Chapter 11 - A Creature's Secret

        This was their battle and theirs only. Nobody can ever interrupt or help. Alice and Syaira came face to face. Their friends just watched them in silent and didn’t know who to cheer for or support. Syaira got the first strike, one of her fox tails made a massive wind strike and almost blew Alice away.

   

But Alice was smart. She had long sharp metallic vampire nails that she used to claw Syaira with and that left claw marks on the young girl’s left cheek. Syaira was devastated. She quickly turned into Gumiho form, and ran forward, sprung herself on Alice, making an attempt to spit lava on the vampire.

  

“Gross!” said the vampire, shoving the orange gumiho hard and getting herself on her feet. She scrubbed the dirt of her black leather coat she had on. It was a fire-proof one, Specially made for a Tempest. The nine tailed fox licked it’s lips and sprung forward to another attack but failed to do so.

      

The Vampire having speed element moved aside as if it was nothing. While the Gumiho was trying to get up, Alice shot a large ball of fire and it was dead.

   

“GAME OVER. YOU LOSE. PLAYER 1 WINS THE FIGHT.” The game announced. “AARGH! I lose, again! How did you do it Alice? You didn’t use magic to cheat, didn’t you?” Syaira whined. “What!? No! The awesome me have my master gaming ways!” Alice laughed victoriously.

   

“Alright you two. Enough is enough. I wanna play next!” Fazzy said.  The girls were lounging after a café closing and Syaira and Alice were busy playing the biggest battle hit game ever , ‘Destruktica’  that was launched and selling like hot cakes in both Earth and the Other Realm. “Sure…. Hey wait! Syaira… remember our bet?” Alice asked sarcastically. “Oh man……… Yes. I remember it very dang clearly…..” Syaira moaned, defeated.

   

“After this last game, to the SALON WE GO!”Alice laughed happily.” Syaira wanted to keep her long straight hair, but maybe some curls can spice up her look.

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    “Okay Alice, I WAS WRONG!!! I DON’T WANT TO CURL MY LOVELY SILKY ORANGE HAIR!!!!!” Syaira shrieked. “Urh…. Man up, Syaira! And stop, I mean, seriously STOP yelling. It’s attracting attention from the humans.” Alice said, closing her mouth. “I don’t care! And I don’t want to man up! I’m a girl!” Syaira shrieked as a reply.

    “C’mon… we promised and you lose, so…  MAN UP!” Alice said again. “But, but… what about letting me do something else?” Syaira tried to persuade her. Alice smiled evilly and suggested “Like, you in the boy’s locker’s room?” “WHAT! I’ll curl my hair instead!” Syaira blushed furiously and screamed. They all just gave her a smile of pity and pitied over her extreme phobia over boys. Except for Alice who is laughing over her victory.

  

“Good.” Alice smiled. Syaira was be seated on chair and young girl with wild hair dyed in multiple rainbow colours asked her nicely “ So miss, what do you want?” “I-I…” Syaira was to scared to speak. Alice came to her side and whispered “I’m sorry if I’m pressuring but please….. just do this.” Syaira nodded. “She’ll have a curl.” Alice said to the stylist. The stylist nodded and did her job.

“Seeing that we’re here, I’m fixing my hair…” Fazzy said, grabbing an empty seat. “Watching people cut hair is boring so we’ll go out and call us when you’re finished” Enyz said, and the other’s went out.

  The girls just went out of baskin robbins, each having cups of delicious ice cream and they headed to the salon. “How do you think Syaira will look like?” Fiena asked, while licking her ice cream. “I don’t know about it but her hair affects her fox fur…” Gwen said. “really? What about you? Yours is curly to.” “Yes, which means my dog fur is wild and curly when I transform.” Gwen nodded.

  

  Mia was walking and she accidentally bumped a girl. “Oh… I’m so sorry, miss! I didn’t me- …. Syaira!?” she said in astonishment. “Yeah.. it’s me! I can’t believe I look like this! I’m so embarrassed.” Syaira tried to hide her face.

“What!? Don’t! You have the perfect Lolita hairst- I mean, it looks nice!” Mia said. “Ok… I’ll keep it. Hope Kenny loves it.” Syaira said, blushing. “You’re hooked with Kenny? Oh Mein gott… “ Mia said.  “Let’s just get this over with and start training… “ Alice said as she and Fazzy stepped out.

 Fazzy, also styled her hair. From the plain dirty blonde with black streaks, she added a rainbow striped streak on her left bang and it looked AMAZING.

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    The girls, were once again training at the Tempest manor. “Demonstrate your fur. I wanna see it.” Alice laughed. Syaira sighed and began her transformation. She closed her eyes, allowing the form to change naturally. Her fur was fiery orange, eyes deep harlequin green, she was still Syaira, even in fox form.

