Daxell hoists the bags back up and takes my hand. “Come on, we need to pick up the pace anyhow. There is a stream close to where we will layover for the evening. We’re not that far out now. Another fifteen minute’s walk and we should be there.”
“Lexie will be so excited.” I can’t help but smile before continuing, “I’m sure that in her studies she has come across mention of these two items, I’m sure that she will know what to do with them. Now, back to what you were saying, hellionite had a role in Asmodeus’s capture?” I ask, smirking at his newly coined term.
He grins back down at me as we continue walking through the dense forest. “Yes, hellionite knocked him on his ass, he was out for days. It was the only way that he was able to be captured and bound by the irons forged in angel fire. It’s a very sordid tale that took place in ancient times before the realms were sealed. Let’s just say that the tale is his to tell, but that he ended up bound in a cave and left to rot for all the strife that he caused in The Mortal Realm when he finally woke.”
“Wow, remind me to ask him about that story when we have time and we aren’t trying to stop a fanatical -”
“A freaking fanatical fruitcake like Nyx?!” Poppy burst through the branches of the tree right in front of us. “Where have you been, Lillie JoBug? I have been worried sick about you. We expected you hours ago.” She demands.
Pip is on her hovering heels as he comes barreling after her, how we did not hear him, I have no idea. His toothy grin is huge as he exclaims, “Poppy, chill out! They’re not late, we just got here earlier than expected.” Switching his gaze to us, he asks, “Why are you on foot? We expected you to slip from the shadows when you arrived. Did something happen?” The look of concern crosses his features.
Daxell claps Pip on the shoulder. “Nothing happened. We decided to walk the last bit. The shadow-realm was making Lillie a bit uneasy.”
“Besides, Daxell and I were able to collect some majorly cool substances for Lexie. Poppy, she is going to be beyond thrilled when she sees what we’ve brought her. I can’t wait to see her happy dance.”
Poppy lands nimbly on my shoulder and asks, “Do tell. I’m all ears.”
“Elder tree sap and,” I pause before saying, “Devil’s Bane.”
“Shhh … Lillie, you must not speak of that aloud.” Pipperton is quick to pull us forward on a barely concealed trail. “Come. We must get to the camp.” He gestures us through the brush and somewhat thorny foliage. We follow as a somber quiet falls upon us. There’s a reason that he has hushed us and it does not escape my notice that he is looking around as if he fears that I was overheard.
We quickly make it into camp behind Pipperton. The other male imps have a delicious smelling stew on the fire waiting for us to arrive. It looks like we will all sleep under the crimson sky tonight. Suddenly, I feel homesick. I want to see the stars, and I murmur, “Great …”
Daxell leans in and asks, “What’s wrong, LJ?”
I whisper back, “I guess I would be more at ease if there were stars. It’s okay. I’m just not used to the skies being red all the time.”
Daxell pulls me into a hug and I welcome his strong arms around me. Slowly, I melt into him and for a time, there is no one else around us. It’s just the two of us, and he begins, “This place, well, it defies the laws of astronomical physics. This realm is not a planet. It does not abide by the laws that you are used to. It is a dreadful place that some are unfortunate to be born to. The skies are red for a reason, they weigh down on those souls that need to see the blues and greens, the change of day and night, but it can be soothing if you let it. There are layers to The Underworld. It is a prison realm of sorts, but it can be so much more. I didn’t realize that until I met you. Because of you, I now see this realm in a different light. I hope that you can come to see it as I do.” He leans his forehead down to rest on my own and I sigh.
“It’s just different. It’s something that I need to get used to. I know that you are right. There is beauty to be found here and there are some amazing individuals that call this place home. Now, let's eat and find out why Pip was so cryptic about the hellionite.
Daxell grins back and kisses me soundly. Around the campfire, I hear several clear their throats, but a girl only lives once.
40
Slumbering Giants
(Lillie Joanna)
At some point I noticed that we are surrounded by large rock formations that look like carved giant figures. Some are beautiful females and males and others are grotesque statues that I cannot possibly understand what they are. All of which are strewn over the ground and covered in moss, lichen and surrounded by overgrown grasses and vines. They look ancient as if they have been here since the beginning of time. As we settle down for our evening meal, I ask, “Pipperton, what’s up with what we were discussing before? Why did you shush me? It was as if you didn’t want anyone to hear me.”
He leans in, “The item in which you mentioned has long since been thought to be extinct, but Luc knew that there would
