<h4>Chapter 505: A journey to their past lives (1)</h4>


    Gabriel closed thest button of the warm, thick sweater over Noah’s small body. The boy was utterly engrossed, contentedly sucking on his milk bottle. Gabriel then gently worked the soft socks onto Noah’s feet, ensuring every piece of clothing was secure before allowing the boy to settle back and fully enjoy his bottle.


    "Gabriel, Grandma wants to see us now," Amelie said, stepping quietly into the room.


    "Wait just a moment. Noah is still drinking his milk," Gabriel replied, turning his head to look up at her. Amelie moved to his side, her hand instinctively resting on his shoulder. Gabriel leaned his head back, finding momentaryfort against her presence.


    "I have already asked Karmen to stay nearby and help Noah if he needs anything or finds difort while we are gone," Gabriel exined, a slight tension in his voice. "We both will be in a deep sleep for a few hours. The maids are here, of course, but sometimes babies don’t take well to unfamiliar hands, especially when they wake up."


    "You’re right," Amelie murmured, appreciating his foresight regarding Noah’s care during their vulnerable state. "I just hope Karmen won’t mind the imposition."


    "No, he won’t," Gabriel stated with confidence, his eyes conveying a reliance on his trusted friend. "He understands the necessity."


    They both heard a soft, respectful knock on the door and turned in unison. Gabriel immediately stood up as he recognized Karmen entering the room.


    Amelie, meanwhile, focused entirely on Noah, who had just released the milk bottle from his mouth. She gently wiped his face with a small handkerchief before cing the bottle safely on the bedside table.


    She then cradled Noah closer in her arms, swaying softly, hoping the motion would lull him back to sleep so he wouldn’t disturb Karmen or the others during their absence.


    "Karmen, we truly didn’t want to cause you any kind of inconvenience, but this was necessary," Amelie said, her gaze fixed on him, a hint of apology in her tone.


    Karmen’s warm, easy smile immediately dismissed her concern. "Don’t say that, Amelie. Being with Noah is my pleasure, not an inconvenience at all. After all," he asserted, stepping closer and looking down affectionately at Noah, "he’s my little nephew."


    "Thanks, buddy. Just a warning, Noah may cry, or even annoy you," Gabriel remarked, feeling a touch of parent guilt but trusting his friendpletely.


    "It’s alright. I’ll get some valuable training to be a father in the future," Karmen chuckled, already positioning himself to carefully take Noah from Amelie’s arms.


    "Here, boy! Uncle Karmen is in your service," he said enthusiastically, gently allowing the pup’s small, warm weight to settle against his chest.


    Amelie took a moment to caress Noah’s tiny belly onest time before stepping back. "We will be back soon," she promised, her eyes lingering on her son.


    "Hmm. Go ahead. Don’t dy it," Karmen urged, recognizing the urgency of their task.


    Noah, still somewhat awake, looked up at his parents, his curious eyes wondering where they were heading. However, Karmen’s bright, distracting voice immediately drew his attention as he presented him with a sparkling toy, gently tossing and catching it in the air. The distraction worked, and the parents were free to depart without Noah’s crying.


    ~~~~~


    Amelie and Gabriel entered a spacious, quiet room. At the center, near a window, sat Ravenna, Carlos’s grandmother. She was seated in a simple wheelchair, a soft shawl draped around her shoulders, with a warm nket covering herp. Next to her, standing ready, was Carlos.


    "You two havee," Carlos said, stepping away from the wheelchair to greet them. "We have prepared everything."


    Gabriel and Amelie surveyed the room. On the floor, tworge, perfectly drawn circles had been chalked out, and inside each circle, afortable mattress with crisp white sheets had beenid. They understood instantly, they were meant to lie down on them.


    Ravenna’s voice, though frail, carried the authority of deep knowledge. "I will exin the setting to you. We witches possess the rare ability to create a portal to another realm through a dream sequence. But it is not everyone’s cup of tea. It takes years of rigorous practice, and sometimes many fail to achieve it entirely. Because I am the only one capable of performing this, it is necessary, before my passing, that I finish the job I promised to both of you."


    Concern etched itself onto Gabriel’s face. "Grandma, since this will affect your health—"


    Ravenna cut him off gently but firmly. "No, Gabriel. Do not refuse this. I must do it while I am still alive and able. Now, don’t dy."


    Carlos moved forward, carrying thin, pale threads. He carefully tied one end around Amelie’s wrist and the other around Gabriel’s, symbolically linking them.


    "Just follow Grandma’s lead," he urged, his voice heavy with warning. "Ophelia has grown much stronger. Once my grandmother passes away, things will get dangerous for both of you. So, please, just do exactly what she wants you to. Now, step into those circles,y down on the mattresses, and close your eyes."


    Gabriel and Amelie moved silently to their designated spots. As they settled onto the mattresses within their respective circles, Carlos approached them, carrying two small sses filled with a potion.


    "Drink this," Carlos instructed, handing them each a ss. "It will make you fall asleep instantly."


    They didn’t hesitate, recognizing the necessity. Both of them swiftly drank the contents. Carlos immediately moved back to position his grandmother in the center of the room.


    Meanwhile, Amelie and Gabriely down on the white sheets. As their eyelids fluttered shut, the potion took hold immediately, plunging them into a deep, instantaneous sleep.


    Carlos watched them, concern etched on his face. "Grandma, will they wake up in just a few hours?" he asked quietly.


    "They should," Ravenna affirmed, her gaze distant as if already perceiving the ethereal currents gathering around them. "But if a great deal has happened in their past, and if the path isplex, it may take longer." She shifted her attention back to her grandson, her eyes lucid andmanding. "You have to assist me throughout this, Carlos. You must remain focused."


    "I will," he promised, his voice steady. He wheeled Ravenna toward the center of the chamber, directly between the two sleeping figures. It was the beginning of the ritual and a journey to their past lives, where all of this began.


    <strong>~~~~~</strong>


    <strong>The uing Chapters will be focused on Amelie’s and Gabriel’s pasts. </strong>