The World of Shadows - Chapter 14 (Dark Paranormal Fantasy Story)

This is the third story of the BP series. If you haven't read the first story yet, you can find it here :)

Find chapters 1 - 20 of Retribution (the second story) on my Steemit Blog.

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About The World of Shadows
"In a world full of sinister creatures and treacherous terrain, Beatrix and Arthur must find their way to the castle where the dark creature resides.

Beatrix Percival fans can expect answers to many questions, many conclusions, and explosive battles of epic proportions!

Eerie beyond belief, and passionately romantic like never before, this third book in the series won't disappoint!"

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CHAPTER 14

Arthur and Beatrix began to prepare for their departure from the ship. Beatrix retrieved a bottle of contrupil dust from the suitcase and placed their other belongings inside. Arthur spelled the suitcase, and it floated just behind him. Beatrix threw some of the contrupil dust over the suitcase and watched it disappear from view. Arthur and Beatrix each held a handful of contrupil dust and threw it over themselves so they too would be invisible. “Ok,” Arthur said. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” said Beatrix with anxious eyes.

She held Arthur’s hand, and they slowly rose up into the air. Beatrix looked down at the ship as it shrank below her the higher they rose into the air. They flew upward past the turrets and many windows until they reached the upward-facing entrance to the castle. Their feet quietly rested on the stone floor. “Do you find it strange that the door is just…open?” asked Beatrix.

“Slightly,” replied Arthur. “He is expecting your arrival, though.”

With cautious steps, they walked into the castle. The entrance hall was swarming with witches, warlocks, and strange creatures. Large tapestries hung on the walls, depicting frightening images. Cages with fiery emerald creatures hovered in the air, illuminating the walls in an eerie green hue. The glowing creatures viciously clawed at the iron walls of the cages that confined them.

“We need to find your mother,” Beatrix whispered. “If we find her, maybe she can find a safe place for us to stay in the castle while we find a way to defeat the dark creature.”

Arthur nodded in agreement. He watched Beatrix’s eyes search the crowd. A warlock came running down the large staircase toward the entrance. “No!” he cried out. Beatrix could feel the fear that emanated from him. The warlock ran at the open entrance.

“Your time has come,” said an otherworldly voice. “You cannot escape.”

Beatrix turned to see the dark figure raise its claws into the air. Wispy streams of fog raced through the air at the warlock. They wrapped around him and he quickly began to age until he collapsed on the cold stone floor. The air in the room fell silent. The dark creature hovered at the top of the staircase and spoke once more. “Let this be an example of what defiance will get you and a reminder that if you remain loyal and valuable, you will be allowed to live.”

Beatrix stood there in shock. With sorrowful eyes, she looked down at the old man that lay lifeless on the cold floor. The creature turned and disappeared through a doorway. Chatter grew in the castle hall once more as people went about their day. How can they live like this? Beatrix wondered.

Beatrix and Arthur carefully made their way through the crowd, dodging people as they went. One unlucky warlock walked right into the suitcase that floated behind Arthur, knocking the man to the floor. The man looked around him with confusion but, without seeing anything suspicious, got up and walked away. Beatrix looked around and saw the opening to a long corridor. She grabbed Arthur by the hand and led him across the hall to it. Relief filled her as they escaped the crowded entrance hall.

The corridor was lit with lanterns that gave off a pure white light. Beatrix walked up to one and gasped. Piles of dead talenbees filled the lanterns. Why would anyone kill a talenbee? she wondered. They were such delicate and beautiful creatures that only brought happiness to anyone that touched them.

The air was cool, causing goosebumps to form on her arms. They passed many doorways. Beatrix peered inside each one in the hope of finding Arthur’s mother. A woman in a red velvet gown walked down the corridor toward them. Arthur and Beatrix backed up to the walls and waited for her to pass by. Arthur’s shoe squeaked slightly on the floor, and the woman paused right next to them and looked around. She raised her hand up and pushed her hair over her shoulder. As she did this, her sleeve fell, revealing the Skelealdor marking on her wrist. Beatrix had not expected to see someone with that mark in the castle.

The woman in red continued walking down the hallway. Beatrix grabbed Arthur’s hand and walked after her. She disappeared through one of the doorways; Beatrix and Arthur followed. It was an octagonal room with a staircase spiraling up and down the walls. The woman descended the stairs quickly.

But we are on the lower level of the castle already, thought Beatrix. Then it hit her—they were going to the castle below.
The woman slowed and stopped on a large, intricately carved stone step with two handles on it. She knelt to the floor, placed her hands on the handles, and said, “Fetrispa!”

The stone flipped. Beatrix heard footsteps echo below them. “That must be how we get to the other side,” whispered Beatrix.

Arthur walked over and knelt on the large stone, placing his hands on the handles just like the woman did. “Fetrispa,” he whispered. The floor turned over.

Beatrix stepped onto the stone and, with hands on the handles, muttered, “Fetrispa.” The stone turned over to reveal Arthur standing on the other side. The woman’s footsteps faded slowly above them. “We better keep following her,” said Beatrix.

They quietly raced up the stairs toward the woman in red. She disappeared through the doorway and walked down a corridor that was identical to the one on the other side. She walked into the entrance hall and up the stairs. She continued down a long hallway lined with a blood red rug. Suddenly, the woman turned and went into a small room. It was a kitchen. Pots and pans hung from the ceiling on large racks. Cabinets full of dishes lined the walls on one side. The room was warm. Witches and warlocks rushed around the room as they prepared food. The woman walked through a small doorway into a room with walls covered with shelves full of food. On a stool in the corner sat a woman with dark hair. Her hands raced as she peeled potato after potato.

“Hi, Oriona,” said the woman in red.

The woman peeling potatoes looked up to reveal glowing red eyes.

“Hello,” she said with a warm smile.

Goosebumps formed on Beatrix’s arms. It was her…it was Arthur’s mother.

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More Chapters will be published soon!

Thanks for reading! :)

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