[Gia's POV]I followed Death into a large chamber, which was larger than it appeared from the outside. Sounds of a battle rang throughout the round and intricately detailed room like a gong. The room has a smell of fresh paint, metal, and a hint of blood in the air. Death motioned for me to take a seat in the only chair in the room. The chair is a high-back, wide-frame with a large seat cushion for comfort, shaped and padded to fit your body. Made of smooth crimson-red velvet, it radiates an intimidating yet eerily inviting feel and sits directly in the middle of the room. After doing as Death instructed, I looked around the room. The walls had a metallic appearance to them, whether they were made of metal, or a metallic paint was used, I do not know. The floor was mirrored, and had six concentric circles carved into the floor, with the mirrors perfectly placed to appear as a mirage. On closer examination, the six circles appear to be constructed as reservoirs of some kind, but wh
[Gia's POV]As Death pulled the lever, the sound of grinding mechanisms filled the air as several doors were unlocked and revealed hidden chambers scattered throughout the room. Each door was a different size and shape, some adorned with intricate carvings while others were plain and worn. The doors all led to dark, foreboding tunnels and halls, leading to unknown destinations. The chamber doors opened one by one, revealing dark, hooded figures emerging into the room. The reapers were cloaked in black, their faces hidden in shadow. The hooded figures moved with precision, their robes flowing behind them as they formed a perfect circle around the outer ring. Their faces obscured by darkness, they stood tall and imposing. Death stood motionless, a tall figure cloaked in black standing silently by the door. The two new figures that entered the room were also cloaked, their faces hidden in shadow. The atmosphere was tense, and their arrival only added to the suspense making this awkw
[Gia's POV]The darkness seemed to stretch on forever as I flew back, the walls of the tunnel closing in on me until I hit something solid. It was pitch black, but I could faintly make out the outlines of the walls and ceiling. The darkness was so thick that it seemed to swallow every trace of light, the only source coming from a faint glimmer bouncing off the walls. I could see a liquid pooling around my hands, a viscous black substance that seemed to pulsate and writhe in the dim light. Again, in this darkness, I thought as I stood up and wiped my hands on my dress. "It will not be long now, my child," I recognized Hecate's voice as I stood in the darkness. Her words echoed around me, bouncing off the walls and filling the void with her presence. "Hecate?" I called out, my voice trembling slightly. I couldn't see her, but I could feel her energy surrounding me. "Yes, my dear," she responded, her voice coming from all directions. "What is this place?" I asked, looking around in
[Gia's POV]We walked through a different door out of the ritual chamber and entered a long hallway. The air was heavy with incense and the sound of our footsteps echoed against the stone walls. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being watched, that the very walls were observing me and whispering secrets to each other.As we ventured down the hall, the torches lining the hallway seemed to ignite on their own as we walked by. It was both impressive and unsettling, the way they lit up without any physical touch. What type of craft is this-magical motion detectors, I thought with an internal giggle as I followed death with the others in tow. When we reached the end of our path there were doors made of rich, dark mahogany, their polished surfaces glinting in the light of the torches. As Death pushed them open, blinding white light flooded through, temporarily blurring my vision.[Max's POV]Waking up from Cyrstalla’s spell, I felt my wrists and ankles burning from the silver
[Gia's POV]Staring at Kali’s eyes, black as night, glaring back at me with a demonic intensity. They seemed to pulse with dark energy, and I could see the twisted smile on his lips as he spoke. My mind quickly processed his words, “Open the portal, or watch as your mates lose their heads.” Fear gripped me, but I refused to let it show. My mates were counting on me, and I couldn't let them down. With a racing mind, I tried to come up with a plan. I knew I had to open the portal, but at the same time, I couldn't let Kali have what he desired. The triple moon goddesses' instructions were clear - the portal must be opened.Stop it, Gia, I scolded myself within my mind. I couldn't let fear control me or cloud my judgment. Taking a deep breath, I looked at Kali with determination, I can do this. The instructions from the triple moon goddesses flash before me, like a hologram projected onto the air. I can see the glowing images of Hecate and Selene, their expressions solemn and determi
[Gia's POV]Staring into Kali’s eyes, I knew our fates were sealed. Kali's eyes were a deep, soulless black, like dark pits of coal. In them, I saw swirls of fiery red, reflecting the flames of destruction and death that burned within him. His grin was wicked and sadistic, revealing his true malicious intent.I did not falter or look away, as he marched straight towards me, with a grin that was twisted and malevolent, a clear sign of his sadistic joy.Our destinies seemed to align at this moment as if guided by the spark that had opened the portal between worlds. A mere mortal against a beast of all beasts, not quite the devil himself, but built by the devil with the sole purpose of the extreme demise of the beings of this globe. Every move he made exuded power and pure evil.Stopping roughly two feet away from me, Kali’s smile grew wider with a profound sense of inflated ego. “You have done well, my Queen. Your work is not only exquisite but spot-on and accurate. Bringing me directly
