Warning: Double fantasy for today's chapter, so read at your own risk. Hehe muaack!
~• Thirty Two •~
Today and Tomorrow
Today is the last day to rest before going to the enemies' compound tomorrow. Pinilit ko si Dreyxin na samahan na lang ako buong araw dito sa mansion para masulit ang pagkakataong kasama ko siya nang mapayapa pero hindi naman pwede dahil ipupulong niya pa kaming mga isasama sa gaganaping ekspedisyon bukas.
"Lady Lupe, salamat sa mga turo mo sa amin," sabi ni Elyas sa akin kasama ang ibang mga kaibigan na natunggali ko rin noon at nagpaturo sa akin ng mga estilo sa pakikipaglaban.
"Ano ba kayo, ang gagaling niyo na nga eh. Mga fast learner! Sigurado ako mapro-promote na kayo pagkatapos nito," I responded but their looks gave me an idea that they are sad.
"I hope this is not goodbye, pero tanggap na po namin ang kapalaran namin. We're Nix levels only after all, kami ang frontliners sa ganitong battles," aniya.
What does they mean by that? Bakit parang nagpapaalam na sila?
Hindi ko na nagawang mangulit sa kanila dahil pinapila na kami ni Dreyxin sa buong hall.
He divided three groups for tomorrow: grupong magnanakaw ng elixir, grupong manggugulo para ma-distract ang lahat, at grupong magmamatyag sa kasalukuyang estado o klase ng lakas mayroon ang kabilang kampo.
"The Walt levels will be the one to secure the elixirs," Dreyxin declares with crossed legs sitting calmly on his royal chair in the throne.
The first group has the main goal to steal elixirs. He will need an ample amount of those as a main ingredient to concoct custom human magic for the Black Legion.
And Dreyxin chose the strongest levels to accomplish it.
"The Cryst levels on the other hand will serve as the observers. Wala kayong ibang gagawin kundi magmatyag at magpanggap lang na mga taong nadamay sa mangyayaring portal disruption. Magkukunwari kayong walang alam at hindi kasapi ng mga manggugulo roon." Nagsitanguan ang mga Cryst or middle levels.
This second group will serve as a look out for the first group and observe the creatures there about their current power progress so we can plan out more in the actual war.
"And you, Lupe, will go with them. No powers involved. You will all just act as innocent humans and the creatures there will spare you from harm even if things go wrong," dagdag pa niya na dahilan ng pagtitinginan ng ilan. Doon ako pumwesto sa pila ng Cryst levels.
Saglit pa akong ngumuso kay Dreyxin dahil pinag-training niya pa ako nang husto pero hindi naman pala niya ako palalabanin. But on the second thought, mas pabor pala ako doon dahil hindi ko kakailanganing manakit ng iba.
"Lastly, my dear Nix levels, I guess you already know that I will give you the most important role to fulfill. You will act as a distraction to cover our main goal," bumagsak ang balikat ko sa kanyang inanunsyo.
Nixes are the lowest levels in our magic hierarchy. Dito sa Hollow Midlands, they are just like human apprentices. Why would he give them the hardest role?
Even if they have the most number in the Black Legion population, hindi pa rin akma na sa kanila ito ibigay. This third group will serve as the pawns! Kapag nanggulo sila roon, paniguradong huhulihin sila o lalabanan din sila ng mga malalakas na salamangkero. They cannot survive if they're just humans!
How ironic for me to say this when I was just human in their eyes weeks ago.
"Who will be the one to protect them if all else fails?" hindi ko napigilang sumabat.
Sa aking sinabi ay inalis ni Dreyxin ang kanyang kamay sa pagkakapalumbaba. "They know exactly what to do, Lupe. They are trained for that. Nix levels, what do you say?"
"Yes, Supremo," sabayang pagbigkas nila na kahit tingin ko'y kabado, napupuno pa rin ng pag-asa.
"Then put me in their group, I'll protect them," sabi ko na nagpagulat sa iba pero ang mga nakatungo kay Dreyxin ay sa akin naman ngayon nagbigay galang. Halos mapaatras ako nang lahat sila ay nakatungo sa akin.
"Lady Lupe, 'wag kang mag-alala," panimula ni Elyas. "Just trust us, that's all we need. It is our job to protect you all and we will succeed. We promise. Hindi ba mga kasama?"
