Kabanata 48
Zacharia

Celestia Rogue

WHEN I WOKE UP, I felt someone staring at me. Nang imulat ko ang mga mata ay halos mapasinghap nang makitang malapit ang muka saakin ni Draco na nakatitig padin hanggang ngayon.

"I am just fixing your hair."

He said then cleared his throat, napakurap ako doong tamemeng tumango. Nang lumingon ako sa labas ay nakita ko ang pamilyar na entrada ng napakalaking emperyo.

Nakita kong pinatigil ang mga sasakyan ng mga kasama namin at kumuha ng identification at ilan pang mga papeles.

Samantalang nang makitang papadaan ang sasakyan ni Draco ay nagsi yukuan ang mga ito at pinadaan agad kami.

"Nice."

Sambit ko saka ipinatong ang paa sa hita ni Draco saka tinignan ang buong lugar.

Malaki ang pinagbago nito at mas gumanda pa, maaaring dahil sa pamumuno ng pumalit na emperor, sampung taon na ang nakararaan.

As I look outside, I thought it's impossible, but I actually see commoners and high level mages getting along in peace.

"I heard that commoners have better life and opportunities in this empire, now."

I said with a faint smile in my face.

"Does it make you happy?"

Draco asked, lumingon ako sa gawi niya at tumango.

"It does."

I said then smiled sweetly.

"I hope every empire were like this."

I uttered, he seems delighted with what I said.

"You were not really raised in Zaveri aren't you?"

I asked, remembering what he told me years ago.

"Yeah, I'm not, but I always tell theians I grew up in there so my enemies wouldn't know who I am and where my mother is, I can't risk it that time."

Napatango tango ako roon, that's why he seems hesitating when he's telling me that.

"I am planning to tell you everything, when I got back from Zacharia."

He sighed, napangiti lamang ako doon.

"You can tell me anything now."

I said, making him nod his head then moved closer as he rested his head on my shoulders.

Maya maya pa ay umayos na ng upo si Draco at inabisuhan ang mga kaibigan namin sakaniyang gagawin.

"You're gonna use teleportation?"

I asked.

"It will take us three days even with this speed to get in the capital so I had to teleport us."

He stated, my mouth formed an 'o' then nodded my head on him. Hindi na ako nagulat pa dahil sa laki ng sakop ng Zacharia na limang beses ang laki sa Zaveri.

Draco then snapped his fingers as everything filled with darkness. Satingin ko ay ganito rin ang nakikita ng mga kasama namin.

Sa isang iglap ay tumigil ang sasakyan at nang mawala ang kadiliman ay muli kong naramdaman ang presensya ng mga nilalang sa paligid.

"Were here."

He said as he opened the door. Napakurap ako at natigilan sa isang mataas na lupaing kinalalagyan namin na halos matanaw na ang kalawakan ng Zacharia.

Ngunit ang pinakanakakuha saaming atensiyon ay ang gusali sa harapan.

"No way... why are we here?"

Noah asked amazed while some of my friends are still dumbfounded with the sight.

A huge and tall palace, ten times larger than Zaveri and Bailey's. May nakahilera ding palace knights sa harapan na ngayon ay tila ba nagbibigay galang saamin.

"Let's go."

Draco mumbled as he held my hand and freely walked inside the grand palace.

Sumunod naman saamin ang mga kasama namin.

"This is your home?"

I asked Draco, is he a royalty or something?

"I'll tell you everything later."

He whispered with a faint smile, nangunot lamang ang noo kong napatango doon.

"Kuya!"

Isang masiglang boses ang pumuno sa lugar kasabay ng pagtalon ng isang babaeng satingin ko ay labing taong gulang mula sa railings ng ikatlong palapag. It's a young lady wearing a knight's armor. She also has a short black hair and blue eyes.

"Astrid."

Draco called her name.

I can feel her enormous mana, but not as strong as Draco's. But it's on par with emperors from another empires except Dylan and Seth's.

Napatingin ito sa gawi ko at napangisi nang makita ang magkahawak naming kamay ni Draco.

"Is that her?"

She asked with a wide grin plastered on her face.

