or perhaps they were -- she didn''t understand the logic behind them. The gates to the courtyard were open and by her ankles, a group of little bumpy creatures with short arms but big hands and yellow skin jostled by her. They ran into the underbrush of the forest a little ways past and disappeared.


    Anka was facing Vre, but it was impossible to tell if she was looking at her or not.


    ¡°The World Between is a place between reality and the spiritual.¡± Her melodic voice said, explaining. ¡°It is a world that has been trapped in a spiritual war for so long it''s hard not to just call it a battleground. It''s appearance is a reflection of it''s current state. Gray, morose and haunted is because of the increasing prevalence of the taint.¡±


    ¡°Yes, that''s what I understand.¡± Vre nodded. ¡°I don''t really get the whole leaking of the taint nor the spiritual intersections nor how I came to be here. But this Cathedral¡­why is it called the Cathedral? What is it''s purpose?¡±


    ¡°Think of it like a grand headquarters, or a central station. If there''s anywhere you need to go, this place can connect you to the other realms. That is, if you are spiritual in nature. If you are physical in nature, there is not much need for you to come here unless you need to seek the Vizier''s council.¡±


    ¡°And who is the Vizier, exactly?¡±


    ¡°The newest Vizier is my friend. Calos, the high duke of Gehenna firelands. It is hopeful he will be able to bring some military strength to those who have infiltrated from the underbellies. If the seals keep weakening, I worry that the World Between will become untraversable for more beings like me. Our purity will be unable to survive here.¡±


    Vre cast a glance to Drake, who had taken out a small pen and was jotting down some notes on a notepad. He caught Vre''s eye.


    ¡°Have you been here before, Drake?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I made the trip here back when I first arrived to the World Between, too. I came with the same thought, that perhaps I''d be able to get home. But I didn''t hear about any key. I didn''t meet the Vizier, either. I just came and observed, which really got me interested in all the different worlds and different entities you can meet here. We may meet some interesting characters, but we should keep our head low. Many will be on a mission and not able to talk to us.¡±


    Anka did a twirl, then continued leading them on ahead towards the door. Sentinels as big as a vehicle stood to either side of the massive, metal doors, which were engraved in a beautiful turquoise color in a criss-crossing pattern. The doors towered above all of them, up a row of big stone steps.


    Vre''s eyes didn''t know where to look first. If they would have turned left, it looked like they might have disappeared into a garden. A stone trail lead through high bushes and ferns, overgrown with weeds and cold-striken plants. Much of the foliage had fallen to the ground, but it seemed to go on for a ways. Through the brambles, she could see a group of more angels talking -- their faceless glows a welcome sight through the gloom.


    To the right in the courtyard was a pavilion, a group of smaller buildings, and a large ornate fountain or lake it looked like, but it was cracked and drained of water.


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    But that wasn''t their destination. Anka led them past the two sentinels, Goliath-like man-shaped statues with overly large heads, and the metal doors began to open swinging inside. Just enough for them to go through.


    Beauty and grandeur was not enough to describe what she saw. Awe might have done the job better, as she felt so small under the stone pillars and sweeping balconies. Everything was a polished copper red color outlined with silver--beautiful sparkling silver as far as the eye could see. There were lights made of crystal and metal, shining the same hue as what the angels gave off. She couldn''t tell if they were technology or magic.


    Towards the center, under where the beautiful dome lurched towards the sky, painted with figures from mythology and adorned with more silver and the beautiful lights, was an enormous cluster of what she could only think of as crystalline formations. They reached upward towards the dome, but each one of the smallest outshoots of the structure was radiant and glowing a different color.


    The traffic, if one could call it that, was intense. The amount of spiritual life there was more than her mind could comprehend. Women with the bodies of caterpillars, men who walked on goat feet, tiny little sprite-like fairies. Skeletal creatures with long robes, imps, goblins, boys with scaly skin, every possible combination of creation that one could envision were coming out of the crystals that made up the gigantic structure, flowing to what could only be described as a transit terminal, and then either going further into the cathedral or going back out through different rotation portals.


    Something brushed gently against her hand. Xerith, his fingers against hers, standing tall and unfazed, smiled his lopsided smile down at her. She found it comforting.


