The potion began toВ work, and we felt aВ surge ofВ strength and stopped feeling cold.
– You have been here too long; you have already spent too much time. It is time for you to get back. In addition, in order not to get into the court again, you need to close the passage to the other world. It is an unmarked grave. You need to make it personalized, install an obelisk and a fence. In addition, no more going to the cemetery at this time of year. It is better in spring or summer. This grave has taken away many lonely souls. I will try to send you back. However, this Koschei is a powerful sorcerer. No, matter how he enchanted you.
IВ looked around. We were inВ aВ beautiful garden. It was night all around, snow and aВ bonfire lit up the clearing. IВ had no idea where IВ could go or run away here. Devils and trolls were having fun; this holiday was toВ their liking. The souls stood aside and watched the fun. They adopted the image ofВ ghosts; probably it was more convenient for them. The celebration was inВ full swing.
– Actually, we came to save you. I said firmly. Grandma could not stand it and looked around.
– Have you come to save a dead soul? My place is here. I am already dead. However, you need to run away from here; otherwise you will find yourself in my place.
– I have been thinking about it. She did not see our faces and talked to the Christmas trees. Turning away from us, she resumed her former pose.
– Do you want to take my place? In addition, where do you want to send me?
– In the bright Iriy.
– What he wanted. Who will let me in there? In addition, how long have you known about Iriy?
– My sister told me. You can get there. You can be saved. You were just stolen by dark forces.
– It is. But…
Our conversation was interrupted, and she walked away fromВ us.
– What are the next steps?
– We are waiting for her. We do not have enough support. We need our supporter.
– Find supporters in hell. It sounds ridiculous. If this is blurted out there at the top, then we will find supporters elsewhere.
– I have been thinking about it too. My grandmother took her place by the fire and began to throw firewood into the fire.
– If she throws firewood, then the Sabbath is not over yet.
– «It doesn’t look like it.
After taking aВ few steps back, she said she knew the way toВ another dimension. However, if they think ofВ us, we will stay here forever as servants. We agreed toВ take the risk.
The three ofВ us began toВ crawl through the snow inВ the direction indicated byВ the grandmother. She assured us that she would catch up with us when they got rid ofВ her and she would not be needed. Our path was as follows: first, we had toВ disappear from sight. Then go toВ aВ certain place, from this place go through aВ snow tunnel, it was the most dangerous way, then go toВ another dimension through an ice bridge, this is the threshold ofВ Navi. The bridge should be laid out because winter has come and the water has frozen, this bridge was intended for guests leaving the holiday. On the other side we had toВ go through the same houses, there we had toВ go through aВ green tunnel and go out toВ an oak tree, and there the grandmother had toВ take us toВ our world ofВ the living. After hearing the information, IВ became unsure ofВ myself. Remembering what IВ have already been through and IВ will have toВ go through it again. The scariest thing for me was that it was all inВ vain. It was impossible toВ save my grandmother, and IВ was responsible for my friends.
IВ made my way with aВ heavy heart. IВ did not want toВ leave her. IВ could not even hug my grandmother. My friends understood the reason for my sadness and tried toВ comfortВ me.
– Don’t be sad, she promised to catch up with us, so she will catch up. It was the only consolation, and it warmed my soul in this icy world.
The gods were too busy celebrating. Mara was having fun playing with the blizzard. Koschei sculpted skull figures out ofВ snow, respectively, not byВ himself, but with the help ofВ magic. He was amused byВ it, and he was carried away with it. This was the most favorable period for escape. The old gods were thinking about something ofВ their own and focused on the fire. They were not interested inВ the holiday, and they were bored watching the dancing evil spirits, ghosts joined this evil spirits and the heat began. The ghost servants stood further away from the fire, and made aВ circle ofВ fencing, thereby emphasizing their insignificance.
The snow tunnel actually turned out toВ be the most difficult. We walked through it like aВ maze. It has been aВ long way. Coming out ofВ it, it seemed toВ us that we had not been walking for so long. We reached the bridge and waited for my grandmother.
