A Transient Greeting Lasts

Greetings are another way of gaining attention. They are momentary and cursory, but they are associated with one's own sense that is another factor of drawing people in. They may forget the word of greeting itself, but the person's eloquence and presence may not. It is said a greeting is always fleeting, but the effects a simple word have may last. It was why people greet each other first before anything else. 

But there was just something in this room that forced everyone to keep their mouths shut despite the glares they were giving each other. Law formations were scattered on every corner, and on each platform appeared figures of people that immediately either stood somewhere unnoticeable to avoid those who went ahead and sat on one of the seats surrounding the round crystalline table if they were important enough. The room was spacious, that it could hold more than a hundred people all at once and on the middle, the ceiling opened allowing rays of light to pass through the transparent glass above. Just below was a gathering of equally powerful people, comfortably sitting on their chairs as the rest of their subordinates behind them looked as though they were prepared to slit down their enemies' throats.

It was quite an unusual sight, having these group of particular humans gather around and have a meeting. I guess the appearance of an Endseeker indeed drove them to temporarily halt their squabbles, and the discussion they're going to have will decide whether that 'temporary ceasefire' will remain that way for long. May it be the West Mages Association, led by Kana Grail who sat on one of the seat, Exodus--where one man covered in a long white cloak hid himself behind a mask and a hood, his position seated across the witch, they were all here.

Black Clan was also present in this room, with Robert Callyan leading the Blacks who wore his black cloak but unlike most of the people here, he attached no mask on his face. There was the Assassin's Association's leader, a woman not older than thirty sat on one of the seats beside the witch. She had a long auburn hair which she let loose, wore a long coat with obvious plated armours covering her breasts, elbows, and knees, along with a dagger attached on either sides on her back. 

I have never seen this Coven before, but there appeared to be mysterious people who hid their faces with beak-like masks, each holding a staff of their own while they wore long brown robes as though they were a cult. Their group attracted those already present in the room, as their representative--who looked no different than the rest of his people--took a seat beside Exodus. Silence seemed to be having its own war, the atmosphere so delicate that no one would attempt to break it despite the sharp glares they were giving.

Soon, one magic circle lit up on one corner. It was so bright that some had to hide their sight for a few seconds before the light faded away. It revealed a woman whose presence made some gasped in surprise. She was beautiful, with long green hair fluttering behind her back along with traces of sparkling dusts of light following her footsteps as she made her way to one of the seats, her other subordinates promptly followed behind her. 

Their group seemed to have lightened the atmosphere with their rare beauties and tempting appearances. The males barely have any upper clothing, and the females have thin lines of fabric hindering their chests. Their group was accompanied by elves who are said to be masters in the art of magical elements. I have never seen Fairies before, and no matter how breathtaking they look, it wasn't enough--still--to break the silence.

The quartzite tiled floor beneath trembled, loud footsteps came from the far ends of the room as another magic circle opened. One figure flew out from the formation which caused a gust of wind, strong enough to send some people stumble away. One man floated right just below the high-ends ceiling, his long ash-coated hair flowing like waves behind him which complimented the colour of his protruding horns above his head and a tail painted in rough scales behind. A pair of black wings attached to his back which carried his body through the air, and a body which is half drawn with dragon scales. His appearance was no different compared to the rest who came with him, but he didn't plan on showing much more and landed on another seat beside the Fairy.

Just as then, another magic circle appeared. Some were still attempting to stand from that wind earlier, only for them to be push back to the ground when a group of people with animal ears and mismatched-colour eyes came into view. They wore elegant sense of fashion which showed their superiority against humans, and their big able bodies enough to let others stand apart to give them a path towards the middle. One man with brown wavy hair sat on one seat, just on the other side of the Black. 

Few moments later, dozens of people with plated armours and weapons attached to them marched up to the middle, following a girl who appeared less younger than the rest of the leaders, but her eyes held no such dilemma of being surrounded by powerful leaders as she made her way to one of the seats on the other side of Exodus. She wore a long purple cloak that wriggled behind when she walked. Other people looked at each other as though they were conversing in their minds but the girl said nothing and let out an impatient yawn. 

