Between ascension, p.29
Between Ascension, page 29
part #9 of Levels of Ascension Series
“Certainly not. Petre’s correct in his summation of the problem. I think we need to proceed slowly with this, so we don’t traumatize Corva all over again. I already sent a message to Barla to let her know you’ve been found. She’s going to talk it over with her husband and decide how best to tell Corva. I’m sure we’ll hear back from her soon.”
“Are you talking about the same Barla who’s married to Captain Ahn?”
“I am. They’ve been raising your daughter as their own.”
“You sound as though you know them personally. Do you know my daughter?”
“I do know Ahn and Barla. I’ve also met your daughter, not very often, mind you, but she’s always been a pleasant and respectful child. You’ll be very proud of her.”
As if this were the last bit of news she could handle, Tirsha covered her face with both of her hands and began to weep with relief, grief, and gratitude all at once. Her shoulders shook with her silent sobs as she realized her whole life had changed in an instant. Nothing would ever be the same again, and she would have to start all over, starting with getting to know her daughter who was now a complete stranger.
Petre floundered for how to react to Tirsha’s sudden change of mood. He hesitantly put his hand on her back and began to rub it gently. He hated seeing her in such pain and had no idea of what to do to make any of it better. Again, he was surprised at how he was reacting to this strange situation.
He looked up at Elder Daven and asked, “Do you mind if we take a walk together? I’d like to ask you some questions.”
To say he was surprised by the question would be an understatement. Elder Daven merely nodded his head and stood up, all the while wondering what Petre could possibly want to discuss with him. He touched his wife’s shoulder as he moved away from the table and joined Petre at the top of the stairs leading down to the landing field.
Petre remained quiet, hands clasped behind his back, eyes focused on his feet stepping, while he composed his mind. Once they were out of sight of the terrace, Petre stopped and turned to face Daven. “I’d like for you to read my mind and tell me what you think happened to me in the darkness. Even from the moment you found me to right now, the memories are fading, and I want another person to know what occurred, I think it’s vitally important. I understand if you have reservations, given my reputation. However, will you do this for me?”
Not expecting such a request, Daven blurted out his own truth, “I’ve already been reading it. I know something profound happened to you out there, and I don’t even fully understand it myself. I’ll do as you ask and try to see if there’s more than what you’ve already shown me. I agree that something quite amazing has taken place.” Daven looked around them and wondered the easiest way for this to be accomplished. “Will you kneel in front of me so I may place my fingers on your head?”
“Absolutely.” Petre complied instantly and dropped to his knees in front of the Elder. Typically, he would never put himself in a position of submission for any reason. This new attitude alone told Petre himself that he had changed. There was also the novelty of allowing someone into his mind which could be explored at a later date.
With only a slight hesitation, Daven reached forward and touched Petre’s scalp with his fingertips. Having Petre’s permission made the meld effortless, and he rapidly went through the scenes searching for some clue. He intended to simply download everything to his own memory so he could study it at his leisure; however, the scenes were so vivid that he also became caught up in the replay.
Darkness surrounded him, and all motion stopped. At first, there was a cold, numbing sensation throughout his entire body which immediately morphed into warmth as another person stood alongside him. There was no physical touch, but the mental assurance was quite apparent. The two were approached by two others, larger and more powerful than anything ever known.
Inside Petre’s mind, he was told he was chosen, and he willingly complied without question. He began to see a white, bright, yellow light all around him as a silver multi-dimensional grid appeared in the middle of the light ahead of him quite some distance away. The grid made up a series of lines, and at each place where the lines met up, there were other points of purple brightness.
A man stood beside him on the right who could be none other than Emmanuen, while another man stood behind the grid. The man ahead of him moved from behind the grid over to his left side and made a motion with his hands before moving back to where he started before he simply disappeared. Petre felt an overwhelming sense of the word acceptance. He nodded and the lights turned out and left him back in complete darkness.
Petre wondered if they were going to come back when he started to see a pinpoint of purple light in front of his right eye. As he focused his attention on it, the point expanded until it was covering his whole field of vision before the blackness swept in from the right and pushed it over and away from him to the left. This particular light show repeated itself over and over while Petre remained mesmerized by its display.
Then he felt himself waking up. He was curled on his side, afraid of what he now knew, but had no way of understanding. He was chosen; for what, he did not know.
Daven took his hands away and drew in a cleansing breath as he assimilated everything Petre had experienced. He was also at a loss for what it could all mean, but he was unwilling to give up just yet. “I will have to study this for a while longer before I can tell you what all it means. Thank you for sharing this with me.”
“Thank you, Elder Daven, for trusting me. I’m glad you found us when you did.”
Daven laughed out loud, startling Petre, and replied, “I am, too!” He offered his hand to help Petre up from the ground. “Let’s go back and see if Barla has answered my message yet. I’d like to give Tirsha some closure with her daughter.” They turned around and began retracing their steps back to the Residence.
“I’d like that as well. I feel a connection with her, unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. It’s almost as if I’m meant to look out for her and keep her safe. Does that make sense?”
