Chapter 14

Arnold strode his way through the corridors of Motvale, the main branch of the organization. It was situated on the isolated small island of Lock Awe. To the eyes of the outsiders, it may appear as a ruined castle, lost in the aging time. However, it is only coated with a dimension barrier. Anyone who is not recognized by the barrier will be treading into a different dimension when they stepped into the starting line of the barrier, thus seeing the ruined castle. The barrier of Motvale is a mystery that was not disclosed even to the elders, so many wondered who made it or when and how it was constructed.

For those who were recognized and given permission, they would be able to see the true form of Motvale, a massive castle constructed somewhere in the midst of twelve hundreds years. The castle stood in time proudly with its intimidating stature. Its walls are made with thick graying yet sturdy stones. Doors are made with huge oak wood with intricate carvings of unknown ancient words. On the inside, the medieval setting was intelligently blended with modern architecture and furnitures. Security devices, although scattered all throughout the place, are well-hidden.

"Arnold?" Reynaldo's eyes squinted as Arnold passed by him. He's one of the prestigious members of the organization. Though his eyesight is slowly fading with age, retirement is still out of his plans. "I didn't know you were called to the main branch."

"No, I was not. I am here to see the Elder Council and submit a report," he said flatly. He knew that they already heard about Ashnah, yet they acted like they have no idea of what's happening. Arnold is certain that they're only waiting to turn the tides their way. 'Sly old men. The organization might have been built for the purpose fighting what's evil, yet, they're slowly turning into one themselves with their shrewdness.'

"Ah, must have been too important to finish your mission way too earlier than the estimated time," he said with his foxy smile.

Arnold tensed. He eased himself. He wouldn't want him feeling arrogant for each small victories that he'll have. "I must make haste, Reynaldo. Important matters cannot be delayed. If you'll excuse me," he turned his back on him before he could utter a reply.

"This rude brat."

He heard him whisper but made no comment. He needs to gain the other elder's approval about his plan. To start with, he needs an elder who has been fair enough throughout his years of service to see his point. He made a turn to the left at the next fork, making his way to Elder Hugo workplace.

He made a few turns in the east wing and finally stopped at the very corner room, just beside the entrance to the grand terrace. He didn't waste any time and knocked on the tall wooden door where a name was firmly glued in the plate. Hugo Antonio.

"Come in."

He turned the knob and opened the heavy door. Sitting on his desk was the strict Elder. His once raven black hair is now painted in the shade of silver given his age. Settled at the bridge of his nose is his glasses with thick grade lenses, making his strict stature appear more rigid than it already is.

"To what do I owe your rare visit, Arnold?" He asked without raising his eyes from the documents.

'As expected of the Elder. His senses have always been keen.' He walked in and made sure to close the door tigthly behind him. "I am sure you're already aware of the reason why I am here."

"Hmm? For the past years till now, I have not yet received the gift of prophecy. I am no fortune teller the last time I check," he said in his collected manner.

Arnold sighed, praying his patience will not run thin during their entire conversation. "I know you already tailed my movement and probably caught the news of the trainee that we personally recommended to the organization in Sugbu branch."

"Oh, that?" He still lacked the interest that Arnold would need him to be in. "Finally want to talk about it now? What made you change your mind?"

"Sending Tyron to investigate the current case our trainees were involved in is a bold move for you to not assume that there's no grandeur plan behind."

"That's not a plan I had proposed." Antonio Hugo signed the papers and flipped it as he read the next page of the document he's inspecting.

"But it's a plan you have approved."

"Intelligence finally sprouted in your brains, is that it? Might as well grab your position as the rightful representative from your household," anger laced his voice.

Arnold had to swallow hard to remove the bulk in his throat. "This and that are different."

"They are both the same--both you need to take responsibility of," He hammered both palms on the table, cracking the pen in his left hand. The loud bang it made echoed on the four corners of the room.

"I had left that house long ago." His mouth pursed into a thin line.

"That is not for you to decide."

"Then who does? Who decides it? I have no real connection to that house before. My blood does not have an ounce of the Etonilla's blood. It is my wife's. And how do you expect me to face that long lost bloodline, taking up the position after I and the council failed to protect her?" He breathed in hard and released it in a harsh mannner, trying to control his emotions. "I'm not here for the bygones. I am here to discuss the solution that is bound to be busted by some greedy eyes."

"What is so special about this girl that you're so willing to march the halls that you so hated?" His face creased in confusion.

"We need her. She's in the right place and the right time where she should be. What's holding you back to support her? You have never been so impartial."