Four people appeared, behind them was a trail of Knights as one of the Saints took a seat. The way they carried themselves despite such a crowd was outstanding, there was grace in their movements that seemed deliberate. There were puzzled reactions all around, but none had the courage to voice it out. The Northern Saint closed her eyes as she leaned over the back of her chair, the soft futon underneath giving her much comfort. 

Before anyone could even notice, one man with a protective robe around him, light brown hair, deep blue eyes, sat on the remaining seat with an amused grin upon his face. There were five sentinels standing behind him, but they all had their faces covered unlike their leader who was comfortably examining the architecture of the surroundings, ignoring the penetrating gazes of those around him. Perhaps, one could say that such a man is used to it--whether all would give a scornful nor indifferent look, he would not care. That trait is something his children got from him, and I guess it was inevitable.

"So? Who among you called my presence out here?" He asked, easily breaking the delicate atmosphere as though he didn't notice it ever being there.

"Forgive my insolence, but that person is me, Milord." One voice echoed from the back of the room. "As well as for the rest of the guests."

It made the people turn their heads to the back to reveal a boy, not quite reaching his teenage years yet, but was able to conduct himself well with a bow. He was but a child, wearing a business suit--one that nobles wore to pass their days by. His hazel-colored hair was neatly combed to the side, not allowing even a few strands of it to block his sight despite being that wavy. His light bearing gazes remained that way as though these leaders never intimidated him, it was what his stance told everyone else when he walked without a care towards the rounded, crystalline table which seemed to glisten under the beaming rays of light above.

"I see a promising future for such a young lad," The Fairy Queen, Titania, started. "But it is quite a threat knowing I am surrounded by enemies with only so few to entrust my back with." She threw a quick glance at Iyana sitting beside the Exodus' representative and the masked leader of the Coven. "Even much more so that a group other than the World's Organization is capable of bringing us all together."

But the boy only smiled, unfazed. "I beg your pardon, my Queen, for the distress I have caused you lots. However, you may all rest assured for I shall not let any useless physical fighting get in the way of this discussion. My master has exhausted all his mana just from asking all for your presence and thus, he cannot make his appearance."

"All the more reason why we suspect something far from our knowledge is at work here." Kana Grail, the witch from the West Mages Association said. "What organization is hosting this meeting, boy? And what are you after?"

"Well, before I answer that, why don't we have a cup of refreshing jasmine tea?" He clapped his hand, and all of the sudden, each representatives have their own cups of teas for refreshment and freshly-baked snacks atop the table. "Fret not, they are not illusions and certainly not poisoned. Although I am sure poisons are not capable of even weakening such powerful lords." 

"Enough with the flattery," the woman, who carried the sentiments of the assassins behind her, said. "Lead us down to business."

The boy sighed, disappointed. "This is no fun. Master said I would have my share of enjoyment but this is already making me tired." It was a thought, I'm sure, that he had accidentally let out. "But do forgive my manners. I am Azto Navis, you could say I am the representative of our organization. You have to forgive me though, I must keep our group a secret for we fear the World's Organization might wind up knowing of our little gathering. They are a formidable opponent that we cannot fight so easily, after all."

"I'm sure you called us all out not for the sake of a peace treaty but for something far more worse than the New World Order, Azto Navis." Iyana said, grabbing one cookie from the table and even beamed at the taste. "This is quite good."

"Thank you for the compliment, Iyana Klein, leader of the Regular Order Legion Army. I have baked them myself a while ago." He smiled, truly delighted. "As for your former comment, yes, I am not here to talk about the New World Order which is about to commence--certainly, a few days from now, due to a...an unfavourable circumstance, was it? In fact, our organization has little interest of what results from your war, nor we care about the relics you hide each on your own."

