Luines - Book 1

Chapter 21: The Streets of Manila

Drake Corvin was one person who knew how to hide under the magical radar if he didn't want to be found. A frustrating week of classes began, and there was still no sight of the Immortal; Zee couldn't find his breath anywhere. Hal Cruz had invited Zee and Neon Requyem to her house to reconvene. If Drake Corvin was nowhere to be found, they needed a plan B before Bakunawa would strike.

Hal slammed her fists on their dining table, that almost shook the glass off the table. Neon Requyem had caught in place before it slid. "Hal, let me try to convince Charm Halliwell again. Maybe, she needs a different approach. I just need to talk to Daraken and -"

"And I can face Bakunawa head-on if needed pero tangina, I don't want to lose anyone anymore without a plan!" Hal clamped her hands by her temples and sighed. "You're supposed to be the one experienced with all this lore, and this was part of your history! All along I thought these were just stories my mom told."

"Maybe we can reason with Bakunawa?" Zee said. He was sitting on their red upholstered couch and laid his feet on the piles of old Realm studies books. "Just like Naiara D'Aigua? There's gotta be a reason why he's so pissed."

"I'm sorry my head isn't in the right place." Neon took the glass of water and gulped it down. "I can't stand being on campus these days. It's like they think hanging around me would put their lives in danger."

Zee said, "Tell me about it. I get unwanted looks now that they think I'm that freak that destroyed the school. You know, Hal, I miss those days when I just stood beside you and Reeg. No one saw me then."

"Those were the days. Pucha, Neon, you changed it all when you came." Hal said. She took the seat across Neon, and stared at those crimson eyes. These days Neon had been avoiding her glances and not looking her eye to eye. "You're hiding something."

Neon looked down, "I was just like you, Hal. When I faced Bakunawa at First Street, that wasn't my first time. I remember it was a blood moon, and it happened on the day they took the wand. He attacked me on my way home, and struck me down. I thought I died, but my spirit felt I wasn't alone. I saw a young boy and a girl around a church in my dream, and asked,"

"Are you one of us, a Luine?" Zee and Hal said in unison.

"So, they were really you two. After that battle, I knew I'd freeze in battle and astral project my energy to a Luine like what I did before. I'm not as strong as you, Hal." Neon said, her hands clasped tightly around the glass.

"Don't you have any family back home?" Hal said.

"Well, I have a brother. When my father died, we were heirs to the dark elven throne. We fought to the bitter end for that chair, and eventually he blinded me. That's why my eyes are red, like the blood moon. I'm actually a little blind at strong light especially in the left eye because he slashed me there. Eventually, we agreed to split the ruling of the kingdom. I take the spiritual sector and he'll take on military and governance."

"But, you're an apprentice. Why weren't you pronounced as the High Priestess immediately?" Hal asked.

"I wanted to start from the lowest ranks and make my way up. By that way, I would understand the roles from the groundwork going up."

"Quite impressive, Neon. I wish our government would follow suit sometimes." Zee changed topics. "Where's your mom? She's out again?"

Hal said sadly. "Of course. She's playing Bingo somewhere by the neighbors, or hanging at the carinderia a few blocks away. or maybe, she went to the church. You know she's religious."

"Oh...church, huh?" Zee said. "You know I've got a strange feeling about that place. Have you really explored Manila, Neon?"

"I've only been there to trade, and that's it."