"She belonged to the lower bracket. It never happened before. This could be just a diversion of the enemy."

"For Pete's sake, Hugo. There is always a first!"

"Azunta has spoken. That girl that you're trying to side with holds a future of destruction!" He whispered but his vioce held firm in his decision.

"All of us know that Azunta's gift is not absolute for the past few years. We are at the loosing end in this long fought war, yet there's still a number of us in the org who are greedy for power, grasping everything they could within their hands. Fina's vision has a lesser tendency to change. She had seen Ashnah's potential in the vision. She also confirmed that she brings hope."

"Then wouldn't bringing her to the main branch the best solution to have it proven?"

Arnold's jaw tensed as he remembered how they have recovered Ashnah from that forsaken place. He slowly told Hugo everything that they have uncovered so far about Ashnah's ability. His only hope is to get his empathy of her situation. Afterall, he have the gift of wisdom and knowledge, which made the organization stand firm for the past years. He can only hope his gift is still fueled with the right spirit.

***

Arnold's back to Sugbu City's branch after a few days. His plans to divulge Ashnah's information to the council in order to rein in their greed for power and doubts of her origin almost bailed if not for Antonio Hugo's intelligent rebuttal. Since it's weekend, they decided to meet at Fina's place.

"With an enemy that isn't visible to us, we have no other choice. Even Fina's gift was not able to see the entirety of the danger they imposed," Uncle Arnold explained further the reason why he has reported Ashnah's capabilites. "The elders have made some changes to your training. They might be integrating your training to the next level."

"I see. Then they should bring it on. I'll wait for it," Ashnah said with an enthusiastic grin. She's both anxious and excited for their expectation. Excited for the trainings and new discoveries of her gift. And anxious for their level of expectations. What if she cannot make it and failed at the end? Afterall, her gift belonged to the weaker bracket so she cannot really find confidence in that fact. 'No, Ashnah. You shouldn't think it that way.' She scolded herself.

"So when are they going to change my sched?" she asked Uncle Arnold.

"They're going to send an email on the changes. As soon as we received it, I believe."

Fina met her eyes, and Ashnah understood. Fina was worried for the visions she had before. The first thing that happened in her visions when she explained it in details is the surroundings. Uncle Robert was in a place where the floor was made of shiny Narra planks and there are old antique on the shelves in the room as well as the decoration of the room was designed in rustic theme. They might need to start checking any old buildings or even newly constructed area that may have such design.

"Could they leave some time for me to take a break? Like a dayoff or two?" Ashnah asked in her small voice, shifting her gaze back to Uncle Arnold.

"Probably so. One cannot function well without taking a break. You'll burn out. That is also part of the training program and therefore they should have taken that into consideration," Uncle Arnold answered.

***

Later that night the email really came. And Uncle Arnold informed her of her new schedule. Her only break would be on Sunday. She wouldn't be free during her training. Half of the week for her physical training and the other half is for the development of her ability. She bet she'll lay flat on her bed on each of those days. She began preparing three bags. One bag, which contain five gym suits, underwears, some towels and a litre of a waterbottle. The second bag contains her staff like notebooks and the likes that might be needed on learning about her abilities. The third bag contains her clothes intended for disguising once she'll check places with Fina, some extra money, and some snacks and drinks. She made sure to keep it light.

She heard someone knock on the door. It was Monette.

"Hi Monette! What's up?" she said, surprised by her visit.

"I've heard you're no longer going to be on the same training ground?" Monette asked worried and sad of the news.

Ashnah reflected her sadness. It was rare for her to find friends like Monette. Although she already expected it, it still made her sad. She like having these guys around. "Yeah. News surely travel fast." She tried to make her voice jolly but failed.

"Does Cale know?" she asked.

"I'm not sure," she said. She invited Monette in. "And I don't think that should matter. He have some stuff that he needs to do. I think he's been burdened too much by my circumstances."

"Who said it's a burden?" Said that familiar deep voice. Their eyes flew to the now opened door. Cale was leaning on the door. While Norze is at his back, holding a plastic of canned beers.

"He should be the burden, not you," Norze commented which made them all laugh.

She invited them all in. "What's this a small farewell party?" She joked as soon as they are all settled in her small room. She looked around her room and immediately felt embarrassed. "I'm sorry it's kind of messy. You surprised me."

"That's the goal, girl--to get you surprised!" Monette giggled.

