The Tale of Xenosa

A Friend

Cheska’s Point of View

I woke up dazed and confused with Luci l*****g the side of my face. My head throbbed as I try to recall the incident earlier. I roamed my eyes around the room trying to remember. My memories from last night were hazy and my bruised forehead didn’t help with the situation I was currently in. Then something caught my attention, my eyes landed on a black book!

“The book! It’s here! I exclaimed. Then the memories came rushing back, the spirit of the manghuhulat appearing, her warning, the prophecy, Nana, and my truth.

A part of me wanted to believe that everything that happened was all but a dream. I needed to do something, I thought to myself. I was deep into my thoughts when I suddenly heard my stomach grumbling. I glanced up at the clock and saw the time, it was already six in the morning. I must’ve lost consciousness the entire night. I hurriedly stood up and went to the kitchen to get something to eat. I stumbled a couple of times on the way. 

I was thinking about the things I needed to do. I wanted to find Nana. I needed answers and I needed help. I felt so helpless and desperate. I lowered my head as I felt my eyes tearing up. I bit my lip trying to stop myself from crying. Everything was happening way too fast, I got overwhelmed. 

I stopped crying a few minutes later and continued with my meal. Nana wouldn’t want me crying about this. She’d want me to do something. But what do I do? I cleaned up after my meal and went up to my room. 

 I tried to write down the prophecy. Trying to make it make sense. The first line “A girl shall be born on the 29th of February,” my birthday was on March first but Nana always told me that if it was a leap year we’d celebrate on the 29th of February. “A childhood of happiness and never wary,” this line could mean anything. I mean it wasn’t like I was the only kid in the world who had a fun childhood, right? I continued to the next line “In the midst of her adolescence, a loved one goes astray,” I gasped, Nana. “Which begins her journey to a land far away.” A land far away huh? Couldn’t this be any vaguer? Geez.

The second stanza of the prophecy didn’t make any sense to me. “A journey of 8 she will start,” I don’t even have friends, I thought. The second line was disturbing and weird, “But only 4 will make it to the heart,” I shrugged it off. The hair on the back of my neck stood up as I read the last two lines of the prophecy, “She will reach eighteen against all odds,

The ultimate sacrifice she will give to the gods …” I gulped. Yikes, I didn’t like the idea of a sacrifice.

Then I thought of the date mentioned, 29th of February, a leap year. I checked the calendar on my phone, the realization came down on me like rocks. This year was a leap year. I was turning 19 on the 29th. I had a deadline. I needed help. Nana’s friend, she should know something. 

I quickly got up on my feet and started to prepare. I reached for my back on the top of my cabinet, filled it with extra clothes, some food, and of course the book. I ran to the kitchen and filled up a small tumbler with water. Luci suddenly appeared out of nowhere and was startled. I patted her head and then her tummy. She was wagging her tail at me. She wanted to come huh. Luci has been a great help but Nana’s friend lived at the center of the forest, and she’s not a big fan of cats. 

“It’s okay Lucy, I’ll come back for you.” I swung my backpack on my back and then fixed my hair. I wore some shoes and closed the hut’s door behind me. “I’ll be right back Luci!” I screamed from outside. As if Luci could understand. And so I started to walk.

  “It was a good thing I left right away” I muttered to myself. I’ve been walking for about an hour now my only map was a shady memory in my head. I hope I don’t get lost. As I continued to walk I finally see a familiar pathway ahead. I ran the remaining steps and saw the hut. 

“Nana Maria! It’s Cheska!” I said as I knocked on her door. She opened the door and said, “Ah Cheska dear, what brings you here? Come take a seat”.

 I sat beside her and told her what happened. Not a single glimpse of shock showed in her eyes, it was as if she knew this would happen and was expecting this.

 “Cheska dear I know you worried about your Nana but need not worry child. For she’s alright.” Hearing her say that gave me some relief. “I need to find her Nana Maria, do you know where I should go?” I asked. 

She sighed and nodded her head. “Years before you were born, a prophecy was made. I do not know the whole truth but I can tell you this. Your mother had your Nana hide you in this world. You see your Nana was a Shaman, a babaylan of old. Your mom as well but she was also something entirely different. She had Encanto blood with her. And that makes you child something very special. Your dad I am f*******n to talk about for there are forces much more powerful than any of us combined. ” 

My breath hitched, she seemed to notice the expression on my face. “ This is the first time you’ve heard about your parents huh?” I nodded at her and asked. “Where do I go from here Nana Maria?” which she answered right away but the expression that she had on her face told me that she was worried.  “ The city of Biringan, the place where all shaman blood came from. Home. But take good care of yourself, the journey to that place is dangerous, and finding the place itself could take months. You’ll need a guide. Is that feline pet of yours still alive?” I nodded my head “very well take it with you, she will serve you well”.

“The questions that you have, let’s hope you find it there.” she continued. I thanked her and bid her farewell after that then I made my journey back home. On the way, I keep thinking about the things Nana Maria said, it was helpful but it just added to my already long list of fears. I was scared but I needed answers, I needed this. I had no time for doubts I had a deadline to meet.

The sun had already set when I reached home, I opened the door and found that Luci was waiting for me. 

“Hey there girl,” I said as I rubbed her head “we’re going on an adventure.” I smiled and she purred and wagged her tail. At least one of us was excited.