Kabanata XXVI

***

HENDRIX and Serene were both silent the moment they woke up from the illusion. What they saw is the truth behind the lies that everyone were made to believe. The real history about the first great war of their ancestors.

"T-That's my mom. . .That's how she looks," sambit ni Hendrix na wala pa din sa kaniyang sarili. All his life, he is wondering how his mother looks since she is the only who does not have a portrait.

They say that no artist can draw her beauty, that's why.

And just now, he felt overwhelmed even if it is only illusion, he saw his parents alive and well, he heard their voices and saw how much they loved and adored him the moment he is born.

But everything were just ruined by Bardulf.

"You are not a demon's son, but the goddess of afterlife, Freyja. Daughter of the moon goddess, Selene and the sun god, Lucian," Serene uttered making him stop and clenched his fist.

"And I am the reason why Bardulf came back to life," mariing sambit nito.

"I freed him from the curse," he added.

"Hindi mo ginusto iyon, Hendrix," mariing saad ni Serene.

"But you lost your home because of it, you lost your parents because I got careless and freed that mother f*cker!" 

"But you're not the one who killed them, it's Bardulf who did it, so keep yourself together. Hindi natin ikakapanalo kung sisisihin mo ang iyong sarili sa isang bagay na hindi mo sinasadya at hindi mo ginusto," seryosong saad ni Serene.

"Do you not feel any resentment towards me?" Hendrix asked her seriously.

"Why would I?" she hissed. 

"My mother was once a goddess too," Serene revealed making him stop.

"She is the daughter of the Sea God, Eithan and the Celestial Nine tailed fox, Kitsune. Vina, the goddess of storm."

"But because of her evil doings, letting a wicked spirit affect her decisions, she was stripped off her position and power as a goddess and escaped before they take all her power away from her."

***

Creators, the supreme beings behind every worlds. Every universe has one of those creators. It is a big dream for Vina, the goddess of storm.

An ambition that soon became an obsession to her that she is willing to do anything, no matter what it takes to have it.

Even killing her own brothers.

"I'm glad you two are finally free, Caelus, Rai," the creator of miracles who came to help smiled at them.

The two brothers whom Vina killed and came back to life thanks to the creator of miracles.

"Thanks to you," Rai smiled.

"the gods of Mytheia is also here to help," Silver, the creator of light's son and phoebe's brother commented making the two stop as they looked at the entrance.

"Rai!" the goddess of wind shouted as she hugged the Lightning god after five hundred years of not seeing him.

Napapikit roon si Rai at mahigpit na niyakap ang pinakamamahal matapos ang limang daang taong pagkakakulong sa mundo ng mga namayapa kasama ng kaniyang kapatid na si Caelus.

"No. . . No way, Caelus, y-you're alive," naluluhang sambit ng kabiyak nang muli nitong makita si Caelus, ang diyos ng kalangitan.

The god of Light and the god of Sky got betrayed and stabbed on the back by their own sister after finding out her plan of reviving their grand father, Dylan, the wicked creator and the god eater, because of her greed.

She wanted to be a creator that will surpass others. It is the storm goddess, Vina's ambition that became an obsession, leading her to do tons of wicked things that even surpassed Dylan's.

But too bad she wasn't as smart as the god eater that Phoebe managed to find out who the real threat is.

But Vina became a lot more stronger after obtaining Dylan's power.

"Caelus, Rai." mangiyak ngiyak na sambit ng kanilang mga magulang saka mahigpit silang niyakap.

Kitsune is a Celestial, nine tailed fox who became a goddess recently who protects elemental beings and Celestial beasts. The tittle was bestowed by Phoebe, creator of miracles. And her husband, Eithan, the god of sea.

"I-I'm sorry, if only we noticed it sooner, this wouldn't have happened." naluluhang sambit ni Eithan habang yakap yakap ang mga anak.

"The only one who's at fault here is Vina, if only she listened and didn't get blinded by her greed, all of this wouldn't have happened." napabuntong hiningang sambit ni Rai.

"But we we still feel somehow responsible, kung mas natutukan ko lamang siya ng maayos at napangaralan—"

"Nangyari na ang nangyari, Vina will still end up the same, kahit pa araw araw niyong ipukpok sa uli niya ang mga pangaral kung hindi naman niya isasabuhay." sambit ni Stelle and diyosa ng yara at kapatid ni phoebe habang nakahalukipkip na nakatingin sa gawi nila.

"Right now, we have to stop her before she could revive Dylan," dagdag pa ni Silver.

"Bakit ba kailangan pang humantong sa ganito, Eithan? saan ba tayo nagkulang?" humahagulgol na sambit ni Kitsune habang kayakap ang kaniyang kabiyak. 

