BEYOND

Beyond: Daybreak (PART I)

“Don’t hurt him! Stop already!”

“Say your prayers, barbarian”

“Tamashi! You can’t be here!”

“Don’t do it Logan!”

“Wa-watch over… Hal fo-for us…”

“Tam!”

“NO!”

“GHA!”

Tamashi opened her eyes as she immediately sat up. Her whole body was sweating extensively and she was gasping for air. She could feel her chest hurt. There was ringing in her ear. Her head ached as if a bomb exploded inside of it. Or most probably, she banged her head against something incredibly hard.

She held the back of her head, feeling it if there was any bumps.

“Wha…t… what happened…?” Tamashi wondered to herself.

Tamashi was about to stand up but the side of her stomach was aching. So instead, she pull the blanket off her because she still can’t stop sweating. That’s when she noticed that she wasn’t in her bed.

She didn’t recognized where she was.

She looked around and saw an unfamiliar room. Nothing about this place was registering in her brain. Not the plain yellow sheets, not the wood carved table, not the odd looking flower vase or the aroma smell coming from the other side of the door.

“Where am I?”

She drag her legs to touch the floor. Her sides kept hurting as she turns her body. As soon as her feet were on the ground, she felt the cold wooden floors. It help her cool down and decreasing her sweating.

Seriously… what happened? She thought to herself.

Her memory was in shambles and couldn’t remember a thing. She was drawing blanks and the more she forces herself to remember, the more her head ache.

“I think this soup is ready.”

She heard voices outside. Small and soft.

“Here, let me feed her.”

“Nonsense. I’ll do it. I like taking care of her. You go check on that boy and he’s been gone for ages now.”

The voices were hoary and they talk slower than common people.

“…taking care of her?” Are they talking about me? She wondered.

Feeling a bit terrified of the owners of the voices, Tamashi tried to find a way out. Unfortunately for her, there were no windows or chimneys what-so-ever that suggest there was another way out other than the door that separates her from the hoary voices.

Before she could even retrieve the strength to get up, the door went screeching open. And what presented itself was a very old woman who almost had a full hinge back and pure white hair braided all the way down to its tips.

She had a welcoming smile as she laid down the bowl of soup she prepared on the wooden table.

“I see you’re finally up.” She said to Tamashi. “I’m glad. I was very worried after seeing you sleep for days.”

“Wait—what? Did you say days?”

“Yes. Days, my dear little one.”

“How—how many?”

“About five.”

“Five days?! I’ve been asleep for five days?! How… how can that be?”

“I can say that your wound is considered one of the reasons why.”

“My wound?”

The old woman stared at her stomach that led to Tamashi to raise her shirt and look underneath. There she saw a white bandage wrapped around her whole stomach.

“H-How…?”

“You were apparently stabbed. But from no weapon I have ever seen.” The old woman looked at her worriedly. “You don’t remember getting hurt?”

Tamashi tried to recall again about the recent past events. Slowly and painfully, images started to return to her mind. She can finally remember getting stabbed in her stomach by a very sharp and well-made sword. Then afterwards, falling from a considerable high tower.

“I did get stabbed… by a sword… then the last thing I remember is falling off a tower…” Tamashi said and slowly lower her shirt then softly touch her wound. “But after that… my mind went black.”

“I can’t blame you.” The old woman slowly walked over to Tamashi’s bed and sat beside her. “After suffering from that terrible experience, it is only natural to forget certain things. Lay back on the board dear one.”

Tamashi did as she was told and the old woman started to feed her the soup. It was absolutely delicious to Tamashi’s taste buds. But then again, she can’t even remember the last meal that she had.

“I’m very grateful for all the kindness you’ve shown me… but… who are you?”

“I am Tahira. A humble servant of the greater good and believer of the almighty power of all.”

Tamashi looked at Tahira with even more confusion in her eyes.

“I’m sorry… Tahria, right? Greater good? Almighty power? What exactly are you talking about?”

“The greater good is the greatest purpose of life. While the almighty power is the one who guides all souls to that purpose.”

“Right… of course.”

“And what is your name, young one?”

“Oh, my name is Tamashi. I’m… well, I’m apparently lost. H-How… how did I get here?”

“We found you wounded by the lake. You were barely conscious. And nearly dead. So we took you in, tended your wounds and prayed that you get better.”

“You said I was conscious?”

“Yes. You were talking. Saying something about Lukas? And Hal?”

Tamashi eyebrows were meeting, her faces turning to a frown when she heard those two very familiar names. They were triggering something inside her. Something painful shot in her head and hundreds of images began to flash in her mind. Like waterfalls, she quickly regain her memories from her home world, to Luciel, then to Lukas and Hal.

“Oh god. I-I… I remember! Lukas… and Hal… they’re in trouble! I-I-I have to go to them!”