– It seems to me that we need to run across as soon as possible.
– Me too.
– I do not. I will be waiting for her. I am only here for her.
– If she finds out about it, you will not live.
– I do not care.
– Let’s go together, one of the friends suggested to the other.
– I think we should go together. If we wait, the bridge may melt, and we will not get to the other side in any way, unless Mara herself carries us. Your grandmother can disappear and reappear. She will find us that is a fact. Let us go together. I hesitated, but an inner voice told me to go, and I went.
We ran across the bridge and looked back. The view was even more beautiful than before. Winter has come into its own and the ice has strengthened. Now nothing was falling, everything was covered with ice. The bridge was paved and it was not scary toВ walk on it as we walked for the first time. He was strong and handsome. IВ was aВ little sad that IВ did not watch the holiday toВ the end, and IВ wonder how it willВ end.
My friends were walking from side toВ side and waiting for further action. Then we had toВ go and pass four houses.
– Who remembers how to walk, I jokingly asked.
– I remember. We looked around and saw our ghost friend. We were so happy to see him that we wanted to hug him, forgetting that he was a ghost.
– «You’ll have that opportunity soon,» he said jokingly. I was looking forward to seeing this soul in the flesh.
We followed the flying package, accelerating our pace each time. IВ looked around, remembering the places IВ had walked once. With the arrival ofВ winter, everything has changed, IВ thought.
– It is not with the arrival of winter. These are still the halls of Mara. When we come to the world of Navi, everything is different there.
– Yes, but everything has become much more beautiful. The Spirit said nothing, and we quickened our pace. I fell silent, and so did my neighbor. Silence reigned in the ward. – Next will be the most interesting.
– I get it. So let us smoke and take a break. I am tired. For the first time in all this time, my neighbor said that he was tired. It seemed strange to me, but I did not argue, and we went out. On time after lunch sleep, he asked how I would get home.
– Will you fly alone? Or will your sister come for you?
– Of course. I will fly alone.
– Will your friends accompany you?
– Yes. Of course they do. Nothing has changed. It is all over and the danger is over. My friend sighed heavily, and I continued the story.
We approached the houses and Koshchei’s house stood in front of us. Nothing has changed; it is as if we never left. We tried to leave as soon as possible. His house was very creepy. Each time the places became scarier, and the more we moved away from the snow palaces, the more the horror and dampness overtook us. When I reached Velez’s house, I breathed a sigh of relief.
The hardest part was over. IВ remembered the path we had left toВ go, and it seemed easy toВ me. It was aВ green tunnel and we were waiting for aВ meeting with grandma. Passing byВ the house, IВ tried toВ look into the windows, out ofВ curiosity, hoping toВ see something interesting. It was impossible, the house was so protected that it was simply impossible toВ look through these windows.
When we reached the tunnel, we stopped and looked at the way we had done. It was aВ long way that was left behind. IВ felt uneasy, and began toВ shake with excitement. IВ felt the danger, and began toВ doubt that IВ would see my grandmother again. IВ took the first step and dived into the tunnel, followed byВ the footsteps ofВ friends. There was aВ deathly silence. No one said aВ word. IВ looked at our friend the ghost; he was hiding his eyes from me all the time. Although he had nothing but his eyes. IВ wanted toВ ask what was wrong, but IВ knew he already knew what IВ was thinking.
The entrance to the tunnel disappeared, and we were in darkness. I took my friend’s hand and asked if he felt the same as me? The green tunnel turned icy. I felt him well, there was no doubt, and he was all made of ice.
– Do you think so too? I asked again, so as not to doubt.
– We think so too. There is no doubt. We are in the ice. There is only one question, is it a green tunnel or have we been moved to a snowy one.
It is hard.
– I was scared. Moreover, I did not know what to do. – What suggestions? I asked in a whisper.
