I couldn't come up with a response, so I nodded in acceptance.
We finished our food and I returned to my room. I could drag it out longer, but I knew that I would have to make a move soon.
17
Mistaken Identity
All along the Liminal World had been preparing me. I learned the power of fire and moonlight, then of vision, and of the movement of the wind. Then I learned the lesson of death. It was all coming together. My mother had not left me alone after all. She had set up all these challenges for me, to guide me, and help me become the Guardian of the Gates. I stayed in the castle for some time, but I finally reached the realization that I was ready. There would never be a better time to face my destiny.
Nox and I made our final goodbyes and expressions of gratitude to the old woman.
"What should I call you?" I asked. Ashamed that I had not gotten her name, even after all that she had done for me.
"I think you'd best just call me the keeper." She said. "I'm the only one left of my kind, but I will stay here and guard this castle as long as you will have me here." She said.
"You can stay forever if you want." I laughed. "I don't know what I would've done without you," I admitted.
"Thank you," She replied. She and Lucian stood at the edge of the waterfall as I entered. I knew they would be waiting out here if things didn't go as planned with Phosphoros. Still, It was my fight. There was only so much they could do. Nox made a ruckus ruffling his feathers until finally, he settled down on my shoulder. I hugged the Keeper tightly and Lucian as well. It felt like an ending, but I knew that the hard part was only just beginning.
"I'll see you again," I said, trying to convince myself more than anything else.
They smiled, though the desperation shone through their eyes. "Bye Esther, we'll see you again."
I was brought to strong emotion when both Lucian and the Keeper bowed, hands clasped. "Go in peace, Guardian." The Keeper said finally.
The cavern behind the waterfall was always the same. It was a place of timelessness. It probably looked the same as it had when my mother created it. I wished that I could have known her, but I realized something after my time in the Liminal World. She was part of me, and the more I learned about myself, the more I would learn about her. I moved with as much purpose as I could maintain. The shrine loomed over me, a symbol of my greatest strength, but also of all that I feared.
This time I was ready for what was to come. Every muscle in my body was tensed for a fight. I pulled out the dagger from its sheath. I made a clean slice down the palm of my hand and let the drops fall onto the shrine. My blood was what he wanted. It would call to him. I was prepared to fight him. My hair was pulled back, my hood up, and my stance was in perfect alignment. I would give Lord Morningstar Hell.
The blood swirled in a spiral around the base of the shrine as if moving through its own volition. I took a step back, keeping my eyes peeled. I could feel a certain heaviness in the air, a sense of presence. He was coming. Then I watched, in awe and horror, as a shadow began to form in the center of the shrine. It was almost like the images in the mirror. I could see him as if from afar. Then he became clearer and more defined. At first, he couldn't see me. His eyes were glazed as if he was an empty shell, but soon awareness sparked. Something was wrong. He was just looking at me. There was no malice in his eyes. He was staring at me with a strange bittersweet expression. He was also probably one of the most beautiful people I had ever seen.
He had long silvery-white hair. It was perfectly straight and he had an almost elven appearance. The hair around his face was pulled back into an elegant braid. He wore an imperial style black uniform of silk. It was flowing and betrayed the lithe figure underneath.
"Phosphoros." I breathed. It was almost impossible to look at him. HIs beauty was utterly compelling. His eyes followed the movement of my body as I staggered backward. Something was definitely wrong. He stepped toward me and his movements were so elegant it was unbelievable. Each step had all the grace of a classically trained dancer.
"Aradia," He called out to me, his voice sultry and low.
"What? I---" I stopped speaking. He thought I was my mother.
"You've called me back," He said, his tone musical and enchanting enough to be dangerous. I had a hard time forming my words correctly, but I didn't have to. He moved toward me with deft speed. His arms moved around me and he embraced me in a hug. I could feel him breathing in my scent. I had to act fast. It would not take long for him to realize I was not my mother. His hand moved to my face. Could he feel my heart racing? I flicked the dagger between my fingers where I was grasping it. I moved my arms up toward his back. He mistook my movement for passion and leaned in to kiss me. I pulled the dagger back and with all the force I could muster, plunged it into his heart from behind.
"In the name of the Queen of Witches, I bind you to the mortal plane." I cried as I drove the blade in deeper. I had to pull hard to wrench it out of him. He struggled against me and I could feel the black tendrils