Tamashi rush to her feet but immediately falls to the ground and Tahira kneels down to her side.

“Dear one! You haven’t fully recovered yet. You can’t move.”

“But Tahira! My friends need me! I can’t stay here! I don’t even know how I got here... but I do know that I have to return to the palace! Or else!”

“Palace? There is no palace in this world, young Tamashi…”

“What?”

Tamashi thought long and hard about what Tahira said.

No palace? How can that be? There should be at least three unless… no… her thoughts begin to connect as she puts the dots together. Is it possible that I was sent to another world… again?

Tahira helped Tamashi return to her bed and tuck her in.

“Here. This will help you feel better.”

Tahira started to feed Tamashi. And afterwards she changed her bandages. Tamashi was able to have a good look at her wound. It wasn’t as bad as she thought but it definitely can get worse and re-open if she doesn’t let her body rest.

By night fall, she met the other voice she heard earlier. It was another elderly. A man this time. He also had gray hair and a long beard that reached his chest. He was scrawny, more so than Tahira. And apparently, he is Tahira’s husband named Luay. The married couple decided to eat dinner in the bedroom with Tamashi so she wouldn’t have to get up.

“I am absolutely thrilled that you are finally awake young lady. We have been very worried about you since we found you floating by the mystical lake.” Luay said smiling.

“I am grateful for you kindness and concern, granpa Luay. And thank you for the delicious meal granny Tahira. I probably would be dead right now if it wasn’t for your aid.”

“Don’t think about it too much, dear one.” Tahira said and cleaned up while Luay stayed.

“Granpa Luay, is it true that there isn’t any palaces here?” Tamashi asked curiously, trying to gather as much information as possible.

“Why yes. No one has built a palace here for thousands of years. No one has seen a need for it after abolishing the monarchy.”

“Abolishing it? B-But there were palaces?”

“Tons of them. But when the era of kings and queens were done, the people of the world destroyed every last one of the castles built. As a symbol for the new world that was upon them. A world of peace and faith. The faith that brought the people closer together and to the almighty power.”

This got Tamashi thinking again.

Could I have possibly been sent to the future? She wondered.

Days passed and Tamashi was slowly getting better. She now has enough strength to walk around. But not so much.

When day broke, she got out of the house for the first time. And once she opened the door, the sun has just rose and its light felt so great on Tamashi’s face.

Her eyes sparkle after seeing her surroundings. Everything was covered by grass, the wind blew so fresh, and the sky was so clear. She felt as if she was stepping in a mystical garden. Everything was shining.

“S-So… beautiful…” she mumbled to herself.

She took a deep breath and stretched her arms as high as she could without re-opening her wound.

“Why, why, isn’t this a surprise?”

Tamashi turned her head and saw Luay slowly coming to view. He seemed to be returning from the woods with the sack of apples on his back.

“How wonderful to see you on your feet, sweetheart.” He said with a sweet smile of his face.

“Good morning Granpa Luay.”Tamashi greeting warmly.

“Good morning to you too.”

“Ah, let me help you with that.”

Tamashi attempted to grab the sack on Luay’s back but he stopped her.

“It’s alright dear. You’re still recovering.”

“But—“

Before Tamashi could say anything else, a young man took hold of the sack and brought it inside along with a pile of firewood wrapped around his right arm. Tamashi must have not noticed him walking behind Luay earlier.

“Why thank you very much, Endre.” Luay said.

“Endre? Who is he Granpa?”

“He’s our son.”

“You’re son?!”

Tamashi couldn’t believe it. He looks so young to be their son. Luay laughed at her reaction. It was the reaction he was expecting, anyway.

“Yes. We found him hungry at the bridge one day when he was still a little boy. And ever since, he’s been with us.”

“O-Oh… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overreact.”

“That is quite alright. He didn’t want to leave and we didn’t want to. So we kept him and treated him as our son.”

Endre walked out the door and was faced to face with Tamashi. She got a better look at him now. He was considerable taller than Tamashi. About a feet. He had this beautiful Garrus colored eyes, black wavy hair, and his skin wasn’t that dark but it wasn’t light as well. It was just right. He was also well-built.

“H-Hi.” Tamashi greeted but he just stared her down and then left.

But his gaze sent chills to Tamashi.

W-What was that about? She curiously asked herself.

“I apologize for his behavior. He’s doesn’t socialize very often. He usually keeps to himself.” Luay said.

“T-That’s fine.” She said and watched Endre walk away.

That afternoon, Tamashi decision to take a look around the area. She walked to the woods and felt very nostalgic about the place. It reminded her of the forest where she met Hal.

“From how you were helpless earlier, I take it you don’t know how to use that sword”

Hal’s voice echoed in her head as she remembered how they met. A small smile formed in her lips.

Did he had a fruitful life? She thought.

