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Chapter 55
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2021-07-12 10:07:26I was jolted from the memory, spat out as my brain turned to mush trying to process what I had seen.
Nadia and the Game Master had grown up together as children. While it was strange to think of the Game Master as a child, it was even stranger that she would insist so vehemently that a bond existed between the two. There was no mistaking what a mate-bond felt like, just as there was no mistaking the obsession shimmering in her eyes. What I couldn't seem to figure out, was how did Nadia have anything to do with Iridian?
I crept down the silent hallway, every creak and groan in the old house had my hackles raised. Nadia had vanished the moment the necklace slid into place, but there was no telling if she were truly gone. My body still felt warm from the magic of the necklace healing me, though I felt nothing more from the necklace itself. No matter how hard I tried to conjure some form of magic, there was nothing to be found.
I had just emerged from the estate
Jane DoeLast week, I accidentally deleted a part of Iridian's chapter that detailed how the amulet had healed Rachel's injuries inflicted by Nadia. I just wanted to state that the amulet had healed her wounds once it was clasped around her neck!
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Iridian Chapter 56
For a long time; I felt nothing. I existed, suspended within the stars, peering into the never-ending darkness. They hung everywhere, in all shapes and sizes. Miniature orbs of light that were my only beacon. They floated through this thick liquid with ease, where everything else would sink. The moment the water rushed into my lungs, settling like bricks, I knew that I was dying. Even the amulet on my neck, which hummed and pulsed seemed unable to save me. Where death lingers close, waiting to claim another soul, that is true darkness. It doesn't just surround you, but makes you a part of it. Unfathomable peace and rest, the weight of mortality lifted from your shoulders. The choice was there, suspended in midair like an orb of shimmering light. A kid from our town had been struck by lightning a few years ago, and had claimed he saw a white light, and felt endless peace. I laughed at the time, like all of the kids in the neighborhood.
Last Updated : 2021-07-17Iridian Chapter 57
'Death's sweet embrace yields to her touch,Blood and sweat, your bones she will crush.To break the curse is to seal your fate,a curse born and bred from love turned hate.''Run faster!' I screamed, giving Rayna another boost of energy to propel us forwards; away from the Ghoul and its haunting song.I was teetering on the edge, dancing between consciousness and relief as I gave all that I had to Rayna. Her panic and fear were acid in my veins, reminding me that I needed to stay awake. She was already giving her all, pushing through the exhaustion. She had no experience with these forms of creatures, ones of mist and smoke; of darkness, and death.'A house once warm, turned to ash and dust.An amulet lost, left to decay and rust.Tread to the starry lake, where the source of magic ever last.To survive the future, follow the events of the past.'Its voice was wet steel, wrapping around my brain until I had no ch
Last Updated : 2021-07-19Iridian Chapter 58
"You could always take it off and give it to me." He suggested for the fifteenth time, rather than answer a single one of my questions. "Then you could be on your way. No muss, no fuss." The Game Master's brother--did anyone even know if he had a brother? In all of the rumors I had heard about Iridian, never once did I hear of the Game Master's family. I studied the man, wondering if the Game Master bared any resemblance. His hair was dark as night, and eyes a washed-out shade of navy. His face was thin and angular, probably from his diet out here in the forest. His limbs seemed a bit long for his torso, making him gangly. As he loomed over me, he all but shouted predator, but in a different kind of way. There was something off about him, something not quite right. I had asked numerous times what his name was, why he was out here in the middle of this creature infested forest, and what need did he have of the necklace I wore. He chose to answer none of them,
Last Updated : 2021-07-23Iridian Chapter 59
I now understood why this path was labeled "Death". It's because, I was clearly going to perish on this trail.Rocky slopes that went down at a harsh angle, coated in gooey moss that squished beneath the sneakers I stole, threatened me with death every second. Each step was a gamble spewed from the mouth of a madwoman--that woman being me. Shallow rivers with fish that attacked my feet, even taking a few chunks from the thick rubber of my soles. I was quite pissed about that one. Walking around constantly on alert was one thing, but to do it with wet feet--absolutely miserable.The monsters and creatures in the forest knew exactly where I was, both from the string of curses that continued to leave my mouth any time I fell or scraped my knees, and from the constant sloshing and squelching of my shoes.As the hours passed and darkness began to break, I hadn't heard much from the ghouls and creatures in the forest. They were always talking, whispering, chattering a
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"I have absolutely no clue how I'm bringing myself here. I'd much rather be enjoying a night--day of peaceful sleep." I pointed out dryly, "And anything I've gotten myself into was you're doing. You're the Game Master."I shifted on my feet and let out a sigh. It was different when he called on me, when he brought me to him. If the Game Master was telling the truth, and I suspected he was, why did I keep bringing myself to him? It made it hard to be sour about the whole thing, considering I was the one to blame. The attraction I felt towards him wasn't nearly enough to erase the suspicion and wariness, not to mention that I found him to be an ass half of the time."I am, aren't I?" He chuckled joyfully, proving my last point. His voice was playful, but always with that razor sharp edge of cunning. "I hate to burst your bubble, darling, but you are where you are because of you and you alone.""Why does it sound like a horrible, dangerous thing when you say it?" I
