Chronicles of Gabriel, In a quest for the truth: First book of the trilogy

By Miquel Àngel Lopezosa Criado

After spending various centuries forming himself as a high sorcerer in a distant dimension and after the death of his teacher, Gabriel must return to Earth in search of a sign. That's how the prophecy dictated. In this return he must face the ghosts of his past and he will find himself involved in the eternal fight between Chaos and Order. Yet he won't be alone. His inseparable friend Hugo and a seasoned wizard named Alexa, will accompany him in a passionate adventure that will take them to get to know themselves.

Mythical and legendary beings will complete the cast of characters that appear in this intriguing work of fiction, full of magic and unsolved enigmas.
The Chronicles of Gabriel. In search of the truth is the first novel of an epic fantasy and historical trilogy, in which loyalty and conjures amalgamate, celestial dragons and ancient magic in a world stalked by Darkness. Egyptian gods, secret doors that lead you into remote worlds and the appearance of a lost manuscript will be the main ingredients of a novel that will keep the reader hooked on a fast-paced story from beginning to end. 
Will Gabriel finally discover the truth?
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Miquel
• Release date: Aug 22, 2018
• ISBN: 9781547544899

Book preview

Chronicles of Gabriel

In a quest for the truth

Miquel Àngel Lopezosa

Translated by Sue Mata

Chronicles of Gabriel, In a quest for the truth

Written By Miquel Àngel Lopezosa Criado

Copyright © 2018 Miquel Àngel Lopezosa Criado

© from the tale The Door, 2017 by Miquel Àngel Lopezosa Criado

Layout and Edition: Miquel Àngel Lopezosa Criado

All rights reserved

Distributed by Babelcube, Inc.

www.babelcube.com

Translated by Sue Mata

Style Correction: Pilar Clemente

Cover Design © 2018 José Gabriel Espinosa Lucas

www.malopezosa.com

Babelcube Books and Babelcube are trademarks of Babelcube Inc.

In a Quest for the Truth

Miquel àngel lopezosa

To Esperanza, for making ours my dream.

To my children, Alexa and Gabriel. for being a part of my dreams.

To my readers, for making a reality out of my dream.

Special Acknowledgements

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To my wife, Esperanza, for her saintly patience. I know that sometimes it hasn’t been easy to deal with my phase as a writer, but you have supported the countless hours I have dedicated to this project with a lot of will and understanding. You don’t know how I appreciate it! I hope you are as proud of me as am I of you, my love. I love you!

To my children, Alexa and Gabriel, for allowing me to use your names for two of the main characters of the novel. for being who you are, for teaching me each day how to be a better person and for being my pride. Don’t be afraid to dream, thus with tenacity, illusion and courage there isn’t anything impossible in life. I love you!

To Pilar Clemente, my style editor, extraordinary professional and even better person. Thanks to you I have learned to grow as a writer, enjoying every moment I have dedicated to revising the novel. All I can say is that without your help I wouldn’t be presenting a work of quality today (or I hope so). Pilar, thank you for teaching me to see...

I would also like to thank my brother Jose Luis for his magnificent work developing the author web page. He will always be my referent and my guide. And I can’t forget my sister in law Fidela, a passionate reader and a sister to me, or my niece Irene. I love you!

Lastly, but not less important, I want to thank all my family, and especially, to Esther, Victor, Alex and Martina (a wonderful family that life has given to me), to Loli, David, Kevin and Alex (how I love you cousins, you know!), and to Luisa, Rafa, Damià and Anna (my adopted second family), for always being there and for believing in me. I would also like to dedicate a recognition to my friends, students and former students (special acknowledgment to Mireia Gustá, «la senyora», and to Joaquín Casado), and classmates of the institute (above all, of the Departament de Sanitària), for your unconditional support and for the broadcasting you have done on social media, mouth to mouth and other media, of the novel. Without you it wouldn’t have gotten so far. And to my dear readers, how couldn’t I, for making my dream a reality.

Carpe Diem!

