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Neither of us can find words. It takes both her hands to hold it up. Even if we tried to explain its beauty to a person, a stranger to the diamond, we’d never be able to do it justice.
I find myself lost in thought, reflecting on the journey that led us here – the pain, the betrayal, and ultimately, the revelation of our true connection. As the three of us stand in the heart of this ancient cave, surrounded by secrets as old as time itself, I can't help but feel a sense of unity that transcends our past differences.
"Rome's destiny is in our hands," my words melting together with the distant echo of water dripping from the cave walls.
"Together, we will see it fulfilled," Fiero adds, looking up at me.
“Whatever it may be,” Romola finishes. “Come,” she guides us over to the wall at the end of the cave, where Mars left an imprint shaped for the Heart of Italy.
With trembling hands, Romola gives both of us one last fleeting look before placing the diamond in its place.
“It fits perfectly,” Romola gushes, her eyes wild with ecstasy.
A sudden rumble reverberates through the cave, and I instinctively grab Romola's arm. The wall where The Heart of Italy rests begins to crack, fissures snaking across its surface like veins.
"Look!" Fiero exclaims, pointing at the rapidly expanding crevices. As if guided by an unseen hand, the cracks merge to form a doorway, revealing a passage hidden behind the crumbling facade.
"What could it be...?" Romola whispers, her eyes wide with wonder and fear.
"Only one way to find out," I reply, releasing her arm and stepping cautiously towards the threshold. My heart pounds in my chest, fear and exhilaration coursing through my veins.
Together, the three of us cross the threshold and emerge into a world that’s so absurd, so enchanting that it can’t seem real. But it’s clear that tonight isn’t to doubt a single thing. There are truths we know and truths we don’t yet know. We’re discovering the latter.
We step into this realm unlike any we have ever seen. A breathtaking magical forest unfolds before us right in the heart of this cave, its vibrant atmosphere teeming with life. A symphony of birdsong fills the air as countless species flit from branch to branch in a dazzling display of color.
"By the Gods..." Fiero breathes, craning his neck to take in the towering trees that stretch endlessly toward the heavens.
"Is this real?" Romola asks, reaching out to touch the delicate petals of a nearby flower, which seem to shimmer as though spun from the finest silk.
"It seems as real as you and I," I murmur, still struggling to reconcile the scene before me with anything I've experienced in my life. Could this truly be the path to fulfilling Rome's destiny? And if so, what could it mean?
"Come on," Fiero calls excitedly, already forging ahead along a moss-covered path toward the distant roar of a waterfall. "We can't afford to waste any time."
Romola and I exchange a glance, then follow him deeper into the enchanted forest.
"Rome's destiny awaits," I think to myself, following Fiero. And with each step we take, the bond between us – brothers in blood, descendants of Mars – grows stronger, fortified by our shared purpose and the extraordinary journey that lies ahead, whatever it might be.
The sunlight filters through the dense canopy close to the waterfall, casting dappled shadows across the forest floor and dazzling lights in the water. It’s strange, this sunlight. It was still dark out the last time I checked.
But I stop questioning.
Butterflies float by, their wings sending gentle waves of air on our faces.
"Look at this," I say, reaching for a leaf on a nearby tree. There are a million trees like this one. None of them are taller than six feet, each of them blooming with gray flowers unlike any I’ve ever seen before.
Its surface shimmers like liquid silver, a stark contrast to the vivid greens that surround it. As my fingers brush against its cool surface, I feel a tingling sensation spread across my hand. I stare in disbelief as a cut on my palm, sustained earlier during my descent into the cave, begins to close up. Within moments, it's as if the wound never existed.
"Did you just...?" Romola's voice trails off as she gazes at my healed hand.
"Non ci posso credere," Fiero murmurs, his eyes widening with astonishment. "Can it be real?"
"Try it yourself," I urge him, gesturing towards the leaf.
Hesitantly, Fiero reaches out and touches the silver leaf, wincing as he does so. The longer he touches it, the more his expression changes into astonishment. He stares down at his injured foot, which has been causing him pain since he smashed it wherever he smashed it, and suddenly stills.
He bends down and removes the orange plastic, which I now realize must have once been a lifejacket, and another piece of cloth, probably his shirt, that he’s been using as a bandage. As we all stare in amazement, the bloodied gash begins to knit itself back together, leaving no trace of injury behind.
"Madre di Dio," he whispers, taking a step back. "This place truly is magical. Romola,” he says, with the ecstatic joy of a man under scrutiny. “Here,” he plucks off a leaf and places it in her hand.
