Chapter 27
Nille tapped the fairy lightly on the shoulder. "Open a portal back to my home. and wait with there for just a few minutes. I need to call someone."
The fairy could only bow with agreement, it slowly shimmered, its light wavering as the portal rippled open before them. Nille stepped carefully through, leaving the Kinabalu collective wait for his response, as Nille assure it he will give a proper answer to its current problem, he step out mirrored realm and left behind and returning to the edges of human reality with the fairy following him out.
The faint hum of the supernatural faded, replaced by the familiar weight of the world he had always known. He walked toward his rucksack, reaching in with practiced ease for his satellite phone. Fingers steady, he dialed a number that crossed time zones, knowing full well the hour would be inconvenient for the person on the other end.
On the other side of the call, Lin Yue Meiying rubbed her tired eyes, still heavy from the morning's endless tasks. The satellite phone buzzed insistently on the table. She blinked at the screen, surprised to see his name flashing. Nille? He never calls first… she thought, a small flutter of curiosity stirring in her chest.
She answered, forcing herself to sound alert, though her mind raced. Okay, just be normal… just be professional…
"Nille," she said softly, almost as if speaking to herself, the greeting filled with an unexpected warmth. In her mind, it was sweet, tender even, though she knew him well enough to know he would never phrase it that way. Nille was always direct, precise, never one for pleasantries or flirtation.
"Lin Yue Meiying," Nille's voice was calm, clipped, and unmistakably focused. "Can you check on the land my grandfather left? I just received an eviction notice."
Her stomach twisted at the words. Eviction notice? How dare they… Her heart tightened at the thought of Granny Amparo's memories tied to that land. Anger flared, sharp and hot.
"That land… that land was my grandfather's gift to you! Granny Amparo's memories are tied to that place, how dare they do this now?" she hissed, her voice trembling slightly. Her hands clenched, nails biting into her palms.
She pushed herself up from the chair with sudden determination, her fatigue replaced by urgency. "Corazon!" she barked toward the corridor. The former maid and now personal assistant appeared almost instantly, eyes sharp and alert. "Gather the guard. I want a full investigation, now! Find out who authorized this eviction, and why. Every detail, every paper, every signature. I don't care where it leads; this matter will be settled before the sun rises tomorrow."
Corazon nodded quickly, already moving to obey, while the guards snapped to attention. Lin Yue Meiying's gaze softened slightly, a subtle vulnerability shining through. She looked back at the phone. "Nille… you rest. I'll handle this. Everything will be taken care of."
On the other line, Nille's usual steady voice had a hint of relief. "Thank you, Lin."
Her pulse quickened, a strange warmth spreading in her chest. The tone of his voice, so calm, so assured, felt different this time. She realized, almost guiltily, that her heart had shifted, that the crush she had tried to ignore for years had deepened, made sharper by this moment of trust and dependence. She pressed a hand to her mouth, grounding herself, as she silently promised that no harm would come to the land, or to the memories tied to it, Lin Yue wanted to prolong the conversation but their talk was cut off, she dint notice her finger canceled the call, Nille assume the message was clearly heard and was receive well,
The fairy hovered anxiously, wings trembling, unsure how to proceed. It had come of its own accord, carrying a message it had never been ordered to deliver. Before it could speak, a pixie darted in, flitting like a streak of light, urgency in every movement.
A pixie came rushing in, urgency etched into every flutter of its wings. It grasped the fairy, Natty, firmly on the arm, shaking her gently while its tiny voice cracked with panic.
"Why did you let the babaylan enter the realm?!" it shouted, barely pausing to catch its breath. "Do you realize what you've done?!"
Natty's glow flickered, dimming as guilt and fear coursed through her. "I… I didn't think" she stammered, her voice almost a whisper, "the elders never wanted the Babaylan involved. I… I thought I could handle it."
The pixie's eyes blazed, wings twitching in agitation. "Handle it?! Natty, the elders have been informed! And they are not happy! They… they never wanted anyone meddling with the Kinabalu's slumber. You know the rules, we live here only because it allowed us to, under its protection. Its domain is sacred!"
Natty shivered, a faint tremor running through her frame. "I know, I know… I just didn't think the babaylan would come this far. I thought the barriers would hold, that… that it wouldn't be noticed."
