Chapter 40

I met Laura and Thorne at the Chambers where they were eating. 'What was that weird thing she said about my ego?" Thorne asked me when I joined them. 'Am I such a proud man?" I and Laura stared at each other, trying not to laugh. 'What's that movement you're making with your eyes?" Thorne said when he saw us speaking with our eyes. 'Am I that proud?" 'Yes, you are." I said teamed back at him and he looked to Laura for her answer. 'Well, I just met you. I'll give you an answer in a week's time." 'Why would you say I was proud?" Thorne faced me, frowning. 'You are." I said avoid his eyes. He didn't stop staring. 'Tell me how." 'Well, the first time I met you, you spoke so highly of yourself, your muscles and the fact that you're a warrior." I told him. 'Well, I'm sorry if that gave me off as being proud." He apologized and continued eating. 'This is delicious actually." Laura pointed at the food expressing her joy. 'Yes. It's really nice." I agreed. 'They make the best food, I bet you." When we were about to go to sleep and everyone was on their different beds, I told them that we were going to see Orion the next day. 'Who is he?" Laura asked. 'That name is weird though." 'He's a soul shifter in this village, a powerful man and I'm going with Diane. He's going to tell me what my gift is and why Lucas wants it so bad." I explained as they listened closely to me. 'I want you guys to come with me." 'Do soul shifters really exist in this part of the world?" Laura's eyes went wide open. 'I wonder too." Thorne responded. 'That's what Diane said. I guess we'll see for ourselves tomorrow." 'That'll be nice. He could also tell us what our destiny is too." Laura thought and we all thought it was a good idea. The next morning, we were set to visit Orion. Diane has promised to take us to him. We were trying to find out what my goal was and why Lucas was after it. We got set and headed to Diane's Chamber where we waited for her to finish up. The sun was scorching and uncomfortable to the skin. Chad was working with others at the field where I saw him. I was so glad that he was accepted here. When I saw him alone at the tree house, I felt bad for him. It reminded me of those times when I lived at the Palace where I was surrounded by people but still felt lonely. I wanted to bring him to a place where he would be accepted for who he was. 'Naomi." He was always so happy and excited whenever he met me. 'How are you?" He gave me a hug which I returned to him. 'I'm doing good. Are you here to stay?" He asked me. 'I'm just visiting, you don't have to worry, next time, I'll come live here so we can live together, doing everything and no one can stop us." I responded. 'I'm so happy you're feeling great here." 'Yes, I am. The villagers are treating me well. I'm so happy to be here." We shared a moment which brought tears to my eyes. 'I'm sorry to keep you waiting." Diane came out of her chambers fully dressed and ready for our journey. 'Does this Orion stay somewhere far away?" 'Not far but distant from people's eyes." 'Hmm.. distant." Thorne wondered what she meant. Diane led the way, we went through a narrow path where mystical and exotic plants grew abundantly. 'That's it?" Diane pointed at a hut constructed from weathered timber which was adorned with mystical symbols. 'Is that blood?" Laura was puzzled. 'Yes. This place is actually a very dangerous place because lots of souls live here. Souls which do not have bodies where they can reside." I remembered that I read that soul shifters shift a soul to another body, they could manipulate Souls and make them do their will. Soul shifters were always considered evil in the stories I read when I was young. Maybe I could tell him to help me shift Lucas' soul to another body where he couldn't achieve his evil plans. 'I have an idea, Diane." I ran excitedly to Diane. 'Whatever you're thinking is wrong. What kind of human will that make you? Diane asked me to prepare my mind like she always did. As I thought about it, I found out that she was right. What kind of person would make me if I did what Lucas, if he was in my shoes, would do. It doesn't make any difference. It meant that I was as evil as him. The environment was suddenly serene and quiet as we kept walking. The hut we saw was hidden but stood alone in an open space. 'Be careful. Don't touch anything. This is not a joke." Diane told us when we got to the entrance. 'People have come here alive and didn't leave." 'Why wouldn't they leave?" Laura was oblivious of what Diane was trying to explain. 'They died." I whispered to her. 'Oh." She understood properly now and held her hands together to avoid touching anything because she was the only one that could fall under that trap. 'Come in." Diane said. As we walked in, I discovered why it was called the boundaries between physical and spiritual realms, good spirits and evil spirits. The hut was intriguing in dangerous ways. 'Welcome." It was not a familiar voice. The hut that was quite small from when we saw it outside, seemed to not have an end. 'Is it me or is this hut getting bigger as we go in." 'I thought I was crazy." Thorne replied 'Bigger and larger too." I responded. We stopped for some moments to take in the majestic environment. 'This is so beautiful." Laura replied. 'It doesn't even come close to what I imagined a soul shifter's cave would look like." 'What did you imagine?" The man that stood before us was the most handsome man I had ever seen. Beautiful green eyes, pointed nose, perfect jawline. It was just heavenly. 'How does a soul shifter look like this? Huh?" I whispered to Laura but it was observed that everyone heard me. 'Ohhh.." I and Laura gasped. 'My name is Orion." He replied, stretching his hands for a handshake to nobody in particular but Laura took it.. 'My name is Laura. Call me anything you wish. You have a wonderful name, too." I stood there as I marveled at Laura. Was she actually flirting with a soul shifter?