Chapter 26: Challenge
I looked around the jail. There was nothing but darkness and silence. It perfectly described how my life used to be. Ang pinagkaiba lang ngayon ay masaya akong narito. My plan worked.
Alam kong walang patutunguhan ang magiging usapan namin ni Lord Wenson. Just as Brienne had warned me, it turned out to be a trap. The agreement proved to be beneficial to no one but Lord Wenson.
My plan was simple— to sit and wait, to watch and see.
If I had done enough, there was no reason for my plan to fail. This would test only one thing— whether I still deserved to return.
Umupo ako sa dulo saka sumandal sa pader. Hindi ko na maramdaman ang pananakit sa akin ng mga kawal. I could have easily fought back to release myself. Alam kong kaya kong makalaya kung gusto ko. But that was not part of the plan.
I heard footsteps approaching. Mabigat at dahan-dahan. Tumayo sa labas ng rehas si Lord Reggar. He stood there without saying a word, but his gaze spoke volumes. Those still yet intense eyes were fixed upon me.
"This place is not bad at all," I said. "Mas mukhang ligtas pa rito kaysa sa maglakad sa labas. You know how much I like being in a quiet place."
"You are an embarrassment to the Cardinals," he stated bluntly.
I wouldn't say I was surprised by what he said. It was more like I was surprised it took him this long to say it finally. I chuckled and just shrugged.
"You are an embarrassment to your father and even more so to your brother. But I wouldn't say I was surprised. I didn't see any potential in you from the very start."
"I see." I sighed. "Mukhang napunan nga ni Lord Wenson ang pagkukulang ko bilang pinuno. I can see that you are happy with how everything turned out."
"Happy?" he laughed, scornfully. "Sa tingin mo ba ay nasa mabuting kalagayan ang pangkat ngayon?"
"No?" I responded, unsure. "But I bet you didn't say a word to Lord Wenson." Tumayo ako at lumapit sa kanya. "All of your disappointments, relentless criticisms, and overwhelming frustrations. It was all reserved for me."
He just stared at me. I tried to play it cool, but as our conversation grew more frustrating, I could feel myself losing my composure. Yet, he remained as stoic as ever, unmoved by my turmoil.
"I've always thought you were like my father—pero hindi pala. My father rarely spoke to me. He hardly ever criticized me. And you—"
"And I tried to eliminate all your doubts about yourself by relentlessly criticizing you, by turning a blind eye to everything you did. Do you know why?" He stepped even closer. "Because I wanted you to learn not to take words to heart. I wanted you to discover your own worth instead of seeking validation from every person you encounter."
"You made me doubt myself—"
"Because you are weak," he said. "It frustrates me greatly, not because you failed to see through me. But because despite everything I did, I still failed."
I chuckled. "If you think so, maybe you also failed to see through me."
I noticed a subtle twitch in his expression. As if that was the most interesting thing he had heard so far.
"I work in silence, Lord Reggar," I said.
Bumalik na ako sa kaninang inuupuan. Sumandal ako sa pader at pinikit ang mga mata. I could still feel him staring at me.
"Nightfall is gone," I heard him say. "It's all because of you. But... I am still watching."
Narinig ko ang mga yabag niya palayo. Nung mawala ang tunog ay nagmulat ako ng mga mata. I suddenly felt heavy in my chest. I cannot fail. I should not fail.
I heard another footsteps. Pero sa pagkakataong ito ay magaan na ang mga yabag. Dumating si Lord Varnes para bigyan ako ng pagkain saka inumin.
"This is a lot for a prisoner," sabi ko dahil maraming pagkain ang hinatid niya sa akin. "But I wouldn't complain. Salamat, Lord Varnes."
"Malungkot akong makita kang bilanggo, Lord Oscar," aniya. "Iyan lang ang tanging magagawa ko. I cannot say I'm happy to see you again. But I'm glad you are okay."
"I appreciate it," nakangiti kong tugon.
"I hope you're aware that Lord Wenson doesn't plan on keeping you imprisoned for long," he said. "Kung ano ang plano niya, hindi ko alam."
"I will be executed," I said. Uminom ako ng alak bago ngumisi. "In front of everyone. Are you going to watch, Lord Varnes?"
Sa halip na sagutin ay umalis na lang siya. I enjoyed the food. Naubos ko maging ang isang bote ng alak. If Lord Varnes were still here, I would ask for more.
Tahimik ang mga sumunod na oras. Sigurado akong mataas na ang sikat ng araw ngayon. Baka nga alam na rin ni Lord Caezar na wala ako.
