Chapter 25
Emmie
In the blink of an eye, everything changed.
That this blissful little reality we’ve created in the past twelve hours has come crashing down, and is now consumed with panic.
I feel a slight hum to my chest and a pull towards the Gate behind me as Portarius takes a final look back at where I stand.
There is a brief softness to his eyes as he looks me over, an acceptance that things could change forever.
He's told me enough times that he can't be killed.
Or can he? Was it that he could be healed?
What if he's ripped to shreds by the Ananea?
Does his body slowly rejuvenate, or am I meant to collect as much of him as I can and just put him in the Gate's waters, hoping for the best?
We didn't have enough time together to talk about this.
All he kept saying was it would take time for me to heal and to fully transition to a Gatekeeper.
A distressed sob escapes me, but I force my mouth shut, cutting off any further sounds that might distract Portarius as he turns from me and begins his attack on the fast moving swarm.
I'm maybe twenty metres from the edge of the water, and the sound is almost deafening as the horde pounds against the dirt.
Shuffling back, I can't bear to turn away.
Choosing to spend every possible second looking at the monster of Hell that stole more than my soul. He stole my heart, too.
His back muscles ripple as two swords appear in the air at his back, just another thing we never discussed.
I watch dark tattoos spread across his body, his warrior.
Flames springing to life across the two swords he's grasping, the blue hue they give off a striking contrast to the black cloud of scrambling Ananea in the distance.
Each step backward feels lighter and heavier all at the same time.
The Gate pulling me closer but farther away from my other half, until I no longer have a choice.
Portarius speeds into the field, most of the swarm following him as he sprints away from our small home.
But not all of them follow.
At least twenty or more remain on their path, headed straight for me, and I wait until the last second, turning my back on them and running.
My feet barely touch the ground, and I move as fast as my limbs will take me.
A force of sheer will and determination to get to the Gates' water as fast as possible.
My only objective is to check on Portarius as soon as I'm safe.
Tingles shoot across my body from the increased adrenaline.
Each swift movement followed with a wobbly shake of control.
My limbs moving faster than I'm used to.
Fear sinks into my blood when I feel them scrambling directly behind me, and I fling myself forward, diving into the clear water only a couple of feet ahead of me.
I sink down as low as I can, the Ananea who were following me crashing into the water a second later.
Opening my eyes, I expect a blurry mess of movement.
Instead, I'm met with a face so fierce it would make babies cry.
Scars and cuts adorn his cheeks, nose and forehead, as the translucent spirit in front of me places his hand on his chest, lifting it, encouraging me to breathe.
Bubbles rush past us, pockets of air trapped from the Ananea struggling only feet from where I'm suspended.
My chest is tight, and I can feel the burn start in my lungs from holding my breath.
We were bonded only hours ago, and I knew I could breathe then, but now that I'm here by myself, it takes every bit of willpower I have to feel the slight hum of the Gate in my chest. The louder sense of Portarius vibrating alongside it gives me the nudge needed to open my mouth and trust that everything will work out in the end.
I breathe.
The Gates water filling my lungs, keeping me alive in its depths.
Panting like I've never tasted air before, the spirit dips his head in approval, relieved that I’m not fighting against his direction.
I look above to where several Ananea now float.
Lifeless. Their hooked legs curling inward as they die, consumed by the spirits of the Gate.
Rows and rows of translucent soldiers wait for their turn.
Their battle armour damaged and scarred as they tear at the Ananea flesh, ripping their exoskeletons apart in such brutal fashion, you can see the shocked looks etched on their faces as death takes them.
Or second death? I'm not really sure how you can die again if you're already in Hell, but they clearly are no longer living in our plane of existence.
Spindly legs float past, held like trophies by the spirits who claim them.
Soldiers fighting against an enemy who dared to enter their sanctuary.
“Portarius,” I whisper. A nod of understanding spreading across my scarred guard's face as his brow dips in concentration.
He takes hold of my arm, a coolness covering where his hand touches my skin, guiding me to the far side of the Gate.
I emerge, treading water while the spirit stays just below the surface, staring at me for some sort of reaction to what I can see.
We can't have been under long, as Portarius is still running across the field, changing direction again in the blink of an eye, headed right for me.
“He's okay,” I say, a lightness filling my heart, knowing he's alive.
There are still several Ananea standing at the edge of the Gate where I entered, stalking the shoreline, waiting for me to appear, but not daring to touch the water.
Behind Portarius, however, the swarm stretches as far as I can see, mixed with the dust being blown into ominous clouds stretching high into the sky.
The density of them blocking out the last of the red sun's light.
Even if the moon flames were to appear, its light would not be able to penetrate the thick clouds.
I can find him in the darkness as the swords glow brightly, and as he reaches the edge of the wheat field, he crouches low, bringing the flaming blades into the dry crop.
The Gates' waters are less than a meter from where he stands.
At first, it looks like nothing is happening; he stands slightly crouched, ready to attack.
The swarm gets closer, and just as I think they're going to make contact with him, a single bright orange flame licks the air from where he had emerged.
Another flame flies high, followed by a second, and in the blink of an eye, there is a giant wall of fire.
It takes no time at all for it to spread in all directions, the first of the swarm emitting a high pitched scream as they are engulfed.
With a giant whoosh, the entire field is obliterated, the flames easily jumping from crop to crop, seeming to ignite with the common goal of eradication.
The dust clouds are replaced with black smoke as the terrifying screams echo all around us, and the Ananea are burned alive.
Portarius stands guard, his back facing me as he makes sure none escape the flames. The roar of the fire is deafening, drowning out everything else as hundreds of acres catch alight. Embers float in the air, and the bright glow from the fire lights up the realm.
But none of that is at the forefront of my mind because at the same time that Portarius is turned away, I notice the movement of several Ananea who were by the waters edge.
A female leads the charge. Her long black hair flowing behind her, highlighted so clearly by the brightness of the flames.
She runs with determination, her legs working as fast as they can to maintain the element of surprise.
I scream. I scream so loud the Gate ripples from its edge toward me, holding me securely in its waters.
Abiding Portarius' words to keep me safe over the Gatekeeper who protects it.
The roar of the fire too loud for anyone to hear my cries.
If they can't attack me because I'm safe in the water, then they are choosing the next best option, and I'm not powerful enough to prevent it.