"Hell knows a fear far worse."

- Samuel Taylor Coleridge, "Limbo"

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Soundtrack of the chapter: Emhyr Var Emreis from The Witcher III

Media: Mandrake root

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Chapter Seventeen: Stranger Sights

Eli shook his fist at the little bear Feorh before him, trying to reel in his temper. He had hardly slept last night due to banquet preparations for his grandfather's birthday and all his helpers seemed to have vanished into thin air.

"Where in Trael's beard is the reception Feorhs? They were supposed to be here like an hour ago!"

The messenger Feorh cowered. "I don't know, Your Honor. They took a break down the gardens."

"Well, find them! The banquet starts in an hour! Find them or I will skin you alive!"

"Yes, Your Honor!" it squeaked and immediately bounded down the stairs at top speed, leaving behind a fleeting stream of sparkles.

Eli sighed and rested his head on his staff. He wasn't going to skin the Feorh, such actions were inhumane. But threats were the only way to get them working hard and fast.

He unfolded the plans for the occasion and scanned it. Most of the boxes were ticked. Gifts were already delivered and the food cooked. Decorations were put up a couple days ago. Now he was just lacking the guests and reception Feorhs.

Today was an important day for Raphine Sanguinis, for this marks his sixtieth birthday, and it was the day when the Hall of Shadows was decimated. Another sigh left his lips. His grandfather was insistent on toasting to the victory of the Oracles, much to his disapproval. War should be learned from and not glorified. However, all his words were cast to the air as Raphine wouldn't listen otherwise.

With careful steps, he climbed up the steps that led to the banquet Hall. The doors were shut, but with a firm tug, he opened them and peeked inside. The tables were already laid, ready for the hundreds of visitors. The throne and table for the Sanguinis family glittered under the auburn rays of the dying sun.

He wondered how it would look like from the eyes of the common Oracles, to gaze up at the raised table and at the crown on Raphine's head. Eli often visualized his parents sitting next to him at the right end of the table, joking with his uncle and cousins. The ghosts of the past pattered beside him, seeming to weave in between the empty chairs, their laugher echoing through the vast expanse.

The door shut without a sound, cutting off the soft laughter and fragments of dreams that would never come true.

"I should get ready for the party," he said out loud to himself. "I need some fun."

"You should." A familiar voice floated from the bottom of the stairs. "It's almost party time."

He spun around and spotted Cady.

"C-Cady," he spluttered. "Hi."

It was a weak greeting, but he lost control of his reflexes when Cady started walking toward him.

A beautiful white gown hugged her petite body, simple yet elegant, one of ancient Oracle fashion. Her fiery hair was up in a loose bun with a few loose curls framing her heart-shaped face. She must have applied some eyeliner, for those green eyes were startlingly bright and sharp, drilling into him as she approached.

"Today's your family's big day, you should go prepare yourself."

Eli showed her the list in his hands. "Lots of work to be done, but I have no helping hands."

Cady scanned the list thoughtfully. "Do you need some help? I'm free right now."

He stuffed the paper back into his robes. "N-No, it's perfectly fine. I've got everything under control."

She scanned his face with her eyes, as if she was trying to see past something. Eli avoided eye contact with her by staring at the hem of his robes. It looked like it was stained with mud, he must clean that up later or it would become permanent.

"Are you sure?" she pressed on. "You seem rather, flustered."

"Yes, yes." He nodded, a little too fast. "It's the weather, you know, sweltering isn't it?"

"Eli, it's raining."

Eli wanted to melt on the spot, anything but to appear awkward before Cady.

"Ah, it's humid rain. It brings heat from the South. This sort of rain brings hot vapor. Whew." He fanned the air around him, getting more uncomfortable by the minute.

Cady smiled. "I am keeping you, aren't I? I must get going, Jo is trying to choose between ten eyeliners and she wants my opinion on them."

He raised his hand. "Go on then, eyeliners are important."

Eli immediately turned and walked off as fast as he could. He was certain Cady was muffling her laughter at his last sentence before she headed her way. Eyeliners, what was he thinking?

However, Cady had a point. He must dress up for the banquet or his grandfather wouldn't be pleased. His crown was already gathering dust on his dresser. He wasn't particularly fond of the crown, it was heavy and a nuisance to be wearing about.

