THE RING OF REDEMPTION

chapter 10

CHAPTER 7

Tears rolled down Grandma's cheeks as she recalled those painful memories. Darya and Daisy hugged her; they were all crying.

GRANDMA JESSI POV

I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. My only surviving child...

"I was barren for 10 years until the heavens decided to bless me with a child. I could still remember the joy on my husband's face when I broke the news to him that we were expecting a baby girl. How would he have felt if she had died before him?" I wiped my eyes; the tears were obstructing my vision.

"Your parents came to me; they told me everything about this mystical artifact, the Ring. I was doubtful until I saw it with my own eyes. We were living fine, everything was okay. Your father is the best son-in-law to have; I won't deny that. He treasured and respected my daughter, and he also loved his daughter dearly." I turned to look at Darya; I smiled with tears in my eyes.

FLASHBACK

Mr. James Whitethorn and his wife rushed in.

"Mom, we need to leave this city and relocate to Taos, New Mexico, now," Mr. James said.

"Why?" Grandma asked as she removed her glasses.

"Daddy," little Darya hugged her parents.

Mrs. Jane went in and started packing up with some staff assisting her.

Grandma stood up, surprised. Immediately, her daughter (Mrs. Jane) and some staff walked in with heavy bags.

"What's going on?" she asked, looking confused.

"Mom, Ralp is after my life. I overheard him on the phone talking about how he wants the RING for himself and his family. He wants to wipe my family out," Mr. James narrated.

"What? Ralp? Your best friend, someone you were drinking with a few days ago?" Grandma was beyond surprised.

"Yes," James nodded.

They all started packing and sending the luggage to their little house in Taos, New Mexico, to hide there. None of their friends or family knew about that little house.

"Why don't we involve the police?" Grandma asked.

"No, Mom. We can't. If we do, the safety of the RING is at stake," Mrs. Jane added.

"Whatever. I can't trade my family for this so-called mystical Ring," Grandma sat down angrily.

"Mom, we are nothing without it. We are already chosen. We can't reject or say no. Our lives will be miserable without it unless it was taken forcefully from us."

Mr. James (Darya's father) kept the book, the rod in a box, except the RING, of which he was wearing on his finger as the rightful custodian. The RING fit perfectly on his hand.

Unknowingly to them, one of the staff kept the half-filled wine and glass cup James and Ralp drank from together.

"But how did Ralp find out?" Grandma asked.

"We don't know," Mrs. Jane replied.

They successfully packed a lot of their belongings to the little house in Taos, New Mexico, and there were still some important and useful things left to be packed.

Ralp paced from one corner of his mansion to another.

"Ralp, please don't do this; he's your best friend," Ralp's wife pleaded. She was aware of Ralp's mission about to be carried out, but she couldn't stop him. All she could do was plead with him, but it fell on deaf ears.

"Never. James can never be above me; he can't be richer than me," Ralp yelled.

"Ralp, please stop. I know you are a man with a good heart; please don't let greed get a hold of you," she continued pleading.

"I'm doing this for our children."

"What children, Ralp? Do you think if they find out they will be pleased with you? Ralp, you know we have a lot on our plate right now. Our first child, Ronin, is suffering as a result of our actions and decisions. Please don't add more to it."

"He has the necklace to help him."

"For how long?"

"Please, enough, woman," Ralp said and walked out.

PRESENT

GRANDMA JESSI POV

"I watched my daughter and son-in-law murdered right before my eyes. The most painful part was that my little granddaughter witnessed everything," I looked at Darya; she was in tears.

"So, Daisy, tell me. Isn't it enough to hate men?" Darya asked. Daisy nodded.

"I'm sorry for judging you wrongly," Daisy hugged Darya.

"That's all I can say. Darya, all you need to know is in this book."

"Grandma, I have a question," Darya cleaned her eyes.

"Go on."

"What about those staff?" she asked.

"Hmm, they were lucky. We dismissed them before the incident," I answered.

Daisy's phone rang; she sluggishly answered it. It was her mother.

"Hope all is well?" I asked to know if her father was at it again.

"Mom said I can spend the night because my father won't be coming back home today," she replied. I felt relieved.

"I want to have some rest, girls; I'll leave the rest for you to find out in this book," I stood up and went to my room. I couldn't stop crying; my daughter's face flashed before my eyes.

"Those beautiful innocent eyes that bear no grudges. My wonderful son-in-law, a man with a heart of gold. I couldn't even bury your bodies. Ralp, you will definitely pay; it's just a matter of time," I sobbed bitterly.

