Chapter 7: Boiling Waters

"Seriously?" Stephanie asked Betty before handing down her medical kit, a hint of sarcasm and disbelief in her voice.

"I'm a doctor," Betty replied, ignoring the disbelief in her best friend’s voice. "I should be prepared in any circumstances."

"You are not just a doctor," Steph passed along the stethoscope which Betty carefully arranged inside her doctor's traveling bag. "Goodness sake! You are a woman! A lady on that, and a very successful one."

Betty just smiled. "So you are Steph. You better stop mothering me now." She looked around and took her scarf hanging on the door. "Make a life too."

Stephanie laughed out loud, her voice scaring out the devil inside the room. "I could not believe it. You just changed the subject and pointed it to me." 

"You know better not to argue with me. How long have you been in the family?" 

"I am proud to serve the Villanueva's for 20 years, back when you were still very young having those dirty rags hanging from your malnourished body,” Steph paused, remembering something and then, continued, “. . . I am so proud of what you have become."

They were at the door now, standing in front of each other. A drop of tear tried to escape Stephanie's eyes however not to Betty’s notice.

"This is not goodbye, Stephanie," Betty told her. "I'm so glad you're here even though my father was no longer around." 

"Oh, honey," Stephanie reached out and kissed her on the forehead. "Your father would be very proud to see what you've become."

"I hope so, Stephanie," she told her, taking her shoulder bag, ready to leave 

"By the way, Betty," Stephanie called out. "Be gentle to that young little boy." There's something in her eyes that tried to soothe a great part of Betty's heart. Stephanie was the most understanding person in the world she had ever known. She would not make her disappointed as what she did many years ago to the most precious man she had in her life. Her father's death was as fresh a memory like it was just yesterday.

She finally was free to go. Stephanie did not call again but she could see that she's following through her gaze. She tried hard not to look back until she reached the van.

It was hard to leave Renu. Most of her life was spent building it. But the truth was even deeper than that. It's hard to leave Renu because she’d go back to the Haven. So many ghosts of the past lived there and she's not ready to face them - yet, it should be done. 

Her father was dead many years ago and she realized it was not his fault to die. She had to accept that truth of life. Death is among the universal laws of humanity. And, she had to live past that. 

"Are you okay?" little Mark asked her when the van drove out. He was sitting next to her in the back seat. He looked renewed, a completely different person two weeks ago, wearing a red-and-black striped polo with a fresh haircut.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Betty replied as she wiped her tears. She didn't even notice that she was crying. Why am I crying? She smiled at that thought and put a blanket on Mark’s lap. She laid her shoulders around his arms. 

"You should get some sleep, darling. Haven will be in just three hours." 

Mark smiled at her and happily rested his head on her offered shoulder. Minutes later, he's fast asleep. Sweet innocent angel. 

The veil would be broken that night. Thanks to Rudolf! They were not overwhelmed by the evil magicians just outside the veil. For now, they could prepare. 

The Palace had been the busiest for centuries as Rudolf knew. The Bath had been abandoned just as soon the moon disappeared. The strikes of lightning still progressed outside the Palace like a hammer breaking a stubborn glass. The veil was protected by powerful magic and he knew that only an Arium or a Celestial being made the transaction of making such an attempt of getting past through.

If it's an Arium, he knew himself not to be responsible. The one he's looking for was a bad egg. Magicians, sadly, won't stand a chance. He's no longer the Bearer of the Mark and he knew Jason was a Zircon who did not possess the Mark either.

It was someone outside the veil. A lost Arium. He took a parchment across his table. The ink was bottled and ready for writing. He did not bother picking up a pen. It scribbled down what's inside his head like there's an invisible hand holding the pen and it could hear his thoughts. Rudolph stood behind his table with a book opened on his palms. In front of him, a secret cabinet on the wall was opened. From the looks of it, it had not been opened for quite some time.

"Professor," a male voice called in. “You called me?"

"Professor Luna," Rudolf greeted. "I am convinced by what you saw. I'm not just sure why you did not tell us the whole truth."

"I don't have to lie to you, professor," Luna said, his looks gloomy as ever. He did not move. It seemed, to him, everything was wrong. "Boiling waters, professor. Just as I told you if you'll admit them."

"What should I do Luna?" Rudolf asked him, his voice was calm. "Leave them confused as they were before?"

"They were better off not knowing this world and destroying our peace." 

Rudolf laid down his book and sat behind his table. The scribe was finished writing. He read it once again, making sure he had written all he needed to write before folding it. He then sealed it with his thumb. It created the symbol of an Arium - Platinum Eagle. 

