In Noctem (NaNoWriMo2020)

3. The High Priestess

Jason

As I walked out the gate, the image of Death stayed in my memory. The picture is vivid in my mind. A skeleton dressed in an armor, a black flag with the petals of a white rose in the middle, and the people in despair. The figure of Death did not let anyone escape its power. How could it be a positive card as what Kacy interpreted it to be?

The contaminated air welcomed me as I ushered my way through to get across the street like an acquaintance that knew me from head to toe. I felt like buying a decent cup of Frappuccino on a nearby mall after what just happened.

It was five in the afternoon, signifying the end of the day's work. People were coming out of buildings in their office attire. Some kids my age went to stroll with their group of friends. I reckon they will also get something to eat as a reward for themselves.

The reward system. As I can see it, it's a way for people to escape their responsibilities momentarily. Somehow, it is a healthy habit that I would probably recommend you doing. It motivates me when I can witness the fruition of my labor. Even though buying material wants has nothing to do with your work, a little boost of serotonin is needed every now and then.

I wondered where Riana was. I forgot to tell her that I will be going to a gig later to catch up on the indie music scene. The last time I went on a performance, I got extremely drunk after trying different alcoholic beverages. I cursed my parents for not letting me drink with them. Isn't it better when you learn these matters with your folks and be properly guided? The way I think of my suggestion, that will only strengthen the bond and can even result to a positive outcome in family relationships.

I texted Riana and told her if she was up to go to a gig in Makati. She responded quickly and agreed. I replied back after I got inside the mall and was starting to enjoy my Iced Hibiscus Tea. I know I told you that I was to order a Frappuccino but I tried something new. I never tried one of those before and this hibiscus thingy was actually pretty neat. It had those little pulpy god-knows-what-they-are-called that burst juices in your mouth. Fun, I thought.

Nothing much happened after that. I went home and enjoyed the sacred space I had in my bedroom. I showered and had gotten ready by seven o'clock.

"Ought you have had eaten first?" my mom called me as I was putting my shoes. I just wore a red shirt and a denim jacket for my top and a denim short for my bottoms. Wow, Jason the Denim boy.

"No, thanks Mom! There will probably be food at the Tuazons," I said. My mother knew that I was staying at Riana's house with our friends, Charlie and Francis. If she knew that I was staying outside late, she would probably have smashed me into pulp like those in my drink a while ago. She doesn't allow me to drink, let alone go into a bar.

I went out into the tranquil night with only the items in my drawstring bag as my protection from the unexpected frights about to arrive. The streets were silent. The dogs were not howling, which was unusual if you know the place. Dark and dreary, the only source of light illuminating the place was the orange lampposts that were flickering from time to time.

For you to visualize the scenario, our street wasn't wide unlike those in other parts of the metro. Ours was narrow, only about four meters wide.

The adventure started when the rustling wind came over me. From the still life that was, the branches and leaves of nearby trees started shaking. From there, three sparrows emerged and landed on the ground, ten steps from where I was standing. What curious little beings! It looked like they were studying my face. I came to halt and stared back at them in curiosity. Without warning I ran towards them to scare and make them fly.

To my horror, a black mist covered the area. It made me feel drowsy until I thought I would faint. Spoiler alert: I was about to fall forward but a group of arms held me back. In a flash, I was levitating.

It felt like I was floating in water. Three men wearing a hooded cloth seemed to have cast a spell on me. They were no longer supporting my body with their arms. It was just me floating on air!

Before I could even realize what was happening, an outlook poisoned my thought. These men... they were the sparrows! Where did these come from? Where did these men come from when the whole stretch of the road, there was not any soul in sight?

My idea was confirmed correct as their flat noses became longer and their faces came to be covered with feathers. Still lying in midair, I looked up and saw how they are transforming. My mouth dropped in shock and terror and amazement. These things aren't real, I said to myself. I tried moving my fingers in an attempt to wake myself from this nightmare. But this was not a nightmare. This is real and it is happening at that very moment and I had to face it.

Their built is still similar to a man but their faces were out of this world. Imagine an Egyptian painting, the one with a bird as their head. That is what they looked like. Only that their head was the crest of sparrow's. I tried to say something but my mouth was sealed shut but an unknown force. I mumbled and struggled to fight these creatures. Monsters! I tried to shout but no sound escaped my mouth.

I watched the three summoning the black mist again. It smelled fresh and I felt suddenly sleepy. Up to this day, I am not sure how I had gotten sleepy. Maybe because my energy was drained after all the kick and pushing midair. It may be the aroma of the smoke. It smelled celestial. The smell of the earth fused with the breeze of the sea, the odor of coal burning, the fragrance of the four seasons into one, the mist was singing a hymn to calm me down. And it did.

The earth trembled as the trio of hybrids chanted a prayer. I couldn't do anything. I felt the magic that was holding me sway with the rhythm of the ground's panic. I anticipated the furniture in nearby houses to come crashing. I anticipated the ground to crack but nothing happened. We are separated from the world. Even though I was drowsy, my senses were awake.

The fog that enveloped us became a ball and transformed into a ring. A water-like surface appeared on the center. The first sparrow-man went inside, disappearing as he merged with the plane. The two creatures went to opposite sides of my body, held my feet and head, and like a precious gem to be kept, guarded me. They walked slowly into the surface and the one holding my head went first. He too also dissolved like the other before him.

This is it. I was about to experience the impossible. A stream of thoughts flowed on my head. I had no idea what would happen next nor what this would feel like.

Upon touching the veil, my body intuited like it was zapped into a million pieces. All my memories came rushing as if it was a film. I have read that when you are dying, you have seven minutes of brain activity left and it will play you a montage of how you lived your life. I'm just seventeen. I do not want to die yet. I want to see how the world will unfold in the next years or so.

It was pitch black. My body was as light as feather. The event did not hurt at all but it was a very weird, ecstatic feeling. I was speeding so fast and yet no heat was present. The laws of physics must be different in this world, if ever I am being transported to another dimension.

Then came the question, where am I going?

I stumbled to the ground and felt my body being back to normal. I stood up quickly after regaining balance. I shrugged and stretched my joints, observing the place I landed on. The first thing I noticed are the creatures now back to being animals. They flew around my head all the while.

I was in a circular room and was standing on a marble dais. The walls were the color of dirty ivory. The three bird flew to a pathway leading outside and stayed there for a while.

Oh. Are they motioning me to follow them?

Fate accepted, there was no choice than to move and leave this place if I wanted to know the mysteries of why I am here.

I walked down the platform and followed the sparrows.

We strolled in a tunnel which led us to some type of chamber. A lady in light blue cloak was standing there.

"Welcome, Fourth Ingenuus. I am the High Priestess," she spoke in an airy voice. It was soothing.

I looked around and thought what Ingenuus might mean, when I saw three children locked in a cell.

One of them was Kacy.