Kabanata 32.
Yael
"Are you hungry again?" I slightly shook my head as I watch my own reflection in the lake. Yeah, I'm on my tiger form.
Nakahiga lang ako sa lupa habang ang ulo ko'y nakadungaw sa lawa. He's right beside me, gently patting my head. Paglinga ko sa kaniya'y nakatingin lang din siya sa sariling repleksyon niya sa tubig at mukhang may malalim itong iniisip.
"What shall I do now?" I heard him whispered. Pinikit ko na lang ang mata ko't nagkunyaring tulog. I rested my chin in my left paw.
"Maybe I never should've let her enter the Institute," he continued.
Even if you wouldn't, she's meant to be there.
"Now everything's all messed up." he murmured. Tumigil siya sa paghimas ng ulo ko't pumulot ng bato saka ito inihagis sa gitna ng lawa.
"The queen is digging her own grave. The king is asking for his death. The whole Elysian Empire is welcoming their end." Beyod his metamorphic statement, I know what he exactly mean by that.
Soon, the truth will sprang free, but no one's gonna be freed by it.
"She reminds me of her dear ol' mother. She's my sister-in-law's sister, and the moment I saw her, I admired her, and loved her perhaps?" I felt him dip his feet in the water as he played along with it.
"We get along well with each other, and I expected, I assumed, but all the care, the love she had for me was just because we're friends," Kahit sabihin man na sinasaysay niya lang ang nangyayari noon ay mababanaag pa rin sa tono ng boses niya na may halo itong pait at sakit.
"Until she met that man. The man she fell in love with. He's the ruler of Lost Continent, the continent located somewhere where no man of a naked eye can see," Naimulat ko ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. Napatingin ako sa repleksyon niya sa tubig at nakita kong lutang pa rin siya.
I was right, he know something about it. He know something about the Lost Continent. The place where I used to live. The place where I was born. My homeland they destroyed.
"He was a very powerful mage, not an A Class, not an S Class, but a Z Class mage. His unlimited power possessed a huge threat for each continent..."
"That's why they used Faxara to infiltrate the Lost Continent. She had no clue she was being used. The night when she was about to tell him she's pregnant, is the night when the four tribe's strongest Class S Mage fought with him. They never stand a chance, and they died in a single attack. That's how powerful he is."
Wala sa sarili akong napangisi. Anyone won't stand a chance against him, aside from her of course.
"So they gathered the greatest witches and warlocks in each continent. Takot silang masakop, kaya kung kinakailangan sila ang unang sumakop ay gagawin nila. They used Faxara as a bait. They threatened him to open the barrier that serves as their protective shield against our naked eyes, or his beloved and child dies," I release my claws as it dug on the ground. Pinakalma ko ang sarili ko bago pa ako mawala sa kontrol.
"He opened it, and battalion of soldiers wrecked everything. They raised waves and storms, they burned everything. Witches and Warlocks cast a curse upon him, and just as it was about to hit him, Faxara shielded him..."
"I rescued her, I sent her back to the palace. But our eyes met, and he was furious. Darkness swallowed him and his shadow took over him. He killed them all, but he left a single man to tell a tale. He left a message saying he'll take everything that we have, just like how we took everything from him," He said in a low voice.
"A one-sided battle which occured in a mysterious continent we have no idea where to find now. Ordinary people have no idea what happened, except from the Kings and Queens, Magistrates and Generals," He laughed bitterly.
"And I loved her that much that even if she chose another man, I can't afford to hate her. I crued when she died that night, but before her death, will all the power she had left, she transferred her baby inside her sister's womb. The present Queen of the Fire Continent." Hindi na ako nagulat pa sa sinabi niya. I know all about it.
"When the child was born, they wanted to kill it, so I took her away and gave her to someone I know. I watched her grew up, and she smiles radiantly just like her mother..."
"Seven years later, he took his revenge. He set all four continents on fire, and Fire Tribe took the blame for it, because we can't afford to expose who he really is." I growled.
The fire tribe took the blame for it? Hah! Don't give me that bullshit! Pagkatapos nilang sirain ang lugar kung saan kami naninirahan, palihim kaming inilikas ng hari. That's why we ended up living in the Fire Tribe.
