The Tale of Xenosa

Begin Again

Cheska's POV:

The next morning came sooner than expected when we, Cresia and I, heard the banging on the door. Geez was Lady Katalina that excited to get rid of us? "Lady Katalina it's still too early. Five more minutes!" I yelled from the inside of our room. I could barely keep my eyes open, I was super sleep deprived which is not the most appropriate or recommended way of starting of a quest. It's not my fault Lacresia and I slept late last night as we were bust talking. I mean we haven't spoken to each other for days. That makes sense though right? We even talked about the prophecy, since it was clear that we were both a part of it. I heard Lacresia groaned from her side of the room and groggily stood up, "Ches you should really think about the other people you're with. You're too loud in the mornings. Can you not yell this early? You're hurting my ears" she said while lazily rubbing her eyes. I rolled my eyes and threw a pillow at her which she failed to catch as a matter of fact, thus resulting to it landing on her face. Huh! Take that!"Girls you have to get up! The sun had rose already, if you don't leave in an hour or so, you won't be able to reach the gates on time!" Lady Katalina said as she barged in to our room. I immediately got up and attempted to make myself look presentable in front of her. She sure wasn't patient. What's with old shamans and patience, they seem to have none of that. "What happened here last night?I heard your voices all the way to my room, you slept late. That should really be not the way you start your quest. Anyway, are you two done packing your bags?" She asked. To which Cresia and I nodded. "Okay, that's good. The both of you should freshen up and head downstairs after for breakfast. I won't let you both go without a proper meal. Great heroes need their stomachs filled up" She then proceeded to get out of our room and went down the stairs herself, presumably going to make some breakfast. "Lady Katalina would you mind making me a cup of hot chocolate that would be great! Thank you" I yelled at her. Hopefully she'll yield at my request. Over the past weeks or couple of days that we've stayed here we became close to each other. We've developed a bond and a relationship that's similar to Nana and I's relationship. Oh, Nana I missed her. I sure do hope that she's doing well and fine. I'm still worries about her but I've been preoccupied by a lot of things over the last couple of days. It doesn't mean I miss her less though. This whole thing is actually doing the opposite, making me miss her more. Lacresia was the first one who entered the bathroom. I was now left alone in our room. I then laid back on my bed one last time, while I stared on the ceiling. Last night when I slept my dreams were empty. It's not the same as not having a dream and just sleeping. It felt like I was in a dream and yet all I can see was darkness. Like total darkness. It felt like I was in the third person point of view. I wonder what it meant. It didn't feel like a vision either, it was really just a dream. It was like the dream world was totally empty. I then thought about the what Cresia and I talked about last night. I had no clue she felt like that. I mean I wasn't being boastful. I was just sharing my experiences, perhaps it wasn't my fault like she said. But it still felt like I did. I then rolled over to face the side of the bed. there I saw Luci sleeping peacefully. Lacresia and I had both decided to leave Luci and Louis here with Lady Katalina. Wherever we were going, what ever creatures we might face we knew that they'd both be safe here. I was hesitant to leave them here at first, but then I realized I couldn't risk Luci's safety. She was the closest thing I had left of home and I couldn't lose her too. The journey Cresia and I have ahead, won't be easy. It already took everything we had to just defeat the Bakunawa and get out of the Labyrinth, what more of the monsters to come. We'll need to train and prepare ourselves. Lady Katalina said last night that when we get to Birigan we'll get the proper training we'll need as demigods. She said that if ever we decide to be witches we'll be trained there too. When we get there, we'll have to decide whether to become demigods or witches. We can't be both. In Lady Katalina's case, her demigod blood helped amplify her spells and hexes as a witch. That's why demigod witches are very powerful. They're people who shouldn't be messed with. She's also warned us about the visitation that happened. My scent as a demigod is stronger than ever, one of the reasons as to why I'll have to leave Luci behind. She'll get caught up in our scents, things might become too dangerous for our pets. I rolled over to the other side of the bed and thought about Biringan. What would that place look like? Lady Katalina said that it changes based on the progression of human kind. It's appearance is based on the place where you entered it. The entire place is magic, the home of engkantos and creatures alike. It's the home of every magical creature from our myths, though none are wild since they're kind of domesticated. Well domesticated isn't the right term to use but they're not wild, so I'm not entirely sure about what to call them. My thoughts we're caught off when I heard the bathroom door open, "Ches it's your turn already" she said. I then stood up and grabbed my towel from the side of my bed, I then went inside the bathroom to take a shower. I then realized that this was going to be the last time I'll get sufficiently cleaned in the next few days. When I finished my morning rituals I grabbed my clothes and changed into them. Lacresia was no longer in our room, she must've went down already. I then headed downstairs and saw Lady Katalina and Cresia on the table. "Ches you're here. We've been waiting for you so that we'll eat breakfast together." Lady Katalina said as she offered me a seat. I then sat with them on the table and then ate breakfast together like they said. We were just taking our time, eating and talking about different people and creatures. And if ever we were to face such creatures we'll know hot to defeat them or distract them long enough to escape. After our meal, we just helped Lady Katalina with the dishes and said goodbye to our pets. We'll surely miss them, but them on the other hand won't seem to miss us. They enjoy being here in Lady Katalina's hut there's food and other animals for them to play with as well. they won't get lonely. I kissed Luci's head and patted her one last time, "I'll come back for you. Okay? Wait for me here" I said and stood up. Lady Katalina was waiting for us by the door frame I grabbed my bag as I went over to where she was, "Cheska, Cresia come here. Let me give you my blessings." Lady Katalina said. We then went to her and stood beside her, she then began to make gestures with her hands until her eyes glowed with a folden color. She's chanting something but I couldn't make it out right now. The surroundings began to feel airy, perhaps airy is an understatement. It felt as if there's a tornado happening, the three of us were now being swept off from the ground and was already levitating. Lady Katalina continued to chant, while the strands of her hair glowed gold as well. Wow, this is so cool! I thought to myself. If this was just a "blessing" imagine if she uses her powers for defense and offense. She'd be overpowered for sure, not that the isn't already. Lady Katalina's chants got louder and her breathing got deeper, I could finally make out what she was saying. The winds of the east, west, south and north, guide them and let the winds lead their way, all the deities of the tides of the moon give them light as they travel through the darkest of nights, and the guards of the shining sun bring forth good fortune to these demigods as they make their way home. May the all seeing eye of Bathala see that their intentions are pure and allow them to enter thy city to know the truth of their roots. veritas liberabit vos!"she said as she closed on her chants. After that her appearance went back to normal and we were now back on the ground. "That was intense" Cresia croaked out, "And cool" I said nodding my head excitedly. "Now off you both go, you'll need to get to the gate by sunset." Lady Katalina said. She's even a bit teary eyed, if I say so myself. "Lady Katalina thank you for taking us in, answering our inquiries and for everything after" I said as I hugged her. "Dear it is my honor to help demigods, and thank you for setting the Bakunawa and athe Labyrinth free from this mortal world. I cannot ask you for more, you've done so much to me. My blessings is the best I can do for you right now." she said while hugging me as well. I then stepped to the side and let Lacresia bid her goodbyes as well, "Cres you are more than you think you are. And remember what we talked about." Lady Katalina said to her. To which she nodded a a reply. "Keep each other safe! I'll see you both again." Lady Katalina said as she bid us both goodbye. I waived at her one last time and turned around to start the adventure. "We go north, right?" I asked Cresia. "Yep, Let's go," she answered.