CH 25 - Journey Begins

Caesar watches as the door burns before him. The smoldering ruins crumble from the frame, but the darkness prevents further intrusion. He places his hand against the dark substance and attempts the spell again but finds it cold.

A soft numbing feeling spreads through his fingers as he closes his eyes, fighting against a deepening sorrow. Pulling his hand back from the familiar pain that enters his mind, he pauses.

He turns to look and sees the recognition in Gabriella's eyes as she had felt it long before he did. Her eyes show genuine sorrow as Caesar steps away from the barrier, knowing nothing can be done.

Closing his eyes, he tries to reach out into the darkness and feels the scurrying of the undead creatures moving within, trapped by his father's magic. Caesar shakes his head; perhaps the father is incorrect, more his creator.

"What is happening?" Lily asks.

"There is nothing I can do but wait," Gabriella answers for Caesar, softly placing her hand on Lily's back.

"Wait! We can't wait here; we need to get in there. She could be in trouble!"

"No, she isn't there," Caesar answers.

"Maybe she is hurt! She might need our help. How can you know?"

"Her body isn't even there, I don't sense it, but monsters lurk within," Caesar answers.

"No! We need to save her!"

"What makes you think she needs saving?" Gabriella asks.

"What! No, she is our responsibility. We need to save her; we are here together. We need to be in this together to save one another. I can't allow you two to sit here... OW!!!!" Lily frowns as Gabriella quickly flicks her earlobe. Lily's face scrunches up as she wants to say something; she wants to respond but thinks better, not enjoying the smirk that momentarily crosses Caesar's face.

"I will focus on Nica, but we can't all wait here," Caesar turns to look at Gabriella, "You spoke of someone else you wanted to go after?"

"Zoe," Gabriella says.

"Oh, my Gods!" Lily exclaims as she looks between them, "Yes, we have to get Zoe."

Caesar looks at Gabriella for a moment as she nods her head. Lily seems almost to be frantically moving from one thought to another. Her mind shifts as she tries to gain control of a singular moment.

The numerous thoughts in her mind overwhelm her senses as she responds to the very next idea she has. This will need to be addressed, and in fairness, Lily has chosen Gabriella to find her peace. In turn, peace needs to have a measure of control to survive.

His eyes close as he wonders what is beyond the darkness. As Gabriella's finger travel down his back, he recognizes her support. Her tenderness led him to find his strength. He has spent far too many years hidden in the darkness of life.

Doing his best, he had hidden away, not wanting to do this, to be in charge of another life. He didn't want to feel lost, not knowing what he could do now; what could he do to protect her? She is no longer in the room. He feels it, which means she has traveled to the other side. How he can find her is unknown.

Gabriella might not realize, but Caesar doesn't know if Nica can be saved. How can you save someone who exists beyond the known world? He feels her loss but doesn't know why; he hasn't had a chance to correct her path, to push her to become more than she was.

He knows his creator is behind this, and she will serve a purpose in his goals. He could tell when he saw her with her skin and eyes molded by his hand. A handful has walked the world in the thousands of years that Caesar has existed. Most who have walked the earth have left an impact or have changed the fates of the living.

Caesar does his best to control the sobs that want to come since he lost the last prophet. The last of his creator's wives. They are sent out to the world to serve a greater good, their souls tormented and hindered from view.

He made the mistake of falling in love with one before, and her loss haunted him for years. It hurt to breathe for some time as the memories were too difficult to bear. It wasn't until Gabriella spoke to him months ago to awaken from his hypnotic slumber.

Shaking his head, he looks at Lily and sees something expressive in her eyes. Is it worry? Shaking his head softly, he looks at the two women before him, "I understand that Nica was worried about Zoe. You two need to go out and find her, it might be difficult, but you should go. I trust you both are capable of it."

"Capable of what?" Lily asks, confused.

"Of finding Zoe," Gabriella says softly, "And bringing her home."

"Can't you come with us, Caesar?" Lily asks.

"No, because if I do, who will find Nica?"

"Oh, yea...." Lily looks between them, "Where do we start?"

"Maybe with some clothes?" Caesar asks with a smile.

Lily nods and quickly gets ready, leaving Gabriella and Caesar alone momentarily.

"You know she is not the same girl, right?" Gabriella asks.

"Who?" Caesar replies.

"You know who I mean. Nica, you know she isn't your lost love."

"I know; they just all look alike. It's hard to look in the depths of her eyes."

"Is that why you didn't correct either of us yet."

Caesar nods as he looks at the walled blackness, "Yes, I had to regain control of my emotions."

"I understand, which is why you sought Lily first. As she looks nothing like your lost love."

Caesar closes his eyes, "Yes, and I didn't want Lily to see me or you."

"I know what you are, my love."

"I know, but that doesn't mean I like embracing that darkness. I don't feel that hunger and desire anymore. I have grown to hate the fear in someone's eyes. I am no longer that monster. I no longer serve the purpose I was created for," Caesar says as tears slip from his eyes as he and Gabriella embrace softly until the tears no longer fall into the abyss.