“Considering what you went through together, I’d say you’re probably right. Something drew her to you, maybe the power of the samara, but when you were together between the dimensions, you were bonded in a way we’ve never experienced before. Take care with her, Petre. You can’t treat her as you’ve treated other women in the past.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I can’t even think of what I’ve done and not feel sick to my stomach. Those days are behind me, and I’m never going back, not now that I’ve seen a better future for myself.”
“Did you?”
Petre looked at him strangely. His steps slowed as he tried to figure out what the Elder was asking.
“See a different future for yourself?”
Realizing what he had said, Petre nodded and replied, “I guess I have. I didn’t actually realize it until I said it out loud. I want to see what I can accomplish when I do things the right way, staying in alignment with Jehoban’s ways.”
“What about your assignment from Lucinden? What are you going to tell him when he discovers your failure to retrieve the samara and deliver it to him?”
Petre shuddered even as he shrugged. “I haven’t thought it out that far.”
“I don’t envy you that conversation. Lucinden is not someone I would want to cross.”
“I know I probably don’t deserve it, but can you put a ward of protection around me?”
“I will do that for you, Petre, because you have demonstrated that you can do the right thing when it truly matters.”
Chapter Forty-One
JENA RETURNED HOME only a few minutes later in Earth time, several hours later in Tualan time. She was greeted by all of her friends and family in the kitchen. Everyone was talking at once, and nobody was able to hear anyone’s comments. Feeling the effects of the short time-travel jump, Jena smiled her appreciation of their well-wishes and then held up her hands for silence.
“Let’s all go sit down in the living room,” she stated calmly when her family was finally quiet enough to hear.
Daven touched her shoulder and said, “I don’t think I’m needed here. Are you okay to explain everything on your own; or would you rather I stay?”
Jena hugged her grandfather warmly and whispered in his ear, “You’re the best, Grandpa. I’ll be okay.” She pulled away from him and smiled as she said, “Tell Grandma we’ll be back on Senin because we’d like to spend the weekend with our parents.”
“That’d be perfect. If you’re not ready to come back, we’ll understand.”
“Thank you! I love you!” She pulled him in for another quick hug and then stepped aside so Juila could do likewise.
The other people in the room left them some privacy for their farewell by heading back to the living room and talking quietly among themselves. They fell silent when the two girls returned. All eyes were focused on them, anxious to hear what had happened.
Jena wanted to set everyone’s mind at ease and started with the most important point. “The mission between the dimensions was successful in that Elder Daven and I recovered a samara which we believe belongs to Elder Daven.”
Riccan and Amanda were so pleased that they hugged themselves before they rushed over to hug Jena for her bravery. This was the best possible news, yet they knew there was still more to come. They stood back to hear the rest.
Their classmates were less interested in this revelation since they had no idea how important the feat had been. They smiled at the adults’ enthusiasm but shrugged their shoulders at one another over the reason behind it.
Sofia was the most confused since she had never even heard of the samaras. “Is this samara so important then?”
The question seemed so ludicrously innocent that Amanda, Riccan, Jena, and Juila burst out laughing. Jena took pity on her hurt look and stopped long enough to say, “It’s probably the most important object ever found. One day I’ll tell you all about it after we’re sure we can make use of it.”
“Oh, soon, I hope,” Sofia responded, still not convinced of anything, but wishing she had kept her comment to herself.
“Now that we’ve settled that matter…” Jena began.
“I’m going to need more answers later,” Amanda broke into Jena’s statement with her arms crossed and her head tilted to indicate she was not satisfied.
“I know, Mom. But, I’m glad you’re home so I can tell you my other news,” she looked over to Willian and gestured for him to join her. She waited until he was next to her before she continued. “Willian and I have officially ended our betrothal.”
Amanda scowled slightly as she looked at the young man standing next to her daughter. Finally, it dawned on her what Jena had said, and she rapidly put the pieces together. She pointed to the boy and stated, “You are that Willian?”
“Yes, I am. I’m sorry this is how we had to meet.”
“So…wait…how did this come about already? Why? I thought the two of you were going to try to work things out. What changed?”
“It’s slightly complicated, Mom,” Jena began. “Willian has discovered he was meant to be with someone else and I agree with his assessment. We asked Elder Daven to dissolve our betrothal, and he has approved our request. It is final, and Willian is free to pursue his true love.”
“Just like that? Jena, I don’t understand how you can be so nonchalant about this when you’ve had your heart set on marrying Willian since you were six anons old.” Amanda scowled at Willian and wondered what he had done or said to get Jena to agree to this new arrangement.
“It had nothing to do with either of us, Mom. As I said, Willian found the one person he was meant to be with, and I cannot stand in between them. It would be wrong for me to try and I don’t want to. Please just be happy for us both.”
“I’ll be happy for you if that’s what you really want, but I must say I’m rather shocked that Willian would throw you over for someone else so easily. Who is this other person and how did you meet her, Willian?”
“That’s irrelevant, Mom. I told you it was their destiny.”