– Let’s move on. It will be visible there in the clearing. We continued on our way with the hope of salvation.
– Your chance of salvation is not great, and my fate has long been sealed. Our friend spoke softly. I felt sorry for him, and I did not know how to help him. Our journey through the tunnel was ending, and the closer the exit got, the scarier it was for me.
Coming out ofВ the tunnel, IВ straightened up toВ my full height and saw her. She stood and looked at me with her icy gaze. IВ wanted toВ sink through the ground, but IВ was already underground. Her icy gaze pierced my soul, and IВ felt like Kai, kidnapped byВ the snow queen. Deep down, this queen charmed me, and IВ did not want toВ part with her. On the contrary, IВ wanted toВ talk toВ her, stay with her for longer. But IВ felt like her slave and trembled beforeВ her.
My friends came out ofВ the tunnel and froze inВ confusion. They did not know how toВ behave. They moved aside, and IВ joined them, taking aВ few steps back. Our ghost friend managed toВ hide, and we did not give him away. We realized that no one had thought ofВ him. IВ also realized that he has aВ plan inВ his head for our universal salvation.
The whole clearing was covered with ice. As when icicles hung from green trees, my grandmother was also covered with ice. The ice on the moss created a thickness and looked massive. I realized that she had brought her grandmother here to settle accounts with me, and I did not know where to start. I wanted to speak first, but I did not dare. I was ready to give my life to free my grandmother’s soul and be close to this goddess, to be her slave forever. I looked resolutely in her direction and plucked up the courage to say the first words.
– Take me to your place. That is the first thing I said. I wanted to say something completely different, but out of fear, that is what came out of me. In response, Mara laughed angrily and began to circle in the air. We stood there and were afraid to move. There was an ice statue of my grandmother in front of us, and we were afraid to be like her.
– What should we do now? A friend who panicked all the time said this.
– I will try to persuade her. She will pick me up and let you go.
– I do not think she needs it.
– It seems to me that she does not need you. She needs my grandmother and me.
– Do you mind staying here along the way! I understand that!
– Which is noticeable. I said without denial.
– Yes, indeed. It is all written on your forehead. Your grandmother was talking about an oak tree. This is the transition to our world of the living. Maybe you will distract her, and we will take out your grandmother and run away ourselves.
– How do you imagine all this? This soul needs to be conducted. I do not know what is going to happen.
The storm subsided and snow quietly fell on the ground, and we began to wait for the attack. The oak tree was not far from us and we just had to run to it. But I didn’t know what to do in order to be there, at the top. Only the grandmother knew about it. It turned out to be a vicious circle. Moreover, I fell into despair. I sat down on my knees and began to sob. My helplessness was killing me. Tears started rolling down my face, one, two, and three. They were dripping, and I heard the ice cracking. The crunch of ice made me look up. The ice began to break and fragments scattered everywhere.
This event greatly enraged the dark goddess, and she began to rush viciously. – There is no place for tears, love and kindness here. Mara threw her evil look at me, a blizzard flew at me with it, but she quickly calmed down and disappeared. The ice continued to fly apart and we had to protect our face with our hands. His crunching cut the hearing, and together with the face, we had to squat down and cover our ears.
When everything was quiet, we stood up and there was aВ terrible picture inВ front ofВ us. We were inВ the same green clearing, and there were fragments ofВ ice on it. IВ noticed an oak tree, it stood as before, the same green and strong, forever young, IВ thought. ToВ my surprise, my grandmother came up toВ us, already without fear. IВ took it as aВ good sign.
– Isn’t it dangerous for you to walk around the realm of the dead like this? I asked jokingly.
В«The danger is over.
– You are wrong. We looked around and saw a ghost. All the most interesting things are ahead.
IВ finished my story, leaned back and fell silent.
– «So that’s the thing. Said my neighbor.
– In what? What do you mean?
– I did not tell you. Moreover, the doctors do not really care, but you had better find out now.
– What?
– Come with me.