PROLOGUE.

At the beginning there was Nothing, a vast ocean of everlasting darkness that occupied everything.  In that place there wasn’t room for time, thus this ignored its own existence, and light couldn’t blossom either, since there wasn’t any space for it to take shelter.

But Nothing wasn’t alone. She had a sinister lover that watched her, hidden in the perennial darkness, with the single and febrile obsession of possessing her. He saw in her all the attributes he lacked and that made her the perfect and completing dame.

Nevertheless, Nothing, wasn’t willing to give into the cravings of a being that, above all, desired to tie her eternally to his crystal heart. Furthermore, she also couldn’t repress the profound seduction she felt for the antagonistic nature of her lover and, every now and then, she would let loose her desires and allow him to possess her.

And in one of those timeless encounters, the infinity ruled by silence and darkness broke its hegemony occurring into a subtle transformation, unperceived for the invisible lady, but that would change the course of destiny and everything known until then. While Nothing and her lover unleashed their most secret passions, two insignificant specks of light coincided on a crossroads that led nowhere, and from that union an uncontrolled and chaotic whirlwind took charge to create a miracle: space and time bind their souls and with that Everything originated.

*

CHAPTER 1

AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER.

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Often we must search in our fears to find what we are looking for.

1

The mirror gave back an image that not even I recognized. I washed my face and picked up my tangled jet-black hair in a pigtail without ceasing to see the electrifying green eyes that observed me from the crystal. The beard of many weeks and the dark circles under my eyes didn't undermine the youthful aspect of my face. I barely looked forty and portrayed an athletic complexion, almost 2 meters of height, but I felt so old!

I dressed with a white linen shirt and a gray leather jacket, that matched my pants and boots. I sat on the edge of the bed and I saw out the window how the sun was breaking on the horizon. «My last sunrise in this cell!», I thought while feeling a chill. I couldn't remember the time that had passed since I arrived at that temple to complete my training as an ultimate sorcerer, but I had finished my cycle there and must return to the place that begot my misfortune. That's what the prophecy dictated.

I laid down on the mattress and took the notebook that was on the sheets. I ran through it and left it between my legs opened on the first blank page. I lit the pipe and got lost chasing the smoke line with my gaze. «Where to start?», I asked myself while I took the quill from the small table. I weighed the possibility of doing it from the beginning, but what beginning? There was a part of my past, that I sensed was the most momentous of my immortal existence, that remained buried in oblivion. And what I remembered was drenched in hate and pain...«Carpe Diem!», I told myself before I dipped the tip of the quill in the inkwell to begin printing on the paper what I felt being so close to starting an uncertain journey.

I knew that as soon as I finished writing those words I would place myself in front of the dimensional door, the same one I had been avoiding since it appeared in that world, and I wouldn’t hesitate to cross that threshold, even knowing that there would be no turning back.

Furthermore, my destiny, Earth. But once I’m there...only the gods will know what will happen.

**

I arrived to the planet an ashy summer afternoon and my wandering steps took me to the doors of a cemetery. I was surprised to see how little those places had changed during my centuries of absence. Maybe that was the reason I felt so relaxed admiring the mausoleums and the sad figure statues while I walked down the muted streets. It seemed fascinating to me, and envious, to know that in the depths of those crypts there were people enjoying their eternal rest. 

It started to drizzle and I sought refuge beneath the gateway of a pantheon. In the sky some heavy clouds had formed that carried a storm. «How long has it been since I’ve seen it rain!». I found myself in those thoughts when an unfathomable feeling of pain assaulted me that didn’t come from inside me. I tried to understand with the senses its origin, but it had vanished, just like a sigh. «Could have been the work of a tormented spirit», I told myself while allowing the scent of moist dirt enwrap me. But at that moment something resounded in my mind: «I’m Hugo»  and I knew the pain had an owner.

