Kabanata 58
Demise 

Celestia Rogue

MY MOTHER look worried, relieved yet confused the moment she saw me.

Ngumiti ako sakaniya  habang dumako naman ang tingin niya saaking maskara.

"I don't what is exactly happening Celestia. Pero gusto kong maging tapat ka saakin."

She said firmly making me sigh.

"I'm sorry I had to hide it from you."

Napayukong saad ko.

"And it seems like your father knows about it too."

Nakahalukipkip niyang saad habang si papa naman ay bagsak ang balikat na nakayuko lamang.

"Mariss---"

"Huwag mo akong dinadaan sa pahawak hawak mo Claude!"

Nakapamewang niyang saad na nagpatikom sa bibig ni papa.

"Gusto kong malaman ang nangyayari sa anak mo."

Napahilot sa sintidong saad nitong nagapakagat labi saakn saka ngumiti na nagpatalim sa titig ni mama.

"Should I head out for some time?"

Draco whispered, pasimple ko siyang kinurot.

"It's okay, stay here."

Ngiwi kong saad habang nakatingin sa di maipintang muka ni mama.

"Now explain everything to me, Celestia."

My mother said making me sigh.

"Chill lang ma, para naman kayong mangangagat."

Natatawang saad ko.

"Hindi ako nagbibiro."

Saad niyang nagpanguso saakin saka naupo na sa couch.

"Well it's a long story, mahaba pa sa titi---"

The three glared at me.

"Titiyandra plains, you know that longest field in mytheia? dumi ng utak niyo ha."

Kibit balikat kong saad na ikinasimangot ng mga ito.

"Celestia..."

Mom uttered making me frown.

"Eh kayo kasi eh di niyo ako pinapatapos, akala ko ba gusto niyo akong mag expla----"

"Mag explain ka na nga, yan na oh, dami mong satsat na anak ka ng tatay mong balasubas, pareho lang kayo!"

Reklamo ni mama na nagpakamot ulo saamin. 

"So ito na nga ma, it all started noong ginawa niyo ako, ang araw na."

Mom glared at me.

"Oo nga! I'm not nagbibiro na, chill lang, masyadong mainit ang ulo niyo daig niyo pa yung kay papa."

Kibit balikat kong saad na ikinakunot ng muka ng mga ito.

"So ito na nga mga mars."

Arte ko pa saka nagdekwatro.

"Fast forward noong pinanganak ako. Nagtagumpay si papa na makakuha ng bunga sa puno dahilan kaya nabuhay tayo miraculously. Well we all know that info na and how I am originally born without power na ganda lang ang tanging maiaambag sa mundo."

Sambit ko saka tinignan si Draco.

"Kuhanan mo nga ako ng juice sa kusina, gusto ko with ice ha."

Utos ko sa nakatunganga lang na bwesita sa tabi saka muling tinignan sila mama.

"Then to make story short, I lived my life not so normally when I was a commoner then died because of that parasite who papa attacked when she tried to harm you earlier and oh right she's dead na haha."

I giggled, I even saw how my father grinned widely and even gave me a thumbs up.

"That's my girl!"

Proud na proud pang sabi ni papa na ikinasimangot lang ni mama.

"Claude! Celestia!---"

"Juice po mama, papa."

Singit ni Draco na binigyan kaming lahat ng juice.

"Thank you hijo."

Ngiti ni mama sakaniya saka sinamaan kami ng tingin.

"Continue."

Sabi nito saka kami sabay na uminom, kumindat pa ako kay Draco.

"Eto na nga ang rebelasyon!"

Muli kong saad.

"Ay wait lang nagtext si Allen."

Sambit ko saka tinignan ang communication ring.

"Ma, may binigay daw sakaniyang tocino saka longanisa sila chief, gusto niyo daw ba umorder?"

Tanong kong ikinatango nito.

"Sige, paorder narin kamo nung tinda niyang bangus."

Sabi nitong ikinatango ko saka nagreply na kay Allen.

"Okay sa pagpapatuloy."

I cleared my throat.

"I died yeah, we all know that, doon sa nakakalokang mundong iyon. And then when I woke up, my power activated, saying that it's because I am the one who will save mytheia from that fucking dirtbag of a god, cliche but yeah and cringey but it somewhat became my responsibility now."

