SAGE'S POV

It was late afternoon when Cerise and I made our way to the capital to visit the sacred statue of the Mother Witch. Nang makarating kami, marahan naming pinatong ang mga offerings namin sa may paanan ng rebulto.

Luminga-linga ako sa paligid, at napansin ang ibang mga witches na dumadaan sa lugar. They carried woven baskets brimming with vibrant flowers, dynamic candles, and various ceremonial trinkets, arranging them meticulously around the monument.

Cerise and I lit our candles together. The crisp scent of burning wax drifted into the air, casting a soothing, almost grounding aura over us that perfectly matched the solemn atmosphere of the sacred square.

"There," ani Cerise nang matapos niyang sindihan ang kanyang kandila. She stepped up beside me, letting out a soft sigh as she gazed up at the towering figure.

We stood in silence for a while, watching the small flames flicker against the encroaching dusk. My mind began to drift, my thoughts wandering far beyond the present moment as I stared intensely at the stone visage of Priscilla.

From my peripheral vision, I caught Cerise shifting uncomfortably. Her hands were folded neatly in front of her, but she was clearly growing anxious under the heavy weight of the quiet.

I sighed, finally breaking the stillness.

"Do you ever... ever think the Mother Witch imagined all of this?" I asked, my gaze lingering on the sacred statue.

"Eh?" Cerise blinked, clearly caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

"All these gifts... the candles, the flowers... Do you think Priscilla ever envisioned that centuries later, witches would still be honoring her like this? Still obsessing over her after all this time?"

After all, according to the history books, Priscilla's sudden disappearance right before the outbreak of the Great Witch Massacre remained an absolute mystery.

Sandaling natahimik si Cerise, halatang pinag-iisipan ang isasagot, hanggang sa lumiwanag ang mukha niya.

"You know, apart from her disappearance, I've always believed she ascended!" she beamed, looking from the statue up to the crescent moon that was just beginning to pierce through the twilight.

Kumunot ang aking noo habang lumilingon-lingon sa nakapaligid sa amin. I noticed that almost every witch here shared that exact same serene, hopeful expression as they prayed solemnly to the stone monument. 

I had to admit, the mystery of the Mother Witch vanishing right when her people needed her the most was... deeply concerning. So why did everyone seem entirely unbothered by her abandonment? Why did they just shrug it off as if it were some grand, divine intervention?

"Kaya kung ako ang tatanungin mo—" Cerise continued cheerfully, "Oo naman! Maiimagine niya lahat ito. I bet she's watching over us right this second. Everyone knows she was the most powerful witch of her era!"

I stared at her blankly. "So, ang ibig mong sabihin ay patay na siya at nasa langit na ngayon."

Cerise burst into a laugh, waving her hand frantically as if trying to physically swat away her own giggles. "Trust you to point out the obvious. I mean, it has been centuries, so obviously she isn't walking around anymore. But..." She suddenly pouted, a look of profound reverence crossing her features. "She's the First Witch. Our entire lineage exists because of her miracles—she's the reason our kindred was born! Kaya sa tingin ko imposibleng namatay lang siya sa normal na paraan. Instead... she ascended."

Ascended.

I guess that's just the convenient lens through which the people of Ashburn view powerful historical figures.

I let out a soft huff. "You're forgetting something."

"Huh?"

"Paano naman yung aktwal ng pagkawala niya?" I pressed, crossing my arms as my eyes narrowed at the statue. "Sa palagay ko, may madilim na dahilan sa likod ng lahat ng ito. I don't believe for a second that the sudden massacre happening right after she vanished was a coincidence."

I looked back up at the stone face of Priscilla.

"So how can everyone confidently call it an 'ascension'? Let's say her disappearance wasn't ordinary—does that mean she just abandoned y'all? And if she did... did she ever really—" I paused, trying to find the exact word to articulate the dark thought brewing in my mind before it clicked. "—did she ever really care about everyone?"

Literal na nalaglag ang panga ni Cerise sa sinabi ko.

Hindi ko mapigilang isipin ang lahat ng ito. People truly believe the pretty stories because it's simply easier that way. Nakakagaan ng loob na baguhin ang tatak ng isang nakagambalang misteryo bilang 'ascension' o isang divine calling sa halip na tanggapin ang malupit na kasalungat nito—that maybe she just walked away from us, or that there's a much deeper, darker truth the history refuse to discuss.

Walang nakakaalam kung ano talaga ang nangyari. But the masses prefer to fill the terrifying blank space with comforting fabrications rather than stare into the void.

Sometimes, believing feels safer than knowing. It's like people invent little fairy tales just to keep their fragile world from falling apart. Is belief ever actually about the truth... or is it just a coping mechanism for comfort?

Neither of us said another word after that, letting the heavy silence stretch between us.

