Kabanata 53
Empress

Celestia Rogue

Natigilan ako nang makita ang lagay ng ina ni Draco.

She wouldn't last long if it weren't for this jewel Draco has put in her. Pinabagal nito ang pagkalat ng itim na kapangyarihang nagpatulog sakaniya.

Napatitig ako sakaniyang magandang muka at napangiti nang makita ang pagkakahawig nila ni Draco.

Hinawakan ko na ang kamay nito at pumikit kasabay ng pagkalat ng kapangyarihan ng liwanag sakaniyang katawan.

It slowly removed the dark mana lurking around her body.

"Wake up empress Clementine."

I whispered to her consciousness after the whole day cleansing her body. Sa buong araw ay hindi ako iniwan ni Draco habang pinagagaling ko ang kaniyang ina.

Unti unti ay gumalaw ang mga daliri nito na nagpabigla kay Draco at napatayo, kasabay nito ay ang pagmulat ng kaniyang mga mata dahilan upang maaninag ko ang mistulang pilak din nitong mga mata.

I looked at Draco and saw how he frozed with the sight of her mother.

"Aziel!"

She shouted the moment she finally opened her eyes as she suddenly sat while panting hard, sweating a lot.

"My child! Aziel!"

She kept shouting while Draco is just looking at her coldly as if he remembers something horrible.

"Please calm down."

I said then touched her forehead with light mana to calm her down.

"Where am I? Who are you?"

The silver haired woman asked me with those same blank eyes as Draco right npw.

He seems eager to wake his mother up, why is he looking at her with such a cold expression, now that she's finally awake?

Isn't this what he wants?

"My name is, Celestia Rogue, empress.."

Pagpapakilala ko saaking sarili saka tumingin sa gawi ni Draco na nanatiling tila ba estatwa sakaniyang kinatatayuan.

"Are you the doctor? How about my child? Where is my child? How is husband?!"

Hawak ang kamay kong tanong nito. Bakas ang pag aalala sakaniyang mga mata nang sabihin iyon.

"Your husband is dead."

I told her with a straight face making her seem horrified with the news.

"What are you saying?! You could loose your head if you spout some lies!"

Galit niyang saad at tila ba naguguluhan padin.

"I am not."

I sighed then held Draco's hand behind me.

"The emperor died, 26 years ago, and your son, Aziel..."

Tumingin ako kay Draco at tinanguan siya, habang nakakuyom ang mga kamao nitong lumapit sakaniyang ina at pinakatitigan ito.

"Mother..."

Aziel said coldly.

Marami akong katanungan, ngunit pinili kong huwag muna silang pakielaman at hayaan silang makapag usap.

"I'll go first."

I whispered, humigpit ang hawak nito saaking kamay na tila ba kumukuha ng lakas saakin bago nagpasyang pakawalan iyon at malungkot na tinanguan ako.

Hindi ko mawari kung bakit para bang may kung anong emosyong hindi ko maintindihan ang mababakas sakaniyang mga mata.

Ngumiti ako sakaniya saka nagpasyang maglakad palayo, ramdam na ramdam ko pa ang nakakalusaw nitong tingin hanggang sa makalabas ako ng silid.

Napatingala ako sa labas ng bintana at napatitig sa dating kulay pilak na buwan, ngayon ay nagkulay asul.

They say that the blue moon is a symbol of Selene's undying love for Lucian and blesses theians who worships her.

Well it's just a myth.

Selene is dead by now and is said that can never come back.

"That's why Lucian is doing some foolish things."

Saad ni Dylan na nakasandal sa gilid at nakatanaw din sa bintana habang pinagmamasdan ang buwan.

"The first time the moon became blue is when the creator tried stopping Lucian and Selene's love and isolated her. The moon turned blue so that Lucian will know that she never forgot him."

He stated.

"Then why is it blue now when she's already dead?"

I asked.

"I don't know, her soul is probably still in the moon, isolated, and probably regretful."

Dylan said and let out a sad smile, nanatili lamang akong nakatitig sa maliwanag at asul na buwan.

"The moon also turned red when Selene died."

