The Arcane Chronicles: Unveiling the Lost Secrets

Chapter 4: Motive

Aiden

"Kael."

"That's the reason why witches are not allowed here. This is my Territory." His voice was steady and serious, his eyes never leaving mine, as though he were probing me for answers. But something in his demeanor seemed… relieved. When he said this was his territory, confusion set in. Path Slayers weren’t supposed to have homes—what made him different? "And the secret you're asking for is not for me to tell...." He stopped. "Walang sino man ang puwedeng makaalam 'non. You witches also have rules, yes? If you ask someone a question, you should always expect a willing response from them, no matter if they are your victim, your piece of prey, or someone else to control. It's key that they feel empowered to make decisions and that their opinions are their own. You take what you need in this way, correct?" He asked me.

Tumayo ako sa pagkakahiga at tumungo ng bintana sa likuran niya. Nakita ko ang maliwanag na buwan at tahimik na paligid. Na realize ko na malapit lang pala siya sa forest kung nasaan ang The Garden of Untold.

"Hindi lahat ng witch na alam mo ay ganon." I simply answered him.

"I'm talking about you. You are that kind of a witch." muli ay nagsalita siya. Tumayo siya at lumapit sa akin, napaatras ako dahil baka kung ano ang gawin niya sa akin. "Relax, I won't harm you here, at least not today." sabi niya. "You embody the essence of mystery, just like the letter I received earlier with your bounty. The message referenced a young boy from Luminara, who is claimed to be the last witch wandering the city. It looks that both you and a mysterious stranger are shrouded in mystery, their stories intertwining in the shadows of this fascinating place." He explained.

He then gives me the letter. I accepted it, then walked away from him to read the letter.

To the Curious One,

A young boy who exudes mystery establishes his home in the heart of a city whose name has become obscure. It is said that he is the lone remaining wandering witch, a living being from old folklore that prowls these deserted streets; nevertheless, it is unclear if he actually came from here or has only become entangled with it. Even he is not entirely aware of the nature or significance of the secrets he bears since they are so well hidden. His reality is as elusive as the city itself, so as you try to piece together his story, be prepared to find more questions than answers.

-Viraesca

"Viraesca?" I asked. Nagkibit balikat lamang siya at naglakad palabas ng kwarto. Who's Viraesca?

"I don't know what your motivation is. Everything in Luminara City is veiled in mystery, including the Garden of Untold, which represents the city's secrets. Layers of buried realities obscure the true character of the city, which is built on riddles left by the garden. Few dare to make the journey through the garden required to comprehend Luminara." He said before going out. I was left here in this room thinking, Why the hell did I say earlier that it's for me to develop my skills?

I can't afford to take the chance of trusting the Path Slayer, so I've taken precautions to make sure I'm safe. The door serves as a figure of authority in addition to being an entrance. I have enchanted it with an uncertain spell that looks into the minds of people who try to pass through. The enchantment would kill the Path Slayer with deadly accuracy, forfeiting his life in a moment, if he even considers hurting me as he passes.

"Where are you, Nana Babaylan?" tanong ko sa aking sarili pagkabalik ko sa kama. "Sino si Viraesca?" madaming tanong agad ang nabuo sa aking isipin. It's like I need answers right away. "Kael, what's your motive?" I'm pertaining to the Path Slayer. Kael Mikairos Voidborn, the man that you are.

After seeing the horrific death of a Path Slayer, Kael begins to rethink his decision. Though he is plagued by the thought that killing might be a necessary evil, he can't help but want to flee after learning the horrifying truth about the Path Slayers' punishment. But he is bound to a destiny he cannot avoid by the baggage of his history and the weight of his obligation, that's the memory I saw when I looked through his mind.

-----

Nagising ako at lumabas sa kwarto. Balak ko kasing bumalik sa The Garden of Untold, magpapaalam ako kay Kael at mangangakong hindi na babalik.

"Saan ka pupunta?" tanong nito ng makita nya akong palabas ng kwarto. "I won't hurt you anymore." he added. I raised my eyebrows, looking at him in confusion. I thought I had a bounty on my head, didn't he bring me here to kill me?

