Read Online Into Oblivion (Book 4) by Shawn E. Crapo - Free Book Online Page A

her back. She was the only one brave enough to go out into the world and seek the truth. And for that, she was doomed.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Her studies revealed things to her that are forbidden; secrets that only the divine should know, not mere sentient creatures of Alvheim.”
    Farouk nodded, understanding the nature of such secrets. “Go on,” he said.
    “She sought means of traveling to other worlds; other places of which she would not speak. She kept these things a secret as she knew the elders would not approve. But, as they died off or faded into the darkness, she delved deeper and deeper. Finally, she found the answer she was looking for, and it cost her…” Faeraon paused, sulking as the memory of his beloved daughter filled his heart. Farouk felt his pain.
    “It cost her everything. Her soul was trapped between worlds, unable to pass to either one fully.”
    “What was this other world she found?” Farouk asked. “And why did she believe it was the answer?”
    “She called it Eredor,” Faeraon said. “And she felt the presence of another spirit; one that could be brought back to return life to our world. A Mother Spirit.”
    “She planned to take our Great Mother?” Farouk said, knowing that the world of Faeraon spoke was Earth.
    “No, friend,” Faeraon replied. “Within that world, there were two.”
    Farouk swallowed, stunned. Two Mother Spirits on Earth? The Keeper had said nothing of this. Neither had Jodocus; not even Traegus. He would have to contemplate this alone. This was information that may be helpful against The Lifegiver.
    “How have you survived here for all these years?” he asked.
    “I have barely survived. My grief and solitude have sapped me of most of my strength. I cannot die, however; my people do not die as do the animals. Our Mother blessed us with eternal life. But, eventually, I will succumb to grief and weakness as my own life force fades away. I am the only living creature left on this world that I know of. And I shall be until the darkness takes me as well.”
    Farouk shuddered. He could not fathom the loneliness that Faeraon must have felt all these years. That, and the grief of losing everyone he had ever known, would have taken the will of even the strongest man. Faeraon was the last of his kind, and if he was not cared for, he too would die.
    “I will not let you fade into the darkness, my friend,” Farouk assured him.
    Faeraon leaned his head against the side of his throne, staring blankly at Farouk as he settled into a calmer demeanor. He smiled faintly, the light returning to his eyes.
    “I thank you, Druid Farouk,” he said. “But I am afraid there is nothing you can do to help. Like this world, and my people, I am doomed. I will go the way of all of my people, if I am lucky. If not, then my daughter will take me to her domain and I will become like her; a vengeful, malevolent spirit.”
    A vengeful, malevolent spirit…
    “What do you call this manner of being?” Farouk asked.
    “Beansidhe,” Faeraon said. “An anguished spirit that is doomed to wander aimlessly forever.”
    Banshee, Farouk thought. The banshee of Eirenoch. She was Faeraon’s daughter!
    “Where is your daughter now?”
    “She wanders the lands, trapped between worlds,” Faeraon replied. “But she always returns to her lair in the daytime. It is then that I go out into the wastelands, begging her to rest in peace.”
    Farouk looked out the stained glass windows, noticing that the light was fading fast. It would be nightfall soon, and the banshee would be out. The two would have to stay inside until morning, lest she find them wandering about.
    “Night is coming,” Faeraon said, his hands beginning to shake. “When it comes, we must seek shelter.”
    “Why is that?” Farouk asked.
    Faeraon was silent, hanging his head in sorrow. He did not press the matter, assuming the night would bring frigid temperatures. That was a logical assumption.
    A low rumbling was