74

GABRIELLA’S POV
“In the realm of spirits, we gather here,
To seek the truth, devoid of fear.
Through the veil of shadows, we venture deep,
To test the strength that lies within, secrets to keep.
Oh, ancient forces, guardians of might,
Grant us vision, reveal the inner light.
In this sacred space, our request we make,
Unveil the strength that lies within, for our sake.
In the sacred silence, the truth unfurls,
Revealing the strength that resides, it swirls.
With gratitude, we acknowledge the sight,
The strength within, burning ever bright.”
The atmosphere changed as Delilah began to chant in a language that was foreign to the ears.
“El canto se completa, el ritual ha concluido,
Damos gracias a los espiritus, uno por uno, sin ruido.
Por su guia, por la fuerza que han mostrado,
En este sagrado espacio, nuestros corazones han crecido.
Y ahora, con una nueva vision en nuestras manos,
Avanzamos juntos, unidos, un grupo decidido y amano.
Con la fuerza descubierta, enfrentaremos cualquier prueba,
Porque en nuestros corazones, sabemos que somos bendecidos.”
“Nickolas, you have done well, but there’s still a problem,” Delilah said. Closing her eyes, she continued to chant.
“En el reino de las voces, nos reunimos aqui,
Para revelar la verdad, sin miedo a lo que vendra.
A traves del velo de sombras, navegamos sin temor,
Para exponer el problema, con valentia y honor.
Oh fuerzas ancestrales, escuchad nuestro llamado.”
Delilah’s voice reverberated through the dimly lit room as she brought the chanting to an abrupt halt. I turned to face her, my hand still clasped in hers, only to be greeted by her anguished scream.
“What have you done, Gabriella? What have you done?” Delilah’s accusatory tone pierced the air, causing confusion to etch itself onto my face.
“I…I didn’t do anything,” I stammered, my voice barely audible amidst the tension that filled the room.
“You refused to have faith, Gabriella,” Delilah continued, her voice filled with disappointment. “You’re still doubting the whole process. Your husband’s efforts didn’t bring the expected results; they only provided solace for your troubled soul.”
Guilt washed over me in a relentless wave as Delilah’s words sank in. I lowered my gaze, unable to meet her intense stare.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled under my breath, my voice barely above a whisper.
Delilah’s response was stern, her tone indicating that an apology was not enough to rectify the situation. “It’s not a matter of sorry. Why aren’t you helping in this situation? Now, we have no choice but to administer a very strong concoction that might render you unconscious for hours or even a day.”
The mention of a concoction and being incapacitated for an extended period sent shivers down my spine. The unexpected turn of events left me feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
“Why is all this happening?” Nicklaus, who had been observing silently until now, spoke up, his voice filled with concern as he looked at me.
“It’s for the greater good,” Margaret interjected, her tone holding a touch of impatience. “Just tell her to stop doubting herself, to stop doubting the authenticity of it all.”
I watched as Delilah left the room, only to return moments later, clutching a black bottle in her hands. I frowned, wondering what the concoction would taste like.
“G-Gabriella, this is the concoction you’ll have to take,” Delilah said, her voice slightly softer now.
I hesitated, my mind filled with apprehension. “But… why? What will it do?” I asked, my voice trembling.
“It will help align your energies and remove any lingering doubts,” Delilah explained. “You need to trust in the process, Gabriella. Trust in the power of what we are trying to achieve.”
As I looked into Delilah’s eyes, searching for answers and reassurance, a mixture of fear and curiosity gnawed at me. The intensity of the situation weighed heavily upon me, and I found myself torn between surrendering to their methods or questioning their motives.
Nicklaus, who had been observing silently, spoke up again, his voice filled with a mixture of worry and protectiveness. “Are you sure about this, Delilah? Is it absolutely necessary?”
Delilah’s gaze softened as she turned to Nicklaus. “Yes, it’s necessary, Nicklaus. We need Gabriella’s full commitment and belief for this to work. It’s the only way to break through the barriers that are holding her back.”
I felt a lump forming in my throat; uncertainty and fear were tightening their grip on me. The room seemed to close in around me as I weighed the consequences of my decision. Taking the concoction would mean surrendering to their methods completely, relinquishing control over my consciousness.
“Do I really have no other choice?” I whispered, my voice laced with a mix of resignation and desperation.
Delilah’s expression softened, and she stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.