I searched with my senses through the tombs until I stumbled upon the deep stare of a gargoyle that stood out from the roof of a crypt. it represented a monstrous creature, black and deformed, though the most unsettling of his physiognomy were his huge eyes, dark, expressive and full of life. Intrigued, I projected my mind towards the interior of the cold rock and this time I could listen with clarity:«Free me!».

I left the backpack on the shelf of the vault and unwrapped the magic scepter that I carried attached to the belt. Then I shook it slowly to lower the statue from its pedestal. Once on the floor, I rested the rod on the wall and posed my hands on the gargoyle to make contact with the being that dwelled in its interior. «Why are you cursed?», I asked. It tried to respond, nevertheless did it so incoherently that I was unable to make out a phrase which made sense. «Calm down, Hugo.  The enchantment doesn’t allow you to use words to communicate with me, but I know another way to do it». The guy put his mind in blank and the cacophony disappeared. «Well done, friend! Now, relax and let me penetrate your thoughts to know what it is that happened to you». Immediately, the captive raised an armor between us. «What are you hiding with such zeal? Is it possible you’re a wrongdoer?», I inquired. His eyes flashed. «So you have nothing to be frightened of. Besides, I will only help you if I’m certain you have a noble soul». Silence was his answer. «Is that your last word?», I questioned trying to get some sort of sign. «I’m sorry, however I cannot continue to waste my time with you. I have other problems to attend to». I got up with the intention to collect my gear and get on my way, but when I was going to end the sensorial connection he sounded in my mind: «Wait, please!».

I kneeled down to be at the height of his eyes and said to him: « I promise to not violate your intimacy, Hugo; I will only inquire in what’s related to the curse». The guy let his guard down and when I penetrated his mind it didn’t take long to find the incident why he felt so ashamed. And I couldn’t help but shiver to know that we both shared a past full of pain.

Hugo’s sin was to have fallen in love with the wife of a warlock that took him in as a follower. They lived a furtive love until his master surprised them laying in his own bed. He converted him into a gargoyle, doomed to live chained to the rock for all eternity, and he buried her alive in front of her lover so she would suffer a slow and cruel death.

«Don’t repent some acts that were born in the heart, Hugo, because if there is something worth risking everything in this world it’s love», I confessed with a knot in my stomach. «I will try to free you, but I can’t promise you anything. Lapidis corpus curses are very complex to execute and even more yet to reverse. Hugo..., I won’t lie to you. There is high risk that you will die in the attempt», I warned. «And wouldn’t death be the greatest freedom?». I read his thoughts.

The rain got worse when I kneeled to the gargoyle’s feet to concentrate in capturing the magic that bewitched him. As I feared, the warlock had used an incantation Cor intra scopulus with the intention that the process of petrification begin at the heart. I knew I only had one opportunity to invert completely the effects of the curse and what would be Hugo’s destiny in case I erred. I meditated the options I had and finally leaned into using a counter spell of water intuiting that the warlock had used fire from his hate as an activating element. I took a deep breath and recited mentally: Aqua vincere inis corgis lapis. 

For some distressing seconds nothing happened, apart from the incessant gurgle of the rain drops bouncing on the ground. Alarmed, I looked into the eyes of the gargoyle, but these had shut down. And when I discovered that I couldn’t keep sensorial contact with him either, I had to assume I had failed. «I’m sorry, Hugo», I whispered while I looked down in resignation. It was then when I seemed to have heard an eco, very subtle at the beginning but it started amplifying until it became a harmonious rhythm. Hugo’s heart was beating once again!

I squeezed my fist and smiled, but my euphoria became perplexity when I heard a hissing behind me that made my blood turn cold. «It can’t be!», I muttered while I turned to see how this lump drained in the interior of the mausoleum. I took the scepter and started running towards the door of the temple. I crossed the threshold, with my heart galloping in the chest, and discovered that a couple of meters away from the lobby began the steps of a staircase that lead to the lower floor. There I captured an energy that lit my reason.

