The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

- KATALEYA -

It's dark and cold, a chill that bites into me. My heart lurches as I open my eyes, realising that I'm back in the crypt. My stomach churns sickeningly, knowing I won't be able to wake up from this. I was put to sleep.

I keep my breathing calm as I look around the dark stone walls, markings cover it, symbols and a language that seems somewhat familiar, some that can be made out, others that look more like scribbles.

But something is missing, the embodiment of pure evil itself. Why can't I sense him?

If he isn't here, then where is he and how did I end up here if he didn't summon me?

My stomach sinks. Does this mean he really might be inside of Enrique?

The very thought makes my heart squeeze with fear and unease. I scan my surroundings again, this time trying to listen out for any sound that hints that something might approach.

No, I can't let it scare me. We are the ones who are going to win this!

Azarakh isn't here. I should make the most of it. I'll take a look around. There has to be something that might help us in defeating him. I don't know how long I'll have.

Slowly I pad along the dark putrid smelling crypt - looking at the walls, burning each drawing and each symbol into my mind. When I get back, I'll draw what I remember.

Some are hieroglyphics, but most of it looks like... is it Latin? No... wait, is this Greek? When Azarakh spoke, I'm certain there was some Egyptian in his words, but this does look like Greek. But it's not so surprising.

We have Selene and Hecate, both of who are known to many as Greek goddesses, and then we have Apophis and Bastet who are known to be Egyptian gods. But they have more than one name, depending on who is worshipping them. Just as we address the God of the sun as Helios, yet in the story of Apophis, he is known as Ra.

The realm of the gods isn't defined by Greece or Egypt, but the names of the gods we are coming to learn about are either from Greek or Egyptian origins. Just as we have hypothesised.

Leo was right, we should all be diving into everything we can possibly learn about, all mythology, because who knows who our next opponent will be? In which form and name we will learn of them, and in which scriptures the answers we may need will be hidden. I walk along the wall, studying the scribbles carefully, trying to see if I can make anything of them. Walking further into the darkness along the quiet eerie tunnels, I stop when I come to another opening, but this one is lit with dark grey candles. The tar-like wax drips across the ground, covering most of the stone floor.

There are candles everywhere, lining the walls and most of the ground. Up ahead is a pedestal, it takes me a few seconds to realise that it isn't just a large block of stone on it, but a huge statue. A statue that is made of an obsidian-coloured stone that shimmers when the light reflects off it. It reaches up to the peak of the cavern, casting the upper half into shadows.

It's wearing what looks like long garments. Tilting my head, I realise one thing for certain. "That's not Azarakh..." I whisper as I step back, trying to look at the statue properly, but the cavern is tight, even if it is wider than the previous one.

It's a woman! My heart skips a beat as I pay attention to the fabric that wraps around her hips and goes over her shoulder, flowing down her back.

Who is this? I pull at my powers, my eyes blazing as light emanates from me, illuminating the darkness. At the same moment, piercing pain splits through my head as I stare with full determination at the woman before me.

But the narrow space doesn't allow me to see her face. Who is this supposed to be?

The pain intensifies and a scream rips from my lips as I'm sucked away from the dark temple within Azarakh's crypt. For the first time, I don't want to leave.

Not yet! Goddess, not yet!

Wait, goddess? Does he pray to a goddess? Which goddess?

I want to see it but I'm unable to do so.

I'm sucked away and I'm back on the operating table. My eyes feel heavy, but I can hear the murmur of talking, and feel the pain in my body as a soothing hand caresses my hair.

Kiké...

I try to fight the weight upon my eyes, but I'm unable to as I feel his hand stroking my sore waist as I sink further, but this time I don't get to return to the crypt. The image of the obsidian statue teases at the corner of my mind as I hope I don't forget anything vital as I succumb to the sleep that beckons me...

"Where are we going?" I ask as Enrique drives us to our destination. He looks over at me, concern in his eyes.

"You'll see, Mi Amor. Are you sure you're ok?"

I nod. I had woken up over an hour ago, feeling well rested, and although I instantly began jotting down anything I could remember, a lot of it was hazy. I wish I was able to remember more.

The one thing I couldn't forget was the statue surrounded by candles.

Who is the goddess he worships? The one who is possibly behind this? "You're distracted."

"I am a little." I admit, I had told them that when I was put to sleep, I returned to the crypt. It had worried them, but when Enrique had asked me if I had seen Azarakh and I had said no, he had fallen silent. Almost as if he was thinking the same thing I had been. "About the crypt?" he asks.

I nod, "I just want to know who that deity was." I sigh. "Rhea hasn't woken up yet. I wish there was more we could do."

I had visited her just before we left. Carlos had been assigned to stay with her and when we had gone, he was talking about all his troubles to her. It was an amusing sight, but at least she won't feel lonely if she can hear. 7

"What we can do is just do our best to destroy him, and I'm sure the rest will fall into place," he says quietly.

"Papi isn't stressing, that is a surprise," I say cheekily, making him smirk.

"I have you to distract me from it all. It helps," he replies cockily, making me blush.

I look out of the window at the two wolves that look as if they are on fire running behind the car.

"They could have driven with us," I say, feeling sorry for the guardsmen.

"They're fine walking," he replies.

"Be nice," I whisper, giggling as I poke him.

"I would prefer them not to be here, but just in case I end up doing something, it's better they are here. It's safe to say he is still inside of me, isn't he?" he says quietly, his hand tightening on the steering wheel.

Sighing, I nod, hating to admit it. "I think so. The wound I made on you still hasn't healed." I reach for his hand, placing mine on top of his.

He glances at me and nods as he turns his hand palm upwards and laces his fingers with mine. "I figured as much; it makes me wonder how much he knows and sees through me."

"About that. We're working on a plan. I wanted you to know that. But at the same time, I'm not so sure it's wise to share everything, is that ok?"

I hope he understands; he has been kept in the dark so often.

"I get it, and I think that's for the f*****g best. What I can help with, share those, and other plans that I don't need to know, don't tell me. I do appreciate you mentioning it to me though. Although, I do wonder when you had the chance to make plans?" "When you left earlier." I smile at him. Looking out at the night sky, now I recognise where we are heading.

Into the woods.

Soon enough, we reach the edge of the trees and park up just inside the first rows of trees. We get out and he takes my hand as he leads me through the trees towards the waterfall. Before we even reach it, I can see the lights glittering through the trees. "That's..."

"Where we are spending the night."