Birds chip in the trees above and the tree branches dance along with the wind. The warm tranquility of the forest comforted her. She stood there perfectly at peace with nature at its finest.

A sound traveled through the trees and grasses. The sound of water flowing. Tamashi turn to that direction and decided to follow it. It led her to an open area where a clear, clean lake was resting. She couldn’t believe it. Something so beautiful could actually exist.

She sat in front of it and just let her thought drift away with the water.

But then she heard the sound of a twig being snapped. When she looked to her left, she saw Endre emerged from the woods. Their eyes met and they stared into each other’s eyes. Until Endre turned away that made Tamashi stand up and called him.

“Wait!” she yelled and he glanced at her. “H-How did you know I was here?”

It took him a minute before answer and fully turning his body towards her.

“I didn’t. I always come here.” His voice was very deep and whole.

“S-Sorry. My mistake… um… c-can I ask you something?”

Endre didn’t answer. He only remained standing silently there.

“Do you know where I can go to find out who survived the war? Or at least find out who the descendants of the royals are.”

“What war? And for the royals, there aren’t. As far as I know, when the monarchs were stripped from their titles, those who loath them hunted them down and beheaded.”

“What?! You can’t be serious? I thought those who ended the monarchs were peaceful people?!”

“Then you are as naïve as you look. In any world, there will always be those who hunt in the shadows.”

Endre left after that. While Tamashi was alone, falling to her knees.

“T-That can’t be true… D-Does that mean that Luca…. Luca was killed too?”

When Tamashi returned to the house, Tahira had already prepared their dinner and all of them, including Endre, was seated around the table. She took her seat in between of Tahira and Endre. Though both Tamashi and Endre weren’t that please to be seated beside each other.

“I’m happy to see that the two of you have met.” Tahira said.

“Mother, will you still be going to the village tomorrow?” Endre said before taking a bite.

This conversation interests Tamashi and paid very close attention.

“Oh yes, child. Will you be busy?”

“It’s fine. We can leave by dawn and be back before sunset.”

“Thank you as always, my child.”

“Umm!” they all look towards Tamash. “C-Can I come too?”

“Are you sure about that?” Luay asked. “It’s an awfully long journey.”

“Yes… I want to see how things are there. Plus, I really want to learn about the history…”

The two elders were always confuse and curious why Tamashi was very interested to learn about the history of the world. Many things about her were shrouded with mystery. Mystery that Endre wasn’t very pleased about.

As planned, at dawn, Endre prepared the wagon to be pulled by the horse that Endre will ride to the town. Tamashi helped Tahira up the wagon and the three of them traveled as the sun raise up high.

Along the way, Tamashi couldn’t help but be enchanted with the surroundings. All the colors this world had. The beautiful rainbow colored field of flowers they passed by after crossing the stoned made bridged through the woods. While Tahira was joyfully watching Tamashi acting like a child being taken to an amusement park for the first time.

It took them almost two hours until they were able to see the brick made arch. Hammered at the top is a sign that read: WELCOME TO ADAMACHE.

After the arch was another long brick bridge. Along the bridge, Tamashi was able to see different kinds of people walking by, coming from both sides. Wearing all kinds of outfits that Tamashi have never seen in real life and only through a screen. It looks like clothes worn in games and shows with a fantasy genre. It amazed her but what was more surprising was that, she didn’t recognized the place, not even the slightest.

This is so weird… she thought to herself.

Everything was so different. She couldn’t understand if it’s because of the years that’s passed or because it was really different. Nothing of the place was any bit similar to when Luca and Hal was around. But the place had a familiar feeling. It was really unexplainable.

Endre parked the wagon along with the others near a barn where he led the horse in the stables. Tamashi helped Tahira get off and Endre joined them.

“What do think of the town, Tamashi?” Tahira asked.

“This place is… great…” Tamashi said while looking around town. “But seems different…”

“Different how?”

“I can’t really put my finger to it, Granny.” Tamashi answer slightly smiling.

“Is there a specific place you want to go to?”

“I’m not sure… I’ll just go with you guys for now…”

Tahira started walking through the village with Endre and Tamashi right behind her. With every store she stopped at, the owners were cheerfully greeting the old lady. Tahira was shopping for supplies. And with each turn they took, Tamashi can’t help but look at every store they walk passed. Then at one turn, something caught Tamashi’s eye. a*****e called “All You Need To Know”, the local bookstore.

“U-Umm… Granny Tahira, can I stop by the bookstore first?”

“Of course dear. Do want us to accompany you?”

“N-No, its fine. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Alright Tamashi. We’ll wait for you here then.”

“Thanks Granny.”

Tamashi hurried to the bookstore and when she opened the door, the sound of a mini bell rang. The store was dead quiet and dim. Tamashi slowly walked in and browsed the books. She slid her fingers on the side covers of the books while reading their titles.

