The Tales of Dziewanna: Maiden Huntress

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

Also by Chris Cahill

The Tales of Dziewanna: Maiden Huntress The Tales of Dziewanna: Winter God The Tales of Dziewanna: The Avenger The Tales of Dziewanna: Yin and Yang

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

Chris Cahill

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

This derivative work was based on The Twilight Saga; Harry Potter Series; The 3 idiots; Underworld; The 39 Clues; and Glitch.

Book design by Chris Cahill Logo by NightOwl70 of DeviantArt

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

Dedication “I dedicate this book to J who became the backbone of this story; to which every scene I recreated every night, for what our love story should have been. Even after many years, you were still my inspiration for everything I have accomplished. You may have many faces and names in my dreams, but you’re still the same soul the tickled my heart right from the very start. May this book tell you what I hadn’t been able to say so for the past few years.”

“To my friends who were always there for me in the darkest moments, here’s a little something. Raise a glass to mend our wrecked-up hearts!“ “To the society which honed me into everything I am and made me another one of its cold and heartless by-products; taunted and repressed my abilities; kept me alive so I can die like I never existed.

No, I will not be your child. I hope, that one day this book will free your

19-3-8-23-1-18-20-26

slaves from their corrupted minds. “

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

Contents Prologue .................................................................................................. 1 Part 1: Maiden Huntress ..................................................................... 3 Chapter 1: Welcome to Adanac ..................................................... 4 Chapter 2: The Angel and the Demon ........................................ 17 Chapter 3: Myths and Legends ................................................... 30 Chapter 4: Cradle me...................................................................... 39 Chapter 5: Alastor Olympi............................................................ 55 Chapter 6: Aidas returns .............................................................. 64 Chapter 7: A thief in the midst ......................................................72 Chapter 8: Warmth and Rain ....................................................... 83

The Forbidden Tales Summer

Prologue I’ve always wished that my life would be extraordinary, to not walk on the path that someone already walked through.

I don’t want to be born and have the same boring life as the others, I wanted to be different. I wanted to be unique.

I sometimes imagine myself as a princess in a far-away land or a superhero that saves the day from the bad guys… with a twist.

But, I guess none of it is part of my story.

Who knew that this is what I’ll go through?

- M. D. C.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

Part 1: Maiden Huntress

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

Chapter 1: Welcome to Adanac

I

quickly wore my shirt, brushed my long free hair, rushed to my bag and headed out of the oak door. I hailed a passing taxi cab outside my apartment and wished myself a good luck for my

first day. Moving here in Adanac was my own idea. My aunt wanted me to stay with her in Rasanac. It's just that I always wanted to go on my own and leave that boring city. Imagine only four people on your population and you would be the first to leave there. It’s a world record.

There isn't much sun here in Adanac, but it's not rainy either. I suppose, that's the way the clouds wanted it to be. The breeze of June felt strangely cold as it caressed my face. Adanac is famous for its numerous rivers, cold climate, and legends. The famous city started off as a small village that traded battle weapons with different areas around the world and since then, it built its reputation quickly. Adanac is doing excellent in its job of preserving their nature, their world-class mangroves, numerous waterfalls, underground rivers, and in keeping their most exotic creatures.

Aside from these, famous historical landmarks have their spot. Like the Statue of the Wise Geopherae, a monument that stands in front of the National Park, showing a young man holding a diamond-tipped scepter while wearing a pointy hat. Legends says that a creature of some sort once terrorized the small village and it was he who managed to fend it off through analytical thinking.

Aunt Tessie found me an apartment a few weeks ago for a very fair price. It’s pretty much my regular type of house; a bedroom, toilet, small kitchen, and a dining area/living room combo.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress Fair enough.

“Just call me if there’s anything wrong. And be good, okay?” she kept reminding me a few hours before my departure.

I gaped at the numerous skyscrapers that were lined up in the streets. Traffic is starting to build up and I could spot some people walking hurriedly while talking on the phone. One man realized he was still wearing flip-flops and decided to come back the way he came.

“It’s such a busy city”, I thought.

After all, this is the Adanac City, the capital of almost anything. It’s everyone’s dream to at least walk on these famous streets. And yet, the unfamiliar environment seemed not to surprise me at all. Although, I always get excited seeing a commercial of this city on our television, strangely being here seems very odd.

A few minutes later, as we traveled further from the main part of the city, a beautiful scenery was zooming in ahead as the taxi revved upwards the hill. I stared at the large sign that arched between two large pillars: “Adanac University.” I read.

The taxi halted at the wide-opened black Iron Gate.

“Student?” asked the guard as he emerged his head from inside their guarding station. I noticed a few cameras pointed at our spot.

I quickly rolled down my window and nodded. He motioned us to move forward. The environment here drastically changed. The taxi sped up through the long brick road as I admired the grassy plane and the faraway forest until a large building came into view. A girl came out of a limousine as a school attendant quickly loaded her luggage from the trunk into the trolley and she had nothing to worry about anymore.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress I quickly paid the driver and got out of the car as I quickly observed the campus and remembered my promise to my Auntie. Calling twice a week won’t hurt. Well, when I was a baby, my parents died from a car crash. Only that, I was way too young to remember that incident. My Aunt Theresa and Uncle Joey brought me in their family, together with their daughter Hayley. Anyway, it's my first year in college and I wanted to, atleast, feel being independent for a year.

I observed the school's another set of big black iron gates, the tall fences, the box hedges that go all the way round, and a few turrets that are erected to the sky. If it weren’t for its “gold-cream” theme, it looked like an old castle.

As I entered through the gates, I couldn’t get rid of the feeling being “out-of-place”. I walked through the crowd as their mysterious faces stared at me, observing me from head to toe. I carefully opened the glamorous school brochure in my pocket, afraid I might rip it. It came along with the textbooks that I needed, for it was delivered right to our house.

The embossed words shone as I carefully unfolded the parchment.

The school logo was a calligraphic “A” surrounded by four different animals; a dragon, polar bear, wolf, and a snake. They were all enclosed in a black shield. I turned the paper and began to read all sorts of things about this school.

A Brief History Adanac University (formerly known as Eukraya College) is an American boarding school located in Adanac, Jethimadh. It is 6

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress the oldest institution of higher learning in the world. Adanac University’s history, influence, and wealth have made it one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It was founded by Selena Mahesti with the aim of

“gathering the scattered knowledge”. The school was named after the founder’s father, Geronimo Eukraya. (Cont. on page.3)

Trolley Busses Now available Trolley Bus Stations are now available to help students travel around the large campus easily. An eccentric invention of a group of former Ladonian students, six stations are spread throughout the campus. Student says that…

(Consult map for locations) (Cont. on page 6) From what I gathered from the next page, there are five types of "houses" in this school, students here are sorted according to their knowledge, talents, and abilities.

Kabra students are the richest kids of them all, sons and daughters of the wealthiest and most influential families.

Students of the Canis Lupus, the wolves, are very creative and artistic. They are the writers, artists, designer, and musicians. They also excel in Martial Arts. They’ll eventually end up as famous directors, song writers, painters, or poets!

The Umks, of the Umka, are known for their talents in sports and their brawns.

The Ladonians are well known for their cleverness. They excel in engineering, math, and science.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress And Lastly, The Black Panthers, the parchment only described it to be the fifth house of the campus and has the least number of students.

Now that I’ve read this, I'm not sure if I got in at the right school.

Who am I compared to dozens of Einsteins and Da Vincis?

One day, someone called us. Auntie said it was from this Adanac University and they want me in. I was like, “It may be the most prestigious school, but it’s the weirdest!” Imagine hundreds of child prodigies walking in and out of it! Sheesh. Anyway, I still don’t know what house I belong to. She never told me, nor did this school.

At the last page, was a small parchment that bore a small message, it was taped into the brochure:

Do not trust anyone What does that mean? How could I make friends with anyone if I’m not supposed to trust them? Could I survive without trust? The cryptic message sent chills down my spine.

I noted how the students stared at me, from my blue jeans, black T-shirt, to my messy, free hair. I took a sharp right turn, passing by the Trolley Bus Station, and two long buildings from each side greeted me.

In each house there are, of course, the Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and the Seniors and each year level is divided into sections. Later, I’ve learned that my house doesn’t follow these traditions.

“Umphf!” I grunted.

I was reading for too long at the brochure that I didn’t notice that I’d walk into someone. I helped the girl get back on her feet. She had a long black hair, a pale face, and an eye patch over her left eye.

“I-I’m sorry.” I said as I held her gloved hand and pulled her up.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress She didn’t utter a single word. There was an evident sadness in her aura. She slowly walked away and disappeared amongst the crowd.

“That’s weird.” I thought.

Nobody seemed to notice us. Or at least, they didn’t really want to bother. I picked up the brochure on the ground and continued in searching for the classroom.

“If this is the Admin Hall…” I traced my finger at the longest building in the map, to the small box at its bottom. “…it should be right here…”

It is small, and the opened door looks kinda old fashioned and creepy in a sort of way. There’s letters professionally engraved on it: B.P. The walls are covered in sky-blue paint, the old wooden chairs, and the chalkboard was in a very clean slate.

I looked around more and what made me go into shock is to see only ten students. As I was maintaining my balance on a chair, gripping it tightly, someone called: "Maia!"

I turned around to see who that familiar voice was.

It was my schoolmate from my previous school, Claire. She's still skinny as ever. Her bony face, the bulging eyes, and her shoulder-length hair. I think those shirts and pants she wore are at their smallest sizes.

But I gotta admit, she’s one of the best students, which made me find the best reason in the world on why the heck am I in this school.

is

Claire had that natural olive skin tone and oval eyes, a long black hair, and of course… calloused hands. It was simply due to her knack for building machines out of a few spare parts. She’s always carrying a screwdriver and a wrench.

“You never know when something needs to be fixed!” she says.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress "Hey, I didn't know you'll be...here" said Claire with the words slowing down as she looked at me and by her face, I can tell that she, too, couldn't believe she'd find me in this kind of place.

I bit my lip.

"Well, surprise!” I said timidly.

We sat down and looked around. Our classmates were chatting and

the

laughing. It seems to me they've already known one another. Perhaps they had been, when they were in grade school. At the back of the room, was a battered door with a toilet sign which a big red mark painted on it.

I imagined someone knocking furiously at the door yelling, “If you could hurry up, that’d be great!” while in the middle of the class. But everyone would just ignore like, “Hey! It happens every day!”

Clink. Clank.

The sound brought me back to where I am. Claire was casually playing with a strange cube-shaped machine on her desk. It has polished steel for its frames with glass making up most of its body so that you can see the assorted gears whirring inside the contraption. A sight like this doesn’t surprise me anymore, well, for anyone who knows her. Some took a quick glance. I noticed a girl with round eyes and an oval face inspect Claire working her hands on the strange machine. I kinda felt scared because it seemed like she’s planning something. A few seconds later, she looked away and I could breathe again.

We just sat there and stared at the room until the teacher arrived.

Everyone went back to their seats and hushed.

Deafening silence.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress She dropped down her books on the table, which is covered in chalk dust, and it made the entire dust scatter in the air. She had small brown eyes and a light brown wavy hair that falls down to her shoulders.

"My name is Linda Adam." then she cleared her throat and picked up the smallest piece of chalk on the floor.

“It sounds sour.” I joked at Claire.

"Linda... A-d-a-m" she spelled on the board.

“As you all know, Adanac University is the most prestigious school found in the world….”

Claire and I just stared at each other. She began to discuss the school rules and the things that we'd be expecting on the campus, for a boring hour.

Boring hour…

“There are five houses here. They are the Kabras, Umka, Canis Lupus, Ladons…”

Strange. What a strange feeling.

“Mike Mason, our School Director, has recently approved of our fifth house which was found by Professor Apollo Aidas…” she recounted.

If I'd close my eyes and just feel the things around me, it would feel like mama was the one who is standing in front, talking. I stared outside the window as my eyes trailed off at the students passing by. What if I suddenly screamed and walked out of this room?

"Now,” her eyes swept around the room. “we are going to do something about your seating arrangement."

She picked up her clipboard on the desk.

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uncle

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress My pen dropped to what I heard. No way. I can't do this, I just can't. Claire is the only one I know here. What if they'd be mean to me?

What if they'd be just annoyed, throw me, and leave me alone?

Why does she need a student list, anyway? I can memorize everyone’s name in three minutes.

“Ms. Biscocho? Patricia?” called Linda as a girl with a ponytail and a mole on her face nervously stood up and was guided to the front row.

"Ms. Ka-hill?" the soft bird-like voice echoed.

I glanced up and stared at those soft eyes that called me.

I stood up and grabbed my bag and headed where she pointed at: The back of the room, where it is the farthest from the chalkboard and where you can barely hear anything from the front. Usually, back in my school, this is the spot where students would usually slack-off the whole day.

It's time for me to enter a new world.

I nervously walked towards the last chairs at the back of the room and tried to carefully sit but my hips hit hard on the edge of the chair.

Muttering, I hanged my bag on the chair in front of me. I’m right, I can barely see anything, except for a bunch of heads perfectly lined up in a column.

“Great.” I thought. “This is just what I needed.”

“Daquin, Sam Leonard?” a red-headed boy stood up.

She kept calling names until, “Zachary, Mayrielle!” as a girl with a tan skin and a black wavy hair sat at the far left side of the room.

I tuned out of the moment and started thinking about my friends back at Rasanac. They haven’t texted me for a while nor they didn’t even

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress said goodbye. I felt the seat beside me nudged a little, but I still kept my eyes on the window.

After everyone settled to their new seats, she had to go to her office which is just beside this room. That's when their mouths open wide and began to talk endlessly.

“Hi, I’m Sam! I’m from Nebraska, well… we moved from there…” said the red-headed guy at the front row. A girl with a black wavy hair and tan skin was reading a book. What does she need that for? We haven’t even started lessons yet. Then, a girl with a pony tail hair was staring dreamily around the room and would touch her cheek occasionally, until someone called her “Caris”. The girl that was previously staring at Claire earlier, the one with the round eyes and oval face, is now making conversation with others. They were arranged in a half-circle and it’s like they’re just catching up with one another. I noticed that Claire’s with them too.

