Act 1 Chapter 3: The Voice in the Dark
The sky shadowed the whole town with dark clouds the whole day as Chelinka began her ascend to the orphanage rooftop. This was one of the days that she would have to content herself to play another melody for Serdic. She dearly missed him but she didn't want anyone to worry about her if she'd go missing heading for the tree.
She placed her violin case down the floor and gazed above. Was it going to rain? Somehow today was sadder than before and to add that the sunset was hidden by the gloomy clouds.
A strong gush of wind suddenly surprised not only her but the rest of the town's people. She closed her eyes as the wind got stronger and stronger. Before long, it suddenly stopped and the next thing she knew, she heard screams.
Above the sky, the clouds swirled until a hole came to view. Inside the hole was just darkness but then creatures suddenly started appearing out of nowhere. They were creatures with fur like shadows. You could see right through them but anything you see from the other side becomes darkness.
People begun to panic as these dark creatures started to attack. Their cries filled the whole town. Chelinka was just the same, afraid as everybody was. She run towards the door but as she opened it, a dark creature in the shape of a large dog was on the other side. Behind it, some children were there lying unconscious on the floor.
"Claire! Tim! Ezzie!" she exclaimed, seeing some familiar faces. They were no movements or sound that came from them. The only thing she heard was the growl of the large dog. It took a step towards Chelinka as she stepped backward.
"Anyone… please help…" She clutched her violin case tightly. "Please… Anyone…" She looked around but she was alone. No help could come.
Sensing the fear from the child in front of it, the shadow dog leaped towards her, its teeth thirsty for blood.
"Serdic!" For many reasons she wanted to hear his voice again. She wanted to understand why she had to go through a sad farewell. And she wanted to be saved by him; by the boy who invaded her dreams each night.
Before the dog could reach her, it suddenly disappeared, leaving a trail of glimmering darkness. And in front of her, a boy with blonde hair and emerald green eyes stood holding a sword at his right hand. His face was so serene and striking like what she always thought a prince would look like.
"Are you okay, Chelinka?" he said.
The boy's voice was so familiar. It was the same voice he wanted to hear for the past weeks.
"Serdic? Serdic… is that you?"
To see a person talking with his voice was so awkward for her. She just had to ask.
"That I am."
He extended a hand and helped Chelinka up.
"Serdic, do you know what's happening?! The town, it's being attacked!"
"I also don't know what's happening but I know someone who might have answers."
Together, they made their way to the Sekai tree where Serdic said a person of wisdom awaited for them.
"That person brought me here. He possesses ark magic." Serdic said as they made their way to the hill. "I'm sure he is not from my country so I can't tell you more."
The tree was deserted as they reached it, disappointing Chelinka for a bit but then she suddenly heard a voice,
"I am pleased to meet you."
The voice said.
"Could you please tell me what's happening?" Chelinka asked as soon he finished his greeting.
"This world has been connected, finally consumed by darkness."
"What? But... that bonds of the worlds… wasn't it destroyed to save the remaining worlds?!"
"That was a fact at first. But the same as we, people who can travel through the worlds are born, darkness also has gained an ability to defy the broken bond. This world shall continue to be swallowed by it until it becomes one with darkness. BUT it can be saved."
Saved, that was the word Chelinka had been waiting. She nodded and listened once more.
"A spell shall be casted by the two of you. It shall be a spell that shall hide this world once more. Serdic, you are a person who had been trained by the art of magic and thus knows how to channel energy yet you lack magic itself. And Chelinka, you are born with magic that is above others but doesn't know how to use it. That is why, you should work together."
"I have magic inside of me?" Chelinka asked.
"No person is void of magic much like no world exists without it. A proof of that is the Sekai tree. It feeds on the magic of the world, but it also answer why only one lives in your world. Your world only possesses a minimum magic that could only suffice a single tree.
"And now let us begin, Serdic would you please follow my instruction?"
"Of course," he answered. He looked at Chelinka and smiled. She was as warm as he always thought she'd be.
"Thank you…" Chelinka said.
The world was consumed by darkness, it kept repeating in Chelinka's head. This was the same as her grandma's story about the Sekai tree.
She touched the trunk of the tree she had grown to love and said, "I won't let my world disappear."
"Chelinka, I'm ready," Serdic said gripping her right hand with his left.
"What am I suppose to do?"
"You shall be the source of Serdic's magic. Your souls should be united as one body."
"Chelinka, there is something I must tell you before we proceed. If we cast this spell, you shall be taken into my world and can never return here."
"I have summoned Serdic here with a condition that he shall be returned to his homeworld. I have not yet mastered my ability so it is the best I could do. In most cases the caster and the source of magic are of one origin. So in order to suffice the magic you will be taken to the world of the caster. And once that is done, your world will be hidden so it would be impossible for me to return you."
"But my world would be safe, right?" Her tears begun to soak her cheeks but her voice came out brave. The thought of leaving her hometown was sad but if she could protect it then it will be worth it. "Although it would be sad to leave but it's better than seeing it destroyed."
"Chelinka…" Serdic's whispered.
"Very well. Then I shall state to you the burden that you shall carry until darkness rests once more: the safety of this world. When one of you falls, the seal shall also break. Lives depend on you so act carefully."
Both of them nodded.
Serdic begun to chant words Chelinka couldn't understand, it was then she remembered Ellen's last words to her. The words she couldn't understand. So those were magic words.
Each word Serdic spoke echoed in Chelinka's ears. Soon, she thought that it sounded more like he was singing. Her body was strangely warm and all the sadness she felt left her. She could feel her magic seeping out towards Serdic. It was so odd that she suddenly felt like laughing.
She looked below the town and lowered her head and finally said an audible, earnest goodbye. Her vision of her town faded, all that was left was a vicinity of night. It was dark and yet she felt safer here than anywhere else.
At the far horizon was a single light and from it came a girl's voice.
"I'm sorry but I can't come with you."
"Why can't you?"
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"
"Where will you go?"
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"
The voice continued her sorrowful apology until her voice begun to weaken. Chelinka raised her right hand to the light, trying her best to grasp it.
"We'll see each other again."
And finally she fell asleep.