He reached his room and took a quick shower. He gritted his teeth as he yanked a comb through his unruly golden curls. With a small yelp, he pulled it free, as well as a ball of hair. Flinging open his wardrobe, he took down his ceremonial robe, a pearl white garment adorned with leaping phoenixes, rising from golden ashes.

With the crown secured on his head, he brushed off any dirt from his staff and proceeded to the main hall. The Feorhs at the reception counter spotted him and dodged his gaze at once, pretending they hadn't seen him.

Eli gave them a cheery wave and they relaxed visibly, their ears twitching upright.

Someone suddenly clapped him on the back, so hard he almost toppled forward into the pillars.

"You've grown, kid! The last time I saw you, you were just a baby!"

"Master Calaeno!" Eli couldn't help the wide grin stretching across his face. "Fancy seeing you here!"

The High Priest of the Hall of Elements beamed, his old eyes crinkling. "Raphine invited me here, I couldn't resist. He said there will be apricot pudding, my favourite."

Eli laughed. "I assure you, the cooks have prepared the best. Grandfather will be so happy to see you."

As Eli escorted Master Calaeno to the honored seats, the High Priest talked all the way. "Can't believe that buffoon is already sixty! And yet he still looks younger than I am. Tell me kid, who looks more appealing, me or that old grandfather of yours, eh?"

"Uhh..." he began. "I don't know, Your Honor."

He clapped Eli on the back again and he winced. "I was just messing around with you. Ah, I see him! That rascal!"

"Master Calaeno!" Raphine boomed from the other side of the table. He trotted over, bursting into a wide, toothy grin. "It's been ages!"

The two men embraced, slapping each other on the back with such force Eli found himself taking a few steps back. He wondered what was with older men and smacking each other repeatedly. It really hurt.

"How is the Hall of Elements? I haven't heard much from you all."

"We're going quite well, old friend," Master Calaeno said good-naturedly. "Winter brews from the west, and we've suffered multiple surprise Decanate attacks. But don't worry, nothing we can't handle."

Raphine's grip on Master Calaeno's shoulder tightened. "Decanate attacks? When?"

"A few days ago. Don't forget that the Hall of Elements is very close to the Rogue Ruins. Decanates run wild there."

Raphine frowned. "Something isn't right, Regim. Decanates have stayed off Starlet grounds for many years ever since the Great War."

The other man laughed and attempted to brush off Raphine's concern with another thump on the back. "You worry too much. There aren't any Walkers left to launch attacks. Come, let us join the merrymaking!"

Eli's grandfather didn't look convinced but still allowed himself to be swept up the raised platform where the rulers sat. Eli trailed behind Raphine silently.

When the High Priest was seated, a horn blared from the sides of the room, silencing everyone. The chatter died down as all guests fixated their attention on him. The only sound penetrating the silence was the incessant roar of thunder and the loud patter of rain on stone outside. Eli drew his robes closer and shivered.

Raphine rose to his feet.

"Merry Meet, Starlets and fellow Oracles. Today, we have come together from all parts of Esvanira to celebrate my sixtieth birthday. It is an honor to have served all of you for such a long time. The Stars are kind, to give this old man life to carry on his duty."

Eli scanned the crowd, looking for Cady. He found her at once, her flaming hair standing out among the black hair of Thomas and Jo. They made eye contact and Cady gave him a wink. He felt his heart race and hurriedly wiped his palms on the tablecloth.

"Today is a meaningful day, and not just my birth anniversary. Today marks the sixteenth year of the fall of the Hall of Shadows, and the reminder of our triumph over the darkness brought by the Walkers. Many of you have lost a parent, a brother, a sister, or a friend to the Walkers."

Murmurs rippled out from all corners of the hall. Someone sniffed. Eli stared at his empty plate, suddenly at the loss of appetite.

Raphine lifted his head and stared at the white and gold banners flying from the raft of the ceilings.

"We have mourned for the dead, and we have consoled the living. We will not let the Walkers taint our memories. Let today be a day of joy, where we have squashed those Shadow scum under our feet! They shall know that power of the Oracles, and we shall never-"

His finishing words were lost as the doors of the great hall burst open with such tremendous force it blew apart, sending chunks of metal skittering everyone. Screams ensued. One after another, the massive painted windows exploded. Rain rushed in and lightning flashed, followed by the mournful shrieks of thunder.

Eli ducked as a large shard of glass went spinning toward him with. It sliced the table into two neat halves before it came to a screeching stop at his feet. He turned, just in time to spot a glint flying toward the heart of the Hall with great precision.

