Chapter 65 - Calling His Soul Home (Part 1)

It's been almost two hours and Sybil hasn't returned yet. The sun was almost fully set and Alexis was not only itching to get to the cemetery, but she was starting to worry about what was going on at Aunt Elly's house. What if she hurt Sybil? Unable to take anymore of the waiting Alexis jumped up and began pacing the floor. She knew that Sybil had told her not to wait for her but she couldn't bring herself to run off. Besides, what if she ran into another priest? She couldn't just take the car, Sybil would need it eventually. "Finally," Sybil's voice filled the house. "I thought your aunt would never fall asleep."Running to the older woman Alexis threw herself at Sybil feeling extreme relief knowing she was alright. "Calm down sweetheart. We need to hustle to the cemetery or we will be late."The drive to the cemetery was quiet, both just anxious for tonight to work. They needed this to work, if this failed, then the Order wins. They would be able to take control of Grimald again and only God knows what they would force that poor soul to do. "We are here," Sybil said breaking the silence.Alexis looked around trying to spot Grimald and Shelta. "I s-see Grimald o-over there," Alexis spoke while pointing at the darkest corner of the cemetery. "I don't see him," Sybil responded while squinting in the dark."Trust m-me, he's th-there."Sybil only nodded before informing Alexis that Shelta had just pulled up and was making her way through the cemetery entrance. With that they both piled out of the car and quickly made their way to Grimald. "H-hi Grimald," Alexis whispered as she slowly approached the giant creature."Hello little one."Grimald opened his arms for Alexis and without any hesitation she jumped into them with a quiet giggle."I m-missed you Grimald. Are y-you excited for t-tonight?""I missed you too love. I don't think excited is the right word for how I am feeling right now," the gargoyle replied."Don't worry dear," Shelta interjected. "As long as you have an open mind and allow yourself to forgive and heal, everything will work out.""And if I can't seem to do that?"Grimaldi's question hung in the air clouding any positivity the group might have had. There was a good possibility that this wouldn't work, that Grimald would not be able to let go of his past and realize that he was not to blame for what happened. "Grimald, y-you have to t-try. Please we h-have to make this w-work, you have to f-forgive and move on."The air was tense after Alexis spoke up. Everyone knew Grimald's past was a horrible one, no one should ever go through what he went through. They all knew that tonight was going to be rough and every second would count."Alright everyone, are we ready to begin?" Shelta asked. "Do you have all the pieces?"Alexis removed the rings from around her neck and placed them in Shelta's outstretched hand. Sybil was next to place the cross on top of the necklace. "Did you bring 'Accalia' as well? I need to keep it near by since it was the source of all this suffering.""I did," Sybil stated."Good. Now, Grimald I need you to put Alexis down and sit in a comfortable position." "I am comfortable," Grimald grumbled. Shelta chuckled at his attitude. "I know but I need to not have any distractions. You need to be fully focused on what we are about to do."While talking Shelta was placing candles in a large circle around her and Grimald before lighting each and everyone. The yellow glow lit up Grimald's face illuminating his hard features and the cold look he was currently wearing.With a kiss to his cheek Alexis removed herself from his lap and stepped outside of the candles and took a seat next to Sybil."Now Grimald," Shelta began. "I am going to place the objects into your hands. Once you have them I want you to say 'I call all missing pieces of my soul to return to me,' got it?"Grimald nodded his head to show he understood, but the doubt he held on his face showed his lack of faith in what they are doing. Shelta took the necklace and put it in his right hand before placing the cross in his left. "I call all missing pieces of my soul to return to me," Grimald gruffly repeated. All at once the yellow glow changed to a soft blue as the candles seemed to respond to Grimald's words. "Good," Shelta said. "Now we will start with retrieving your soul from the necklace. This one will be easy since you willing gave your soul. There are good intentions and good memories linked with that object. What I need you to do is close your eyes, go deep into your mind and recount the moment you placed you soul into those rings. I want you to then call back each memory that is linked with them, accept those memories even if they hurt. I will know if you have gone far enough and will direct you as you go."Once again all Shelta got was a nod of acknowledgement before Grimald closed his eyes and quit moving. At first nothing seemed to be happening."H-how will w-we know he is f-far enough into h-his mind or m-memories?" Alexis whispered to Sybil."I have absolutely no idea. I am just as new to this soul retrieval thing as you," Sybil responded.Suddenly the blue on the candles began to turn darker and when Alexis looked at Grimald she noticed a small blue glow coming from his right hand. "S-Sybil look," she gasped."Good Grimald. Keep going, call those memories to you. Those memories are the link to your soul, calling them back will call your soul back." Shelta stated. The light from the necklace became gradually brighter causing the women to squint so they could still watch what was happening. "Call it back Grimald," Shelta whispered. "Call your soul home."Next thing Alexis knew the light shot up his arm before traveling into his chest and disappearing. Looking up at Grimald's face she saw his eyes opened and totally white before returning to their original color. "That was excellent Grimald!" Shelta exclaimed. " I knew this would work! Now we have one piece down and the hardest piece to go!"Grimald couldn't help but let a small smile slip, it had actually worked!"Are you ready to become whole again?" Shelta asked. Grimald was quiet for a moment before answering, "Yes."