Vol.2/Chapter 3: Questions

"What do you mean I am not human? I look like a human and talk like a human. How could I become another race?", I raised my eyebrows in confusion as my mind was baffled with what Almira told me.

"I'm just saying you are not. I'll explain it to you later in private. For now, let's respect the dead.", Almira's poker face was instantly changed into a mournful one as she walked towards the grave of her daughter.

For the rest of the burial, I stayed quiet, pondering on what Almira just said. I am not human? That's ridiculous. I don't have pointy ears like elves, fur like tauruses, burning skin like hellspawns or scaly skin as mermen. How could I belong to another race?

There's some things bugging me though; in the first place, how could I even use magic? Not just normal magic, but transformation magic. And where does this "special ability" came from?

Down came noon, the sun's light cast the tree's shadow towards the graves giving a view etched into my heart. Iresh refused to move as she just lay down besides the grave. I think for a short time, she also feels what I feel. As more and more people disperse, each one giving their final respects and goodbyes, an old white wolf walks toward me.

"Aren't you one of Aldrich's companion with the hunt? It's been three days and I still can't see him.", The frail wolf asks.

My heart instantly dropped as I realized that the one I'm talking to is Aldrich's mom, the one who was killed by Titanoboa in the Redwoods. I don't know what to say or do as I stutter towards her.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry if the word got delayed but your son - he's dead. He valiantly sacrificed his life to protect ours. We will never forget about him.", Theo's voice saved me the harsh details of her son's death.

"I-I see...", the woman's voice starts breaking up as she covered her eyes, welling with tears.

Theo and I comforted the old wolf as we said that we will make Aldrich's grave besides Tyla's.

"D-did my precious son died peacefully?", she asked while Theo and I looked at each other's eye, and just nodded.

"Yes, ma'am. Your son died bravely and peacefully. We owe him so much and would like to thank him properly.", I said to her while smiling.

"Come on ma'am, I'll escort you home.", said Theo. "I will make sure that his grave will be a beautiful one."

"Thank you, for protecting his legacy.", Theo and the sad wolf walked towards her home as I bid farewell to the both of them.

I also walked towards home with my head down, bearing the guilt of not just protecting the people around me but also instilling fear on their hearts. This thought brought me back to my previous questions.

Near the door, I saw Almira and my mom Samira waiting for me.

"There you are. I heard that big Shadowmane was yours. It helped us a lot when the humans attacked, I guess I have to thank and congratulate you. Still, we have a lot to talk about.", Almira insisted me in. "We have a lot to talk about and theorize, possibly, with your whole existence."

We went in as Samira made tea for everyone while Almira covered the windows and locked the door, making sure no one is eavesdropping us. Everybody sat, quiet, pondering about a possible problem.

"When you were asleep, Luca, I went and took out some of your hair and blood to confirm your race using a spell. I can assure you, you are really not a human.", Almira explained. "Your appearances may be deceiving but there's a few explanation with that."

"As you know, in Espoir, our world, many creatures thrive in all corners, some ferocious, some passive, some greedy, some peaceful. Humans, elves, demiwolves, orcs, goblin, trolls, dinosaurs, lizardmen, dragons and drakes, mermen and nagas, some of them are just examples of those.", Almira continues then looks at me. "With the spell I did, as I said, you are not human. Inherently, they are not capable of using great magic, unlike us mythicals."

"Mythicals? What are those?", I questioned her.

"Oh. That's what we are, demiwolves. Basically, mythicals are more unique type of creatures, capable of handling and exerting magic that enhances their capabilities. Aside us, dragons, mermens and elves are considered mythicals too." She continues to teach me. "You're already 18 years old. Sooner or later, you will go to your own adventure and you need all the knowledge you can get."

"Back to the topic at hand, the spell I did only confirms that you are not human but it doesn't mean I know exactly what you are. Considering this, I am sure that you are an offspring of mythicals." I was flabbergasted as Almira looked at me, grinning. "I could teach you a few tricks or two."

"Sigh, Almira, please consider what Luca feels. He is still overwhelmed with all that happened and you also, you need to rest up now that...Tyla is gone.", Samira gently said towards her sister. "I know how important Tyla is to you and I'm sure you're just putting up a facade, but you're my sister, I know you are hurting inside."

Almira just looks down as she contemplates with her over-excitement with my heritage.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I miss my baby so much.", Almira started to weep as Samira comforted her. I'm sure no one liked what happen and everyone is trying to move on from that.

