Dedicated to Miss SeventyMurphy!!! Thank you for reading this book, I am honored to have a professional writer read my crazy writings. Also, to my other readers. Thank you very much :D Enjoy!!

"We will never truly learn if we dwell on denial instead of exhibiting acceptance"

Living on the mountains was hard. Luckily, the Raven was equipped with a water pump system that allows them to have water. They've been there for a day now. Barney gathered wild ginger and was praying on the edge of the hill. He was creating anitos for them all. 

This gave Matthos ample time to set the Raven and make sure it would stay still. The WiFi signal was weak, but he was able to order an incognito airplane ride to their destination. Neva, on the other hand, was left inside the bedroom (Matthos and Barney were sleeping on the couches outside the room) and was given space in order for her to say what she knew. They did not do it in a harsh way. They gave her a store bought cheesecake and left her with a book while doing the things they had to do.

When the sun was about to set, Barney came home carrying three little red cushions. 

"This will help us with the ghosts. They couldn't harm us if we use this" He gave one to Neva who muttered "Thanks". 

It was time to tell.

Neva was on the patio, looking at the full moon. The anito worked as the ghosts were visible, but could not come close to them at all. Which was only a bit of relief as they were walking around the RV, trying to find a way to come close. Luckily, Matthos had set up some enchantments on the land that allowed them the space they wanted. Barney went up, carrying a small table that had drinks, while Matthos held some chips and chocolates.

"I'll do my best to buy some ale for you again" Matthos apologized and sat beside her

"Do you remember the riddle I have told you when we first met?" Neva asked

"No" was his single reply that made Barney sigh and open the can. He took a big gulp and almost choked "Root beer?" he glared at Matthos who just whistled

"Two fruits of the same womb. A rotten child, the other blissful. Esurient for power, would heed at naught. An orison to the enemy of thy gods who roamed, a malison disguised by a voice sweeter than a nightingale's. A sanguinary for thy innocent beings, a burden to thee" 

"I still don't get it" Matthos scratched his head while Barney's frown deepened. Neva gave him a hopeful glance, which was flattened when he said "I don't think I'll ever get it. Explain"

With a sigh, Neva finally tried to recall what she can

"I do not know what I am, or why I am still alive. The only thing I am sure of, was that this started at the Age of Magic. My father told me this story, that it was important. At that time, delivering two infants of the same gender at the same time was a taboo. In a certain clan, a chieftain and his wife had two girls. They were taught the Art of Sorcery, yet only one succeeded. Their father had an enemy, and they had to marry two men from the enemy clan to restore peace in that land. If only they knew what was coming, they would've never done such horror." Neva paused and drank root beer. Her goosebumps were visible, and Matthos gave her what he called a "hoodie" which was like a cloak, but only covers the upper half of the body. Yet, the coldness wasn't caused by the night, or the ghosts that were jumping for attention. This came from the inside, a story that was millennial old, one that she wished would go away.

"The one who mastered sorcery was married to the chief, while her sister married the blacksmith. That time, it was important to have a male child. This was to ensure that their power shall live long. The sorceress was chosen to be his bride as she was beautiful in ways no one can imagine. She was loved, yet she didn't love. Her sister fell in love with her betrothed, and the blacksmith loved her back"

"Winters came and passed, the sorceress did not bear a child. She always seemed to lose them, and this caused the chief to impregnate someone who could. That was her sister. Before winter came, the women would leave their children and help men gather food to prepare. Despite bearing the child of another, the blacksmith was still devoted to his wife. For that, she was grateful"

"The sorceress bore no ill will for her sister before, but bitterness finally crept into her. That night, she took the chance to let them feel their pain. Although none of them saw it coming"

"That night, she took some blood from her sister's child and cast  a spell that would forever plague today. A month after that, the haunting began. A voice would be heard and the next day, a child would die. Every fortnight, fear crept into the people's hearts as to who was next. They could not leave as the ice has already hardened. They were in a trap, and they never knew who was behind it."

"The sister tried to communicate with the spirits, but it took them a long time to answer. When she got it, she ran to the chief's home to tell him what she knew. There, she saw the sorceress singing in glee, holding a child in her arms. She was too late, her own children were already dead"

"The sorceress was exiled and was supposed to be burned. This world does not revolve on men alone, for a certain being was able to save her. He had fangs, his complexion as white as snow. He was the one who granted the sorceress' power. He is the one who harbors her to this day. To avenge her children, the sister decided to serve the gods"

"What does this have to do with you?" 

"That, I am not sure of. The only one I know who can answer that is trying to kill me. She said I must pay. I don't know why" 

"Is she the sorceress?" 

"No" Matthos answered Barney "She is not the sorceress, she is the avenger. But why would she haunt you?"

"Yeah, if she was the avenger, why is she tormenting an innocent girl like you?"

"Was the sorceress killed once?"

Neva blinked "I do not think she was reincarnated at all. No, I believe she is now immortal. To harvest children's souls while they sleep"

"So that is why lullabies had dark themes throughout history" Neva flinched at Matthos' words, but did not interrupt him "So she is similar to Lilith, the spirit that kills. Except that lullabies make them targets instead of protecting them" 

"Okay, at least we know a little" Barney gave Matthos a look that said "Enough"

"So where should we go? Where will we find answers?" Neva asked

"There are places that still harbor ancient spirits, friendly ones" Barney started

"How will we get there? By ship or by this monstrosity?" Neva pointed down at the Raven, which slightly insulted Matthos

"Now don't go there, this is Matthos' brain child" Barney admonished her and Neva apologized quickly

"We're going to the Philippines, a country that has the highest rate in terms of Christianity" Barney started

"And highest number of netizens in some polls" 

"Netizens? What are they? People who use nets?" Neva asked 

"Nevermind" he muttered, still cross about the words she used for Raven

"Anyways, I think you'll hate that place. One, there are a lot of witches but not much witch doctors. There's a ghost in every house, and also, restless beings that can only be found there. It's amazing! The locals are friendly, well, most. There's a lot of great vacation spots, but since we're going to communicate with the dead, might as well go to its most haunted spots" Barney's eyes sparkled as he described it, as if he were going to Candy Land instead of a ghost country

"One of the things I know about beings is that they can be summoned, anywhere. We're choosing that country as it shields us from potential hunters who would use you, instead of help you" Matthos answered the question that she didn't voice out

"How do we know those spirits would come? Is there winter there?" 

"No, there's no winter in the Philippines. But if we need to be at a really cold region, then we can go to a certain town that always has hailstorms" Matthos had gone to that certain place before and he had to be rescued by Barney, who couldn't believe he was that stupid to visit one place that unprepared. 

"Indeed. An airplane has been hired for our use. It would take too long to actually get documents for you to travel. So I had to improvise" 

"If ever, will we be able to communicate with my father?" 

Barney and Matthos exchanged looks "If he hasn't gone to the light, maybe"

When the three of them looked up, the moon had a bright yellow glow. A dark spot can be seen, and howling could be heard from a distance.

"Don't worry, werewolves are pretty harmless. Sure, they kill endangered animals when they're hungry. Not humans though"

"Why?" Neva asked

Matthos answered for Barney "Because they still change into humans. Therefore, their humanity still exists. Once they are trapped in wolf form, they are not to be called werewolves, but wolves. Forever damned for keeping the balance"

"Balance, will I ever reach that, along with peace?"

"That depends"

As the ghosts walked around the borders, Matthos and Barney were finally able to cheer Neva up. Today was a good day, and now they'd know where to start. Who knew lullabies could cause such harm?