The Origin

I looked at my dad who was driving like a madman after picking me up. His eyes darted from the rearview mirrors, side mirrors and the road in front of him. I watched him intensively, thinking what was happening just as he sped past the vehicles on the road.

God, what’s happening?!

“I’ll tell you after we reach,” my father simply said as if he read my mind. I widen my eyes and turned to look out the window.

I recalled what happened earlier on, that face, that boy... I was trying to put a finger to it. It felt like I knew this person somehow.

I felt the car jerked to a stop and I realise we were at the building where my father is working at. I got out just as he did, passing the keys to the valet who simply took it without a question.

“Pa... what are we-“

He took my hand gently but tugged it impatiently. I followed him in, trying to hold on to my laptop.

He didn’t say anything but he simply clamped his lips until we made it to the lift. I glanced at the directory, knowing my father’s company was located in the basement.

We got in and my father let go of my hand. He kept his lips shut,despite the intensity of the stare that I was giving him. Once we reach the basement, he exited out again and I followed him until we reach his company’s office.

“Pa-“

And then I saw what he was doing at the door. He started chanting at the door, pressing both his palms on the glass. I blinked and jumped back when I heard something moved inside - like the whole floor was collapsing inside. I stepped back and tried to grab my father but he was stiff and he didn’t move a muscle.

His mouth continued chanting before he opened his eyes and I was shocked when I saw his eyes were clouded over in white before he blinked and he stepped back. He turned to me and I was trembling when he reached for my hand.

What is happening?!

“Come...”

I took my dad’s outstretched hand without hesitation. I picked myself up, realising I was on the floor and stood next to him.

“What was-“

“Everything that you want to know or need to know, I will explain to you inside.”

I looked at my father’s eyes when he finally met mine. I bit my lip and gave him a hard nod. He turned to the door and opened it, leading the both of us into the unknown.

-

I looked at the sudden corridor that we met the moment the door was opened and we stepped in. I blinked, taking in the scented sticks that was burning still. The wooden doors along the corridor complimented the plain white walls. Right at the end there was another turn to the right that made me guess perhaps thats another corridor of doors.

My father took out a small bell from his pocket and rang it once.

“What’s that? Why are you ringing a bell?!” I started to ask, wondering what’s happening.

My father turned to me and said, “Whatever you do, do not get freak out okay?”

“Freak out? Why would I be freak out?! What’s-“

I heard a roar coming from the end of the corridor. It was powerful and frightening at the same time. I stepped back and my father grabbed my arm, signaling to me to not move. I froze, my eyes widen as a shadow showed up at the end of the right corridor.

Is that a lion?! What is happening?!!

I stiffen when I heard a low growl and I stared as a muzzle came to view. A set of sharp teeth came to view and I felt the sudden wave of fear washed over me.

Fuck! We are going to die!

I tugged on my father’s hand and he didn’t move. I tugged again and my sneakers squeaked under me.

That’s when I heard lour roar and heavy steps running towards us. I screamed and shut my eyes, covering myself with my arms just as I heard another body slammed on the ground and I remembered my father was with me.

“PA!”

I opened my eyes and saw the creature on top of my father but...they were laughing.

“Pa?!”

“Oh! You cutie!” My father said as he stroke the mane of the lion which pounced on him. The lion licked his face a little more, letting out a loud purr.

“What the f**k?!”

“Liyana! Language!!” My father stood up and carry the creature which was about a few feet tall.

I noticed the creature which was growling at me, letting me know I was uninvited. My father turn to it and rubbed its mane, whispering something in its big ears.

As they had a small exchange, I noticed the creature was half a lion and half a...fish?!

Hold on...this can’t be our Singapore icon...

“Its.. its a Merlion?!”

“Mhmm...” my father simply said and gave an affirmative nod.

I widen my eyes and blinked, trying to take it all in.

Crap this is too much to take in...

“Mer..I think I need your help to carry my daughter to the room later,”

“Are you really going to let her take it all in?!”

“I don’t have a choice now, do I?”

Shit s**t shit..

Last I saw was my father and the creature watched me just as I felt my whole body fell forward and finally darkness consumed me.

-

I finally came about. I looked around and saw my mother right by my side.

“Ma...”

“Hey sweetheart,” My mother smiled, “I see you have come around,”

I shut my eyes and rubbed my head, trying to recall what had happened. I opened my eyes again when I recalled the creature and-

“Ma..ma...” I stuttered and whispered, realising I was not in my room, “Pa brought me in and there was a creature and-“

“And what?” My father walked in just as the creature followed him behind.

I screamed again and my mother pounced on me and covered my screams. I widen my eyes and look at her.

“You know?!” I gasped, “MA!”

“Oh calm down! You don’t have to be so overly dramatic on this!” She slapped my arm and sat back down.

“What the- I have every right to be dramatic, Ma!” I threw my hands out in the air and glared at the two of them, “You both owe me an explanation!”

“Should I tell her?”

“Ahh! What! Who spoke? Right into my mind?!” I yelped and turned to the creature which took a step forward towards me.

I heard my father sighed and shake his head, “Now, Mer, don’t think it would be appropriate if you did that...”

The creature scowled and took a step back, allowing my father to step forward to me. I stare at him before he put out his hand and I stepped forward to take it.

“Now, Liyana, I want you to be mature and not freak out about this...” My father gave me a stern warning and I couldn’t help but adhere to it.

I took in a deep breath and gave a hard nod. My father and the creature, named Mer, gave each other a look. I felt someone took my hand and turn to see my mother holding my hand tightly just as images appeared in front of me like a video.

“I’m sure you heard of the story of Sang Nila Utama..”

“But you have not heard the story of Wan. A young boy who stayed with his parents and younger siblings in the 1800s on a small offshore island.”

“Wan was the oldest of the family of 6, and he always accompanied his father out to get food for the family.. that is until one day he and his father found themselves caught in a storm. One of which, popular among the Singaporeans, the storm that Sang Nila Utama found himself in.”

“Wan found himself intrigued and captivated by what was happening in front of them that when the lightning strike their boat, both his father and him fell into the sea,”

“Realising then, he was unable to swim towards his father who was reaching for him despite being a good swimmer. It was when he saw the crown was sinking into the deep depths of the ocean, so did he.”

“Unknowingly, he reached for the crown and felt a surge of power went through him. On the crown were five jewels, one of which is in the hands of his family and was then passed down from generations to generations.”

“Rumors of the jewels had widespread across the whole world, gaining interest of those good and evil. Prophecies were sent down from the higher powers to the holy ones, to tell of the tales and to find the chosen ones which will roam the Earth again to ensure that it is not consumed by the root of all Evil,”

The images stopped and ended in front of my eyes. I looked at my hands, recalling how it felt being in the sea as I watched Wan sinking deeper into the abyss.

My father came up to me and touched my shoulder, making me look up with questions. Mer was watching me, so was my mother.

“So...” I whispered, “When I was 14... that night when I told you of my reflection...”

“That was the start of your powers, Liyana,”

“What do you mean? The start of my powers?” I questioned, my head spinning from the sudden history lesson of my lineage.

My father looked at my mother who gave him a nod. Knowing that look that was shared between both, it meant they have to tell me the truth and nothing but the truth.

“You are part of the prophecy, my child.” My father looked at my hands and touched them gently, “You are the prophecy,”