"But—," pagdadalawang isip ko pa rin na naputol ng kanilang chants.
"Hail, our Dictaduria!" sigaw ni Elyas na sinundan ng Nix levels at kinalaunan ay sinabayan na nilang lahat, nagbubunyi sa kanilang pinuno.
I look back at him in his throne who is already standing with all his might. His eyes today is speaking with so much power. Nag-iba ang kulay nito na kay tagal kong hindi nasilayan. His eyes of pure danger. Erida crawled upwards to his chair until it transformed to his gleaming sword. Itinarak ni Dreyxin iyon sa lupa at ginawang tukod habang ang isang kamay ay nakapamulsa.
When he returned my gaze, he gave me a sweet yet evil smirk. An indication that his decision is irrevocable. An order that once made, cannot ever be revoked. Something that even me, cannot ever bypass.
Dreyxin may be my lover now, but he is still the Dictaduria of this town.
Nagtaas ako ng kamay para itanong sa kanya ang matagal ko nang iniisip. "Paano ka nakakuha ng Elixir noon? Can you not repeat the process so we won't risk any more lives?"
Matalim na tumingin sa akin si Dreyxin, "I cannot repeat the same plan if it already failed. And I don't want to taint my reputation further in front of my girl, so I'll refuse to answer."
I almost blushed with his remarks but also faded immediately because of a hunch. "What did you do?"
Malalim siyang nagbuntonghininga. "I think you know exactly the answer to that. The potions master of the Oretter clan, I borrowed him here in mortal world and ordered him to produce me a vicennial-long supply of elixir. But I guess 20 years is too short that we had the need for more especially in this crucial point in time."
"What happened to him?" pagdadalawang isip ko pang itinanong.
"Are you sure you really want to know?"
Napalunok ako sa takot ng katotohanan. He never responded but a thought was suddenly injected in my mind.
'I sent the old man back to the Fortress, but the officials there had suspicions of his regular absence. So I staged his death in his quarters, that he died because of his own chemistry potion which turned out to be an inedible poison.' Ipinagtapat niya sa akin sa isip.
Napapikit ako nang mariin, trying to digest everything. Dreyxin's dark past is still too bloody to accept but I knew that he only did all these to survive. He needed to protect himself from my evil family and from the cursed life which was rooted from his parents that he never deserved.
"I cannot risk the Black Legion's identity, so I had no choice," he said with a cold tone but with amber eyes.
Namayani ang katahimikan habang natulala na lang ako sa kawalan. Ito 'yung katotohanan na matagal kong panandaliang kinalimutan. Na pagdating ng araw, kailangan kong tuparin ang aking kapalaran—ang protektahan ang mahal ko sa mga tunay na kalaban.
My family was indebted to this man, and it is only rightful for me to abide by his plans.
"Now, now, for the last reminder. . ." aniyang nakapagpabalik ng kaba sa amin.
"If we're busted, we go straight to the escape route in Cloud Castle. That's the time Cryst levels enter the last picture. As the middle bridge between levels, you will make sure that the Nixes and Walts will be able to make through and escape."
He looked to my direction but I averted his dangerous gaze.
"You will save everyone to end this mission. You shall kill anyone that gets in the way. That's your last resort. But do not worry, you will only act if I ordered you to do it. Without my cue, you will all remain in your positions and act as innocent mortals. Understood?"
Dreyxin said those as if 'save' and 'kill' are simply synonyms of each other. I still can't bring myself to answer right away, but as I remember my pledge that I will fight alongside him, I cannot resist the pull anymore.
I nodded to him and that's all what it takes for him to smile again.
~ • ~
Nauna akong bumalik sa mansyon dahil mayroon pang aasikasuhin si Dreyxin at iiwang bilin para naman sa mga maiiwan rito sa Hollow Midlands lalo na kay Mr. Levi na pansamantalang hahalili sa pamamahala ng Westwing Academy habang wala kami. Only half of our army will be part of the operation, while the other half will remain here together with the other citizens of this town.
Kalulubog pa lamang ng araw. I cooked early dinner and ate already but he's still not home. Lutang ang isip ko sa kakaibang pakiramdam na nananalaytay sa akin ngayon.
