章節 75: 35. Another Day Of The Sun.
It had been a few days since Mariella woke up. She had slept with Charles for 20 hours and it had been so wonderful. Damon had returned from the shop and had made some lovely thick chicken soup for her, recovery food and she felt his love all the time. Mimi had been doing her own thing and not been around that much.
She was still so damn weak and Damon helped her to the bathroom, not letting her just lay on the bed but telling her that the best way for her to get better was trying to keep active, as much as possible. It was not so fun, but she understood the reason had it and tried her best. But then again, her strength was pretty soon worn out, and she needed a nap or proper sleep with Damon or Charles.
She was beyond frustrated because her weakness meant that she had no stamina to have any kind of sex and she knew that her lust would not benefit the gentle lovemaking that she was up to. So no sex and she was bitter when she thought about all of those times that Damon told her about when Adam and Charles had fucked Mimi in shape. That was not possible for her. Besides, Damon was quite damn protective of her, not letting Charles spend too much time with her.
She once again woke up, not sure of what, and it took time for her to get her eyes open. Adam was standing next to her bed, trying to get her awake.
Mariella said, "I am awake, what it is?"
Adam gulped and said, "Well, something has happened and you need to dress yourself and we need to go outside."
She was not sure about what was going on, but Adam helped her to dress herself, and she leaned to Adam as they teleported outside. The rest of the pack was there.
As Mariella and Adam came outside, I sighed. This was not something that I had any experience with at all. Outside of the protective bubble, were standing six people. Three wizards and three vampires. The current elders of both factions and now Damon had to go through his wizard's testing.
This would not be easy for him and he could get a companion on these tests, meaning someone who he could use as a battery, someone who might help him, sometimes. Now, if Mariella had been healthy, this would not be a brainer, but she was not fine. She was pale, barely able to stand, but these required the first entire pack to be present when this choice was made.
I stood beside Damon, my heart racing with anticipation. The weather was summery, but this was an actual situation, the air heavy with tension. As the alpha pair of our pack, we faced the six elders, three vampires, and three wizards, their eyes scrutinizing our every move. Damon's grip tightened on my hand, and I could feel the heat of his touch. I maintained a neutral expression, hiding any hint of the tension between us.
Mariella stood beside Charles, his powerful arm draped over her shoulders, offering support. The air fell silent as the eldest vampire began to speak.
His voice was deep and commanding, echoing through the room. "We are here today to inform you, Damon Salvatore, that the time has come for you to undergo testing on your magical skills as a wizard and as a vampire. This is mandatory. Otherwise, your magic will be forcefully stripped from you and your pack."
Damon nodded confidently, his voice steady as he accepted the challenge. "I accept. I am ready."
The oldest wizard then stepped forward, his wise eyes fixed on Damon. "You will face five tests. The first will measure your soul, the second your darkness, the third will test your love, the fourth your purity, and the last test will assess your immortal spirit."
Damon nodded in understanding, his determination clear.
The second wizard spoke next, emphasizing the importance of choosing a companion. "You may have one companion by your side. It can be your love, your loyal companion, or you can face these tests alone. Having a companion is not mandatory, but choose wisely. Their devotion and trust in you will be tested just as much as your own."
Damon remained silent, contemplating his decision. I couldn't help but wonder if he would choose anyone at all. The most obvious choice would have been Mariella. Damon was quite a complex man. He was proud and strong-willed, but Mariella, though capable, was not in the best shape for this ordeal.
I managed to keep my expression neutral as Damon finally spoke, his voice clear and resolute. "I choose my first wife, Mimi, to be my loyal companion in these tests. She is my choice."
I was not the best choice and this would not be easy for me, not at all, as I was not a magical creature. We had our problems and troubles. That year had broken us down even so. He chose me. I just hoped that I could be of any use to him. I could feel Mariella's gaze on my back. She was almost telling to me get him back home in good condition.
My alpha side recognized the importance of this choice too, she was determined to help our alpha male as much as possible and it was my almost factory setting too, giving others everything that they would need, I was not important, only Damon and this test was now my focus.
The oldest wizard turned his gaze towards me, and I felt his scrutinizing eyes pierce through my very soul. It was as if he could see all my flaws and imperfections. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded, acknowledging my role as Damon's chosen companion.
He said in a calm voice, "Very well. You will be transported to the location."
This was it. I had no idea what Damon would have to go through or where I would end up. I could hear a faint humming sound in the background, adding an eerie atmosphere to the space. The stark difference between summer outside and this choice. We were about to move.
"There you, Damon, will begin your trials," he continued. The air suddenly had a musty smell, like old books left untouched for years. "And your companion will be in her quarters," he added.
