Phoenix: rise from death. **COMPLETED**

#5 the gates

Scott walked with me a ways before I stopped and spoke again. I needed to get to that gateway to the underworld and this was slowing me down. I was determined to male it. "listen Scott. I have to go faster. when this is all over I promise to help everyone who left. I will make sure that you are all safe. please don't tell anyone you saw me. it's important I remain unseen for now." he nodded. je never really asked why or wanted details of my plans amd I wasn't offering up much information to him. it was safer this way. part ways for now until it was safe. I was glad that my parents were now safer than they ever were with Christopher. him being my mate scared them even though they never spoke against him. they weren't the only ones. the entire pack allowed him to do whatever he chose too. that would change.

I watched as he shifted and ran off in the opposite direction of me. I was a little surprised that people left after my death. I was not surprised that Christopher had gotten worse. it was inevitable. the more power he gained the worse he was. there would never be enough power for a man like that. I shook myself out of my rhoughts and willed myself to keep moving. the caves weren't far and I would need to climb some in order to access the gates to the underworld. i would have to figure out a plan to get past the demons tasked to guard the entrance. it made sense now go Christopher was able to get so close without worrying. he was in every sense of the way now a demon. he sold his soul to the devil and never once looked back. he was to power hungry to see the consequences of what he had done. he needed that sense of power. only he didn't realize he built his house on a stack of cards. I was going to be the storm that brought it rumbling down.

the caves were just as I remembered. the pathway was a hidden little gem that allowed access to those who knew of its existence. it wasn't a normal pathway up. it was small barely enough space for me. memories of Christopher dragging me up as I dangled over the edge came flooding back to me. I remember my tears soaking my cheeks and my bloody face after he broke my nose. I had made the mistake of talking g to one of the little boys in the pack who came up to me. the boy was maybe six and he wanted to see his Luna. Christopher held me over the edge by my hair. I could feel it wanting to rip from my scalp. then he would pull me close and drag me all the way up to the gates as he would whisper how I was going to hell and he was going to send me there. yeah, he was a real charmer in those days. I had been so deep in my thoughts I hadn't realized I was already at the top. still no real clear plan on what I was going to do. I ducked between a crop of rocks that loned the outside of the entrance. to anyone who happened upon this area they would just think it was a cave. nothing stood out. the towering rock entrance and sheer cliff was just nothing special that made someone believe it was the door to the devil himself. I knew there would be two demons right as I stepped in gaurdians of the underworld. I also knew that Christopher had brought me here so many times besting me and threatening me the guards may recognize me and think nothing of me coming there. I was thinking of trying to slip right in. being open and not trying to hide but it felt wrong. that's when I saw it. along the edge all the way through the cave was little crops of rock that would provide perfect cover. the sun was sinking down and soon it would be darker and that would mean I could be hidden easier than in the day using the rocks as my cover. it was the best plan but at the moment it was all I had. thos would be easier if I had been given some magical abilities but when was anything ever easy for me? even death was hard.

waiting for night fall wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I couldn't leave my spot needing to stay still and unseen. of course this was the time my body decided I need to go to the bathroom. this was going to be yet another form of torture. finally the last of the sun dipped down and the moon was brightly in the sky. now was my time. it was now or never. I scurried to the first set of rocks dipping down so I wouldn't be seen. I watched the pattern of the gaurds as they walked back and forth. I watched as they stopped and started talking. I wasn't sure what they were saying. it really didn't bother me either way. it gave me the opportunity to get on with my plan as they were now deep in discussion and no longer really paying attention. this was perfect.

she was able to easily slide past the entrance and into the heart of the cave. there at the back was my way in. the gates of the underworld. it was hot here. the heat from the eternal flames spilling out. it was a fire that burned hot and consumed many souls. I knew I would have to keep vigilant. it would be easy to be lost in the deepest darkest recesses of this world. I would need to be careful not to allow darkness into my soul and mind. I closed my eyes for a moment letting up a prayer to the moon Goddess herself. protect my soul and mind as I enter the gates of hell. keep me safe moon Goddess. then I pushed my way through past the flames that licked my face.

this place was hauntingly depressing. I could hear the screams and cries of those souls that had been lost here and consumed by their own choices in life. it sent chills down my spine. I could sense the suffering they were going through. their pleas for help echoing through the cave. it filled my body with dread. I took a deep breath trying to keep my mind clear and sane and pushed deeper into the cave. I came across a large cavern. everything here was cold and damp. the only light now was from a fire burning in the distance. I wasn't even sure if it was a real fire since I felt no heat from it. I took a deep breath and pushed on the door. entering this room a sudden feeling of desperation washed over me. the lost souls wailing and crying. I gasped at the sight. I'm not sure I was prepared for what I would see. so many lost to despair and depression here. their mournful cries bounced off the walls around me. there were thousands of souls flowing down a stream like a river. the stench of their salty tears filled my senses and I automatically tool a stop back. my back hit the cold wall and I felt hands reaching for me in the darkness. pulling away I turned to see what it was.

it was the first time I noticed it. it was as though the walls were alive reaching for me wanting to take my soul as well. they were searching it out. I can't stop here. I have to keep moving or risk losing myself here. I took a deep breath and made my feet move forward pushing through all the pain and suffering that hung heavy in the air like a mist on the meadows. the path I was walking was narrowing. barely enough room for me to get a good footing but I knew I was headed in the right direction. I could feel the energy of inubus calling for me. this sword forged out of the depths of hell made just to kill demons and those possessed by them. I woukd definitely say Christopher qualified under that. I still couldn't understand how one decided they needed power more than their own soul. how does one just decide to give that away? giving your soul away is like giving away a piece of what gives you life. the piece of you that makes you human. I had to pull myself out of my own head. I needed to keep my focus on the task at hand and right now that was the sword of inubus. the sword of death. I was coming to a larger cavern in the cave. carefully trying not to touch the river of souls. I needed to get to the other side. across the river of lpst souls was a large platform leading down another long hall. I could feel the pulsing power of the sword now. I was definitely getting closer.