The Gate of Shadows

"So... all you’re saying in that unending rant. Is that I was an unwanted child, and the soul cairn’s part of me before the fall happened?" I questioned, annoyed by everything Tobias mouthed.

All this did was complicate things for me, as I could never be free from the Soul Cairn. It was in my fate to be a dreadful witch. The only thing I could offer the world was to release them from the incantation branded on my soul all those years ago.

But I’ll always be a monster. A witch with power beyond comprehension. Something to be feared and envied, yet I… want none of it.

"No, I wanted you but also to save your mother. She was alive and with me while you were an unknown. My love blinded me to you." Tobias tried to explain.

A soft, broken cackle released from me when I realized this man was like me.

Blinded by love. I guess we’re father and daughter, after all. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

"All I am is an abomination. I should’ve never been born. Your first instincts were right, Tobias." I smirked, locking away all useless emotions inside of my chest.

From that moment, I realized my fate was to be this monster, and my heart was missing.

Tobias sighed, "No... That isn’t what I meant. You’re my daughter. I understand now that what I tried to do was wrong, and what you see now is my punishment, which I accept gladly! I deserve it!"

Ah… You’re nothing but a waste of time. I don’t need you or want you.

"I see... How does any of this information help me?" I asked coldly.

All you did was wake me from a dream where I thought I would be free. Now I know that day will never come.

It was the same as when I dove to travel through my memories. I wasn’t allowing myself to feel anymore. Emotions were useless to experience—all but the ones that pushed me forward.

"Well... I wanted... I can’t help but see your mother in you." Tobias simpered, reaching to me with his arms.

Sadly, it was too late to mend anything between us. We were both strangers to one another.

"I don’t care what you see," I said, taking a few steps toward the old man who called himself my father.

No more hiding from monsters or pretending to be anything less. I’ll be me even if I’m not wanted, even if… I’m hated by most. If I have…

"I wanted to see you. Before I completed my punishment." He announced.

Sadly, I couldn’t care less about his wish, stopping a few lengths away. I wasn’t looking for any hugs. However, the demon in his branches watched me closely.

"Enough of this. Take me to Fenris. I don’t have time to spare for a ghost," I declared, clenching my hands into fists.

Tobias winced upon hearing me say that, gripping onto his chest.

"Well... The soul cairn must’ve seen this as a must for you to be here. After all, it allowed me to bring you here to me." He tried to point out, making me laugh.

You just don’t get it.

"I don’t care about what you have to say anymore. Just send me back to Fenris! He’s the only one who matters to me," I ordered, harsher this time.

He shook his head, desperately trying to reach my closed heart.

"No. If I let you go as you are. All you will do is kill everyone you care about." He warned.

I dismissed his worries by waving my hands.

"I only care about a couple of people. What if a few nobodies die?" I smirked, feeling like nothing else mattered anymore.

The darkness in my heart was showing.

Perhaps this is what I am. Why fight nature when I can own it?

"Lily..." Shade voiced, brushing her head against my hand.

Ah… I’m no different from you, am I Stella?

"Fool! You’ll kill everyone! Even those you care about! You still fear the power within you. You must not fear it!" Tobias snapped, reaching towards me, only for me to slap his hand away.

"The only man who can touch me is Fenris." I declared, glaring at him.

He grabbed onto his hand, surprised by my action towards him.

"Oh, child, you don’t even know what the soul cairn is. Yet you pretend to use its power to protect the people you love?" he scolded, shedding his affection for me.

You never had it to begin with, that much, I knew.

"Then stop wasting my time and tell me. What is the soul cairn?" I scowled, causing Tobias to smirk.

"The soul cairn is the resting ground for the old gods and their servants. It’s where the living ones trapped their souls, which makes this realm a powerful source of magical power for everyone, not just witches." He began his unbelievable story.

Someone created the soul cairn soon after this world was born to use when the gods went to war with each other. This was because the gods could reanimate even after death, and to keep their enemies from resurrecting, they created this prison.

It's a soul-dumping ground.

"So, you’re telling me that all the shadow demons... That these beasts are dead god-like beings?" I resounded, shifting my gaze onto Shade.

