𝙈á𝙫𝙧𝙞 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙚í𝙖

Anzella's beautiful face contorted as she witnessed the horrifying scene unfolding before her one morning. A lifeless, naked woman's corpse dangled from a balete tree, her long hair entangled in one of its branches. While the body bore the gruesome marks of violence, the face remained untouched, allowing for immediate recognition. The hands and feet had been severed and neatly arranged on one side of the tree, forming a chilling triangular pattern. Clearly a symbol.
The twenty-eight-year-old woman blinked and let out a sigh. Her partner, Egan, a handsome detective in his early thirties with a man bun that suited him, spoke up.
"This is the twelfth victim. The killer always uses balete trees and arranges the hands and feet in the same manner. It's the work of one person," Egan stated matter-of-factly.
Anzella briefly averted her gaze from her well-built partner, the pungent odor in the air failing to overpower his musky scent. Secretly, she stole a glance at Davian, the ethereal figure floating in the air, grinning at her. Only she possessed the ability to perceive his presence, as he had become her constant companion, lurking in the shadows ever since they solved a previous crime together.
"You'll never solve this, Anzella. Answer me now, and I will help you," Davian whispered, his ghostly voice echoing in her mind.
The woman let out a heavy sigh, brushing off the ghost's plea. She would have dismissed this persistent spirit long ago if he were still alive, and if she were capable of doing so.
Concerned, Egan turned to her. "Is something bothering you, Zella?"
Rolling her eyes, she gestured towards the body still swaying from the tree, while forensic experts diligently photographed the macabre scene. Curious onlookers had been dismissed by their fellow officers, though the reporters persisted in bombarding them with questions.
"Don't you see the problem? We don't even know why these beautiful, white, attractive women with long hair are being murdered. We know it's the work of a single person, but we're still clueless about the motive. We've been working on this case for months, and we're empty-handed!" Anzella's annoyance with Egan was palpable.
Scratching his eyebrows, Egan contemplated the blood-soaked ground. "Didn't I mention a possible motive? Perhaps it's a psycho with a sick obsession for arranging his victims this way."
'Or maybe it involves black magic,' she thought, anticipating the thirteenth victim. The situation was dire, but she couldn't voice her suspicions. Who would believe her anyway? Moreover, Egan was a logical and pragmatic person.
"Yes, you're right, Anzella," Davian chimed in with a smirk.
Frowning, she glanced at the ghost. It remained a mystery how he could read her thoughts.
"If you agree to help me—"
Anzella abruptly left the crime scene, distancing herself from Egan, allowing him to pursue his own course of action while she sought to interview a witness.
"Stop pestering me, you ghost! You're becoming more and more bothersome with each passing day!" she muttered through gritted teeth, her voice low to avoid attracting attention. She didn't want others to think she was talking to herself and question her sanity.
"I only wish to assist you, Anzella."
Sliding into the driver's seat of her car, Anzella ignored Davian's presence as he settled in the passenger seat beside her.
"You possess powers. Why don't you use them?" he prodded.
Her emerald eyes wavered as they met his dark gaze. She didn't want to succumb to his temptation, but she longed to put an end to this series of murders.
Davian chuckled. "Why are you afraid to embrace your powers? If you did, you could have solved this case long ago. You're just afraid, Anzella."
She disregarded his words, deep in thought. Should she harness her powers? She knew there would be consequences if she did. She had made a solemn promise to herself never to use them again, not after what had befallen her family in Greece. She was the last surviving Vasilikou, her family and coven massacred by a rival coven seeking to claim their powerful grimoire. They had succeeded. Yet, if they were to discover a Vasilikou still lived, even after two decades had passed, they would surely hunt her down. Anzella was fortunate that a Filipina, who had just completed her contract and was returning home to the Philippines, had witnessed her desperate escape and hiding in a dumpster, on the brink of death. This kind woman had saved her, bringing Anzella to the Philippines and raising her as her own child.