Para sa mga taong tagalabas, ang Lost Continent ay isang lugar na makikita lamang ng taong gusto ng bagong simula ng buhay. Kusa itong magpapakita sa mga taong naligaw ang landas at gustong magbago.
Ang mga mamamayan namang naninirahan dito ay mula sa iba't-ibang tribu na pinag-isa lamang ng hari. That's why I am the Spirit Tribe's prince. My mother was the queen and my father was the king. Pero sa rami ng hari ay may iisa pa ring hari na tinitingala ng lahat.
King Camaro Elvinov...
Kokonti na lang kaming natira't napilitan kaming mamuhay muna sa Fire Tribe dahil hindi namin magawang mahanap ang daan pabalik sa sarili naming tirahan. When his revenge took place, we're all safe, but before we can get back where we belong, they imprisoned us and accused us for rebellion.
Alam nilang mula kami sa tinatagong kontinenteng 'yon dahil hindi kasama ang mga pangalan namin sa rehistradong mamamayan ng apat na kontinente. They didn't took the blame, they made us took it!
Sa araw na itinakda upang paslangin at bitayin kami sa harap ng mga biktima ng sunog na naganap, pinatakas ako ng aking ama't-ina. That's when I transformed myself into a white tiger and Flare found me.
I was with her as she watch my parents being hanged in a pole, watching my tribesmen executed send waterfall like tears in my eyes. It was a sight I never wanted to see, but I have no choice but to witness it.
"But no, we made a group of people to be blamed for it," he laughed bitterly and pain crossed his eyes.
"After he found out what we did, he was angry. Halos mawasak ang buong kontinente sa galit niya. Maraming nakakita sa kaniya, marami ang natakot sa naging banta niya na darating ang panahon na magbabalik muli siya't babawiin niya lahat ng mayroon kami. He promised to avange the death of his people and his beloved,"
"And I'm really sorry for erasing the memories of the people who know the existence of the king that we never spoke of. I manipulate their minds as well as the history record of the wildfire." He sigh and tap my head for the last time. Tumayo siya kaya tumayo rin ako.
I pushed him on the lake and turn my back on him with a blank expression on my face.
He mean no harm to any of them. Being strong doesn't mean he would want to rule over everything. Dahil kung gusto niyang manakop, matagal na sana niyang ginawa 'yon. They turned a good man into a bad one. They made him like that.
And when his final revenge takes place, y'all be damned.
Aerus
Napakunot ang noo ko nang makita ang gulat na gulat na mukha ng amang hari at inang reyna sa sinabi ko. Natahimik pa ang mga ito't tila ba nawalan ng kakayahan upang makapagsalita.
"W-what are you talking about, son?" nauutal-utal na wika ng aking ina.
"You want me to marry off to Princess Feleri, but I don't like her. So marry me to the new found princess, marry me off to Flare instead." pag-uulit ko sa sinabi ko kanina.
"No. You can't marry her." matigas na wika ng aking ama.
"Why? She's a princess too. Hindi man siya sa palasyo lumaki, iba man ang nakaugalian niya, hindi mawawala ang pagiging dugong bughaw niya." pagdidiinan ko.
"Just do as what you are told to do. You will soon understand." I shook my head.
"I will not do it unless you tell me why. How can I understand it if you won't even tell me something about it? Wala akong makitang rason kung bakit ayaw niyong magpakasal ako sa kaniya." Nagkatinginan naman silang dalawa na animo'y nakikipag-usap sa pamamagitan ng pagtititigan.
"Do you love her?" Nakagat ko ang ibabang bahagi ng labi ko.
"I guess, I like her. I don't know if it's love." kaagad kong sagot.
"Then you should never marry her." pinal na wika ng aking ama. Tuluyang napakunot ang noo ko.
"Bakit nga?" iritado kong tanong.
"Because she's-" Hindi na naituloy ng aking ina ang kaniyang sasabihin nang biglang sumingit ang aking ama.
"You can't marry her, Aerus. End of the discussion. If you came here for that reason, you may leave now." I hissed. Padabog akong tumalikod at umalis ng Majestic Hall.
Why are they acting like that?
An image flashed my mind, making me stop mid-way from walking. I clench my fist and gritted my teeth. Remembering how Flare cried because of him made me mad.
Yes, I was there when Chastine confronted Frost about her feelings.
