Onward to the Sun

Chapter 11: Dreaming of a Memory

Chapter 11: Dreaming of a Memory

“We do not have the luxury and we also cannot afford to lose a student, and a Divine Tier, to that extent, which is why rather than being expelled for misbehaving for how many times already, you were given a death sentence of having your regular training’s rigorousness to be increased tenfold,” Santina shook her head as she reiterated the decision of the Headmistress towards Helios as we ate, “this is not fine, though, because you are setting a bad example to the student body that it is okay to break the rules because they will not be suspended or expelled. Just because the act is tolerated does not mean it is fine to do it over and over again.”

“Agreed,” Gaia stated and she looked at Helios with a disapproving look, “you better start thinking about your decisions and how it will affect us and the bigger picture as a whole.” Gaia talked as if she was commanding Helios who simply shrugged and ate a potato. “Take this seriously, Helios.”

“I am,” he replied. “There is just no use crying over spilled milk. There is a good thing that happened, anyway,” Helios looked at me as if he was implying that I was the good thing that happened. But I know I was not. For me, this was nowhere near good. I should be back in my own room now and sleeping, or doing something.

I wonder if Dad is already awake... What will be his reaction if he finds out that his daughter has been spirited away too like his wife eighteen years ago? I do not want to think of it. I know he will be depressed and anxious, and I know he will do anything it takes to find me... But how can he find me when I am no longer there? When here I am, in a different dimension and world, where magic they call ‘acnologia’ exists.

Everything actually still feels too surreal, but I know everything is real. I just ate in silence beside Helios who, despite being a fire acnologian, was being roasted by his squad.

Another thunder-like sound blared across the room, creating silence among the students automatically. We all looked at the Headmistress after, and it seems like she is already done with her meal.

“I see that most of you are already done with your dinner. Now, we must take matters into hands.” She declared, “I do not want to ruin your appetite, which is why I reserved this for after dinner.” She then looked at Helios and me, “Helios, about the rumors that a Nightwalker is lurking beyond the outskirt of Tempus City, is it true?” The Headmistress asked.

“It is true... The Obscurum Army of the Dark Lord is on the move. I do not know their exact motives, but I know they are not acting based on instincts alone, I know the Dark Lord is plotting something sinister here, in Magus Mundo.” Helios sighed as he replied to the Headmistress.

“You fought against these Nightwalkers?” Headmistress Aragona asked.

“I only fought against one and he was a Summoner who can call night creatures like hell wolves. He first used his beasts in order to tire me out while hiding somewhere in the forest and when he realized that I was already exhausted because I used all of my mana, that was the time he struck me and I almost died... If it were not for Luna who returned me to my original state using her acnologia, then perhaps I am now a cold corpse.” Helios looked at me after, “I am very grateful to her.”

After Helios’s speech, it was finally the Headmistress’s turn again, and she looked at everyone with her eyes that were full of confidence and power. I never thought that a simple stare or gaze will hold such intensity and strength in itself.

“That’s how powerful a Nightwalker of the Obscurum Army is... One is enough to even take down a Divine Tier, what more of the Legendary and Paladin tier?” The Headmistress stated and everyone gasped, those who were still eating stopped too and just stared at the Headmistress as if they could not believe what they just heard from her, “this encounter of Helios proves that we must be stricter now when it comes to the pieces of training and such. We must focus on strengthening our forces too, otherwise, we stand no chance at all. The Obscurum Army is already on the move. That means we have to change our pace as well not just to keep up with them, but to be ahead.”

It was only a few moments later as well when most students have exited the Dining Hall and returned to their dormitory. It was us next as well when we were all done eating already. I was quite full because the food that was served was all delicious and tasty. A part of me hoped for Dad to be able to taste such exquisite delicacies here. I am sure he will be very happy too.

We exited towards another door of the Dining Hall and we were already right outside the palace-like main building of the Academia. That is when I realized that the Dining Hall was just another extension of the main building. We walked down the cobblestone pathway, toward our own house.

The sky was already dark, and I can see that the stars sprinkled in the night sky also follow the same constellations of Earth, my homeland. The moon, however, was somewhat bigger here. There were streetlamps beside the pathways too, illuminating the ground with warmth as it was a shade of yellow.

“Luna, make sure to conform to rules and regulations, unlike Helios out there. It shall also be for your own good, this is also true about going outside the Academia. It is strictly forbidden especially at this point in time, of course, because your safety will surely be compromised outside. I am sure that the news about the appearance of the second Tempus Imperium wielder will be all over the world, and this will surely reach the Dark Lord. He will be after you.” Santina declared.

I frowned, “why?”

“Because he wants your acnologia.”

“How? You mean he can steal it?” I asked.

“Of course, not. There is no such thing as an acnologia that can steal another acnologia,” Ruby chuckled as she answered my inquiry, “the Dark Lord will try to convert you like his Obscurum Army and turn you into a Nightwalker, as one of his own pawns.”

“That will never happen,” I spoke. It was actually absurd.

