The Chronicles of the Caltamere Twins: The Prophecy

A Resolve Yet to Build

It feels like drowning. Drowning in a pool of torture where there is no escape. It felt like my heart was being crushed repeatedly by hot iron rings with thorns, squeezing it till it burst to pulp. My very soul shattered to white suffering, regretting wasting time not showing how I deeply feel. Torture from the sudden loss of people I cherished. So sudden, I never thought it would end like this.  Particularly to someone who I had affection for that I never knew he felt the same way until it was too late. There’s nothing left for me here. I am completely shattered. There’s no more reason for me to live. There is no more.

I always thought that learning how to fight makes me stronger. But there was more than one incident that proved otherwise. In the dark corner of my heart, there lies my guilt, my grief, and my suffering. It wrapped me cold down to the gutter. 

The time we had together, those summer days at training, competitions, those were the days I wished it never ended. Whenever I’m with him, I fall every day. Seeing him too perfect for me, I just grew scared. Scared that once he knew, he'd turn away. The moments I cherished most is when I made memories with him. It may not be romantic, may not be about love, but just being with him, everything seems fine. I forget all my troubles, all my worries. He’s my wingman.

I could still taste his salty, rusty lips on mine. His glimmering eyes full of affection still carved in my vision; his soft touch and longing kiss still lingers; his strong willed hand holding me close to his heart; these just killed me. Digging a bottomless pit in my heart, my chest constricted. 

My eyes swelled, looking absently to the void, an urge to let go cooked up inside me. I screamed. Screamed till my lungs ran out of air; screamed till my agony was heard in heavens and hells; screamed till all the creatures dropped to their knees covering their ears; screamed till everyone that lived knew my grief.

As an answer, the heavens blessed me with rain. Sky drummed from thunder, grieving along with my shattered soul. Kneeling before his body, the heavens sounded a funeral march. With rain pouring down, drumming the surface, thunder booming as bass and lightning cracking as cymbals, I looked up, letting the rain fall on my face. I screamed to the heavens. Calling out for him, telling him to come back, the sky boomed in response.

Two souls buried six feet under, a devastating end to our battle.  

They drove us back to town and sought refuge in Joan’s house. She’s as broken as I am. Or maybe even more. She lost Alvin last night and it wasn’t a pleasant end. I will never know how she feels right now. 

I haven’t talked to her. And neither have she. The battle we had, I feel that it was just the beginning; that we would be experiencing more loss after this. It pained me to see Joan in this state: blank expression, sunken eyes, and a life without life. 

I would not have understood but I know losing someone is something no one can ever bear. A life loss meaning a life saved. Both of them saved us in all ways possible. They were just overwhelmed. 

But I still can’t believe they’re gone. He’s gone. I’m not sure how am I supposed to live knowing I let this happen. I let them die. Whichever side we look at, it’s my fault. I got them involved. I shouldn’t have gotten them involved. Hating myself for this, I will never forgive myself.  I will never forgive the people who have brought this down to us. 

It’s my fault. It’s always my fault. Three years ago, she died because of me. Now, they died because I got them involved. How much more can my fragile heart take? I bear the three souls who died because of me. I alone is to blame for their demise. Why am I still alive? How should I live with this pain? I’m not sure what to do anymore. I am shattered. Henry—maybe I should start calling him Logan—brought me to a spare room upstairs. He let me use the bed and found myself dozing off until a scream woke me back. 

The scream came from the other room, Joan’s room. It sounded like she was under attack. Panting, I ran out of the room. Sharhea and Logan just arrived running from the stairs. We stopped just in front of Joan’s room. I looked at them for a while, searching their faces if we’re in danger. They seem to be in the middle of panic and calm. How can they even do that?

I reached in for the knob and threw the door open. I marched in first just to find Joan shaking under the covers of her blanket. I knelt beside her, waking her up. 

“Joan!”

Sharhea and Logan watched at the foot of the bed. Keeping their distance from us, they search the room for any anomalies that could possibly be a threat. 

Joan was sweating so much, her temperature’s high. “No. no,” she whimpered in her sleep. I shook her up again, calling her name. “Alvin, no. No,” she was dreaming about Alvin. I backed away a bit. Joan lost her lover because of me. Now, she’s suffering, too. How can I let this happen? Why wasn’t I strong enough? 

“Joan, wake up!” I called.

She started to trash her covers, calling Alvin’s name until she sprang up. “Alvin!” she proclaimed. Breathing raggedly, her widen fearful eyes started to water. I immediately went to her side and pulled her into my arms. Wheezing air, she let her tears fall and wailed on my shoulder. 

“I kept seeing him!” she whined. “I kept seeing him being killed!”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. Suppose to say that everything’s going to be okay but that would mean disrespect to her feelings so I said, “I’m sorry.” This is all I can say to her. Nothing I could do would console her heart. She’s not supposed to suffer this way. If I can take that burden away from her, I’ll be glad to accept her pain and let me suffer, just me.

She cried and whined on my shoulder. I stopped my urge to cry. I have to be strong for her this time. I mean, she’s the only one I’ve got now. Rick and Alvin are dead. Joan’s devastated. I’m devastated but Joan needs me more. We need each other. 

Soothing her, she pushed away gently and glanced at me. I couldn’t describe how broken her soul was. Her eyes weighed so much that any minute, any more loss, she will never handle it. I cupped my hands on her face, carefully wiping her tears. I ran my hand on her hair, combing it away from her face. I weakly smiled, not that I’m not sympathetic but just a gesture that I won’t be leaving her. I lowered her head just right and pecked her forehead. Just there, my eyes let out a fall of remorse. I pulled her into an embrace and held her there. Just held her. Comforting each other, I know I have to protect her even more. I will not take another loss. 