[Max's POV]Still in awe of the magnificence of my mate’s ability to open the portal in front of us all, stunned my whole being. The portal shimmers and glows with an otherworldly light, illuminated by my mate's power. I stand mesmerized, unable to take my eyes off the scene unfolding before me.It wasn’t until Sam snapped at Damen and me through the mind link that I was fully drawn back to the present. “Is the spell wearing off for you both,” Sam asked. “I don’t feel any more effects from it, and the wolfsbane is almost out of my system as well,” I replied. “Great, I have already loosened the binds on my wrists and am working on my ankles now. Max, I know the silver is the worst for you, but can you and Dom manage enough strength to get free,” Sam inquired.My mind felt a jolt as Sam's message reached me through the mind link, causing a tingling sensation in my head. My fingers continued to fumble and struggle against the chains, causing them to dig into my skin.The silver chains ar
[Someone’s POV]“She sure does not disappoint, does she,” an unknown woman’s voice said in the distance. The voice was like a silk thread being pulled through a needle's eye, weaving through the air with a hint of mischief and curiosity.Feeling weightless in my once physical self, as if my body had been stripped away and all that was left was my consciousness, my eyes struggled to open to see which side of the karma coin my soul landed in this time. A loud metal-on-stone sound reverberated in my mind, as light seeped in through my sight. The sound pulsed through my mind, it felt like sharp vibrations were shooting through my entire body, causing my muscles to tense and my bones to ache.With a sudden burst of force, my soul slid back into a physical body. The feeling was jarring, like being thrown into the world without warning. As I gasped for air, the pressure of the cold floor on my face brought me back to my senses.Unsure if anyone could hear me, I managed to get the words, “Wh
[Gia's POV]The moment of impact of their magic upon my head produced tidal waves of energy into my being. It felt like a thousand hurricanes had collided with my skull, each with its unique fury and force, and they were all converging in an opus of chaos within my body. It was an experience beyond words, beyond comprehension, and yet, somehow, it was also beautiful in its terrifying way.The air around me seemed to ripple and distort. The world's colors blur and warp as if viewed through a broken lens. A bright light flashed before my eyes, momentarily blinding me before fading into a pulsating aura of energy that engulfed my entire body.I was thrust through an invisible portal in the sky and found myself falling feet first as the perception in the portal inverted. It is as if the two realms mirror each other's gravity, one where on one side you fly upwards, and the other you fall downwards.As my human vessel fell through the portal, a burst of energy filled my ears, drowning out a
[Gia’s POV]Staring up at the four goddesses, I began feeling even smaller in these vast phenomena of life, death, the after, and in-between. “Once again, I see your wheels turning in your mind, my child,” Visha said. “How do I become what you want me to be? My soul has not even progressed to the next stage of the divine being. I know I was on the “soul” path to leveling up, but I failed in this life,” I said in a melancholy tone. “We brought your body here with you. We need that vessel specifically, as we coded it for your transformation. You did not fail! You are still on your soul path, but with an extra boost in leveling up,” Hecate declared.The word transformation pressed forward in my mind. “Yes, you will go through a transformation, one that will change you from mortal to immortal,” Visha replied to the thought in my head. Of course, she can read my mind, I said with an internal giggle. “Wait, immortal! But I will outlive Max and my son,” I questioned in panic. “The blessings
[Gia’s POV]Time slowed as the towering goddess walked from behind the triple moon goddesses' thrones to me. My soul buzzed with electricity the closer she got. Like an Amazon woman in some cheesy 70's movie, her height was unbelievable, standing at least ten feet tall. Her skin shimmered as if every cell was made of diamonds. In contrast, her dress is the boldest color of sapphire. The dress was knee-length with triangular-fringed ends. A shawl covered one of her shoulders, and both garments were bound at her waist by a diamond-studded belt. My eyes followed the trail of her exquisite beauty to her dark black hair that disappeared behind her shoulders. Upon her head, she wore a triple-banded gold crown with fourteen dangling Lemurian stones placed approximately two inches apart. When my eyes locked on her sapphire-colored eyes, I felt mine roll back into my head. A warm and gentle breeze flew through me, and I could feel her large hand take hold of me. A feeling of warm sand unde