Even you…

I can’t remember, Lily. Shade shifted her gaze away.

“Yes, it’s a prison for the losers,” Tobias confirmed.

When the gods created this realm long ago, it was supposed to be sealed from mortals, but we found it. Although we couldn’t resurrect the gods that dwelled within, they could control the magical power emitted from the soul cairn, including the souls within.

He explained that was how elves created the god artifacts. Items that could warp time, much like the one used during the fall to halt the demons so Ben could get near me. Each race had a connection to the realm, although humans were the ones who benefited the most from it.

"How does any of this help me?" I asked, plainly wanting a simple explanation.

Tobias chuckled, "It’s important to know what forces you play with, child. The power these gods possess has the potential to corrupt you, the same as it did with your mother. They were betrayed, and all they thirst for is revenge.” He paused, gazing towards the bird.

“So, if you learn to control those emotions, you can control the world if that’s what you wish. Of course, you’ll always risk it corrupting you. Or perhaps your body will give out before your mind does." He smirked, focusing on me again.

I scowled, remembering the whisper's wishes.

I always thought you resonated with me, but it seems it’s more with what you desire. Bloodshed… They’ll only respond to… wickedness… Maybe what happened all those years ago wasn’t my fault, but their nature.

"Then I won’t use this corrupt power!" I declared.

My reluctant demeanor caused Tobias to burst out laughing in disbelief.

"You won’t stand a chance if you don’t use it. You’re a powerful witch, but some powers are beyond your comprehension. Alijah’s only one problem of many in this world." Tobias pointed out, causing me to clench my chest.

"I’ll stop him," I vowed.

He enjoyed my determination to fight, but what he said next shocked me.

"But that wolf isn’t your destiny, child. That belongs to another." He declared.

If it isn’t my fate to stop that madman, then whose?! I won’t allow him to destroy what I love!

Before I could say anything, Tobias continued.

"Your destiny is..." He began, only to choke on his words as blue flames erupted from his roots before smoldering.

All I could do was watch him gasp for air before slowly composing himself. Once he regained himself, he burst out laughing, unable to contain his amusement and glaring at the bird perched on his branches.

"I see... You only want me to guide her and no more." He smirked, shifting his gaze back towards me.

This man was as insane as my mother and grandmother.

"Who are you talking to?" I asked.

"Ah, to one of the residents of the soul cairn. She watches us as we speak, as you can see. Not all are bloodthirsty, and most are still in deep slumber. Some of them can be wicked, though." He answered, relaxing his hands before opening them wide for me.

So that bird…

It was almost as if he wanted me to jump into his arms, something that would never happen. The bird wasn’t the only one there anymore; many blue eyes were studying us, unsettling me.

"Very well, I’ll tell her your message!" he began glancing up towards the sky.

"Lilith, you’re the chosen vessel for the soul cairn, who will give life to a new power never seen in this world. You must not fear the soul cairn's power but make it yours. It’s the only way to assure your future," Tobias declared.

Everything hit its insanity point, especially after he said the impossible.

Control this realm? How can I even do that?

If what he said before, many had tried and failed to do so.

How will I be any different?

"And what do you think I have been trying to do? It is impossible to even think with all the voices!" I confronted him.

He shook his head, glancing down back towards me with a wicked smirk on his lips and lifeless eyes. His time there hadn’t been in vain, corrupting his soul.

"You already know how magic works. Do you know why witches seek this realm of power?" he asked, questioning my knowledge.

I had very little to offer to him.

"Because it resonates with them?" I hesitated to answer.

If, as he said, this was where dead gods lay, then this realm was much more than what they led us to believe.

"That’s true to some point, but it’s because a witch's power comes from death. And... here... there are a lot of dead gods waiting to be feasted on by witches and warlocks. However, they have something wrong with what to expect of this world," Tobias explained, assessing me.

He wanted to ensure my gaze was on him before continuing.

"They think it’s their power source, but it isn’t. This is simply a prison the old gods made for those who deserve to die—or at least think that they deserve it. Of course, the truth that society wants to suppress is that witches can control death—something that you can’t forget."

His revelation lost me.

