Third Person's Point of View

THE noise of the battle fell to an eerie silence in Ara's ears. Their mouths were open. Their lips were whispering. Their hands were reaching for her. Ngunit wala siyang ibang naririnig maliban sa tibok ng kaniyang puso. Tibok ng galit at sakit.

Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang pisngi ng lalaking wala nang buhay sa kaniyang hita. His face still bore the last smile he gave, but life had already left his eyes.

Wala na siya. Wala na si Genesis. Wala na ang lalaking nagdala sa kaniya sa kahariang ito. Wala na ang unang lalaking naniwala sa kaniya. Ang lalaking tiniis ang sakit sa tuwing siya'y nasasaktan... Ang lalaking minahal siya ng higit sa nararapat kahit alam nitong hindi niya ito kailanman masusuklian.

He was selfless. He was a selfless silver wolf who gave up his life for her.

At hindi makakapayag si Ara na hayaan lamang na manahimik ang gumawa nito sa kaniya.

Niyukom ni Ara ang kaniyang kamao kasabay ng kaniyang pagsigaw. Sigaw na puno ng galit. Her scream echoed in the entire palace. Ngunit tila wala na siyang pakialam. They took her guardian away from her. So she has to take their lives away from them too. Buhay kapalit ng buhay.

The atmosphere went heavy as soon as her voice vanished in the air. Isang nakakabinging katahimikan ang namagitan sa kanilang lahat.

Ara's eyes burned. Her skin stretched but her body felt light, lighter than a feather, lighter and swift as shadow lingering in the dark. Her vision became sharp. And everyone could feel the immense aura coming from her. Something that is strange. An aura they have never felt before. A powerful aura of someone who surpassed the Supreme.

An aura of a deity.

She wants to kill. Nangangati ang kamay niyang kumitil ng buhay. Vengeance crept on her veins like poisonous vines ready to corrupt. The thirst to kill surged in her heart. To kill until everything around her collapses. Until the kingdom collapses.

Nabigla ang lahat nang nag-angat ng tingin si Ara. Nawalan ng emosyon ang mukha nito. Ngunit ang mas ikinagimbal nito ay ang pagkawala ng kulay sa kaniyang mga mata. Her eyes went full black and black veins were sprawling out from her eyelids down to her face.

Hindi pa sila nakabawi sa pagkabigla nang biglang inangat ni Ara ang kaniyang mga kamay. Marahan siyang lumutang sa ere kasabay nang paglabas ng dalawang maiitim na pakpak sa kaniyang likuran.

Everyone's gasps enveloped the place. Kahit ang hari na kanina'y nakangiting tagumpay ay napaatras. Napuno ng takot ang paligid. Ang iba'y nahimatay sa kanilang pwesto at ang iba'y kusang gumawa ng barrier para sa kanilang sarili.

But beneath Ara was Caelum looking up to her. Unlike the others, walang takot sa kaniyang mukha. He seemed to understand her more than anyone.

"Ara, it's me. Listen to me."

But his words made no change on Ara. Wala itong narinig. She opened her mouth to speak, na siyang ikinatayo ng balahibo ng lahat.

"In the name of Ascian, the first fallen deity of darkness and destruction," she chanted with a voice cold and dead, "I, Aurora Belacour, summons all shadows from the pit of darkness, casts all sorrows in this forsaken land, and barren it will remain until the crownless becomes king."

Her words echoed, filling the whole kingdom with fear. Walang sulok ng palasyo ang hindi nakarinig ng mga katagang kaniyang binitawan. Every child. Every parent. Every student. Everyone heard the weight of a broken deity's curse.

Malakas nitong pinagaspas ang kaniyang itim na pakpak sanhi para maglikha ng napakalakas na hampas ng hangin.

Caelum bent his knees to balance himself. Nang humupa ang hangin, Ara's body was no longer floating in the air. Nasa harap na ito ng kanilang hari na siyang nanlalaki ang mga matang nakatitig sa dalaga.

Pinagsiklop ng hari ang kaniyang mga kamay. "P-Pakiusap... Hindi ko alam..."

Ara smirked. Tama. Hindi niya alam. Wala siyang alam. Hindi niya alam na ang kaniyang ginawa isang dekada na ang nakalipas ay ang huhubog sa babaeng kikitil ng kaniyang buhay.

"Enjoy my little surprise for you," pag-uulit niya sa sinabi ng hari kanina. "But too bad you don't deserve to enjoy anything."

Mas lalong yumuko ang hari. Kulang na lang ay halikan nito ang kaniyang paa. "Pakiusap..."

"Beg more."

"P-Please..."

"Please what?"

"Let me live... Lalayo ako. Bibitawan ko ang kaharian..."

"What else?"

"H-Hinding hindi na ako muling babalik pa..."

"Okay."

