Tinignan ni Yul si Samantha na ngayon ay natutulog sa kama ng mahimbing.
'Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali.....ang mga matang iyon'
Bumalik sa alala nya ang eksenang nakita nya kanina habang sumisigaw si Samantha sa sakit ay bigla syang huminto kasabay nito ang pagkawala ng itim na aura. Tumayo ang dalaga na parang hindi nasaktan kanina, lalapitan nya na sana ito ng bigla nitong iniangat ang ulo nito at nabato sya sa kinatatayuan ng makita ang dalawang pares ng gintong mga mata. Ngumisi si Samantha sa kanya bago ito mawalan ng malay.
Umiling si Yul bago huminga ng malalim. "Si Master Kiwen.....kinausap nya kaya si Samantha sa isipan nya? Anong pinagusapan nila? Possible kayang pumayag si Master Kiwen na gamitin ni Samantha ang kapangyarihan nya?" Sunod sunod na tanong ni Yul sa sarili ng biglang magsalita si Samantha.
"Parang ganoon na nga" sangayon ni Samantha sa huling sinabi ni Yul. Kumunot ang noo ni Yul bago umiling.
"Impossible yun...." Bulong ni Yul, hindi umimik si Samantha sa binulong ni Yul.
"Tatlong Linggo na ang nakalipas...." Usal ni Samantha bago tumayo sa kama, sinundan lang sya ng tingin ni Yul.
"Aalis ka? Saan ka pupunta?" Tanong ni Yul pero tinignan lang sya ni Samantha. "Tsk....basta wag mo kong tatawagin kung hindi importante" sabi ni Yul habang winawagayway ang kaliwang kamay, at naglalakad paalis.
Tinignan ni Samantha ang forehead crown na nasa lamesa nya bago ito hawakan. "Ibabalik kita sa bagong reyna" bulong ni Samantha. Dala ang korona ay naglakad sya palabas ng templo kung nasaan sya.
Suot nya ang mahabang itim roba, at ang puting maskara. "Bibisita muna ako sa kanila. Ayos lang naman yun hindi ba Matilda?" Tanong ni Samantha habang nakatingin sa korona, at ng mapagtanto nyang kinakausap nya ang isang korona na parang isang tao ay natawa na sya sa kanyang sarili.
Nakita ni Samantha ang isang maliit na lawa at lumapit roon, umupo sya at hinawakan ang tubig. "Liquid Magic: Transportation" bulong nya at animo'y nilamon sya ng lawa bago sya maglaho.
"Sana lang hindi nya makaharap si Xer, hindi pa sya handa para makipaglaban" usal ni Yul habang nakatingin sa lawang pinuntahan ni Samantha bago ito mawala.
***
"My Queens! Someone broke the multi-barrier, Its a girl with white mask!" One Witch informed Rowena and Agatha who's having a meeting with elders right now about the upcoming war.
"White mask?" Rowena pondered before her eyes went wide. "Don't harm her! I knew her" Rowena said before looking at Agatha.
"Queen Agatha....I'm very sorry for the inconvenience but I must see her" Rowena excused. Agatha rise her hand shaking her head gracefully.
"Its alright she's your friend, if you must go. Then go and see her" Agatha said calmly. Rowena looked at the elder's, and approvement was seen on their faces, Rowena smiled before bowing to show her respect.
Hawak hawak ang dalawang gilid ng suot nyang puting bestida ay lakad takbo ang ginagawa nya habang papunta sa kwarto kung saan dinala ng tauhan nila si Samantha. Alam nyang si Samantha ito dahil sa sinabi nitong babaeng nakasuot ng puting maskara, at iisang babae lang may kayang hanapin ang mga witches na kagaya nila. Walang iba kung hindi ang babaeng tinuruan ng Lola nya kung paano hanapin ang mga witches.
Pagbukas ng dalawang pinto ay bumungad sa kanya ang isang bulto ng babae na hanggang balikat ang maalon alon nitong kulay kapeng buhok. Lumingon ito at nakita nya agad ang malalim na itim na marka sa ilalim ng mga mata nito. Sa mga kamay ng dalagang nasa harapan ay isang forehead crown na kilalang kilala nya.
"Samantha......iyan ay" bulong ni Rowena lumapit sa kanya si Samantha, at sa unang pagkakataon sa loob ng ilang buwan ay nakita nya ang unang totoong reaksyong ni Samantha.
Lungkot at paghingi ng tawad ay kitang kita sa mga berde nitong mga mata. Niyakap sya ni Samantha bago ito magsalita na kinatangis nya.
"Patawarin mo ko.....hindi ko sya nailigtas" bulong ni Samantha habang inaalo ang likod ni Rowena. Narinig nya ang paghikbi nito at pagtango-tango.
Humiwalay sa yakap si Rowena bago pilit na ngumiti. "Alam ko na sa mga huling sandaling magkasama kami ay hindi ko na sya makikita........a-ang k-kinalulungkot ko lang a-ay.....wala ako sa tabi nya sa m-mga huling oras nya" sabi ni Rowena habang sunod sunod ang pagbagsak ng mga luha sa mga mata nya.
