It was a bustling Sunday morning at the Molave's Residence, with the clock striking 4 AM.
In the midst of the hustle and bustle, Narra emerged from her slumber and made her way to her siblings' room.
"Philip, rise and shine! It's morning," Narra urged, gently shaking her sleepy brother.
"I don't want to," Philip groaned, resisting the call of the new day.
"You've got class, buddy. Time to get up before you're late," Narra insisted, her tone firm but kind.
"Just give me 5 more minutes," Philip pleaded, clinging to the comfort of his bed.
Unfazed by his protests, Narra lifted the blankets and hoisted Philip out of bed.
"You always say that, but those 5 minutes never come. Now let's head downstairs for breakfast," Narra reasoned, guiding her reluctant brother.
"Ugh... I'm still so sleepy. I just want to sleep more," Philip grumbled as Narra carried him towards the kitchen.
"Good morning, Narra and Philip. Sit down, breakfast is almost ready," greeted Dillenia, their mother, as they entered the kitchen.
"Good morning, Mom," Narra and Philip chorused in unison, taking their seats at the table.
"Good morning, my darlings," Mr. Carpus, their father, chimed in, planting a kiss on Dillenia's cheek.
"Morning, Dad," Narra and Philip echoed in sync, their voices filled with warmth.
With everyone gathered around the table, Mr. Carpus called for order.
"Let's all settle down and enjoy breakfast together," he declared, prompting the siblings to take their places.
As they bowed their heads in prayer and dug into the meal, laughter and chatter filled the air. The three brothers, Maco, Kai, and Chico, playfully squabbled over the food, much to Mrs. Dillenia's amusement and occasional scolding. Meanwhile, the two girls, Presa and Pinya, dutifully served dishes to the table, ensuring everyone was well-fed and content.
In the hushed atmosphere of the Molave's Residence, Mr. Carpus called for attention.
"Everyone, quiet down," he instructed, his voice commanding respect.
His words prompted an immediate silence as each family member paused their activities to listen.
"Do you all remember when Mr. Jacinto visited us late at night?" Mr. Carpus began, his gaze sweeping over his children.
Nods of acknowledgment rippled through the room as the children recalled the mysterious encounter.
"Well, there's a problem, and it's time to shed more light on the other side—the realm your brothers and sisters hail from," Mr. Carpus continued, his tone grave but determined.
"Boss, is something wrong?" Kai inquired, his concern evident in his furrowed brow.
"Yes, there is. And it's time we discuss it openly. You all know that we're not ordinary folks like your classmates or neighbors," Mr. Carpus affirmed, casting a meaningful glance at Kai and his offspring.
"Your mother and I, along with your siblings, possess unique abilities. That's because we originate from the other side, born with gifts and belonging to different races. While your father is an Earth dweller, a human, he also inherits the mantle of a guardian tasked with safeguarding the gates between worlds," Mrs. Dillenia elaborated, her words carrying a weight of truth and revelation.
"As for our family, we've been blessed with extraordinary gifts—like Philip's ability to create portals and baby Lia's recent manifestation of telekinesis, I witnessed Lia's powers firsthand while feeding her last night. When she giggled, her toys magically floated in the air." she added, pride evident in her voice.
"Wow, baby Lia's powers are incredible, especially at such a young age," Narra exclaimed, her admiration clear.
"Indeed, our little Lia is quite remarkable. Unlike some of us," Philip teased, earning a playful jab from Narra.
"Enough, you two. We have an important event approaching—the blessing ceremony at the Temple of Segoyong in two days. I expect everyone to be prepared," Mr. Carpus interjected, redirecting the conversation to the matter at hand.
After their meal, Mr. Carpus took charge of the kitchen, bustling around as the restaurant he ran from their home became active. Narra, on the other hand, retreated to the sanctuary of their house's library room.
In this cozy space, with its modest five standing shelves, Narra busied herself gathering books. Suddenly, one of the volumes tumbled from its place, landing at her feet with a thud.
