Chapter 3: Not the Last of Us

Rudolf was the last of the Ariums – the most powerful clan of Magicians way back in the time of Highlands. 

The House of Madrigals was the grandest of houses among the families of Royalty. Michael, his great-grandfather built it along the coast to mark their territory – especially from one of those cruelest tribes he was ruling by sight. The Sirens were the tricksters and they could not be trusted. Those who had the power to weave truth as to how they saw it fit could not be trusted. Trust should not be free; one thing should be trusted only if it’s worthy to be trusted. 

The Magicians had clans among themselves. They were divided by names of the angels or of demons who sired them. The Ariums could bend reality. By that, it meant illusions. They could drive anyone to madness. However, this could be good too. They could suffer by making this someone lived in reality without suffering on their own. This all played on the mind of the sufferer but there’s no pain. This could make the transition to death less painful – the Ariums’ world for them.

But the Zircons provided the antidote to this anti-reality. They could repel the magic of Ariums and they could hone skills that were only present to some other clans. Only those of the Ariums’ gifts they could not master. Some tried - but failed greatly. 

The Ariums could tell whoever spoke a lie or truth. They were living lie-detectors. However, every lie spoken directly to them buried a knife deep down their hearts; stabbed it first and squeezed it 360 degrees, then released it. Ariums could tell a lie but they would rather not ask it. 

His first lie was the most tremendous pain he had ever experienced. He could remember the Great Past because of it. He was still so young but he could remember the pain of his father’s lies and sirens’. They had bent the judgment of the gods on their wills, only to see their punishment bearable on them. It was so long ago. After he heard the lie, his father tendered him to the care of a Siren who was an outcast just for telling a lie. It was the Siren who led him to the Island of the gods. 

He did not know what happened after that, or even before that, except the searing light of pain as the Mark of Cain was carved on him. It was very powerful magic. Now that he had grown up, he knew it was traced from the start of the first quarrel of brothers of the first family. 

He’s old now and the Mark had already faded as prophesied. Someone in the swarm of these human people had the Mark. He should be relieved of this. A Magician should not live forever. Death was a welcome visitor. In his long life, there’s only one lesson he had learned – one would never be ready for death until he would feel so tired. 

He gently caressed his forehead where the Mark once was. Only a Zircon could receive the Mark for they were the second powerful clan of Magicians who could bear such powerful magic. But like Ariums, Zircons were extinct. What’s left of the clans were of lesser angels and demons. Children of greater demons were hoped to be extinct. Way back in the time of Highlands, they were the very reason for such quarrel. Only if they hadn’t burned those babies to call their father, the Avilas, the King of the Mountain Kingdom, might have asked the Land King, the Highest for some reconciliation or help. But they were evil down to the core. They had hunted dragons and drank on unicorn's blood. There’s no greater evil than to feed on such innocent spirits. 

Magicians were living in secrecy and on pure survival. So he founded Los Barrios, a secret school of Magicians. To teach the Great Past was the sacred duty left on him alone, and especially, with the Mark. No one could teach it except him who had been bestowed with the Gift. Though he was glad that his time would be nearly over (he’s two millennia old), his happiness was not full since he had to find the new bearer before he can call the time-off. He did not find the bearer yet - until tonight. Almost, though. 

Earlier this dawn, just before sunrise, he felt very familiar magic that woke him up. It was like the scent of a familiar perfume. He stood and took a few minutes before he could confirm it. Then, he smiled. There’s still hope for the Magicians – a Zircon was living among them, in Los Barrios or nearby. He hadn’t seen the Mark yet but he could feel it. It’s growing and it’s time to prepare. 

PHILIPPINES was a small island made of so many islands – and a great country. Filipinos were called to the people who lived there. Before, on this island lived the Indians, the Negros, and the Malays. Then, the Spanish came to conquer. Also, the Japanese became interested as the Americans did. Sometime in between, the Chinese had been recorded doing business with the locals. 

Filipinos were a tribe from different tribes. They were amazing people as well. Humans appreciated this county. Aside from the people, the island held strange magic. It possessed a paradise. The trees and rivers, the mountains and the skies agreed with everything. 

Before it became a Christian country, at a time before a Christian traveler searching for spices spiked a Cross on one of its beautiful islands and claimed it on Christian faith, the natives had a powerful claim on magic. 

The Philippines was an island of gods where humans were allowed to live among them. Rudolf knew this from the Sirens and with the Great Silence, or the Great Tribulation, humans navigated the lands and found the island, then started anew. 

Gods wanted their privacy; but as humans started to grow, their presence was known and was so hard to conceal. 

Humans started to make festivals. Burn offerings and offered blood sacrifices. It was both a terrifying and a marvelous time. Until the Spanish arrived. Christianity grew and the old gods were called false until there were only rituals left. Then, as a matter of time, they were ignored. 

