Part 2 - Tempore Recensere (Change in Time) Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The stench lingered in the air and nothing could ever be done to ever take away that smell. A mix that was salty from sweat, sweet metallic from blood and a sting in the nose from corpses rotting in that small dank cellar.

I laughed; whimpered laughs, just to keep myself sane. Why should I bother about the smell? I’ve been in here too long to even notice it much anymore. My nose has adjusted to it, or was it because my nose isn’t functioning at all.

My head hung down, feeling like it will fall off anytime. I did not have the strength anymore to lift it up. Shallow breathes were all I could take as the task of breathing was also a strain. I wondered, wondered how long would I be here before the devil took me. Why has he not taken me by now? Hot liquid seeped down my arm, blood; the chains holding me by the wrist are cutting in deeper now.

I gasp. Someone is coming; I knew that before the clinking of keys sounded in my ear. I closed my eyes, pretending to be unconscious. But that wouldn’t matter anyway. They would just splash water at me to wake me up or use any means to get me awake. And it is not any ordinary sweet good morning call.

The lock clicked open. They come in everyday for the same reason. But why me I have no clue. They keep asking me for answers I do not know myself; where are my sisters, where is my home, are there anyone else like me. “I don’t know”, I keep telling them. I scream both inwardly and out, for the pain and the frustration. Only God knows! How can I tell them where my sisters are when I do not even know I still have family?

A wave of air came through the door as it creaked open. Something feels odd. Why don’t I feel the same pain every time the door opens? I have this knowing of what will happen, just the sense of it. And I see not any pain or torture. Instead I felt a hand pushing my hair behind my ear and kissing me on the forehead. What? Are they trying a new tactic to get me to talk?

 “Princess, please wake up. We need to go now” whispered the person in front of me. Afraid it might be a trick, I played dead until I felt the clasp fall away from my hand and I fell. I opened my eyes wide and began to struggle in the arms of my captor. Just when I was about to scream, he covered my mouth with his hand to shush me. I shut up because I knew it was the best thing to do right this moment.

“My apologies princess, but I have to cover your head. It is time to finally get out of here.” He said while giving me a soft smile and bowed his head to me. Not doing anything I allowed him to do as he said he would.

He shifted me into a fireman’s carry and walked; out I presume. And it was then I knew my nose was just numb. There was a new smell in the air. No more death, no more blood, it is the smell of freedom.

Part 1 (Final) - Temporis Ortum (Birth of Time) Chapter 8.

Chapter 8

I spent the next few days getting to know of their history, or should I say mine. I’ve learnt that there are many different creatures and people with special abilities. There are the magic wielders like Winter and time guardians like Alta.

I was quite unhappy at first when I was told that Alta has been in this all the while, that she knew who we were and what was to come. How could my best friend of many years not tell me anything about- well, ME! But I soon realised how important it was to keep my identity safe.

Though not having been there long, I suddenly felt sick to think that I have to leave this comfort behind; the cosy bed, warm food, friendly people and a mother’s love. Yet at the same time I could not wait to find my sisters who I do not even remember. What would they be like? Exactly like me? Would we have anything in common? Can we really defeat death together?

I sighed and take one last look around my room. Now tattooed on my arm instead was my pet phoenix. Touching it slightly, I could feel her rubbing her head inside my skin. Uncomfortable it was when she first started doing it, but I got used to her. Now a fiery protection and comfort, I am very much connected to her; my pet, my phoenix, my Ruby.

My things all packed up, I headed to the throne room. Everyone was there to greet me. Once before to say welcome, now to bid me goodbye. It is time. My mother came to stand by me, together with Alta and Winter, and we faced the audience.

“Today is the day that we have to see our precious Praeteritum go once again. We shall all give her our prayers as today she embarks on a new journey for us all. Though time has begun late, it shall be better than never for we face a terrible danger this century. Munité meara aveol, aveol sa munité. May the new sistera munité’s come home safely and be the sisters to have vanquished death forever. Lousta livina sister munité!”

“Lousta livina sistera munité!” The whole room rang after my mother’s speech. I still could not grasp hold of the language but I soon will. And with that, came the end of the new beginning. Giving each other a nod of encouragement, Alta, Winter and I strode off to where I first came in.

Standing at the entrance, I turned and took in the sight. People waving, shouting and giving us the morale support, and the last face I saw, with tears in her eyes; my mother. 

Part 1 - Temporis Ortum (Birth of Time) Chapter 7.

Chapter 7

Right in front of my face was a huge bouquet of flowers; and a large variety at that. There were roses, tulips, orchids and other kinds of flowers that I have either not seen before or know the name. This one particular flower stood out. That’s weird, why didn’t I notice it before?  It was peculiar. The petals were long and flowing down and it seemed to move on its own, waving gracefully about. It was glowing! The colours changed from a light pink to red and it stayed like that. The bouquet lowered, and it was his face; Winter.

“Oh hey! Hi! Um... These are for you.” Though he said it quite calmly, he also seemed to stutter a bit at the same time. “It’s a.... A welcome gift. Yeah, a welcome gift. From the town!” He passed the flowers to me with a smile that seemed a little odd, like he was trying very hard not to smile widely but yet still is smiling. Just when he let go of the bouquet, I noticed that the one flower stopped glowing.

“Thanks.” I said, looking quizzically at the bouquet. I looked around the room for an empty vase to put the flowers in, but found none. It must have shown on my face because then Winter walked in the room and headed to a table. He started waving his hands in the middle of the table like a conductor, or a puppet master; pulling invisible strings. Water started forming and swished about in rhythm to his hand movements. Building up, the water began rising and started crystallizing from the bottom up. With a final whirl of his hand, there was a newly formed vase on the table which looked like it was made of ice.

“Wow! How did you do that?” I went beside him and caressed the vase. It was so finely crafted that it would be impossible for a person to create it by hand.

“I’m a magic wielder, specializing in the water element. And water turns to ice; so there, a vase for your flowers”. I carefully placed the flowers in the vase afraid that I might break it.

“Alright, alright, show’s over. Let us get moving. We’re making the Queen wait.” Alta took my hand and led my out the door with Winter following behind.

***

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be suddenly someone else? Where everything you knew was just pretty much a lie and what used to be lies and false is now true? Well, I’m experiencing all of that right now. And there is just so many emotions in me now that I don’t exactly know how to explain it.

During dinner, we, my mom and I had a long talk. She explained to me almost everything that happened since I was born and before. I was told that I am part of three sisters who is everything to the world, though not many know it. Reborn every century, we are of most importance.

My vision of the past was right, and what I believed was also right. The man that had been consumed by the dark cloud certainly was my father and we sisters were taken away for safety. To hide from those who want to hurt us, we were forced to be apart from this world where no one knows us.

The dark cloud is pure evil. Excessus is his name. In translation; death. Years after what happened in my vision, he continued searching for us but has failed, until now. He had destroyed many magical villages looking for us until one had betrayed and revealed that we were in hiding in the human world. That was when he sent his minions after me.

My journey here was just the beginning. I have a long way to go. Together with Alta and Winter, I have to look my sisters and be once again reunited. Given the choice, it was either to stay in hiding forever or to fight back. I would not stand by being a total coward, and I had to do something for my father who perished to save the family.

I am scared, I do not deny that. But who wouldn’t be afraid? It is a totally new world and we will be walking a dangerous path that would lead us directly to death.

And Death awaits us.