Maxim and I stepped out of their castle. The dark forest stretched out before us, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as we ventured further. I looked around, trying to take in every detail of our surroundings—the way the leaves rustled softly underfoot and how Maxim was standing close to me, his eyes scanning the area we were in for threats. Each footstep echoed through the dimly lit woods as we made our way to a colossal, ancient tree, its gnarled roots protruding from the earth like grotesque serpents.
"This is the portal to Vezhiel's realm," Maxim whispered. "The entrance is located on the other side of that tree." He pointed towards the tree. which loomed over us menacingly, and then he walked toward it, pausing at the base. His fingers brushed the wood as he examined it carefully, his brow furrowing. A soft wind began blowing, ruffling his hair lightly, and I shivered involuntarily as the temperature seemed to drop several degrees.
I looked at the ancient tree and felt that it was looking back at me. Its energy felt odd and heavy, and strangely, I also felt sadness and hopelessness. Perhaps such energy was fitting for a portal to the prison of a fallen being. I had no idea how angels could fall. I wish I could find books about it at the lodge's library.
That might provide answers to my questions about this strange world…
I snapped my attention back to Maxim when he turned back to face me. His expression was grim, and with a slight frown, he said, "It appears to be stable. We will now enter through the portal. And since this world is far more complicated than you may realize..." He hesitated, then continued. "You will need to stay behind and keep watch. Do not go anywhere. We need to go as quickly as possible for your safety. And do not talk with anyone here unless I tell you so." He held me with one hand and gestured towards the portal with the other. "Understood?"
I smiled slightly, as I already knew that talking to astral beings can be extremely dangerous, especially if they are not familiar to you. In such a case, they could get your soul, and you cannot go back to your body. "Yes, Maxim." I took a step forward until I stood beside him.
He took my hand with his cold one, and we passed through the ancient tree trunk without much difficulty into another realm. This time, the atmosphere was noticeably darker, and there was still an overwhelming nightmarish energy that seemed almost palpable around us. I suddenly felt my amulet around my neck, its astral form glowing softly.
We stood at the edge of a vast, desolate wasteland. Numerous immense, shadow-shrouded fortresses loomed ominously in the distance, their presence overwhelming. The skies were filled with dark, churning clouds, casting a menacing and haunting glow over the forsaken landscape.
The ground beneath our feet was uneven, scattered with jagged rocks and twisted roots that seemed to reach up like skeletal hands from the ashen soil.
As we gazed at the numerous, immense fortresses in the distance, their silhouettes seemed to meld with the encroaching shadows. Their towering spires and darkened turrets stabbed at the dimly lit sky, creating an otherworldly contrast against the perpetual twilight. The fortresses' architecture appeared both majestic and foreboding. It seemed that many astral beings wanted to build fortresses, but I had seen a few dimensions with modern buildings instead.
"Here we are," Maxim said softly as he stared at the castle. "This realm is only one of the many prisons for fallen beings. They have different punishments."
He looked at me, smiling faintly. "Don't worry, you'll be fine. Just stay close to me and don't say anything. There are no demons here, but only angels appointed by the Creator to manage this prison."
"Alright," I replied, "but we have to go there quickly, or else I might perish."
"Right," the vampire said tonelessly, and his grip tightened around my wrist. We went to a particular fortress at phenomenal speed. Within minutes, we found ourselves standing before a particular fortress. The gate was flanked by two gargoyles carved from solid black stone.
Maxim looked around cautiously as if suspecting that someone was watching us. Then, he tugged on the handle of the gate. It opened easily, and we stepped in.
We went to the massive main door of the castle, and Maxim paused, looking me in the eye. "Stay close," he whispered again as I nodded my understanding. He put a finger to his lips and then slowly pushed the massive door open. Once the heavy wooden door had been pushed fully open, he pulled me through, shutting it behind us with ease.
Inside, we saw a dark, empty hallway. I wondered what sort of prison it would be for someone like Vezhiel. Did it contain torture chambers or torture devices? Would it hold all the fallen angels who had committed crimes and perhaps been imprisoned by the Creator himself? I didn't know, but we were not going to stick around and find out.
Maxim and I walked quietly towards a particularly decorated black door. He placed his palm on the ornate golden handles and then opened the door. We entered, blinking in confusion. The room was well-lit, like the throne room of a palace, but I found no chandeliers or any source of light. There were no windows as well. I noticed the walls had strange inscriptions carved on them. The entire room was spacious, and it certainly did not look like a prison for a fallen angelic entity.
"This is one of the strangest places I have seen in the astral plane," I muttered to myself.
My companion chuckled darkly. "The previous dimension where you met strange automatons and people is much darker than this prison. This prison dimension is made for fallen angels to be punished, and so this realm is governed by the angels, agents, and the judges."
I stared at his crimson eyes. "I have never heard of agents and judges."
Maxim gave a faint smile. "They are a type of benevolent angel that probably humans would fear the most."
"I never feared an angel. But why are they so frightening to humans?"
"Because, dear Masha, they are responsible for the fate of all beings. Being near them can destroy the human soul. Their energy is just that intense. And they can be merciless too."
My eyes suddenly landed on a figure several meters away from us. I had not noticed him until now. The figure was standing with his back to us. He was clad in a plain dark garment. His long brown hair floated gently behind him as though in the nonexistent breeze that surrounded him. My stomach clenched at his unsettling demeanor.
"Is it...him?" I whispered to Maxim.
"He is, indeed." Maxim bowed slightly and then Vezhiel turned to us. His gaze swept across us silently, his brilliant gray eyes unreadable.