Our solemn moment was abruptly cut short by the sharp, rhythmic clicking of footsteps echoing on the stone pathway behind us. I glanced over my shoulder to see who it was.

"There you are sisters!"

It was Via. She sauntered toward us with her signature theatrical grace, her violet-orange eyes sparkling with pure mischief.

"Kanina ko pa kayo hinahanap. Nandito lang pala kayo..." she said, squeezing past us to place a lavish bouquet right next to our modest offerings.

"I didn't think I'd find you two hanging out at such a serious place," she added, throwing a pointed look my way. "Especially you."

I simply shrugged. Sinamahan ko lang naman si Cerise eh.

"And where else would we be?" Cerise chimed in. "The exams are right around the corner, after all. Everyone is out here begging Goddess Priscilla for some divine guidance."

"Sa bagay," Via grinned, placing her hands firmly on her hips. "Guidance or good luck? Because honestly, I'd say we need a massive dose of both—teka, bakit parang ang tatamlay ng mga mukha niyo?" nakakunot-noo niyang tanong sa aming dalawa.

Cerise and I exchanged a fleeting look, completely silent.

"Hindi mo na yata kailangan itanong 'yan Via hehe..." sabi ni Cerise habang napakamot sa kanyang ulo.

I nodded in agreement, throwing Via a deadpan look. "Hmm. Dahil sabi mo nga, nasa serious place tayo."

"Oh," Via blinked, taking a beat before bursting into a loud laugh. "Okay! Okay! You got me there. But seriously, I came here to find you girls for a very specific reason."

Without warning, she grabbed both of our arms and began dragging us away from the sacred monument. Cerise and I both stumbled, our brows furrowing at her sudden burst of energy.

"Look, there's a party—"

"A party?" Cerise interrupted, lightly swatting Via's hand away to stop herself from being pulled across the square.

"Shh! Patapusin mo muna ako Cici," Via giggled, dramatically clearing her throat. "Sisters, clear your schedules for tonight! And get your magickal outfits ready, because we are going to have some fun at—"

"A party." My shoulders sagged instantly. Oh, great. Damay na naman ako.

Malakas na napatawa si Via habang inakbayan kaming dalawa as she forced us to keep walking. "So listen—I ran into Geo earlier on my way here! Ikinuwento niya sa akin ang lahat tungkol sa rave na magaganap sa Heatherquill Hollows ngayong gabi. It's supposed to encourage everyone to let loose and de-stress before the exam nightmare begins!"

Magpa-party talaga? Shouldn't these people be locked in a library sweating over their grades instead of drinking in the woods? So anong tawag n'on, calm before the storm?

I groaned loudly. "I'll pass."

"Sythria!" Via gasped, looking utterly betrayed.

Cerise turned to Via with an apologetic, helpless gaze. "Via, siguro—"

"Cici!" Via pouted, instantly dropping me to cling to Cerise's arm instead. "Don't tell me magba-backout ka rin?"

"Ah, eh... much better kung susulitin nalang namin itong oras para mag-aral—"

Cerise didn't even get to finish her sentence because Via tightened her grip, looking up with wide, puppy-dog eyes. "Pleeeeeaaase?"

Cerise huffed, her rosy cheeks puffing out as her sweet, easily-swayed smile inevitably returned. "Hahays, sige na nga."

"Yay! That's one point for me!" Via cheered, instantly spinning around to lock her gaze onto me with a dangerous, predatory gleam.

Oh, no.

"Sythriaaa???"

Oh, absolutely not.

"...Octavia." I let her full name drop like a flat, heavy warning, shooting her a lethal glare.

"Noooo! I promise you're going to love this party! Besides, you don't want to miss the absolute perfect spot for moon gazing tonight, do you?"

Kusa akong natigilan. Moon gazing?

I locked eyes with the two girls, enduring their desperate, pleading stares for what felt like an eternity. Finally, I let out a deep, agonizing sigh that felt older than the realm itself.

I rolled my eyes dramatically. "Fine. But if this turns out to be another secret cult ritual, I'm walking home alone."

"YEEEEY!"

I flinched, my ears ringing from the sheer volume of Cerise and Via's triumphant shriek.

"Teka nga lang, sis—" Via suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. Her victorious smile evaporated as she pointed a trembling, accusing finger straight at my chest. She turned dramatically to Cerise, her face a mask of absolute horror. "Cici! Hindi mo man lang pinagsasabihan itong bestie natin?! Pajamas! She is standing out in public in literal pajamas! Oh my gosh, the absolute scandal!"

Napatingin ako sa suot ko. Oh, wow. I actually am.

I scoffed, defensively crossing my arms tight against my chest. "And?" I muttered, looking away. Who cares about wearing pajamas in the capital?

