Page 15 of Gift from the Source (Source of Elementra #5)

Traveling the realms is by far the most invigorating experience. The blood in our veins hums for it. It craves it. That’s what we were blessed to do.

I unfortunately did not get to travel nearly as much as the women before me. And sadly enough, each of the travels I did take was not of my own desire or idea. The only reason I took those risks was because it was asked of me and I knew I wouldn’t have been asked if the risk was too high.

Two of the times I left Elementra, as you know, was to the nonmagical realm. Awful experiences both times.

The other three times…Mystara Hollow, The Valorian Veil, and Essemist Keep.

So fortunately for me, I have seen five of the six realms. I made the most of my adventures with my men at my side. I explored what little I could, indulged in different food, felt the foreign magic, and met wonderful people along the way.

I hope one day you get to see all of them and all their glory. Of course none hold a flame to Elementra, in my opinion. Regardless, they each are so special, magical, and beautiful in their own ways. Even the dreaded nonmagical realm. Plus, they all hold very important purposes for our way of life.

As much as I want to tell you every last detail of those trips, I can’t. Those adventures were requested of me from CC and affect much of your life now. He’s going to have to explain why that is to you.

I’m sorry about that little teaser, sweetie, because I have no idea when those stories unfold from him.

“Oh, don’t you worry, I’m going to be asking that here very soon,” I say mentally, meant for myself, but V makes a rumbling little purr. When I cast my eyes to him, he turns his head the other way to ignore me.

I won’t ramble on any longer. I know you’re itching for this, and I’m so excited to get to this part. So just as before, repeat after me.

‘Release to me the ties of time and space,

Deliver the information for me to embrace.’

Wrapping my fingers tightly in my blanket, I prepare myself for the onslaught of information and hold on.

All at once, my mind is hit with what feels like five different passages. Each just as full as the next.

Flashes, information, and images of places I’ve never seen start filtering through my mind faster than I can keep up. My eyes close as I breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth. It’s the only thing I can do as the knowledge held by generations before me continues to fill my brain to the brim.

Slowly, it all begins to settle, and I tilt my head back as I blink. I’m incredibly thankful at this moment for the dim light and lack of power flowing through here because if not for it, I’d be sick from how fast everything’s spinning.

Once the dizziness subsides, I blow out a breath, loosen my body from how tense it had become, and look back down.

Okay, my girl, now you should be able to see five different… somethings, in your mind.

I say it like that because my mom used to say her information just scrambled around up there, but she kept it straight. How she kept it all together, I have no clue. She was a super Elementrian. Me, not so much. I had to put all the facts and information she taught me into compartments within my mind.

I’m very curious as to how you store all this.

I can’t help but chuckle out loud. I think I got a little piece of both of them. At times, when life is overwhelming, it all scrambles, but I keep it straight when I need to. Other moments like this when this is my sole focus, it gets put into its own little section.

Just like when you’re detecting the portals, to open one to another realm, you must detect their source of power. It would’ve been something you already sensed while you were attempting to detect or close them, but you wouldn’t have realized it since you were focused on Elementra’s power.

Now you should be able to differentiate the ties to the other realms through Elementra. No matter where you are, you can always pull on her. There isn’t a place her power doesn’t flow. You don’t always have to be outside. It’s just easier because blood can be messy.

Each realm is distinct in its own way. From bottom to top.

You’ll still get a sense of the nonmagical, despite its lack of magic. Its power line is the faintest of them all, and that is the indicator you’ve come across its tie. It’s like a weaker, almost nonexistent Elementra. She’s the only creator who bothers to fuel the realm consistently .

Next would be Colosyree. Although technically, the giants don’t possess magic, the realm itself is quite powerful. Especially in strength. That tie is going to feel like you’re pulling a mountain. Its indicator will be its tautness. It doesn’t flow as freely as any of the others.

Mystara Hollow. The realm of magic. Their power is so raw within the realm, it’s visible. The indicator you’ll search for will feel whimsical and light as a feather. Almost like colorful air just floating through the fabric of Elementra.

