I could see the expressions on some of the Soldiers behind him change, from rage to confusion, to wonder, to sadness, to anger.
Caesar’s fists trembled at his sides as his chest rose and fell sharply. It seemed like my words were only fueling his ire. The intensity in his eyes was frightening, but not for us. “What are you waiting for?! Shoot them!” He roared.
Before they could even lift their weapons again, my light shot out of the Minastra GalIsacura Arthulis, blowing them back. Some soldiers fell to the ground rolling away, and others actually flew backwards. Aurelius scrambled to his feet, ripping a grenade from one of the soldiers behind him and pulled the pin throwing it our way.
As it flew towards us, Cyn lifted his hand. “Sèideadh air falbh”—Blow away.
A powerful gust of wind disrupted its trajectory, pushing it to the sea. The water parted creating a swirling hole and swallowing it, as it detonated an eruption of seawater flew upwards.
Aurelius staggered back, looking at us shocked. We came closer as the others stepped backwards, staring at our advancing grass stage.
“All you have known is hate,” Cyn added. “I understand if that is the only emotion that moves you. The only thing you recognize, like a child that has only been taught to communicate in one idiom. Nevertheless, you are staring at the wrong side of that hate.” He looked at me. “Will you help me show them?”
I nodded and the next second the images of that horrible night in Anglesey inundated his mind. I lifted my staff, absorbing Cyn's memories as the light expanded over them. Their eyes widened when the fire, and screams of terror projected from our minds and into theirs. One after the other, the scenes from that night played for them. People ran for their lives in the middle of the night, while flames engulfed some of them as it did their homes. I fought the emotions taking over Cyn as he lived it yet again, the moments as vivid as though they were happening right then. Kids cried while their mothers begged the Romans not to hurt them. Husbands and fathers fell dead on the red-stained ground. Girls were dragged by the hair away from their families, and beaten on the grass. Desperation and horror filled their hearts.
The light disappeared, and the expression on the faces staring back at us changed again. Only this time a unified emotion surfaced. Despair.
"That is where the hate that you have harbored all these years was born. This is the only reward that it will ever bring you," Cyn finished as I lowered my staff. The wind wailed around us.
"You, your parents and Grandparents all fell for this hate The Brotherhood used to raise you. They died supporting the monsters you just witnessed killing and harming innocent people, capturing them for centuries until they can't remember who they are. No matter how many wrongs a person has committed, no one should have to go through that, not even you." My voice reverberated, over the land while the emotions broke free inside of me.
Suddenly, the sea rose in the distance, and the waves began to crash harshly against the shore. My hold on Cyn's hand tightened.
"We come here today to ask for peace," I repeated as my eyes welled with tears. "It's time to end this. Please…" I begged finally stepping off the pedestal with Cyn and walking towards Caesar and Aurelius. We stopped about twenty feet away from them, my gaze connected with each of the men and women among them once again.
“This is the chance to stop this. I can see it in your eyes that you know what we showed you is the truth. You can change. Chose now before this senseless war rips anything more from—” I staggered backwards when Caesar’s bullets flew into me, catching Cyn and I off guard.
The gun shook in his trembling hand. Unadulterated rage rolled off him in waves as gasps, shouts, and screams of alarm erupted from the crowd behind them. Aurelius stared at my stomach in shock and horror, as the blood stained my dress. Cyn waved two fingers towards Caesar and the wind lifted him, throwing him violently against a boulder. Bones cracked as he crashed and fell to the ground.
Cyn looked at me and gently held me in his arms, while the scorching pain rushed through me like wild fire. I struggled to breathe but Cyn’s love-filled gaze settled on mine, and I stared at him, holding to the feeling of calm flowing through our bond. I was in pain, but I wasn’t afraid. Cyn was by my side. His glowing hand rested on my stomach, while he placed his forehead against mine. The pain slowly disappeared. The bullet casings expelled from my body, colliding against the ground, and vanished into the earth. My skin closed as Cyn kissed me, and it was as though I’d never been shot.
