Chapter 6: About Time

Golden streaks of sunlight showered the Sanctuary. Narra leaves were falling, preparing its branches for the coming spring. Dead leaves scattered the forest floor as the wind tried to brush off the heat of this humid afternoon. Birds joined the symphony of the breeze and the trees. Not far, two Night Children walked along the isle of paved rocks. 

“It’s beautiful,” Kristina said. 

“Beauty is dangerous,” Albert remarked, and continued walking past the towering olive trees, enjoying the moment. 

“Not to us,” Kristina argued naughtily. The Night Children were striking in their beauty.

Albert just grinned. He liked that Kristina liked him. He’s quite sure that he’s starting to develop this intimacy that he hadn’t felt for quite a long time. However, the woman in his dreams still troubled him. 

He could no longer remember her name except her face. He’s sure there was a moment in time that they were as close to a couple. Even in his dreams, she gave him that very familiar emotion one had for a mate. 

“Are you still there?” Kristina called out. She waved her arms to let him see that she went far ahead of him. Her slender body highlighted her delicate curves and her movement, though a bit masculine was still graceful. 

“Following!” he answered back. He could outrun her. Goodness sake! He’s a werewolf! 

Albert paced faster. His form never swayed, displaying a posture worthy of a conqueror. He made sure that Kristina saw him with those eyes. Yes! She admired her. He could smell it. 

“Have you thought of training a Constant?” Kristina asked him when they reached the crossroads. 

Two high stones marked the territory of the Sanctuary. There could be found the doorsteps to other dimensions especially to the Palace of Los Barrios. The Hunt was held two nights ago and all of the Night Children, as practiced, went to the Sanctuary to celebrate and fulfill their natural cravings. 

Kristina had to go back to the city and report the misfortune of the three tourists who happened to be the Night Children’s sacrifices. A tragic accident happened and some wild animals attacked the tourist camp in the middle of the night while they were fast asleep. By refusing tourist security guards, there was no way they could defend themselves. 

“I have thought about it,” Albert answered her. “But, vampires could not be trusted in this matter of politics. You know their kind.”

“There are other ways you can make a Constant, Albert,” Kristina leaned over and kissed him on the cheeks. “Might be, you’re not ready to give it up yet.” 

He would have answered something but he noticed that something was amiss on the barriers which covered the Sanctuary. 

“Have you noticed something?” he asked. 

“Of course, I noticed that you are not yet ready to give up the leadership.” 

“Not that,” he remarked. “The veil. It looks like it's getting thinner.” 

Kristina looked at where Albert was pointing out. 

“That’s impossible!” Kristina exclaimed. “Now, we can join our cousins.” Kristina made it like a laughing matter. However, seeing what Albert meant by it, the glaze on her eyes changed. 

“Something is meddling in the magic of Los Barrios,” Albert snapped her out from her excitement. 

“This is a marvelous time, Albert,” Kristina argued. “Do not worry. There would be a reunion which the Celestial Beings would be very proud of.” 

“Something is wrong, Kristina,” he told her. “Do you know what would happen if the Magicians knew of our existence?” 

“I know that they were hunting us,” she replied. “What’s the matter? We are the hunters!” 

“No one can destroy the veil,” Albert said. “If this magic that covers us breaks, do you understand what that means aside from being hunted?” 

Kristina did not answer him. There was madness in her eyes. He could see it, and it was not just a mere desire for destruction but also of revenge. Revenge! 

“You do not wish to have a war between them,” he told Kristina. “Do not wish of playing the wild card with the Magicians.” 

“Are you afraid?” Kristina asked him, forgetting that she had to leave and report the bad tidings to the bereaved family. “Do you understand that for thousands of years, this is the only chance we are waiting for?” 

“We should seek alliances with the Magicians,” he told her. “No one is capable of destroying the veil aside from a deity!” 

Albert, on the other hand, looked fainting. His red lips turned to white. The conquering prince now looked like a coward. 

“Or as powerful as an Arium,” Kristina blurted. “Have you forgotten that it was them who built the veil?” 

Albert burned in anger. His eyes turned red and his backbones began to curve, turning him in his truest form. Kristina knew best to control her temper. After all, Albert was her Constant. She held her breath and embraced him once again, calming him. 

“You must not fear them,” she whispered. “All the Night Children stand behind you. You just have to say the word.” 

“I do not wish to fight against them,” he said. “My point is, if the veil is broken, bad tidings are coming. We’ll sort out what's going on first.” 

Kristina released him. “Do what’s necessary. But make sure you are quicker than the vampires. It’s just a matter of time.” 