“I want to know. Willian, I’m waiting.” Amanda stepped forward to emphasize her demand.
Willian looked away from Amanda and over to Valentina wondering if he should tell or excuse himself. When he saw Valentina stand up, he became even more confused.
“It’s me, Mrs. Stel. Willian and I are destined to be together. Neither of us planned this, but also we don’t have any say in it either.” Valentina stood by Willian’s side and pled with her eyes for Amanda to understand.
“I’d expect this from Willian, based on the things we’ve been told about him from Juila and Jena, but not from you, Val. You were Jena’s best friend! How could you do this to her?”
“Mom, stop!” Jena went to stand next to Valentina and put her arm around her friend. “She’s still my friend, and I won’t have you blaming her or saying things about which you know nothing.” She turned to Valentina and said, “Take Willian’s hand in yours, please.”
When the two complied, Jena turned to her mother and accused, “Can you deny the power you feel from their combined energy? This is something none of us have ever seen and even Elder Daven admitted we should not try to interfere with a connection which is so apparent. I don’t want to hear any more blame being thrown around. I want us all to be glad that these two found happiness in all of this chaos.” Suddenly feeling drained of the last of her energy, Jena seemed to wilt onto the couch next to her sister.
Juila swiftly put her arm around her and helped her to lie across her lap. She looked down at her twin with love and admiration. She had been so strong throughout this dangerous journey, and now she was home. Jena had more than earned her rest. Juila’s eyes saw Jena’s pulse in her neck and then her attention was caught by her sister’s birth crystal.
“Oh my goodness, Jena! Your birth crystal has changed! It’s no longer a dark amethyst; it’s now a light lavender!” Juila looked up at her parents and registered their startled, yet pleased, expressions. “Do you know what this means? Jena’s perilous journey has been completed, and she survived it. We were worried about this happening in two anons, but now it’s done, and we’re going to win, and live!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Daven returned home and met Nena on the terrace. He held her in his arms for several seconds, comforted by the strength of her arms around him, before he asked, “How are our guests behaving?”
“They’re both asleep in the great room.”
“Good. I want to claim my samara!” He grabbed her hand and pulled her along with him into the house. As he passed Petre and Tirsha, he added a sleeping ward to them to make sure they remained out of the way. Without missing a step, they continued to the Ascension Gate room.
He had seen how it was done, yet he still wanted to make sure this was actually supposed to be his stone. “Wait here while I go get it,” he told Nena as he left her standing at the table in the room. He gestured behind them both and set a ward over the door to keep anyone from entering until they were done. After two recent mentions of Lucinden, he was not going to make the mistake of being careless.
Taking the small bundle out of the niche, Daven held it reverently away from his body as he returned to the table, and set it down carefully. He pulled the cloth away from it to reveal the perfectly clear, crystal skull. “Can you look at its aura and tell me if its color matches my birth crystal?”
Knowing full well that Daven could do that himself, she realized he wanted a second opinion. It also occurred to her that he might actually be scared of having a samara of his own, even though she knew just how amazing an experience it was to possess one. She nodded solemnly and turned her gaze to the newfound object.
It took no time at all for her to see the light sage green, with hints of pearl. The second color confused her for a moment before she realized it must be recognizing the moonstone representing his Elder status. Once she comprehended its relevance, she nodded her head and said, “I’m certain this is meant for you, Daven, but you already knew that, didn’t you?” She smiled reassuringly at her husband.
“Yes, but I had to be sure. This is too important to get wrong.”
“I know, believe me.” She also understood his hesitation to touch the crystal with his bare flesh. Even though he had been told what a wonderful experience it was, the unknown factor made even the most stoic person hesitant to proceed.
His wife would not have known he had already handled it with his bare hands, yet he had shielded himself from its powers. Without waiting for another excuse to come to mind, Daven reached out and put both hands over the dome of the crystal skull. Immediately, a flare of elemy surged through him, claiming all of his cells as its own.
While Daven had thought he understood what would happen during this exchange, nothing could have prepared him for the onslaught of information which flooded his mind. As his training dictated, he categorized everything as it came through to him, making it readily available for recall when time permitted.
Where everyone else’s experience had been overwhelming and exhausting, Daven found it intriguing as well as fascinating. He could easily see himself coming back to visit his samara time and again in order to discover answers to the many questions he had accumulated over the anons of service. Daven allowed his mind to expand to encapsulate the instructions he received, showing him a future of fear, pain, and suffering.
He understood his role in the achievement of success, and it saddened him, but he agreed nonetheless. The prophecy took precedence over everything and he would obey. As soon as he accepted, the information stopped coming. Daven opened his eyes as he withdrew his hands from his samara.
“That was amazing! I see why you want to come back to it.”
Nena grinned with complete understanding. She also wondered if his visions had been as confusing as her own. He certainly had not spent as much time with his as she had with hers. She also wondered at her husband’s ability to pull himself away from the stone with such apparent ease. She had always known he was a powerful man, but this instance seemed to confirm it.