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The logic that carried me through the carved entryway to the door shop was that I was merely looking. There was no one forcing me to purchase anything, but the thought of stepping through a door and winning this game--it was tempting. I followed myself through, unable to help it as I analyzed the way I walked. It was unsettling, to see myself and speak to myself. "As you can see, I have doors for every occasion!" She grinned, which was even stranger. As she turned to face me, I noticed the necklace full of keys around her throat. They were all small keys, doll-sized as they hung from her neck like little diamonds. "Are those keys around your neck?" I asked, dumbfounded. "Obviously! You need a key to open a door." She cackled, as though I were the most clueless person she had ever met, which was odd considering she was me. Doors lined the room, all positioned upwards. Some were propped against the walls, while others had some sort of st
Last Updated : 2021-08-07Iridian Chapter 62
Thankfully, my fall was short lived. The nausea in my stomach flattened when I hit the ground. It was surprisingly soft, and whatever I had landed on managed to break my fall. I was hit with the bold scent of something sweet and tart. As I looked up at where I had fallen, I could distinctly see the door shaped opening in the sky, along with Aidan and that jagged grin on his face. "Don't mistake this as a favor, Rachel." He shook his head, his voice dim as it traveled to where I was on the ground. "I could have spared you from so much pain. Instead, I think I'll shove you headfirst into it." Feeling the crunch of something beneath my body, I pushed myself up and onto my feet. Where I had landed were a bunch of horribly crushed flowers. Dark as midnight with thick stalks and billowing petals, the scent of them permeated the little clearing I was in. I was relieved to see the torchlights surrounding me, lining the one lane road that sat nearly ten feet away. Tog
Last Updated : 2021-08-09Iridian Chapter 63
Down the Levidan you spiral, where truth is poison, so painful and vile. Remain sound of mind, and watch your step. The prisoners beneath the earth can hear your every breath. It played on repeat, sung by withered voices that coiled in my ears and silenced my thoughts. Notes of pain and bitterness, betrayal and rage. They were laced within the words, within the stones embedded into the walls that scraped my fingertips as I fell. Faces flashed behind my eyes, youthful versions of Nadia and Callum. The Game Master was there as well, but even past versions of himself were blurred. Nadia's curse hadn't just spanned the future, but it had also obscured his past. The three of them had always been close, laughing and playing together the moment they could wobble on two legs. My eyes rolled and fluttered as the light and images continued flipping through my head like a photo album. One image stood out among the others,
Last Updated : 2021-08-14
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Iridian Epilogue Pt. 3
I stumbled over my words, forcing them into the space between us where they hovered like a noxious gas. “What—what do you mean? I killed Nadia…I don’t—” The Moon Goddess cut my rambling short by placing the palm of her hand against my cheek. It was something my mom had done whenever I was upset as a child, and somehow the Moon Goddess’s touch held that same level of comfort. She smiled sadly, but it was an expression of pure love and understanding. “Do not punish yourself, daughter. What was left of Nadia’s essence has returned home and rejoined that of her wolf, but her death does not mean Evil is gone from the world. Us celestial beings aren’t allowed to meet our creations, but this situation…it is unique. I’m afraid I cannot tell you much, but there is one who can.” Jumping at the chance to get some answers, to preserve the peace Dain and the warriors fought so hard for, I asked, “Who? Who can?” “It is time to awaken, daughter. It’s in the world of the living where you’ll find
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All I could do was stand there and gape at him. Honesty shone in his eyes like newborn stars, but all it did was leave me confused. I replayed the last twenty-four hours in my head, searching for the moment where I’d won the game between us.When I came up empty handed, I stammered, “I did?”Dain nodded, staring down at me with hooded eyes. “You did.”“How? When?”“As for how, that’s the part where I cheated, I’m afraid. I didn’t admit out loud what I felt for you, but I felt it nonetheless.” He admitted, a sheepish tilt to his lips. “I realized I loved you the moment those doors opened, and you appeared at the top of the steps. I’m not sure I’ll ever forget the way you looked in that gown, which I’ll have to thank Adley for when she returns. You could’ve been an assassin here to put a dagger in my heart and I would’ve gladly let you.”There was an explosion of butterflies in my chest, their wings beating so frantically that the sound of my heartbeat was drowned out.Leaning into Dain
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Epilogue – Part OneIn every book, in every movie where a great battle is fought and won, they never show what happens after.I’m not talking about the following weeks or months, but hours and days. I’m talking about when the dust has yet to settle and the ghosts of the dead still linger in the walls, when every gust of wind or insignificant sound sends you freefalling through time. When every shadow bares the face of someone you know—or worse, someone you killed. When all that’s left is this numbing sense of disbelief that tries to trick you into thinking this new reality isn’t real—that it’s all some pitiful hope conjured up by a dying, fear-riddled mind.According to Dain, it’s a time to mourn what was lost while holding those we love near, a chance to silence the ghosts that haunt us by thinking of the future we’d create. When I asked this question, my mate wasn’t the only one with an opinion. In Apollo’s not so humble words, it’s a time to get absolutely plastered and to celebrat
