The sound of a ticking clock nearby filled their ears. A gentle breeze passed through them, a cold sensation filled the room as a candlelit on the table beside the old man swayed gently to the touch of the breeze.
Maria stared at the strange man for a long time with enlarged eyes, a flood of adrenaline passed through her veins, goosebumps filled her skin.
The room suddenly became so quiet and Filippo who stood beside her was not left behind, his dismayed expression glared at the old man who gently puffed out smoke in the air, a little grin appeared on his face.
"My mother?" Maria implored with a shaky and shocked voice. Different thoughts ran through her mind as she couldn't comprehend what's going on or exactly how she feels. She dared not to leave her gaze on the old man before her, she felt like the whole world has stopped at that minute. Maria narrowed her eyes, her lips suddenly became dry and cold.
The old man looked up at Maria, his weary fingers wrapped around the pipe, the grin on his face suddenly disappeared as a serious look overtook it.
"Yes, your mother, Nevada" He announced to quench her burning fire. His old eyes gradually left her and laid on Filippo who held tightly to his sword with uncertainty written all over him.
"No" Maria let out, a spark moved so fast through her spine. With so much disbelief, she moved backward, her eyes flickering around, her head not able to accept the sudden revelation. Her mother is alive? Unbelievable! Never!. With swaying eyes, she stared hard at the man like a maniac. "This is not possible!" She stated furiously still in shock, her mind not able to take the news, "You are joking, my mother is dead" she said unsure as her mind didn't know what to believe.
A soft laugh filled the room accompanied by a gentle breeze which made Maria's hair swayed to its charm.
The old man looked up at Maria and nodded his head doubtfully, "It is very possible Maria, Don't Stress your head about the possibilities". A grin appeared on his face, "Your mother Nevada lives far away from here and you must find her as soon as possible, you don't have much time left, you know that your father is after you to seek revenge and kill you by all means" he paused, his eyes hardened as veins became visible at the side of his head.
Ignoring her shocked expression, he stood up, to Maria's dismay, this man had no legs but walked firmly on air. Filippo's eyes widened in shock as he wondered who this creature is, indeed he isn't a man but a supernatural being.
Dontuis walked past them and head towards a wooden table at the end of the room. Maria and Filippo stood on their ground as they watched him with intense eyes wondering what he was up to.
A smirk appeared on Dontuis's lips as he could feel their eyes piercing on him. He got closer to the wooden table which was covered in black clothing. Gently, Dontuis held the end of the cloth and carefully unveil the table. On the table stood a crystal globe with glitters all over it, his hands all over it.
Surprised, Filippo raised an eyebrow as he stared at this strange old man wondering what he was doing. He turned to Maria whose expression held so many questions and he was sure that his thought is part of hers too.
"Deep into the woods, a kingdom covered in flowers and beautiful creatures. Nevada, the most beautiful among all women, eyes as blue as the ocean, lips as red as blood, beauty written all over her that no man can resist her charm" a smirk appeared on his lips "Not even the prince of darkness was able to resist her charm and he fell deeply in love with her, an immortal in love with a mortal, not something you hear every day" his smirk deepened, "but..." Dontuis paused, his hands not leaving the globe.
Slowly he turned to his guests, his eyes gazing so bright as fire. He looked at Filippo and slowly at Maria, "Your mother has no memory of you Maria, you need to wake her up because a curse was laid on her by your father, this curse wiped you out of her memory, she doesn't even know that you exist" Dontuis voice became so hard and fiercer, a rumble of thunder was heard roaring powerfully with so much strength. Dontuis turned back to the crystal globe which became brighter, its glitter radiating around the room.
Suddenly, a mighty wind began to blow and a great light overtook the room. Piles of dirt began to sway around as the ground began to tremble.
Filippo held tightly to his sword, his other hand over his head as he protected his eyes from the blinding light. The wind became fierce and louder pulling them backward but Maria and Filippo held tightly, their hair swaying violently to the touch of the wind.
Maria's eyes widened in shock, she turned to Dontuis whose hair began to grow longer and whiter as snow. His rag clothing transformed into a white cloth dazzling as fire. The wind became so strong that it pushed Filippo but he was quick enough to hold onto a wooden table nearby.
With confused eyes, Maria glared at the mysterious being before her. Her heart began to race faster, her palm became sweaty. With dry lips, she watched the man before her transform into a supernatural being but the blinding light emitting from him was so strong for her to see him well.