I sighed and waited for another hour until I heard footsteps again. Sa pagkakataong ito ay marami. Hanggang sa tumapat sa harapan ang dalawang kawal na may hawak na panibagong bihag.
"Chris!" I exclaimed. Mabilis akong lumapit sa kanya nung pinasok siya ng mga kawal sa kulungan ko. Inalalayan ko siyang makaupo dahil nanghihina siya. "What the fuck are you doing here?"
He smirked as he wiped the blood off his lips. "I knew there was something off. I should be the one asking you that. What the fuck are you doing?"
Hindi katulad ko, mukhang napuruhan siya. Mabagal ang paggaling ng mga sugat niya. Sana pala ay hindi ko na inubos ang alak para may mapainom ako sa kanya.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"I'm just wounded." Tinulak niya ako saka siya sumandal sa pader. He spat blood and then asked, "What's going on in your head? What was the point of all our preparations if you just surrendered like that?"
"May mga kasama ka ba?"
Umiling siya. "Cardinals are weirdos."
"Hindi mo dapat ako sinundan."
"Hindi mo dapat kami iniwan," aniya.
I shook my head. There was no point of arguing at this point. Baka may makarinig lang sa usapan namin. But Chris sudden appearance was not part of my plan. Clearly. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin sa kanya.
"Do you think the size of this room is enough?" biglang tanong ni Chris. Nakatingala siya habang hawak ang tagiliran.
"What?"
"He could place his bed there." He pointed on the right side of the room. "Hindi ko alam kung mahilig siyang magbasa. But a pile of books would look good beside the bed." Saka siya lumingon sa kaliwa. "And a small table there. Doon na rin siguro ang bintana."
Natikom ang bibig ko nung mapagtanto kung ano ang tinutukoy niya.
"He didn't even get to tell me his favorite color. But maybe blue?" He sighed. "Dapat ay magpaplano pa lang kami pagkatapos nito. The details and everything..."
Hindi pa rin ako kumikibo.
"He deserved to live longer," he whispered. "Heck, he didn't even deserve to be at the center of the war. But life was unfair. This world was unfair."
"I see. You got yourself a visitor." Napalingon kami kay Lord Wenson. "A nice accompany in this dark and cold place."
Hinawakan ko ang balikat ni Chris nung umalma siya. Tumayo ako saka lumapit kay Lord Wenson.
"He needs blood," I said.
"I can see that..." nakangisi niyang sambit. "But blood is sacred here. Hindi namin ito basta-basta binibigay. Lalo na sa isang bilanggo."
"Give him at least some drink."
"I'm not going to drink anything from this cursed place!" dinig kong sambit ni Chris. "Lalo na kung galing sa hayop na 'yan."
"Give him a drink," I insisted. "Napuruhan siya ng mga kawal mo."
"Is that my fault?" He shook his head. "He got what he deserved. And you will, too, soon."
Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa bakal na rehas. Kung hindi makakainom ng dugo si Chris ay mas lalo siyang manghihina. Ngunit mukhang walang balak si Lord Wenson na pagbigyan ang kahilingan ko.
"Hindi ba dapat sanay ka na, Lord Oscar?" nakangiting tanong ni Lord Wenson. "Na makitang mamatay ang mga bampirang pinapahalagahan mo sa harapan mo? Don't act like this is a first time."
"Katulad ba kahapon? Habang pinapanuod kong mamatay ang asawa mo?" tugon ko.
Sa isang iglap ay umalab ang kanyang mga mata. Napangiti ako.
"Is it worth it?" I asked. "How did you become so powerful yet fail to protect the woman who always had your back?"
Umiwas siya ng tingin habang nakakuyom ang mga kamay. His shoulders were shaking. I doubt if it was because of the pain of losing her. Perhaps it was the realization that everything he had fought for had now amounted to nothing.
"I still have my son..."
"Sa tingin mo ba ay mapapatawad ka ng anak mo kapag nalaman niya ito?" Tumaas nang bahagya ang boses. "Randolf would despise you. He would disown you! You know what is worse? He would have end up just like his mom!"
Randolf has been a good friend of mine. Ayokong mangyari sa kanya kung ano ang nangyari kay Lady Elly. This was the least I could do for him, considering everything he had done for her.
"Enough!" he screamed. Humarap siya sa akin. Nakita ko ang pangingilid ng kanyang luha. "My plan was never secret from Elly. Alam niyang matagal kong ginusto na makuha kung ano ang meron ako ngayon."
"Ano ba ang meron ka ngayon?" tanong ko. "Kapangyarihan? This clan?" I laughed scornfully. "You are not even sure about that."