After a rushed and deep descend I appeared in a room that was sunken in the shadows. I caressed the amethyst that crowned the scepter, until it began to gleam emitting a faint light with which I could inspect the place.  Part of the colonnades were spread out on the floor made into debris and the effigies, laid dismembered and scattered by the corridor. Nevertheless, what called my attention the most was the intriguing shadow that I glimpsed at the end of the room.

I cautiously advanced through the hallway until I stopped in front of a sculpture that represented a winged dragon, about twenty meters of height. With a chill, I contemplated the extreme realism with which that creature had been chiseled. It seemed to be in a fighting pose, with its body arched, its wings retracted, the jaw open and a ferocious look. I didn’t have time to make conjectures, right then the dragon vanished and I heard the hissing behind me. As I turned I saw a pair of amber eyes with vertical pupils gleaming in the darkness. I shook the scepter and the gem shone with more strength revealing the presence of a cyclopean viper upright on its tail. The posture of the serpent was chilling, but those eye..., those eyes were impossible to forget!

The reptile zigzagged, sharpening the strident hissing, and we began going in circles scrutinizing each other with our stare. «It has been an eternity since the last time we saw each other, Apophis!», I murmured with resentment. Finally the viper rushed onto me throwing a bite that I could dodge with a blow from the cane. The beast stirred and spit a ball of fire towards me. This time I had to throw myself to one side to avoid the impact, but with the impact I dropped my cane and was out in the dark. I was in the mercy of my enemy, but he didn’t attack. «What are you waiting for, bastard?», I thought while I groped around for my scepter on the ground. After a some tense seconds I managed to find the cane and I wielded it so it would shine light again.

The mausoleum was so silent that the accelerated beating of my heart seemed to rumble like drums. I got up and started to go about wildly chasing shadows until an invisible scourge strongly shook me pushing me up against the wall. Form the violent encounter, I remained seated on the ground, a bit dated and breathless. Then I saw the beast pouncing towards me, but I assertively interposed the scepter when its jaws were closing in on my neck. Fortunately, the viper’s fangs got stuck on the wood and I was able to get rid of her with a energetic kick.

The serpent shot out towards a far end of the corridor, though, far from scaring away, it rose again on its tail and it started challenging towards me emitting a perverse hissing. I got up and searched for an escape, but I was cornered between the body of the pillar and the wall. «Or you or me», it said to me brandishing the cane. The amethyst started flashing, but I waited until my enemy was just close enough to scream: Lûminis invictum. I shook the rod and it released a ray that impacted on point the viper’s body, it twisted for a few seconds in the air before blowing into a thousand pieces. After the explosion, my eyesight got covered and I was swallowed by the darkness.

When I recovered, I found myself in front of the gargoyle and I had my mind boggled. It rained oceans, but I didn’t feel the raindrops wetting my skin. «Where could the serpent be?», I asked myself alarmed. I made the gesture of getting the cypher, that was still resting against the wall of the crypt, but my arm was completely stiff. It was then when I realized I was enchanted and that the encounter with the viper hadn’t been real. The sorcerer must have masked a Confusio spell with the intention of making me relive the worst of my nightmares and avoiding that I be conscious of falling under the influence of the curse.

Gathering all my strengths I whispered: Illuminat veritas and annulled the effects of Confusio.  And before losing my breath I recited: Ruptis vinculis glaciers to invert the petrification.

When I was free from the enchantment, I could barely stay standing. I let myself fall against the wall of the vault and slid down the wall until I was seated on the floor. I was draught to the bones and the coldness had filtered to my marrow. Without stopping my shivering, I extended my arm and took the scepter. I could barely hold it between my shaky hands, but I managed to bring the amethyst to my mouth and after mumbling: Calôris, the gem began to glow emitting a comfortable radiation with which I began warming up. It was then I heard the creaking that proceeded from the interior of the gargoyle.