"Thank you, guys. I really appreciate this small party--a lot," she sighed to try to pushed her weighing emotions aside . She has been ignoring its whispers but now, she felt every ounce of it.

They all smiled back. Monette stand up first and went to hug her. The other two brutes followed and squeezed them in between.

"Don't forget, you've got a midget here!" Monette protested.

All of them shared a laughter.

"You're finally admitting it," Norze teased Monette.

"Only if it's necessary," she finally managed to push the guys away from them through her squirming.

"Just how did you learn to behave like an itchy larva?" Cale commented, still can't stop laughing.

"You got that right, dude," Norze agreed and bummed their fist. His laugh is also unstoppable.

"Ugh!" Monette groaned in irritation.

For the whole night they talk about a lot of things like long lost friends who have just seen each other. They shared a lot of laughter and got serious on some matters. When dawn came, they started tiptoeing their way to their own room.

"Well, aren't you going?" Ashnah said to Cale.

"Do you usually just let in visitors in the middle of the night?" Cale asked in his casual tone, trying to delay his stay with her.

"Nope," she said. A certain night's memory flashed to her mind. Somehow, she didn't know why she felt a bit guilty though she had not done anything wrong.

"I see. I'm not sure, but I think you should double check your windows and doors before taking your rest." His voice laced with concern and a bit of annoyance. "I'm not doubting you. But I think you should be more careful. I saw someone who went in your window twice. I went to check on you afterwards and was only relieved to see you safely settled on your bed. It kind of bother me but..."

"Wait, what--?" She's not the blushy type but she felt her cheeks on fire. 'Did he saw Jin and I that time? Did he saw how I look at that time? I have not seen him though. Did he see me in my nightdress?'

"I'm not sure why Jin's going in and out of your window but he's up to something, that I don't feel any good at all," he continued. He saw her face and doubted his idea, "Or did he do it perhaps with your consent?"

"What--?No!" she said hastily. She calmed herself down when she noticed her denial came too strong. "No--I mean, I saw him once, he said he was running after seeing some demonic energy in my area. It led him to my room. I didn't know he climbed up the second time." Her brows drawn together. An idea is beginning to form in her mind, but she doesn't want to make a conclusion without any evindence yet. She also wouldn't like her assumptions to be true since Uncle Arnold seemed to trust Jin.

"This is one of the bases of the organization, Ash. How come you just believed him?"

She felt irritated by his sudden outburst. But she understood that it comes from his concern for her well-being. "Well, look at what happened to Tyra. We never know when the boundaries of safety can last. The danger is already trying to break the norms that the previous generations are already used to."

Cale sighed, unable to utter his frustration into words when he understood what Ashnah is trying to say. "I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you."

Ashnah also sighed, trying to calm down. "No, I'm sorry. I know you're just trying to take care of me. I'm just bursting out of unnecessarry emotions."

Cale reached out and held her hand in his. "I think we're both at fault then," he smiled to relieve the tension between them. "Just know that I'll always be here in case you felt you're in danger."

Ashnah felt that familiar thumping on her chest. 'Calm down, Ashnah.' She withdrew her hand. It's dangerous. She mentally shook her head to clear her thoughts. She can't afford to be swayed.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I got ahead of myself."

"No, I should be the one to apologize. I think I'm overreacting."

"No, it's okay. I'm being scurrilous. I'll try harder to withheld this--you know--emotions. I should put reins on it," he smiled sheepishly. "Afterall, I've promised you I'll wait. So I shall."

"Is this the part that I'll say 'thank you'?" she said, trying to dodge the seriousness they're getting into.

He chuckled. "Silly." He ruffled her hair. "You better double check the door and windows if they're properly locked before going to sleep."

She finally smiled at his remarks. "Yes, daddy, will do."

"Would be more willing to accept that if you'll also let me call you 'mommy'," he winked at her with that glint of mischeviousness and puckered his lips jokingly in a kiss.

She palmed his face and pushed him out of the door frame. "It's already dawn. Stop with your corny jokes. You go back to your own room."

"Awh, you're blushing," he teased.

"I'm not the blushy type for your information," she shook her head in amusement.

"But I'm making your heart race, am I not?" he smiled playfully.

"Back off already," she couldn't stop the chuckle from her throat.

"Then, mademoiselle," he faked a bow and walked away backwards. "I'll see you when I got time." He said, still grinning from ear to ear.

"See you. You better walk normally," she said in whisper since the halls are echoing their voices.

"You get back to your room first and make sure to lock the door," he said.

She pulled back and closed the door after realizing that a chuckle might escape her mouth again.