 She began to have 1 tail, and grew 8 more. Fiena was scared at first because Syaira turned into a huge fox, but Gwen said that she should pat her head, like petting a cat. Fiena’s hand were trembling, not wanting to anger Syaira. “Man up.” Mia said, stroking Syaira’s soft, now thick curly fur softly. Syaira purred like a cat and fiena joined in.

  “Enough with the petting, let’s start teaching Fiena and train.” Alice said. “Fiena, today you will learn about creatures, okay?” Gwen said. Fiena nodded, taking out a note pad and a pencil, attentively to hear what’s going on. “As you can see, Syaira is a gumiho, which means a nine-tail fox, while, I am a were- dog. I’ll demonstrate.” Gwen began to take form into the creature of the night, And it appears she was a dog with blue fur. Syaira transformed back into herself, stretching her body and told Fiena that a creature’s fur depend on how they’re hair look like and that is why creatures have long hair.

  A creature’s fur is also expensive. It is like bullet-proof steel and that is why creatures are so hard to kill. Creatures of the night are fierce, strong, independent and very reliable. Apparently, living at Darkwoods are not only creatures, but dragons, trolls, goblins as well and even under-the-bed-monsters.

  Dragons and Salamanders are dangerous and the only way to approach them is by gently and not to startle them. Alice knows one wise dragon there who, happens to be her fire-magic tutor, Dragneel. And luckily, they found him resting by a lake of lava. “Alice, have you forgotten your studies?” asked the wise dragon as he sensed who approached him. “No, master. I haven’t” Alice bowed politely.

  “Master Dragneel, this is our new friend, Fiena. She needs help about dragon facts.” Alice said. “Very well. There a lot types of dragons, I, for example, am an European dragon which might result me, talking a varieties of European languages.” The dragon said. Fiena wrote it down quickly.

  “Fire dragons live mostly in mountains and volcanoes and water dragons live in great rivers but not all dragons can fly. Only dragons which consist of fire, air, earth and ice can fly. Water dragons, however could not, but they are the fastest swimmers. Dragons have powerful metal-like scales and we consume humans on rare occasions. We normally would just eat our own element or animals. And that is all I can teach you, child.”

“I see, thank you for you help, I appreciate it.” Fiena said with a smile and bowed politely. They went to the trolls part of the forest next. A red ugly troll swept his smelly hands over Zalia and Mia gave him a stare of death. He quickly noticed and ran away.

 “Trolls are creatures to not be mess with. Some are just weak sometimes but the biggest ones are powerful. They consume humans on occasions and if you’re not careful, you’re next. If you ever heard of a ‘changeling’ but doesn’t know what it is, I’ll explain to you. A ‘changeling’ is a child of a troll, that looks like human and sometimes these creatures replace a human’s child with a changeling.” Mia explained.

“A goblin is a legendary evil or mischievous illiterate creature, described as a grotesquely evil or evil-like phantom. They are attributed with various (sometimes conflicting) abilities, temperaments and appearances depending on the story and country of origin. In some cases, goblins have been classified as constantly annoying little creatures somewhat related to the brownie and gnome. They are usually depicted as small, sometimes only a few inches tall, sometimes the size of a dwarf. They also often are said to possess various magical abilities.”Fazzy explained.

  “You often see gargoyles at old castles and church right? Well, in fact, they are alive actually. The roam in the night, searching for food such as rabbits, and little animals. They rarely hurt humans though except if they are being attacked first.” Enyz said briefly.

  “Under-the-bed-monsters are often the sounds you heard in the night that making you have a fearful sleepless nights in result.  They appear in shape and sizes but in spite, the monstrously appearance, they’re quite nice and they scare because they consume your fear.” Zalia’s turn of explaining.

  “Darkwoods is a dangerous place. You can sometimes be consumed by the creatures here, so you ought to be careful” Alice reminded Fiena.

  “And also, Darkwoods is under the domination of Philip Black, Ogrania and Lord Igneel Draco. Mr. Philip is in charge of the of the creatures and monsters while Ogrania is the ruler of the trolls and goblins and Lord Igneel controls the serpents, dragons and other creatures.” Gwen said.

 “I’M HUNGRY!” Syaira yelled, scaring them. “THEN GO FREAKING EAT!” Alice yelled back, pissed. “Then, let’s go to my house!” the young girl offered. “Fine…. I am getting a bit hungry…” The girls went to Syaira’s large house lead by non other than, herself.

  They wore a special blunt perfume that made their blood and body scent smelled invisible. They went in and saw her father about to kill a goat. “Aah…. You brought guests over. Join us for dinner!”her father smiled. “D- daddy, please don’t do it in front of the guests.” Syaira said. “C’mon, let’s go to my room while my dad’s killing the goat.” Syaira said. The others nodded except Alice and Mia.