    ¡°I don''t know what I was expecting,¡± She said to him. ¡°But not this, I guess. Cathedral sounds like worship to me, not interdimensional travel destination.¡±


    ¡°It is called a cathedral because it contains the Vizier''s throne.¡± Xerith explained, his voice deep amongst the high walls. ¡°But it is a nexus for those who go between, in the World Between. This world is the only joining area that connects many realms of existence, including mine to yours.¡±


    Anka flitted on ahead, rising up about a foot off the ground as she defied gravity. The light she emitted pulsed. ¡°Follow me!¡±


    They fell into a line as they followed behind her. Drake first, Vre behind him, and Xerith bringing up the rear. They went around the massive central station, giving a wide berth to the mythological creatures and beings that were in transit. Further in the cathedral, she saw a large room off to the side that was full of congregating beings, and then a long hallway that led further in. This is where Anka led them. The walls of the hallway became smaller, but the ceiling was still a good berth from their heads. Every surface glimmered with inlaid silver and beautiful stone. It was immaculate and breath taking.


    Further in, she saw even more angels. These were not like Anka, but their faces were still too bright to look at. These beings wore armor and had mighty spears in their hand. Some of them had blades strapped to their waists, and others still had guns. That was a peculiar thing to see. An angel with an automatic rifle? Their flowing white garments, metal armor and a Glock strapped to their leg with several magazines on their belt.


    Stranger things had happened, she supposed.


    Finally, they came to a set of double doors with stained glass set in the top half. The motif showed a picture of a tree, each branch a different color. The branches seemed to reach into different areas of space, showing a purple cosmos or a black sky. Anka tapped on the metal part of the door several times.


    ¡°Come in.¡± She heard a woman''s deep voice answer. The door opened on it''s own, and Anka slipped inside, beckoning them to follow.


    Inside was what appeared, at least at first glance, like a human woman. She was very tall, with wide shoulders and a long face. Long brown hair framed either side of her face, making her look very narrow as it fell in straight lines. She was maybe the same age as Vre--it was hard to tell. A few strands of gray shone through the chestnut brown.


    ¡°Anka.¡± The woman said, stating the angels name. ¡°You''re back. You brought new friends?¡± The woman smiled, like she knew Anka well.


    ¡°Yes, Margaretti. Isabel told me to bring them here, to see the Vizier. The human girl wants to ask for a key.¡±


    Margaretti, as she was named, looked over at them and nodded as if she understood. ¡°Been awhile since anyone''s asked for a key. Is that you, then, who wants to ask for one?¡± She looked directly at Vre. She noticed the little side eye she gave Xerith, but she said nothing about him. She paid no mind to Drake.


    ¡°Yes, ma''am. I think so. I''ve been told about this key but not exactly what to expect about it. But from what I understand, does it let me return home?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no, no.¡± She shook her head. ¡°Not at all, honey. We humans can''t go home. The key, as it''s called, is named that because it unlocks¡­different parts of the World Beyond. Places we couldn''t normally go to. The underbellies, we call them. Usually no one wants to go to the underbellies, because that''s where all the foul things live. The things that have no home.¡±


    Vre shuddered. ¡°I see.¡± She was a little crestfallen that it wasn''t going to be that easy, but if it were, she imagined every human in the World Between would have asked for a key by now. It was disheartening to hear Margaretti say point blank that they couldn''t go home.


    Vre glanced to Xerith. ¡°Why, exactly, do we need to go into the Underbellies?¡±


    ¡°There''s a light down there.¡± He said calmly. ¡°A light that will let you see into other worlds. Including your own world, should you wish it.¡±


    Vre''s heart jumped. ¡°Truly?¡±


    Margaretti nodded. ¡°He speaks the truth. There is a light down there that can be harvested, but only by people who possess a certain trait. You need innocence to gather the light and use it.¡±


    ¡°Innocence?¡±


    ¡°You''ll be fine there, Vre.¡± Xerith smiled faintly.


    She didn''t think of herself as innocent as all. She was a grown woman--she''d done plenty of things in her life she wasn''t proud of. To hear him say so certainly that she''d have this trait made her doubt him slightly. But he''d been telling the truth so far¡­


    Drake scoffed. ¡°The underbelly? You dragged us all this way so that we could get a key to go to a place even worse than this hellhole?¡±


    ¡°You don''t have to go¡­¡± Xerith''s smile tugged up slightly at the corner of his mouth.


    ¡°Pah.¡± Drake scowled.


    ¡°What will you do once you have the light?¡± Margaretti was addressing Xerith now. Anka was sitting in a rotating chair nearby, spinning around slow.


