Gewey stared in horror as his father changed and distorted, until he became a creature of quivering mass and swirling colors. “What are you?”
“She doesn’t belong here,” cried the creature. Its voice echoed loudly. “She must leave.”
Gewey felt panic grip him as the creature closed in. He bolted around the table and tried to get to the door, but the creature got there first. “You must stay. We love you.”
Gewey slowly backed away until he stood next to the window. He propelled his body through the glass and onto the porch.
“Gewey,” a familiar voice called out.
Gewey tried to focus, but the world around him blurred. “Who’s there?” he cried as he tried to regain his feet. A figure stood in front of him, but he couldn’t tell who or what it was.
“It’s me, Kaylia.”
As soon as he heard her name, it all came back to him and the figure cleared revealing Kaylia dressed in the same shirt and trousers in which he had met her in the forest for the first time. “Kaylia,” he cried, his voice filled with relief and joy.
She took his hand and pulled him from the porch. “Hurry,” she ordered. “We must get out of here.”
The door to the house shattered, splinters flying. Gewey and Kaylia ran as fast as they could, not paying attention to where they were going.
“You must not leave!” the creature screamed as it pursued them. It appeared to float just above the ground.
“Where are we going?” asked Gewey as they ran.
“How should I know? Anywhere but here.”
Gewey nodded in agreement, and they headed down the road east, away from town. After a few minutes, Gewey glanced over his shoulder, but he couldn’t see any sign of pursuit. “Hold on.” Gewey grabbed Kaylia’s arm and came to a halt.
“We need to keep going,” she said.
“But where? I don’t even know where we are; let alone where we should go.”
“We’re in the spirit realm.” Kaylia looked around for signs of the creature. “You became trapped here after your battle with Harlondo.”
“The spirit realm?” said Gewey frowning. “Then how are you here?”
“We took you to Valshara to be healed. But your spirit was lost. I used our bond to find you.”
“Valshara,” whispered Gewey. “How long have I been here?”
“Not long,” she said. “Two days. But time may not flow the same here. For all I know we’ve both been here for weeks…even months.”
“How do we get out?”
“You don’t,” called a voice from behind them. They turned and saw the form of Gewey’s father smiling at them.
“Who are you?” Gewey demanded. “And why are you keeping us here?”
“We did not bring her.” said Harman, looking at Kaylia. “We only want you. She does not belong here. She must leave.”
“We will both be leaving,” said Gewey. “Release us.”
“I cannot,” he replied. “We need you here. We have been so alone.”
“What are you?” asked Kaylia.
“We will not speak with you,” said Harman. His hand flashed from his side, and a dagger flew through the air at Kaylia’s heart.
Gewey shoved her out of the way just in time, and the dagger buried itself deep in his arm. Pain shot through him as he fell to his knees. Kaylia rushed over and pulled out the blade. Blood soaked his sleeve and dripped from the ends of his fingers.
“That was foolish,” scolded Harman. “But no matter.” He waived his hand, and the wound was gone. “You will come to no harm, but she must be destroyed. You cannot stop this.”
Gewey stared in amazement at where the dagger had struck. “If you hurt her I’ll kill you all.” He got to his feet and squared his shoulders.
Harman looked amused. “You cannot kill us. The dead cannot die.” He stepped towards Kaylia menacingly.
There was a blinding flash of light. When Gewey’s eyes adjusted, he gasped. Felsafell stood between Harman and Kaylia. He was dressed in his animal skins and carried his walking stick.
“Leave her be,” Felsafell commanded.
Harman’s face twisted in anger. “Traitor!” he shouted. “Leave this place!”
Gewey looked in Kaylia's eyes and smiled. “Are you okay?”
Kaylia nodded, still staring at the scene.
“Your heart is rotten,” said Felsafell. “It’s rotten and cold. You take what is not yours. You seal your own doom. Yes, you do.”
“You left us,” said Harman. “You broke your promise.”
“There was no promise,” Felsafell replied. “Oh, no. You are doomed and foul. I no longer care for your words. Our people are gone, and I will join you soon enough.”