"I killed your wife." Tumabi sa akin si Chris. "I stabbed her in the back and watched her die. It was me, Lord Wenson. I cannot wait to kill you, too."
"Too bad that's not going to happen." Mabilis na nakabawi si Lord Wenson. Ngumiti siya. "You are going to die here. Slowly. More painful."
Lord Wenson left.
Mabilis na dinaluhan ko si Chris nung bigla siyang tumumba. Inakay ko siya sa dulo saka sinandal sa pader. Inalis ko ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa kanyang tagiliran. Kumunot ang noo ko nung makitang nangingitim ang bahaging 'yon ng katawan niya.
"It's slowly becoming numb," he whispered. "Not even blood can help me at this point, can it?"
I bit my arm and tried to lend him some of my blood. Tumanggi siya. I still insisted. Ngunit hindi niya talaga ito tinanggap. Hanggang sa humilom na lang ang sugat ko.
"I'm not going to lie. This is frustrating." Suminghap siya ng hangin saka napangiwi. "Akala ko pa naman maipaghihiganti ko si Owen. Hanggang dito lang pala ako."
"You are not going to last, Chris."
"I can feel it." Tumawa siya. "Tanggap kong hanggang dito na lang ako. Pero..." Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin. "Hindi ko matatanggap kung hanggang dito ka lang din."
Umiling ako. Tinulungan ko siyang makaayos ng upo dahil dumudulas siya. Napansin kong pati ang binti niya ay nag-uumpisa na ring mangitim.
"I met him in the forest," he suddenly said. "We were both lost. Ako nangangapa matapos makitang mapaslang ang mga kasama. Siya nangangapa dahil bagong salta lang dito. He had the most interesting stories I had ever heard. Too little to offer such long stories."
Chris gasped for air. Ilang minuto lang ay halos maging itim na ang kalahati ng kanyang katawan. He couldn't even move his hands anymore.
"It's your fault we lost him too soon," aniya pa. "Bumawi ka na lang sa kanya. Win this war. End this chaos. You are the first and only Cardinal I will ever trust."
"Ako na ang bahala," nakangiti kong sabi. "I will not fail you."
"Fucking hell. I hate Cardinals..." he laughed.
I chuckled, "I used to hate us too."
"Can you look away?" he requested. "I don't want to see you looking at me."
Just as he had instructed, I averted my gaze, turning my eyes in the opposite direction. Hours passed, and I remained steadfast, never once glancing back at him. Hanggang sa may dumating na dalawang kawal. Pumasok sila saka binitbit si Chris palabas.
I was left alone again, just as I had planned.
Mayamaya ay dumating si Lord Varnes para pagdalhan ako ulit ng pagkain. Sa pagkakataong ito ay hindi ko nagawang galawin ang pagkain. I just sat and wait until it was time.
May limang kawal ang tumapat sa harapan ng kulungan. Doon na ako tumayo. Kinadena nila ang dalawa kong kamay sa likod bago nilabas.
I had doubted myself so many times that I lost count. This was the first time that I fully trusted myself. Ito rin ang unang pagkakataon na nagpasya ako sa isang bagay na ang pagpalya ay hindi isinialang-alang.
It was already night when I came out of the jail. Ngunit dahil sa maraming sulu sa paligid ay naging maliwanag ang gabi. Lahat ay nakatingin sa akin. May mga gulat, may mga hindi makatingin, at may iba rin na parang walang pakialam.
I didn't dare to look away. Pinagmasdan ko ang lahat habang naglalakad. Lahat ng mga matang nakatingin sa akin ay tiningnan ko pabalik. Lahat ng mga salita ay sinikap kong marinig.
Napangiwi ako nung hinila ako ng kawal dahil sa mabagal kong paglalakad. Naglakad kami hanggang sa mapunta sa gitna ng mga bampirang nakapalibot. Sa dulo ay nakatayo sina Lord Wenson, Lord Reggar, at Lord Varnes.
A sense of familiarity washed over me as I knelt at the center of the scene. The Seniors positioned in front, the guards stationed strategically, and the watchful eyes of every Nightfall member fixed upon me. It was as if I had walked this path before.
"Kneeling before you was the former leader of the Nightfall Clan, Lord Oscar Cardinal," the speaker paused, seemingly at a loss for words. "To the best of my knowledge, Lord Cardinal stands accused of committing a grave offense against the Nightfall Clan and its members. His negligence endangered us all, and his sudden disappearance speaks volumes—his vows to protect Nightfall until his last breath was empty promises."
