Luines - Book 1

Chapter 19: Papa's Little Girl

"Hal, Papa has to say goodbye now." He was dressed in his blue uniform, kneeling in front of her. His old raggedy shoes were newly polished, and his badge sparkled like a golden medal.

"Please, don't go!" Hal kept a tight hug on her dad. "Promise me you'll be back to help me with my costume."

"I promise. If I come home late, I'll always be there." He pointed at her heart, and laid down Hal. He then gave a light peck on Hal's cheek and squeezed her hand. "Hal, always remember, you're strong. Have courage, Hal."

"Papa! I still need you!"

"You're a big girl now. Sometimes, you have to let something go for now, so you can come back, pick up that journey and fight stronger. You're my daughter, and you have it in you to fight for what's important in life."

Tears crawling down her cheeks, Hal said nothing as she watched her father disappear into the light. In that bright ethereal plane, she wanted to run and join him, to leave the human world behind her. Yet, her dad's words echoed again. FIGHT!

Hal was panting hard as she woke up in a completely different place. The steaming water in her tub had gone cool, but she was a sitting prune. She exhaled a long sigh, and got out of her bath. She dried herself quietly, and took the first pair of clothes she found in the closet. As Hal finished dressing, she heard steps towards the bathroom door.

She opened the door, and met eyes with those crimson eyes again. Neon startled her. "I've been waiting for you to wake up."

"I didn't see you there." Hal sighed and got out of the bathroom, and continued to towel her hair. She sat by her bed, and ruffled her locks by the nearby fan.

"Fate is such a painful thing for both of us. I heard you scream for your dad. I thought you had one of your blackouts."

"Oh. What did Fate do to you this time?"

Neon sat beside Hal. "I've really fallen for him, Hal. You were right, that Gan made me happier, and somehow stronger. Once I become a high priestess, I can't love someone. I have to think for the benefit of Realm." Neon sighed, fading into a long pause.

Hal dropped her towel and studied Neon Requyem. In those crimson eyes, they spoke withheld tears she held for years; they crept like ants with prickly feet on her. "Can't you do anything about it?"

"Ngohn. I wish I could. I wish there would be an exemption."

"Why can't you persuade them to let you love Gan? Love is the most powerful power a person can have. Professor Uskevren once said that a strong and sturdy emotion like love can produce the most radiant outcomes. Besides, if you become High Priestess, you can bend traditions. Tell them it's the aftereffects of the treaty. Having Gan around, as your partner, would prove that the union works."

A smile radiated from Neon. She gave a big hug to Hal and thanked her. "I appreciate it. Really, hadangab."

"No problem." Hal gleamed back but thoughts of her dad played in her head. She just shook her head and muttered, "For my case, there's no way. I guess we have to accept death."

Neon said, "Although Goshawk is strict, he does give words of advice, 'All will come in due time.' Those were his words before I left for GEOS."

"But...we...are...Luines..." said Hal, having a hard time saying those words. "Bakunawa could be at our heads again once he recovers in Reeg's body. You've seen how much damage he caused. What would become of us?"

"Don't forget who you are, Hal. As you said last night, let's not put your dad's death to waste." Neon jumped off the bed. "We still have to go hunting, remember?"