Chapter 81: Life, breath, strength

Skylar stood at the edge of the crystal-clear pool on the Island of Nath, ready for the baptism of souls, he was ready for the ritual and he knew that he was going to be a new creature after this. But he had one fear, a statement stuck in his head that kept repeating over and over again.

“You are one of those that will help Elaine fulfill her destiny” he heard the voice in his head say it again. He had a lingering fear that he might be baptized and rejuvenated into a more viscous person that he was before which sounded good to him, or he might wake up to be more supportive of Elaine’s mission unlike how he was at that moment. This was a dilemma that he faced. He stared deeply into the water as he thought that the spirit would speak to him and whisper something advisable to his ears.

“Spirit of the old gods, spirits of the waters and the air, we call on thee to cone and cleanse your son from all evil that hinder behind. Purge him of his evil and his bad ways till he’s soul is as clear of these unruly thought” the high priest said as he raised his hands high in the sky

The vampires took their stance round the pool all dresses in white as Damien instructed them to, it was a sacred day for his son, it was his rebirth and he intended to make it special like it was the day he was truly born. The priest held a plate in his hand, a plate containing an oil that Damien knew about, the priest took a little of the oil in his hand and rubbed it on Skylar’s head.

“Say this after me” he said to Skylar.

“Life, breath, strength the water will give” he said

“Life, breath, strength the water will give” Skylar replied.

“It will always be a part of me” he said

“It will always be a part of me” Skylar replied.

“The gods may bear witness to this” he said

“The gods may bear witness yo this” Skylar replied.

The priest guided Skylar to the center if the pool where the water was reaching his waists and slowly, without waiting further, he dipped him into the water, he helped him fall and deeply submerge in the water.

Skylar stayed like that for a really long while, everyone waited for what seemed like eternity for him to stand up but that was not happening instead they saw the priest leave the water without him.

“Where’s my son? What have happened to him?” Damien said alerted as he looked at the water not to find Skylar there.

“Your son, is somewhere safe in the bottom of this pool, having his body healed by the spirit of the water, this pool should remain undisturbed from now till the end of the day.

Immediately the priest stepped out of the water, a serene energy enveloped the area. The water shimmered with a gentle light, reflecting the deep blue sky above.

Skylar's body rested in the tranquil waters, while his consciousness embarked on a surreal journey. The world around him blurred, and he found himself standing in a realm bathed in ethereal light. He looked around the place to find some sort of familiarity until he laid his eyes on a woman that stood far away from him, dressed in a white gown that dropped to the ground, she looked like a goddess. She turned to look at him and when he saw her face, he saw some sort of resemblance with himself, this was his mother, he knew it and he could feel it, he could feel the connection between them. He thought that she had disappeared after Meredith paid her a visit but that was wrong because he bow sees her and for the very first time, he was truly happy.

He looked at her and tears filled his eyes, nothing gave ever been more good and heartfelt than this, hi mother standing before him with all grace and familiarity.

"Mother?" Skylar whispered, the word carrying a mix of disbelief and longing.

"Skylar, my boy, you've grown so much." She said with a smile full of pain and sorrow as she held his face in her hands, tears filled her eyes.

“Yes I have” Skylar said with a warmth that transcended the boundaries of the spectral realm.

Tears welled up in Skylar's eyes as he rushed into her embrace. It was a reunion that surpassed the limitations of mortal understanding. The embrace felt real, though he knew he stood in a realm beyond the confines of the living.

"I never thought I’ll ever have the chance to meet you in my existence as a mortal, I’m happy” Skylar's voice quivered with a mix of joy and sorrow.

His mother's touch was soothing, and her voice carried a melody that resonated through the dimension. "I've been here, Skylar, watching over you. The journey you're on is one that transcends the boundaries of life as you know it." Skylar took a moment to absorb the profoundness of her words.

"What is this place? Am I dreaming?" he said looking around the place as he tried to decipher where exactly he was but he just could not because he had seen nothing like the place.