“Yes, indeed. And the inside of the Academy is also safe from the Nightwalkers and the Obscurum Army in general, even from the Dark Lord. Through this magical barrier that Headmistress Aragona has erected, they cannot enter the Academia. The same applies to all the cities across the Kingdom.” It was Thaddeus who spoke. “But of course, we are in the Divinia Class, and our curriculum also involves traveling across kingdoms. So, it is inevitable that from time to time, we shall go out for missions that are bestowed to us by the Academia.”

I nodded at that as we continued walking towards our ‘house’.

When there were finally two pathways leading to different directions, Helios excused himself. “I will just go to the stable in order to take off all of the attachments on Raiyah’s body, and I will also get your things that were given by Lady Marcelle,” he told me.

“Alright, make it fast. I am worried you might escape the Academy again and run off somewhere, you suicidal maniac.” Santina declared which made Ruby and Thaddeus to chuckle. On the other hand, Gaia simply shook her head in dismay, as if the idea of it is not funny at all.

We turned right while Helios turned to the left. I looked at him for a brief moment and then returned to look at my companions who were talking nonchalantly. All of them seem comfortable with each other. I guess that is given that their relationship will be intimate as they were a small group. As an outsider, I felt out of place and I felt like I did not belong. For how long will I even be with them? I do not want to think of it or consider the possibility that it may be too long.

A few minutes later, we were already in front of a big house, it almost looked like a classic mansion. It was barricaded with small black fences and the entrance gate has a curved arc on top of it that says Divinia Class, I immediately knew this is where they were living—and it shall also be where I will live, temporarily, of course. So, living on this beautiful house is one of the perks of belonging to the strongest acnologian tier?

I stared in awe as we walked past the gate.

“Welcome to your new house! You shall live here, from now on, while we wait for Headmistress Aragona to find a way for you to be able to go back home.” Santina smiled at me. “Anyway, since she was the one who tasked me to attend to you, if there is anything you need or want to know, just tell me.” She said, we were now closer to the porch of the house—it was three floors, I suppose, based on the windows that I can see. The architecture also fits the same gothic and classic touch of the Academy in itself. Whoever built this place, I would like to commend you for a job well done. The entire Academy is so elegant and regal in nature—from its ambiance to its architecture in general.

We finally entered the house and we were greeted by a reception or receiving area, and a corridor, at the center, is also a staircase that splits into two opposing corners. It was symmetrically done as well.

“On the left wing is rooms for the girls only, and the right-wing is for the boys. This is a rule we set for ourselves,” Gaia mentioned as she pointed out where the stairs shall lead and I nodded again.

“Anyway, I am tired with today’s training, so I shall be off to the bed now. Excuse me, ladies, and to you also, Luna, welcome to Divinia Class.” Thaddeus said his good night, and proceeded to the right direction of the staircase already, leaving me with the three girls.

“I shall go to my room too,” Ruby said after, and Gaia followed.

Now, it was just me and Santina.

“Let’s go to your room.” Santina smiled at me, and I nodded. Santina walked first and I simply followed her. We passed by several doors, the first two doors had a light on it, and I know it must be the room of Ruby and Gaia, the third room had no light, and I am guessing it was Santina’s, then we stopped in front of the fourth room which lies at the corner of the house. “This shall be your room,” Santina opened the door and she gestured me to walk inside.

I entered the darkroom and Santina flipped the switch on the wall beside the door, causing the light to open, finally making me be able to see what lies within.

A queen-sized bed, a human-sized mirror at the edge, a sturdy table with a chair too, there were a few books on it too, then a few sofas and a coffee table, a veranda, three large windows, a built-in bathroom, and other decorations like flowers and paintings on the wall.

“Wow,” was all I can say.

Santina smiled, “one of the perks of being in the divine tier.” She grinned, “we get to live a luxurious life in the Academia, but of course, with such award—comes a higher price to pay, this includes strenuous activities and training,” Santina sighed. “You will get used to it, I hope so.”

“Yes...” I agreed.

“Anyway, good night now, Luna. I shall tour you around tomorrow after breakfast, and we will also buy you your things that the Headmistress shall shoulder. Make sure to get well rested because tomorrow might be a tiring day for you.”

“I will keep that in mind,” I said.

“Good night.”

“Good night, Santina.” I smiled and watched Santina retreat to her own room. She waved at me before entering her room and closing it. As if on cue, I heard footsteps from the stairs approaching, the figure showed a man holding a bag, and I knew it was Helios.

He stopped in front of my room’s doorway, and he offered me the bag. I accepted it and thanked him afterward.

“Thank you, Helios.”

“My pleasure,” he replied. “Have a good night, Luna.”

“You too.”

And after staring at each other for a few seconds, he broke the contact and retreated back to the stairs in order to go to the other side where the room for the boys lie. Now, it was just me. I closed my room’s door after and sighed.

I slumped into my bed and it was unusually comfortable, it felt like I was laying down on a big and soft marshmallow. This is only the moment where I felt the exhaustion running deep within my body. My first day of adventure was finally done, but there shall be more days next.

Without realizing it, I fell into a deep slumber and had a dream, or a memory rather, of my last time with my father.