The king lifted his head. Nabuhayan ang mukha nito pero agad ding napawi nang nilapit ni Ara ang kaniyang mukha sa tainga niya.

"Paano ka naman babalik kung ako mismo ang maghahatid sa 'yo?" she whispered. "Ikaw ang nagsimula nito. Tinatapos ko lang."

And in one blink, Ara twisted his head, snapping his neck away from his body. Fresh blood squirted everywhere as the king's detached head rolled on the ground while his body remained kneeling. Dahan-dahan itong dumausdos hanggang sa tuluyan nang bumagsak.

Pinunasan ni Ara ang naghahalong dugo at luha sa kaniyang pisngi.

What am I crying for?

Hinarap niya ang mga taong natuod sa kanilang kinatatayuan. It was horror and fear that filled their faces. Samantalang sa pinakaunahan, nakatayo si Caelum na tulalang nakatitig sa ulong nasa kaniyang harapan.

The king's head. Mulat ang mga mata nitong wala nang buhay.

"How dare you..."

Ara rounded on Paris who suddenly spoke. Napatiim bagang siya nang tumakbo si Paris sa ulo ng hari. He held his face for a moment bago niya binalik ang tingin sa kaniyang kambal.

"You killed him..."

"He killed me first," walang emosyong wika ng dalaga. "I am just returning a favor."

It was surprising for Ara that it was Paris who reacted this way and not Caelum. Kung sabagay, buhay nga ang kapalit ng buhay. The king's life in exchange for the seven-year-old Ara, of Genesis, and of the late King Conor.

Paris gritted his teeth. He clenched his fist and glared at her. In a split second, he dashed on Ara and started slashing his sword. Ara flapped her wings to dodge his attacks. Mas lalong nanginig sa galit si Paris sa ginawa nito. He raised his sword in the air as a purple mist slowly covered the blade. Mabilis niya itong iniwasiwas kay Ara. Bawat atake at depensa ay naglilikha ng nakakabinging tunog. Crimson shadows and purple mists emitted from their swords as it clashes.

"You killed him. Pinatay mo ang tanging taong hindi tumalikod sa akin!" galit na singhal ni Paris at nilakasan nito ang atake.

"He manipulated you! He used you for himself!"

"You don't know anything!"

Ara groaned in pain when Paris managed to kick her stomach. She heard Caelum's yell behind her but she didn't turn around. Agad siyang bumangon at sa isang iglap ay siya naman ang umatake kay Paris.

The Dygaiams behind them began to defend their leader. Muling sumiklab ang madugong labanan na pumukaw sa katahimikan ng buong kaharian. The Dygaians against Boris and the others. Ara against her own twin brother. All for one purpose - for freedom and glory. For Forthmore.

Tumalon si Ara upang iwasan ang espada ni Paris. She took a backflip before releasing her shadow strings midair. Mula sa himpapawid, bumagsak ang mga ito kay Paris at pumulupot sa kaniyang mga balikat. Paris easily used his power to get off her strings.

Inaamin ni Ara, he's a good opponent. Talagang hinasa siya ng hari. Indeed. He trained him to fight against his own blood.

Napadaing siya nang matamaan ang kaniyang braso. Sinamaan niya ng tingin si Paris. Walang salita siyang lumipad patungo sa pwesto ng binata. She used her strings to bind him at the same moment a ball of shadows formed on her palm. Lumaki ito nang lumaki hanggang sa maging kasing laki na ito ng isang tao. She lifted herself higher in the air bago niya tuluyang pinakawalan ang atake sa ibaba kung saan nagpupumiglas si Paris.

A blinding smoke covered the entire area. Natigil ang labanan sa paligid nang dahil sa usok. Nang humupa na ang usok, tumambad sa kanila ang isang lalaking nakatayo sa gitna ng butas na iniwan ng atakeng pinakawalan ni Ara. Ngunit nabigla ang lahat nang imbes na duguang lalaki ang mamataan, kalmado lamang si Paris na pinagpagan ang sarili. Wala itong galos na natamo mula sa atake.

Ara landed on the air. Naguguluhan niyang tinitigan ang kaniyang kapatid. The attack she made was fatal. It could burn a whole community. It could kill a hundred soldiers. Pero paanong hindi naapektuhan si Paris? How did he survive?

"You really intend on killing me, huh? Mukhang tama nga siya, hindi ka na nga bata."

Hindi sumagot si Ara. Muli siyang umatake ngunit walang kahirap-hirap na hinarang ni Paris ang espada niya. A duel began between them once more. Minsa'y si Ara ang nadedehado, minsan din ay si Paris. Ngunit hindi inasahan ni Ara ang atake nito mula sa likuran. She fell on the ground, but she used her wings to gain balance. In a blink of an eye, she quickly slashed her sword towards him. Tinamaan nito ang kamay ni Paris. Natanggal ang gloves na nakatakip rito.