I brushed my now untidy hair with my hands and watched the trees, on the open window on my right side, as they sway back and forth and felt wind suddenly gushed on my back. Before I looked at my seatmate, Linda came back.

“Well, you better take the rest of the day.” said Linda in a bird-like voice. “You won’t be doing much today. It’s just meet-and-greet and you can tour around the campus. Though, may I remind you not to venture too far away, especially in the forest.” she fnished and bid us good luck and goodbye.

Almost everyone started to go out of the room, and since Claire and I were left alone, we tried to catch up to one another after months of vacation then we went talking about our classmates. She said that the one

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress who’s been watching her earlier is Michaela, then Mayrielle is the one who’s been always reading books and the guy with the brown hair with a peacesign on his neck is Rudy and his best bud is Sam. “Sam is the redhead guy. I bet he’s an atheist.” she said, picking on her nails.

“Why? What makes you think that?”

“I-I don’t know. I feel it…”

“Well, Linda’s got the mother-ish aura” I chuckled.

“And I thought I was the only one to say so.” she said airily.

“But she called me Ka-hill.” I said flatly. “Why does everybody get my name wrong?”

She smiled a little.

“I feel kinda strange being here,” I admitted. “with all these smart people.” I finished, waving my hand.

“Honestly, you’re a genius at music. But, somehow, I don’t know why you ended down here and not in the Canis Lupus.”

“Claire, you’re good with machines. Then, you should probably be in Ladon, right?”

She didn’t answer.

I guess, she thought that, too. Claire is one of the few people that I know that can build something out of pieces of scrap. It’s why her parents are so proud of her. She also won medals and trophies back in our highschool days. So, why the heck are we in the wrong houses? What is really the Black Panthers?

“Haven’t you been wondering why we’re the only ones who were, y’know?” I asked her as I’ve been itching to ask this earlier.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “You mean, treated like rats trapped in a rusty cage with no uniforms?” she said so fast like to make sure no one hears it clearly. “Uhhuh. I feel you, sister. ” "I'm just gonna go... a-uhmm..." I said as I pointed outside. She gave me a quick nod and looked away.

As I set my foot outside, I puffed air slowly. I walked a few steps away from the room cautiously like a toddler having his first steps, which I wish I would've never thought. As I regained my confidence, I graciously walked.

This isn’t so bad. This isn’t so bad. This isn’t so bad.

I continued walking forward and buildings stood in front of me.

There was a large stadium and on my right side was a strange-shaped building with two turrets, it had blue banners and a shadow of a standing bear preparing to attack.

The Kabras are wearing red uniforms. Ooh is that satin? While the Wolves are wearing gray…fur? The Ladonians are wearing yellow-orange ones, making them look like Madeleine. And lastly, the Umks are on their blue workout clothes. I can see some heads looking at me, whispering and giggling.

Ooooof!!

Then it happened so fast, it's like something or someone hit me from the back and I fell down on the ground. Or was it something grabbed my shoe from behind?

"Ow... crap" I grunted as I forced my body to lift itself.

Seemingly, my body did not wanted to cooperate. The pain. The shame. My life is over. Everyone was laughing. Everyone. Their wicked voices echoed inside in my head. Their heads circling around me, taunting.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress How weak I am, fragile, deaf, slow, dumb, and clumsy. That time, I wanted to bury myself under the rocky soil and hoped that I'd meet a demon and take me away.

It wasn't a demon, but an angel. He reached out on me, the glare of the sun made me blind and I cannot see his face. Without hesitation, I reached out and quickly regained my balance. I dusted off the dirt in my shirt then down at my jeans.

"Are you alright?"

Suddenly my soul somehow detached itself from my body as I heard that voice. It's like music not found here on earth. It's like the bells of heaven came down on me. Yet, there is something burning in me, in my veins. Was it rage? fury? I managed to break my thought.

"I...uhh..a-a..."

I looked up to see his face....

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

Chapter 2: The Angel and the Demon

T

he most beautiful face I have ever seen. Is this heaven? Or is the devil just playing tricks at me? Whichever the case is, he is so perfect; his smooth face, untidy hair, small green eyes, perfect

thin lips, jawline and his large-framed glasses that amplified his beauty. Adonis. Then he smiled. My heart skipped a beat and I regained my senses. "t-thanks..." I gasped for air.

He rhythmically walked away, while I stood there...frozen. Air touched my cheeks, the rustling sounds of the leaves covered for my heavy breathing. Some of the students were murmuring and whispering to each other.

"What happened to you?" Claire ran for me as she asked with a worry tone in her voice. "You're pale..."

I think that was a joke so I decided to laugh. But by the look on her face, she is so effin serious. We walked back to the room and sat down to my place as laid my head on the table.

After a few minutes, I heard everyone talking. Recess must be almost over. Have you heard this and have you heard that was all over the room. Gossip must be in town. I hope they won't include me in their list.

Then someone tapped me in the shoulder, it must be my seatmate.

I made sure my face was presentable enough before I turn around.

Forgive me, it was the face from before.

"Which came first," he asked as those pearly white teeth shimmered. “The chicken or the egg?�

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress I looked up, stunned, that he was speaking to me. I couldn’t help but gaze at his dazzling face. His black hair looked like he’d just finished shooting a commercial for a hair gel, and his flawless lips…

Everybody laughed. Should I laugh too? "...t-the chicken?" was all I could say.

I swear I could've blushed if any more words would come after that.

"Xin Mason.” he introduced himself.

My heart skipped a beat. I felt stupid for staring too long at his livid, glorious face and then he smiled, his perfect, ultra white teeth glistened under the white light.

“I didn’t get the chance to introduce myself earlier.”

I felt my cheeks reddened as I remembered how stupid I looked earlier. How could this guy have noticed me in a crowd?

Oh yeah, I tripped.

“You must be Maia Cahill.” he continued.

I had to speak; he was waiting. But I couldn’t think of anything conventional to say. The next words came out unconsciously, “H-how do you know how to pronounce my name?” I stammered.

He gave a soft, enchanting laugh.

“I think everyone knows your name.”

“No,” I persisted stupidly. “I meant, why did you pronounced it Cayhill?”

He seemed confused, “Do you prefer Ka-hill?”

I gave a short burst of laugh. I tried not to look at him… unsuccessfully. I glanced up, and he was staring at me, he had that inexplicable look of frustration in his eyes.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “Do you like the school?” he asked in a quiet, musical voice. “You find it strange.” It wasn’t a question. It was like, he heard me what I said to Claire earlier. “and weird.” I felt stupid for saying that. “W-what I mean to say is, it’s all too much for me.”

Gaah! What’s wrong with my mouth?

“Nervous? I get it.” he grinned. “You’re one of those shy type of people.”

“No, I’m not…-really.”

“Why did you come here, then?”

No one asked me that–not straight out like he did, demanding.

“It’s…complicated.”

“Go on, try me.” he pressed.

“My aunt and uncle, the ones who raised me, are moving to Rasanac, Massadoe… which is on another continent.” I said.

“That doesn’t sound so complex,” he disagreed, but he was suddenly sympathetic. “When did that happened?”

“Summer.” my voice sounded sad, even to me.

“Why didn’t you stay with them?”

I couldn’t fathom his interest, but he continued to stare at me with penetrating eyes, as if my dull life’s story was somehow vitally important.

“I-it’s just that, I’ve been living under their roof for so long…” “and you wanted to be on your own. So, she sent you here.” he said it as an assumption, not a question.

“No, she didn’t. I sent myself.”

His eyebrows knit together. “I don’t understand.”

I sighed. Why was I explaining to him?

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “I wanted to be on my own, and that was the time I received a call from this university. She doesn’t want me to go for the first few days. But then, she had a sudden change of heart… It just turns out, this wasn’t what I expected.” My voice was glum by the time I finished.

“So now you’re unhappy?” he pointed out.

I leaned in closer, “And?” “That doesn’t seem fair.” He said flatly.

“Why does this matter to you?” I asked, irritated.

“That’s a very good question.” he muttered, so quietly that I wondered if he was talking to himself.

“Am I annoying you?” he asked, sounding amused.

I glanced at him without thinking, “Not exactly.”

The day went by with no classes. Luckily, Claire asked if I could go with her to the restroom. She took a double-take at Xin before giving me a very meaningful look.

Back at my apartment, I wrapped some potatoes in foil and stuck them in the oven to bake, covered a steak in marinade and left it on the table. I went upstairs, carrying my bag, and turned on the computer. For the first time, I checked my e-mail.

“Maia,” Aunt Tessie wrote.

“Write me as soon as you get in. Tell me how your flight is. Is it rainy? We miss you already. Last night, Hayley joined a cosplay event, she was beautiful. Hoping to hear from you soon. Aunt Tessie.”

I sighed and went to the next, it was sent seven hours after the first.

“Maia,” she wrote. “Why haven’t you e-mailed me yet? What are you waiting for? Aunt Tessie.”

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress The last was from this afternoon.

“Maia Cahill,” she wrote. “If I haven’t heard from you by 10 p.m. today, I’m calling the landlady.”

I checked at the clock, I still had an hour. I sighed an air of relief.

“Auntie,” I began.

“Calm down. Everything is great. Actually, I was waiting for something to write. No, it probably won’t start raining until a few months.

School isn’t bad, I made lots of friends easily. I miss you, too. I’ll write again soon, but I’m not going to check my e-mail every five minutes.

Relax, breathe. I love you.”

I looked outside my window to see a thick fog creeping along the ground and rain was drizzling. The environment suddenly felt creepy and cold. I could imagine one of the monsters from Silent Hill emerge from that dense fog. I slumped at my bed and dimmed my lamp. I felt excited to go to school, and that scared me. If I was being honest, I knew I was eager to get to school because I would see Xin Mason. And that was very, very stupid. I should be avoiding him after my brainless and embarrassing babbling earlier. I was still tongue-tied everytime I pictured his perfect face. I was well aware that my league and his leagues were spheres that didn’t touch, much like you can say that Winter and Spring can be together at the same time. So I shouldn’t be anxious at all to see tomorrow. After a few more minutes of thinking about Xin Mason, I finally fell asleep.

The next day at around past nine, a plump looking woman was sitting at the teacher’s desk with a blue mattress on her side. She welcomed us and gave a brief description of the subject.

"My name’s Mojica Park… I see Professor Adam hasn’t handed out your class schedules yet.” she continued when she saw our surprised faces.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “Now, Martial Arts may sound like a sweaty subject. But I assure you will enjoy it...as I did."

She turned on the projector and a blinding light flashed in front. “….hopefully.”

"Now let us get to the basics!" she added as she opened her PowerPoint presentation.

“Who can tell us about the history of Martial Arts?”

Her eyes swept thoroughly the room. It was totally silent save for the squawking of an unknown bird outside the window. Finally, a girl with a long wavy black hair and a tan skin shot her hand up.

“Ah, finally. Your name?” she said as she motioned for the student to stand up.

“Uhm… Mayrielle, professor.” she said with a tiny squeak.

Xin did not look like he is into it, too. He just looked at me and smiled. Something bronze in his neck caught my eye. It was his necklace.

Mayrielle continued to answer in the background and I managed to mute it all. I leaned in forward to Xin while looking cautiously at Professor Park.

"May I...s-see?" I said, looking at the peculiar piece of jewelry.

He handed it very carefully, like it was the most fragile thing in the world. Its pendant is like a "C" only with a line from the top to the bottom curve. I looked closer and gasped. Small shiny things, which I think would be diamonds, are trailing in its shape. Like stars twinkling in the deep night. If you would look from afar, you’d barely notice it.

He noticed my amazement.

"Beautiful isn't it?"

I felt the twinkling stone rubbed against my skin.

"It's a family heirloom." he continued.

22

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress "w-well... that explains it." I said shyly.

I could still hear Mojica's voice in the background. I looked around and I could have laughed so hard to see that almost half of the class is sleeping! Sam, whose head was resting on his hands, would occasionally fall an inch and wake up for a second. Claire was staring mindlessly in front, I wondered if she could sleep with her eyes open.

"Oh my...” I muttered.

Then I felt Xin shivered.

"What's wrong?” I asked.

"N-nothing... i-it’s just that...” he stammered and lowered his face.

I recalled everything I heard from the distance. Defense? Kick?

Agility? Annoying bird? Hunting?

"Hunting?"

Then he looked at me quickly, like I said some sort of…

"W-what's the matter with that?" "...nothing... n-never mind.” he said.

Professor Adam handed us our schedules at lunch time and assured us that classes will officially start tomorrow. (To which, Mayrielle looked disappointed.)

“Wait a minute. What kind of school is this anyway?!” I screamed at Claire and Xin as I laid my unbelieving eyes on our extraordinary class schedule for the nth time.

23

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress Minor Subjects Inventing 101

Romeo Amante

Break time

7:00am 9:00am

Martial Arts

Mojica Park

9:15am

Poisons & Antidotes

Brian Trent

11:00am

Lunch Time Soul of Art

12:45pm Sherry Gusto

2:00pm

Major Subjects Stealth

Linda Adam

3:00pm

Lockpicking

Linda Adam

4:00pm

Advanced Pyschology

Linda Adam

5:00pm

The Art of Codes

Linda Adam

6:00pm

World History

Linda Adam

7:00pm

End of class

8:30pm

“What’s with these? I mean, look! THOSE are the MINOR subjects?

And why is it like this with Linda? Is she the dean or something?”

I held the paper up high as Xin and Claire ignored me, again.

I could forgive Martial Arts, because physical education is always a part of any curriculum. But, Potions? Lockpicking? Cryptography? Are they actually training us to be thieves? If these are the major subjects, then this House may not be pretty at all. Why? Because subjects and professors differ depending on which house you belong to.

The day that classes officially starts, tension was in the air. Romeo Amante was wearing a yellow polo shirt with a black necktie and pants. He was a bald man with big-framed glasses and carries a mini-screwdriver in his pocket.

24

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress He did an attendance check then after, “Our first lesson for today, What is a machine? Anyone? Any answer might do.”

Mayrielle shot her hand up.

But then Professor Amante frowned, noticing a boy who has a brown hair and wearing a Peace sign on his neck. He was muttering endlessly with his seatmate, Sam. Professor Amante threw a piece of chalk right at them.

“Mr. Recella!” he shouted. “What is a machine?”