I removed my hair from my face and saw how the statue cracked from the back before collapsing  raising an intense gray dust. In its place appeared a naked human being, crouched on the floor and breathing between violent convulsions. The rain slipped down his robust body releasing a cloud of vapor that conferred him a ghostly aspect. The guy supported his hands on the clay and began incorporating himself laboriously getting help from the protrusions on the wall of the crypt. Upright, he shouldn’t be taller that one meter seventy, he presented a noticeable dorsal hump and arms disproportionately longer than his legs. But it wasn’t until he turned his head to look at me that the most monstrous of his physiognomy was revealed.

His shaggy hair, that was stirring on his head whipped by the downpour, couldn’t hide a face with deformed cheekbones, thick nose and deep sockets where eyes black as smut flashed. And his mouth, with irregular and thin lips, could barely hold some disproportionately big teeth, that matched a prominent jaw of pronounced chin.

I tried to hold back a repulsive gesture, which didn’t go unperceived by him.

—What is wrong with you? —he murmured with a hoarsely voice.

It was impossible for me to respond. Hugo took a look on the ground and contemplated his image reflected on the dark puddle. Still it rumbles in my mind, the scream he emitted tearing the silence.

—What have you done, warlock? —he bellowed with exorbitant eyes.

I remained motionless, without being able to look away from his inquisitive stare. Fortunately, the rain disguised the tears that my eyes couldn’t hold.

—I’m sorry, but I’m afraid that the sorcerer did his job to well  —I argued with a lame voice.

—I don’t believe you! What are you waiting for to use your damn magic? —he screamed looking at the scepter. Upon the absence of my answer, Hugo pounced himself towards me and lifted me, grabbing me by the flaps, as if I were a doll—. Please, do something! You can’t leave me like this.

I felt like a scoundrel contemplating the distress his gaze transmitted. Yet when he understood I couldn’t do anything for him, he released me and, after taking a couple to hesitant steps, he let himself fall on his knees in the mire.

—I’m sorry, really —I managed to say, while I repositioned the collar of my shirt.

—I don’t need your compassion, warlock  —he replied skewering me with his glare. I wanted to say something, but the roar of a clap of thunder eclipsed my voice—. At least you can leave me something to cover myself with, right?

In my backpack I carried a few change of clothes and a coat blanket to large for him. Hugo refused with his head and rose wiping the clay from his knees. Afterwards he forced the door of the crypt and he snuck inside. I got up and for a while heard him fiddle around from the door. When he came out, he did it dressed from head to toe.

—But, what have you done? —I asked amazed looking at his clothes.

—That one won’t need them and to me, bad or good, cover my privates —he remarked while trying to cover his body joining the rags with his hands.

—Wait a moment —I warned him at the same time I shook the scepter. Hugo looked at me with mistrust when the clothes began to mend and adjust to his body, yet he didn’t protest—. How do you look? —I asked once the labor had ended.

—Even if the monkey dresses in silk... —he said giving himself a quick glance.

An awkward silence was produced, that a croaking crow broke from the roof of the pantheon.  I took a look at the sky and then realized it had stopped raining.

—Well... —I cleared my throat without knowing what to say.

Hugo observed me seriously and asked:

—And now what?

Suddenly, I got a tremendous urge to run out of there. I adjusted the rod to my waist and hung the backpack on my shoulder, without even looking at him.

—It has been a pleasure to meet you, nevertheless I have pending things to do.  So...Good luck, partner! —And without leaving him a chance to reply I started out in large strides. I hadn’t even gone ten meters when Hugo got in my way, with a defiant gesture and his arms crossed on his chest—. What are you doing? —I lashed trying to dodge him.

—Are you going to leave me about here? —he released barring the path for me.

At that moment the clouds opened and some sun rays appeared.

—I’m sorry, but...

—Would you stop with that song? —he intercepted frowning—. I feel more the misfortune of having to have met a warlock from three to four like you. So...stop your laments and assume your responsibility.

I couldn’t give credit to what I was hearing.

—Oh no! —I remarked with a tacit gesture—. I have freed you from the curse, which was what you wanted!, and that’s where my responsibility ends. Therefore if you are not happy with the result that is your problem, comrade, no need to thank me. So you can enjoy your freedom as you wish, but whatever you do starting at this moment is your thing, and only yours! —I sentenced before running away.

