7 Ikaanim na Kabanata

"Wait, Malia is a chosen one?"

"For the Theta Mark." The children looked at Carmelita.

"What does that mean?" Hana looked at Malia with worry.

"Malia, we are really worried about the other three with the same fate as you."

"How so?" She asked, Laki looked at Her and sighed.

"The Theta Mark is usually given to the eldest of the group, it's been tradition. Owning the other three marks are people that are weeks, months, or years younger than you. We thought Jaira would take the place." Laki explained, Malia turned pale.

"How could this happen though?" Malia asked, the other children also looked at the adults, their faces asking the same question.

"The god were supposed to choose; but it looks like that the spirit of the old owner of the mark wanted you." Carmelita commented, bringing out Maria, Malia's almost life-sized antique doll and then placing it on Malia's lap.

"Remember Maria? It was probably the reason why the previous one chose you, the ones holding the Theta Marks are known to hold on close to antiques and to everything that's old; for the sake of memories."

"Thus, giving the holders the name: 'Memoria'. It is a codename for the female Theta holders, if males, they will be called 'Memoriel'." Hana inserted in the conversation.

"But what are the other marks?" Reyna asked.

"The letter Mu, Psi, and Pi." Laki answered, "At this point, the gods should be alerted by now, the new Memoria had been chosen, but not by them."

There was a knock on the door.

"We'll continue this later."

The workers got up and opened the door, leaving four of the children inside the room.

"Wow, Malia, your fate is crazy." Reyna commented, but instead of getting an answer, Malia looked at the doll and showed a face of worry to the three of them.

"Ate Lia, can I borrow the dollie?" Diwa lightened up the tension as She asked, but Malia looked at the doll before giving it.

"Diwa?"

"Yes, Ate Rheanna?"

"Pumunta ka muna sa labas, may tatalakayin pa kami ng mga ate."

"Sige po, Ate." Diwa's innocence was heard in Her voice, She carried the the doll while waddling Her way outside.

And once She was outside, the girls locked the door.

"What now?" Malia mumbled, Reyna and Rheanna looked at each other, and then at Her.

"Malia, just know that we will be here to help you protect the secret." Reyna reassured Malia,sitting on Her left and rubbing Her back.

"But what about Diwa? She's so innocent, we just can't let Her--" Malia broke down in tears, Rheanna sat by Malia's right and gave Her a tissue.

"Why couldn't it be Ate Jaira? She's fifteen, older than me. I mean,I don't want Her and other people to get in harm, but I'm eleven! The people taking the other marks might be-- HECK NO! There might be a five year old, what if Diwa was one of the people--" Malia's cheeks were beginning to turn very red, tears raining down.

"Malia, you're overthinking."

"Don't worry, we'll be here."

_________________________________________

"Pumunta ka muna sa labas, may tatalakayin pa kami ng mga ate."-

"Go outside for a while, the ates will discuss something."

"Sige po, Ate." -

"Okay, Ate."