Immortal shadows
Authors notes: I hold no claims to any of the characters. This is just an idea I got in my head on a boring day at school. Reviews welcome. Flames only keep me warm in winter.
Warnings: Rated PG-13 for horror, violence, and supernatural elements. Might contain mild sexual content later on.
Chapter Three
Peter was rather taken aback at how effortless flying was turning out to be. Before long, he was soaring and swooping in graceful arcs around his new, more somber companion. Hooks merely smiled smugly and continued to fly in a straight line.
"First star on thy left side." He said after some time. "Dost thou see it, young Peter?"
"I do, Hooks."
"Then fly towards it! For through that star lies our gateway to the land of Immortal Shadows!"
"But how dost I-"
"No time for talk, young Peter!" Hooks urged, a note of panic creeping into his normally velvety voice. "Just do as I command thee and fly towards that lone star!"
Nodding, Peter obeyed the elder man and found himself blinded by brilliant white light. He cried out in shock, his hands groping the air for something, *anything* to hold onto. He came into contact with Hook's skeletal hand, which though was surprisingly hot to the touch; he hung on eagerly, appreciative of any kind of contact as they were spiraled into the white light…
When at last the blinding light vanished, Peter opened his eyes and found himself in a soft white bed of goose-feathers. The room was simply furnished and lit by candles hanging from a wrought-iron chandelier. Though the light they gave off was dim, Peter found it painful to keep open his eyes for too long and quickly closed them again.
//Where must I be?// He thought to himself. //I couldn't possibly be in the land of Immortal Shadows, could I?//
"Thou art, actually." Peter yelped in shock and quickly opened his eyes, looking for the source of the high, raspy voice. He saw nothing but heard the voice giggling at him.
"My apologies, Master Pan. I had no intentions of alarming thee after thy tiring journey." By now, Peter's eyes had accustomed to the candlelight and he was scanning the room in a panicked manner. Still he was unable to locate the source of the voice. That giggle again filled his ears and he leapt out of bed, ignoring his cramped muscles as he pulled a small dagger from his tunic-pocket.
"Now, now! Kindly dispose of that plaything, Master Pan. I shall not harm thee, and fear not, for I be not of demonic ancestry or blood, which is what thou hast assumed of me!" It was now obvious that the voice was that of a young woman, but Peter was still not prepared to trust the owner of the voice.
"If that be true, young maiden, the perhaps thou shalt be kind enough to reveal thyself to mine eyes!"
"So it shall be done. Turn around." There was no malice in her voice, so why could Peter not bring himself to obey her?
"H-how dost I know thou ist not attempting to f-fool me?" He stuttered.
"Cease this foolishness, Master Pan!" The young woman snapped. "Thou hast traveled to this land under the company and favour of my Master. I harm none under his favour unless I am commanded to do otherwise… …Now wilt thou not obey mine request and turn around?"
Inhaling deeply, Peter braced himself for the worst as he obeyed. He came face-to-face with a petite, fairy-like girl about his age. Her hair was a soft blonde colour, braided and wrapped twice around her head. Her complexion was pale, almost translucent, contrasting strongly against her scarlet lips and large, obsidian eyes. The red velvet gown she wore, along with the dim candlelight made her appear even paler than she really was. Her lips curled into a smile.
"Good morrow, Master Pan!" She curtsied. Peter gaped at her, confused.
//I am positive I heard her speak, for there be nobody else with us… …so why did her mouth not open?//
"'Twas my gift from my master."
"What…I…How…You…But…" Peter was now very perplexed. Her smile widened in amusement.
"Telepathy. Thou art not actually hearing mine voice, but I am sending what I want thee to hear into thy mind and to thou, it seems as though I am talking to thee without any movement of mine lips. I am also gifted with the ability to read the thought of others."
"W-why not just talk?" Peter inquired. "Would it not be much simpler for all?"
