章 20: Chapter 18:
I blinked, my breath catching as I found myself in the same white, endless space I had seen so many times before. It felt surreal—too quiet, too perfect. But this time, something was different.
There he was, standing a few feet away from me. The man I always saw in this place. His tall frame radiated strength, his white hair and beard shimmering in the light. His tanned skin made his eyes stand out even more, warm and kind.
"So," I said, my voice trembling, "you were my grandfather all along."
He turned to me, his lips curling into a knowing smile. And then, he laughed. A deep, rich sound that filled the space around us. "Took you long enough, little flower," he said, his voice filled with warmth and amusement.
That was all it took for the tears to start. Without thinking, I ran to him, my feet barely touching the ground. "You're really him," I whispered as I crashed into his chest, wrapping my arms around him tightly. "You're really my grandfather."
He caught me easily, his arms wrapping around me like I was something fragile, something cherished.
"I've always been here, little one," he said softly, his voice washing over me like a warm breeze. "Even when you didn't know it."
I pulled back just enough to look up at him, my hands gripping the front of his robes. "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, my voice breaking with the weight of everything I'd held in. "Why couldn't you just tell me the truth from the start?"
He reached out and brushed a tear from my cheek with a gentle hand. "Because you needed to find it on your own, Sage," he said, his tone patient and full of love. "You needed to be ready for the answers. And now, you are."
I let out a shaky laugh, wiping my eyes. "I still don't know if I'm ready. But… I'm glad you're here. I'm glad you're real."
He smiled, his expression soft and full of pride. "You've always been stronger than you think, my flower. And now, it's time for you to understand why you're here—and what you must do next."
Even as the tears kept falling, I couldn't help but smile. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I wasn't alone. Like I finally had a piece of the family I'd been searching for.
I took a deep breath, wiping the last of the tears from my face. "How do I save you?" I blurted, my voice steady despite the flood of emotions swirling inside me. "What should I do first? Where do I even start?"
Smokey smiled gently, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Always straight to the point, aren't you?"
I didn't laugh. "I'm serious. I need to know. And… Citrus and Cyra," I added quickly. "Are they… Are they connected to Mortis?"
His smile faltered slightly, his expression becoming thoughtful. "Yes, Sage," he said, his voice quiet but certain. "They are. They were once creatures of light, but Mortis twisted their purpose when he took control. They are bound to his fire now, serving him in ways even they might not fully understand."
I took a step back, my mind reeling. "So they're his creations? Or… were they something else before?"
Smokey reached out, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder. "They were something beautiful once, before Mortis turned them into tools for his chaos. But there is still a spark of what they were. You'll see, in time."
I shook my head, trying to process it all. "So what do I do? How do I even begin to fight someone like him? He took away everything from you. He cursed Xenos. He sent my mom to Earth—"
"Slow down, little flower," Smokey interrupted, his voice as soothing as a calm breeze. "So much like Astrid. She was always full of questions too, never satisfied until she knew every detail."
I felt my chest tighten at the mention of my mom. "Then tell me," I pleaded. "Please. I need to know."
He chuckled softly, a sound full of warmth and reassurance. "I'll answer all your questions, Sage. But one step at a time. If you try to carry the weight of it all at once, it will crush you."
I hesitated, feeling the urgency clawing at my insides. But his calm demeanor grounded me, just enough to nod. "Okay," I said, my voice quieter now. "Then what's the first step?"
Smokey's gaze softened as he placed both hands on my shoulders. "The first step, my flower, is understanding who you are. Truly. And who you are meant to be."
Smokey's hands rested firmly on my shoulders, his tanned face lined with a wisdom that felt centuries old. His pale eyes met mine with an intensity that made me hold my breath.
"The chosen one," he began, his voice deep and steady, "is not just a title, Sage. It is a legacy, a binding role meant to bring balance to this fractured world. You were chosen not by chance, but because of what flows through you—your courage, your compassion, and your unyielding will."
I frowned. "But I don't feel like that. I don't even have magic. I'm just… me."
He smiled warmly. "And that's where you're wrong. The magic within you is not gone, Sage. It's simply waiting. It has been dormant because Mortis feared what you could become. The moment you stepped into this world, the balance began to shift. You carry a power that ties you to nature itself, to the essence of life. The flower you're bound to—it's no mere symbol. It's the source of your connection to everything that grows and thrives."
I swallowed hard, my mind spinning. "But why me? Why not my mom? She was the chosen one before, wasn't she?"
Smokey nodded slowly. "Astrid was chosen, yes, but Mortis's actions disrupted the cycle. He feared her, as he fears you now. He thought by sending her to Earth, he could end the line of chosen ones. But fate has a way of finding its path, Sage. You were born from her bloodline, and through you, the legacy continues."
My chest felt tight. "So what exactly am I supposed to do? Bring balance? Stop Mortis? That sounds… impossible."
"It won't be easy," Smokey admitted. "But it is your destiny. You will need to awaken your powers, fully embrace the bond you share with the natural world, and unite those who still fight for what is right. You are the one who can end Mortis's reign, free the spirits he's imprisoned, and restore the harmony he has shattered."
The weight of his words pressed down on me like a mountain. "But I don't know how to do any of that," I whispered.
Smokey's hands squeezed my shoulders gently. "You won't do it alone. You have allies—Xenos, Alohi, and others who will join your cause. You have your mother's wisdom in your heart, even if she isn't here to guide you. And most importantly, you have me."
