Falling Through Time

The chamber pulsed with an unnatural energy as Maya and Ash stood frozen, the weight of her vision sinking in. The air felt heavier now, charged with the knowledge of the creature trapped within the portal.

“What did the settlers think they were doing?” Maya asked, her voice shaky. “Why would they build something to contain... that?”

Ash’s expression was grim. “Maybe they didn’t have a choice. If the melody brought you here, it must have called them, too. Whatever this creature is, it’s been influencing people for centuries.”

Maya glanced at the glowing box, now radiating a soft, rhythmic pulse in time with the melody. “So the melody isn’t just a map—it’s a lure. It’s been pulling people here all along.”

Ash nodded, his jaw tightening. “And if that stranger has the other box, he’s probably trying to open the portal. We have to stop him before he releases whatever’s inside.”

A sudden gust of wind swept through the chamber, extinguishing their flashlights. The walls began to glow faintly, the carvings shifting and rearranging themselves like a living puzzle.

“What’s happening?” Maya whispered, grabbing Ash’s arm.

The melody grew louder, almost deafening now, as the floor beneath them trembled. Before they could react, the ground gave way, and they plunged into darkness.

Maya’s scream was swallowed by the void as she fell. The sensation was disorienting, like being caught in a whirlwind of light and sound. The melody echoed all around her, its notes twisting into unfamiliar shapes, pulling her deeper into the abyss.

Then, just as suddenly as it began, the fall ended.

Maya landed on soft grass, the impact knocking the wind out of her. She groaned, pushing herself up on trembling arms. The world around her was bathed in an eerie twilight, the sky a swirling mix of orange and purple. Towering trees with shimmering leaves surrounded her, their trunks glowing faintly.

“Where... am I?” she murmured.

A groan from nearby caught her attention. She turned to see Ash sprawled on the ground, clutching his side.

“Ash!” she called, scrambling to his side. “Are you okay?”

He winced but managed a nod. “I’m fine. Just... didn’t expect a portal ride to be so rough.”

Maya helped him to his feet, her eyes scanning their surroundings. The air here felt different—thicker, heavier, as if charged with magic.

“This must be the realm,” Ash said, his voice filled with awe. “The one from the journals. The one connected to the melody.”

Maya swallowed hard, the weight of their situation sinking in. “Do you think the stranger is here too?”

Ash’s expression darkened. “If he’s ahead of us, we need to find him fast. Who knows what he’s planning?”

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the melody continued to guide them, its notes growing clearer with each step. The trees seemed to lean toward them, their glowing branches forming an almost protective canopy.

Maya paused, her gaze drawn to a strange formation in the distance. It was a stone archway, covered in the same carvings they had seen in the clock tower. The melody seemed to emanate from it, vibrating through the air.

“Do you think that’s another portal?” Maya asked, pointing to the archway.

“Maybe,” Ash said, frowning. “But it looks... dormant. Like it hasn’t been used in a long time.”

As they approached, Maya noticed something carved into the base of the archway—a series of symbols arranged in a circular pattern. Her heart skipped a beat.

“This is it,” she said. “This is the portal to the creature’s prison. The settlers must have built it to trap it here.”

Ash studied the symbols, his brow furrowing. “Then why does it feel like the melody is trying to wake it up?”

Before Maya could respond, a low growl echoed through the forest. She spun around, her heart racing, as shadows began to move among the trees.

“What was that?” she whispered, gripping Ash’s arm.

He pulled her closer, his eyes scanning the darkness. “I don’t know, but I don’t think we’re alone.”

The growls grew louder, and figures began to emerge from the shadows—twisted, humanoid creatures with glowing eyes and jagged claws. Their movements were jerky, as if they were being controlled by an unseen force.

“Run!” Ash shouted, grabbing Maya’s hand and pulling her toward the archway.

They sprinted across the clearing, the creatures in hot pursuit. Maya’s lungs burned, and her legs felt like lead, but she pushed herself forward, the melody urging her on.

As they reached the archway, Ash turned to face the creatures, raising his fists. “Go!” he yelled. “I’ll hold them off!”

“No!” Maya shouted, grabbing his arm. “We stay together!”

The creatures closed in, their glowing eyes locking onto Maya. She felt the melody surge within her, and without thinking, she raised her hands.

A burst of light erupted from her palms, blinding the creatures and sending them staggering back. The melody filled the air, louder than ever, as the symbols on the archway began to glow.

“Maya...” Ash said, his voice filled with awe. “What did you just do?”

She stared at her hands, her heart pounding. “I... I don’t know. It felt like the melody was controlling me.”

The light from the archway intensified, and the surrounding air shimmered. Maya and Ash exchanged a glance, their unspoken understanding clear.

This was their only way forward.

Taking a deep breath, they stepped through the archway together, the melody guiding them into the unknown.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***