The thought of seeing my blood-related family tomorrow makes me thrilled, afraid, and nervous. Kaya maging sa paliligo ay tulala pa rin ako. Hinanda ako ni Dreyxin sa mga labanan, pero hindi naman niya hinanda ang pwede kong maramdaman oras na makita ko sila.
Diamond, Kierre, Lindrenne, Valentine, and Cristine. I have no idea what will I actually do when I saw them right in front of me. The anticipation itself freezes me rooted on the ground.
Binalot ko na ang katawan ko ng robe at lumabas ng banyo. Nagkukuskos ako ng basang buhok hanggang sa may marinig akong tumutugtog ng musika sa salas.
Dreyxin is playing the piano while the lights are off. The moonlight is shining brightly beyond the windows. Nasinagan no'n nang kaunti ang kanyang ekspertong mga kamay na binabakatan ng mga ugat dala ng kanyang pagtipa sa bawat piano keys. Bahagya siyang nakatalikod sa kung nasaan ako kaya sinamantala ko ang pagkakataong pakinggan at panoorin lang siyang tumugtog.
Nadi-distract man ako ng matikas niyang likuran at maskels na tila kay sarap paglambitinan ay sinubukan kong ituon ang atensyon sa musika.
He's playing a melancholic melody, a seething sound that crept onto the edges of my heart, until I realize it's something but a sad ballad of uncertainty.
Nagitla ako sa biglang pagdaan ni Erida sa aking may paanan, paalis at mukhang pupunta sa kanyang kuta roon sa baba, sa opisina ni Drey sa Clandestine. Napatigil tuloy si Dreyxin sa pagtugtog nang mapansin ako.
When he turned to see me, halos matunaw ako sa pungay ng kanyang mga mata. "Nand'yan ka pala, bakit hindi ka lumapit?"
I rolled my eyes at him, "As if hindi mo ramdam ang presensya ko. I know nagpapasikat ka lang sa akin."
Ngumisi siya. Lumapit na ako sa kanya nang ialay niya ang kanyang mga kamay para aking salubungin. Nakasandal na siya sa piano at nang makalapit ako'y ikinulong ng kanyang binti ang aking mga hita. I hugged him. Ang bango-bango pa rin ng baby ko!
He also snaked his hands around my waist.
"And what do you say, then? Are you satisfied with how my fingers played just now?" Makahulugan niyang tanong na batid kong nanunukso.
I held his face with both hands and kissed him. Magpapabebe pa ba tayo ngayon ha?
Until I finally saw what his eyes is trying to speak. Beneath those sensual eyes is Dreyxin who is afraid and lost.
I gently pulled his head onto my chest, giving my fragile love a careful embrace. I softly kneaded his hair and we both stayed hugging each other for a couple of more minutes. Walang nagsasalita, sinusubukang alisin ang lahat ng pangamba sa bawat paghigpit ng aming yakap sa isa't isa.
"Halika na, magpahinga na tayo," anyaya ko sa kanya dahil sa namuong takot sa isip ko. I don't want to hug him this way like this could be the last time.
Akmang aalis na sana ako pero hindi niya ako pinahintulutan. Mas natakot akong makita ang kanyang mga matang napupuno pa rin ng pangungusap. His eyes tonight is like a fragile glass, glimmering so beautiful but on the verge of breaking. It's like a broken universe as I keep diving further.
"Drey-Drey, I don't know if someone already genuinely said this to you but you are a beautiful creature," I whispered to him as his eyes sparkled with a single star where I see my reflection in it.
"And you're the most beautiful thing, Love." He reached for my neck as he expertly held my nape for him to kiss it properly. Napasinghap ako agad sa unang pagdampi ng kanyang labi sa aking balat.
Even now, I still can't believe this . . . that Dreyxin finally knew how to love. Is this even love that he shows to me? Totoo nga kaya ito o kathang isip ko lang?
Then he stopped, chasing his breath, heaving some more while his forehead is resting onto mine.
"Lupe, let's forget everything else one more time. . . ."
Nang sabihin niya iyon sa akin ay automatikong tumugon ang aking kalooban sa kanyang kahilingan. Umigting ang kagustuhan kong pawiin na lang ang lahat ng takot namin para sa magaganap bukas. Dahil mahihiwalay ako sa kanya, at hindi namin alam kung gaano katagal naming hindi makikita ang isa't isa.