"That seemed rather artificial." The Dragonborne said, letting everyone aware of his suspicions. "Who else would have no interest for these relics and this war which could threaten your standing on this world depending on how it ends?"

"You give us too much credit, Sir Zordon Fritz, the acting leader of the current surviving Dragonbornes. I am aware of your fears that the World's Organization might track you down like Sir Stephan Taurvi--the current leader of the remaining Beast People who ran from the Organization after their King has been manipulated by a powerful relic called Paragon by the World's Org." It was a way to let everyone knows that whatever organization is this, they are aware of what is happening and have happened. "But like I have said, rest assured. No one is capable of finding us in here nor capable of listening to our discussion from afar by means of magic. Only those invited are present here, and those who try to get inside will immediately be thrown to death's door."

"Then you are aware of the risk of what to come by bringing us all together." Stephan Taurvi, the Beastman, said. He was a grown man with long white beard extending down his chin. "Yet, you still took the action. What drove your group to ignore that risk, child?"

"Three things, great Lords." He showed three fingers as an example, and curled one as he explained. "One, is the activation of Etherion Tower." He curled another finger. "Second, the threat the Endseeker brings." Then he clenched his palm. "The third is the existence of Caelesti of the Unknown."

"My daughter really stirred a blatant trouble and offered it willingly to this world." Lord Zi'enval said, letting most people in the room gasped in shock, taken aback by his mere words. 

"That tyrant girl running rampant somewhere came from you?" Halos hindi makapaniwalang tanong ng babae na nanggagaling sa Assassin's Association. 

"Technically from my wife, but still my child nonetheless, yes." 

"You raised a monster, you with a cursed blood."

"I--nor anyone in our household in particular--did not raise that kid. She grew up sheltered by her siblings though, but still found her way to the darkest of the world. Commendable, do you not think so, Avarin Samire of the Assassins' Association?"

"Your daughter killed innocent lives, trampled cities, and is now infuriating the World's Organization like everything is a game." Avarin said, her voice raised in agitation.

"So? Do you expect me to take her troubles as her father?" Tumawa ang lalaki ng ilang segundo, hindi niya maintindihan kung ano ang pinagkaiba ng 'anak' niya sa kanilang lahat. Humigop muna siya sa basong may laman ng mabangong timpla ng jasmine bago magsalita. "I have not acted as a father for so long now, and I do not have any plans of changing that. Surely, the Headmistress of the Northern Saint--Amariz de la Valliere--share my sentiment regarding the troubles of her own daughter."

The Saint did not show any change n her blank expressions while she swallowed a sip from her own cup. "I do, and my daughter's business is not for my own meddling." She said, knowing Andrea was standing behind their representative, her face hidden through a mask and a hood of her own white cloak. But I know she was hurt, despite how she seemingly didn't care. Headmistress twirled her cup, a bitter smile plastered on her face. "Think of it as sharing the same cup filled with water but in the end of the day, you two drink different portions, and you can't just share nor take something that has already been swallowed."

"I see why Ke'ala stayed in Magnus for so long, perhaps she had taken a liking to you." 

"I am quite proud of her feats so far, despite the world's prejudice."

"My, I think your daughter is more praiseworthy. She was able to control and manipulate Dark Arts that is considered heavily forbidden by this world's law and even is one of the Ends."

"Andrea has always been a child who showed potential of involving herself in dark forces, so I just let her. Look what my ignorance got her, power. So I do not regret my decisions so far."

"Indeed. That, we both understand all the same." 

I watch as they shot each other an understanding smile, one that only the two of them can share and know of the meaning. Until a laughter sounded across the room, with Robert Callyan leaving his empty cup slammed on the table while holding his stomach. Napatingin ang lahat sa kaniya, at walang ni isa sa kanila ang may balak patigilin ang representative ng Blacks. Kumuha siya ng isang biscuit ang kinain muna ito bago siya tumayo sa kaniyang upuan. 