"She's coming," anunsiyo ni Phoebe sa kanila dahilan upang umayos na ang mga ito upang maghanda sa laban.

The battle between the gods and Vina started.  Sa huli ay nanaig pa din ang mga ito at tuluyang natalo si Vina. 

"Pakawalan ninyo ako!" galit na galit niyang sigaw.

Samantalang ang kaniyang pamilya ay patuloy lamang sa paghagulgol dahil sa sinapit ni Vina.

"All I wanted is to be strong! Masama ba iyon?! I just wanted to be stronger than anyone!" giit pa nito.

"But you took the wrong path on doing so! Kaya mong maging malakas nang hindi ginawa ang lahat ng ito Vina!" galit na sambit ni Caelus.

"What should we do now?"Nangangambang saad ni Soleil saka tumingin sa gawi ni Phoebe.

"She made those choices on her own, we have to bestow a punishment for all her crimes," seryosong sambit niya saka tumingin sa nanlulumong pamilya ni Vina

"We understand," bakas ang sakit na sambit ni Eithan.

"No!" sigaw ni VIna habang pilit na kumakawala sa barrier na gawa ni Phoebe.

"No! No! No! Please don't do this to me!" humahagulgol niyang saad saka tumingin sa kaniyang mga magulang.

"Ama! Ina! Hindi ko na muling gagawin iyon! sabihan niyo silang pakawalan ako!" pagsusumamo niya ngunit nag iwas lamang ng tingin ang mga ito.

"This is for the better Vina, I'm sorry," lumuluhang saad ni Caelus na nagpakuyom sa mga kamao nito.

"Curse you all! Kahit kailan ay hinding hindi ko kayo mapapatawad!" galit na galit nitong saad.

"I Stelle the Great Goddess of Darkness along with The Great God of Light, bestow you a punishment to be exiled in Yara and get stripped of your tittle." anunsiyo ni Stelle.

"I the Creator of miracles has the power to remove your power so you wouldn't cause any harm anymore." Phoebe added.

The three then started their ritual stripping Vina every power she has.

But before they could take everything from her, Vina shouted painfully as she let out her last trump card and managed to teleport somewhere and escape.

***

"She teleported in this world but her soul got separated from her body. Her body were frozen but she couldn't find it. She is so eager to have her revenge until she met my father, Alpha Remus."

"I should be the cursed one because of all her evil doings before that even creators decided to strip her all her power. But goddess Selene helped my mom and even gave me her blessings," pagkukwento niya.

"But you? you don't deserve how the world treated you all your life Hendrix. Kaiser and Freyja saved this world from threat, they sacrifieced themselves, yet because of Bardulf's men who survived and altered history, everyone saw you as a demon that should just perish," buntong hiningang saad ni Serene.

"But I don't care about the world, the world doesn't mean anything to me. Kahit ilang beses pa nila akong isuka at ipagtulakan. But you? just thinking about you pushing me away, loathing me for being the reason Bardulf got revived is like a living hell to me," mariing sambit ni Hendrix saka naikuyom ang kaniyang mga kamao.

"I could never loathe you, Hendrix," ngiting saad ni Serene saka tumayo na at inilahad ang kamay kay Hendrix.

"Let's go kill some parasites outside, we can't be chilling here while our allies were fighting" ngiti ni Serene sa alpha.

Bahagyang natulala doon si Hendrix saka tinanggap ang nakalahad na kamay ni Serene at tumayo na din.

***

The great war between races and Bardulf's puppets continued for months. Serene and Hendrix continued destroying every Lunar council's temples and laboratories until there is nothing left.

Their allied forces continued to kill Bardulf's soldiers while their fallen comrades became puppets, some successfully stabbed their hearts before they become one of Bardulf's possesion.

They witnessed how this war brought nothing but grief, lost and emptiness and the only thing that each beings are holding onto is the hope that the peace will come back, once they win.

"Why do we even have to trust alpha Hendrix?! why do we have to help the wolves? what if they ended up betraying us? Alpha Hendrix is the cursed one! maybe he is the reason why many of us died!"  

Those are one of the words that they hear from other beings before the war. The beings who do not trust the reigning alpha.

But after fighting along side with him, their opinions of him slowly changed.

Far from what Bardulf has planned.

Not only because he had a Celestial being as a mate but his sacrifices and his contributions that saved millions of soldiers in the war of races between Bardulf.

Serene just looked at the dead body of the leader of the Lycans whom she killed and just tossed it somewhere as she shifted back to her mortal form.

Everyone who witnessed were dumbfounded as they witnessed a glimpse of hope in this war against a great being.

"T-Thank you great being," the mother of the young witches said sincerely after Serene saved them.

