Gemini of the Shifter Realm

Chapter 44 Love Covers a Multitude of Sins

Oz Wyltt P.O.V

The celestial chant filled the air, its resonance weaving through the space around us. "By realms above, beyond our sight, I seek the heavens, pure and bright. Open the gate, let energies blend, to the above-world, my spirit ascend." The words seemed to float, shimmering with ancient power as they danced beyond the veil of the mundane.

Beside me stood my father, Merlin, a sage whose wisdom spanned the ages. As the chant concluded, we waited with bated breath. Time stretched, each second laden with uncertainty. Did we execute the spell correctly? Had we missed a crucial element? The answer arrived abruptly as an invisible force lifted us towards the heavens, the brilliance of a celestial realm blinding our eyes.

We beheld two colossal golden gates, their splendor imposing yet majestic. Turning around, we glimpsed the paradise of the afterlife: souls dancing in eternal joy, reunions, and transformations painting a picture of existence beyond mortal limits.

A commanding presence soon filled the air. A woman with fiery eyes, golden skin, and hairlike flames appeared before us.

Mortessa's gaze bore into me, a mixture of disappointment and stern resolve. "I see you failed to bring a righteous being," she declared, her voice like a crackling fire.

"I tried. I really did." My gaze fell to the ground, struggling to hold back the torrent of my own failures and regrets. "There was just so much pain," I admitted, the weight of my words heavy with the burden of my experiences.

Mortessa's expression softened ever so slightly, though her eyes remained as piercing as ever. "My child," she said, her tone a mix of compassion and firmness, "I never asked for a pure being. The path you tread is meant to teach you, not to coddle you."

"Besides," Mortessa continued with a slight, enigmatic smile, "it was just for formalities. I appreciate the attempt. I'm always ready to assist a dear friend." She gestured towards my father with a knowing glance.

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. My heart sank as I turned to look at my dad, the reality dawning on me with a bitter edge. "What?" I stammered, the shock evident in my voice. "So, you sent me to Earth... just for show?"

His gaze met mine, a playful glint dancing in his eyes as he shrugged nonchalantly. The mischievous smirk on his face made my frustration boil over. "Guess so," he replied with a shrug, his tone light but his eyes holding a hint of apology.

The weight of the deception crashed over me, a mix of irritation and disbelief swirling within. The journey I'd undertaken, the challenges I faced, all reduced to mere formality. Anger flared within me, but so did a reluctant understanding. This was his way, a test masked as a lesson, a trial wrapped in mystery.

"Now, for further formalities," Mortessa's tone shifted as she presented us with a riddle. "In whispers of wind, my secret you'll miss. I dance with the stars, yet remain unseen, a celestial puzzle, what am I, serene?"

The riddle hung in the air, suspense gripping us. Mortessa granted us three guesses. My father, with a twinkle of wisdom in his eyes, boldly declared, "Silence." Mortessa's smile confirmed the answer was correct.

Surprise and admiration filled me as I looked at my father, who responded with a subtle smirk, as if solving the riddle was a mere game.

The golden gates swung open, revealing an opulent expanse where golden buildings gleamed. Mortessa snapped her fingers, and my father and I found ourselves in her throne room. The air crackled with divine energy as Mortessa settled onto her imposing throne.

"So, what do I owe this pleasure?" she inquired, her tone a blend of curiosity and regality.

Before we could respond, the scene took a dramatic turn as a man was ushered into the divine presence for judgment. Confidence masked his demeanor, but Mortessa's piercing gaze bore into him with a disapproving intensity.