Chapter 40

Verusamor

On the way back from the library, a pensive Raphael walks straight into Orion. The boy steps back, raising his eyebrows, a playful smile tugging at his lips. His eyes glint mischievously in the dappled light, as if the encounter were some secret joke shared between them and the world around them, hidden in plain sight.

– Do you always bump into people like that? – he asks, chuckling softly under his breath, the sound like a ripple in the quiet, sun-dappled air. – That’s the second time we’ve run into each other like this.

Raphael instinctively recoils, slightly surprised, blinking as if awakening from a half-dream. His chest tightens with a brief surge of embarrassment, a faint flush warming his cheeks. How does he always manage to appear when I’m lost in thought? He doesn’t utter a word, the corners of his lips barely twitching in acknowledgment, but Orion continues, his voice laced with a teasing warmth, though a faint trace of amusement still lingers.

– But it’s actually good to see you. Because when we were last at Lumina Springs, I think I lost my important amulet. I’ve looked everywhere for it, and I just can’t find it. I’m sure I had it with me when we set off on that trip.

Orion pauses for a moment, as if weighing his words, his expression shifting from playful to thoughtful, a shadow flickering across his features. His gaze drops for a heartbeat, then rises again, eyes searching Raphael’s as if silently asking for something more than just an answer. A note of hope softens his voice:

– Would you like to go back there with me and help me look for it?

Raphael studies him intently, feeling a strange pull, like the quiet gravity of Orion’s request was more than just about an amulet. He gives a small, slow nod to signal his agreement, the movement barely perceptible but enough to release the tension coiling in Orion’s shoulders.

Orion exhales in visible relief, the breath slipping past his lips like a soft, unspoken thank you. For a heartbeat, the space between them feels lighter, a silent thread woven by shared understanding, before Orion straightens and takes a step forward.

They head off together toward the springtime realm, the air humming faintly with the scent of earth and growing things, the soft rustle of leaves a gentle accompaniment to their footsteps.

The path winds through hidden trails, bordered by wildflowers and curling vines that brush their legs with every step, as if the land itself is welcoming them back. The sunlight filters through the canopy above, dappling the ground with golden patches that flicker like whispers. A soft breeze carries the scent of blooming plants, a faint perfume of petals and earth, making the air feel almost enchanted.

Orion leads the way, his posture light and confident, the occasional glance over his shoulder laced with unspoken excitement. He points out the wonders of the place with an infectious enthusiasm, his voice dipping and rising like music woven into the landscape: murmuring streams that shimmer as they catch the light, beautiful ponds where water nymphs glide and flicker just beneath the surface, glittering waterfalls that tumble from cliffs like liquid starlight, and other magical spots so breathtaking they seem almost unreal, each one a secret offered up by the world itself.

– Look over here – he says passionately, gesturing with a sweep of his arm, the glint in his eyes almost boyish. – And have you seen that? A hidden spring that almost no one knows about…

Raphael soaks in every sight, his senses alive and thrumming, the magic of the place sinking into his skin like warmth from the sun. His breath catches at times, the sheer beauty of it all pulling at something deep in his chest. Yet Orion doesn’t stop talking, his voice flowing like a quiet stream that carries them forward.

– You know, there’s something else in Lumina Springs… one of Amaltea’s mysterious artifacts – he begins quietly, as if revealing a secret, his voice dipping lower, drawing Raphael in. – A magical flower, Verusamor. Have you heard of it?

Raphael shakes his head, intrigued, a flicker of curiosity igniting in his eyes. Orion continues, his voice lowering to a near whisper, the words almost reverent.

– It’s a flower that blooms in the presence of someone with an open heart. They say it can blossom from a memory, revealing what lies deeply hidden within a person – their most secret feelings, unfulfilled dreams, deepest desires.

He pauses, staring into the distance, his eyes half-lidded as if seeing those images play out behind his gaze. The sunlight catches in his hair, the breeze ruffling it slightly, and for a moment, he seems distant, as though his thoughts have drifted beyond the edges of the world.

