Page 31 of Darkening Truth
I nod, “Done. You didn’t answer my question.”
“If you do not succeed in freeing us, then this realm dies a true death. Taking with it any creatures that may have survived, taking with it an aeons-long history, and freeing things that should never be free.” He pauses, as if he’s unsure whether to say the next part.
Rolo interrupts, “They should know. If they don’t succeed, then at least they may be able to prepare and prolong the inevitable.”
Well, that sounds ominous.
Ignatius nods, sighing heavily. He continues, “Very well. If you do not succeed, if we finally succumb to our fate, and this realm dies, then the balance will be thrown back into the Dark.”
My eyes widen. Hades has literally just told us about how important the balance is and how it’s currently balanced on a knife's edge. I don’t believe in coincidences.
“Shit,” Zev curses, as the gravity of the situation settles over us both.
Ignatius nods, “Well said.”
“We will prepare and get to you as soon as possible. We will not let the balance be tipped either way,” Zev promises.
I nod vehemently, agreeing, “We’ll save you. I’ll get your grimoire, and the Fal-thingy and we’ll come and get you and save the realm.” I pause, “Fuck, saving a realm sounds like a pretty impossible task.”
Ignatius nods, “It is not a small task and not a simple one either. However, you are so much more than you think you are.” His eyes glow, “You all are. Your men and you are our only chance.”
“My men?” I question and then shake my head. There’s no time to question how he knows about my men, or what he means or several other questions that I now have because he’s thrown a lot at me. There’s just no time. So instead of questioning him, I say, “You know what, never mind. It’s not important right now. What is the realm called? If we know that, then hopefully we should be able to find out how to get into the realm.”
Ignatius pulls an unimpressed face, “Unless, of course, the gods have destroyed all knowledge of it.”
“Wow, the more I learn about the gods, the less impressed I am, and the more inclined I am to stay as far away from them as I possibly can,” I mutter.
“Same,” Zev agrees.
Ignatius frowns, “But . . .” he stops himself, understanding lights his expression, “Never mind. It’s worth a shot, I suppose. I don’t know how else you’re going to find us.” His eyes widen as he obviously remembers something, “There is a book that is in your realm, it’s extremely old, and should be extremely well guarded, but of course, we all know that the truthis very often not as well guarded as it should be, so that it gets forgotten with time.”
“Our realm?” Zev asks. “How do you know what realm we’re from?”
Ignatius' eyes twinkle with knowledge, and in a move that strangely reminds me of Monty, he just smirks and breezes past Zev’s question, not even hinting at an answer.
“If you can find the book, that should give you a small amount of information about where we are. It’s not the whole truth. In fact, it barely scratches the surface of what this realm is, but it should have enough information in it to at least get you here. I’m afraid I have no idea how you’re going to get in. It’s very unlikely that the spells and wards have weakened that much. In fact, I’m certain that they haven’t because if they had, then the horrors that stalk this realm would be in yours,” Ignatius explains.
“Okay, so find the book, but don’t believe everything in it?” I question.
Ignatius nods, “Yes. Not everything is as it seems.”
“Understood,” Zev nods. “What’s the book called, and what realm are we looking for?”
“The book is called Leabhar Nam Marbh,” Ignatius replies.
I frown. I recognise that name. Why the hell do I recognise the name of the book? No matter how hard I try to think, I can’t remember and dismiss the thought for now. Before Ignatius can carry on speaking and tell us what the realm he is in is called, a sound makes my blood run cold.
A laugh echoes from the cells above. I stiffen.
No, what is he doing here?
He can’t be here. I killed him.
“Farren, what’s wrong?” Zev asks, confusion crossing his features at my sudden change in demeanour.
It’s too late, the laughter gets louder, my gaze connects with an extremely concerned Ignatius, and he mouths something that I can’t make out through my panic.
Black envelops my vision, and I squeeze my eyes shut. Even before I open my eyes, I know where I am.
