Destroying Fate

Chapter 14

There are no lights in this room, so we stand in the doorway for a few seconds with our eyes adjusting to the darkness. They need to ‘feel my soul’ before they choose which candles to light. Which apparently means that lights are not allowed.

Gwenn reaches around for my hand in reassurance. In the non-lit room, I can barely make out her silhouette, but I can practically feel her missed emotions; happiness and fear. Happy because she has always wanted to know what I ‘miraculous traits’ I would possess. Fear for obvious reasons.

We walk down the aisle to a little round table with six chairs, five on one side, and one much bigger on the opposite side.

Gwenn directs me to my chair, and the Elders search around for their seats.

Knowing the procedure, I put my hands down on the table to start. The elders all feel around my palms for a specific spot and stay there for several minutes. Eventually, small inscriptions on the laid out candles appear. The Elders get their candles and place them in the candle holders. Each of them places a hand on their candles, and a flame appears out of nowhere on all four candles. They close their eyes and whisper in unison a chant in Greek.

“What do the symbols represent?” I ask once they are done.

The flicker of the candle lights reveals a wide smile spread across Gwenn’s face. “Pure”, she simply states.

“Ice” Castor says.

“Fire” Pollux says.

“Destruction… and peace.” Ares says.

They share a glance, making me wary, but continue on.

I look to Athena hoping for a more elaborate answer.

“I cannot say indefinitely what this is. I’ve only seen it once before, and I can't properly place it.”

The other four Elders stare at her if she has said the ultimate sin or something. Gwenn however, simply smiles even brighter.

“It is the symbol for Alexis.” Gwenn states as if it was the silliest question she has ever heard.

Athena’s eyes light up clearly surprised. Her confusion is swept away, and she nods confirming her recognition with the name.

Gwenn isn’t holding back her pleasure, and I am catching slight irritation vibes coming from Athena. And I think I sense a hint of jealousy.

Gwenn doesn’t waste any time. She grabs my hands from across the table and I instantly feel her gracefully lacing my soul, as only a professional could. It feels like something is being unlocked inside of me. It feels so lovely. Like there was something missing all along and it has finally been released, and I feel whole for the first time in my life. When she retracts her soul, it leaves me with an uneasy feeling. But I still can't stop smiling. She doesn’t say anything, as she is supposed to, but I know all from her that I need to know. I’m pure.

Ares steals my hands from hers, lends me a slight smile, which is extremely rare to see from him, and snaps his eyes closed. The slight smile that I enjoyed seeing so much has now completely disappeared. The corners if his lips slowly fade into a frown. His forehead crinkles. I’m not sure if it is in confusion or despair… When he’s done, he slowly moves his hands away from mine and slumps down into his chair.

“I’m so sorry darling. I wish you the best of luck today.” He says. It becomes clear to me that he is now avoiding eye contact with me. He said today. They aren’t supposed to know when things happen because it isn’t always certain.

I bite my lip so I don’t cry, and I turn to Castor and Pollux. They both take one of my hands, but unlike Gwenn and Ares, they don’t shut their eyes. Their eyes roll back inside of their heads and all I can bother to look at is the whites of their eyes. I feel both of their souls working together searching around for god knows what.

Curiosity strikes me, and I decide to shut my eyes to see if I can repeat what Gabi said she did in her naming. I fly around in what I assume is my body, and recognize Castor and Pollux by the feel of their souls. They are hovering around this orb of light that looks to be trapped in place. Either they don’t notice me, or they don’t care that I’m watching. They continue to float around the orb, until something changes in the air, and they cover the orb of light with their entities. Symbols bounce around in the air, and I decide I should go back to my human form.

Pollux starts by saying, “Your talents are…” and waits for Castor to continue his sentence.

“You have fire, water, air, and travel. You also have some characteristics that make you part seer.” Castor says.

“Being in the Royal family as you are sets you in the genetic stem from some of the most important people in this village’s existence. Your Aunt Clem is a Seer. She will train you. Your father has the ability to heal, and so do you. Not many are given air as an ability to manipulate, but that is what makes you a healer. You have the water ability from your mother and great grandmother. Fire seems to be unique to you. Gabija can train with you. Most of your bloodline has passed on, so you will have to take lessons from others in the village to keep your power in control. It is a must that you keep in control of your power.”

With that mouthful of knowledge, he lets his turn end.

Athena straightens herself up in her chair and extends her narrow fingers to mine. Before I lend her my shaky hands, I wipe my palms on my dress.

She is faster than the others and only needs a brief touch in order to gains her knowledge. She is quick to return her hands to her lap. She stares at me straight-faced.

“Today will be the hardest day of your life. Even I cannot see the outcome of these events. The power that will be unlocked today will be difficult to control. If you let it out of your reach for even a moment, things could go downhill very quickly. You only have room to focus on the most important issues.” She pauses, and looks at the rest of the Elders. They don’t show recognition of her eyes on them. “When you were born, we knew there was importance to you. We couldn’t place it. Most of the time we get false information and nothing usually happens. Our village has lost a lot of its importance, and outsiders come in and don’t suspect anything unusual. You will be the rebirth of this village. We are counting on you.”

They all take each other’s hands, and Gwenn and Athena each get one of my hands. They start another chant. Again I can’t understand it so I refocus. I feel each of their spirit forms in my own. They all work together in everything they do. The world that I know it as seems to shift. I feel different. I feel consumed by this nearly suffocating strength. A light seems to flare up in my heart and I feel not only my own heartbeat, but Damon’s. Nothing tells me its him, but I can tell.

I feel a headache coming on, but I listen to Athena’s advice and focus on what is of most importance. I feel their spirits leave, and I force my tired eyelids open.

I should be scared. It’s time for me to return to reality. My Naming has been completed which means Damon and I are in danger. I’m not scared. I feel stronger now than I ever have. I can fight all of what is to come.