The crunching leaves beneath my boots resounded across the dark woods, and the scent of the moist dirt and dead leaves entered my nose, making me remember that Alexandra made me taste the shit out of it.
Because according to Alexandra, it will help me get myself familiarised with my earth attribute. And I can't help but gag at the memory.
I shook my head, erasing the unsightly image in my head. I raised my eyes, looking at my surroundings to wash off the image I have on my mind.
The light of the sun barely manages to glimpse in through the branches of the tall trees.
Clumps of bushes hid the trails and the path, making me raise my guard up, staring with caution at my surroundings. I remember that Alexandra told me that this place has evil spirits lurking around in the shadows, and right now, I feel like I'm being watched by the unforeseen.
[We're getting closer to the ruins.] Bakunawa transmitted to my head, walking past the bushes.
I followed behind Bakunawa as I held Pula's body covered in a dark fabric five times.
"When was the last time you visited this place?" I asked, matching the pace with Bakunawa.
[I think about fifty or sixty years ago.] Bakunawa answered thoughtfully with a reminiscing face.
My eyes widen as I glance at Bakunawa. "You're as old as my granny on earth..." I mumbled, gasping in shock.
Bakunawa darted her eyes on me then rolled her eyes. [Do I look like an old hag to you, huh, mortal?]
I smiled wryly. "No, you look so young. I was just surprised that your age is around fifty years old...?" I said unsurely, grabbing the back of my neck with awkwardness.
Bakunawa chuckled, showing her canines on display. [I'm older than that, mortal. For sacred beasts, age is just a number because we don't really get old like other races in this world. Our physical body is always being maintained by the divine energy residing inside our body, so many humans sought this power. If I had a choice, I would rather grow old like humans do...] Bakunawa transmitted, sounding a little sad and tired.
I nodded understandably. I don't know how it feels to live an old life, but I think as long as I can live a peaceful life, then I'll be able to get through the loneliness of the age. Anyway, as long as I'm alive, I will make sure to fulfill my promise with Pula.
[I think we're here.] Bakunawa transmitted as she stopped near the edge of a cliff.
I stopped as well, standing beside Bakunawa as I gaze down.
Pillars, standing tall like they were worn out by time. Half-destroyed structures surrounded with grass that is as tall as me, and housing small and overgrowth creatures. The structures no longer have a roof, and everything else looks like it would crumble with one more storm.
The trees creak in with the flow of the wind, making me whiff of a strong fragrant of greenery. Smelled so much like earth to me.
[Let's go check the area.] Bakunawa transmitted, glancing at me.
I nodded, and we both climbed down, walking on the potholed steps and scarred staircases.
As we walked down, it made me feel regret that I removed my cloak earlier. Because now I feel itchy. The tall grass, brushing off the bare skin on my arms is a little annoying.
Passing through cracked stone-walls covered with thick vines and green foliage. I almost stumble and fall on my face because of the uneven ground.
Fortunately, I managed to steady my footing on the marble-like floor. Yet, for some reason, I felt a shudder behind my head.
[Duck!]
Hearing Bakunawa's warning signal in my head. I hurriedly squatted my legs and lowered my head without question.
The arrow passed through like a gust of wind, hitting the ground.
[Be careful, this place may seem about to crumble down, but in fact, it still has active traps set randomly in every area, so watch your steps, mortal.] Bakunawa transmitted warningly.
I swallowed, feeling nervous as I nodded, so I started walking with more caution.
Deeper inside the ruins are faceless and broken statues. With cluttered broken stones and rusty weapons on the ground.
The dappled sunlight, filtering through the leaves of the trees barely lit the area, making the ambience appear a little dark and cold.
Bakunawa stopped in front of a faceless statue, then she glanced at me. [Come over here.]
"What is it?" I asked, standing beside Bakunawa as I looked at the faceless statue.
The statue is sculpted in the shape of a woman that sits on top of a carabao-shape like stone. The woman is holding an empty marble-basket in her hand, raising it a little low as if asking for something to be put on the basket.
[This place used to be Goddess Idianale's house of sect, the goddess of husbandry, agriculture, labor, and good deeds. She is the goddess who created the race of the sacred beast to guard the world from chaos, and she is the goddess that all sacred beasts worship.] Bakunawa transmitted, looking at the faceless statue with a proud face.
"I know her, I've read a little about Goddess Idianale in the books inside your body," I said.
[I see...anyway, there is a mechanism in these ruins. Some of the statues can lead you to a secret passage, and this one has a secret passage leading to a sanctuary for halfling and fallen sacred beasts.] Bakunawa explained.
"Fallen sacred beasts?"
[Sacred beasts who lost their divine energy because they consummated with other races.]
"Oh..."
[Well, put some bread or any food on the basket, so we could open the secret passage behind the statue.] Bakunawa gestured for the basket on the faceless woman statue.
I nodded, taking the bread inside the backpack, then I placed it on the basket.
Bakunawa placed her palms on both sides of the basket, then she closed her eyes, mumbling some gibberish incomprehensible words.
Afterwards, Bakunawa opened her eyes, taking a step back, then the marble-basket glowed, and the statue trembled moving as it slid down to the side.
Light from the lamps on both sides of the stone-wall lit up, showing a narrowed path of bottom stairs.
My eyes widened in awe. "What did you just do?" I asked, curious. "Did you pray to Goddess Idianale to open the passage?"
Bakunawa glanced at me amusedly. [What are you talking about? I didn't pray, mortal. I merely chanted the old ancient secret password of this ruin while using my own mana. What I recited just now is the old language called Baybayin, which means to spell in this modern language.]
"Huh?" I replied. "I'm confused."