"I don't trust you Path Slayers." I calmly said. "And who knows if this is really your territory? You Path Slayers don't have a so-called home, right?" I asked him. His crimson eyes, glowing with an intense allure that felt like a spell made just for me, turned back to confront me. The world collapsed in that moment, leaving just the intense and captivating connection between us, as a though he could see straight into my soul. "Tigilan mo nga yan." agad akong lumingon palayo. Naiinis ako sa tuwing tumititig siya sa akin, animo'y hini-hypnotize nya ako.

"This is my family's house." he explained. Bumalik ang tingin ko sa kanya, ngayon ay todo iwas na sa mga mata ko. "I am the 35th Path Slayer, and among all 36, I prefer to walk my path alone. Although I’m a member of The Shadow Vanguard, a formidable team of Path Slayers skilled in the art of shadow manipulation, I find solace in solitude. My brother, who shares my blood and is also a Path Slayer, walks a similar path. Once, our family lived here, but after we embraced our destinies as Path Slayers, they vanished without a trace, leaving us to navigate this world alone." he told me his story. Now, I finally understand why he told me that this is his territory.

"Pero kailangan ko paring umalis. Kailangan ko bumalik doon sa Garden of Untold, I know how to decipher it's secret, I'd like to know the past of this city." and also find Nana Babaylan.

"I'll help you."

Gulat akong napatingin sakanya.

"Why?" takhang tanong ko. "I'm a witch, you tried to kill me. at isa pa I have a bounty right?" diretsong tanong ko sakanya.

"We'll set aside that from now, I'll tell you my motive if you tell me yours. I wanna know the secret of this city as well." simpleng sagot nya. "I need to know what happened to my brother and where my family is now because I can't get rid of the haunting sense of loss I feel. I want you to take me to them because you are a witch with abilities I cannot comprehend. I need your help." paliwanag nya na mas lalong ikinapagtakha ko.

"But why me?" I asked again. He took a deep breath and relaxed his mind.

"Path Slayers kill each other for ranking." he said. Natawa ako. "As of now no one's trying to kill me but I am certain that if we come back to that forest someone's already there." dagdag pa nya. "I already explained my motive, what's yours?" he asked me.

"For us, witches are prohibited from disclosing to strangers our genuine intentions due to an unwritten taboo. As we like to say, "Wrap your intentions in a cloak of mystery while working for the benefit of others." Having said that, I would be happy to give my experience and help you with any of your concerns" I explained to him. Remembering those lessons Nana Babaylan has taught me, that made me realize being part of The Coven of Wyrd is not easy.

"Then it's settled." pagsang ayon nito. "I do recommend to analyze that letter before we come back there." suhestiyon nito. Muli akong bumalik sa loob ng kwarto at kinuha ang sulat, he's right I need to analyze this first. "Why do you change your intention? You're a Path Slayer, I have a bounty in my head, and a duty to do." I asked him while analyzing the letter. I cast a magic to reveal the letter's hidden realities, including who wrote it and what secrets it contains about me, as I carefully inspect it. For what sinister reason could someone have sent this to Kael? Do they really want me dead, or is there something more hideous going on here?

"I regret the misunderstanding and admit my mistake. I do not know the identity of the two people to whom the letter and the bounty are related. When the bounty was offered, I accepted it as a Path Slayer. When I turned to see who had brought it, the stranger who had approached me when I was alone in Durinel Village had vanished from sight." he explained. ""As for how I received the letter, a crow landed quietly outside this house, only to transform into a cloaked man before my eyes. He bypassed the formality of knocking, simply placing the letter on the ground. Just as quickly, he shifted back into a crow and soared into the air, disappearing as suddenly as he had appeared." he added. Then I remember the man who took me somewhere and told me that Louisito is dead and Nana Babaylan is missing.

I'm overcome with confusion when I realize that the events that are taking place could be connected to the time that Nana Babaylan and I parted ways, a connection that I hadn't previously thought of.

"What's on your mind?" tanong ni Kael sa akin. He then served a culinary masterwork a soft, creamy egg with a gorgeous cherry design on top that was visually stunning due to its vivid colors. I mouthed 'thank you' to him. "Rest assured, there's no poison or any harmful substance in it." he reassured me.

"Thank you, but to answer your question, I have a lot of ideas racing through my mind." I answered. I was a little let down by my analysis of the letter because its seal is so full of strong magic that I can't seem to figure out what's within.

Then we hear a knock.