“Luna, you’re staring at the painting again.” I looked at the doorway and saw my father walking, he was holding a cup of hot coffee and his messy bed-hair was visible again. He was still in his onesie pajamas, and he yawned. He probably just woke up, “good morning.”

To finally see my father again, even if it is only just in my memory—gives me hope.

He walked past me and opened the backdoor of our humble home. The cold breeze of fresh morning air entered the room and enveloped both of us; I almost felt myself shiver. My father stared at the sea from the porch, and I walked towards his side. This is one of the reasons why I love Hawaii. It felt like I was always connected with nature, and our backyard is the beach, but it is not like I always go there and sunbathe or swim. I just like watching the ocean from our porch while listening to my favorite music or stuff like that. I have never been an outdoor person, I rarely go out at the seashore too, but whenever I do, the only thing I do usually is to bury my feet on the sand, to feel the cold that lies beneath it, while watching the vast firmament turns orange and dark red. At the same time, the sunsets and the night takes place. I watch it sometimes with amazement, as the water is reflecting everything that’s happening.

“Good morning, Dad.” I smiled at him, “I don’t know why, but every day, it seems like I am more drawn and drawn to the painting. I am confused with myself why too. Perhaps I am just looking for that ‘motherly’ love, and since this painting is the only thing we both have that connects us to Mom, I guess that is why.” I insisted. That’s right, along with my mother's disappearance, all of her things perished as well—her clothes, things, pictures, and all that. It was like she was erased out of this world, like she never existed at all. That’s what my father told me, which is why my mother’s disappearance is considered a big mystery to both of us and even others. My father already hired investigators, detectives and even sought the help of other ‘paranormal’ experts and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Still, none could ever figure out what happened to my mother—the only conclusion they could provide is that no conclusion can be made at all, not with all these big missing pieces in the picture.

“Tomorrow is your eighteenth birthday already.” My father said his tone was serious already, as if turning 18 was a big deal. “You will be of legal age already.” He sighed, and I can never figure out if it was out of something good or bad, “time passes by so fast. My baby girl is now a proper lady.” He looked at me, and his gray eyes glistened in delight and sadness. If there was only one thing I inherited from him, it was his gray eyes. “A proper lady...” He frowned after a few seconds while looking at me from head to toe, “I guess just a lady.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “Whatever you say, Dad.” For a girl, I was quite boyish too. My hair is always tied into a messy bun, and my favorite go-to shirt will be oversized shirts with random prints and designs.

Dad sighed again, “you’re turning eighteen.” He repeated, making a big deal out of me aging one year closer to death. I laughed at my own thought.

“Dad, I’ll age one year older. It is not a big deal.” I rolled my eyes again because he was overly dramatic about it. But this is what I love about him, too, because we both are emotionally open to each other and are very transparent, too, with how we think and feel. If there is one person I can depend on, it is just my dad and no one else. I guess I am a daddy’s girl, but it is not like I had a choice since I have no mother: just me and my dad.

“Of course, it is!” He sighed once more, and then he took a sip of his coffee. “Are you sure you won’t have a debut? You won’t throw a big party? We have money to waste, Luna.”

I laughed, “I don’t need a grand celebration for just turning 18, Dad. I’m good. Plus, it is not like anyone is going to come if ever we throw a big party. Also, save your money for something else that is more practical.”

He paused for a few seconds, as if contemplating the things I said, and then he nodded his head as if he has already considered it at long last. “Yes, you’re right. I figured you have no friends nor a boyfriend.”

“Yep,” I said, not wallowing in self-pity because I don’t need friends. I am satisfied being alone. The last time I got a friend in tenth grade, and that person called me a freak, the sooner she knew my hobbies. She’s the freaky one, though; she almost looked like a clown to me with all those makeups that she paints on her ugly face; I do not even remember or know why I associated myself with that vixen. Also, I am just honest, not rude. It’s not good to lie.

Anyway, going back to myself—I find comfort in solitude; I think that dealing with other people is a big hassle and pain in the you-know-where... And I would rather spend and waste my energy watching or reading Fantasy-genre books and movies or drawing and painting fantasy-related themes of places and characters.

“You know, Luna, I think you’re missing half of your life.” My father said out of the blue as he stared at the waves crash against the seashore, they formed white foam of bubbles, and as another batch of waves crash, they slowly disappear and retreat into the cerulean ocean.

My eyes followed the waves that crashed against the coast, turning into snowy fizzes and dispersing into nothingness, perhaps going back once more to the depths of the sea, as it should.

“You should live your life while you are still young, Luna. You are too confined in your comfort zone, have a little bit of adventure to tell your kids someday.” I am not planning on having kids, though. “There is so much out there, in this universe, that you are missing...” He moved his hand to gesture everything, and I shook my head as a response.

“I am living, Dad.”

“No... You’re just existing. There’s a difference.” He insisted, he put his free hand on my shoulder and gave me an encouraging pat, “and that is your daily dose of morning counseling,” he chuckled, and I smiled with him, “anyway, I have to go and prepare for work. You better hurry up and take a bath as well and get ready for school.”

Everything fell into darkness as this memory with my father that I dreamed of reached its epilogue, and when I opened my eyes, it was already the next day.