"Hey, boss, the Lomentes Resorts have made their move. We cannot let them steal our idea for our new launch. Boss?" A young man stormed into his boss's room and showed him the news about their rival company.
The young CEO smiled, unfazed by their competitor's underhanded tactics.
"Let them, I came up with a better theme than what our marketing team had, anyway... With this, it will not only redefine our company- it will revolutionize it!"
"You're really getting the hang of it, Boss. It's like you've been wanting to reinvent our company's vision! I guess giving you that good news earlier spiked your inspiration. He's indeed the one, huh?" A woman, dressed in a tight suit, giggled as she swiped through her tablet.
Browsing through a detailed report of a young man's last sightings from their people, their connections from the national security.
"At least we know he's not harmed, for now..." Their young Boss smiled while staring at his presentation.
"I should start printing them out, the announcement has been delayed for too long, we might lose the company's face if we prolong this holdup. Thank you so much, Boss, for dealing with this yourself, on everyone's behalf!" The young man, one of their directors, thanked their Boss and bowed before leaving the room.
"Once we figure out who he's with and what danger he's in, we could send our men to get him back immediately. Thankfully, the mysterious man with long black hair has vanished. He's currently traveling with two women, last spotted outside the city. The two were about his age, one blonde, and one brunette, and they all looked pretty close..." The woman continued talking, unbothered by the sudden commotion.
"Thanks, Miss Irene, without you, Clarence, and Elle helping me, I might have lost it by now!" Their Boss's smile grew wider, relieved to see his efforts flourish.
Both professionally and emotionally...
"Where is he going anyway? If he's indeed safe and sound, why didn't he try contacting me? What if, he's just faking a smile in that picture?" A young woman who was sitting in the corner of the room finally spoke up.
"We can ask him once we get him back. I've been preparing our men, we're ready to proceed once we find out whether they're dangerous or not! For now, focus on helping our Boss succeed this upcoming press. We cannot let our enemies win!" The woman answered while still gazing at her tablet's display.
Slowly zooming the picture into a young man's face, captured laughing at the blonde woman's shocked face, the three of them sitting inside a bus travelling out of the city.
***
Achan's P.O.V
"Are you sure you're not coming back?!" My old boss whined while scratching her neck.
She sure does not act like a strict and very professional head of the office, I kinda missed this atmosphere!
"I'm sorry, ma'am, I just came for a visit while I'm still in the area, I won't be coming home for a long time, after all!" I laughed.
"What? I thought you were coming back since we know that company let you go after only a few months. Do they not want your Practice anymore?" Ate Nichole butt in.
Tsk, she couldn't hide her sarcasm. After all, she doesn't believe that my father and I do have legitimate Gifts!
"Nope, I already cured their heir, what else do they want from me?" I answered her in a plain voice.
Shocked by my sudden change of attitude, she didn't dare to talk back.
"What? If you're not here to reapply, where are you headed, then?" Ate Mary sat next to me.
"I'm gonna go back to school-"
"Finally!" They all sighed in relief.
"What?!" Shocked, my jaw dropped open.
"You should pursue that! Finally, did you find your inspiration?" My old boss cheered me up.
"Finally, you're gonna put that good brain to use!" Ate Nichole smiled.
What's with their sudden words of encouragement?
"Are you finally pursuing your dream to become a Nurse?!" Ate Mary squealed in excitement.
"I guess I misjudged them!" I smiled as I stared at myself in front of my mirror.
I'm back home, finally, my small but wonderful home!
"Ahh!" I sighed after lying on my bed for the first time in a long time.
My haven!
I hope everything's been settled!
Flashback:
"I'm sorry, but he told me not to tell you anything until we reached the Coven-" Ori tried to explain, but I cut him off.
"Or the Old Man might learn about him!" I finished his sentence.
That's why he didn't tell me yet, that Old Man couldn't read a Mago's mind, so he's safe, but I, on the other hand...
"ORI, ACHAN, I'M AWAKE, WHERE'S THE DANGE-" Sorene stormed inside the dark room where we're at and found us lying on the floor.
"Kids, are you okay?!" Grama suddenly appeared with Sorene.
"Grama?!" Ori stood up and jumped into Grama's arms.
