The Chronicles of the Caltamere Twins: The Prophecy

A Battle Within and Without

I once believed that the world is round, revolving around a giant star in the void of zero gravity. Countless stars lit up the darkness that lingers as the sun hides his light behind the horizon. The world rotates to night and day, conveys the time of work and rest. 

Who would have known that these beliefs were just surfaces of what’s beyond human understanding. Who would have known that there will be much more to be conceived by the human mind?

There are others besides this. Other worlds exist in this time of misconceptions and deceits. But the question is not of what is out there, the question is whether I choose to believe and accept what they’ve just been telling me or choose to shut my doors from the truth that will help us survive from an impelling glimpse of danger?

It was all for my will to choose, be easy and ignorant or fight and learn to survive.

We sat around the fireplace of the Sanctum as the night grew colder. Joan was still lying unmoving on the bed, dreading the day she woke up and could still remember that a person who looked exactly like me was trying to kill her, let alone she believes it was really me.

My mom, my Keeper, her real name is Fanthia. Henry here, Joan’s Keeper, is Logan. Both of them lied to us about their real identity to protect us from what lies ahead of our path. I couldn’t still understand what Joan and I had to do with all of this. We’re just ordinary teenagers with dreams and passions. How are we involved in this mess? 

“The Kingdom of Caltamere,” Henry continued, “is just a fraction of the world it belonged to. The Elves called it Ithiraslandr. The dwarves called it Mrdan terraheim.”

“But we called the land Alda, the Land of the Realms,” Sharhea added on. “It was so called because this land has many gateways to and from all Worlds that existed in the Beyond. The Beyond is a vast space of different gateways and each have their unique signature distinguishing from each other. Those gateways we call the Veil and each Veil, as mentioned earlier, there are Sentinels guarding each one of them to prevent unwarranted entry.”

“Alda,” I said the word with such recognition I couldn’t comprehend how. I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts.

“So,” I began. “We don’t belong in this world. Does this mean we were taken away from our real family?” A shot of bitterness came through my words. I didn’t realize it until Logan and Fanthia flinched. Both of them looked at Sharhea for a signal before they spoke. Sharhea only narrowed her eyes of which I understood that they’re keeping the real identity of our families. 

“Jenny, one thing you should know about the both of you is that you are very important people whose lives are in grave danger,” Sharhea instantly uttered. “There are far worse things you can imagine, and we are only here to protect you until the time for your Claim comes.”

“Claim?”

“Claim is the period prior to the predestined Winter Solstice of Meriador,” She paused and leaned forward to the fireplace. Looking distant, carefully picking out the words to utter. “This Claim is a story for another time. What’s important now is that you need rest and we take everything slow so you won’t be overwhelmed with these discoveries--,”

She was cut off by a distant howl outside. Logan and Fanthia were on their feet and went to the weapons compartment. Sharhea stood, listening attentively to the sound outside the Sanctum. She gestured to Logan to check it out. 

I protectively went to Joan’s side. A shiver in my spine made me know that danger is coming. Fanthia handed me a short sword. I gave her a side smile. A short sword is all I need to fight. Mom knows me too well. I gladly accepted it, weighing it out on my hand. Quite heavy but the length is right. I thought. 

But a dreadful thought had occurred to me, are we going to fight another creature of the dark? With that, I found my knees wobble slightly and my hands shook. I let out a shaky breath, trying to calm my terrified soul of the unknown creature we are about to encounter.

The distant howl grew louder, then another howl came. It was not alone. Logan came back from scouting the area. He was sweating, probably saw the creature, but not showing fear in his face. 

“We are not allowed to show fear, my love,” Fanthia said. “I’ve known Logan for the rest of my life. He’s one brave soul.” 

I blinked from my mom’s sudden announcement about Logan. As if she knew what I was thinking.  

Logan went to Sharhea and only said two words, “Dire Wolves.”

