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
"This is going to be a long night…" Luntian said to herself as she looked around. She prepared herself for battle. The sun had set and only the moon’s ray illuminated the vast forest. “I know.” Calleb answered as he fought along with Accashia. The young lady was using the sword a bit more efficiently now. Remembering the short amount of training she did with Calleb, Accashia began to focus, watching every movement in front of her. A blast of wind from Luntian’s direction and more Shadows were being destroyed by the second. But with every Shadow that falls, two come forth to take its place. The leaves on the trees shook and the trunk rattled when bones of the Shadows crashed against it. “Tell me the name of your maker… or die.” Calleb warned. The creatures did not answer, only letting out loud snarls and growls. "Then you all die!" He screamed and lashed out at the monster. Another sleepless night for the three of them as the battle continued on. ============ The Dirt hit Accash
A part of Accashia was saying that the idea was insane. To go alone to the Castle and to check it up close. She looked around, and saw that Calleb and Luntian were still deep in their slumber. She was woken up by a dream. An odd dream. And it ignited a fire within her that was sleeping all along. Courage. And so, with a deep breath, she pushed herself up. She only grabbed what she needed. Food and a bit of water. She took the black blade as well, and silently threaded towards the forest until she reached the castle. With the sun slowly descending —the trees and the grass and the pathway gradually was getting darker and darker. The sun’s rays from the thick forest were losing its light and the moon barely illuminated the place. And by the time Accashia reached the castle, she could hardly see. If it wasn’t for the torch that lights up the front of the Castle, she would barely see a thing. The torch helped her, but was only able to light up portions of the dark Castle. “How odd.” She
“Accashia.” The woman sobbed. “My daughter.” Accashia knows that her mother is dead. A month had passed since then, and yet here she was, sitting in front of her. Alive and breathing. It was such a strange thing. And Accashia knows that this was all a lie. Deceptive. A snake in Eden. An illusion. Lies. And yet, there’s a warmth that fizzles on her heart when she sees her mother, Ember. She knows it’s not true. She knows her mother is dead. She senses it in the wild, wild soul. It’s a trap. The soul was erratic, and it was stained, for it was no longer in a beautiful shade of light blue or white. She thinks of this as nothing more than the most irrational thing. Perhaps it is, this is, most of all, that makes it so painfully easy to suspend belief. The belief that her mother is truly gone, for there she really was. But there are times when Accashia wished that it was not true. Accashia’s lips trembled and the long sword slipped from her fingers. “Mother…” She whispered. “Mama.” Aga
The young lady trailed back to the hollow cave where she left Calleb and Luntian while they were asleep. The sun was slowly rising, and the dawn of a new day shines upon her once more. And yet, the warmth of the sun polars her cold, cold heart. Her shoulders were slumped as she walked, dragging her feet with every step that she took. Her eyes were cast down and her ginger hair was disheveled. She counted in her head, trying to calm herself, trying to recollect what had happened to her the whole night that was more like a nightmare. The only thing is, she was wide awake and it indeed happened. Her precious mother soul was imprisoned by a maniacal Witch. And the price — the exchange for the soul’s freedom is beyond her imagination. Calleb’s death. Her breathing was labored from the fatigue of fighting from the emotional and physical battle. Every step that she took felt like she was walking on quicksand. By the time that she saw the cave, she noticed that Luntian and Calleb were stil