Whispers from the Deeps

CHAPATER 3: THROUGH THE VIEL OF VERILIA

I was awakened because of my mother's voice. She called out to me to prepare as we were now moving to Verilia. I set aside all the fear and confusion. Since I will now be stepping into a new environment, I will try to discover the answer myself.

I realize that my parents have now done what was best for me, and I am thankful for the opportunity that they were the ones who raised me.

"Are you ready?" Mother asked and I nodded. She hugged me tight and caressed my back. I felt a warm touch on my heart. I was blessed to have them by my side, and they never failed to do good to me.

Father opened the trunk and placed my things. I sat on the back seat and stared out the window. Like what I read in the fantasy book, we traveled beyond the forest. It was a never-ending scene of tall trees and a peaceful highway.

We have been traveling for about 30 minutes now.

My father kept staring at me in the mirror, and he was smiling whenever I gazed at him. I smiled back, and I could see how much effort they were making to help me accept the new environment.

We arrived at the end of the mountain. It was wide, and the plains were green. It feels magical to have been in this kind of mysterious place. I was confused because I saw nothing but beautiful scenery.

"This was the entrance to Verilia." Father started as we began walking at the dead end. A strong wind came before, and it was very cold. I started embracing myself as my father was leading us down the way.

"But I cannot see any way, Dad?" I asked. He chuckled and touched the air. I was amazed as his right hand became invisible.

"It was built this way. Only those who belong to Virelia are the ones who can pass through this dimension. It was a portal that connects the earth to Virellia." He explained and I nodded my head in response.

Mother held my hand as we entered the portal. A strong force pulled me, making me feel dizzy. It felt quick and second when I opened my eyes and found a magical gateway. It was golden and huge, like a three-story house.

There is a shimmering glitter of light at every end of the lines. The top was marked in shape and I could see unfamiliar writing. I was surprised that there was a star-like flower engraved on it. I have seen this in our storage room, even in my dreams it was present.

"Orthnithogalum Umbellatum." Mother stated when she noticed me looking at the image.

"What did that mean? I always see that in my dream?" I saw how my parents looked at each other as if they were communicating.

"How many times have you dreamed about it?" Father asked mysteriously.

"If I am not mistaken, I think it was twice already." They smiled at me and gave me an assuring look that it was okay.

"That flower shaped like a star is what we call in English the Star of Bethlehem. It was a part of the Christian tradition where they see this as a guide to the three wise men." Mother explained in detail.

"But this is what we symbolize our world. We believe that the light will guide us to a peaceful and prosperous world." She added.

After a short talk, my father uttered a chant using an unfamiliar language. Suddenly, the gate opened and light enclosed the surroundings. Then a paradise flashed before my eyes. I can see plants in the surroundings where flowers bloom everywhere.

There was a glowing-stoned path ahead. On the sides of the path are standing crystal spires.

The air feels alive, carrying a gentle hum as if the place is whispering. Glowing vines beside the fountains were magical and mysterious. As I stood in awe of the place, it felt familiar even if I had never been there before.

A lady with a glowing baby blue dress approached us,

"I see you brought her here." The lady told my father as she gazed at me. Her eyes are not like an ordinary iris. It was blue and speaking. The more you dig into it, it feels like you are drowning in her world.

"Yes, It's time," Father said firmly.

After that encounter, we are led into a town of people. It was a place where there were buildings built of crystal. If I could take one crystal, and sell it on earth, I could be rich.

My parents led me to a room where everything was crystal clear.

"This night, you will stay here. Tomorrow we will bring you to Nexus. You will start training there." Mother was sure her words would reach my soul. I can feel her warmth in my heart.

"How are you feeling?" My mother stared as he gave me an assuring smile.

I smiled back at them and my eyes started to well up.

"Thank you for being with me for years." I cried to them. That night, I became emotional as I was talking with my parents.

I woke up with a heavy feeling. At first, I thought it was just a dream and I panicked when I saw an unfamiliar room. But minutes later I remembered where I was. A place of unfamiliarity.

Later that day, I found myself bidding goodbye to my loved ones. I stared at everyone around me. I was introduced to a group of people. This was an academy where magic and skills were enhanced. I found this place unbelievable because Nexus was located on a floating land.

"Xiara will be your new classmate starting today." One of the mentors said. Students were standing in front of me and I could sense a strong energy from them. Some were smiling at me and others were eyeing me with curiosity, perhaps wondering what kind of person I was.

As I stood there, I could feel expectation and energy swirling around me, almost present in the air. I feel nervous thinking that I was not like them. I do not have power.

"May I know what power you have?" A voice echoed in front. It was a lady smiling at me. She crossed her arms waiting for my response.

I did not know what to say because I knew I possessed nothing.

Seconds passed and I could not say anything.

"She came here to train and unlock her powers. So I hope that all of us will understand." The mentor said ending the conversation.

All of them stopped their gaze on me and focused on the mentor.

"Now, let us continue with our first lesson. It would be about the history of our world." The mentor stated.

"It all began in the past when the four continents were at their peak and were getting along.." The mentor continued. I was serious in understanding the lesson when someone whispered beside me.

"Hey, what does the outside world look like?" I glanced at that voice and found a lady wearing a red cloth and smiling at me. She had bright skin and her hair was tied in a bun. She was beautiful, especially with her pinkish cheeks.

I felt like she was a good person and I smiled back.

"It was full of evil," I whispered and she laughed. Thankfully, it was like a whisper, so we were not able to disrupt the class.

"Seriously, is that the only thing you can say about it?" She was smiling and challenging me to say more about it.

"I have never been in that world," she added, feeling sad about it.

"It was normal only that people do not have powers. Instead of natural scenery, there were tall infrastructures." I described to her how the earth was a simple world.

After a small talk with her, I found out that her name was Loira. She was from Luminara and can use light as a medicine.

The mentor challenged one student to show the memories of Virelia through an ancient dried leaf. She said that this shows one of the past of the Nexus.

She called the name Zarek, and then he stood. Everyone was silent because of his intimidating presence. He was tall and mysterious with his black coat.

All the attention was on him as he stood in front confidently. He was like Loira with fair skin.

"Are you ready?" The mentor asked and he just nodded in response.

He held the leaf and suddenly the place was covered with dark smoke. It was a heavy atmosphere and his eyes were gray, making him more look beautiful. A light shone on the leaf and a hologram appeared. It was like what was at home when Father showed Verilia. Voices were talking in chorus. Darkness was seen in the image.

It was a terrible image where shadows were killing people and fighting those who tried to shove them away. The place changed. A man hid a scroll in a chest. Then, the shadows were after him and killed him brutally. Thankfully, they did not find the scroll.

I feel mad at it and sad at the same time. Suddenly, the background changes and shows the building of Nexus.

After a while, the place was lit up again.

Zarek's eyes were normal again. I was staring at him in awe when he looked my way. I met him in the eyes, and he smirked at me. I focused my eyes on the mentor when he went back ti his seat.

I felt his presence seemed familiar and, at the same time, he seemed arrogant. I just shrugged my shoulders.

"He's a jerk," Loira said and laughed.

I just didn't mind that.

It was a tiring day when I went home. I lay on my bed and found myself in a deep sleep.