She wasn’t sure what she was searching for especially since some of the book titles were written in a different language. But one book did caught her attention, the side had no title just a leaf embedded with gold and shining. When Tamashi pulled it out, the front was exactly the same with a few vines.

Very curious of the book, she opened it and there were a bunch of odd symbols printed on it and the words were written in an alien language. But the pictures were really drawing her in.

“You picked an interesting book there young lady.”

Tamashi almost jumped up after hearing a voice coming from behind her. When she turned around, she saw a red headed short haired, mid-thirties lady wearing giant spectacles and rosy red lipstick. Her outfit was like a librarian taken straight out from an adventure fantasy game. But a meaner looking one.

“Y-Y-You scared me!” she yelped, shutting the book, and placing her right hand over her chest.

“I’m sorry. I don’t get a lot of visitors here. My name is Pelin Ayda, the owner. So, what brings a girl like you here in my dusty bookstore?”

“Ummm…”

“Haven’t seen you around town before.”

“Yeah… I just got here…”

“I see. So how can I help you? Are you looking for a particular book?”

“I am actually interested in learning history.”

“History, you say? Well, you’re looking at the wrong book then.”

Pelin walked to the next bookshelf and pulled out a thick book then handed it to Tamashi. Tamashi stared down at the book and read the title, “World We Live In.”

“Everything you want to know about this world can be learned here.”

“T-Thank you…”

Tamashi is about to take the book when Pelin noticed that she was still hugging the first book she took, tightly.

“Are you planning to read that book?” Pelin asked, referring to the untitled book.

“Huh? Uhh… to be honest, I can’t really read it because I d-don’t know the language…”

“You never learned Schehe?”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Schehe. The ancient language that has been around for thousands of years.”

This world is just filled with weird names… she said to herself.

“N-No…”

Pelin looks at Tamashi suspiciously from head to toe. She felt something off about Tamashi. As if she could tell that Tamashi wasn’t from this world.

“Well, it’s not that hard to learn. I actually have a book that can help you if you are really interested in reading that.”

Pelin dropped the history book in Tamashi hand and started walking again. She went to another shelf at the farthest right corner of the shop. While heading there, Tamashi’s eyes kept reading every title she could understand. Titles such as “Vengeance from the Taillear”, “The Scared Tree of Deoir”, “Beyond the World”, and “The One Almighty Power”. The last title was stuck in her mind.

“Here you go. It’ll help you translate the book.”

Pelin placed another thick book above the other two on Tamashi’s hands. Tamashi was starting to feel the weight.

“T-Thanks…”

When Tamashi eyed the book, it seemed to be one of those English to something books she always saw at bookstores from her world. Suddenly, a thought occurred to her.

“U-Um… Ms. Ayda… I d-don’t actually have money to p-pay for these…”

Pelin’s left eyebrow raised while her arms were crossed at what Tamashi just said. Her look made Tamashi’s knees tremble from fear. But then, Pelin just sighed.

“It’s fine. I’ll let you borrow them for now. Just make sure you’ll return them.”

“Oh thank you Ms. Ayda!”

Tamashi hurried outside. While Tamashi was leaving, Pelin couldn’t help but watch her curiously. Something about Tamashi was really getting to her.

“Odd girl…” Pelin said under her breathe.

Tamashi rushed to where Tahira and Endre were waiting patiently for her. Tamashi was out of breathe when she got back because of the weight of the books she had.

“Those are awfully thick book, dear one.” Tahira said smiling at Tamashi.

Tamashi just chuckle and couldn’t say anything back. Endre looked at her and her books for a second before taking them off her hand then carried them with a single hand.

How strong is this guy? She asked herself in amazement.

“T-Thanks Endre.”

Endre didn’t respond and the three of them began walking back to the wagon with Endre leading the way and Tamashi walking beside Tahira slowly.

It was already sunset when they got back and Luay was waiting for them outside the door. Endre unload the things and Luay and Tamashi helped Tahira get down. When Tahira was starting to make their supper, Tamashi decided to lend a hand even if she wasn’t that good of a cook. Even back at home, she had limited knowledge about cooking. Let alone in a world where there might be tons of recipes she has never heard before. But she was eager to be useful to the old couple who were so kind to her.

Plus, this was a very good distraction for her. Even if she was already getting used to being transported to one world or another, she still can’t forget that she’s been gone from her home for such a long time now. Time may move differently from her world, but being gone for a month or more must have a great impact from her own world.

When dinner was done and her bandages were changed, she was in bed already. It was only a day or two before when she found out she’s been sleeping in Endre’s bed. While Endre insisted in sleeping outdoors. She wasn’t sure if it was because he was being considerate to Tamashi or simply because he likes being outdoors all the time.

