THE PREPARATION

Mr Tan never went to sleep even after their last super celebration. His eyes kept on looking up the sky wondering who would be quietly living up there with the long dead and decided to abandoned them here down with all this troubles. A cluster of stars surrounded the sky with their rhythmic tunes as the moon plays its part on brightening the quiet sky. When out of the blue, his thoughts strayed averting his gaze away from the sky when his son's face appeared Infront of him. How will he feel if everything turns back to the past where he used to spend most of his time fishing in River Tale with his son. When he used to steal his mother's meat then rans back to him whenever she wanted to beat him? Sometimes at school when he is being bullied and doesn't have anyone to tell, he used to jump in his arms and cry till tomorrow. What exactly will he do when the chance he has been yearning for for many months lands right now? Will he accept it?

' No. It can't happen no matter how hard l try. He has already gone. They all died in my eyes.' he mumbled wiping the falling tears.'

How will he keep up with all the deaths he has gone through with? So many good people have died in his hands and some his loved ones. How is he going to bear with all that pain? Their sudden deaths must be so painful to live with it. Each day remembering them whenever he meets someone like them. He can't live to recall what happened to him yet he has nothing to loose. He has done a lot both bad and good and now is high time to make his decision. Whether to live in regrets or die in peace. He rosed his head at the sky again, as the stars disappears one by one.

' It is my time to come. I can't live alone in this cruel world. Please wait for me wife. Son, am coming where you are. Just wait a little more. Keep on waiting and don't hold back.' he said still his gaze fixed on unknown creature up there. Alex took his steps silently towards his direction only to realize how the old man has been wanting to die for long. He squarted down touching him on the shoulder but still the old man didn't flinch. He kept on staring up and the thing bothered him alittle.

' Mr Tan! Mr Tan! Are you okay? What's wrong? ' he asked shaking him.

' Yes! Yes boy! '

' Are you okay? '

' Yeah! Why ask?' he replied this time being jolted out of his predicament than before.'

' Have been calling you but you weren't answering. Anything wrong?'

' No. Am just missing home.'

' Home? How? '

' My family is my home and where they are that's where am missing now. It really hurts when those you loved gets wiped away within seconds. What if there's a way to bring them back, can it really happen?'

' No. They are gone forever. Coming back is never going to happen since where they are, they are happy. Who knows what they are doing now?'

' But l can feel them. They are always with me. It is just that l can't see them.'

' That's true. I too do feel Linet staring at me. Smiling at me and even talking to me secretly. She does says she's safe and happy there up with everyone.'

' Mmh! Today is my last time seeing and talking to you son. So what you have use it wisely. You might not understand now but time is coming when you'll know everything.'

' What if we all die?'

' Shut up. We can't die all. Keep this in mind. Anyone who can speak Vonnol, it is hard for them to get killed.'

' That is what you believe, right? What if it's all your illusions.'

' Illusions? No. Am saying the truth.'

' Old man, please go sleep. Tomorrow's day is long.'

' Why should l? Tomorrow is actually long for you not me. What is long is what am waiting and hoping for now. It is taking up my time.'

' I think l must leave you for some time. And it's cold out here so please don't stay for long.' Alex said though his instinct wanting to probe further but he refrained knowing he must be disturbing him.

He turned to leave only to find Lyn watching them closely. With nothing to say, he gave her a huge hug just to relax his mind slowly since him too was scared of what really would happen tomorrow. Who knows who will live and stay. The old man himself is dying and the four of them, there's no one much stronger except himself. He wondered tighting his grip around her warm body. She quietly understood and soothed him slowly till he felt relaxed.

____________________

The next day it was like yesterday. The sun rising early before them. They quietly prepared themselves not giving a word to each other and since the old man had already given them the direction to where the Black Moon does appear, they walked out only to find Mr Tan waiting for them where they left him yesterday. His face was shinning so bright and no one could tell whether he was happy or sad.

' Good morning. I know you haven't taken anything. So... Welcome!!!!He shouted inviting them for breakfast. He had already prepared everything and since the sun was so bright, he wanted to feel its burn while taking tea.'

' Old man!!! What the.....?'

' Ooh shut up son. Come, have a seat and drink your tea before it gets cold.' he cut Andy with a smile he has never given anyone before.'

' What exactly are you planning this time?' Lyn suspiciously asked sitting down.'

' Stop asking and chop your food, my lady. I want you to eat heavily today.'

