Oscurilina hastily left the room, but Bellina was still right behind her. Bellina chased her through a long hall and into a wide-open space, deep within the mountain. Molten rock layered the floor and a small volcano jutted from a wall. Oscurilina flew straight through the opening in the volcano, and Bellina followed.
Though it was only a simulation, Ariah could feel that the temperature dropped several degrees. This room had dark gray rock and like most caves, had little light. Oscurilina was perched on top of a large stone. Oscurilina laughed and shot a green bolt at Bellina. Bellina deflected it and changed its course back towards Oscurilina.
Oscurilina dodged it by shooting down. The stream of crackling electricity hit the rock, causing it to burn a bright pink and green.
Bellina shot out a white ball with purple lines towards Bellina and said, “Incarcerare.”
The ball hit Oscurilina in the chest. She immediately froze and turned into stone. The small rock figure floated into the standing stone where the Oscurilina was just perched and locked itself within.
Bellina knew she had only a few seconds. She whispered something inaudible and closed her eyes. The stone stopped glowing. Letters appeared on the stone as if they were being carved with white ink.
Ariah didn’t have time to read the words before they disappeared. Bellina watched the stone to ensure that Oscurilina could not escape.
Out of nowhere, a dark ball bounced off the cave walls and hit Bellina. She vanished on contact, leaving only motes of dust.
The library materialized once more. Ariah stared down at the book. “That was intense,” he said.
Nayara walked away from the altar and through the other hallway without another word. Ariah quickly caught up behind her.
Soon Ariah found he was walking on an uneven stone. Just ahead was the volcano. Ariah looked around. The room was no longer a river of molten rock and felt cold.
There was a large basin that had served as the main place of the lava that previously spilled from the volcano’s mouth. They walked across the basin and to the edge of the room.
Suddenly, as if planned by some other force, large steps jutted out from the cave wall and led to the opening in the volcano.
Ariah and Nayara climbed the stairs. When they reached the mouth of the volcano, Ariah could see small particles of ash floating in the air. They walked through the opening until they reached a room with craggy walls that glowed green. The room looked identical to what it had been so many years ago.
The Queen walked up to the large, twelve-foot standing stone. Veins of pink and green light glowed from it. She inspected it with her hand, moving it slowly across its surface. Then the white letters appeared.
Nayara read the inscription out loud.
“Here lies the Shadow of the Universe, incarcerated for evil deeds committed throughout our universe, creating an influx of beings in Pluton’s Citadel.
She had destroyed multiple planets that sustained life, eradicating several species from existence.
Oscurilina, as she has been duly named, is to remain imprisoned here, trapped for eternity, with the help of Galbatrar.
The Council of Oasi is to protect this place and ensure she is never freed. Oscurilina is to live, trapped forevermore in unknowing darkness, the likes of which she has bestowed in many hearts. ~ Bellina”
“What does it mean by the help of Galbatrar? Who is he?” Ariah asked.
“Galbatrar is an ancient city that no longer exists,” replied Nayara. “They are the ones who called upon Oscurilina. But they thought it was a mistake and called forth Bellina to put a stop to her.”
Nayara withdrew a jade that was placed around her neck. “This is the key to release Oscurilina, hidden well within the city of Galbatrar. Bellina had the city keep the key safe, a price they had to pay for inviting Oscurilina to this planet.”
The Queen ran her hand over the stone once more until she found a small indent.
“There were traitors in Galbatrar,” said Nayara. “And we have them to thank for this opportunity to release Oscurilina once more.”
The jade fit easily into the stone. Red words glimmered over the white writing Bellina had carved into the stone. Ariah did not see the words and Nayara read them to herself.
The words vanished instantly. A silhouette of a tiny hand glowed in red inside the stone. It was Oscurilina. Nayara placed her hand against hers.
Many memories flashed through Nayara’s mind, faster than she could see or remember. Then she heard the whispers.
Release me. Release me.
The memories stopped. The stone became normal again, void of words, with only its glowing veins.
The colossal stone stood over them and somehow seemed bigger now. Crystals burned brightly behind it, placing the stone in a spotlight. Nayara took a step back and reached for the gold chain that belonged to John Dimes.
She understood.
Nayara straightened her back and stood tall and proud. Her hair rustled faintly, though there was no breeze. She stuck out her hand towards the stone.
“Relaissare.”
The room instantly went dark, and there was a loud crack. The glowing green and pink veins glowed brightly and turned black in a repeating cycle. When it glowed, a large, ragged crack in the stone tower could be seen. Each time the rock could be seen again, the crack became larger until it went through the whole rock. Ariah could hear the crystals behind it shatter like glass.
A small figure rose from the stone as the ground trembled beneath their feet.
“Oscurilina,” Ariah whispered, as though trying to not wake the sleeping fairy that so many feared.
All the light vanished in an instant. The stone no longer glowed, and