"Celestia, this is Astrid, my younger sister."

Draco introduced her making me seem confused. His father died when he was born and his mother fell into a deep sleep and still haven't woken up.

"Everyone here knows she is my sister, but she is actually my cousin. My uncle asked me to take care of her, before he died."

Ngiting bulong niya na sumagot sa katanungan ko saaking isipan at napatango.

"I see."

I answered then looked at the beautiful young lady and was about to say something when she excitedly hugged me tight.

"I've been wanting to meet you since I found out about you!"

Halos magningning ang mga matang saad nito na nagpangiwi lang kay Draco.

"Calm down Astrid, you're hurting my ears, mahiya ka naman."

A familiar voice said in a lazy tone as Aziel whom we didn't even noticed went beside her. Napatili pa doon si Astrid na nagulat saka sinamaan ito ng tingin.

"Kuya naman! pagsabihan mo nga itong clo----"

"You're too damn loud, I can hear your voice even in the palace gates since earlier."

Pagputol ni Aziel sa sasabihin sana ni Astrid kay Draco. 

Napatingin naman ako sa mga kasamang napatampal ang noo nang makitang may kanya kanyang mga mundo ang mga ito. 

Sila Dylan, Aragon, Leonard at Allen ay kasalukuyang nagpapakuha ng mga litrato malapit sa mga statwa daw nila sa hall. 

Wala akong ideya kung saang lupalop ng mundo nila nakuha ang bagay na gamit upang kunan ang mga litratong iyon.

Sila Noah at Misha ay pinagtitripan atang kinakantahan si Eithan.

Si Natalia naman ay dinadaldal si Roma samantalang si Seth at Cole ay nag uusap lamang sa gilid patungkol sa politika.

"I've been wanting to meet you since I found out about kuya having a lover! sawakas ay mababawasan na ang pagkabitter niya!"

She saiid then giggled happily, sinamaan siya ng tingin ni Draco na pinaghiwalay na kaming dalwa.

"That's enough."

Draco said then hissed, sinimangutan lamang siya ni Astrid.

"Whatever."

She frowned.

"Anyways our cousin, I mean, his majesty, informed me to tell you to meet him with your guests."

She shrugged.

"You should've told us about that sooner."

Aziel hissed.

"Parang di niyo naman na alam."

Sagot ni Astrid saka inirapan nalamang ito.

"Let's go."

Draco mumbled, napatango naman ako doon saka lumingon sa gawi ng mga kaibigan namin upang abisuhan ang mga ito.

Except of those losers, my friends made themselves presentable as they all walked in grace to meet the rumored masked emperor of the biggest empire of Mytheia.

Nang pagbuksan kami ng mga royal knight ng malaki at mabigat na pintuang gawa sa ginto ay iang napakalaki at malawak na bulwagan ang bumungad saamin matapos ang mahabang paglalakad dahil sa laki ng palasyo.

Sa dulo ng pasilyo ay mayroong isang lalaking nakaupo sakaniyang trono.

A man wearing a half mask siting on his throne with a cold, dignified and powerful demeanor.

Except me, Draco and those gods, the rest paid their respects to the emperor of Zacharia.

Naningkit ang mata kong nakabaling ang tingin sakaniya saka tumingin sa gawi ni Draco na humigpit lamang ang pagkakahawak sa kamay ko.

"We greet the empire's sun."

We all greeted politely.

"It is my pleasure to have all these important guests in my empire."

The emperor told us.

"Draco already told me your business in my land and I am hoping that the rest of you will enjoy your stay here."

He added in a lazy manner.

"Thank you for your warm welcome, you do reflect how amazing this empire is."

Seth said with a grin, tinanguan lamang siya ng emperor na mukang walang ganang kausapin ang mga bisita at ni hindi man lang itinago iyon.

Naiwan lamang roon si Seth, Cole at Draco, samantalang kami ay nagtungo muna sa silid ng isa't isa upang mamahinga at maya maya ay makapaglibot libot daw sa palasyo.

I sighed as I looked around the empty halls of the huge palace.

