The Tale of Xenosa

Heal thy Body

Cheska POV:

Well, that conversation was unexpected. My mind had trouble thinking about those things, and my thoughts tend to wonder whether what my powers would be, and who exactly is my godly parent? Lady Katalina left us here in the living room, to think about the possible journey we’ll take. Nothing is for sure yet and either of us had said a word. Lady Katalina said that whatever we decide to do she’ll be okay with it, and said that we could stay here as long as we needed to heal the gashes and wounds we currently have. The physical wounds would heal in a day or two. But the wounds that this whole journey has left me, with all the mysteries and disappointments I don't think they'd heal anytime soon. Don’t get me wrong, I would do anything to get Nana back but I don’t really think we’ll be able to fight dragons that are supposed to be a guardian or something. It was kind of unsettling, Cresia and I have barely any fighting experience, to say that we're scared is an understatement. Lacresia suddenly cleared her throat and said, “Ches, I know what you’re thinking and I’m probably thinking about the same thing,” I nodded at her and she continued, “We both need time to think about this. I mean are we really up for this kind of life? This kind of adventure?” judging from her tone I knew that she was just as scared as I am. “Let’s talk about this tomorrow Lacresia, we’ll sleep through the night maybe we can come up with a decision by tomorrow” Cheska gestured a thumbs up at what I said indicating that she agrees with me. We both then just enjoyed the rest of the day with Louis and Luci. We spent the entire afternoon at Lady Katalina’s garden, playing with them, enjoying the aroma from the flowers, and even tasting some of the vegetables and fruits that grew there. The garden was beautiful, as most of our view from outside of the hut. It had small pixies and diwnede’s taking care of it. A Diwende is a kind of dwarf that takes care of places like this. It had a small fountain at its center and herbs grew from its walls. The flowers were just as beautiful but Lady Katalina warned us that some of them were just as dangerous and poisonous. Talk about a beauty and a beast, literally. That’s why we should try to avoid certain sections of this garden. I could get used to this kind of life, just relaxing and not having to face a scary inevitable prophecy and monsters that come at me from left and right. Time seemed to pass by faster whenever you’re having fun, so it was a surprise that Lady Katalina was already calling for us to get supper. We all ate together, laughing and diving into certain topics of conversation but were careful enough not to include talk about the labyrinth and the bakunawa, or us being demigods. Amidst everything that has happened, I’m grateful that Lady Katalina has helped us. She’s such a bright soul, I couldn’t help but wonder why she was alone in a paradise-like this though. After dinner, we helped her with the chores and went up to our room to get a good night’s rest. As soon as we got inside the room Lacresia immediately lunged at her bed, moments after she was already asleep. My mind doesn't seem that it wants to sleep as it isn't showing any signs of wanting it at all, it kept on wondering about the mystery that was right in front of us, Lady Katalina. I pushed my thoughts aside and forced my eyes to close and for my brain to stop thinking to finally allow me to get some sleep. After all, tomorrow was decision day.

The next day, I woke up with the urge to get out and spend time at the cliff. I had to think about the decision I had to make. While I was going down the stairs I noticed Lady Katalina looking at the picture frame again. When she saw me looking at her, she gently put it down and smiled at me “Good morning Cheska, you’re up early. Would you care for some breakfast?” She asked. “Nah I’m good Lady Katalina, we’ll just wait for Lacresia to wake up. I’ll head out to the cliffs.” I said. She then nodded at me while keeping the same gentle smile on her face “Alright be careful”. I went out of the hut and walked towards the end of the cliff. I sat down Indian-style and began to take large breathes in an attempt to ease out my mind and organize my thoughts. While I was looking at my surroundings, I looked up at the sky and stared at the clouds for a little while. I then remembered the last day Nana and I went to town, it was the day I told her about the dream I had of the Labyrinth, maybe I was too preoccupied with my thoughts that I failed to notice how similar this day was to that. The clouds were of the same shape and the breeze here though we were so far up felt the same. I even took a look at the hut, huh it seemed familiar. And then it dawned on me, this hut had the same design as the hut our neighbor had at home. It was the exact replica of it. I then thought about it harder, how was this possible? I’ve always thought about that house when I was a kid but I had gotten to see it that I didn’t really give it any kind of importance. Now that I’ve thought about it, I even recall how familiar Lady Katalina was. I tried to search for my memories and bingo! She was that neighbor that lived there! I actually saw her once talking to Nana when I was little, but my memories were a bit shady. I tried to connect the dots but it just doesn’t make sense, I remembered asking Lady Katalina if Nana and she were friends but she said that they weren’t that close. But then I realized, she helped us because of her foresight! She knew Nana would disappear! I then barged into the hut and ran to Lady Katalina with tears already threatening to fall from my eyes. She was surprised at first but then she saw the expression I had on my face, “Cheska dear what happened?” she asked. I looked at her pleading with my eyes and said, “Lady Katalina? How do you know my Nana?” She hesitated at first but decided to answer me with “Ches I already told you your grandma and I aren’t that close.” “I know but I remember now, I once saw you at our village in Samar! I saw you talk with Nana years ago!” I said with so much emotion that I think I startled the old Lady. She sighed and said “Yes I talked to your Nana years ago, I told her of your prophecy. I do have the gift of foresight after all. I talked to her about it and she has asked me to take care of you if ever the future I’ve seen would truly happen in the future. This hut is familiar to you because this has magic, much like the Labyrinth this too can move places but not continuously. It moves if I will it to move. If you remember I stayed there for a while, that was cause I kept watch of you. Not that I could be of much help but if ever you’d get into trouble I’d be there to help. There are forces far greater than of babaylans and witches. Demigods rarely had the chance to get into their teens, if it weren’t for your grandmother Ches I’d doubt you would even be here”. “What do you mean by that Lady Katalina?” I asked dumbfounded. “Your Nana cast a spell on that forest and even on you many years ago. The weekly rituals it was to keep the effects of the magic. She was one powerful shaman Ches, no ordinary witch can cast spells that large and keep it that long. Now that you remember some of your memories, after weeks of her disappearance, it only means that her magic is not as strong compared to before.” I was shocked by what I heard, what does she mean by that? Now that I remember? Was I not supposed to remember? Was I supposed to forget? The questions started to pile up in my head but I knew of the answer. It was short and simple. To get the answers to my questions I must first find Nana and in order to do that, I needed to go to Biringan. “Is it possible for her magic to completely fade?” I asked. “Not to worry child, a shaman’s magic only fades when she crosses to the afterlife” she replied, that’s a relief. And just like that, I knew of the decision I had to make. In fact, something in me knew that it wasn’t really a decision. It was all already determined. The fates had brought me here, and now that I knew of what Nana was doing all the more that I needed to go and save her wherever she’s at. As if on cue Cresia descended the stairs, she was caught off guard with the scene in front of her and she immediately went to my side. I had my head down and the tears just kept streaming down my face. Clutching Cresia’s hand I looked up and looked at Lady Katalina, “I’m going to go back to the Labyrinth and get the yahwe” I said, “I’m going with you.” Lacresia said. I then looked at her and said “Cres you don’t have to this isn’t your battle” she shook her head to the sides and said “I’m not going to let you go back there alone Ches. Plus, I just had a dream about it. I feel like I’m supposed to be there and to be with you and the others.” To that Lady Katalina smiled, hugged us both and said “My brave demigods you make me proud.” More and more questions were piling up. Who is my godly parent? Who was my mom? Why did my Nana make me forget my memories? What were they hiding? Only this was for sure though, the only place where'd I get answers would be Biringan, if that didn't give me any of them I'd be stressed.