Alquemie

Tale 48

Tale 48
Viribus

Loud music and shoutings echoes on Amara’s ears. The smell of alcohol is quite intoxicating, drowning people and helping them escape reality, only to be tortured with a hang over later.

Amara sat in front of the counter.

“Really, Witch of Carnage? A bar??” tanong ni Amara sa babae sa likod ng counter

“You got a problem, old hag?” balik tanong nito

“I’m clearly and undoubtedly a youthful pretty lady. You’re a witch so between the two of us, who’s the old hag?” Amara

The woman laughed, “Long time no see, Eclipse.”

“Yes, it’s been a while, Cassiopeia..” Amara

The woman is no other than the infamous Witch of Carnage, the previous dragon queen, Cassiopeia Clifford. She’s a pure blooded dragon so despite the passage of time, she still look so energetic and youthful, except for some wrinkles besides her eyes, people might mistake her for a young lady.

“What brought you here in Viribus??” tanong ni Cassiopeia

“I have some business with the gods of Aralon.” Amara

“Business? A rap battle?” Cassiopeia

Isang puting tigre ang umaaligid kay Cassiopeia, Snow, Charm’s white tiger.

Amara laughed in amusement.. “A rap battle? Could be.”

“Anyway, you like to collect stuffs as a hobby, right?” tanong pa ni Amara

“I do. Is there anything in particular that you need?” Cassiopeia

“Phoenix Eye Herb.”

“Hmm? Yes, I do have one. Let me see.” Tugon ni Cassiopeia saka hinalungkat ang laman ng Cosmo Bag nya

Amara watched for an entire five minutes as Cassiopeia struggled to find the herb inside her bag.

“Oh! Found it!”

Isang bungkos ng kulay pulang halaman ang lumitaw sa kamay ni Cassiopeia, naglalagablab ang halaman pero hindi ito natutupok, ito ang Phoenix Eye Herb na kailangan ni Amara para tuluyang puksain ang toxin sa katawan ni Lance.

Nakangiting tinanggap ni Amara ang herb.

“How should I repay you? State your terms.” Amara

Cassiopeia smiled, “Just say ‘Thank You O’ Great Dragon Queen’..”

“Just how thick is your skin? Tsk, thank you.”

“Pffftt. How cute, Stillwater.”

Hindi na sya pinansin pa ni Amara.

“This is good, I can now refine a Scorching Phoenix Potion.” Nakangiting saad ni Amara, she’s genuinely happy

“Would you be staying here for a while?” tanong ni Cassiopeia

“Nuh.” Tugon ni Amara

Cassiopeia smiled,  “Take care, Stillwater.”

Amara left without a word.

Cassiopeia saw a bottle of pills left by Amara, she couldn’t help but smile in amusement.

Viribus, this is where Cassiopeia is currently residing. This world is enormous, almost ten times the size of Earth. But this planet is mostly covered by water. The Sea of Nowhere divides the Main Continent from the Continent of No Return where the Gods of Aralon resides.

The City of the Gods is not an unfamiliar place for Amara. She played around this place at some of her past lives and caused a lot of headaches for the gods.

The city looks ancient, the houses and establishment were not extravagant, it’s surrounded with green foliage, their lives seems to be that of a civilization close to nature.

Above all, the place is filled with activities.

The City of the Gods is a bustling place. However, it’s busyness is not that different to many places Amara’s well-travelled feet had trodden in.

“Halt!” pigil ng dalawang kawal sa kanyang tangkang pagpasok sa isang napakalaking gate

“This is the palace of the gods! Entry is forbidden for mortals!” saad ng dalawang kawal

May ilang mga mortal at half immortals na napadaan, agad silang na-curious sa nagaganap sa harap ng Palace of the Gods.

“Let me through.” Muling saad ni Amara

“Did you not hear us? Entry is forbidden for mortals!”

“Who is that lady?”
“She must be out of her mind.”
“Who does she think she is?”
“She must be crazy.. Does she think she’s an immortal?”

Amara smiled and the two guards felt chills all over their bodies.

“I’am the goddess Altha, let me through.”

Agad nanlaki ang mata ng dalawang guards.

“T-the minor goddess of Alchemy and healing magic??”

