Capítulo 24: Chapter 22:
I woke up with a heavy weight in my chest, the memory of last night still fresh in my mind. The silence in my room felt suffocating, and for a moment, I debated whether I should just stay in bed. But I couldn't.
Aurora was perched on the windowsill, her soft golden feathers glowing in the morning light. She turned her head to look at me, her eyes full of quiet understanding.
"Morning," I mumbled, sitting up and running a hand through my messy hair.
Aurora hopped down, landing gracefully on the edge of the bed. "You okay?" she asked gently.
I shrugged, not trusting myself to speak.
After a moment of silence, she nudged my hand with her beak. "You'll have to face him eventually, you know. He's probably downstairs sulking in his usual Xenos way."
I gave a weak laugh despite myself. "He's not the only one good at sulking."
Aurora tilted her head. "True, but at least you're cute when you do it."
Rolling my eyes, I got up and stretched, trying to shake off the lingering tension. "Let's just get this over with."
I washed up quickly and changed into something comfortable before heading downstairs. The tavern was quiet, almost eerily so, with the faint smell of breakfast still lingering in the air.
Xenos was sitting by the bar, his back to me, nursing what looked like a mug of tea. He hadn't noticed me yet, and for a brief moment, I considered turning around and pretending I hadn't seen him. But Aurora was already fluttering toward him, landing on the bar with a soft chirp.
"Coward," she whispered under her breath, and I glared at her.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped closer. "Morning," I said, my voice more tentative than I intended.
Xenos turned his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "Morning," he replied, his tone neutral.
I hesitated, unsure of what to say next. The awkwardness between us was palpable, and I hated it. But before I could figure out how to break the tension, Alohi burst through the front door, her arms full of scrolls and a wide grin on her face.
"Good morning, lovebirds!" she declared, completely ignoring the heavy atmosphere.
Xenos groaned, rubbing his temples. "Alohi, not now."
"Always now," she quipped, dumping the scrolls onto the nearest table. "Seriously, you two look like you just lost a puppy. What happened this time?"
I opened my mouth to protest, but Alohi waved me off. "Don't answer that. I don't have the energy for your drama right now. I need food and a nap."
As she disappeared into the kitchen, I glanced at Xenos, who was now staring into his mug like it held the answers to all his problems.
"Can we talk?" I asked softly.
He looked at me, his dark eyes searching mine, and for a moment, I thought he might refuse. But then he nodded, gesturing to the seat next to him.
"Yeah," he said, his voice quieter than usual. "We should talk."
I hesitated before sitting down next to him. The bar stool felt colder than I expected, or maybe it was just me, nerves prickling under my skin. Xenos didn't look at me right away, his fingers tracing the rim of his mug absently.
"I'm sorry," I said, breaking the silence. My voice was steady, though my heart was racing.
His hand stilled, and he finally turned to face me. "You don't have to apologize, Sage," he said. "I was out of line."
"You weren't wrong either," I admitted, my gaze dropping to the countertop. "I've been reckless. But I just… I don't know how else to help. I need to do something."
Xenos leaned back slightly, his expression softening. "You don't have to do everything alone. That's what I've been trying to tell you. You're not responsible for fixing all of this by yourself."
I felt a lump form in my throat. "I'm the chosen one. Isn't that what I'm supposed to do? Fix things? Protect everyone?"
"Protecting everyone doesn't mean destroying yourself in the process," he said firmly.
The weight of his words sank deep, but I wasn't sure how to respond. Aurora fluttered onto the bar, her small frame breaking the tension.
"He's right, you know," she chirped, her tone unusually gentle. "You're too hard on yourself, Sage. It's okay to rely on the people who care about you."
I glanced at her, then back at Xenos. "I don't even know how to do that," I admitted quietly.
Xenos gave a faint, wry smile. "You're stubborn, that's for sure. But you'll figure it out. Just… let me help. Let us help."
A small, tentative smile tugged at the corner of my lips. "I'll try."
He nodded, his eyes meeting mine with a quiet intensity. "That's all I'm asking."
Before either of us could say anything else, Alohi burst back into the room, a sandwich in hand and crumbs on her shirt.
"Did I miss something? You two look like you just solved world peace," she teased, plopping into a chair and propping her feet on the table.
Xenos groaned, but there was a faint hint of amusement in his expression. "Alohi, do you ever not interrupt?"
"Nope!" she said cheerfully, taking another bite of her sandwich.
Despite everything, I couldn't help but laugh. For the first time in a while, the weight on my shoulders felt just a little bit lighter.
Back in my room, I paced restlessly. My eyes darted to the small vial of physostigmine on my desk, its contents dark and ominous under the flickering lamplight. Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the vial and uncorked it, the sharp, bitter scent filling the air.
"Just a small shot," I murmured to myself, trying to ignore the anxiety clawing at my stomach.
I measured out a few drops into a glass of water, swirling it until the liquid became faintly tinted. Lifting the glass to my lips, I hesitated for a moment before downing it in one gulp.
The bitter taste lingered in my mouth as I turned to the bouquet of Brugmansia flowers I had left drying on the windowsill. I took one, its petals still soft despite the drying process, and held it close, inhaling its sweet, dizzying aroma.
Nothing.