The pixie's voice rose again, sharp and urgent. "Noticed? Of course they noticed! The Kinabalu felt it! Every ripple through the soil, every strain on its slumber, it feels it! Do you understand? The elders follow its rules because they respect its nature! And now, because of you, the human is in the mirrored realm!"
Natty lowered her head, wings drooping. "I… I was trying to protect everyone. I only wanted to warn them before…"
"Warn them?" the pixie snapped, frustration and fear mingling in its voice. "Natty, you don't get it! This isn't about warnings. The elders are already thinking of the land for themselves! They see the Kinabalu as… a tool now, not a guardian. And the Babaylan's intrusion" it paused, catching its breath, " it could upset everything. The balance. The soil. The garden. Everything!"
Natty's glow dimmed further, her voice barely audible. "I… I understand. I've failed them."
The pixie softened slightly but still held her firmly. "No, Natty. You haven't failed entirely… yet. But we have to act. We have to make sure the elders know exactly what's at stake. If they let greed guide them, they'll wake a power they cannot control. And the Kinabalu… it won't forgive them, or us."
Natty swallowed, lifting her head with resolve, her glow returning faintly. "You're right. We must warn them… and we must contain this. Before it's too late."
The Kinabalu's slumber was sacred; it nourished the earth, enriching the soil so that grass, herbs, and other plants could flourish. But humans, blind to its significance, had turned the once-vacant lot into a sprawling commercial and residential complex, dumping toxic chemicals that wounded the creature at its core.
Nille, listened from the two creatures conversation his brow furrowing as the conversation unfolded. What caught his attention was more troubling than the babaylan's presence. The elders, representatives from the eleven enkanto races, were speaking not of protection or balance, but of greed. Their discussion was steeped in desire: the new land, the potential control over the Kinabalu, and the power it could confer. It was unsettling, unnatural even, for the elders of the mirror realm to exhibit traits so human, traits they had long transcended.
Greed… envy… wrath… pride… gluttony… lust… sloth… Nille thought grimly. The seven mortal sins were manifesting in beings that should have been immune. but understand well that many Encantos have already fell into this sins, as he has eliminated so many in the span of 6 years
He realized that some dark influence might have seeped into the mirror realm or was already n their realm, twisting the once-pure intentions of these elders. Their fascination with human wealth and power was no longer abstract, it was active, shaping their decisions and threatening the delicate balance of their world. the fact they all agreed to join hand and end their conflict and live under peace as they fear the Babaylan that kills vile encantos might steer toward its attention toward their fight,
At the heart of the complex, buried deep beneath the concrete foundations and the network of pipes and wires, the Kinabalu rested in its hidden sanctuary. The creature occupied the very lowest part of the complex, a living, sentient presence entwined with both the mortal world and the mirrored realm. From this subterranean position, its essence reached upward, linking to the ten-meter radius central garden above, a sacred focal point maintained by the eleven elders.
This garden was a living tribute to the Kinabalu's purpose: a space where nature could flourish, where the soil remained rich, fertile, and self-sustaining. Every root, leaf, and stone had been carefully arranged to honor the creature's nurturing influence. The Kinabalu embodied the essence of fertility itself, the soil's power to support life, enrich the land, sustain the plants above, and cleanse and cycle nutrients throughout the earth.
Even in slumber, the Kinabalu's presence kept the garden vibrant and alive. Its energy flowed upward through the pipes and foundations, touching both the mortal realm and the mirror realm, maintaining balance in both worlds. This hidden, metaphysical connection allowed the creature to sustain life above it while remaining unseen, a guardian of the earth's vitality and a silent witness to all that transpired within the complex.
Now, however, the elders' corruption risked everything. By prioritizing greed over stewardship, they had not only endangered the Kinabalu but also disrupted the ecological balance of the mirrored realm itself. The creature, responding to harm done by human toxins and the twisted intentions of its so-called protectors, stirred beneath the soil. Its movements pulsed through the earth like low, resonant vibrations, a silent warning and a reflection of its suffering.
Nille observed quietly, understanding the stakes. This was no longer just about a piece of land or a dispute among supernatural beings. The Kinabalu was alive, a sentient manifestation of the soil's fertility, and the elders, once guardians, were now potential agents of destruction, infected by human-like vices. If unchecked, their corruption could awaken the Kinabalu in ways none of the mirror realm's inhabitants could control. And Nille, standing between worlds, realized that he would have to act carefully, for the balance of life itself, both mortal and supernatural, depended on it.