He threw it to the ashtray placed right to his table. Seconds later, the parchment was burned. Red smoke formed a figure of a bird then disappeared with the paper. 

"To what family is the letter supposed to go?" Luna asked. "I couldn't recall any clan having the Phoenix as a symbol." 

"Boiling Waters, you said Luna," Rudolf said to him. “We have to play bold now. We can't afford to defeat the bearer of the Mark. We need some help." 

"This is a dangerous play, Rudolf," Luna scowled. "Did you just call me to witness this madness?"

"Oh, no, Luna," Rudolf responded. "I called you for a much better, important job. This needed to be done by more daring people than sending a letter." 

"I have a clan to protect," Luna protested before Rudolf could say more. "I have to go." He turned to leave the room.

"You may have seen it already," Rudolf called out. "Do not lie. You know that I can tell."

"You can't just send me," Luna said. "Send the Seekers. I cannot do what you wanted me to do."

"That is why I called you. Not just anyone," Rudolf said. "He's waiting for you in the Sacred Place."

"I’m past living with that, Rudolf," Luna protested. "I can't just go back to my past and search for him." 

"He's the only hope we have," Rudolf told him. "He walked towards Luna and gave him the pendant. He added, "Both of you knew what it meant."

"I hate you, Rudolf," Luna said behind gritted teeth. "But you are my brother." 

"Thank you, Luna," Rudolf said. "Your clan is safe here."

"Be sure of that." 

In a matter of seconds, the headmaster opened the mirror portal and Luna was out to wherever he should be. 

Meanwhile, magicians were waiting in the residential garden for the announcement. Before the veil could break, every abled magician helped in shielding the wall. In this crowd, Elena saw the little girl again. She looked for Jason. But he's nowhere to be found. 

The air was getting tense. It's too humid for a spring morning. No one got any sleep. It was just the Bath who sustained their strength. 

The Builders, the Samsonara, used their magic in making defense in case the veil broke. Catapults were made even stronger and the walls of the Palace were covered with a second coat of spell. No one could enter the Palaces. 

The Gatherers, Relona, stored as much food as they could stock. Though magic was present, there's somewhere that these supplies were sourced from. 

Elena did not have much to help. She's a traveler, a Time traveler, who did not have much idea or mastery on how to control and command her skills.

So, she went inside the Time Palace. It's her Palace for what she knew. And, it's the safest next to the Dwelling Palace. But magicians were more afraid of the Palace than breaking the veil. They watched her as she went inside, confused and afraid of her. 

She's been Chosen - a time traveler was such a rare skill. All of that outside, and, yet she's been more bothered by the red-cloaked girl who had been inside the Time Palace now. 

She followed her up to the stairs. This girl did not stop until they reached one particular room. Elena did not notice it at first. But later on, she could feel the room, power shaking the place like there's a source core placed somewhere inside. 

Glimpses of the past crowded the room. The once empty table was now surrounded by red-hooded members. At the head of the table, the little girl sat. 

They were speaking in a language she could not understand. Someone entered the room. This time, she knew who it was. 

"It's time," the newcomer said. 

With just a blink of an eye, the room was empty again. Then, a ringing outside the Palace announced a summoning. She flicked her finger and after a moment, she's back in the garden. 

Every magician was distracted. No one understood why Jason was pointing with a prepared charm of destruction in case Rudolf tried to escape. 

Elena walked towards them. She raised the unspoken question everyone was asking.

"What the hell is happening?"

"This turmoil was caused by no other than him!" Jason announced. "You are a time traveler, Elena. Go and find the truth itself. Show us the truth of this impostor." 

"What are you doing, Jason?" Elena tried to calm him down. But his eyes were afire. It’s only a matter of time that those fires ignited and exploded. "If you can just slow down a bit and explain what's going on." 

"There's no time, brothers and sisters," he called out. "Rudolf called the attention of the Circle." 

This time, the air became even denser than it was. The Circle was the most notorious group of rogue time travelers who claimed to be angels. It was the main reason why the place of Los Barrios was hidden from them though they were entitled to such a place. The Circle believed they controlled time until one time they ransacked the Celestial Palaces and made some alterations that wounded time regally. It was done by very dark magic. No one could enter and manipulate time -but, the Circle did. Now Elena understood why Magicians were so afraid of the Time Palace. So much of history was etched on those very walls.  

"Prove it!" someone in the crowd demanded. 

"Elena, show them," Jason singled her out. "I'll help you."

Elena focused some of her energy and scanned through flashes of doubted history. Jason was holding the Arium's mind before Rudolf could use it to manipulate and close his window. 