    ¡°A light borne by innocence through the dark can cut through the harrow fields.¡± Xerith said cryptically. ¡°You''ve heard this before, yes?¡±


    ¡°That''s a line out of the old verses.¡± She nodded. ¡°Been awhile, though.¡±


    ¡°Mmm. Well, there''s truth to old words if you know what they meant by ¡®cut¡¯.¡±


    She raised her eyebrow inquisitively. ¡°You''re not going to do something dangerous or illegal, are you? You know, come to think of it, I don''t see your kind around much in the Cathedral. Exactly what are you, if you don''t mind me asking?¡±


    Xerith kept his careful smile in place. ¡°You probably don''t see many like me, it''s true. I am a guardian, ma''am. From the boundaries of the Abyss.¡±


    ¡°An Annunaki.¡± Drake corrected him.


    Vre glanced between the two of them, feeling the strange tension there.


    ¡°Guardian is better suited.¡± Xerith shrugged. ¡°That is what your kind used to call us when we came to your realm. But we call ourselves guardians.¡±


    ¡°And you''re supposed to be here, guardian?¡± Margaretti pressed. ¡°What of the border?¡±


    ¡°I am tasked at finding a way to seal up the taint that is pervading. Together with Vre, I am hoping to succeed in sealing the orifice that is threatening the World Between, to slow the flow if not seal it altogether. Forgive me if I''m mistaken, but this would be a huge benefit to the forces of the Cathedral, would it not?¡±


    ¡°It would.¡± She nodded seriously. ¡°But why now? Why not do this before?¡±


    ¡°It hadn''t gotten bad enough that I saw fit to act, is all. Nothing is free. The actions I take--that my kind takes--have a price. One I did not personally want to pay, but it''s gotten to the point where it is time to act, lest we fail in our duty.¡± His voice sounded a bit strained. It was the first time Vre had seen him act like something was wrong or that he wasn''t OK.


    Margaretti considered them all quietly, crossing her legs. ¡°Well, I think it should be fine. I can tell you don''t want to go into the specifics with me, and I assume the Vizier will know what you''re talking about. If you can seal up the hole, guardian, then I wish you Godspeed. Anka, I''ll let Calos know the girl wants to see him. Will you take her up to him?¡±


    ¡°Surely!¡± Anka bounced out of the chair she was in, the chair rocking back but Anka floating in midair. Her ebony hair drifted around her blank face. ¡°Are you ready, Vre?¡±


    Vre gripped her fingers into her Palms until her nails bit into her flesh. ¡°I suppose so. Just me?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    The angel floated down until she was right next to her, extending her hand like a mother to a child. ¡°Come on. Let me take you to meet my friend, the Vizier.¡±

 Chapter 14 - Key and Admission

    It wasn¡¯t difficult to get the key. The difficult part was the journey to get here, and what would come after. But the key--that part was easy.


    The floating, faceless little angel led Vre up a spiraling staircase made of marble and silver stone. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings of celestial beings and otherworldly landscapes, each telling a story of battles and triumphs, love and loss. Anka bobbed along soundlessly, her ethereal glow casting dancing shadows on the ornate steps.


    Like Alice in Wonderland, Vre wondered if she was walking further into madness. Only time would tell.


    She had no way to know if the path she was following was the correct one--if seeking this key and listening to Xerith would help her get out of this world or not. But it was the only clue she had. So she had to keep going.


    At the top of the staircase was a narrow hall that had several heavy doors lining either side. The windows here were small and didn¡¯t let in much of the gray light outside. The walls were covered in rich, dark tapestries depicting scenes of otherworldly grandeur and mystical battles. The air was thick with the scent of ancient incense, a blend of spices and something floral she couldn''t quite place.


    Anka pushed open one of the heavy doors and drifted inside. Vre hesitated for a moment before following her.


    The room beyond was vast and awe-inspiring. It was a grand chamber with high, vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate mosaics of silver and gold. The walls were lined with ancient tomes and scrolls, each meticulously placed in carved wooden shelves. In the center of the room was a massive statue of a snake-like man, his body coiled and powerful, his scales shimmering like polished obsidian. In his hands, he held a trident wreathed in flames, the fire casting an eerie glow that danced across the stone floor.


    Beneath the statue was an altar, a smooth slab of marble inlaid with glowing runes and symbols. The altar seemed to pulse with an inner light, casting a soft, ethereal glow that illuminated the room in an otherworldly hue.


