Sanguine Halo

Chapter Nine: The Tree of Mirrors

The dawn broke and the embers from the bonfire soon turned into remains of ashes. Mirael, being awakened by the sound of birds got up. She dreamt the same thing again but this time the man told something about himself.

I am Kane the ruler of the hypogeans. I am your father and you cannot defy your destiny. You will come to me and rule by my side. You have no place with the humans!

She may have overwhelming powers but she shook her head. Her father might be calling to her through her dreams but she did not partake anything out of her curiosity.

Mirael left Fawkes who is sleeping underneath the tree. She joined Isabella and Silvina sitting at the tent watching Numisu manipulate the elements of fire, wind and earth. Numisu saw her and asked her to sit down. She sat beside the three. Brutus also joined in and sat beside Numisu...
"E'wf czak wuífzek tzaha? (Can they be trusted?)" Brutus said to Numisu. Being a warrior of the Maulers, he never trusted humans.

"Fzah' tel czak. (Yes of course.)" Numisu just nodded at him and continued to do what he does.

"Excuse me mentor, but what did he say?" Mirael cut in on their conversation. She doesn't want anyone bad mouthing anyone so she just wanted to clear the atmosphere because Silvina and Isabella starts to curl their eyebrows up.

Numisu smiled and said... "Brutus meant no disrespect. He just said if you are all worthy of his trust since he isn't used having a different race as an ally."

Mirael sighed in relief after seeing Silvina and Isabella calm down.

"Mirael... We are going to the lightbearer's stronghold now are we?" Numisu asked her.

"Yes we are." She replied.

"Our ancestors were once a part of an alliance with the Lightbearers thousands of years ago and a rumor says that underneath the castle's basement is a big hollow tree with mirrors inside it. The humans call it the Tree of Mirrors. You may learn to control your power inside the tree but before that you must defeat your own soul."

Mirael was stunned. Defeat her own soul? Her soul isn't even human... How could she even have the power to defeat it?

"I am human and my power comes from my soul. How can I defeat it if I have no powers?"

"You do not need powers of any sorts. Inside the tree of mirrors, you will enter your own consciousness and that's where you will defeat the monster inside you."

Numisu took something from his staff and gave it to Mirael. A circle-like wood with ancient carvings at it's side.

"Here..." He said... "Take this. Fit it in that pendant that your husband gave you. It will help you remember everything if you lose yourself."

Mirael received the ornament and placed it on the necklace that Fawkes gave her.

"Thank you." She thanked Numisu.

After a short while, Fawkes and Shemira entered the tent.
"We're going back to the castle."
Fawkes said.

All of them agreed and rode horses heading to Lumiere.
When they had arrived at the castle, Estrilda waved at them from far away. Thane tended to the Wilders that they had recruited.

Mirael thought about what Numisu said. She would like to ask Estrilda where the ancient tree is located and how will they get there. Mirael really would like to get rid of the bad dreams and her uncontrollable power.

"Estrilda... You lived in Castle rayne from 700 years right?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Do you know... Where the Tree of Mirrors are located?"