Enchanter : Chapter 1

ONCE again, Mereah Academy has lost its integrity. The three students, Nabira, Yana and Anra were caught stealing the parchment of the academy headmaster's room before the day of qualifying examinination. It was happened in class faction of Alamid and the Alamidee's couldn't look straight to the fellow Mereans. So far, it was the biggest scandal exploded of school year just like the butt's atomic bomb. Being in the intellectual faction, it was a great disappointment, Alamidee's professor Aveel got smoking nose telling it to her students. Anamuri , the school headmistress, urgently marked Nabira and the rest cheaters with suspension, and the faction will lost the extravagant teaching tools and food supplies in next school break.

During the class hour's dismissal, Nabira's gang allied to avenge the girl who was the cause of their conviction, Salome, a thin and with big eyes girl. Someone would assume she couldn't kill a lice in her big curly hair because it was already a sin, but try to mess with her, indeed, she will throw a kiss in check or near eye. Then it will leave with color black. For her, that was an effective smack, there was a crunch. Yesterday, after school hours, when almost nobody was around, Salome saw Nabira, Yana and Anra at the Headmaster's office, the peer just exited on the room and they took some parchment where the questions of the test written. Nabira used a metal stick to key the office door's lock. When Nabira saw Salome was spying them, the bully treated to hang Salome on the pole as flag's replacement. By morning, Professor Aveel was mesmerized of Nabira's perfect scores. A student named Jirhan was also included. He sat at Anra's back and has known a great copycat too. How could it be when they were poor students? Salome told Professor Aveel silently about the cheating. She did it as a comeback of Nabira's bullying, either a right decision or just another cavalry. There it went, Nabira confronted Salome about the shame she gained. The peer found Salome having a good time at the academy's eatery. Salome gave Nabira and her puppets a very sweet smile. Nabira threw the tray to her coa and attempted to pull her hair. The fat bully stopped after the proffesor encharged  looked at them, Salome grinned.

"You don't want to be punished again, aren't you?" she whispered.

"You're not lucky. Prepare for us, we'll ambush you," said Nabira.

"Sooner or later?" she said.

"Take my word!"

"In south or north?"

"In east!" Nabira answered sarcastically. "We'll smash your head off."

"By hammer, or wrecking ball?"

"Shut up! I thought, you got a brain with substance, it's all liquid."

"Water or juice?" Salome teased Nabira again by her stupid questions as she wiped her coat with her hands.

"Whatever, dumb," Nabira hit her shoulder.

Nabira, Yana an Anra walked away. Salome's eyes fell at Jirhan who was eating in the right's second table before her. He gave a dismay glare. He stood. Jirhan looked ill, a skinner than her and had a shaggy, wavy hair. Bruises marked on his skin probably he got it by horse riding. They were neighbors and she knew him well, another conceited thug. This is the school bully could make her replace Sidyaal's throne - the Godess of Underworld in Maharlican's myth.

"Stop acting like a hero, Shockwave Queen, you can't deny, you're a witch, a monster that need to burn," Jirhan said.

"It's not my fault why you were caught cheating!" she replied.

Jirhan left. Salome couldn't help it to feel irritated. A witch, a monster, she was tired and disgusted to hear that words. It was a usual depiction on her because of her father's occupation. She has no friends at all because of it. Salome was been a loner. Aside of having no friend, she was also prone of mean students in school. She may look just an ordinary girl and easy to go with but behind this people stay away from their family because of rumors, that she belonged on the clan of sorcerers, they have practiced it. Her family never escaped from the neighborhood's superficiality. But for her, it was a slander, her father Racun, was an albularyo; healer who practiced traditional medicine techniques such as use of herbals, but she was sure he was not a dark magician. Sorcery and witches was hated in kingdom of Maharlica, the land she lived in. The witchhood phobia had ran in the veins of Maharlicans. The clash of Enchanters and the called, Mortals or non-enchanters decades ago could proved it. In Maharlica's history, the Mortals' suffering in the arms of Enchanters (the people who practiced wizardy) was unforgettable and very horrible. The hatred planted throughout the years. Any suspected remaining witches were found stoned, worse, Maharlicans burnt them to ash and how she hoped her family was not on next hunt's list. According to some past tellers, a group of witches freed the Godess of Underworld and caused the most painful and tragic era in Maharlican history.