Nille remained in his warehouse, motionless, though his senses were fully alive. Through the subtle vibrations of the mirrored realm, he could feel the Kinabalu shifting, restless beneath the soil,even from a long distance, Nille felt it as he was able to see he Kinabalu face to face, even for a short while, as it was echoing the turmoil of the corrupted elders. Yet the world beyond his perception began to react in ways he hadn't anticipated.
From the heart of the mirrored realm, the eleven elders suddenly issued a declaration that sent a chill through the very air of the warehouse: Nille had illegally entered their realm. The words carried weight and authority, resonating across the thin veil separating the mortal world from the mirrored one. Though they could not see him physically, their collective will reached him, a silent accusation heavy with consequence.
The pixie who had earlier rushed to warn Natty now hovered anxiously at her side. Its tiny voice trembled as it relayed the new edict. "Natty… you must not let the Babaylan, or any of his kind return here. If he comes again, the elders will imprison him in the underground tombs. No exceptions."
Natty's glow dimmed further, her wings quivering. She lowered her gaze, silently absorbing the threat. As the daughter of one of the elder representatives of the Fairy kind, she understood the gravity of the warning. Her father had long been a reasonable leader, one who valued balance and stewardship over power, but something had changed in him after the eradication of the Gabunan. The cleansing of the vacant lot, an act Nille had carried out to protect the land and preserve its natural order, seemed to have warped the elder's perception. What once had been respect for life had shifted into suspicion and fear, mingled with the subtle pull of greed.
The pixie's urgency grew. "Natty… they're serious. They won't negotiate. If he steps back into the mirrored realm without their consent, even a footfall, he will be sealed in the tombs beneath the central garden. And you… you could be held responsible too."
Natty's small form trembled, but she lifted her head, determination flickering in her glow. "I… I understand. I will warn him. I will make sure the babaylan does not return, at least not until we can reason with the elders again."
Nille, observing all of this through his third eye, noted the subtle shift in the mirrored realm's energy. The once-stable balance was now fractured, not merely by human intrusion or the Kinabalu's restlessness, but by the elders themselves. Their corruption, seeded by fear, greed, and pride, threatened to unleash chaos.
This isn't just a warning, Nille thought grimly. This is a trap. And if I'm caught… there's no telling what they'll do.
But he also understood the limits of their power. The mirrored realm could observe, accuse, and threaten, but it could not touch him directly in the mortal world without his consent or misstep. For now, he had the advantage of distance and perception. He would have to tread carefully, for the balance of both realms, and the Kinabalu itself, depended on restraint, cunning, and action that few could understand.
Through the faint glow of the third eye, Nille watched Natty and the pixie retreat, carrying the warning back to her father. Their movements, though small, rippled through the mirrored realm like faint tremors, signaling that the elders were watching, waiting, and already beginning to scheme. Natty bow at Nille and excused herself and mention she will clear this matter with her father.
she vanish and left along with her was the pixie, when the scarf pulsed faintly around Nille's shoulders, its threads shifting and twisting as if alive. In the quiet of his warehouse, it spoke, not with words audible to anyone else, but with a resonance that brushed directly against his mind.
"You do know," it whispered in that subtle, dreamlike frequency, "you can enter the mirror realm freely… as long as you align with its magical signature, its frequency of existence."
Nille tilted his head, watching the threads coil and unravel almost like smoke. "Your power… it's far beyond normal," he said, his voice low. "Even from the supernatural standpoint, nothing else I've seen compares to you."
The scarf shimmered faintly in response, its glow brightening as it pulsed with awareness. "After these six long years, we have encountered many Encantos who were somewhat reasonable and many were really evil, even cunning ones. None could perceive your presence. Granny never once explained who granted it to her … who gave you the ability to move unseen, to touch and influence what others cannot."
Nille's fingers traced a thread of the scarf. "Maybe it's because… I've always wanted to learn. Always wanted to know." He paused, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "And you… you're like me in that way, aren't you? Always hungry for knowledge. Even after learning the old disintegration spell, you never stop gathering, storing, remembering."
