She was staring on a basin of water, with a blank expression painted on her face.
"My child, you truly wish to die tonight?" It was the spirit of her mother that spoke.
"If they truly wish to kill me mother, I will allow them."
" Our family has suffered enough. You can still change your fate. Go with him."
"I will take revenge for you mother. And if I must die, I will."
The water on the basin turned hazy, as the sound of the villagers was getting closer.
" Please do not my child. Go, escape!"
She poured a handful of salt, and whispered a prayer. With her hands clasped together she sent out an eerie cry. The villagers heard it and it sent a state of panic for most of them.
"She's cursing us all! Burn her!" The women cried.
The men stormed inside her small house. They found her sitting on a chair, with a basin of water on the table. She was still praying when they arrived, with her eyes closed.
Two men rushed forward and grabbed her hair.
"Witch, tonight, you will die!"
She didn't squeal nor whimpered as they tried to drag her out of the chair. Her eyes were like granite orbs, devoid of life.
She was taken outside, scrutinized and punished by people. She continued to close her eyes and prayed.
"Lunamaria, the last of the cursed family… you will see your mother soon," one of the town leaders said.
She opened her eyes and gazed at him. A few seconds passed, and the man started choking. His eyes that were once brown, turned red, and blood started to escape form his nose, ears and mouth.
"She's killing the man!"
The guards dragged her away and people chased after her, leaving the poor man on his knees. It didn't take a while before he died.
Chapter Two: A Basin of Water" I have to find that woman… I have to…" Miriallia whispered to herself while running along the dark path towards the highway.
She went to the grocery store where her booth was and searched for Mr. La Flaga.
She found him standing in front of the glass door.
"Mister!" she called out.
Mu La Flaga was on his sixteen- hour duty, the fifth for that month. He was beginning to feel sleepy when a girl's voice called his name. He searched around and saw Miriallia approaching. She was still wearing her uniform- a blue skirt and a white blouse.
"You're on duty again ma'am?" La Flaga asked.
"No… Please, do you know where the weird-looking woman had gone? She was wearing a long dress and boots and her head has a sign of an inverted V."
Mu thought for a while.
"Why are you asking? You can't possibly think of her as a potential customer."
"Please sir, I have no time for jokes," Mir pleaded.
"Wait a sec… Yeah I remember!" Mu exclaimed.
Mir was anxiously waiting for him to reveal what's on his head.
"She went towards that street." Mu pointed on the street across the grocery building.
"It's the place where the 'foreigners' live. Be careful out there," he warned.
"Thank you sir, I truly appreciate it," Mir said as she bowed in front of him.
"Why do you want to see her if she isn't buying your product?"
Mir thought of Shinn. Her eyes were watery once more.
"My… bother died you see. And that lady warned me about something. I need to see her."
"Oh, I'm sorry. My condolences to you miss."
"I have to go. Thank you."
With that, she ran away.
She had entered the street that Mr. La Flaga referred to. The place was quiet. She saw a few people talking to each other on a foreign tongue, with their eyes on her. They look hostile to her so she carefully observed with each step that she made. She didn't know where to find that lady but she had a strong feeling that she's being watched. She closed her eyes and prayed.
"You are looking for me," a voice from behind spoke.
Mir turned around and saw the lady. She was still wearing the same outfit, with the sign on her forehead.
She opened her mouth to speak, but the words didn't come out. She was trembling.
"Come with me," the woman instructed.
She followed her towards aisle. They walked past shabby houses and abandoned buildings. Wild birds seem to find refuge in this place. They cried a chilling sound, as if they're welcoming an unexpected guest. Miriallia's eyes were wide open. She didn't want to lose sight of the woman, who was walking very fast. The woman stopped in front of a wooden door, at the end of the aisle.
"Get inside," the woman instructed while looking around, and on the sky above them.
" Are we being followed?" Mir asked.
"Could be," the woman answered briefly.
Mir entered the house. It was like museum, with all antiquity inside it. Old pieces of chairs, tables and furniture displayed themselves in random arrangement. Books were found on each of the seven tables that she found. The curtain was dark gray in color, and candles illuminate the place. The scent of rosemary was everywhere.
"This is where I live," the woman said.
"May I know your name? Miriallia asked.
The woman removed the hood of her dress. Her odd-colored hair spilled out. Pink.
"I'm Lacus."
"I'm Miriallia."
"You came to see me. What happened?"
Miriallia took a deep breath.
