The Myth of Misbelieving

Five

When I woke up, there was a steady rhythm in the room. It was mechanical and cold before a second one made itself known. It was softer and seemed warmer than the first, even though they were moving at the same pace. I then felt something move around me, something warm. It felt like a snake wrapping itself around my waist but I could sense no danger. The smell of roses flooded my nose but it wasn't suffocating me. I forced my eyes to open and looked around my immediate surroundings.

A dimly lit room came into focus, the beeping I had heard earlier was the sound of a heart monitor, keeping track of a steady heartbeat. In my right ear, I could now identify the softer sound, an actual heartbeat. I sat up a bit and saw that I had fallen asleep in Asher's arms. He mustn't have had the strength to move me. I slowly try and remove myself from his embrace when I hear the doorknob turn. It opened slowly to reveal a tall man in a white button-up, with grey pants. His hair was tied up and his front was covered in shadow so I couldn't tell the exact color or his skin tone. He stepped into the room quietly, picking up a clipboard, and reading the charts before writing down new information from the heart monitor.

"You're awake." He said suddenly, which made me jump a little. His tone was soft but smooth, like silk. "Gwen is it?" He looked over, and with my eyes more adjusted to the dark I could see that he was a darker-skinned man. African American descent?

"Y-yes," I responded, hoping that it wasn't weird to see Asher's arms around me while he slept. "Who are you?"

He smiled. "We haven't met yet. My name is Jian, I'm the force of health and healing. I'm also looking after Asher until we can find a new force of blessing or destruction. Which if I'm correct was supposed to be you?" He sat the clipboard down and sat in the chair across from me. I could see half of his face now, his hazel-gold eyes stared directly at me, a small smirk creeping across his face. I nodded. "Ah, well. Unfortunately, since your arrival Asher's health has been decreasing at the same rate as before. Which means your presence is doing nothing. No offense. However, he has been happier since your arrival. So his decline has slowed slightly." He stood and walked to the door of the room. "I suggest you get a shower and dressed for the day. I'd like to conduct a physical and an exam to see why Morana pulled you here."

"Sure thing," I respond, sliding my way out of Asher's embrace. "Um, where should I meet you?" I ask.

He thought for a moment before responding. "The library. I don't know how much of the mansion you've seen yet but I wouldn't want you to get lost." He stated before walking out and down the hall. I stared after him in wonder. I also realized that I forgot where my room was. I groaned and leaned against the doorframe.

I wish Neo would show up out of nowhere and help me out. Since randomly appearing and disappearing seemed to be his thing. Where even was his room? I started walking down the hallway to the main entrance. So many doors... I'd hate to open the wrong one and see someone naked. Mainly Diti. As confident as she was I don't think she'd be thrilled that I would know what she looked like naked. I stopped at the top of a double staircase and looked at the floor below.

"You lost?" A voice behind me said. I turned around to come face-to-face with guess who, Neo. I chuckled and nodded sheepishly. "Your room is right over here." He says and takes my hand. We walk past the room at the top of the stairs. The double doors look like they haven't been open in quite some time.

"What's in there?" I ask pointing at the doors.

"Um... I don't know. Morana says we're not allowed in there. Something about the balance or something like that." He waves his hand dismissively and pulls me down the hall to a room I recognized. "Well, here you are! And look! Orion is here too." He points out the small ball of cat fur sleeping on the simple bed.