There! She found it. The letter threw into the ashtray. Red smoke showing a form of the Phoenix. Jason held her hand and broadcasted the vision to each one who was in the garden. 

"That was very impressive, Jason," Rudolf commended. "But, I'm afraid you did not tell the whole story. Sadly, I haven't had enough time to change each of your minds." 

All stopped on what they were doing and faced him. The air was hell-hot and Elena could feel the vibrations of fear that enveloped them. Rudolf was the most powerful magician in the history of Los Barrios. What chance do they stand against him? 

Rudolf could feel it too, and Elena was even shocked at that truth. She looked at him and through Arium's mind, he told her alone.  "Do not trust anyone from now on. Elena, you are a powerful being. Find your truth and it will set you free."

After that, Rudolf dissolved from thin air. Jason's charm was a child's play. Then for a moment, everyone looked at Jason. Respect in each eye for uncovering the truth. Elena looked at him too. She felt something was amiss but she could not figure it out yet. She respected Jason but she still doubted him. Trust was much harder to give than respect. He’s a powerful magician, no doubt about that. But his thoughts were unclear. 

Mere moments later, everyone raised their middle finger with the pointing finger crossed at it. Then, they released their vote of confidence. 

Jason would be the next headmaster after the ritual on the next Bath. For now, he'd be the presiding leader. Instructors looked at him. Though Jason was not among the ranks of teachers; Magicians, if proven worthy, could climb the ranks they deserve. 

Elena watched Jason - he smiled at her and called her to stand next to him. 

With Rudolf gone, the rambling of thunder and lightning subsided too. It was clear again.

"This is just a pause," Jason called everyone's attention. "Outside the veil, a war is waiting. We should prepare. 

CARCASSES OF THE NIGHT were still hanging down the basement floor of the Vampires’ Temple. Miranda called out for each of her clans to join her for the feast. It was a splendid night and it was an even more splendid day. 

Miranda shrieked out of joy as she recalled seeing the glimpses on the other side of the veil. Without any delay, she signaled her clan. She made thousands of them in preparation for that day. Now, she’s more powerful than Albert. The Night Children would soon realize that, and they would fight alongside her. A new generation of Demon Children. 

"How long should we wait to satisfy our thirst?" She remembered that awful night back in the Sanctuary. "Our cousins were favored over us. We were left on this dry land, left to feed off among scraps while they remained in the paradise to enjoy all riches and privileges of the deities."

Miranda remembered that Albert was tired too. But the Night children, hell to them, were born duty-bound to their Constant. If she only dared to Duel him, she's way too young back then and Albert was trained by experience, then she would have the command of all the hosts of the Night Children. But, that was a thing in the past. The long wait was over. 

The Giant Oak tree stood in the middle of Los Barrios only concealed by an invisibility magic Miranda nurtured ever since. That was their place of hiding so the Night Children would not hunt them down as they grew stronger every day - by numbers and by strength. The tree revealed a door for an opening. It was only visible to those who had vampires' blood except those who were invited and given permission to see it. Walking past the door was a whole different world. Inside was called the Temple. A large serpent figure, with a fang and two large goat horns, stood at the center of the hall. The serpent's body curled down creating a circular basin. It was a fountain but instead of water, it was blood. Every believer would drink there every Feast of the Moon. 

There was a balcony. Facing the serpent, a chair crowned by black pearls could be seen. Miranda sat at it regally, overlooking her brothers and sisters. 

She raised her hand. Everyone was silent with a hint of mixed excitement inside the temple. From somewhere inside, something started to hiss. It looked like crawling and it came nearer until the owner of the sound joined the crowd. A smoke figure of a serpent crawled toward the serpent's statue. 

"My brothers and sisters," Miranda started. "Please give our reverie to our Demon father who I called out from the depths of hell and rejoice in our presence today." 

The snake smoke slithered around, trying to check the attendees’ devotion inside the room. "I could still smell human fear, my children," the demon said. "But master that fear. Soon, the blood will flow and we'll rejoice even at the sight of it."

The demon slithered back to the statue and faced Miranda. "You do not need the Night Children my daughter. I could feel the tide getting stronger. Celestial beings would soon notice and interfere as they always do." 

Miranda nodded. "The Circle knows and soon they'll find out where you are. Find the Phoenix and she will determine the fate of Los Barrios in your favor." 

Like a snap, the smoke integrated. The visit ended. Miranda found herself smiling. She gave out the command and the swarm of vampires drank on the fountain of blood.

But father, she said to herself, we need the Night Children. I know who the Phoenix is.