The warp through dimensions is not what one would expect.

Especially not at the hands of a Witch with ritualistic magic.

It is not instantaneous or sudden, you don't just pop out in the exact location of your choosing in a mist of smoke. Everything is subject to the mass of power and Mana within the user's being.

My heart beats so softly, I count my blessings. I'm still breathing.

I'm still conscious no matter how much it hurts.

We'll have made it to the desolate land left in Greece within an hour of mystifying lights. My arms wrap tightly around the large wolf's neck, fingers kneading into the soft fluffy locks of fur. This is the only soothing thing about our journey.

Though Remi clings to my back, Daniel and Meika are guiding us in the front, walking through this tunnel. The length of darkness stretching out before them could just as easily tear us all to shreds.

If anyone's energy becomes too chaotic, we're doomed.

Forcing myself to close my eyes, I take several long deep breaths.

Stay awake.

Stay ready.

Get to Lindon.

I repeat the same words over and over again, coaching myself through every twist and turn of fate.

I watched for hours while Daniel forced his way into helping Meika with the ritual, his mortified expression never waning from memory when he saw the blood.

Even now, walking before us, he is slow and cautious.

Yes, it's true we've all changed. We've all learned horrible and cruel things about this hellacious life.

Though Remi and even Theron had not known anything else, they still found hope in the mention of tomorrow. A long, far away tomorrow that came with following me to the ends of the earth.

Perhaps I don't know why I had these four accompany me. Maybe it was all just a selfish game. Yet, I'm riding on the back of a wolf through a wild and dangerous portal of magic because we were able to come together.

On my own, I might've collapsed.

Mentally if not physically.

I smell ocean water hitting my cheeks, I taste the minerals in the air. Pain writhes through my sternum, but something refreshing comes through this time.

Lindon.

His essence bleeds out into the sea and calls for me.

This stirs a strange sort of frenzy in my chest, riling me up just enough to sit up and look around.

The blackness I'd once seen before us is morphing into a dusty blue world of light.

The sun, the clouds, the beach all beckon us in warming welcome.

"Remi, look," I murmur back to her, smiling. "The beach."

She blinks a few times, clearly scared of the lashing tendrils of magic that ripple like fire at Shai'rune's heels. Then, I hear a tiny, happy gasp. "We made it!" she cheers.

Meika's eyes glow in gentle excitement when she looks back at us, content to see us not only enjoying ourselves but alive. Motivated.

"Hold on tight," she warns with a grin, pushing her arms out.

The gate into another place widens and responds to her. Suddenly, just like any other tunnel, we're galloping out into the sand and sun.

The joy in my chest continues to sing and before I know it, I'm throwing myself off of Shai's back and dragging myself through the sand on my hands and knees. The jolted motion sends Remi flying off on her butt, uninjured.

While the others group up and start discussing options amongst themselves, I crawl to the shoreline, staring down at the water as it touches my fingertips and rushes away.

Lifting my hand just like once before, I snap and find the electricity sizzling into the blue liquid. It searches before veering off to the left and tunneling down, down, down.

Deep into the ocean.

Towards the dark depths of crustaceans and shells.

The bottom.

Lindon is at the bottom of the sea.

In a split second, I glance back at Daniel and Meika staring out over a book of some kind. They can't find Lindon on a Map or in some old book. He is here. Underwater.

Far away from me.

I make a decision.

A beautiful, terrible decision.

Trusting everything, I push myself up and out, diving straight into the massive body of bubbles and cold. They'll hear me, they'll know I made my decision.

Come hell or high water, I know what I'm doing.

With all of my might, I push myself down against the current, kicking and swinging my arms out wide in both directions. My eyes are clear for now, but the very thing Lindon loves, the very essence of his being sucks the soul out of me.

Just like the charge of a battery of the sand in an hourglass, I feel my Mana slipping away, burning off just enough water to protect me from the coming waves.

I couldn't think anymore.

I couldn't make any more decisions.

I am done sitting around and waiting.

Beneath me is the Temple.

I feel it calling to me, resonating with my very life force.

