Isis Seam walked into the vast library, her footsteps echoing as she moved towards a glass vault with floral decorations. As she examined the flowers, Isis waved her arm, violet dust following her movement. A loud click was heard as the flowers moved and the vault opened.
The vault had many security layers. The flowers were Pentas lanceolata, originally harmless, but these were laced with a potent poison. The vault door was a false door, it sounded and appeared to open when magic was used on it, but in reality, it was an illusion.
As instructed by the king, Isis ignored the false door and pulled out a rusted brass key from the long and elegant sleeve of her pink and purple dress. She reached her tan hand out and felt around the air until she felt a rough surface, as Isis touched the surface, a gold shimmer appeared in the shape of a keyhole.
Sighing, Isis inserted the key, and with a soft click, the door opened to reveal a sparkling quartz staircase that descended to the catacombs. Isis stepped cautiously onto the staircase, she noticed the walls were lined with glowing crystals that illuminated the way down.
The steps were smooth and polished, and Isis was filled with awe as she advanced down the glistening stairs. Isis has never stepped near the catacombs, she has only ever seen the healing spring, but that was many years ago. The now older elf, had only been a child when she first woke up in the vibrant spring, she'd long forgotten why.
Isis took a deep breath as she stepped onto the last stair, her footsteps echoing in the empty catacombs. As the passage became dark, Isis held out her hand and whispered an incantation, igniting a flame in her palm. She wandered down the passage, her flame providing the only light. The air was cold and still, and Isis could feel her heart racing in her chest.
As she traveled down the winding passage, she stopped suddenly, coming across a fork in the path. Isis looked at the two paths with a questioning gaze before glancing at the flickering flame in her hand. Hesitating, Isis closed her hand, extinguishing the burning flame. The elf then adjusted her eyes.
A burst of blue bio-luminescent algae lit up the passage, forming arrows to direct Isis to what she sought. It was something as old and mysterious as the king himself. Something that had been locked away since the dark ages. Although many called them "ancient tomes," Isis called them . . .
"Den antika tomen"
. . .
Leo stared wide-eyed into the empty void, feeling the black water pool onto his naked body. He took shallow breaths as he slowly sat up and looked around, he could see nothing but blackness for miles. 'Where am I?' Leo thought, but his thoughts appeared to echo throughout the void, startling him.
As the echo traveled the void, a loud rumbling could be heard, and the dark watery floor trembled. Falling to the floor, Leo watched in fear as 12 pillars rose, glowing bright colors. The pillars held different objects, floating ominously. Leo knew he'd seen these objects before, but he couldn't place where.
"You only get one choice. . ."
Leo was confused by the strange voice that was so distant yet so close. He looked over the strange objects with curiosity. All of the items were crystals, shining in different hues and designs. A red heart, a grey apple, a brown fern, an orange cat's eye, a golden leaf, a blue spear, a turquoise trident, a yellow scale, a silver crescent, an amber dagger, a maroon coin, and a burgundy serpent.
They were so enchanting, yet threatening, menacing yet soft. It was as if Leo felt exposed, as if he was being judged by the items. Even so, the items spoke to him, each telling its own story. Beauty, envy, nature, isolated, playful, sturdy, entitled, fierce, rage, strength, immature, and grief.
He could feel their presence, as if they were alive. He could feel their pain, their love, everything, as if they were his own. He was captivated by their emotions. Leo couldn't choose just one, not when all of them called to him, beckoning him.
"I-I can't choose. . . "
"You can't do that!"
The voice was sudden yet soft, echoing throughout the void. Leo turned to the apple pillar, finding himself looking at a majestic and stunning grey woman. The apple lay in pieces in the woman's hand. Leo felt fear and hatred upon seeing the woman, his heart racing as the other objects took on ethereal forms as well.
The objects appeared to move and shift, as if they were alive. Leo's eyes never left the woman. A sense of dread came over him. "You must choose, or else." The grey woman said, voice pleading for obedience. "I refuse." Leo declared, standing his ground
"Then you'll die. . ."
With no hesitation, all the ethereal figures attacked, stabbing, clawing, hunting. However, two of the forms stood by, watching with somber looks. As Leo felt every ounce of pain, he slowly slipped into the murky depths. He reached out, hoping the two somber figures would help him.
'Save yourself' a voice said in Leo's head, familiar yet distant. Leo inhaled deeply, taking a last breath as the ethereal forms forced him into the black water. He closed his eyes, feeling the frigid water envelope him.
Forcing himself to open his eyes, Leo saw a bright white light shining through the water's surface. The light drew him in, making him reach out with his last ounce of strength. He was powerless to do anything but reach, the water exhausted him.
Leo slowly gave up, his eyes closing as the inky water filled his lungs. . .
"Mother. . . Please forgive me. . ."