Another precious jewel of the sea and water
chooses its keeper.
As Teresa made her way to school, her memory was on the peculiar stone she had found. Its surface shimmered subtly, capturing her thoughts. During their break, she and Maria retreated to the rooftop, seeking a quiet space for a serious conversation.
"I feel like something isn't right these days," Teresa began, her brow furrowed with concern. "I think entering Senior High School has come with its own set of mysteries. It's quite disturbing."
Maria tilted her head, curiosity piqued. "What do you mean, Teresa?"
"Do you remember what happened on our first day of school?" Teresa pressed, her eyes searching Maria's for understanding. "Can you recall? That's why we're here. I really want to figure this out."
Maria chuckled, her usual lightheartedness breaking the tension. "First day of school... Hmm. Of course! Our handsome adviser, right? Hehe."
"Focus, Maria!" Teresa urged, her impatience evident. "What else? Think! Remember, we were up here, and then there was an earthquake, followed by a tsunami. It's all so vivid to me - destruction, screams… and then everything just went back to normal. It's like nothing ever happened! Or maybe it's just me who isn't feeling well?"
Maria paused, her expression thoughtful as she sifted through the memories Teresa had just recounted. Fragments began to resurface, but only a few, causing a slight headache to throb at her temples. "Oh! Yes, I remember something now. But why were those things happening?"
"The big question is," Teresa replied, leaning in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper, "why are other people so unconcerned about such serious events? It's like they've forgotten, even if you try to ask them."
"Then it's just the two of us who can recall, right?" Maria responded, her tone shifting from playful to serious.
As the two friends stood on the rooftop, the weight of their shared memories hung in the air, unspoken and unsettling. They both felt that something beyond their understanding was at play, and the mysterious stone in Teresa's possession seemed to hold the key.
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a voice that seemed to echo through the air. "Those things are truly happening."
Teresa and Maria exchanged glances, startled, as they scanned their surroundings. There was nothing out of the ordinary, just the gentle rustle of leaves in the cool breeze. Suddenly, a figure emerged behind them.
Teresa squinted, recognition dawning on her. "You look familiar…"
It was the guy she had encountered yesterday, his face now fully revealed.
"Yes, I am," he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Hey," Teresa demanded, her tone a mix of confusion and accusation. "What happened yesterday? How did I get back home? Don't tell me you did something to me."
Maria chimed in, her demeanor lightening. "Umm, Teresa, you know this guy? He's cute, anyway."
The guy chuckled, shaking his head. "Silly question, my dear."
"So, who are you?" Teresa pressed, narrowing her eyes. "And why are you here?"
"I'm here for both of you," he stated matter-of-factly.
"Oh…" Maria's eyes widened. "So, I'm included? Really?"
"We don't entertain strangers," Teresa retorted, her instincts kicking in. She held up the glowing stone, ready to defend herself.
But the guy anticipated her move. Before the stone could unleash its power, he raised his hand, and with a swift motion, he froze Teresa in place.
"Ahhhhhh! What happened to her?" Maria screamed, panic rising in her chest. "What did you do? I'll call the guards!" She turned to run but -
"You need not to call them. Do not be afraid. I will not do any harm," he said, his voice calm yet firm.
"W-why?" Maria stammered, her heart racing.
Emotional and frantic, she rushed to Teresa, who lay frozen before her. "Teresa! What happened? Please… Teresaaaaaaaaa!!!"
In that moment, something shifted. Teresa slowly began to unfurl, her body regaining mobility at the sound of Maria's desperate voice. Gasping for breath, she sat up, her eyes wide with confusion.
"Hah, hah, hah…" she wheezed, trying to steady her racing heart.
"You need not to be afraid," the guy reassured them, his expression softening. "I'm here seeking your help."
"Help? For what?" Maria asked, her voice trembling.
"It's a long story," he replied, his tone growing serious. "But I'll explain it to you step by step. To introduce myself, I am Michael Evangelista."
As Michael spoke, an extraordinary transformation took place. He shifted from an ordinary man into an aura of a holy being, radiating a brilliant light that surrounded him like a halo. His hair flowed long and free, and he donned a flowing white robe with long sleeves that billowed gently as if caught in an unseen breeze.
"I'll take you to a place where no one can disturb us," he said, his voice resonating with a newfound authority.
With a swift motion, Michael led Teresa and Maria into an unknown realm, the scenery around them shifting as they moved.
"If you are conscious of the time," he reassured them, "you needn't worry. This is another dimension we are entering. Time works differently here."
Teresa looked around in awe. "It seems like we are floating."
"This place is an illusion," Michael explained, "yet we remain tethered to your mortal world."
Teresa's curiosity peaked. "So, who are you really?"
Michael's expression turned serious. "I was the one who restored your world back to normal after the calamities occurred. Many people were affected, and except for the two of you, they lost their memories of what transpired."
Teresa nodded, slowly understanding. "Oh, I see. That's why."
Maria, still processing the information, interjected, "But do you know why the earthquake was so powerful? Tsunamis have never happened here before. It's impossible."
Michael's gaze turned distant, almost somber. "I come from a different world. There is an alternate realm that exists alongside yours. Our world, called Celestia, is on the brink of destruction at this very moment. My power and spells are waning after a hundred years. These signs of destruction may seem like the end, but in truth, they are merely the beginning."
With a gesture of his hand, Michael commanded something unseen. Suddenly, two stones emerged from the girls, hovering gently between them.
Maria gasped. "Oh. Is this stone coming from me?"
Teresa stared at her own stone, her heart racing. "This stone again… W-wait, do you have yours too?"
Michael nodded, his eyes shimmering with a mix of urgency and hope. "You both possess a part of the power that can change the fate of our worlds. We need to unlock its potential."
Michael's voice resonated in their minds: "You are the chosen keepers and warriors of the stones you possess. These stones have awakened at the right time and in the right hands, summoned by our world for help. They require mortal warriors to restore Celestia. May Bathala bless you!"
With that, he vanished, leaving the girls bewildered. In an instant, they found themselves back in their familiar surroundings.
"Where is he?" Maria asked, looking around frantically.
"Warrior?" Teresa pondered, the weight of the responsibility settling on her shoulders. "This entails a big responsibility."
"What was the name of the world he mentioned?" Maria pressed.
"Ce - Celestia," Teresa replied, still absorbing the shock.
"Celestia! So, the stories about it aren't just fantasies. It's real!" Maria exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder.
"You have that magical stone too," Teresa pointed out.
"And yours as well! I can't believe we're now superheroes!" Maria giggled, her excitement bubbling over.
"Eh?" Teresa replied, half-amused, half-incredulous.
"I remember that incident now, Teresa. After I lost my grip on you, I fell from the building. I was certain that the waves approaching the campus had swallowed me. I thought it was my end," Maria recounted, her voice tinged with disbelief. "But then, I was amazed to find I could still breathe underwater. Someone called my name, the voice was gentle and soft. I don't remember the exact words, but then a stone appeared and glowed right before me. It felt like magic, and suddenly everything returned to normal. I found myself back in our classroom."
"Wow, at least someone helped us understand," Teresa said, feeling a sense of relief.
"But the real question is," Maria pondered, her gaze drifting to the stone in her palm, "Are we going to accept this destiny that has been thrust upon us?"
The two girls exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of uncertainty and determination as they contemplated the path ahead.
---