For a moment, I thought Rudy was going to break down. But then he said, “A machine is anything that reduces human effort and reduces time, sir.”

“The definition?” demanded Professor Amante.

Rudy looked surprised.

“B-but I just gave it to you sir.”

“I want the textbook definition!” said Amante whose face was now turning red.

“Isn’t it better that I gave you the simple definition?” muttered Rudy. Caris let out a gasp and quickly covered her mouth.

“Are you saying you know better than me? That, you are smarter than a book?!”

“N-no s-sir... I-I just...” he stammered.

“Get out.” Said Professor Amante coldly.

“Oh.” Rudy’s eyes widened.

“That’s a simple sentence Mr. Recella! Now, unless you don’t understand…” Rudy staggered through the doorway, his peace sign pendant dangling over. Everyone’s eyes followed him. He paused, then slowly said, “I forgot something, sir.”

25

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “What is it?” said Amante exasperatedly.

“A writing instrument which dispenses a viscous ink from an internal reservoir through the rolling action of a metal ball at its point and may be made of brass, steel, or tungsten carbide. Originally conceived and developed as a cleaner and reliable alternative to quill and fountain pens, they are now the dominant writing instrument. They have proven to be

a

versatile

art

medium

for

professional

artists

as

well

as

amateur doodlers.” Rudy answered so fast that Caris clutched her head while other suppressed their giggle.

Professor Amante stared, mouth agape, at Rudy.

When he didn’t reply for a few seconds, “A Ballpen, sir.” said Rudy simply.

There were howls of laughter within the room, even Xin laughed.

Sam was banging his fists on the table, Caris hid her face in her hands, while Mayrielle gave a disapproving look.

At recess, Sam and Rudy were laughing about what happened earlier. Meanwhile, Mayrielle disapproved on this by saying: “You could have gotten detention on your first day! Honestly, you might wanna tone down your wittiness!”

Next subject was Martial Arts. We were wearing athletic outfits. For fifteen minutes, we were taught the basic stuff as we sat down on the blue mattress. After, I was partnered with Sam, whom was evidently great at this subject. With his swift movements, I was on the floor in a second. He tried to coach me, and whispered endless tips and advices.

“Great job! Mr. Daquin!” said Professor Park as she passed by us.

“Mr. Recella!” she shouted as she saw Rudy talking his partner, Vikki, to do a double cartwheel. Meanwhile, Xin seemed to be just gliding

26

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress and slicing through the air with his partner, Caris, who seemed to be very anxious to what she should do.

At Potions subject, everyone was getting pretty excited to brew tinctures. Mayrielle was holding her copy of Potions in Glitch by Stoot Barfield and is endlessly murmuring some ingredients (To which Rudy and Sam found very funny, Mayrielle shot them a sharp look) Just then, a tall man wearing an emerald green fur coat, came inside the room.

“G-g-g-ood M-m-m-morning!” stuttered Professor Trent.

He called all the boys to help him get some of the laboratory equipment to be used. Fifteen minutes later, we were grouped into two. I was partnered with Claire. Then, Professor Trent each handed us a sinisterlooking orange plant.

“T-t-t-turn… y-y-your…” he cleared his throat. “books on p-p-page two.”

Claire and I opened our copies of Potions in Glitch by Stoot Barfield.

Actually, this is called a Gandlevery. The potion that we will be making today is known as “Essence of Gandlevery” which helps fasten up the four stages of the wound healing process and has been known as an antidote to the lethal “Baneberry Potion”.

A month passed, extraordinary classes are filling me up. Of all the subjects, it is Professor Adam’s History Subject I’ve always fallen asleep to. Good thing it’s the last subject of them all. And at the end of the day, my back would be called lucky if it can still bend over from Martial Arts.

Xin and I would sometimes hang out at the cafeteria and have baked macs.

The subjects, lockpicking, preparing potions and tinctures, and lastly, the teachers are an itch in the butt. I mean, you can't blame me; it is my first time in this kind of school. What's worse is that I remembered me and my

27

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress friends at St. Peter's swore that neither one of us will fall into this school.

Unfortunately, I broke that promise. But, right now, it doesn’t seem so bad.

"A-a-answer num-ber t-t-t-t-two...” someone tapped me from behind bringing me down here on earth. It's Mr. Trent, the stuttering potions teacher. I stood up and went straight to the board and answered the written question.

In the morning, I jumped out of my bed and something made me stop. It's been already weeks since I keep getting weird headaches. Or was it because I sleep too late at night? I grabbed the cereals from the top shelf and tossed the bowl at the table. It has been a week and there is something different in me. Or was it, something is different from Xin. Ouch.

The more I keep thinking about it, the more I get freaky ideas.

At class, I can't help but fall into a daze. Even at the other side of the room I can still see him. His small green eyes, pale skin, perfect jawline, the way he rhythmically walks, and his musical voice were etched into my mind.

“He’s gorgeous. “ I barely whispered. Then he looked at my direction, it is like... he heard me. Or is it my imagination?

He smiled.

28

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress ********************************************************** “You ruined our family’s reputation!”

Those words were carved so deep in my furied heart. Even now as I stare into the sky, those words still echo in my head. I looked around as I heard something rustled behind me.

Just some squirrels.

Somehow, I can feel the forest comforting me; singing me a lullaby with its birds, deer, and exotic creatures. I cupped the snow in my hand hoping to feel the coldness around me. Still, I felt nothing. Everything’s white, would it be right for it to be stained with the blood of the innocent?

I looked aside at the deer I just drank at. I have no intention of taking any life here on earth. It’s just that… human life is so precious to take away.

We looked down upon humans because of their fragileness, so weak, slow, and dumb. I wanted to change that. Why can’t my family see that? We’re not the gods of this world. We’re just v-….

Don’t say the word. Don’t. Say. It. I exhaled as I brushed my brown wavy hair. I looked at the moonlight and felt its radiance on me. Just then, a loud rustling came from behind. A tall man came out of the bushes and stared at me.

“Amelia, it’s time.” he said unwaveringly.

It’s been almost 30 years since that happened. What can I do? I don’t want any more bloodshed, but this thing… This can go on forever. It will never stop until the one eliminates the other. Even their descendants will fight against one another.

“A war is at hand.” I whispered. **********************************************************

29

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

Chapter 3: Myths and Legends

L

inda wanted us to clean the room, every Friday; apply floor wax, sweep the floor, empty the trash, clean the windows, and dust off the rags and ceiling. The other four houses,

probably, has their own janitors to clean their House.

"Can someone hand me the can of floor wax?" my voice echoed as a girl handed me what I wanted. “t-thanks." she smiled and handed her hand with stains of wax.

"Caris Gomez." she said as her blue eyes twinkled.

"M-Maia, you can call me Maia...”

"Have you read The Daily Bread?" she started and that kept me entertained for two hours.

She and her family seemed like church people. I can tell. As I was packing my stuff, I'm glad I made a new friend today.

"So, what is she like?” Xin asked. "w-well..." I am not very good at describing people. "...she is... super friendly." ugh. That sucks.

He smiled as he handed me the cup of coffee he bought.

"Thanks." I muttered.

As we were walking the hallway, I sensed that something is bothering him. I kept glancing on the evident expression of frustration on his face.

"Is something wr-oops!" I dropped the cup out of my hand.

When I looked up, Xin was already holding it. We both stared at each other.

30

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress "N-nice reflexes." I said, impressed.

He frowned and it sounded like I said something wrong.

After a few moments of silence, he began to speak.

"You see... I’ll tell you something.” he said as he clenched his fists.

We found a bench and decided to sit there. He stared down at the ground and stayed quiet for a while. It was like he was listening if someone was around that might eavesdrop.

I laid down the coffee by my side. And there, he continued, "Long ago, there were practitioners of a particular magic. This enabled them to hunt faster than any other predators on earth. They were very fast, strong and agile.”

He looked at me to see if I could still follow his story.

"One day, they encountered a creature. It looked like a human, so beautiful, that it lures its prey so easily, and they were not sure what it was." "..Like you?” I chuckled lowly.

For a second I thought he growled at me but he gave me a small smile. I felt myself tensed up at that short reaction.

"Beside this soulless man" he continued as he sipped his cup. "....was the wife of their Tribal Chief. They managed to kill the creature. But they soon found out that there were more of them out there.

They practiced more and more to prepare for any more encounter with these creatures. They almost thought they could bring them into extinction, but they were wrong. A great war started between the Hunters and the Vampires. Blood and decayed body filled the battlefield. Screams, agony, spears, and swords... like an apocalypse. Dead bodies of men and women were scattered everywhere.

31

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “The moon was blue, yet the ground was red. The clanking of swords, daggers, rain of arrows were everywhere. Hunters and Vampires jumping at an enormous heights, all actions are a blur for they were so fast; so fast that the average human eye could not see them. After a long battle, the two races were near to extinction.”

“They managed to hide from one another. Years and years they prepared for what seemed another fight. Soon, another one will begin.”

"Such a beautiful story if you ask me.” I responded too quickly.

I thought of nothing else. He looked at me like he didn’t get the effect he expected. We had reached outside the gates of the school and continued walking down the road where some students would occasionally glance at us. I continued staring at his vacant expression, "Oh c'mon Xin!” I erupted. “It's a legend! Give me a smile!"

He looked up and bit his lip and smiled.

That angel, that's gonna light up the whole world... my world, actually. I stared at him, the moon light mystically gave him a strange radiance. I hope this moment would never end: walking down the streets with him. Only him. The stars twinkled ever so brightly as my heart pounded, yet my body feels like I am lying in a bed of cotton. The running cars in the distance seemed like a whisper that I could ignore so easily.

“Je ne veux pas mourir toute seule”, he said as he held my hand.

I dropped on my bed and let the gravity pull me back down. I let out a very loud sigh. It feels like I've been standing the whole day. My whole body felt like a total giant rubber. I twisted and let out a moan. How much I wanna rest so badly. It has been a very long day. Still, I can't get the story out of my mind. I threw my phone on the far-away table.

Thud! Oops. Miss it.

32

Xin=Wrong Story

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress I opened my Facebook, just then Caris sent me a message an hour ago. I saw a gray dot next to her name indicating that she’s now offline.

Tomorrow’s the day! Don’t forget!

Huh? What exactly IS tomorrow? Is it her birthday? Surely, not mine’s. I paused for a while and found a box in the corner of my room.

“Oh crap!” I swiftly closed the laptop lid and called Linda.

“I’m so sorry!” was all I could say the next day when I forgot to make a diorama of the United Nations.

“Maia! Maia! Calm down!” Linda kept saying.

“Oh dear, dear.” whimpered Michaela.

“I mean, we’re the loser of all the losers and I can’t even lift our social status!” I sobbed as Claire handed me her towel.

“It’s like in that movie of Camilla Belle and Alexa Vega, t-the one where they lost their fortune…”

“From Prada to Nada?” answered Michaela as everyone nodded.

“No, no… the one where their father died and then they sold their Prada and stuff, then…”

“From Prada to Nada!” said Claire edgily.

“Why do you keep saying that? No! t-the one where t-they…”

Our banner was nothing compared to the banners of the other houses. Low-quality fabric, poor design, in a very small room. I think the janitor’s room is way bigger than the BPs. Professor Trent came walking nervously around and stopped in front of us.

“H-h-happy f-f-f-foundation d-d-day!” he stuttered and continued walking nervously.

August 16. An exposition was held in celebration of the school’s foundation day. Each house presented something of their talents.

33

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress The Kabras, for instance, displayed priceless jewels, ranging from 14 karats to a replica of the Jubilee Diamond. Though, I’m not even sure what talent would be associated with that.

The Gray wolves made me wanna steal their priceless paintings and sculptures. It’s like it was the art of Da Vinci, Mozart, Michelangelo, and Picasso combined. Their replicas of the world’s most treasured paintings earned lots of crowd.

Meanwhile, the Ladonians had different gadgets on their tables. Hitech phones, telescopes, microwaves, etc. But the one thing I can’t get out of my mind was the robot. It looked 98% percent human. So perfect, you wouldn’t notice you were talking and playing with a machine.

And lastly, the Umks had their medals pinned on their wall and trophies. They also opened up a free class for Martial Arts open for all year levels.

“What’s United Nations got to do with us, anyway?” I asked everybody as I stared at the different flags pinned up on our wall. I noticed Linda holding a big picture frame of Mother Theresa. Then I quickly looked at Claire. I paused for a while and tried to conceal my big laugh.

I watched the students passed by without taking a glance at our small presentation. That’s when I decided to go around the school one more time with Caris. We watched the Martial Arts tournament at the Umka House (Caris winced at every thud and bump) then we decided to take a peek at the school stadium. There were few booths inside, banderitas were hanging from pole to pole across the wide area, crests of the four houses were hanging limply on some posts, and there were joggers. Then someone familiar caught my eye, it was the pale girl with an eye patch on her left eye and, guess what, she’s wearing a red uniform. She was silently

34

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress leaning across the lamppost, watching everything in front of her, and then she began to notice me. I let out a gasp. I quickly turned and grabbed Caris away. We didn’t venture far away from our starting point so we headed back to the classroom, immediately.

I can’t help but think that there’s something oddly familiar about the girl. It’s like my eyes have seen her figure before, but I just can’t put my finger to it. I immediately turned my attention to Xin who is staring at something, leaning closer and closer at the edge of the table.

“Watchu starin’?”

I moved closer and focused my eyes on something etched on the table. It was a calligraphic S. I brushed off the remaining dust.

“Know what it means?” he asked.

“Probably a vandal.” I replied to brush off the topic.

Linda stepped in, “Maia, may we have a private talk?”

“S-sure. Wait here, Xin.” We went inside the room. She arranged two chairs so that it was facing each other. Her bag hit on the edge of the table and created a thump sound.

“Please, sit.” she said serenely.

“What is this about, Ma’am?”

She clasped her hands together and cleared her throat.