We only have few hours today that we are left to borrow and both of us don't know what's gonna happen starting tomorrow.
When his tongue successfully traced my lips, I gaped my mouth to give him all access. Sa tuwing dumadapo sa isip ko na baka isa itong kasinungalingan lang, na niloloko niya lang ako, na hindi totoo ang lahat ng ipinapakita niya sa akin, na hindi tunay ang emosyong ipinaparamdam niya, ay lalo kong idinidiin ang aking mga halik sa kanya.
As if these kisses could erase all the hidden truth because I cannot ever accept it all.
He may hurt me straight in my face before, but I know he cannot betray me and stab me in my back.
Kung totoong ginagamit niya lang ako, bakit niya pa kailangang gawin ang lahat ng ito? I can willingly obey him without all these. Why would he go to the extent of giving me passionate kisses to make me feel loved, hugging me like he doesn't want to let me go, staring at me like I'm the only girl that matters, and making love to me as if this is his ultimate declaration of affection.
Matagal na akong baliw sa kanya, pero bakit heto at tila gano'n din siya sa akin? He doesn't need to do this at all, but why is he acting like a crazy man over me now?
If what he does is just pretend, then why does he need to show me his lowest point and most vulnerable self? If he does not trust me enough, he won't submit himself to me knowing that I have a dangerous power that can kill him right here, right now.
Gano'n din ako. I am also beginning to be aware that this power inside me, won't ever let itself be harmed by anyone especially this man touching all my bareness. Hindi hahayaan ng aking alter identity na mabihag ang sagradong katawan kong ito ng kung sino lang. I was harmed once and that's when my divine power was unleashed.
But how about right now? If it's true that Dreyxin is not true to his intentions, then my body, this body won't even let him touch it. Knowing that the pain that can be inflicted to me once he revealed that all was just a lie, would be triple the force of a physical pain, Lovenhope won't let this happen . . . but it allows him.
So it might mean that Dreyxin is real that's why my body trusts him.
Or maybe it's just all on me. That the decisions of this body were solely being made by me, by Lupe. That if I will it, I can let it either happen or arrive it to an end.
I shortly pulled from the kiss to look at him with intoxicating eyes. Tila lango sa mala-gayuma kong halik. This is not the Dreyxin who wants to kill me anymore. He is simply my Drey-Drey, the lost boy from neverland.
This just doesn't make sense! I shall have faith in him. Dreyxin is my only truth, nothing else.
But then I remembered the only important reason that matters, because I am the reincarnation of his half soul. That's just it, nothing more.
Nang gumapang ang kanyang kamay sa ibaba ay tinapon ko na ang lahat ng aking pagdadalawang isip. Napatigil rin siya sa paghalik nang masalat niya ang balat sa gitna ng aking magkabilang hita.
Nakiliti ako dahil doon at humagikgik. Wala pa akong suot na kahit ano bukod sa robang ito sa pagmamadaling makita siya.
"You just got out of bath, didn't you?" aniya nang pinunterya namang halik-halikan ang aking collarbone. "Can I just check if you're all dry already?"
"Bakit mo pa aalamin?" maharot kong tugon sa gitna ng kanyang mabulaklak na mga halik.
"'Cause I want to make sure you're wet because of me, only because of me."
Uminit nang husto ang aking pisngi. Fak! Ako yata ang naturo sa kanyang humarot nang ganito!
He finally slipped one of his hands in between there while the other one dragged the right collar of my robe, however, the whole cloth fell to the ground before I could even save it.
He watched my swollen-like, blushing mounds slightly move at the sudden undressing, he stared at it more, with evil eyes full of endless desire.
Napakapit ako sa kanyang batok at kaunting lumiyad. Nahihiya akong itulak siya padikit sa akin pero hindi pa rin siya natitinag sa pagtitig, na tila kinakabisado niya ang kabuuan nito habang busy ang kanyang kamay sa ibaba na tila may gustong diskubrehin.
He started doing magic there with his fingers, flickering an exceptional spell that can blow my mind.
"Totoo ba ito . . . dati lang nandidiri ka pa sa akin," bulong ko sa gitna ng impit na hiyaw.
When he pulled out his middle and ring fingers, he smeared its wetness onto one of my protruding tips, tila kumalabit. He suckled his fingers afterwards and I swear it's the hottest thing ever. Mahabaging bituin sa langit!