“Minor.... goddess?” tanong ni Amara, her smile look so dangerous all of a sudden

“Sh!t... Code RED!!” sigaw ng guard

Agad nabalot ng komusyon ang lugar..

Hindi na ito bago kay Amara.. Hindi talaga sya welcome sa lugar. Sa pagkakaalala nya ay nagsimula sya ng aksidenteng sunog na tumupok sa treasury ng bayan hundreds of years ago. Sya din ang sanhi ng matinding diarrhea ng mga kagalang-galang na diyos ng Aralon years ago, it was just a prank but oh well. No wonder she’s like a wanted criminal here.

Isang magandang babae ang lumitaw kasunod ng napakaraming kawal.

“Stillwater!” galit nitong pag-address sa kanya

“Aevetes.” Bati nya dito

Dahil sa kaguluhan ay agad napukaw ang atensyon ng ilan pang mga mamamayan. Dumami ang bilang ng mga manonood. They gather around to see what’s happening.

“I seem to caused a commotion. I didn’t know that Im such a VIP here.. I should visit more often.” Nakangiting saad ni Amara

“VIP? Stop your delusions! You’re nothing! How dare you show your face in my presence!”

“Same to you.. You’re nothing in my eyes.. Allowing someone like you in my presence is already pushing my magnanimous nature. Get out of my sight, I might accidentally break your jaw with a slap.” She retorted with a threatening smile

“Y-you!”

The crowd was speechless. This mortal is just so haughty. She must be the most arrogant mortal they have ever seen! She dares speak like that to the goddess of youth and desires, Aevetes!

“You are truly a fearless human being.” Sabat ng isang bagong muka, si Ambire, ang diyos ng digmaan

“Iam and I’am not at the same time. Humans are fragile and vulnerable. Only when there is something precious to protect do humans became fearless. In my case however, Im powerful enough to act like this.”

Ambire smiled, “You’ll never change. Are you still single?”

“Engaged.” Tipid na tugon ni Amara

“I tried to forget the moment we first met, but I just cant Amara.” Dagdag ni Ambire

“Keep trying.” Amara sabay pat sa balikat nito for encouragement

“I cant.”

“Then I sincerely hope the memory of me kills you.” Amara said with a sweet smile

“..........” Ambire

This dude is so unbelievable.. Known as the short tempered god of war, he’s a war freak. They fought several times in the past and he ends up developing feelings for her. He never used his full powers against Amara and neither did she, but Amara would always end up beating him black and blue. And this war freak seems to enjoy it! What a masochist! Amara just want to kill him sometimes.

“You dare ignore me? How rude!” sabat ni Aevetes

“Oh? Im sorry. Im not being rude. You’re just insignificant.” Amara

“Arrggg! I’ll rip you apart!” inis na singhal ni Aevetes

Aevetes is the youngest immortal. She used to ran around and follow Ember during her childhood. She admire and look up to her big brother. So when he died for Amara, Aevetes loathed her to the very core.

“I dont care.. I need to speak with Coelum, is he home?” Amara asked casually, ignoring the bratty attitude of the goddess of youth.

“What business do you have with our King?” tanong ni Ambire, god of war.

“Who cares about her reason? She’s not welcome in here! Just talking to her is already so unbearable!” Aevetes

“Im sorry, Im born multi-talented. I can talk and piss you off at the same time.”

“Y-you! Arrg! That’s it! Im really going to kill you!” Aevetes

“Everyone, calm down.” A mellow, calming voice interrupted

“Febris, why are you here?” Aevetes

Febris, the Healer Goddess, goddess of empathy, goodness and richness.

“Coelum wants to speak with Amara.” Febris

“What?!” Aevetes

“Please follow me.” Saad ni Febris habang may ngiti sa labi

Amara sniffed the air, “Nice perfume..” komento ni Amara na ikinangiti naman ni Febris, maybe Amara is not so bad, but her smile froze as she heard Amara’s next words..  “It’s good but must you marinate in it?” Amara asked

“..........” Febris completely changed her mind, ‘This woman is the devil..’

Febris, Ambire and Aevetes had to endure Amara’s criticisms the entire way.

Once they reached the palace, they walked through a long hallway before arriving in front of a huge door.

