Written in Luel's Point of View. I hope I gave you some inspiration with this story.

I had dreams, but some dreams aren't really meant for us.

Bata pa lang ako, manghang-mangha na ako sa mga sphinx. Every time, I wondered and imagined: Ano kaya ang sphinx ko?

Hindi ko lubusang maisip noon kung ano ang pakiramdam ni Sinclair na wala na ang sphinx niya. It must be miserable for her. Isipin ko pa nga lang na wala akong sphinx, parang kakamuhian ko na ang sarili ko.

Well, that was what I thought.

"Luel, ano ba? Kakain na," inis na sigaw sa'kin ni Sinclair. I rolled my eyes. I was practicing my powers for the entrance exam for Aerilon Academy.

Aerilon Academy was also one of my dreams. I wanted to train there so my sphinx would also get powerful. Sa totoo lang, pinagtataka ko kung bakit kakaiba ang kapangyarihan namin ni Sinclair. I actually wanted to have normal powers like others...

That was one reason why I built walls for other people. I was a jolly and lively person when I was a kid, but realizing my difference made me insecure.

The only ones that I really opened up to was of course, my mother, and my bestfriend, Krystal.

"Ma, paano kapag nga nakapasa ako sa Aerilon Academy?" tanong ko sa kaniya habang nasubo ng pagkain. I would have to stay in Aerilon Academy, and I would have to be away from her... That's actually sad.

She smirked, "E'di go. Bakit? Takot ka bang wala ako?"

I scoffed. Umirap ako, "Whatever, Sinclair. Kayang-kaya kong wala ka." Scam. I've been so dependent to her. Hindi ko kailanman naisip na mawawalay ako sa kaniya.

"Luel!" Krystal exclaimed. Everything is back to normal now. Zacharias completely destroyed the portal, and it's now confirmed that he's the lost heir of Anika.

He's actually the Student council president, Krystal being the vice president, and hindi ko akalaing naging secretary ako sa pangit ng sulat ko. They're seniors now, while I am still a sophomore since I wasted one year for going to the mortal world. That sucks. Hindi ko alam kung seventeen na ba ako ngayon or eighteen. It's actually my birthday. Batiin niyo naman ako.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay, "Anong problema mo?"

She giggled, "Handa ka na bang makita manliligaw mo?"

I sighed. I thought she was going to greet me! How disappointing, Krystal. Umiling ako, "Alam mo, sa lahat pa talaga-"

"Omg! Hindi ka pa handa na makita si Alcaeus?"

Hey, when did I say that? And kailan pa ba naging manliligaw ko si Alcaeus? He's not saying anything naman...

"Mamayang gabi na 'yon! Ngayon mo lang ulit siya makikita after hindi ko alam kung ga'no katagal! Pero sigurado, bongga ang regalo n'on sa'yo. Jusko, ikaw ba naman ligawan ng General ng Berseker army!" tili niya.

General Alcaeus Clyme Berseker, yeah, he became a general after everything. He deserved it. Akala pa namin n'ong una, nabulag siya. Pinasalamatan nila ako dahil naagapan ko raw with my healing powers. Hehe.

Aerilonians gladly accepted who I am after explaining things. It didn't matter that I was a lost mortal in Aerilon. It was so overwhelming, especially when I thought that I'll be imprisoned.

"Ingay mo, Krystal," singhal ni Zach. I turned at him and smirked. Selos ka lang eh.

One of his eyebrows shot up, as he mouthed me 'what?' Nag-iwas tingin nalang siya sa'kin, at tiningnan ang mga papers sa desk niya.

So, the night came. My birthday party slash reunion of Team Aryan with Team Narain and Team Nieves, which is Krystal's team before started. Ginanap 'yon sa Anika mansion, na pag-aari na ngayon ni Zach.

Actually share kami.

Muntik na akong mapa-irit nang may nagtakip ng bibig ko. The man pressed me into his body, and I could feel him chuckling.

"H'wag kang gagalaw. Holdap 'to!"

By the voice and the joke, I immediately knew it was Zian, my happy pill, to be honest. Kinagat ko ang palad niya, at binitawan niya na agad ako.

"Ay pucha, kailan ka pa naging aso, Luel?" wika niya kaya sinimangutan ko siya.