Her pale eyebrows raised in an expression he could not read. The girl beckoned towards him, opening her mouth. Hr peered close, and then yelped in shock.
"Thou…thou hast no tongue!" She nodded.
"A punishment I received as a mortal maiden for a crime I was falsely accused of. Hooks learned of my injustice and in return for…" She stopped suddenly.
"In return for what?" Peter demanded, wholly curious of this intriguing girl. She inhaled deeply, closing her dark eyes.
"In return for the eventual ownership of my soul, he promised me the prevail of much-deserved justice on those that wronged me!"
"And didst I not keep my promise?" Said a familiar voice. The two whipped around immediately. Hooks was standing in the doorway of the dim room, a knowing smile on his gaunt but handsome face. "My apologies, master Pan, for interrupting, but I was curious as to thy current condition. I see thou ist awake and acquainting thyself with another of my companions. Peter, meet Isobelle Von Delacloure." He paused for a moment as Isobelle curtsied again. "I trust the two of you shall become…close companions. But do be careful, Peter, for Isobelle ist the only female among mine companions and her affections are highly sought after by the others, are they not, Isobelle?"
Peter was unable to hear her reply, but he was sure that during the long silence, and due to the rapidly changing facial expression on the both of them, she was carrying on a rather long conversation with Hooks. He laughed suddenly, breaking the silence, and placed a skeletal hand on Bella's shoulder. She smiled triumphantly.
"Very well, my Isobelle. I see thou hast taken quite a shine to our new companion. It shall be done, as long as thou promises not to allow thy emotions to get in the way." And with that, he left the room, his coat tails swishing gently. Peter looked at Isobelle in confusion.
"What happened just now?" Her laughter filled his mind.
"I simply requested that I was granted permission to be your 'teacher' in the ways of immortal life. 'Tis not as simple as one thinks, young Peter. But firstly, I must show thee around the land of Immortal Shadows." She linked her small arm through his and began to lead him out of the room. Peter found himself walking down an equally dim passageway with several mahogany doors on each of its sides. Isobelle ignored them and continued to lead him to the end of the passageway to a large door of black marble. Her tiny hand pressed against it firmly, and it swung open to reveal the most beautiful yet terrifying place Peter would ever lay eyes upon.
The land was almost gothic in appearance. The grass was short and soft against his bare feet, and appeared to be the only growing thing in this unusual land, marked with the leafless bodies of elegantly twisted trees pointing to what he would learn was the eternally dark night sky. Ravens circled the sky, their midnight bodies made glossy by the light of the silvery moon. A lake was visible just footsteps before them. It appeared dark and murky at first sight, but when one looked closer, the water became crystal clear right down to the bottom of the lake where Peter could see beautiful, exotic fish with silvery scales. And amidst the sky shone millions of pure-white stars in many different constellations. Except one. One star, directly overhead, was a deep blood-red colour, and connected to no other star. It glowed and shimmered on it's own, and to Peter, it was one of the most hauntingly beautiful things he had ever seen.
"'Tis the star out of the land of Immortal Shadows." Isobelle had read his thoughts. She smiled at him. "I believe thou ist more than satisfied with what thou hast seen so far?" It was a rhetorical question, but he answered anyway.
"I feel right at home here."
"That is good. But do not become too comfortable right now, for soon, 'twill be time-"
"Time for what?" He interrupted. Isobelle glared at him, folding her arms.
"I would thank thee not to interrupt mine words!"
"Sorry." Peter said meekly. She shrugged, her smile returning.
"Think nothing of it. Now, as I was saying… …Soon, 'twill be time for us to visit the land of mortals, and there, Peter, thou shalt learn what those who reside in the land of Immortal Shadows are commanded to do."
"Canst thou tell me?" But Isobelle simply shut her eyes and gave no reply. Peter stared at her petite face, lips clamped tight together and eyes closed to the world. He was not yet aware of what it was they would be commanded to do, but something deep within him knew that was not going to enjoy whatever he would have to learn in the hours to come…