"My brother died this afternoon. He jumped off … I mean, he killed himself."
The pink haired woman went to the nearby table and searched for something, while Mir continued her story.
"I saw my brother. A woman was taking him away. The woman said that my brother's soul would wander with her…"
"What did the woman look like?"
"I can't remember."
Lacus sighed. She found what she's been looking for… a piece of wooden ornament. It was a wooden carving of a lady, holding a skull on her right hand, and a torch on the left.
"For it was the seventh Black moon that appeared in the heavens. Her spirit will come to life and take revenge on that bloody night. Ashes will become flesh, and her grief will transcend the depths of hell and heaven will not interfere."
She said those phrases like she had known the words and memorized them by heart. Miriallia felt her skin as it lost blood.
"Who are you?"
The pink-haired lady gazed at her eyes.
"You are looking for her, as she was looking for you."
Miriallia stepped backwards. Fear suddenly enveloped her.
"Why are you saying this? Who are you?"
"I am not human, as you suspect." The lady slowly approached her.
"I have been living for more than three hundred years, searching for the time when you will be born."
"What does this has to do with me and my brother?" Mir was already on the state of panic.
"Do you want to see your brother?"
Mir caught her breath. Lacus was already standing an inch from her.
Her eyes were as clear as the sky, and the sign on her forehead seem to disappear. She looked like a transparent mirror, which sees everything even those that were hidden inside one's soul. Mir saw different people in this woman's eyes. She saw the places where this creature had gone to, as well as the different eras where she existed.
The question suddenly sank in. "Yes I want to see him," Mir answered.
Lacus went to the other table. On it was a basin of water. Lacus stood in front of it.
"Come here," she told Mir.
Mir stepped forward and looked at the same sight.
The water was clear, reflecting their faces under the amber-colored light.
Lacus opened a jar nearby. On her palm was a handful of salt. She sprinkled the salt on the water. Miriallia watched as the salt produced ripples in the water.
"Whatever happens, do not lose yourself," Lacus warned.
Mir looked closer as the water turned hazy. She saw Shinn standing amidst the blazing fires, but the flame weren't consuming him.
"Sister…"
"Shinn!" Mir shouted.
She was standing on the same field as he. But she feels the flames around her. It's too hot. She tried to reach him but she can't.
"Look at me sister. I'm suffering."
"No Shinn. Please, come back to me!"
"I will go to hell soon, because I killed myself.""No. It's that woman! Who is she Shinn! Tell me…" Mir cried helplessly.
Shinn looked at him. His eyes were sorrowful.
"Shinn please tell me!"
"I will go to hell…""Shinn!" Miriallia ran after him as his vision faded. She managed to embrace him just as he disappeared, but as soon as her skin felt his, a group f burning souls grabbed her feet from below. She was being carried under the billowing flames and she tried to get free but she couldn't.
The squeaking sound of the burning souls as they rejoice was deafening. Miriallia thought she would die there and go with them instantly when a pillar of light appeared before her. Descending from above was a woman, or a man- she wasn't sure about that, with a pair of wings and holding an arrow.
She was lifted from the burning flames, and the white light had swallowed her consciousness.
She released a deep breath as her head rose above the water.
Damp and exhausted, she pulled herself along the nearby chair and collapsed on it.
"Did you see your brother?" Lacus asked.
She nodded.
"You almost died," the former added.
"I saw a man, or a woman with wings. Like an angel."
"It was I that saved you," Lacus said with a smile.
"You're an… angel?"
"I was here for one mission. And it was you."
Mir was still catching her breath.
"Why me? And what about Shinn?"
"You will find out soon. Now, I want you to tell me what you saw."
"I saw him. He was wearing the same dress when he died. He told me that he was going to hell because he killed himself. But…"
"He's not in hell yet," Lacus reassured.
"Then where is he?"
"She took his soul away from the light. And soon, she'll come for you."
"How will I get my brother back? Please tell me!"
"I can't do anything, and I don't know."
"Then why are you here!" Mir shouted.
"I will not interfere with you and the forsaken creature. It is you who must face her," Lacus clarified.
Suddenly, the lights went out and the wind blew away the curtains. Mir stood and went closer to Lacus.
Lacus whispered a silent prayer.
"Mehna armi de tive sayne."
Oh god protect us we beg you.
"She is here…"
I have been thinking of Lacus exhibiting an androgyny in her nature. I think it's cool! Read and REVIEW please :)