Oh gosh. I know I’m not good at potions. It’s not my fault I added Rookswort instead of Gandlevery, they look like the same! Nor in Martial Arts! I’m too weak for that kind of training. Actually, the only thing I’m good at was at the Professor’s Stealth subject. Everyone said I was natural in terms of “escaping”. I’m not pretty sure where I got that skill. There was one time when I was still a kid, my Uncle and I had a fight about

35

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress Hayley’s so-called “obsession” with Anime. He was yelling that it was a lame hobby and waste of money to spend with. I could see the passion in Hayley’s eyes, so I decided to make him “see”. And after that, they locked down the house and no one was allowed to get out. Still, I did managed though. I was so angry and frustrated about their narrow minds, why can’t they see that passion equals profession? If that’s what she wants, then they must help her pursue it. Even if it means she may not get a decent job, a wad of cash, a mansion, and a rich husband. The most important thing is, you’re happy and you never regretted it on your deathbed. When the house was silent, Hayley told me I shouldn’t have done that.

“With a little courage, you could turn your life around. That’s why decisions matter very much. Even the smallest ones has a humongous effect on the future.” I told her.

Then, I quickly remembered that I was sitting her in front of Professor Adam, in the middle of something.

“M-m-m-ma’am”, I began. “…i-if this about my school performance, please… i-it’s just t-that…” my words trailed off as I heard her chuckle.

“No, Maia.” then she opened her bag and brought an old big brown book with a calligraphic S on the cover.

It’s the symbol we saw earlier! She brushed the book and blew away all the remaining dust.

“Dear girl, I want you to have this.”

I stared at her in bewilderment but reached for the book, it smelled ancient and some pages were falling out of the spine.

“W-what’s this?”

“A Storybook, hope you’ll like it.”

“T-thanks…”

36

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress I noticed the pendant of the necklace entwined in the book.

“That’s your mother’s.” she whispered.

I stared at the very necklace that my mom used to wear; I’ll now wear it every day. I wondered when it was given to her, if she wears it every day, or if it’s just one of her jewelries that stayed inside the box.

“She was a brave woman. Very brave, indeed” she said, as she dreamily stared out the window. “We were good friends, your mother and I. Always craving for adventure. She never stayed in one place, that’s why she had a knack for getting into trouble.”

“Your father, however, was very formal. He was studious. He almost disliked anything that interfered with his studies. A poor family he has, you see.” She cleared her throat. “That’s why everyone got more than surprised when they got married. Oh, I’ll never forget the look on their parent’s faces.” She paused and took a deep breath.

“But in the end, it’s love that will prevail. Isn’t it, Maia?”

37

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress ********************************************************** “STAY HERE! STAY HERE!” Mama’s voice was much louder than the piercing screams outside the house. I regretted having the courage to look out the window and witness the scene outside; People running, fire, blood, and dagger and bows everywhere.

“Leonardo!” said Alfred, yanking me away from the window as I stared in horror. Something warm dropped on my arms. It was Alfred’s tears. It surprised me that my brother who’s always acting high and mighty would cry or rather, can even cry.

“We’ve gotta stay quiet! They can hear everything, even our heartbeats!” he whispered hoarsely.

Then something thudded against the door followed by a blood curdling scream. Without hesitation, I quickly made a run for it.

“LEONARDO!” Alfred’s scream became silent as I stared at my dying mother.

“L-le-nar-do” Blood filled her mouth as a figure beside her moved.

It was a human, a very pale one, with blood on its clothes and mouth.

“LEONARDO! GET AWAY FROM THERE!” As the creature showed its teeth and began to charge at me, I screamed in horror and closed my eyes for what seemed a morbid death.

Silence…

I opened my eyes carefully and saw Alfredo and the burning iceman. *********************************************************

38

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

Chapter 4: Cradle me

S

eptember came in as fast as the hawk’s eyes can see. By now, I have managed to cope up with the school’s rules and system and Adanac’s strange weather. There were days

where rain would drizzle the whole day but there never came a time when the sun shone full-out of the sky.

Xin’s dad is not my favorite, I just don’t really like people like him.

A man of riches walked towards the campus as a sea of crowd followed him around. The school was crowded with people and cameras clicked everywhere as the School Director, descendant of the school’s founder, arrived back from Europe. The professors already mentioned this yesterday and that they would be joining in the celebration, so we have all the day to ourselves. We were in the classroom, when we heard the sudden noise of people outside. Peeking out from the windows and the doorway, Michaela stated this mere fact. Well, the part that Xin is the School Director’s son, that I didn’t know. So, of course, my reaction was, “Say what?” I blurted as my pen dropped to what Michaela said.

“Woah wait.” I gasped for air. “Time out, sis.”

I continued and tried my best to carefully choose my words, “If that’s true, then why is Xin here and not with the Kabras?”

Long silence.

Michaela wasn’t much surprised by the question, it was like she thought about it a long time ago. Mayrielle, who was silently immersed in another book, rolled her eyes as if to say Isn’t it obvious? Or so it seemed in my imagination. Or was it because of the book she’s reading?

39

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “Good point.” Sam agreed.

I checked my watch and it’s already noon. Everybody went out immediately, Claire and Michaela had to conduct surveys around the school, and everybody else was at the cafeteria. Only I was left alone inside the room. The school’s so eerily silent after Xin’s dad left. I opened my bag as a neatly folded paper dropped on the floor. Looking around, I cautiously opened it. If it’s a love letter from Xin I’d totally treat them for dinner, but it wasn’t. It’s a strange note: ================ K YKNN VGNN AQW UQOGVJKPI ================= I quickly hid the note in my pocket as someone entered the door, it was Xin. I flashed him a smile and gave him a warm hug. His face looks pretty exhausted. He dropped his bag on the nearby chair and then heavily sat down on the floor. I noted how his eyebrows were knitted together.

“How was the interview earlier this morning?” I looked at his perfect face, from his untidy black-brown hair, his small eyes, down to his perfectly drawn lips. “You look… tired.”

“I know.” he exhaled.

“I want to tell you t-that…” he paused for a while.

“No matter what happens,” he held my hands, “I’m with you… even if it had to violate the rules of heaven and earth, and offend the will of God, himself”.

40

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “That’s deep.” I chuckled away his seriousness.

He sighed.

“So, where do you wanna go tomorrow?” I asked, quickly changing the topic. I don’t wanna linger anymore in his sad tones.

“What for?”

“It’s your birthday, remember?”

Well, it looked like he didn’t.

“Oh, yes.” He said, sounding amused. “How about you come over to my house? There’d be lots of food. You can invite Mayrielle and the others, you know.”

“I-I…” I stammered. “Would there be party guests?”

I’m never good hanging with people I don’t know. Thinking that I’m going to meet a wealthy family adds more to the weight. One time, my Aunt Tessie brought me to her friend’s party. Turns out, I was the only five-year old there. She left me in the living room to go get some food while party guests pinched my cheeks left and right, complimenting how “adorable” and “what fluffy cheeks” I have. I nearly cried, waiting for her to get back.

“No, none.”

The weight on my chest lifted. But suddenly, I was sympathetic.

Does he celebrate his birthdays alone? It’s hard to believe that for someone like Xin, but I guess that’s not impossible.

I imagined a pair of parents working all day at the office then continues it at home, just to earn money for the “sake” of their children.

And they can’t be bothered because they have to work very hard for living, that’s why they’ll have to leave their children to a nanny or someone else.

The child will grow fond of the “other parent”, and will get used to them

41

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress without their parents. Then, a day will come when the parents will seek time to their children. Unfortunately, they’ll only have some of their kids’ time, just like what they did to them. It’s just the same ol’ reaction until one destroys the chain.

A flame of anger suddenly flared within me. How could they do that? Didn’t they know that, what’s more important is their quality time for each other? That, too much of something isn’t good? Haven’t they realized that, they’ll lose half the time they could have given to them? The precious seconds you’d see your child’s smile radiating in their faces? The amazing minutes in which you’d ask how their day was?

One day, when they already have all the wealth they have ever wanted, do they still know the baby who they once cradled in their arms?

Does the baby know that it was them who cradled him, not the nanny?

The parents who have given them everything and yet, they barely know?

There’ll be spending lots of money to pay for the hospital bills and treatments because of all those years of hard work. And guess what? The children, now turned into adults, would also do the same things.

“You okay?”

I snapped back to reality as Xin’s voice penetrated my deepest thoughts. I sighed in disbelief that I just went into a daydream while standing in front of him.

“Ugh. God.” I shook my head. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

“It’s seemed like you snapped out back there.”

“I did.”

“Let’s go get some lunch. Maybe you’re just starving.”

“Y-yeah. Maybe i-it’s just…”

42

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress The school cafeteria kinda looks more like a fancy restaurant. I laugh at the idea that this is their idea of a “cafeteria”. Mahogany tables and chairs with cream-colored cushions, white tabletops laced with golden swirls and glass chandeliers that twinkled majestically. It is a restaurant.

I saw a group of my friends in a faraway table, I wanted to wave at them but I stopped my hand in mid-air seeing that they’re in a very deep conversation. We sat down at a long cushioned chair that is placed next to a wall with a very wide mirror. I laid my hand on the table while he opened up one of the menus.

“Pasta?” asked Xin, his eyes skimming through the menu. “I just noticed that it’s your favorite.”

“O-oh yeah.” I said while looking at my friends through the mirror.

I took the menu and took a quick glance at it and finally made up my mind and said that I want lasagna. He called the waiter and placed my order while he had the Crème Brulee.

I stared at Xin. He was silently humming while bobbing his head slowly. He really looks effin hot when he’s wearing those thin-framed glasses and that’s when I realized that they had no lenses. I took in the indescribable beauty of the man sitting in front of me. I can’t blame people when for their reactions when they see him talking to me. I mean, who could resist the man who could wake up your inner goddess with just a stare? Sometimes I think of myself as the girl under him, the one that can make him cry.

“Hey,” said a musical voice. “I might melt in here.”

I smiled.

We ate our lunch while talking about beagles. Yes, beagles. He said he had one when he was a kid and he called it Hershey.

43

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “Like the chocolate?” I said.

“Yeah. He would always follow me around.” He paused to take a sip at the cranberry juice. “He was like my little brother. Every morning, we’d jog together then he’d come with me to school and then back home. A smart dog, he is. I could tell him to go fetch me any food and then he’d go back to my room with Doritos on his mouth.”

“What happened to him?”

He turned his head down and answered in a serious tone.

“H-he died.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“He got hit by a stray arrow. Turns out that he was in the woods and… a-and there was a uhmm... a h-hunter nearby.”

Strangely, it feels like there’s more than that.

Before leaving, I checked myself out in the mirror next to me and found that my friends had already left. I saw a welcome banner hanging across the columns but the letters were mirrored. Xin’s dad must have made his way through here earlier.

Mirrored.

Suddenly it clicked to me. I just have to see the reflection.

Professor Adam continued her normal discussions with us after lunch. After classes, I clutched the paper on my right hand and kept reading it from top to bottom. Is this real? Or is someone just trying to do me in? Earlier, before the class at 4pm started, I quickly went to the restroom and took the note from my pocket. I held it in front of the mirror and from there I quickly deciphered the code.

“Hey Maia!” called Xin as he made sure his backpack was closed.

“Huh?”

44

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “You comin’?”

“Uhh... no... Actually... I-uhh. I’ll see you at the gates!”

He shrugged and walked with Sam and Rudy while frequently looking back. Then I ran away to the Canis Lupus House. I grabbed the map at my bag and looked at the far-east side.

The familiar hallway seemed creepy now that it’s dark. I could see the lights of the stadium outstanding in the distance. I passed by the Umka House and that’s when I arrived at the school’s open field. Even at night, it’s still cloudy. The trees were swaying back and the forth at the blow of the wind. There’s a Trolley station on the side of the Umka Building and another one on the stadium, which is directly in front of the Canis Lupus House. From this point, I could see the beautiful structure. It houses their faculty, students, and I’ve heard that they have their own cafeteria and museum in there.

I took a deep breath as I followed the stony path. Even though I’m, what you called, running, my feet barely made a sound. That’s what you call the Stealth Expert. I guess those trainings finally paid off, huh. There were only a handful of students that were roaming the campus. I could see that the stadium is very busy with joggers, mostly Umks. The guards were at their stations and occasionally, an empty trolley would pass me by, which is creepy because I imagine something that’s not there.

I stopped in front of the marble building and stared at its creamcolored fence that goes all the way around. The whole area seemed to be the downright essence of Art. Light posts were spaced evenly and even it seems

perfect.

The

windows

were

astonishing,

they

have

these

magnificent shapes that I can tell, has been carved carefully. Some paintings were hanging on the fence with lights shining at them. Then

45

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress there’s this square white marble fountain with flowers surrounding it. It’s like a mansion and a museum at the same time. Their main gate is open, I cautiously took a step inside until I’m a few yards away from the fountain.

My eye caught something etched on the very big door of their building; it’s a green crest with a silhouette of a wolf on it. Of all the crests here in the campus, the Black Panthers’ are still the most intriguing.

“Canis Lupus or the gray wolf.” said a female voice from somewhere.

I looked around and searched very carefully.

“It’s indeed the master of art, you see.” a voice came from behind.

I turned around and saw a woman; she had a black silky hair down to her soft cheeks and her pointy chin. She wore a green dress with gold ornaments decorating it from top to bottom and a black cloak covering her.

“Y-you’re the one who sent me this letter.” I said, showing her the note from inside my pocket.

“Yes, that’s true, you see.” she looked at the stars for a while, like creating another name for a new constellation.

She moved around and sat at the fountain.

“It’s indeed such a beautiful starry sky, you see. Magnifico!”

“W-what do you want me here for?” I said impatiently.

“I-I’m sorry. I haven’t properly introduced myself, you see.”

She cleared her throat and stretched her arms.

I gasped air for what’s going to happen next.

“I’m Alice Ocampo, member of the Order of Aidas.”

“W-who’s order?” I blurted out for she just said like a funny word.

46

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “It is a non-government spy organization. We don’t work for the government, instead we spy on… other stuff, you see.” she chuckled.

“H-hold on lady…” I backed away a bit. “I-I don’t know what kind of sick joke t-” I continued, slowly turning around.

“We need you.”

Her earnest gaze and the sincerity in her voice made me stop. I stared at her as she handed her hand. I cleared my throat, “What do you want me to do?”

The next day at Potions, Professor Trent was carrying a vial of reddish-brown liquid in a diamond-shaped bottle. He dramatically stared at us like he was holding some kind of a very valuable liquid.

“D-d-does anyone knows w-w-what,” he cleared his throat. “what this is?” he showed it around.