The school hours ended. Salome made a deep breath. She went at the school's backyard. Jirhan must not be the one to worry. Instead, Nabira's words planted in her's mind like a leech in her brain. "We'll ambush you," said the re-flashing of her thunder voice. Salome stayed longer at the academy until all had left except for the guard. It doesn't mean she never wanted to fight but Nabira was much bigger, plus her two bodyguards. Salomi had been suffered, her good moral character record was tainted because of Nabira. She had pushed Nabira once into the gravel like a big bowling ball when she made fun of her once. Salome was just a fighting victim but misunderstood to be liable. Erobin, the academy's councilor, suspended her for three days. It would never repeat, she swore. If only Nabira was not a crying baby when unfavored, she had been tied that girl in a tree in the middle of forest.

Six in the evening, Salome had decided to stood up from the bench after Merea Academy was totally in silent. She went at the Front Hall but the guard was gone anymore. The gate was already closed. Salome returned at the backyard. For the second time, she has stranded in her school and for the same reason, Nabira the Cow. She had no choice left than to climb at the brick wall. Faculties were unaware that she did this twice when she got ill while in class. Their school physician was over-interrogative, noisy, the reason why she hesitated to approach for medication in this academy. She took a platform and pushed the broken glasses on brick's top. Putting glasses on gate's top helped to retrain from attackers. Salome inclined the platform to the wall. It was used as her riser. As she reached on top, Salome jumped and screamed when she was about to dive on the glasses she had fell earlier. Luckily, she only dumped beside them. It would be impossible for Nabira, Yana and Anra to remain in that hours. They lived quite far. Salome started to hike the street. The carriage got lesser. The people in the street got fewer as well. Her wristwatch aimed quarter to seven, in rural areas, that time, the townsfolk was already at home. Her village was called Crilun and was one and half miles southern from Maharlica's capital, Pandagua. She continued to walk. At last, the school break came, she can come home again, didn't matter if she would be late. But while in the road, Salome suddenly halted when  shadows came out behind the cloth waving factory.

"So what's up now Salome?"

Nabira, Yana and Anra popped out. Yana and Anra were related to two of Merea's teachers, while Nabira's father was a major donor of the school. The reason why these three acting as stinky queens.

"Oh, you girls take the threat seriously, huh?" she asked while retreating.

"Of course, you ruined my reputation, something that I can't forgive. " Yana massaging her fist.

"Where you will go?"

Anra immediately braced Salome with her wrist. Yana also was now pulling her hair. Nabira punched her stomach. Salome immediately hit Anra by her elbow and impelled again by her foot. She freed on Anra's arms. She bumped Yana until she sped away from the bullies' circle.

"Don't let her go!" shouted Nabira.

Salome was a fast runner, that was her advantage compared to them. Clearly, the three haven't accustomed in hiking yet. She sprinted until Nabira's group was nowhere behind her. To think that she would be rain with bruises and muscle pain by their cowing. Nabira made fun no other than her. It started when she defeated her at the Chemistry competition two years ago, the time when Nabira was still a competitive student but now, luxurious life and family issues were destroying her study.

Science was Salome best subject to study and feel confident to be in consistent performer.

She took her walk slower. Nabira, Anra and Yana couldn't surpass her anymore. Now, she will enter in Civarrene Highway. It was the commuters' most avoided road in the nighttime. The villagers have outspoken its danger. It located on the near-end boundaries of Crilun and Pandagua. The road's zigzag curve and its narrowness made the drivers reluctant to pass bye. Hence, there were no side railings put on it. Countless of accidents had been reported in tracing the said intestinal-shape path, in fact, it has no absent every week. It was named a "killer road". But aside from the danger, there was another reason of the people's fear. Many have been testified the paranormal activities in the area.