"I told you to call upon me when Oleon tries to harm you!" Grama shook Ori after being relieved to see us safe and sound.
"I told you, Grama, we can't involve you. He might use that as an opportunity to get rid of you, too!" Ori hugged Grama again.
"Forgive me for involving you in our clan's war against that bastard!" Grama looked at me with tears in her eyes as she caressed Ori's head.
"Don't worry, Grama, I wanted to be of help. Luckily, I managed to control the situation... We only need to pray that the Society will do the right thing!" I smiled at her before standing up to hug her, too.
We know we cannot defeat the Old Man, I was lucky that my so-called uncle was his accomplice. If not, it could have ended so wrong!
"Then we shall get out of this place immediately, we'll let the Society deal with them, I'll contact one of the Lords once you get back home!" Grama sighed in relief.
"Grama, please take care of them I-" Sorene started walking away, but a Magic Circle stopped her from moving.
"Grama?!" Ori scolded her after sensing the Magic Circle coming from her.
She just giggled and swung her hand in the air, acting all cute before turning to Sorene.
"You swore to me yesterday that you'd protect my grandson, as long as you'll live, remember? If you're indeed one of his bestest friends, you'd stay and continue becoming his guardian, right? It's the least thing you could do for all your aunt and that Old Man has caused us!" Grama giggled again as she showed her sly side.
Grama compassed her finger, and the Magic Circle vanished.
"Really? Grama? You still trust me?!" Sorene started tearing up and ran to Grama to hug her.
"You really are your Grama's grandson!" I whispered to Ori, and we both laughed.
"It's settled, the three of you should go back, I'll deal with the clean up!" Grama smiled as she flicked her fingers, and Magic Circles appeared on the floor where the three of us were standing.
"Grama? Do not teleport us, you cannot go there alone! The Society's Lords might do something to you when they figure out you can still use your Magic!" Ori tried to stop her, but she just smiled at us.
"Ori, I may be old, but I can still protect myself. We are the Magos, and it's time to take back what's ours, kids, take care, I'll be quick!" Her hair, which was tied in a bun, unraveled, and a long, still black hair cascaded down to her hips like a wild current, harnessing all the energies around us!
"Grama, don't! The Great Mage is still after you!" I yelled.
She can't be doing this, she's supposed to lie low, just like what father suggested thirteen years ago when the Great Mage imprisoned her.
Which we're now aware that it was the Old Man's doing!
"Achan, thank you for showing me the path back to justice. You taught me how to be strong again, now, let me finish what I should have done, ages ago!" Her smile vanished.
"But-" We tried to reason out, but she's already committed.
"Now that my baby has you, I don't think I should fear the First Mage anymore!" She waved at me before she vanished.
"Woah, you're so THIN!" My sister yelled at me, waking me back into reality.
"How about you? Were you getting good sleep?!" I yelled back at her as I got out of my bed.
Why did she arrive so early in the morning? I told her to come after sunrise, not before!
"Oh, this?" She touched her cheeks and slowly smiled.
"What? Did he suddenly have a change of heart?!" I crossed my arms as I stared at her, awkwardly smiling.
I can sense her love aura stenching the room!
"I don't know, but he's been getting sweeter these past few weeks!" She bit her fingers, acting all cute.
Which pisses me even more.
"Did you use Love Potion or something?!" I rolled my eyes.
"Well, we both know I can't do that!" She laughed, hiding the pain in his eyes.
No woman in our family had ever touched our Practice, it was said that Babaylans are usually only men. My sister didn't want to learn Witchcraft from the Coven, so she stayed away from any practice.
"Can we not talk about your cursed love life anymor-"
"Excuse me? This is our first time catching up after running off with some rich ass businessman, stressing the heck out of me and mom-"
"I'm sorry, but can we also not talk about that?" I stopped her.
The playful banter turned into a silent, awkward atmosphere.
"Are you mad at Mom again?" She sat on my bed after placing all the food she bought on my table.
"It never went away..." A sat next to her.
"Then, if you're still not comfortable around the M word, can you at least explain to me how you managed to return in one piece? Without your Purity being tainted? How did you even lift THAT Curse?!" She crossed her arms and stared at me.
"I didn't, I couldn't!" I lowered my head and leaned towards her shoulder.
