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Now according to the Suda, it stated that Aristeas, had the power to detach his soul from his physical form and enter a new one. This was said to have first happened after Aristeas had entered a fuller's shop. Moments later and he suddenly dropped dead on the floor, causing the shop owner to shut the shop before telling his family what had happened. The report of the death spread throughout the town, but it was a death that was soon contradicted when a Cyzicenian traveller arrived from Artaca. He said that he had met Aristeas on his road to Cyzicus and had just not long ago spoken with him. The shop owner obviously denied this claim and encouraged the traveller to proceeded to his shop to see the body for themselves. However, the moment the shop was opened, Aristeas’ body was nowhere to be found, either dead or alive.
But like I said, this was only the beginning of the story, as seven years later, Aristeas reappeared, and he continued to do so throughout the years. However, it was during one of these reappearances that the book spoke about a poem he had written. One that described in detail of a place known as Hyperborea. But there were only accounts of it being written as the poem was lost almost as soon ink graced paper. A poem that, if the book was right, held the key I needed, for it spoke of how he entered the realm.
Of course, the book also said that even two hundred and forty years after his death, Aristeas was still reappearing. One example of this was when he was seen in Metapontum, situated in southern Italy. He apparently commanded that a statue of himself be made along with a new altar dedicated to the God Apollo. A God who he had claimed to have been travelling with since his death in the form of a sacred raven.
“A raven,”I muttered, and the second I did a curious thing happened as the door to the Janus Temple suddenly opened and the same words were heard once more whispering from beyond it,
‘Aristeas in which you seek, find the Raven behind the door and we will speak…’
“Okay, so I will play along,” I said to myself as I shut the book, set it aside, and made my way over to the fireplace. I also found myself even more thankful that I was still alone so there was no one around to talk me out of this next chapter of craziness.
But I was getting desperate to rid myself of this curse, so I didn't question it, nor was I going to think back on the last time I did this only to discover how I had been fooled by Lucius’s crazed ex-wife.
I also didn't know what it was exactly, but I just had feeling that I was meant to do this. That this was part of the Fates’ plan, and that voice now was one I could trust. So, I let it lure me in, as if I was now listening to music from afar and the closer I got, the clearer those notes became. Because foreign words started to replace those that had first drawn me from sleep and to the library. Turning now into the most beautiful melody, and one I couldn't seem to get enough of. Like there was a whole Symphony inside the Temple playing a song that connected directly to my soul. One that could not be ignored.
So, I stepped through the opening inside the fireplace and answered its call with my actions. And just like last time, I was in total awe by the sight that met my eyes. The colossal space filled with endless possibilities behind each doorway, it was truly astounding to know how many realms and hidden worlds there were. How many places each door would lead to. How many prophecies lay in wait of but a single soul to step through the threshold, just like I was about to now.
Despite Lucius wanting to believe my dreams would one day fade away, I knew the truth. Because I had once believed my own prophecy had been fulfilled, but what if I was wrong?
Perhaps this was only the first chapter of a new one. One that started right here and right now. So, I continued on, now following the path that the song led me to. The gentle hum of foreign words I didn't understand like a spell I welcomed to be cast upon me.
I tried not to let myself be distracted by each door I passed. Be it, doors with their shattered glass or nothing but twisted roots reminding me of the Tree of Souls. There were some that didn't even look like doors at all, covered in paper flowers made from the pages of torn books. Ones of jagged metal, or melting plastic, whatever it may be, each told a story without a title I could read.
Because almost all of them held some sort of symbol, whether it be on a keystone above or some hidden symbol forcing my eyes to scan each door to see if I could find them all. It wasn't surprising that I couldn't find every one but nevertheless, it kept my mind occupied as I tried. My father's vault hadn't been too far away from his own door that led straight into Afterlife. But one look back to see how far I had travelled, and I realized it was most likely too far to be safe as I could no longer see it.
Again, this should have frightened me, or at least made me ill at ease, but I wasn't. Maybe it was foolish to trust this feeling so much, but I no longer cared. Because that's what happened when you gained as much power as I had done on that battlefield. You felt more invincible, as though nothing could touch you. Once again, it might have been foolish to believe this but then again, I had always been brave and reckless. Although, now having more power to face my enemies with wasn’t ever going to help quell that particular quality in my personality. Much to Lucius's dismay.
However, the moment the magical chanting sound stopped, so did I, knowing this time I was to face the door my trusting footsteps had brought me to.
“Can it be?” I questioned aloud as I looked up at an exquisite white door calved out of what looked like bleached wood… One that held a white raven at its centre. But its origins I instantly recognized and were easy to see after spending time there myself. Which was why I reached out and ran my fingers along the outline of the raven, knowing this was the clue. This action caused the elvish writing adorning the wooden frame to shimmer. Then the words started to glow a brighter white as if my touch had powered them. After this, they started to move, now spinning faster and faster before the light was so bright, I had no choice but to shield my eyes.
However, when I saw the bright glare disappear, I removed my arm and finally was given time to make out more details, as the door had changed into a simple wooden door. It was as if a glamour of some sort had just been lifted. So, I did the only thing I could think to do, seeing as it was a door without any handles.
I knocked.
“Should I have done it three times?” I asked aloud when nothing happened. However, it was as if I just needed to allow time for someone to answer it. As suddenly the door opened and the very last person I ever expected to see today was now standing there.
This making me shout…
“Vena!”
26
ANCIENT THREADS TO PULL
“Vena!” I shouted the moment I saw her waiting for me, standing in her own family’s library, one that was like something out of a fairytale. And speaking of fairytales, Vena, as usual, was dressed like some fair maiden and was still one of the cutest girls I had ever seen. Her dark, pink coloured, medieval style dress matched her hair perfectly, although it was clear that she had tried to tame the wild mass of dark waves into twists pinned at the back of her head. The point of her ears could be seen poking through the deep purple strands that eventually turned from raspberry red to pastel pinks at the tips.
But her big dark eyes that matched her hair, widened in excitement before she threw herself into my arms.
“Amelia!” she shouted in an emotional voice as it was clear she was happy to see me. I had to try not to laugh when I noticed the coloured splats on her dress as it was clear she had been painting recently.
“I wasn't sure you'd come… I mean, she said you would, and if anybody knew you would then it would be the Oracle of light… I missed you so much, it's been awfully droll here without you! And my brother said that you won the war?” All of this came out in a barrage of words, and I couldn't help but laugh.
“We did win the war, yes, but we have so much to catch up on and I have to say, I'm so glad to see you again, my friend. I have missed you… I have missed our talks,” I told her, making her beam at me again, her already rosy cheeks deepening in colour.
“As have I, dear friend.”
“The only problem I have is that I don’t know how much time I have here,” I confessed, knowing that if Lucius found me gone, he would be manic, and I didn’t want to do that to him. Not after last time.