One stone hauler stated, as he passed bye on Civarrene Highway, he saw a blazing skull jumping on a starfruit tree. Never had justified if somebody just tricked him. But the next one was more horrifying, a young baker said, as he walked bye to his work at Pandagua, he saw a young girl lying on the road, since, the little innocent asked for help, he approached her but upon he got close, a pail of blood showered to him. It came from the top of a tree. He ran with a bloody shirt. Residents in the upper town have seen dancing lights on Civarenne's woodland but the fact, no one had ever lived there and even has no lampost Those were only three of the stories emerged in Crilun folktales.

But all of those myths never cause a hinder on Salome to cross Civarenne on that night. Panting, she took and lit the candle from her backpack. After she had spent her time taking serious at Nabira's threat, now, she embarked alone in the cemented road to their home. Time changed past, she would never wait any carriage or she might stranded until dawn. Therr were only very seldom horse-carrige traveled on hour of seven in a rural area like Crilun. Salome would never let her parents, Racun and Elir be anxious. The Maharlican Royal Martial got a report of missing people last days ago. The authority had no clear lead of the case yet. The strongest theory was a group of kidnappers circulating the town. Something she should fear than the none sense folklores.

Only Salome's white part of her uniform was fair in the gloom. The moon just painted the sky orange. It was silent except for the hawks which making the only noise. Salome was not born an alarmist ever since and for her, the horror stories were mere inventions. Indeed, her father stated, she was a risk taker, a rebellious one and it might bring her to hazard. She never persuaded in any mythical theory. For her, they were just part of delusion or brilliance of thought and had no real basis. A lot of news about fairies and other mythical elements'claimed circulating at Maharlica. The tales passed from generation to generation and it depends if somebody would believed it or not. In fact many outlanders who Maharlica were reluctant to tour in kingdom. Who's fearful would dare if it was dwelt by black magic caster? It was the main theme if any civilian would talk about their town.

The candle Salome brought was near to melt. The route she pass would be much darker. She ambled faster. More steps must have to take before she could fully left the place. Suddenly, she stacked in the highway when a shadow of a woman reflected on the distance. She will met somebody. Her skin's furs stood up. From the rays of moonlight, she a woman wearing long black dress was coming.

"Isn't a black lady?!" she whispered to herself.

Her heart's pulse beaten faster. She sweated cold as the stranger got closer and closer to her. If it was, then that would be the best time for her to justify the black lady's supernaturalness - a mischievous female ghost who wore dark dresses and could possessed the living humans. Salome held her breath. The woman came into her front and her heart almost drowned. The lady's face expressed fierce, her furious eyes glared at Salome. They were aesthetic. Her hair measured down to her thigh bone. She had a maroon lips. Her long fingernails was also noticeable. Salome estimated the woman was in the age of forty and found her suspicious one. The woman in black was unfamiliar and seemed like she was a newcomer in Maharlica.

"What kind woman is this?" Salome muttered, again.

Salome discovered it was the not the so-called black lady but still it didn't removed the terror she felt. Maybe, she was just carried by the superstition, now?

She cleared her throat. "G- good evening, ma'am."

Salome greeted the woman as a sign of politeness. It was a common did for Maharlicans to present good wishes to the people even to the strangers one.

But, the woman didn't answered, she never mind her as if there was no one around. It made Salome hunched her more.

"Good evening ma'am!" Salome greeted her again.

How difficult this woman to please was, still, Salome did haven't receive a retaliation to her overwhelming greeting. "Go-good evening..."

She continued slowly. A reminder prompted on her head, it would be a bad luck if someone would gave third unanswered greetings to a stranger, Racun told her. According to him, if someone can't not respond to a conversation thrice during at night, there was a tendency the person was an occultist and already incantating through silent citation.

The victim would not affected eventually but it could cause him being vulnerable in any type of diseases and may lead to an early death. But Salome just let the woman passed bye. She assumed that woman was just a snobbish one. An amount of relief refreshed her intense soul. Before she escaped in Civarenne Highway, she will passed the most wildest place in the road where the extraordinary events usually happened. Her candle was totally melt and she dropped it in the ground. Those folklores were murmuring in her left brain, it seemed she ought to believe them now. She made herself vigilant.