Mayrielle’s well-practiced hand shot high in the air. Sam kicked his elbow to Rudy who was mindlessly doodling.

“It’s a Laudanum, sir.” she said earnestly. “Also known as Tincture of Opium.”

“C-c-correct.”

“It is an alcoholic herbal preparation containing approximately ten percent powdered opium.” she continued.

Professor Trent almost cried in delight.

After an hour of how this substance was used in the medieval times, “I-I w-want you t-t-t-to write an essay ab-b-bout it.” He said. “T-tt-two p-pages back to b-back.”

At lunchtime, we all ate at the Cafeteria in celebration of Xin’s birthday. Although it was just baked mac and cheese, we were still happy.

We forced Claire by adding more and more mac and cheese onto her plate,

47

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress while sharing a private joke. Sam helped himself into cups of coke, which made his belly round (to which Patricia was comically poking at).

It was almost eight-thirty in the evening when Professor Adam said, “A Biography of Princess Diana to be passed on Monday!”

Everyone scurried to pack their stuff. Vikki erased the writings on the board; Claire and Claris swept the room; Sam and Patricia dusted off the doormat; Mayrielle and I wiped the windows; Rudy and Xin were chatting; while Michaela was busy, looking for her lost umbrella. (Which she later found mysteriously inside the small restroom). After fifteen minutes, we all went out of the room and Renevier locked the door and bid us goodnight.

At my apartment, there was a great battle inside my head. The guilt to steal something from Xin’s House and my doubt about the so-called, Order of Aidas pounded in my head. I paced back and forth at kitchen while frequently looking at the clock. In an hour, Xin’s driver would pick me up. I heaved in a deep sigh.

“I guess there’s no other way to find your true love.” I muttered as I held the can of tuna, San Marino Corned Tuna.

A few minutes later, “Hey Caris! I can use a help in here!” I called Caris as I searched through my bottomless wardrobe. I sat down at the side of the bed looking at the pile of clothes underneath my feet.

I called the first person I thought to my apartment, Caris, to help me because I was having a “wardrobe problem” and Xin was inviting me to his house.

“I can’t do this.” I exhaled.

48

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “Yes, you can! You just need make-up, that’s all.” she patted me from behind as she put the makeup kit on the floor.

“It is your first date, though.” she muttered.

“Well, it won’t be if some of you would just come with me!”

“J-just be yourself.” she smiled and held the mirror in front of my face. “You’re perfect.”

“Why can’t you just accept his invitation?” I asked her. Earlier, I texted them about Xin’s birthday. A few didn’t replied while most just said that they couldn’t.

Truthfully, it isn’t about being pretty I’m worried about. It’s about what happened the other night. The one with Ms. Alice, “It’s your relationship with Xin that will give us an advantage to accomplish our goal. Also, I believe it’s Xin’s birthday tomorrow?”

Of course. September thirteenth. How could I forget? It’s also a perfect time for me to gain access to his house, a perfect moment for me to steal something from him. Whoever Alice is, she’s certainly leading me into trouble. Her words echoed on my mind, the explanation and persuasion seemed perfect that I agreed to do this. It’s a good thing that every lesson I studied can be applied to what I’ll be doing. Is this why we’ve been training? Is this the reason for our unnatural subjects, to become thieves? I tried to find a more reasonable idea.

At about ten in the evening, a black sedan drove in front of my apartment. A man in a suit went outside the car and introduced himself as Xin’s driver, and he’s here to fetch me. I waved goodbye to Caris as we closed the door to my apartment and we separated ways. I entered the car and it smelled like fruits. We drove for half an hour until the scenery started to change; the buildings were now gone, only to be replaced by a

49

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress grassy plane and, faraway, was a very dark forest. Then, we arrived into a short bridge. I pressed my face on the window and looked at the water where some water lilies were floating on it. Finally, Xin’s house came into view. I gasped.

I’d replace my Ms. Jenny teddy bear for Xin’s House. It was a twostory structure with white pillars lined up outside. A very beautiful garden caught my heart as the flowers waved at me and I smiled back. Its masonry design is too much for this modern age. I stared at its “openness”, the full-sized glass windows covered most of the house making it easy for you to see the breath-taking interior design.

A pale man came out of the double doors, “Welcome.” said Xin as we walked down the stone decorated pathway with his hands around my back.

“Isn’t this place too…much?” I asked uncertainly.

At the living room, the maid served us a Blueberry-Pomegranate Juice then she retreated back to the corner. The room seemed to be twice the size of my whole apartment. There were velvet curtains that drapes on the white long windows; a fireplace on the other side of the room along with a rocking chair; large shelves of books were leaning against the wall; a stone structure of the Yin and Yang with two plants beside it; and the velvet plush sofa to which I’m sitting on.

“Mmm…” I sipped at the cup as its flavor cuddled my taste buds. “…tastes like heaven.”

I almost immediately forgot what I came here for, which made me feel bad for myself once again. I need to bring up a topic.

Treasures? Heirlooms?

50

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “So, uhmm… hunters.” I said, putting down the cup at the coffee table. I half-smiled immediately so as to not raise any suspicion.

“You caught that, huh.” he said with a grin on his face.

He stared at the antiques pinned up on the wall where Ancient Swords, Daggers, Bows, and Katanas were proudly showcased.

“As I told you, my ancestors were not plain humans. They had this ancient enemy t-that disturbed the… peace.”

“Which is?”

“I can’t think of a good word.” he answered swiftly.

“Oooh. Creepy.” I chuckled.

“What if to say, I am one?” I grinned at him.

He hesitated to answer as he adjusted his big-framed glasses.

“W-well, I-I…” “Master,” The maid called him. “there’s something you need to see upstairs, someone broke in, I think.”

“Stay here.”

They both went out of the room as I listened carefully for the sounds of their footsteps.

I swept my eyes around for any security guards, cameras, and worst of all… the maids. This is my chance. Something at the back of the room almost made me drop my purse. It was a fireplace made of white marble with a big mirror hanging above decorated with sparkles. I swiftly moved towards it.

C’mon, Miss Alice. Did you say any clue?

I ran my fingers on the edges of the mirror to feel if there’s any hidden switch. None. Sweat framed my face as I stared at something washed out at the middle of the white marble fireplace. There it was,

51

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress encircled in a bronze plate was a letter “A” and something around it was an outline, a rectangle outline. It’s like it’s been recently removed. Without further ado, I carefully pushed the crest. It clicked and a box carefully slid outside.

Checkmate.

Oh crap. They’d notice something’s missing right away if they see this large rectangular hole.

Fortunately, I can pull the box away from the marble lid. I quickly put the box in my bag and inserted the white marble lid back in the fireplace. Just in time as I was in my seat, everybody returned.

“I-I’m sorry Maia.” panted Xin. “B-but there might be a burglar lurking inside the house right now, it’s not safe.”

Sheesh. You’re facing it. I’m so sorry.

“My driver will escort you back to your house.” he continued.

He kissed me in the forehead as I gripped my bag tighter and looked at the fireplace one last time.

I laid down in my bed as I let gravity do its work around me. I threw away my cellphone and my purse at the farthest table I could see.

THUD! “Oh crap!” I shouted as I threw myself towards the fallen object.

I carefully lifted the box and I observed its wooden design with an oval jade in its lid with diamonds on the edge. On the bottom, there’s something carefully etched:

Life is eternal and Love is immortal I carefully lifted the lid as some dust poofed right at my face.

52

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress Inside were some cobwebs and a parchment. I carefully lifted the paper, hoping that it will not turn to dust.

The next day, at lunch, I decided to go to Ms. Ocampo’s Office. The Canis Lupus House is a bit far from the Admin Hall. When I arrived at the front doors, there were two guards who approached me nicely.

“What can I do for you, miss?” asked the guard who had an auburn hair and freckles on his face.

“I’m looking for Professor Ocampo.” I said, lifting my chin a little higher. “I-I’ve got something to deliver her.”

He half-smiled at me and led me to his desk where I have to write my name and signature. Then, he led me forward until we came to a very large hall. There was a grand staircase in the middle, fascinating chandeliers were hanging from the ceiling; and breath-taking sculptures and paintings were placed on the walls. Their House crest banner hangs from both sides of the balcony on the second floor; a silhouette of a wolf enclosed in a green shield. The green wolves were walking past us.

“This way please.” called the guard.

We took a left and then headed up the stairs. My eyes can’t help but feast on the wonderful scenery it has ever seen. The whole house seems so, majestic. We passed by the second floor cafeteria, and then a couple of offices. Finally, we arrived at the far end of the hall. I looked twice to see what was written on the door.

Alice Ocampo Arts & Music Supervisor I thanked the guard before I knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

53

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress I slowly pushed the door and looked at the room. Except for the greenish theme of the room, I was astounded by the gorgeous paintings that were hanging on the wall, and the finely-crafted sculptures.

“Y-you didn’t tell me, you work here” I said to her as she motioned me to sit down at the green plush sofa.

“How did you find me?” she asked.

“Well, I found your name on the School’s Organization Board. Then, I asked Professor Adam about how I can go to your office.”

“Hope it’s alright.” I lowered my face.

“Ah, no problems, you see.”

“Did you get anything?” she said calmly as she clasped her hands together. I handed her over the box as she smiled gleefully.

“I knew you could do it, you see”, she laid a hand on my shoulder.

For a few seconds she stared at me as if there was something on my forehead. I resisted the impulse to push her head away.

“You were just like her.” she said in a dreamy voice but then she snapped out of it.

“Oh! The box! Yes. Thank you again Maia!”

54

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

Chapter 5: Alastor Olympi

P

anther.”

“That’s her favorite animal?”

I heard Claire and Michaela talking about Linda’s favorite

animal as they had been guessing it for weeks.

“You know,” interjected Mayrielle. “Black Panthers are very stealthy.”

Meanwhile, I still feel guilty for stealing at Xin’s house. Why does Alice need that box? What is that for? And why does Xin have them hidden in a fireplace? There’s something going on here and someone doesn’t want to tell me. There’s something fishy about Xin and this House and well, everything!

“Y’all right?”

“Huh?” I turned around to see the pale boy who has small green eyes and an untidy hair. There was look of frustration on his eyes. My heart pounded faster. What if he knew? Would he still love me?

“You’re unusually quiet.” he said as he read my face.

I slapped down the schedule on the desk, “I-it’s just that, I’m exhausted with these subjects.”

“You just need a little air. Come.”

He handed his hand as we walked out of the room.

Everyone else in the campus can’t seem to notice our little classroom. It seems like it’s waste of time and energy to take note that

55

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress there’s still a fifth house here. The glamorous Ladonians were ever so walking gracefully and chatting, that they barely noticed us.

“Well, well, well.”

We both turned around to see where that voice came from: An olive-skinned boy wearing a red-satin uniform with two more boys behind him. He had a pointed nose and a neat hair and they were wearing expensive watches and black-leather shoes. Frankly, his appearance intimidates me. He had that smug look in his eyes and an aura that perfectly says, trouble.

Kabra. Or should I say, a Cobra.

“Look who’s decided to go around the campus.”

The boys sneered.

“I’m Ian. These are my friends, Ned and Hamilton. Well they’re not the only ones y’know. I still got loads of them at our dormitories. My family’s famous, see.”

I

was taken

aback

by his high

and

mighty introduction.

Nevertheless, I introduced nicely, “Nice meeting you.” I held out hand, but he just stared at it.

“Anyway, I’m Maia and this is Xin.” I continued, quickly retreating my hand.

“You’re Mike Mason’s son!” he bursted as if he didn’t heard my name. Xin replied with the smile while I tugged in closer to him.

Ian leaned a little closer, “Well, you should know who you’re hanging out with. Gold shouldn’t be mixed with bronze.” He held out a hand and waited for Xin. But Xin politely lowered Ian’s hand,

56

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “I think I can tell who are the rusty ones for myself, thanks.” said Xin, coldly.

“Oi! Don’t talk to us Kabras like that!” sneered Hamilton as he showed his beefy arms.

Then he slightly pushed me and I staggered a little.

“How dare you do that!”

Xin landed a punch on Hamilton’s face then on Ned’s gut and Ian suddenly stepped backwards feeling defenseless. His head looked back and forth as his two bodyguards were stunned.

“Stop!” I intervened but they didn’t heard me.

Hamilton kicked Xin hard in the knees and he knelt on the ground.

Xin grabbed for Ned’s foot and Ned fell on the ground. A lone man in the corner, his face obscured by the shadow, moved a bit.

“N-n-no! don’t do this!” I pleaded.

Xin’s face contorted into an unfamiliar one. His anger radiated from his body. As he was about to deliver a critical strike to Hamilton, “STOP!” I felt something let go of me that acted as a barrier and pushed the three of them away. I heard them thumped on the ground as I felt the elastic energy coiled back on me. They stared there as they lied on the ground, trying to figure out what just happened. After a few seconds, the Kabras stood up and ran away and Xin was on his feet again.

“Cahill!” a man wearing a red-satin polo shirt clothes limped toward us. His expression was unreadable, it was hard to make out if he was angry or not.

“Professor...” there was a plead in Xin’s voice.

57

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “Shush, Mason. I will not tolerate any rule breakers in this school.

Especially if it’s rats that’s causing all the trouble.” He murmured then gave me a stern look.

“We will see your Head of House in the hopes of… expelling you.”

He shoved me and I looked at Xin. He tried to follow but the man cut him off. The lone man in the corner walked away. We walked back to the B.P. house with a tight grip on my shoulder, as if he’s making sure I wouldn’t escape. Beside our house was a small office with a wooden door.

There sat a brusquely looking man with a piercing stare. Renevier, our house guard, looked at the man-in-red then at me as if trying to figure out something.

“We need to talk with the Head of House.” the man sneered.

Renevier hesitated then pushed the intercom button at this desk, “Madam, Professor Olympi wants to talk to you” “Let them in.” said the bird-like voice.

Linda’s office was full of mysterious objects: different maps, paintings of the presidents, silverwares were hanging on the wall.

Mysterious devices and contraptions were ticking on different parts of the room. The wooden floor creaked as I slowly walked in. She was standing and staring at a cabinet full of differently shaped bottles.

“Ah, it’s you Alastor.” she said with no sudden surprise in her voice at all.

“I have come to report you that this little troublemaker...” he said with a little growl in his voice.