With that, Sharhea reached for a crossbow from the compartment. Logan too, took his bow and quiver of arrows. 

“How many?”

“I counted at least five. But I fear there are more.”

“That’s too many,” Sharhea shot a glance at me. Studying on what strategy she’ll do to keep this Sanctum intact, to keep us alive. “Jenny, you and Joan, go upstairs.”

“Upstairs? There’s a second floor?”

“Yes, there is. It’s not much obvious from the outside. Have you not yet learned the architecture of this shabby cabin? Down the hall, there’s a spiral staircase that will take you upstairs. Take the door to the left and lock yourselves in. We’ll be in the other room shooting down the wolves.”

“Wait, how big are those wolves?”

“So big it could grapple a full grown man, let alone swallow a calf in one swift movement.”

My hands shake and sweat from the description. And the feeling of helplessness came once again, fear.

“Jenny, go now. Fanthia, help her carry Joan upstairs.”

I snapped back from my sudden panic. I need to focus and concentrate on protecting Joan who is still unconscious. I tied the sword around my waist and took Joan in my arms. I gestured to Fanthia that I’m strong enough to carry her. She allowed me to but accompanied me upstairs.

We went inside the room Sharhea had told us to stay. It was small but good enough to hide. There’s nothing inside but stacks of dusty books at one side. The only light source of this room came from the moonlight that passed through a round window. I placed Joan carefully at an open space where the light was cast. Fanthia looked around, checking if the place was secure. 

She squeezed my shoulder, reassuring me that things would turn out well then disappeared to the other room. I closed the door and locked us in. I pressed my ear against the door to listen. I could hear Sharhea giving orders to Logan and Fanthia. 

“Alright, Logan, we're counting on your hawk-like eyes, shoot straight. Dire Wolves are very hard to kill. Their soft spot is at the small on their forehead, aim for that.”

“Got it,” Logan replied then his footsteps faded to the other room. I bet he took his position.

“Fanthia, your place is downstairs. In case there are wolves Logan missed, or was able to deflect Logan’s arrow, I believe your sword-play could stop them.”

“Count on it,” Fanthia said, and down she goes to the door. 

“Are you listening, Jenny?” 

I pushed myself away from the door when Sharhea called me. Should I be worried about eavesdropping? I think not, so I pressed my ears again on the door.

“It’s all right, dear. At least you know what we’re up to.” She said.

“Mom and Logan are in their positions, what’s your role?” I asked.

I heard a slight giggle from her. I’m not sure if I should be intimidated or just the fact that I’m questioning her. 

“I’ll be making sure the two of you are safe. You’re most important in this household. I’ll be putting on an enchantment on the door so no harm would come to you until the battle with the Dire Wolves is over. It’ll not be as strong an enchantment it’s supposed to be, but it’s enough until we finish off the wolves.”

A quick silence comes after, pressing my ear against the door firmly to catch every sound I could hear. I’ve anticipated Sharhea’s feat. 

“Stand back,” she said and I quickly abide. Until much later, a slow hum vibrates on the door. It took about a few seconds before the vibrating ceased. 

“That should do it. Now, Jenny, you have to do something for me.”

“What is it?”

“You have to promise me that whatever happens, do not leave Joan.”

“Why? What’s going to happen?” 

“Just promise me. No matter what, be with her always.”

“Okay, I promise.”

“Do I have your word?”

“You have my word.”

“Good. The wolves won’t be able to penetrate this cabin. It’s enchanted with several spells. This will be over soon.” Then her footsteps faded to the other door.

I have this dreadful feeling that something will go wrong. If not, she won’t ask me that. Whatever it is that Sharhea had foresaw, I bet it’s not going to be peaceful. 

The Dire Wolves’ howls were deafening. I could hear their barks, snarls and whimpers. Along with the ramble of the wolves, rhythmic thuds of arrows and clash of metals join in. Thud after thud of arrows, the noise becomes less and less. There’s no mistake, Logan is a sharp-shooter.