Tamashi rested her back on a pillow and opened the book about history then began reading.

                                                                              ----- 0 -----

                                                                                 ORIGIN

                                                                        The Era of Harmony

The world as we know now today is very different from how it was before. Before man took over and decided to play god.

Before man built walls and structures were they rule from high ground and created weapons for destruction, they world was covered in blue skies, clean waters and harmony among all creatures. Creatures that now are in hiding from fear of being killed by man’s hands.

The world back then was filled with different colors all around the world. An era of harmony.

The grasses were greener, the sky was bluer and the water was clearer. The mystical creatures were freely roaming around the world without fear of being hunted for trophies and titles. While knowledge of magic was openly practice and taught without being called monsters and be discriminated for being different, then hunted to rid the world of things some people did not understand.

Humans then were living in peace with every living creature. They used their special abilities to help the needy and make life easier for all. But horror came after thousands of years of peace.

                                                                              ---- 0 ----

“Wait… what? Mystical creatures? Magic? Are you serious?”

Tamashi couldn’t believe it. She couldn’t believe what she just read. As far as she knew, Luca and Hal’s world didn’t have magic or anything mystical. It wasn’t like Luciel’s world. In fact, if she would describe Luca and Hal’s world, it was similar to her world except the setting was during the time wars were still at large.

“My head is spinning…” she said to herself.

She shut the book and placed it on the bedside table before blowing out the candle. She slept with her head filled with so many thoughts she couldn’t understand anymore.

The sun hasn’t fully rise when Tamashi woke up. Her brain was probably still trying to analyze everything that she had learn so far. She stared at the history book for a few seconds then grabbed hold of it. Taking it outside.

She sat outside beside the door, resting her back on the wall feeling the cool morning breeze. It relaxed her a bit. Calming her mind.

She took a deep breath before opening the book once more.

“Alright… here we go again…”

                                                                               ---- 0 ----

                                                                             The Red Era

The era of harmony was considered a façade for others because what most failed to understand that in any world, there will always be shadows lurking.

Beneath the ground that we walk on, there were people who despise those who were able to use magic. Non-magic humans thought that they were an abomination who received their abilities from a dark source. Along with them were the mystical creatures. And so they took it upon themselves to rid the world of such monsters.

Honing their craftsmanship, they built weapons of mass destruction. And the blooded war began.

None of the people above ground saw it coming. They were peaceful and trusting human beings, to be betrayed by their own kind was ultimately soul crushing. They came at night and killed them in their sleep. By the time anyone noticed, half of the population was already murdered. And the fighting started.

Spells were casted and the mystical creatures fought alongside of them. But they were starting to get outnumbered by the enemies. Spears were sent flying in the air with arrows piercing both creatures in the sky and humans running on the ground.

The cries and yelling from both sides were filling the air. The grass are being painted red and green from the blood of everyone in the battlefield. The bodies were piling up. Both sides were not letting up.

The sun had raise and sent twice. And by the third day, all weapons had been exhausted from the enemy lines while the party were running out of fumes to chant anymore spells. But what the magical community didn’t know is that the real mastermind was still behind curtains with reinforcements. And as the sun was at its highest point, a brand new batch of soldiers were matching towards the battle. When the magical beings saw them at the horizons, they were brought to their knees.

Those who still had the strength to stand, ran and their allies in the skies who were left, hid in the depths of the earth. And the enemy had won.

                                                                              ---- 0 ----

“That’s… T-That’s horrible…”Tamashi mumbled after finishing another page from the book.

“Early morning, young lady.”

Tamashi looked up and saw Luay who just walked out from the house. Tamashi stood up immediately, closing the book in her hands.

“G-Good morning, Granpa Luay.”

“Already starting with the reading I see.”

“Yeah…”

“Good then. Well, I have to get to the woods. Have you seen my boy?”

“Endre? N-No, I haven’t.”

“Okay. If you do see him, tell him I’ll get started with the chopping.”

“Okay.”

Luay tipped his hat and started walking towards the woods. Tamashi sat down again then looking up in the skies. Watching the fluffy clouds floating by. Hearing the birds chip and the sun shyly hiding behind the biggest cotton.

Hearing footsteps, Tamashi turned to the left. She saw Endre walking towards her.

“Where’s Father?”

“He’s already at the woods, starting chopping?”

Endre nodded at her then walked passed her. But then he stopped and turned to her once more. He saw her opening the book again. When he read the title, he asked.

“Why are you so interested in our history?”

Surprised he even bothering talking to her, she closed the book and faced him. Though she was very hesitant in answering knowing she can’t possibly tell him anything that he would believe in. Who would really believe her if she told them that she’s from another world, traveled to one that had angels and demons, and just came from the past, befriended their ancestors and almost died in war.

“B-Because I’m interested in learning as much as possible?”

“Why? It’s not even your world.”

