The Empty Mirror
Chapter 53: Fertility
Firmly, I grasped the staff I dubbed "Two of Wands." My hands trembled under its weight as I focused my will on invoking its protective power. My thoughts drifted in a nebula of uncertainty, without clear direction. I inhaled the cold air of the gloom, heavy as a specter's breath, and exhaled, longing deep within my being. With each breath, the wooden staff began to pulsate, the mutilated monkey paw twisting in a rigid spasm. Its fingers crackled like arthritic bones, each movement a choreography of agony. But then, a dark miracle unfolded before my eyes: the putrefied paw began its own healing, as if a corpse resurrected by an unfathomable impulse. The ulcerated skin began to close, decay receding before a hidden power, and the monstrous paw was reborn, healed beyond all reason.
Suddenly, the dismembered monkey paw took on an appearance suggesting a precise, surgical cut, as if a skilled surgeon had masterfully separated its limbs. Instead of coagulated blood and torn flesh, now a supernatural spectacle was glimpsed: the bloodstains had transformed into elegant strokes of crimson, like an intricate makeup design, adorning the edges of the fingers and the contours of the palm with captivating allure. In the center of the hand, a vibrant crimson circle radiated a mysterious vitality with each movement, as if containing within its essence an indomitable power. The revitalized monkey paw began to move with grace and determination, as if eager to fulfill the designs of the "Two of Wands." With a steady hand, I guided its will, and the paw responded with calculated gestures, adopting a posture that evoked elegance and purpose. Its fingers extended outward with precision, forming a triangular shape, while the thumb remained separate and upright in parallel to the others, creating a silhouette of power and mystery.
The gesture, holding it with three fingers and releasing the ring finger, evoked the majesty of a crown, a symbol imbued with arms, light, flames, and the arrow of destiny. It was both the lamp that illuminates the darkness and the sacred union between man and woman, an invocation of fortune and divine favour. But beyond its symbolism, this gesture was the creation of a protective shield, a union that strengthened allies, invoking light and life energy to nurture and safeguard. It was the connection to the sacred, a force that infused stability and determination into the spiritual quest. It was a divine blessing, protection granted from on high. And in an instant, this sacred gesture transformed into a sequence of performance, as the monkey paw, in an esoteric ritual, changed the position of its fingers and palm, like a lotus emerging from the sea of the profane towards the purity of the divine.
The monkey paw unfolded with a supernatural grace, its fingers reaching out to the confines of the ether, each separated with a natural curve that evoked the fluidity of life itself. The thumb bent towards the base of the index with a delicacy that suggested reverence for the hidden power, before joining in a perfect circle around its counterpart. The other three fingers extended with majestic elegance, not daring to touch either the thumb or the index, as if fearing to profane the purity of this divine gesture. This open formation, this gateway to the unknown, seemed an invitation to the deepest spirituality, a silent plea for the knowledge and wisdom that only the divine can bestow. With an open mind and receptive heart, it seemed to implore the blessings of divine eloquence, ready to receive the revelations that only divinity can grant.
The marks on the fingertips and the circle in the centre of the monkey paw's palm seemed to open like fresh wounds, exuding a thick, dark liquid reminiscent of human blood. Drops of this crimson substance fell heavily onto the wood of the staff, staining it with their ominous presence. In a majestic gesture, the staff, "Two of Wands," unleashed a clamour of energy that resonated in the garden, whispering the birdsong like a distant echo. A barrier, a dome of pale golden light, rose around me, shielding me with its glow while nurturing and strengthening allies within its radius of influence.
Reborn with renewed determination and revitalised vitality, my body straightened with grace and dignity, infused by the magical flow coursing through my veins. I felt as if a thousand shooting stars danced beneath my skin, dispersing the darkness that had enveloped my being. Slowly, like a veil lifted by an invisible hand, the shadow receded, revealing the light that lay deep within my being. From the very core of my existence, I perceived how the damaged cells awakened from their slumber, healing and regenerating in the face of the curative power of this ancient witchcraft. The gangrene, which had ravaged my being with its corruption, faded before the magnificence of this ancestral force.
My fingers, once withered and barren, were now flooded with radiant vitality, a warmth that permeated every fibre of my being with its comforting embrace. The skin, which had previously languished in the pallor of illness, now glowed with a rosy hue, as if it had been caressed by the first rays of dawn. With each breath, I felt my being shedding the oppression of illness, how the life force returned to my veins with renewed vigour, infusing my essence with restored energy and revived faith. And so, thanks to this miraculous blessing of witchcraft, I embarked on my pilgrimage to healing, leaving behind the shadows of gangrene to embrace the radiant light of health and revitalised life.
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Then the question struck me of why that vinegar could have been a catalyst in delaying the gangrenous poison. Although I recognised the stupidity of the idea, I couldn't deny having conceived it. As I lay on the grass, once barren and dry, I was astonished to see how, after being healed by the "Two of Wands," the withered meadow around me flourished with renewed vitality. It seemed that the power of the "Two of Wands" was not limited to me, but its influence spanned a wider area, infusing life into everything it touched.
