Chapter 2. Summon Failed to Appear

For fourteen years, Clover was growing up without parents by her side, no shoulders to crouch when she was in enormous grief. She never thought the night she was sent to Braeburn was the last time she would see her parents’ glossy eyes. And yes, it still hurt Clover even now, and she reviled the forces of El Capitan—the one who assassinated Lucas and Arleth furiously until they lost their breath.

Next week, Clover would be turning twenty-one years old. It was the most awaited time for her to acquire strength and become stronger than her parents. Aside from that, Clover was the predicted Chosen One, as her parents ended the reign of El Capitan’s father, Evander. Their strength was unrivaled, ending the power of one of the most potent rogue vampires.

However, the sad part was that she wasn’t sure where her parents’ grave lay. No one told her, and she couldn’t find it, as the elder members of the league safeguarded her from possible attacks made by the enemies, knowing all of them were eyeing her and anticipating her possible next move.

With a sigh, Clover glared at Kylian at her side as he invited her to tell the truth she was longing for. Before Kylian opened his mouth, he looked around. Then, he turned and faced Clover.

“I guess it isn’t wrong if I tell you. Besides, they are your parents,” stated Kylian and shrugged, moved closer to Clover, and tapped her shoulder. “Are you sure the elders haven’t mentioned anything about the grave?”

Clover nodded, looking at the branches of the trees that danced along with the wind and the chirping of the birds. The beautiful scenery of the twin mountain was in the background. She recalled each moment she had with the elders. Still, they had not mentioned anything concerning her parents.

“Nothing. I wouldn’t have asked if I knew,” replied Clover while shaking her head. “Can you tell me now?”

“Alright, if I am not wrong, it is only a few kilometers from the camp, near the cliff of Mount Goldrush and the Empire,” explained Kylian.

“I heard about that area but didn’t find the exact place of their grave,” retorted Clover and asked, “Can you accompany me there, Kylian? I don’t think I can reach the area without you.”

“That’s not a problem, Clover,” agreed Kylian and pointed the way. “Follow me, and I’ll guide you there. I assure you there will be no problems.”

Clover followed Kylian, heading to the graveyard. As they were still walking, Kylian and Clover talked about her life. Minutes later, Kylian stopped in the area and faced Clover.

“Here they are,” pointed Kylian on the ground. “You can have a closer look.”

There was a land believed to be their burial site; without anything that could be a sign, it was a grave, while behind was a cliff, and the top was Mount Goldrush, and the empire was seen in the east. She went near, kneeled between the graves, moved her head down, and cried.

‘I missed you so much, Mom and Dad,’ thought Clover.

***

Three days passed, and after Clover visited her parents’ grave, she underwent training. She stood in the middle of the ground, at the side of the secret camp of the Unity League, together with the remaining vampires and werewolves. She was left with Lowe and Lupe. They stood as her guardian momentarily as Arleth trusted them. They were once her werewolf best friend.

Clover went back to reality as their trainer called her name. She stood and blinked twice while her two hands were on her back.

“Pardon?” asked Clover. “Sorry, but I had not heard your words.”

“That’s because your mind is floating again! I told you to forget about your parents and focus on the training!” The trainer cried out and moved in front of her, placing his hand on his waist with a furious gaze at Clover.

“I’m not thinking about them,” lied Clover, and she made sure she wouldn’t cry and give up.

“Whether it is the truth or not, I still want you to show us how you attack and fight him.” He pointed at the fellow guy who moved forward from the crowd.

“Defeat him, and remember that your 21st birthday is about to come. The elders and other members of the League wait for your powers that aren’t activated until now.”

She couldn’t do anything but move forward and felt pressured. As she roamed her gaze around, she saw her fellow vampires and werewolves trainees eyeing her, expecting so much from her strength.

“Focus on me, Clover, not them,” said the man in front of her.

Clover focused on the man and saw how he smiled and moved. When he blinked, the man was already on her back, and as she faced him, the man attacked her. She wasn’t prepared, yet she just broadened her eyes and froze from her standing while she felt nervous. However, it was too late, and she had already fallen to the ground.

“Clover! Fight back!” shouted the trainer.