    Anka stopped before the altar and gestured for Vre to step forward. ¡°This is where you will ask for the key,¡± she said, her voice echoing softly in the grand chamber. ¡°The Vizier will hear your request.¡±


    Vre took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. She stepped up to the altar, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on her. She glanced up at the statue, its serpentine eyes seeming to watch her every move. That was impossible, right? A statue couldn¡¯t hear her request. But she had a feeling that whatever words she said next, that they would indeed be answered.


    "Vizier," Vre began, her voice trembling slightly. "I come to seek the key to the Underbelly. I need it to help seal the taint that is spreading through this world and to find a way back to my own."


    The flames on the trident flickered and flared, casting a brighter light across the room. For a moment, there was silence, and then a deep, resonant voice filled the chamber.


    "Why do you seek this key, mortal? You are not the only to have asked for such a thing. I will grant this to you, but what do you hope to achieve?" The voice seemed to come from everywhere at once, reverberating through the walls and the floor, shaking Vre to her core.


    "I seek the key to find the light that can help cleanse this world of its corruption," Vre replied, finding strength in her purpose. "And to find a way back home."


    There was a pause, and then the voice spoke again. "The path you seek is fraught with danger and uncertainty. The Underbelly is not a place for the faint of heart. Are you prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead?"


    Vre swallowed hard, her resolve firm. "I will do whatever it takes."


    The flames on the trident blazed brighter, and the runes on the altar glowed more intensely. "Very well," the voice intoned. "Place your hand upon the altar and accept the burden you ask for."


    Vre stepped forward, her hand trembling as she reached out and placed it on the cool marble of the altar. The runes flared to life, and she felt a surge of energy course through her body. It was as if the very essence of the Cathedral was flowing into her.


    When she finally withdrew her hand, the symbol of a key was engraved on her hand. It shimmered reflectively, but did not hurt at all.


    "Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you." the voice of the Vizier said, fading into the echoes of the chamber.


    Anka hovered beside her, her glow gentle and reassuring. "You have the key now," she said softly. "Your journey is just beginning."


    Vre shivered, looking at the mark on her hand. ¡°I guess so. I hope this was a good idea. I can¡¯t help but feel like it¡¯s going to get worse from here.¡±


    ¡°Your friend will guide you, right?¡±


    ¡°Through the underbelly?¡± Vre wondered. ¡°Perhaps. I hope so. I don¡¯t know if I can do it alone. I don¡¯t even know the first thing about getting there or what it is. There¡¯s too much in this world. It¡¯s overwhelming.¡±


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    ¡°That¡¯s why many choose never to try to leave, I suppose.¡± Anka shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s easier to stay than to try.¡±


    Vre sighed. She didn¡¯t know if she had the resolve or stamina to try, either.


    Slowly, she descended back down the stairs back to where she had left Xerith and Drake in the company of the woman, Margaretti. Anka had chosen to stay behind - her task of escorting her completed. Vre was alone finally and had a moment to think. She descended the stairs with her head in the clouds, the thick skirt falling on the stone floor.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can do this.¡± She whispered to herself. It was too weird--too wicked, here. She had the overwhelming sensation that she did not belong here, in this fantastical cruel in-between world of spirits and darkness. She just wanted to go home.


    Her footsteps echoed in the vast, empty halls, the sound amplifying her sense of isolation. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if the weight of her fears and doubts were pressing down on her. The mark on her hand seemed to burn with an invisible heat, a constant reminder of the perilous path ahead.


    When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she found Xerith and Drake waiting, their faces etched with concern. Xerith was searching her face intently, his eyes locked onto hers.


    "Are you alright?" he asked, stepping closer, his voice a low, soothing murmur.


    She shook her head, her eyes filling with tears. "I don''t know, Xerith. This world... It''s too much. I feel like I''m drowning in it. How can I possibly navigate the Underbelly when I can barely keep my head above water here?"