"Personally, I support Keila with her plan on activating Etherion than we resorting to this war between both Orders. In the first place, it was somehow suddenly decided that the Blacks will join the Irregular Order, leaving most numbers of us regulars to wonder what made the top-ranked Black to change things below. But it is my responsibility to see through everything as a Black, so we plan to stop Keila whether it would kill her on the process or not." Tapos ay tumingin ito kay Lord Zi'enval. "Huwag mo sanang masamain, pero maliban sa New World Order, pinagkakabalahn din namin kung ano ang kahinaan ng anak mo. Kaya kung may maitutulong ka--"

"Caelesti already has the Guardian by killing the Emperor of Leomer," Kana said. "I think it's too late to stop her from activating Etherion now."

"Ah, Leomer. Surely everyone knows what happened to the Empire. This Caelesti had demonstrated her power right then and there. But I did not particularly like that fake Emperor anyway, claiming he was surviving Leo from the Kingdom of Leomer which had fallen in the past. It is an insult for the rest of us irregulars." The Dragonborne said, having a taste from his own cup. "But I am not fond of her hastening this war when my men are far from prepared."

The Saint nodded in agreement. "True. We may agree on a temporary ceasefire now and have more time to prepare given the sudden appearance of this Endseeker, but unless we take care of this entity, then there will be no wars for there will be no battlefields left by then."

"Once Caelesti activates this Etherion Tower, a technology made to absorb and cleanse energy located in Spirit Land, it will shake our own world, making it harder to use spiritual energy and if a war happens right at that moment, then there will only be annihilation. That is the reason why we do not approve of that girl's ridiculous plan." The Beastman, Stephan, incurred. 

"Caelesti does not care how the New World Order ends, nor does she care about those involve in it--her bloodline or not." The man from Exodus states, his cold voice ringing like ripples of water. "Do you not agree, Andrea?"

Andrea promptly shook her head behind the man, a mask that hindered her face made me unaware of the expression she was making, but I could feel it. "Keila--Caelesti, is not capable of remorse. She will do everything in her power to accomplish her plans, no matter how evil it may seem and no matter which or who she may sacrifice to succeed."

"Like how a true monster is." Stephan replied, caressing his long beard with his eyes closed. "She is only one girl, with no armies to stand by her side. How is no one ever accomplished the task of killing her? Avarin Samire, your assassins?"

"I have sent my best assassin from a skilled group of Assassin called Rogue due to the Western Saint's request in the past, ans back then, I didn't see her as a threat so I might have underestimated her. But it has already been three years and my assassin has not returned, she could already even be dead."

"Caelesti has the support of the leader of the twelve Elites, wherever she is now. It was merely just a show to hide her lack of background in Magnus before that I had stated she is to be an Elite apprentice. My daughter, Andrei, took an interest and decided to support her regardless of how other Elites perceive it."

"Leader of the Elites, huh?" Zordon Fritz wondered, na parang may naaalala siya. "Is she not the woman capable of slaying demons and dragons all on her own?"

"Andrei has been an Elite since she was fifteen," wika ni Headmistress. "And she has already slew a total of eight dragons and dozens of demons since then. Her accomplishment made Magnus known for being fierce."

I felt envy and bitterness radiating from Andrea the, pero wala siyang sinabi at nanatiling tahimik lamang. Hanggang sa nagsalita ulit ang representative nilang Exodus na kakaubos lang nga inumin niya. "And assuming she has the Demon Silverrium on her side as well, it does make her another troublesome enemy."

"She should not be permitted to live any longer." Sabi ng Beastman. Napasinghal ako sa narinig, sino ba sila para gumawa ng desisyon kung may karapatang mabuhay ang isang tao o wala? Pero wala akong ginawa at mas piniling makinig. "While we know nothing of the forces she may have with her, that doesn't mean she is fearsome. She is still but a child lost in a sea of evils, and that itself is already a sign that she is weak."

"Beast People have enhanced senses, as I recall." Sabi ni Iyana sabay hikab. "But I guess they are no wiser given their reputation."