The existence of Serene that shook the world the moment she revealed herself. Not only that, she is also the reigning alpha's mate.

The world found out that the messenger of gods is Hendrix Kayden's Luna, completely removing all their suspicions towards Hendrix.

Isang harap harapang hamon para kay Bardulf na lalong ikinagalit nito. Isang hindi inaasahang pangyayaring sisira sa kaniyang mga plano.

"Hindi ito maaari! Hindi ako makapapayag!" galit na galit na saad ni Bardulf kasabay ng pagkalanta ng mga tauhan niyang tuluyang kumitil sa mga ito.

"Ilang libong taon kong pinaghirapang sirain si Hendrix! Sinira ko siya upang isuka siya ng mundo bilang paghihiganti sa kaniyang mga magulang! Hindi pwedeng sa isang iglap ay bigla na lamang iyong mawala dahil lamang sa babaeng iyon!" giit niyang nagpatawa sa isang nilalang na kaniyang kasama sa bulwagan.

"You have to calm down, father," his child chuckled.

"Nangyari na ang nangyari, nasira na ang iyong plano," ngisi nitong ikinatalim ng tingin ng kaniyang ama sa kaniya.

"Is there anything funny?" mariing saad ng kaniyang ama na nagpailing lamang dito.

"I'm just saying, stop stressing out with things you cannot change anymore, you failed, that's it. The only thing you could do right now is make sure you would destroy them," ngisi nitong nagpangisi lang din kay Bardulf.

"I would," mariing saad ng kaniyang ama.

"Don't worry father, now that I'm here, I will help you destroy them," his child grinned wickedly.

"As you should. Nang magkaroon ka naman ng pakinabang sa akin," malamig na saad ni Bardulf dito.

"I know. . ." Bardulf's child said with a mysterious expression.

The mysterious being possesing a terrifying power left to spy on the enemy so he could continue reporting to his father.

***

Hendrix grinned as he slaughtered Bardulf's soldiers and beheaded another of their leader.

Naliligo siya sa dugong hindi kaniya, kung hindi sa kanilang mga kalaban.

Tila ba mga peste ang mga itong hindi maubos ubos sa loob ng ilang buwan simula nang magsimula ang giyera sa pagitan ng bawat lahi laban kay Bardulf.

"Finally, we regained control over this land too just like most continents that Bardulf tried to evade with his soldiers," ngising saad ng alpha ng norte.

"But we still shouldn't let our guards down. Hangga't hindi natin napupuksa si Bardulf ay hindi pa tapos ang laban." seryosong saad ni Hendrix saka pinutulan ng ulo ang natitirang nilalang na akmang aatake sa kaniya saka tumingin sa gawi ni Conri na napangiwi lamang sa nakita.

"I know that," Conri just frowned.

Kasabay nito ay ang pagbukas ng isang lagusan at iniluwa noon si Nimue na katatapos lamang sa pakikipaglaban sa kaharian ng mga mangkukulam.

"Serene announced her victory in the spirit world with King Eden. She told me to tell everyone a word about our next step," seryosong sambit ng kararating lamang na si Nimue.

"What is it?" seryosong tanong ni Conri.

"Claiming the throne that is originally hers," she added with a grin making Hendrix smirk proudly on the news about his mate.

"Let's go. I don't want to make my luna, wait," seryosong sambit ni Hendrix kasabay ng pagbukas niya ng isa pang lagusan at ang pagpalit anyo niya bilang isang lobo saka nanguna na, patungo sa kinaroroonan ni Serene.

Napadaing si Hendrix nang bigla na lamang makaramdam ng sakit sa kaniyang dibdib. Pain slowly crept to his whole body. It is unbearable but it is not his pain.

"Serene!" he uttere his mate's name.

He can feel it, his mate is in deep pain, she is in the brink of death which made him run faster.

'Hendrix, please. . . I need you. . .'

 He heard causing his heart to race out of fear of loosing her.

'Wait for me, Serene. I'm coming for you. . . ' he thought.

***

Serene looked at the undead coldly as she made them sleep eternally, trapped into a never ending madness. 

She has a bloodshot eyes as she entered the fifth kingdom's main pack's border, the fallen winter moon. She had a fearless expression, calmly taking down the enemies attacking her as if they were mere insects.

Habang nalalapit siya sa kinaroroonan ni Bardulf, ay wala siyang ibang nararamdaman kung hindi labis na pagkamuhi.

Sawakas ay kaniya ng maipatutupad ang paghihiganting ilang daang taon niyang pinaghandaan.

Bawat hakbang niya ay dala ang bigat ng pag asa ng kanilang hukbo. 