Pinanood ni Rowena ang paglagay ni Samantha ng korona sa ulo nya bago ito magsalita. "Ikaw na ngayon ang bagong reyna ng white witches, alam kong pinagmamalaki ka ni Tanda. Dahil naniniwala syang magiging magaling kang reyna, wag mo syang bibiguin hmm?" Bilin ni Samantha na kinatango ni Rowena. "I will do my very best" pagsang-ayon ni Rowena.
"Masaya ako at ayos ka lang Samantha. Pero, nasaan ka ba nitong huling Tatlong linggo?" tanong ni Rowena habang pinupunasan ang mga natirang luha sa pisngi nya.
"Yullos Mountain. Nagtra-training" maikling sagot ni Samantha bago sya umupo sa kama, nagsalin sya sa baso nya ng wine bago ngumiti. "Its been a while since I last drank wine" Samantha mumbled before sipping on her wine.
Kinuha ni Rowena ang korona sa ulo nya at napansin nya agad ang sira nito na pinilit buoin muli. Tinignan nya si Samantha na nakangiting iniinom ang wine sa lamesa. Umupo sya sa tabi ni Samantha bago sabihin ang nangyayari sa labas ng kaharian nila.
"Nasakop na ng mga Demon ang Dandelion Kingdom, ilan sa mga kaharian ay pumayag sa alyansa para lumaban sa kanila. Maging kami ay nangako ng alyansa para sa darating na digmaan. Magulo ang lahat, takot lahat ng mamayan. Si Erin.....sya ang mamumuno sa darating na digmaan, kailangan nya ang tulong mo Samantha" pagbibigay alam ni Rowena bago tignan si Samantha na nakatingin sa baso ng wine na walang laman.
"Kung ganon......malapit na pala, kailangan ko ng umalis Rowena.....mali, Reyna Rowena. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng impormasyon at pinapangako kong papatayin ko si Xer" usal ni Samantha bago ito maglaho. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Rowena bago sya ngumiti.
"Kung ganon.....nabukas nya pala lahat. Sana ay hindi ka kainin ng paghihiganti mo Samantha at......salamat sa paguwi kay Lola" malungkot na ngumiti si Rowena habang nakatingin sa sirang korona.
***
Erin was looking on the calm sea that he can see through his window, when he sense someone's presence on his back. He looked at the intruder and his gray eyes went wide when he saw who it was.
"S-Samantha" ang tanging nasabi ni Erin ng makita ang dalaga. Napansin nya agad ang maikli nitong buhok at ang lalim sa ilalim ng mga mata nito neitherless she's still look stunning.
"How are you My King?" Samantha asked with her playful smile on her lips making Erin to smirk at her.
"You guess?"
"Hmm....having a headache and worrying about the whole Kingdom" Samantha said, Erin nodded before sitting on his throne while looking at Samantha.
"I'm glad your alive" biglang sabi ni Erin habang nakatingin kay Samantha, tinignan sya ni Samantha sa mata bago ito ngumiti at tumango.
"Hindi ako basta mamamatay....they have to try harder to kill me." Samantha stubbornly said making Erin laughed while nodding his head in agreement.
"I agree."
"Erin....."
"Hmm?" Erin hummed softly while looking at her.
"I need you to.....do something that will benefit all of us" Samantha seriously said. Erin lean to his knees looking at Samantha with equal seriousness.
"I'm listening" Samantha emerald eyes glints before explaining what her plan was.
"That's actually a great idea.....but that will be quite hard" Erin stated. "Of course it will, but leave it to me" Samantha said.
"You looked tired, are you eating well?" Tanong ni Erin na may halong pagaalala. Hindi umimik si Samantha sa tanong nya kaya malungkot na napangisi si Erin.
'No matter what I do......you always sees me as an allied nothing more.....nothing less. I guess this is the punishment for all the bad things I did on the past, I don't believe in karma but now......I think I do'
"I'm doing fine. I will take my leave now, I will see you again don't worry" Samantha said walking away from the throne room leaving Erin alone.
Erin laughed at disbelief. Clutching his chest. "This damn thing" he muttered.
Walking on the hallway Samantha crosspath with a dirty blond man who has stopped on his movements while looking at her with wide eyes.
Samantha tilted her head before smiling at him, he flinches before opening his red lips. "S-Samantha is that really you?" Aris asked.
Samantha walked towards him, before closing their distant looking directly to his stormy gray eyes.
"Should I kiss you for you to knew?" Samantha playfully asked, Aris cough at her statement making Samantha to giggle at his reaction.
"I really miss your face, Mr. De Queba, especially those reactions" Samantha casually said.
Aris touch his chest who's drumming so fast right now. He's heart was in chaos but it's somehow warming up.
'She cut her hair, but it suit her more. She's looking at me with that gaze again. You told me to leave you alone but.....how? How can I leave you when you're looking at me like that? Huh Samantha?'
"I miss you too" Aris said hugging Samantha suddenly. He felt that she flinch because of what he did but he doesn't want to let her go. He's been thinking about her for sometime worrying if she's still alive or what? But now, He held her in his arms he's certain that this is not like his illusions.