I could feel a sense of anticipation building in us.
"You may ask for her five times during these tests, one hour at a time," he explained.
I could almost hear the creaking of the wooden floor beneath my feet as I shifted my weight. Even I was still standing on the lawn in front of our house.
"So think always when you need her." The air felt charged with energy, making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. "You may use her powers via your bond and these special pendants that both of you will wear during the trials."
The pendants glimmered in the light, reflecting a soft, ethereal glow. Damon took the pendant and put it on me and then put one on himself, too. It felt heavy and cold against my skin.
Damon's voice echoed in my mind, filled with uncertainty, "I hope, Mimi, that I made the right choice here and you can be useful to me."
I remained silent, hoping for the same thing. The surrounding air seemed to vibrate with anticipation, as if it was holding its breath.
As an unwilling siphon, I had a kind of panel in my mind. I could use them to control how much I would hoard energies around me. Now was the time to load me up. I had let my panels be open, allowing energy to flow freely through me. Tanks filled with various energies formed in my mind, their vibrant colors swirling and mixing. Tanks were forming in my mind rapid pace and this would be a trial by fire too. Even the elders seemed to notice, and one of them smiled approvingly. The scent of power hung in the air, a heady mix of different energies. I could feel the scar on my palm tingling as if it was awakening.
Our bond as mated vampires pulsed with intensity, connecting us on a profound level. Now was not the time for restraint. I allowed my vampire powers to surge to the surface, feeling Damon eagerly absorbing the energy. The air shimmered momentarily as thick smoke enveloped us, carrying us to the unknown location of the tests. The air smelled faintly of burnt wood and charred earth.
As he arrived, Damon found himself in a vast room within an ancient castle. The room was adorned with crumbling tapestries and faded paintings, their colors muted by time. The air was chilly, causing a shiver to run down his spine, but as an energy creature, he was able to maintain his body temperature effortlessly. His senses sharpened, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him.
Mimi would stand by his side, ready to serve as both a power source and a source of sustenance if needed. Wherever she might be. The weight of their bond was palpable, filling him with a sense of trust and faith. Love and emotions were set aside for now, as they focused on the task at hand. Mimi's unwavering belief in him flooded his being, providing a much-needed boost of confidence. Good.
It was a surreal sight as Damon stood in the ancient, magical building. His upper body was exposed, clad only in loose pants. The structure itself exuded an aura of age, its stone walls seeming to whisper secrets of the past. The air was heavy with anticipation, the room filled with potent energies. Damon could feel the weight of the upcoming test, whatever it may be, and he was prepared.
Suddenly, three wizard elders entered the room, their dark blue robes billowing around them. Damon couldn't help but wonder about the fabric they were made of. Bowing respectfully, he awaited their instructions. One of the elders stepped forward, his voice commanding attention.
"Now, it is time for the first test," he declared. "The test of the wizard's soul. Emotions hold immense power, especially those that originate from within. Before you lie white stones. Your task is to use your soul and impart something true upon these stones. But be warned, it must be genuine. You will relive it fully, as if experiencing it anew. Your soul will be tested. Can you bear the weight? Can you handle the flood of emotions and memories that will be unleashed? We will evaluate each stone, experiencing what you have experienced. Impress us, show us your strength, your nobility, and the worthiness of your powers. Stay true to yourself. Reflect on who you are, what you are, and then reveal it to us."
As if on cue, about a hundred pure white stones materialized on the table before the wizards.
"You may begin," one of the elders announced. "Each time a stone is filled, it will change color, and we will study it."
Damon's fingers curled around the smooth stone, its icy touch sending shivers down his spine. The weight pressed down on his palms, reminding him of the burden he carried. His soul was filled with an abundance of materials, a testament to his thousand-year existence and the dark path he had walked.
He decided to start from the beginning, to show them who he was. Who he had been. It was logical like that. To let them know him fully.
As memories flooded his mind, Damon recalled the distant past when he was turned into a vampire. Over a thousand years ago. Things had been so different back then. His youth had vanished, erased by his parents' magic, leaving only fragments of his earliest recollections.
He had had no idea that his parents had been wizard and witch, black ones. His first coherent memories began at ten, marked by his parents' disappointment in his brother Stefan. Stefan had been nothing more than a child when he left his family behind, drifting aimlessly from one place to another until he encountered her.
He had left home just about 15 or so. He was not sure of his age as there were no birthdays or birth certificates at that time. One regret that had burned his soul for so long was the fact he had left Stefan at the mercy of their parents. They had corrupted him against his own brother.
It had been like faith that women controlled his life for so damn long. Not Katherine, but Annaliese, a statuesque redhead slightly older than him. Intrigued by her singleness, Damon found himself drawn to her. At first, she appeared perfect, showering him with compliments and engaging conversations.
