Legacy of Dolyn

by Amelia Guillem

  “Then you will think twice when I read the following to you. Please listen carefully.”

  She can’t flee from this one. She had to listen.

  Justine started with the card on the left. “The first card is the card of your past. Fortune. This card refers to the events three years ago.”

  “That was when Lizabeth took over me. I was praying, and I felt a spark as if something invaded my body. I shrugged it off, but when I saw my reflection, and she spoke, I realized it was her. I felt awful. I should’ve been excited. I was obsessed with her as a child, after all.”

  Well, who knew?

  “The second card represents your present. The Hanged Man. You’re suffering contradictions. True to yourself yet wanting to please others.”

  The professor sighs. She isn’t as assertive she seems to be. I know that much.

  “The final card is the card of your future. The Devil. You will find yourself in a hopeless situation. You are going to be betrayed. When it happens, the spirit inside you will...”

  “I’m not listening anymore!” she barked.

  “I wish you luck. But heed my words, it will happen sooner than you think.”

  Betrayed, huh? I wonder if it has to do with her job. She did get promoted after graduation. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s about it.

  It’s getting late anyway. Nighttime at the forest can be scary, so we must leave. Justine watches as we hop on and drive away.

  Date: August 7

  Time: Evening, Full Moon

  We’re finally back home. I march to my room while Maury sits on the sofa. Gwen jumps into his lap with a happy look.

  “Hi!” she greeted.

  “You’re quite small,” he said, holding her.

  “Sorry for my sudden reveal, but I did what I had to do. I was going to eventually.”

  “Well, at least I know the truth.”

  “I’m surprised you didn’t freak out.”

  “What for? It’s pointless anyway.”

  “So, you’re going to stay?”

  “I have nowhere else to go, so yes.”

  “Awesome!”

  I exit my room wearing comfy loungewear. I closed the door behind me.

  “Hey, I’m thirsty! Gimme some water!” Gwen demanded. I obeyed by grabbing a cat bowl from the cabin and filling it up with tap water. I placed the pan in the corner by the bathroom door. Gwen turned into her cat form to drink it.

  What am I supposed to say now? Maury knows that I’m a sorceress. He also knows Gwen and Aster are magic users and Agnes is possessed by Liz’s spirit. Is Maury going to be okay with us around? Will he consider us freaks?

  “Do you have any magic powers?”

  I’m so nervous that I’m stiff all over.

  “No, I don’t use any magic...” he responded.

  “Then I ask you to leave!” I cried.

  That’s sudden, I know. Maury stands still, and Gwen stops her drinking. Their eyes are fixed on me, speechless at my sudden outburst.

  “What are you saying?”

  “You can’t be here anymore. Please leave!”

  “But why? Why are you asking me this?!”

  “Because I don’t want you to get hurt!! Don’t you see? If I or any of us use magic and you get caught, you’ll be hurt or maybe even killed. Besides, you wouldn’t want to be with us long term anyway. So, it’s best you leave and live a normal life. You’ll be safe that way.”

  “You’re implying I abandon you?”

  “We’ll keep in touch. We have smartphones, after all.” I did my best telling what he wants to hear, but I think my reply didn’t convince him.

  “Glen...”

  “Look, I know you don’t have a place to go. But you’re a skilled mechanic. You can easily find a job and rent yourself a cheap studio. Then you go find normal friends and maybe get a girlfriend. You don’t need to be with someone like me. You really don’t. Just go!”

  “Stop it! Don’t say that!!” Maury binds me in the most intense hug I’ve experienced in years. My face is all red. I can’t breathe...

  “Maury, get off...! No, stop...!” I struggle to push him away, but he keeps me tight. Gwen watches without intervention.

  “Glen, stop!”

  “No, Maury! Knock it off!!”

  I can’t flail with him binding me like this. Still, I continue to struggle. I try my best to push him away and smack him afterward.

  But it looks like I can’t...