  “Can we like stay, for a moment to watch the blood spill?” Alice asked. “Sure, why not!” Syaira’s father smiled. “If you’re done, you know where my room is.” Syaira said while the others went up. Both the girls had pleasure watching Mr. Raphael(Syaira’s father) crack the goat’s neck, then cutting the pieces with his sharp claw, he didn’t need a knife. He poured some blood into a huge glass bowl, asking the girls to put it in the kitchen. Then putting it in a bowl, for Mrs. Amanda (Syaira’s mother) to cook it.

    They went back to Syaira’s room, pleasurable smiles on faces and some bits of blood on their faces for standing to close to the dead bloody goat and even had some stains on their shirts. “You guys looked like you freaking murdered someone.” Fazzy said, shivered a bit.

   “The blood…. I… love it!” Alice smiled. Mia was also smiling creepily still staring at the blood stains on her shirt. “Oi… you guys should change or take a shower or the other creatures might rip you to shreds. “But…. We didn’t bring extra clothes even though we have magic. P.S., Blood is GLORIOUS!” Mia said. “These two girls… are crazy?” Syaira, Enyz, Rita and Fazzy thought.

    “Just go clean and wear my clothes instead.” Syaira sighed. Both the girls used a ‘clean’ magic and they were clean, in towels as if they just came out of the shower. “Here…. Wear this…… You can wear it there, I have that closet so you can change.” The two girls changed and stepped out.

  Alice was wearing a black night dress, with purple lace and a purple silk ribbon tying her hair and black khaki pants with purple ruffles. Mia wore a red black stripe pajama with the picture of a bunny on the back and her hair in a messy bun. “We sorta changed the colors… sorry,” Both the girls said.

  “Hey big sis! Dinner’s ready! If you don’t come I’m going to eat your part of the food!” Nick suddenly popped in. “Nick! How many times do I have to tell you, Knock first! You want me to kick you again?” Syaira got angry. “Sorry, I’ll do it next time! Hurry! Tonight’s dinner is delicious!” her little brother said and left off, running.

  “Brothers…” Syaira sighed. “C’mon… dinnertime.” Syaira said. They walked through out the stairs and were greeted by the sweet smelling off BBQ. “KYAA!!! BBQ Today!” Syaira squealed in delight. Her mother gave her a bowl of rice and her part of the goat meat. On the BBQ grill, the goat meat was cooked in different flavours such as: Honey chili, Cheese pepper, Sugar chili glazed and Alice’s most hated thing : Garlic Cheese.

 

 The girls had dinner and Fiena had garlic breath. She had to take several mints from the vampire because Alice hated garlic. “How is it that some people find garlic delicious and enjoyable to eat!?” Alice whined. “Calm down, Alice-san… I feel you man..” Mia patted Alice’s back.

“Oh, time to go home.” Rita said, reading the wall-clock. “Oh, wait!” Mrs. Amanda said. “Take this. It’s for you.” She said, giving Mia and Alice a bottle of fresh goat blood each. “Awesome!” Alice said. “Even though it’s not that branded but I love goat blood! It gives enough fat on the cake Sebastian makes! Than you, Mrs. Amanda.” Alice said. “Sugoi….  I thank you for this offer. My family will surely enjoy this!” Mia said. Mrs. Amanda just simply smiled and waved them good bye.

  Syaira was yawning and her mother noticed a change on her appearance. “Syaira, y- you curled your long silky straight hair?” she asked her daughter. “Y-yes?” “Y- you look so beautiful!” the mother said and hugged her daughter. “Women” Mr. Raphael sighed.

Chapter 10 - Spiritual Activity

   Emil and Fiena were seated at the café, Enyz being with them. “Enyz is here to help you explain bout’ the ‘Lake of Souls.” Emil sipped his chocolate. “I’ll be glad to.” She smiled.

    “The ‘Lake of Souls’, is a dangerous place. It’s full of lost wandering spirits and also, near death experience people like you. Tell me, while you were being operated, have you felt like you were floating peacefully on a gentle stream of water?” Enyz questioned.

   Fiena nodded. “What would happen if one accidentally falls in there?” she asked. Enyz sighed and shook her head and whispered softly, “you die.” Fiena shivered at that thought. “Not only that, you will be trapped there forever, if you were pulled by a sharkie and you will stay there, until you found a real purpose and deed you really have to do then you are freed.” Enyz continued.

    “Enyz…. I need to ask something personal… If it hurts you, don’t answer…” Fiena said. “Okay, proceed.” Enyz nodded. “You are a spirit, how can you still roam the Earth freely and you have angel wings!” Enyz thought for a while and didn’t even flinch. “Want to know my story?” she asked. Fiena nodded. 