“Fanthia! Look out!” Logan screamed. What came next made me want to unlock the door and go to mom’s side. Snarling and some fabric ripping made me sweat cold in anxiety and impulsiveness. 

“What’s happening?” I shouted trying to get a bit of news. A click and thuds of arrows followed the incomprehensible sound of viciousness to nothing. The wolf that attacked mom probably was shot by several arrows, realizing earlier that Sharhea was holding a crossbow.

She shot it down. I thought.

“You all right down there?” shouted Logan. A long silence came after, anxious to hear just a small sound from mom but all I could hear is my heart pounding against my rib cage.

“I’m fine!” relief rush through me when I heard her voice. I relaxed a bit.

I buried my head in my hands, stressed by all these. In my life, I always thought that danger only comes when you ask for it. Basically, danger does come when one least expects it, but I think otherwise. This kind of danger, I never thought this was something that can change my belief about everything. Being able to hear the truth, or the partial truth of the world’s secrets, I have all the doubt in me. 

Why did we ever get involved in this mess? How are we connected? 

I stared at Joan’s motionless body. I think about the things that could happen if she wakes up. It will be dramatic and very difficult to believe. She’s hard to convince.

I took out the short sword mom handed me earlier. Its length as long as my arm, I cast the blade at the moonlight and it glitters like stars, I ran my fingers along the edge, so amazed at the beauty of the sword.  

What good does this sword do if it lies upon the hands of a useless tool? What good are my skills if I couldn’t even save my best friend? Musing myself with the sword, questioning my abilities to protect the ones I’ve loved, I just feel so worthless. 

I examined the sword closely and I found something curious about the sword. On the handle, I felt little depressions—carvings of lines and curves. I held the sword up to the light and looked further. There were four sets of carvings. They looked like alphabets but with pointy edges. An ‘F’ with its horizontals inclined. Below the ‘F’ is what looked like a chicken’s claw print, a triangle then a circle within a circle. I could not make out what these carvings are, but it seems these are meant for something else. 

As the snarls of the wolves go on outside, I lean my head against the wall, gazing at the moonlight as I try to formulate any rational reason why this is happening to us. Joan lying opposite to where I am, there was nothing I could have done to save her earlier, let alone avoided the situation. 

It has been nagging me about how she ended up there. She received a phone call from ‘me’ but it wasn’t really me. Whoever it was, she made a good copy of my voice then. I assumed the caller was female. However will she copy my voice then? But then, this question in my head needed answering immediately. 

Why are they killing us?

“Pssst! Jenny!”

A shouting whisper interrupted my train of thoughts. 

“Jenny!”

It sounded urgent and it came from the window. I scrambled towards it and peaked outside. All I see is dark, nothing could make that sound. I wandered my eyes further adjusting to the darkness outside, it was quiet. Not so much activity back here than at the front.

“Down here!”

I heard it again. I obeyed the whisper and found a boy in a brown coat and jeans. His scrawny ginger hair gelled neatly on his head. From the second floor, his squared face looked familiar. To my surprise, it was Rick. 

My heart started to pound but I have to shake the feeling off, for now. 

“What are you doing here?” I shouted back, in a whisper of course. I could never imagine he could hear me but he did.

“Rescuing you, of course! Where’s Joan?”

“Rescuing? What are you talking about?”

“I’ll explain later! C’mon!”

“How did you know we were here?”

“I followed you!”

Then a thought came to me. I grew a slight suspicion. He could be a double like the one at the Rods and even if he was the real Rick, why would he come to me?

“When did I get my first medal?” I asked him randomly. Making sure he’s the real Rick, I have to ask him something only the two of us know.

“What? Why are you asking?”

“Just answer it!”

I saw Rick sigh in surrender. He knew I’m stubborn and I wouldn't surrender until I got what I wanted.

“Four years ago, at the Shang-Hai Arena.”