The scarf's threads shimmered and lengthened slightly, curling like it was pleased, or amused. "Information is endless, Nille. Books, computers, any man-made vessel of knowledge… I memorize it through touch. Faster than any human device… even faster than a supercomputer. My hunger is… constant."
Nille chuckled softly. "Maybe that's why we're compatible. I've always been the same. That's why I can make you manifest books inside my enclave. At first, it was difficult, but over time…" He lifted a hand, and a faint shimmer appeared in the air above the warehouse floor, a book slowly forming, threads of cloth weaving themselves into words and pages. "…I've managed to make you a library."
A pulse of warm resonance flowed from the scarf, almost like approval. "Level three," it reminded him. "I am no longer bound solely to the dreamscape. I can enter the enclave in my current form, a serpent made of cloth, aware and mobile, but I cannot yet speak. My consciousness resides partially in your dreams, where our connection remains strongest."
Nille reached out to the forming book, watching it solidify into a tangible object. "It's… incredible. Even like this, I feel your awareness everywhere. Every thread, every page. You're not just a tool. You're… part of me. And together… we can observe, learn, and adapt faster than anyone else in this world or the mirrored realm."
The scarf pulsed again, almost like it laughed in satisfaction, coiling softly around his arm.
"We are… indeed exceptional," it said through the resonance. "But remember, Nille… knowledge is not enough. Understanding, caution, and action… those are the limits you must navigate. The mirror realm, the Kinabalu… everything we touch… must be approached carefully."
Nille nodded, feeling the weight of the scarf's words. "I know. But with you, I have a chance. A chance to learn everything… and protect everything. Slowly, we'll make the impossible… possible."
The threads of the scarf shifted once more, a silent, unspoken promise vibrating along every fiber. Though it could not yet speak aloud, Nille felt it, the awareness, the readiness, the unending thirst to know, to store, and to act. Together, they were more than human, more than supernatural… they were something entirely new.
"And by the way," the scarf pulsed gently around Nille's shoulders, its threads coiling in a way that made it seem almost amused, "I suppose I should mention something… rather insignificant that happened while we were inside their mirror realm."
Nille raised an eyebrow, already sensing the sarcastic tone.
"You remember the fairy you dealt with," the scarf continued, its voice resonating only in his mind, "the one who was supposed to give you information about spells she could provide? While you were investigating that mission you so bravely accepted, I… collected something. Fragments. Scattered, fractured pieces of spells left all over the realm. The Encantos, of course, freely use their magic within their own domain, leaving traces behind in the air, in objects, in even the faintest disturbance of energy. A veritable mess of magical debris, really."
Nille smirked slightly.
"Thanks to the upgrades I acquired at level three," the scarf continued, its threads writhing as if to emphasize the point, "I was able to absorb all these fragments, each one carrying its own language and formula, chaotic, incomplete, yet powerful in pieces. My threads—delicate as they seem—memorize these scraps faster than you could ever read them. And now, if you grant me the opportunity, I can learn from these broken languages, align them with the old, ancient language you mysteriously wielded when facing the Maligni at the Dela Cruz estate. Yes, that one. The killing spell so ancient and… disturbingly effective that even I had trouble comprehending it."
The scarf's tone shifted, threaded with sarcasm and disbelief. "I mean, really, Nille… you? Casting a spell that predates even me? I, an entity that has been absorbing and cataloging magical knowledge longer than most Encantos have existed—am impressed. And more than a little horrified. You just casually pull out a killing spell older than anyone would dare speak of, and the fairy probably had no clue what hit her."
Nille chuckled, feeling the threads wrap snugly around his arm, almost like a gentle squeeze of approval.
"You see," the scarf added, still dripping with mock amazement, "the beauty of my new level-three abilities is not just in entering the enclave in my serpent-cloth form, or manifesting books from thin air… no. It is in the collection, the absorption, the constant feeding. Every spell you encounter, every fragment left behind, every trace of magical intent, even broken and scattered, they become mine to study, align, and, when necessary, use. And all of it flows through me faster than a supercomputer could process. Faster than any human, or even most supernatural beings, could comprehend. And I might add… I never stop. Ever."
Nille's eyes glinted with a mix of pride and amusement. "So… you're saying I can teach you the fragments?"