"Still, I need to have an explanation to your son.", Almira said to her sister and then she continues. "Mythicals can have an offspring with each other, cancelling out their previous characteristics. For example, an elf and a devil. Elves have pointy ears and almost human-like skin where as a devil have ears like humans but have red skin. If the heritage is mixed up, it may end up on an offspring with a human-like skin and human-like ears OR with a red skin and pointy ears.", Almira detailed me on how different creatures can be mixed up as well, giving them possibly new powers and looks.

After that long explanation about heritage, Almira stands up as she gets a worn out book, as old as the time tells. The cover shows 4 creatures, each looking in 4 directions.

"This is a book called "Reign". It is an old book given to me by our grandmother before she passed away 20 years ago. It tackles information about the gods reigning Espoir." She flips the pages carefully as she skims through the details.

"Are you ready to listen, Luca?", I just nodded in response.

"For over a millennium, four gods have ruled supreme over Espoir. They are known as the Circle of Life. With their benevolence, wits and power, no one could ever best them. They have free will to the area they're ruling. As you can see from the cover, each god is pointing in each direction."

"Our God, the God of the Moon, Astraea Lunala, rules over the Northern side of Espoir where we live and as you can feel, cold and stale. She is the embodiment of Truth and Justice. She is the first mythical, a Moon Elf, capable of destroying any lies and injustice with her ice cold prowess. Sadly, 18 years ago, she vanished and was never seen again. They said that she killed her lover, the God of Sun, before running away, holding their child. As her loyal follower, I would never believe what heresy others might say, I will always find out the truth as per her teachings.", Serious and convicted, Almira introduced our god.

"The hellspawns' God, the God of the Sun, Crozzo Ignis, rules over the Southern side of Espoir filled with deserts and dry land. He is the embodiment of Death. As a Greater Devil, which is also a mythical, he is capable of calling down infernos and sandstorm, making him the strongest god of all four. As I previously said, he was killed and the hellspawns pointed out our God Lunala as she is his wife. I still firmly believe she is innocent. Needless to say, the death of hellspawns' God made them aggressive to all outsiders and have ever since closed the southern part of the lands.", Almira drinks her tea before further continuing.

"Next is the human's God, the God of the Wind, Arlon Nikola, rules over the Eastern side of Espoir where the luscious green forest and fields is home to the largest human settlements. He is the embodiment of Prosperity and Life. Ever since Ignis died, Nikola was also never found and have thought to have abandoned everyone under him. Without their God, the humans begin to be greedier and hungry for power, seizing all life within their vicinity as they think it is the way of Prosperity and Life."

"Lastly, the mermen's God, the God of the Sea, Maribel Fontaine. She rules over the Western side of Espoir bearing the vast oceans and countless islands. She is the embodiment of Ideals and Knowledge. She is the only God currently active from the four. They say she is a strict ruler, not wanting to tarnish the pure knowledge from this world. Also, that's why she almost sealed off the entirety of oceans. Aside from that, nothing else is known.", Almira closed the book for a moment to indulge some of my questions.

"You always call our God "Lunala". Does that mean everyone calls their god in a last name basis?", I questioned.

"You're right. As you may noticed, everyone doesn't have a last name including you. Only the gods have last names to show their power and to distinguish them from normal beings. Basically, the longer your name, the stronger you are." She answered.

"That human guy that ordered to kill Tyla, before I passed out , I heard his name. I think it was "Nikola Jeanne D'Monteau". Is he also a God?", I pondered.

Before answering, Almira just chuckled menacingly for a bit despite having mentioned her daughter's killer, "Don't worry, when I see him, I will rough him so bad that he will not think he is a God. I will make sure his guts fall out while he's still breathing."

Samira and I were just surprised and looked at each other before cautiously listened again.

"Anyways, because of the arrogance of humans, they even decided to grant each other last names. Their reason is because they think, they are the most powerful being in this world."

After that, Almira and Samira's face became serious after they looked and nodded at each other. I just wait patiently to what will they say.

"We fear that you may not just be an offspring of normal mythicals. Everyday for 18 years, we wait for the news of the offspring of our God Lunala and the God Ignis, but to no avail.", Samira said. "It is said that after a tragedy, it will awaken the heretic child. Even a prophecy was made."

"Prophecy? What prophecy? I never heard anything like that.", I shook my head in confusion.

"Sigh, are you serious right now? Luca, this is the prophecy everyone from Espoir knows. An unknown man, dressed in a suit, having a monocle and a hat, with his pet raven, stood tall in the highest mountain and shared this with the whole world.", Almira mentioned.

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O woe is me, what have I become!

When the truth converges, death should be gone

The sun and moon touched, an eclipse yet to come

Would it mean destruction or a new life should begun?

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My child, I fear this might be you...