Nakatingin lang ako kay Lord Wenson na seryosong nakatingin lang din sa akin.
"You have failed as a leader, tarnished your father's legacy, and even attempted to evade your responsibilities," Lord Reggar declared. "Exile alone is insufficient to atone for all the wrongs you have committed."
"You have the right to speak, Lord Oscar," sambit ni Lord Varnes. "I encourage you to do so."
"If everything you have said is indeed true, then I will accept my verdict as just," I responded, my voice resolute and unwavering. "However, I have yet to hear a reason compelling enough to accept such a severe punishment."
"You abandoned the clan—"
"No. I didn't." I cut Lord Wenson off. Saka ako tumayo. "It doesn't even make sense. Kung aabandonahin ko ang pangkat na ito, hindi ba dapat nung una pa lang? When Lord Severo passed away, Nightfall Clan was in its worst state. Yet, I took full responsibility for it and worked tirelessly to revive it."
"Then why did you disappear?" Lord Varnes asked.
I turned to Lord Wenson. He was just staring at me.
"Does it still matter?" I smirked. "You heard it from me already. I never abandoned Nightfall Clan—"
"Lord Oscar!" May batang tumakbo sa akin. Nakangiting pinakita niya sa akin ang isang mansanas na may nakatusok na pana. "Look. I did it!"
Napangiti ako saka lumuhod sa harapan niya. "Wow, have you been training lately?"
He chuckled and nodded. "You told me to relax my arms and focus on my target. Dati ko pa kayo hinahanap para sabihin na nagawa ko na. Where have you been, Lord Oscar?"
Ginulo ko ang buhok niya. "You did so well, young lad. Keep it up!"
"Dito ka na po ba ulit?" tanong niya pa. "I want to learn more from you."
May isang kawal na lumapit sa bata. Walang nagawa ang bata kung hindi ang umiyak nung binitbit siya ng kawal paalis sa harapan ko.
Napabuntonghininga ako. Pagkaharap ko kay Lord Wenson ay nagbago ang timpla ng mukha niya. Hindi na siya gano'n kakalmado.
"Nightfall is my home," I stated. "If I failed as a leader, why don't we ask the Nightfalls to confirm it? Sila naman ang pinagsilbihan ko."
Tumingin ako sa kawal na nasa tabi ko. Mabilis na umiwas siya ng tingin. Gano'n din ang sumunod na kawal na tiningnan ko.
"My Nightfall. I gave my life to protect you. If what I have done is not enough," I sighed. "Just say it. Did I really fail?"
The silence became defeaning. Bumigat ang dibdib ko nung kahit isa ay walang nagsalita sa kanila.
"L-Lord Oscar is my leader..." one said. Isang kawal ang naglakas loob na tumabi sa akin. "I swore to Cardinals and to Cardinals only."
"Lord Oscar!" may isa pang tumabi sa akin. Isang babaeng tagapagsilbi. "Pinangako ko kay Lady Celeste na kahit na anong mangyari, ikaw ang paniniwalaan ko."
"D-did she really say that?" I asked.
She nodded. "Nung siya ang punong tagapagsilbi, lagi niyang bilin sa amin na huwag kang pababayaan. Lady Celeste was such a remarkable woman. Siya ang tumanggap sa akin at binigyan niya ako ng trabaho."
Hanggang sa halos lahat ng tagapagsilbing babae ay pumanig na sa akin. Sumunod ang kalahati sa mga kawal. Nanginig ang mga kamay ko.
Nakita kong simpleng nakangiti si Lord Varnes. Si Lord Reggar naman ay nakatingin lang sa akin.
"Kakampihan niyo talaga ang taksil na 'yan?" Humalakhak si Lord Wenson. "Sabagay, wala kayong alam sa kung sino talaga siya."
Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya.
"Lingin sa kaalaman ng lahat..." Lumapit na rin si Lord Wenson. "Hindi lang ito ang dahilan kung bakit narito ngayon si Lord Oscar. Narito siya dahil din sa isang kasalanan na walang sino man ang nakaalam. Lord Oscar once fell in love with his slave. It is an act of blasphemy, defying the honor of our ancestors and The Five Cloaks!"
I heard everyone gasp. Nagkaroon ng bulungan sa paligid.
"Do you deny it?" Lord Wenson asked. "You fell in love with Lady Celeste Merjudio. But being the son of Lord Severo, you were given a pass for committing such a hideous sin. The Cardinals have committed countless sins, yet none have faced punishment."
"I don't deny it," diretso kong sagot.
Napangisi si Lord Wenson. "See? That alone makes him a disgrace not just as a leader but also a vampire!"