Isa lamang ang nasa isip niya sa mga oras na iyon, ang puksain ang kanilang kalaban at mabigyan ng hustisya ang kaniyang mga magulang.

Buong buhay niya ay iyon lamang ang naging laman ng kaniyang isipan.

Ang kitilin ang nilalang na kumuha sa kaniya ng lahat. Ang nilalang na nagnakaw ng kaniyang pagkakataong mabuhay kasama ng kaniyang pamilya, ang mamuno ng may dangal sa kanilang mga nasasakupan.

Panahon na upang bawiin niya ito.

She doesn't know if  she is the one being punished by the worlds after what her great grand father did,  an evil creator who eats gods and her mother who did a lot of evil doings in the past, but she won't back down.

"Listen all of you!" sigaw niya habang nakalabas ang siyam niyang buntot na bahagyang nagpahagip sa hininga ng hukbong kasama niya habang nakahanda ang mga itong lumaban.

"Kill every men of Bardulf, wala kayong ititira at huwag niyo silang hahayaang mabuhay muli. Walang silid sa labang ito ang kahinaan, dahil oras na hayaan ninyong matalo kayo ay hindi lamang kayo masasawi kung hindi ay magiging hadlang din kayo sa tagumpay na ating hinahangad! At kung mayroong naduduwag ay mabuti ng pumunta ka ngayon sa aking harapan at ako mismo ang gagawad sa iyo ng kamatayan," malamig niyang sambit na ikinatayo ng balahibo ng mga nakakarinig.

Walang sumagot sa mga ito at pawang desididong manalo laban sa hukbo ni Bardulf.

"We will follow you till the end Luna! We will win, we will fight with our lives in line, for you and Alpha Hendrix who is fighting along side us," determinadong saad ng mga ito.

"Mabuti naman at nagkakaintindihan tayo. In this war there is one rule you must never forget to win, do not die, do not be blinded by emotions. If your friend died and become your enemy, do not hesitate and kill, no—free them. It's a war, dying cannot be prevented, but in this war once you die, you'll become an enemy of the land you've once fought for. So do not hesitate to free the one who let their guards down. Think about your family, you were saving once you decided to fight along side us, your mother, sister, your wife, your children, they are waiting for you, I hope that you'll hold onto them and have a safe return," walang bahid ng ekspresyon o pagdadalawang isip na saad ni Serene na kasalukuyang namumuno sa unang hukbong papasugod sa kaharian.

She then signaled them to fight as they all shifted into their forms and fought the enemies with all their might to force their way and enter the land.

She is using her power to give the soldier her blessings and protect them.

The reinforcements are also about to come and help after they managed to retrieve the other lands.

Nang tuluyang makalapit sa palasyong itinayo ni Bardulf ay kaniyang naikuyom ang kaniyang mga kamao kasabay ng pagkulog at kidlat na tila ba sinasabayan ang kaniyang poot.

Malakas na bumagsak ang ulang tila ba asidong pumupuksa sa kanilang mga kalaban.

Unti unti ay nagkaroon ng malalaking bitak ang lupain, ang mga mata ni Serene ay nagliwanag kasabay ng pagkawasak ng kahariang simbolo ng pagbagsak ng Winter Moon.

"Bardulf!!" Malakas na sigaw niya habang tinatangay ng hangin ang mga nagliliparang mga puno at batong galing sa nawasak na kaharian.

Babagsak ang kaharian nito at muling babangon ang Winter moon sa kaniyang ngalan at pamumunuan ito.

Malakas ang hangin at ulan ngunit hindi niya alintana ito kasabay ng kalmado niyang pag iwas sa papalapit na itim na kapangyarihan.

Bagkus ang natamaan nito ay ang isang parte ng kalupaang bahagyang nawasak sa simpleng atakeng iyon.

"I should've killed you back then child, kung hindi lamang humadlang si Nimue ay nakasama mo na ang iyong mga magulang sa kabilang buhay," malamig na sambit ng katakot takot na nilalang. Halos mawalan ng lakas ang mga nasa paligid niya, ngunit napanatili ni Serene na protektahan ang hukbo laban sa nakapupuksang kapangyarihan ni Bardulf.

Halos kulubot na ang buong katawan ni Bardulf, nangingitim ang mga labi,  maging ang kaniyang mga pangil at mga mahahabang kuko ay pawang kulay itim.Samantalang ang kaniyang mga mata ay puti lamang ngunit ang kabila ay kulay pulang nakaluwa na. Sunog ang kalahati niyang katawang naaagnas, nalagas ang lahat ng kaniyang buhok at napupuno ng ugat ang buong katawan niya.

Hindi kaaya aya ang kaniyang itsura habang ngiting ngiti ang punit niyang bibig. Ito ay resulta ng kaniyang naging laban sa ama ni Hendrix, ilang libong taon na ang nakararaan.