“Bah! But it’s not really that important, is it Professor?” she said with a giggle as if she just heard a child complaining about a candy.

58

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “And she’s just so much like her.” she added in a low dreamy voice.

Olympi exhaled the little air he has left.

“There’s much more important news.” she continued after a full minute.

“News?” said Olympi with his lips barely moving.

“Yes. Professor Aidas is coming back.” she said gleefully.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Olympi’s hand twitched.

“Oh, is he now?” Olympi grinned.

Professor Linda moved in a little bit closer to him. She looked around the room and whispered something to Olympi. He had no reaction.

He just stared at the wall.

Back at my apartment, I prepared an instant ramen and brought it up to my room as I turned my bag upside-down. Large balls of crumpled paper, a pile of pencil dust, and some candy wrappers, fell out. I turned on my computer and decided to send an e-mail to auntie.

“Aunt Tessie,” I typed.

“How are things going there? I hope Hayley keeps winning on those cosplay competitions. My subjects are so exhausting, but I enjoy it. I’ve never seen any school like this, I now understand why all the smartest people seem to come from here. Anyway, the other day, my professor said she was my mom’s friend. She gave me mom’s necklace. Her name’s Linda Adam, is she familiar to you? Love, Maia.”

I clicked the send button.

The next day, Xin was not around. He said he has to take care of some

family

matters

outside

the

country

mentioning

his

cousin

Dementrina. Meanwhile, everyone kept asking me what happened yesterday in Professor Linda’s office. Claire began,

59

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “Of all the people...” “…and you just have to meet that dung Olympi!” interjected Vikki.

Last night, I still can’t forget Olympi’s sallow face, his shoulderlength black greasy hair and red-satin uniform, along with his black robes.

My body gave an involuntary shudder. Why is he like that to me? And that’s the first time I’ve met him!

“That limp, he’s always mean to everybody.” said Sam. “I’ve heard he’s called Limpy-Olympi by the students.” said Caris in a whisper as though Olympi might hear her.

“Yeah, ‘cause he’s got the metal leg of his y’know.” snorted Rudy.

“Don’t worry ‘bout him, Maia.” he assured.

“Yeah, and if he ever touched you again,” said Sam as he carefully backed away from the group. “tell it to Patricia!” “… her mole can handle him.” he finished.

Just then, a big book slapped on his head. Sam brushed his head as Patricia walked away giving high-five to Claire. We all laughed as he grinned sheepishly.

Suddenly, Michaela came rushing in the classroom, with her long hair almost covering her face.

“He’s back! He’s back!” she gasped for breath.

“Who?” all heads turned and asked the same question.

“P-professor Aidas!”

“Professor who?” said all of us in unison.

A loud exasperated sigh came from Mayrielle who was silently reading a book in the corner. We didn’t notice her there all along for we were too busy.

“Honestly, am I the only one who reads A.U., a History?”

60

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress She laid down a big maroon book in front of us and began reading a short article:

“Professor Apollo Belenus Aidas served for the Adanac University (which at that time was known as Eukraya College) for 60 years. He was wellknown for being the longest Head of the Ladon House, and contributing many of its ingenious devices. He also partnered with John Mark Ceanmor (the son of a long-time friend) to work with their infamous research on a potion, rumored to give the drinker superhuman strengths. On his retirement, he became the founder of the Black Panthers, the fifth house of the University.”

At the upper-tight corner was a picture of a pale old man with honey-gold twinkling eyes. Suddenly, he looked familiar.

Back at my apartment, I powered up the computer and clicked the blinking e-mail icon, it was from Aunt Tessie. It read, “My Dearest Maia,” she wrote.

“We’re all fine here. Hayley won at another few contests these past few weeks, your Uncle has been very proud. I hope you’re doing well at school. I know with all my heart that you’re safe and no harm can come to you. Yes, I do know Linda Adam. She’s your mother’s best friend back in the days. Stay safe! Love, Aunt Tessie.”

61

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress ********************************************************** I’m too late.

I walked around the burning village. The smell of burning bodies, woods, and many more filled the air. The splinters of wood cracked beneath my feet and the crackling of fire echoed through the dead air. I stared the numerous trails of blood leading to nowhere.

Swoosh!

I looked around at the gush of wind.

Someone’s still here.

I silently walked until I heard someone pleading.

“Please… no… please… spare me…” the sobbing voice was of a child’s.

I quickly glided through the air until I saw a wooden hut. Of all the houses, it was still standing. I quickly ran up inside where a child stood in the corner, he was backing away from the vicious creature in front of him.

“NO!” I screamed and the pale creature stared, then it smiled.

“Well, well… Amelia, my darling sister.” she said with a croon in her voice. She engaged into a defensive position and we circled around.

“How’s dinner, Evelyn?” I asked in a poisonous honey tone.

“Ah, glad you asked. I’m still not satisfied. Laurent keeps playing with my food. But you know how boys are.” She finished with a giggle.

The boy in the corner seemed to be more scared on how casual our conversation is.

“You can’t have him.” I snarled.

“But I found him first.”

“Then come… and get it!”

62

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress I sprang my legs towards Evelyn. Her nails slashed through my cheek. I punched her hard on the gut as she flew across the room. The boy suddenly escaped through the window.

“Hey wait!” I called him back.

Umph!

Evelyn managed to grab hold of my back. I found a long metal at my feet and tried to pick it up.

“I-I’m stronger than you!” Evelyn snarled.

She slowly turned my head to which I tried to resist with force. My hands quickly sliced through the wind. The pole hit her squarely in the chest. She staggered backwards and fell to the flames of the fire.

Sorry sister.

I quickly followed the trail of the boy’s scent. Then, I jumped upward the trees and started searching. There he was walking cautiously with a Machete on his hand. Silently, I jumped down so as not to scare him.

“Hey.” He jumped and the weapon slipped off his hands.

“No, no, no, I won’t hurt you.” I raised my hands in a surrender position. It took a few moments before he lowered down the machete and relaxed.

“My name’s Amelia” I held out my hand.

“L-Leonardo….” **********************************************************

63

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

Chapter 6: Aidas returns

O

h my gosh. I’m late. Late. Late. I quickly grabbed my bag and slammed the door of my apartment. I arrived at school 30 minutes late than usual. Unfortunately, I

walked so fast that I bumped to a gang of Umks. I staggered backward because of their large bodies.

“What the-” said the blond-haired man.

“Watch where you’re going or I’ll…” he was kicked in the foot by another guy. The blond one suddenly looked nervous and whispered, “She’s a panther.”

Then all of them suddenly walked away as if nothing happened.

That’s weird. Usually when you see Umks, the next thing you’ll be in is inside the trash can.

“Maia!” called a musical voice.

I turned and saw Xin. He was wearing a black shirt that reads: Between light and dark. His small green eyes were worried.

“What took you so long?”

“I-I can’t find my…”

I tried to think of something.

“My h-hairbrush.” I continued.

Though the part that they’ll ignore us is still there, people all around seemed tense and nervous. I was thinking of asking this to Xin, when we arrived just in time for Professor Amante to enter the room along with his toolbox.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress We proceeded to a normal lesson on how to build a wireless dog leash. Almost half the class can’t stop laughing about the idea when we first heard it. Vikki Turner almost fell down to the floor while Caris just kept giggling. At Martial Arts, I was partnered with Sam, whom Claire always thought of an atheist. Sam is a redhead and always wears rainbow socks, and he is very good at this subject. He kept saying sorry every time I fell down to the rubber mat.

“Keep that up Mr. Daquin!” shouted Professor Park as watched over Claire and Caris.

As we were waiting for our next subject, Potions, everyone keeps complaining of body pains. Caris was rubbing her thigh; Patricia was slumped in the corner, panting; and Claire was clutching her hips.

Fortunately for everyone, Michaela brought some ointment for the aches.

I dabbed a very large amount on my arms and legs. The soothing effect was instant.

“You did that on purpose! Gah! My back totally hurts.” Vikki exclaimed on Patricia Bischocho as she was helped to get back on her feet.

I looked at Xin who seemingly didn’t felt anything at all. He was calmly reading a book. His small green eyes was amplified by his cokeframed glasses. He closed down the book and it read: My Happy Ending

by Chris Ethgen. Just then, the door slammed and a man in a black robe walked past straight to the chalkboard.

Everything went eerie silent.

“Turn your books to page 917.” He said flatly.

“But sir…” said Mayrielle with her book widely opened.

“We weren’t supposed to study Winds until next week.” She continued.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress Olympi moved in a little closer, and I felt Xin shivered, “Well now Ms. Zachary, why don’t you find your petty Professor Trent who can’t always make up his mind?” Mayrielle just stared at him.

Olympi began to walk in front, “Being an insufferable know-it-all, why don’t you tell me something about the classical compass winds?” he smirked.

We proceeded to a class of analyzing the Wind, its type, and the gods associated with them in the past. After he left, some of us came rushing to Mayrielle.

“It’s ok, he’s just...” began Caris.

“He’s a dung. That’s what he is.” said Vicki.

Michaela patted Mayrielle on the back.

“I have to go to the restroom.” I said to Xin. I walked at the corridors. A group of Cobras passed by talking about their plans the next week. They just stared at me for a second and proceeded. As I was about to enter the girl’s bathroom, I heard someone from the boy’s restroom next door.

“I want to know the pass codes.” A snarling voice said.

“I-I-I-I d-don’t know w-w-what y-you’re –t-talkin’ a-b-b-out.” Said a whimpering voice.

“Oh, I know what you’ve been doing with its defenses, Trent” said Olympi.

Professor Trent gasped for breath.

“I always know everything” snapped Olympi.

I silently walked and hid inside the cubicle until I knew they were there no more. I released my hands from my mouth and heaved a deep

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress breath. What was that all about? Is he really that cruel that he’ll threaten poor Professor Trent?

At lunchtime, Xin and I ate at the shade of the largest tree of the campus. It had a very large trunk that almost reached the heavens and the branches were crooked in a very strange way. The school brochure said that the leaves dramatically changes color for every season. By now, it was turning golden brown as Fall approaches.

“The Mahesti.” I read what the sign said.

The tree has a fifteen feet wide trunk, and large roots sprout from the ground. Branches and leaves swayed at the whisper of the wind.

“So, how did it go?” I asked him as I laid down the paper plates.

“Hmmm?”

“I mean, the family matter.”

“T’was fine, really.”

The blue birds on the tree chirped as I watched them cautiously.

“Why? What’s wrong?” he said as he took a spoonful of rice.

“I-i-it’s just that… these birds. They might drop something.”

“Haha! They won’t.”

“How can you tell?” I asked in a doubtful tone.

“I read their minds.” he grinned sheepishly.

“Oh really? Now, you can read minds?” I said in a sarcastic tone.

He nodded.

“What am I thinking of?” I teased, moving in a little bit closer.

He stared at me, smiling. Those beautiful small green eyes almost took me in once again. He looked down and frowned.

“That’s the problem...”

I raised an eyebrow.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “I can’t read your mind.”

“Now that’s plain mean!”

“Haha! It’s not like that. It’s just…” He looked at me once again, and those small eyes almost became like slits. “…y-you’re hard to read.”

I pushed the topic aside and told him about what I heard earlier.

“I think you shouldn’t get meddled with that.” he said as he took a spoonful of creamy soup.

He looked so cute. I winced as he caressed my cheeks.

“Don’t meddle with it. It’s theirs.” he concluded.

After lunch, we proceeded back to our room. Renevier, the house guard, greeted us. Then we had our Arts lesson with Professor Gusto about shadings and lightings and how they affect our moods.

After the class, Professor Linda walked inside the room with excitement. Everyone hushed down. She was one of those teachers who could keep a class silent without effort.

“I am very pleased to inform you that…” she said gleefully.

“As you may have heard, Professor Apollo Belenus Aidas is back in our school.” She clasped her hand into her mouth as someone came in from the door.

A thin but tall man with a short snow-white hair and beard stood on the doorway. He was wearing a long white robe with differently colored animals printed on the random areas. His gold twinkling eyes swept the room as he adjusted his small round glasses. Some of the students gasped.

I saw Mayrielle whispered to Vikki, probably something from A.U., A history again. Xin dropped his pen and picked it up gracefully.

“Let’s give a warm applause for Professor Aidas!”

Everyone in the room applauded cheerfully.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “I am delighted to be back to this school.” his voice boomed in the room.

“Oh, how I missed walking around the corridors, sitting in the Mahesti Tree, building mysterious devices and contraptions, and most of all, to see the students.” he smiled.

“I am very sorry for the delay in my return, there has been a quite few…problems. Nevertheless, I am delighted to inform you that from now on, I return to be your Head of House. I hope you’ll always remember my name in times of great distress. Three times would be enough. I will be in your service and you will be under my protection.”

Everybody applauded once more.

Days passed and everything was going hectic as the school year is about to end. Inventing devices became harder, Martial Arts became more exhausting, potions became more complex, art class even added up to the pressure. And finally, classes with Professor Adam became more serious, especially in Psychology.

69

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress ********************************************************** Snow started falling from the deep blue sky. It’s been weeks since the tragedy. I stared at the girl walking beside me. She was pale, a monster, deadly. And yet, she’s beautiful, kind, and most of all, she valued life. I don’t know if I could really trust her after what her family did. She explained it to me last week, about her family and that she’s different.

“How long do we have to keep walking?” I asked with a quaver in my voice. My lips are numb and my I forced my teeth to stop chattering.

I looked at her, she was walking gracefully, like she was floating in the wind. Her stride seemed to go in rhythm, like she was one with nature.

“Just a further more. We have to keep away from the main roads used by the travelers so my family won’t find us.” She said in an almostmusical voice.

We pushed past through the thick trees. Owls hooted and small creatures can be heard crawling on the leaves. Wind blew hard and snow rushed past through us. I gripped hard at my fur coat my mother made me. It was a very special coat, that’s what she said. I never figured out from what animal it came from. Amelia, if that’s what really her name is, didn’t seemed to be bothered by the coldness of the environment. The thought gave me goose bumps. After a few more minutes, we arrived at a mountain. There on its side opened a cave.

“We can stay here for the night.” I told her as I sat down.