"Ah, Maxim, the cunning vampire with a taste for power," he uttered. "To what do I owe the honor of your presence? Have you come to witness the torment of the fallen? Seeking a taste of forbidden knowledge, perhaps?" The sound of his deep voice echoed loudly around the large hall. Although his words sounded friendly, they lacked warmth. His expression remained impassive.
"I am sorry for intruding on your domain like this," Maxim told him respectfully, "but we had no choice."
Vezhiel nodded thoughtfully, his expression remaining stoic. After a few moments, he gave a small shake of his head. His eyes locked onto mine, and a chill ran down my spine as his intense gaze bore into me. He looked back at Maxim again. "You've brought a guest. Pray, introduce us. What name shall I bestow upon this fair maiden who ventures into the realm of fallen angels?"
"Her name is Masha," Maxim replied.
Vezhiel nodded. "Very good, indeed. How interesting. I am pleased that you're bringing her to me. She should serve quite nicely."
"She has agreed to accompany me to the prison," Maxim informed Vezhiel. "I come before you with a humble request for information. Do you happen to have any knowledge regarding the current whereabouts of the talisman we seek? Additionally, I'm curious if any news has reached you concerning the fate and well-being of my dear brother."
A tight smile came to the fallen angel's lips. "Nothing new, I believe."
"I know you know something, my friend."
For several seconds, Vezhiel just stared at us in silence. He seemed to take his time considering how to respond to Maxim's question. Finally, he asked, "Why is it that you are interested in these matters?"
"You know the reason," Maxim answered. "There has been some unrest within my brother's forces. Something seems off, I can sense. They have begun to doubt each other, and that concerns me. And of course, other vampires are planning to make war." His eyes narrowed slightly. "So I'm hoping to hear it from you, especially that you have some kind of access to other dimensions."
Vezhiel stared blankly at him for a brief second before nodding his head lightly. "Indeed, you are correct. Your brother has been missing for more than a hundred years." He sighed heavily and looked at me. "It's difficult for him to be alone, especially after everything that happened when he first came to the mortal world." A smirk came to his lips. "But oh, where is the talisman now? I know not, unfortunately."
"No clues?" Maxim inquired, his tone becoming cold.
"None, except for a hint, which leads us to believe that it's somewhere in the depths of hell," Vezhiel responded cryptically. "Perhaps in the hands of a person dear to one's heart." His pale fingers tapped lightly against his chin as he mused aloud, "A very dangerous person, at that."
I stared at Vezhiel, trying to catch any indication that he knew who the talisman could belong to. But there were none. Vezhiel stood immobile, staring straight ahead with a calm exterior, while I had yet to even notice that the temperature had dropped a few degrees. Vezhiel must have sensed our gaze upon him because his eyebrows furrowed together ever so slightly, and he lifted his head, finally turning around. He cast a long, hard stare at me. "What is it that you desire, Masha Montclair?" He asked slowly.
"I...well, I want to know the location of the talisman and the sorcerer who took it," I murmured. "But if you don't have any clues, that is fine. I understand." I don't know what else to say, especially since his fiercely beautiful eyes were fixed on me like a tiger staring at its prey.
His pale lips twitched. "Very well, I admire your determination and courage, young lady. But a young magician like you should not meddle with the dark forces."
"And I wanted the talisman returned to me immediately," Maxim added.
I glanced at him. Something's not right. "Do you want the talisman for yourself?"
Maxim looked at me coldly. "You know very little about the history of that talisman, woman."
"Nikolai made it for his wife so she would become a vampire!"
"Yes, you are correct. But," he said, facing me without blinking, "I am the one who crafted it for my brother because he requested it. He was so desperate that I could no longer recognize him."
I could not speak for a moment. I just stared at Maxim for a short time before a smirk appeared on his lips. "Don't overthink, Masha. Since the talisman is made for Nikolai's lover, the talisman could have negative side effects if used by another person."
"Like what?"
"Something unimaginably dark and irreversible," Maxim said, and he chuckled.
"Surely, the sorcerer who took it is a vampire if he used the talisman. He would have a long life."
"And he is damned," Maxim added.
A sly smile appeared on Vezhiel's face, and he glanced briefly at Maxim. "Ah," he said, sounding almost relieved. Then he shook his head once more. "I do like vampires, especially your own kind. So passionate and merciless. I like it very much."
"So you don't know anything about the talisman's location?" Maxim asked once again.
"I only know that it is still existing," Vezhiel replied with a mocking smile. "You should have consulted a demon instead of me, in this case."
"Alright, whatever you say. Then I guess Masha and I have to go," Maxim said rather irritably.
As we turned to leave, a sudden shiver ran down my spine. A group of hooded figures materialized out of the shadows, surrounding Vezhiel. Their presence seemed to suck the warmth from the air.
I looked at Maxim, a question forming on my lips. "What's happening?"
Maxim's expression remained unfazed. "Vezhiel is about to undergo another session of his punishment. They'll mutilate his body parts, and then they'll reconnect them. It's a cycle they go through."
My eyes widened in shock. "Mutilate? But why?"
"Fallen angels, my dear, have a way of deserving such things," Maxim said with an air of casual indifference. "It's their fate, and you needn't concern yourself with it. Come, let's leave this wretched place."
As we stepped away from the prison castle, I couldn't shake the disturbing images from my mind. The hooded figures continued their gruesome task, and the anguished cries of Vezhiel echoed in the desolate realm. I followed Maxim, trying to push the unsettling scene to the back of my thoughts, but the knowledge of what transpired in that forsaken fortress lingered, casting a shadow over our departure.