Novel & Cerita Sandman Audible Act 4

Or was that just another lie Benicio had spun to pull Priamos in behind him on this plan? A twig broke to my left. Just inside the treeline. A different route than I had taken but there was only one person who would follow me here. Priamos. I twisted my head to the side. Growled with my teeth flashing in the firefly light. "Fuck off, Priamos. I don't want to see you right now!" I screamed in that direction. A different voice replied. Relief washed over me, whether I wanted to admit it or not. Smooth velvet brushed my skin. The burning inside my heart slowed to a murmur.

And this time, she did not hold back. Flame exploded from her skin, golden-red, scorching through the abyss. The water hissed as the blaze expanded, devouring the echoes. Her own faces shrieked, dissolving into smoke and ash. The abyss roared with fire, light cutting through the dark, searing the whispers into silence. And for the first time, the Tribunal’s voice faltered. The abyss shuddered. The shadows fled. The path opened forward. The fourth gate awaited. ---

Author's POV Sandra's breathing was ragged, blood trickling from a wound on her side as she ran forward and raised a trembling hand. Summoning that burst of air to snuff out Pierce's flame took great more energy than she had ever imagined. But if she did not act now, there would never be a second chance. Her exhausted eyes settled on Pierce, who blinked in shock. Before Pierce could react, Sandra muttered an incantation under her breath. She only managed to graze her forehead though, as Pierce threw out a hand and shoved her away.

"Don't fight it. Let it take you where you need to go." I close my eyes, focusing on Lavinia's voice as the world around me melts away. When I open my eyes again, I'm no longer in the cabin. Instead, I'm transported to a different place entirely. I'm standing on the banks of a dark, swirling river, the air thick with mist and the distant sound of wailing. I can feel the weight of the coin in my pocket, a constant reminder of why I'm here.

Chapter 42 starts the NEXT ARC and it's going to be MASSIVE! END OF CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

"I fear for you, Susan . The world can be cruel, and you're facing it alone now." A bittersweet smile graces my lips as I reach out to touch his hand, offering a fleeting moment of reassurance. "I understand your concerns, Ethan. But sometimes, we must venture into the unknown to find our strength. I won't be truly alone, for I carry within me a tiny spark of life, a reason to persevere." Silence envelops us momentarily as Ethan processes my words, his brows furrowed in contemplation.

They are disowned and left alone to die in this so-called 'evil' world. I glance through the window, watching the sky as the noise in the back of the van cascades. I hear Jordan and Ares playing on their phone while screaming. Sam and Clark are discussing honeymoon places. I look at the two children playing a game on the iPad to pass the time during the drive.

But, it could not last long when a screech dispersed in the air as if someone was roaring and its echoes were holding unbearable decibels. “Argh. What’s this?” Randall cursed. They all covered their ears but Tristan stopped. Something invited him to follow the trail and he began to transform on his own with bloodlust surrounding him. “Fuck.” Zadicus cursed and in a split second it stopped eventually. They were breathing heavily by the intensity of sound, blinking to regain their blurry sensations. “You okay?” Zadicus asked, holding Persephone, hugging her closer, earning strange looks from everyone. “You know she is not your fragile woman anymore, right?” Randall asked, arching a brow.

He snarled, holding it up so I could see. I took a breath in, holding it for a second while I got the courage to stop my trembling body enough to recite the incantation. “Et erit activated, vocantem nos est in domum suam: a me accipe est.” I chanted, and I could feel the instant we materialized out of this realm and back to my home. Dominik and I had materialized so many times that it didn’t phase us, but Andres was still shaky when he did. So when we landed on a sandy beach by the ocean I wasn’t surprised to see Andres fall to his knees and hurl.

Aldus said, voice deep and sharp as ice. Amber’s laughter cut immediately. Her eyes snapped to Aldus—burning. Slowly, she began chanting under her breath, “Aldus. Aldus. Aldus…” Her grin widened with each repetition, “I’m surprised you’re still here,” she said. “And that you haven’t sensed anything.” Aldus’ brows furrowed. “What do you mean?” Amber gasped theatrically, covering her mouth. “Oh! Didn’t you know?”