She didn’t mind the pain in her body and stood from falling. She focused and ran towards the man. Then, she kicked his balls, went closer to the man, and punched his stomach, leading to the man flying one meter away from her. However, the trainer stopped them, so she moved backward and calmed down, seeing the man coughing in pain.

The trainer went near Clover and said, “You won but needed more practice for the ceremonial tomorrow night.” The trainer tapped her shoulder.

That time she was left alone in the training area and started to do other practice. When she thought about her parents again, she weakened.

‘My power should come out by tomorrow night. If it will not, then I am sure my parents will not be proud of me…’

Hours passed, and she went inside the camp to rest until night came. She slept and woke up early to prepare for the ceremony that would be happening that night. She went into the training area to enhance her strength, never to disappoint the elders. Even her co-werewolves and co-vampire trainees cheered her up and greeted her birthday that day.

***

Later, as the night came, she was called while the elders were sitting on throne-like chairs on the mini-stage in front of the camp while she was kneeling in front of them. On the side lies the other members of the Unity League seated. She glared up and saw how beautiful the sky was. The first full-blooded moon shines too bright that night, reflecting on the surroundings like a day.

“The ceremony should start now. We may let the elders do the ritual for Clover,” announced one of the members of the League.

Elders started to move near Clover and kneeled while their eyes were staring up. In unison, they muttered Latin phrases and prayers that they could not understand.

“Moon Goddess, this night we asked to summon the power of the Chosen One, Clover,” prayed one of the elders while both hands were raised above. “You may give her the strength to use and fight back the rogue vampires.”

In unison, the elders raised their hands and said something in Latin. Someone from the elders told Clover to stand up and absorb the power the moon gave her.

Within a few seconds, she stood and looked around. The trainer signed her to transform into a werewolf.

“Show it to us now, Clover. Let us know if the summon works,” stated the elders, then signed one member on the side to create a scene to know if it worked.

Two guys came forward. A vampire and a werewolf both shifted as eyes glared at her angrily. She was stunned, and she expected it would happen in the ritual. As the two encircled her, it gave more thrill as the elders ordered them to hurt her, which was unexpected. The two attacked her. All she did was move her body side by side, ensuring she wasn’t scuffed or stretched, and fought back. Still, she did not turn into a werewolf as expected, despite how the two scared her.

“What is happening? Are there any prayers we missed to say?” asked the elders to another elder.

“I guess there are. We need to repeat it, and her powers will surely be released afterward. Tonight is her birthday, and we aren’t wrong in choosing the night to do the ritual,”

Elders repeated their prayers while Clover and the two were busy with their fights. The werewolves’ nails had scratched Clover’s arms, making her blood. The vampire almost bit her and pushed her to the ground, and she felt too bullied. She stood, forcing her strength to come out, but nothing happened.

She stared at the elder and shook her head, “Nothing changed. I tried my best, but it wouldn’t come out!” She was frustrated with herself and almost cried about why it failed.

“Keep on trying! It should come out!”

She already had weakened, felt pain, and almost could not fight with them anymore.

“Shit. What was that? Did someone summon the Moon Goddess and block her passage?” asked the tall elder, looking around and pointing at anyone. “Who messed up blocking her passage?!”

“Pardon me for interrupting, but no one can do it, maybe because her body isn’t ready to release it. We better give her another time to prepare and to do the ritual once again,” said the other elder.

The elders couldn’t do anything and couldn’t force her strength to come out that simply. Thus, they decided to end the ceremony, even though the moon was still above. It couldn’t be denied that Clover had the strength and ability to combat, just like her parents, but there should be more to her. Like herself, the elders also had expected too much but ended up disappointed and walking away while she was left there, unsupported. She ended up being hurt and was in great pain.

‘Damn, I am too weak, and my strength hasn’t been released,’ she thought and cried. So she went inside the camp to lie on the bed, then closed her eyes to sleep and forget how dissatisfied they were with her.

***

As the morning came, the sun woke her up from her not-so-deep sleep. She stared at the ceiling and sighed about what she had been through last night. She stood and moved away from the camp without anyone knowing. As she was on her way, her mind kept floating.

“Mom and dad, if you just knew—”

She couldn’t continue what she was about to whisper as she was stunned and froze from her standing, seeing an unfamiliar figure near Mt. Goldrush.

“What is that? Is it a sign I am in danger…?”