Calleb took off his shirt and wrapped it around his hand and knuckles. He’s been fighting the monster for hours and he’s losing more and more energy as they continue to spar. The monster opened his mouth and roared aloud. Spewing maggots and worms on the ground. The young man took a few steps back to avoid the maggots, knowing what it can do to him once it enters the body. Calleb frowned in disgust, throwing a few rocks towards Luther to deter the monster from attacking. “ACCASHIA!” Luther screamed. “Give me Accashia!” Calleb grits his teeth. “I won’t let you have her. You have to stand on my grave first before you get to her!” He balled his fist tightly and punched Luther again and again. He used his monstrous power and hoisted Luther up to his feet by clutching on his thigh — making the monster lose balance and fall on the ground. The young man tried his best to recall where the soul stills on the body. And yet when he was about to direct a strong hit on the middle of Luther’s ch
There were times that Accashia’s thoughts would render her motionless and they were more frequent now. Accashia felt the silence and while it became her, it also undid her. There were a thousand ways they could have done things differently, a thousand words that she wouldn't mind taking back. If she did, the hurt and the pain she had felt wouldn't be so amplified in that case. Almost a month had passed after the death of the Villagers of Walakya, the Arrawae people and still, she can still imagine the humble Village. Her mother. The children and how the sun rises every time. She’s still facing an inner battle of her own. And now, this… another riddle has been added to her already hazy and riddled mind. The Black Blade turned into the sword, and she couldn’t ask herself, “Why?” Calleb was as baffled as Accashia was. He was able to use the blade and it was heavy on his hand, and yet the young lady could wave and use it effortlessly. And Luntian, the old Shaman, felt the same. “How co
Loud roars of thunder resounded at the wide dark sky. Lightning strikes the trees and the branches and the grass and leaves, creating a wildfire into the forest. The animals that were peacefully resting and sleeping at their homes were forced to evacuate. Their home was decimated from the anger of the Wicked Witch. Soon birds from different directions gawked and flew towards every possible direction. All creatures, may it be the creepy crawlers hiding beneath the rocks and the ground. The birds in the air and the four legged mammals. All of them were trying to get away. Ursula's wrath displayed onto the sky as she was standing in front of the humongous window in the west wing. The last room where she and her sister Luntian had fought hundreds of years ago. She raised her staff as the red diamond cradled by the enchanted metal glowed an ethereal bloody color. The Wicked Witch felt the disappearance of Luther’s soul while was doing her rounds at the Castle. She felt a tug on her heart
The Wicked Witch stood tall as she came to the ruined Village. She looked everywhere, raising her staff with closed eyes to listen to the wandering souls around. She prepared herself, for the good, the bad and the worst. A month had passed since the massacre happened to the Village. It had been quite a long time since Calleb marked the young woman named Accashia. A month is enough for a pure soul to be tainted. To be filled with fear, remorse and regret. For if the soul hasn’t been harvested by the ram within the time of death — the soul becomes a ghoul. Wicked. Spiteful. Dark. As the rays of the sun shone down upon the Village, Ursula heard the whispers and murmurs of the soul. And to her surprise, there’s still a lot of wandering souls left. “As unpredictable as always.” She noted, pertaining to the spirit of the Ram. The master and lord of the underworld. So instead of wondering what souls remained here — she listened intently if the soul she was looking for was still here. ‘A w
One thing is for sure that night. It’s how the silence consumed their surroundings that the quietness is almost more deafening than the loudest blood curdling screams. Luntian was sleeping in the other room. The house that they found had more than two rooms to spare but Accashia had always been comfortable sleeping beside Calleb. The smell of his hair quells her fears, calms her down. Usually, Calleb holds her as they sleep. But this time they lay with their backs facing each other. It’s as if they were physically together but mentally, they were worlds apart. The whispers of cold winds from the open window adjacent to their bed filled the room. It’s the complete opposite of how they were just yesterday. Luntian explained it to her. The moon affects Calleb’s mood greatly. And now that the half-moon is approaching — Calleb was becoming more human. The beast inside him sleeps during the half moon, and yet, the quietness is more deafening than the noise. And the reason why Calleb beca
It’s been a long and tiring two-three days trip for the three of them. And within the lapse of those days, Luntian had managed to find another treasure she’d never thought they’d come across before they reached the Kingdom of Shaldan. It was a thriving Village within the deadly forest of the East. A strong community of hunters and huntresses. And she senses in their soul and in their spirit that they’re descendants of the soldiers from the Kingdom. ‘The ones who managed to escape.’ She thought to herself. “Are we going to stop here?” Calleb asked. And the Shaman understood why he’s a bit weary. For Calleb wasn’t a people person after all. “Are you sure?” Luntian looked at Calleb then to Accashia who was already arching her neck to look up and about at whatever she could see. Obviously, the young lady was excited. “Why not?” Luntian asked back, giving the young man a sly smile. And just when Calleb was about to protest, Luntian pointed at Accashia’s direction and said, “She looks ex
Luntian stared at the old house with carvings on the signboard. The text on the signage looked awfully familiar. Like an ancient text from hundreds of years ago. It resembled an ancient incantation from the past. Back when the Kingdom of Shaldan was at its peak. When Alpha Banaua, the previous King was still reigning. The old Shaman hummed and then raised her hand to feel the air against her skin. The texture of the wind, the feel of it. For the wind carries the past — the memories of a place. It circles around, carrying legacy, history and generations of mayhem along with the soft breeze. And yet, when she commanded the spirit of the eagle to show her — nothing came out. As if this Village was stuck in a trance. And it made shivers run down her spine. "What kind of spell was placed on this village?” The old shaman asked herself out of curiosity, knowing that this secluded Village couldn’t have existed after the decimation of Shaldan. And yet it did. She was about to ask the Spirit
The very next day, after Luntian was able to prepare everything that the three of them needed. It was decided that their journey to the Kingdom would begin. Accashia and Calleb took the first step, leaping above the wall. And though the Forest no longer looked as Beautiful as it was before — it’s the closest thing that Luntian could call home. The once lush forest of Shaldan that was once one of the most beautiful Eden in all the land turned into a dark and grim forest. Filled with malice and a few Shadows were still lurking around. Luntian called forth the spirits to guide her and help her cross the other side by commanding the trees and vines of the forest. She closed her eyes and began to chant. “Ruh alghabat aleazimati. 'atlub mink musaeadati fi eubur aljadari!” The old Shaman took a deep breath then raised her hand, feeling the vines envelope her body and began to raise her. She was carried over to the other side. The everlasting spirit of the Tiger --- the great spirit residin