"Ah, s-sorry, Via," Cerise stammered, sweat practically breaking out on her forehead. "Napansin ko kasing komportable siya sa suot niya kaya hinayaan ko nalang eh..."

Via didn't even let her finish the excuse. "You know what? This is a level-five style emergency. I am personally dressing both of you. Move!"

Hindi na kami umangal pa. Both Cerise and I simply resigned ourselves to our fate, allowing ourselves to be forcefully dragged away by the unstoppable hurricane that was Via's fashion mission.

⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ ◯ ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆

After Via subjected us to a brutal style-emergency makeover using the most extravagant pieces from her personal wardrobe, sinimulan na namin ang paglalakad papunta sa venue ng party.

I was forced into a tight, black-and-white striped long sleeve shirt paired with a sleek black pencil skirt and heavy leather black boots. Pinaresan ko naman ito ng isang chic black jacket, knowing full well the night air would turn freezing. Beside me, Cerise was practically radiating soft warmth, styled in a pastel pink flowy dress with delicate floral motifs that suited her gentle features perfectly.

And then, of course, there was Via. She was the definition of bold and dangerous, completely decked out in deep purple and black. Nakasuot siya ng isang kumikinang na form-fitting one-shoulder dress, and she had accessorized so aggressively that she clinked with every step. She looked like the literal jewel of the night—and she knew it.

"Malapit na ba tayo?" I groaned, uncomfortably tugging at the collar of my stiff jacket. Lumingon ako sa paligid, kung tutuusin, parang na kaming naghi-hike sa mala-gubat na daanan. Ugh. This outfit was rapidly turning into a fashionable claustrophobic trap.

"Ouch—aya!" Cerise squeaked, nearly face-planting after catching her foot on a massive tree root. "—sana pala nag-boots nalang ako. Nahihirapan na ako maglakad eh huhu..."

She stumbled again. Ngunit bago siya madapa ay agad kong hinablot ang kanyang braso at saka marahan ko siyang hinila para makatayo ng maayos.

"T-thanks..." Cerise's legs wobbled like gelatin. "—Hindi ko na kayang magsuot ng sandals..." she whispered miserably. "These are definitely not made for a forest adventure, huhu."

Umangat ang isang kilay ko. "Bakit ka ba nag-sandals? Didn't you get the memo that we'd be hiking to the venue?"

I honestly thought we would just be using the teleportation scroll, but luck wasn't on our side. Ayon kasi kay Via, walang designated waystone doon sa Heatherquill Hollows, kaya hindi kami makakainstant teleport. Just our fantastic luck.

"Sythria," she whined, throwing a fearful glance ahead at Via. "Siya kasi ang nag-pressure sa akin na maging 'aesthetic' kuno." She tried to keep her voice down so Via wouldn't hear, but it was completely futile; we all knew about Via's terrifyingly sharp witching senses.

"I heard that, Ci," Nginisihan siya ni Via, sabay flip ng kanyang wavy ponytail. "Like, duh. Kailangan natin mag-effort, okay? It's all part of the vibe! Sino ba naman ang gugustuhing dumating sa party na nagmumukhang hayop na pinakawalan sa wilderness?"

"Ih... Why did we have to take this specific path?" Cerise persisted, dragging her feet. "Sigurado akong may ibang alternative route papunta doon eh..."

"Shh!" Via suddenly tilted her head, dramatically cupping her ear. "Narinig niyo 'yun? Come on, konting tiis nalang talaga. Promise! Malapit na tayo!"

"You've been saying 'almost there' for the past hour," I muttered, making sure she could hear the absolute lack of faith in my voice.

Via suddenly gasped so loudly that Cerise and I both nearly jumped out of our skins. "Oh my gems! TINGNAN NIYO!"

Through the dense canopy of trees, faint glimpses of glowing neon lights finally broke through the darkness. Colorful magickal orbs danced lazily through the air, and elegant floral decorations began to line the edge of the path. Dinig na dinig na rin namin ang mahihinang tawanan at musika na umalingawngaw sa clearing.

Cerise's eyes widened in sheer awe. "That's... the party?"

Via was practically vibrating with excitement, a massive, mischievous grin plastered across her face. "Oh, yes. Without a doubt, sisters! Let's go!"

I stood still for a moment, watching the two girls eagerly race toward the vibrant glow—even Cerise, who seemed to have completely forgotten about her crippling sandals in her excitement.

I deadpanned. Nagmukha tuloy silang mga gamo-gamo na tuluyan ng binihag sa liwanag ng apoy.

I rolled my eyes one last time, adjusted the heavy shoulders of my jacket, and sighed. Fine. Since I was already trapped here, I might as well see what kind of crazy witch nonsense they had dragged me into this time.

(Q: Sa tingin niyo, bakit at paano nawala si Priscilla? Is she dead, for real?)