*Season’s P.O.V.*
So it was settled. I am heading back to the Philippines at the break of dawn. Master already offered for me to use the quickest route so that I would be there before my grandparents and their army could. And the portal’s potion requires a few hours to be prepared so, he gave me the whole afternoon to recharge, suggesting that I should try to reconnect with the astral spirits. Indeed, he is right since the last time I heard pf them was during that ritual when we all were writhing in pain. So now, I’m laying in bed, closing my eyes and calling the names that I know, one by one.
“You are worried about us dear, yet you seem to be less concerned about yourself.” I opened my eyes when I heard that voice and looked left and right for its source. Then something tapped on my blanketed chest and I almost screamed in fright at the sight of a small talking tortoise, such animal very familiar to me. Ah! This is the last astral symbol! The one I haven’t used in battle just yet.
“G-guardian of the north, holder of winter…” I trailed off as those are the only titles that I haven’t heard from the three. Quinglong is of the east and spring, Zhoque is of the south and summer, while Baihu is of the west and autumn, so this must be…
The tortoise chuckled, “Xuanwu and yes you are right. Worry not, Jijie, can I call you Jijie? It means Season in Chinese.” I only nodded. There’s something warm about this being even if he’s supposed to be the symbol for winter. And yes, I agreed although Jijie sounds a lot like my grandma’s name. “We all are okay now. A little bit shaken but still fine. I heard you’d want to oppose your ancestors?”
“Y-yes. I can’t let them hurt another soul more than they already did.” I answered without a doubt.
“Noble reason dear. You know what, that’s the main reason why your mother, Wu Xia ran away. She doesn’t want any of this to happen.” A ray of light seemed to brighten my mind at that. “She wanted tranquility.” So I’m just like her. “But it was short lived when she did manage to get away because she didn’t truly escape her chaotic destiny.” He sighed.
I can only contemplate on his words as he suddenly disappeared when a knock resounded on my door. I sighed and pulled down the lever to open it. Sean stood there with a hard expression. What now? He only looks at me like this when he’s in his overprotective brother mode. “What is this that I heard of? You’re going to indulge yourself into another war? Just because you have powers doesn’t mean you’ll have to abuse it that way.” Oh… that is exactly the point here.
“Sean, I’m doing it to fix what I’ve done. I am the reason why they’d be in danger, I have to at least warn and help them. If it wasn’t for my blood…” I wasn’t able to finish as he cut me off.
“Nonsense! Can’t you look at yourself! You are still not fully recovered. And what’s the big deal in there anyway?”
I sighed. “You’ll understand when the life of the person you love is on the line because of you. And I guess it have to happen to me for a couple of times.” I simply answered.
“It’s not like you’ve fallen in love with a mythical creature there… Did you?” Right when he asked that, the twins appeared.
I bowed. “I did.” Now Sean lets go of a very heavy breath. I guess my brother would think that I am out of my mind now, but so what? “And with great power comes great responsibility after all.” I added.
“You can always run away from it though I mean, we almost lost you sister, we don’t want that to happen again.” Sheila said. Although touched by her words, I’ve made up my mind.
“Delaying fate, doesn’t mean escaping its chaotic offer. Running away from it, doesn’t ensure tranquility. That’s the mistake that mom did and I’d have to suffer. I mean, any of us could’ve suffered that, I was just the unlucky one. So I don’t want to pass it on to anyone else. I’ve fulfilled her destiny when that undead army was raised, now it’s time for me to write mine. But if I die, I died doing the right thing.” We are at tears after that speech of mine as we shared a tight group hug. “By the way, if I don’t make it alive. Tell dad that I’m not mad at him, that I love him. I love you, all of you.”
Time passed quickly and before we know it, it’s already the break of dawn and Master’s portal is ready after a rather power consuming ritual. I looked at all of them, full of gratitude and love. They smiled, a smile of pride and that’s enough for me to cross it with all hopes up high. Yes, I have to cross it alone because opening this portal drained Master Cheng so much that he would need a lot of recharging. I’m crossing a great distance after all. Even if I’m not in the best condition, I know in my heart that I will offer my life for the man that I love and for all of this to finally end.