– In the visions, you might see people you love, places you want to visit, moments you wish you could experience. But remember… Verusamor doesn’t tell you what’s true and what’s not – it only reveals what’s hidden within you.

Orion’s words hang in the air like an echo, lingering in the hush between them as they reach a hidden clearing, where the mystical flower is most often found. The air here feels charged, thicker, as if holding its breath.

And indeed – in the center of the clearing, there’s a beautiful flower bud, its color impossible to define. It seems to hold all the colors of the rainbow, yet at the same time, it shines with pure, radiant light, as if it’s both everything and nothing at once.

Raphael holds his breath, gazing at it in awe, his heart fluttering in his chest like a trapped bird. A strange, warm pulse hums in his veins, a sense of anticipation swelling inside him, like standing on the precipice of something vast and unknowable.

Orion smiles faintly, his eyes softening.
– We’re lucky that this flower has just released a bud.

He looks at Raphael expectantly, his gaze steady, almost as if daring him.

– Try to approach it. See if the flower will open under your touch. You’ve got nothing to lose – at worst, it won’t open, and nothing will happen.

Raphael steps forward, and with each step, he feels a pleasant warmth spreading through his body, like sunlight sinking into his skin. His heart beats faster, a wild, steady thrum in his ears. His breath feels shallow, as if the air has thickened around him.

When he’s close enough, he stretches out his hand, fingers trembling just slightly, and gently brushes the delicate petals with his fingertips.

A wave of wonderful energy surges through his body, rushing over him like the tide, and the flower quivers under his touch as if it’s alive, breathing in the rhythm of his pulse.

The petals slowly begin to unfold, one by one, as if in slow motion, unfurling like secrets whispered into the world. Raphael watches, mesmerized, his entire attention fixed on that single phenomenon.

He can’t tear his eyes away from the heart of the flower – within it glimmers something that resembles a source of light. But within the light, he sees images, shapes, slowly gaining clarity, as if the universe itself is peeling back a layer to reveal a hidden truth.

The longer he looks, the more he feels as if he’s being drawn inside – as if the flower is inviting him into its world, its energy curling around him like unseen tendrils. The images before his eyes grow larger, blurring the line between reality and vision, until Raphael feels like a viewer watching a film on a giant screen, helpless to look away.

He sees his own reflection, clear and almost tangible, the details sharp and undeniable. Behind him, two figures begin to emerge, shrouded in thick mist, their forms barely distinguishable but undeniably there. Raphael strains his eyes, heart hammering in his chest, trying to make out details, but the figures remain blurry, their faces just out of reach. The mist slowly starts to fade, a sense of revelation building inside him like a storm about to break.

Suddenly, his reflection in the flower opens its mouth. Raphael feels his heart racing – this is it, he thinks, the sense of anticipation almost unbearable. He instinctively knows that this figure wants to tell him something important, something vital.

But at the moment the first sound is about to escape, a burst of blue light shoots from the reflection’s mouth, swallowing the entire vision in an instant. The images vanish, leaving only an empty ache behind, and Raphael collapses onto the soft grass, unconscious.

When he regained consciousness, he felt Orion’s hands gently trying to revive him.

– Are you all right? – his friend asked with concern, his voice laced with genuine worry, his brows furrowed as he hovered over Raphael, the light around them dappling his face.

Raphael opened his eyes, blinking a few times as if trying to gather his thoughts, the edges of his vision swimming for a heartbeat.

– Yeah, yeah, I’m fine – he replied, still a little dazed, his voice a soft rasp. – I just saw something strange, and then I felt dizzy. But I think I’m okay now, I feel all right.

Orion smirked, half-joking, the tension easing slightly.
– I almost thought I’d have to give you mouth-to-mouth.

– You wish – Raphael shot back, a faint smile lifting the corners of his lips, though his heart still pounded with lingering echoes of the vision.