"This is a realm between realms, a place where souls find solace and connection. You've embarked on a journey of rebirth, and here, we can share a moment that spans beyond the limitations of mortal time." His mother said after a slight chuckle, a sound that echoed like distant chimes.

As they strolled through the luminous expanse, Skylar couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of this dimension. Glowing flowers sprouted beneath their feet, casting gentle hues across the surroundings. It was a world painted in emotions and memories.

"I've been with you, Skylar, in the quiet moments, the storms, and the triumphs. Every step you've taken, I've been there in spirit," his mother explained.

"Does your father know you're here?" she said as she worried that Regaleon may be in search of him or waiting for him to wake up when he was just here.

“Yes he does, he was the one that made this ritual happen, I have been so lost all my life, growing up with the wrong family and always being the villain of the story, it’s not something I want to happen again in this second chance I have at life, I want to live life doing the right things and I am very much sure that father may not agree as he plan to avenge what the werewolves did to me but I intend to change his mind about that.

“I have always wanted to meet you, from the very first moment I found out I wasn’t Edwards child, I have wanted to know who were my birth parents and why I wasn’t with you. I was consumed by anger, anguish and revenge that I shut the humanity inside of me and played along to the sounds of Meredith’s tune. I may not have done the best things but please don’t judge me based on my past because I plan to do better in the future and see that you are proud of me” Skylar said looking down at his feet as he felt so ashamed of what he had done in the past and how he faced his another ow that probably knows that he have been an evil man.

I understand Skylar, living the right path isn’t always what’s best for everyone, but in your case, your days to live as an evil man are all over and I’m not judging you for any of that. This is a new beginning, one that I am sure you will make most out of” she said holding his face in her hands as she smiled gently at him.

As they continued their ethereal walk, Skylar felt a profound sense of peace. Questions about the afterlife, the mysteries of existence, and the purpose of his rebirth lingered, yet the answers eluded him. His mother seemed to sense his unspoken queries.

"The journey you're on, Skylar, is a tapestry woven with the threads of your choices. Each decision, each challenge, shapes the fabric of your existence. Embrace the unknown, for it is in the mystery that true growth lies."

Skylar nodded, absorbing the wisdom bestowed upon him. The luminous realm around them pulsed with a gentle energy, as if echoing the heartbeat of the universe. In the distance, a portal of light began to form.

"It's time for you to return, my dear. Your path in the mortal realm awaits," his mother said, her voice filled with a mix of love and encouragement.

"Will I see you again?" Skylar hesitated, the bittersweetness of parting with his mother tugging at his heart.

"In every sunrise, in every gentle breeze, and in the beating of your heart, you'll find echoes of our connection. We are bound by a love that transcends the boundaries of existence." His mother's smile held a promise.

“If you find me within yourself, you will see me because you are more of your mother’s son than your father’s, I love you my son go now” she said with a beautiful smile on her face.

“I love you too mother” Skylar said enveloping her in a warm and gentle hug that he knew he will never give her again.

“You must go now” she said disengaging from the hug as she knew that he wasn’t ready to.

“Goodbye mother” he said with tears in his eyes.

“Goodbye son” she replied with a bitter and painful smile as she watched him step towards the glowing portal.

As soon as he entered the portal, he felt a surge of energy enveloping him. The luminous world faded, and he found himself once again submerged in the waters of the sacred pool. The memories of the spectral realm lingered, imprinted on his soul.

Above the undisturbed pool, Damien and the gathered vampires waited anxiously. The moment seemed frozen in time until, with a gasp, Skylar emerged from the water, his eyes reflecting the depth of his transcendent journey.

Damien rushed forward, towards the water and into the pool to help him out with a mix of concern and relief on his face.

"Skylar, are you alright?" he said getting to where he was.

Skylar nodded, a serene smile playing on his lips. The energy of the spectral realm still coursed through him, intertwining with the essence of the water.

