Chapter 32: Aforementioned

"Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving." —Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky (Discworld, #32; Tiffany Aching, #2)

"It's only after you've stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, and transform." —Roy T. Bennett

"Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself." —Rumi

***

Of all that matters in this world, Xenia and Volcom only wanted to see their family alive and full of life once again. Once they calmed down from all the heartbreaking weeping, the two ended up hugging each other.

Deep down in Xenia's mind, he knew his father only wished for them to have something to eat. Now that famine could potentially become a threat to their island due to the sudden severance of food supplies, it was only wise that they store up food as much as possible. However, Volcom, on the other hand, could not stop blaming himself for the death of his three daughters and wife. He would always reproach himself and regret ever going out for food.

The pain will be an everlasting ache, forever residing deep within his mind and heart. It may not always be but there will come times when he will be reminded of the day he decided to go fishing and eventually lost the love of his life.

They just chose to stop crying and continue on with life. They won't forget. They will always remember.

"I swear I'll show "those" two what hell looks like. An unimaginable amount of pain, they should be ready for it."

Although everything was all in Xenia's head, Volcom caught up to what he was thinking through his blazing desire for vengeance. His eyes were raging like an uproarious flame burning wildly as it sought something to turn to ashes. The target for his revenge.

An awkward silence fell upon Xenia, Arlan, and Thaniel. They just don't know what to say or if they ever need to comfort their friend. But since this thing hasn't always happened in their everyday lives, the siblings just don't know what they should do. Instead of doing anything, they remained silent and just followed Xenia and Volcom as they prepared the grave for the dead.

The siblings were both willing to help dig up graves, picking up whatever tools they could use.

***

Screams of agonizing pain reverberated throughout the entirety of the cave as chains locked around the Balmackians who got caught after trying to gather food for their extremely hungry stomach. All of them were aware of their situation, begging and yelling to get freed while laughter from Sultenians was the only answer that came from them.

"No matter what you do, it's pointless. As if someone's gonna help all of you escape. They'd rather stay safe than risk their lives for selfish scums like you Balmackians."

With only a little ventilation inside the cave, the burning torches' flames were stagnant. However, it was cold in the cave. The walls surrounding them were kind of damp, and humidity provided them with a cool temperature.

Continuously, the Lakambini kept majestically dancing as she progressively reached the end of the cave where a not-so-fancy throne was built. On both armrests were a silver cup and a wooden bowl that were both empty.

Under the mask, the otherworldly beauty of a woman was revealed in their eyes. It was a sight to behold.

"Rejoice! For every lamb has been granted the opportunity to witness our Lakambini's transcendental appearance!"

Baron, Grenoble, and the rest of the Sultenians inside all bowed their heads to her. So gentlemanly done.

And while they were all in the same position, two of her friends who were also her personal maid helped her put on an ever so clean and neat white gown handmade and outrageously woven into perfection. It was made of silk from their own silkworm farm.

The gown's end which was not ridiculously grandeur did not reach the ground. It remained purely white and clean, which later on will be sullied with the sacrificial lambs' blood.

When the Lakambini was done changing her clothes after her body was wiped clean of vanilla extract-soaked clothes, she spoke with her melodramatic voice.

"All of you can now raise your heads."

And they all did so. The surprise on their faces when they laid eyes on the most gorgeous woman on the whole island. Some of them could not help but feel a deep odd feeling within their hearts like a teenage boy falling in love at first sight.

She left everyone's mouth agape, except for Grenoble. He shares the same thought about Lakambini, but he just doesn't see her as a member of the opposite sex.

"Give me the book of prophecies," she commanded.

Gently, she took the book from her personal maid and began flipping the book's pages until she reached the middle part where her marker was left. When she could not concentrate while she read the content of the book, although she has seen it more than Grenoble, Baron, and his men needed to keep the noise down.

"The Lakambini can continue reading the book of prophecies now."

"Thank you, Baron." Before resuming, the Lakambini cleared her throat with a sip of water handed to her by her personal maid. "Chapter 69, verse 420: And I foresaw a pair of calamity struck the lone land, famine outgrows the desire for a shelter, and blood later on filled the cup full and the plate was where she ate. Verse 421: Voices of the islanders screamed for help. But none came to save. As blood dripped and trickled down the ground, the third calamity struck. However, this time it was nothing like any devastating phenomenon but the transpiration of the worst cataclysm, which will later be known to humanity. Verse 422, and also the last verse: Ye, who was driven by rage, blindeth by vengeance, will just continue to lose everything. My eyes saw and they will watch as you eventually lose what is the most important thing to you."

Everything that was written in the book was happening right before their eyes. But, they were unaware of the existence of this individual who was mentioned by their prophet. No names were stated regarding this person yet they have been mentioned several times in different chapters of the book.

Earthquakes and the sudden splash of heavy rain occurred at the same time. It brought panic and danger to those that had no idea what was going to happen but the Sulten Tribe remained calm under the alarming phenomenon.

"For victory to be claimed, sacrifices need to be made. A necessary act that will bring not only prosperity and peace to our land but also unfathomable change to our future!"

~