If you wanted to know if they kissed, well they didn't. Frost held her waist to push her away from him. He knew she was watching, he saw she ran away crying but he didn't chase after her and explain.
"Why should I explain? I don't owe her any explanations."
He just left, like he didn't hurt two girls at the same time. I don't know what's with him. Kung wala siyang pakialam sa kaniya, kung hindi ito importante sa kaniya, bakit hindi niya na lang sabihin? He should settle things with her.
Looking in her eyes, I know she likes him. But liking him, only hurts her.
I don't know why I'm feeling so attached with her. I keep telling myself I'm just fond of her because she's not like any other woman out there, but I know that's just an excuse.
"Kuya? What's wrong with mother and father?" Nabalik ako sa realidad nang tanungin ako ng kapatid ko. Ngayon ay nakasakay kaming dalawa sa karuwahe pabalik ng Institute.
"Bakit? May nangyari ba?" I asked.
"After they visited the Fire Continent for a private meeting, they are startled. Para bang balisa sila't ang lalim ng iniisip." Now that she mentioned it, she's right. Napansin ko rin 'yon habang kaharap ko sila kanina.
"If it's something serious, I'm sure they will let us know." Tumango-tango naman ito.
"What do you say if I'll tell father to marry me off to Frost?" Napaubo na lang ako.
"He's one year older than you, Saren. Call him kuya." She snorted and cross her arms.
"No! Kaya nga hindi ko siya tinatawag na kuya dahil ayaw ko siyang maging kuya ko lang. Duh. Common sense naman, kuya." I frowned.
"You like him that much?" Bigla siyang tumili. Hinampas niya pa ako sa balikat kaya nauntog ang ulo ko bintana ng karuwahe.
"Aray naman." reklamo ko habang hinihimas-himas ang noo ko.
"Yes. I like him so much. I will do everything to have his attention, even if I need to taint he-" Tumalim ang mata ko kaya bigla siyang napatigil sa pagsasalita.
"Taint what, Saren?" She may look innocent, but trust me when I say she's far more worse than Leri. She's just hiding in her shell. She's my sister for goodness sake, we share the same blood, I know her actions even if I'm asleep.
"Nothing." she beemed.
"Just don't do anything stupid." Nagkibit-balikat na lang siya't ipinikit ko na lang ang mata ko.
Nagdaan ang ilang minuto ay nagising din ako nang marinig ang marahas na panaghoy ng kabayo. Napatigil ang karuwahe kaya kaagad kong binuksan ang binatana upang magtanong sa kawal na nakasunod sa baba kung ano ang nangyari.
"Kamahalan, may matanda pong humarang sa ating daraanan." Bumaba ako ng karuwahe upang makita ang matandang sinasabi niya, subalit sa pagbaba ko'y wala naman akong matandang nakita. Tanging kulay itim na aklat lang ang nadtan ko roon.
"Teka, nasaan na ang matanda? Bakit bigla na lang naglaho?" nagtatakang wika ng isa sa apat na kawal na aming kasama.
Yumuko ako't kinuha ko ang aklat. Hindi ito gaano kakapal, at hindi rin naman ito sobrang nipis. Tamang-tama lang naman ang kapal nito. Wala itong kahit na ano mang disenyo sa labas, pero kapansin-pansin ang hugis letrang 'C' sa unang bahagi ng pahina nito.
I was about to close the book when a set of letter emerged, written from a golden pen.
"Curse of a Dead Rose?" Pagkatapos ko itong basahin ay nabitawan ko rin kaagad ito nang makitang unti-unting may lumabas na maliliit ngunit matitinik na baging sa pabalat ng aklat.
Mayroon itong dahon , subalit kapansin-pansin ang dalawang bulaklak ng rosas na nasa pabalat nito. Ang kulay pula ay nasa itaas, sa kaliwang bahagi ng aklat. Ang kulay itim na rosas naman ay nasa baba, bandang kanan.
Maingat ko itong pinulot. Dinala ko ito sa loob ng karuwahe't hindi ko na lang pinansin ang tanong ng aking kapatid. Sinubukan ko itong buksan, ngunit hindi ko na magawa sapagkat may mga tinik na nakakubli rito na animo'y nagbibigay ng babala na huwag buksan.
What is the Curse of a Dead Rose?
