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The Past.....
The Datu Empire ruled by Datu Magiting was the currently in position to take care of the flourishing kingdom, his children Ava, Aquira, Palermo and Anihan. Datu Magiting loved his four children but his second youngest Ava was his favorite because she was the daughter of his late Queen Amara who the most beautiful in the land. When Ava turned eighteen, her beauty was found out and princes from other Kingdoms such as Lepug, Partan and even their enemy Lanban were so curious that they visited her and did not regret it
"Datu Magiting, she is almost at the age of marriage" one of his favored Servant Tia Bana says while putting food on his table, she took care of Ava ever since she was born
"Tia Bana, let me just enjoy my moment with Ava for one more year" Datu Magiting smiles, Ava smiled back "When I see her, I remember her mother"
"Was she beautiful Ama?" Ava asks while patting her little brother Aquira's back who was trying to figure out who was patting him
"Very beautiful, like a flower blooming eternally even when it is gone" he replies
"That doesn't make any sense Ama, when a flower blooms it withers right?"
"Yes but it grows again and blooms another more beautiful flower and that is you"
"She's an ugly flower!" Aquira exclaimed
"You're uglier!" she replied, stinging her tongue out
"Ava" Tia Bana says, hiding her horrified expression "You should not say such thing, you are a princess"
the datu laughs and waves his hand "Your Tia is right Ava anak, you need to act like a princess"
Ava smiles and hugs Tia "I'm sorry Tia".
Tia rolls her eyes and pats her head gently "Go now and say a prayer to L'u, bring the red candles-"
"-which represents honor, white for purity and yellow for prosperity" she mutters
Datu Magiting smiles, so amused by her unusual character "Go Ava, L'u does not kindly wait for maidens"
Ava gracefully stands up, hoping her white crown doesn't fall but she doesn't worry because she secretly ask her maids to pin it. She takes the candles and walks to the silent hallways. No one but the royal family was allowed to walk on it because it was sacred, she takes off her shoes and walks barefoot. She could hear her heartbeat racing, it's always been like this, she feels as if she was being watched. She remembers accompanying Anihan because he was afraid to go by himself. Now that Anihan and Palermo are off to war she finds herself alone even when Aquira is with her
"Don't be afraid Ava" she tells herself as she lights the candles, avoiding eye contact with the large pearl in front of her.
The pearl was said to be the guardian L'u who watches over the Datu Kingdom. The pearl was to choose whoever the deity was, this happened before her father's reign which made her remember their conversation about the pearl
"Ama, what happened to the Deity before?"
"Well, your great grandfather told me that he married her because he loved her"
Ava clasped her hands together "Ehhh! Ama, that sounds so romantic!"
but she saw his reaction, he seemed to just look away " Ah it is, they loved each other very very much but the deity. . . the deity is not meant to have human wants and desires. Her fate is to give her life for a big purpose"
"Ama, it was not a happy ending?"
"No Ava anak, happy ending is not for a Deity, her happiness is only the happiness for her kingdom and she chose her fate and when it is done the wind takes her away"
Ava closed her eyes after she lit her candle " I pray for Lolo Magiting to find happiness and see his lover, the deity again" she opens her eyes and sees the pearl glowing unusually, her heartbeat was abnormal that she could hear drums surrounding her. She covers her ears but still it became louder
"Ammaaa! Ammaaa!Amma!" she called out until everything turned black.
The kingdom you love will be your savior to live. Your breath is the breath of your people and their happiness is your happiness. You must not give in to evil for you will bring utter destruction to the kingdom you hold dear to your heart. You are either a blessing or a curse. I am L'u messenger of the Heavens who holds your soul, the higher God will be watching you.
Ava can hear the Tia Bana's voice, it seemed to tremble. She opens her eyes and sees her brothers, servants and the high elders on their knees
"Tia? Why is everyone here?" she asks
Tia Bana pours oil on her hands and kissed her forehead "Ava, you have been chosen by the heavens. You are now a deity"
"Ama...where's Ama" she looks at her brothers but they won't look at her at all "Why is everyone not looking at me? What have I done Tia... where's Ama"
Tia sighs sadly "When he found out, the Datu said that he won't have anything to do with you anymore. His daughter is dead and the wind has taken her"
Ava looked at Aquira " Aquira, I am still your sister"
Aquira looked like he was about to cry " No... my sister is dead priestess, you have killed her"
as they all left, bowing one by one to the ground Ava was crying. She couldn't stop crying.