    Drake bristled, shuffling on his feet. ¡°You know, no one says you have to go and do this. I know I for one am sick and tired of only knowing half of what this damn Annunaki is up to or why he led us on this stupid quest. I wouldn¡¯t hold it against you one bit if you didn¡¯t want to do any of this and just turn back around and go back to Demure together. You can keep staying with me, you know.¡±


    Vre met his gray eyes, blinking back the tears that were forming. ¡°I know you mean that. And I thank you. It¡¯s been very kind of you to let me stay with you, but it is also kind of maddening to not be able to do anything and just be trapped here forever. It isn¡¯t right. We don¡¯t belong here, Drake.¡±


    She turned to face Xerith, his tall form imposing before her. It was because of him that she¡¯d been led on this path. He stood with his head slightly tilted, staring down his nose at her as she met his vibrant gaze.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if you are telling the truth, if you care for me, or if you¡¯re leading me further into doom.¡± She extended her hand outward and showed him the mark of the key that was shimmering on the back of her hand. ¡°But I have the key you told me to get now. Do you want to explain what¡¯s next?¡± She held her head up high, despite the wavering in her voice.


    His expression was so hard to read. He reached out to take her hand, holding it in his own, examining the mark that was made there. A strand of his dark ebony hair fell across his face, but then he looked at her again. ¡°What¡¯s next is traveling into the Underbelly, Vre. But before I show you how to get there, there¡¯s something I¡¯d like to do first. Would you be willing to come with me for a moment? I¡¯d like to talk to you.¡±


    Drake scoffed. ¡°I don¡¯t know if you need to be taking her anywhere alone.¡±


    Margaretti, who was sitting in her chair nearby, was shaking her head in disbelief. ¡°You travel all this way together, but you don¡¯t trust each other at all, do you?¡±


    ¡°Of course not.¡± Drake frowned. ¡°It would be foolish to trust a being whose entire existence lays that close to the taint.¡±


    ¡°What can I do to get you to trust me?¡± Xerith sighed. He glanced from Drake back to Vre. ¡°Please, Vre? Just a moment of your time. We don¡¯t have to leave the Cathedral, even. Will you just take a walk with me?¡±


    She considered him carefully. Drake¡¯s wariness rubbed off on her, but she couldn¡¯t forget the secret moments she¡¯d had with Xerith thus far, either. There was something magnetic about him, something that made her want to trust him despite the warnings.


    ¡°Alright,¡± she said finally. ¡°I¡¯ll walk with you.¡±


    Drake opened his mouth to protest, but Margaretti held up a hand. ¡°Let them go. She needs to decide for herself.¡±


    Xerith¡¯s grip on her hand tightened slightly, his touch reassuring. ¡°Thank you, Vre. I promise, I just want to talk.¡±


    He led her through a side corridor, the polished stone walls gleaming softly in the dim light. The air was cool and still, a stark contrast to the tumultuous thoughts swirling in Vre¡¯s mind. They walked in silence for a few moments, the only sound the soft echo of their footsteps.


    Finally, Xerith stopped in front of a large stained glass window depicting a serene landscape bathed in ethereal light. He turned to face her, his golden eyes searching hers.


    ¡°Vre,¡± he began, his voice gentle. ¡°I know this world is overwhelming, and I know you have every reason to doubt me. But I need you to understand that I¡¯m here to help you. I care about you more than you can imagine.¡±


    She looked up at him, her heart aching with a mixture of fear and longing. ¡°Why me, Xerith? Why do you care so much?¡±


    Carefully, he reached out to gently cup her face in his long, skinny hands. ¡°We don¡¯t get to pick the ones we fall in love with, Vre. From the moment I first saw you, I have wanted nothing but to spend my days alongside you. You have a strength and a purity that is rare in any world, even though you never believe it in yourself. You are the kind of person who prays honestly for peace and goodness in the world. I hear you, and I know others hear you too. I wish I could get you to trust me. I know I¡¯m leading you into the worst possible place to go. I know this, Vre. But I wouldn¡¯t lead you there if I couldn¡¯t protect you. If I didn¡¯t know we could do this together.¡±


    Her breath caught in her throat as he leaned in closer, his presence enveloping her. She could feel the heat of his body, the steady beat of his heart. His proximity both repelled and attracted her, but she chose to lean into him this time. ¡°Xerith,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling. ¡°I¡¯m so scared. I don¡¯t know if I can do this.¡±


    ¡°You can,¡± he murmured, his lips just inches from hers. ¡°You are stronger than you know. And I will be with you every step of the way. I would not have brought you here if I did not think you could do this.¡±


    In that moment, the weight of the world suddenly crashed down on her as she replayed what he just said.