[Someone’s POV]“She sure does not disappoint, does she,” an unknown woman’s voice said in the distance. The voice was like a silk thread being pulled through a needle's eye, weaving through the air with a hint of mischief and curiosity.Feeling weightless in my once physical self, as if my body had been stripped away and all that was left was my consciousness, my eyes struggled to open to see which side of the karma coin my soul landed in this time. A loud metal-on-stone sound reverberated in my mind, as light seeped in through my sight. The sound pulsed through my mind, it felt like sharp vibrations were shooting through my entire body, causing my muscles to tense and my bones to ache.With a sudden burst of force, my soul slid back into a physical body. The feeling was jarring, like being thrown into the world without warning. As I gasped for air, the pressure of the cold floor on my face brought me back to my senses.Unsure if anyone could hear me, I managed to get the words, “Wh
[Max's POV]Still in awe of the magnificence of my mate’s ability to open the portal in front of us all, stunned my whole being. The portal shimmers and glows with an otherworldly light, illuminated by my mate's power. I stand mesmerized, unable to take my eyes off the scene unfolding before me.It wasn’t until Sam snapped at Damen and me through the mind link that I was fully drawn back to the present. “Is the spell wearing off for you both,” Sam asked. “I don’t feel any more effects from it, and the wolfsbane is almost out of my system as well,” I replied. “Great, I have already loosened the binds on my wrists and am working on my ankles now. Max, I know the silver is the worst for you, but can you and Dom manage enough strength to get free,” Sam inquired.My mind felt a jolt as Sam's message reached me through the mind link, causing a tingling sensation in my head. My fingers continued to fumble and struggle against the chains, causing them to dig into my skin.The silver chains ar
[Gia's POV]Staring into Kali’s eyes, I knew our fates were sealed. Kali's eyes were a deep, soulless black, like dark pits of coal. In them, I saw swirls of fiery red, reflecting the flames of destruction and death that burned within him. His grin was wicked and sadistic, revealing his true malicious intent.I did not falter or look away, as he marched straight towards me, with a grin that was twisted and malevolent, a clear sign of his sadistic joy.Our destinies seemed to align at this moment as if guided by the spark that had opened the portal between worlds. A mere mortal against a beast of all beasts, not quite the devil himself, but built by the devil with the sole purpose of the extreme demise of the beings of this globe. Every move he made exuded power and pure evil.Stopping roughly two feet away from me, Kali’s smile grew wider with a profound sense of inflated ego. “You have done well, my Queen. Your work is not only exquisite but spot-on and accurate. Bringing me directly
[Gia's POV]Staring at Kali’s eyes, black as night, glaring back at me with a demonic intensity. They seemed to pulse with dark energy, and I could see the twisted smile on his lips as he spoke. My mind quickly processed his words, “Open the portal, or watch as your mates lose their heads.” Fear gripped me, but I refused to let it show. My mates were counting on me, and I couldn't let them down. With a racing mind, I tried to come up with a plan. I knew I had to open the portal, but at the same time, I couldn't let Kali have what he desired. The triple moon goddesses' instructions were clear - the portal must be opened.Stop it, Gia, I scolded myself within my mind. I couldn't let fear control me or cloud my judgment. Taking a deep breath, I looked at Kali with determination, I can do this. The instructions from the triple moon goddesses flash before me, like a hologram projected onto the air. I can see the glowing images of Hecate and Selene, their expressions solemn and determi
[Gia's POV]We walked through a different door out of the ritual chamber and entered a long hallway. The air was heavy with incense and the sound of our footsteps echoed against the stone walls. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being watched, that the very walls were observing me and whispering secrets to each other.As we ventured down the hall, the torches lining the hallway seemed to ignite on their own as we walked by. It was both impressive and unsettling, the way they lit up without any physical touch. What type of craft is this-magical motion detectors, I thought with an internal giggle as I followed death with the others in tow. When we reached the end of our path there were doors made of rich, dark mahogany, their polished surfaces glinting in the light of the torches. As Death pushed them open, blinding white light flooded through, temporarily blurring my vision.[Max's POV]Waking up from Cyrstalla’s spell, I felt my wrists and ankles burning from the silver
[Gia's POV]The darkness seemed to stretch on forever as I flew back, the walls of the tunnel closing in on me until I hit something solid. It was pitch black, but I could faintly make out the outlines of the walls and ceiling. The darkness was so thick that it seemed to swallow every trace of light, the only source coming from a faint glimmer bouncing off the walls. I could see a liquid pooling around my hands, a viscous black substance that seemed to pulsate and writhe in the dim light. Again, in this darkness, I thought as I stood up and wiped my hands on my dress. "It will not be long now, my child," I recognized Hecate's voice as I stood in the darkness. Her words echoed around me, bouncing off the walls and filling the void with her presence. "Hecate?" I called out, my voice trembling slightly. I couldn't see her, but I could feel her energy surrounding me. "Yes, my dear," she responded, her voice coming from all directions. "What is this place?" I asked, looking around in