"Such insolence!" One beastman raged behind their leader, ready to attack until he was stopped by the rest of his mates. 

"Why must you say such insult, descendant of Denaricus?"

"Caelesti shines the best when she is being underestimated. She knows no boundaries but she can set up limitations. She is cautious and a tactician, one that arms herself with the most correct weapons as though she is aware of how her enemies arm themselves. She sees anything with ease, and you never truly know when she would make her strike. But I know for a fact that she does not take the first move, she can be rather patient when it comes to it. But..." napabuntong-hininga ito.

"But all those can change when she is agitated," Andrea continued. "She doesn't like it when her emotions get the better of her judgement--not because it makes her weak, it's because she easily looses her sanity, and it is something fragile enough to break."

"A monster is better without its sanity, why must she hinder herself from it?" Tanong ni Zordon Fritz.

"A stupid question." Naiinis na banat ni Iyana. "It's like asking why must a cub become a full-fledged lion when it can be a bear instead. Do you see how ridiculous the question is, Dragonborne?"

"Caelesti is a problem, but there is also the Endseeker." Robert reminded them, at hindi nila ito nakakalimutan. Kung maaari nga ay ayaw nila itong pag-usapan dahil alam nilang lahat na wala silang magagawa laban dito.

"Base on the myths, the appearance of the Endseeker told that it's named Daeva. An entity which trashed countless Kingdoms and countries in the past after sleeping for two weeks, and it is only a matter of days before it is awaken and would run rampant until it is satisfied." The Exodus man said.

"In other words, there is nothing we can do against it but wait until it disappears. The longest might be two years, but what of the world then? What of the New World Order?" Avarin asked. 

"We--Exodus, together with the West Mages Association and Black Clan have found a way to activate the relic Pyramid with ease. It will only be some time now before we completely extract its power to open up a realm. Once it succeeds, we shall use it to confront Daeva. and push it over it, use the Hernal's Box to activate a sealing spell and trap the Endseeker far from this world forever."

"The plan was to use it against the Regular Order, but we are left without a choice but to deal with the Endseeker firsthand." Kana Grail said. "Although I will immediately take the relic if it shows signs of self-destruction. I can't risk the destruction of these ancient artifacts. There are still many more missing relics and Caelesti already has Sigillum. No one is aware if she plans to take more relics, but she must be stopped."

"I thought the Association wants her to take all the relics so you can control her?" 

"She is not naive as she once was, Robert. Whatever happened changed her greatly. I see how she uses Sigillum to summon monsters on a whim, I could even imagine her using other relics to do whatever she wants."

"You overestimate Ke'ala." The Cursed Blood Lord said with an amused grin. "She is strong, but not enough to cause major damages, you can trust my words on that. If you already call her level powerful, then what more if I show the real power of a Feyree Cursed Blood? Think well, at the end of the day, Caelesti is but a mere human named Ke'ala Feyree...who simply isn't capable of giving justice of what her true blood can do."

Nagpatuloy pa ang pag-uusap nila pero hindi na ako nakinig pa at tinuon ang pansin ko sa totoong anyo ni Azto na nakaupo sa tabi ko. Pinagmasdan ko siyang lagyan ng mainit na jasmine ang basong nakalagay sa ibabaw ng maliit na lamesa kung saan magkaharap ang posisyon namin. Sa kaliwa ko naman ay isang malaking transparent na salamin kung saan nakikita ko ang buong pangyayari sa ibaba, pati narin ang mga pinag-uusapan nila. 

Pati ako ay hindi alam kung bakit bigla na lamanag nagtipon-tipon ang mga representatives at leaders mismo at sa halip na ang Endseeker ang dapat nilang problemahin, ako ang pinag-uusapan nila. Tama nga naman ang taong nakaupo ngayon sa tabi ng Fairy Queen na si Titania at sa kaliwa ni Robert Callyan, ang nagsisilbing representative ng Black Clan. Alam kong hindi siya ang pinuno. May hinala ako nung una na si Jarvis ito, pero maski siya ay kinailangan pang itaas ang ranko niya para gumawa ng aksyon para sa akin--which ultimately failed and ended up deciding on juts killing me. But I had already avenged him by ending the life of the man who took his vision, and that was the last repayment I shall give.