“We’re here.” Saad ni Febris

Pumasok sila sa silid at nakita ni Amara ang pamilyar na muka ng mga diyos ng Aralon.

They dont look happy seeing her.

The gods had personally tasted Amara’s craftiness. She’s a schemer and a trickster. Her  mastery of toying around with people could left countless of shameless people kneel in admiration.

Of course, the gods were helpless against her.

She is Ember’s lover. He died trying to protect her. How could they bear to hurt her despite wanting to tear her apart all these years??

Amara is fully aware of this and took advantage of it. She’s been suffering because of these endless cycle of reincarnation as a punishment from the mother goddess Mitera, why not make the gods suffer too, right?

Amara sat down on a random vacant chair, looking so lazy and nonchalant. She ignored all the daggers thrown at her direction.

“How insolent!” ngitngit ni Caritas, the goddess of selfless love and joy

“Oh please? Drop the act. We all know that you are not real gods. The ancient world might have worshipped you all as gods out of ignorance, but technically, you’re just an ancient race of Immortals.” Amara said with a shrugged

Amara do have a point. The mythical gods of Aralon are not real gods but an ancient race of immortals. Their divine power is just a type of power similar to magic, psychic and aura. They’re a superior race compared to humans, but they are not real gods.

Coelum, the King of the Gods, cleared his throat and silence befell the entire room.

“What brought you here, Stillwater?” Coelum

“Two things. First, demons are back and threatening to take over Aralon.” Amara said as she casually ate some grapes from the table.

“Cant you take care of that issue on your own?” sabat ni Mul, and diyos ng tubig

“Of course I can.. Im just informing you, since it’s originally your responsibility.” Amara

“If you do not require our help, then why are you here?” Eros, ang kakambal ni Caritas, the god of romantic love  and pride

“Because of my second agenda.. I want my fifth magic back.” Amara

“I can’t give it to you.” Coelum

Amara crossed her arms, “Dont be so stingy old man. That’s my magic.”

“Your fifth magic is way too dangerous. Even for you.” Coelum

“I will need it to kill the Demon Lord.” Amara

“Your current power should be  enough to defeat him.” Coelum

“Wrong. You’re aware of what happened more than thirty years ago in Aralon, right?” Amara

“Yes.”

“The demons took away magic from the Aralonian people. Making the demons stronger.” Amara

“That reason wont make me change my mind.” Coelum

“Oh come on old man!” reklamo ni Amara

“Little Amara, the King is merely concern that this magic might end up killing you.” Sabat ni Febris

“I might die fighting the demon lord, so I wont mind dying using my fifth magic. At least I’ll have a higher chance of killing my enemies.” Amara

“You wont mind dying? Dont forget, our brother, Ember wont allow that to happen.” Fortuna, the goddess of luck

“I wont mind dying for the greater good. Ember knows that.” Amara

“Haven’t you suffered enough? This might be the last chance that the two of you have to be together. Are you really willing to die for Aralon?” Coelum

“Im not a noble person. And as you said, we already suffered enough, that’s the reason why I value this lifetime dearly. But there are other people that I also want to protect. I cannot be selfish and choose to run away just so I can be with Ember. I’am willing to die. I will protect my friends. I will protect Aralon.” Amara

Everyone stared at her weirdly, as if looking at a foreign object. An alien of some sort.

“You sure you’re Amara? That black bellied, scammer, devil?” tanong ni Fortuna

“You’re not trying to fool us with this new act just to get your magic, are you?” Ambire

“Im offended, do you think Im a liar?” Amara

Nagsitango ang lahat.

“..........” Amara

Coelum smiled, “So this is your resolve?”

“Yes.” Amara

Tumango si Coelum. “Fine, then I will help you.”

“You will? Then give me back my magic.” Amara

“I can’t. But as I’ve said, I will help. Ambire, descend to Aralon to help.” Coelum

Ambire’s face twitch. He look at Coelum with a face that says, ‘If you want to help, why dont you go yourself? Why send me? I’m busy, I dont want to go!’

“No thanks, I want my magic back.” Amara insisted

Hearing that, Ambire sighed in relief.

“Unfortunately, this is a wasted trip, Stillwater. I don’t have your fifth magic.” Coelum

Amara can’t believe how this guy can spout bullsh!ts with a straight face.