The scarf's threads twisted sharply, almost like a laugh. "Teach me? Oh, dear Nille, it's not teaching. It's… aligning. And perhaps a little marveling at how reckless, and competent—you are. Honestly, I still can't believe you managed to cast that ancient killing spell. The Predaes themselves would've blinked twice, if they could."
Nille smiled quietly, feeling the weight and potential of the scarf's abilities like a living presence wrapped around him. "Then we'll continue. Gather every fragment, align it, and make it ours. Knowledge isn't just power, it's survival."
The scarf hummed, threads quivering with anticipation, tinged with mockery. "Oh, yes. Survival, Nille. And perhaps a little chaos for good measure."
Nille sat cross-legged in the center of his warehouse, the faint hum of the mirrored realm vibrating faintly through his third eye. Around him, the serpent-shaped scarf writhed, threads glimmering faintly as they reached out to the scattered fragments of spells he had collected, tiny shards of magical language floating like motes of light in the air.
He exhaled slowly, thinking. I need to train properly… but I can't just cast magic inside the enclave. The energy might be too much. I need control first.
Carefully, he set a small pile of chopped wood, the remains of logs he had cut a few days ago, on the open concrete floor. He had made sure to remove anything flammable or valuable around him. This would be his controlled test zone.
"Alright," he muttered, focusing, "let's see if I can even do this without… burning the whole place down."
The scarf hummed softly, almost impatiently. "Finally, some practical application. Nille, remember: magic is not just force. It is language, intent, energy. Every gesture, every syllable in the spell's formula matters. And you… are still learning how much energy you can safely channel."
Nille nodded, staring at the pile of wood. He closed his eyes for a moment, thinking scientifically. Fire… what makes fire? Combustion. Energy released, fuel, oxygen. Heat. So if I translate that to magic… the energy I project must interact with the target like heat interacts with wood. But how much?
He opened his third eye slightly and let the scarf's threads hover near his palms, feeling the flow of energy through his body. The scarf began giving him instructions, layer by layer, as if teaching a language he could barely comprehend.
"Start small," the scarf advised, its voice threading into his mind. "A flame that can ignite the wood without consuming more than necessary. Control your output. Observe the energy's behavior. Match your intent with the formula. And Nille… do not underestimate the unpredictability of the fragments. They remember what they were used for in the mirrored realm. Misalignment can backfire."
He raised his hands, focusing on the tiny shards of spell energy circling the scarf. The threads reached out, brushing against his palms, integrating their knowledge with his intent. He whispered the first syllables, carefully, slowly, allowing the pattern to flow from his mind into his body, and into the wood.
A small, blue-gold spark leapt from his fingertips, dancing above the pile. It hovered for a moment, testing, and then landed lightly on the top log. Smoke curled upward, the edges glowing faintly red. Nille's eyes widened. It's working…
"Good," the scarf murmured, almost smug. "But do you feel it? The energy is… inefficient. You're using more than needed. Focus on alignment, not force. Intent over output. A babaylan like you cannot brute-force magic, it is understanding first."
Nille nodded again, adjusting his posture and breath. He recalled every lesson from the shards: the structure of the spell, the syntax of the broken Encanto language, and how the magical formulas intertwined with intent. Slowly, deliberately, he rebuilt the flame. This time, it curved gently around the logs, licking them lightly without spreading beyond the pile.
Controlled. Precise. Effective, he thought. I can do this… but how much energy is needed to sustain it, or to cast multiple spells at once? I have no prior reference… nothing but this scarf.
The scarf vibrated with amusement. "*Patience, Nille. Without me, you'd be lost. You don't even understand the language fully. You're translating Encanto to human thought in real-time. And you're doing it with barely six years of practice. I'd say… miraculous. But I won't. I'll just warn you, try a large-scale spell without proper guidance, and you may learn what chaos really feels like."
Nille exhaled, watching the faint glow of the embers in his controlled pile. He understood now: magic was not simply power. It was language, physics, chemistry, and will, all fused. And without the scarf, it would have been impossible, he couldn't even decipher the fragmented Encanto words on his own.
Carefully, he lowered his hands, allowing the spark to fade. The pile of wood was lightly charred but intact. Small steps, he thought. Controlled experiments. One spell at a time.
The scarf coiled protectively around him, threads pulsing like a heartbeat.
"Remember, Nille. You want to train, yes… but you must respect the energy you wield. Today, fire. Tomorrow… who knows what the fragments will let you do. Just don't set the warehouse on fire before breakfast."
