Lilith was guided to lie on a long wooden bench while Hades laid beside her. The witch placed Lilith’s hand over his and tied a red rope around it loosely. She walked across the room and retrieved two red pearls, placing them each on their chests.
Salistra moved into view, locking her hands behind her. "I don’t know all that will happen during this process, for I have not done it myself, but all I can say is that you should be careful," her eyes shifted between both of them, "both of you. Lurking around the line between life and death is a very dangerous thing. A little mistake and you will find yourself trapped in the world of the dead, or worse, unable to return to life and unable to die."
"Whoever you et in your journey is not your friend, nor do they want what’s best for you. They are selfish and only seek to favor themselves. Think very carefully before responding to questions. The goddess Urga is a sly and manipulative one, she can make ugly things appear beautiful and alluring to capture and deceive your soul. So be warned and be smart."
"As I have always ntioned, ti is very important. You do not belong in that world, so you must not overstay your welco. Spending more ti than necessary will have heavy consequences. The pearl on your chest will go with you to the other realm. The red liquid inside it will serve as a tir. Once the pearl turns white, you should know it’s ti to return."
"Shatter the pearl into pieces, and you will return to your body." Salistra carried a small clay pot, saring the mud-like content over their foreheads. "This will protect you from the Sayns, vicious creatures that steal one’s soul."
She looked over to Hades. "Just try not to get your soul corrupted. That’s your only role in this."
Salistra took two steps back. "And one last thing, think very carefully before you make a decision, for Urga is a cruel woman."
Lilith nodded, her heart pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears. Her brave front had suddenly withered away, and fear crept up her spine. But it was too late to pull out now; she was already strapped to the bench, and the ritual was beginning to take place.
"I will begin now," the older witch announced. Picking up a black cloth from the table, she tied it over her eyes.
Lilith turned her head to look at Hades, whose eyes were already on her. She offered him a small smile, and he returned it, his thumb caressing her hand as their fingers intertwined.
"It’s going to be alright," he whispered.
Lilith nodded in response, swallowing the lump in her throat. The witch began reciting the spell, her lips moving as strange words poured out. Her voice grew louder and louder as the minutes passed. The air thickened, and the surroundings grew eerily silent except for Salistra’s voice, which slowly faded into a distant murmur.
Lilith’s eyes were fixed on the ceiling, her breathing heavier than usual. She felt her body begin to rise from the bench, floating weightlessly in the air. She tried to turn toward Hades, but her body was stiff and unresponsive. Her vision blurred, dizziness washing over her until she could no longer keep her eyes open, then suddenly, everything stopped.
A scream tore from her lips as she felt her body being violently pulled downward. She hit the ground with a thud that rattled her bones. Gasping, Lilith struggled to make sense of what had just happened.
With such a rough fall, she expected bruises or broken bones, but to her surprise, there were none. Although her body didn’t hurt, she felt weak and drained of strength.
Slowly, she pushed herself to her feet, her eyes scanning her surroundings. She stood barefoot on muddy ground, surrounded by tall, looming trees that stretched high into a foggy sky. Only a narrow path lay before her, cutting straight ahead until it vanished into the mist.
Lilith decided to follow it, hoping it would lead her to the goddess. Yet as she walked, nothing ca into view. It was as if she was moving in circles, trapped on an endless road. She was tempted to stop, but with no other path to take, she pressed on, praying it would eventually lead sowhere...anywhere.
After what felt like thirty minutes, fatigue began to weigh her down. Her legs ached, her throat was dry, and every step across the sharp sand and rocky ground sent a sting through her feet. Still, she refused to give up. Ti was running out, and she could feel it. Gritting her teeth, Lilith dragged herself onward, silently begging the gods for this tornt to end soon.
Sweat covered her forehead, her white dress drenched and clinging to her skin. Lilith panted heavily, each step harder than the last. Her feet were bleeding now, leaving a trail of red footprints behind her. Unable to take another step, she fell to her knees, her breaths coming out in shaky gasps as tears stread down her cheeks.
Her trembling gaze dropped to the pearl on her chest, the red liquid inside had already drained halfway. Her heart sank. That ant she didn’t have much ti left.
No. No, no, no. She couldn’t fail. She wouldn’t fail.
Driven by a surge of desperate determination, Lilith tore off a piece of her dress and wrapped it around her wounded feet, hoping to lessen the sting of the jagged rocks beneath her. Then, with a strained groan, she pushed herself back to her feet and kept walking.
Minutes passed, each step felt like a battle until a faint glimr appeared in the distance. Her eyes widened.
"Water," she whispered, her voice hoarse and dry. The sight renewed her strength. She quickened her pace, ignoring the fear that the lake might vanish before she reached it.
Within monts, she stood before the shimring surface. Relief washed over her, and she smiled for the first ti since her fall into this strange realm. Dropping to her knees, Lilith cupped the water in her hands and drank deeply. The coolness soothed her parched throat, drawing a quiet sigh from her lips.
But then, from the corner of her eye, sothing glinted.
She lifted her head and froze, a figure stood beside her. Lilith scrambled to her feet, heart pounding, as she stepped back from the woman clad in a silver dress. Her head was bald and glead under the dim light, and though she smiled broadly, the look in her eyes made Lilith’s blood run cold.
"You are here to see the goddess Urga?" the woman asked in a smooth voice.
Lilith narrowed her eyes warily. "Yes. Who are you?"
"Co with . I’ll take you to her." The woman turned and began walking away.
Lilith didn’t move. "Who are you? Why should I trust you?"
The woman stopped as her head turned around to Lilith, her smile still fixed but her tone sharp. "If you wish to see the goddess, co with . I will not repeat myself."
Lilith’s stomach twisted uneasily as the woman’s head turned back to normal, the eerie distortion gone as though nothing had happened.
Swallowing hard, Lilith hesitated before following, keeping several cautious steps behind in case the strange woman decided otherwise.
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