We headed towards the oak tree. The effect ofВ the drink was going toВ end very soon. There was aВ very short distance left and aВ snow wall grew up inВ front ofВ us. IВ immediately realized whose tricks they were and touched the wall with my hand. The snow was soft as aВ blanket. We took aВ decisive step and walked through the wall knowing that it would do nothing. Another wall grew up inВ front ofВ us and turned into an avalanche ofВ snow rolling down on us, we had toВ run inВ the opposite direction, and our oak tree was moving away from us. We ran fast and made aВ stop. Looking back, we saw that the avalanche remained inВ place, and our oak tree went out ofВ sight. InВ response, we heard malicious laughter. This laughter shook the trees.
Nature remained cold inВ autumn. The clearing ahead remained the same green. Moreover, the snow gave all this an inexplicable fact. One ofВ the friends who had already made such an attempt decided toВ repeat it again; he took and ran ahead, deciding that he would thereby achieve his goal. Maybe he was right. He disappeared from view and IВ felt sorry forВ him.
– What will happen to him?
– I do not know.
IВ noticed that my grandmother became nervous, and realized that it was bad. My ghost friend looked at me with chagrin.
– We can only help with the transition, and we do not have such powers to fight it. Only sunlight is against her. But that’s not possible. Therefore, these worlds are divided into dark and light. I sighed regretfully.
– Let’s try again. Suddenly it turned out, and we headed towards the oak tree. Nothing interfered with our campaign. The departed friend was not in sight. And we didn’t know his fate.
An oak tree appeared on the horizon, we had aВ hope toВ get there without incident, and we accelerated our pace. The friend was still not inВ sight, and we decided that he had entered the world ofВ the living.
– «Is it just me, or has she really left us alone?»
– The Sabbath is not over yet. In addition, she is getting ready to ferry the guests over the bridge. Very soon she will appear. We need to hurry. I was worried about the question why my grandmother cannot be the same ghost as others.
– Because your grandmother is not exiled like us, and is not an honored guest. She is chosen as an intimate servant. The grandmother cast an unhappy glance in the direction of the ghost. The effect of the drink was ending, I felt it and so did my friend.
– Soon there will be guests here, and then we will not be well. The oak tree was a few steps away, and we could be at home any minute.
– And why should the guests be here? Are not they the inhabitants of this world?
– Inhabitants. It is just that the procession for the holiday always starts from this place. We should be lucky and they will not end up here.
We reached the oak tree. There were aВ few minutes left before the end. IВ had aВ chill and felt weak. My friend leaned against an oak tree and fell asleep.
– I wonder where our friend is.
– He is already in his apartment.
– At least one good news.
Trolls arrived and surrounded the tree. All the others came for them, including the ghosts who were not allowed toВ attend the holiday.
– It is going to be hot now.
– I told you to save yourself. Moreover, you decided to save me.
– Don’t worry; I know the fate of your soul. The spoken words revived my grandmother, and she straightened up to her full height.
The ghosts from among the invited guests came as close as possible. Their presence made it creepy enough. The demons were sitting inВ the trees and watching what was happening.
– Have they come to fight with us?
– I do not know myself.
– «Are we really that dangerous?»
– Most likely, Mara Marena wants to have fun. The holiday is over, and there is not enough entertainment.
– We also just disturbed her peace.
– And that is right.
– What will happen to us?
– Everything will be fine. Our friend the ghost uttered these words with such confidence that it made me feel better and I was sure of him.
A horde of evil spirits surrounded us from all sides, and I felt helpless. I just had to wait for my fate. Although the words – «that everything will be fine» planted hope in me. Our company was separated in a split second. Everyone turned out to be alone. In addition, I did not know who was where. Pain pierced my heart. At that moment, I wanted to die. Even though I was already dead. I was in hell, and I did not know how to get out of here. I did not achieve what I wanted, and I was separated from the souls close to me.
IВ was on some kind ofВ ice field. IВ was alone and there were snowy plains all around. IВ did not see anything but snowfields. Moreover, IВ started shaking from the cold. The effect ofВ the drink was losing its power and there was no one toВ help me. IВ did not think about myself, most ofВ all IВ wanted toВ live out these minutes inВ the company ofВ my entourage. IВ felt like IВ was dying. IВ fell face first into the snow and fell into unconsciousness. IВ woke up from blows toВ the face. Opening my eyes, IВ saw two unfamiliar people inВ front ofВ me. IВ did not immediately understand where IВ was, looked around, and saw an ice field. Consciousness began toВ return toВ me. These two gave me aВ small vial, saying that my grandmother had given it toВ me. IВ remembered everything and quickly came toВ my senses. We had toВ go back urgently. There was aВ war between the dark forces near the oak tree.