However, despite being freed from gangrene, I collapsed exhausted onto the grass, as if I had expended all my energy in a titanic effort. Yes, my illness had been cured, but the process had left my spirit exhausted, as if "Two of Wands" had absorbed my life force to channel it into its act of healing. It was a fair exchange, although the nature of that energy did not obey conventional laws. It was a complex, intrinsic, and esoteric phenomenon, difficult to comprehend with mere human words.
Given the healing ability of "Two of Wands," I felt the need to give a name to that skill, as if it were a ridiculously human act of witchcraft. So, like John the Baptist, I decided to baptize it as the "Fertility Shield," a designation that, while it may seem inappropriate, actually encapsulates its power in a sublime manner. Considering fertility as the ability of an organism to reproduce and generate viable offspring, its name evokes the notion of growth and abundance. Although at first glance it may seem incongruent with its ability to heal wounds, it actually reflects the essence of the regeneration power it possesses. Like the miracle of life emerging from fertility in nature, the magical attack not only heals physical wounds but also fosters rebirth and revitalisation of the body, thus ensuring a prosperous and life-filled future.
The term "Fertility Shield" suggests not only protection against external harm but also a defence that strengthens and revitalises the body, fostering its inherent ability to heal and regenerate. It's like a magical armour, which not only safeguards against external threats but also promotes health and vitality from within. I chose this name because it encapsulates the essence of its power: a barrier that shelters me within a zone-effect dome, safeguarding my health in a deeper, more biological sense.
Fertility, in this context, transcends mere childbearing capacity, although it's inherently linked to it. It's the ability of a species to adapt and thrive over time, in response to environmental changes and selective pressures. Thus, "Fertility Shield" becomes a symbol of evolution itself, a manifestation of the connection between protection, regeneration, and growth on the vast canvas of existence.
In those societies endowed with remarkable fecundity, the likelihood of transmitting their lineages to future generations is increased, which, in turn, may impact the frequency of certain genetic traits over time. This phenomenon, which can be considered both a product and a driver of evolution in species, exerts a transcendent influence on the quantity and genetic diversity of posterity. It wouldn't be an unreasonable assumption to think that "Two of Wands" regarded me, either as a user or even as a specimen, a primate belonging to the human species, recognised for our advanced cognitive capacity, elaborate communication, and notably sized brain.
But besides that, I am a female, a woman, which, with all caution and deference, suggests that "Two of Wands" might have healed me to preserve my health based on my reproductive capacity. It's a complex notion and, I admit, somewhat forced, but it's the thread I've followed in the dark machinations of "Two of Wands." Although lacking consciousness, it follows a pattern of behaviour guided by evolutionary imperatives. These conclusions, though provocative to my pride, have been the result of careful reflection, an intellectual journey through which I have navigated cautiously, aware of the dangers lurking in Hanging Gardens.
But the ability dubbed as the "Fertility Shield" was not limited solely to fostering reproduction. Its intent did not lie in the unrestrained multiplication of grass, but in the preservation of the individual. In my case, its purpose was to safeguard the life of a human primate, whereas in the case of the grass, it sought to protect livestock fodder. Essentially, the "Fertility Shield" manifested a healing capacity, a gift that needs no further scrutiny, for delving into its mysteries could lead us to madness.
Though I admit the idea that "Two of Wands" intended to preserve the vitality of a female human primate made me uncomfortable. To be seen in that light, even by myself as I exercised my own self-awareness to assess the situation, reflected our human propensity to fantasise about being the epicentre of the universe. Additionally, we often feel uncomfortable being labelled as males or females, preferring to refer to ourselves as men or women to soften that perception. In summary, this situation provided me with an opportunity to reflect on the complexity of "Two of Wands.”
Thinking of myself as a female biologically destined to reproduce and have offspring left me with a sense of disconnect, although I did not dislike my sexuality. I simply found the terms related to reproduction strange, whether in the context of the preservation of human primates or, at worst, on the opposite end of seduction. These terms seemed to be like oil in the ocean, a valuable but potentially dangerous resource in the wrong hands.
So we come to the crux of the matter. While I have already explained the name of the ability "Fertility Shield," it is now time to address why "Two of Wands" bore that name and why I considered it as the divine will of the "Ace of Wands." This peculiar reasoning was, I believe, due to the intervention of the Marquess. If I'm not mistaken, the Marquess, with her keen insight, could not overlook my poisoning. Even if she had not detected it in a more esoteric manner, she would have noticed the slight gangrene spreading at the tips of my fingers, on my fingertips.
Though subtle, even to an ordinary observer, such a sign would be evident with enough attention, and even more so to the wise Marquess, with her vast experience and vigilant eye always fixed upon me. From the moment I took up the tarot deck, it was apparent that the Marquess was already aware, even before I was. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that the Marquess took action against the poison. Perhaps she was the one behind the "Two of Wands." Behind this entire journey lies a game of chess between multiple entities, beyond my understanding. I am simply a piece on the board, perhaps a pawn, or maybe a queen, but merely contemplating the hidden, the esoteric behind this entire superficial facade, is as terrifying as it is incomprehensible.