"Hmmm, ganito ba 'yung nandidiri?" aniya saka sinimulang ut-utin ang tuktok ng aking kaliwang dibdib sa isang marahang pamamaraan. It was so gentle that I felt flying. Sa maikling oras na iyon ay nagsimula na naman akong mawala sa katinuan.
Nagmulat ako ng mata para tignan kung umuulan pero sa pagkakataon ngayon ay walang bagyong namumuo sa kalangitan, o baka wala pa?
I took that opportunity to take over him this time. Iminuwestra kong gusto kong hubarin ang kanyang pantalon. He looks like he will follow everything I'd say. Ni paningin niya ay hinding hindi niya iniaalis sa akin.
Tumayo siya agad sa aking kagustuhan at siya na ang naghubad sa harap ko. Dreyxin is like someone molded by all the gods and goddesses. He is someone I would never get tired of dreaming of. His body itself is an absolute art and I would always gladly be a subject of his wild imaginations. Isang biyaya ng impyerno na tila masarap tikman ang bawat sulok nito.
'Sa aking harap, may lalaking masarap.' Puwede ko na sigurong gawing motto ito ngayong gabi!
Napalunok ako sa mga makamundong iniisip. Nature ko na yata! But this man is driving me insane. Maging Lupe o Lovenhope man ako, tila wala talaga akong takas kapag isang Dreyxin na ang nakahubo't hubad sa harapan ko. The view itself made me think of a thousand naughty thoughts.
I still wonder if normal pa ba itong maramdaman o namamana ba ang ganitong pag-iisip. Jusko po.
Kung sino mang mahalay sa pamilya ko, mabulunan na sana pero salamat pa rin kasi heto at nahulma yata ang presensya ko para maging kapana-panabik sa lalaking mahal ko.
Nang hindi na ako makapagtimpi pa, tinulak ko na siya nang marahan sa kanyang dibdib para bumalik sa kanyang pagkakaupo.
Lumuhod ako para titigan siya roon saka ko ito hinawakan para bumaba ang pagkakatutok, saka ko dahan dahang hinalikan iyon ng isang beses habang nakatingin ako sa kanya. He feels so warm and yum. Ugh!
Kahit nakadungaw siya ngayon sa akin ay litaw na litaw pa rin ang kanyang taglay na ubod ng kagwapuhan.
I just knelt down in front of someone they call evil but my judgement says otherwise.
"You'll only hurt yourself. . . .Lupe, don't," aniya na gusto na sana akong itayo at pigilan pero bigla ko nang ginawa. I can't even swallow it fully. Even trying is impossible. Kaya naman tanging dulo lang nito ang napagkasya ko.
"I thought you want me to kneel. Heto na, nakaluhod na," sinabi ko ang mga ito sabay hagod ng halik sa kanya roon.
Sinusulit ko na ang bawat sandali dahil bukas . . . pupunta na kami ng Magique Fortress. Ang mundo kung saan naghahari ngayon ang aming mga tunay kalaban.
"Damn baby, enough," daing niya na taliwas naman sa kanyang mga reaksyon.
Pinasadahan ko ito nang mabilis na pag-ut-ot sa huling pagkakataon saka ako pumatong sa kanya. I gasped so loud at the sudden entrance. Nang maramdaman ko siya nang buo ay inayos ko lalo ang aking pagkakaupo pero hindi pa rin nito magawang maisagad.
He was surprised by my impulsive actions but I brushed his hair and gripped it before kissing him again, wildly this time. The piano keys are being pressed on roughly and the chair had some crack sounds already. Lumala ang langutngot ng upuan kaya binuhat na niya ako at lumipat sa sofa.
I began maneuvering our speed, while his big hands were perfectly placed simultaneously on my bottoms and slim waist, accelerating the pressure. His hands also mischievously take rounds on my mounds, as if gently squeezing these will push more buttons to escalate our otherworldly fantasy.
I may not control my power so well but this—this one—I believe I can take over and control it.
I can drive Dreyxin over and over again.
Nang mapagtagumpayan niyang bumulusok nang pasok sa aking kaibuturan, halos mapunit ang aking labi sa pagkakakagat ngunit iginiya niya ang aking mosyon na bumagal para hindi ako masaktan. Isang beses na sagad lamang iyon pero parang isang beses rin akong nahimatay para lang muling mabuhay. He's so voluptuous but I won't ever complain!
