The Goddess and The Devourer

Chapter Ten

Sworn in Blood and Silver

"Today resumes the third day of archival training," Orria said, her voice steady. "And we will begin by identifying our enemies."

Her words settled into the air like iron—heavy, unyielding.

Then her eyes found mine.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit... pero pakiramdam ko, hindi iyon basta sulyap lamang.

Parang may hinahanap siya.

Parang sinusukat niya ako.

I straightened slightly where I stood.

For the first time since everything happened, my body felt lighter.

Not whole. Not strong.

But no longer broken.

Kaya ko nang igalaw ang mga braso ko. Kaya ko nang igalaw ang mga daliri ko nang hindi nanginginig sa sakit.

But inside, the cold remained.

Hindi na ito kasing lamig tulad ng dati.

But it was there.

Quiet.

Patient.

Pakiramdam ko, habang mas pinipilit kong balewalain ito, mas lalo itong lumalalim.

Kaya hindi ako pwedeng huminto. Hindi ako pwedeng manatili na nakahiga. Hindi ako pwedeng matakot.

"Riyo," Orria called me, softer this time. "Are you well enough to stand with the others?"

Huminga ako nang malalim.

My chest tightened—not from pain, but from fear and expectations.

"I am," sagot ko.

And this time, I meant it, even if a part of me still trembled.

The training hall was colder than Emberhall. Not because of the air, but because of the silence after I spoke.

Every trainee stood in perfect rows, eyes forward, shoulders squared.

"There are three vampiric kingdoms," Orria began.

Her tone shifted.

Hindi na ito kuwento. Hindi na ito paliwanag para sa akin.

This was truth.

Structured. Measured. Final.

"Sanguin. Sinclaire. Serathis."

Each name landed like a strike.

"These kingdoms no longer stand as they once did," she continued. "But their power remains."

She stepped forward slowly, her presence grounding the room.

"Sanguin," she said, "are wielders of blood."

A faint murmur passed through the trainees.

"They manipulate it. Shape it. Control it."

Her eyes sharpened.

"They can heal wounds... or create them."

"They can turn blood into weapons. Into shields."

I swallowed.

Hindi ko maiwasang isipin kung gaano kadaling gawing sandata ang mismong buhay ng isang tao.

"And when they use their magic... crimson markings appear across their skin—forehead, arms."