Chapter XLIII: Viam Veritatis
Liz finds herself in the familiar haze of a dream, standing in a dimly lit space that feels both ethereal and comforting. She doesn't have to look far—Bennett is there, waiting for her with open arms.
"Bennett," she breathes, stepping into his embrace. His warmth engulfs her, grounding her in the dreamscape. She lifts her chin and presses a soft kiss to his lips, relishing the feeling of being with him, even in this fleeting moment.
Bennett chuckles, his eyes gleaming. "You missed me that much?"
"Every second," Liz confesses. They sit together on the bed that materializes beneath them, and she wastes no time in telling him about what happened earlier at the cathedral. "The organ—it had a hidden compartment. We found objects inside, things that seemed… important. And then—"
Bennett raises a brow. "The demon."
Liz nods. "It came out of nowhere. Wyn and I barely escaped, but I used the sword we found, and when I rebuked it in Jesus' name, it just… disappeared."
Bennett listens intently before exhaling. "That's more serious than I thought."
"Do you think someone is summoning them?" Liz asks hesitantly.
Bennett nods. "It's possible. The fact that the demon appeared right after you found those items isn't a coincidence. There's a reason you were led there."
Liz frowns. "You wrote about something like this in your journal, right? Entry 7 mentioned something about a summoner."
Bennett smiles knowingly. "You're on the right track. Keep reading. The answer is there."
She bites her lip, slightly frustrated. "You always give me riddles instead of straight answers."
"Because I want you to discover it on your own," he says gently. "Now, let's talk about the items you found."
Liz shifts her position. "Right. What are they for?"
Bennett folds his hands together. "The different items are for different purposes. One group is meant for getting into my house. The other is for keeping."
Liz tilts her head. "Keeping? As in, I will keep them?"
Bennett chuckles. "For now, they're to be set aside. Their purpose will be revealed in time."
Liz processes this before nodding. "Alright, so what do I actually need for the house?"
"The credit card, the flashlight, and the crucifix from the base of Mother Mary's statue," Bennett tells her. "These will help you get in. The rest—save them for later."
Liz rubs her temple. "A credit card, a flashlight, and a crucifix… This feels like the setup for a supernatural heist."
Bennett laughs. "I like the way you think."
Liz then recalls something else. "I also met Mr. Florendo."
Bennett's eyes light up. "Ah, Mr. Florendo! My music teacher for six years." His tone is filled with admiration. "Strict but caring, a true mentor."
"He tested me," Liz says, grinning. "He didn't believe I was your apprentice, so he made me play something on the organ."
Bennett smirks. "And did you impress him?"
"Well, he left me and Wyn in charge of guarding the organ, so I guess so," Liz says with a laugh. Then her expression darkens. "But then came the demon."
Bennett's smile fades. "Tell me everything."
Liz recounts the events—the eerie presence, the shadowy figure, the chase through the cathedral, and finally, how she used the sword to destroy it. "I don't understand. Why now? Why there?"
Bennett exhales. "Because someone is calling them forth."
Liz clenches her fists. "Who? Why?"
Bennett gazes at her meaningfully. "The journal, Liz. Keep reading."
She sighs but nods. "I will."
Silence lingers between them for a moment before Bennett reaches for her hand. "You've done well so far. But there's still more ahead."
Liz squeezes his hand in return. "As long as I'm fighting for you, I'll do anything."
Bennett smiles, pulling her into another warm hug. "Then let me show you something."
Before Liz can ask what, the world around them shifts, and a new memory unfolds before her eyes.
Bennett snaps his fingers, and in an instant, they are transported to another scene.
A younger Bennett is sitting on a wooden bench, his face buried in his hands as he sobs. Liz watches as her past self stands before him, arms crossed, an amused smirk on her lips.
"I can't believe you actually fell for it," younger Liz teases. "Vladimir Kent? Seriously? You thought I replaced you with him?"
Bennett sniffles. "You said it yourself! You told me you made a mistake, that you switched me out for him!"
Liz's grandmother steps into the memory, shaking her head. "Eliza, enough. You and Vlad were never a thing. You just wanted to get under his skin."
The present Liz watches in horror. Her breath catches in her throat. "I… I really did that?"
Tears well in her eyes. "Bennett… I'm so sorry."
Bennett embraces her gently. "Come now, the past is past."
The scene changes again. Younger Bennett is walking home from a small community in Ciudad Fernandina. His steps are light, his lips curled into a contented smile. The choir adviser's fiesta had been a warm and lively gathering.
His phone vibrates. Liz's name flashes on the screen.
"Hey, did you friend Vlad on FacePage?"
Bennett furrows his brows. "No, why would I?"
"Don't lie to me," younger Liz presses. "I can see it right here! You added him!"
Bennett sighs. "I told you, I didn't. I have no reason to."
Liz refuses to let it go. "Just tell me the truth!"
Bennett stops walking, his hands clenching into fists. "Believe those who have been open with you rather than those you know nothing about."
The present Liz gasps. She collapses to her knees, her sobs shaking her shoulders. "I was so blind…"
Bennett kneels beside her. "What do you see, Liz?"
She chokes on her words. "I did all that because I thought Vlad was cool. But he was just like Vince…"
Bennett places a gentle hand on her head. "Did you ever apologize to me?"
Liz shakes her head. "I didn't. I never did. I failed you."
Bennett sighs. "Eliza Mae Flores, I have never met someone more different from their past self than you. Back then, you let your peers and social media dictate your thoughts. You were so caught up in modern trends and spoiled mindsets that you ignored the love right in front of you."
Liz sobs harder. "Then why… why are you still like this? Still so kind to me?"
Bennett gives her a small smile. "Because I love you."
She looks up at him, eyes red and swollen. "Bennett…?"
He cups her face. "No one loves their partner more than I do. The Lord said to love one another, and I have always tried to show you the love you never had. But love also needs discipline. That's why I always reminded you to set limits, especially with your spending and your misbehavior."
Liz bows her head in shame. "I didn't listen."
"No, you didn't. But you changed," Bennett assures her. "And that matters more than anything."
Liz sniffles. "Bennett…"
He smiles warmly. "Yes?"
Without hesitation, she throws her arms around him. "I'm so sorry. I wish I could take it all back."
Bennett hugs her tightly. "The past is just history, Liz. It is meant to be learned from, not relived. I tried telling you that back then, but your pride wouldn't let you hear it."
Liz sobs into his chest. "I was so stupid…"
"You were young," he corrects her. "And now, you're wiser."
She pulls back slightly. Their eyes meet, and in that moment, she feels lighter. The weight of her past mistakes no longer suffocates her.
Bennett presses his forehead against hers. "You are forgiven."
They stand together, and as if sealing their reconciliation, they share a soft, lingering kiss.
The scene fades, returning them to Bennett's room. He takes her hands in his.
"Now, let's move forward," he says. "I have something for you."
Liz watches as he pulls a small folded paper from his pocket. "Hold out your hand."
She does as he asks, and he places the note in her palm. "This will help you."
Liz smiles. "I love you, Bennett."
Bennett grins. "I love you too, Liz."
The dream fades, and Liz wakes up with a start. Her heart pounds as she looks down at her hand. The paper is still there.
Her fingers tremble as she unfolds it. It's real. The note from her dream is in her waking world.
Tears of awe and disbelief well in her eyes. "Bennett…"