Inside the dark murky tunnel that was filled with an eerie gloomy chill. Only a single flicker of light could be seen shining in the inky fog, behind it a pair of blazing golden eyes shone in the darkness.
" This wouldn't do."
A voice rang out in the silence and suddenly the little fire got bigger and its warmth spread, illuminating the dark passageway and keeping some of the swirling fog at bay.
Alexia breathed out a sigh of relief. It was an odd uncomfortable experience being literally caressed by darkness. The fog seemed alive but not hostile...yet.
Gazing about curiously, Alexia wasn't certain if she was making the right decision or if this thing even led anywhere. It was a decision made on impulse after all.
" I mean...why would the gods build anything here in a warzone?And even if they did, what's the chance that it's still standing after all these years?"
Alexia whispered softly to herself, tilting her head as she pondered this question though her feet were still moving deeper into the darkness. The fog clearing way for her with only the sound of her footsteps in the silence.
This continued for a while with nothing in sight and no movement being heard. When had her life ever been this silent and uneventful, this situation was getting on her nerves. It felt as if the darkness was the only thing aside from her that existed.
Where were the promised monsters? The major mysteries and discoveries? The unwelcoming pain and despair? This was a scram. It seemed Lugus and that demon god found it amusing to play with the hearts of mortals. She scoffed at them in her heart, it's not like they could hear her because she believed the gods were dead.
Already tired, she paused, looking forward hoping to see something, anything at all at this point. But all she was meant with were silence and disappointment. Vehemently shaking her head, she decisively turned back. She wasn't made to handle this kind of boring adventure.
But when she turned around, all she saw was inky fog that looked like it was smiling at her. For the first time in a long time, her heart sank, there was no other option but to move forward.
" I'm now assured that this is a scam."
Gritting her teeth while matching forward valiantly, she looked like an honourable soldier matching to her death. It was just that their was nothing honourable about this figure instead she was so daring to curse the gods in her mind.
Alexia exhaled, getting angry wouldn't solve anything. At least there was now a high chance that something of value was actually in here. If not, why go through all that trouble to trap her here.
Or maybe this was all done unintentionally, someone as small as her could never really fathom the will of the gods. And yet her life was being affected. What a typical thing for powerful people to do, interfering with the lives of lesser people just because they could.
Remembering something, her fists clenched almost extinguishing the light in her palms. Seeing the darkness move, ready to surround her. She calmed down at the last minute, softly exhaling while looking forward.
Something seemed to flicker in the darkness, like ball of fire but it didn't feel like the ordinary fire she was used to. This one had a presence that made the fog give way to it indefinitely. She stared at it with her mouth agape, the thing seemed to be calling out to her, it even wiggled and gestured for her to follow before swiftly floating forward.
Without much thought, her body moved on its own, chasing after the mysterious ball of fire. The sentiment flame looked as if it was having fun with her. If it had a mouth she assumed that it would be playfully giggling. The thought brought a smile to her lips while chasing after the lively flame.
Following after it she went deeper, taking multiple turns at some point. At the moment, she knew that she wouldn't be able to find her way back even if she wanted too. Also, the flame looked so cute entirely without malice.
' When had a little fire hurt anybody?' she questioned with a smile.
Only to soon feel the familiar feeling of having nothing under her feet before plummeting downwards.
" Spoke to soon. Damn it ! Ahh!"
Closing her eyes in surprise, she felt her body plummeting down. While she was venting her frustrations silently, she felt heat on her face. Instinctively opening her eyes, she saw the flame in front of her. Floating at a similar speed as she was.
She could swear that it was laughing at her, the little ball was shaking slightly as if its shoulders were trembling in amusement. Well that was if it had shoulders.
Furious, she reached out a hand to grab at it, the flame simply moved back wiggled at her as if daring her to catch it. Her eyes narrowed as she intensified her attempts, with every dodge, she could feel it's disdain grow more vivid.
Before she could say anything, it jumped twice gesturing for her to look down. In a daze, she obeyed, only to realize that she was just a few meters from breaking every bone in her body.
She closed her eyes bracing herself for the rough landing. She waited a bit, but instead of pain, she felt a welcoming heat.
Slowly opening her eyes, she cautiously looked down only to notice that she was sitting atop a cloud of warm flames. Staring at the the little ball of fire, she teased it with a grin.
" Little flame, can't bear to see me injured right?"
It rolled its eyes at her before abruptly causing the cloud to vanish letting her fall to the ground with a soft thud.
" Ouch."
Exclaiming painfully, she glared at the naughty flame, which answered her with a glare of it's own before it continued forward, leaving her there. She inhaled deeply before getting up.
" What era are we now. Even elements have learnt how to throw tantrums."
Mumbling to herself, with a pout, she reluctantly followed after the flames. It had slowed down considerably no longer rushing like it was in a hurry to incarnate.
' Could it even do that?'
Shaking her head free of those useless thoughts, she walked behind it until they reached a towering onyx door. She was unaware of what it was made of or what was on the other side but she was sure of two things.
One, was that the door was ancient and imposing so opening it was definitely not going to be as simple as picking a lock or saying a magic word.
She rolled her eyes at her thoughts and continued with her evaluation.
Second, such a door was bound to hold secrets. Her eyes lit up at the thought but how was she going to get through it.
While contemplating, her sight unintentionally drifted to the little ball of fire beside her. It had led her here so now what?
As if it had heard her question, the flame moved towards the door and easily slipped right through it. She wasn't sure what went on in her mind but few minutes after that, her body moved to mimic it earning her a bump on the head.
" Ouch."
While still rubbing her sore forehead, the flame came back watching her with a gaze of pity and disdain. This time she just silently accepted it because even she herself was confused by her actions.
Looking up at the door, she placed her hands on it, closing her eyes to feel it. Maybe there was a latch or something, thinking that she continued until she felt a stir in her soul.
It felt like something inside her was properly awakening but at the same time, the mysterious door was rapidly absorbing some of her essence. Feeding on the energy being emitted by the thing in her soul.