  The guy is stubborn. He keeps me bind no matter how hard I struggle. I’m starting to lose my sanity as tears fill up in my eyes. “Maury, please stop...” I wailed. He’s not listening. He cups my head, lifting it up for the purpose of intense eye contact. I feel like pierced.

  “Have I ever given up on you?” he asked.

  “Huh?”

  I’m confused. He leads me by the hand to sit on the sofa. He didn’t let go. At least I calmed a bit.

  “I haven’t told you this, but my grandfather sold our house and our business. You know why? Because he is going to die. He’s been sick for a very long time. That’s why I came here. When we met, I knew I could trust you. You’re kind-hearted, sweet, and you can cook. He said you’d be a wife material someday.”

  I take a deep breath as I listen.

  “Glen, I want to be with you, magic user or not. Anything that comes in your way, I’ll protect you. I know martial arts, and I can use any weapon in hand. You don’t have to worry about me. And I’m sure our friends will help too.”

  He strokes my cheek with such tenderness. I can’t help but sob loudly on his shoulder. I feel so stupid right now. I shouldn’t have asked that.

  Trust. I took Maury in because I trust him. He isn’t a self-serving douchebag wanting to live off me. Sweet and reliable. He’s unemployed, but he will find work. I’ve been screwed too many times by people who I thought were good. I was skeptical when he arrived, but now I thank the heavens for giving me such a genuine person.

  “Spoken like a true man. He said the same things to me when I was about to give up,” Gwen said as she approaches us. “I’m referring to my husband, of course. And as Justine said, you look just like him. He was caring but strong. He didn’t use magic, but he swayed that sword. Glen is so lucky to have you by her side.”

  Eventually, I wipe my tears as I remain leaned on his shoulder. I still sniff a little.

  “If you don’t mind, who was your husband?” Maury asked, moving to another topic.

  “His name was Laurice,” Gwen responded.

  “But isn’t Laurice a girl’s name?”

  “Yeah, he was raised as a girl under that name. That’s why he insisted we call him ‘Laury’ because it sounded more masculine.”

  “How many children did you two had?”

  “20 of them.”

  “How was that possible?”

  “Details of my married life is something you don’t want to know,” Gwen said.

  Suddenly, we laugh. Gwen can be so funny.

  “Alright, let’s eat dinner and go to sleep!”

  I agree because I’m hungry, so I go to the kitchen to prepare dinner. We enjoy the most straightforward supper I ever created (just a tuna sandwich.) Maury and I hold hands as we tenderly stare.

  Asked to be his wife. Is that possible?

  We sit on the sofa to watch some TV before going to sleep. It’s been a long day, after all.

  Date: August 19

  Time: Evening

  I received a text from Aster a few hours ago. I opened the message right away as soon as I saw it.

  ***

  Are you busy? If not, let’s meet.

  Downtown Simona.

  Agnes reserved a private dining room for us.

  Let’s gather where we met before.

  And bring Gwen with you.

  ***

  I know Aster doesn’t text for shits and giggles. When he texts, he means business, so we rush to our meeting place. You see, to the store where we met a month ago.
<
br />   “I’m surprised you invited us,” I said.

  “Actually, it was Gwen’s idea. We met a few days after the visit, and she proposed we meet to follow up on what we learned.”

  “Really, Gwen?”

  “Yeah, it’s important to go over everything so there won’t be any misunderstandings,” she said.

  “We better make it quick because I reserved the room for two hours,” the professor added. “I’m not going to pay overtime.”

  I rolled my eyes. Seriously that gal...

  The room she reserved is located at a restaurant known to be Simona’s top-rated. I know this because I’ve been here before but I never been to any of their private dining rooms.

  Of course, I wouldn’t say for the sake of being private. This dining room is truly private. We can order through the touchscreen menu, and the food is served on a rising platform, so no noisy waiters. The place is windowless, but it’s made up of top-class décor.