Soon, he found himself living in her house; the mornings plagued by an unexplainable weariness. Annaliese would bring him sumptuous meals, always accompanied by the rich aroma of red wine. Oblivious to the impending danger, Damon's senses dulled until the day he awoke, the searing sun assaulting his eyes, his fangs throbbing with an insatiable thirst for blood.
By his bedside, Annaliese sat, her boredom palpable as she commanded a servant girl into the room. Damon's instincts took over, and without hesitation, he pounced on the young girl, draining her life force. At that moment, he became a beast, but it was then that Annaliese revealed her true colors.
As Damon placed the now blackened stone on the table, he noticed a pair of wizards nearby, discussing another vampire story with disinterest. Surprised, Damon wondered if there were other wizard vampires like him. Dismissing their boredom, he reached for the next stone, his thoughts turning to Katherine.
She had once been a servant in Annaliese's household, and it was Damon who had turned her into a vampire, Annaliese's wishes. Annaliese, being his sire, had ordered him not to kill Katherine. She had been a star pupil in Annaliese's tutelage. How to be the ultimate vampire bitch. Being caught between the whims of two deranged vampires had been far from pleasant.
Once again, the room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the stones casting an ethereal light. The air was heavy with anticipation as Damon stood before the wizards, his hand throbbing with each beat of his heart. The room seemed to pulse with energy. His hand reminded him of his choice. Maybe he should show to them him and Mimi.
He closed his eyes, and a rush of memories flooded his mind. Grasping again one cold stone in his grip, he let the memory come forth. He could almost smell the faint scent of Mimi's perfume, a delicate floral fragrance that always lingered in his memory. The sound of his heart pounding in his chest seemed to grow louder as he recalled their wedding day, the joy and excitement palpable.
But these were not ordinary vampire weddings. No, they were their first flank weddings, carefully planned and meticulously executed. Damon had poured his heart and soul into every detail, preparing the flanks and making his dream a reality. The stones began to shimmer, their once dull surfaces transforming into a deep crimson, catching the attention of the wizards.
They leaned in, their curiosity piqued, as Damon continued to share memories made with Mimi. The stones changed again, now a vibrant violet, as he delved into the painful recollection of the week Mimi had died. The wizards were captivated, their expressions filled with awe. This had been the worst time of his life. It really had.
Yet, as Damon relived those agonizing moments, his heart ached, the pain as fresh as if it had just happened. It was like he was again holding her lifeless body in his arms, feeling the cold stiffness, the whole week. And thought that he should make choices about her burial. That anguish burned in his soul, and then witnessing her choice, her recovery - it was a journey of anguish and redemption. All stone absorbed these memories, carrying the weight of his past.
And then he knew what was coming next. The year that had tested their love, was the year of betrayal and regret. The year that had killed their bond. How could he go through it again? But he knew it was necessary, so he steeled himself, his soul steady as he recounted the events, stone after stone filling with the darkness of that time.
The wizards looked on, disbelief etched across their faces. They saw the blackness in his soul, the mistakes and cruelty he had inflicted upon Mimi. He felt a deep sense of shame, realizing he had no right to expect her love. How he left her in the hands of Damien, shook his hand. He felt his spirits sinking, until a surge of love washed over him through their bond, giving him strength.
He couldn't comprehend how Mimi could still love him after everything he had done. But he poured his deepest emotions into the stones, each one carrying the weight of his past transgressions. The memories haunted him, a constant reminder of his actions and the suffering he had caused.
As he stood there, questioning his decision to involve Mimi in his quest for power, he couldn't deny the depth of his love for her. It endured, despite his flaws and the pain he had caused.
Damon let out a heavy sigh, the weight of his emotions pressing down on him. The stones, all but one, gleamed with a sense of completeness. The wizards surrounding him watched in awe as they examined each stone, feeling and witnessing the remnants of his love, the shattered fragments of their once unbreakable bond.
With only one stone remaining, Damon poured his heart into it, hoping to find solace in his cherished memories. As he recalled the joy of his first proposal, the genuine affection Mimi had shown him, and their most cherished moments together, the last stone transformed into a deep, passionate red, radiating the color of love itself. The first test was complete, proving the depth of his soul.
The eldest wizard stepped forward, refraining from touching the stone but speaking with authority, "To possess a love so powerful, even in the face of destruction, signifies the true essence of a mighty wizard. Your love for her belongs solely to you, not to us. You may keep that stone. Let it be your source of strength."
With a nod from the wizards, the door swung open, signaling the start of the next test. Damon stood resolute, his soul laid bare, the burning pain within him still ablaze.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票