Soon enough, after being sucked into the circular waves of energy, I found myself in my brother’s resort and many people were shocked to see me and the portal that already closed. But I gave them no mind. I walked straight into the building and asked the baffled receptionist, who also witnessed my arrival. “Where is Mr. Fernando Perez?”
“I-in his office ma’am . T-third floor, first d-door to the right.” She shakily answered and I smiled in gratitude before dashing in to the said room using the stairs.
“Season?” My tikbalang friend exclaimed when I pushed open the door without any warning.Sorry, I really am in a hurry as my enemies would be here soon as they marched something like an underworld to get in here, as what my master said.
“I need a tikbalang help. Can you please let me enter your realm through your portal? I need to talk to Kaloy and that is the only fixed portal that I know of. It’s urgent, please.” I begged and I guess the urgency in my voice made him agree without asking anything. We jumped through his wide window, straight into the forest and soon enough we are in his territory.
“Ummm which is the shortest way to Lumayan?” I asked once we got in.
“Not that there’s any other way.” He peeled open a thick drapery of vines to reveal a vast ocean, separating their land and Lumayan. The castle is already visible from up here but, how the hell am I going to cross that? “Three days, by boat since the currents would love to play with you.” He even added. The currents, it’s water alright.
“I guess it won’t if this is what I would. I’m calling out to your mighty power Xuanwu!” This is the first time that I’m the one calling out to an astral spirit. Because they usually come out as they please, or when I’m on a critical situation, so I never knew if this would work but thank goodness it did! I transformed into a huge tortoise with a snake around my body. This surprised Fernando but he just wished me luck as he's already aware of my power. I waved my snake’s tail at him and started waddling into the water.
“Wanna try out what I can do?” I heard Xuanwu say.
“Sure.” I agreed and suddenly we are speeding into the ocean as he had created a fast current that leads to the fishing docks of Lumayan in record time. Heh! The tortoise is fast at sea after all. Once again, there’s a round of surprise when I just appeared at the docks, transforming into my human self. Some engkantos recognized me and they started murmuring but I only waved at them. “Fly with me, Zhoque!” And with that, I used the aerial advantage to quicken my pace even more.
*Kaloy’s P.O.V.*
Everything seemed to be in order now. Lumayan is at peace, and I owe this all to the woman that I love. However, the calling of the kingdom grew louder now and I can’t delay it anymore. Even so, I can’t help but think about her. Did she find what she’s looking for now? Does she know who she is already? Did she forget about me now? Now that we can’t really be together and it feels more finally.
“Mahal na hari, magsisimula na ang seremonya ng kasal.” One maid said and I just nodded at her. Yes, I am getting married to Alisya now, even if I don’t want to. It’s just by traditional measures you know. I sighed, putting my crown on, admiring the gem that’s embedded on it. Why I just fail you father? Mother? Why can’t I just love and be with the person that I truly love? But of course no one can answer me now because the both of them are gone already. So I just braced myself and went out into the throne room where the ceremony would be held.
Everyone is already here, including Alisya who is dressed beautifully and adorned with precious stones and flowers. I smiled at her genuinely as we stood side by side in front of the elders. I nodded for the ceremony to begin but before Lola Ligaya could even say something, a loud bird call disrupted pur solemn ritual and we all turned to the open terrace where a flaming bird landed then transformed into the woman that I want to marry. She’s here! She came back! “Season…” I can only whisper as my feet already moved towards her. The ceremony immediately vanished in my mind as he clearly matters, more than anything else.
I was about to hold her in my arms, not wanting to make the mistake of letting go ever again, when she spoke in a tone so urgent. “Lumayan is in danger, you all are in danger.” I stopped and looked at her, my eyes asking all the questions that I can’t seem to say. “An army of undead warriors from China are coming this way, you need to be prepared.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked. She looked around, trying to take in what is going on and for a fraction of a second, I saw pain flash in her eyes when she saw the set up but it was replaced with seriousness immediately.
