Light and Shadow 1: Strange Book and Gold Envelope

Light and Shadow 1: Strange Book and Gold Envelope

I arrived home from school just to find the house empty. Nagtaka ako dahil dapat ay na sa bahay na sina Mimi at Nana. Umakyat ako at nagtungo sa office ni Mimi para silipin kung nando’n ba silang dalawa.

Kumatok muna ako bago binuksan ang pinto, ngunit nakitang walang tao sa loob. As I was about to close the door, something on Mimi’s desk caught my eye. Driven by curiosity, I decided to stepped inside before heading towards her desk.

Kumunot ang nuo ko nang makita ang isang makapal na libro. The book looks old, with its fading gold leather cover devoid of any markings or title, which piqued my curiosity. But it was more than just curiosity; I felt a mysterious pull.

As if the book itself was beckoning me to open it and read its contents. Bumuntong-hininga ako at binuksan ang kaiibang libro, ngunit hindi ko mapigilang mapakunot ng nuo nang mabasa ko ang nilalaman nito.

In Mythosia’s heart, where nine realms entwine,

Luminous gleams, where eightfold powers shine.

From fiery Flareon to Aquaros’ tide,

Through Gaialore’s high mountains and Aeralis’ flight,

Glaciem’s icy breath and Maldonia’s might.

And Luminara’s light, a beacon pure and bright,

While Tenebrae’s shadows seek to claim the night.

Wala akong maintindihan sa bawat salitang nilalaman ng libro, that’s why I couldn’t shake the feeling that this book was fictional. But even though I couldn’t understand a single word, I still felt compelled to keep reading.

Yet Tenebrae lurks, a shadow ever new,

Whispering discord, sowing seeds of fear.

A clash of light and darkness, long foretold,

Where ancient balance starts to lose its hold.

Yet from embers dim, a flame will ignite,

Banishing shadows, with its radiant might,

The heart of Luminous, once veiled in the night,

Will find its strength in the returning light.

Hindi ko mapigilang mapataas ang kilay bago umiling. “Wala akong maintindihan,” hindi ko mapigilang wika bago isinara ang libro.

Perhaps Mythosia is a world, and Flareone, Aquaros, Gaialore, Aeralis, Glaciem, Maldonia, Luminara, and Tenebrae are places in that world. Tenebrae, then, represents the mentioned darkness that threatens these places, which embody the forces of light.

Maybe this is a fantasy book.

Bumuntong-hininga na lamang akong muli bago isinara at ibinaba ang libro. Balak ko na sanang lumabas ngunit mayroon na namang nakakuha nang atensyon ko. It was a vibrant, shining gold envelope with its unusual seal: a sun with eight rays, enclosing a crescent moon and eight tiny stars.

Kinuha ko ito at tiningnan ang kabilang parte nito, ngunit napatigil na lamang ako nang makita ko kung kanino ito nakapangalan. ‘Lorraine Amethyst Callahan’. It was my mom’s name and I can’t help but frown, especially when I read the words above, ‘Lumina Academy’.

From: Headmaster Cadmus Aldridge

To: Miss Lorraine Amethyst Callahan

“Hope?”

Bahagya akong napatalon sa gulat nang marinig ko ang boses ni Mimi mula sa aking likod. Nilingon ko siya at binigyan siya ng malaking ngiti na sinuklian naman niya kaagad. Ngunit ang mga mata niya ay nabaling sa envelope na hawak ko, dahilan upang maglaho ang kaniyang ngiti.

“Mimi, saan ka po galing? Akala ko nandito ka sa office mo kaya pumasok ako at nakita ‘tong envelope at ang lib…” hindi ko naman natuloy ang balak kong sabihin nang makitang wala na ang libro na kanina lang ay na sa lamesa. “…huh?” Taka ko bago tumingin muli kay Mimi.

Mimi approached me with an unreadable expression, which was new to me, before gently taking the envelope from my hand and placing it in one of the drawers. I watched her, and as she turned back to face me, I couldn’t help but observe her.

“Mimi, I apologize for—” hindi ko naman naituloy ang sasabihin ko nang makita ko siyang bahagyang umiling.

“You did nothing wrong, sweetie…” she said in her usual gentle voice.

Bumalik ang ngiti ko bago hindi mapigilang magtanong, “I’ve never heard of Lumina Academy, Mimi. Where is it located? Is it a university?” I asked, full of curiosity.

Naghahanap na kasi ako ng university dahil graduating na ako ng senior high school, but I still don’t know what course I want to pursue. Ewan ko ba kung bakit parang wala akong gustong i-pursue na career, habang ang mga classmates ko ay sigurado na sa kukunin nilang kurso.

It’s not that I don’t have a dream; I do have one. It’s just that, I sense something more awaiting me, something beyond what I can currently grasp. Ewan ko ba, minsan hindi ko na maintindihan ang sarili ko at minsan ay iniisip kong nahihibang na ako.

Nakita kong natigilan si Mimi at lumikot ang mga mata niyang hindi makatingin sa akin. “Ah… uhm…”

“It’s located in a faraway land, Hope,” bigla ko namang narining ang boses ni Nana na nanggagaling sa pinto. Nilingon ko siya at nakitang papalapit siya sa amin ni Mimi, “and yes, it’s a university, but they offer courses that are beyond your wildest imagination.” Nana even winked at me, leaving me utterly bewildered.

“Huh? What kind of courses?” Hindi ko mapigilang tanong, at hindi ko inaasahang makukuha no’n ang atensyon ko.

Tumawa lamang si Nana habang si Mimi naman ay bumuntong-hininga. “Huwag kang maniwala diyan sa tiyahin mo. Just go and change your clothes, sweetheart,” pilit ang ngiti ni Mimi habang si Nana naman ay natawa lang.

Napipilitang tumango na lamang ako at nakangusong lumabas sa office niya. “Akala ko pa naman may nahanap na akong university…” bulong ko habang patungo sa aking silid.

But… Lumina Academy…? Hmmm… sounds interesting.

***

After dinner, I returned to my room and finished my homework. However, during our dinner, Mimi and Nana asked me what I wanted for my upcoming eighteenth birthday or if I wanted a grand celebration, but I told them I wasn’t sure yet.

Alam ko namang kaya nilang bigyan ako ng engrandeng debut dahil may kaya naman kami sa buhay dahil mayroong business sina Mimi at Nana. Ang problema nga lang ay wala naman akong masyadong kaibigan sa school.

I mean, wala talaga.

Mayroon akong mga nakakausap, pero ang maging ka-close talaga? Wala. I used to have two friends, but they moved away long ago. Since then, I haven’t made any new friends. I tried naman before, but they used me and then betrayed me.

Kaya mas gusto ko na lamang mapag-isa.

Pagkatapos kong gumawa ng homework, naghilamos at nag-toothbrush na ako bago nahiga. Maaga pa ang pasok ko bukas kaya natutulog ako nang maaga. However, the moment I fell asleep, I found myself immersed in a strange dream.

And after that dream, strange things began to happen to me.

***