Oh, my God. I can't believe that this story won in the contest. I'm seriously so happy and thankful. 💜💜

Story cover:

This is based on the prompt: Realms of the Halloween Vault 2 contest on magic profile.

The insignificance of the distance between death and living shows each year, a portal separating the realms opening by spells passed down generations of one powerful line of witches and warlocks.

The Evanora Clan, the only bloodline capable of performing such magic, summoning the dead and surviving the strains of the act, was eradicated. Or, so, everyone thought.

Aradia strolled along the gloomy bare trees, the realm of the deceased too bleak and eerie. As the sole survivor, and heir, she sought answers, explanations as to why she was orphaned and left behind to die.

It wasn't until recently that she found out about her heritage and history. The old lady that sheltered her for years was oblivious to Aradia's true identity. So, the journey to contact long lost family started.

Old foes sought their powers. For whoever could communicate with the dead held the secrets and lives of the living. An army of lifelessness only brought ruins, instigating heartache, loss and woe.

Meeting relatives she's never seen before fed the rift in her heart, the pain of a broken soul. She sat curled in a protective ball, coldness seeping into her bones as spirits floated around, hushed truths of forgotten pasts resonating within a racing mind.

"We've been blessed by our Goddess, Aradia. Envy drives people mad and so does greed." Her mom had said, silent laments streaming.

"Your destiny is to end this for Hecate must've kept you alive for a much grander reason than allowing you to join us in her garden." Her father's words echoed in her head as she repeatedly searched for the path that led her here.

It didn't take long for her to realize that she was trapped, alive in the lands of death. Or garden, as everyone kept calling it. An irritated scowl overtook a crestfallen face. "Keres," she muttered. The evil spirits inhabiting this place prevented her departure by sealing shut her only way out.

They would do anything to possess her body, hoping to leave, head out to feed on fresh souls. Abrupt movements, shadows lurking restlessly, prompted her legs to set into rushed motion.

Her desperate stuttered screams fueled their chasing, a jerky body stumbling in the dim woods. Aradia swore this was the road leading to the portal. Yet, her surroundings were too obscured, vines covering everything.

She flinched; a gust of wind, following rapid movements of darkness, whirred past her. Her heart thudded harder, head dizzy, dread trickling in her system. "I will not yield for I carry the touch of the Goddess in my soul, the end of the Nerezza Clan."

With outstretched arms, knees connected with the ground heavily, eyes rolling back as chants flowed. The spell caused a dagger to appear in her hands. "The only way for the living to leave the land of the dead is death itself." With a hard gaze shot toward the frantic spirits, she pushed it deep in her heart, body slumping before disappearing, frustrated hollow screeches following.

MEANINGS OF THE NAMES USED:

Aradia, a variant of Erodiade, which is the Medieval Italian pronunciation of Herodias. Herodias is a Greek name meaning, "to watch over", "to protect".

Evanora is a combination of Eva and Nora producing a possible meaning of 'light and life', depite it being used as the name of the Wicked Witch of the East in the Land of Oz. (Ev for evil combined with Annora, producing a meaning of 'evil honour'.) So, it depends on how you look at it.

Hecate is a goddess of Greek mythology who was capable of both good and evil. She was especially associated with witchcraft, magic, the Moon, doorways, and creatures of the night such as hell-hounds and ghosts.

Keres means "evil spirits" in Greek.

Nerezza is an italian name that means darkness.

Word count: 500.

Hope y'all enjoyed reading this as much I enjoyed writing it! Looking forward to your thoughts and if you liked it, please do vote.

Dreams. Xx