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The elongated claws tipped with old blood were hers. I couldn’t forget the sight of her gnarled fingers, which had once been slender and elegant, even if I tried.With a loud smack, she flattened her palm against the stone floor. A second arm shot out of the water, followed by another wet smack.‘That puddle’s not nearly big enough for what she’s trying to do…’ Rayna pointed out, her voice just as sickly as I knew my own would be.Both of Nadia’s arms were bent at odd angles as they rose from the water, but that was the least disturbing thing I witnessed as this day began to quickly unfold. Next to appear were her eyes, the whites much too large to be considered normal, followed by the jagged slash that was her smile. In the memories I’d seen, her smile had been coy and playful, with the same softness as a flower’s petals. This one was of malice and envy, both deeply disturbing and in dire need of some chapstick.Her shoulders rose from the water at the same time but were bent awkward
Iridian Chapter 212
It took everything within me not to flinch at the sound of her voice and how close it truly was to my ear. Only when I felt her icy talons meet my skin did I act.‘It’s showtime.’ Rayna murmured, lending me all of her strength as I willed the floor to crumble beneath my feet.Together, my wolf and I fell.Since I was prepared for the impact, it was easy to call on my magic to lessen the blow. Warm air rushed beneath my gown and outstretched arms, acting as a safety net that slowed my fall and kept me from toppling over. It wasn’t the graceful landing I’d been trying for since Nadia was doing something to block our magic, but it kept me from breaking both my ankles on the way down.I didn’t wait for the dust to settle. The moment I felt solid stone beneath my feet, I took off running.Nadia’s snarl was one of surprise and outrage, strong enough that it made the castle tremble. I didn’t repress my grin or the laughter I spewed into the air, knowing both would entice her to follow—to con
Iridian Chapter 211
Nadia launched herself at me, and as she did so, her hair and dress billowed out at her sides. The movement was slow and lazy, almost like she was submerged in water and not hovering a solid three feet in the air. Even though her form was translucent, and she seemed to be neither here nor there, I had a sickening feeling she could still do significant damage if I let her reach me.Instinct took over, and for once in my life, it wasn’t telling me to run.I launched the orb in my hand like it were a baseball, and watched as it spiraled through the air, a small halo of light surrounding it. When it hit its mark, square in the center of Nadia’s face, I silently thanked Aidan for teaching me all those years ago. I had hated every second of his baseball phase, but he’d been so passionate about becoming a professional athlete and whisking us away that I couldn’t resist helping him practice. After a dozen scraped knees, a handful of bruises, and one broken arm, we both called it quits.The in
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For the longest time all I could hear was the sound of stone grinding against stone.There was a painful burn in my lungs, but I didn’t dare exhale. Instead, I held my breath and watched as the corridors around me shifted. Walls slid left and right, forming new pathways that hadn’t existed before. Many changed angles, creating sharp turns that you couldn’t see coming until it was too late.Some of the windows began to close, melting away as though they’d never been there, while others grew larger. The ones that grew in size turned into arched doorways narrow enough for but one person to slip through.While the castle itself wasn’t a sentient being, every brick and inch of tiled floor was alive with Dain’s magic. I could feel it’s alluring touch within everything I altered and couldn’t help but smile at how eager it was to please me. Even the paintings responded to my call, changing forms until each one was exactly the same.The brash strokes of oil paint shimmered as they changed colo
Iridian Chapter 209
“My sisters, are they safe?” Aidan asked, his voice low.Even with a side view of his face, I could see the way it twisted into a concerned grimace. With eyebrows knitted tightly together and jaw clenched, he pivoted his head from left to right, peering down each corridor as we crept through another intersection. The sword he clutched in his hand, it’s metal an impenetrable black that shimmered with blood, was raised and ready for use.“Is anyone truly safe?” I asked, eyeing one of the windows warily. It would be all too easy for Nadia or one of her monsters to slip through now that the hallways were conjoined. “They’re hidden away. The fight won’t reach them.”His shoulders slumped as much as they could with the defensive stance he held, and a sigh of relief escaped his lips.“Thank the Goddess. Even though I’d see them when I got back, I’m not sure I’d be able to handle it if they were dead.”He didn’t have to explain why, not when the answer hovered in the space between us.There w
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Selfishly, I tried to call on Helios, to summon him to my side like I’d been told I could. It was what he would’ve wanted, it was why we completed the bond in the first place. The issue was that no one told me how to do it.There was a sense of awareness that settled over me, followed by a wave of understanding that told me Helios was very much alive. He was feeling it too, a subtle tug that let him know I was still here. I concentrated on my golden-haired warrior harder, imagining him as a sword sheathed at my side, ready to be used at moment’s notice.I felt that tug turn into a harsh pull, but there was no smile of victory on my face, because the milky-eyed creature at the end of the hall let out a blood-curdling wail and charged.I’d never been afraid of horror movies, not with their make-shift gore and fake blood. The knowledge that the creepy monster on the television screen wasn’t actually real was enough to smother any fear I might’ve felt. As I scrambled to get away from the