“I know that but— wait, what did you say?”

Tamashi was stopped when she realized what he just said. Endre didn’t answer her and continued walking towards the woods. Tamashi quickly got up and followed Endre. His walking phase was fast, and Tamashi only caught up with him when they were already in the woods.

“Endre, stop. J-Just wait a second!”

“What?”

“What did you mean by this not being my world?”

“I know you are not from here. You reek of Qeu.”

“Excuse me, what?”

“Son?”

Tamashi and Endre towards the voice and saw Luay with an axe in his hand. Endre just glared at Tamashi before walking to Luay and took the axe from his hand. Afterwards he walked away while the two watched him.

“I-I’ll see you later, Granpa.”

Luay was confused about both of them. Endre was chopping wood, feeling annoyed. On the other hand, Tamashi was heading to the lake, getting even more of a headache.

Tamashi sat in front of the lake, dipping her feet in the water. Sighing and thinking about Endre.

“How did he know I’m not from here? And what in the world is a Qeu?”

Tamashi crack opened the book again and resumed reading.

                                                                                ---- 0 ----

                                                                The Era of Kings and Queens

After sending the magical community on the run, monarchies were formed. The territory was divided and each one was assigned a ruler. And they reign with the ultimate power. Dictating everything a person can and cannot do.

Laws were created and armies were formed. And then the order to hunt down every last creature with magical blood was given. Thus having the need for spies.

As the kings and queens were crowned, they suspected the magical community was still surviving and planning a comeback. And they were right. But only about the former.

Deep underground, the gifted were barely living. They hid in the shadows and were on constant fear about being killed. A fear that led them to believe that they may be cursed and stop believing in their gifts. And so, they stop practicing magic.

Their reign lasted for hundreds of years. Resulting to magic being forgotten and even the mystical creatures are living underground then began humans entirely. While those who got tired of being treated like trash decided to live above ground and hiding their true ancestry.

No one can deny that this era can be considered as the darkest times for those who were born with magical blood.

                                                                                ---- 0 ----

“Okay, this history is just depressing.” Tamashi said under her breathe.

But what struck her the most is how different this history to the history she heard from Esme. Very different.

After every page Tamashi read, the more she realized that she may be in a different world rather than being sent to the future. But if that were the case, then why was she sent to this world if she hasn’t helped the one who called her there? She wasn’t even sure who it was. And why hasn’t she heard any voices since coming here? Didn’t anyone call her here?

“Something is definitely off here…”

She closed the book and put it beside her then lay down on the grass, staring at the sky. She opened up her arms and took a deep breath.

“A peaceful place like this had such a history…” her thoughts were scattered. “If there is magic in this world… where are they now? All those flying creatures and people who could perform magic… where are they?”

“They’re hiding in plain sight.”

Tamashi sat up and turned to Endre who emerged from behind her.

“Endre…”

“The thing about magic, is that it’s never what it seems.”

“What do you know?”

“More than you do.”

“Then tell me, how do you that I’m not from here? And what is a Qeu?”

“A Qeu is an energy that is commonly found in port dimensions.”

“Port dimensions? Like a vortex?”

“Yes.”

“The one is used to crossed dimensions? Different worlds?”

“Exactly.”

“And I reek of that? Are you saying that everyone knows I’m not from this world?”

“Only one born with powerful magic or trained in the most advance lessons of magic can see the aura that you are releasing.”

“So that means… you have magical blood?”

Endre didn’t answer her and just walk away. Tamashi quickly took her feet out of the water, put her sandals back on, grabbed her book and rush to Endre’s side.

“Endre, do you?”

“That doesn’t concern you.”

Endre didn’t stop walking and Tamashi was doing her best to keep up with him. She was practically running.

“B-B-But you can help me.”

“How?”

“Maybe you can help me find out what happened to my friends. I-I’m not sure if I was sent to the future or to another world. If I was sent forward in time, then I want to know if my friends survived but if I was sent to another world, then I want to know why and who brought me here.”

Endre suddenly stopped making Tamashi bumped into his back. He turned around and faced her.

“Two things, first I can confidently tell you that you were sent to another world. Second, why ask why and who?”

“Because there has always been a reason every time I am sent to another world. It was always to help the voice who calls to me. But the thing is, in the last world I was sent, I never figured out who it was and I was taken out during the battle. I don’t even know if my friends won. And now, no one is calling me. I don’t hear any voice. Not even a whisper.”

“Then let me put your mind at ease, you weren’t sent here.”

“W-What?”

“You came here on your own.”

“H-How can that be? I don’t have powers. I never had. During my first trip, a powerful angel and demon were responsible for bringing me to their world. And to get back to my world, my friend who had more power than the demon and angel brought me home. Nothing happened because of my abilities.”

“Then clearly you know nothing about yourself.”