Essemist Keep is ancient. Refined. Their tie is easy to spot because it is so controlled and flows like blood in veins. It has an alluring presence that’ll draw you in.

Lastly, the Valorian Veil. The Veil’s power can almost rival Elementra’s and that will make its tie very distinct for you. The biggest difference and the way you will sense it is Elementra’s power feels like home. The Valorian Veil does not.

My eyes cast up from the book to the actual Valorian creature in the room with me. The short little snippet I read doesn’t sound like a good thing. It sounds like I should stay the hell away from the Valorian Veil.

“The Valorian Veil is not good or bad. Your creator has no qualms with my realm. Some Gods and the creators just tend to be…selfish,” V says.

“Good to know,” I murmur, then look back at my mom’s words.

Now that we know what we’re looking for, we look and then open.

This process will be a mixture of things you already know how to do.

Our first step is detecting the tie to whatever realm it is you’re wanting to open a portal to. You’ll use your magic for this, not your blood. Although your blood would sense it too. This way is easier and faster.

You let your magic flow throughout your entire body. Usually, this is where you’d let it flow out and connect to Elementra. Instead, you’re going to allow it to flow out and spread to sense the other powers. Once you sense the realm you want, that is where you will ground your magic.

After you’ve connected, then you will draw your blood.

You’re not going to do the five-slice design like you’d do coming to Elementra. You’re going to draw your Nexus mark once. Then going right back over the design without breaking the connection, you trace over it the opposite way like you’re closing a portal.

Putting the two designs together like that seals the connection that you’re leaving your blessed place.

After that, my girl, you draw a Nexus mark on a surface with your blood whilst saying the spell that’s in your mind and a portal will open.

If by chance you’re opening a portal that’s already created, like the main portals, you’ll simply skip over searching for the ties and go straight to that part. Slice your hand, draw your design, and the portal will open for you.

Where you end up on the other side is completely up to you. The times I traveled, CC gave me direction of where I would go, so I had my location and intentions mapped out in my mind.

If you open your portal and don’t have a location in mind, the fabric of time will lead you out of their main portal on the other side. Where that is within the other realms is in the knowledge you’ve received today as well as written here for you to read.

Well, my little dragonfly…that’s the end of my lesson.

I really want to drag this out and start telling you everything you already know, just so it doesn’t have to end. But you have things to do.

There’s only one more to go now.

I’m…I don’t know how to feel.

Excited to share some truths with you but nervous as there’re two different versions of my words you may receive.

As I write this, I’m still unaware of what Elementra has planned for us after that lesson. Here in the beyond, she’s not as strict with her timing of telling me things, but she still doesn’t cough up all the information I ask for.

Ridiculous really.

It’s as though she believes I’d spill all the secrets to you…

Anyways…

Until next time, filia mea.

I love you,

Momma xoxo

I come back to reality with both excitement and sadness lingering within me. Each time I open this book and learn something new, I feel invincible because of her. Then like just now, it ends and marks one more lesson off our list.

Just like with CC coming to me when he’s needed, I never want her words to erase or stop coming. I want her to come to me always as I need her.

“You will always have a piece of us, filia mea,” CC says softly.

“I hope so…I want some answers from you.”

“I know you do, and I will give them to you, but I can’t give them all this moment. There are individuals who are still alive and well that were affected by the request I made for your mother’s travels. They deserve those answers as well.” The tinge of sadness in his voice halts my next question.

Thinking of the three realms my mom traveled, Essemist Keep immediately stood out to me. Keeper deserves whatever answers I may find. It’s the unknown of what I will have to tell him that worries me the most.

“I agree. What can you tell me, though?”

“I asked your mother to go to the Valorian Veil and retrieve the Angel Aura Amethyst for me. Which she did. The color of the stone reminded her of her Willowrrie flower. When I arrived at her house to get the stone from her, she said and I quote, ‘I absolutely love this color, it reminds me of my Willowrrie flower. Oh, that reminds me, I forgot to tell you, that’s what I’m naming my daughter. Willow.’ Just like that. That night my vision of our awakening happened. And with no knowledge whatsoever of what she was doing, your mother changed my life.”

