Crossing the portal

While returning to the throne room, Marcus couldn´t stop looking around the corridors he went through. As both were walking at a slower pace, he was able to appreciate the details of his surroundings: smaller sculptures of different types of females, beasts, fine furniture, among other things.

When they arrived, Marcus felt that the room was warmed. As he was searching for the source, his eyes spotted 17 chimneys. Each of them had a different face at the top edge unfortunately he couldn´t tell if they were female or male. But what astonished him was that they didn´t required wood to function so he couldn´t help to wonder how it was possible.

"It´s a type of magic spell that was applied to them" said Zia as she saw his questioning face.

"Magic spell?" he asked.

"Yes. In the universe there are different types of energies: mana, qi, astral, and others. But in your planet those energies don´t exist as for the reason I don't know."

"In your case as I told you before, I was awakened but couldn't do anything beside seeing how you live. However, when your sister sacrificed herself for you, I gave you some of my power right? But at the same time the gate that was in the front of your heart crumble and I was able to enter your heart. Why? From a theoretical reason and with my past experiences, that would be impossible. As your heart turned black from my powers, that gray aura appeared with an erupting violence. From it I felt a familiar aura for a moment before it turned into one that I started to feel a tyrannical fear. What it was I don´t know.

As I moved into your heart, those chains and seals starting to shine and my guess was that they were placed in order to seal that aura because once they shined, the tyrannical aura was suppressed. But at the same time the other three gates were shaking with a lot of force. Unfortunately, that was all and I didn´t feel anything from them. I can infer that the front door collapsed when you felt into despair, hate and pain." Explained Zia while they stood in front a chimney.

"Mnnn, well I guess we can´t do anything about it. However, I still have some questions: why is that you saved my soul? How do you know that this castle is of your family and more importantly what I´m going to do now? Stay here with you?" Marcus asked.

"Hahaha, your second question is a fool one but it´s quite interesting you say that this belonged to my family. It´s true that I can affirm that this belongs to them, but when I arrived here after leaving my first host, I had a feeling that I had spent a lot of time here. In fact, I don´t recall my memories but I still felt that familiar aura from this castle. At the same time, I had also stay here for a long time.

As for your other two questions I can tell you that both are related. After you had knocked up that girl called Johanna, I could have let you die but my instincts were telling me not to do so. As a result, I was able to enter your heart. For what is your destiny I don´t know. I just keep following my instincts.

For example, they are telling me to take you to a room that is on the other side of the garden. So, come one." Zia said a bit ashamed and as for the motive only she knew.

After spending around 15 minutes trying to arrive to the room, they saw a giant wood door that had at least ten crystals incrusted on a circular formation. Each of them had different colors: red, blue, green, white, black, purple, brown, etc. As they got closer those crystals started shining.

"Strange, I haven´t seen this door before even though I had searched every corner of this castle. Mnnn... Well it doesn´t matter. I trust my instincts" she said.

"How can you be sure?" Marcus asked.

"Hmm!! Because I trust my instincts and I don´t need another reason" she answered while pouting her petite mouth.

Once they entered the door, what greeted them was a giant room with millions of bookshelves, it was a library.

"Wow!! There must be billions of books here in a ton of different languages" exclaimed with astonishment Zia. Her eyes were glowing like when a child found a new toy.

"Yeah…" said Marcus

While they were wondering around, they arrived in front of a crystal that was of the size of an adult. It was floating above a golden pedestal.

"What does it do?" asked Marcus.

"I don´t know. It´s my first time here idiot" Zia answered. "However, my instincts are telling me that you should put your hand near it and close your eyes."

As Marcus did what Zia told him, a white light illuminated the whole library. A book appeared in front of Zia as the crystal showed a glaive standing above red flames. The book opened on a specific page and Zia read it´s content.

"According to this book, your type of energy is mana with the fire element but there is also a weapon. So, in the end you are a mage and weaponry cultivator." Zia explained.

"But how it helps me? I´m dead and I only have my soul now" Marcus complained as he felt it wasn´t fair that after his death he will discover his powers.

"Don´t worry. Follow me. My instincts are telling me to take you to another place in the castle" she told him with a bit of sympathy.

As they left the room, there were some changes on the image, and they failed to notice them. Still, a pair of eyes didn´t miss it while it´s pupils widen on astonishment.

Once they reached the new room the door automatically disappeared, and they entered. Inside it was a portal unused. However, as Zia entered, she crumbled and Marcus was hit on the head, and he fell while his conscious started to dissipate. As he was near to pass out a strong wind pushed both towards the portal which without warning shone.

When they had crossed the portal, a figure revealed in the room. It was no other than a woman. Her hair was silver and long. Her eyes were dark golden, and one could spend an eternity looking to them. She was a beautiful mystery that was expecting to be explored. But at the same time, she emitted a royal aura as she was looking over all things.

"In the end, he is fated to return there and confront his destiny. Fate is cruel with the ones that defies the will of the supreme one. I can´t let him go alone in such tragic journey. As for Zia, she will be safe at his side" the beauty said as she crossed the portal.

Unknown to them, a pearl appeared on the throne room and, inside it was a shadow.

"Even for you dear, the road that you are following will be arduous and your grow will be bound to a destiny even worse to him. Your memories will disappear and now all will depend on the whim of the destiny if you are allowed to reunite with him"

"All of you shall go and help them" the shadow exclaimed. Suddenly, the 17 chimneys turned off and the fires crossed the portal.

"I´ll help you arrive there. Unfortunately, your memories will be sealed. My power has now been exhausted. I hope that you all are able to break the shackles of your fate and change your destiny" the shadow faintly said as the pearl was disintegrated into nothingness.