I blinked, my eyes stinging with emotion. "But you're trapped. How can you help me?"
"I'm not as powerless as Mortis would like to believe," he said with a sly smile. "Even from this place, I can guide you. When you need me, I will be there. But you must take the first step."
I nodded, even though my mind was still racing. "Okay. First step. What is it?"
"Connect with the flower, Sage. Let it awaken your true potential. Only then will you understand the path ahead."
I took a shaky breath, determination starting to stir in my chest. "I'll do it. Whatever it takes, I'll do it."
Smokey smiled, his expression full of pride. "That's my granddaughter. So much like Astrid. So much like the chosen one you were always meant to be."
I furrowed my brows, stepping back slightly. "Okay, so how do I connect with the flower without fainting and waking up here again? Because that's not exactly productive."
Smokey chuckled warmly, his tanned face crinkling with a mix of amusement and understanding. "Ah, my clever granddaughter. You're thinking ahead, as you should. The Brugmansia flower's essence is potent—it draws you into this realm because it overwhelms your untrained senses. To fully connect with it without succumbing, you'll need to prepare yourself."
"Prepare myself how?" I asked, crossing my arms. "Is there some kind of meditation I'm supposed to do or...?"
"Not quite," Smokey said, his expression growing more serious. "You'll need to build an immunity to a poison that mimics the flower's effects. This process is called Mithridatism."
I blinked. "Mithri-what now?"
"Mithridatism," he repeated patiently. "It's the practice of gradually exposing yourself to small doses of a toxin, allowing your body to adapt and develop resistance. In this case, the toxin you'll need to work with is physostigmine."
"Physostigmine?" I echoed, the word feeling foreign and sharp on my tongue.
Smokey nodded, his pale eyes steady. "It's a compound derived from the Calabar bean. It has properties similar to the Brugmansia flower, albeit much less potent. By carefully exposing yourself to it over time, you'll train your body to resist the effects of the flower's essence."
My stomach twisted uneasily. "So… poison myself on purpose? That doesn't exactly sound safe."
"It's not something to be taken lightly," Smokey admitted. "You'll need guidance and precision—Mr. Edwin can assist you. He knows more about this process than anyone else in your circle. And you'll have to be patient; rushing it could be dangerous."
I let out a long breath, trying to process this new information. "Okay, so I need to build immunity to physostigmine to connect with the flower. And I'll need Mr. Edwin's help for that. Great. Add that to my ever-growing to-do list."
Smokey smiled gently, his hand resting on my shoulder again. "I know it sounds daunting, but you're more capable than you realize, Sage. Take it one step at a time. You're not alone in this."
I nodded slowly, a determined glint sparking in my eyes. "Alright. I'll do it. I'll talk to Mr. Edwin and start this… Mithridatism thing. If it's what I need to do to stop Mortis and save you, then I'm in."
"Good," Smokey said, pride radiating from him. "I knew you'd find your way, Sage. Just remember, this journey isn't about rushing to the finish line. Trust in yourself and those around you, and you'll succeed."
His words felt like a warm weight settling in my chest, grounding me even as the enormity of my mission loomed. I could do this. I had to.
I hesitated, glancing up at Smokey, who was watching me with patient eyes. There was one last thing gnawing at me, something I couldn't leave unanswered. "Before I go... I have one more question."
He tilted his head slightly, his expression softening. "Of course, Sage. Ask whatever is on your mind."
I took a breath, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. "How can I cure Xenos from his curse? The one Mortis placed on him?"
Smokey's gaze darkened slightly, his smile fading. He sighed, his voice filled with quiet understanding. "Ah, Xenos… his burden runs deep. Mortis cursed him with the mark of isolation, ensuring he could never truly connect with another soul."
"Yeah, I figured that much," I said, my voice quieter now. "But there has to be a way to break it. How can I help him?"
Smokey stepped closer, placing both hands on my shoulders. "To free him from the curse, you'll need to use the Brugmansia flower. But not in its whole form—it must be dried and crushed into a fine powder."
I raised an eyebrow. "Okay… and then what?"
"Mix the powder into water," he continued. "But here's the critical part: to complete the remedy, you'll need to add three drops of your own blood, diluted in the mixture. Only then will the potion have the power to sever the curse."
"My blood?" I asked, my heart skipping a beat.
Smokey nodded. "Yes. As the Chosen One, your essence carries a unique connection to the divine and mortal realms. Your blood will bind the potion's power and overwrite the curse's hold on him. He'll need to drink the entire thing for it to take effect."
I swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling over me. "So, dried Brugmansia powder, water, and three drops of my blood. That's it?"
"That's it," Smokey confirmed, his voice steady but gentle. "It will be difficult, both for you and for him, but it is the only way."
I nodded slowly, determination hardening in my chest. "Okay. Thank you, Grandfather. I'll make sure Xenos gets through this."
A warm smile returned to Smokey's face. "I have no doubt you will. You've already begun to prove how strong and resourceful you are, Sage. Trust in yourself, and remember—you are never alone in this."
I took a step back, clutching his words tightly in my heart. "I won't let you down."
As the white space around me began to fade, Smokey's voice echoed one last time, carrying a mixture of love and hope. "I know you won't, my dear Sage. I'm so proud of you."
And then, with a blink, I woke up in my room, the faint scent of Brugmansia lingering in the air.
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