Something Immortal

57: The Pool of Recollection Part Four

Wait, wait...

Som staggered when he heard that vital piece of information. Now, he was beginning to ask if his own existence was even real. Yet, before he could proceed further the scene changed once again and now, he was back in darkness.

The volume of air moving in and out of his lungs was spontaneous as though he had come from a marathon. Som, found himself standing in front of a mirror where the ray of light was coming from, the only solace he had within the darkness. He edged closer only to see the face of a familiar man with sunken cheeks and his eyes were slightly asymmetrical; to be called his twin would be offensive.

"Come into the light, Som..."

As though his feet have a mind of their own, Som moved closer to the mirror until he came face to face with him.

"You like that name, don't you?" Aster asked, smiling crookedly, "It was Sri who gave you that name, do you know what it means? It means moon... Brother said, I am the star and you're the moon. But it also has another meaning."

"What do you mean?"

"Brother said it can also mean Ambrosia, a plant that grants immortality. Fitting, don't you think so?"

"I don't understand..."

"You will. In time," Aster peered at him, and for once, Som thought his expression became greedy. "I know what kind of power you have, brother. But Sri didn't know that. Sri didn't know that you were a part of me. That you didn't fade away," he cackled. "I have a physical body and you have the soul. We are powerful together---"

"Aster, what are you doing?"

Som's soul was suddenly warped outside of the mirror and into Aster's Fay room where they were both looking at Sri's reproving face with his hands on his waist. "What are you doing?" he repeated.

"N-Nothing..."

"Come outside, you have to meet the other scholars."

"I don't want to."

Sri who was in the process of walking away suddenly turned back to his younger brother. "Aster...I don't have time for your tantrums..."

"It's not tantrums! They're mocking me. They are making fun of me, Sri---of my face, my voice, and even my talent."

Sri's expression softened as he walked closer, trying to pacify the younger's mind. "Then, the more you have to prove yourself to them," he encouraged. "You're a star, Aster...I know you are."

"More like a fallen one..."

The eldest sighed. "Do not let them belittle you. I promise you, the time will come and you will prove them wrong."

"Do you really think so?"

"I believe so."

Aster averted his gaze and muttered, "I wish I could be like him...I wish I was him."

"Who?" Sri was also curious, and Som who was witnessing this scene in front of him narrowed his sight at the other man.

Then, Aster met his brother's eyes. "Som."

The fear in Sri's eyes was very real, he held on to his brother's shoulders. "Tell me when you see him again, alright?"

"You believe me?"

"I do...trust me, I do. And I want to meet him too..."

✧༺♥༻∞

Som felt his heart pounding against his chest but yet again, the scene dissolved like candle wax melting. Then the colors came together and the once, dark space changed the atmosphere like a scene from a movie. Now, Som stood in another familiar place. He remembered these walls and the runes written on them but the secret room seemed to be different from what he could recall at the present.