Ara froze when her palm glowed. Parehong pareho sa ilaw na kumikinang sa duguang kamay ni Paris. Sa kabila ng liwanag, malinaw kay Ara ang nakaukit sa palad ng kaniyang kapatid, the same symbol the glow on her palm was slowly revealing.

A familiar birthmark began forming on her palm. The same exact birthmark on Paris's hand and Genesis's chest.

The life link.

Mistulang bumalik kay Ara ang lahat ng alaala niya kay Paris at kay Genesis. Sumikip ang dibdib niya. All her life she wondered why it was her... kung bakit siya ang napili ng kalangitan. Pinaglaruan sila ng tadhana. And it's making sense now.

For destiny decrees a clash of swords. Blood and tears shall drown out whispered words.

They were the ones in the prophecy. She was meant to draw swords against her own brother. She was meant to start a rebellion. And she was meant to end it.

"I offered you my company but you refused. Sa kabila ng lahat, tinanaw pa rin kita bilang aking kapatid pero maaatim mo pa rin palang patayin ako," mapaklang wika ni Paris. Hindi nito napansin ang pagliwanag ng kanilang kamay.

Ara gulped. May kung anong bumabara sa lalamunan niya. Naiintindihan niya na ngayon. Naiintindihan niya na kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay buhay pa rin siya, kung bakit napunta sa kaharian ang kaniyang kapatid, at kung bakit kinailangang mamatay ni Genesis.

Dahil si Genesis ang magiging hadlang sa kanilang dalawa. Si Paris ang magiging hadlang sa kaharian. At si Ara... siya ang dugong nagdudugtong sa buhay ni Paris.

Paris smirked when he noticed Ara spacing out. Walang imik niyang inatake ang dalaga. Sinangga ni Ara ang espada nito. Paulit-ulit at pabilis nang pabilis. Hanggang sa nabitawan ni Ara ang kaniyang sandata.

She was panting, staring at his brother. Tinutok ni Paris ang espada sa tiyan niya. She managed to hold his hand, trying to push the sword away. Nag-uumapaw ang tensyong namagitan sa kanilang mga kamay.

Ara felt her knees wobbling. Pakiramdam niyang tinakasan siya ng lakas kahit na hindi niya pa naman nailalabas ang rurok ng kaniyang kapangyarihan. Pakiramdam niya'y anumang oras bibigay na siya.

"Tell our mother his son is doing well," said Paris coldly as he thrust the sword towards Ara, unti-unti nang dumampi sa kaniyang damit ang matalim na dulo ng espada.

Hinigpitan ni Ara ang pagkahawak sa kamay ni Paris na nakatutok sa kaniya. Bumagal ang takbo ng oras nang nilibot niya ang tingin sa paligid. Mula kay Boris na gulat na nakatitig sa kaniya, kay Third na naguguluhan sa nangyari, kay Demi na puno ng galit ang mukha, kay Rhysan at Shaye na kararating lang, kay Milka na umiiyak, kay Zale, kay Sin, kay Jiro... at kay Caelum.

Ara's hands started to tremble as his eyes laid on her. Nagsimulang tumulo ang kaniyang mga luha.

"First thing you have to know, all students and professors here are mages. You're from Forthill, right? Things work differently here."

"I am Caelum, the head of the student council. Clearly, you are no different from the rule breakers I had punished. Mind your attitude towards me."

Napakagat si Ara sa kaniyang labi nang bumalik sa kaniyang alaala ang unang pagkikita nila ng binata.

"Belacour, hold tight! I won't be able to support our weight in this position!"

"You're so stupid! Brave but stupid!""

"You took everything away from me. My position, my pride, everything that I once had. But thank you for being here."

"They're not giving you enough food."

"Why am I confusing you, Belacour?"

Ara tightened her grip on Paris's hand. Nanlalabo na ang kaniyang paningin dahil sa nag-uunahan niyang luha. It hurts. Tila pinipiga ang puso niya sa sakit. Bakit kailangang siya pa? Bakit kailangang hindi niya maaring piliin ang sarili kahit ngayon lang? Bakit?

"Stay alive for us, for me."

"I missed you! You're making me crazy, Belacour!"

"Ipaglalaban kita..."

"You are meant to decide your own destiny, Belacour. Pwede mo namang pagsilbihan ang mundo nang hindi sinasara ang puso mo. Pwede mo rin naman akong piliin..."

"I love you, Aurora. I love you more than any kingdom, more than any power, any legacy. Mahal na mahal kita."

A sad smile formed on her lips. Hindi niya tinanggal ang tingin kay Caelum na naguguluhang nakatingin sa kaniya.

"I love you," she mouthed. No words came from her mouth but she was certain Caelum understood.

Eyes filled with tears, she looked back on Paris.

