Read Online Creeping Shadow (The Rise of Isaac, Book One) by Caroline Peckham - Free Book Online Page B

Ely tutted to himself. "I've not been to Aleva in months, much too long. Follow me."
    "Where to?" May gripped the table anxiously.
    "You'll see." Ely chuckled to himself and headed off towards the staircase.
    They stood and followed him out into the entrance hall. Oliver felt frustrated and hurt by his mother's lies but his gut also burned with curiosity at the possibility of other worlds truly existing.
    Humphrey appeared from the staircase and wound his way around Ely's legs. May scooped the cat up and placed him on her shoulder where he nuzzled her neck and began purring loudly.
    Ely entered the tree but, instead of going up, placed his palm on the inside of the trunk and pushed. A door swung open, revealing a staircase that spiralled down into the cellar. Oliver peered after Ely as he disappeared down it out of sight.
    The door was left open, inviting them in to its mysterious depths. May moved inside and Oliver crept after her.
    Dim lights cast an eerie, green glow in the darkness. The tree trunk gave way to mud walls filled with gigantic, tangled roots. As he descended, Oliver felt the wooden steps beneath his feet meld into soft earth.
    The passage began to open up and they emerged in a large, underground chamber.
    At one end of the room was an enormous, arching gateway created by roots hanging from the ceiling and winding up from the floor, weaving together as they met in mid-air. Thinner roots formed intricate patterns on the archway and, embedded within them, were twinkling jewels.
    The Gateway looked onto nothing but the earthy wall behind it, no trace of a portal to be seen. Despite this, a low humming noise emitted from the structure and Oliver was overwhelmed by the sense that he was stood in the presence of something immeasurably powerful.
    He raised his eyebrows in awe.
    "Whoa," May whispered into the cool air, putting Humphrey on the ground.
    "This." Ely pointed. "Is the Gateway to Aleva."
    "It's incredible." May stepped forward to get a better look, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
    "This Gateway was created almost a thousand years ago by Dorian Ganderfield himself. He also designed the challenge that you are about to attempt."
    "What do we have to do?" May asked, scanning the surroundings for a clue.
    "You'll find out momentarily. But first, I must send a message to my daughter." Ely knelt down and Humphrey trotted over.
    He stroked the cat then held his hand beside the animal's head. Golden mist seeped from his palm, disappearing into the cat's pointed ears. Humphrey's eyes glinted gold momentarily then returned to their usual fiery orange. He mewed happily then trotted towards the Gateway.
    Lightning flashed across the Gateway in ribbons of white and blue. Humphrey walked confidently into it and vanished instantly, the lightning dying as he disappeared. Oliver started and took an instinctive step backwards, suddenly fearing what lay beyond the portal.
    Ely chuckled at the looks on Oliver and Mays' faces. "Right, follow me."
    They hurried after Ely towards the darkest corner of the chamber, moving away from the Gateway as he started rubbing his hands together until a glow emitted from them. Oliver blinked his eyes as an orb of light gathered between his hands, growing stronger and brighter by the second.
    Ely widened the gap between his palms and the light burst away from them towards the high ceiling that was formed from compacted earth and roots. It cast a warm, orange glow in the chamber and illuminated a single, wooden doorway embedded in the dirt wall.
    Ely gazed at them seriously. "You will only be successful in this challenge if you can stay in it long enough."
    "And how long is that?" Oliver asked.
    "I don't know, it differs for everyone," Ely said.
    "Why?" May asked, looking nervous.
    "You will want to leave the challenge. Knowing how long you have would make the process easier to bear."
    "What do you mean we'll want to leave?" Oliver asked, his mouth becoming dry.
    "And bear what?" May