He's waiting for me.

But my heartbeat begins to slow, my body malfunctioning the farther I get. Without light or sound, I'm helpless. I can vaguely see a few feet in front of my face for now.

Lungs stuttering, I cough against my held breath and watch.

Watch as a thin stream of blood slips through the depths of water, wriggling upwards as if it were a snake.

My consciousness is nearly gone, pressure caving in on all sides with nothing but the vision of a blurry temple before my eyes. My body continues to give out, legs kicking a few times per minute only to fade again. He could be dying, perhaps even considering all is lost...

The sea warps in my ears with noise and I turn to see Daniel shooting towards me. Confused, I try to blink a more detailed view and lose most of my surroundings entirely in bubbles. My eyes won't focus beyond my nose.

Muddied blues and browns merge together, a mixing pot of blindness.

Gripping my shoulders tight, he continues to drag me down towards the door, ignoring the questions reeling through my head about the depths and his lifeforce. Deeper and deeper, this suffocation stirring up nausea and discomfort.

I have seconds left, maybe a minute before I'm entirely out of Mana.

I've given everything just to get here.

"You have to get away as fast as possible when the door opens," I will into his mind, my brows furrowing in concern. Afraid he didn't feel the message, it's a relief when he barely nods.

My body shuts down, refusing to help or even function as I feel the Sicco Resia Meika formed tearing apart at the seams into nothingness. There is no other way, the bond only destroys my soul ties.

I feel vigorous movements, so intense, so painful, yet even they cannot keep my spirit in this vessel. So many fractures, bits, and pieces lost to the temple and Kiel. The door impounds itself and crashes open, the water surging into a frenzy, yet not entering the compartment.

Sealed away by the strongest magic.

Through the contained darkness, a pair of searing golden eyes blink.

Daniel hurdles me into the barrier meant to keep Lindon confined, my limp frame bursting through the seal. The boy swims away, just as I'd begged.

Laughter echoes off the walls and I try to pry my eyes open, just for a moment. A glimpse, all I need is a tiny surge. Lin is wicked at this point, choking on the dust of his own unused voice. Lashing against his chains, I hear the worst possible words.

So much like every nightmare and vision poisoned into my mind.

"So this is to be my torture," he snarls, leaning back in his chains. I hear them strain against their locks in the wall, wrinkling and tugging in chimes. "The visions of my wife dying before me on the cold, hard floor. And for what..."

Weak tears line my eyelashes, one or two pooling between cheek and nose. I cannot move, cannot breathe, shallow pants escaping me. The most disheartening realization comes when I use all of my strength to move a finger.

Just one finger.

A flame sparks, tiny and fragile.

"Lin..." I whisper.

A soft laugh again, he scoffs. "Yes, my dear? Will you be tearing off my very flesh today or something more strenuous?"

A muffled scream escapes me and I feel every muscle inside me contract tight, forcing me to writhe on the floor. Bawling like a small infant. Pain consumes from the mention and the gentle mania subsides in him slightly. "I could never, I couldn't... I... I can't...Lindon..."

Ice freezes over time and space, silver fumes escaping Lindon's parted lips in exhale. Consideration. Realization. Confusion.

A different sort of tension fills the room, a swirling torrent of guilt and grief. He says nothing more, but the chains rattle and I hear his weight shift to the opposite side. A lengthy breath, some cautious murmurs.

"Ira...?"

My flame collapses, as does the rest of me.

It's the moment we've all been waiting for! 

After thousands of words, a terrible journey, a wicked God, and some unruly Witches, we're here! In Greece! Right at Lindon's feet. 

This shout-out/Dedication goes to the lovely WolvesandMoons for reminding me that we have no idea who we affect and inspire and I'm very happy to have happened upon her in my writing journey. If you're looking for an awesome blend of Modern and Epic fantasy, go check her out!

Sorry to leave you on a cliffy ;) I love you guys so much. I hope everyone is still enjoying the beginning of their year. 

If you enjoyed the chapter, don't forget to vote and comment. I hope you all have a wonderful day!