Bakunawa chuckled. [Right, I forgot that you still don't know a lot of things about this world. Well, mortal, there are five major types of magic formation in this world. What I taught you so far is just the basic principles of what to look out for when you're using magic.]
My mouth hangs open. "What? That's not everything?"
Bakunawa laughed. [Magic might be just like science in your world, mortal. There is a lot to research and study about it.]
"That's true," I said in agreement.
[Anyway, let's talk while we walk down the stairs.] Bakunawa transmitted as she started walking.
I followed beside Bakunawa, waiting for her to continue as we both walked down the stairs.
[So, as I was saying, there are five major types of magic formation. First is Manifestation Magic, and this is what I taught you. But actually, Manifestation Magic is not the easiest form of magic formation. It's actually one of the hardest forms of magic to learn.]
"Eh?" My eyes widened as I glanced at Bakunawa, and she chuckled at me.
I glared at Bakunawa's laughing face. "Then why did you teach me something so complicated?" I asked, frustrated.
Bakunawa stops laughing as she grabs her chin. [To be honest with you, I was just testing if you could somehow be able to do it, but I didn't expect that you had some good imagination that you could do it with just one try, and anyway, you didn't even find it complicated to begin with, right?] Bakunawa transmitted, glancing at me.
"Well...I suppose you have a point, I indeed didn't find it hard. It was easier to learn like that actually," I said, nodding my head in agreement.
[Well, that's because you have good visualising skills. It is what Manifestation Magic requires from the user.] Bakunawa explained.
"I see, so what about the other types of magic formartion?" I asked curiously.
[The others are Invocation Magic, Augmentation Magic, Enchantment Magic, and finally Alchemy Magic. What I did earlier on the statue is a process of three types of Magic formation. Which is a process mix of Manifestation, Invocation, and Enchantment. Are you understanding everything so far?] Bakunawa asked, glancing at me.
I nodded, waiting for Bakunawa to continue.
[Don't be afraid to ask if you have questions in mind, alright?]
I nodded again. "Yes, don't worry, just continue with what you're explaining."
[Then let me explain each major type of magic formation first, so you'll understand better.] Bakunawa transmitted.
"Go ahead," I said.
[First about Manifestation Magic, the process and the act of utilizing one's own mana with thoughts or emotions alone. And it was the first type of magic formation that was invented, and this process is taxing to the mind of the user. This is why it was hard to learn and use. Especially for people with poor imagination skills.] Bakunawa explained as we turned the corner.
"And then someone probably invented another type of magic formation?" I asked.
[Yes, and that is Invocation Magic. It was the process of chanting prayers, oaths, or words to strengthen the user's imagination and desire. And this type of Magic Formation is easier to learn and use. Because as soon as the user utters the word, the word itself will help them create the image in the user's mind. Furthermore, it is much more accurate to use than Manifestation Magic.] Bakunawa explained.
"So that was the case," I said, nodding my head in awe.
[And for the Enchantment Magic and Alchemy Magic. These two are a little similar. They both need magic circles and magic scripts. The only difference is that Alchemy Magic is the process of transmutation. On the other hand, Enchantment Magic is the process of applying or writing down a script of codes to an object as a charm or curse. And sometimes as an instruction or function to the object.]
My eyes lit up, remembering the manaphone that Penelope gave me. "So, does the manaphone go to the category of Enchantment Magic?"
[Not quite, it is indeed an item made from Enchantment Magic, but if I remember correctly, the company who created this item also included other forms of magic formation. But, I don't know what other types of magic formation that were used because the company who created that manaphone is keeping it a secret.]
"I see..." I replied. "What about Augmentation Magic?"
[As for the Augmentation Magic. It is a type of process that utilizes the mana to enhance the user's physical body depending on the nature of the attribute they used. Like for your earth attribute or wind attribute for example, you can only gain the nature of these attributes as an enhancement or boost to your physical body.]
"So, you mean, I can move faster if I use the wind attribute because the nature of the wind attribute is agility. Is that right?" I asked.
Bakunawa nodded. [Indeed, but to tell you the truth, this magic formation was just accidentally invented to be honest.] Bakunawa smiled a little as she transmitted.
"What do you mean?"
Bakunawa started laughing like she just remembered something funny. [Oh, this is making me remember the past, mortal.]
Then Bakunawa glanced at me with a smile. [Anyway, it started a long time ago, and I could no longer remember the name of the person who invented it. However, the person who invented this magic formation is actually a coward. It's because she is afraid of pain and getting hurt that she invented something like this.]
"Do you know her personally?" I asked curiously.
[I know her, and she is a dear friend from the human race from a long long time ago...]
"How long is a long time ago?" I asked curiously.
Bakunawa narrowed her eyes at me, rolling her eyes. [I'm not going to tell you how old I am, you dummy mortal.]
"What are you talking about? I'm just curious, you know..." I said, bewildered with Bakunawa.
[Whatever.] Bakunawa rolled her eyes again, walking faster.
I blink my eyes, matching Bakunawa's pace.
After a short while, Bakunawa and I reach the end of the narrowed passage, then we both stop in front of a huge metallic door.
Bakunawa placed both of her palms on the door, then she recited some incomprehensible words of the language called Baybayin, and the door quivered open.
To my surprise, there is a forest inside hiding behind the metallic door. "Woah..."
[This is the Mystic Forest, where the Pariah Sanctuary is founded, a shelter built for halflings and outcasts.] Bakunawa explained briefly.
I nodded, stepping inside.
[Wait mortal!] Bakunawa yelled in my head.
I turned around, looking at Bakunawa. "Why?"
"Despicable hooman, you dare trespass the territory of this Sanctuary! Are you not afraid to die!"
I turned around again, and my eyes laid upon a little girl with blue bunny ears and two white horns on her forehead.