Suddenly, she shrieked when a giant thing dropped in the front. A big foot stepped and was blocking her.ONCE again, Mereah Academy has lost its integrity. The three students, Nabira, Yana and Anra were caught stealing the parchment of the academy headmaster's room before the day of qualifying examinination. It was happened in class faction of Alamid and the Alamidee's couldn't look straight to the fellow Mereans. So far, it was the biggest scandal exploded of school year just like the butt's atomic bomb. Being in the intellectual faction, it was a great disappointment, Alamidee's professor Aveel got smoking nose telling it to her students. Anamuri , the school headmistress, urgently marked Nabira and the rest cheaters with suspension, and the faction will lost the extravagant teaching tools and food supplies in next school break.

During the class hour's dismissal, Nabira's gang allied to avenge the girl who was the cause of their conviction, Salome, a thin and with big eyes girl. Someone would assume she couldn't kill a lice in her big curly hair because it was already a sin, but try to mess with her, indeed, she will throw a kiss in check or near eye. Then it will leave with color black. For her, that was an effective smack, there was a crunch. Yesterday, after school hours, when almost nobody was around, Salome saw Nabira, Yana and Anra at the Headmaster's office, the peer just exited on the room and they took some parchment where the questions of the test written. Nabira used a metal stick to key the office door's lock. When Nabira saw Salome was spying them, the bully treated to hang Salome on the pole as flag's replacement. By morning, Professor Aveel was mesmerized of Nabira's perfect scores. A student named Jirhan was also included. He sat at Anra's back and has known a great copycat too. How could it be when they were poor students? Salome told Professor Aveel silently about the cheating. She did it as a comeback of Nabira's bullying, either a right decision or just another cavalry. There it went, Nabira confronted Salome about the shame she gained. The peer found Salome having a good time at the academy's eatery. Salome gave Nabira and her puppets a very sweet smile. Nabira threw the tray to her coa and attempted to pull her hair. The fat bully stopped after the proffesor encharged  looked at them, Salome grinned.

"You don't want to be punished again, aren't you?" she whispered.

"You're not lucky. Prepare for us, we'll ambush you," said Nabira.

"Sooner or later?" she said.

"Take my word!"

"In south or north?"

"In east!" Nabira answered sarcastically. "We'll smash your head off."

"By hammer, or wrecking ball?"

"Shut up! I thought, you got a brain with substance, it's all liquid."

"Water or juice?" Salome teased Nabira again by her stupid questions as she wiped her coat with her hands.

"Whatever, dumb," Nabira hit her shoulder.

Nabira, Yana an Anra walked away. Salome's eyes fell at Jirhan who was eating in the right's second table before her. He gave a dismay glare. He stood. Jirhan looked ill, a skinner than her and had a shaggy, wavy hair. Bruises marked on his skin probably he got it by horse riding. They were neighbors and she knew him well, another conceited thug. This is the school bully could make her replace Sidyaal's throne - the Godess of Underworld in Maharlican's myth.

"Stop acting like a hero, Shockwave Queen, you can't deny, you're a witch, a monster that need to burn," Jirhan said.

"It's not my fault why you were caught cheating!" she replied.

Jirhan left. Salome couldn't help it to feel irritated. A witch, a monster, she was tired and disgusted to hear that words. It was a usual depiction on her because of her father's occupation. She has no friends at all because of it. Salome was been a loner. Aside of having no friend, she was also prone of mean students in school. She may look just an ordinary girl and easy to go with but behind this people stay away from their family because of rumors, that she belonged on the clan of sorcerers, they have practiced it. Her family never escaped from the neighborhood's superficiality. But for her, it was a slander, her father Racun, was an albularyo; healer who practiced traditional medicine techniques such as use of herbals, but she was sure he was not a dark magician. Sorcery and witches was hated in kingdom of Maharlica, the land she lived in. The witchhood phobia had ran in the veins of Maharlicans. The clash of Enchanters and the called, Mortals or non-enchanters decades ago could proved it. In Maharlica's history, the Mortals' suffering in the arms of Enchanters (the people who practiced wizardy) was unforgettable and very horrible. The hatred planted throughout the years. Any suspected remaining witches were found stoned, worse, Maharlicans burnt them to ash and how she hoped her family was not on next hunt's list. According to some past tellers, a group of witches freed the Godess of Underworld and caused the most painful and tragic era in Maharlican history.

