Timeless - Mark Tuan

Prologue

There are many things in this world that are difficult to explain. And because they are new and mystifying, people tend to get scared of them. However, these pesky humans are too proud to show how terrified they really are. So, they try to get rid of them. 

I am one of those terrifying creatures that keep you awake at night. I am one of those unfathomable existence that your parents tell you to avoid, and you would tell your children to do the same. Yes, I am a witch. My mother is a witch ... or was. And I got that from her. I know that because I saw her doing some spell on one of the men she was with, making him fall to his knees and follow everything she tells him to. I also heard her chanting something, erasing the memory of one of the young ones who saw her breaking a deer's neck with her own hands during a hunt. I feared her. I despised her. 

I was at an age of maturity when I realized I had the ability to wield what they call 'black magic'. That time, my mother was out with his new man - probably in the river again doing who knows what, and as a girl in the village, I had to help the others prepare dinner for everybody. I was too emotional ... angry, at the woman who brought me into this world, shouting curses in my mind. I was in front of the fire, blowing through a bamboo to make it stronger. 

"Arnisa!!!!" One of the girl screamed. 

I, just then, realized that the fire was too big that it's starting to burn the side of the hut. "I'm sorry." I quickly got up and helped her and the others fetch some water to put it out. 

I walked down towards the river, feeling guilty after being scolded by the elders. But, that guilt instantly turned to rage when I saw the two people at the river bank. They might have thought they're completely hidden behind the rock. But, from where I was standing, I could see that they're both naked. The man was on top of my mother. Icy tears tumbled down my numb face as I stared. 

The next thing I know, the trees near them started catching fire. 

"Arnisa?!?" The woman saw me. And in that moment, when her eyes were on mine, I felt so weak - and the building fire diminished until all that was left were ashes of what used to be a lush patch of land. 

I quickly turned around and ran. 

I am now in a new village, some really generous people have let me stayed with them after finding me cold, hungry, almost to the brink of extinction in the forest. A thousand moons have passed without me seeing my mother again .... and the village I came from. 

And in this village, I feel like I really belong. Most of the people here are like me. They can do things that normal people can't. I was amazed at first, but when I realized I can do the same, I embraced it. 

Now, I am one of the most powerful witches in the coven, even surpassing Mako, the woman who has taught me everything I know. She's one of the elders here, and the only thing that's keeping her alive now is her magic. 

"Arnisa. I need you to watch over our people when I leave." She coughs out. 

"What?" I kneel on the ground, beside the straw mat she's woven herself. "Where are you going?"

"I don't think I can stay much longer. My energy is leaving me and so I shall depart, too."

"No." I cry, taking her hand. She had been my mother, my friend, my guide. "I can't do this without you, Mako."

She tries to smile, her lips quavering as she pulls them up. "I know you can. I believe in you young one." She takes my hands in hers. "Listen, beautiful one. I saw a bit of what is coming." Her smile disappears. "Be careful, Arnisa. A spell is gonna come your way and it's big. Even bigger than what you can do now."