Chapter 14: Entering Sanctuary
1049 Words
Chapter 14: Desmond's POV
Taking in the view of the beautiful windows, I strode down a few banks of birthstones and into the gated garden. As I walked into the garden, I was enveloped in a sea of flowers. Nothing but vines and flowers were lapping each other from the ceiling to the floor. I walked into the garden and took a left towards the twin garden, which houses the birthstones of my brother and me. Just as I turned the corner and was fearing the worst-case scenario that happened to my twin, I saw his back come into view, and he was chanting something I could not make out. As he finished the chant, he set down something and sprinkled something over my birthstone. I watched as it glowed and felt a sudden rush of energy and power. My senses felt even more heightened than before. He turned around, and when he saw me, his face softened, and he smiled as he said, "Brother, you're just in time! Come over quickly, and I will be done." he looked like it was a success. I strode over to him, and he handed me the chalice from earlier. He looked at me quickly and said, "You were born first, so you must drink first, and then I will drink." He was being cheeky. I smiled at Dante, drank two big gulps of blood from the chalice, and quickly handed the chalice over to Dante. A surge of electricity and fire surged through my body. It was nearly overwhelming. My vision became hazy when Dante said, "Hey, I need you to put your hand on both of our birthstones." I looked at Dante and nodded even as I grimaced from my headache. I placed one hand on my birthstone and the other on Dante's.
There was no denying I had power pouring into me. I could feel it drowning me, meaning that Dante's plan worked. I barely remember what happened after I touched our birthstones. I tried to wake up. I tried to fight the exhausted feeling that came with the power that came into my body. I was shaking and coughing violently when I finally sat up and opened my eyes. I was in Dante's room as I scanned the area around me. I finally heard the faint sound of the shower running. I sighed and relaxed. I looked around again and noticed that it had only been half the time, I thought, which meant I was only knocked out for twenty minutes. I was trying to piece together what exactly happened after I had put my hands on the birthstones. Dante took me back to his room. That much was evident, which meant that Dante was coherent enough to carry me here.
The bathroom door clicked and opened gracefully as my brother appeared in the doorway. He has on his black slacks and royal blue dress shoes. He was shirtless with a towel over his head as he massaged the towel into his wet hair. He looked at me, and his features became bright as he saw me sitting up. "Oh, thank goodness you are well. How are you feeling?" Dante walked quickly to the bedside and handed me a pin. I looked at it and saw an owl perched inside a tree. The owl seemed wise and all-knowing. I smiled and looked at Dante. "Thank you for always taking good care of me," I said to Dante as he was getting ready to get out of bed. I also swung my legs over as I took off my shirt. I asked. "By the way, I cannot remember anything after I placed my hands on the birthstones. Can you tell me what happened?" I inquired about the events that seemed wiped from my memory.
Dante reached for his white undershirt and his navy blue blazer. As he slid into his button-up, he looked down before making eye contact and spoke slowly, "You did the chant perfectly. You said that you were feeling a lot of power. I remember you said that it hurt, and then you felt dizzy. I carried you back here when you fell, but I was also dealing with some of my experiences." Dante looked a bit ruffled as he ran a hand through his hair. I looked closer at Dante's appearance and saw that he had bags under his eyes; they were red-rimmed, and his hair was messier than it was during breakfast. His handsome face looked pale and exhausted. No wonder he took a shower to freshen up. I remembered I should do the same, so I quickly walked to the bathroom where Dante had come from and quickly showered. After a few minutes, I emerged from the bathroom with some of Dante's spare slacks and undershirt. I even dug through his closet and found a pair of rose-red dress shoes that were pretty polished. I was thankful that he always had spare clothes for me growing up. I am grateful to have a brother who always looks out for me.
Dante was standing in front of the mirror. He was combing his hair, lost in thought. I started to wonder if he ever talks to his Menyaka. "Dante, do you ever talk to KumugWe? You always look lost in thought, but not in the same way that Menyakas look lost in thought when talking to their other half." I questioned Dante casually, wanting to know if he ever speaks with his Menyaka the way I do with mine. I knew there was something different about Dante's Menyaka, but besides his pattern and coloring, I do not know precisely what makes him unique or special to the gods. "What role does my brother play in our destinies that he holds such strange powers?" As I wondered what this extraordinary power Dante possesses, I heard my brother's low chuckle come from beside me. "Des, do you ever talk to your Menyaka? I do not know what it feels like for others, but it is quite difficult for me to speak on my own." He hissed as if he was enduring some pain. I frowned and wondered what his experience with a Menyaka was. He continued without looking in my direction, fixing his hair and blazer.
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