It feels cold just as Draco described but not as cold and painful as he probably felt, growing up here.

Kahit gaano pa karangya ang lugar ay hindi ko maiwasanf makaramdam ng pagkailang dito.

Patuloy lamang ako sa paglilibot dahil hindi naman ako pagod. Napayakap lamang ako sa sarili hanggang sa dalhin ng mga paa ko sa isang madilim at tila ba tanging napabayaang parte ng palasyo.

It's an old messy palace that seems like isolated from the main palace. The only place that seem like no one even dared to touch and fix.

I can even see ice all around the place, those  ice that never melted.

Naupo ako sa gilid ng lumang fountain at hinawakan ang yelo sa paligid nito.

It's obviously Draco's but it seems like these ice has been here for ages and never melted.

Touching it made me feel the user's feelings as he casted it probably a long time ago.

Feeling of numbness after so many pains, deep sadness and endless emptiness.

Nasasaktan ako sa pakiramdam na hatid nito.

I felt a familiar presence coming so I just stared blankly at the place as I waited for that someone.

"Why are you here?"

Someone asked.

It is Astrid, looking at me with a gloomy emotion in her eyes.

"This is the only unmanaged place in the palace."

I said.

"Draco didn't want this place fixed, guests don't usually go in this part so it's fine."

She sighed then sat beside me, hinayaan ko lamang ito.

"This place is where Kuya used to live and grew up with. I still feel guilty that I didn't even try to console him before."

She smiled bitterly on what she said.

"We just gotten closer when my father died and he entrusted me to him. When I was a child, I used to ignore and avoid him like he had a contagious disease. I was raised thinking that he might hurt me if I get too close even if I want to, without even trying to get to know him better, I honestly feel awful. It must be really painful to him, growing up, having no one by his side."

Saad niya saka lumingon sa gawi ko. Just imagining it, hurts me.

"That's why I'm glad that you came. He's still acting usual, but he became a lot livelier and It seems like he suddenly became alive as his eyes were full of love and passion while he looks at you. Far from the cold Draco that I've long known. That's why I'm really thankful to you, Celestia."

Litanya ni Astrid, lumambot ang ekspresyon ko doon.

"So please, continue taking care of him. He couldn't express well, he find it hard to open up and still working on it, but I know that he trully loves you."

That made me smile.

"I know, I do love him too, as much as he does. Thank you for your trust, Astrid."

I told her, natigilan pa ako nang bigla nalamang akong yakapin nito ng mahigpit.

"Thank you, I really appreciate it."

She then chuckled and stood up.

AFTER THAT ENCOUNTER with Astrid and since Draco is still talking with the Emperor together with Seth and Cole, I decided to teleport into our old home.

Luma at maalikabok ito, dahil sa tagal ng walang nakatira.  Ngunit wala ni isang sira dahil mukang may naglilinis at nag aayos padin nito.

I looked around the house and cleaned it throughly with the help of my magic. Wala naman gaanong dumi at maalikabok lamang.

Then I teleported to the market to buy some ingredients and went I got back to our old house, I decided to make some snacks, me and my mother used to make a lot.

Nakakamiss din kasing magluto sa kusinang ito kung saan ako unang tinuruan ni mama.

After that, I went to the forest with a basket, where my snacks are in. Mas matayog na ang mga puno at mapayapa padin ang paligid.

I sat under the tree, where Aziel and me, used to rest when we were kids. I closed my eyes and stayed in there for quiet some time.

Tahimik ko lamang na pinakikinggang ang himig ng mga punong sumasayaw sa simoy ng hangin at ang mga huni ng ibon sa paligid.

Nang makarinig ng pamilyar na mga yabag. I smiled thinking it is Draco, but when I opened my eyes, I met those pair of deep black eyes intead.

"Aziel."

I called his name. Tahimik lamang itong nakatitig saakin na ikinataas ng kilay ko saka tumayo na.

"Maggagabi na pala."

Komento ko saka inalis ang mga dahong kumapit saakin.

"Are you going back to the palace?"

I asked, tumango lamang ito saakin na ikinairap ko saka inabutan siya ng pagkain na gawa ko.

