entwined

Part 6

It was not easy for any of them to digest the fact told by Dimas. Before they could come to their senses, Dimas and his comrades left them questioning the life they were living. Darya was the one to speak first,"Let not this matter stop us from doing our duty as Santeri's." Orinda  was enraged and shouted at Darya," How can you still think about your duty ,when you have no control of your own life ?"

Darya answered her in a low tone ,"This is not the time to worry about it. We can't afford to think about ourselves when our world is about to be consumed by darkness. I am sure there is an explanation for all of this." Darya was a bit spiritual and was not likely the one to loose control of herself, when a situation arises.She would think twice before taking some action.The reason why she was given a team of her own to lead.It was true that inside Darya felt angered but she knew she could not show it to her team. It would be unlike a leader she thought.

Alina's mind was now able to perceive the situation around her but was not ready to accept it.It seems to her, all of this is a dream and she needs to wake herself up like the first time.One thing that doesn't add up is that for the past one week, since she came to the other side, she has been having dreams about her past life, which falls in line with the story she heard from Dimas. 

She remembers fighting the Erebus with her whip and saving people. Alina grabs the attention of the others and tells to hear her out. She tells them about the strange dreams she has been having and how she remembers them being there." I think what Dimas told us is true. These dreams I have been seeing ,they feel like lost memories and i think that's why I chose the whip as my weapon.He what he says is true, I suppose I am the one who saved us all in the previous life

"How could you possibly recall the memories? He said all our memories are erased when we are reincarnated."asked Ermir curiously.Colt stepped up and conveyed,"I believe what she is saying is true, she can't simply make up a memory of Darya's Bible and your bow and arrow." "Okay,let us for a moment say that the list was a fake and all of us were brought back to life.It still doesn't tell us that how Alina ended up in Terra."

Darya then said something ,"I am with Colt, I trust Alina's dreams and as for her life in Terra, we will soon be provided with answers, hopefully that is, if Alina is able to recover more of her memory. In the meanwhile, I plan to meet and talk to the Kreios about this." Ermir then offered to go with her.He too had some questions for them." It's not going to be simple Ermir. We might be walking into something more dangerous than the Erebus."But Ermir was confident and took the chance to go with her.

"What about us, what do you want us to do in the meantime?" asked Orinda. Darya took the whip and put it in the hands of Alina with a faint smile,She then ordered Orinda and Colt,"Train her,teach her about us,both of you.I have faith in you to help her prepare for war.It will be sooner than we've expected." Alina intervened,"I think I too should come with you.I need to hear answers for my dilemma." "I know, but for now, stay and learn about yourself. Then you can meet the Kreios for yourself." responded Darya.

An hour later,Ermir and Darya prepared themselves to leave. Orinda and Alina were busy saying their farewells to Ermir,while Colt handed over the Bible back to Darya. "How did your Bible end up in the bookstore.What were you doing in Terra?" Darya snatched the Bible from his hands and opened it and she could not see the words ,'vincas cum tenebris lux' on it and then took out another one from her bag.She was able to see the words clearly on the one she had. But both them were similar, except the one that Colt gave her looked a bit shabby.They looked at each other confused.Their hesitation was that, only the owners of the book will be able to see the words and read them and each one has a distinct book of 'ostium' of their own.Whenever a Santeri uses their book, it is left behind and a little later returns to it's rightful owner.

"Didn't you say Alina was able to see the words on it?" Darya asked him.She and Colt turned their direction towards Alina,"How were you able to reach to our world the first time? Did you read the words that were on this book? inquired Darya as she held the shabby Bible. "No, that was the second time and before I could finish reading it, Colt seized it from my hands?" I came here by reading a book of nursery rhymes left by Colt.Why do you ask?" Orinda smacked his head, again, and scolded him for being reckless, "Idiot! You were supposed to burn your old book after getting a new one or else the words will remain on it?" Ermir added on, "What was the purpose of changing the book if you're just going to get the same one as the last?" Colt felt a bit embarrassed of his mistake but they let it slide.

"Let's get to the point, Alina ,now if you can see and read the faded words on this book, which makes you the owner of it.Then, how is it same as mine ?"as Darya put forth the matter all them looked at each other in confusion. Ermir sat down with a sigh, "Hmmm...this is really convenient now.Another problem!" "Listen, for the time sake, I want you to keep this book safe.It might come in handy, don't lose it." Darya requested Alina and put the books in her hands.

Ermir and Darya were off to meet up with the Kreios, while the others stayed back as ordered. "Ermir mentioned that if we needed anything, we just have to ask his butler"said Colt. "Well in that case,let us get some ice cream and begin her training at the library."replied Orinda and walked towards the kitchen.Thus began Alina's discovery of herself and the world she will be a part of.