He gently reached for my lips and consumed the lower one that I had torturously bitten just a while ago. Unti-unting nawawala ang sakit at napapalitan muli ng panibagong emosyon na kargado ng makamundong pagnanais.
He slowly soothed me to recover from the pain and guided my hips to continue where we paused . . . up and down, fast and slow, rough and smooth . . . rebuilding our dynasty again through the exquisite push and pull together with our delicate moans and groans.
Dreyxin may be a beast in others' eyes but why is he the gentlest person I know? Bakit ganito siya kasarap m̶a̶n̶g̶r̶o̶m̶a̶n̶s̶a̶ magparamdam ng samu't saring emosyon?
I'm strangling his hair and that made him look a tenfold hotter than he already is.
"Say my name baby," aniya na lasing na lasing ang mapupungay na mga mata.
Napabalik ang tingin ko sa kanya mula sa pagkakaliyad at pagtingala. Sweat is dripping down my body but when he poked one of my nips where a single drop of it poured, fire further fueled my engines. Gumuhit iyon ng ibang klaseng elektrisidad. It sent incredible chills down my spine.
"Drey. . .Drey," I answered in between my heavy breaths.
"No, no, I want the whole hmmm," mapanukso niyang sabi. Para akong inasinan na lalong nangisay.
"Lupe, 'wag ka malikot baka masaktan ka lalo . . . ako na ang magsasagad, okay?" aniya sa isang malambing na boses na ngayon ko lang narinig sa kanya. Lalong nagliyab ang aking katawan.
"Dreyxin . . . I want the whole too, try it again. Now!" I pleaded.
Patuloy ang pakikiusap ng mga mata ko habang sinubukang laliman ang aking pag-indayog. Napakunot siya ng noo, naninimbang ng aking pakiramdam, takot na muli akong masaktan.
"You'll hurt more, but the pain will eventually subside kapag nasanay ka na. Just hold on to me, this will get better baby I promise," he struggled to say while grunting.
Ang pamaraan niya ng pagtingin ngayon ay tumindi . . . sumidhi. Hindi ko matukoy kung pagkabaliw ba ito sa akin, lalong pagkasabik, o labis na pagpipigil.
But I found a relief it's not the latter when he started pounding more, emerging deeper, faster, and wilder through my narrow walls. Punching in a whole thrust, pulling in full trust. Everything feels magic and wonder as we're both insatiable of each other.
Kung kanina'y ako lang ang iginigiya niya sa pagsayaw sa kanyang ibabaw, siya ngayon ay sumabay na sa aking paggalaw. Umangat-baba na rin ang kanyang katawan at sabay kaming nagsasalpukan habang sinasalo ng kanyang bibig ang aking dibdib na hindi mapigilang umalog dahil sa marubdob na intensidad.
This time, tuluy-tuloy na. We are clashing towards each other and I can't hold out my loud and embarassing screams anymore.
"Fak Drey-Drey, ba't ang sarap mo?"
Napamura lalo nang mas malutong si Dreyxin habang pinanonood akong nababaliw sa kanya. "Don't curse baby, or else I'll teach your mouth a lesson . . ."
"Hindi nga kasya sa bunganga ko eh," reklamo ko habang palapit nang palapit ko nang maarok ang tugatog ng tagumpay.
"Paliitin ko gusto mo?"
"No!" sigaw ko agad na nagpahalakhak sa kanya. Napaka-sexy tumawa. And it's my first time hearing him laugh this way.
"My baby likes it big and thick huh?" He caught my lips again, playfully tasting it.
"Hmm, mas masarap ka pa rin," aniya na nagpatangay sa lahat ng natitira kong katinuan.
I hoped one more time that we'll be favored by the heavens with peace already, but a loud series of thunders began growling in the skies and striking the grounds.
Nagagalit na namang muli ang langit at lupa.
Tila hinehele na niya ako sa pamamaraang si Dreyxin lang ang tanging makakagawa. I never knew he could wait this long inside. He's such an expert and I can't stop myself yearning for this not to ever last.
If only this is a simple relationship of a man and woman, of common people, of a normal couple.