– Who are you?
– We are the souls who were not allowed to the celebration. Soon our time will end, and we will become ghosts. And while it has not expired, we need to urgently return to the place. We are the ones who were rejected by Mara Marena and we came to your defense. You and your friend. We will help you to return, and we will help you to ease the fate of your grandmother. In return, you and your friends will block this entrance to the underworld. Many souls were stolen through this magical passage.
– Where are we now?
– Not far. It is all a trick of the eye. You and your grandmother are left here in this underground world. Your friends have abandoned you. They are now at home in the apartment.
– Are you a psychic too?
– Almost. There are no ordinary mortals on this holiday. Everyone here has supernatural powers.
– So what is going on there now?
– Now our rejected souls are trying to help you and your grandmother. Your drink will not last long, no one knows about it. Therefore, we need to go as soon as possible. In addition, there we will help you.
– I remember for sure that everyone got here through the Kalinov Bridge.
– That is right. But everyone here is dead, and you are not. So go quickly. Soon everyone will leave here, including your grandmother. Moreover, you will stay. Moreover, we will not know your fate. We quickened our pace and in an instant found ourselves in a clearing.
There was aВ war between ghosts inВ the clearing. Little demons and bats did not participate inВ it. They took the position ofВ the audience. For them, it was aВ continuation ofВ the holiday. There were no gods inВ sight; IВ knew they were here somewhere, watching what was happening. IВ was looking for my grandmother, looking from side toВ side.
– Don’t fuss. It is too early. I looked around and saw my friend. Mara is hiding her. When she gives it to you, you will need to move to another world in the shortest minutes. You do not have to hide. They will find you anyway. The ghosts were fighting each for their place. There was hatred between them for each other. There was no point in this rebellion; everyone will take his or her place later anyway.
– But what about the grandmother?
– And your grandmother. I remembered my friend’s words again, «that everything will be fine.» His words came true and completely relied on him.
InВ an instant, everything stopped and everyone lined up inВ aВ row. Everyone lined up inВ the order inВ which they came toВ the holiday. Souls accompanied byВ evil spirits. Then the trolls, followed byВ the servants. AВ view ofВ the Kalinov Bridge opened and aВ very slow procession began. Everything happened here inВ aВ matter ofВ seconds. The pictures changed their screensavers as if someone was flipping through aВ book. There was nothing toВ plan or think about, everything changed every second.
The view ofВ the Kalinov Bridge was clearly visible, but not toВ the end. IВ remembered this episode as IВ watched this procession from the other side ofВ the bridge. Moreover, he remembered the three-headed serpent. IВ asked my ghost friend, В«Why are we here?В» If the oak tree is still there, on the other side ofВ the bridge.
– It does not matter. They are about to move from the halls to their abode, and you need to get to yours. The oak tree will remain in its place. You do not need to get into their abode.
– I did not understand anything. But he silently agreed.
The trolls began their march, and behind them stood aВ huge regiment ofВ souls. The souls were indignant. They were not happy with the outcome, but they had no choice but toВ walk inВ silence. Each ofВ them looked back and looked inВ my direction. Maybe they did not want toВ help me as much as they wanted toВ save themselves. Deep down, IВ felt sorry for them.
– Don’t forget that this is a resident of evil. There is no one to feel sorry for. I looked at the ghost. Maybe he is right, I thought. It was the turn of the souls, and they were the last to complete this procession. I understood that I would have to say goodbye to my friend now. It made me sad.
– Don’t be sad. Now the most interesting thing will begin. He never lied, and I believed him. The souls were finishing their procession, and my friend disappeared. The picture changed its screensaver, as it was. And, I was left alone. I was in the same clearing where I had already been several times. At the place where the fire once burned, there was a smooth green cover. Everything was bare and empty. Even the green foliage did not save me from the fear of loneliness. There had just been a continuation of the Sabbath, and now I was standing alone and I had no one to lean on.
IВ saw my grandmother and ran up toВ her. But it turned out toВ be aВ vision. IВ heard hysterical laughter and realized that she was laughing at me. IВ began toВ look around looking for her with my eyes. Silence surrounded me. IВ could not stand it and calledВ her.
– Mara. Come out. Show yourself to my eyes. In response, I heard the echoes of my own echo. —Are you afraid of me?» After the spoken words, she appeared before me in all her glory. I looked at her and I was not afraid. I have lost all my fear. I already had nothing to lose. She came up to me in a tight and I felt the icy cold that came from her. Not daring to touch her, I raised my head and looked into her eyes. Knowing that no one dares to do this, I did it. Mara did not expect such a turn of events turned into snow and began to rush around the clearing. I did not know why I had angered her so much, but she did not like it. Perhaps the only explanation for this was that I was not afraid of her, but on the contrary, I wanted to be closer to her, and her beauty fascinated me. Forgetting about my fear, I stood rooted to the spot and watched the snowflakes. I completely forgot about my grandmother.