***

Late at night, Anzella found herself engrossed in internet research on dark magic and rituals. Despite her knowledge gained from her coven, she felt there was still much she didn't know, as she was still young and her powers were limited.
"Mávri mageía?"
She heard a deep voice say. Startled, she turned to find her partner standing closely behind her, his face near hers. Their eyes locked, and she couldn't help but notice the softness and curiosity in his gray eyes. His warm, minty breath brushed against her face, causing a shiver to run down her spine and butterflies to flutter in her stomach.
"Greek for black magic. Get out of my face!" she exclaimed, pushing him away.
He chuckled at her reaction. "Is that what you think this case is all about?" he asked, taking a seat beside her.
Anzella glanced around the precinct, realizing that Davian was no longer present. She knew the ghost often visited the place where he had died or where his grave was located. Curiosity had driven her to follow him once before to uncover his whereabouts when he wasn't tailing her.
She sighed and blew a strand of hair away from her face. "I'm worried. It's the twelfth victim. I think..." Her voice trailed off as a sudden realization struck her. Why hadn't she considered it before? She berated herself for being so oblivious.
In a rush, she grabbed her jacket, piecing together the puzzle in her mind. Her concerned partner followed suit, and they made their way past their colleagues and into her car. Egan swiftly settled in the passenger seat beside her, but she frowned at his presence.
"You won't believe it even if I told you. So, just..." she began, intending to dismiss the topic.
"I know who you are, Zella. There's no use hiding it," Egan interrupted.
"W-what? How?" Anzella's eyebrows furrowed.
"My coven has been searching for you all this time," he confessed.
The young woman paled at his words, her heart pounding in her chest. She swallowed, every fiber of her being on high alert. Her eyes blazed with fiery green, but Egan raised his hands in a gesture of peace.
"I'm not your enemy. In fact, I'm here to protect you," he reassured her.
"I don't have time for this, Egan! I'm sure Davian is onto something!" she exclaimed, her eyes still burning with determination. "I can't let anyone else fall victim to him."
"That... that wizard ghost has something to do with the killings?" Egan asked, seeking clarification.
Anzella started the car and sped towards their home, which was a mere ten minutes away from the Dumaguete police precinct. If Davian truly was a wizard, Egan would have known about it. The ghost had been skilled at concealing his magical aura, preventing her from detecting it. A person's magical nature could easily be discerned by their aura, but she had hidden hers successfully from Egan, implying that he possessed even greater power.
"He was a wizard?" she inquired, needing confirmation.
"I'm certain you were more than acquainted with each other. You've been together all this time, yet you had no idea?" he remarked sardonically. "I had to shield my thoughts from him."
Anzella briefly closed her eyes. "Right. I now know who the next victim will be. I can't allow him to succeed."
"Who is it?" Egan inquired.
"It's my foster sister," she revealed. "I've deciphered the meaning behind that symbol. It points upward, representing a strong foundation or stability. How could I have been so blind? It signifies that Davian wants to cease being a ghost. He wants to live again."
"Why?" Egan pressed for more information.
She blinked, her cute nostrils flaring. "I can only guess," she said, her voice filled with uncertainty.
With a screech of brakes, they arrived at their two-story house. They hastily exited the car and dashed inside, their hearts pounding. The sound of Nylah's scream echoed through the house, sending shivers down their spines.
Egan and Anzella's eyes widened as they entered the living room. Anzella's mother, Allie, lay unconscious on the floor, while Davian stood menacingly, holding a burning dark spirit knife. The blade was pointed directly at Nylah, who now lay unconscious as well.
Davian turned to them, wearing an evil smirk. "I told you I would help you solve the case, didn't I, Anzella?" His eyes were pure black, sending goosebumps across her skin. Anzella's nervousness grew, unsure of what Davian was capable of.
"Please, Davian, don't hurt her!" she pleaded desperately.
Davian lifted the unconscious woman into the air. "I will simply take her soul and imprison it within this blade. The final sacrifice must be someone close to you."
"Why are you doing this, Davian?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"I love you, Anzella! The only thing missing is your sister. I will live again, and we will be together!" he declared passionately.
The ghost turned his attention to Anzella, the knife still pointed at Nylah's heart. Anzella's mind raced, imagining the horrifying outcome. She could envision the blade piercing through Nylah, from scalp to feet, until it reached her heart.
Slowly, they approached Davian, and his eyes widened as he caught sight of Egan.
"You are...?" Davian's voice trailed off, a hint of surprise in his tone.
Egan smirked, a golden magical aura surrounding him. Anzella saw a flicker of red and orange fire appear in his hand.
"I happen to know how to incinerate an annoying psycho criminal ghost like you," Egan murmured with determination.
Without wasting a moment, he hurled the fire at Davian, catching the ghost off guard. Anzella quickly used her power to create a protective barrier, ensuring that her sister wouldn't be harmed. A clear, thin film of an auric field embraced Nylah, gently floating her to the floor. The two of them watched as Davian screamed, burning like a candle until he turned to black ashes. Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the house, carrying the remains of the ghost away into the darkness.
Anzella rushed to Nylah's side, checking on her well-being.
"I'll take care of them. They'll think it was just a nightmare," Egan reassured her. Utilizing his powers, he guided both Allie and Nylah to their respective beds, placing them gently under the covers.
Exhausted, Anzella sank down onto the sofa, a mix of relief and gratitude washing over her. Egan looked at her, his gaze filled with understanding.
"Thank you for what you did. Honestly, I didn't know what to do with Davian," she admitted, her voice filled with sincerity.
"You've been hiding for decades, suppressing your aura and magic. It takes great strength. I was able to track you because of the traces of my magic that still cling to you. You don't notice it, but your magical aura sparks when you relax. Those green sparks were the telltale signs that led me to you, the last of the Vasilikous," Egan explained, his tone gentle.
Anzella swallowed hard, her voice trembling. "Aren't you my enemy?" Fear crept into her words.
Egan smiled tenderly, crouching in front of her. "It was my coven that wiped out your family, but I had nothing to do with it. I witnessed that night, what they did to your loved ones. I knew it was horrendous! So, I helped you escape. Don't you remember?" He reached out, his touch gentle against her face. "I could never forget those beautiful green eyes."
She swallowed, memories flooding back to her. Yes, she remembered a boy from that time. Her powers had weakened, and she relied on him as a shield against his powerful coven, which is how she managed to escape. At the time, she had been consumed by the loss of her family and coven, clouding her memories. But at least, she hadn't forgotten who she was. Instead, she had sought revenge.
Gazing into Egan's eyes, she asked with a burning determination, "What if I told you I want to avenge my family and coven, Egan? What would you do? Would you try to stop me?" The corners of her eyes burned, her hands clenched into fists.
His jaw tightened, and his gaze intensified. "I can't forgive their greed and what they did to you and your coven, Zella. That's why I left them." Their eyes locked, neither wanting to look away.
"Egan..." she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of emotions. She wasn't sure what to say next.
He gently cupped her cheek, his touch comforting. "Wield me like a weapon, Zella."
 

** The end **