  The absolute privacy makes it easy for Gwen and Aster to expose themselves without fear. Gwen pops out while Aster removes his hood.

  Oh, wait! What about surveillance cameras?

  After waiting a while, our food and drinks are finally served on a silver platter.

  “I get this place is fancy and all, but the portions are tiny,” Maury said, upset at the servings.

  “This place is high class, so of course the portions are small,” I added. Then I turned to the professor. How in the world did she paid for this given how little teachers make?

  “I’m grateful you’re putting this on your tab, but where do you get the money to pay for all this?” Not that I’m suspicious, but she isn’t royalty. She is a descendant of one but not wealthy on her own. She’s a typical person like the rest of us sheep.

  “That’s none of your business,” she shot back. Yeah, I expected a reply like that.

  “I’m done. Gimme more!” Gwen called.

  “Sorry, Gwen, but that’s not possible.”

  “The food at taverns were always big enough to fit three kings...” Gwen muttered in frustration. Who knew servings back then were huge?

  “We’re under a time limit so we should start.” Aster’s statement brings us back to reality. We can’t afford to waste time. The information we received was too much, so we decide to go over one topic at a time.

  “First off, the results of MY reading. I don’t know about you but a certain someone, who’s present today, still refuses to tell me the truth.” Even seated, I huffed with hands on my hips. Gwen looks away in shame.

  “What is the truth?” Maury asked.

  “I don’t know! And I wish I know because it’s frustrating that I don’t know. My reading was about everything that happened to me until now and my future. Everything she said was true, but to tell them to you guys would trigger memories I don’t want.”

  “You don’t trust us?” Aster asked.

  “Not that I don’t,” I said with arms folded, “but I don’t know you guys well. I’m sorry. I already have a hard time dealing with the sorcery business.”

  “That’s logical, considering we didn’t meet not too long ago. It happened too quick.”

  “Well, how are you feeling?” I asked, concerned about his state of mind. He suffered a breakdown yesterday, so I need to ask him this.

  “I’m alright, thanks,” he replied with a grin, then turned to Maury with a somber look.

  “Maury, was it? I want to say sorry. No one besides Agnes and Glen has seen my face. I was so scared given how technology advanced to the point a single picture of me would go viral if posted on the web. I’m too out of place here...”

  His last line struck me too dumb to say anything. I don’t even have the right considering I use magic.

  “That’s why I need to be always covered, and the reason Agnes takes me wherever she goes. I don't have it easy."

  “Dude, no worries. We’re bros.”

  Gotta love the guy. Cheerful as ever.

  “Dude? Bros? You mean like brothers? I’ve heard it from a ‘gangster’ movie we saw.”

  I chuckled when I turned to the gal who seems to be using her smartphone. “You seem quiet...”

  “Oh, I’m looking up Aster’s real name.”

  “Oh yeah, what was it again?” I asked.

  “Emanuel Sartre,” Gwen said.

  “All I see is a single entry with Sartre being a medieval doctor.” Dissatisfied with the result, the gal finally looks up at us.

  “Do you know?” I asked Aster.

  “No, I don’t.” Aster requested to show the result to him. “It doesn’t say the full name so it could be anyone. Either me or my father.”

  “Your father?”

  “My father was a doctor...” He sounded uneasy, so I didn’t follow up with more questions.

  “With the fortune teller being a dragon, it would’ve been cool to see one. I mean, she should have transformed. Don’t you guys think?” Maury sounds out of character with this comment.

  “Didn't you listen? She said she couldn’t.” My comment made it possible to silent Maury for saying something stupid. But I guess it’s justified: we’re all tired.

  “We’re almost out of time, so we have one more topic to cover,” she said, looking down at her phone with such anxiety.

  “Yeah, yours. What’s this about a betrayal? I know we don’t get along and all, but I’m worried. It must be about Liz, right? I doubt Liz will betray you, but I think your promotion was rigged so someone can set a betrayal.”