AUTHOR'S POV

The atmosphere was gloomy; a lot of things were said, a lot of secrets were revealed. Darya and Daisy left for her room with the black box containing the book and the tiny rod. They sat on the bed, from the bed to the floor, and kept changing positions because the book was voluminous.

THE HISTORY OF THE RING OF REDEMPTION

(The creation of the RING OF REDEMPTION)

In the ancient annals of the spirit realm, there existed a time of great turmoil and discord. Darkness threatened to consume all that was good and pure, casting a shadow over the once vibrant lands of the ethereal realm. In the face of this dire threat, five of the greatest spirits of the realm, known for their wisdom, courage, compassion, strength, and wealth came together in a solemn pact to create an artifact of unparalleled power—the Ring of Redemption.

Each of these five spirits brought forth a gift of their essence to imbue the ring with its unique properties. The first, a spirit of boundless wisdom, contributed the knowledge to discern truth from falsehood, to illuminate the path of righteousness amidst the fog of deception.

The second spirit, renowned for their unwavering courage, bestowed upon the ring the strength to withstand the darkest of trials, to embolden the hearts of those who wore it in the face of adversity.

The third spirit, embodying compassion beyond measure, infused the ring with the power to heal wounded souls, to offer solace and comfort to those burdened by the weight of their suffering.

The fourth spirit, whose strength was matched only by their humility, lent their essence to the ring, bestowing upon it the power to unite disparate souls, to forge bonds of fellowship and understanding where once there was division.

The fifth spirit, embodying wealth, poured all of his resources into the Ring.

Together, these five spirits poured their essence into the creation of the Ring of Redemption, weaving together strands of light and shadow, hope and despair, to form a symbol of hope in a world besieged by darkness.

With the completion of the ring, a new era dawned in the spirit realm—a time of renewal and redemption, where even the darkest of souls could find solace in its light. And though the challenges that lay ahead were many, the spirits took comfort in the knowledge that the ring would endure as a testament to their unity, their courage, and their unwavering commitment to the cause of good

THOUSANDS YEARS LATER AFTER THE CREATION OF THE RING

In the depths of the spirit world, where light and shadow danced in eternal conflict, the Ring of Redemption gleamed with a radiance that stirred both awe and envy among the inhabitants. Legends whispered of its power to banish darkness and restore harmony to fractured souls.

Yet, beyond the ethereal veil, whispers grew louder, echoing the insatiable thirst of malevolent spirits for the ring's power. Their desire, a poison that tainted the very essence of the spirit world, threatened to tip the delicate balance between good and evil.

In a daring move, a group of courageous spirits, led by the noble Guardian of Light, made a solemn vow to safeguard the ring at any cost. With the weight of their purpose heavy upon them, they devised a plan to ensure the ring's protection.

Under the cloak of twilight, as shadows slithered and moonbeams danced, the Guardian of Light embarked on a perilous journey. With each step, they braved the treacherous paths of the spirit realm, eluding the watchful eyes of the envious spirits who hungered for the ring's power.

Guided by ancient wisdom and unwavering resolve, the Guardian of Light traversed the ethereal landscapes, crossing realms unseen by mortal eyes. Their quest led them to the edge of existence itself, where the boundary between spirit and mortal blurred.

In a moment of profound reckoning, the Guardian of Light made a fateful decision. With a whispered prayer and a heart heavy with purpose, they entrusted the ring to the care of a humble yet noble king in the human world. A monarch whose power lay not in conquest, but in compassion. A ruler whose strength was tempered by humility and kindness.

And so, the ring passed from the ethereal realms into the hands of mortals, becoming a beacon of hope in a world shrouded in darkness. Its journey from the spirit world to the human race marked a pivotal moment in the cosmic tapestry, where destiny and courage intertwined to shape the fate of both realms

Despite the ring finding refuge in the hands of a humble and noble king in the human world, the malevolent spirits refused to relent. Their desire twisted and gnarled like thorny vines, entangling the fabric of reality as they sought to reclaim what they believed to be rightfully theirs.

Driven by their insatiable greed, the evil spirits devised cunning schemes and nefarious plots to breach the barrier between worlds. They whispered lies and planted seeds of doubt in the hearts of mortals, manipulating them like pawns on a chessboard in their relentless quest for the ring.

And so, the struggle continued, a timeless battle between light and shadow, hope and despair. But in the heart of even the deepest darkness, there remained a flicker of light, a spark of redemption that refused to be extinguished. And as long as that flame endured, so too would the hope of victory, for the Ring of Redemption was more than just a mere trinket—it was a symbol of the indomitable spirit of humanity, a beacon of hope in a world plagued by darkness.

Darya and Daisy were captivated by the book, their fatigue forgotten. Little did they realize, the world within its pages held depths beyond their understanding