Nararamdaman niya ang tindi ng kapangyarihan nito. Kung isa ka lamang ordinaryong nilalang ay sapat ng ang kaniyang presensiya upang ikaw ay mabawian ng buhay. Nakapaninindig balahibo at nakakikilabot ang intensidad ng paghaharap ng dalawa sa pinaka makapangyarihang nilalang ng mundong ito.

"I'll drag you back to where you belong, Bardulf. I sha'll grant you death," mariing sambit ni Serene saka ito nagpalit ng anyo at sinugod si Bardulf.

She has an overwhelming power surrounding her. Napatalsik si Bardulf sa atakeng ginawa ni Serene.

She is in her greatest form. A form that consumes a lot of energy and might take her life as well if she abuse that power.

But she's willing to risk it all just to finally have her vengeance. To finally give justice to her parents and the fallen winter moon.

As well as all the lives that has been ruined in the hands of Bardulf.

It is an intense fight. Sa sobrang tindi ng nagaganap na labanan ay kinailangang lumikas ng mga sundalong pinoprotektahan ni Serene upang hindi na sila makahadlang pa sa laban nito.

Buong lakas siyang nakikipaglaban sa nilalang na kaniyang kinamuhian buong buhay niya at ilang daang taong naghanda upang puksain ito.

She can feel it, Bardulf has weakened from recieving all her attacks.

And so is she.

 Nararamdaman niyang malapit na siyang maubusan ng enerhiya sa anyong gamit at oras na ulitin niyang gamitin ang anyong iyon sa parehong araw kapag hindi pa niya natalo si Bardulf ay maaari niya itong ikamatay.

Kung kaya't bawat atake niya ay napakabigat at kaniyang ibinubuhos ang buong lakas, makitil lamang ang nilalang na pumaslang sa kaniyang mga magulang at sa buong Winter Moon.

She grabbed bardulf with one of her tails and threw him in mid air using her full power. Shaking the whole territory in the sky. Causing the whole land, to fall from that height.

Bardulf also attacked her. Napatalsik din siya doong bumitak pa lalo sa kalupaan. Serene saw a huge amount of dark power coming to her direction at full speed.

Agad niya iyong naiwasan, ngunit kung hindi niya ito agad nakita ay natamaan na siya ng kapangyarihang iyon sa pagitan lamang ng ilang segundo.

Bahagyang nasira ang buong kalupaang natamaan nito, maging ang karagatan sa malapit ay bahagya dinng nanuyo.

Serene saw Bardulf floting in the sky with a huge ball of dark magic forming into his hands. Hindi na niya maigalaw pa ang katawan at bahagyang nanghihina ngunit handa siyang saluhin ang atakeng iyon.

That attack is enough to destroy half of the world they are living in. Hindi niya hahayaang may mga buhay pang masayang dahil sa kasakiman nito.

She's gonna her last energy to kill Bardulf. She has to make a decision if she's gonna transform for second time even if she'll die if she don't succeed on killing him this time.

Bardulf seem to have used the last of his power onto that ball of darkness and feel into the ground.

Napadaing si Serene habang nakatingalang tinatanaw ang papalapit na atakeng iyon.

Buong lakas niyang sinalo ang itim na enerhiyang iyon.

Napakalakas nito tila ba hinihigop ang bawat enerhiya sa buong paligid. Serene put all her power into stopping the dark energy. She's trying to have her power swallow it whole. 

Her whole body is aching as if she if being burned alive. Malakas siyang napasigaw kasabay ng tuluyang pagkatunaw ng enerhiyang kaniyang hinigop.

"Hendrix. . ." tumulo ang kaniyang luha sa sakit ng nararamdaman. She'll live, but the pain that the last attack caused is overwhelming.

Her vision blurred but she saw someone stabbing Bardulf nearby to death. The creature is stabbing it while laughing hysterically.

And then ate it as if it is the most delicious meal the creature ever had.

Napapikit na lamang siya doon.

"Its finally done. . . we won," she whispered.

"Serene! Wake up! we have to leave!" she heard a familiar voice. 

"F-Farkas. . . " she called his name.

The man smiled at her.

"We won, you killed Bardulf Serene! You gave justice to Winter Moon!" Farkas said happily. 

'I'm glad. . . ' she said at the back of her mind.

"But we have to leave the place now," tila ba balisa nitong saad na ikinapagtaka ni Serene ngunit wala na siyang lakas pa upang magtanong pa.

'Serene! Serene!' she heard some voices shouting her name on her mind.

Muli ay ibinuka niya ang mata at nakita ang pulang lobo na humahabol sa kanila.