       “Mia, its café closing time.” Enyz said. Mia nodded, put on the ‘be back in 10 minutes’ sign while Zalia closed the curtains, Fazzy snapped out the lights, making the café completely dark. They moved towards a larger round table, they all formed a circle and on the middle of the table, was a golden candle holder and a few candles were in. Alice as the only one with fire element, she swiftly let fire out by the tip of her pointing finger. And that was the only source of light in the café.

   “Now everyone, in this particular activity, I want you to join hands and in the process, never let go. I repeat, NEVER. LET. GO.” Said Enyz. Everybody did what as told and in a blink second Fiena’s hands were joined by Syaira’s and Emil’s. Syaira’s was joined by Alice, followed by Alyss, Emerald, Mia, Zalia, Gwen, Enyz, Fazzy, Rita, Enyz and back to Emil. “Before we proceed to the very next step, I want to ask.” Fiena voiced out.

   “What is it?” “Are you sure we’re not doing some occult activity?” “No. We aren’t. An occult activity occurs some serious dangerous steps that humans need to do. But this is different; this is a ‘spiritual activity’. Also, we are not just to learn my story, but we can connect to the spirits freely as if they are humans and some of these hold answers to your curios questions.” Enyz explained.

    “I understand now. But what steps do we require other than joining hands and that candle light?” Fiena asked for the second time. “Simple. You just focus on your strength, empty you mind, think nothing but just focus on your elemental energy. But first, you have to stop your questions and focus deeply on what you’re searching for, the ‘dream’ you had every night by now” Enyz said briefly.

           They all joined hands, closed eyes and thought of nothing, except focusing on their true elemental energy. And there it was, a black and white vision Fiena saw, it was like 18^th century where everything was a lot simpler yet had wars back then.

              Enyz lived in Texas, America and there, she was 17 and she worked in an inn. She waited tables, washed dishes and served the customers. She didn’t come from a wealthy family and she had to work in an early age to help all she can. She had a younger sister whom was closer to her. Also, Eyza, her younger sister worked at the same inn with the same role. It was hard at 1846, where the Mexican- American war was holding because Mexico claimed that Texas belonged to them and the economy was struggling very hard. Enyz’s family tried their best to pay off their rent and looked for food.

     And there was the night, where they had to flee from Texas because of the war. Enyz’s father worked as a coachman and luckily, in the trouble, he managed to get a fine coach for them to escape to another place where it was safe. Her father was on the front, controlling the horses with Enyz beside him. While her mother was putting her baby brother to sleep, Eyza was already sleeping. With GOD’s will, they managed to arrive at the city of Topeka, Kansas.

     Enyz’s mother offered to work as a tailor at a boutique and they get to stay at a small cozy house. Even though it was crowded, they just lived with it. Her father found a better job at a factory with a higher pay and Enyz and her sister continued to work at saloon.

    One day, while Enyz was sweeping the front of the salon, she met a young man, who seemed to be the similar age for her. She’s seen him before, he’d always come there at lunch hours with his friends and she’s waited their table’s before. And by their conversations she was sure they worked at a factory.

    “Hello there, miss. Is the saloon, open yet?” he asked. Enyz shook and said, ‘It isn’t. it will open in about a few minutes but you can wait if you like.” The young fellow nodded and took a sit at the wooden bench by the saloon. Whilst Enyz was sweeping, the young man noticed that something by her neck was shining.

   “Miss, I’m sorry to be a bother but where did you get that necklace?” he asked. Enyz looked over the golden heart shaped locket with beautiful swirls carving and the silver chain connecting it. “It was my grandmother’s and she gave it to me before she died.” And strangely, from that day on, Enyz became closer to him. And she learned that his name was Zeckery. He was actually rich and he offered to work as manager at one of his father’s factory.  Seeing he was smart, he taught her some lessons whenever she had free time.

    As things were starting to settle down well for her life, something wrong happened. Enyz’s mother fell sick and they didn’t have enough money for the payment. And more trouble came, she couldn’t be rescued and lost her soul towards the illness. That left Enyz’s family heartbroken. She had to quit her job, in order to take care of their house and her baby brother.

        As she was sewing the sleeves of her father’s jacket, she heard a knock at the door. It was Zeckery. “Wh- what are you doing here?” she asked. “I just want to say, I’m marrying someone else soon. And I’m inviting you to my wedding.” He said. She was still sad by her mother’s passing and she wasn’t ready for a heartbreak. Even though she felt like crying, instead, she put on a fake yet sweet smile, promising “I’ll be there if I could make it.”