"You? A Scion couldn't?!" She yelled in disbelief.
"Yes..."
"Are you sure- did you lose your Purity? That's why you couldn't?!" She pushed me away and held my head to see me eye to eye.
"NO! I didn't! The Maiden was too powerful, I had to cut the source after saving the victims!" I answered vaguely to keep her from worrying too much, she can't be a part of this life that I chose!
That's why I am leaving!
"So it's true?" She started after the long silence.
She's currently helping me pack all my things.
"Yes, I know you've seen the news, I had to kill his father so that the Curse be lifted!" My eyes teared up as soon as I confessed it to her.
It's not my first time being forced to take someone's life, but in this case, I could have done so much better! I could have sought Ori's help sooner- but who am I kidding?
This is still the same thing as before, I could have done so much to save those lives that are knocking at our doorstep, yet I chose to fear my father-
"Dude, not that! You! Is it really true that you're finally moving away, far away?!" She threw a shirt at my face.
"What about you, are you sure you don't want to come with me?!" I threw back the shirt at her, but she just caught it.
"I can't leave just because it's not my ideal life, I already built a family with him, at least, let me stay true to my vows. Through sickness and health, pain and happiness are part of it!" She preached her faith in love.
"You're right, but if I found out that he hurts you, I'm forcing you to divorce him!" I toughen my tone, marking my point.
"It's not easy to decide that, Achan, I can't just leave him because he's trash?"
"Our Mom did it, but with you, you won't be leaving your kids with him, right?" I shrugged.
"Well, I am not my Mom, and he's not our Dad. He's at least trying to change. We're different, okay? Have a little faith in me, I know when to give this up!" She grabbed my hands and stared at me earnestly.
"You're indeed different, because you, you didn't give up!" I smiled at her.
"Well, I also fought!"
"Fought?" I squint my eyes, trying to figure out her riddle.
"After you suddenly vanished, I had to strengthen myself, I can't possibly be always crying alone, right? So I finally stood up, turns out it was the best way to make him listen!" She laughed after telling me her confrontation with her husband.
She beat him up?
"Ho- How did you turn up like this? Did you really beat him up?!" I covered my mouth in fear.
"Well, I also did beat his mistress! And don't worry, I warned him, if he can't change, I will leave his beat up ass! That's what I wanted to tell you, I won't cry for a man, no more!" She smiled while showing me her fists.
Oh no, she finally lost it... But on the other hand, I'm glad the sister I knew is back. She's finally becoming the independent and strong woman I grew up with! The strong-willed girl who used to protect me from my father is back!
"So, are you gonna leave now or do you want to meet your niece and nephews?!" She crossed her arms after placing the bags in the back seat of the taxi.
I squeezed her cheeks and hugged her.
"You know I can't meet your kids, I don't want to expose them to the First Mage's Mana this early! I'm still young, I don't think they have to be a part of this life!" I said in the middle of our hug.
"So you're giving the responsibility for our grandchildren, then?!" She laughed.
"Are you sure I won't have the next Scion as my child?!"
"Are you even gonna get married?!" She looked at me all suspiciously.
"Excuse me? Can I not?!" I got offended.
"Dude, we both know you ain't straight!" She placed her hands on her cheeks as she puffed them up to look cute.
I was shocked. I immediately got into the taxi's passenger seat and glared at her.
"Good bye ate, see you never!" I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.
"Oy, I'm sorry I have to found this way, I know I should have been more observant, I could have seen it soon!" She giggled as she mocked me.
"I love you too, bye!" I said to her before closing the door.
"Call me if you miss me, and do not stop yourself from living a good life. You're a full-grown man now, live, and don't forget, YOU ARE THE SCION!" I heard her yelling, bidding her farewell as the car leaves her behind.
I can't believe she's in the mood for teasing, I guess she just doesn't want to bid farewell in a heavy note- she's always like that. Always the one to act happily to lighten me up whenever I'm sad or angry. But this time, she's indeed happy, happy to see me finally leave the place she knew I hated.
Leave her knowing that she's finally fine and happy, letting me be free and finally having a fresh start. A new shot at a better life!
"Now, life, let's see what you have for me!" I whispered as I stared at the window.