2 - The Greatest Mind

[Grandma Guon]

"Grandma, must we really part ways?"

Her eyes glittered with unshed tears and her lips pouted in suppressed longing. She hasn't even gotten into the cart yet.

"Off you go now, grandchild. You know I love you even when we're apart."

She held my hand and hugged me firmly.

"You must call me or send me a letter. If not, then use your witch powers!"

I smirked.

"The only time I would do that is when you're being a pain to your aunt. And don't be!"

She got into the cart I had called for her and bid her goodbye. My eyes never left her until she was out of sight. The driver of that cart was under my spell. It won't mess up bringing her to that place.

"Now, where was I?"

I picked up the bag I have already prepared and made my way up the mountains. It's such a pain in the ass to walk it. I don't like the bumpy trails at all but the only qualified place for my special ritual is that place there hidden among the trees. I've been spotting that for a long time I go for this moment. Tonight, I'm gonna take a chance.

After a long, extremely tiring, infuriariting walk, I finally got a good view of that place. It was a lake, the infamous Lake of Saoirse. How lucky of me to discover it.

According to the ancient texts, the Lake of Saoirse was a blessed lake by the great deity, Vuyerre. It was a lone lake among the trees, and Vuyerre found its beauty enchanting.

She went down from Anlione, the paradise of spirits, and took a tour to this lake just to take a freaking bath. It was so soothing that she even fell asleep. For the extensive time she stayed, the waters were able to harness the leaking essence of her magic, the reason for its tremendous spiritual and magical energy.

Yet now, it is devoid of life. The fish that used to swim about here have all died and the evergreen waters have become an abyssal void, a pond of spiralling smog that traps the living in the unknown but surely, an unpleasant experience. All due to the presence of countless malevolent spirits.

I unpacked the things I needed: candles, chalk, a clean sheet of paper, a goat's head, and a piece of Milliflore's clothing. With the chalk, I drew a pentagon shape. With each corner, I placed a candle.

I rested myself in the middle of the pentagon. With every sway of my finger, the candles were lit one by one. In front of me was the goat's head, its stench making my head ache. Nevertheless, I pricked my finger with my tooth and dripped three droplets of my blood into the goat's head. I got Milliflore's cloth and veiled it over the goat. Then, comes the incantation.

On Earth, your child resides,

On Air, your magic lies,

On Water, your presence leaks,

On Fire, your blood dies.

Vuyerre, my goddess, Vuyerre,

Vuyerre, my idol, Vuyerre,

Vuyerre, the great, Vuyerre

Vuyerre, the first, Vuyerre

Heed thy servant's plea,

Heed thy blood's wish,

Let the evil bond be severed,

Let thy witch be freed.

Oh, mighty, Vuyerre, the deity,

Let thy servant be freed,

Oh, mighty, Vuyerre, the deity,

Let thy witch be freed.

The candles suddenly turned off simultaneously. I stared right in front of me, already expecting an adverse reaction. The malevolent spirits seem to have gotten mad.

"The great deity, Vuyerre, was not even able to vanish those evil spirits away from the lakes she has loved so dearly. What makes you think she can unbind them?"

My ears itched at the sound of his mocking laughter.

"I believe I have made it clear that I don't want to see you again, Hirono."

I turned to him really angrily. He looks nothing of the sort of the man I have picked up in the streets years ago. He used to be a pickpocketer, dressed in rags and mud, using human empathy to deceive. Right now, that dim appearance was no longer to be found. The mix of white and gold hues in his vestments really suited him.

Had he not just been a priest under the Order. He still reeks of a pungent odor despite his holy clothing. Why did I ever even pick up this boy?

"Besides, there is only ten percent chance for an unbinding spell to be successful. And by the way, your student came to see you. Aren't you exci-"

"You came here for one reason only and I am saying this already, I do not know anything of that prophecy you DIMWITS in the Order are going insane for."

He walked towards me like a drunkard that he was. Certainly, he is not leaving until he squeezes something out of me.

"Master, I am afraid your words hold no meaning. I've known you as quite the liar, if it means protecting something you cherish."

Oh, this bastard sure knows me. My granddaughter, Milliflore, is gonna have to hold on and wait. I cannot finish the ritual with this dimwit around.

I took the initiative to stand up and face him. We're both stuck like a statue inside the pentagon, feeling each other's next move. His eyes were shallow and held no meaning but I know that doesn't mean he is harmless. He is just thinking simply. He most likely thinks, if he cannot get it from me verbally, he's gonna get it from me brutally.

His hand reached for something inside his sleeve, a grimoire. He turned the pages until he found something.

"There it is, the mind controller spell." He smirked.

Ahhhh, this person. I was his master. Does he really think a mind controller spell will work on me?

"Oh right, you are the best in controlling minds. How can such a spell work on you?" He added.

He slapped his forehead like reprimanded himself of being such a fool.

"Instead, let me tell you something. I bet it's gonna torture your mind and let me manipulate you."

My eyebrows perked up.

"Whatever is this that you can use against me?"

His smile revealed a mischievous intent, a testament of something that might actually torture me. I braced myself for whatever that could be. If not Milliflore, the only person I actually care about, what else could there be?

"I believe that you know an acquaintance of mine. She's pretty beat up though but she'd like to see you."

"A she?"

"Yes." He inhaled a deep breath. "I believe she was a seeress. You know… she has an eye mark on her neck and I think… a scar on her chest."

My eyes darkened, memories of the past coming to me one by one. Seriously, I'd hate to remember what transpired. A pang in my chest made it a little harder for me to breathe but there was this feeling of longing.

I hated to admit but Hirono got quite a weapon to use against me. Not that he will win the battle's he is trying to fight though.

"Where is she?"

He revealed a triumphant smile.

"Held captive by the Order. In the capital."

I wonder what kind of trick the Order is trying to pull this time.

I apologize to you, my dearest Milliflore. Your grandmother cannot fulfill the unbinding for now. But I trust your aunt to guide you all the way, so that you do not be misled.

"Then…" I let out a defeated sigh. "Take me to her."