"I will not let you ruin this kingdom," Ara whispered as she achingly guided Paris's sword towards her chest, finally thrusting the blade in her flesh.

Napasinghap ang lahat sa ginawa ni Ara. Milka and Shaye screamed. Samantalang napaluhod sa lupa sina Rhysan at Demi. Boris clasped his mouth, while the others stood in shock behind him. And in front was Caelum, eyes widened, gaping at Ara's body bathed in blood.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Paris sa ginawa ng kaniyang kapatid. Nabitawan niya ang espada at tulalang nakatitig kay Ara. Ara held the sword tight before pulling it out of her chest. Napahiyaw siya sa kaniyang ginawa. Bumulwak ang sariwang dugo mula rito.

Ilang segundo lamang, napaluhod si Ara kasabay nang pagliwanag ng dibdib ni Paris. A blinding light radiated from his chest, parehong parte kung saan tumarak ang espada sa dibdib ng kaniyang kapatid.

Ara gave a victorious smile. She figured it out. At last, she finished her mission. At last, she's done.

"W-What did you do..." Paris stuttered. He began coughing blood.

Sabay na bumagsak ang kanilang katawan sa lupa. Paris's body thudded against the muddy ground while Ara fell on the familiar arms of a man.

Napangiti si Ara nang makilala ang amoy nito. Her vision was becoming blurry but the image of his face was vivid in her mind.

"U-Under my pillow... a scroll... r-read it..."

Nanginginig na hinawakan ni Caelum ang mukha ni Ara, with tears welling up his eyes. "Ara... t-this is not happening. Tell me this is not happening!"

"P-Please... read it." Muli siyang umubo ng dugo. She could feel her airways tightened. Nandidilim na ang kaniyang paningin. Nahihirapan na siyang huminga.

"Y-You can save yourself, right? Y-You can... right?" humihikbing tanong ni Caelum.

Rhysan, who's crying behind him, held his shoulder. Desperadong lumingon si Caelum sa kaniya. "She can save herself, right? She's a descendant... M-Maaari siyang mabuhay ulit, hindi ba?"

Umiling siya. Mas lalong lumakas ang hagulgol ni Rhysan. "A-A deity can only die if she chooses to take her own life..."

Bumagsak ang balikat ng binata. Akala niya'y wala nang mas sasakit pa sa kaniyang nalaman sa hari. Mas masakit pala ito. Pakiramdam niya'y hindi niya kakayanin.

"P-Promise me you'll read it..."

"I will... I will but y-you have to survive, okay? You have to stay alive. The healers will arrive soon... Please, Ara, please stay alive for me..." Caelum's tears fell on Ara's cheeks. "I cannot do this alone. Mababaliw ako, Ara... hindi ko kaya. Nagmamakaawa ako..."

Tanging anino na lamang ng binata ang naaaninag ni Ara. Ngunit sa kabila nito, sinubukan niyang hawakan ang mukha ng binata. She traced his face using her fingers. His hazel eyes. His nose. His lips.

Ito na ang huling pagkakataong mahahawakan niya ang mukha ng lalaking ito, and she wants to remember everything about him. She wants to remember how he made her life bearable again. She wants to remember his touch, his kisses, his embrace... everything about him.

She wants to keep his memory with her even in the afterlife. Kahit alaala man lang. Kahit 'yun na lang.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Caelum..." Her vision was all dark now. Hirap na hirap na siyang huminga. Bawat hikbi niya'y dugo ang lumalabas. "I'm sorry for choosing this kingdom over our family. I'm... I'm sorry that you will never get to see our child... I love you... I love you, C-Caelum."

Gumuho ang mundo ni Caelum nang tuluyang bumagsak ang kamay ni Ara. He held her hands, trying to find a pulse ngunit wala, wala na talaga. Kahit mahinang pintig man lang ay tumigil na.

Caelum screamed in pain as he hugged Ara's lifeless body. Wala nang mas sasakit pa sa kaniyang nasaksihan. Ara is gone... and she took the child in her womb with her. The child that was supposed to be his family. He lost his family.

They may have won the battle but it was pain and tragedy that filled their hearts. They saved the kingdom but he failed to save the reason why he's still fighting. He failed to save the woman who accepted him, the woman who loved him, who fought for him... who taught him to be braver.

"I love you. I love you, Aurora... P-Please... G-Gumising ka. H-Hindi ko ito kakayanin ng mag-isa. Please..."

"C-Cae..." Shaye kneeled beside him. Sinubukan niyang pakalmahin ang kaniyang pinsan ngunit pati siya ay bumagsak din sa tabi nito. She held Ara's hand and whispered again and again, "A-Ang daya... h-huwag mo naman kaming iwan..."

But despite the endless whispers, Aurora never opened her eyes again. And on that day, lying underneath the first ray of sun, were the lifeless body of the second fallen deity and his ill-fated brother.