'Get away from him! he's dangerous! I saw it in my dream! Get away from Farkas! We can't loose you!' She said making Serene stop, she tried moving her finger but couldn't move at all.

'What is happening?' she mind linked her.

'I saw it! He is an enemy! he is Bardulf's son!' that made her freeze.

'That is impossible! His son with Nimue died!' Serene exclaimed.

'Nimue brought him back alive using your power Serene! That is the real reason she saved you!'

'That is not true! I've long known Farkas before I met Nimue!' emosyonal niyang saad.

'All of that is an illusion he made Serene! wake up! Farkas wanted to have you! Hindi totoo ang lahat! plinano lamang niya ito upang mapalaput sa inyo at makuha ang tiwala mo! He is not even really the Nothern Alpha's beta!'

And in that moment she saw some visions. All of their memories together as a kid are all lies. Sa mga oras na iyon ay unti unting bumalik sa kaniya ang lahat. She saw a woman with a long beautiful pink hair with a glowing purple eyes smiling at her. 

She can't see her face well but the moment she kissed her forehead she miraculously remembered everything.

And the first time she actually met him was when she was at the mountain Nimue is residing. She saw Nimue telling him to leave.

"Leave! You are not my son! you look like that monster! I can't take it any longer! I can't raise a demon like you after all you've done behind my back!" galit na turan ni Nimue dito habang ang batang si Serene ay nakasilip sa walang buhay na muka ng batang lalaki.

Maputla ang itsura nito at walang kulay ang mga mata ngunit may naglalarong ngisi sa kaniyang labi.

"Then let me have the child instead, I want a playmate,"

"Shut up! Tama ng nabuhay ka gamit ang kaniyang kapangyarihan! Serene is my only child at nagsisisi akong binuhay ko ang demonyong katulad mo!" napatakip si Nimue sa kaniyang tenga, tila ba tinatakasan na ng bait

"That's so mean, mother, you might hurt me. . .  Well, if I love you, I would get hurt," natatawang sambit nito.

"Leave this place child, before I kill you. Habang may natitira pa akong awa sa iyo," malamig na sambit ni Nimue saka nagtayo ng napakataas na barrier na pumalibot sa buong lugar upang hindi na muli pang makapasok ito.

But then the young Serene gasped as their eyes met. 

Farkas grinned.

'I'll come back and get you, my beloved. Wala ng hahadlang sa atin sa aking pagbabalik,' bulong nito na narinig mismo ni Serene na tila ba may bumubulong sa kaniyang tenga.

Napasinghap doon si Serene at napapikit.

At sa kaniyang pagmulat ay nasa loob na siya ng kaniyang munting silid at pilit na hinahabol ang kaniyang hininga.

"Serene! Serene anak ko!" alalang sambit ni Nimue saka mahigpit na niyakap ito habang habol niya ang kaniyang paghinga.

"I-I had a nightmare, Nimue. You're driving a yound boy away from this mountain, who is he?" she asked with her heart pounding faster than normal.

Bahagyang natigilan doon si Nimue at nag iwas ng tingin.

"It's just a nightmare, my child. Don't think about it," she sighed and smiled at Serene lovingly as she kissed her gently into her forehead.

Mula noon ay nararamdaman na ni Serene na tila ba ay palaging may nakamasid sa kaniya. Ngunit kahit anong hanap niya dito ay hindi niya magawang matunton.

Hanggang sa mapunta siya sa Moon Valley Pack at nakasalubong ang isang misteryosong lalaki. Ang batang lalaking pinalayas ni Nimue, isang daang taon na ang nakararaan.

Ngunit ibang iba ang itsura nito sa mukha nito, maging ang kaniyang presensiya at napakalakas na kapangyarihan ay nagawa niyang ikubli mabuti.

"Serene! it's been awhile!" ngiti nito sa kaniyang ikinakunot ng noo ni Serene.

"Who are you?" malamig niyang saad sa misteryosong lalaki.

"It's me! Farkas, don't you remember?" ngisi nito.

"I do not know, anyone with that name. . . " sambit ni Serene at handa ng atakihin ito sa oras na may gawin siyang hindi niya magugustuhan.

The man looked at her straight in the eyes.

"Yes you do know me from a very long time ago, remember it Serene, you know me. . ." the man said while still looking at Serene.

Serene were in daze, looking at his eyes and somehow felt like she was hit by a lightning as she suddenly remembered unknown memories.

It felt so real that she believed.

Everything about Farkas is a lie, everything is made up, even his existence itself is not supposed to happen.

She felt them fighting intensely, naramdaman din niya ang presensiya ng kaniyang pinsan na si Aztect upang tulungan si Lilith.