– Where to?
– You said that fragments of ice were flying.
– Yes, I did.
– You also said whether I believe you. I told you that yes, I do. Therefore, we do not have a mirror in our room, but you should see it. I do not even know how to tell you about it. In addition, we got up and left the ward.
We went into the men’s room and went to the mirror. My friend took me to the mirror, and I did not look at my reflection boldly, for the first time in all these days.
– All these days I have been trying to shield you from this, but I will be discharged soon, it is time to see.
The main character from the horror movie was looking at me in the reflection. My face was scarred and its color was bright red. For some reason. The scars were long healed, there were many of them. I looked like a monster. In addition to all this, my head was like a gray harrier. I felt like an elderly freak, in my twenty-five. I stood silently by the mirror. My friend Vova stood aside and was silent. In the reflection, I saw this man’s tears welling up looking at me. I was pleased with his friendly love for me. The dead pause continued, and I sank into despondency, looking into my eyes in the reflection. – How could something happen in such a short period of time that not everyone would believe it? – For what? I thought. I hit the mirror with my fist and stepped aside.
– Let’s smoke. Suggested Vova. I gladly agreed and it became easier for me. We returned to the ward. The thought that my neighbor would be discharged tomorrow made me sad.
– Don’t be sad. We will definitely meet again. I looked at him sadly. My thoughts occupied my scars on my face. I could not understand why I did not feel them. My face just burned from the resulting cold. I have not washed for so many days; maybe that is why I did not feel them. My face was smeared with some kind of cream, and it gave me relief. I plucked up the courage and touched the scar. To my surprise, my face felt smooth to the touch. How is this possible? I ran both hands over my face and felt nothing. I got out of bed and went out. Going to the toilet, I went to the mirror and looked at myself closely. What a freak I am. I was terrible. But running my hands over my face, I didn’t even feel burns.
– It is strange I do not feel these scars. Maybe they were a long time ago, and I do not remember.
– I do not think so. You need to remember everything to the end. When you were brought here, your scars were fresh.
– Maybe it was not scars, but a severe burn that burst.
«I couldn’t have been mistaken. I do not know how to explain it all myself, but maybe it is not over yet and there will be a sequel. In any case, you will have to get out of here, out of this city, and I will personally control it. I hope that you will be safer there in your city. Her territory is here all year round. Now she is a full-fledged host, now is her time. We both fell silent and looked out the window. It was bitterly cold outside the window. A street lamp illuminated the street and snowflakes could be seen circling. This street darkness reminded me of the darkness in which I had been for so long. It was warm in the ward, and it gave me peace and protection. I looked at my hands and was surprised. They no longer bothered me and there was no trace of what had happened on them.
– How can I? So fast?
– What do you mean?
– My hands. They do not bother me anymore, and there are no marks on them. When I woke up, I could not bend my fingers. I remember that.
– I remember that too. That is why I decided to help you. Your condition was terrible. And I thought you had been beaten up and wanted to sort it out. Nevertheless, you recovered so quickly that I am surprised myself.
– This is actually a mystery going on. I felt uneasy at heart. Moreover, suddenly again I have to go through what I have already experienced. I was attacked by fear and I became afraid to be alone.
– It is possible that yes. You need to tell me everything to the end, and then it will be easier for me to send you home to your sister. You will be under guardianship there. There was still time before dinner, and I continued my story.
We stayed in the clearing and waited for the decision that my grandmother would make. – To make the transition from this world to another, you need to go to the oak tree and wait for the effect of the drink to end. As soon as it ends at this very moment, you will need to hold on to the oak tree, and you yourself will be transported to the world of the living. As soon as you are transported, you will need to immediately install a monument and a fence on this grave. If you do not do it in the shortest possible time, then history will repeat itself.
– And in whose name to order a monument? My grandmother looked in the direction of the ghost.
– Ask him. This is his grave. I was stunned. All this time we were protected by a soul from an unnamed grave. What magic.
