Hidden Mysteries: Soulforce

Chapter 35

                                                    Chapter 35:

                                                         Alexa

“You see, you closed your eyes. That was the difference. Sometimes you cannot believe what you see, you have to believe what you feel. And if you are ever going to have other people trust you, you must feel that you can trust them, too--even when you’re in the dark. Even when you’re falling.” 

― Mitch Albom, Tuesdays With Morrie

I sighed as I set my homework on my bed and lay down. I blew my bangs out of my eyes and turned around. “I hate homework…” I mutter as I look at the clock. It was around 6 in the evening.

I suddenly got a bad feeling. Something was… I closed my eyes, willing a vision to come. I bit my lip as I got the image of the king in my head. King Arctos…if someone didn’t tell him… he would be hurt? Not knowing why, I understood that I had to help him or else the consequences would be grave, especially in the long run.

I got up and looked around, feeling that this was the right thing to do – but then stopped. Was I really going to warn the enemy? I paused as my hands found a piece of paper and pen. I eyed them warily. What the heck was I going to say anyway? I bowed my head in thought and started scribbling a small message …that ended up taking most of the sticky note:

Umm…hi

Then, I scratched it out. Begin a formal letter I told myself, you’re addressing a king… but this wasn’t the time for letters!

Arctos,

Ok…got the name down. Now what was I supposed to warn him of? I got the phone and dialed Blaise’s number. She picked up almost immediately,

“Hey, listen,” I start narrating to her the strange feeling, trying to put it into words.

Blaise paused a bit, contemplating what I’ve told her and then answered, “Talk to him first…then on the second or third note tell him to go to a Shoh located in the village. He’ll tell him the truth. And make sure to put a sign so he’ll know he can trust us.”

“Like what?” I didn’t even stop to think why she agreed with me talking to him, but time was running out fast, the feeling growing stronger.

“A witch’s foot. The five-pointed star with the circle around it – the pentagram!” Blaise replied quickly.

“Ok. Thanks!” I hung up, scribbling down a note as fast as I could. My handwriting was messy, but once it was burned, the essence was what would remain. It read:

Arctos, I know you don’t trust me and stuff, but you have to listen to me. My name is Alexa, you’ve seen me before. Don’t trust Metus. He’s using you. If you don’t believe me go to Shoh in the village. He’ll explain everything to you.

I folded it up and placed it in a candle holder, lighting the paper. Fire messages were as good a way as any to transmit messages. Smoke was able to pass among dimensions and worlds and was even faster than texting.

I waited and started pacing my room, hoping the smell of something burning wouldn’t attract attention from my parents. I sat down on my bed, wringing my hands.

‘That is the worst first impression anyone has ever bestowed upon me…’ A cold and powerful voice in my head made me jump and cover my mouth with my hand.

I glared at the ceiling, not knowing why, but feeling it was appropriate. I scribbled and burned another note:

    You know, I couldn’t care less. Metus is using you; he’s not your friend. Please, just trust us. You’re supposed to be a wise king, right? Well, I’m not saying you trust me right away, just trust my intentions. I know you’re the enemy…but it doesn’t feel that way. Please, go to Shoh, ok?

Two minutes later, his reply came back:

‘He’s been my friend for a while now and I trust him more than I trust you.’

I rolled my eyes and muttered, “Idiot! He’s using you! He wants to take your kingdom! He’s planning to overrule you! Kick him out today because then it will be too late!”

‘This is a much more effective way of communicating…’ Arctos's voice came into my head effortlessly.

“Just, go do it!” I roll my eyes, whisper-screaming under my breath.

‘Really now? Why should I?’ He asked in a matter-of-fact tone.

I sighed loudly, crossing my arms, glaring at the ceiling as if I could visualize him, “Listen! If you don’t want to hear me out, then fine! What do I care? You don’t have to! I just wanted to help you! I’m sorry!” I say and visualize a block between me and him, cutting our connection off.

I waited for a bit. Nothing. Guess the block really did help. I smiled, content at myself and lay down on my bed, looking up at the ceiling. The gnawing feeling still hadn’t left. It had been toned down… perhaps he was contemplating my words? He most likely was the king that would die on the thirtieth of the month.

 September thirtieth, huh? So close… I sighed, turning over and hugging a pillow. I had to embrace the fact that…as much as I wanted to go to the other dimension…I couldn’t…therefore making this not my battle.

Stop that! I scolded myself. Just because I won’t be able to be there doesn’t mean I can’t help! I’ll do my part from here. Plus, who knows? In the future, I’ll keep training then maybe one day I could go and see what it truly is like. Yeah! I won’t get discouraged by a temporary problem.

I can also send Serina! She can be my eyes and ears. Didn’t the prophecy say two girls? One’s got to be Blaise and the other has to be Serina if it’s not me. Right, we established that. After that step, there’s really nothing I could do. Ugh! This sucks! I was going over the same thoughts in my head. Things I already thought of or knew I couldn’t do were bumping around in my mind, taunting me. If only I could at least see everything clearly – not with closed eyes. Why couldn’t I? What was so different? If I would go to the other dimension…would I be blind? ‘If’ being the key word here…

I shook my head, trying to shake out all the thoughts. I would find a way. Sooner or later… I sighed returning to my homework.

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‘I visited this…Shoh…’ King Arctos's voice echoed in my head, a hint of suspicion visible in his words, making me jump and yelp in surprise. I clamped a hand over my mouth again and shut my eyes tight, trying to calm my speeding heart.

“Bells…you definitely need bells…” I whisper, shaking my head. “And what did he say?”

No answer came from him. I waited a little longer, repeating the question in my head in hopes of an answer.

Still, nothing.

Did I have the block on still? I thought I had put it down an hour ago when the uneasy feeling had subsided.

I lowered my eyes, back to my textbook and got an image of a man clad in a black dress shirt with black pants sitting on his throne which was almost black – a deep gray due to the edifice of the rocks. The moon’s silver light didn’t help to illuminate the scenery; it did just the opposite and shaded the whole image in ghostly silvers and the shadows and dark crevices stood out even more. His red eyes were cast downwards in deep thought, framed by thick dark lashes and his face looked even paler, contrasting with his long, black hair. His mind was churning, going over what he had heard and seen. I tried pushing gently my mind into his, hoping to alert him that I was there. A thick shield, more like a wall, slammed against my mind, shocking me with pain. I gasped and pulled back, mentally and physically, clutching my head.

“Arctos?” I whispered in my head. He didn’t move. The wall was still around his mind, making it impossible for anyone to reach him. Perhaps I should let him be, I thought as I started focusing on my homework once more and hoping I could finish it without interruptions.