Aso raw, eh sino kaya 'yong sunod nang sunod kay Arenspade, at under na under na parang aso. Hmp! In revenge, I turned somewhere and said, "Arenspade!"

Kaagad siyang lumingon d'on. Tumawa naman ako, "Aso pala huh?"

He raised his middle finger at me and I just chuckled more. Lumipat ang tingin ko kay Zia, at nakitang masayang masaya siyang makita ako- kami ulit.

She hugged me, and greeted me "happy birthday."

I thanked her, but Zian being epal is annoying. "Luh, birthday mo pala?" sabi niya at ngumisi nang nakakaloko.

"Bakit ka ba nandito? Sino bang nag-invite ng aso rito," parinig ko.

I mentally laughed. He crossed his arms, and walked away from me. Sinalubong naman ako bigla ni Avarice kasama si Yuri. I actually don't know the deal between them, but hindi na ako mangingialam like Zian.

Yuri greeted me, while Avarice kissed me on the cheeks, and gave me a present. Sana all may regalo!

I actually adore Avarice's beauty so much. She looks so pure and angelic like a Goddess. Her amethyst eyes are my favorite! But of course, I also love my red eyes.

"Uy, 'yong magjowa!" asar ni Zian mula sa malayo. Yuri glared at him but kept his mouth shut, while Avarice blushed slightly.

Zeonn, Oreon, and Hanie also came along. Hindi kami close ni Hanie dahil graduate na siya, at si Oreon naman... maloko rin naman siya katulad ni Zian, pero mas matino. Zeonn remained a bookwork or nerd of some sort. Not that I'm complaining, it's nice to have a smart friend.

Napalingon ako nang makarinig ng bangayan. It was the two beauties, Elara and Arenspade.

"Hoy, bakit ganiyan suot mo, ha?" tanong ni Elara. They both wore the same outfit, but in a different color. Great minds think alike?

Umirap naman si Arenspade, "Mama mo, suot."

"Ang hirap mong kausap. Siguro sinadya mong magkaparehas tayo," wika ni Elara.

Nagpigil naman si Arenspade ng tawa, "Napaka-immature! Nagkaparehas lang ng suot. Maghubad ka nalang, walang pipigil."

Tumili naman si Zian na parang bakla, "Arenspade!"

I smiled at the sight of all of them.

It was just then that I built walls because of my insecurities, but they all made me feel important. That's why I didn't mind letting them in my heart. They will always be important to me, and I've actually learned to value people more while they're still here.

I've learn a lot in the past year. Natuto akong magsakripisyo, magtiwala, at magpahalaga.

Sila na ang tinuturing kong pamilya ngayon, pero kailanman hindi nawala sa puso ko si Mama.

Nanliit ang mata ko nang makarinig ng kumakanta sa labas. Tumili na nan si Zian na parang bakla, "Tangina, men! Nanghaharana si Alcaeus, pucha!"

Tumalon-talon pa siya at tumuro sa labas. Tinulak naman nila akong lahat palabas at doon ko nakita si Alcaeus na nag-gigitara at kumakanta. The corner of his lips lifted when he saw me.

He has a Berseker tattoo on his right arm, and it shows that he is a general. Kumpara sa huling nakita ko siya, he looks taller and bulkier than before. Mas kuminang din ang lila niyang mata dahil gabi na. May red rose at birthday cake naman sa table na sinet-up niya sa labas.

Oreon snapped and the birthday candles lit up. Nagulat naman ako nang bigla akong hilahin ni Zian sa open field habang kumakanta si Alcaeus ng 'All of me.'

Zian smiled, "Happy birthday, Luel na maganda! Ngayon lang 'to!"

Nilagay niya ang dalawa kong kamay sa balikat niya, at sinuportahan naman niya ang bewang ko. He danced with the music, and I followed his lead. Napangiti ako dahil sa sobrang tuwa. Nangingilid pa nang bahagya ang luha ko. Why didn't I met them all earlier?

Tumawa siya, "Iyakin ka pala!"

Hindi nagtagal, binitawan niya ako. Si Oreon naman ang sunod, then Zeonn, Yuri, and lastly Alcaeus.

Zian played the guitar for him, but he didn't sing. Baka raw bumagyo bigla, kaya si Arenspade ang pinakanta niya.

Alcaeus held his hand out for me, "May I, Luel?"