Seeing her reaction, Coelum added, “Since the beginning, I told you I can’t give you your magic. I don’t have it.”

For the first time, a trace of confusion appeared on Amara’s face.

Just a few days ago, she was refining a few pills when a memory resurfaced on her mind. It was from one of her past lives. She remembered that Coelum took her fifth magic to make sure that she will never be able to use it ever again.

Amara’s body is a mortal body. Every time she was reborn, she would start having dreams about her past lives around the age of six.

Slowly, her memories will return to her. But those memories were like butterflies dancing in a storm. They flutter in random spots and seems very elusive. Everytime she force herself to remember, she will suffer from headache.

Her childhood is always her most vulnerable state. In the past, she would often die young because she don’t have the strength to protect her self yet.

But there is a reason why she cannot remember everything at once. It’s to protect her.

She spent a lot of time in some of her lives to study the principle of her reincarnation. She came up with a conclusion. The memories of her previous lives were blurry at first in order to protect her brain.

Human beings has limited number of brain cells, and the capacity of the memory cells were limited. No one could remember all the details and events that happened in their lives in the past decades, so what more her who’s so ancient?

If all the information from her past lives gushed into her mind the moment she was reborn, her brain could have been damaged and she might end up as someone mentally disabled, or worse, dead.

It’s like her memories from her past lives are sealed in a sustained-released capsule. It would be released to her bit by bit to ensure that her mind and body can absorb them safely.

Around the age 18, she’ll complete the process of her rebirth to become the Stillwater once more.

This is why the Lockwoods decided to keep her away from the outside world. Not to detain her. It’s to protect her.

Anyway, Amara is not perfect so she cannot completely remember all of the details of her past. That’s the reason why she’s having trouble finding her five magic.

“I clearly remember that you took it from me.” Amara stated seriously

“I don’t have your fifth magic.” Coelum repeated his words seriously too.

“Then where is it?” Amara

“You took it back in one of your past life. That time when you spread a disease in this city.” Coelum

“You mean that time when I gave all of you diarrhea?” Amara

An awkward smile appeared on Coelum’s face.

That incident was the dark past that they want to burry and completely forget.

Even him, Coelum, the king of the gods, the most respected and dignified immortal had to squat in the toilet for days! Such humiliation! His mood immediately soured.

“Since you don’t have any other agenda, just scram!” Coelum said bitterly, he don’t want to see this mischievous brat any longer.

Amara didn’t mind his rude remark and immediately vanished. Thinking to herself, “Where did I put my fifth magic then?”

“Did you perhaps misplaced it?” asked Damnable who appeared on her shoulder

“That can’t be right. Does the four of you not remember either?” she replied

The four mythical beasts shook their heads.

“I remembered you causing havoc and spreading diarrhea to the gods. But I dont recall all of the details. That was too long ago.” Unbearable

“Blabbermouth?” she asked the lizard

“Usually, I would start to blabber about such an interesting tale. But even I cannot recall what happened.” Blabbermouth

“Your fifth magic can kill you. We probably erased our own memories to protect you.” Tiny interjected, silencing them.

“He have a point!” agreed Damnable

“Should we search for Charmaine and ask her to use her psychic power on you?” Suggest Blabbermouth

“The universe is too vast, it’ll be easier to search for my fifth magic than to search for her.” Amara

“Why not summon the Celestial Spirit Cancer? His psychic power is good too. He used to serve me when Im still the queen of the Celestial Realm, Im sure he wont say no to you.” Suggest Unbearable

“He’s Charmaine’s contracted celestial spirit, he’s probably following her to who knows where, I wont be able to summon him.” Amara

“Then should we hit you in the head? Maybe you’ll remember something!” Damnable

“Her husband will flock your feathers and turn you into a roasted chicken.” Unbearable

“I’m a celestial bird! Not a chicken!”  Damnable

“I suddenly remember.” Amara

“Huh? You finally remember something?”

“Isn’t there a psychic back in Aralon? The girl we met back at Uddara when we first arrived in Aralon?” Amara

“Who?” Damnable

“Was it back when people thought you’re a ghost? The Girl in White!” Unbearable

“Yes.” Amara

Somewhere in Uddara, the young scammer April shivered.

“Omg, something scary is coming.”

~~~~~~~~