The moon was full once again and hung high over the sky blessing the night with what little radiance it could give while looking at its own reflection in the sea. Only the hymn of the waves could be heard as every being laid to rest. I could feel myself floating on a tiny boat surrounded by nothing but seawater. I could feel my body being gripped by exhaustion and the hunger gnawing on me but still I could manage to sit up and look around.
The dark waters reflected the tiny lights that the stars gave off. If not for my condition I could have appreciated it a bit more. I almost fell flat back on the floor when something caught my eye.
There is someone with me. It's a girl. Her long black hair rivaled that of the night sky and it shone just like that of the stars. I could not help the urge to caress her hair but before my hands could feel it her eyes began to open and a smile bloomed from her lips as she looked at me. I felt my heart leap once. Twice. If this goes on I swear am going to faint.
"I was about to wake you up." I heard myself speak.
It was weird, I never intended to say something and yet the words rolled off my tongue without my permission. It took me a while to notice that the two of us are already conversing like longtime friends and I have no command on when or what to speak. It is as if I am watching a vision through my own eyes but before I could catch up to what we were talking about I felt a pulse and my eyes flew open. It was a dream. No, it was the dream.
The darkness in the room was a strong contrast to the brightness the golden moon gave off outside my window. The same dream again and again every time the moon is full. Lost and stranded on a tiny boat in the middle of the sea. Tired and hungry feeling as if death was but a few steps away from me. But this time it was different, I was always alone in my past dreams.
Who is she? Why does she feel so familiar? Why does it feel like I know her? I could ponder on these questions until daybreak but the babaylan is waiting for my first lesson and I better start my preparations.
I wore my usual clothes, a brown sleeveless jacket embroidered with images of fishes and waves in blue thread, golden embroidered anklets and bracelets. I stared at the mirror as a tie my hair and saw my frail complexion. I was always teased for looking so weak and girly but I've gotten used to it. It's just better for me to stay away. Finally, I pulled out my agimat from my shirt, a tiny crystal tied to a string around my neck. Datu Kudyapi told me it was from my father and I should never part with it and never have I remember myself removing it.
I left a note on the table for the datu telling that I've gone to the babaylan before setting off. The sky began to taste its first few rays of sunshine but the stars and moon remained still. I need to hurry, the babaylan specifically told me to come before the sun rises as the art of using mana was a secret only to be seen by a babaylan's successor. My very stride mirrored the excitement I feel, at last a place for my own in this balanggay.
"Aha, at last you are here, child. I was afraid that I'll freeze to death waiting for you. Well then... let's start. Sit down." The babaylan remained standing. "You see, child, mana is energy. An extension of our being and thoughts and it takes time and great effort to truly master."
"You, child, have a very large well of mana within your body and you just have to learn on how to control it." The babaylan bent down and grabbed a handful of sand "Mana is invisible to the naked eyes and only gifted individuals are given the gift of being able to see it..."
The babaylan then released the sand and let it flow slowly from her hands. It was amazing. Not a grain of sand fell back to the ground but instead gathered into a dense sphere suspended in the air.