I gladly took his hand and he started to take steps. Sinundan ko lamang ang galaw niya.

"Happy birthday, Luel," he said.

I smiled, and said, "Thank you! This is a memorable day for me."

Tumawa naman siya habang nanatili ang tingin sa'kin, "I'm glad I made it memorable."

He leaned in to give me a quick kiss on my cheeks. Nanlaki ang mata ko, at nagulat nang marinig ang mga tili nila. Hoy, ano 'yon?!

He bravely looked at me, "Hmm, you're still young. Ganoon din naman ako, but I do hope you remember that."

I felt heat in my cheeks. Nahihiya ako lalo pa't nakita 'yon ng iba! Aaaahhhh, mama!

Finally, the dance stopped. The guitar started playing the Happy Birthday song, and they all started to sing for me.

Tuluyan na akong napaiyak. Never in my whole life did I expect na mararanasan ko 'to. I was always content celebrating my birthdays with just Krystal and Sinclair.

"Wish!" sabi nila.

Tumawa naman ako at pinikit ko ang mata ko. I wish to see my mother again. Nang imulat ko ang mata ko, hinipan ko na ang mga kandila. I know it may be impossible, but it's just a wish, right?

The party ended well. Nakauwi na sila, at ang iba ay nalasing pa yata. I looked at the table where my presents are, and I walked towards there, still with a smile on my face. I'm so lucky to have them.

I shrieked when someone hugged me from behind. I felt his breath on my ears, "Happy Birthday, Luel. Sorry, I'm late."

Napalingon naman ako kay Zacharias. Kanina pa nga kaming nagtataka kung bakit wala siya. He smiled at me a bit when I did not react.

"Tampo ka?" maliit niyang tanong.

His gray eyes looked tired from something. Nagtaka naman ako, did he do something?

"Anyways, it's not late for my present," sabi niya at hinila na ako palabas.

Nagpadala nalang ako sa kaniya. He was heading straight to the forest. What the- anong balak niya? Not that I don't trust him, but seriously? In a scary forest in almost midnight?

He turned to me after. His small smile was still in his lips, while I'm sure I still looked confused.

"Tara," sabi niya bigla.

"Huh? Anong tara?" Tanong ko. Tara saan? Okay, iniisip ko kung si Zach ba talaga 'to!

He smiled widely. Hinaplos niya ang ulo ko at nilagay ang dalawa niyang kamay sa balikat ko.

"You know, it took me a lot of time and effort to do this. I wanted you to be truly happy, so I hope you'd appreciate it," he said.

Tinuro naman niya ang isang puno. Namangha ako nang mapalibutan ito ng gold mists. Hinarap ako r'on ni Zach at inakbayan ako.

"Watch carefully, Luel."

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang magliwanag iyon nang unti-unti. From the trunk of the tree, nagbukas iyon at bigla akong nakakita ng ibang scene d'on.

A... portal?!

"I found a way to build a portal that will be safe and harmless. Here it is, Luel. My birthday present to you. A travel to our mother's realm," he enthusiastically said.

My eyes filled with tears of joy. My wish. He granted it! Sobrang saya ko! Hindi ako makapaniwala!

Pero, "Our mother? Since when did you become Sinclair's son?"

Tumawa siya at yumuko malapit sa tainga ko, "Soon, maybe? Son-in-law? Unless, she adopts me too?"

Hinamapas ko naman siya. Gamit ang isang kamay niya, pinunasan niya ang mga luha ko. Tinanggal na niya ang akbay niya sa'kin, at pinagsalikop ang mga daliri niya sa'kin.

"Let's go, Luel. Let me make you truly happy once again," he said before bringing me to the portal.

Once again, I entered the mortal realm. But now, with Zach by my side. I may not have a sphinx, but at least I have him.

It's true that some dreams and wishes do not come true, or we fail to acquire those. However, never stop believing in the thought of dreams and wishes. One day, you'll finally meet them.

I'm glad to meet my wish along with my dream.

This is Lucianna Sariel Rofocale, a lost mortal who never stopped believing. To you, I hope you continue to believe despite of losing or failing and being lost.

That is what I've learned in Aerilon Academy. *winks*

Aerilon Academy
By lostmortals
Plagiarism is a crime.

If you are wondering why it is entitled Epilogue I, it's because there's an Epilogue II. ;)

Thank you very much for reading!