chapter 14: 1 hour represents 1 day

As the four girls stood on the shadow spirits soil ,-the first shadow realm - the shadow,

guardian's voice spoke ,its voice like the wind blowing. "Bearer of the bracelet ," it murmured, "Seek your truth . Restore the balance. And remember-the shadow spirits bring both danger and revelation. This is level one ,to get out this realm is only possible if you survive the four shadow realms ,each hour represents one full day and you have 24 hours ,may the strongest survive "... With that the girls were left in the dark .

The shadow spirits realm was a place where desire and danger intertwined-a twisted reflection of human longing. Keisha , Tori , Matilda and Zenid found themselves trapped within its shadowed embrace. Their quest for the second artifact was about to become a desperate survival battle.

" One hour has already passed we have to start moving , we can afford to stay here for twenty three days , we have school and if anyone gets in our room we are doomed ,so let's survive this ". Matilda said. She had the ability to read spiritual time.

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The transition was abrupt for Keisha . One moment ,they stood in a dark forest with barely no moonlight, the next moment , they were surrounded by "lustful shadows".

These shadow spirits hungered for more than magical human being's blood-they craved the essence of desire itself. Their eyes glowed like crimson embers, their forms shifting between seductive allure and monstrous hunger.

They fed on people's fears and anger . The rule of surviving in this realm was to always depend on what you know and trust . The shadow spirits were good at making illusions,not everything you saw was real .

Keisha's heart raced as she looked at the spirits . 'Ilario we have to work together ' Keisha said inwardly. The bracelet began emitting a faint, gold glow in the presence of shadow creatures. Slightly blinding the spirits ,the bracelet was a protective ward, keeping the shadow spirits at bay .

Keisha's bracelet pulsed with energy, warning her of the threat they were facing. As the shadows approached Keisha in full force ready to attack , Keisha pressed on the bracelet tracing the symbols on it .

The on coming shadows looked confused when they suddenly couldn't see her , the bracelet had the power of invisibility, allowing her to move undetected through the shadows for a limited amount of time.

The other three girls depended on their magic fighting with the shadows, each had their own special spiritual weapons. Making it easy for them to fight their way through.

Second hour .....

The girls fought side by side, their spiritual weapons slashing through the shadows without mercy . Tori's jade dagger gleamed, as Matilda's whip cracked draining the souls of lustful shadows . Zenid's blazed sword struck like lightning scattering shadow souls .

But every wound inflicted seemed to fuel the shadows' hunger. The more they killed the more the remaining ones grew stronger and fierce.

" We need to fight with clear minds ,we can't afford to get angry and show our fears ,activate your spiritual senses". Zenid said launching towards the shadows .

The girls did as told as they felt their energy regaining.

"We need to find the oracle stone artifact before we run out of time ".Keisha gasped. "It's our only way out" .

Matilda noticed the amount of time they had wasted fighting, three whole hours had passed.

Fifth hour ...

The shadow spirits realm played tricks on their minds. Whispers began to echoe promises of forbidden pleasures, voices of trapped souls in the dark forest and the mad killing intent they felt .

"Stay focused".... Tori shouted. "The Oracle stone is our salvation."

Sixth hour .....

After running for a while looking for place they can hide ,they suddenly stumbled upon a Crimson altar ,they never knew existed in the shadow realm. Its surface etched with ancient symbols.

To their surprise a shadow priestess awaited-a creature half-woman, half-beast. "You're late I've been waiting , inorder to move to the second shadow realm I've to offer a pact ,are you willing". The shadow priestess said offering the pact .

" What pact are you offering?". Keisha asked .

The shadow priestess smile with an evil look plastered on her face. "Its easy , surrender your desires ,and I'll reveal the oracle stone's location". She said .

Keisha hesitated."What's the cost?".

"A drop of your blood ".The priestess whispered.

"We have no time ,the sixth hour is about to end " ... Matilda warned .

The girls had no option but to each step on the crimson oracle with stretched palms.As they cut their palms,letting the blood mingle on the altar.

The priestess laughed wickedly as the altar glowed illuminating shadows . Carefully she revealed a map - a maze of desire, treachery, and shifting corridors. The artifact lay at its heart- the heart of truths - a place full of truths and illusions only a brave person can survive.

"Beware " the priestess warned. " The heart of truths ,not only knows about your desires,but also your darkest secrets ,so be careful, you have to know the difference between the truth and an illusion ". With that the priestess vanished.

Seventh hour .....the maze ...

The maze twisted- a labyrinth of lustful illusions.They each saw their greatest desires and truths .

Matilda saw her lover's betrayal, making her rage rise to the core, Zenid glimpsed her sister's murder ,her being brutally murdered by the sorcerers, and Tori faced her own guilt of failing to protect her parent's kingdom. Keisha saw the brutal murder if the kingdoms and the scattering of the mythical creatures realms.

"We can't turn back now ,let's face our fears and desires "Tori said. "The heart truth maze holds the answers. We made a blood pact with a shadow let's not forget "...

To be continued.....