Endre continued heading back to the house, leaving Tamashi standing alone in the middle of the woods. She couldn’t help but think about every word that Endre said.

Do I really know nothing? She wondered to herself.

Tamashi returned to the house an hour later. Looking even more confused than ever.

“Are you alright, Tamashi honey?” Tahira said while laying down their breakfast on the table.

“Huh? Uh… y-yeah. Sure.”

Tamashi took a seat on her regular place in between Tahira and Endre. While eating, her mind was just wondering. She couldn’t even hear what Tahira and the others were talking about.

Then while she was washing dishes, she contemplated some more about all the facts.

What did she really know about herself?

Tamashi is a simple 16th year old girl who have only lived in one place her whole life. Then almost four or five months ago, her whole life turned upside down when she magically got to another world filled with angels and demons. The very same world she met Luciel. And after three months, she was sent to another world again. But this time in a world of war where she met Hal and Luca. And now someone from a different world is telling her that she’s this other person who can willfully travel to another world? That she’s a girl with special abilities that she only saw in television shows and movies? Can she really believe this?

Tamashi sat on the fields, her legs crossed and plucking grass out of frustration. The wind was blowing and the birds were chirping as always.

“Is she alright?” Luay asked Tahira, both were watching Tamashi for a while now from the door of the house.

“I am not sure. She’s been acting strange since this breakfast.”

“Has Endre said anything?”

“That boy never say anything. But oddly, he’s quieter than the usual.”

“I have noticed that as well. I think I’ll go talk to that boy.”

“Don’t bother. He already went out right after eating. And god only knows where goes to every time he disappears.”

Tamashi was still sulking quietly when he heard a tune. She quickly turned her head towards the sound. It wasn’t a loud sound. It was peaceful. And an angel’s tear. A crystal clear drop. Like a small bell that rang only once.

She heard it again.

What was that?

Is it the answer I’m searching for?

She slowly stood up, looking in every direction searching for the source.

“Tamashi, dear?” Tahira called out with concern in her tone.

But Tamashi didn’t hear her. She just continued looking and looking. And then like being tied to a cowboy’s rope, she was being pulled from a certain direction. She followed it, into the woods. It led her to a clearing where there was a waterfall but strangely, it was quiet. There was no sound coming from it.

At the center of the pool, Endre was standing very still facing the waterfall. Tamashi walked quietly towards him but surprisingly Endre still heard her footsteps.

“I never peg you to be an eavesdropper.”

How did he hear me? She asked herself.

“W-What are you doing?” Tamashi asked.

“You are ruining my concentration. I would appreciate it if you leave.”

“Concentration on what?”

Endre kept quiet. Tamashi felt frustrated by this. She started walking closer but for some weird reason, she wasn’t moving any closer rather she was getting further away. She continued walking but the same thing kept happening.

“W-What…?”

“Save your breath. You are not taking a step closer. If you do, I’ll do something worse than preventing you to walk forward.”

“This is your doing? Then you do have magic?!”

Endre took a deep breath and as if someone pressed the stop button on a treadmill, Tamashi felt an abrupt stop and fell to the ground. She felt as if a certain weight was lifted.

Endre faced Tamashi and started walking towards her. It was only then that Tamashi noticed he wasn’t in the water but was actually walking on water. Her eyes was wide open and her jaw almost dropped.

“You’re really magic…”

“What are you doing here, Tamashi?” Endre asked so coldly and it even seemed he wasn’t interested in her answer then Tamashi stood up.

“Can you use your magic to send me back home?”

“Why not use your own magic?”

“I don’t have magic!”

“You do.”

“I don’t, alright?! Why won’t you stop saying otherwise?!”

Endre was getting tired of hearing Tamashi’s complaining and denial. He took another deep breath and paced while Tamashi followed him until her back was facing the water. Endre was standing in front of her.

“I don’t have magic. I-I don’t open portals! I can’t willfully make a vortex and send myself to another world! Or back—“

Before Tamashi could finish her sentence, Endre pushed her into the water. As if in slow motion, Tamashi felt every second as she falls back and the splash of the water. She kept falling and falling deeper into the water. She could see Endre watching her and his image was getting further and further away. She didn’t move. She couldn’t.

And then… she heard it. The same tune she heard before… and a voice.

“TAM!”

Is that… Hal?

“Where is she?!”

Luca…?

“She fell here right?”

She could hear Luca and Hal conversing. A conversation she had never heard before.

“She just vanished! How could that be?!”

“Luca, relax. We’ll find her.”

“We have to! We can’t lose her! And how can you be so calm Hal?! Don’t you care about her?”

“I care.”

Hal… Luca… don’t worry about me…

Tamashi resurfaced from the water and was gasping for air. She was taking deep breaths. Then she realized that the water wasn’t that deep. When she stands, the water was only up to her chest. She pulled herself up and sat at the edge, still taking deep breaths.