She kissed him on the cheeks. He watched her walked out towards the barriers. She was smiling at him, her face a mixture of fierce innocence. At that moment he wondered if he’s sure if they felt the same way. 

She vanished once passed the veil. For a moment, he’s back in his reality

“It’s just a matter of time,” he could hear her say.  The Vampires were cunning. This news would not be concealed for a long time. He must prepare.

It’s a magnificent afternoon in the Palace. The Residential Garden was full of Magicians. The sunset was a ball of fire and everyone enjoyed the glory of the moment. It would be a beautiful night and once again, the Magicians would be graced by the moon. 

Rolvons, the Seers, spoke of celebration though Ballerium, the Seekers, and the Cazena, the Guardians, were anxious. There was something in the air that made the atmosphere indescribable. 

In any way, Rolvons were mostly true. So, everyone made preparations. The logs were prepared and the long table was decorated with twelve seats for each head of tribes.

The Fulena, the Beauticians, were very busy in their camp. Paints and brushes flew from nowhere. Lighted lanterns in the forms of each enchanted animal symbol highlighted the main event. The breeze was minted with a mixture of balsa wood incense and perfected olive oil. A band was placed at the northeast side of the Garden. The band was playing on its own accord given that there were no drummers or musicians.

In all this festivity and excitement, the only present instructor who seemed not enjoying the events was Professor Luna known as the Hybrid. Every Magician thought his blood was both angel and demon. No one could confirm it, however. 

Red stones mixed with black granites made an alleyway. Magicians either stood or chatted with each other. Excitement and a little bit of romance were thick in the air. 

A couple, hiding behind the willow tree, were snogging each other. When Professor Luna passed by them, without a second thought, he snapped the hanging branch which fell over them - hence, stopped the snogging.

This was witnessed by Elena who was sitting on a bench, feeling the arena. Her eyes were fixed on the setting sun while, unknowingly, a smile decorated her face as if invisible muses were entertaining her. Jason, not from afar, enjoyed looking at her. 

“Good evening, professor,” Elena greeted Professor Luna as he passed by. Elena stood and joined him walking. “Can I ask something?”

Professor Hybrid gave a scowl however he did reply. “What’s the matter, Elena?” 

“I could not help but wonder why Professor Rudolf is not here yet. I believe the Bath will be in a matter of minutes from now.” 

“Do you have any business with him?”

“Nothing, professor,” she replied. “I just want to inquire something in regards to lineages. I haven’t been in any yet.” 

Mr. Hybrid just looked at her and continued walking towards the long table. 

“You could just wait for him. I could not see why he can’t come here in a very second the Bath will start. Besides, he’s an Arium. You know what Ariums is, right?”

“Yes, Professor,” he answered and left her in the alleyway. He then took his place on the long table being the Head of Rolvons.  Having no present Zircon professor, Jason had a seat on the long table. He’s the youngest to belong there. 

He smiled at her. She smiled back as well. He wore the traditional dress of Magicians. A black suit adorned with red pearls on the neck and a tie of blue. The inside was the traditional white shirt. At the top of the suit hang a scarf. White for Ariums and Gold for Zircons - Jason’s was golden and he looked stunning against the candle lights. 

Time would have gone unnoticed if not for the setting sun to be nowhere on the horizon. At the Triangle Court, the High Moon, Selena was taking her place. 

Everyone held their breath, waiting for the moon to take her exact place. When it’s at the center of the Triangle Court, the solid ground descended forming a big deep hole. Then, streams of water began to fill it up making it a lake. There were no clouds that covered the moon. When Her reflection centered at the very heart of the Lake, the moonlight started to shift from silvery to glowing. Everything that the moon touched began to glow. 

It was spectacular and no one could deny the reverence of the moment. 

From nowhere, a voice echoed, announcing the initiation of the night - of the ritual of the old Highlands, the sacred land. It was a familiar voice that brought respect and utter devotion. 

"Long before, back in Highlands, the sister-moons graced the land not only for Magicians but of the entire Highlands. In every full moon, the Bath was held. 

"Our kind joined each other in that sacred Lake of Selena. It was always glorious - but it was even more back in the day when our forefathers were proud bearers of their wings.

"But the Great Silence came and punishment does not just come with the Silence. We will never have our wings again. However, the Bath will always remind us of our blood and our history." 

Every Magician started stripping out their garments. Men and women, all naked, readied themselves. Magicians waited quite a long time to experience the Bath – it only happened once in every 20 years when the moon completes its cycle. There was no shame, only excitement. For two decades, Rudolf announced, "Let the Bath commence." 

