Chapter 30: Second Test
After Bella left with Alice, Ethan told Jacob to head back to the reservation.
The two walked in silence through the forest. The air smelled damp, and the tension between the brothers was palpable. Jacob kept glancing at Ethan, searching for answers he didn't dare ask out loud.
The next day, Harry Clearwater's funeral was held.
The sky was gray, as if the weather shared the community's grief. Ethan kept his distance throughout the ceremony, watching from afar as people came to say their goodbyes to Harry. His thoughts drifted between the present and the past. He remembered Harry as a close figure to his family, especially after his mother's death, always strong and wise.
But even as people mourned, he felt a presence deep within him. It was like a lurking shadow, a call he had come to recognize. He knew what was coming. That night, sitting outside his house, Ethan heard the voice of his ancestor once again.
—It's time for the next trial —the voice whispered in his mind, with a deep resonance that shook his senses—. Return to the cave.
The echo of those words reverberated in his mind for minutes before Ethan stood up. He knew he couldn't ignore the call. He had not yet mastered all of his power, and this next trial would be crucial.
Before leaving, he headed to Sam's house to explain his departure.
—I'll be gone, probably for as long as the last time —Ethan said, his voice firm but with a hint of concern. He didn't want to leave them during such a tense time, but the responsibility of his power was greater.
Sam nodded, understanding the seriousness of the situation. He knew that the trials Ethan faced were unique and that each one made him stronger. Ethan then went to say goodbye to his father and afterwards set off for the cave.
Upon arriving, his ancestor appeared before him.
—Before you can fully access your power, you must cleanse the channels through which spiritual energy flows —his ancestor explained, his voice seeming to rise from the very stones of the cave—. The first trial was to contain your rage, but now you must unlock the paths through which your power flows. This is also known as opening the chakras.
The cave extended deeper than Ethan remembered, and soon they reached a hidden chamber, a vast and serene space. At its center, a small crystal-clear pond glowed faintly with the light filtering through cracks in the rock. The water of the pond seemed to move without being touched, and in its center was a mound of earth as perfect as if time itself had shaped it.
The reflection of the cave walls danced on the surface of the water, creating an aura of pure mysticism. There was an air of calm, but also of anticipation, as if this place were the source of something profound and ancient.
—Sit there, on the mound —his ancestor instructed, pointing to the center of the pond—. The first trial is to unlock the root chakra, which deals with survival. This chakra is blocked by fear.
Ethan sat on the mound, closing his eyes as the voice of his ancestor echoed around him.
—What do you fear the most, Ethan? —asked the voice.
Ethan hesitated, but then responded:
—I fear myself… I fear not being able to control my power, hurting those I love, or failing to protect them from our enemies.
His ancestor nodded slowly.
—Fear is an anchor. As long as you carry it, you cannot move forward. Let all your fears flow and be erased from your mind and heart.
Ethan took a deep breath, letting his thoughts settle. Slowly, his fears dissipated. He felt as if his body were floating, light as air, and when he opened his eyes, the water in the pond glowed with a new intensity.
—Well done —said his ancestor—. You've overcome your first obstacle. Rest for a moment, but remember there are still many more.
After a few minutes, Ethan sat back down on the mound.
—The next is the water chakra —his ancestor continued—. It is related to pleasure and is blocked by guilt. Tell me, Ethan, what do you blame yourself for?
Silence filled the cave for what seemed like eternal minutes before Ethan finally spoke:
—I blame myself for my mother's death.
Memories flooded back: a young Ethan, insisting on going to a fair in Forks. His mother, always wanting to make him happy, agreed. But on their way back, the rain came suddenly, and tragedy struck.
—If I hadn't insisted on going to that fair, she'd still be alive. And my father… he would still be able to walk.
His ancestor watched him in silence before responding.
—You must accept reality, Ethan. No one can predict what will happen. The past clouds your mind, and to lead your pack, you must first forgive yourself.
Ethan closed his eyes, focusing on his ancestor's words. It was hard, but little by little, the weight of guilt began to lift. When he opened his eyes again, he felt lighter.
—You've done well, Ethan. Rest. The trial continues, but now you are closer.
Bella's point of view:
Hours had passed since she and Alice left Forks. The trip to the airport had been quick, and on the flight to Italy, Bella couldn't think of anything but what awaited them. She knew from what Edward had told her that the Volturi were no ordinary threat; they were the royalty of vampires, and if they didn't arrive in time, Edward would make a mistake that could cost them everything.
When they reached Volterra, the tension rose. Just as Edward was about to step into the sunlight and reveal his existence to the world, Bella ran toward him. Time seemed to slow as she launched herself at her beloved, preventing what would have been a disaster.
They embraced tightly, feeling the relief of being together once more, and when they kissed, the world around them disappeared for a brief moment. However, that moment was interrupted by a cold and authoritative voice.
—Aro summons you to an audience —said Felix, with a calculating look directed at Bella.
Edward refused, placing Bella behind him, but before things could escalate further, Alice appeared by his side, supporting her brother. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife, and it was at that moment that Jane made her entrance, her presence imposing on everyone.
The decision was made. Bella, Edward, Alice, and the Volturi guards made their way to the audience with Aro, the moment when everyone's fate would change.