Flare
Recovering from the shock he gave me, I raise both of my hands to push him, but he grab my wrists and pinned it above my head. He opened his left eye and I swear I can definitely say its smirking on me. He bit my lower lip and continued to kiss me.
Nagpumiglas ako. I'm trying my best not to kiss him back. I'm finally letting him go even if he's never been mine. Tapos ngayon hahalik-halikan niya ako? To hell with that!
I was taken aback when he let go of my wrist and cupped my face. Pinakiramdaman ko ang galaw niya. His kisses are soft, gentle, and passionate, the next thing I knew I was holding his nape while mimicking the movement of his lips.
I heard him groaned. He gently held my waist and pulled himself away from me. His eyes are squeezed shut like he was controlling something.
Napamura na lang ako sa isip ko nang magmulat ang mata niya't sumilay ang pantay-pantay at mapuputing ngipin niya sa paningin ko. He's smiling, oh no, he's smirking.
"Now say that again," ani nito sa nanghahamon na boses habang nakadagan pa rin sa akin at titig na titig sa mga mata ko. "Say that you will forget about me," may diin nitong wika. His minty breath fanning in my neck.
"Say that again, and I will kiss you senseless until you ran out of breath," Napasinghap ako sa sinabi niya. Seryoso ang mukha niya't hindi mo ito mababahiran ng kahit ano mang biro.
"I'm sure you won't forget a moment of your life where you almost died of ecstasy." Napakurap-kurap ako. Hindi ko man lang napansin na umalis na pala siya mula sa pagkakadagan sa akin.
D-died of ecstasy? Mamatay sa sarap?
Napatingala ako sa langit. Namula bigla ang mukha ko. Now that he mentioned it, he's a damn good kisser. Nabatukan ko na lang ang sarili ko. Naiinis akong gumulong-gulong habang ginugulo ang buhok ko. Minumura ko ang sarili ko dahil hinayaan ko siya sa ginawa niya.
How can I forget him if he gave me that mind blowing kiss?!
Napatigil na lang ako sa ginagawa ko nang makaramdam ako ng sakit sa dib-dib ko. Napabangon ako habang hawak-hawak ang bahagi ng dib-dib ko kung saan naroon ang puso ko. Naihawak ko ang kaliwang kamay ko sa damuhan nang maramdaman kong parang pinipiga ang puso ko.
Sunod-sunod na malalalim na hininga ang pinakawalan ko. Kumawala rin sa labi ko ang impit na daing. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit pakiramdam ko may mga tinik na mahigpit na gumagapos sa puso ko. Sa sobrang sakit na dulot nito'y mahigpit akong napakapit sa damuhan, lumagablab mula sa kamay ko ang nagbabagang apoy.
I screamed in pain. Nag-uunahan sa pagpatak ang mga pawis na namumuo sa noo ko't napahawak na rin ako sa tattoo na nasa likod ng tainga ko dahil napansin kong umiilaw ito. Wala akong ibang sakit na nararamdaman bukod sa makamatay sakit na nananalaytay sa puso ko.
"Fichi! Fichi!" Napakurap-kurap ako nang makita ko si Caiz sa harap ko.
Paanong...
"Shit!" Hinawakan niya ako sa magkabilang balikat habang pilit na binabalanse ang katawan ko. May kung ano siyang kinukuha sa bulsa niya, pero hindi ko ito gaanong naaaninag dahil nanlalabo na ang paningin ko.
Pilit kong minulat ang mga mata ko upang malaman ko pa rin kung ano ang nangayayari sa paligid ko. I saw something in his hand. It was a red rose petal. He muttered a curse before looking at me.
"Eat this, come on. Fuck." Nanginginig kamay niya itong isinubo sa akin, at kahit nahihirapan ay pilit ko itong nginuya. Nilunok ko ito habang siya naman ay pinasandal ako sa dib-dib niya habang inaayos ang hibla ng buhok kong namamasa na dahil sa pawis.
"There, there, easy, you'll get well," Habang nakasandal ako sa dib-dib niya'y naririnig ko ang lakas ng kabog ng puso niya na para bang sobra itong kinakabahan. "I'm sorry I'm a little too late, damn it. What did that bastard do?" Naipikit ko ang mata ko nang hawakan niya ang noo ko.
"Sleep, and you'll forget everything that happened." Bumigat ang talukap ng mga mata ko.
I guess that was all just a dream.
Itutuloy...