Orion’s expression turned serious, his gaze sharp and probing, as if searching Raphael’s face for answers that couldn’t be spoken aloud.

– No doubt about it, you’ve just had quite the honour. Verusamor doesn’t open for just anyone. Did you see a vision? Maybe a memory?

Raphael sighed, still gathering his thoughts. A heaviness clung to his chest, as if the remnants of the vision still pulsed beneath his skin, leaving a faint, electric tingling along his arms. The lingering echoes of what he’d almost seen gnawed at him, a whisper of something just out of reach.

– To be honest, I’m not sure what I saw. Everything was so blurry. I feel like I touched something important and was on the verge of discovering some crucial secret… But that damned blue light ruined it all again.

The frustration in his voice crackled in the air, and for a moment, he could feel the weight of it pressing down on his shoulders. The missed answers, the mystery slipping through his fingers—it all felt like a cruel trick, an unfinished melody that refused to resolve.

Orion frowned, his face darkening in thought. His brows furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line, as if he, too, could feel the gravity of what had been lost. The silence between them seemed to stretch, the soft rustle of leaves suddenly louder, almost intrusive.

– Okay… – he sighed heavily, his shoulders dropping slightly, a subtle exhaustion in the sound. His gaze lingered on Raphael for a moment, as if searching for something unsaid. – Do you want to head back to the school?

– No, no – Raphael replied, straightening up. His voice, though steady, had a determined edge, like a flame that refused to be snuffed out. – I’m fine. I promised I’d help you find your amulet, so let’s keep looking.

A flicker of resolve tightened in his chest, even as the faint tremor of unease still coiled in the back of his mind.

– Do you remember more or less where we were “resting” that time?

– Yeah – Orion nodded, a brief flash of recognition in his eyes. – It was under my favourite tree – the one we were lying under. Come on, I’ll take you there.

They arrived at the familiar spot, but as they stood there, Orion grew visibly uneasy. The air seemed to shift, subtly but unmistakably, as if the atmosphere itself had grown denser, heavier with an unspoken tension. Orion started looking around anxiously, turning in circles, his breathing shallow, sharp and quick, as though the space were closing in on him.

– What’s wrong? – Raphael asked, frowning, the crease between his brows deepening as he watched Orion’s unease take shape.

– I don’t know… This is really weird. I feel like we’re in the right place, but I can’t see the tree anywhere.

A flicker of confusion and something colder—fear?—flashed in Orion’s eyes.

Raphael stopped and glanced around. His gaze swept across the space, trying to anchor himself in something tangible.

– It’s right there in front of us. I even think I see your amulet lying beneath it.

A faint note of disbelief trembled in his voice, an edge of uncertainty that sent a shiver down his spine.

– What are you talking about? There’s nothing there, no tree – Orion said, staring at him like he was crazy, his eyes wide and darting, a faint tremor in his hands as he gestured at empty air.

Raphael narrowed his eyes, studying him carefully, a knot of unease tightening in his gut. Is he serious? Is this some kind of joke? His stomach churned, the surreal edge of the moment making the world feel just slightly off-kilter.

Then, cautiously, he said:
– Fine, I’ll go over there.

He took one step, then another, and at that very moment, Orion froze, eyes wide in shock. His breath hitched, a sharp intake of air that seemed to slice through the quiet. Raphael… had simply vanished. Dissolved into thin air, as if the space he had occupied had swallowed him whole.

Orion stood, stunned, a pulse of fear flooding his chest, before he cried out, voice breaking with sudden panic:
– Raphael?! Raphael, where are you?!

Raphael stood there, looking at him, confused, a little frightened. His pulse hammered in his ears, the world around him eerily still, as if holding its breath. Orion was acting like a madman – yelling his name, looking around frantically, his eyes wild and unseeing, as if he couldn’t see him at all.

Raphael furrowed his brow, a tight knot of suspicion forming in his gut, suspecting a joke, though his heart wasn’t fully convinced.

