Page 58 of Soul Keeper

“Shadow!” Zoe called to him through the barricade of vines. “Shadow, please, you don’t have to do this.”

Zoe’s breath faltered as he slowly met her gaze. Where once, his eyes had shimmered with an inner light, now they were jet black, and lost within the darkness.

“I have to protect the Underworld.” Shadow’s power strengthened the vines, until the wall of thorns grew between them. “I have to protect my kingdom.”

Zoe watched fearfully as the vines closed in, entombing him within their darkness. They grew from his despair, lashing out at any who would dare to trespass. But despite the fearsome sight, Zoe held his gaze, and took another step closer.

“It’s my kingdom too.” Zoe offered Shadow her hand as she neared, sending golden rays scattering through the gloom. “Let me help you, Shadow. Let’s save the Underworld, together.”

Despite her plea, Shadow remained lost within his despair. Zoe’s heart sank as she looked from his dark eyes to the impenetrable wall of vines that closed in. Within their tendrils, she could feel Shadow’s pain, as he shielded himself with thorns and isolated himself from the world once more. And she knew it was up to her to save him.

“You’ve spent an eternity lost in the darkness.” Zoe watched as the vines ensnared Shadow, entwining themselves around his limbs like serpents. “But that’s no way to live. And no matter how hard you try to push me away, I won’t leave you in the shadows any longer.”

As the storm raged in the heavens, Zoe closed her eyes and reached out to the Underworld. She begged for its forgiveness. She pleaded for its help to save the man she loved. But as the Arctic winds howled, and the vines grew in strength, its magic remained out of her reach.

“Please.” Zoe whispered into the winds, letting them carry her plea. “Please let me save him. Let me save the magic of the Underworld.”

Zoe’s eyes widened as something stirred in her heart. Something faint, weakened by the darkness that spread across the lands, yet unmistakable. The melody of the Underworld’s song.

Slowly, she drew on its strength, channeling it through her body, until she radiated with a golden aura. Against the darkness of the landscape, she gleamed like a beacon of light, until the vines retreated from her touch. She watched in astonishment as the wall of vines slowly parted, while the ferocity of the storm ebbed into a gentle breeze.

“You saved me from the darkness, Shadow.” Zoe offered her hand, sending a golden light scattering through the gloom. “And now it’s time for me to return the favor.”

As Zoe’s light radiated through the darkness, the vines slowly released Shadow from their grasp. He drew a startled breath, and looked at Zoe in surprise, as if awakening from a trance.

“Zoe?” A golden spark of hope ignited within the darkness of his eyes. “You… you came back.”

“I made a promise to you, and to the Underworld.” Zoe stepped closer, and broke into a smile. “And it means you’ll never be alone again.”

Shadow stepped from the darkness, until a golden light bloomed between them, sending the last of the vines retreating into the depths of the earth. Their bodies met in an explosion of magical light, melting through the gloom, until he kissed her with the essence of his very soul. It was a kiss of forgiveness. A kiss of magic. A kiss that transcended the boundaries of life and death.

As the light returned to Shadow’s eyes, the darkness of the Underworld receded. Zoe looked in astonishment as the howling winds faded, as the skies cleared, and the ruby-colored buds of Persephone’s Tree gleamed once more. The specters gathered by the tree in a puff of smoke, and cheered in celebration as the Underworld returned to its true form.

“Well, that sure was a grand reopening party to remember!” Spooks whistled as he gazed at the splintered and fractured land. “I guess disaster has been averted after all.”

A shrill ringing sound warbled through the air, interrupting the peace of the moment. Zoe watched in surprise as Cerberus bounded towards her, her laptop held in his jaws. The screen flickered to life of its own accord, until a familiar face greeted her.

“Mr. Gravesend?”

“It’s about time, Zoe.” Her boss’ eyes narrowed in displeasure. “I trust there’s a good reason you’ve missed my calls?”

Zoe gulped as she glanced at the war-torn landscape. “Well, it’s a little difficult to explain–”

Mr. Gravesend sighed wearily, casting long shadows across his face.

“I had such hopes that you would rise to the occasion, Zoe.” A dark shadow flickered within Mr. Gravesend’s eyes, while his lips curled into a cruel smile. “But, I suppose some things are best left to the professionals.”

An eerie silence descended across the Underworld. As the sound of scuttling legs filled the air, Zoe glanced at the horizon warily, to see dozens of spider-like machines emerge from the darkness.

“Your pursuit of power has to end.” Zoe’s hands balled into fists as she turned to her laptop. “You have no idea what’s here, Mr. Gravesend. No idea what you could unleash.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, my dear.” Mr. Gravesend’s eyes gleamed with malice. “From the moment I saw those readings, I knew exactly what you’d discovered. A site of power. A site I have been trying to find for centuries.”

Zoe glanced at the screen in surprise. She knew Mr. Gravesend was old, but hadn’t expected him to be that ancient. “Centuries?”

“That’s right, my dear.” Mr. Gravesend’s lips stretched into a smile. “And now, I think it’s time I pay you a little visit.”

Zoe watched in horror as a cloud of darkness poured from her laptop screen. A shiver ran down her spine as the shadows bloomed and stretched, until a figure stepped from the darkness.

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