Darkness of Magic (Soul of Magic Book 2)

SEVENTEEN

The Valley of Shadows was a place that haunted the dreams of both the young and the old of the realm since the beginning of time; even more so because no one knew how to describe it or even pinpoint its exact location. Myths had it that it was where the realm of the living met that of the dead, a place where all souls lingered before they departed for the life beyond.

But the true fear of the valley descended not from the location itself. Rather, it was the belief that the dead souls which lingered in it for too long began to crave the desire to live again. Regardless of who they were or they did before he died, every soul in the valley was susceptible to that thirst that never faded. And so, in order to satisfy it, the souls would roam through the valley, looking for the bodies of unsuspecting travellers whom the valley would for some unfathomable reason open up itself to be trapped inside to harbour.

Unfortunately, as it was already known, the dead could not return to life by their own will. So, all the souls could do during their bid for harbourage was kill the person whose body they came into contact with, causing the latter to become yet another soul roaming through the valley with an insatiable thirst to live again.

However, as people grew older and beliefs changed, the myth of the dreaded Valley of Shadows became nothing more than stories told to frighten children, especially since it had never been seen before or the tale of a traveller who had been swallowed up by it heard. Deep down though, everyone still carried an iota of its fear, and that of the life-thirsty souls which resided in it.

"But they are just stories, right?" Richard said, breaking them out of the thoughts he knew they were all thinking.

"Actually, I can feel a very powerful dark energy emanating from all over this area," Isidora replied as she moved her hands gently all over the place; although it was hard to be sure whether she was being serious or just taking advantage of their fears to taunt them. It was definitely up the dark witch’s sleeves to do just that. "This place isn’t right, your Majesty. I don’t know how I could have missed it earlier."

"And we're just supposed to take your word for it that you just happened to miss the fact that we were running straight towards the Valley of Shadows, right?" Kyra suddenly said as she walked up to Isidora, her face still very pale but she looked more than alive to face the dark witch down.

"That’s the truth, Kyra," Isidora returned, meeting Kyra's glare with one of her own. "I would never put myself in peril on purpose."

"Really, Isidora? ‘Cause I heard it's nothing to the Dark Hearts Coven to give their life for what they believe is the “right” cause." The energy within Kyra had begun to build by then and it was obvious that the Soul of magic wasn’t beyond unleashing her power to prove the dark witch a liar.

But Isidora wasn’t going to be easily intimidated. "Well, for your information, Kyra. I may be a member of the Dark Hearts Coven but I'm first and foremost a dark witch," she returned and her power also edged in the corner of her mind. "Believe me, self-sacrifice is not one of our qualities."

Both women glared at each other for a very long time, looking as if they were brimming with words and spells. But none spoke as they sized each other up instead. The entire valley descended into a silence so great that it seemed to take on a life of its own.

Just then, Kyra suddenly dissipated the energy around with a huff. “Your plan will come to light eventually, Isidora,” she said before turning and stomping away towards a tree not so far from where they stood.

"How can we be sure that we can trust you or anything you say?" Richard asked when he saw Isidora dissipate her energy; the tension had finally passed.

"You can't be sure," she replied with all genuineness. "But I do want you to know that I’m very invested in taking you to face my master. Truth is, that’s what he wanted me to do all along."

Isidora's revelation was really a stunner for the others. On one hand, it finally explained why the dark witch had stuck to staying with them instead of leaving like they had believed. But on the other side, it also meant that they were never in control like they had thought. If the Coven’s leader had manipulated events such that they had captured Isidora and made them to force her to take them to him, who knew what else he was controlling even that moment? And the thought of that worried them all greatly.

However, they weren’t to get the chance to dwell on their thoughts as Isidora had already ventured ahead. "From what I learnt, the only way out of the valley is to travel through it just like a crossing soul would," she said, pointing in the direct opposite direction of where they had entered from. "But if we're going to have any chance of making it out of here in one piece, we need to have at least a little bit of trust in each other." It was obvious that what she really meant was them trusting her; the trio definitely had a lot of trust in each other already.

"Alright, let's say I am willing to trust you," Lucian said before the others. "We still have the problem of the life-hungry wandering souls. How do you propose we deal with them?"

"I know a few spells that could work against a wandering soul. Shadows, as we dark wizards like to call them, are one of the creatures which the Dark Hearts Coven have been interested in since time immemorial," she replied. "But ultimately, our survival and victory boils down to our ability be able to count on one another no matter how things get."

Isidora put her hand out in a gesture of alliance, as temporary as it may be, and Lucian immediately placed his hand on hers. Richard added his a few seconds later. But it was no secret that the true height of the matter was Kyra. The Soul of magic was the only one powerful enough to give Isidora any significant help in such a place full of hellishly dark and dangerous creatures; and she also happened to be the one who hated her the most among. If the dark withc was to be believed, the two women needed a truce between them and fast if they were all going to survive the valley.

"So, what will it be, Soul of magic?" asked Isidora, looking at her with nothing but seriousness in her eyes.

Kyra gave a long sigh after a while, but she finally put her hand on top the others as she looked at Richard and Lucian who urged her on with subtle nods. “Isidora of the Dark Hearts Coven,” she began as was customary to do in the realm; binding even to wizards. "I accept your offer of trust. And I promise that you can count on me no matter how things get."