“I remember you mentioning that vision in the memory of you telling her she was pregnant with Lyker. You said in the fifty years between you knowing and telling her the truth, you’d seen her three times and never mentioned it. But the Valorian Veil trip happened before that,” I say, prying a little for what those three meetings were about.

“That’s correct. Although technically I did see her more than three times. But when I gave her instructions on what to do, I visited her through her dreams. Those moments were short-lived and to the point. I got to have actual conversations with her the other times when I went to her in person. Two of those requests were to the other realms, Essemist Keep and Mystara Hollow. The third was a visit to someone in Elementra,” he says and leaves it at that, so I decide not to push anymore.

“So what does Gaster know about the Angel Aura Amethyst? How does he think it got here?”

“Well…”

“You’re gonna be in trouble, huh?” I ask teasingly.

“There isn’t much he can do now but get mad at me, so to put it bluntly and quickly, I lied to him. I told him I found it in the same cave I found the Memoria Stone in, and it called to me, so I brought it here. He never questioned me but rather told me, ‘Well done. Amazing find, my boy.’”

“Definitely going to be in trouble then when I tell him the truth.” I chuckle as does he. Gaster won’t really be mad, but I do find it hilarious when he scolds CC.

“I’m sure you do find humor in that, filia mea…I won’t distract you any longer. What V needs to teach you is very important. This ability wasn’t as easily available to me. I had to be resourceful and use a lot of power each time I managed to make my gift cross realms. So listen to him and don’t fret. You need to do this. We’ll talk soon, my girl.”

His presence fades slowly like a lingering hug and an impulse of pride trickles through my chest. I’m less nervous about the whole opening a portal in my mind now that I’ve heard from my mom and him. It further solidifies that it doesn’t matter how old I am or the methods in which I get to have a relationship with them. I need them.

“Ready, young Willow?” V asks.

“Ready, young owl,” I tease to lighten his serious mood.

He pecks me on the hand. Hard.

“I am not an owl but a bird of prey nonetheless. Remember that, little flying lizard.” His small, mischievous chuckle has me throwing my head back.

Even as I laugh loudly and he hoots, I find myself thinking what the hell he is if he has the fearless nerve to call me a lizard. Draken kind of put everyone in their place about referring to him as an owl or a bird, but he’s obviously in those categories. Just more deadly, I suppose .

“I’m glad to sense you’ve shaken your nerves. You learn best on two polar spectrums. Either under intense pressure or in a relaxed state. So we will stay relaxed if that’s what you need,” he says much more casual.

Which does in fact help.

“Very observant of you, V. Yes, I’d appreciate you being less intense. I know what we’re doing is serious and important, but I’d like not to be so anxious.”

“Very well. Are you really ready now?”

“Yes, I’m ready. ”

“Good. This is a very simple process, but it requires a powerful being. Which you are. You have all the gifts, magic, and blood to perform this with no problem. You’ll be tired afterward and will need to spend time rejuvenating yourself, but you have nothing to worry about other than that. The purpose of opening a portal within your mind is to connect to beings from other realms. They too must be strong enough to accept this. I will guide you and I assure you she is strong enough to accept it.

“We’re first going to focus on the Angel Aura. This crystal is the ultimate form of divine connection and protection. When you hear divine connection, your mind automatically resorts to connecting to your creator. Which is what many would think, but you have to think outside of that limitation. The only being you are going to think about is the woman who gave your mother the crystal. That’s all you need to know about her.”

My mind whirls for a moment at that. It’s hard not to automatically start creating a face, a made-up name, and everything else that comes along with picturing a person. Especially since he said she’s powerful. I instantly start creating a masterpiece. I shut it all down, though, and just think of a woman.

That’s a lie.

I paint a whole scene in my mind of a warrior lady handing my mom the crystal behind me.

“That is okay. That will work. I’m going to begin loosening my hold on the crystal’s power slowly. Call forth your gift of sight and wrap it around that thought you’ve created,” he instructs .

My gift flows easily as though it’s thoroughly happy to be needed. I’m almost caught off guard by it, but I take my small win with it and instruct it to do what it’s supposed to do.

“Okay.”