I looked around at the small cave. It seems pretty safe, although of course, it’s cold. Fire. We need fire. As I was about to say it, something wooshed and a pile of logs dropped on the stone floor. She smiled at me.

“You set the fire.” She smiled and looked nervously at the wood.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress After a few minutes, I managed to make a fire while she motionlessly stood faraway. I felt the warmth and life breathed through me once again. She sat down a couple of feet away from the fire.

“I never wanted to be like them.” she said in a sad tone.

“B-but… you’re not.”

She stared at the fire. It weirdly felt that tears should be in her eyes, but there wasn’t.

“We’re murderers!” She punched at the floor and bits of rock scattered around.

“No, no you’re not.” I patted her at the back. She stared at me. Her gold eyes shimmered like the stars outside the cave. I felt the sadness emanating from her. I also feel the same way.

“We’re going to change that.” I smiled at her and she smiled back. **********************************************************

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

Chapter 7: A thief in the midst

“A

ll you need to do is convert these elements,” Professor Adam said as she pointed the encrypted message on the board:

Mg-Fl-Si-Be-H “…into their atomic numbers and from there to the letter equivalent.” she finished.

Xin was on the other side of the room, head on his desk. I was sitting beside redhead Sam. He was facing down playing games on his phone. I nudged him a little so he could pay more attention, but he ignored it. Patricia and Vikki, who were both sitting next to each other, were doodling something on their notebook.

“So this Mg would be L…” Linda said as she wrote.

Everyone was on the verge of dozing off. Sam was leaning his head on Rudy, slipping in and out of consciousness. Caris kept closing her eyes frequently for a minute or two. While Michaela and Mayrielle was still listening intently when suddenly, the door opened and Renevier came in panting for breath.

“P-p-rofessor…” he said unable to gasp for breath, Linda laid down her chalk and had a worried look on her face.

“Trent…k-kidnapped…”

With this, screams and gasps flooded the room.

“Silence!” Linda bellowed.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress Renevier sat down at the empty chair near the door while Mayrielle gave him a bottle of water.

“Class Dismissed. I want all of you out of the school in 15 minutes.” she picked up her papers and chalk box and headed straight outside.

“Poor professor.” Caris sympathized.

“You mean, p-p-poor p-p-professor.” said Rudy, in an imitation of Professor Trent. Mayrielle shot him a sharp look.

“What do you think happened to him?” asked Michaela.

Xin came rushing to me as he packed his bag. He looks like he is in his utmost hurry. The backpack kept dangling from one side of his shoulder.

“What would someone want from him?” I asked him.

He replied with a shrug. His serious face focused onto mine’s as his phone rang, pulling it out, he stared at the screen for a few moments.

“One moment, Hello?”

I looked back at Renevier who was talking to Mayrielle. She looks like she’s gathering every information she can get. They were talking in very hushed voices, their lips were moving very fast. Then he announced, “4 Minutes left! Everybody out of the room now!” He locked the room and guided us through the school gates.

Students from everywhere were rushing outside. All wearing red, yellow, green, and blue. Numerous professors were also guiding their houses. There were chit-chattering all over, all concerned on Professor Trent.

“But I know, each Professor has set up some protection to guard what’s in there. That’s what rumors say.” I heard Ian as he went by with Ned and Hamilton. Good thing they didn’t see us amongst the crowd.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress Xin drove me home and I bid him goodnight. I laid in bed and tried to ignore the conversation that have led to these events.

“I want to know the pass codes.”

“I-I-I-I d-don’t know w-w-what y-you’re –t-talkin’ a-b-b-out.”

I know something.

I know somehow Olympi’s connected somewhere here.

These thoughts circled back and forth through my mind as I stared at my bedroom ceiling. I must do something. But I can’t do it alone. I need someone who can come with me without asking lots of questions. Someone who’s got the brains for solving.

I called the first people I could think of. A few minutes later, my doorbell rang. There, stood in my doorway, was a girl with a long wavy black hair and a tan skin along with a girl with twinkling blue eyes and a ponytail hair.

“Thanks for coming.” I invited them inside as they looked around my small apartment.

“Nice place.” said Caris as she touched the flower vase.

“You can’t blame a teacher, Maia.” Mayrielle began as she carefully dropped her backpack down to the floor.

“But I told you, I heard him squeezing something out of Professor Trent.” my voice was so high-pitched by the time I finished.

She rolled her eyes in exasperation.

“Olympi

said

something

about

Trent

knowing

the

defenses.” I continued.

For a few minutes, Mayrielle stared darkly at the floor.

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House’s

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “Aha! Don’t you get it May? Olympi wanted to steal something in Trent’s House! And… Trent only knew the doors that guards that something.” said Caris, excitedly.

May drummed her fingers on the floor, still analyzing everything.

Finally she said, “I can’t say that everything doesn’t fit correctly.”

“What do you want us to do?” she finished.

I looked at them for half a minute.

“I say, we go to his dorm…tonight.”

The campus looked eerily silent and creepy. There were three guards guarding the main gates. Caris whimpered.

“We wouldn’t want to be spotted.” May whispered.

I followed the direction of her stare and saw a hidden camera on top of the post. We were hiding a couple of feet away from the main entrance, leaning against the fence to avoid being spotted. Then she used her binoculars then announced, “It’s clear. We can jump in.”

We climbed over a large tree and that’s when I noticed that a few of its branches reach out to the other side. Reaching inside, we leaned so hard on the wall.

“There’s another set of cameras a few yards away.” she said.

“Don’t tell me you’ve memorized them too.” whispered Caris.

May looked like she was about to say yes but decided against it.

Just then, a sound of hooves echoed. She pointed her flashlight in front of us.

“It’s a horse ranch.” I said while the horses whinnied in agreement.

A few yards away, directly from the stables, is a building with a tinge of yellow. Reading my mind, Mayrielle said,

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “We can’t risk it. I’m sure they have lots of cameras on their lot.

Ones that we will surely trip” she paused. “There’s also a guard station near us. We have to go around the forest.”

“T-the forest?” said Caris as she held on to me.

We walked around silently as the wind blew and the leaves rustled.

The clouds covered the full moon and it momentarily became darker, Caris gripped tighter on my shoulder. Once or twice a twig below us would snap and she would yelp. Mayrielle was leading in front and I’m doing my best to keep my eyes open and follow her. Meanwhile, I realized that Caris has her eyes close. So that’s why she’s holding so tight. After a few minutes of skulking in the darkness, the rippling reflection of the lake welcomed us. I gasp at the scenery. Maybe one night, Xin and I could spend some time here together. Enjoy the cool breeze, stare at the ripples, and count as many stars as we can. Suddenly, Mayrielle halted in front of me.

In the distance, a bright light shone a few feet away. We have reached the very edge of the forest. The nearest guard station was to our left, in front of the Ladon House. Surely they might not see us clearly enough, if we just hurry. Passing by the boat house, we silently ran forward and climbed over the low fence. We fell hard on the bushes with a few oomphs! and rustling sounds. I found it funny and let out a short burst of laugh. May put her finger on her lips.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

We carefully evaded the laser beams, and after a few minutes (that seemed eternity) we made it through and now we stood in front of the large gold-brass door. I looked at the door handle and there was a head of a snake engraved in it. It seems like this is their logo. With so many windows on the building we found Professor Trent’s room without effort.

“There! The one with broken window and yellow tape.” whispered Caris as she pointed at the broken window on the second floor.

I turned the door handle.

“Locked.”

“Seems like we’ve got to do this…” said Mayrielle as she brought out a long rope with a big hook on the end. “…the hard way.” She finished with an eyebrow raised.

“Where does she get these things?” I whispered to Caris.

“Quickly now!” said Mayrielle harshly.

On the third throw, I finally managed to secure the hook properly.

They both went first. When I finally entered the window, my mouth went agape.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress Shattered glass on the floor. Papers flying everywhere. Desks and Tables were turned upside down. TV was also smashed.

“Who could have done this?” Caris said as she shivered.

We walked around looking for something that might give us a clue.

I looked at the bookshelf, only one book was left untouched. I picked up some papers and saw some weird symbols. I can only recognize a few words like: Amber, Salt, and Mint. Glass crunched under my feet as I walked around the room. I looked at the knob of the main door entrance, it was locked from here. Caris toppled down on a hidden chair. I quickly helped her to get up.

“Hey! I found something!” May exclaimed in barely a whisper.

She pointed out something on the wall which I could not see. I backed a little and there it was. Like someone professionally engraved it there. Like someone who thought that no one would be able to see it, unless someone like May. There on the wall, was a camouflaged carving on a wallpaper of abstract shapes and random colors. It blended so perfectly. So amazingly.

p79 I quickly understood what it meant. I rushed to the bookshelf and carefully opened the book to page 79, a paper fell to the floor to which Caris picked up.

“Four united to one great weapon” And there at the bottom of the page was a scribble:

Fountain

We stared at one another as we reached another conclusion.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress Back down at the fountain, we examined it carefully. It was so majestic.

So royal. The four layers of stone plates to which the water was flowing through was carefully carved. The whole fountain was seven feet in diameter. The lasers were now almost hidden because the gas is quickly dissipating. We carefully arranged ourselves near the fountain to avoid tripping the alarm.

After a few minutes, we still made no progress. May kept circling the fountain while Caris played with the water. I sat down at the very edge of the fountain in exhaustion. We’re getting nowhere.

“There’s got to be something here.” May murmured.

I stared at the twinkling stars and the radiant moon. Clouds crept slowly across the navy-blue sky. I brushed my hands against the base of the fountain. Suddenly, I touched something.

I felt my hand across something carved on the fountain edge. I crouched down and saw a carving of a snake in a crest. Mayrielle and Caris noticed, so they looked a little bit closer. In the middle was a small keyhole.

Caris gasped. She did reckless search for something on her bag. After a few seconds, she opened her hands and revealed a key. A metallic maroon key with a very large handle. It seemed crafted in very low quality, like it was a copy of the original. I observed the intricate details embossed on it.

There were tiny dials and gears that formed a gibberish word.

There was snake logo embedded on it.

“How did you get this?” May and I asked at the same time.

Caris looked satisfied.

“I-I was in Professor Aidas’ office the other day.” She said nervously. “Says he wants to give me a book. He went for the book at another room and something dropped on my foot. I held the key and

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress thought of bringing it back. But my instincts told me I can keep it. Just then, he went back with a book and a satisfied smile.”

She paused and looked like wanted to say more but instead went straight to the keyhole and inserted the key. A low rumble sounded and the fountain stopped jetting water. It split apart in the middle and revealed a small staircase downwards.

“You go first.” May and I said at the same time to Caris.

She nervously held the railings and went down the long flight of spiral stairs. At the bottom was a small hallway with a metal shutter and a device on a pedestal beside it. There were metallic walls and white tiles.

There was a sound of faint rumbling sound of machinery reverberating on the room. White sconce lamps ran across the walls of the room. May rushed to tap the device. There was a soft beep. A laser keyboard slid from a hole on the wall and a gibberish text appeared on the small screen:

“Say what?” I blurted.

I stared at the keypad and saw a few dirty fingerprints.

“Someone’s already been here.” Said May. “It’s Olympi. He’s managed to get the answers.” I assured them.

May’s sweat was framing her face as she drummed her fingers on the pedestal. Caris hesitantly bent down then back up again.

“Might as well try…” Caris finally said. She typed in something.

There was a soft beep and the shutter smoothly opened upwards.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress We stared at her in shock. How could she know the answer?

As an explanation, she showed us a small piece of paper clutched in her hands. Did Professor Aidas gave her the answer as well?

“I found this on the floor, just here.”

Mayrielle took the paper and unfolded it, it read:

ANEMOI “Somebody really wanted us to follow him.” Mayrielle said sullenly.

We all sighed with fear as we took another step further. There was the same hallway and the shutter and keypad. This time, the question was: “For years, you blossomed inside my walls.

You grew, you learned, you left.

And still, here I am teaching generation after generation.

I was once called…”

Caris slumped onto the corner. While May pushed me aside and excitedly typed: E U K R A Y A “I read it in A.U., a History” she said proudly.

There was a soft beep and the shutter opened. We then proceeded to the last door.

“I bet Professor Olympi might be on the other side of the door.” I stared at them. “I want you to get help. Go fetch Professor Aidas. I’ll be fine here.”

They both nodded.

“Wait,” said Mayrielle. “Take this.”

She took out a small bottle in her pocket, it was strangely glowing in a seemingly bluish-violet color. She pushed the metallic button at the top and the liquid sprayed down on me.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “Woah, woah, woah.” I said, trying to evade the splatter. I waved my hands back and forth but she kept spraying it in every way possible until it was empty.

“What was that?”

“Protection.” she said simply. “Good luck, Maia.”

They hurried back the way we came from. As I tapped the numeric keypad, I heard their footsteps fade away and the small screen beeped.

“Shit. Why did I send those two away?” A part of me laughed for my foolishness. I typed in random numbers for ten whole minutes. I slumped at the corner for a few minutes then went back to the keypad. I tried hitting the shutter, yelling at the keypad. Few more minutes passed and I wanna cry.

“Gaaaaaaaaaah!”

I hope you’ll always remember my name in times of great distress Suddenly, a light turned on in my mind. I hurriedly entered the answer and the door opened.

Madrigals

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress

Chapter 8: Warmth and Rain are

T

he next room was dimly lit blue. It was larger than the previous rooms. There were blue sconce light on the walls.

There were two air conditioners and a vent running across

the ceiling. It wasn’t Olympi that stood in the middle of the room, it was Professor Trent. He was murmuring endlessly. He was not wearing his usual clothes. Instead, he wore a green robe with a cloak on his head. I pushed the foolish thought of a costume party away. There was something different in his entirety. First off, his posture was unnatural; it was so strange that he could keep his body in such a straight figure. Second, his skin complexion was strangely pale. And lastly, when he spoke, instead of the usual stuttering, he spoke with no problem. He was facing a long tube on a spotlight, it extended from the ceiling to the floor.

“Ah, what a brave girl you are, Ms. Cahill!” he then turned around to reveal an unfamiliar serious face.

“B-b-but Olympi…”

“Ah yes, yes. Everyone hates him, I know that. So who would suspect p-p-p-poor p-p-professor T-t-rent?” He gave a nasty laugh that eerily echoed at the room.