Napuno ng katahimikan ang buong silid matapos kong magkwento. Ako naman ay inaabangan lamang si mama sa kung ano mang sasabihin niya.

"Celestia hindi naman ako nagpabaya saiyo diba?"

Tanong ni mama saka hinawakan ang kamay ko.

"Mag tapat ka nga saakin anak."

Napabuntong hininga ito roon saka piinakatitigan ako.

"Celestia are you on drugs?"

She asked me with a straight face making me frown.

"Well I mean it's better then pregnant."

I shrugged then rolled my eyes..

"Ano ba yan mama! sabi niyo magkwento ako? Tapos hindi niyo paniniwalaan."

Reklamo ko sakaniya na nagpabuntong hininga rito.

"I just can't help but be bothered Celestia."

Nag aalalang sambit niya.

"I am glad, I am beyond delighted that you came back to me, you eeven brought your father back. But how can I keep silent knowing that your life is in danger. Nakamit mo nga ang kapangyarrihan, pero nakasunod naman sayo ang peligro."

Nag-aalalang saad ni Mama na nagppatahimik sa lahat.

"But having this power means I am safer than being powerless. Noon pa man ay kakambal ko na ang peligro mama, I even died for being powerless, so please trust me, kakayanin ko."

Ngiti ko sakaniya saka mahigpit na niyakap si mama.

I'm in pain, just thinking about what might happen to them if they stay here is hurting me.

"Celestia?"

Inaantok na sambit ni papa nang makita akong gising pa.

"Oh bat gising ka pa?"

Ngiting tanong ni mama.

It's been an hour since Draco left. I don't think he really left though.

Even if papa can't feel it, I still can feel his presence nearby.

"Pwedeng tumabi?"

Ngiti ko sakaniya.

"It's been awhile since you slept with us."

Ngiting sambit ni papa na mahinang nagpatawa saakin.

"Namiss ko lang, nakakaistorbo ba ako?"

Natatawa kong tanong saka sumiksik na pumagitna sakanila.

"Itatanong mo iyan tapos sisiksik ka?"

Sabi ni mama na nagpanguso saakin.

"Gusto ko lang."

Ngiti kong nagpailing lamang sa mga ito saka yumakap saakin.

"Good night papa, good night mama."

Malambing kong saad na nagpangiti sa mga ito.

"Good night Celestia."

They both answered then kissed me on my cheeks making me smile.

"Always remember how much we love you okay? mag iingat ka palagi."

Sabi nitong halos magpaluha na saakin ngunit napigilan ko iyon.

"Can you sing me a lullaby mama?"

I asked while hugging papa who's just smiling at us.

Mama nodded her head as she started singing the same song she used to sing for me to sleep when I was a child.

"I really love that song."

Ngiti ko.

"Parang kailan lang ano? ang liit liit pa dati ng prinsesa ko."

Sabi ni papa.

"At napakasutil."

Dagdag pa ni mama sabay tawa nila.

"Mama naman."

Nguso ko.

Then she continued singing the song.

"Thank you mama, papa, for everything. Thank you for being the best parents one could ever wish for, I am so lucky to have you two."

I stated, mama then started tearing up which I wiped away.

"Sorry, I just realived how my baby is all grown up now."

She smiled while crying. Tumulo narin ang luha ko doong niyakap siya.

"Ang we are so lucky to have you as our daughter. And even if there is another life, we would still wish to have you as our lovely child."

Sambit ni papa na lalo lamang nagpaiyak saamin.

We continued talking while lying down beside each other until they both fell into a deep sleep.

Nang masigurong tulog na tulog na sila ay dahandahan akong naupo at naluluhang pinagmasdan sila.

"I will come back, when everything is over."

I whispered then kissed both of them in their foreheads.

Removing all their memories of me...

"When you wake up, you'll finally be able to see you family again. Introduce papa to them and live a happy carefree life."

I whispered as my mana flowed within them.

"I promise, I promise I'll come back."

Naluluha kong saad saka tumayo na.

I was crying, crying hard as I opened a gate, I am trying to perfect these past few months.

"I love you both."

I whispered then used my power to make them walk inside the gate.

A path, back to mama's original world. Back to her home with papa.

I didn't erase all their memories together, but only their memories of me.

