018. The Otherworldly Chamber

Day had turned into night as Litsi took Nadezhda through the bustling city, visiting various high-end boutiques and exclusive stores. With a casual elegance, Litsi used Dorléac’s credit card to purchase expensive clothes, designer bags, and other luxuries. The two women moved from shop to shop, Litsi’s every step confident, her choices deliberate, while Nadezhda observed in quiet amazement at the sheer opulence surrounding them.
The car came to a halt in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by an expanse of empty farmlands. The only structure in sight was a weathered barn, standing solitary against the backdrop of endless fields. The silence was almost tangible, broken only by the distant rustling of wind through the tall grass.
Litsi stepped out of the car, now dressed in black jeans, sneakers, and a casual t-shirt. Despite the simplicity of her outfit, her irresistible allure remained undiminished. The casual clothes did nothing to hide the graceful way she moved, her presence commanding attention even in the middle of nowhere.
From the passenger side of the car, emerged a beautiful golden-haired young woman. Nadezhda stepped out, her long-sleeve shirt paired with a flowy skirt and sneakers giving her an air of effortless grace. She looked stunning and innocent, like a girl on the cusp of womanhood, her golden locks cascaded down her back. Despite the innocence her appearance suggested, there was a quiet strength in the way she carried herself, as if the day’s experiences had awakened something deeper within her.
Moments after Nadezhda began walking alongside Litsi toward the barn, the car suddenly roared to life and sped off on its own. The tires kicked up dust as it accelerated, the engine’s growl echoing in the quiet night. Nadezhda froze, her eyes widening in genuine surprise as she watched the vehicle swiftly disappear from view, leaving nothing but a cloud of dust and the fading sound of its retreating engine. She turned to Litsi, a mix of confusion and curiosity in her gaze, as the barn loomed closer in the darkness.
"The thullets will keep that car safe until we need it again," Litsi revealed, tugging Nadezhda’s arm gently to urge her forward.
"The thullets?" Nadezhda asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Beings from another dimension, like me," Litsi explained with a chuckle. "But unlike me, they're uglier than the ugliest humans."
"Are there many beings from other dimensions in this world?" the vorshk pressed, her curiosity deepening.
"I don’t know how many of us there are, sweetie." Litsi's smile turned mischievous. "But just here in France, our numbers are large enough to occupy a city."
Nadezhda was lost in her thoughts as they approached the barn. The air was thick with the scent of hay and earth, a stark contrast to the luxurious places they'd visited earlier. The small wooden door beside the larger one creaked open on its own, as if expecting their arrival.
Litsi wrapped her arm around Nadezhda’s, pulling her closer with a gentle yet firm grip, guiding her into the barn. The warmth of Litsi's touch and the way she led with confident ease made Nadezhda feel both protected and wary as they stepped into the dimly lit interior.
They navigated through a labyrinth of towering haystacks, the scent of dried grass filling the air, until they reached what seemed to be a dead end. Nadezhda hesitated, confusion creasing her brow. But before she could question it, the wooden wall in front of them began to glimmer and ripple, as though it were the surface of a disturbed pond.
Her heart skipped a beat, eyes wide with disbelief. Litsi, without missing a step, tightened her grip on Nadezhda's arm and pulled her forward. The sensation was surreal, like passing through a veil of liquid light, as they stepped into the unknown beyond the shimmering barrier.
It was as if they had stepped through an invisible door, instantly transporting them into a room starkly different from the barn's rustic interior. The space was dim, lit by the soft, flickering glow of candles that cast eerie shadows across the room. Nadezhda's breath caught as her eyes adjusted to the surroundings—a sight that reminded her of an alchemist’s work chamber.
Parchment scrolls and ancient codices, too numerous for the already crowded shelves, were piled haphazardly on a large, cluttered table. Among them were jars filled with preserved animal parts, dried rhizomes, and strange powders whose origins she could only guess. The scent of aged paper, dried herbs, and a mix of spices and dampness filled the air.
The walls were alive, covered in creeping vines that twisted and curled as if they had a mind of their own. Hanging from the ceiling were otherworldly flower buds, their petals glowing faintly, adding an ethereal, almost unsettling beauty to the room. It was a space that felt both ancient and alive, as though the very air buzzed with arcane energy.
Beneath the hanging vines and glowing buds, a man stood behind an altar carved with intricate sigils, with two lit candles flickering at each end. His presence was commanding yet oddly serene, the soft candlelight casting deep shadows across his face. At first glance, he seemed human—his features were so exquisitely handsome that he almost appeared feminine, with delicate cheekbones and smooth skin untouched by age. But as Nadezhda's gaze settled on him, the truth of his nature became clear. His eyes were pitch black, devoid of any whites, and his ears tapered to sharp points, betraying his otherworldly origins.
"Sweetie, meet Ullirth, the high priest of the Élwath," Litsi said, her voice filled with a mix of respect and familiarity as she introduced the man to Nadezhda.
Without hesitation, Nadezhda cupped her hands together in the middle of her chest and bowed slightly, acknowledging the presence of the mysterious being before her. "I am Nadezhda of the Vorshkony," she introduced herself.
"It is good to finally meet you," the man spoke, his voice resonating with a deep, soothing timbre that seemed to fill the room. "But I didn't expect that the being who caused such a ruckus in the human world would be so well-mannered and beautiful."
Nadezhda blinked, genuinely surprised by his words. "I was defending myself, wise one," she replied, her tone respectful but firm.
Ullirth's dark eyes narrowed slightly as he pressed, "You have taken lives from among their kin. Why?"
Nadezhda hesitated, the weight of his question sinking in. "To repair my form," she admitted, her voice steady. "I need to return home to warn my people that the humans are not without protectors and…" Her voice faltered for a moment, uncertainty creeping in. But then her gaze hardened, eyes glimmering with newfound resolve. "I want my people to understand that it is better to stay where we are supposed to be."
Ullirth studied her intently, his expression unreadable. "Where is your home, young one?" he asked, his voice softer now, tinged with a curiosity that seemed to go beyond mere interrogation.