CURSED: The Last of Five Kingdoms.

Episode4- Birthday

She secures Mael's bread and hurries back so that she isn't seen or caught. She figures out that it is Mael's mortal enemy that is looking for him. After all these years, she gets an idea of which universe they are in? Something isn't right. She can't do all that hard work on her own. She has help... Mrs. Vandisia stands rooted to the spot. She was almost sniffed out and it would make all these years of hiding and been careful worthless.

She hurries to her car and set off for home, hoping she was imagining things and not what and whom she knows is after Mael.

As she pulls into the driveway of her home, the first thing she sees, brightened her mood. Her two kids; Mael and Harry getting ready for Prom night. All dressed up in their suits.

"My babies. All grown up." Mrs. Vindisia began sniffing. She was crying.

"Mom, stop. Don't make it look like a bad thing." Mael said. Using the back of her hand to wipe her tears, "I need to make money so that I can take care of you so well."

"I don't need your money. I just need you to always remain my baby." Snorting, "stay out of trouble, do your recitation, meditate, take your studies seriously and get a girlfriend. Both of you."

"Yes, mom." Harry and Mael echoed.

Harry has never had an issue with the way Mael is loved in the family although he isn't a part of the family. But to Harry, Mael is his biological brother. Although Harry is a popular kid in school because of his handsome face, properly built athletic body and deep baritone voice and to crown it all, he was the captain of his basketball team. Girls at their school worship at his feet and boys there want to be his friend. 

Harry got into a lot of trouble during high. Not because he was a bad kid but for Mael. He always fought back for him and beat up anyone who dares to tamper with Mael's happiness. The friendship was mutual though because Harry isn't bright academically like Mael. So, his homework, projects and anything school related are being taken care of by Mael.

"Mael is going to Prom with his girlfriend," Harry says. He keeps teasing Mael about tonight. 

Deep down, Mael wishes that she won't change her mind.

"Stop it, Harrison Vandisia. Stop teasing your brother." Helping Harry to readjust his poorly knotted tie, " both of you need to get a haircut before time. Come. I'll do it for both of you."

"No. Thank you, mom." Both of them echoes.

If there is one thing the boys hate about their mom, Amara Vandisia, is she giving a haircut. She was terrible at it but loves to propose to cut their hair which they consistently reject.

When the boys left, a man appears from the corner of the street, suddenly and silently that you would think that he had just puffed out from think air. Judging from his appearance, one could tell that he wasn't from around town. Or, anywhere near town at all and he isn't being so discreet about it. He was tall, thin, and very old, judging by his gray hair and beard, which were both long and thick. It shows that it has really been a long while since he last shaved or got a haircut. He was wearing long robes, a white cloak that drapes the ground, and high-heeled, ankle boots. His blue eyes were light, bright, and sparkling and his nose, very long and crooked, as though he was always in a fight and got beaten all the time. This man’s name was Rabbi Hombledore.

Busy going through his cloak looking for something, he did not realize that he is being watched, because he looks up suddenly and sees the strong and vigilant eyes of Mrs.Vindisia on him, staring from the other end of the street.

Once more he begins to dig into his cloak until he found what he was looking for. "Ah, there you are. A little trouble maker. I must send you now to your true owners."

 It seems to be an envelope of some sort. He flicks it and the brown envelope vanishes. He walks straight to where Mrs.Vindisia is standing, "Amara, don't you think it is rude not to greet one of the oldest, knowing that my presence is rare."

Slightly bowing, "forgive me, Rabbi Hombledore. What brings you here?"

His eyes scanning and wandering around desperately around the street, "the boy?"

"Today is his last day in high school and his birthday. He has gone to finish up the activities he had left unattended to." Amara says unmoved.

“Oh yes, birthday celebration, all right,” he says impatiently. “You’d think that Amara would be a bit more careful, but no — the fire four other kingdoms have noticed."

"I was careful and I had the cloaking spell to put them away."

"The aim was to keep him hidden all these years and nothing more. Hide him until the time was right and we have done an amazing job at that but you became careless with everything towards the end. Putting everything in jeopardy."

" Well, they’re not completely stupid. They were bound to notice something. Even if I hadn't made the mistake, the prophecy has unveiled itself about the joy."

“You can’t blame them for your flaws but there's still a little truth in what you just said.” Says Rabbi Hombledore gently. “Despite everything, we have a cause to celebrate. At last little one will save us all."

“I know that,” says Amara irritably. “But can't he stay a little more? Putting him out there is totally risky and now that the prophecy has been awakened, everyone would want a piece of him." 

She throws a sharp, sideways glance at him, as though hoping he was going to tell her something positive, but he didn’t, so she went on. “A fine thing it would be if, he gets to stay with people that have been able to protect him..."

"Enough, Amara. Omiri is for everyone and you alone. You have had the privilege to keep him to yourself for all these years. Watch him grow. Now it is time for him to fulfil his destiny." Handle's over the envelope, " this is their acceptance letters."

Confused, "there?"

"Yes. You were not the only one who had to watch Mael all these years. We did, too. We've seen that he needs your son, Harry. So, some adjustments have been made. For the first time a lowlife, an ordinary human being will attend the Academy."

"But..."

"Silence, Amara. Silence!!!" His voice roars. "You do not have a say in any of this matter. The council have decided." He continues, " spells have been used to lock the Academy so Omiri is safe until his abilities grow. There's a Firan to guide him, a Kiran to serve him, an Eastend to protect him and an Antigona to fight his battles."

"There's no assurance that would ever make me feel safe about Antigona leaving me." Says Amara sadly.

Mael is sometimes addressed as Omiri and other times as Antigon.

“It certainly seems that you have grown attached to the boy,” says Rabbi Hombledore. “We have much to be thankful for. Let us focus on helping Antigon fulfil his destiny rather than trying to stop it."

"Yes, Rabbi"

Checking his invisible wristwatch, "ah! I must be on my way back. Remember to prepare them. They leave for the Academy in three days."

"I understand."