—Not so fast, big guy! —he said getting in my way again. I tried moving him aside, but he responded giving me a push—. During the over four hundred years I have lived in captivity there hasn’t been a night I hadn’t dreamt of walking again, to feel the freshness of the rain or the caress of the wind. But look in what I have become! —he announced with fogged eyes—. I don’t belong to this world anymore. Everything that has mattered to me in life has been left behind, even my humanity! I am a monster can’t you see? —he alluded crestfallen.

—You do not understand, Hugo...I have too many problems as to carry with one more.

Hugo must have captured the indecision in my pose and rushed to say:

—You won’t have to worry about me. —I denied with my head, but he continued insisting—. Besides, surely you will know how to profit from me. I have the strength of a bull and I know how to cook... It wouldn’t be bad for you to gain a few kilograms, gangling man! And there where you are going you it wouldn’t be bad to be able to count with my acute senses; I have a feline ear, elephant sense of smell and a hawk’s sight —he declared with illuminated eyes. I felt overwhelmed with his arguments, above all, because I couldn’t find a way to refuse them—. I won’t be a load to you, you’ll see! —he insisted—. And if in one week I haven’t convinced you, I promise you won’t have to ask me to leave.

«It hasn’t been a good idea to come back!», I thought. But at that instant I seemed to have heard the voice of the teacher telling me: «Often we find our way in the most unsuspected manner».

—I must warn you that I’m involved in a very dangerous mission and I won’t be able to guarantee your safety —I warned him seriously.

—I don’t fear death —he asserted without hesitating.

It was clear it wouldn’t be easy work getting him off me.

—What do you know about my enemies? What do you know about me? —I warned looking him in the eyes—. I must face one of the most powerful beings in the universe and I still don’t know if I will be at his level. Actually, I don’t even know how to get to him  —I confessed feeling how my frustration flowers—. But, why do I tell you anything? This is nonsense! —Hugo kept looking at me with a face of circumstances—. I have returned to this world pushed by a prophecy, a stupid prophecy for which my teacher had to pay with his life. Supposedly from here I was to find an indication that would guide my way. And  what have I  found? —I let go looking at  him  with disdain—. Don’t be offended, comrade, but I don’t think you can help me unveil the answers I have come looking for.

Hugo twisted the gesture and snorted with annoyance.

—Your teacher must be twisting in his grave for having to sacrifice his life for someone who doesn’t see further than his nose. Do you believe in casualties? I don’t either. And taking a prophecy lightly is foolish. Are you so  blind? —he  alluded penetrating me with his gaze—. From all the beings that have passed in front of my stamp only you have been able to capture my presence, and you are not the first wizard that has stumbled with me, I assure you. And, if not, why have you come to stop precisely at this cemetery? —he pointed out with open arms—. If you’re asking yourself why, then you already have an answer —he stressed—. I don’t know how the hell I will be able to help you in your quest, long legs, but if your teacher was willing to give his life for your cause it was because he believed in you. And I am convinced that time will give him reason.

I sighed looking at the sky.

—How stubborn are you, Hugo? —I admitted giving up—. Fine! You can accompany me and throw your life over board, if that’s what you wish, but stop talking to me like my teacher did. —Hugo smiled highlighting his ugliness—. Now, if you decide to come with me I want you to know what to expect. I must warn you that I get up early, I have a changing mood and I usually travel very far and with not so conventional means of transport. Besides, we won’t have an easy life, and much less, luxury; austerity is my norm —I proclaimed very seriously—. Oh! And I want to be clear with you that my priority is the mission that I have in my hands and if some day you see yourself overtaken by the events you will be free to leave where ever you want without giving any explanation. 

—Anything else, maitre...? —he commented scratching his chin—. By the way, what’s your name?