In a fraction of a second, he was a few feet from me. I staggered in shocked. I noticed his eyes were eclectic green.

“Tsk tsk tsk. I’ve been trying out how to open this device.” He shoved me to the middle of the room. There, sat on a pedestal, was a glowing red mixture sealed by a long tube that extended from the ceiling to the floor. Beside it was another thin pedestal only with a small hole on

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress it. Something on which a very small object would fit to. It looked like a crest… a pendant.

I gasped to what I realized. I instinctively reached for my pendant.

“You’re so pathetic, Cahill” he circled around me. His movements were so familiarly smooth and graceful.

“You were just so like her.” he stopped at my back.

I felt rigid.

“She died of foolishness…and so you WILL BE!” with these last words, I felt a pain across my cheek. Blood trickled down on my face.

“I heard Olympi getting the pass codes from you!” I screamed at him as he landed a kick in the gut. Blood poured from my mouth.

“He wants to know how much of the defenses I got passed through.” He grabbed from my shirt and held me in the air. “He was ordered by that foolish old crackpot, Aidas!”

“You shouldn’t have meddled with this Cahill! And now you know too much, you shall not get out of this room alive!” He threw at the back of the room. I felt intense pain on my right leg. It was so painful that I screamed all the curses I knew. I looked down at my jeans and saw a white figure sticking out. Endless colorful dots danced before my eyes, but something very valuable remained clear.

Then, something unexpected happened, from a face of murder it turned into a sorrowful and shocked one. It brought my guard down.

“I-I-I’m sorry. Forgive me!” He whimpered.

I stared in shock while tears continued to flow through my face.

“After all she’s done! No!” he said to himself.

Then something glimmered in the distance. The necklace was glinting a few feet away from me. It caught Trent’s eye and I saw how fast

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress he built the logic. I crawled as fast as I can. We both held the necklace.

My bloody hands were too slippery that I touched his skin. It was colder than death.

“Aaaaaaah!”

I tried to open my eyes and saw a lone shadow standing behind the screaming professor. My vision got hazy and all I could make out was Professor Trent standing up within a second and facing someone. The shadow moved fast as Trent attempted to grab its neck. Suddenly, my

are behind everything.

vision got darker and darker until my eyes were forced to close. I could feel the wind of Trent’s movements and the grunts of the shadow as it tried to evade Trent’s attacks.

A very loud scream pierced through the metal reverberating chamber. I willed my eyes to open and all I could make out was a lone figure kneeling and then crushing down to the floor. A gold bracelet rolled down on the floor and I helplessly picked it up. A few seconds later, it became quiet. Smoke was emanating from a blackened spot in the room.

Professor Brian Trent was no more.

I opened my eyes and everything was hazy. I looked around at the lined-up beds beside me. The School Clinic.

“I see you’re awake, Maia.” said a calm voice.

An old man with short white hair and beard wearing round glasses, slowly approached. He was wearing a black formal suit.

“B-but Professor Trent…” I said as I scattered the bed sheets away.

He held up a hand and I spoke no more.

“What happened down there was strictly confidential except for a few people, Maia.” He clasped his hands. “So naturally, the whole school knows.”

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They lay out the path

The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “Ms. Zachary and Ms. Gomez fortunately found Professor Olympi

near the Kabra Land. He alerted me right away and I came rushing down to school.”

“And as for the potion, it has been destroyed and disposed of.”

I gently focused my eyes to the room, and sat up straight carefully.

“How long have I been here?”

“Two days. The whole House has been worried about you.”

“Professor, when I’ve touched Trent…” he gently laid his eyes on me once again and smiled. “…h-he kind of…b-burned.” I finished.

“It was a clever idea of your friend.” He said, amused. “But, forgive me, I cannot tell you about it.”

He frowned for a fraction of second.

“You see Maia, you are not simple as you seem.”

He sat down at the foot of the bed.

“They say, that when someone dies to protect you, it lives on to the very end…” he stared at the window and had a dreamy look. It took me a few seconds to analyze what he said.

“It’s called Love, Maia.” he said as-a-matter-of-factly.

I stared at his gold-honey eyes. There was something familiar about them. He turned back and looked down the window. I had always felt that I should ask him this question: “Professor…” his curious eyes returned on me.

“When we were down there, Professor Trent said that I was just like her.”

“Ah, I thought you’d never ask that.” he satisfyingly smiled.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “You see, you were so much like your mother. So brave, so curious, always wanted to travel around. Never stayed in one place, no.”

“So, you knew them? My parents?” I asked in the hopes that I wasn’t pushing too far.

“Oh yes. I did.” It looked like he wanted to say more but he brushed it off.

“Professor, there are some things I’d like to know. The truth… aabout pretty much… everything” “The truth.” Aidas sighed. “It is a combination of Warmth and Rain.

Or perhaps, a mixture of light and darkness. Forgive me, Maia. But, I want to answer the thoughts drowning your head. But for now, I have a very good reason to uhmm… lie.”

“You should take a rest.” he said as he went for the door and gently closed it.

I stared at the window. Birds were flying and the sun was setting.

The next day, I received gifts and chocolates from my classmates.

Xin even bought cakes and flowers. Well, most of all, I love the flowers.

When Xin and I were alone together he asked me to tell him what happened down there. I told him the whole story. “…and that’s when I woke up and Professor Aidas was sitting right there.” He smiled and he kissed my forehead.

“I’m just glad you’re safe. If you would have died down there, I don’t know what I’d do.” he said as he put a big bar of chocolate on my mouth.

At the last school day, we arranged the chairs, swept the floor, removed the curtains, and everything we can do to keep our room clean once again.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “Hey guys!” said Michaela “I heard that we’re required to take dormitories next school year.”

Xin handed me the can of floorwax.

“It’s that old vacant building not far away from here. And that’s gonna be our new house, by the way.” She continued.

“Well, at least we’re improving!” said Claire.

I looked around at all of them. Happy as they were, they never knew what I found at Xin’s house. The one Professor Alice Ocampo ordered me to steal.

“The 300 years of bloodshed will soon end.

A God, born from everlasting love, Born from those who thrice escaped the cold grasp of the winter.

He shall bring fire to the winter, shall fulfill the duty given to him.

And will deliver a weapon that will eliminate a race.”

After the tedious clean up, Xin and I decided to spend our last day together at the Mahesti Tree, where we both laid down as we watched the sunset.

“I feel sorry for Professor Trent. I knew him as a gentle guy. But the one I saw down there…” I shivered. “…was totally different. It’s like he’s got two sides.”

“He’s like warmth and rain together.” added Xin as his small eyes focused onto mine’s.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress I drew my face closer to his. I felt his breath to my lips. And then we kissed. I stared at him in his eyes. If only he could know what I was thinking at this moment. If only he could read my mind and see how much I love him. How much I’ll give up for him, how much I’d sacrifice for him.

“Je ne veux pas mourir toute seule.” he murmured.

December came and Adanac was chillier that ever. The rain rarely came by now that in a few weeks it would turn to snow. We had a fun chat as to what were gonna do on Christmas.

On the final day, major and minor examinations were held. There was hardly a student outside the wandering the campus. Professor Amante’s exam mainly consists of Logic Gates, common tools, and an essay about the wireless dog leash. Mayrielle’s pen was scratching angrily against the paper. Professor Park asked us to write down the basic strikes and grappling, to which I almost forgot everything. Sam was grinning as he looked dreamily at his paper. At Potions, Professor Trent managed to make an exam paper beforehand and was given by Professor Olympi who breathed on our necks for two hours. Every time he passed by me, he would make an angry “tss!” sound.

“Urgh! I forgot to write some properties of Rookswort and Silvertounge!” exclaimed Mayrielle as she held her copy of Potions in Glitch

by Stoot Barfield.

“I forgot everything.” grinned Rudy.

“I remember nothing. Haha!” laughed Sam. Meanwhile, everybody didn’t bother to take their lunch. We just drowned our heads in our books because the major exams are about to start. Professor Linda called our names one-by-one to her office where a series of hands-on tests were laid out. It included walking silently (a device

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress was measuring if your feet made an audible sound), picking on different types of knobs, answering an IQ test papers that were laid down on a table beside the Head of House’s desk, an essay which you have to decrypt, and finally, random questions on history.

“That… was the…weirdest exam… I have ever had.” I panted as Xin and I were resting under the shade of the Mahesti Tree.

“You look like you haven’t been through anything!” I exclaimed sarcastically. “And didn’t you see that Limpy-Olympi gave me a sneer every time he walked by!”

“Results won’t come out until the next term starts.” he said simply.

“Oh, good grief! At least, I’ll have a quiet vacation!” I exhaled.

“Got any plans?”

“I haven’t got any plans, yet. I think I’ll just hang out on my small garden. There is one right outside my apartment. The landlady said she’d be happy if I tended it.”

“Says, it’s been pretty lonely since Mr. Bilbo left.” I finished sadly.

“I may drop in sometime.” He said as he laid down on my thighs, I brushed his soft wavy hair.

That afternoon, we cleaned the room for the last time. We wiped the board with a damp cloth, the windows, dusted off the doormat, and applied floor wax, all for the last time. After two hours, everybody was sitting on the floor. Sam and Rudy were leaning against each other, sweat framing their face.

“Nice job, everyone.” said a soft bird-like voice.

Professor Linda came in the doorway and had an impressed look on her face. She looked from the good-as-new chalkboard, the shimmering glass panels, to the shiny floor to which we were lying on.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “Our Head of House would like to say a few words, though.”

Then, a thin but tall man entered the doorway, he had a short snowwhite hair and beard and a strange posture. Everyone hastily composed themselves as the Head of House came in. But as the chairs were toppled upside-down at each other on the sides of the room, we sat cross-legged on the floor in a perfectly neat line.

“Another year has ended!” he said cheerfully. “And I must trouble you with a little speech before you all go home and celebrate our holidays.

What a year it has been! I do hope you learned a lot and enjoyed many great things here at Adanac University. I express my gratitude to Maia Cahill, who protected one of the school’s valuable items, even at the cost of her own life.”

“To Ms. Zachary, ah, the cleverest student I have ever met.

Though, even though you knew you’ll be breaking about a hundred and fifteen school rules, still, you risked getting an expulsion just so you can help a friend in need.”

Everyone clapped their hands. Mayrielle blushed, looked at me and laughed. I smiled back at her.

“It takes a great deal to conquer your fears. But when someone needs your help, I appreciate the people who could walk straight through it. Let’s give a warm applause for Ms. Gomez.”

Caris was obviously embarrassed of a professor acknowledging her.

Her smile was shaking as she looked around at all of us.

Outside the campus, I rounded on the two of them as Xin waited behind me.

“I still can’t believe what has happened lately.” Said Caris with a wide smile on her face.

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress “Can you believe it? He said that I’m the cleverest student!” said Mayrielle, joyfully.

“Well, you are.” I said, irritably but I smiled.

“I don’t think it was a coincidence,” She turned to Caris. “that you found that key.”

“That’s what I thought so, too.” I admitted. “Do you think he meant us to do it?”

“Well,” Mayrielle exploded, “if he did—I mean to say,—that’s terrible—we could’ve been killed.”

“No, it isn’t,” I thought. “They say he’s a genius but a little off the rocker, right? I reckon he had a pretty good idea that we were going to try. And we did, successfully.”

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress ********************************************************** I exhaled as I brushed my brown wavy hair and looked at the moonlight and felt its radiance on me. Just then, a loud rustling came from behind. A tall man came out of the bushes and stared at me.

“Amelia, it’s time.” he said unwaveringly.

It’s been almost 30 years since that happened. What can I do? I don’t want any more bloodshed, but this thing… This can go on forever. It will never stop until the one eliminates the other. Even their descendants will fight against one another.

“A war is at hand, Leonardo.” I whispered.

I stared at his pale face, his honey-gold eyes. He suits immortality.

He embraced me and whispered, “If we can’t stop them, our descendants will.” He said.

I looked at the boy sleeping inside our hut. He was covered with his father’s special fur coat. He was sleeping so peacefully. He didn’t yet know what lies ahead. We have to prepare him. And he’ll do it to his children and his children’s children and so on. I swear that my line will deliver a new world. Leonardo and I can’t live forever.

Death is upon us, I can feel it. In a couple of months, the greatest war will begin. They may have removed us from their family lines, I’ll prove it to them that they’ll find it very hard to eliminate us completely…even six feet under the grave.

Death in MayZ

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The story continues‌

The Tales of Dziewanna The Winter God Book 2 Coming Soon!

Read an excerpt below!

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress ********************************************************** It was a dark heavy night. The lightning flashed as the rain continued to pour down at the quiet city. In the midst of a rain, a house stood in the Burnabee Street. It was a two-story house with a white-beige theme just like all the houses that neighbors it. Only that, the family inside were one with the atmosphere that engulfs the area. There was an air of dread, weight of sadness, and a kiss of death.

“Where is she?” asked the man as he entered the doorway. He was drenched in the heavy rain outside.

He has a short brown wavy hair and a crooked noise that casted a shadow on the other side of his face, like a sundial. He took a final glance outside as if looking for something suspicious then he finally closed and locked the door. The door had five locks on it. There were knobs that needed keys, and the others were strong metal chains.

“She’s upstairs, sleeping.” answered a soft voice.

She helped her husband take off his raincoat and carried his soaked briefcase to the living room. The woman was slim and slightly taller than her husband. She has a greasy black wavy hair down to her waist, a jade green eyes contrary to her husband’s sapphire blue ones, and smallframed eyeglasses.

The warmth of the living room still cannot repel the coldness of the air. Small picture frames hanged on the walls, depicting a loving family.

On one of them, was their daughter riding on a pony accompanied by her father. The rumble of thunder eerily echoed through the house. The man dropped down the sofa followed by his wife. She then said nervously, “The General knows, he knows. He knows.”

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The Tales of Dziewanna Maiden Huntress The man shivered as he carefully leaned and put his hands on his face. She sobbed and put her head in his lap. The sounds of their cries were buried under the rumbling of the thunder.

“W-who told him?” he asked trying to keep his face straight. She didn’t answer, instead fell down to floor and she continued her anguish.

“WHO TOLD HIM!?” The man screamed along with the rage of the thunder followed by a very bright lightning.

The woman didn’t answer. **********************************************************

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