The school hours ended. Salome made a deep breath. She went at the school's backyard. Jirhan must not be the one to worry. Instead, Nabira's words planted in her's mind like a leech in her brain. "We'll ambush you," said the re-flashing of her thunder voice. Salome stayed longer at the academy until all had left except for the guard. It doesn't mean she never wanted to fight but Nabira was much bigger, plus her two bodyguards. Salomi had been suffered, her good moral character record was tainted because of Nabira. She had pushed Nabira once into the gravel like a big bowling ball when she made fun of her once. Salome was just a fighting victim but misunderstood to be liable. Erobin, the academy's councilor, suspended her for three days. It would never repeat, she swore. If only Nabira was not a crying baby when unfavored, she had been tied that girl in a tree in the middle of forest.

Six in the evening, Salome had decided to stood up from the bench after Merea Academy was totally in silent. She went at the Front Hall but the guard was gone anymore. The gate was already closed. Salome returned at the backyard. For the second time, she has stranded in her school and for the same reason, Nabira the Cow. She had no choice left than to climb at the brick wall. Faculties were unaware that she did this twice when she got ill while in class. Their school physician was over-interrogative, noisy, the reason why she hesitated to approach for medication in this academy. She took a platform and pushed the broken glasses on brick's top. Putting glasses on gate's top helped to retrain from attackers. Salome inclined the platform to the wall. It was used as her riser. As she reached on top, Salome jumped and screamed when she was about to dive on the glasses she had fell earlier. Luckily, she only dumped beside them. It would be impossible for Nabira, Yana and Anra to remain in that hours. They lived quite far. Salome started to hike the street. The carriage got lesser. The people in the street got fewer as well. Her wristwatch aimed quarter to seven, in rural areas, that time, the townsfolk was already at home. Her village was called Crilun and was one and half miles southern from Maharlica's capital, Pandagua. She continued to walk. At last, the school break came, she can come home again, didn't matter if she would be late. But while in the road, Salome suddenly halted when  shadows came out behind the cloth waving factory.

"So what's up now Salome?"

Nabira, Yana and Anra popped out. Yana and Anra were related to two of Merea's teachers, while Nabira's father was a major donor of the school. The reason why these three acting as stinky queens.

"Oh, you girls take the threat seriously, huh?" she asked while retreating.

"Of course, you ruined my reputation, something that I can't forgive. " Yana massaging her fist.

"Where you will go?"

Anra immediately braced Salome with her wrist. Yana also was now pulling her hair. Nabira punched her stomach. Salome immediately hit Anra by her elbow and impelled again by her foot. She freed on Anra's arms. She bumped Yana until she sped away from the bullies' circle.

"Don't let her go!" shouted Nabira.

Salome was a fast runner, that was her advantage compared to them. Clearly, the three haven't accustomed in hiking yet. She sprinted until Nabira's group was nowhere behind her. To think that she would be rain with bruises and muscle pain by their cowing. Nabira made fun no other than her. It started when she defeated her at the Chemistry competition two years ago, the time when Nabira was still a competitive student but now, luxurious life and family issues were destroying her study.

Science was Salome best subject to study and feel confident to be in consistent performer.

She took her walk slower. Nabira, Anra and Yana couldn't surpass her anymore. Now, she will enter in Civarrene Highway. It was the commuters' most avoided road in the nighttime. The villagers have outspoken its danger. It located on the near-end boundaries of Crilun and Pandagua. The road's zigzag curve and its narrowness made the drivers reluctant to pass bye. Hence, there were no side railings put on it. Countless of accidents had been reported in tracing the said intestinal-shape path, in fact, it has no absent every week. It was named a "killer road". But aside from the danger, there was another reason of the people's fear. Many have been testified the paranormal activities in the area.