  “What part of ‘none of your business’ you don’t understand?” I detect hostility in her tone despite her demeanor. It’s like she’ll lash out any second now. Taking my silence for an answer, she gets up. “Let’s go unless YOU pay extra.”

  “Poor Agnes...” Gwen hissed.

  We sigh in exhaustion as we head separate ways.

  Date: August 21

  Time: Afternoon, New Moon

  Moulin City PD. My old workplace. It’s going to be five months since I was let go. I thought I’d be bored without a job, but the opposite is true. I love this new life. But I’m going to have to find work because I must pay my bills.

  I wonder how my co-worker is doing. Remember back in March when he got injured? I haven’t heard from him, so I feel like calling him just to check up. To see if he’s okay...

  RING, RING!

  He didn’t answer. The call went straight to his voicemail. Should I call his boss? You know the grumpy middle-aged detective? Nah! I’ll call him later. He’s probably busy with work anyway.

  The detective sits in his office, looking at the newspaper. He focuses on one article about the rumors of magic. He thought of ignoring it, but he remembered something. It was about me and the trial three years ago. It was big news back then, and it was the trial that triggered rumors of sorcery revival.

  Next, he goes to the employee files and looks at my picture. He pulls out an old article cutout with the image of me when I had long hair. He compares the two side-by-side.

  “No way!” he howled, shocked with the results he saw. “This can’t be!”

  Month Seven - September

  Date: September 6; Time: Morning, Full Moon

  School has started again. Students rush in and out of campus to find the places they must go. The professor already told me that Simona College gets busy during these times.

  For purposes of this story, I'll use Agnes' name. I know I don't like the gal, but I'm not going to be present here, so we're clear on this, okay?

  Alejandro—who's the long-haired university president—calls Agnes into his office. She received his phone call hours ago. She rushed through hordes of students at an unusual pace so she can reach his desk.

  But his office is more like a mansion. That's right! He has his own house right on campus. I guess this makes it easy to always stick close. And he saves on commuting, too.

  His mansion is vast like the ones seen in tabloid magazines. But there are no servants inside. None! N
o staff, no maids, and no butlers. This is like privacy taken to the extreme. It's unheard of wealthy people living in mansions without a crew. (There are exceptions.) Not only there is no staff, but there are also no security cameras. How much privacy does this guy need?

  Anyway, Agnes arrives at the president's office after climbing to the top floor. She's amazed at the size and the elegance of the mansion. "Am I in the right place?" she thought. The villa is hidden so that no one can find it easy.

  His office is like going into a king's chamber. It's extended, and spacious with large windows to the right. His desk takes up half the floor and behind him are tomes of well-organized books on his large shelf. He sits in his majestic chair as he gestured her to follow suit on a smaller but practical chair. "Please, have a seat."

  "Thank you for inviting me. I was so happy when you called," Agnes said. She's nervous but tries her best to make herself appear calm.

  "It's my pleasure, dear cousin," he said. He stands from his chair, going around the table before stopping. This makes her more nervous. He could tell. "Relax, we're family."

  "True, but you are the university president. You're an educator concerned for the well-being of the students just like my father."

  "Your father gave his best years for the good of this campus, putting the needs of the students first. He even volunteered to teach when a professor called out. Truly, a great educator."

  "Yes!" she agreed. "My father became president as result of his efforts. It's amazing he began as a simple school teacher. I’ve always like that. Now as a full-time professor, I can fulfill the dream of teaching my students just like he did."

  “I agree,” he said, nodding. "Our descendants, who turned this castle into a campus, believed education to be the future. By the way, how is your father doing? I haven't spoken to him as I have been too busy with work."

  "He's doing great," she said, "living the retirement life overseas with my mother."

  “That's good. I must try to speak to your father whenever I have the free time. As you can see, today is the first day of classes, and everyone is busy. I shouldn't keep you here for long."

  There should be a comfortable pause before returning to their tasks. But the tension is tight. Something doesn't feel right.