Chapter 5: ✴WHERE AM I AGAIN?✴

The mystery of the world was fathomless. Everyone would agree. The amplitude was so great that it engendered immense curiousity to people's mind.

Studying the universe was one of the many exploits humans do to satiate their wonders. As long as there were questions, answers should be found as well, even if it means risking their lives. I admire them, really, but I didn't plan to be like them.

And ofcourse, I never intend to explore this I-don't-have-any-idea planet, thinking that even a flower could be a danger.

Now, my thoughts were troubling the ephemeral peace I've felt a while ago. Might I be in Mars? I recalled having an accident.

Humankind sifted evidences with the intent to validate the existence of other beings.

If that's the case, then maybe, it's possible that I'm abducted. And they were planning to extract information from me in preparation of the invasion. Then, why would they choose you? My mind taunted. Whatever.

I shook those thoughts away. It only brings mental tension and having an inner battle with myself was the last thing I needed right now.

"Zepero, we have come," Yura called. Automatically my gaze fell at him.

"Who's Zepero?" I whispered, enough for Merko to hear.

"Zepero is not a name, it means elder and a sign of respect."

I nodded.

My eyes laid at the huge portal and it could have been much better if my mind wasn't that inquisitive. But here I am, calculating what's possible. The door was thick, maybe atleast ten inches. So how could that someone hear us from inside? And a normal voice can only be heard in a scale of 70 db or 70 feet. Converting to meters it will be 70 times three, it equalled to 210 meters. But that's without a barrier, in this case, there was and it's quite hefty.

The whole room might be around 100 meters long, rectangular in shape. The front view should be, umh 50 meters wide. To sum it up, if the one Yura called was located at the farthest part of the room, the chances of hearing it was low. Additional to that, there might be other barriers inside then that would make it impossible even more. So to speak, they called him elder, an indication of his age. That would mean lesser sensitivity to sound. How about having hearing defects then? We might end up standing here the whole day waiting for nothing to come.

But my thinking was disrupted by a loud creak coming from the door. Wow! It slowly opened, revealing to us a stygian blackness.

"Come," Merko invited. However, my feet didn't move and was at the moment of hesitation. With all those commotions happening before hand? This was just a common reaction. Who knows? Something might just sprang out of nowhere and pounce at me. I don't even know what's in there and that Zepero might be a beast lurking inside.

The three went ahead, and to my surprise, a light guided their way. It was dim at first and small, enough for them to walk over it.

I immediately followed and there, I found the source.

"Beautiful," I remarked. My eyes were fixed above the ceiling because the luminous flares were coming from it —well not literally—there were a bunch of floating flowers lustering softly. I squinted my eyes.

They were like tulips. It also had tiny incandescent particles—pollens I presume—that were dispersing in the air. Every step we take, they glow as well, felt like they had this sensitive sense that could tell something was moving below. They brightened one after another until each corners of the room were filled with radiance.

"Wow!" I could not put in words the astonishment I am feeling right now. Unconsciously, I raised my hand in the attempt to capture the falling dusts but it disappeared even before I could touch it. Amazing!

"Those were illusions and a skill that could be mastered by anyone having reiko. Would you like to learn?"

I gazed at Merko. He was probably jesting. Like me? I'm born human. That's atleast what I remembered.

"Reiko?"

"Yes, it was an energy that enables its vessel to produce magic."

"And let me guess, you are born having it naturally, right?"

He answered yes.

"Ekelrio! " Yura and Pierre's voice drew both of our attention as they made a little bow addressing to someone infront. Merko did the same and after a while glanced at me.

He seemed to read my perplexed expression and he said, "Ekelrio is a practice greeting."

"Ekelrio," the Elder responded. He was old. Sitting straight at some wooden chair made his appearance even more ancient. His white cloak dangled, covering his entire body, even his feet. Uh, he doesn't look uncomfortable and seemed okey with the set-up. Wasn't he feeling hot? The textile was like made of fur. Not to mention the very long hair resting on the floor.

My eyes landed at his temple, there was a little black rod with wings surrounded by four circles tattoed in it.

The orbs were as Yura's. But why was he alone? There were two empty chairs beside him, implying that he had friends or companions—whatever they call it.

I couldn't help, my sight wandered around. There were four big pillars at each side, a wide floor like marble and wall made of clay. Just like what I've seen before, it had something engraved in it. Unfortunately, I couldn't read.

"What the?" I exclaimed. The writings just moved! Not just a slight motion but rather dancing.

I heard a chuckle from the three making me tear my gaze right off.

Planning to focus on the elder's face instead, the big door at his back was pulling my interest. I'm tempted to ask. Were they hiding something? It triggered my curiosity again. Everything in this place.

"The writings were made by our ancestors. It's an antediluvian magic that tells about the history of our being and the origin of this kingdom. As long as this sielo was passed from elder to elder, the writings shall remain alive."

The old man raised the rod. It was embarassing to say but, it looked ordinary, just a plain wood.

"This also signifies leadership and thus you are hereby given the responsibility to lead and protect everyone."

His gaze directed at the letters carved in the walls. They might be fond of old things, but their crafts were worth commending.

"Oh. Well. . .I . . .actually, I don't belong here. But can you tell me where I am now? And, can I ask your name as well? If you don't mind ofcourse." I laughed a little at the end but everyone remained serious. So I shut my mouth close. Jeez! I really suck at acting friendly. Or was it the timing?

"My name is Driemala, an elder. It was a pleasure meeting you, Rohama."

For seconds, I speculated he could read minds. How was he able to know my name?

"Indeed, a mystery have come. But no one could say what it tells us about. The time must be nearing."

And to add, I'm flustered with his speaking. Was he pertaining to me?"

"Come," he said. My eyes immediately catch Merko's. I even pointed myself. He nodded.

Slowly, I paced and stopped at the three step stairway. Was it designed for giants? One stair could atleast equal to three regular footsteps. I frowned but continued walking till I was standing infront of the elder. He smiled. The heck? How can the teeth be still complete?

"Spirits of the wind, come nigh, fill my hand and show thy mind."

It was as if he was verbalizing a puzzle. I almost said something but the wind blew and the next thing that happened, made my eyes ogle. It didn't left the elder's hand, which were now junctioned together, with the palms facing me.

Brown dust swirled swiftly coming from every part of the room. I didn't have time to see where they all came from.

It flickered around the elders hand and the astounding part was, it formed a map! With names, drawing and everything!

"How. . . how did that happen?" I can't make myself look at the elder's face for too long. I always glance at that wonderful art— I don't know what to call it.

"That, you shall know. But for now, spare me a moment, young miss. I shall give you what you asked a while ago," he paused. "This place was called Ehembre—a part of our world. It was divided by five kingdoms. The first one was Addessa, the biggest and the most powerful of all. That would be the land where you are standing right now, child."

The dominion whom he called brightened. I thought of a grade one discussion where pictures were presented for better understanding but this one was rather actual—too actual, if that's even a word.

"Home of kerieko—enchanters like us which were users of magic. The ladies were called Vistra and gentlemen were called Yoshi."