Alex's parted his lips in surprise and awe yet saying nothing. He kept on wondering what was really happening with the old man even still seated down. His eyes didn't leave him and for the first time, he saw him happy the thing that he appreciated silently.'

' Alex boy, you want another bread. You've finished yours. Is it sweet?' he asked jolting him from his world.'

' Uuh! Yeah it's sweet. Can l have more.' he replied but again wondering why he was calling them with other names.'

' Sure as you want.'

' Are you feeling okay Mr Tan.' Amaya Freshly this time was the one who broke the silence again. She too knew something was going to happen.'

' Eat beauty, the sun is about to set. It is the main reason why l woke up early and prepare breakfast. I knew you'll not bother yourself with food so l had to cook it.'

' Set. But it is still early for it to set.'

' Ooww! I mean to disappear. Today is Black Moon's day to appear so the sun always paves the way for such days like this. So, you have less than an hour for you to finish everything and start your journey.'

' Aren't you accompanying us?' Andy asked.'

' I won't. I must complete something first. Since l know the way, I'll follow you guys later, and make sure you reach there before the sun sets.' he finished walking away from them. They all looked at each other and when they finished eating, they cleared up the table then gathered their belongings walking away.

They didn't spend alot of time on the way since everyone was lost in their own world. They stopped at a place which was located far away from their homes and when they checked on the map the old man gave them, they were standing on Land Montages. The land of the great powers that was abandoned many years ago but it is where so many sacrifices gets done since many people who knows it, they say it is a pure land for the believers. And a sacrifice is only accepted if what you want can be given when the Black Moon appears. That is what Mr Tan had said before leaving.

' What's the time Andy?' Alex asked staring at the Map again.'

' It's 11: 50AM.'

' Ooww! We aren't late nor early. Ten minutes till the dark appears. We should wait here since Alah's sacrifice will take place near that tree. It is called the Dark tree since it only brights during the night. It glows like the sky. Greyish in colour and when touched, the ground cracks. So make sure you don't get intouch with anything around here, especially that middle tree. Okay.'

' Yes!!!!

' Good. Now, prepare your arrows as you take your positions. Andy, since you're the one who can hold on the Great Sword properly, make sure you don't leave the old man's back. You must not stand for so long inside the circle that Aladin is going to make. After you've stabbed the mirror and the shadow inside has disappeared also the mirror shuttering into pieces, make sure you jump out as soon as you can. Or else...'

' Or else what brother?'

' Or else l don't know what exactly will happen to you. But l know it'll be something dangerous. Make sure your eyes only gets focus on the old man alone. Nothing else.'

' Yes. I have understood.'

' Good! Amaya, your task will be you to drag Andy out if anything bad happens. Don't focus on Aladin alone. You'll need your attention from your spot, alright.'

' Yes. I got you.'

' Then Lyn. You'll be whistling right after ten seconds, inorder to remind us on our task. In details, you'll be our time reminder, okay.'

' Okay.'

' Good.'

' And you? What about your task?' Andy finally asked.'

' Are you eager?' Fine. I'll be the one to do all your tasks if you fail. I'll be watching you from everywhere and if anything changes or happens, I'll be your last option angel.'

' What....? That doesn't sound proving you know.' he objected narrowing his brows.'

' You'll know my task later. So, how many minutes left?'

' Two.'

' Great. Stay here all of you. I'll go behind that stone and when you'll see my thumb up, don't waste any second since she'll not concentrate with you guys. Her aim will be her husband.' he explained running towards the huge stone.

Time didn't add nor reduced anything and when it rung exactly 12 o'clock, everything changed. The sun disappeared instantly then a loud thunder echoed everywhere making the ground to shake. To their luck, they were all inside the forest since huge trees started growing preventing anything from entering the pure land. By that time Alex had already raised his thumb everybody on their positions though terrified. Still in fear, a loud thud of something falling on the ground shook them and when they peeked, it was Mr Tan's body though he wasn't dead. Suddenly, the second body was a man's and they knew probably that was her late husband. She immediately stepped down slowly then begun drawing a circle with a white powder which instantly started lightning.The mirror she had come with, she placed it Infront of her and the lightening fire separating them. Unexpectedly, the sky changed to red and from nowhere, wonders started to happen as she chants using weird languages which ofcourse Alex understood only.

What really is happening? Will they work on their task or get wiped away when the Black Moon appears???