Wala akong iabng nagawa kung hindi ang umiyak habang pinanonood ang pagsara ng gate.

It hurts, it pains me, but this is for the best.

I cried and cried until I felt a warm embrace.

"We'll come back for them, for the mean time, I'm here for you."

He mumbled while hugging me. All I could do is cry in his arms.

"Yes, once everything is over, I will come back for them."

Sagot ko saka niyakap siya pabalik.

THAT NIGHT I cried in his arms until I fell asleep.

When I woke up, I'm already alone in my parent's room.

It felt empty and sad, far from the loudness of this house with them around.

"Good morning."

Draco said while leaning on the door frame with his arms crossed.

I sighed then smiled at him.

"G-good morning."

I greeted.

"You don't have to smile when you don't feel like it."

He said, I just sighed.

"I miss my parents."

I mumbled then walked into his direction. Isinandal ko lamang ang ulo sakaniyang matipunong dibdib at napabuntong hininga.

Si Draco naman ay marahang hinaplos ang buhok ko.

"You'll come back for them right? no need to be sad, you will see them again okay?"

He said making me nod my head on him. It somewhat lightened me up.

"You only did what you think is safe for them. Atleast you can now be at ease, knowing that Lucian can never hurt them.

I will do everything in my power to end Lucian and come back to them.

Susunod ako sakanila matapos ang lahat ng ito.

Also I gave them a powerful protection spell along with the other gods. so Lucian won't be able to track them.

"Let's have a breakfast."

I said then smiled at him as we both went into the kitchen.

Napangiti ako nang makita ang tirang ulam kagabi na niluto namin ni mama.

Matagal ko iyong tinitigan at natigilan nalamang nang pisilin ni Draco ang kamay ko.

"Let's eat."

He smiled, I nodded my head on him and sat on the chair that he pulled for me.

I was eating silently and Draco is unusually loud and talks a lot, probably trying to cheer me up.

"Thank you Draco."

I smiled at him.

"I appreciate it, really..."

Dagdag ko pa.

We were just busy staring and talking at each other after we both ate.

When someone suddenly barged into our house.

"Hoy tama na muna landi."

It's annoying Leonard together with Dylan.

"What?!"

I frowned while giving them an unpleasant look.

'There is a demon nearby and I can feel a shattered core in it.'

He said through telepathy making me stop.

"Are you serious?"

Kunot noo kong saad na nagpairap kay tandang.

"Wow you really reached the pinnacle of stupidness bitch."

He hissed, I glared at him.

"Kasasabi ko nga lang bobo ka----"

Natigilan lamang ito nang napaansin ang masamang tingin ni Draco sakaniya na tila ba nagbabalak ideep fly sya.

"Charing! masyado kayong seryoso."

Irita niyang saad.

"Just like what Leonard told you, we can feel it inside the demon, so we need to go."

Dylan told me making me nod my head on him then looked at Draco.

"I'll go with you."

Sambit niyang nagpangiwi kay Leonard.

"That's bullsh----"

Inis na sinikmuraan ko siya dahilan upang pwersahan siyang maibalik sa pagiging panget na tandang dahil sa sakit.

"Putang----"

Putak lamang ito ng putak sa gilid na diko na pinansin.

"It's fine, atleast we could easily defeat the demon."

Dylan smiled.

"Bakit kailangang kasing ako?"

Reklamo ko.

I'm sure they can easily fight that demon.

"Lucian already knows were alive, he can't find out where we are."

He shrugged making me sigh as I immediately wore my mask and teleported to the same place with Draco.

While Leonard and Dylan just hid their aura's and powers disguising as a normal guardians while fighting some demons.

They are also wearing masks to hide from Lucian.

"Let's finish this faster, gusto ko pang mag emote sa bahay."

Iritang saad ko saka ngiting lumipad at hinarapp ang dalawang pinakamalakas na kampon ni Lucian kasama si Draco.

"I wanted to try this for so long."

I smirked and formed a bow and arrow using my mana, Draco onj the other hand formed thousands of dark swords in the sky making me smirk.

Kasabay ng pagbitaw ko sa pana ay ang pagdam nitong sinalubong ang atake ng demonyong pinatamaan ito sa dibdib kung saan naroroon ang kaniyang core.

