SWNOVELS Chapter 17
But my thoughts were not here, not in this conversation. I thought about the danger my friends were putting themselves in. I was grateful for this new family we were becoming and I feared for them. I would never want to lose any of them.
Through all the time spent we grew together, we learned from each other, we supported each other... we loved each other. The cohesion and support I had here during this time was indescribable. Strangers who became friends and ended up treating me like family. And love... the great indescribable love I found in Avery. I loved my life here...I loved my friends...I loved Avery...and I learned to love myself. I was afraid for them.
I admired them all. Their courage and the strength they had. Aidan and Inna stood side by side and discussed the plan with Devas and Bael. Noah and Jade stood with Alvar and Elian and listened to the instructions. While Keijou and Mana prepared with the rest of the warriors. And all their amicuses were here giving them comfort and strength in preparation for what is to come because they couldn't come along. We had to make as little noise as possible, we were even forbidden to talk.
I hugged Avery, preparing myself for what was to come. All the stories about the beings on the island that Bael and Devas told us at the time of our preparations ran through my mind. But there's no turning back now. We have a mission. A rescue mission.
"It's time to go," I heard Aidan say.
He hugged me and I knew he was ready like all my friends who were looking at me proudly. Jade came to me and took me in her arms.
"Don't worry, we'll make it." she whispered in my ear.
I nodded and smiled at her.We can do this...I hope so. Jade concentrated and spoke in a language I didn't understand. Her yellow aura grew brighter around her and as she raised her arms a vortex of glittering yellow lights formed in front of us and a portal appeared. As discussed, Bael went through first to smuggle us in unnoticed. We lined up and went through the portal one by one.
Once we went through the portal it got darker and spookier. The vortex through which we walked became increasingly dark and in the end we passed through a black mist. As we came out the other end, Bael and Devas caught us and motioned us with their fingers to keep still.
I stood right next to Devas and looked around.
Everything seemed spoiled. The trees were dry and there were no leaves on them. All the leaves had fallen off and were red as blood on the island's floor. The sky was covered with dark clouds and everything seemed dead and sad at the same time. I heard the same sounds of animals that I heard in my dream. They were not in my dream now, they were here and every sound and creature around us was real.
IRIS!" I heard the voice of my amicus calling me in my head. I pointed my finger in the direction I heard the voice from and Bael nodded. He understood me and slowly led us in the indicated direction. Everyone was careful where they stepped so as not to make any noise...so as not to attract attention.
To our right and left were creatures sleeping or walking around. Terrible looking creatures I didn't even see in movies. A mix of animals and humans with red eyes. The screams they made sounded horrible and the fear was visible in our eyes . All the stories Bael and Devas told us weren't even half as bad as looking at these beasts.
But the worst was the animal sounds coming from creatures we couldn't even see. They were there all around us, trotting and walking around as if they knew something was wrong.
"Iris come to me" I heard my amicus calling me again in my head.
I pointed Bael in the direction of an entrance to a cave that had been filled in. Bael and Devas exchanged a few looks and I could tell they were unsure. Devas showed Bael the mountain above the cave with his hand and Bael understood that we have to climb up. The plan was probably to climb into the cave from above. Bael turned around and gestured with his hand that we have to climb up to get inside.
The path was arduous and we had to be very quiet. Every step had to be careful and considered otherwise our cover would be blown. All my friends were ready to fight and followed Bael step by step to the planned spot just above the cave. It was difficult to communicate without speaking and Bael was not allowed to speak to us in our minds for fear that someone there might overhear him.
I sensed something was wrong and stopped. Bael and Devas immediately stopped and turned to face me. Avery gave me a questioning look and took my hand in concern. I felt the presence of a dark force watching us. The goosebumps on my body reacted to the malice I felt coming our way.
"They're here," I said, looking over Avery's shoulder, and in that instant, Bael's cover vanished like a bubble bursting.
Everyone turned in the direction I was facing and below us it swarmed with creatures that laughed bloodthirsty at us. But they didn't attack us but made way for the princes of darkness who appeared in a cloud of black fog. The creatures bowed to them and awaited instructions.
Abbadon, Belial and Amon looked at us with amusement.
"My dearest...finally after all these years" Abbadon said to me, smiling at me with an evil look in his black eyes.
"And as a bonus, we get the Traitors for free." said Belial laughing as he spoke to Bael and Devas.
All the creatures moved to surround us after Abbadon raised his hand.
"We can do it the easy way and you just come with us...or we can do it the hard way and we'll kill all your little friends." Abbadon said as he looked around and pointed at all the creatures.
"How did you know we were here?" asked Bael.
"You think trickster you can hide from us?" Belial asked him laughing.
"You were created by us. We gave you your gift you stupid demon." said Amon with venom in his voice.
"Thank you for leading the girl to us," Belial said, bowing mockingly to Bael and Devas.
Bael and Devas stood protectively in front of me and gave us the signal to prepare for Plan B.
Plan B...escape.
No! I won't flee. Not if I'm here just a few feet above my amicus. I could feel his pain and he knew I was here.
But I can't put my friends in danger anymore.
"Jade open the portal and bring them all home." I said loudly in my head as I broke my barriers to Jade.
She looked at me and her eyes were in shock and fear. But she understood my intentions and immediately started to open the portal.
Abbadon gave the order to attack and the creatures started running and climbing in our direction.
"Take battle stance," Aidan called as he stood next to Bael and Devas.
The creatures charged at us mercilessly with hatred and malice in their eyes. They attacked us from all sides so we all surrounded Jade to protect her from them. Jade had to concentrate to open the portal and we had to have our backs to her hold. Aidan and Inna were such a well-rehearsed team that they easily crushed a small horde. Bael and Devas were very strong and devastating with their powers.
The others fought and held together in the common fight.
When I saw our resistance succeed I knew the princes of darkness would not let me go. They would destroy my friends to get me. So I had to hurry to save my amicus because Jade was almost done with that Portal.
"I have to free him," I yelled at Avery while running to the spot just above the cave.
"Iris we have to get out of here!" Aidan yelled.
When I got to the point I looked at my friends they were already being attacked and fighting. Everyone used their powers and kept the creatures away from me. The creatures snapped at them with their fangs and spiky tails. And they were driven towards the portal.
"Iris, you have to come immediately, the portal is open! " Devas shouted at me.
But in that moment I focused on my strength.
I saw my power floating around me. I could now see it, feel it and control it. I gathered all my power in my fist and with all my strength I hit against the stony ground that split. This is the only way to open the cave and free my amicus.
I felt my power surrounding me and the ground trembled beneath me.I broke through the cave!
The earth slid in all directions, taking the charging creatures with it.
But as the earth slipped in all directions it opened up right below me. I heard Avery calling out to me in panic just as I lost the ground beneath my feet and fell into the depths of the cave.