Captured by the Beast [SS#2]

Chapter 41

Nuri

Darkness surrounded us as we walked down the long yet narrow path, hand in hand. From the tales of my old neighbors and Yusa, the sacred ritual was different for everyone once they got past the entrance. What greeted the couples during their sacred ritual depended on many factors judged by the twin deities unbeknownst to them. It wasn't clear what they would be looking for during this trial but Yusa told me to just be myself and not to worry too much. The main thing she told me to focus on were the flames at the entrance. I can't remember whether the red flames were Odeolan and the blue ones were Alorea or vice versa. At the time, I was stuffing my face full of desserts that the ladies were teaching me how to make along with some of the simple meals we could take along with us.

At that thought, I softly touched my satchel under my cloak that held our small amount of food. We clearly weren't meant to be here long. Or were we supposed to carefully ration our food to last us longer? "Mizail?" I called as he squeezed my hand in response. "Has anybody been in here longer than the allotted time?" I asked as silence surrounded us.

"I think there was something about a couple being in here for a while, but it's rare. Being in here, you never know how much time passes. It might feel like hours when it could've been days later on the outside." He explained as we came to a sudden stop. "The path grows narrower up ahead. I'll lead since I can see." He explained as I found myself nodding before he softly laughed.

"So, how can you see?" I questioned, trying to will my mind towards something else besides the growing darkness as Mizail pulled me behind him.

"Here, hold onto my cloak." He instructed while guiding my hand as I firmly held onto the smooth fabric like my life depended on it. "The gods and goddesses decided to give all of their creations eyes that would see in complete darkness or as Kaisen's mate calls them, cat-like eyes, though I'm unfamiliar with that creature. It helps us to see while we're hunting or moving through the desert after the suns go down." He explained while continuing down the path as I could now feel the slight bump of the cave occasionally hitting against my hip or my calf. "It was a good thing that we were made with these eyes since a few of our homes were made in complete darkness until Kaisen's ancestors created devices to light up the night. It was easier on my people since they no longer had to use their flames throughout the entirety of the day trying to work while maintaining a steady flow of magic." He added as he stopped once again.

"What's going on now?"

"There's a small set of stairs leading up." He answered, not elaborating on his answer.

"Okay. Shall we go up them now?"

"Yes, sorry. Just watch your head as we move up. The path is still narrow but it's as if the ceiling is lower on the stairs." He explained, slowly continuing onwards while I reached my free hand up to feel for the ceiling. I had expected to barely touch it but was surprised when I could almost place my palm against the slanted surface. Ducking down, I held on as we went up, much slower than before.

"I wonder if it becomes narrower from here on out." I thought aloud as Mizail grunted. "You okay?" I asked as he took a deep breath.

"No, I'm worried." He confessed as his pace slowed down more. "I didn't want to frighten you but I promised not to keep anything from you. Those flames at the entrance belonged to Odeolan meaning we are ascending into his territory where it is cold unlike our usual warmth. With neither one of us being able to use our powers, how will we stay warm?" He asked as I gently patted his back. I'm glad we're open with each other.

"Mizail, we might not have our powers but we do have my high body temperature." I joked as he sighed. "We'll be okay. We'll conquer this ritual and get out of here." I smiled though I knew he couldn't see me. "So, let's make it out of here quickly yet safely and go celebrate our union." I added as he took another deep breath. "I also don't like closed spaces either. There's something unnerving about it."