"Take me to heaven and hell all night," I ordered him as he leveled up our rhythms to the fullest.
I finally feel like my heart is about to burst any time now.
"You're the one who can open its gates, baby. . .but f*ck, sure, I'll take you there."
He was already lost for words as he continuously fills me to the brim at the maximum speed until I have gone wild.
I might be under his spell, but he will always be under my command.
"Come, Love." Once again, we awakened the greatest romance ever known that can shake and shatter all worlds.
I lost count to how many times we repeated this moment tonight. Even our strong bodies felt like numb and out of energies. I just know that we did everything unimaginable until our bodies were like already depleted with blood . . . and the long storm caused our town a huge flood.
We both tried to sleep but we couldn't.
We know we can't.
And we don't need to.
Sa garden ni Dreyxin kami namalagi at doon ay naupo kami sa ilalim ng isang puno. Hindi kami makatulog sa antisipasyon na babalik kami sa mundong ipinagkait sa amin.
We both tried to calm our hearts while watching the night to end. Sumandal ako sa kanyang balikat habang nakatitig kami pareho sa langit na ngayon ay kalmado na. At least, this is the most normal thing we will do here in an almost normal town.
I held his hand which was surprisingly cold. Nang lingunin ko siya dala ng pag-aalala ay hinigpitan niya lang ang hawak sa aking kamay at saka pumikit.
Everything could change but I just hope that I'd be holding his hand today and in all our tomorrows.
"Sometimes I wonder if there will ever be a star up there that would be willing to grant my wishes . . . because up to this day, only my curses always came true."
"Well, you can try," bulong ko.
He did not respond but I heard him in his thoughts. 'You.'
~ • ~
The portal to Magique Fortress finally appeared in front of us. Nauna si Dreyxin doon dahil mayroon pa siyang mamanipulahing guards ng Cloud Castle. Palalabasin niyang guards mula roon sa loob ang nagbukas ng apat na entrance portals—sa Cloud Castle (ang main entry point), dalawa sa Diagon Village (tig-isa sa Soverthell at Gemlack communities), at sa boundaries ng Fortress High (ang exit point). Palalabasin ni Dreyxin na mayroong humans na nakapasok sa portals dahil sa pagkakamaling iyon.
Ang group one ay sa Calle Oretter ng Gemlack community at sa Calle Ernoll ng Soverthell community kailangang magtungo dahil ang dalawang village clans na iyon ang mayroong expertise sa potions. Sila rin ang nangunguna sa produksyon ng elixirs.
Kami namang group two ay sa Cloud Castle magmumula. Ang floating castle na ito ay ang pinaka-main gate ng Fortress at nakakonekta rito ang mga transportasyon tulad ng tren na magdadala sa amin sa iba't ibang ibayo ng aming mundo.
Ang huling grupo naman ay papasok sa exit gate portal na malapit sa boundaries ng Magique Fortress University. Ang grupo ng Cryst at Nix levels ang ikakalat sa maraming parte ng dimensyon nang sa gayon ay mahirapan silang tuntunin kung sino ang may salarin at kung ano ang tunay na pakay ng gumawa nito. We need to buy time for them to successfully steal the purple potions!
Dreyxin made us memorize the faces of the important figures in that world and even the map of the whole dimension so that we won't be lost.
Dreyxin and I will communicate through our minds. For the others, we gave them amulets in different forms of jewelries infused with our magic spells so we can communicate with the rest of our teams.
This is better than just a hearing aid device in the outside world. If you wear this amulet, even in a form of a ring, earrings, bracelet, anklet, or necklace, you can hear others and speak through your mind. This is just like mind telepathy which Dreyxin and I have in nature, but for humans, we created this magic transmitter for them to use as a device for communication. Ginawa namin ito ni Dreyxin gamit ang pinagsama naming kapangyarihan.
All Cryst levels are ordered to remove these amulets and stop wearing them if things go wrong. In this way, kaming mga nagpapanggap lang na mga inosenteng tao ay mananatiling inosente at hindi mapagkakamalang kalaban o kasapi ng mga nanggugulo (Nix levels) at mga nagnanakaw (Walt levels). We would be able to come back safe in the mortal world if ever a dispute in our plan happens.
This could be a perfect crime, and I can't believe myself that I am hoping to succeed in this.