“What did I tell you after?”

“Why are you asking me these questions? We’re running out of time! I’ve seen those wolves and they’re as big as pick-up trucks!”

I stared at him. Seeing the urgency in his face makes me want to believe that it’s him. However, I need to be careful. A pause lingered for a moment between us, waiting for his answer.

He gently sighed and stared at me, “You wanted to get stronger not just for medals but for your loved ones.”

There, that was it. It is really him. Relief rushed through me. I could relax for a bit. I stared at him for a while and smiled. Knowing the person down there is the real Rick and not some double like the one before. He saw me smile and eventually smiled back. He ran his hand over his scrawny hair and grinned. He does that when he smiles. 

Then a movement behind a bush startled me. I gave a quick glance and to my horror, a wolf came out. Rick saw my expression and he turned to look. He was frozen for a while as the massive wolf came growling at him. 

Its razor sharp teeth glistening against the moonlight, lips shudder from the growl, stared at Rick with hatred and murder. It approaches Rick, slowly, studying him if he would fight or not. Growling low, Rick still stood motionless, stunned even. The wolf was about to pounce at him.

“Rick! Move!” I shouted but he didn’t hear me. Too stunned to make a move, he stood there, staring at it. 

“Rick!”

Seeing Rick, about to be pounded by a massive wolf, I feel so helpless. Him outside in danger, me, inside watching him about to be smashed, I wanted to get out and charge that thing.

I hear my breathing started to become heavy. My heart pounding in its cage; it wanted to escape. My muscles tense and this feeling of yearning to jump on the wolf—sound suicidal—just to save Rick.

Save Rick.

I have to save Rick.

Everything has changed since I knew something is not ordinary within me. Joan and I do not belong to this world, my mom is not really my mom, weirdos trying to kill us, just make no sense at all. Worse is, I have no clue of which should I believe anymore. It’s like everything has taken from me. Everything I’ve lived for are all lies. The only truth I know is that we’ll die, and Rick will be about to get smashed by this gigantic dire wolf. 

Breathing started to rag, as my yearning to save him filled me in. I could feel a boiling rage from my gut flowing up, muscles contracting to their maximum; I’ll be watching him die. I cannot allow that. I won’t allow that.

The wolf sensed fear in Rick. He studied him further then it bent its hind legs and I knew it was about to attack him.

I cannot let that happen.

Rage coursing through my veins as I deemed myself worthless for a time like this, trapped inside a room so we could be safe. But the people I loved aren’t. They’ll die.

An unfamiliar energy started to lighten my clouded doubtful heart, replaced by the desire to save him. Watching the dire wolf about to pounce at Rick, I pounded the wall so hard that to my surprise—nearly made me believe—, cracks appeared. 

A sudden realization came through, it sounded ridiculous but there’s no harm in trying. I pounded the wall again, and again, and again until a hole about 3 feet wide was made through. I cannot believe what I’ve just done. Astonished and stunned I was, the snarl of the wolf grew more vicious. It was about to attack. 

I risked a look and saw that the wolf was already up in the air and made for Rick’s body. I felt my whole world was about to fall. My world, shattering in glass as Rick takes the attack. 

I screamed. Taking out all of my anxiety, rage, frustration and confusion to my voice, screaming like I’ve never screamed before, the energy I felt in my chest flew out. Thinking that I wanted to hurt that wolf badly, I wanted to snap its neck, the rage just burst out along with my scream. 

A loud c***k and a whimper followed my scream. My sight is so fuzzy that I couldn’t make out what happened. I’m drenched in sweat and found myself gripping the sword hard. Blood trickled out from my grip, wincing from the pain, I fell on my knees. The cold breeze of the night shattered my soul, like a burst of energy flushed out from me. I feel so lightheaded. My body, urging me to surrender from the exhaustion, falls onto the ground. My eyes trying to stay open, but they wanted to close, afraid to see what happened, afraid to see what I’ve done.