*Season's P.O.V.*
"Xia? Xia?~" A mellow female voice called out from the dark and I felt really conflicted. "Xia? Open your eyes." It said as I felt someone shaking my body as if trying to wake me up. But of course she can't be talking to me right? My name is Season, not Xia. But then again, "Xia!" The shaking became more violent and the mellow voice became hard so I eventually opened my eyes. At first, my vision was blury until it cleared and I saw a woman with a very long, bone straight, jet black hair, standing with her back to me. She's dressed in something like the clothes we wear during martial arts training with an additional skirt thing. And I don't know her at all. "You're done pretending to be asleep Wu Xia?" She asked, her voice laced with venom.
Pardon me? I'm not even Wu Xia.
I had wanted to voice out but it turns out that I can't use my voice. So I just rose from my laying position in the antique looking bed and made my way to her, whoever she is. "It's been long overdue." She spoke as she beckoned me to follow her outside of the room and into a balcony that overlooks the terrain of the land that we're in. Wow. I've never been here but I am so amazed.
Stretched right before us are mountains of different colors, from dark blue to bright red. It doesn't even look real that I could debate if I'm in a dream or in a painting. I marvelled at its beauty for awhile before my eyes landed on the flat portion of land just a few distance below the balcony, there's a faintly familiar Yin Yang symbol laid on the ground and encircling it are four statues of... Animals? I'm not sure. But there seemed to be a dragon, a tortoise, a tiger, and a bird.
"It's time for you to wake them up. I didn't name you Xia for nothing. You are one of them and your blood is promising us a treasure that only the undead can get a hold of. You might've ran away from me, but you see now, you can never escape your fate." She declared and suddenly I found myself in a dark tunnel, the balcony overlooking the beautiful mountains and the statues disappeared and was replaced by an ancient looking hall and as I looked around, I saw soldiers in line for battle, it's just that they're not wearing metal armors, they're wearing armors made out of mud and as I stepped closer to one, I realized that the armors are not the only thing that's made out of mud, in fact the soldiers themselves are made out of mud! Just as I was starting to get terrified, the setting shifted into a very bright place. The light blinded me at first but when my eyes were able to adjust to its brightness, I found myself surrounded by treasure, however shiny they all are, the shiniest among them is not an object, rather it is a person. He stood just in front of a huge pile of gold and when I squinted my eyes to see who he is, my heart stopped beating altogether. It's Kaloy!
I quickly sat up in my bed and rubbed my eyes vigorously. Damn! That was just a dream. Breathe in. Breathe out. I said in my mind as I tried calming myself down. Gosh! Although the distance and the city life promised physical protection from the mythical creatures, the memories are as deadly as the experience to the point that I can question the efficacy of those blessings and the holy artifacts that they have given. Cause if that is so, why am I still haunted by these unusual nightmares? If I recall correctly, Kaloy can connect with me through dreams but, is it still him doing it, or it's just me? I didn't have much time to answer that question because I heard a knock on my door. I checked the time and saw that it's already 9 a.m. so I sighed, fixed myself for a bit and straight up opened it.
"Happy birthday Season!" The group of familiar faces greeted me with glee and my heart warmed when they started singing the 'Happy Birthday' song. There's Sean, Eden, mama Ellen, Angel, Jovie and...
"Master Cheng?" My eyes widened when I saw the man holding my birthday cake.
"Shengri kuale." He greeted in Chinese, with a big smile, motioning for me to blow the candle and I did. Everyone cheered after that.
"So, you like my birthday gift?" Sean asked, putting his arms around my shoulder as he looked towards master Cheng who did a little show of cutting the cake with a slender knife as if using it as a sword. I beamed at him.
"Really? You arranged for him to be here?" I asked as my family and friends enjoyed the food that mama prepared.
"No dear, it was a coincidence that I had a vacation here and somehow came cross Sean when he was on a business trip somewhere in Oslob." Master Cheng answered as he sat down on his seat. It surprises me how we all managed to fit in this small table.
"Wow. I wouldn't celebrate a birthday without you after all." I chuckled. And he did too. Of course it was my birthday when I first met Master Cheng so I always invited him the years after that. Then a thought came across my mind. Or should I say a person? Mom. It's her 20th death anniversary. And I wish I could've just spent my birthday with her. But she's burried there at Tenesse and well, I don't want to go back there just yet.
"Well, I know that you'd prefer to celebrate your birthday with mom but due to our circumstances, I could say it's a good thing that Master is here." Sean said. He's right. My brother really knows how to support me emotionally.
"You're the best." I whispered.
"So Season, is he your uncle or something?" Jovie asked, referring to Master Cheng. I just shook my head. Cheng Dong is not related to me by blood but, his surname and my mom's surname is the same, it's just that, he claimed a long time ago that they're not related and that he doesn't know her. "Oh, I just thought. Cause you know, you look kind of alike." She added and I just laughed. Master Cheng just shook his head too.