    ¡°Wait.¡± She tried to pull back from him, staring up at him. ¡°You did what? You brought me here?¡±


    He kept her gaze, his eyes steady. The pale light behind him coming through the stained glass made him look so terribly ethereal as he said, ¡°Yes, Vre. I brought you here to the World Between.¡±

 Chapter 15 - Breakdown

    Rage mixed with a bit of disgust was boiling inside of her. The gravity of his admission that he had been the one all along who brought her to this godforsaken world made her sick to her stomach. He was the reason she was stuck here. He was the reason she might have lost everything she cared about in her previous life.


    He was the reason she was surrounded by this reality that wanted to kill her. This morose, gray battleground of the World Between, a place stalked by rain men, a purgatory for mankind, and a middle ground for spirits.


    He was the reason she was now imprinted with a key that was granted to her by the Vizier of the Silver Cathedral.


    ¡°Why?¡± She asked, her voice trembling with barely suppressed fury. She wasn¡¯t sure if there could ever be an answer good enough to make up for how she was feeling right now.


    There was a dangerous glint in Xerith¡¯s eyes, an unsettling blend of possessiveness and longing. The intimate moment they had just shared was gone in an instant, replaced by a venomous stare. ¡°Because I want you here, Vre. I don¡¯t want to do this by myself.¡±


    ¡°How can you be so selfish?¡± She breathed painfully, her heart aching with betrayal. ¡°How can you say you love me in one breath and then admit to ruining my entire life in the next?¡±


    ¡°Vre¡­¡± He reached for her, his fingers twitching with desperation, but it was too late. Picking up the long skirt so that she could run faster, she bolted away from him as fast as her feet would carry her.


    This was a mistake. This was all such a huge mistake! Drake was right. He¡¯s a monster. He¡¯s a brutal, lying fucking monster. How could I have been so stupid!?


    The walls of the Cathedral seemed to close in around her, the beautiful architecture now feeling like a cage. The ambient glow of the ethereal lights cast eerie shadows that danced and twisted, making the grandeur of the Cathedral seem sinister and foreboding.


    She didn¡¯t want anything to do with this place any longer, but she didn¡¯t know where to go. She blew past the room where Drake and Margaretti waited, her eyes wild with panic, sprinting towards the main chamber where the spiritual entities were coming and going.


    Vre¡¯s footsteps echoed through the vast halls, mingling with the whispers of the spirits and the distant hum of the Cathedral. She could feel the weight of Xerith¡¯s gaze on her back, a chilling reminder of his presence. The air around her seemed to thicken with his dark energy, pressing down on her, suffocating her with its intensity. He was watching her--she knew it.


    As she burst into the main chamber, the sight of the myriad of beings¡ªcreatures with goat feet, winged spirits, and faceless angels¡ªoverwhelmed her senses. The crystalline formations glowed ominously, their light refracted through the shimmering air, creating a surreal, disorienting effect.


    Her breath came in ragged gasps as she stumbled to a halt, her eyes darting around, seeking an escape. But the vastness of the chamber only served to amplify her sense of entrapment.


    Suddenly, a cold hand gripped her shoulder, spinning her around. She looked up into Xerith¡¯s eyes, now dark and brooding, his expression a mask of tortured resolve.


    ¡°You can¡¯t run from this, Vre,¡± he said, his voice low and filled with a predatory intensity. ¡°You can¡¯t run from me. We are bound together by something far greater than you can comprehend.¡±


    ¡°Let go of me!¡± She struggled against his hold, her voice rising in pitch. ¡°I don¡¯t want any part of this! I want to go home!¡±


    Xerith¡¯s grip tightened, his eyes flashing with a mix of anger and something else¡ªsomething deeper, more twisted. ¡°Whether you like it or not, you are here now. Where will you go? Back to Demure, back to that mansion, hiding until you eventually die? Or back to your world, where you spent every day with a hole in your chest, wishing for a new life? Vre, please. Please listen to me, I did not bring you here to hurt you. I--¡±


    Tears streamed down her face as she fought to free herself from his grasp. ¡°You don¡¯t own me! You can¡¯t control me!¡±


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    His expression softened for a moment, his eyes reflecting a flicker of regret. ¡°I don¡¯t want to control you, Vre. I want to protect you. To save you. Even if it means saving you from yourself.¡±


    Her defiance wavered, the conflicting emotions tearing her apart. The intensity of his gaze, the certainty in his voice, it all pulled at her, making her question everything she thought she knew.


    But deep down, she knew she couldn¡¯t trust him. Not completely. Not after everything..