         “Thanks.” He nodded and got on his horse and left. Enyz heard her brother’s cry and came towards him.

              Enyz was sad. She’s going to lose the man she loves to another woman. It was hurtful. At times like this, she would go to her mother but now that she’s gone, she can’t. Her father knows she had feelings for the young man. He was also expecting Zeckery to take good care of Enyz but what can he do? He’s not an expert of such things. It was night, however, Enyz’s sadness lasted longer. She told her father she wanted to visit her mother’s grave. He disagreed at first and suggested that she go there at dawn instead.

               In the earliest period of morning, she got up, cleaned the house, prepared breakfast for her working sister and father, took a perfectly wooden weave basket, and she put on a clean white cloak with a hood and left the house. It was 6;30 am, the sky was clear, birds were singing and some people went off to work early and she stumbled upon a bed of fresh colorful carnations. She picked them gently, thinking that she might put this on her mother’s grave and how her mother loved these flowers.

                 She placed them in her basket; walked to the local graveyard while humming a well-known song and to where her mother’s grave was buried, beside a tall oak tree.  She sat gently on the green grass, prayed for her mother to be among the good ones, placed the flowers and began to whisper thoughts from her mind as if she was talking to her mother, alively.

                 She felt a large hand grabbing her shoulders and sharp cold metal touched her throat. “Aye, you’re a pretty looking one. You might be expensive for the brothel! We’ll have more clients than usual” said the gruffy voice of a man who grabbed her. “Now, listen to me, if you wish to live, no sound or any movements” he said, again.

             Enyz had never been so scared in her life that accidentally turned her head and the sharp tip of the cold metal knife killed her, she fell dead next to her mother’s grave and got blood on the carnations. The man was about to take her necklace if it hadn’t been for a nearby passing police. The report of her death reached her family’s ear and yet, once again, they were heartbroken.

             In her honour, she was buried with the golden heart necklace for seet memories for her to remember.

            It was until then, she realized she was swimming like a floating driftwood in the ‘Lake of Souls’ where she met a lot of lost souls. If it hadn’t been the golden heart necklace, she would’ve become one of them. She had a purpose and a promise that made her alive; to attend Zeckery’s wedding.

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    “Oh, Enyz…. I never knew you lived so hard.” Fiena sniffed, after the spiritual activity. “It’s okay, I’m fine with it. My mother told me patience and strength can help you get through.” Enyz said calmly. “One personal question” Fiena said. Enyz nodded. “Where is your family, now?” she asked. “My family, is in heaven. They were good people and GOD loved them so.” “Really? But, you are also good, why aren’t you there yet?” Fiena asked again. “You ask to many questions. I’m still here because I wanted too. I have other purposes I need to fill. And no, I won’t answer another personal question. And you will find who the person you’re looking for but it’s not the right time so we may proceed to ‘Spiritual Lesson’s’. It’s also like the activity except it requires only one student and a teacher. I am your teacher” Enyz ended her speech with a sigh.

          “First? You mean you are my teacher?” Fiena asked. “Yes. I’m your teacher in order for you to connect the others. Now, let’s do this in the back.” Enyz nodded. They headed towards the back while he girls re-opened the café. They settled down at a small table, Enyz making the room completely dark and a candle to only guide them in the darkness.

        “O Mighty Spirits, I call upon thee, guide us to your way so we may have the answers to our problems” Enyz chanted while they were joining hands. And in an instant, both of them were in a classroom. “Okay, Fiena. The first step you need to learn about spirits are types” Enyz said. “Now open your book and we’ll start learning.” Fiena opened her notes and copied whatever Enyz wrote down.

     She finished her notes and took a quick read :

Types of Ghosts

   There are many types of ghosts. I'm going to tell you straight to the point from experience what kinds they are. If you search through the net on this subject, you'll get the same things over and over. Hollywood loving websites will tell you they're ghosts, demons & poltergeists. Ghost hunters will tell you they're apparitions, orbs, mists or funnel ghosts. And the list goes on. These people generally refer to ghosts as though they're on the physical plane with us - they're not. Ghosts are everywhere and from time to time they do appear on the physical plane. I'll bet money you've got at least 1 ghost in the house with you right now! Don't let that scare you - the spirit is better known as a guardian angel.
   I do not include demons and poltergeists as a type of ghost. Demons are a completely different kind of entity and belong in the occult section where they should be left. The less we mess with even the thought of them, the better off we'll be. Poltergeists are either demons or the psychic powers of a child or teenager. Again, I'll leave that for another section. I am also not including residual hauntings in this section. They are more of a fingerprint left on the physical plane and are not always human. These can be things such as a ghost train which drives by on occasion or a civil war soldier who appears every June 1st. These are not always ghosts in the typical sense. With this article, I'm going to deal with what I believe are ghosts and nothing but ghosts.
   Ghosts can easily be summed up as a human who is walking the astral plane. The spirit is not always a dead soul, it can also have a living body it's still connected to. As I give you the following list, remember I'm not looking at them from the physical plane where everything's supposed to make logical sense - I'm looking at them from the astral plane where you can see the full picture.
   I separate the spirits into 8 types:

1. Guardian Angels
2. Lost Souls
3. Are We Dead Yet?
4. Unfinished Business
5. Self-Appointed Guardian Angels
6. Wasting Time Between Lives
7. Messengers
8. Still Living

   Ok, I suppose you'd like me to explain those for you. They may or may not be what you were expecting, but in my world an orb, mist, funnel, apparition, white noise, ouija playing, etc. etc. etc. ghost is still just one thing - a human spirit. And now for the explanations:

1. Guardian Angels - Everyone has at least one. They are usually some kind of relation to you that died before you were born. Most of the time you won't know who they are - or rather, were. They watch over us our entire lives and help us out through the rough and dangerous times. They're the little voice telling you not to take your usual route the day a huge pile-up happens on the freeway. That's just an example but I think you get what I mean.

2. Lost Souls - These are spirits who know they're dead but don't know where to go. They can also fear moving on and are afraid to leave what's known to them. They linger around until the day comes when they're ready to leave.

3. Are We Dead Yet? - An easy example of this is Bruce Willis' character in The Sixth Sense. These spirits walk around, going about their lives not knowing that they've passed on. They wonder why people ignore them and why nobody comes to visit anymore. This happens more often with old people who've spent their later years by themselves. Another (fictional) example is the Nicole Kidman movie, The Others. The spirits may think that the new inhabitants are the spirits, when it is the other way around.

4. Unfinished business - There can be a number of reasons why certain beings stick around after death. As portrayed most often in movies - "catch my killer!" Other reasons can be as simple as waiting to see their child graduate. Once the work is finished, the deceased usually moves on in peace.

5. Self-Appointed Guardian Angels - These are loved ones who stick around after death to watch over someone. It can be a deceased husband watching over his elderly wife during the last of her days. It can be a young mother who died before her time watching over her children as they grow up.

6. Wasting Time Between Lives - As in reincarnation. They're waiting for the next life to come around. What better way to waste some time than being a ghost. Coming and going from the planes as you please, enjoying yourself during your sightseeing, visiting old friends to see how they're doing, and the list goes on. They're not here and not there - there just waiting in between.

7. Messengers - These are usually in the form of a loved one. It can be a warning of certain danger or future events. It can also be a spirit coming to ease the pain from a grieving loved one. My mother and my grandmother have both had the latter happen. With messengers, the spirit is not always deceased.

8. Still Living - These people can be dreaming or having an out-of-body experience (obe). In the case of dreams, the person doesn't usually know they're walking around in the form of a ghost. With intentional obe's, the projector knows what's going on but their intentions are generally harmless. I've personally seen my uncle come walking out of his bedroom, look at me and then turn around and walk back into his room even though at the time he was sound asleep in a hospital bed 5 minutes away. He died about a year later.

   As you can see, these 8 types of ghosts all have 1 thing in common - they're all human. Classifying them as orbs or echoes is, in my eyes, disrespectful. Sure they take on a number of shapes and appear at different times and places, but they're still human nonetheless. They still have feelings and should be treated with respect. If you suspect you have a ghost in your house, talk to it. Invite him/her to come watch the T.V. with you and the family. It's going to happen anyway but if you ask them and start treating them as more than a Hollywood nightmare they'll start showing respect in return. Yeah, this sounds a little corny but I've been doing this for years now and it works.”

    “This is useful yet a little personal. Don’t you think?” Fiena said. “yeah, but hey, what the hell, we know each other.” Enyz replied.

Chapter 9 - Dreams

“We will marry soon” said the young boy.

Fiena instantly woke up.

Why would she dreamt of such a thing?

She was still 6, she didn’t knew anything about love or any particular marriage.

That boy with platinum blond hair, who was  he?

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“You’re doing it wrong.” Alice commented.

“Then what do I have to improve?” Fiena asked.

“It’s like this.” Alice said, walking in an elegant manner, placing the wooden oak tray gently.

“Now that’s my girl.” Alyss laughed.

It was an average Sunday, Syaira and Alice were training Fiena, Emil and his faithful “escorters” were watching the girls. Since it wasn’t working hours, they wore normal clothes.

“Tea- break!!!!” Mia yelled.

“Yay!” Syaira squealed.

“Finally. I need a rest.” Alice sighed, slumped to a seat next to Alyss.