Startled, Narra approached the fallen book cautiously. Yet, as she drew near, the pages began to flip of their own accord, and an eerie laughter emanated from within.
A blinding light burst forth from the book, enveloping the room in a surreal brilliance. When Narra's vision cleared, she found herself standing in a fantastical library, its towering shelves seemingly alive with movement.
Amidst the ethereal glow, a sinister laughter echoed through the chamber, setting her nerves on edge. As the room trembled and shifted around her, Narra struggled to maintain her balance, clutching onto the swaying bookshelves for support.
In her struggle, she inadvertently pushed open one of the peculiar doors embedded in the walls. A bloodcurdling scream pierced the air, freezing Narra in her tracks. Peering through the doorway, she was met with a horrifying sight—a monstrous figure, lacking eyes but possessing a gaping maw filled with razor-sharp teeth, its long hair cascading down its back and its grotesque hands resembling those of a crab, clad in a bloodstained nurse's uniform.
Narra hastily shut the door, her body trembling from the terrifying encounter she had just witnessed.
Amidst the lingering echoes of menacing laughter, a book descended before her, its cover adorned with a crimson crab embossed in gold.
Slowly, the crab on the book's cover came to life, its eyes fixed on Narra as it floated in the air.
"Ah, another child to devour... So succulent... So potent," the crab crooned as it circled around Narra.
Trembling, Narra summoned her courage to address the creature.
"What do you want from me? Why am I here?" she asked, her voice quivering with fear.
With a sudden leap, the crab darted towards the bookshelves, rapping its claws against one of the doors embedded in the walls.
"This is the Chamber of Inheritance Treasures. Each door leads to a different realm, era, or dimension within the galaxy," the crab explained, its claws tapping out a rhythm against the wooden surface.
Bounding back towards Narra, the crab pointed a claw in her direction.
"You, child, have traversed across dimensions and earned the favor of the observers. That's why this chamber has awoken after a century," it declared, gesturing to the room in its entirety.
"But I didn't ask for this. I just want to go back..." Narra protested, her plea drowned out by a deafening pounding from the door where the eyeless woman resided.
"Time is ticking. Here's your First Inheritance trial: defeat the woman who guards that space, and you'll obtain your initial Inheritance Treasure. But fret not, child. I'll be your guide from this point forward. However, the decision to step through that door rests solely with you. Now, select my sealed form to accompany you on your journey," the crab stated, brandishing a clock in its claws towards her.
"I refuse! I won't venture into danger for treasures I don't want. I'll die if I go!" Narra exclaimed, her desperation evident.
"You have no choice. Fight or be consumed. Decide," the crab replied menacingly, its voice brooking no argument.
With the door rattling violently and her options dwindling, Narra found herself torn between fear and resolve.
Inquisitive, Narra sought clarification from the crab.
"What forms can you take?" she asked.
"I have the ability to take the form of any accessory you desire. However, I suggest something portable," the Crab advised.
Realizing the gravity of her situation, Narra made her decision.
"Alright! You'll be my guide, won't you? Given the choice between being consumed or fighting, I choose you to guide me as a pocket watch necklace," Narra declared with determination.
With a radiant glow enveloping the room, the crab presented Narra with a gleaming gold pocket watch necklace adorned with a crab emblem.
"I may not be able to leave this chamber, but I'll always be with you through this pocket watch," the Crab assured Narra as it handed her the necklace.
Suddenly, the door was hurled from its hinges by the menacing woman, who attempted to escape. Yet, she found herself ensnared by golden ropes, thwarting her efforts to break free.
Undaunted, Narra confronted the sinister figure.
"I'll survive this ordeal and claim all the treasures for myself, you hear me, you ghastly creature!" she declared boldly, delivering a swift kick in the face that sent the woman tumbling back into the room from whence she came.
With a resounding thud, the door that the monster had destroyed began to repair itself, gradually sealing shut the passage to its realm, effectively trapping both the creature and Narra inside.
Narra remained steadfast, her determination unyielding as she readied herself to begin her dangerous quest, guided by the Crab's essence contained within her necklace.