"Thank you."

He responded as I saw nostalgia hit his eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

I asked as I watch him finish the snack.

"I'm searching for you."

He said with a faint smile in his face,

"I see."

I said simply with my hands on my pocket as I met his gaze.

"Why?"

I asked.

"I have to tell you something, but we have to go back to the palace first."

Sambit niyang nagpatango lamang saakin.

"Sure."

Gamit ang teleportation magic ni Aziel ay sabay na kaming bumalik sa palasyo.

Ngunit agad akong natigilan nang mapunta kami sa isang malaking pasilyo kung saan naroroon si Draco at ang Emperor na mukang naghihintay saakin.

"Nice."

I grinned, nagkatinginan ang tatlo doon na para bang hindi sigurado na ikinataas ng kilay ko.

"What? you think I don't know?"

I rolled my eyes on him.

"You know?"

Draco asked, then the emperor slowly removed his mask, revealing his face. That face exactly the same as Draco's.

"I've known, the first time I saw the emperor who introduced himself earlier and a week being with Aziel in the university."

Ngisi kong ikinailing lamang ni Draco. He just sighed and the moment he snapped his fingers, Aziel and the Emperor also vanished.

"Those two are only your clones."

I added, Draco nodded his head as he stared at me intensely.

"I'm sorry, I didn't tell you sooner."

Napakamot ulong sabi niya.

"Drac----"

"Aziel Draco Adryann Silvers Zacharia, that's my real name."

He uttered making me chuckle.

"Ang haba naman."

Ngisi ko saka lumapit sakaniya. 

"I am the only son of the late Emperor and is currently the Emperor of Zacharia. I am planning to tell you everything now, but you already know my identity."

He told me while meeting my gaze, he looks guilty for not telling me everything sooner.

"A-Are you mad?"

He asked, he seems scared making me roll my eyes on him as I leaned closer for an embrace.

"I'm not, in fact I'm beyond happy to know something about you. I want to know more of you Draco, iyon nalang ang pambawi mo saakin. You didn't even tell me that you were my childhood friend."

I smiled then looked at him happily.

I should be mad, but I don't really feel like getting mad at him. Were just starting, I cannot just know everything about him in one go. He will eventually tell me everything, that's what matters to me.

I trust him.

"I'm sorry it took me a long time to come find you."

He sighed then kissed my forehead. 

"Tell me what happened."

I said, Draco nodded his head.

"I know that something might happen to me once the seal your father put in me when I was born might get broken one day."

He stated, natigilan ako doon.

"When my dark power is uncontrollable, your father is the only guardian in Zacharia back then who could get close and is able to seal my dark power."

Turan niyang nagpatango tango saakin.

"A month after you and your mother left, I am preparing to find you when suddenly I encountered someone who broke the seal making me loose consciousness. When I woke up, I couldn't remember anything, I already know that possibility will happen, once the seal breaks"

"That's why I filled that necklace I gave you all my memories, my feelings. And once something dangerous happens to you, risking your life, in which your emotion will be enough to melt a part of it. The memories will come back to me, so I could come and teleport to your location and save you."

Pagkukwento niya saakin.

"That's why you didn't come find me."

Naluha ako roong agad niyang pinunasan.

"And that's also why the necklace melted when I was dying back then."

Dagdag ko pang ikinatango niya.

"I couldn't teleport inside the sealed leak and only teleported outside. That's why I had to get in and travelled as fast as I can in your location."

Mariin siyang napapikit roon, he really hates remembering what happened in the sealed leak, years ago.

"I told you, it's fine, hindi mo ginusto iyon."

Sambit ko, bago pa man niya ituloy ang sasabihin.

"Now, will you tell me everything?"

I asked, lumambot ang kaniyang ekspresyon na napatango.

****

A/n: Ang tamad ko mag update 😂 May times kasi na wala ka na talagang ganang gawin yung mga bagay na gusto mo. Siguro need lang magrecharge, but I will still try. ❤

Anyways, how's the story so far? to be honest I'm loosing confidence, I feel like boring siya, though madami pang secrets so bear with it muna. ❤