This event distracted my thoughts for aВ moment, IВ completely forgot where IВ was, and that Mara has aВ jealous husband-a magician. And the fact that IВ will soon run out ofВ the effect ofВ the drink and about the safety ofВ the grandmother. IВ was waiting for her toВ act, but she turned into aВ blizzard and disappeared. Koschei appeared instead ofВ her, and at the click ofВ two fingers, he gave me the dead soul ofВ my grandmother. He left her on the green grass and disappeared. She was lying motionless. Although she was already dead, but this time she was dead even inВ hell. She was at aВ young age, looking like aВ young witch, IВ had already seen her like this at aВ holiday. Her appearance was like aВ doll with long black hair. IВ was afraid toВ approach her, and even more so toВ touch her. The effect ofВ the drink was ending, and IВ began toВ feel chills. IВ did not pay attention toВ it, referring toВ the stress IВ suffered. Realizing that she was already dead, IВ did not know what toВ do withВ her.
I remembered the ghost’s words that it was necessary to get to the oak tree. I picked her up and carried her to the tree. She was lighter than a mannequin was. She was really like a doll. I put her under a tree and took her by the hand. Looking at the ass, I saw my real grandmother and I felt sick. I realized that everything was in vain. I did not know if it was she or not. No longer feeling afraid, I went to meet her. Coming closer, the grandmother turned into snowflakes and began to circle with laughter. I sat down on my knees and fell into despair. I had no choice but to leave this world of the dead and go to my dimension. I went to the oak tree, sat down and leaned my back against its trunk, closed my eyes and waited for my fate. My expectation did not justify my hopes; I was still in the same place. Going over my thoughts, I thought that the effect of the drink had ended, or had I already died? Alternatively, has he gone mad? I could not figure out what was wrong with me. Everyone has already disappeared somewhere, I am the only one left. Where am I? In addition, what am I? I did not know what to do.
I ran away from the oak tree, sat down on my knees and began pounding on the grass with my fist. – Where are you all? Tears rolled out of my eyes, one, two, and three. And I started crying. As soon as the tears touched the ground at the same moment, everything was covered with ice, including me. The ice covered my head, and I became an iceman.
– There is no place for tears here. Mara was circling above me like a whirlwind. I did not feel cold, but I felt immured, and I could not move.
Koschei appeared and brought my grandmother. We met her eyes, and I realized that it was she. My grandmother was waiting for the same fate as me. She was also covered with ice. I looked at her and my heart sank. Forgetting that she was dead and did not feel the cold, I treated her as if she was alive. I did not know how to help her and began to remember what this goddess was afraid of. Remembering the words of the ghost, «the only thing that can destroy them is sunlight.» Yes, I thought it is not real. Sunlight does not shine here. «There is no place for tears here.» It dawned on me, tears that is what can save us from it at least for a moment. I tried to cry, but I could not. Tears did not roll out of my eyes. And I didn’t know how to call them. Moreover, I remembered another phrase she said recently – «there is no place for tears, kindness and love.» Love that is what should help. And I screamed with all my might, «Grandma, I love you! I screamed until the ice melted and my grandmother turned into a ghost.
Tears rolled out ofВ my eyes, and touched the ice with which IВ was covered. The ice collapsed with aВ crash and ice fragments remained. IВ ran up toВ Grandma and hugged her. But she turned out toВ be aВ ghost, and IВ felt theВ air.
– Don’t fly away. Wait. I will help you. I promised you. My grandmother smiled sweetly and became a ghost, like a cellophane bag. But even of all the cellophane bags present that have been here recently, I would immediately recognize her. – Let’s go quickly to the oak tree. I tried to drag her away, but it was in vain. I could not have physical contact with her. I took decisive steps towards the oak tree, hoping that she would come with me. Nevertheless, she was not coming. I looked at her pleadingly.
– «We’re not going to make it. Go alone.
– I came for you.
– I know. But go alone before it’s too late. And don’t forget about the grave.
– I remember. But I do not know the name of the deceased. How will I erect a monument?
– Konstantin. My name is Konstantin. I looked around and saw him. How so. You did not leave with everyone.
– As you can see, no. Friends do not leave their friends. You need to hurry along with your grandmother. Otherwise, it is about to start, and even I cannot help you. I have an unmarked grave, and that gives me an advantage. I can disappear for a short time. However, not at all.
IВ looked pleadingly at my grandmother. She made hesitant movements inВ my direction. As soon as she made them, an earthquake immediately began. The clearing began toВ shudder.