"Grandpa, look out!"

He threw himself at Raphine Sanguinis who stood stunned amidst the chaos, knocking him out of the dagger's way. It sliced past Eli, drawing blood from his forearm and ripping his sleeve before it hit the throne, burying its head deep into the mahogany and its hilt waggling like a mocking tongue.

Raphine moaned in his arms as he tried to get his bearings. Eli, however, was focused on the piece of paper stuck to the throne by the dagger. His eyes narrowed at the silver hilt-two snakes consuming each other-the ancient symbol of Yana. He snatched the paper from the dagger and held it high.

Death shall reap the one who started it all.

Eli felt his heart shrink in fear: a hard stone in his chest. This letter was a warning, meant for his grandfather.

"Grandfather, look," he spun around to help Raphine to his feet. The High Priest was curled up at the platform steps, scrabbling backwards. His eyes were wide with fear, and his green irises were gone, replaced by a deathly white glow. Those eyes stared ahead into the wall, as if something was there.

"Why are you here? Go away!"

Eli grabbed his grandfather by the arm. "Grandfather, it's me, Eli!"

The High Priest yanked his wrist from his grasp and drew his sword, pointing the tip of it at Eli's chest. "You liar! I killed you! I saw the life going out of you with my own eyes!"

With a crazed roar, he dove at Eli who rolled out of the way. The sword came down inches from his face, hitting the marble floor and sending up sparks. A sharp pain flared in his diseased ankle and he howled. He slid toward the wall as Raphine brought the sword down a second time, this time with such vehemence he splintered Eli's throne.

It was pandemonium. Everyone was fleeing the Hall. Everyone, but a dark haired boy standing in the middle of the Hall, unmoving and silent. He resembled a corpse, his face gaunt and pale, his hands twitching as though electrocuted. If it weren't for that familiar patch covering his right eye, Eli would never have recognized him.

Thomas Soleil.

He raised an arm, slowly and deliberately. Eli squinted. Was he dripping...water?

The finger found its mark on Raphine Sanguinis.

"Shadows have returned," he breathed, white vapor escaping his mouth and curling in the air. "And you shall be the first to fall."

The moment the words left him, Thomas crumpled, falling into a heap of white and gold. Raphine Sanguinis fainted, his eyes rolling back in his head. The sword clattered to the ground and bounced off the steps.

A bloodcurdling scream pierced the air. Eli stumbled, clapping his hands over his ears. The scream clawed at his eardrums. It begged to be freed from pain and torment, or from whatever hell it was trapped in. The scream continued, tearing through the walls and into his mind.

He staggered to his feet and found his staff buried under the table. He gave it a vicious tug, but it wouldn't budge. Eli swore and pitched himself forward, dragging his injured foot behind him.

There was only one possible explanation to such a terrifying scream. And he prayed that he wasn't right.

Gritting his teeth, he pulled out from the hall and stared at the window in front of him him.

The beautiful glass art of Nala, the Second Founder was coated with blood, slithering down the smooth panes and swirling around the cracks. Her face was indiscernible under the scarlet blood. A large, child shaped object hung from the window like a war prize. Black gelatinous goop dripped off its roots and onto the floor where it congested into a murky puddle. It shifted when it sensed Eli's presence. It reached out, pooling toward him.

It was a mandrake. Someone had infiltrated the Hall of Spirits and poisoned them all.

He tried to stand and destroy the deadly root, but the wounds in his diseased leg struck again. He screamed and fell backwards, struggling for air. Something invisible closed itself around his windpipe, pressing it hard. He choked and spluttered, but he was helpless against the power holding him down.

"Eli!" A familiar voice rang out, followed by the loud patter of footsteps. "Hang in there! Please!"

His vision swam before him. Red danced with green-the color of Cady's hair and eyes.

"Cady," he choked. "Help me."

The pain was too intense. He gave in, succumbing to the clutches of his endless nightmares.

*****

A/N

Muehehehe sweet chapter endings are over! It's time to revel in evil and misery *more evil laughter*. And this is not even close to the most evil chapter. >:)

It seems that someone has attacked the Hall of Spirits! With an invisible enemy, even Eli and Raphine are helpless against. Any idea who initiated the attack? Or at least, why they attacked?

Oh, and THoG is FEATURED as of yesterday (17/3/16)! I couldn't be happier! :')

Chocolate malt drink,

Stef