Mia came out of the kitchen, in casual attire , pushing a black trolley tray with a white large teapot with beautiful painted flowers on it, matching teacups, saucers, sugar basin and a milk pitcher. A weaved basket filled with freshly baked muffins, a large cupcake stand with cute little cupcakes, an apple cream pie and a large round white chocolate cake on a cake stand.

The cake was beautiful.

It was milk chocolate and cheese in the inside, and the outside was coated with white chocolate icing, a chocolate lace ribbon on the side, making a beautiful bow. On the top, it was decorated with beautiful chocolate swirls, the type you see on a latte.

“Ah… my favorite chocolate…” Alice said, her eyes were hungry and so was her.

“Woah…. Why so many? Are we like having a fest?” Fiena asked.

“Wait, I invited some special customers….” Mia said.

A knock on the door was heard.

“And here they are.”

Mia rushed to the door, opened it.

Dr. Serafina, Bill, Tom, Georg, Gustav, Kenny, Stan and Kyle step in.

“Hello there.” Dr. Serafina said.

“I smell muffins.” Tom said, sniffing.

“Sit down, eat. And it’s all free.” Mia said, greeting them and letting them in.

They all sat down, Bill kissed Mia’s cheek and that made Emerald cursed the human inside.

“I’m not trying to be rude…. But.. what’s all this?” Fiena asked.

“It’s Mrs. Serafina’s birthday, today…” said Mia.

“Oh… then, Happy Birthday Mrs. Serafina” Fiena cheered.

“Thank you, Fiena.” Smiled the woman.

They all sat down to some cake and tea.

************

Emil and Fiena were walking somewhere at the Other Realm.

“Emil…. Where are we?” She questioned him.

“We, are going to train. I’m going to teach you about mermaids…” he said.

“Oh… Okay… what do I have to know about them?”

“Woah…slow down, my student….  First, we have to go to ‘Petal Lake” he laughed.

“LOL, you sound like a monk with his apprentice…” she joined him laughed.

At last, they arrived at Petal Lake.

Emil sat down near the end, offering the girl to sit.

“So, what do I have to know about you?”Fiena asked, poofing a notepad and a pencil

“Okay, I see your magic has improved. So, we merpeople, rule underwater, sealife, water sprites and such are our people. Well, that’s what my father told me.”

“Okay, what else?” she asked.

“There are different type of merpeople. We’re like fish, too. Merpeople have the human appearance, except for this gills, and fish like tail. Some mermaids have scale while some don’t. here, let me show you.” Emil said, taking his hood jacket off.

“Wh- what are you doing?” Fiena stuttered, her face candy apple red and covered her eyes.

“I’m transforming to my real self.” Emil said, in addition he took the remaining of his clothes and jumped in the water.

Fiena was still closing her eyes, distracting herself by thinking of cats.

“You can open your eyes now.” He chuckled.

Fiena opened her eyes, amazed looking at the beautiful merman upon her.

His legs turned into a beautiful turquoise tail, with a blizzard blue fin.

“Wow… that’s so cool.” Fiena said.

“Want to touch it?” Emil laughed.

He swam towards a rock near Fiena and sat on it. He let Fiena examined his tail. She gave a gentle stroke at his fins, then she rubbed her fingers.

“It feels like I was stroking a jelly pudding. Wow your tail is so cool!” Fiena said.

“Well, I’m proud of it and I’m the fastest among my brothers and sisters.” He laughed.

“Ok, enough of this, also there are sirens, which are mostly women, they are like water spirits, they can have tails but they have wings. These creatures are dark, evil yet beautiful. They play harps near seashores to lure ships and sailors, thus, killing them. Ondines are also alike to us, however, different. Let me tell you the story of ondines.”

“In a German tale known as Sleep of Ondine, Ondine is a water nymph. She was very beautiful and, like all nymphs, immortal. However, should she fall inlove with a mortal man and bear his child, she would lose her immortality.

Ondine eventually falls in love with a handsome knight, Sir Lawrence, and they are married. When they exchange vows, Lawrence vows to forever love and be faithful to her. A year after their marriage, Ondine gives birth to his child. From that moment on she begins to age. As Ondine’s physical attractiveness diminishes, Lawrence loses interest in his wife.

One afternoon, Ondine is walking near the stables when she hears the familiar snoring of her husband. When she enters the stable, she sees Lawrence lying in the arms of another woman. Ondine points her finger at him, which he feels as if kicked, waking him up with surprise. Ondine curses him, stating, "You swore faithfulness to me with every waking breath, and I accepted your oath. So be it. As long as you are awake, you shall have your breath, but should you ever fall asleep, then that breath will be taken from you and you will die!" he told her.

“That story… is scary….” She shivered.

