ROTU: Chapter Twenty-Three

The chimes hanging from the door of an old unmarked building clanged gently as Jalena opened it. She let her eyes adjust to the dim interior of the apothecary before moving further into the store. Dusty shelves filled with bottles of ointment and creams aligned the wall. A stack of books covering apothecary topics sat between rows of sage, other herbs, and candles.

A petite woman with long black hair and weathered brown skin came shuffling slowly around the corner. She stopped abruptly before Jalena. Several moments passed before she finally spoke.

"So, you have finally remembered."

"What do you mean?"

"You do not have to pretend here, light warrior. I know who you are." The woman hobbled closer to her.

Jalena gasped in surprise as she noted the woman's iridescent eyes—no pupil or iris was visible in either.

"You can see me?"

"I don’t need to see to actually see," she stressed. "Even with your energy suppressed, the light leaks." She smiled as she patted Jalena on the arm. "And it is a reassuring sight."

"Who are you?" Jalena asked softly.

"My name is Fern." She gestured at the items scattered throughout the shop. "Fitting don't you think, considering my talents? So, light warrior, tell me—" she gave Jalena a toothless grin, "—did he give it to you, yet?"

"Who? And give me what?"

"The answer is no, or you would know what I am talking about."

"Do you know where I can find the Glisayas?" asked Jalena, deciding it was best to get to the point of her visit. "I would like your help if you know."

"Follow your own heart. All that you need is within."

"That, not being the response I was looking for, sounds like something the Priestesses of our planet would say. Very cryptic."

Fern smiled. "Come with me, and I will explain more of what I mean."

Jalena followed her into the back room of the store. There, on the wall above a desk, was one of her paintings—a colorful tree with multiple moons held within its branches.

"The tree of moons," Jalena whispered as she went and touched the edge of the painting. "Why would you buy a painting that you could not…?"

"…see? I have reminded you already that one does not need eyes to truly see, just as those with healthy vision often do not really see."

Jalena smiled. "I understand. Our warriors are trained to release the confines of reality and see what is beyond. We call the ability Relasu."

"Exactly. Use it now to gaze at your own work, and then you will see what I do."

Jalena looked around in hesitation, unsure about letting any power surface outside the facility now that it had grown within her. She was uncertain if her new bracelet and band would mask her energy effectively.

"Do not hesitate, dear. It is only for a moment. Do it with the bracelet on, so not all of your power comes forth."

Jalena closed her eyes. She took a deep breath to allow her energy to surface and relaxed her vision into Relasu.

She gasped as she gazed at the light within her painting. The moons pulsed with colorful energy. Gold, silver, and violet light moved continuously through the trunk and branches of the tree and then outward, like a flame soaring off the painting.

"Now you see what I see," said Fern with a satisfied grin.

Jalena's vision turned normal again as she exhaled.

"Your own consciousness serves as a gateway to knowledge and this spirit is often conveyed through art. What is within is always expressed externally through creativity. Art—no matter the form—is one way to remember who we truly are."

"I understand when considering my other paintings of Elsaria, but this tree I painted solely from imagination. I have not seen such a tree on my planet."

"Because it is not on Elsaria," Fern smiled, "it is on this one. This tree is the key to finding the entrance to the realm of the Glisayas. The location changes, of course, to prevent interference from the humans.

"You are to journey and search the forests of Ireland. Follow the pulse within you until you hear the chimes or hum of the realm. You will know when you arrive at the right location. Once there, allow your power to surface and use Relasu. You will see the tree. When you reach the tree, speak the words of entrance in the Glisayan language."

"What is the phrase?"

"I speak the song of the fairies."

Jalena smiled. "Thank you, Fern." She turned back to her painting. "So, all of my paintings carry this energy as well?"

"Yes."

"The people that are attracted to the art…"

"Yes," the elder said eagerly when Jalena paused. "Keep going."

"They must be those that are attracted to heightened energy somehow, even if they are unaware…" Jalena continued "…External interest matches internal substance…"

"Exactly. The energy embedded in the paintings serves as a pulse, beckoning specific people to you because it contains a reflection of who you are."

Jalena's eyes widened. "The Conduits! I may have already met them without realizing it when my power was dormant?"

"Very good," Fern praised. "They may not have understood why they liked your paintings, but the initiates have all either purchased or have been gifted one."

"I keep track of who has made purchases to keep sales personal," Jalena mumbled.

"They will have bought them when the power within them has lifted to a high enough frequency to be able to detect your signal. Based on the progression of energetic influence across the globe over the past decade, I would research the past four years. Fern's gaze turned serious. "But know this, warrior. The timing is critical in that you find them soon. For as the light starts to rise within a person, also does any remaining darkness so that it may be cleansed from their system. A muddy system does not allow light to flow freely. The Conduits commonly have a harsh past, so they will have to release the remnants of it so the light breaks through. Because of this, the three that you seek may display instability in emotions when you meet them. And yet, you must not let their behavior detour you, for it is only temporary. Just as you have found me at the right time, so also have your Conduits come to you."

Fern took a deep breath.

"You seem relieved."

"Let's just say I have waited a long time to have this conversation with you."

Jalena raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Sounds like something a guardian would do."

"Perhaps."

"If there is ever a way to thank you…"

"There is…by purging this planet of the unwelcomed darkness that gathers more in strength every day. It has indeed overstayed its welcome."

Jalena turned back to her painting. "A wise wizard once told me that great darkness provokes the rise of great light."

"Then reveal the light that you are and blind them all."

Jalena kissed the woman on her wrinkled cheek. Minutes later, she sped away from the store.

The witch grinned as Jalena drove away. "Finally," she said.

Gold light spilled from Fern's eyes as a gold symbol of a cross running through three circles flashed briefly on her forehead. With a glittery golden pop, the elder disappeared from sight.