Chapter Seven: The Land Beyond the Stars

The grass beneath them shimmered under the silver light of the twin moons.

A soft wind carried scents Nina couldn't even name — sweet, earthy, and strange.

She got to her feet slowly, brushing dirt from her jeans.

Chris stood beside her, machete drawn, eyes scanning the endless open fields rolling toward purple hills.

"Dis place," Nina whispered, "e no be earth, eh?"

Chris shook his head slightly, voice low. "No. We cross over… into another realm."

Before them, stretching out like a painting, was a breathtaking landscape:

Trees glowing softly with blue and gold leaves, Rivers flowing with water that sparkled like diamonds, Strange winged creatures soaring silently across the sky.

It was beautiful — but every fiber in Nina's body screamed that danger lurked behind the beauty. 

Chris tapped her shoulder. "Stay close. This world… e sweet but e deadly."

They began walking cautiously through the fields. Every step echoed unnaturally, like the ground itself was alive, listening. 

After a while, they reached a small stone bridge crossing a narrow, glowing stream. 

At the edge of the bridge stood a figure —

an old woman dressed in flowing white cloths, with beads rattling softly around her neck and wrists. 

Her skin was dark, her hair woven with silver threads, and her eyes glowed faintly like embers.

She smiled gently as they approached.

"Welcome, travelers," she said, her voice a warm breeze in the cold air.

"You don cross from de world of noise to de world of silence."

Nina stared at her, completely lost.

Chris, though, gave a respectful bow.

"Mother Akua," he said softly. 

Nina blinked. "You know am?"

"Kind of," Chris replied. "She be one of the Guardians — spirits wey dey protect de gateways."

Mother Akua chuckled. "Guardian? Maybe. Or maybe I just dey watch young warriors struggle against their own destiny."

Her eyes pinned Nina to the spot.

"You dey carry de key… but key no be enough," she said cryptically. "Heart go test you."

"Test me?" Nina repeated, confused.

Mother Akua nodded, her beads clinking softly.

"Three trials you must face. Courage. Wisdom. Sacrifice."

Chris stiffened. "Trials?" 

The old woman smiled again.

"Nothing precious come easy. If you want save your world, you go pass de ancient rites. Or…"

She shrugged casually.

"…your world go burn."

Nina swallowed hard.

Chris stepped forward, protective. "Where we fit find de first trial?"

Mother Akua pointed toward the glowing hills in the distance.

"Beyond the Hills of Echoes. But beware… de path go show your fears."

She reached into her robes and pulled out a small amulet — a simple pendant shaped like an open eye.

She handed it to Nina.

"This go guide you. But it no go fight for you." 

Nina clutched it tightly, feeling a soft warmth spread through her fingers.

Mother Akua began to fade into mist, her voice echoing around them:

"Some destinies cannot be escaped…"

And then she was gone.

Silence wrapped around them once more. 

Nina turned to Chris, feeling the full weight of everything crash onto her shoulders.

"Three trials," she said, voice shaking.

Chris's eyes hardened, filled with determination.

"We go survive," he said. "Together." 

Under the alien sky, they set off toward the Hills of Echoes —

two small figures against an endless world, carrying the last hope of everything they ever knew.