“Oh……sorry…. That was my bed time story… told by my big brother…” Emil said, shrugging.

“Some mermaids are evil, whilst some are good. But the darkest type of it are shark people. They are like mermaids, except they have extra gills, a shark fin on the back, have ash grey coloured skin, sharp shark teeth and black beady eyes. They also can turn form into human.” Emil briefly explained.

“Ok…. Got it.  What about water sprites?”

“Water sprites are like water faeries and spirits of lost souls. The water faeries can posses a tail or wings made from water. I’ve seen one and they look like shimmering crystals, I’ll show you one later. And one last thing, the evil water sprites and shark faeries live only at the ‘Lake of Souls.’  Don’t ever, let them lure you into there in case you want your spirit floating there.” Emil told her.

“Got it.” She nodded.

“Want to see the wings I’ve told you about?” Emil questioned her.

“Ermm…. Sure…. Why not?”

He dipped his hands in the water forming a large glass ball, made of water.

“Here, this can make you breath underwater.” Emil said, offering to put it on her.

“Ok…. How do I put it on?” she asked.

“First, you drink this potion.” He handed her a blue colored liquid in a crystal bottle. She took it and without further a do, drank it all.

“Then, take a deep breath, close your eyes and exhale when I say ‘breath’.

She did what he told, and while that, he placed the water ball into her head.

“Now breath”

She sighed heavily.

“How do you feel?” he asked.

“Better! Who knew underwater oxygen was fresher than Earth’s air.”

“Now, you go change into swimming attire. I won’t peek.” Emil said.

He turned around and took a dip in the water while she changed. It only took half a minute cos’ she just zapped it on.

“I’m done.” She said.

He didn’t appear out of the water.

“Emil?”

No respond.

“Emil? You there?” she asked again, twice.

Still, no respond.

She turned around and a hand grabbed her.

EMIL!!!!!!

He laughed.

“So, fiena… how do you like underwater? Pretty good, ehh?” he chuckled.

“Yeah…” she giggled.

“I’m going to introduce you to Aquamarine… my water faerie friend. C’mon She lives far away, since I swim fast, hold tight!”he laughed, grabbing her waist, making her hug him tightly.

She did.

And he really swam fast.

Fiena was amazed to see the city of ‘Atlantis’, where now, mermaids and other sea – spirits live.

A mermaid even waved to her.

They reached to a dark cove, but the minute Emil was there, it started to light. Strings of blue lights were hung, and there were some seaweed there. Wait, no… those weren’t lights…. Those are sapphires.

“Whoever you are, Aquamarine…. You are amazing!”  Fiena thought.

“Why, thank you, child,” said a voice.

“ I came here to visit.” Emil said.

“And you brought along a friend.” Said a woman, who finally stepping out from and entrance Fiena didn’t notice before.

She was tall, slender, beautiful. Her skin almost seemed beau blue, and her eyes were almost like blue pearls which shone brightly. And her hair amazed Fiena. It was like it wasn’t even hair. As if it was water, flowing floating water.

The woman was dressed like a blue gypsy, her light blue water-like hair, covered with a veil.

“You wish to see my water crystal wings?” asked her.

Fiena nodded.

She took of her veil, her clothes and dipped herself in the fresh-looking water.

Her long slender legs turned into a maya blue tail with crystal-like fins and she had light blue crystal wings, shimmering.

Fiena was fascinated.

  At the Lake of Souls, shark people were swimming driftly, Emil were right, they were similar to mermaids, yet different in a way.

A young looking shark girl swam towards Fiena, her face popped on the surface, she looked like she was 15, and she smiled maliciously and began singing a tone so beautiful it caught Fiena off guard.

Fiena was paralyzed, the song was so beautiful and Fiena swore she ever heard any beautiful sound other than that before.

The shark girl reached out her hand, wanting Fiena to put her arm in hers. As Fiena was about to, Emil pushed Fiena’s hand away and the shark girl hissed angrily.

 “Don’t let them get you.”

“Why? They make the most beautiful sound that ever reached my ears.” Fiena protested against him, still paralyzed.

“I can’t let them drown you.” Emil whispered softly.

Fiena, as if awoke from the spell, asked “ What? Why would happen even if I drown here?”

“You know why this is called the ‘Lake of Souls?’” Emil questioned her.

“I.. don’t know.” She gave a slight shrug.

“It’s because, each time a person’s soul die, they go to either heaven, or hell, right?”

Fiena nodded.

“But, the ‘Lake of Souls’ works differently. These are the places where lost, wandering souls swam, once they remember the purpose of them being there, they settle their deed, and got to either heaven or hell. Come, we shall continue this at some other place.” Emil grabbed her hand and left the lake.