GABRIELLA’S POV
Hand in hand, I walked with Nicklaus to the front row of seats. As we settled down, I silently mouthed a “thank you” to Morgan, who had taken the initiative to seat Estella directly across from us.
A sense of relief washed over me as I looked at my Angel, grateful that she was finally venturing away from my side after the traumatic incident we had experienced together.
She waved at me, and I waved back; she smiled, and I blew her a kiss.
Amidst the bustling movement of the elders and appointed maids, who meticulously arranged everything to ensure order, I couldn’t help but comment on the significance of the evening. “Tonight seems to be a bigger deal than I expected,” I murmured, tilting my head to face Nicklaus.
He nodded, his eyes shimmering with a hint of knowledge. “Yes, baby, a thorough search like this requires much more time and effort than we initially anticipated.”
Curiosity sparked within me as I observed him. “You seem to know a lot about this process-more than I do,” I said, intrigued by his understanding.
Nicklaus chuckled softly, his laughter dancing in the air. “Oh, no, I’m just as much of a novice as you are in these matters. But I’ve learned that whenever the Oracle doesn’t provide a straightforward answer and instead presents instructions or patterns, it signifies a complex journey filled with twists and turns.”
Look who says he’s a novice as much as I am.
“I see,” I responded, nodding my head in comprehension. “It’s like when a parent doesn’t give a direct answer to their child’s question but guides them on how to solve it themselves.”
“Exactly,” he agreed, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
“The only difference is that the Oracle already knows the answer even before it is consulted,” a voice interjected beside us, causing both Nicklaus and me to turn abruptly.
We found ourselves face-to-face with an aged woman who had settled onto the Abliscansandla mat beside Nicklaus.
“Zantalamandia,” I greeted her using the traditional way of addressing the old witches in our community.
Margaret had taught me this during one of our previous conversations, and I held onto the knowledge dearly.
To my surprise, the woman responded with a smile. “Kenziakira,” she replied, her eyes sparkling with warmth. Ah, so that was the appropriate response. I marveled at her captivating aura. There was just something about her that was captivating.
“No, my dear,” she corrected, her smile deepening. “That wasn’t the response. What I said was ‘Thank you.’ However, the appropriate response to your greeting should have been ‘Bantakuzamandia.'”
My mind reeled in astonishment. I hadn’t uttered those words aloud, so how did she know what I was thinking? Wait! What?
“W-wait, what? You’re a mind reader?” I stammered, staring at her in disbelief.
She chuckled lightly, her laughter reminiscent of a gentle breeze. “If that’s what you would call it.”
Geez
“Oh my goodness, I can’t believe you can actually read minds,” I exclaimed, unable to wrap my head around this extraordinary revelation.
“Well, I am fortunate enough to possess the gift of hearing people’s unspoken thoughts,” she stated, her gaze fixed ahead.
I was in awe. It seemed like an incredible blessing to have such an ability.
“No, no, young one, don’t consider it luck,” she admonished, sensing my thoughts. “I underwent a grueling process to acquire this gift.”
“Okay, okay, but what’s happening tonight?” Nicklaus interjected, his eyes darting back and forth between me and the old woman.
Taking a deep breath, the old woman shifted her posture, settling into a more human structure. Her voice took on a conversational tone as she began to explain, weaving a tale that captivated our senses and ignited our emotions.
“Well, you see,” she began, her voice carrying a touch of ancient wisdom, “tonight’s gathering holds immense significance in the realm of the supernatural. It is a convergence of forces, an intermingling of the ethereal and the earthly, orchestrated by the Oracle herself.”
Nicklaus and I leaned forward, hanging onto her every word. The intensity in her eyes held us spellbound.
“The Oracle has foreseen a great disturbance in the balance of our world,” she continued, her tone becoming solemn. “A darkness looms on the horizon, threatening to engulf all that is good and pure. And tonight, we gather not only to seek answers but also to find the strength and courage to confront this impending threat.”
A shiver ran down my spine as her words sank in. The weight of responsibility settled heavily upon us, mingling with a surge of determination.
“But how do we navigate this path?” I asked, my voice laced with both fear and anticipation. “What role do we play in this grand design?”
The old woman smiled, her eyes reflecting a lifetime of experiences. “Each one of us has been chosen for a purpose,” she replied, her words dripping with significance. “The Oracle’s cryptic instructions, the intricate patterns woven into her messages, all serve to guide us on our individual quests. We must uncover hidden truths, forge alliances, and unravel the enigmatic tapestry of fate.”
Nicklaus squeezed my hand, his fingers interlocking with mine, offering reassurance and support. “We will face challenges beyond our wildest imagination,” he said, his voice brimming with determination. “But together, we shall emerge stronger than ever before.”
As I gazed at him, my heart swelled with love and gratitude. I had witnessed the depths of darkness, but now, with him by my side, I felt an unwavering faith in our ability to overcome any obstacle.
The old woman’s gaze lingered on us, a profound understanding passing between us. “Love,” she whispered, her voice carrying the weight of ancient wisdom. “Love is your greatest weapon in this battle against darkness. Cherish it, nurture it, and let it guide you through the darkest of times. For the storm will be strong, so be stronger.”
Her words resonated within me, illuminating a path forward. Love had the power to conquer even the deepest shadows, to kindle a fire that would burn through the night.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her, captivated by the air of enigma that surrounded her.
She possessed an otherworldly presence, as if she hailed from a realm beyond our own. In that moment, I realized that I didn’t know everyone in our tight-knit community; however, she was undoubtedly unlike anyone I had ever encountered before. She simply didn’t seem human, at least not in the conventional sense.
“You sound like you know things that the rest of us don’t,” I found myself muttering, unable to contain my curiosity as I continued to stare at her.
Her gaze met mine, and there was a flicker of understanding in her eyes. It was as if she could read the unspoken questions swirling in my mind, unraveling the mystery of her origins. I mentally scolded myself for allowing my thoughts to be so transparent. What if she had actually heard them? Of course, she would have heard.
“I do,” she replied softly, her voice laced with an undertone of ancient wisdom. “Isn’t that what mystery is all about?”