– Your tears will not help you. You will all stay here forever. It is here, even without its place here. We have completely lost our fear. The three of us froze in fear. My heart was jumping out of my chest, and it seemed to me that I could hear it pounding.
– What now? I whispered faintly.
– You look like your friend who was always whining. I told you everything would be fine. I looked up hopefully, hoping to see the sky and pray. Yes, yes, to pray. For the first time in my life, I wanted to do it, but the sky was not visible, instead there was darkness, and the black sun was shining above us. I sat down on my knees and began to pray. I did not even know who or what I believed in anymore. However, I prayed hard.
The earthquake intensified, IВ felt myself staggering from side toВ side. IВ sat and held on toВ the ground with my hands.
– That is what you made her angry. I have never seen her like this.
– «You should have run when I told you to. You would have been saved.
– «I’m not a coward. I will take you with me.
– You should be proud of your grandson. The grandmother looked in his direction and said nothing.
IВ felt like my strength was leaving me, and IВ was about toВ pass out. IВ was familiar with this state. IВ have already studied it during my stay inВ the underworld. IВ understood that IВ was going toВ fall into unconsciousness and then it would be too late.
– We need to distract her. Let him crawl to the tree, I heard him say these words to my grandmother. They both went to the oak tree and wrapped their arms around it to form a ring. It turned out to be a vicious circle. This enraged Mara and she went there herself, in person.
– What are you doing here? What do you think I cannot handle you? A gang of servants. You will serve me until the end of your days. Her eyes were sparkling, and she directed the blizzard towards the oak tree. Nevertheless, to my surprise, the oak could not freeze. I was amazed by what was happening. How is this possible? There is a defense against her charms.
It turned into aВ blizzard and began toВ circle over them. IВ took advantage ofВ this and approached them. They took me into their ring, and IВ began toВ wait for aВ wonderful return home. The ghost looked at the grandmother, and she looked at him approvingly. They opened their hands, and IВ stayed. As soon as they moved away from the oak tree, Mara threw my grandmother away and she fell toВ the icy floor. Everything was covered with ice again, except the oak. She was lying on the bare ice. Her soul regained the body ofВ aВ young girl. She lay still.
– It is time. The ghost shouted. Take it and bring it here. I picked her up and went. Mara attempted to make me fall. But I resisted, and held my burden tightly. The appearance of Koshchei caused me panic. I realized that I could not cope. – You can handle it. Bring it faster.
Mara cast an evil glance in the direction of her husband. – I will deal with them myself. These are my uninvited guests. Koschei disappeared, and I quickened my pace. I did not have time to reach it and dropped it at the feet of the magic tree. I knelt down next to her, took her icy hand and began to kiss her.
– I miss your fairy tales so much. I said, and a tear rolled out of my eye. As soon as this happened, the body of my young grandmother began to disperse into microparticles of light and disappear. She seemed to evaporate. – What is going on?
– Your grandmother is leaving this world. And goes into another dimension. You saved her, just as if you dreamed! Congratulations!
– What will happen to her?
– Well, either she will get into the bright Iriy, or be born again. Mara was furious. In addition, she walked towards me. – Hug the oak tree and think about the good.
– And you?
– I will take your grandmother’s place.
– How do you understand this?
– It means that I am staying here instead of your grandmother. I will serve Mara. In addition, you will seal the entrance to the underworld. Moreover, everything will stop.
– I cannot leave you here. You are my friend now.
– You cannot save all the inhabitants of the kingdom of darkness. It is impossible. Go. You have been here too long. Your goal has been achieved. Your friends were not supposed to be here. You have done many things. It is time for you, there’s no time left at all. Goodbye.
I hugged the tree like the first time I was here. In addition, at that moment, a tear rolled out of my eye. However, she was no longer there, but here in this world. – It turns out that love actually saves the world. In addition, the kingdom of darkness is the kingdom of darkness, and there is no place for love and tears.
– Maybe it is. But your tears have melted even the underworld. See how it happens.
– I myself was surprised that tears can help grief. Maybe it is something else, not tears. She was furious when her tears touched the ice.
– Maybe it is from the heat. If the tears are sincere, then they are hot, and the underworld is beating with warmth and light. Tears drown the ice. What happened then?
– Then I found myself in the same place in the cemetery. I was half-naked, and I started freezing instantly. It was bitterly cold outside. I ran to get warm. I was haunted by the thought that she could overtake me and I would go back to hell. I ran out of the cemetery and went to meet the cars. I tried to stop the ride, but they all drove by thinking I was crazy. One of the cars stopped, and I explained everything by saying that I was not a local and got lost in the cemetery. They gave me a ride to my friend’s house, and I went into the apartment.
– Did your friends recognize you right away?