When I straightened and our gaze focused on the others, the anguish in their eyes, hurt almost as much as the bullets. Cyn held my hand and slowly turned towards Caesar, who scrambled trying to get off the ground. He finally managed to stand, favoring his right side.
“Cyn, don’t…” I sent into his mind, feeling the wild emotions rushing through him.
"How many more lives must be lost, before you realize you have had enough?!" Cyn’s voice thundered towards the others.
"One," Aurelius answered lifting his gun, and the next second his bullets pierced Caesar’s chest, going straight into his heart.
My hands flew to my mouth as the tears spilled from my eyes.
“It was the only way,” Aurelius whispered staring at Caesar’s lifeless body. He threw his gun on the ground, and fell to his knees, shocking me. His hands fisted on the grass as he held himself up, having no more strength left. “What he did to Leigh…” He trailed off shaking his head as a tear escaped him. “I’ve given everything to this war, my family, my son, I sold my soul. I have nothing left.”
I closed the space between us and kneeled in front of him. The man I saw was broken beyond repair. Cyn's hand rested on my shoulder while I cupped Aurelius face, lifting it. I looked into his eyes.
"Then it’s time for you to find peace." Keeping my right hand on his cheek, I rested the other one over his heart and closed my eyes. I opened myself up, and the magic stirred within me; my light filled every cell in my body as it rushed out of me. Warmth enveloped my hands and the peace flowed through him.
“Sìth dhomhainn, bràthair.”—Deep peace, my brother.
His eyes widened focusing on me, his tears began to fall freely while my peace and light filled his soul.
When my hands stopped glowing, I stood, helping him up. He looked at me with a mixture of emotions in his expression I had seen before, but never expected from him. Respect and awe.
“How… why would you do this? How can you forgive me after everything I’ve done, what I supported?”
“Because you saw the truth, and chose to leave that hatred behind. It’s never too late to do the right thing. You only have to let that desire be stronger than anything else.”
I stepped back, my hands leaving him as he looked at me with a mix of admiration and disbelief, but it was the third sentiment shining through his eyes that inspired me. Hope.
Cyn took my hand in his as my Spear of Light materialized, and our connection came to life, the golden hue entered our vision and the light shot out of us at once. The glow engulfed us both, and our bodies levitated. Our hearts opened and the magic rushed through us into the Minastra GalIsacura Arthulis, and its multicolored rays projected on to the Romans. It traveled over them, covering them until they were all part of it and there was no division between Cyn, them or me.
We were all one in the light.
“Thoir dhaibh sìth”—Grant them peace. My voice echoed throughout the area.
The wind's speed increased, blowing our hair and my dress, the waves rose crashing against the rocks, the clouds parted in the sky, and the rays of the sun became almost blinding. Thunder sounded in the distance, and one by one, the Roman soldiers in front of us joined Aurelius as he kneeled looking up at us. Tears streamed down their faces, mixing with the rain that began to fall. Graceful and filled with hope, it washed away their past, leaving them clean to live a new life.
Some cupped their faces, or looked at the sky welcoming the rain, while others held their hearts, b
ut we could feel their essences becoming pure with each tear, with each drop falling from the sky.
"Today is a blessed day," Cyn announced as we began our descent to the grass. The rain dissipated and the seas calmed, the rays of the sun became soft again, surrounded by bright puffy clouds. "The Goddess has forgiven you, and by her grace, you shall be free to live a life without regrets and void of sorrow. It is your time to choose. Here and now, you are reborn."
The glow receded into our bodies and Aurelius reached for my hand. I smiled at him as the tears fell from my eyes too. The people in front of us seemed renewed. Their emotions rushed through Cyn and I as they welcomed his words, their hearts pure and filled with hope for the future.
“Today you become our brothers and sisters. Today our family is finally whole.” I announced and helped Aurelius stand.