A deep voice that belongs to Leonard said as a tall dark man with a sharp glare came out from the window.

"Finally."

Dylan chuckled as the man just smirked showing his fangs.

"Ay akala ko kung sinong panget, ikaw lang pala."

I hissed nangunot ang noo ng tandang roon at sinuklay ang buhok gamit ang kaniyang kamay na para bang feel na feel ito.

"Ay ang yabang akala mo di kalbo dati."

Ngisi ko, binalingan naman ako nito ng masamang tingin at nailing nalamang.

"I won't let you ruin my mood."

He hissed.

"I was finally able to take my powers back, that's how I was able to transform back into my original magnificent form bitches."

He said.

"How?"

Dylan asked making him smirk.

"Kasi magaling ako, obvious ba?"

Ngisi nitong nagpangiwi saakin.

"Hindi."

Kibit balikat kong saad dahilan upang blangko lamang itong tumingin saakin habang nakapamulsa lamang.

"Tangina sinusubok talaga ako ng babaeng ito, makakapatay na ako."

Napahilamos ng mukang saad niyang binelatan ko lamang.

"Draco's mother woke up?"

Allen asked who were with Leonard, tumango naman ako sakaniya.

"Yeah, they were currently talking inside."

I said.

"You look bothered."

Dylan said.

"Are you okay?"

Tanong naman ni Allen.

"This is nothing."

I smiled.

Tinanaw ko si Kiara sa labas na kasalukuyang nasa bubong ng palasyo, di kalayuan at tila ba nakatitig sa silid na kinaroroonan ng ina ni Draco saka nag iwas ng tingin at napatingala sa buwan.

The emperor of Zaveri then teleported on her location to talk to her.

Napabuntong hininga nalamang ako.

What is he thinking? What did he suddenly remember as he saw his mother awake? isn't this his wish?

I have to ask Draco after he talked to his mother.

"Celestia."

Here's another dumbo.

"You're the stupid one here."

Aragon hissed in his dragon form while looking at us.

"You're gonna alert the guards."

I told him, umiling lamang ito.

"I'm invisible and hid my presence."

He said.

"We need to find the core, come with me."

He said, nailing nalamang ako.

Noong una palamang ay nararamdaman ko na ito, ngunit tila ba mahina lamang iyon.

"Okay."

I sighed then looked at the door where Draco and his mother are and went to Aragon's back and flew with him to wherever the core is.

AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, we landed at the center of the forbidden forest, where the legendary tree is.

"Dito nakahimlay si Aisha at Percival, ang lugar narin na ito ang dahilan kung bakit himalang nabuhay kayo ng iyong ina."

Saad ni Dylan na sumama saamin kasama sila Leonard, Allen at Kiara.

"The core is definitely here before, I can still feel it, yet it's already just a small shard left."

I said.

"That's why it took us a day to find the whereabouts."

Napahilot si Aragon sakaniyang sintidong nagpailing nalang saakin.

"That fool, Lucian is here before."

Leonard hissed.

That's true, I can still feel an enormous energy around even if it is visited probably decades ago.

Mukang sinubukan nitong sirain ang lugar ngunit hindi nito nagawa.

Napayakap ako saaking sarili nang maramdaman ang kakaibang simoy ng hangin.

"Are you okay?"

I asked the goddess of enlightenment who doesn't seem like heerself.

"I-I am."

Ngiti nito saka napapikit nalamang.

She's hurting...

Nanlambot ang ekspresyon ko roong napatitigg sakaniya.

"Everything will turn out fine, Kiara."

Sambit ni Dylan na nagpabuntong hininga lamang kay Kiara.

"I just don't know how will I face my father again after everything that happened."

She looked away.

"I betrayed them, I ran away, that's why my mother never really loved me."

She said then closed her eyes, trying to hide her pain.

"You just followed what you think is right, you were the goddess of enlightenment, Aisha gave you that tittle for a reason."

Aragon stated.

I can feel a familiar mana, same with what I felt when I woke up from death.

Para bang tinatawag ako nito at hindi ko kayang pigilan iyon.

It's a guide even the core is not here anymore, there might still shards around.

