Escaping Evil Through Time

Chapter 4: The Unexpected Summons

The boat rocked gently on the waves, the ominous storm clouds looming overhead like a dark curtain ready to drop. Kali felt a familiar weight in her chest, a mix of dread and determination. They had failed once, but she refused to let that be the end of their efforts. As the others gathered their thoughts, she looked out over the water, her mind racing with possibilities. “Okay, we need to regroup,” Rylan said, breaking the silence that had settled over them. His brow was furrowed in concentration, and Kali could see the flicker of frustration in his eyes. “We can’t just sit here and let the storm happen again. We need a plan.” “Maybe we should try to find a way to communicate with Missi,” Jojo suggested, her voice soft but laced with urgency. “If we can reach her somehow, maybe she can help us understand what went wrong.” Kali nodded, her heart quickening at the thought. “I can try to reach out to her spirit. I’ve done it before.” She hesitated, glancing at the others. “But it might be risky. I could get pulled into the past again, or worse.” Rylan stepped forward, his expression serious. “We don’t have a choice. We need to know what happened, and if there’s any way we can change it.” As they discussed their options, the wind picked up, sending chills down Kali’s spine. She could feel the storm brewing, the energy crackling in the air around them. Time was slipping away, and they needed to act fast. “Alright,” Kali said, her voice firm. “I’ll try to reach her. But I need everyone to focus. If I get pulled away, you have to hold on to me. Don’t let go.” The group formed a circle around her, their hands clasped tightly together. Kali closed her eyes, centering herself as she reached out with her mind. She focused on the memories of Missi, the laughter, the warmth, and the bond they shared. Slowly, she felt the familiar pull of the other side, a gentle tug that promised connection. “Missi,” she whispered, her voice barely audible above the rising wind. “Can you hear me? Please, we need your help.” For a moment, there was silence, and Kali’s heart raced with uncertainty. Then, like a flicker of light in the darkness, she felt a presence. It was faint but unmistakable. “Kali?” Missi’s voice echoed in her mind, soft and distant. “Is that you?” “Yes! I’m here!” Kali felt a surge of hope. “We’re trying to save you. We need to know what happened, how to stop the lightning from striking you.” “I… I don’t know how to explain it,” Missi replied, her voice trembling. “It all happened so fast. I was drawn to the water, and then the sky… it felt like a force was pulling me in. I couldn’t resist.” Kali’s heart sank. “A force? What kind of force?” “It felt like… like something was trying to show me something,” Missi said, her voice fading. “But it was too late. The storm came, and then… darkness.” “Missi, stay with me!” Kali urged, feeling the connection waver. “We can change this. We just need more time.” “I’m scared, Kali,” Missi confessed, her voice barely a whisper. “I don’t know if I can hold on much longer.” Kali felt a jolt of panic. “You have to! Just a little longer. We’re going to find a way to save you!” But before she could say more, the connection snapped. Kali gasped, her eyes flying open as she stumbled back, the world around her spinning. The others caught her, their expressions filled with concern. “What happened?” Rylan asked, his voice urgent. “I felt her,” Kali breathed, her heart racing. “But she was scared. She said something was pulling her in, and she couldn’t resist. We need to figure out what that force is.” Before they could discuss it further, a sudden c***k of thunder echoed across the sky, and the storm erupted around them. Rain poured down in sheets, and the wind howled like a living creature. “We need to get back to shore!” Rylan shouted over the cacophony, his voice barely audible. As they scrambled to regain control of the boat, a blinding flash of light illuminated the sky, and for a moment, everything went white. Kali shielded her eyes, her heart pounding in her chest. When the light faded, she found herself standing in a different place entirely. The air was still and heavy, the sky a brilliant blue that seemed to stretch on forever. Confused, she looked around and realized they were no longer on the boat. Instead, they stood in front of a grand courthouse, its marble columns gleaming in the sunlight. “Where are we?” Jojo asked, her eyes wide with disbelief. “I don’t know,” Kali replied, her voice shaky. “But this doesn’t feel like home.” Julien stepped forward, looking at them. “Welcome! You are in Taria. World of angels” “Taria?” Kali echoed, trying to make sense of it. “But how? We were just—” Before she could finish, a figure emerged from the courthouse, a tall man with an ethereal glow surrounding him. He wore flowing robes that shimmered as he walked, his expression calm yet commanding. “Welcome, travelers,” he said, his voice resonating with authority. “You have been summoned.” Kali exchanged glances with Julien and the others, uncertainty swirling in her mind. “Summoned? By whom?” “The Council of the Ancients,” the man replied, gesturing for them to follow him inside. “You have a purpose here, one that intertwines with the fate of your world.” As they stepped into the courthouse, Kali felt a sense of awe wash over her. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings that depicted celestial beings and ancient legends. She couldn’t shake the feeling that they were in a place of great power, a realm where the rules of their reality did not apply. “What does this have to do with Missi?” Julien asked, his voice steady despite the uncertainty. “The storm you seek to avert is not merely a natural occurrence,” the man explained, leading them down a long corridor. “It is a convergence of energies, a clash of destinies that you must navigate.” Kali’s mind raced with questions. “But how do we stop it? We’ve already tried.” The man paused, turning to face them. “You must confront the source of the storm. Only then can you alter its course and save your friend.” The weight of his words settled heavily in the air, and Kali felt a flicker of hope amidst the uncertainty. They had been given a chance, a new path to explore, and she was determined to take it. As they continued deeper into the courthouse, Kali couldn’t help but wonder what awaited them in this strange new world. Time felt different here, and she knew they had to act quickly. With each step, she felt the threads of fate weaving around them, and she hoped they could find the strength to pull Missi back from the brink before it was too late.