I moved towards the others while Cyn offered a prayer to release Caesar's essence into the earth and cleanse him, giving him a new chance at life. We walked through the sea of people, blessing them and letting them feel the love of our Mother Goddess. The tears fell mixing with smiles of relief and joy, as men and women thanked us and wrapped their arms around us. And it was there, surrounded by love from the people who were once our enemies that I heard his voice.
“My special and beautiful Little Bee… my High Priestess. I always believed in you. I’m here for you, my Brina, in your heart, in your memories, and within these stars.”
My gaze lifted to the sky, a glimmer of stars was visible through the clouds… a constellation of magic.
“I will shine down on you as you eternally shine within my heart.”
A new tear escaped me as I smiled.
“Thank you, Grandpa. I love you…”
“I love you, too…”
ART
* * *
The Goddess wiped her cheek as the transparency disappeared from the clouds beneath our feet, no longer showing us the field where Cyn and Bri had just fulfilled the prophecy.
She looked at me with a brilliant smile on her rose lips. Brown flowing hair cascaded down her shoulders and arms, over her curvy form, which seemed to float hugged by the white gown. Her golden honey skin shone as though tanned by the sun, and light hazel-green eyes sparkled looking back at me.
“There is no true notion of how long I have waited for this day, my child.”
I nodded holding back the emotions that ran through my body. "Thank you for allowing Nels to witness this moment and speak with Brina."
She gave me a gracious one-shoulder shrug, that for a moment reminded me of Lia, but it seemed almost too refined on her. "I have my moments." I grinned. "Now, I am aware that you came here to find out if your brother and Brina were all right, after they disappeared on you and the others. As you can see, there was a reason why I blocked you all from reaching them. This was a destiny only they could bring to pass."
I nodded, I had been beyond frustrated when she didn’t allow us to use the portals to get to them, and my heart was still racing with the need to protect Brina after that bastard shot her, but I could see now that it was their mission, not ours.
“Nevertheless,” she continued, walking towards me with her staff. “I can feel the need in your soul, my child.” She caressed my cheek with the back of her fingers then stood back. “So, tell me. What else do you require, Arthfael?”
“I wish to ask you. Is Llyr here with you?”
Her gaze softened as she nodded. “He is resting with his wife. His soul went through too much, and he needs and deserves this time with her.”
My jaw tensed while I fought the emotions once again. I couldn’t stand knowing that Hayes would never see his Dad again. “Am I meant to raise him?”
She sighed pleased by my question, knowing who I was referring to at that moment. "I am afraid that is something only he can choose."
Her gaze suddenly shifted to something behind me, and a small smile grazed her full lips. I turned to find Caesar standing there. His eyes were filled with fear and loss, while he wildly looked around him.
My eyes widened, and I stood back startled. The Goddess transformed in front of me. The white gown that clung her body changed to a loose robe. Her golden skin became a soft peach tone, and her long brown hair shortened until it reached her shoulders becoming a dirty blonde tone. Her female figure was gone, and a tall man with soft blue eyes filled with kindness stood before me. Her staff disappeared as he began to walk towards Caesar.
“It is all right, my child. I know you feel lost, but I am here to guide you,” his voice reassured Caesar, bringing his attention to him.
“God?” Caesar asked shocked. I shared his feeling.
The man placed a hand on Caesar's shoulder and another one over his heart as his eyes closed. He shook his head while his features became pained. "So much agony, so much confusion." His lids lifted and he looked into Caesar's eyes. "You have been wronged, led through the wrong path, yet on you went willingly. Your soul shall rest, but first, you must bear the weight of your actions. Feel what your hatred has caused others to feel. The pain, the loss, the fear… once you learn from it, you shall be reborn. My love will guide you. You are my child, and I love you. I always have."
He kissed Caesar's forehead, and as his lips touched his skin, Caesar's soul-body leaned back unconscious. The man—that had only a few moments ago been the Goddess—walked towards the Golden Gates while Caesar's soul-body floated behind him. As they crossed the entrance, they disappeared.