One stone hauler stated, as he passed bye on Civarrene Highway, he saw a blazing skull jumping on a starfruit tree. Never had justified if somebody just tricked him. But the next one was more horrifying, a young baker said, as he walked bye to his work at Pandagua, he saw a young girl lying on the road, since, the little innocent asked for help, he approached her but upon he got close, a pail of blood showered to him. It came from the top of a tree. He ran with a bloody shirt. Residents in the upper town have seen dancing lights on Civarenne's woodland but the fact, no one had ever lived there and even has no lampost Those were only three of the stories emerged in Crilun folktales.

But all of those myths never cause a hinder on Salome to cross Civarenne on that night. Panting, she took and lit the candle from her backpack. After she had spent her time taking serious at Nabira's threat, now, she embarked alone in the cemented road to their home. Time changed past, she would never wait any carriage or she might stranded until dawn. Therr were only very seldom horse-carrige traveled on hour of seven in a rural area like Crilun. Salome would never let her parents, Racun and Elir be anxious. The Maharlican Royal Martial got a report of missing people last days ago. The authority had no clear lead of the case yet. The strongest theory was a group of kidnappers circulating the town. Something she should fear than the none sense folklores.

Only Salome's white part of her uniform was fair in the gloom. The moon just painted the sky orange. It was silent except for the hawks which making the only noise. Salome was not born an alarmist ever since and for her, the horror stories were mere inventions. Indeed, her father stated, she was a risk taker, a rebellious one and it might bring her to hazard. She never persuaded in any mythical theory. For her, they were just part of delusion or brilliance of thought and had no real basis. A lot of news about fairies and other mythical elements'claimed circulating at Maharlica. The tales passed from generation to generation and it depends if somebody would believed it or not. In fact many outlanders who Maharlica were reluctant to tour in kingdom. Who's fearful would dare if it was dwelt by black magic caster? It was the main theme if any civilian would talk about their town.

The candle Salome brought was near to melt. The route she pass would be much darker. She ambled faster. More steps must have to take before she could fully left the place. Suddenly, she stacked in the highway when a shadow of a woman reflected on the distance. She will met somebody. Her skin's furs stood up. From the rays of moonlight, she a woman wearing long black dress was coming.

"Isn't a black lady?!" she whispered to herself.

Her heart's pulse beaten faster. She sweated cold as the stranger got closer and closer to her. If it was, then that would be the best time for her to justify the black lady's supernaturalness - a mischievous female ghost who wore dark dresses and could possessed the living humans. Salome held her breath. The woman came into her front and her heart almost drowned. The lady's face expressed fierce, her furious eyes glared at Salome. They were aesthetic. Her hair measured down to her thigh bone. She had a maroon lips. Her long fingernails was also noticeable. Salome estimated the woman was in the age of forty and found her suspicious one. The woman in black was unfamiliar and seemed like she was a newcomer in Maharlica.

"What kind woman is this?" Salome muttered, again.

Salome discovered it was the not the so-called black lady but still it didn't removed the terror she felt. Maybe, she was just carried by the superstition, now?

She cleared her throat. "G- good evening, ma'am."

Salome greeted the woman as a sign of politeness. It was a common did for Maharlicans to present good wishes to the people even to the strangers one.

But, the woman didn't answered, she never mind her as if there was no one around. It made Salome hunched her more.

"Good evening ma'am!" Salome greeted her again.

How difficult this woman to please was, still, Salome did haven't receive a retaliation to her overwhelming greeting. "Go-good evening..."

She continued slowly. A reminder prompted on her head, it would be a bad luck if someone would gave third unanswered greetings to a stranger, Racun told her. According to him, if someone can't not respond to a conversation thrice during at night, there was a tendency the person was an occultist and already incantating through silent citation.

The victim would not affected eventually but it could cause him being vulnerable in any type of diseases and may lead to an early death. But Salome just let the woman passed bye. She assumed that woman was just a snobbish one. An amount of relief refreshed her intense soul. Before she escaped in Civarenne Highway, she will passed the most wildest place in the road where the extraordinary events usually happened. Her candle was totally melt and she dropped it in the ground. Those folklores were murmuring in her left brain, it seemed she ought to believe them now. She made herself vigilant.

Suddenly, she shrieked when a giant thing dropped in the front. A big foot stepped and was blocking her.