My grandmother spoke before she could answer. “Oh… it’s fulfilled. How much time do we have?”
“Not much.” Season said.
I believe her with all of my heart but I don’t understand what’s going on so I asked. “What does this undead army want with us?”
“The gem in your crown.” “The treasures of Lumayan.” She and Lola Ligaya answered in chorus.
“We must protect it at all cost. Ipatawag mo na ang mga sundalo at ihanda ang hukbo.” I listened to my grandma and looked at Alisya apologetically as I called the generals.
“Siguraduhin ang kaligtasan ng mga babae at mga bata. Ihanda ang lahat ng hukbo.” I commanded. When they all departed to what I told them to do, I beckoned Kalista to use her power to see the truth of this situation. And the magic caldron did show, an army of mummified soldiers, marching in a dark tunnel, towards a portal that shows the cliff of the moving portal on the other side. “How ever did these beings came to be?” I asked, looking at Season.
She bowed her head in shame. “They’re risen by my blood. I’m sorry.” I don’t what to feel right now. “Apparently your grandmother was right. But not to worry, I’m fighting by your side.” Not that I have any more time to react to everything as this is so sudden.
The skies darkened as we lined up in front of the palace, anticipating their arrival. I asked Season to remain in the castle with Kalista as they guarded the crown and they agreed. I don’t know exactly what would come out of this but, I need to defend my kingdom. There was an eerie silence before an explosion was heard pass the woods which signifies their arrival. From my position here at the lowest terrace of the palace, along with some generals, my eyes widened at how many they are. I started feeling fear for all of our safety but I swallowed it all up. “Maghanda.” I commanded. And when I saw them enter the woods, “Sugod!”
My men charged and I jumped down to join them. These mummy soldiers clearly knows how to fight. “Mahal na hari parang hindi sila natatablan ng ating mga sandata!” Apitong, my friend said and I agree. What sort of beings are these? I managed to behead one with my sword and that’s when I saw it vanish! Aha!
“Putulin ninyo ang mga ulo nila!” I instructed. I was down to my fifth beheading when an electric shock hit my back. I turned to see a beautiful Chinese woman grinning at me. She didn’t hold any weapon as streams of energy would just emerge at her palms. This must be their leader.
“You must be their king.” She said and was about to throw a powerful energy stream my way when an azure dragon jumped in btween us and made a huge tree grow, making her magic hit the tree instead. “Season! You little brat!” she screamed and threw another wave of energy but the azure dragon quickly turned into a white tiger and produced a spear that almost pierced through the witches’ heart. I couldn’t just stare at Season in fascination though as a wizard appeared and dueled with me. This time we used both our powers and our weapons.
“I may not understand why my granddaughter choose to intervene when it’s her blood that makes this possible, but we will still succeed!” He said. So they are Season’s grandparents. Damn! I tried to hold in his power with mine but I was shocked when the witch started attacking me with hers as well.
It's too much!
They’re too strong!
My eyes roamed around for Season but I saw her being knocked to the ground. She recovered soon though and started beheading the enemies that attacked her. Why is she doing it though? Why is she on our side?
Maybe I was lost in my thoughts. Or maybe I reached the limit of my potential but I felt myself being hit by a very high voltage current of electricity.
And before I knew it, I fell on the ground, badly wounded. My eyes can only go wide when the witch threw a poison laced dagger in my direction. The world slowed down and I am very certain that the trajectory that the weapon is traveling in would lead straight to my heart. I closed my eyes, awaiting my death but it didn’t come. Or am I dead already? I waited for a few more seconds but didn’t feel anything at all so I slowly opened my eyes.
A body slumped above mine though and I saw how the dagger pierced in the person’s chest first, before I recognized who it was that took the shot to protect me. The world stopped altogether. The fighting mummies disappeared, the witch and the wizard fell to their knees as they lost the war. Yes, for a power I did not know I possessed came out of me, taking all the enemy’s breaths literally. But of course, it wasn’t their loss, it’s mine.
It's all mine.
As I held in my arms, the lifeless body of the love of my life. “SEASON!”