It had been a while since anyone spoke, we were trying to digest it all. Many thoughts ran through our heads, many theories being rewritten or made. The silence was deafening; yet our thoughts could be heard.
Sofia was the first to break the silence:
"When you say DNA, what do you mean, like flesh, blood..., pee?"
Both of our gazes snapped to her after the last one, she instinctively took a small step back and fixed her glasses.
"What, it's just a question. You never know, maybe one of the people who found it had to go really bad, and that's how it was discovered."
We looked at one another and shook our heads in unison, Maria took this chance to speak before anything else came out of her mouth:
"What I'm saying is, whatever is in the thing partially has the same general make up of DNA, yet it differs to some degree."
"So basically, it could be considered an extension of someone's body, holding their DNA, yet being made up of the corresponding material needed to make it."
"Yes, exactly. It's as if whomever made this, had the intention of it only belonging and being wielded by them. And considering what you've written and seen, the power that they wielded would also be implemented into it's creation, only to be brought out by them."
Sofia looked at the shield then walked over to pick up the notebook on the table, showing us the image of the creature.
"So basically, what you'd seen was a small bit of that so called power, still lingering on the thing. Fascinating. So then what about the sword does it also have some lingering power to it, will it react the same way if one of us were to interact with it."
"Well, we can't be too sure. Maybe the shield was the last thing they could channel their energy into before they died, causing it to react the way it did towards us. But there should be no harm in trying...., hopefully."
With that Sofia looked at me with a smile on her face, she gestured for me to head over to the sword.
"What, no way. We don't know how dangerous that thing is, and you want me to try it out. You've gotta be joking."
"Oh come on, please, for the sake of science. Besides if the shield reacted to you, who's to say the sword won't do the same. For all we know, you could be some kind of ghost whisperer, the things could be linked to you in some way."
"First, I highly doubt that, second I'm not your guinea pig, and third that just sounds dumb."
Maria rolled her eyes as we continued to argue, it was hard to tell who she agreed with. I agree the sword could possibly react the same way but who's to say it wouldn't have done the same for either one of them, without some kind of time machine or a way to see the different possible time lines, there's no way of telling.
"Ugh, you too are like children. I'll do it."
She stood up, walking past us she headed for the sword, placing one hand on the hilt and the other rubbing the side of the blade, she stood there for a moment with her eyes closed.
We silently waited in anticipation, if it was anything like what happened to me, we wouldn't know if anything happened till she told us.
We both flinched when she finally took a breath, and opened her eyes:
"Nothing."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I would remember right, or at least notice something. I mean, Sun did."
"Guess I'll give it a go then."
Maria made way as she walked up to the sword, instead of just touching it, she decided maybe holding it would have a greater effect.
She gripped the hilt tightly as she prepared to lift it, but it barely budged. Gripping it with both hands she was slowly but surely able to lift it off the table.
She held it out horizontally, trying not drop it. She closed her eyes and took a breath; waiting for something to happen.
After a few moments, the end of the blade dropped to the floor as she gasped for air. Her face was slightly red and dripping with small beeds of sweat.
"Nothing, but a workout. Damn it, I was really hoping for something. Alright someone come help me put this thing back on the table."
I sighed as I walked over to help her, I walked past her to grab onto the blade. I leaned down to grab it but hesitated for a moment, of course she noticed and smirked.
(Damn it, now she's got me paranoid, putting thoughts in my head.) I shook my head as a reached for it, luckily when I touched it nothing happened.
We put the blade onto the table and walked back over to the computer a little disappointed, since nothing happened for any of us, we just decided to focus on the shield first.
"So what do you think, sword's got no juice or something." Sofia fixed her glasses as she looked at me with disappointment and a bit of exhaustion on her face.
"Could be, or maybe it was just a one off for us, maybe someone else could get it to react."
"Or maybe you waisted it all on the shield, might need a recharge and start again tomorrow."
"Yeah right, I doubt it works like that. Can't believe I let you get in my head."
She laughed to herself when I said this, and decided to go over the analysis on the shield.
After a while we decided to head home for the night, we were already there longer than we should of been. The shift for the guards had already changed and everyone had already left.
After packing up we all walked to our cars and said our goodbyes to the guards, whom were used to our long stays.
In the parking garage we said our goodbyes and headed our separate ways, walking up to my own car, I checked the windshield, incase of another letter.
After I sat in silence for a bit, I thought about the events of today, the new theories, the new information, the many new and unanswered questions.
After a while I decided to turn the car on and head home, before I got too tired to move. Arriving there I hopped into the shower, then did the rest of my nightly routines, and hopped into bed.
(Today was a long one, but it was worth it. Hopefully tomorrow will be just as good..., just a few days left, then I can learn the truth.)
I closed my eyes and fell asleep, with a smile as I awaited the new day.
---
- Sofia Bryne
"So, how'd it go today? You find out anything new about the artifacts."
"There were a few interesting details but other than that nothing major."
"Right, and what about Dr. Sun. He was the one to find them, anything interesting about him, or was it just dumb luck."
"It's hard to say on the first day, but there's definitely something there. We've got a few days before the expedition I'm sure I'll find something."
I checked my rear view mirror as I watched the car behind me turn. These day anyone could be following you, I've had my fare share of stalkers, this line of work isn't exactly the safest.
"I know it might feel like I'm putting a lot on you, but this could be world shattering if it's real. I just want to make sure we are together and know what's coming when it does."
"I know Ashley, I just don't see why we have to get Sun involved, he's a good kid."
"I know, he's got a great profile, smart, kind. Only thing is he's way to ahead of himself this time, believe me no one's at fault here it's just circumstances."
"Right..."
"Hey..., Soph... get some rest ok..., love you."
"I will.... Love you too..., we'll talk tomorrow."
"Ok."
I drove the rest of the way in silence, my mind was calm as I reached the driveway. Walking up the stairs of the porch, I sighed as I reached for the keys only to find they were still in the car.
After that little game of tag, I walked into my home and walked towards my office. There, I put my bag and work stuff away, then headed for a nice warm bath.
I sat in silence as the water warmly embraced me, the flicker of the candles soothed my mind as soft music played in the background.
Floating above me was a small screen of a book I had started reading two days ago, I let the words melt into my mind as I relaxed; only ever taking my hands out to sip my wine.
The small projection was linked to my mind, and was aware of when I was ready to move on to the next page. It would acknowledg my wandering eyes when I would accidentally read ahead, once it noticed it would blur the rest of the text; except for where I was originally.
It would also acknowledg when I was thinking about what I'd read, even highlighting those parts and going back to previous areas when I made connections.
It was an interesting item and very useful. I effortlessly considered it my most favorite and best invention.
It was only after I noticed how wrinkled my fingertips were on the glass, that I realize I had been in here too long. After getting out and drying off I realized it was already two o'clock, I had been in there for over an hour, yet it felt like a few minutes.
Drying my hair and putting it in a ponytail I walked over to the mirror to brush my teeth.
After finishing I looked up to check, my smile slowly faded as I froze looking into my reflection.
Beside me stood a woman in all white with a blindfold over her eyes, blood seeped from the bottom of the blindfold. I stared in horror as she stood there unmoving, she slowly tilted her head as she noticed me looking.
From her hand a white sword materialized from small particles of what looked like light, as she closed her hand it wrapped around the hilt of the blade. Her bloodied hand staining it's white handle.