"I'm more than alright, . I've been to a place where love transcends everything."

“What do you mean by that” Damien said seeming confused.

“I met my mother, she is the one that gave me the opportunity to be given a chance at rebirth” Skylar said and a nostalgic smile appeared on Damien’s lips.

“Your mother, can you now see the resemblance in both body and soul?” Damien said as they walked out of the water.

“Yes I now see it, I am indeed my mother’s son” Skylar said and they both had happy smiles on their face.

“Skylar is reborn” Damien shouted and all the vampires cheered in jubilation.

“Tonight, we have a feast, to the good that life have done for us” Damien said and they all roared in happiness.

And as the day unfolded, the sacred pool remained undisturbed, holding within its depths the secrets of Skylar's rebirth and the timeless connection between the realms of the living and the departed.

In the dimly lit chamber, where shadows danced with flickering candlelight, Meredith's sharp eyes caught the subtle shifts in Skylar's demeanor. She sensed a change, a transformation that stirred the air with an unfamiliar energy. Intrigued, she asked him.

"Skylar, my dear, something lingers in the air, a scent of change. What has transpired in the depths of that sacred pool?" Meredith inquired, her voice laced with a curious blend of authority and intrigue.

“Is this why you cane all the way here and pulled me out of a feast?” Skylar said utterly annoyed and slightly disgusted.

“Probably, yes but answer my question Skylar” she said with a cold voice that spoke of so much authority and charisma.

"I've seen the truth, Meredith. The path I've walked has been one of darkness, but I've glimpsed a different way, a chance for redemption." Skylar replied as he sat lazily on the chair he sat on.

"Redemption? Skylar, you've been a force to be reckoned with, embracing the power that comes with darkness. What could possibly drive you to seek redemption now?" Meredith said staring deeply into his soul with her death like eyes but Skylar wasn’t shaken by her antics, he was evil himself, he knew all the nook and cranny if being the villain of the story.

"I met my mother in the spectral realm, Meredith. She showed me the love that I've been deprived of, the humanity that I've forsaken. I want to change, to be better than the monster I once was." He said and Meredith burst into a long throaty cackle.

"Skylar darling, redemption is a dangerous game. Are you sure you're willing to walk away from the power that darkness provides? The vampires look up to you, and your strength is a force to be reckoned with." She said with a subtle smile masking the complexity in her thoughts, she thought it will be so easy to sway Skylar like before but he wasn’t giving in to her this time.

"I've tasted the sweetness of a mother's love, Meredith, and I won't let the allure of darkness dictate my path. I want to redefine who I am, not just for myself but for those who believe in me." Skylar said standing up from where he sat to leave.

"Skylar, you tread on treacherous ground. The supernatural world thrives on the balance of light and dark. Upending that balance comes at a cost. Meredith circled him, her movements fluid and deliberate.

“What cost could that possibly be?” Skylar said not even curious in the slightest way.

“I am the goddess of death now, I choose who lives and who dies, what if I decide one day that your existence in this world is no longer needed?” She said hoping to scare him into agreeing to what she was proposing.

“ I believe that was a threat, but unlike you Meredith I am not afraid to die, I have lived a short but eventful life and if I die, I’ll regret my life on earth but I know that I at least made an attempt to be better. Goddess of death? We both know that’s a bluff, if you truly had the power to take lives, Sapphire is supposed to be dead at this point" Skylar said and Meredith kept a straight face like he didn’t just speak of her secret.

“I am waiting for the right time” She said.

“Stop deceiving yourself Meredith, there’s nothing you can do with that power but scare people, I have made my decision and nothing’s changed” Skylar said in finality.

"Very well, Skylar. The future you seek is yours to carve. But remember, the consequences of such choices can be unforgiving. I'll be watching, as will the forces that govern our existence."

As Skylar embraced his newfound resolve, the chamber echoed with an unspoken tension. The dynamics between darkness and the desire for redemption set the stage for a supernatural struggle that would unfold in the nights to come.