Nagpasya akong sinundan iyon hanggang sa makalapit ako sa malaking puno at hinaplos iyon kasabay ng paglabas ng isang nakasisilaw na liwanag.

Napapikit ako roon, ngunit saaking pagmulat ay bumungad saakin ang isang napaka pamilyar na lugar kung saan naroroon ang dalawang nilalang.

"Seems like you're doing pretty well."

Nakangiting saad ni Percival.

Si Aisha naman ay seryosong lumapit saakin.

"Be careful, my child."

She said with her eyes filled with concern.

"Don't let him fall into darkness again."

Bulong niya na nagpakunot ng noo ko.

Ngunit bago pa man ako makasagot ay hinalikan nito ang aking noo dahilan upang lukubin na ako ng kadiliman.

"Step aside, I have to kill that child!"

Napamulat ako ng mga mata nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses.

Their faces are still blurry but right now. I can see the little child again, unconscious while the man protecting her is infront of a woman who has an intent to kill her.

"That child will just be a hindrance if I let it grow."

She stated.

"Kailangang mawala ng batang iyan saating landas kaya wag mo akong harangan dahil hindi ako magdadalawang isip na pati ikaw ay tapusin."

Nakakuyom ang kamaong saad niya habang ang nakayukong lalaki na nakaharang sa walang malay na munting anghel ay tumayo upang mahigpit na yakapin ang nagpupuyos sa galit na babae.

"Wala akong balak na harangan kayo ina, hindi ko din nais protektahan ang batang ito."

Seryoso nitong saad.

"You perfectly know that I can never betray you, I just don't want youy to dirty your hands mother, so I'll be the one to do it."

Malamig at walang emosyong saad nito.

Sa di malamang dahilan ay tila ba pinipilipit ang puso ko sa mga katagang iyon.

"You really is my good son, far from that useless daughter, Kiara."

Tawa nito saka matamis na ngumiti sa anak at hinaplos ang muka nito.

"Please don't think about Kiara anymore, she will only stress you out."

The man said to his mother making her laugh while smiling sweetly.

"You're right, why can't she just be like you? this is whyy I love you more."

She giggled then suddenly shifted into a stoic expression.

"Don't ever betray me, you know what I can do, son."

Ngiti niyang dahan dahang nagpatango sa lalaki habang malamig na nakatanaw sa munting anghel.

"Now kill her, or I will."

She whispered coldly with a sweet smile on her face that doesn't reach her cold eyes.

"Yes mother."

The man said then kissed his mother's hand and left, carrying the child.

Napahawak ako saaking pisngi at natigilan nang maramdaman ang mainit na likidong umaagos roon.

'No! Don't!"

I shouted and tried to touch them but I can't.

I saw how that man pointed a great sword in the unconscious child's chest and how cold he looks with an intent to kill her.

"You can't do that brother!"

Sambit ng kapatid nito ngunit tila walang naririnig ang lalaking nakatutok padin ang espada sa munting anghel.

The goddess tried stopping him but the barrier is just too strong to infiltrate.

"Alam mo sa sariling mong hindi mo kayang gawin! Hanggang kailan ka ba magsusunod sunuran kay ina?! mali ito!"

Umiiyak na saad nitong nagpailing lalaking itinaas ang kanyang espadang handa ng itarak iyon sa dibdib ng bata ngunit bigla niyang itinigil iyon nang dadapo na sana ang dulo ng espada sa anghel.

Nanginginig ang kaniyang kamay habang lumuluha ang walang emosyon niyang mga matang nabitawan ang espadang mahigpit na niyakap ang bata.

"I'm sorrry...I'm sorry I can't do anything against her."

He whispered.

Nagmulat ng mata ang anhel at takang pinagmasdan ang paligid.

"The demons! there are demons surrounding me!"

Takot na takot na sigaw nitong habang nakayakap padin sakaniya ang lalaki.

"You're safe now, my angel."

Goddess Kiara said while tears are falling from her eyes.

"There is another way, brother."

Sambit nitong habang yakap yakap padin ng kaniyang kapatid ang bata, tila ba walang balak na bitawan ito.

The man then kissed the child's forehead.

