GABRIELLA’S POV
My heart skipped a beat, a mixture of excitement and trepidation coursing through my veins. Shit, she heard me. It was as if she had confirmed my suspicions, acknowledging that there was more to her than met the eye.
I stumbled over my words, desperately trying to apologize for my unguarded thoughts.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to think of you in such a way. It’s just… you have this indescribable aura that sets you apart. I can’t explain it, but you really have a gothic demeanor,” I blurted out, hoping that my apology would be enough to appease her and prevent any offense.
She chuckled softly, a melodic sound that seemed to resonate deep within my soul. “Please, there’s no need to apologize,” she reassured me, her voice tinged with gentle amusement. “I never claimed not to be mysterious, did I?”
Her words caught me off guard, a mixture of relief and intrigue washing over me. It was as if she was granting me permission to explore the depths of her enigmatic nature, encouraging me to delve further into the secrets she undoubtedly held. Her soft smile danced across her lips, leaving me spellbound.
Curiosity overwhelmed my apprehension, and I couldn’t help but voice the questions burning within me. “Who are you really? What secrets do you hold?”
She tilted her head slightly, her eyes sparkling with an ancient knowledge that seemed to span lifetimes. “Oh, my dear,” she began, her voice carrying a hint of something magical. “I am but a wanderer, a collector of tales, and a guardian of ancient wisdom. I have traversed realms beyond your comprehension, witnessed civilizations rise and fall, and held the secrets of forgotten lands. But above all, I am here to guide those who seek the path of enlightenment.”
Her words hung in the air, enveloping us in a cloak of intrigue. I couldn’t tear my gaze away from her, a mixture of awe and curiosity urging me to learn more.
The intensity of the moment was palpable, the weight of her presence stirring emotions within me that I had never experienced before.
I was taken aback by her sudden declaration, my laughter tapering off into a bemused expression. Her words held an air of caution and responsibility, urging me to be mindful of the power I possessed. But what caught me off guard even more was her assertion that she could read an ability I had only heard of in tales of the supernatural. She didn’t seem like she was even from this one.
“What do you mean? I can’t even read minds. It’s a rare talent,” I replied, a mix of disbelief and curiosity in my voice.
A mischievous glint danced in her eyes as she regarded me, her gaze unwavering. “How about you leave that to me,” she suggested, her voice tinged with a hint of mystery.
Before I could respond, she swiftly rose from her seat, her hands raised high above her head. In that moment, the atmosphere seemed to shift, a charge of energy enveloping the room. Her voice rose, resonating with an ancient power as she began to chant a series of words that echoed through the air.
“Sulvandir arvandar, marelith sorniethar,
Enbrystor valethiel, aetheren e’luminar.
Khar’sulnath velrathia, tarkusarni astralia,
Elendrithis entaran, sornynor il’mystaria!
Galdoria elyndor, vandris sulethor,
Mystria velinthor, arcanus evanthor.
Thalendros morathor, solvaris exithor,
Vandora enlumia, valeris sancthor!
Ardentis solariel, astralis celestiel,
Mystaris dioriel, luminalis ethereal.
Verenthis alvandor, valornis animor,
Elendria luminis, aethoril corvor!
Sylvaris inthoria, enchantia soloria,
Mystorinthalor, aetheris flamoria.
Velaris incendior, aelonis ardoria,
Entheloria mystia, elunia glorior!
By the ancient words of power, let the realms converge,
Through the mystic gates, let wisdom and magic surge.
With ethereal radiance, the secrets I emerge,
Unveiling the mysteries, as destinies converge!
Elyndria, Valorian, Mysterion divine,
By the weave of time, let destinies align.
Sylvaris eluvia, ethereal shrine,
Illuminate the path, where secrets intertwine!
Ethernia elunaria, astralis veresia,
In the tapestry of realms, let harmony arise.
Grant me the knowledge of hidden truths and skies,
In the language of the ancients, let my power rise!
Sulvandir arvandar, marelith sorniethar,
Enbrystor valethiel, aetheren e’luminar.
Khar’sulnath velrathia, tarkusarni astralia,
Elendrithis entaran, sornynor il’mystaria!”
As she spoke the intricate words, each syllable carried a surge of energy, reverberating through the air and permeating the room.
The surroundings seemed to vibrate in response, as if the very fabric of reality acknowledged the incantation.
Within me, a sense of awe and wonder blossomed, as if I had touched the sacred threads of ancient knowledge.
The chant had ignited a profound connection to the realms beyond, infusing me with a newfound understanding of the magical forces at play.
As her chants filled the room, I watched in awe as she reached into a hidden pocket and produced a small, ornate ring.
Its intricate design sparkled with mesmerizing brilliance, seemingly infused with ancient magic. With deliberate grace, she carefully placed the ring in the palm of my outstretched hand.
“Make sure to keep this safe,” she whispered, her voice carrying the weight of both responsibility and mystery. “With it in your hands, you will gain the ability to read minds and hear the silent whispers of the world.”
I marveled at the precious gift that now rested in my grasp, its significance sinking in. The power it held was immense, and I understood the magnitude of the responsibility entrusted to me. My mind raced with a mix of exhilaration and trepidation, contemplating the possibilities and challenges that lay ahead.
But before I could express my gratitude or seek further guidance, she swiftly moved behind me.
A vial of shimmering green oil appeared in her hand, and without a word, she poured it gently onto my head. The liquid felt cool against my skin, a tingling sensation spreading through me like a gentle breeze. And in that moment, as the oil seeped into my being, she vanished.
The room fell into an eerie silence, heavy with unsettling stillness. A shiver ran down my spine as I let out a piercing scream, the sound ripping through the air, breaking the haunting quietude. My voice trembled with fear and confusion, for it seemed as though something otherworldly had invaded my very being.
Amidst my cries, I sensed a flurry of movement around me. People hurried to my side, their worried expressions etched upon their faces. Among them, Nicklaus’s panicked voice pierced through, desperately pleading for help. But Margaret, in a voice filled with authority and determination, raised her own voice in protest, obstructing their attempts to approach me.
“No!” she exclaimed, her voice laced with urgency. “She cannot be touched at this moment. She was chosen long before this ceremony even began.”
As chaos unfolded, Margaret knelt down beside me, her hands gently cradling my head, lifting it from the cold floor and placing it on her lap. With a commanding tone, she ordered one of her maids to bring her some red powder and a vial of Braseintanusi water. Time seemed to stretch as the minutes passed, until finally, the requested items were brought to her.
Carefully, Margaret opened my mouth, pouring the mixture inside. Her plea echoed softly, “Please, do not close your eyes.” She began to chant, her voice filled with ancient power, her words a mystical incantation meant to ward off the darkness that had consumed me.
Gradually, a surge of energy coursed through my veins, rekindling the dwindling flames of my strength. I slowly opened my eyes, the world coming back into focus. Weakly, I murmured, “Margaret, thank you. What happened to me?”
With a solemn expression, Margaret leaned closer, her eyes holding a mixture of concern and revelation. “Derenzantrafiakiloma, the one who reads minds, was the entity that visited you in human form,” she revealed.
Confusion clouded my thoughts as I struggled to comprehend the implications of her words. “Is that a good thing?” I asked, my voice laced with a hint of trepidation.
A soft smile tugged at Margaret’s lips, her eyes reflecting a glimmer of awe. “Yes, my dear, it is indeed a good thing. It signifies that you are a special being, for Derenzantrafiakiloma only appears when a matter of great importance is at stake.”