Page 15 of Soul of Thorns
“How do you get through the wall,” I say impatiently.
“Ahh, yes, the obstacle looks simple enough. The heat and crackle suggest it will simply sear the flesh from your bones, but appearances can be deceiving.”
I roll my eyes. “So, it’s worse than searing flesh? That’s good news.”
“Not worse. Not better. Only more complicated.”
“How?” I say again. “How do you pass it?”
“You walk.”
“And it won’t kill us?”
“Oh, it may. But it will not harm your body.”
I blink.
“This is spiritual fire, not literal. It will not burn your flesh. Instead, it scorches your soul.”
“Well, that sounds pleasant.”
“Oh, it is not. But, torture or not, there is a purpose to the pain. Fire is not meant as punishment, not solely. No, fire is a purifier, you see,” he says. “You pass through the fire, and it will measure your soul. It will show you how to live without the weight you carry. How to heal your wounds and clean your blemishes. You will survive if, after the pain and fear and anger—the darkness of your spirit—your soul is intact enough to appease the flames.”
My eyebrows pull down. “So, it... burns the bad out of your soul?”
“No, no. Not so simple. That would imply you will no longer have that weight once you pass. No, you must go through the process of healing yourself. It simply measures you. Judges you. It shows you your faults. And pushes you in the right direction. If you are not worthy, you will disintegrate into your own guilt. If you are worthy, you will continue no different than before—at least physically.”
“Worthy,” I repeat. “That doesn’t even make sense.”
“Of course it does.”
“No,” I say back stubbornly. “That’s where the Night Terror is, isn’t it? How did she pass through the fire? You’re telling me she has good in her?”
“Oh, no. Not at all. That creature is as evil as they come.”
I lift my hand, palm up.
“Haven’t you wondered why she hasn’t yet come to find you herself?”
I tilt my head.
“She’s sent wraiths after the living but has not joined the hunt personally. That is because she cannot pass through the flames. She is trapped in the innermost circles.”
My mouth falls open. I suppose that does add up. “So, is she trapped by the Wicked Gates or by the wall of flames?”
The wraith shrugs. “Both. Though, I suspect she could dismantle the flames if she was so inclined. Her motivation has been lacking over the years of her banishment. She has only recently begun moving again. Slithering inside the darkest places of this dark place.”
I bite my lip as I consider this new information. I wouldn’t have chosen to trust this wraith, but we’re here now. May as well make the most of it.
Finally, I drop the shadow veil. The wolf grins.
If his information is correct, then I wasn’t all that wrong in my guess that it’s not unlike the Black Gates, which makes one live through the feelings and thoughts of their death. Will this make me relive all of my regrets? All of the darkness in my soul? What if that drives me insane? What if there is nothing left when I pass through?
That will be worse than death. If my soul is disintegrated, I won’t even have the chance to become a wraith. I’ll be gone forever. I’ll cease to exist.
Regardless, I must try or let Rev face the Night Terror alone. Not an option.
The bad news is that this also means the moment we pass the wall we’ll be within reach of the Night Terror. I didn’t admit it to Rev, but I am terrified of the moment I face her. Will she be like the Night Bringer? Worse? A creature trapped in this torturous place for hundreds of years... I’m sure she’s not exactly pleasant.