"Ako lang ba, Lord Wenson?" tanong ko pabalik. "If I remember correctly, it wasn't just me who fell in love with the same slave. Your son also developed feelings for her. Should we both suffer the same fate, then?"
Humalakhak si Lord Wenson. "Now you are simply distorting the truth. My son never had any romantic feelings for her. Yes, she served him, but I can assure you it was purely in the context of duties."
"I loved Celeste..." Napalingon kami sa likod. Randolf slowly walked toward me. But he was staring at his father. "I committed a sin when I fell in love with a slave. But she was more than that. She was more than just a servant."
"R-Randolf..." Nahirapang makabawi si Lord Wenson.
"Father..." Nilingon ako sandali ni Randolf bago muling tumingin kay Lord Wenson. "What happened? What are you doing?"
"I'm trying to build a world for us, Son," Lord Wenson responded. "Have you seen the Cardinals? They lived for centuries because they were powerful. I want that for us, too."
"Is that world supposed to protect us? If so, where's my mother now?"
Napalingon ako kay Randolf. He already knew.
"But you are still here—"
"And I don't want to be part of it," Randolf cut him off. "Father..." He slowly walked toward him. "Please, stop now. I already lost my mother."
Everyone was just watching, waiting for this to end finally. This was what I wanted— to end something without starting something else. I was hoping this would end the cycle.
"Father..." Niyakap ni Randolf si Lord Wenson. "I don't want to see you like this. Please, stop now. You will not win, whatever you do. You will lose more if you continue this."
"I'm sorry, Son," Lord Wenson whispered.
I swiftly pulled Randolf away from him, but my efforts were not quick enough to prevent Lord Wenson from thrusting his blade into him. Mabilis na humarang ang mga kawal para protektahan si Lord Wenson.
"R-Randolf. Are you okay?" I asked.
He just nodded. Alam kong hindi siya nasaktan sa butas sa dibdib na gawa ng patalim. Mas nasaktan siya sa kung sino ang gumawa nito sa kanya.
Dumating na rin sina Brienne, Lord Caezar, at ang buong pwersang binuo namin. Pinalibutan nila kaming lahat. Sa pagkakataong ito ay alam ni Lord Wenson na hindi sapat ang mga pumanig na kawal sa kanya laban sa amin.
"Ako na ang bahala sa kanya," sabi ni Brienne saka inakay si Randolf.
"Oscar..." tawag sa akin ni Randolf. "Please don't kill him."
Hindi ako tumugon sa sinabi niya. Hanggang sa tuluyan na silang umalis ni Brienne. Bumaling ako sa harapan. Nakapalibot pa rin sa mga Seniors ang natirang kawal na pumanig sa kanila.
"You are outnumbered," I said. "You managed to take my position, Lord Wenson. But you forgot something. Hindi lang posisyon ang meron ako. May isang bagay na kahit na anong gawin mo ay hindi mo maaagaw sa akin. Tiwala ng Nightfalls."
"Lord Wenson..." tawag ni Lord Varnes. "It's been a good fight." Yumuko siya saka naglakad papunta sa amin.
Tanging si Lord Reggar lang ang natira sa tabi niya.
"It's over, Lord Wenson," Lord Caezar said. "Wala nang tutulong sa 'yo sa pagkakataong ito."
Bumuntonghininga si Lord Wenson. Binitiwan niya ang espada na hawak. Hinawi niya ang mga kawal na nasa harapan niya para siya ang pumunta roon.
"Tinatanggap ko ang pagkatalo ko," panimula niya. "Ngunit sa isang kundisyon."
"At bakit naman namin pakikinggan ang kundisyon mo?" tanong ni Lord Caezar.
"Because I also believe that you have the potential to become the leader of Nightfall Clan," Lord Wenson smirked. "Nagpamalas si Lord Caezar ng angking kagalingan sa pamumuno. Saksi ako kung paano niya binuo ang Caligo Clan mula sa maliit na pangkat."
"I agree," Lord Reggar stepped forward. "I believe that Lord Caezar can replace a Cardinal."
"Nightfall Clan deserves the best leader. Both Lord Oscar Cardinal and Lord Caezar Bolido have shown exceptional skill in leadership," Lord Reggar announced. "You want to take back Nightfall Clan? Earn it."
Napangisi si Lord Wenson. "This will be the final battle of the Cardinals. Do you accept the challenge, Lord Oscar?"
"I don't," sagot ni Lord Caezar. "I have no interest in taking the position as the leader of Nightfall Clan—"
"I accept it," I said.