And just there, letting the storm come, taking contentment in one another’s company, I held her. 

“Things got out of hand,” Logan said the next day while the three of them were having a conversation downstairs. I know it’s bad to eavesdrop but I need to know more about who we are.

 “There are far more creatures in the realms and the longer we stay here, the longer we delay their coming back, the more the enemy will send out vicious creatures after them.”

“I’m well aware of that, Logan,” Sharhea said. “But these two need rest. If we go back to Alda, things will just get worse.”

“And they will be killed any time!” Logan eventually argued.

“Well, let’s at least celebrate Jenny’s birthday!” Mom argued. I don’t think celebrating my birthday this time of year is appropriate. What is she thinking?

“Fanthia,” Sharhea said calmly. “You know that today is not really her birthday. Don’t tell me you’re getting attached to her, are you?”

“No, I don’t. But—,”

“I know you mean well. But the mission comes first. After all, we still have three months before the Claim. We don’t have the luxury of familial affection towards them. They are the hope of the people. There’s a big duty they have to fulfil and we have to be there to guide them. Please do not forget your duty, Fanthia.”

Silence came next. So, all the birthdays I deliberately disgust myself with were just hoaxes. Today’s not my birthday. When is it?

These people downstairs, they’re still hiding so much information from us. I don’t like the sound of the Claim. It seemed something would take me and use me in any way. Listening for more conversation, it seemed they had concluded their meeting. I went back to bed where Joan is sleeping soundly. She refused to sleep alone, and asked me to stay with her. Sharhea put a sleeping charm around her last night so she won’t have any night terrors. 

I went back to bed with my head resting on my interlocked hands. Staring blankly at the lifeless ceiling, I recalled Rick’s last words. It pained me that he wasn’t able to tell me how much he feels but I know, and regretfully, he felt the same way I did; Just I wasted all these years hiding.

I felt tears flowing out from my left eye. This is not happening. I’m the only one left that could protect Joan. I mean, she’s the only person I could trust, the one person I must not put in harm’s way. Whatever it is, whatever these people wanted from us, I know it won’t be good. 

Am I strong enough? I glance at Joan, sleeping soundly. As the sheets rose and fell, she looked calm and peaceful. Like she hadn’t been through anything, Sharhea did a very good job. For Joan’s sake, I have to be strong enough. She’s my best friend after all, as close to a sister.

“Jenny? Are you awake?” Sharhea called from the door. I wiped my tears away and immediately got to the door. Sharhea was standing with a shadowed look on her face. I don’t like this.

“Sharhea,” I said. “What’s going on?”

Sharhea helped herself into the room, glanced around and sat beside Joan. I closed the door behind me and followed her.

“Jenny,” she started. “For years, we’ve looked over you; watched you separately as you grow to the lady you are now.” She paused and looked at me with gentle eyes. With much affection in her look, she’s carefully choosing her words.

“We’ll be travelling back to Alda,” she announced. “As soon as you two are able to travel, the time for you to know your heritage has come.”

“Just answer me one thing,” I said. “How are Joan and me connected to all these?”

Amused, her face fell and I bet this is one question she ought to avoid answering. She clicked her lips and avoided my gaze. I still don’t understand how we are involved. We two are different people, so to speak. If I can get Joan out of harm’s way, if there is any way, I would take it.

“Sharhea, I have to know,” I said. “I couldn’t risk another loss. If I can avoid and fight off harm, one thing I must know is if I can't involve Joan.”

“You cannot,” she said in her most forceful voice. It took me back and I wonder why. “Joan will need you and you will need her. You and Joan are two sides of the same coin.”

“But—,”

“When we return, I will tell you,” she said. “But for now, you have to keep your word for me. Keep it until we’re safe. Do not leave her.”

Nodding at her concluded notion, I did not press further. Whatever it is, I feel it’s a heavy burden to say our involvement. Maybe just for now, I leave it as that. All I need to do now is protect her at all cost. But who am I up against? 

“Who are after us, Sharhea? At least tell me,” I said feeling a gutted rage boiling up within me. Remembering how the creature cost us so much, it just added my tenacity to rip them all up. This feeling is unfamiliar. It’s too dark, too heavy. 

“We call them The Enraged,” she said. “They are the enemy’s most vicious of all assassins.”

“Who’re we really up against?”

“Vulcs,” she breathed. “They’re the land’s most notorious of villains you could ever know. They could come up with different creatures of the dark to induce fear, misery and harm to any people they wished to inflict with. The Lobuana is one creature; the shape shifter and the doppelganger.”  

“Having the Lobuana and the Parasite attack you, there’s this one group we entirely wish to avoid getting in a fight with,” she paused and her face fell back to the darkness of her eyes. 

“Who are they?”

“In your language, they call themselves the Infernal Triad. But naturally, they’re called Nar Gmetr Jimdu.” (nar meyter yimdu)

“What kind of name is that?” amused at the sound of it, I can’t help but snigger. 

“Names are powerful, Jenny. You will know that very soon,” she added. “Protect Joan at all costs and leave the protecting two of you to us.”

I nodded in response. Sharhea left us after a few instructions on the trip we’re about to embark soon. 

So there are still secrets they’re not willingly to tell. I thought the time for secrets is no more. That was what mom had said before. Funny, I declared that days in school will be something special. I’ve never thought it will be this. Special but dangerous. 

I lay back and gathered all the information I had with this situation. If I am to protect Joan, I need to get stronger. If another creature like a Lobuana comes, my current strength is not enough. Glancing at Joan, I’m envious she could sleep like this, despite the sleeping charm. Maybe I could use an eye rest. It might lessen my dilemma.

And so I thought I fell asleep.