“Your head clear?” Endre asked so casually.

“Why did you do that?!” Tamashi turned her head to him, feeling furious. “I could have drowned!”

“Did you find your answer?”

“Answer? Answer to what?”

“What happened when you were in the water?”

“What? Um… well… I heard my friends’ voices… but how?”

“This waterfall is one of the most mystically places in this world. This waterfall helps center our energy, making it easier for us to access our magic. It doesn’t work for anybody, only for the gifted.”

“A-Are you telling me that…”

“Because you wanted to know how your friends were doing, the water helped you open a peak hole into their world.”

“T-Then… their okay?”

“You were the one who heard them, so only you can answer that.”

They’re alright… they’re both alive… she said to herself smiling.

Endre dropped his shirt over Tamashi’s head. She was surprised and slid the shirt to her shoulders to stop herself, even just slightly, from shivering.

“Do you accept now that you do have magic?”

Endre walked to the water again. But this time, she was in the water. The water barely reached his stomach. Tamashi stared at him, speechless. Though she wasn’t sure if it was because of his surprising abs or because she didn’t want to admit that she does have magic.

“Or are you still in denial?”

“I’m not in denial of anything. I just want to understand.”

“Understand what?”

“How can I have magic? My world doesn’t have magic. Not one bit. So how is it possible for me to have magic?”

“Maybe you should start questioning your origins.”

“My origins?”

Endre went silent again. Tamashi didn’t bother him anymore, even if she wasn’t sure what he’s doing. She stayed there and just watched him but her mind was filled with magic.

My origins? I have never thought about it.

But then, she thought she should concentrate about something else.

After an hour or so, Tamashi didn’t realized that she fell asleep and when she woke up, she was in bed already.

“Good to see you up, dear. I’ll be starting dinner soon.” Tamashi saw Tahira checking her wound that was 85 percent healed.

“Thanks Granny.”Tamashi sat up and pulled her shirt down. “Can I ask how I got here?”

“My baby Endre carried you home. He said you fell asleep after taking a dip in the water.”

Tamashi laughed from Endre’s explaination. Tahira excused herself and Tamashi opened her book again. But then, she turned her head and was curious about her other book. The untitled, golden colored leaf engrained book. She opened it and on the first page, she saw a familiar symbol. Though she couldn’t remember where she saw it.

Tamashi turned another page and stared at the various symbols that apparently were words from the ancient language Schehe. She pulled the book for translation out of the drawer from her bedside table. She checked every page and tried matching the symbol from the first page to the translation book. When she finally found the exact one, she read what it meant.

“Guide to the… Mysterious?”

Tamashi flipped another page and continued reading as much as she could but it was very slow considering she was translating them.

                                                                              ---- 0 ----

                                                                          LESSON ONE

                                                                         Almighty Power

Magic originated from the almighty power itself. A gift given to mankind to spread the knowledge of life. And how to live it.

The almighty power is a mysterious entity that no one really understood its roots. But they do understand that its power is unquestionable. And its aid will only be there to those who really need them and only when the time is right. It won’t come before or after, but at present.

To be able to properly use the gift given, one must first surrender to the almighty power. Believe its truth. And the almighty power is the truth.

                                                                                ---- 0 ----

“The truth? What is the truth…?”She thought out loud. “About this world… and me…”

The next page was something she was very eager to read.

                                                                                ---- 0 ----

                                                                            LESSON TWO

                                                                          To Access Magic

1. Clear your mind.

2. Center your soul.

3. Imagine the form you want your magic to be.

                                                                                 ---- 0 ----

Tamashi’s eyebrows met, not understanding the steps written. Her train of thought was broken when Luay knocked on the door to call her for dinner.

During their meal, Tamashi couldn’t take her eyes off of Endre who like always was eating quietly. That’s when Tamashi made a decision.

Right after eating, Tamashi follow Endre out of the house.

“Endre, wait!”

“What do you want now?”

“I want you to help me.”

“Help with what?”

“Help me get back home.”

“I told you, if you want to get out of here then use your own magic.”

“Okay, even if I do have magic, I have no clue how to use it. The book I have said I have to center my soul? How do I even do that? And imagine the form? Please, I need your help.”

Endre stopped walking and faced Tamashi, crossing his arms.

“Please Endre. I really need to get home.”

“Fine. I’ll help.” A gigantic smile formed on Tamashi’s face. “But I still refuse to use my magic to send you home. First, I don’t have that ability. I never had.”

“T-Then… who does?”

“You do. So, I’ll help you master your magic. That way, you can go wherever you want to go and stop barging into my life as you please.”

Endre left Tamashi and she returned into the house feeling a bit reassured. And thankful to Endre’s help.

TO BE CONTINUED...