    ¡°Please,¡± she whispered, her voice breaking. ¡°Just let me go.¡±


    Xerith¡¯s grip loosened slightly, his expression pained. ¡°I can¡¯t. Not yet. We still have a mission to complete. And I need you, Vre. More than you can ever know.¡±


    With a final, desperate push, she wrenched herself free from his hold, stumbling back a few steps. Her heart pounded in her chest, the adrenaline coursing through her veins.


    ¡°Then you¡¯ll have to do it without me,¡± she said, her voice trembling but resolute.


    She turned and ran again, the shadows of the Cathedral closing in around her, the path ahead shrouded in uncertainty and fear. But one thing was clear¡ªshe couldn¡¯t stay here. Not with him. Not with the darkness that threatened to consume her.


    As she ran towards the front gate of the Cathedral, the weight of Xerith¡¯s gaze followed her. Her lungs burned as she ran, none of the spirits paying her any heed.


    She would go find Jonah. She¡¯d go find him, and figure out what to do from there. If she could make it back to Regnum, that was where they¡¯d gotten separated. There was several hours before it would be getting dark, and she could make it. Surely she could make it.


    Her eye burned with frustration and from the exertion of running. The heavy skirt weighed her down significantly until she had to slow, bent over and gasping for breath. Sobs came in waves, wracking her chest until the constrictions hurt.


    Would Jonah even be able to help me? She wheezed. I¡¯m so pathetic. I can¡¯t do anything on my own. Running to Drake, to Jonah, to Xerith¡­what¡¯s the point? I¡¯m hopeless. Perhaps it would be better if I just died here.


    Her thoughts spiraled into a dark abyss as she leaned against a cold stone pillar, the weight of despair pressing down on her. The grand architecture of the Cathedral, once awe-inspiring, now seemed like a grim prison. The towering spires and intricate carvings cast long, oppressive shadows that mirrored the turmoil in her heart.


    She slid down to the floor, her back against the pillar, knees drawn up to her chest. Tears streamed down her face as she rocked slightly, the overwhelming sense of helplessness nearly suffocating her.


    What am I doing? she thought. How can I possibly navigate this world? I don¡¯t belong here. I just want to go home.


    The Cathedral¡¯s entrance loomed in the distance, a beacon of her attempted escape, but the journey back to Regnum seemed impossible now. She felt as if the entire world was closing in on her, the oppressive gloom of the World Between swallowing her whole.


    Suddenly, a soft, ethereal glow illuminated the area around her. She looked up to see a familiar face--or rather, a familiar facelessness¡ªAnka, the petite black-haired angel, her light gentle and comforting.


    ¡°Vre,¡± Anka said softly, hovering beside her. ¡°You¡¯re not alone. I know it feels like it, but you have allies here. People who care about you.¡±


    Vre looked up at Anka, her vision blurred with tears. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do, Anka. I feel so lost. So powerless.¡±


    Anka reached out, her hand brushing against Vre¡¯s cheek, the touch cool and soothing. ¡°It¡¯s okay to feel that way. This world is harsh and unforgiving, but you have a strength inside you. A strength you may not fully understand yet. Xerith sees it, and so do I. That¡¯s why we¡¯re here¡ªto help you realize your potential.¡±


    ¡°But Xerith¡­¡± Vre¡¯s voice broke. ¡°He¡¯s the reason I¡¯m here. He brought me to this nightmare.¡±


    Anka nodded. ¡°Xerith¡¯s actions may seem cruel, but his intentions come from a place of deep care. The path he¡¯s leading you on is fraught with danger, but it¡¯s also a path to understanding and power. He believes in you, Vre. And so should you.¡±


    Vre¡¯s sobs subsided slightly, the angel¡¯s words a small comfort. ¡°I just want to go home,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°I know,¡± Anka replied. ¡°But first, you must face the challenges before you. The key you bear is a symbol of your journey¡ªa journey that only you can complete. Trust in yourself, Vre. And trust in those who walk beside you.¡±


    Taking a deep breath, Vre nodded, a flicker of resolve igniting within her. She couldn¡¯t let despair consume her. She had to keep moving forward, no matter how daunting the path ahead seemed.


    With Anka¡¯s comforting presence beside her, she stood up, her legs shaky but determined. She would find a way through this. She had to. For her sake, and for the hope of finding her way back home.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best,¡± Vre said, her voice steadying.


    Anka patted her hand gently. ¡°That¡¯s all anyone can ask. Now, let¡¯s go find your friends, Vre. So you can continue this journey and do as you wish...to go home.¡±