“Gabriella,” Delilah said, her voice filled with empathy, “we wouldn’t ask this of you if we didn’t truly believe it was necessary. The concoction is a tool to help you let go of your doubts, to open yourself to the power that lies within.”
Margaret interjected, her tone firm yet compassionate. “We understand that it may seem drastic, but sometimes, breaking through our barriers requires us to take a leap of faith. This is an opportunity for you to embrace your potential fully.”
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their words pressing upon me. Doubt and uncertainty still lingered within me, but a part of me longed for resolution and a release from the inner turmoil that had plagued me for so long.
Nicklaus, sensing my inner struggle, stepped forward and gently placed his hand on my other shoulder. “Gabriella, I know how difficult this is for you. But remember why we embarked on this journey together. We sought answers, healing, and transformation. This may be the next step towards achieving that.”
His words resonated within me, reminding me of the purpose that had brought us all together. I realized that my hesitation stemmed from a fear of the unknown, a fear of relinquishing control. Yet, if I truly wanted to embrace change and growth, I would have to trust in the guidance of those who had traveled this path before.
With a mix of trepidation and determination, I nodded slowly, accepting the black bottle from Delilah’s outstretched hand. “Okay,” I said, my voice more resolute than before. “I’ll take it.”
Delilah’s eyes sparkled with a mixture of relief and pride. “Thank you, Gabriella. Trust in the process, and remember, we are here for you every step of the way.”
I uncorked the bottle, and the air filled with a pungent, herbal aroma. Downing the concoction in one swift gulp, I braced myself for what was to come. The room began to blur around the edges as a sense of dizziness washed over me.
As I struggled to maintain my balance, Nicklaus and Delilah moved quickly, guiding me to a nearby cushioned chair. Their reassuring presence offered me some solace amid the disorienting effects of the potion.
Gradually, the world around me faded into darkness, and I succumbed to a deep slumber. Time became elusive as I drifted through a realm of dreams and subconscious visions, the boundaries between reality and imagination blurring.
Hours passed, or perhaps it was only minutes, until I stirred awake, my eyes fluttering open.
The room had changed. Soft, warm light spilled through the windows, casting gentle patterns on the walls. Nicklaus and Delilah stood before me, their expressions filled with anticipation.
“How do you feel, Gabriella?” Delilah asked, her voice filled with hope.
I took a moment to gather my thoughts, scanning the depths of my being for any lingering doubts or fears. Surprisingly, I felt a newfound clarity, a deep sense of peace washing over me.
“I feel… different,” I whispered, a hint of wonder in my voice. “It’s as if a weight has been lifted, and I can see things more clearly now. I am ready to embrace the journey ahead.”
A smile spread across Nicklaus’ face, relief evident in his eyes. “That’s what we hoped for, Gabriella. You have taken a significant step forward. Trust in yourself and in the process. We will continue to support you every step of the way.”
We stood once again in the dimly lit hall, the atmosphere charged with anticipation and uncertainty. The air was thick with tension as the group chanted in unison, their voices echoing off the walls. Margaret and Delilah, their eyes filled with a mix of hope and fear, turned their attention to me.
“What do you hear?” Margaret’s voice trembled, her gaze searching mine for answers. Delilah’s eyes mirrored her concern, silently pleading for a glimmer of insight.
“It’s okay if you can’t immediately hear everything,” Margaret reassured me, stepping closer. Her voice lowered to a gentle whisper as she leaned in, her words caressing my ears. “Just say this,” she instructed, her tone soothing. “Sentemandifaya Kinlapiutasira.”
I closed my eyes and repeated the unfamiliar phrase under my breath, letting its rhythm settle within me. As I immersed myself in the quietude, a surge of energy coursed through me. And then, it happened-I saw it. The problem revealed itself, unfolding before my inner eye.
“I can see it, I can see it,” I exclaimed, my voice trembling with a mixture of awe and urgency.
“What do you see?” Margaret’s voice quivered with anticipation, her face etched with concern.
“I can see that Dorcas isn’t the one acting as Dorcas,” I revealed, the weight of the revelation settling upon me. “She has been possessed by someone who wants to ruin the process of the thorough search.”
Silence hung in the air, broken only by the shallow breaths escaping our lips. The gravity of the situation enveloped us, each of us grappling with the implications of my words. Margaret’s hands trembled slightly as she clasped them together, her knuckles turning white with the intensity of her grip.
“Can you see who the person is?” Margaret’s voice wavered, her eyes darting between mine and Dorcas’ still form.