– Hey, Orion! – he called out, his voice sharp, almost pleading, cutting through the thick air. But the boy kept ignoring him. – Hello?!

Raphael shook his head in exasperation, a twinge of frustration bubbling beneath his skin. He stepped forward, the surreal weight of the moment clinging to him, and approached to give Orion a playful shove on the shoulder.

Orion jerked back as if an electric shock had hit him, his breath catching in his throat, his hands flinching up in sudden alarm.

– Where the hell did you come from? Where were you?

– I thought I was the one who fainted. Maybe I didn’t notice, and you hit your head in the meantime? I’ve been standing right in front of you the whole time. I walked up to the tree, and you started acting all weird – Raphael said. His voice had a faint edge of disbelief, but his chest was tight with a strange, creeping dread. – You were pretending you couldn’t see or hear me.

Orion stared at him, eyes wide with fear, a cold sweat prickling at his brow. His lips parted slightly, breath shallow.

– But I really couldn’t see you. Or hear you.

A cold shiver ran down Raphael’s spine, and he swallowed hard.

– That’s impossible! I was right in front of you. I could see you, I could hear you. You seriously don’t see that tree?

– No… – Orion replied, shaking his head slowly, his voice barely above a whisper.

– Okay, I’ll prove it to you.

Raphael turned, the air feeling thick against his skin, and walked up to the tree. He bent down, his heart pounding, and picked up Orion’s amulet. He handed it to him, and Orion stared at him like he was looking at a ghost, his breath coming in quick, shallow bursts, his eyes wide with disbelief, barely holding back from bolting.

He was used to magic, sure – but things like this, with no spells, no incantations, someone vanishing and reappearing out of nowhere… It was too much. The air seemed to vibrate around him, a low, thrumming pressure in his chest that made it hard to breathe. Besides – what did it mean that Raphael could see a tree that was clearly not there for him?

But the amulet… the amulet was real… solid, warm in his palm… Maybe there really was something to what Raphael was saying.

– Okay… – Orion muttered softly, his voice slightly trembling, the words barely forming around the tightness in his throat. – This is… kind of strange. Maybe the tree is protected by some kind of mysterious field, and you, for some reason, can see and cross it. Let’s check if I can enter it too. Tell me exactly where to go.

– Okay, turn that way. Good. Now go straight ahead. What are you doing?

– I’m going, just like you said.

– No! You’re walking in circles!

– That’s impossible! I’m walking exactly where you told me to go!

– Listen, this is seriously weird.

Orion suddenly stopped, as if an idea had struck him. A spark of something sharp flashed in his eyes, cutting through the fog of confusion.

– Since I can’t see it or enter, and you can – let’s see if we can do it together. Take my hand and lead me there.

Raphael took his hand and started walking toward the tree. A strange current pulsed between them the moment their hands touched, a tingle running up Raphael’s arm, and Orion’s eyes went wide in shock – he could see the tree.

He opened his mouth in disbelief, his breath catching, staring in awe as if the world had been peeled back to reveal a secret hidden in plain sight.

– This is seriously strange – he whispered, his voice trembling, barely more than a breath.

Together, holding hands, they approached the tree. The air felt thicker, almost electric, as if charged with unseen energy. But Orion’s unease grew with each step, a tightness building in his chest, his eyes darting nervously around as if the trees themselves were watching.

– Please… let’s get out of here. I feel really weird here. And I’m starting to feel sick.

As soon as they crossed the invisible boundary, Orion let out a deep breath, the tension draining from his shoulders like water pouring from a vessel. His whole body sagged, as if a weight had been lifted, and he glanced back nervously, a faint expression of disgust flickering in his eyes, staring toward the tree he could no longer see once he let go of Raphael’s hand.

– Listen, this is something really strange. I’ve never encountered anything like this in Amaltea. I think the best thing we can do is go back to the school right now.

– Especially since you got your amulet back – Raphael added, trying to reassure him with a small smile, though he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, a lingering chill prickling across his skin like an echo of what had just happened.