The Tale of Xenosa

Luci

Cheska’s Point of View

I woke up the next day with the sun up and coming through my curtains weird that’s a little later than usual. Then I realized why, it was because Nana wasn’t here yet. I glanced at the clock it was already eight in the morning. Nana should be here by now. I jolted from bed carrying a feeling of worry. “Nana!” I called from upstairs, no one answered. Fear continued to creep into me. “Nana are you here, yet?” I didn’t like how I felt. I feel like something bad is about to happen or may have already happened. It was too unusual for Nana not to be back yet.

Maybe Nana stopped by a friend’s house, I thought.

I  forced myself to calm down and went into the kitchen to make some breakfast. And because I wasn’t blessed with any cooking talents I just got some bread and filled it will mango jam. After I ate, I washed my plate and drank some water.  I then went outside and did my chores. 

I fed Luci, Nana’s pet pigs, chickens, and even watered her garden. I busied myself with tasks I don’t usually do as well, like cleaning the cooking pans, scrubbing the floors, milking the cows, and collecting Nana’s herbs. 

I was tired and all but I didn’t feel any better after that, every hour that passed my worry continued to worsen.

It was well into lunchtime, and Nana still wasn’t here. I stared at the clock and it was already noon, Nana was supposed to be back by now. I found Luci lounging on one of the sofas, she came to me and rubbed her head against my leg. 

“Luci I’m worried about Nana,” I said, and as if she understood she started to meow and made a follow me gesture with her head. She was leading me into Nana’s room. I ran up the small set of stairs and opened the door to Nana’s room. There I saw the photo from the frame the broke last night. I must’ve placed it here unconsciously last night, I thought. Suddenly a wind blew from the window which startled and made me and let go of the photo. 

When I went to grab it I saw something I didn’t notice there before. There was writing at the back, I stared at it for a while and it took me a few seconds to realize that it was Nana’s penmanship! “Ches, find the Black Book. ” But h-how did that get there? My hands were now shaking and sweat prickled on my forehead. It was all too well prepared. Nana, what is the meaning of all of this? Could this be the reason why she was acting all weird yesterday? It was as if she knew she would not come back.

As if on cue, Luci made a sound again, this time she nudged me to open Nana’s cabinet. I didn’t know why but at that moment I just knew that whatever I had to find was there and Luci was helping me. I rummaged through her clothes,  desperate to find the book Nana was talking about. 

  I searched with urgency, I was sure she was going to ground me with the way I handled her clothes. But I couldn’t care any less about that right now.

 A few moments later my eyes landed on a latch, I pulled it open and it revealed a compartment. There was a box sitting there but it was locked, I reached for it and brought it with me to the living room. 

There were thousands of questions running through my head but I can’t think of those right now, I needed to get the box open. 

I shooked the box back and forth trying to open it but it was no use. I needed a key. The symbol on the lock seemed familiar, I thought to myself. I looked around trying to find clues and answers while Luci purred beside me.

And then it clicked! The pendant on Luci’s Collar had the same symbol as the lock! It was a Key! I quickly removed the pendant from her collar and placed it on the keyhole. With shaking hands, I carefully pushed and turned it to the side.

I heard a clicking sound and just like that the box opened. The ground started to shake, I took a step back and braced myself for an earthquake but it never came. Instead, something else came from the ground. Golden particles started to appear and danced around the living room trying to find something. 

My breath hitched. “Magic” I whispered.

The golden mist started to form around me and engulfed the book thus making it glow, for a second I thought Nana was going to appear in front of me but it didn’t happen. 

 A shrilling voice erupted from the book and said “I am the book of Spells and Prophecy. I have served this family for millennia and many years more, sworn to protect every babaylan and shaman from this clan. I am the spirit of manghuhulat. Ask girl and I shall answer.”

I stepped forward the light from the book finally illuminating my face.

  Although I was scared and shaken to my core, I held my ground and said with the bravest voice I could muster“I am Cheska Patterson, mg grandmother is Gemma Patterson. She has gone missing, how do I find her?”

  “ You ask what you need not know” the voice answered.

“Then what do I need to know?” 

“Like those before you in this family, you too are destined to fulfill your destiny. Many moons ago the stars had aligned and brought forth a miracle, you. You have yet to know who you really are and who your parents are. Therefore I shall give you this prophecy, make this your guide for the way to your truth. but I must warn you. What awaits you ahead is a journey full of hardships and pain. You will encounter monsters and creatures you only thought were myths. Prepare yourself, girl, for this, isn’t an easy road to take. And so I give you this;

“A girl shall be born on the 29th of February,

A childhood of happiness and never wary,

In the midst of her adolescence, a loved one goes astray,

Which begins her journey to a land far away.

A journey of 8 she will start,

But only 4 will make it to the heart,

She will reach eighteen against all odds,

The ultimate sacrifice she will give to the gods …” 

“beware, young shaman, your truth will need great strength from you. I wish you well”

And just like that, the book stopped glowing and silenced once again engulfed the hut. The book closed and left me dumbfounded. 

Thoughts then flooded my mind, everything became too overwhelming for me. I could feel that I was about to pass out, my head spun and the air has left my lungs. I could hear Luci near me but I wasn’t sure where she was. Suddenly black spots started to appear, getting bigger by the minute in my field of vision.

I hit the ground with a loud thud and then there was nothing.