—Yes, there is one other thing... If by chance you shelter the hope that I can change your current aspect, I will tell you I don’t and won’t have that power. The only one that could do it since a long time ago doesn’t belong to the world of the living, thing that must relieve you and humanity —I restated while adjusting the pack to my back—. By the way, my name is Gabriel.

Hugo smiled and picked up a branch from a cypress that was lying on the ground so he can use as a cane.

—You won’t regret it, you’ll see! But there is one thing that is keeping me very intrigued —he commented looking at obliquely—. You know my sorrow and my sentence, but before you liberated me I sensed a grief in your heart. What is your penance, Gabriel?

I was surprised by his insight.

—It is a long story, but this isn’t the moment nor the place to tell it —I said while I placed my hands on his shoulders—. Although you should know one more thing about me, that very few people know and it’s the reason why I am embarking on the adventure. For some strange reason, I can’t manage to remember a part of my past and an evil being took charge into assuring that I could never get it back by snatching from me my most precious possession. Hugo, I’m incomplete. I’m..., a being without a soul —I whispered.

—How? —he said aloud with a horrified gesture.

—Hey! You must be prudent, partner, that the walls can have eyes and ears —I whispered looking sideways all around me—. But that is not all... Remember I have to face someone very powerful? —Hugo agreed with a gesture—. Well it is Apophis —I announced with a chill—. He took something more than my soul and I want to get revenge for everything he made me go through. Do you now understand the extent of the mission? —My confession left him pale. I adjusted my pack to back once again and undid the ponytail so my hair would dry with the last rays of sun—. I will understand if you don’t want to accompany me.

I walked towards to exit of the cemetery without listening to footsteps behind me. «It’s better this way!», I thought. I continued advancing, but just before going through the gate I stopped my pace with the intention of looking behind. To my surprise, someone crashed impetuously against me making me stagger.

—Forgive me, long legs! But I was so focused on following your pace that I didn’t realize you had stopped —Hugo said blushing.

With the hard encounter laughter invaded us. How long had it been since I had laughed with such desire!

—How about if we find some place to stay overnight? —I suggested to my new partner, seeing that the light of the day was beginning to turn off.

This time together, we left the cemetery and took a road that led into the forest. Definitely, something had started to change in my life and for the first time in a long while I had a feeling very close to happiness.

2

After spending a good while walking by an avenue that bordered a river we took a pathway that wandered between the birches until we reached an abandoned cabin that was bordered by a vineyard, also, abandoned. We went in and proved that the shack, although ramshackle and dusty, could give us shelter for a night. Hugo threw himself on a big seat and fell asleep ipso facto.  However, I was still digesting what had happened and I knew that it would be useless to try to sleep.

With the remains of a decayed chair, I lit a fire in the chimney and sat on a bench that was close to the window to smoke a pipe while I contemplated the nightfall. «I never expected that my return to the Earth would report to me such a strange surprise. Will Hugo be the beacon that lights my way?», I meditated with a lost gaze.  I gave the pipe a puff and, without knowing why, it came to my mind a philosophical discussion I had had with the Teacher a little before he revealed the prophecy. I kept the thesis that the destiny was already written from the moment of our birth,  thing with which he disagreed profoundly alluding: «Sometimes we must close a door for another one to open, Gabriel, but the decision to do it, or not do it, only depends on us. Keep that present». And know that phrase made sense. «At the end I will have to agree with you, old big head:», I thought holding back a yawn. At that moment I was conscious of how much I missed him.

Since it seemed that I was getting sleepy, I left the pipe on the window ledge and, while I observed how the smiling silhouette of the moon appear above the trees of the forest, I feel asleep.

With dawn, Hugo appeared with some grape bunches that turned into our lunch. We left the cabin and strolled distractedly through a small road that circled the vineyards until, burdened by the heat, we decided to take refuge from the summer rays under the shade of a Holm oak. Hugo sat on the ground and asked for a blade with which he worked the root he had pulled from the heath until he made it into a pipe. Afterwards, he checked the shot by inhaling through the mouthpiece and laid against the tree trunk with a satisfied face.

