AFTERLAND and The Cryptic Prophecy

23: The Blood Mark

Dawn, Harris and Franco finished making the tent. They created two because the boys wanted to give us a space of privacy. Diordin and I prepared the dinner. When I said dinner, I wasn't talking about roasted chicken or grilled pork belly. We prepared sliced bread with liver spread, which Franco brought from the human world.

"Come on guys, let's eat!" Dior invited.

"Don't give me that excited tone as if we're going to eat beefsteak, barbecue, and chicken parmesan," Franco complained.

"How ironic!" hurled Diordin. "You talk as if you're not the one who brought the liver spread. If you only packed beefsteak, barbecue and chicken parmesan, you might not be complaining right now!" Her arms were placed on her waist while raising an eyebrow.

I didn't know why no one even thought to purchase food at Chalcedon Square. We had plenty of time earlier. Monsters or dark forces won't kill us in this place, but hunger and stupidity.

"We can have beefsteak and barbecue tomorrow once we reach the Ametisto Plaza Mayor," Dawn said.

"You have beefsteak and barbecue here?" Franco asked, holding the sliced bread I gave him.

"Yes, but I don't know the chicken parmesan and liver spread you are talking about," she replied in a curious tone yet steady face.

"Chicken parmesan is a breaded chicken breast covered in tomato sauce or mozzarella, while liver spread is a bread paste," I said, then handed her a sliced bread filled with liver spread. "Here, try it!"

She tasted the food and seemed to like it. Dawn wasn't good at giving a wide range of emotions. That's why I had a pinch of happiness in my heart every time the blend of her face changed.

We ate while watching the crackling fire in front of us. I could hear the sound of stream from the distance, so I thought of soaking my feet in the water later before sleeping.

"How many landmarks do we still need to pass before reaching the Forbidden Mountain?" Franco asked Dawn.

"You can check the map compact," Diordin managed answering.

"Can't you see?" He raised an eyebrow. "I'm busy murdering a sandwich." My friends exchanged mocking eyes.

Throat clearing, Dawn said, "Apart from Ametisto Plaza Mayor, we also need to pass the Marina Water Market after crossing the border between Ametisto and Marina Region."

"Are we going to solve another math problem?" I asked.

"And face another ogre?" Diordin gushed.

"No." Dawn shook her head. "It's a waterfalls border and guarded by mermen, mermaids, and kelpies."

"Don't tell me we need to surrender our voices?" I surged.

Dawn was keen on hiding her emotion, but a slight flash of confusion spangled on her face, thinking where I got the idea of losing our voice to cross the Marina barrier. "The watchers of Marina are nice. All we need to do is wave and smile at them while crossing their border."

I heard Diordin's deep and long sigh. I was going to do the same, but she got ahead of me.

"By the way, Charlie, are you sure you created the fire with lightning earlier?" asked Franco, enjoying the last piece of his dinner.

"I don't know. It seems impossible," I doubted, but I had a tiny feeling I summoned it.

"Charlie, I'm certain you're the one who made that lightning appear," Dior said confidently.

"But a strong magic ability like that is only possible if you are a Magicling," said Dawn. "And it seems you are one –you are a Magicling and also a wielder."