“Good. Go through your preparation of opening a portal to another realm, but do not say your spell yet. I will tell you when to do so.”

I nod silently while commanding my gift to stay wrapped around my mind, then I call forth my magic. It stirs in my chest expectantly before spreading everywhere.

As it passes through my feet, I have to clutch it. It’s so instinctual to just allow it to ground itself into Elementra the second it feels her power. It’s confusing and even a little uncomfortable letting it linger in nothing but the fabric of the realm.

Then I feel the first foreign vibration.

My mom described it as alluring, but that’s not the word I’d use. The second the tie registers, it feels like Keeper is giving me a hug. Like I’m welcomed with open arms. Years spent out of the Keep, he’s not lost the power within him that flows through his realm.

It’s hard to pull my magic from it. That must be where the alluring comment came from.

The next pulse, I pass it right on by. The mere vibrations tell me it’s the nonmagical realm, so I don’t waste time lingering.

The third, though…knocks my breath away.

That level of power is the dead giveaway that it’s the Valorian Veil. It’s immense and most certainly comes close to matching Elementra’s. Almost too close for comfort honestly when I think back to my vision and the war that could be brewing there.

Regardless, I latch onto it and command my magic to connect with that tie.

I want to call the feeling of the power of the Valorian Veil mingling with my blessed power an intrusion, but that’s not entirely right. It’s different, yes, but my blood recognizes it.

Releasing a breath, I lay my palms upward on my knees and run through the instructions my mom gave me once more in my mind. Last time, she practically walked me through it step by step while I was doing it. I want to make sure I’ve got this down since I’m on my own.

Shifting my claw, I press the sharp tip underneath my middle finger on my left hand and inhale.

Counterclockwise…

When my point meets back around, I hold steady for a second, then trace it back.

Clockwise…

Vibrations rumble through the amplifier room and the hum stays under my skin, begging for a release. The intense need to do something with the electricity building up grows quickly.

“Anytime, V,” I grunt.

“The surface you’re going to open your portal on is your forehead. Use your finger to draw the Nexus mark with the blood pooling in your palm. As you say your spell, I’m going to release the remaining hold on the Angel Aura. Prepare yourself. Once you finish the spell, your mind is going to be snatched through time and space. You will not be able to stop it. Are you ready?”

I grit my teeth and nod. There’s really nothing else I can do to prepare since my sight is wrapped around my mind, my magic is embedded in the tie of the Valorian Veil, and there’s blood all over one of my hands.

Here goes nothing.

Dipping my finger in my blood and raising it to my forehead, I ready my spell. Out loud, in Elema Lingua Vetus , I say, “A passage created by the essence of my being. Through time and through space, deliver me from my desired place.”

A gust of wind strong enough to nearly knock me over whips through the amplifier room. The sound is so piercing I only catch a small piece of V’s squawk, then even my thoughts are drowned out.

My eyes dry out, then water all in the span of a millisecond. The tears drench my sight, but it doesn’t matter that I blink the water away.

My vision doesn’t clear.

All I see is a rainbow .

Everything in front of me has turned into a swirling kaleidoscope that sends my mind spinning at a nauseating pace. It’s like entering the south wing for the first time all over again.

Except it’s only my mind being tossed around this time.

Elementra, how long is this going to last?

Power not belonging to my creator seems to answer my question and the vicious rainbow stops.

My arms catch me as I sway harshly. If I hadn’t been sitting in the middle of my platform, I would’ve fallen right off the front and face-planted. I squeeze my eyes shut and take a few centering breaths to ward away the dizziness.

I’m not sure if this is a first-time experience side effect or not. If it isn’t, I have zero plans to do this again.

“It would seem the mortal saying ‘Saving the best for last’ is true then.”

The other-realmly voice that echoes around the amplifier room has me sitting up faster than I tumbled over. Reflected in the mirror walls is no longer the picture of myself, V, or the amplifier room.

At least not my amplifier room.

My gaze travels all over the woman sitting on a dais just like mine and Gaster’s description of the room she’s in registers immediately.

“You’re the Goddess of Fate.”

“And you’re Ultima unum .”