"But either way dear, she's like a daughter to me." Master said. It's true. He's not only a martial arts teacher to me, he's more of a father, when we're not on training. After that, conversations started amongst ourselves until it's past lunch time. Yes, we ate and talked for about three hours. Man that's the longest meal I ever had. But I am not complaining because I had with the few individuals who are very important to me.
After that we all gathered by the living room as mama and Eden are washing the dishes and Master Cheng graced us with a story because Angel and Jovie asked. They seem to be really intrigued about my mentor and his experiences and I am no different of course. But I wasn't able to listen much about the story because I received a few texts from Collin, which I immediately responded to, there's also one from Alyssa, Andrew, and the others that I made friends with here in the country. Well, I wasn't able to listen so much until...
"So there's a legend about the four Seasons there in China?" Angel asked eagerly and I decided to be a little kid too hahahahahaa and actually listened this time.
"It ain't much of a legend about it, it's more of a prophecy related to it." Master corrected.
"Oh, China seems very interesting but I'm not a fan of the Chinese people. No offense." Jovie said. Well, she has her reasons, I suppose.
"Ahh, of course, but do you want to hear it?" He asked. You see now, when Master is not in the training grounds, he has this mellow touch that's partly the reason why I am very comfortable with him and he is showing that mellow side of him now, which got us all nodding. There's something about legends and prophecies that are really interesting. Mythological stories are always something that feeds up the appetite of Literature students like us. Stories yeah, creatures? Oh please, I'm still trying to move on from those traumatic experiences. But of course, stories involves creatures so, I have to bear with it.
"Of course!" We said in chorus.
"It started a long time ago, there was an Emperor in the East of China who is considered one of the most powerful leaders in his time. He could've conquered lands adjacent to his but he opted otherwise for there's something greater from far away that interests him. A treasure promising not only wealth but also power, not just political power, it's more of a sorcery related power. So he set many men to find the exact location of this treasure however, none of them returned, alive. So, when his son is already of the right age, he passed down the title to him so he can set off to find the treasure personally. He brought an array of soldiers with him but the long journey was more than a fierce enemy to them, diminishing their numbers slowly throughout the change of the seasons, until only one heavily armored soldier survived. This soldier is actually a female who desires the treasure as much as the former Emperor does that she even left her family, including her children and pretended to be a man to be able to join the journey. However her secret was eventually revealed but instead of punishing her because of the deception, he was rather impressed at how she survived with him throughout the harsh seasons until they eventually reached their destination. The treasure was within their arm's reach however its guardians of the treasure sensed their evil motif and cursed them and their entire race to protect the treasure. So they failed but they never stopped trying until today. Because they believe that someone bearing their bloodline would succeed in getting the treasure. And such desires are causing too much chaos that beasts awoke to scare the ambitious travelers away and they succeeded. However, the seasons that the two survived in had a promise of vengeance and it's slowly awakening today. Someone mighty and in control of the elements would be born from their blood and this descendant would overthrow the curse and avenge the desires of his/her ancestors."
"Wow, that sounds really spooky, I mean, if somebody like that descendant would actually exist and would cause a world war, I'd rather not think about it." Angel said. To be honest, I don't understand what Master Cheng is talking about and surely my encounters with the mythical creatures here would be spookier, on a smaller scale. I mean, a war is actually scary on a larger scale, you know?
"Not really. I find it rather interesting." Jovie cotradicted. "I mean if I could be that lucky descendant, I'd sure want that power to avenge my ancestors who were only bullied because of their desires." Wait what?
"Sure." We looked at her skeptically and the fight between her and Layla flashed in my head. Why is she so defensive anyways?
"But if I was the descendant, I'd say that vengeance is not worthy to cause another round of choas, nor is some treasure. What's yours is yours, what doesn't belong to you doesn't belong to you." Sean said in a 'duh' tone. But I really agree with him.
"Noble thought son." Master saisd.
"Anyways who wants to play something?" Sean brought up and we all agreed into some Chinese chekers. Wow, today is full of Chinese stuffs hahahaha but I enjoyed it.
Nothing special happened in the days after that. Master Cheng is staying in the city for quite some time though. And my school life went on. Just like right now, it's 6 pm and I'm on my way out of the campus by myself. Yes, our instructor requested some time extension for today's class so Jovie and Angel already went home ahead of me. I just wish we are always in the same class, but of course we aren't. That didn't stop us from being close though.
"Hey! Ms. Tarver!" I stopped in my tracks down the hall when a school mate of mine called out. I turned to the source of the voice and saw a petite girl who I believe is taking up Education, jogging towards me.
"Yes?" I raised a brow and she stopped right in front of me, fishing out a notebook from her bag and handed it to me.
"It's Ms. Anton's, I borrowed it earlier and forgot to return it. Mind if you do it for me? Uhhh... I'm a bit scared as to what she would do to me, heh. Please?" She begged and I all but chuckled at her. Why is she scared of Jovie?
"Sure." I answered with a reassuring smile, cause well, why not? I'm not scared of my friend the way she appeared to be. When I was walking outside the school, I thought about just giving the notebook to Jovie tomorrow at lunch time because the three of us would have lunch together and perhaps a few classes together but an idea came to my mind. I've never been to Jovie's place before and I do know her address, so... I texted Sean that I may be home late and that I'm at Jovie's. After that I hailed a jeep that took me to her place.