If that’s true, Stella would’ve revived my mother without hesitation! Yet perhaps that isn’t what you meant.

It quickly reminded me of a book in Stella's library I read long ago about necromancy, the study of death manipulation. That branch of witchcraft was banned everywhere, and thought it to be a legend.

Are you trying to warn me about something?

"So, necromancy isn’t a tale?" I asked.

Tobias smiled happily to see me keeping up. However, like time magic, this craft couldn’t be practiced without being sentenced to death.

"It isn’t. The winners of history burned the books on it. My dear Lilith, witches and warlocks have never been on the good side of history. Necromancy and sacrificial magic are some powers you possess; there are many more, even if the world wants to keep you down.” He informed, shrugging.

“My stepmother didn’t help your cause, but even then, humans were always looked down upon," he added, gazing at the surrounding residents. “These poor souls are a shadow of who they used to be.”

"And here’s where your role lies. The soul cairn wants to create a new type of magic that will define you as a summoner and allow you to free the creatures from this realm," Tobias announced, leaving me unable to believe his words.

"What?" I mumbled, not quite noting what he meant.

He pointed towards Shade.

"She results from what happens when it works. You’ll create this new type of magic. That’s your destiny, and your kin will follow until the world’s changed and reborn!" He revealed.

I let out a soft sigh, shaking my head. "What are you ranting on about? Just send me home."

Tobias didn’t answer, changing the topic toward his goal. It was no longer to make me understand their wishes but to push me towards my destiny—or at least what they depicted it to be.

"You must be wicked to control this realm. Don’t be afraid to jump into the darkness to protect those you love! It’s the only way the shadow beasts will listen to you! Oh dear, summoner!" He continued, not stopping for me.

"Summoner? Wicked?" I mumbled, shifting my eyes towards the bird who matched my gaze.

Just… What…

"Yes, wicked! It’s your nature and theirs!" The withered tree pointed towards the horizon, revealing all the shadow demons within view.

From pretending to be unaware, they appeared riled up and itching for more.

"If I want to protect those who I love from myself. I must be wicked. If that’s all, I won’t shy away." I glanced over at Tobias, who quickly changed his demeanor once again.

"Yes! Show no mercy to your enemy! It’s the only way that wolf will survive what’s coming. He’s weak after resonating with the soul cairn's power. Don’t allow him to fall. He still has his important part to play in this tale." Tobias announced, almost as if he knew the future.

 

So… Fenris really…

"So, he truly caused what happened the night before?" I asked, hoping deep down Tobias would deny my suspicions.

"Yes... The wolf was the one who changed you. Red-eye Lycans can control most magic types, even the ones that the soul cairn emits to a point. With him..." He trailed, unable to say anything further.

"Then, Alijah will be impossible to stop," I clasped onto my chest/

"Child! You aren’t destined to stop him, but you must delay his rage. If that’s possible, you must find out, though." Tobias hinted, closing his eyes.

"Why don’t you just tell me?!" I lashed out, angered by the fact he hid information from me.

"My child, this is all I can tell you. Once you save them, try speaking with the dreaded council." He mentioned it like a passing thought, leaving me feeling hollow.

Are the council the ones with the answers I seek? No… they hate that I’m under Fenris’s protection!  

"They won’t hear me," I argued.

Tobias cackled before smirking, "Oh...  how sweet for you to think they have a choice! Make yourself heard! All you need is at the tip of your fingers! Control it, and let it flow, Lilith!”

My brain was starting to lag due to the information overload, though my original goal was finally in sight.

"Then send me back!" I ordered once again.

This time, The realm shifted as the mist set in, responding to me.

"Don’t fear or rely on it fully. Or it will control you, just like it did all those years ago," Tobias warned, fading into the background as the bird took flight before diving for me.

A second later, something sucked us out into another vortex.

"Shade... I was happy to see you once again, old friend." His voice echoed within the storm I found myself in.

In free fall, I spotted the bird twirling beside me as a voice resonated within me.

Fly, Lilith. Don’t let the cage hold you any longer! Burn the chains that bind you and live for yourself!

However, I would do as she said. I had no other choice but to fly right out of my bounds.