'Hendrix, please. . . I need you.  . .' she said desperately at the back of her mind, hoping that her mate would come and save Lilith and Aztect.

She felt them getting defeated misserably. 

That moment she decided she has to do something. She had to risk and transform again into that form and kill Bardulf's child. . . Farkas.

She can't let him let loose.

Farkas looked so different now, after consuming his own father, Bardulf. This is the reason why Nimue didn't realize Farkas is his son. He consumes other creatures so they could be one. It made him so powerful throughout the years.

She opened her eyes and gained all her strength just to stand up.

Napahawak siya sa kaniyang tagiliran at halos hindi na maimulat ang kaniyang mga mata sa sobrang pang hihina.

"My beloved is awake," malambing na sambit ni Farkas.

"I am not your beloved Farkas, I only have one mate and that is Hendrix," mariing sambit ni Serene dito na ikinakuyom ng mga kamao nito.

"That is why I had to kill him so I could be your only mate, my love," he grin wickedly.

She glanced at Lilith and Aztect and saw the both of them lying unconscious.

'Bakit hindi ko agad naramdaman ang kapangyarihang tinataglay niya?!' sambit niya sa kaniyang isipan.

She has to do it quick and kill Farkas.

Alam niyang maaari niyang ikamatay ito dahil higit itong makapangyarihan kaysa sa amang si Bardulf.

Ngayong naaalala na niya ang lahat ay galit na lamang ang natitirang nararamdaman niya para dito.

He is not the Farkas he made up for everyone to believe. But a lonely devil who is a fruit of evil who isn't supposed to be alive.

"Oh no you wouldn't dare my love, I can't loose you," tawa ni Farkas at sa isang iglap ay hawak na ang braso ng nanghihina pa ding si Serene.

"You're coming with me. . . and we'll live happily, away with everyone," tila ba wala na sa katinuang saad nito.

Hindi ito ang Farkas na kilala nila.

"Hibang ka na," mariing sambit ni Serene.

Farkas grinned and held her chin, leaning closer to touch her lips but Serene immediately looked away, disgusted.

"Get your filthy hands off my mate, f*cker. I knew it, something is up with you," mariing saad ng isang baritonong boses at sa isang iglap ay nasa tabi na ito ni Serene saka hinapit ang kaniyang bewang at inilayo kay Farkas.

"Hendrix!" 

Tila ba binubutan ng tinik si Serene nang makita ang kaniyang mate. Hawak nito ang kaniyang bewang.

"You did well Luna, I'm sorry I'm late," he smiled at her.

Si Serene naman ay tulala lamang na napatango kay Hendrix.

"You can rest easy now," he said and gently kissed her temple. 

And for some reason, the unbearable she has is gone.

The moment her mate came, she felt relieved. There is no one who can make her feel safe and at ease other than Hendrix.

"What did you do," Serene asked, referring to the tormenting pain she had were suddenly gone. Hendrix just smiled at her.

"You'll win," Serene said seriously.

"Silly," Hendrix chuckled.

"Since when did I loose? not with this looser. I'll offer his head to you Mi Luna, so just wait in there," he smiled.

Madilim ang mukha nitong tinignan ang galit na si Farkas.

"I'll kill you and make Serene my queen. Hindi ko hahayaang hadlangan mo kami!" mariing sambit nito.

"Yeah, when hell freezes over," he hissed.

"Let's get this over with," walang ganang saad ni Hendrix dito.

Hendrix is filled with rage. Just the thought of someone taking his mate away from him makes his head boil.

And seeing Serene's state aches his heart so much. He took all her pain and his heart aches even more that it is this painful. He felt like he is being tormented in hell, being burned and skinned alive.

That is what she felt after her fight with Bardulf.

Mabuti na lamang at kinuha niya ang sakit na dala nito, hindi niya gustong maramdaman ito ng kaniyang pinakamamahal na Luna ng mas matagal pa.

Naikuyom niya ang mga kamao roon. He should've come sooner. He hated that he couldn't come sooner.

Nagsisisi siyang pumayag siyang makipaglaban ito ng mag isa. Dapat ay nagpumilit pa siyang sumama dito.

Hendrix is emitting an unusual power he rarely uses because no one pushes him to use it.

Their battle started.

A battle between a demi god with the strongest noble werewolf blood and a ruler of hell who has four strongest race flowing into his veins.

Two of the strongest beings fighting with Serene in mind.

They are both out of control, a battle that you shouldn't put your guard down or you'll loose your life.  A battle between greatest rulers.

Farkas summoned demons underground, which Hendrix easily deafeated like they are just some kind of irritating pests to him.

A strong wind is surrounding them, causing things to fly around them.  Nagdilim pa lalo ang kalangitan sa tindi ng kanilang laban.