The gods, no one knew what they were up to. But they hadn’t forgotten those who came to their shores and disturbed their peace. They knew that some had magic in their blood and some were total refugees of a war that they did not sign up for. 

Rudolf believed that the gods woke up the magic on their human blood as a form of revenge. Some found this unsettling since they could not understand the source of their magic. By that, some took advantage and went dark. Some created beasts and cursed objects. But there were some too who made some good out of it. Some healed and some became seers to predict the future. 

Though most of these Magicians displayed true power and might be one of his clan or might be a Zircon, Rudolf never met one. So, he decided to found Magicians schools of Magicians. He placed it in areas where a great source of magic could be traced back from the source. However, for sole purposes that might be needed specifically for each clan, he placed schools that could be only accessed by those who had access to it just like the Old World. Only those who possessed the Gift could find the place – unless, of course, if one had been directed and led in there. 

One of these schools, Los Barrios, could be found in Iloilo. It all started there. The magic thinned but never lost. The school was not specifically a place where a tourist or a local could see or spot on. It only means that the portal was placed there. Going to Los Barrios, one should find the portal first. 

The Magicians’ world was as if a mirror world; a dimension inside a dimension. Like spirits, Magicians lived in between. However, they could not see spirits except if they possessed the gift. The spirit world and the magicians should not be confused as one – they were not. There were so many dimensions out there and the human imagination could not confirm yet nor understand the gravity of how the world worked. It should be easier if that’s the case though, Rudolf thought. 

They were passing through another portal of silver mirror inside the silver mirror inside Professor Rudolf Principal’s Office. He invited Jason just after breakfast. It was a long time ago since the professor called his attention. Jason was one of the brilliant students inside Los Barrios. He had never been in an actual classroom. In truth, Jason was a born Magician – he could learn better if he learned things on his own. Now, the professor understood why. 

"Where are we?" Jason asked the professor when they reached the cavernous space. There was a big rock covering the mouth of the opening. They did not need to remove it. They were both travelers. They just walked through it. 

"Welcome to the Coven," the Professor replied. "You know our history about the Zircons and Ariums. Am I right?"

"Of course, I know."

Jason carefully observed his surroundings; however, it was so difficult to see through the dim light.

Rudolph raised his hands to light the floating torches near the walls and those which served as chandeliers. Just below the chandelier, there was an empty long table.

Jason just stood. His back straight while he clasped his hands behind him to repel any illusions. The professor saw it but he only ignored the mistrust. 

"I will not misguide you, Jason," Rod said. "It is about time that you know the history of your clan. I know that you are a Zircon."

Jason did not reply. There was no use to lie to an Arium.  

"I just want to ask what other skills you have mastered."

"Just travel," Jason answered. "Now, why did you bring me here professor?"

Rod looked at him. His face was expressionless, but at that moment, he knew the truth from his student, his precious joy, Jason Santos, and it pained him. The truth pained him. Nevertheless, he told his truth. 

"Zircons is a powerful clan and this Coven is your birthright," Rod started. 

Jason just nodded as he's trying to understand every word on it. 

"That chair," Rod pointed, and continued, ". . . is only reserved for the High Datu. And, only Datus could sit on the long table." There's a gleam in the professor's eyes while saying it like he's remembering something so dear from the past. "But for you, Jason," he added. "You still have not earned a place on the table."

Jason would have said something but he's interrupted. Rod continued, "The High Datu was a friend of mine. Before the Great Silence, we're the best of mates. It was also because we're cousins.

"The High Datu possessed all of the Magicians' skills except truth-telling. If anyone thinks they deserve the High Datu's seat, they must challenge the Reign. It would be a duel and the last man standing would earn it. The Datus were those who mastered more than five skills. Below that, they were midgets, ordinary magicians. You, Jason, are just a baby."

"But I am the only remaining Zircon!" Jason protested. "No one could challenge me."

"You are no one to be challenged."

Rod signaled that it was about time to leave the place and attend to some things in Los Barrios. But, Jason did not move. 

"But I countered your magic last night, professor," Jason said. "What are the odds you're against me and Elena?"

Rod stopped and remembered that he did not use any magic. But he remembered quite some strange powerful magic the other night. "I have no intentions of being against," Rod replied while Jason chuckled. 

"How did you know that I am an Arium?" Rod asked. 

"I saw your mark professor and only Ariums could bear it."

"So, you should have guessed why I brought you here."

"No, professor," Jason defended. "I don't have any single clue. Except, if you thought I had the mark. But again, no. I don't have it."

It was the truth and Rod knew it. Yet, it was impossible. 

"Of what I know, only an Arium could hold such power," Jason added. "I am not even good enough to be a Zircon."

"I have searched for millennia – yet, I have not found one," Rod said. "But maybe, we are not the last of us."