I frowned, frustration bubbling up. "Come on," I muttered, clutching the flower tightly. I sat cross-legged on the floor, pressing the flower closer to my face and breathing deeply, over and over again.
Minutes passed, then an hour, but still, nothing. My eyelids grew heavy, my limbs felt weak, but there was no connection, no vision, no sign of success.
"Why isn't this working?" I whispered, my voice trembling.
As I reached for another flower, determination overtaking caution, a wave of dizziness hit me like a crashing tide. My hands trembled, the room spun around me, and the Brugmansia fell from my grasp.
I tried to steady myself, to fight the pull of unconsciousness, but it was no use. My body gave in, collapsing to the floor in a heap. Darkness enveloped me, silent and consuming.
And then, faintly, I felt something—a soft hum, like the earth itself was alive, calling out to me.
I opened my eyes, wincing as a sharp, pounding headache greeted me. Groaning softly, I pushed myself up, the sensation of soft grass beneath my fingers startling me. Grass?
Blinking rapidly, I took in my surroundings. A forest stretched endlessly around me, its trees blooming with Brugmansia flowers in shades of white, pink, and orange. Their sweet, intoxicating scent filled the air, almost overwhelming. The scene was surreal, like stepping into a dream.
I glanced down and froze. My clothes were no longer the simple outfit I'd worn before. Instead, I was draped in a long, flowing white dress that billowed gently around me, its fabric impossibly soft and light. The dress seemed to shimmer faintly in the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees.
"What is this place?" I whispered, my voice swallowed by the serene stillness.
Compelled by an invisible force, I started walking, my bare feet brushing against cool grass and fallen petals. The forest seemed alive, every leaf and flower humming faintly, as if it held secrets just out of reach.
After what felt like an eternity, I saw it—a small glass house nestled in the middle of the forest. Its walls sparkled under the sunlight, overgrown with vines and tiny blooms. Inside, I spotted a figure, a woman gracefully watering rows of vibrant plants.
She was tall and elegant, her long silver hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. She moved with purpose, her every motion precise and serene, as if she belonged to this magical place.
I hesitated at the edge of the clearing, unsure if I should approach. But then, as if sensing my presence, the woman lifted her head and turned toward me. Her piercing green eyes met mine, and a warm, knowing smile spread across her face.
"Ah," she said, her voice soft but clear, "you've finally arrived."
I took a hesitant step closer, my gaze fixed on the woman. "Who are you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
She set down her watering can and turned fully toward me. Her presence felt otherworldly, like she was more than just a person. Her green eyes shimmered with an ethereal glow as she smiled gently.
"I am Ziri," she said, her voice carrying an almost melodic tone. "The spirit of your power. The essence of what makes you... chosen."
I blinked, trying to process her words. "The spirit of my power?"
Ziri nodded, stepping closer. "Yes. The connection you have fought so hard to make, the one tied to the Brugmansia flower—it is now complete. From this moment on, you will carry a part of me within you, just as I carry the wisdom of those who came before you."
My heart raced as I tried to wrap my mind around what she was saying. "So... this is what connecting with my power means? Seeing you?"
She chuckled softly. "Partially. This meeting is only the beginning. When you awaken, you will find a mark on your back—a symbol of our bond. It will be much like the dragon Xenos bears or the snake that Alohi carries. It is a sign of your awakened power, of who you are destined to become."
"A mark?" I repeated, my voice trembling.
"A tattoo, to be more precise," Ziri said, her smile unwavering. "It will reflect your connection to me, to the Brugmansia, and to your destiny. It may take time to understand its full meaning, but it will serve as a guide and a reminder of your strength."
I swallowed hard, unsure whether to feel terrified or excited. "What happens now?"
Ziri tilted her head, her gaze softening. "Now, you wake up and embrace who you are, Sage. You have much to do, and your journey is far from over. But remember, you are not alone in this."
Before I could respond, a wave of warmth enveloped me, and Ziri began to fade, her form dissolving into the glowing flowers around us. Her final words echoed in my mind as everything went dark.
"Carry your power with pride, and trust in yourself, Sage."
I gasped as my eyes flew open, my chest heaving with each breath. The faint glow of moonlight filtered through the curtains in my room, casting a silvery sheen on the Brugmansia flowers drying on the windowsill. My back ached with a dull, unfamiliar heat, and when I reached around to touch it, I could feel the edges of what I knew had to be the tattoo Ziri spoke of.
I sat up slowly, my head still pounding from the aftereffects of the connection. Aurora was perched at the foot of my bed, her bright eyes fixed on me with a mix of concern and curiosity. I tried to gather my thoughts, but everything from the forest to Ziri's words felt like a vivid, surreal dream.
Sliding off the bed, I walked over to the mirror, lifting my shirt to glimpse the mark on my back. A swirling pattern of vines and Brugmansia blossoms stretched across my skin, glowing faintly in the dim light. My heart clenched as I traced its lines with trembling fingers.
Taking a deep breath, I let the fabric fall back into place and turned to Aurora. "This is just the beginning, isn't it?" I murmured.
She chirped softly, flying up to perch on my shoulder. Somehow, her presence steadied me. Gathering my resolve, I glanced at the flowers on the windowsill one last time before climbing back into bed, the weight of my destiny pressing on me but no longer feeling so heavy. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but tonight, I would let myself rest.
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