Serene never saw this side of Hendrix when fighting. As if he's eager to kill Farkas quickly. That is not the power of just a demi god. It is overwhelming.

Hendrix growled towards Farkas who couldn't keep up with Hendrix anymore. Napaubo ito ng dugo sa huling atakeng ginawa ni Hendrix.

He knows he won't be able to beat Hendrix.

He then suddenly popped beside Serene.

"If I can't have you, then you'll going to hell with me!" mariing saad ni  Farkas habang nahihibang na natawa.

Serene looked at him coldly, ready to stab him.

"Let go of her Farkas, while I'm still being nice," madilim ang mukhang saad ni Hendrix.

"Do you really think I would let her go of her?! Si Serene lamang ang mayroon ako! Nabuhay ako dahil sa kaniya! Ang ama ko ang kumitil sa akin at hindi ako gusto ng aking ina! Kung hindi ko siya makukuha ay isasama ko siya sa akin sa kabilang buhay!" natatawang saad ni Farkas.

Hendrix is ready to kill him, when someone suddenly threw Farkas in mid air using magic. Agad na dinaluhan ni Hendrix si Serene at inalalayan.

"I'll f*cking kill that retard, I'll finish this, so you should go to a safe place for now," sambit niya sa kaniyang mate.

"No need, I'll be the one to finish him. Ako ang nagdala sa kaniya sa mundong ito, ako ang nagbalik sa kaniya dito, ako din ang tatapos sa kaniya. I should've done this a long time ago," sambit ng isang boses.

"Nimue," bulong ni Serene.

Mapait na ngumiti sa kaniya ang pinakamatandang mangkukulam.

"I'm sorry I had to use you Serene, for my selfish desires. But I wanted you to know I did love you as my own," she smiled.

"How about Farkas, did you love him?" Serene asked.

Natigilan doon si Nimue.

"I couldn't. .  . I thought I would, but as I look at his face I just remember everything Bardulf did to me and he is just like his father. . . No matter how hard I try, I couldn't," malungkot nitong saad.

"You'll die if you do what you were planning, you're going to self destruct," seryosong sambit ni Serene.

"I lived long enough child. Alam ko kung papaano pupuksain si Farkas."

Bakas ang lungkot sa mga mata ni Nimue nang sabihin iyon.

"Farkas!" Sigaw ni Nimue dito.

"Mother, its you again," Farkas grinned widely.

"Mother look what I've become! Aren't you proud of me?" tawa ni Farkas.

"I avenged you mother! look at Bardulf! I killed him look! I ate him mother, aren't you proud? do you love me now?" he smiled at her.

Nimue looked at him with a soft expression and hugged him.

"Let's go home Farkas, let's go home my child," he whispered.

"How about Serene mother? we have to take her with us, I want a playmate," he grinned then twisted his head to the back and looked at Serene's direction.

He was immediately filled with rage the moment he saw Hendrix holding onto his beloved.

"No let's go home," seryosong saad ni Nimue habang yakap pa din ang anak.

"Let go of me mother," mariing sambit ni Farkas ngunit hindi siya binitawan ni Nimue.

Nanghihina na din si Farkas sa lahat ng natamo mula sa laban nila ni Hendrix.

"No, you will come with me son," malapad na ngumiti sa kaniya si Nimue.

"We will be together forever," ngisi niyang ikinamulagat ng mga mata ni Farkas kasabay nito ay ang malakas na sigaw ng dalawa sa sakit na nadarama.

Darkness surrounded them, they both suffocated. Their life force were being drained because of Nimue's self destructive power. A forbidden dark magic that has long been banned to use.

"Mother why are you doing this to me!" Farkas cried like a little child. Nimue remained hugging as they were both being tormented.

"Mother!" Serene shouted making Nimue smile at her, before they finally lost their lives and turned into ashes.

Tahimik lamang si Serene at Hendrix na pinanood iyon. Ni hindi namalayan ni Serene ang pagtulo ng kaniyang mga luha, simula nang magtagpo ang mga mata nila ni Nimue sa huling pagkakataon.

"It's done. . . finally," Hendrix whispered and kissed his mates eyes as she shed tears, his lips went down to her nose and then her lips.

Napapikit na niyakap lamang siya ni Serene saka napahagulgol sa halo halong emosyong nararamdaman.

"We won, Hendrix," garalgal ang boses niyang saad.

"We did it, Luna," Hendrix smiled at her as he hugged her tighter.

****

A/n: Nakapagupdate din finally T__T I had a severe writer's block so I couldn't write much, sorry po sa mga matagal na nag antay! I hope you liked how it turned out. Thank you po sa lahat ng sumuporta!