Chapter 54: The Shadow World

Freya's POV

Darkness. Endless and frigid.

I whirled around, but there was nothing—no sky above, no ground below. A deep emptiness that goes on forever. Sharp gasps of breath came from me. Where had I gone?

Then a murmur. "Freya..."

I went cold. The voice was quiet, but it reverberated in my mind. I was unable to determine its source.

"Who's there?" I steadied myself, but my voice faltered. It had been worse for me.

The silence was pierced with a deep, icy laugh. "You already know me."

A tall figure, encased in flowing blackness, stepped out of the shadows. I could feel its dense, stifling presence pressing against me, even though its face was hidden.

I took a deep breath. "No... you're not real."

I could feel the figure getting closer, but it didn't move.

"You came here for answers." It had a silky, nearly hypnotic voice. "And I have them."