No, but we are still few.
Then gather the few and stop the things that chase me. I'll take care of the sorceress.
He seemed to contemplate this suggestion, then said, Stray not from hell's path, reaperess, or you will find yourself compelled into a realm that is not your destiny.
And with that, the heavy sense of impending doom abruptly disappeared. A second later, the two Dušan were circling around me, eyes afire and skin dripping with the muck and flesh of the slugs. Thankfully, there was no sign of the slug masses themselves.
I ran on, pushing for every scrap of speed I was capable of. The gates soared high above me, otherworldly, but very plain. Which was something of a disappointment. The gates to hell, at least, should have been dramatic. Or at least reflected the hell that awaited the souls who journeyed through this gateway. Had either of these arches been on Earth, I wouldn't have given them a second glance. The only decoration was the stone vines that crept around the soaring pillars. Then I noted that the arch on the left, which at first glance looked identical to the other, had tiny thorns twisting through the leaves. Hell's gate, I presumed.
If there was a Mijai warrior here anywhere, I couldn't see him.
I ran through the arch and into a different space entirely. It was light, restful, and filled with a warmth that was extremely comforting. Not what I'd expected from the antechamber of hell at all.
I slowed. For some odd reason, haste didn't seem to be appropriate – or indeed welcome – here. I was several steps in before I realized I was alone. I paused and looked behind me. The Dušan flew in agitated circles, trying to get in but unable to do so. Obviously, whatever force prevented them from getting into the inner sections of the temples also forbid entry here.
Meaning it was just me and Amaya against whatever the sorceress could fling at us.
Cope can, Amaya said. Kill will.
I wish I had half her confidence. I gripped her tighter, but felt no easier as I moved through the warm light. Sound began to leach through the air as I moved farther into the antechamber. It was a heartbeat, soft and deep. Goose bumps ran across nonexistent flesh. Hell's heart wasn't all that far away.
Which meant the sorceress couldn't be, either.
The golden glow around me darkened slightly, and air tugged at my form, as if trying to hasten my progress. I glanced down. A pathway had appeared beneath me – it was brighter than the fading warmth of the antechamber, yet it seemed to have a darker essence. On either side, what looked like skeletal wisps of hands reached for – but didn't quite touch – me. But it was the wind of their movements that I could feel urging me on.
But given the priest's warning, hurrying was the last thing I could do right now. There was no way in hell – or out of it – I was going to risk falling off the path and into those wispy hands.
I had no doubt that they would guide me straight into the bowels of hell if I did.