After like an almost half an hour of waiting, Dreyxin appeared again in the portal that signifies he succeeded in the first operation. Isinara niya ang ginawa niyang portal at maya-maya lang ay mayroong nagbukas na apat na portals na kagagawan ng mga taga-loob na kanyang minanipula.
This is it, I'm about to step my foot in Magique Fortress. The place I should call home but neglected me even before I was born. Ang mundo kung saan ako binuo pero hindi ko sinilangan at nagawang unang masilayan.
I may be back . . . but not for them. I am here to protect my new family, and it is now the people behind my back—the Black Legion.
Dreyxin is grouped with the thieves to steal elixirs, while I'll be part of the human group to observe and look after them. Walang nakakakilala sa amin doon. Hindi alam ng karamihan ang itsura ni Dreyxin, tanging sina Diamond, Kierre, at Lindrenne lamang; at maging ako ay hindi naman nila kailanman nakita pa.
So it will be easy to pretend to be just someone.
Bago kami maghiwalay ng landas ni Dreyxin, he cupped my cheeks and told me some important reminders that I made sure to be carefully instilled in my mind.
"Lupe, kahit anong mangyari, huwag kang maniniwala sa kahit anong maririnig mo sa paligid mo. The histories there have been tampered by their greed, power, and authority. It's a shame that their people are blinded to their own world's darkest secrets. Everything they will say, anything you will learn, they are all mere lies."
He was waiting for my response but I just stared at him. Ang dami niya pang sinasabi, samantalang ako, isa lang ang nasa isip.
I tiptoed to wrap my arms around his neck, closed my eyes, and placed my purest kiss to his lips before whispering something to him.
"I'll miss you and I lo—" I haven't got to finish my words because as soon as I opened my eyes, Dreyxin's already gone, and I'm now standing inside Magique Fortress.
I was too stunned to react in absolute awe seeing this dimension in the flesh but I was more shaken to notice that my hands—just like before—are momentarily disappearing.
What is happening to me?
~ • ~
Imagery of the Painscar Alleyway in Lostwood Drive
Sa eskinitang ito ay may sumulpot na munting portal at iniluwa no'n sina Kierre at Bravenright kasama ang ibang mga kawal.
"Take a look, Night. What do you think is this?" sabi ni Kierre sa binatang pinapaikot-ikot sa kanyang daliri ang kanyang ginintuang korona.
Bravenright tried to hover his hand in the magical barrier. Hindi siya nakuryente gaya ng iba na ikinapanatag ni Kierre. Kumunot ang noo ng prinsipe na pinagmamasdan ang kanyang kamay na tumatagos lamang doon at pinakikiramdaman ang uri ng enerhiyang dumadaloy rito, ngunit tikom pa rin ang kanyang bibig sa kasagutan. He then recklessly tried to pass through the barrier and stepped inside.
Makailang saglit ay hindi pa rin ito lumalabas mula roon kaya sumigaw na sina Kierre at tinatawag siya.
A few moments after, Bravenright exited at the same point where he entered the barrier.
"Anong nakita mo? We are currently in the Lowlands territory. Ang kabilang ibayo bang napasok mo ay ang Highlands?"
"A blank universe . . .There's nothing inside, but I know there's definitely something here," litong sagot ng binata. He wore his crown on his right arm as he put his hands on his pockets and gave the barrier a final stare, thinking of endless possibilities.
Maging si Kierre ay nagugulumihanan. They have been trying to step through this barrier for weeks already but many have failed. Mayroon pa silang ibang kasamahan na nakapasok man, pero hindi na nagawang makabalik.
"Is this the Dark Prince's doing?"
Kunot-noo siyang umiling. "This is not a dark forbidden magic. This is clearly done by someone with higher sorcery."
"But you are the strongest in our world right now."
"Maybe not anymore then," tipid niyang sagot pero halata sa kanyang mga mata ang napipintong pangamba na kung kalaban ang may katumbas ng kanyang kapangyarihan ay paniguradong panganib ang hatid nito.
"Kailangan nating ipaalam ito sa kanila. Tell all the guardians to evacuate this place for now. We'll go back to Magique Fortress."
~ • ~
#ROAHS
© pixieblaire
A/N: Finally returning to Fortress next chapter! Thank you so much po uli. We're getting close to the finish line. Vomments your thoughts and feelings! :*