Page 90 of Darkening Truth
“It sounds familiar, don’t you think?” Khaos adds with his eyebrow raised, and the rest of us hum in agreement.
While Aldrastos was explaining, it had occurred to me that parts of the story were quite familiar to what the unknown God and the princes were trying to pull in the Underworld.
Opening the bondline to Hades only, I say,“If you even think about trying to sacrifice yourself for the greater good, or some other bullshit, you’re going to have to answer to me.”
Hades' heated eyes meet mine, “Understood, Farren. I’m far too selfish to do something like that anyway. It would take me away from you.”
I smile, “Good.”
“Okay, so we understand that a bit better now. But if Siorraidh is locked down, how can you get in and out?” Loki asks Aldrastos.
“What I guess you would call a Seer, foresaw that we would be able to get someone out. That someone would be charged with finding a team at the Black Onyx Academy who would be capable of stopping the balance from being shifted either way and therefore stop the realm from dying,” Aldrastos explains.
Rival hums, and I can see the wheels in his head turning, as he most likely understands something that we don’t yet.
“So your God's sacrifice restored the balance, but threw the realm into darkness and a slow death. Most likely because he no longer existed, right?” Rival asks.
Aldrastos nods, “Yes. Although the circumstances of his death, and some of the things he had put in place just in case, stopped the realm from dying as soon as he did.”
“Understood. Which means that the realm dying is the trigger for the balance being tipped,” Rival summarises.
“Exactly,” Aldrastos agrees. “My realm is the only thing stopping the balance from being thrown off.”
“So how did you get over here then?” Kill asks, trying to get us back on track.
“The Seer foresaw several steps that needed to happen before I could cross over. Obviously, Siorraidh hasn’t been used for the dead for thousands of years, hence the Underworld, but someone needed to once again become the Ferryman, the person responsible for ferrying the souls over to the realm. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as the chosen one then being able to come and go as they pleased, because of the state of the realm, the magic left, and the strength of the wards that kept it a prison. The Seer had to work out a way that involved the combined strength of several of the strongest people left in the realm, the new Ferryman’s magic, an amulet and blood.”
“Of course, no strong spell is really that strong unless it's sealed in blood,” I reply.
Aldrastos nods, “Exactly. Even with all that, and all the effort that had to go into it. The portal to send me over was rough to say the least, and there was no telling whether I would actually survive the journey.”
“You’re either extremely strong or expendable,” Storm points out. Watching Aldrastos closely, he adds, “Maybe both.”
Aldrastos' eyes cloud with shadows, and I would be willing to bet that it was the second option. The shadows are gone quickly, but we all caught it.
“I presume that there is a plan to get us all back over then?” I ask.
Surprise flitters across his features. “You’re going to help?”
“Of course we are,” Storm replies like it’s a no-brainer, because for us it really is.
He looks over all of us, “It’s not going to be easy. As I said, the realm is deadly, more so than any trial that you have faced so far. You are the answer to saving the realm, and therefore the balance, but it is a choice, it’s always a choice.”
“Understood,” Reaper replies this time, “however, I can confidently say on behalf of all of us that doesn’t change our decision to help.”
Hades shakes his head, “If anything, it just entices us more.”
“I could do with getting a little bloody, severing a few heads. It’s been a while,” I add, grinning sharply.
“It’s been a few days,” Loki points out, looking amused.
I shrug and grin, “Like I said, it’s been a while.”
I’m aware of Aldrastos watching our exchange with intrigue and caution, but I don’t acknowledge it.
“So, how do we get over?” Kill asks excitedly.
Aldrastos shakes his head, but can’t hide the small smile that tugs at his lips, “I just have to say the spell and a portal should open up. It will only be open for a few seconds, so we’re all going to have to go through at the same time. When we get through to the other side, we should be in a safe zone, but there are no guarantees, so be alert.”
