Anathema (Cabal Series 2)

Thirty Four: Two Greedy

'But maybe my greediness to stay made me unable to leave.'

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Carol woke up to the golden light of morning beaming through the windows.

Her heart fluttered with anticipation. Today was special. It was the day she will see another prophecy of her own. She had been waiting for this morning for weeks, counting the days with pure impatience.

"Sa wakas!" She hummed as she walked out of her room.

She saw her father preparing breakfast and giddily run to greet him.

The memories of her first prophecy lingered faintly in her mind. She was only four at that time, but she was promised that when she turns fourteen, one of her wishes would be granted.

"Magandang araw, binibini." She laughed.

"Ama! Maririnig ko na ang panglawang propesiya para sa 'kin ni Ina," she happily announced to her father which made him smile.

Carol is now eight years old and she was about to hear the second glimpse of her future, and she could barely contain herself.

"Alam ko. Kaya't dapat ay maaga kang maghanda."

Her mother, Somara Hunter — the first host who walked the earth, a deity who had fallen in love with a mortal. A giver and a vessel of unimaginable power.

She was the reason why a mortal can obtain such power. She gave her children gifts, just as the people of her territory had received blessings of their own.

This is how the first generation of hosts were born.

"Nakahanda na ang mga kagamitan para sa gagawing ritwal, anak. Mabuti pa't gisingin mo na rin ang iyong mga kapatid." She nodded and gleefully followed her father's instruction.

The prophecy ritual occurred every four years on a leap year. Somara would stand before her children, and would unfold their future. Though faint, Carol still loves hearing about what the future will look like in every ten years of her life.

"Kinakabahan ako," one of her older sister named Cerys whispered as she walk inside the ritual hall.

This is where it all starts.

Here. Their mother will pray to the gods and peek through the future of her four daughters.

Carol's heart pounded as she followed her siblings into the hall.

"Maupo na kayo," their father announced.

"Cerys. Maaari ka nang pumarito." Somara waved her hand gently, and Cerys approached their mother first.

Cerys. Ten years old. The third daughter of Somara. The Flora Whisperer. She was given the gift to manipulate and communicate with plants, making her a master of natural growth, defense, and camouflage.

The ritual started and through the prophecy, she learned that her mastery over plants would one day allow her to command the very earth itself.

Cerys smiled as she bowed to her mother after finishing.

Carol, the youngest at eight years old, was then called to stand with her mother.

Carol was given the gift to communicate with and command living animals, from the smallest creatures to the largest predators. A Beast Speaker.

"Carol." Her mother held her hand and she closed her eyes in excitement.

"Bughaw na kalangitan." Her mother started.

"Malawak at walang katapusan..."

Confused. Carol bowed and went back to her seat. Her mother only saw skies open before her. Clouds, sun, endless space. What would that even mean, she thought.