Chapter 5: First Lesson

My father chuckled at the sight of my face. I could barely comprehend what was in front of me. A Bling-bling that surely I would not wear at school just to impress my classmates, and a dagger that encouraged violence.

The first thing that came into my thoughts was that I am outrageous for my father leaving us for four long years and visit us home to give me a gift that would not even contribute better to my being. He just stared at me with happiness on his face, with so many interpretations that were oblivious from my standpoint. I did not understand what’s happening at that moment.

“This is the reason that I left you and your mum. To keep you safe. I am a member of ‘The Keepers’.” The way he told that, and the expression on his face like I knew what the Keepers mean. Would I be proud that he was a part of a gang?’

“I know you do not know about the Keepers,” He continued, “But we are a part of an underground war against witches.”

My eyes widen and my mouth opened. ‘I was not sure about witches, are they even real?’ As if the words that came out of my father’s mouth were serious. I did find any hint of a joke and waited for a punch line but there was none. I smiled sarcastically with disbelief.

“I know, you won’t believe me at first, but witches are real son. They roam around the world like cancer. Destroying the natural laws of nature and crippling subtly the laws of men.” He took the necklace from the case and held it with both hands and raised it in front of me. At the center of the pendant’s design held a light blue-luminous gem a size of a peanut.

“This is the necklace of The Keepers. All members wore this to protect themselves with the powers from witches. They could never hurt you while wearing this and you could sense a witch that cast a spell at that moment. The gem provides power that nullified spells from witches that cast upon you. They call it the ‘Moonstone’. A rare gem bestowed with the powers of our Highest Seat.”

He placed the necklace on my head and my neck. It was heavy at first. “Never leave this from your body.” He stretched his shirt’s collar and exposed his collar bone. I saw a golden necklace same as mine hanging from his neck.

“I have mine here.” His gesture portrayed pride in wearing the necklace. The Pendant protrudes at his chest beneath his shirt.

I did not utter any words. I did not know what to say. Am I going to believe him? Witches? C’mon. You got to kidding me. Powers?’

“I know that look on your face son. It is a lot to take in.” He said. “We are at war against witches for many centuries and our organization and their organization were kept secret. The Witches’ Council and their coven are getting stronger and stronger and we need to stop them, son.”

I finally asked and my voice was faint, “Why are you giving this to me, dad?”

“It is because you are part of the Keepers now, son. It is a lineage tradition that to bestow the knowledge and the skills of a Witch hunter at age of 18. I must mold you to be the best version of a hunter as you can be. It is not easy son, and we have to do this to increase our numbers. We are losing the war and we should not be complacent. The witches are getting smarter and stronger every generation. They discovered more of their black magic and used it against us.”

“And what is the use of this dagger?” I asked.

“This is a Witch bane. Bathe by the Zerzura liquid that weakens witches when struck by it. It is our primary weapon son, especially higher-level Witches called the Magistrates. The lower-level witches are called the Acolytes, they are weaker in using their black magic crafting. They live among us and we cannot detect them if we do not have our Moonstar pendants. We have a few in this town and I have not seen one for a year of searching. Do you remember the dead physics teacher, Mr. Bennet?”

I nodded for I recognized Mr. Bennet. He was a dedicated teacher, sometimes weird but his work was his life. He died of a heart attack last year. It was all over the news and students held mourning events in commemoration of Mr. Bennet’s death. Many were surprised for the reason of his death, he did not show any signs of hypertension during their Annual Physical Exams. Rumors spread like a virus that he was murdered but there were no facts that supported them. Some gossips made by students that a vengeful student killed their teacher for failing him in his subject.

Mr. Benette was not a likable teacher and his behavior was sometimes irrational and repulsive but he did not deserve to die. He was good in Physics but short in being a good teacher. A lot of students hated him for he rarely gave chances for failing students to stretch their grades. But what happened to him was unfair and unexpected.

“It was a work of a witch. He was murdered by a witch’s spell.” My father mused.

“How can you say that, dad?” I asked, bewildered by the revelation.

“I was near the vicinity son, outside the campus. I sensed that someone cast a spell on that specific area. I responded immediately to the scene but I was too late. I already found him dead inside his car. I was the one who reported to the police about Mr. Bennet’s death. That instance, triggered me to search witches in our City.”

It was too much for me. The thought of witches killing other people was incomprehensible. My father sense that my face puckered for unimaginable news. I gnashed beneath my bed and started to introduce in my mind the horrific capabilities of a witch. I had to assure my father’s details.

“Maybe it was a coincidence dad. Maybe Mr. Bennette’s death was natural. He had a heart illness from the start.” I shuddered from that perspective.

“No son, I am sure of it. I even check Bennette’s medical records and there was no history of hypertension and strokes and his biological parents did not even had the sickness, thus it was not inherited.”

He continued, “Witches yearns to use their powers because it is very seductive and addictive son. They could conjure small spells just by thinking it. Bending the laws of physics at the tip of their fingers. That is why we need to stop them.”

I shook my head weakly and my head bent. “I do not know about this dad, it is overwhelming. And witches? War? I do not know if I am going to believe you.” I gazed upon my father’s eyes but they were no traces of craziness or a probable gag. I thought my mum knew about this. She accepted my father’s work and this caused them to argue a lot. The dots connected as I overheard my mother unintentionally screamed at my father revealing vague parts about their conversation. Somewhat about, ‘safety and about the ‘creed.’

“I heard mum talked about your Creed. What is it?” I asked.

My father chuckled and said, “Yes son, every member of the Keepers will partake a creed. To serve and comply with the obligations of the high Seat and compelled ourselves in achieving our objectives, by killing all the witches and saving mankind from their cruelty.”

He continued, “For now, all you have to do is listen first. For within a month, will be the start of your training, son.”

“Training? For what?” I snapped.

“You will be facing deadly witches in the future and you need to prepare yourself for the worst. Even without your weapon, you could still fight.”

He sighed while he stared at me. I was there wearing a face of partly disbelief and awe. He stood up from his chair and said, “This is your first lesson son and tomorrow is another day. Wait for me here at home, there is a lot to teach you.”