—What I wouldn’t give for some cut tobacco! —he sighed while handing me back the blade.

I smiled and took out my sea foam pipe.

—Your wishes are my commands —I said offering him the cigarette case.

At that moment I perceived a strong wave of energy flowing around me. Restless, I went out to the foot of the road and I chased it with my senes to see where it was going.

—What is wrong with you, Gabriel? —Hugo called out.

—You don’t perceive it? —I said, looking back.

—Do you mean the vital force of the mortals?

I was amazed of not perceiving surprise in his response. I went back to the shade and remained observing how Hugo compressed the tobacco in the ring of the pipe with all naturalness.

—Since when does this phenomenon happen? —I asked intrigued—. I don’t remember having to have perceived it the last time —I was here.

—A century, or maybe more —he commented without raising his gaze—. I have also asked myself where it will stop. And you know what? I have a theory —he announced while he was getting up and dusting the cuts tobacco from his clothes—. I think there must be something up there, and I don’t mean the gods, that are now demanding back what they once lent us. I like to call it The force of creation —he pointed out handing me back the cigarette case—. However... —he pointed out thoughtfully—, from a time to this part the frequency has risen with which episodes appear. How strange, right?

Subtly,  a flock of blackbirds started flying from the treetops with tremendous noise that gave us a good shock and, surprisingly, the flow of energy disappeared.

—I don’t like at all what is happening here —I warned looking with suspicion at the sky—. We will have to find out who is behind this mystery and what do they pretend to do accumulating all this energy. Its seems that someone hasn’t been lazy in my absence —I declared placing Apophis in my mind—. But we will take care of that later.

I laid back on the trunk of the Holm oak and pressed a pinch of tobacco on the brazier of the pipe before lighting it with a mix. Following act I gave the pipe some short puffs on the nacreous mouthpiece and exhaled a ring of smoke that broke when it crashed on Hugo’s head, that was looking at me with an anxious glance.

—Can I have a match?

I passed him the box of matches and remained observing how he lit fire to his tobacco. Hugo inhaled a profound puff and sighed a: «Magnificent!», at the moment he expelled a fragrant mouthful.

—It is a very aromatic tobacco to carry entirely the Izmir variety. It was what the teacher smoked  —I said with nostalgia.

—It must have been a tough lose —he commented while giving me back the matches.

—He was everything to me —I responded with a lost look—. He took me in like a son and he taught me all he knew without asking for anything in return. But what hurts me the most is that I helped him unveil the prophecy without knowing it was pushing him to death. Why would he hide this?

To my surprise Hugo came close to me and gave me a hug.

—I believe he did it for love and because he knew that you wouldn’t have ever allowed it if you had known. Have you ever asked yourself what you would have done in his place? —he cautioned with a wink—. Come now, long legs, cheer up! The time is coming for you to aerate those fateful thoughts and tell me what we are going to do.

I gave the pipe a puff and answered him:

—The first thing, look for a place to live.

—We won’t stay in the cabin? With some fixings it will be perfect.

—Live on Earth? —I chuckled—. No, my friend, we will abandon the planet today.

Hugo choked on his smoking and got a coughing attack.

—Leave Earth!, are you kidding? —he almost screamed, as soon as he recovered.

—We will find another world where we can live without having to hide from curious stares. Besides —I added while exhaling a smoke ring—, nothing binds us here but pain.

—But how will we leave the planet? —he asked, still with a frightened face.

—I already warned you that I used means of transport that are not common, remember? Well not to far from here you can find a door that will transfer us to another realm —I revealed to him.

—Another realm? And what the hell is that? —he pointed out perplexed.

Then I realized that Hugo, just like most people, was unfamiliar to one of the best kept secrets by the wizards of Light.

—My friend, I think it is time that somebody tells you the story of the dimensional doors —I commented as I started seating on the ground—. Little before all the gods abandoned the Earth, they created doors that connected with other habitable planets through a framework of space-time. Then they populated them with a select group of people and they established The Order of the Light, an alliance between