Samantha froze and didn't know how she should react, she wanted to push him away but deep inside she doesn't want to let him go. She can feel her heart beating so fast. 'Is he hearing it? He's not right?'
"H-hey" Samantha utters while trying to shake away Aris hug but didn't shove him off. She was about to push Aris away when she felt wetness on her right shoulder, where Aris's head resting.
"Are you crying?" Samantha asked bewildered at his reaction.
"I really miss you. Do you even know how worried I was? You suddenly disappeared do you know, how I convince myself that you're still alive. I......I......please don't just leave me like that, I lost enough I can't loose you too" Aris cryingly said making Samantha heart fluttered.
Samantha hugged him back before ruffling his head gently. "You're such a baby....." Samantha said, breaking their hug. She cupped Aris face who's staring at her as tears flows from his eyes. As gently as she can do she shove away his tears with care.
Aris stare at Samantha's eyes and he can see, tenderness from those once cold emerald eyes. As she shove away his tears, he felt like she's also shoving away all his worries. After so many days to anxiety seeing her face and caring from him, his chaotic mind finally calm down. Aris close his eyes finding himself leaning for her touch.
"You're been through a lot." Samantha said softly, stroking her hands to his head gently. Aris open his eyes before asking her.
"I'm very glad to see you again, but where did you go? Do you know that....."Aris stopped on his mid sentence when he saw, Samantha's well being.
Short wavy brunette hair, emerald tired eyes and some bruises on her neck. "Samantha......those bruised, where did you get them?" Aris asked, touching her neck to check the bruise.
She look at his face and its easy to read that he's worried. She take his hand before squeezing it gently telling him that she's alright.
"I've been training, its nothing before worrying about me. What's up with you're life force? It's decreasing." She asked Aris, who just looked away from her.
Understanding the situation, Samantha breathe heavily. She doesn't like this feeling but she must know everything.
"Something....happen right. While I'm gone" She asked. Aris nodded Samantha didn't speak waiting for him to unfold his worries to her.
"Grandma died. Mother she's on the Dandelion's dungeon. Father..... Is no where to be found and.....my close friend died because of Heaven. Say Samantha, is it wrong to seek for revenge?" Aris asked while looking at her emerald orbs.
"Is it wrong to kill Heaven?.....but why I can't bring myself to kill him even with this hatred, I hate him! I want him to die so badly! But if he died who will be punished for those sins? Killing him means letting him flee from his sins right?" Aris asked, some tears escaped from his stormy gray eyes. Samantha didn't answer him instead she just gave him a sympathetic looked caressing his face before she speak.
"Between Justice and Revenge, what will you choose Aris? I want to know what will be your decision between the two. Sorry that I can't help you to be enlighten, because I will always choose the latter. Don't asked me about things like this because, I don't want you to be dragged to this hell where I'm currently Am. Choose what you think is best, so you won't regret anything in the future" Samantha said while caressing Aris with unreadable expression on her face.
Tumango si Aris bago ngitian si Samantha. "I'll do what you say" Aris said while beaming at Samantha.
'You're smiling after those pain your been through? How can you smile when you lost so many people in your life? How can you smile brightly to me like......your not in pain?'
Samantha looked at his stormy gray eyes, she saw that kind of look before.
Right...... the time when Sean was taking his last breath.
Heartbroken. His broken inside, Samantha move to hug Aris, she didn't know what to say to ease his pain but she can show that she's beside him so he won't feel lonely
Aris flinched but hug her too, he knows how distant Samantha is to others, seeing her trying to comfort him. Makes him happy.
Samantha remembers what Sean do when she first kill someone, that words bring her back to her senses that day. Those gentle touch tell her that she's not alone it was something that she wish someone will tell her when Matilda and Sean Died, but noone did.
"Everything.....will be okay, I'm here Aris. You can lean on me" She said, stroking his back gently as she repeat those words. Somehow seeing Aris hurt pain her too. What is this feeling? It's new to her but somehow she feel like she already know what it was.
Whenever she saw him, she can't help herself to stare. When he smiles she also find herself smiling like he do. On the day she first met him, on that market when he stole her pouch. His face crave deeply to her memory. When he yelled at her to run from silnaks, she almost laughed at him. And when Aris called her name, She felt very happy. At first she find it ridiculous because, why would she'll be happy if Aris called her name? Why? But now she think....she know why.
'Somehow......this young man makes me smile and makes me sad when he was blue. I can't imagine not seeing his smiling face or his funny reactions whenever I tease him. Do I? Do I like him? I want to know.'
Breaking their hug, Samantha looked Aris fondly. Aris wondered why Samantha staring at him with that same gaze.
"Umm....Saman---" his heart skip a beat when Samantha silence him with a Kiss.
He felt like the world stopped from revolving to its Axis, then he suddenly feel butterfly from his stomach. His heart is beating so fast that his loosing to track it down, he feel like his ribs is going to explode.
'This feel like a dream, a dream that I don't wanna wake up to'
Aris closed his eyes and let things flow on its own.
*****
A/n: （〜^∇^)〜
The ship is sailing!
Unedited