I let out a breath I had no idea I was holding, and the next second, the Goddess reappeared before me.
“Are you all right, my child?”
I looked into her honey eyes stunned. “Are you him? Are you God?”
Her lips curved into a kind smile. "I have many names, Arthfael, and I answer to them all. I am the light. I am the darkness. I am the sea and the sun, the breeze that blows over your skin, the earth in which you build your homes. The animals that nurture you, and the fire that keeps you warm. I am the universe in which you exist. Does that answer your question?"
“No.”
A million bells rang around me as she laughed. “I am your Mother and his Father, I am everything my children need me to be.” She began to walk around me observing me as her golden staff reappeared in her hand.
“Does that mean this is Heaven?”
She looked up as though searching for the right answer. "Like myself, this place has many names, but to me, it is one in the same. My kingdom. Each soul has a journey, down on the earth and here in my reign. Each of them shall experience that which is needed to learn and let go of the past. Whether it is peace, or the pain and horror they caused others. They are all my children, and as such, I love them. I will guide them and forgive them, regardless of where they are. Do you understand, Arthfael?"
I nodded. “Then, he is here too?"
She raised an eyebrow at me questionably, although once again she knew who I was talking about. "Yes, he is."
I lowered my gaze as my breathing accelerated. I could make things right. “Then I will take him with me.”
She straightened, amusement filling her gaze. "Are you asking me, or informing me?"
I took a deep breath as resolve gripped my soul. “Informing you.”
She nodded impressed. “The first soul to return at the grace of my Soul Hunter. I believe you might just get what you desire. His soul is eager for a chance at redemption."
“He is?” I asked perplexed.
She nodded walking towards the Golden Gates, and I began to follow. "It is amazing what the power of acceptance, and repenting for one's mistakes can do to cleanse an essence." She stopped once we crossed the entrance and turned to look at me. “Good luck, my Soul Hunter.”
She vanished as the echo of her words remained, and when I turned around, I was no longer between multicolored glowing mountains. I was in a room I'd never seen before. Luxurious curtains hung over the windows where a sight of beautiful mountains and the city below was visible. The
soft silk comforter on the king sized bed reflected the light of the sconces above, which cast a dim light on the room. I walked towards the door and felt the leather covering my skin. When I looked at myself, realized I was wearing my Warrior suit—same as when I last saw him. I lifted my gaze to the door when it opened, and he walked in holding a rosary in his hands. The whispered prayer escaped his lips over and over, his fingers carefully moving over the beads. He asked for forgiveness, and prayed for his son.
I stood there, frozen while he sat on the bed unaware of my presence. The man in front of me was not the same I met before.
It was clear to me now.
He had changed, just as his son had.
“Marcus,” I called, stepping closer.
His startled gaze found me, and his eyes widened. “You. I know you. You are Cynwrig’s brother. A Druid.” He stood, making the sign of the cross on his chest. “How are you here? Are you dead too?”
I walked a few steps towards him, stopping only when I reached his side. "No, I'm still alive."
He shook his head confused. "Then how are you here? Why are you in Hell?"
My chest constricted with his words. "You are not in Hell, Marcus."
He looked around us, and his eyes fell on the bed, I followed his gaze and my breath caught in my throat. The bed was drenched in blood, and the image of an unconscious Ailidh was there, bloody sheets covered her belly and legs.
"Yes, it is," he whispered.
As she disappeared I understood. This was his hell. Reliving the moment he lost her, holding on to the image of the woman he loved.
"I am so sorry," he said, looking straight into my eyes. "I am so truly sorry. I found out too late that all my life had been a lie. That I had destroyed so many lives, hurt innocent people, all because I never had the guts to stand against The Brotherhood. Against my Mother." He kneeled and gripped the rosary even tighter between his trembling hands. "Please forgive me. I know I don't deserve it, but I beg you. Please forgive me." His face lifted and he looked into my eyes as the tears fell. "If I'd only known… if I had another chance I…"
Absolute Magic Page 27
