CURSED: The Last of Five Kingdoms.

Episode3- Recitation and Birthday.

"What do you think you are doing over there? Get your ass down here before I drag em' myself."

"Okay, mum." Reluctantly, he wore black joggers over his white singlet and hurried down the stairs.

"You-fine-son of mine. What am I to do with you?"

"Love me more?" He joked, quacking his mom.

"I couldn't love you less. Recitation. Now!"

"I heard you the first time. You keep on making me recite those words. Why?"

"One day, you'll thank me for it. You might not know the relevance now, but, it will come in handy."

"Yes, mom."

They both got down to the parlour where Amara's husband and son were already seated with colours of candles and incense lit round the room with a white dove in a cage. The dove looks beautiful and innocent but has fangs.

"I've always been afraid of that scary dove, mom."

"It's your guardian Angel, sweety."

"I thought guardian angels are supposed to be beautiful but this one is not so beautiful at all."

"Hush, now. Kneel and let's meditate."

"Together," they clamped their hands, bowed their heads and began chanting, "From Omiri we come, through Omiri we shall go. I pray that the Moon, Sun, Star and the truth will guide my every step. Let me live a long, fulfilling and stable life, to do nothing but serve Omiri and his Descendants."

"Let's keep our promises because we swear,"

"By the Vampires, Fire, Ice, Air and Witches."

"Good night, kids."

Echoing together, "Good night, mum."

Both retired to their bedroom. Or, so did their mom thinks. They actually went ahead to finish the PS5 they've been playing for a while. After a while, they nodded goodnight and retired for the evening.

When Mr. and Mrs. Vandisia woke up on the dull, rainy Thursday things unfolded. The aura outside suggested that today wasn't going to be like every other day. It looked mysterious and things were about to unfold. Apart from it been a Thursday, it wasn't just normal. It was The Day. His Birthday.

Mr. Vandisia hummed he made pancakes in the kitchen and Mrs.Vandisia arranged the cards for the surprise party accordingly.

"Honey, do you think things will unfold today?"

"Honestly, I don't know. It depends on what Omiri wants. If it is His will for today to be the day he takes him away from us, that is fine. We can only try but we can't fight against the high power.

Both of them were happily carrying out their duties like the Happy couple they were. Playing and laughing until they noticed the owl that landed on their window. Amara rushed to it, communicating in some strange language before bidding it farewell.

"What do they want?"

Getting one of the cards, "to be sent to Rayvin Academy."

"That is sad. We don't get to stay with him for a long time. Now he's about to be taken away from us."

It took a brief moment for Mr. Vandisia to dish the pancakes and call the kids down for breakfast.

"Good morning, Dad," Harry greeted already digging into his pancakes, earning a disgusting look from Mrs. Vindisia.

Mael sluggishly rubbing his eyes At half-past eight, "Good morning, mom. Good morning, Dad."

"Hi, handsome," Mrs. Vindisia ruffles his hair and briefly pecks him on the cheek, earning an irritating but sweet gesture. "How was your night birthday boy?" Turning to Harry who was almost swallowing his breakfast without chewing properly, "easy, Harry. Easy on that."

"I equally need the kisses and hugs, mom. You aren't just Mael's mum but mine." Eating a forkful," no offence, Mael."

"None taken." Hugging Mr. Vindisia from the back, "I can see that you did all the cooking and cleaning. Do you want a foot massage later?"

"I would love that. Now eat your breakfast."

Looking around a bit confused, "why all these cards? Mum? What is going on?"

"It's nothing for you to be worried about. Just eat and get to school. Today is your Prom night from high school. Your life is about to start."

"When you say that, you make it sound scary. I hope no one is dying."

"Not at all. Eat"

"Yes, mom."

"Today you are not just eighteen. Today you've become an important person. A king and more. You might not understand the things that I am saying but one day you will be grateful for everything. Your purpose just got started. Prepare your mind, body and soul because you have a lot of things you've to deal with. Omiri, it isn't going to be easy but it's going to be worth it. The battlefield only got hot and will get hotter, you've been assigned to rule over all that. If you are ever in trouble and have issues, make sure to recite what I've taught you. I love you so much. Be good and know that mom and dad are forever here."

Mrs. Vandisia made sure to apply for Mael's college at Rayvin Academy six months ago. Everyone knows how important he is to the world. So, the Academy is just waiting for the right time to get him in and as soon as it is his birthday, they sent their messenger.

Mael isn't too excited or sad about the party. But anyway, it doesn't make a difference for him. The only friend he has is his stepbrother, who is also his best friend. Harry and their parents were the only attendants he is having. Despite the little crowd, it is still a huge difference for him at least he has people who love him truly for who he is and do not judge him. Eighteen is a huge one for him and he has no idea. It is also his prom which of course he has an idea about.

Mrs. Vandisia has to finalize the party planning for her son. She decides to add a finishing touch of what he loves the most which are bread. Before leaving the house, she makes sure that everything is in place for the party before the return. A little bit grumpy with the fact that Mael was about to be taken away from her, she yells at a few persons, smiles at others and ignores others. Her mood is going in different directions.

Walking across the road to buy the bread, she gets better. The fresh air, flowers and busy movement takes her mind off everything. From the bakery, she forgets momentarily that Mael is leaving. 

Passing a flower shop, she notices that she's been tailed Immediately, she blows her protection powder, cloaking herself from whosoever that was tailing her until she got to the next shop where she leaves.

"It is so suspicious that the Witches appear today of all days."

For long, they've stayed hidden. Avoiding whatsoever would bring the attention of the supernatural to them. But, somehow, that didn't work for long. It is a good thing that she still had it in her if not,  that would have been a terrible day and another war reign.