Nille smiled faintly. Small steps, precise control… that's how I'll master this. With the scarf, I can learn the language of magic itself.
Nille continued practicing, again and again, small, controlled casts.
Each attempt was deliberate. Each movement measured.
The flame never grew beyond what he intended. The heat never spread past the marked boundary on the concrete floor. Even his breathing followed a pattern now, steady and disciplined, as if every part of him understood that one mistake could turn practice into disaster.
"Set limits," the scarf reminded him, its tone less sarcastic now, more firm. "Not just for power—but for people. Humans are fragile, Nille. Unlike Encantos, they do not recover from mistakes so easily."
Nille nodded, wiping a thin layer of sweat from his forehead.
"Then we make rules," he said quietly.
And so he did.
No large-scale casting in populated areas.No uncontrolled output.No experimentation without preparation.
And most importantly, no unnecessary harm.
The scarf hummed in approval. "Good. Because there is one ability you already possess that does not require excess energy."
Nille looked down at his hand instinctively.
"Disintegration," the scarf continued, almost whispering now. "Your most precise weapon. Direct. Efficient. But limited. You need contact. And that… is what makes it dangerous, and reliable."
Nille clenched his fist slightly, feeling the weight of it.
"A last resort," he murmured.
"Exactly," the scarf replied.
He shifted his focus, letting the warmth of another ability flow instead. From within the scarf, faint glimmers of stored herbs surfaced, carefully preserved, waiting. He guided the energy gently this time, not outward, but inward and downward, imagining wounds being closed, pain being eased.
Healing.
Unlike fire, it demanded patience, not force. Understanding, not reaction.
"And this," the scarf added, "is what keeps you human."
Nille gave a faint smile. "Good. I'd rather save than destroy."
Time passed quietly after that.
The warehouse grew colder as the night deepened, the faint glow of practice fading into stillness. Nille lowered his hands, exhaling one last time as he ended his session.
He glanced at the old clock that was hanging on the wall
11:00 PM.
Four hours had passed.
Natty hadn't shown up.
Nille's expression hardened slightly. That could only mean one thing, her attempt to convince the elders had likely failed. Or worse… they dismissed the idea entirely.
"They think you can't enter the mirrored realm," the scarf said, its tone returning to that familiar edge of sarcasm.
Nille stood slowly, rolling his shoulders, feeling the quiet strength in his body—the balance between physical power and controlled magic.
"Good," he replied. "Let them think that."
Because if the elders believed he was incapable…
They wouldn't be watching for him.
And that was exactly what he needed.
Nille stepped into the dim light of the warehouse, his third eye faintly stirring, his senses aligning with something deeper, something hidden between worlds.
"I won't prove them wrong," he said quietly.
"I'll just… appear where they least expect me."
Nille's gaze steadied as the thought settled. Plans were shifting, and he knew he had to adapt. What he originally intended was no longer enough.
If the Kinabalu felt that human structures were interfering with its purpose, then perhaps the solution wasn't resistance, but relocation.
Or better yet…
He could negotiate not just with the Kinabalu, but with all eleven Encanto races, offer them space, his land, a place where their presence wouldn't clash with the human world. A controlled environment. A balance.
That was the real reason he needed to contact Lin Yue Meiying, to clear the complications tied to the warehouse, to ensure nothing would collapse legally or physically once he moved forward.
But this part of the plan…
He kept to himself.
This wasn't something he could explain easily. Not yet.
And in doing so, he had already secured something far more important, his memories, his progress, and the hidden foundation of his indoor farm within the warehouse. A place that now held more than crops… it held knowledge, fragments, and the quiet beginning of something much larger.
The scarf coiled tighter around him, its threads pulsing with approval.
"Now that, Nille… is what you call strategy."
Nille allowed himself a small, knowing smile.
He wasn't rushing anymore.
Everything had a sequence now, Set the foundation. Secure the space. Then move.
After the week ended… he would go to Manila. toward the schedule Japanese Embassy academy assessment test .
But not as someone searching for answers.
As someone already preparing to change the balance.
And with that thought anchored firmly in his mind, Nille stepped forward, not to reveal his strength…
…but to enter the mirrored realm silently, unseen…
and completely unnoticed.