It was a rather dark street, the street where Jovie's house is located but I managed to find her house number and stared at the one storey house that gloomily stood in the corner. Chills suddenly run down my spine when I examined how eerie its surroundings is. It's so different from the characteristics of my friend. But in a way, I could say that there's something different about Jovie but I just can't say that it's an eerie difference so I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. "Jovie? Jovie, are you there?" I called out, trying to peek at the thickly curtained window. I know someone is here though, because the lights are on.
One more knock and the door finally opened. "Unsay ato?" An old lady asked. She's not as eerily looking as the ambiance of the house but, the hairs at the back of my neck rose. Maybe I'm just nervous.
"Ummm..." I don't know if she understands English but I hope so. "Is this where Ms. Jovie Anton lives?"
She looked at me for awhile then she turned towards, still keeping the door open. "Jovie, inday." She called out, quite fondly. I reckon, she's Jovie's grandmother and that I'm in the right place. I heard shuffling inside the house and Jovie responding in Cebuano before I saw her approach the door.
"Season? What are you doing here?" She asked when she finally saw me. She doesn't seem pleased that I'm here though. Eh?
"Oh, somebody from one of your classes gave me this." I said as I handed her the notebook. "I was gonna return it tomorrow but thought otherwise so..." I trailed off and her eyes lightened up this time. Making her look more welcoming than her aura minutes ago.
"So that's where it is. I thought I misplaced it. Come in." She finally invited and I did. "It's a good thing you didn't get lost on the way here." She joked and I chuckled. Right.
"Well, I almost did. But anyways cool house." I said. Not meaning what I said. I mean it's more of a spooky cool thing, or is it because of the shadows of the night that made it look the part? She led me to their cute living room and I sat on the wooden couch, observing my surroundings.
"Care to stay for dinner?" She offered and I smiled widely.
"That's the excuse that I said to Sean so, I might as well make it true." We laughed and she excused herself for awhile, saying she'd take care of the kitchen. Her grandmother then sat on the couch opposite to where I am and after Jovie introduced us to each other, she went off.
"Season. A wonderful name." Her grandmother said when we were left alone. Apparently she knows how to speak English.
"Thank you ma'am." I responded.
"For a notorious beast." She continued with a venom laced tone.
My brows knitted at her statement. Wow, what did she call me? "Umm, pardon me ma'am?" I let out, just to be sure.
She looked at me fiercely then she stood up and sat next to me, so I slightly turned my body towards her. Her wrinkled hands suddenly came up to my upper arm, squeezing it while shaking me slightly. "What are you? What do you want from my granddaughter?"
Her actions made me feel violated so I shrugged her hand off quite forcefully and moved away from her. "I'm her friend, ma'am. What do you mean?" I responded, trying my best to be calm. I don't take it lightly when someone who just met me would look at or treat me judgementally. Even if she's an old lady.
Her hands reached out to the amulet dangling on my neck and flicked it. "This is all just to deceive people into thinking that you don't want mythical creatures to harm you. But you're more lethal than they are. You're a monster. Stay away from my Jovie. Stay away!" Wow, seriously? If she isn't elderly I would've really punched her right now.
"Listen ma'am, I don't mean any harm. And I am not what you say I am-" before I could even finish my statement she pulled out something shaped like a doll and she beckoned for me to follow her. Gosh, I'm starting to understand Layla now, but I am not in the position to judge just yet, lest I won't be any different from the judgemental people that I am not fond of. We entered a room filled with caldrons and dolls and I'm starting to really be spooked out now.
"Do you really believe that you are normal?" She asked and I whipped my head to see her standing in front of a boiling caldron.
"Of course." I answered and she dropped a little pebble and the boiling water turned green. Woah! Sorcery! Gosh...
She then looked at me apologetically now. "Can I?" She asked as she pulled out a strand of my hair. "You see dear," she started as she tied it to the doll like figurine earlier, "if you really are normal, the water would remain green when I put the doll in there." So I watched carefully as she placed the figurine in the pot and as soon as it was placed, the water turned dark purple. If I wasn't already spooked enough it gradually turned bloody red.
"Ma? Season?" We heard Jovie call out before I could ask more about what exactly she is doing and I took the opportunity to run out of the room and get away from the old lady. Gosh! I don't want to say this but, Layla is right, she's a witch! But, I'm not gonna say anything about it. No wonder why they're scared of Jovie. Gosh... "There you are." I almost jumped when I heard her.
"Y-yes, your grandma kind of s-showed me around." I stuttered and she sighed.
"If she creeped you out, please don't believe her so much, she's old and you know..." Somehow that statement of hers soothed me. Yes. Sometimes old people can be delusional, you know? But let's just be careful not to say anything about them. I just have to sigh and be quiet all throughout dinner and hurriedly made an excuse so I could go home immediately. Yes. Home and away from this eery place and that spooky grandmother of hers.