“Are you sure about this, Mayari Tabbu?” The Gatekeeper asked, fixing his stance. “Are you sure that what you’ve seen is all true?” The Sorceress frowned and groaned and rolled her eyes. She even let out a frustrated sigh. “As much as I wish it wasn’t true, I saw it with my own eyes! You and I are practically the same person — you came from my thighs! You and I, we can never lie! So why would I?!” It’s an epiphany, of sorts, a step so logical and illogical. She’s amazed she didn’t realize it sooner. Calleb and Accashia. Luntian and Ursula. The bad and the good. Anger and mercy. Hatred and empathy. Love and obsession. Why didn’t she think of it sooner? ‘Here goes nothing’, Mayari Tabbu thinks, and waits for the instinctive recoil, the psychological and physiological equivalent of the natural exchange. And then she begins the transportation spell, to send the Gatekeeper straight to wherever Luntian, Calleb and Accashia dwell. She sprinkled feathers and dust at the feet of the gateke
Luntian wasn’t so sure what to make of this. It must be written all over her face, for the Gatekeeper was giving her an incredulous and ridiculous looking smile. A smile that’s so reassuring yet damaging at the same time. It makes Luntian more nervous than she already was, and the nameless Gatekeeper tries not to make a face at how Luntian’s face looks so sour and dire. The Gatekeeper just told the old Shaman the truth. About her sister — Ursula whom she thought was just a Phantom in her mind and was dead. But now, she believes that her twister sister might actually be alive. But where is she? Luntian swears she can almost see that damn smug smile on her sister’s face. “You know, I didn’t believe it at first, for the rewinding spell could be a blessing and a curse. But since it’s Mayari Tabbu whose visions and spells are always true, then your sister — the Shaman named Ursula was the maker of the Blade, and she sold her soul to the Devils from Cassis and requested for their aid.” T
Since he told the things he needed to tell, the Gatekeeper raised his hands and said a big farewell. Accashia, Calleb and Luntian, they’re about to leave too. Yet, when they tried to leave and go their own separate ways they felt the ground shake beneath their feet. Calleb and the Gatekeeper’s eyes widened at the roaring sound that’s a few meters away. Both stood their ground and straightened their backs, feeling like something terrible was an understatement — for something diabolical had happened and will now shower upon them. The four of the staggered and lost balance as a soft quake rattled their feet off the ground. And Calleb had to jump when a humongous tree trunk had been thrown towards their direction. As he arched his neck and tried to catch the scent of the perpetrator — the young man gritted his teeth from the familiar stench in the air. “It’s the monster.” He said through a harsh whisper. “He’s here.” “What monster?” Accashia asked as she began to fidget nervously. The
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
Accashia must have fallen asleep while the two Alpha’s were interrogating the old Shaman. She sits up straight and there's a blanket across her body until her chest. She pulled the covers up, bringing it up to her face. The young woman inhaled, smiling wide right after. It smells like her mate, warm wood and a hint of musk. Calleb’s scent reminded her of sunrise. It smells a little like her too. Accashia was not the type of person who always wakes up on the right side of the bed. Before, she’ll wake up with Luther’s face right in front of hers. Her older brother would always taunt her. Tease her, borderline torment her. Somehow she wishes he could erase it. The memories. "Why the long face?" Calleb appeared out of nowhere, shocking Accashia. Her soul almost left her body, and became a bit grumpy because of it. “Calleb!” She whined, screaming his name as she did. “You know that I startle easily! Don’t sneak up on me like an animal!” The Alpha grinned. “I am an animal though.” He wa
"Ive heard Galathea saying she heard the song of songs, whisper of whisps. But not a cry of a child." The King stared at Accashia’s ghostly pale face. The Luna was still in shock. She was only wearing a thin bathrobe, contrasting the dark thick cotton robe that enveloped Calleb’s body. "A shrill cry. A woman singing an eerie lullaby. I’ve heard of that before. But not from a newborn child —” He looked at his son, then smiled. “None, except from you, son. The day you were born.” "Maybe we should have the Castle blessed?" Calleb had asked. "Before being rebuilt, this place was heavily guarded by Shadows. Dangerous skeleton-like creatures who are brought back to life by Ursula’s power. They carry an ember of soul in their chest. Lost souls." Bathal shuddered in the memory. "I remember. Maybe the Castle needs to be blessed." "It’s not a soul." Accashia opposed. A frown on her face, disliking how the two Alpha’s are dismissing what she heard. "I know a soul when I feel one, see one. When
"I’m not hallucinating, Calleb! I heard a loud cry of a child!" Accashia paced back and forth after pushing Calleb away from her. The cry of the newborn sounded terrible against her ears. “I must find the baby — it could be lost, or worse — it might’ve been abandoned by its parents!” The Alpha sighed as he pinched the area between his brows. It feels like he’s wiggling out of a tightrope and he’s bound from his wrist down to his ankles. “Maybe it’s just your imagination, Accashia. You’re carrying my child after all. It may be the cause of your hallucinations.” Accashia was heading towards the door when Calleb’s spoke. She spun and marched towards her mate. By the looks of it, the young lady was deeply offended. “I know the sound of a crying child when I hear one, Calleb. I’m the one who took care of Jill when she was a newborn. I’m familiar with the cry of a wailing child looking for his mother — Calleb.” “And I’m not dismissing your judgments, Accashia.” Was Calleb’s calm reply. T
