The Tale of Xenosa

Helping Hand

Cheska’s POV

“Ommfs” I landed on Lacresia. I was the last one to get pulled out of there and Cresia went first. It made more sense since she was nearer to where the hole was at. When we were out of the tunnel or maze whichever you preferred to call it, we finally had the chance to see the sun again. Being down in the tunnel, it was hard to keep track of the days, time seemed to move differently there, at some places time seemed to slow down, and at some, it speeds up, there was no telling of the actual time since being that deep underground had some interference with our watches, and having no sight of the sun made it impossible to tell what time it already was. Much to our surprise when Louis’ friend pulled us out of there we were immediately out of the maze. Not that I’m not grateful for it but it just seems a little too suspicious that this lady was there at the right time and place we needed her. I mean we knew that the tunnel was moving, but Louis was able to find her in a short amount of time. Maybe I need to loosen up a bit. I mean Cresia is able to enjoy the hot chocolate she’s drinking, I on the other hand am not so comfortable with it. I was just staring at the food in front of me not really wanting to do anything with it. We’re now at the old lady’s hut, she brought us hereafter rescuing us. Her hut was cozy, but not really homey. The walls were made of coconut leaves as well as her roof, as for her floor it was made out of pieces of bamboo woven together, it had two floors, her kitchen was outside while the restroom was upstairs together with the other rooms. It had a pretty similar feeling with Nana Maria’s house but hers was a little more homey compared to this one. She had everything you would ever need in the house but I wasn’t feeling the vibes yet, maybe it’s because I don’t trust her. Cresia insists we give her the “benefit of the doubt” after all she did save us back there. We practically argued with our eyes since we couldn’t risk being heard, I might offend her with my words, Nana always reminded me that I tend to be very tactless when stressed.We’ve been here for a few hours now, we didn’t plan to stay this long, as a matter of fact, we actually insisted if we could go and continue our journey but the old lady said or perhaps insisted that we should stay for at least a day or two since we had wounds and injuries we needed to heal. According to her, we needed to get rest, because we we’re probably totally drained of energy ever since we started our separate journey. She was right though, though we had the chance to rest for a few hours I was quite exhausted from all the running. Hey, don’t judge it’s not easy trying to beat aswangs and the bungisngis in running, plus the added fighting. Those two took a huge toll on my stamina and energy reserve. Plus, the tone she used with us says she wasn’t suggesting. My thoughts were interrupted when the lady spoke, “Cheska dear, you haven’t touched your food. Is there any problem with it? Don’t you like it? I promise it’s not poisoned.” she said sweetly. Though I was a bit scared and shakey I tried my best to muster the courage to speak with her, “To put it frankly lady, not to be rude or anything but we don't know you, not even your name. I don’t think we can trust someone we barely know. And how do you know my name exactly? I don’t recall you asking for it or any of us saying our names are you some kind of psychic.” She stopped what she was doing and looked at me intently, I gulped hard. In my mind, I was thinking that I might have really crossed the line or something. I think she was knitting a scarf or something I’m not sure, then looked at me and said, “of course, I know you both, both a demigod, one with a heavy prophecy on her shoulders and one ordered on an adventure but both a part of each other’s lives inevitably.” My eyes widened at what she just said, “H-how did you know about the prophecy? How do you know any of those things?” I said. “That’s because just like your Nana, I too am a babaylan.” she answered. “You know my Nana? How do you know my Nana? Are you guys friends or something?” I asked. She nodded her head and said,” I wouldn’t say we’re friends but we know each other, witches tend to see each other one way or another. I was able to recognize you both because of your smell. Demigods tend to have a very specific smell. I am Karlina the witch of foresight and insight, a manghuhula if you would prefer. I was given the gift of foresight that’s why I was able to save you guys in time, no need to panic for I am no enemy. I’m here as a friend, to help.” Lacresia and I looked at each other and nodded our heads simultaneously as if silently agreeing that we could stay here some more. Moments after, I decided to eat my food and drink my milk, Miss Katalina also continues with her knitting while Cresia decided to feed our pets. “Miss Karlina can I ask you some questions”? I said. “Sure thing, let me put this away first, and then we’ll talk” after she kept her sewing stuff she then took the seat next to me. “So what is it that you wanted to ask me Ches?” she continued. “Well, I was wondering if you knew something about the maze? It’s just that while we were inside of it we had the hint that it was moving or something,” she took a sip from her cup of coffee and said “ There is actually a story about that. The maze has been there for thousands of years already, it’s even older than some of the cities here. It was designed by its creator to keep on moving following the sun, and the pathways inside are always shifting because the creator believed that he would be able to hide from the demon he owed a debt from. The creator was a brilliant young man, known for his crafts back in the days he was a true prodigy. Rumor has it that he too was a demigod himself, but it didn’t get any kind of confirmation from him. I for one think that he was no demigod but a child of one. But alas, like everything good in this world his brilliance had to end. He was mortal after all. Anyways, going back to the maze it was designed to keep the demon out, the creator owed the demon a blood debt. The creator had accidentally killed one of the demon’s mortal offspring in an experiment, this enraged the said demon and hunted him and his family ever since. The maze became successful at hiding them, perhaps too successful that other creatures of the dark that also has debts but do not have any of the capabilities to pay came to the maze and took shelter there. It was all going well at first but then the creator and his family grew tired of not seeing the outside, not being able to see the sun and to feel the warm breezes of the sea so they went out and that’s how the demon found and killed them. It is said that the creator’s wife was a member of a powerful coven and so with her last breath she cast an everlasting spell on the maze, for it to keep moving following the sun never knowing rest, as a reminder of her family’s regrets.” I hadn’t noticed it while she was talking but it seems like she caught everyone’s attention with her story about the maze. I don’t know why but it seemed like she knew the story too well, perhaps it was because she was a very talented storyteller that she was able to convey the emotions in her eyes. The regret, pain, and sorrow. She blinked those emotions away in an instant and inhaled a very deep breath, and said, “anything else you’d like to ask? perhaps about those pets of yours?” I nodded slowly and answered “Uhm well, I get that we’re demigods and all but why did our pets lead us into the tunnels, how we’re they able to guide us?”, “That’s because all animals are creatures of the dark, some just mutated to their versions now but their roots are the same. Much like humans if I would say. They lead you there because as creatures of the dark they are naturally drawn to places of evil and darkness. But you have nothing to worry about them betraying you or anything, these pets have pledged allegiance to you ever since you were brought into this world, their souls are forever tied with yours. It’s a thing with demigods kids, they all have pets. Some for protection, healing or, guidance. You both have pets of guidance,” Karlina said. “That’s cool, right Louis?” Cresia said while making a high five notion with her bird. I smiled at Luci and she just meowed at me. “Perhaps the both of you would want to rest now? I think you both had a rough couple of days we’ll talk more tomorrow. Today you must rest. Go upstairs and you’ll find your rooms there just take whichever you both find comfortable enough. Call if you need help.” Karlina said while she finished the remaining cup of coffee. I was about to head upstairs when I took one last glance at the babaylan who welcomed us into her home, she was looking at a picture frame and looked like she was deep into our thoughts. “Hey Karlina, thank you for uhm saving us and letting us stay here,” that seemed to snap her out of her trance, she looked at me smiled, and said, “Well of course any demigod in need of my help is welcome here, and witches like us need to look out for each other, don’t you think?” “Yeah, I guess… and uh hey I’m sorry for the way I acted. I know I can be rude at times but I swear I don’t mean to.” I kindly smiled and went up the stairs. I opened the bedroom door and saw Lacresia already asleep, guess we’re sharing rooms now huh.