Kasabay ng kaniyang pagkapuksa ay ang pawang pagkamatay din ng kalaban ni Draco.

I then closed my eyes when I felt one of the shattered cores.

I giggled when another butterfly went to my fingertips and guided me to one of the higher demons cores.

Ngisi kong inapakan iyon, dahilan ng pagkasira nito.

Sa loon niyon ay isa sa mga shattered core na hinahanap namin.

No wonder the demon is stronger than the average.

The time stopped and the shattered core started glowing as I absorbed it.

"Fuck.."

I cursed the moment I felt my chest again tightened.

I am overflowing with power, I feel like my body is being filleed with mana.

I gasped for air and sat on the ground restlessly, enduring the tightness in my chest and closed my eyes.

And when I opened it, I am already in a different place, made me realize, It was another dream that the shattered core created.

A memory of someone.

"As a punishment for all your sins and for helping the moon goddess for all her wicked deeds you sha'll be loose your immortal life."

Percival's voice filled the hall. 

While Lucian and Kiara is outside shouting, crying, trying to escape the barrier.

The God wisdom on the other hand seems calm. It seems like he already accepted the fate that awaits him.

"But for Lucian and Kiara's request and how you were just controled by Selene, I shall lower your punishment."

Aisha stated silencing everyone.

"Why should we lower his punishment when he is part of Selene's plans? He should die like Selene! You should bestow him death that he deserves from all the evil things he's done!"

If I am not mistaken it is Hugo, the fire god who said that furiously.

I saw the anger in Lucian's eyes as he heard that, yet they couldn't hear what he is saying because of the barrier.

But the god of wisdom remained composed and expressionless.

"Enough Hugo, let the two great gods decide and respect it!"

The god of War, Cormac interfered.

"Cormac is right, we all should remain calm, he is still a family."

Dylan sighed.

"No family tries to kills each other, mga bobo, just sharing."

Leonard shrugged while feeding the birds on top of a bear he's lying down in right now.

"God of wisdom, with the power, the creator has given me, I shall rip your immosrtality and exile you from heavens and mytheia itself."

Aisha stated.

"You will be thrown in the mortals, live and die as a mortal. That shall be your punishment. This order is absolute."

Dagdag pa ni Percival na nagpapikit lamang sakaniya kasabay ng nakasisilaw na ilaw na bumalot sa buong lugar.

I closed my eyes since the light is too blinding, but when I opened it again, the god of wisdom is already lying down on the cold ground, in the middle of the forest.

Powerless and helpless. Even his golden hair became dull and gray.

Then I saw a large hungry beast growling, as it slowly walked to his direction, ready to eat him.

My chest tightened on the scene, but got shocked when in a swift motion, the ferocious beast suddenly collapsed on the ground with an arrow on it's skull.

"A man?"

I heard a voice coming near him as the woman checked his pulse and his wounds.

"That's strange, I've never seen him before."

She whispered as she looked around, making our eyes meet.

Nanlaki ang mata ko roon kasabay ng pagmulat at paghabol sa hiningang agad na napatayo.

The moment I woke up from the memories, the time also continued.

The demons are gone, while Draco who seemed confused went to my direction to check on me.

"I'm stronger than I look you know."

I smiled.

But then someone caught our attention.

Ang tumatakbo at lumuluhang si Misha ang aming namataan.

"Your Majesty!"

She shouted horrified and deeply wounded towards Dylan making me froze as I heard her thoughts.

My eyes widened as I looked at her shocked.

"Eithan! please help Eithan!"

Humahagulgol niyang saad na nagpadilim sa ekspresyon ni Dylan na agad na nagteleport patungo sa nasabing lugar.

"N-No way..."

Napatakip saaking bibig na saad ko kasabay ng pagluha at nagteleport din kung saan sila naroroon.

There I saw our frien, Eithan, lying cold on the ground while Dylan is silently hugging his body trying his best to heal him.

"No! No! Eithan wake up!"

He shouted using the best of it's power to wake him up.

Napaluha akong agad na nagtungo sakaniyang gawi maging si Draco at ang iba pa naming kasamahan upang paghilumin siya.

"Eithan!"

Dylan painfully shouted while crying hard.

I can feel his pain as he tried so hard to save him.

"No way... who did this..."

I mumbled.