Eclipse of the Damned || Original Story ||

Chapter 5

The rustling of leaves were consistently heard as they stepped across the path.
Both Cherry and Blossom nervous about where their mother had been leading them in such an unknown area.

"Blossom . . .?" Cherry spoke up in a hushed voice, gaining her older sister's attention.

"Yes Cherry?" She replied with the same tone, casting her eyes towards her younger sister's demeanor.

Cherry hesitated before speaking. "Can you hold my hand? I'm scared of the dark." She asked rather quickly, almost as if she was embarrassed at such a fear.

Blossom blinked before she snorted, she then gently took her sister's hand to be intertwined with her own. "Don't worry, you never have to ask." Her voice was gentle, loving.
Cherry smiled up at her older sister, her eyes sparkling in joy. While she didn't respond, her eyes seemed to show her deep appreciation.

They continued walking.

Their mother leading them towards the deep part of the woods, traveling to the hidden headquarters of the exorcist order was a treacherous one, winding through an ancient and dense woodland.

The canopy of trees overhead created a thick shroud of darkness, making it difficult to discern the time of day. The path was cloaked in mist, adding an otherworldly quality to the journey.

As Irene and her daughters approached the base of a seemingly ordinary cliff, the hidden entrance to the exorcist headquarters became visible only to those who knew where to look.

The cliffside was dotted with large boulders and overgrown vegetation, blending seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The only clue to the secret entrance was a series of intricate carvings hidden among the rocks, their details obscured by time and weathering.

Irene approached the cliff with determination. Every footstep she took was confident, almost as if she had never left from the union in the first place with how well she memorized the way.

She internally scoffed on how the others hadn't changed the password yet. A slight roll of the eyes was visible onto her face.
Lucky for her she supposed.

She began to recite a series of complex, esoteric symbols while touching specific points on the rock face. The sequence was known only to those who had been part of the order, a security measure designed to protect the headquarters from unauthorized access. As Irene completed the final part of the code, the rock face shifted, revealing a concealed stone door. A low rumbling noise was heard before it dissipated.

Both Blossom and Cherry awed at the sight. At this, Irene turned over to look at her children to see such reactions.

"Cool right?" Irene teased, gesturing them to come closer.

"Yes!! Super cool Mommy!!!" Cherry beamed as she complied to her mother.

"Quite impressive. . ." Blossom mumbled under her breath as she inspected the surrounding, almost as if analyzing the entire area.

The door was imposing, its surface covered with ancient runes and protective glyphs.

Irene pushed it open with a creak, and the trio stepped into the dimly lit tunnel beyond.

"God, its still as heavy as I remember."
She grumbled as she stretched her arms, flapping her hands as a way to cope.

The air inside was cool and carried the musty scent of stone and age. It seemed to freshen them up completely from the long journey, feeling much more refreshed.
Torches flickered along the walls, casting long shadows that danced across the tunnel's stone surfaces.

The tunnel sloped downward, and as they walked, the sound of their footsteps echoed off the walls.

After a short descent, they emerged into a grand underground chamber. The space was vast and meticulously organized. Enchanted crystals embedded in the ceiling provided an ambient, otherworldly glow, illuminating the room with a soft, shifting light. The walls were adorned with maps, charts, and an array of ancient relics and artifacts.