What it all boils down to is a simple thing. Human beings, creatures and beasts alike are all sentimental beings. Filled with empathy. Love and affection. And in turn, are always seeking for it. The first time Luntian laid eyes on her sister was after Amihan had just given birth to her. The little one had a head full of black hair, and had this blank stare. Ursula would cry from dusk till dawn. It was thousands of years ago, but her sister’s shrill cry would still resound in her nightmare. The idea of having a sibling was one of the things she wished for in life, though at times she wished her mother would shove the thing back to where it came from. Luntian loved Ursula, but there was something about her that she didn't like. She doesn’t like the crooked smile on her lips. The oddly long nails. The dark, dark cowl on her head. And the odd paint on her face. She was a yellow Shaman, but did not act like one. Not even a little. Had it been the way she talked or the things she said? O
Bathal remembers his father with his head back, soaking up the heat like a plant. At dusk, his wide gray eyes go half-mast, and he yawns and stretches and puts his arms around people who he thinks will lead him back to the right home. Banaua is solar-powered, a self-sufficient sun. And his mother Hiraya was like the moon — the Luna catches the excess light of the King until she could light up on her own. He wonders if Accashia and Calleb would be the same. For his son and his mate reminds him so much of his late parents. And now there they were, going up in front of thousands of people. He thinks this is a must, for this will be Calleb’s future once he passes on the power. His son is the next King and an Alpha. Calleb will be the next ruler of this Kingdom, and the people will follow him. They will love him and be loyal to him whether they want to or not. Once, when his father was still alive he'd asked Bathal a question. He'd asked, 'What do you feel after seeing the humans, the B
Bathal comes back after a long meeting with the Shaman of the nameless Village. It was time for the Betas and Omegas to live within the Castle. For them to go back to the way it was before the ‘Great Downfall’. The King was wearing thick black longsleeves made of cotton. A white cowl covered his head, partially covering his beautiful long hair of black and white. Usually he wouldn’t be riding a horse if he was to go alone. But because he needed Luntian’s wisdom to negotiate with the Shaman — he opted that it was for the best. Bathal preferred to transform into his beast. He’s not the type of ruler who radiates glitz and glamour, crowns and jewelry. As a matter of fact, the King had always liked to be with the Betas and the Omegas. The soldiers, as the late King Banaua calls them. They liked him for his smile and his strong sense of leadership. Everyone called him awe inspiring and charming. While his son Calleb… Luntian often wonders where the Prince, the son of Bathal, Calleb, get
Ursula shut her eyes shut, not wanting any more of this inhumane torture. She was deemed to be facing sudden death, more like she begged for it. Impregnated and treated like an animal. This was beyond humiliating. What she hated the most was how her body betrayed her at times. How the demons take her and fuck her until she cries and begs for mercy. She hated herself from feeling good. It almost felt good. Almost. Until she realized that the birth of the demon child would mean the coming of a bloodshed. Death in amounts no one could fathom. The woman laid her head on the makeshift pillow Kieran had made for her. Kieran was laying down beside her, the demon was caressing the bulge on her stomach. “Just leave already.” Ursula whined, lifting her head up upon the request. “I want to be alone.” Kieran laughed, then held up a thick leather strap in his other hand. It was studded with spikes, like everything else. A spike that would slam against Ursula’s thighs or arm, whichever part it w
The Kingdom of Shaldan has changed, and with a few more refurbishments, the Kingdom will be standing in all its glory once again. Almost two months had passed since they banished the evil Witch from their land. Bathal and Luntian sported a wide smile on both of their faces while greeting the Hunter’s village and the Betas and Omegas. The news of Accashia’s pregnancy gave them a new kind of hope for their Kingdom’s survival. She was four months pregnant, and in a few months their bundle of joy will see the world. Days have turned into weeks and weeks turned into a month. But instead of being happy after receiving the news of her pregnancy, the young lady became jarded. She became quiet and barely spoke to anyone. Anyone except her mate. Everyday Accashia would go to Calleb’s room and she’ll tell her mate what is going on in her everyday life. Whether it’s exciting news or just a mundane day. She does it as a routine, hoping that her mate would wake up. Even if it's about the changes
Luntian leads Bathal and Accashia towards the room where the sleeping Prince was kept safe. A few Beta’s and Omega’s lurked around the Castle, fixing the interiors and fixtures. All needed to be done to bring the ruined Castle back to its glory. The sound of nails and hammer hitting and banging against the wall resounded as Luntian closed the door of Calleb and Accashia’s chamber. Bathal, who was standing next to Accashia, told the Shaman to lock the door, to make sure that no one sees them. Even though his influence is scattered throughout the Castle and its borders, it does not mean that everyone is on their side. A King can never be too complacent, Bathal learned that the hard way. “It’s locked.” The Shaman announced with satisfaction in her eyes. Once they were free to move, the old woman foisted something from her pocket. A mixture of minerals, and once she’s satisfied with the ingredients on her hand, the old Shaman crushed them with their bare hands. She turned them into powe