The Lake was wide and it never became crowded however large Elena thought jumped over. It seemed that the lake was oriented to their size.  Screams and splashes of water could be heard over a mile. Elena just stood there and watched everything as it unfolded before her eyes. She did not want to miss a thing of it at all. 

Food started to fill the table. Music was as magical as ever. It was no longer drums but of trumpets of triumph and lyre of reverence.

She's naked. However, she did not make any effort in covering her nudeness. She saw Jason coming near her. She saw his wholeness too. No reservation. 

Even without any piece of clothing that covered him, he walked the paved bricks, walking towards her. He's mighty and he's burning. 

"Enjoying?"

"Very much." 

They were both naked, both glowing under the moon. Their skin was pale and milky. With a great posture, she stood in perfection. Her tits showed two perfect cones and a solid stomach. She’s perfectly divine, so was Jason. 

"Do you think it's time to jump over?"

"I can't wait too long." She replied and took his palms; their hands clasped together. 

"I have something to ask you, Jason," a voice said from behind. "It's an urgent matter."

"Professor," Jason protested. "Can this urgency wait after the Bath? That will be half an hour from now." 

"I would not wish to interrupt your night Jason," Rudolf said, looking directly at Jason, then at Elena. "Youth brings the best times for every one of us."

Seeing that he had no choice, he went with him after Elena gave the signal. 

When the two men left, Elena caught something at the far end of her eyes. The same red-cloaked girl was hiding, seeming to call her. 

Without a second thought, she walked in her direction. The girl did not move. Elena walked faster and once she thought she’s close, she could not get any closer. The gap between her and the girl was specific. 

"Who are you?" Elena called out. She still could not see her face. The cloak and the hood covered her face. What she could only see was her chin. 

"It doesn't matter who I am," the girl said. "It's about time, Elena. The veil would soon break. Prepare yourself." 

A whooshing of wind rattled the garden trees, and for a moment, Elena realized she's still standing where Jason and Rudolf left her - not a step moved. As promised, they did not leave long. 

"What happened?" Elena asked Jason after Rudolf tapped him on the shoulder to say that he's good. 

"Nothing," Jason answered. "It's something about security. To be honest, I don't get why he's so paranoid. The Palace has been the safest for many years now." 

They walked toward the lake - both had something troubling their minds. On the edge of the lake, there's a circular slate placed for every Magician to jump off towards the lake. 

Jason took her hands." 

"Are you ready?"

"You don’t have to ask that." 

She smiled at him and in a cue, they both jumped towards the Sacred Lake. 

They submerged down to the water and, seconds later, their heads bobbed out of the water. 

"Hooo!" Jason screamed. "That's terrific!" 

Elena just smiled as she brought out a deep breath. But, something had changed. 

Everyone was watching her. Silence. Jason too. Curiosity. She looked around - even those who were out of the water went back to peek over the lake. Music stopped. Elena wondered if the earth stopped too. She looked at herself and saw what’s different. She’s levitating. Her body started to ascend and she could feel her spine cracking. However, it was not bad for a sensation. In truth, she had never been as awesome as she felt before. When it was completed, she understood what it was. 

Wings! 

She had wings behind her. Her wings! For centuries, no one knew, no one saw angel's wings. 

She looked around and saw something she had never seen before. Reverence. Everyone respected Rudolph and the instructors of Los Barrios. But that reverence was born out of renewed faith. 

"The gods are still with us!" someone from the crowd shouted and everyone cheered. Elena flapped her wings and soar as high as she could until she could not hear her fellow Magicians anymore. 

The moon deity had the vantage point and she's right to stay there. Elena thought. The Celestial Place only deserved those worthy of it and Elena felt so little. Not because she's just a magician but because she did not know who she was. How could she be an angel's descendant and far more, the Chosen? 

She decided to go back down and not drown in her insecurities. Just before she could lay her feet on the ground, a great crack broke the reverie of the night. It was just a spark of joy like a bomb before it exploded.  Thunder and a strike of lightning snapped the newborn faith like a camper twisted a dry twig. 

Darkness crept on the land. Fear started to envelop the place. The moon started to hide and the glow subsided. 

Like a transparent mirror, every Magician saw the other side of the veil. Lightning! A forest showed. Dark forest. Something flying. The veil, like a transparent glass, was breaking. 

On the other side, the Night Children were waiting. 

The Rovlons were right. So did the Ballerium and the Cazena. 

Elena was not afraid until she saw the little girl again. Her voice rang in her ear.

"It's about time. Be prepared."