"W-What---"

Naputol ang sasabihin ng bata kasabay ng kawalan nito ng malay at napaunan sa balikat ng lalaking dahan dahang bumuhat sakaniya.

"Tell Goddess Aisha evrythi---"

"I can't...I love mother..."

Saad niyang nagpailing kay Kiara.

"She doesn't love you! she only loves you because she can use you!"

She shouted.

"I love you..."

Malungkot nitong saad.

"She'll kill you if I don't do her orders and I wouldn't be able to do a thing."

Malungkot nitong saad.

"Brother..."

Pabulong na saad ni Kiara, ngunit inilingan lamang siya ng kapatid kasabay ng pag bukas nito ng lagusan patungo sa ibang mundong katulad na katulad ng mytheia ngunit wala ni katiting na mararamdamang mana.

Malungkot ang mga mata ng lalaking inihiga ang bata sa gitna ng kagubatan.

"I'm sorry."

He whispered as he put his finger into the child's chest, shattering her core, removing her source of power along with all her memories of the heavens of mytheia, making her a mortal.

"This is the only way I could think of."

Humalik ito sakaniyang kamay.

"I'll be back when everything is okay and give you back your rightful place."

He whispered with tears falling from the god's eyes then kissed her forehead.

"I, the god of night and wisdom bless you, may you live a happy life in this world, may you b e loved by everyone and may you bring light into this world, just like how you brought light into the never ending darkness I am in."

He whispered, blessing the child.

Sa di malamang dahilan ay sumisikip ang aking dibdib sa tagpong iyon.

Muli ay ibinalik ng lalaki ang takbo ng oras at malungkot na napatitig sa maamong muka ng dating anghel habang nasisinagan ito ng liwanag ng buwan.

Napasinghap akong habol ang hiningang iminulat ang aking mga mata.

Doon bumungad saakin ang nag aalalang muka ni Draco na mahigpit akong niyakap habang nakahiga ako sa ugat ng malaking puno kung saan nasabing nakahimlay si Aisha at Percival.

"Thank goodness you're okay."

He whispered while hugging me tight as if he'll loose me forever once he let go.

It reminded me of how that man hugged the little girl before he crushed her core.

But what's bothering me is who they are?

Should I ask Kiara?

"Where have you been? why are you here?"

Kunot noong tanong ni Draco na hinarap ako.

"I-I don't know, The tree seems calling me, so I followed it."

Saad ko saka nag iwas ng tingin habang pilit na pinakakalma ang daloy ng aking kapangyarihan.

It it because of the tree that I saw those memories even without the core?

"Followed it? Celestia, you've been missing for the whole day!"

He said frustratedly making me froze.

Nangunot ang noo kong sinalubong ang mainit niyang mga tingin saakin.

"wow I missed dinner, breakfast, lunch, snack and another dinner?"

I stated, Draco glared at me making me laugh and then stood up, not minding the sensation I feel in my mark.

"Happy?"

He said with a blank expression maaking me just smirk and held his hand.

But then I remembered what happened the moment his mother woke up.

"What did you and your mother talk about?"

I asked making him stop for a moment then looked away.

"Nothing much, she's still confused and shocked, she also asked what happened for the last two decades."

He explained making me nod my head on him.

"I thought you'd be happy, why do you seems bothered now?"

I asked.

"I thought so too.."

He whispered but I heard.

"What's with her waking up, making you seem unsettled?"

Muli kong tanong sakaniya.

"Hindi ko din alam."

Napabuntong hiningang sagot niya.

"Just don't mind me, let's go home, everyone's waiting for you."

He smiled then suddenly carried me making my eyes widened and hold onto his arms as we flew back to the palace.

I also felt it.

Sometyhing about the empress is making me feel uneasy for some reason.

***

A/n: Sobrang tagal uli nakapag update T___T Sobrang busy po kasi sa work at studies pero nagsusulat paunti unti para may maiupdate padin.

Tatapusin ko padin naman po ito, matatagalan nga lang. Gomen!😢😭😭

Anyways, here's an illustration of Empress Clementine, Draco's mother. Found this old artwork on my disposal so decided to transform her 😂😂