"You said I should awaken my mother! How can I do that?!" Maria shouted with all her might as the powerful noise from the fierce wind hindered her.
Dontuis paid no attention to her, a great wind circled him and to their surprise, the ground beneath them began to tremble violently, a state of power they have never felt before. Immediately they both fell to the ground, their hands all over their face as a mighty bright light overtook the room. All of a sudden, the wind seized and the place became so quiet that they could only hear their heavy breathing.
Filippo quickly glared up and was shocked to find themselves on dry ground. The house they were in a few seconds ago vanished into thin air. Astonished at what just happened, he turned to Maria who looked very shocked as well. They scanned around but could only see trees and wild birds. It was nighttime already and the night breeze pierced through their skin.
"What just happened?" Filippo muttered to the hearing of Maria whose enlarged eyes scanned around the woods with an intense feeling.
Panting heavily, Maria turned to him, "I have no idea" She whispered in dismay, the words of the old man begin to ring in her head.
Suddenly, a shooting star passed so fast through the sky, this sight fascinated them.
Maria got up immediately, her eyes not leaving it.
"We have to leave now! this is a sign, someone is coming after us!" Maria let out with a cold expression.
With a frown, Filippo gazed around in confusion, "Where do we go from here?" He inquired scanning around.
Walking away from him, Maria glanced at the sky and back to the lines on her palms. Slowly she closed her eyes inhaling deeply, the sound of wild birds filled her ears. Quickly, she opened her eyes as she faced south, 'I don't know either Filippo" she confessed defeated. "But I think we should go this way". Saying this, she began to walk in the direction not waiting for him to say a word.
Together, Maria and Filippo journeyed through the dark woods in total silence. The words of the old man kept ringing in her as she couldn't understand him clearly. So she has a mother all these years?. She always thought she was an abandoned child found in the woods. Not until she came in contact with Ammit, a missionary journey that changed her life. Memories began to flood in her, the face of Catherine flashed through her mind. Maria twisted her fist, her eyes glared in total anger. She won't let the soul of the only people she loved die worthless. The thought of her killing them pierced deep into her soul, this is something she will never forgive herself for. How did she let the devil use her? She knew how strong her faith was in Christ, how could she let all that go? How did it happen to her?. Her evil side must be so strong that it overtook the good side of her, something she could have overcome but was so weak to even fight a little.
Sighing in frustration, she glanced at Filippo and back at the path before them. "We have to find my mother as soon as possible" she let out in a hard tone as she walked on.
Nodding, Filippo turned to her, "But where?" He implored puzzled, the sound of dried leaves filled their ears.
"That shouldn't be a problem Filippo" a gentle voice called out behind them.
Immediately, Maria turned back at alert ready to attack. But to her surprise, she saw a young beautiful lady before her, with wings so beautiful and enchanting.
Filippo's enlarged eyes softened as he stared at the lady before him.
"Gabrielle" he let out in surprise because he hadn't seen her in a while.
Maria glared at him with questioning eyes as the lady before they stared at her with calm eyes.
"This is Gabrielle my guardian angel and she is the one who leads me safely to you" Filippo introduced shoving his sword to his side.
Maria narrowed her eyes not leaving her gaze from the lady, her expression holding words.
"You don't have to ask me any question Maria" Gabrielle let out, her face stern as her sharp eyes didn't leave her, "Time isn't on humanity's side anymore, humans are dying and being held captive but your mother is the only source of hope".
" I know that but where can I find her?" Maria asked impatiently.
A smile appeared on Gabrielle's lips, she turned to Filippo and back at Maria, "Nevada lives in a kingdom far away from here. A kingdom beautified with flowers and wonderful creatures" Gabrielle paused as the sound of wild birds filled them, "I know you have so many questions Maria, but this is not the time to answer them. When you see your mother, you will know her, you don't need anyone to tell you who she is. For when the womb that conceives a child sets her eyes on her seed, the truth shall be revealed without any difficulty" her smile quickly faded.
She turned to Filippo with hardened eyes "Darkness shall prevail very soon, but now, it Is time for light to overcome all obstacles, the light at the end of the tunnel isn't far anymore". Saying this, Gabrielle vanished into thin air. The forest suddenly became so void as the night grew cold immediately.