Page 48 of Fallen Stars
As she followed Eli into the prison, the sounds of screams mingled with pleading whimpers.
They stepped through the arch, Eli tipping a finger to a warden who staggered back, utterly stricken at seeing a god in his presence. Elara bit back a laugh as they passed before immediately grimacing at the smell that assaulted her.
“As much as I enjoy being dragged to a place that stinks of piss and lost opportunities, can I ask why exactly you’ve chosen a prison as our place of practice today?”
Eli strolled along, unfazed by the smells and cries as they walked along the dingy corridors.
“Because the worst souls in Celestia reside here, and since Ariete is just about the worst of the worst, you need at least an inkling of the kind of mind you’ll be walking through—the kind of depraved thoughts and dreams that someone like that has.
Elara jumped as a body slammed into the door by her left, a face pressed up to the grate.
“Come a little closer, beauty,” a wild-eyed man hissed, his tongue darting from one corner of his mouth to another. She wrinkled her nose, taking a step towards him.
“How aboutyoucome a little closer to me and see what happens?” she replied.
She heard Eli chuckle in front of her, still paces ahead. She felt satisfaction as the man’s eyes widened, his hands dropping from the bar, before she quickened her pace to keep up with the long-legged god.
“Why do you have to be so tall? My legs can only go so fast, you know?”
“Better watch out lest one of these criminals kidnaps you while my back is turned,” he replied.
She sighed as they continued to walk down the corridors, which seemed flat though she had a distinct sense that they were descending, the air beginning to feel heavy and close.
Elara didn’t fear much nowadays. When half of one’s soul was snatched away from you, there was little else left to be afraid of. Yet as the walls seemed to close around them, the cries of prisoners becoming quieter and quieter the further she descended, she felt a sliver of trepidation.
Eli finally stopped, a large, locked door in front of them.
“Beyond here,” Eli murmured, “are some of Celestia’s worst beings. Monsters and men who aren’t even allowed to live with the other prisoners of this place.”
He pressed a hand to the door, starlight sparkling from his hands as he traced symbols and patterns over the door.
“Only the Stars are allowed beyond here, for any mortal wouldn’t last a minute within their vicinity.”
“What about me?” she asked hoarsely as she heard the breath of a laugh skitter to her from beyond the door.
He tutted. “You aren’t a mortal anymore, Elara.”
And with a firm push, Eli led her in.
The corridor Elara found herself in had four cells on either side, heavy doors with no grate lining the aisle, and a dead end further along. No escape, save the door that had just closed behind them.
“There’s one particular person here whose dreams you’re going to walk through today. One whose mind is as close as a creature’s will ever get to Ariete’s.”
As they passed the first door, Elara heard a rasping sound beyond.
“Who’s in there?” she whispered.
“A wraith,” Eli replied nonchalantly.
“Awraith? You mean to tell me there are Mythas in here?”
He nodded. “Though many have retreated and hidden during our rule, this one we managed to catch.”
Elara’s blood turned hot with fury. “Then why are you keeping it here? It deserves to be free to roam the lands of Asteria.”
Eli laughed coldly. “Oh no, it doesn’t. Keep to your storybooks, Elara. You have no idea of the havoc this wraith had caused before we imprisoned it.”
“You want to imprison something wild because it won’t bend to your will? How very arrogant.”