Matagal ko na itong iniisip nang malaman kong si Jarvis Graymond na isang Cursed Blood ay nakapasok sa Black Clan at pati narin si Angela Feyree na nakapasok sa Academy...napailing na lamang ako at napatingin sa gawi ng lalaking kinikilala nila ngayong ama ko. Pero hanggang magkadugo lang ang turing ko sa kaniya, at kung kinakailangan ay hindi ako magdadalawang-isip na ituon ang weapon ko sa kaniya kung nagkataon.

Napatingin din ako sa ibang tao na nakaupo paikot sa malaking bilog na lamesa, ang iba ay nakikinig habang kumakain at ang iba naman ay nakatayo pa habang nagsasalita. Ni isang bses ay hindi ko pinagkatiwalaan ang desisyon ni Kana Grail noon na ipasok sa akin ang mga relics, alam ko din na matagal niya nang alam na hindi ako ganoon kadaling malinlang. Pero base sa pagsasalita niya, parang pinapahiwatig niya na hindi dapat siya ang pagtuunan ng pansin dahil lang may interes siya sa akin. 

Kana may say how she abandoned her plan of me taking the rest of the relics and combine them with my consciousness, but her emotions told me otherwise. She was wearing a facade that could fool others that just like them, she dislikes my existence for I am a thorn seemingly capable of blinding their paths. But I am only perceived as a thorn to those who are on the other side of the board, and that puts the witch as an exemption. She does not see me as a thorn but rather, a formidable wall that could leave the others cornered. 

Because Kana, as someone who dedicates her lifetime into protecting these relics, hates those who use the relics for their own personal gain. She needed me alive for I am the only one capable of combining these relics through my existence because I have immense energy capacity. The only risk she was willing to take is that I cannot be manipulated easily, and I am certainly not unkillable that my death will destroy the relics. So what game is she playing here? 

I hid the smile threatening to escape my lips by inhaling the fresh scent of jasmine, before landing my gaze on the Saint. She was known as Headmistress, Saint of the Northern Territory. So there were probably only a few people aware of her real name as Amariz de la Valliere. Through attending this gathering myself, nalaman ko na hindi lang si Kana ang may tinatago. Ayon sa mga ngiting binibigay sa kaniya ni Zi'enval ay mukhang may alam din ang dakilang ama ko. 

"It's surprising that not even my father is aware of another Cursed Blood's existence nearby." I said, momentarily glancing at the man named Azto Navis. He was staring at his clone, who had the same appearance and features as him, the only thing that differ is their age. The boy was quiet, he has only been quietly listening to the adults talk while serving them their fill of snacks and teas. 

"You overestimate your father, Caelesti." Azto chuckled. "Fret not, my magic--as you may have already guessed--allows me to form a trance and anything inside is as good as my domain." He snapped his fingers and in one blink, the half-filled jasmine on my cup became full as what it once was. "See? Only I can control my domains, which means those people--even your father--will never know there is another trance eavesdropping their discussion. That clone I have with them is a way for us to hear what they are speaking, otherwise we would have only watched without knowing the snippets of their conversations.""

"Don't you think it's time to talk about the fact on why in the world are you helping me?"

"You underestimate yourself, Caelesti." He sighed. "I truly wonder if you are even aware of how much power you could draw from yourself if only you let yourself loose."

"I have my responsibilities to take care of."

He pointed me a biscuit, his face beaming. "And that is why we are helping you."

I frowned. "You're helping me with my responsibilities--"

"For them to be done so you could let yourself free, yes."

"I hate being interrupted."

"You and Master have that in common."

"You've never mentioned your master's name."

He gulped a whole cookie down after chewing it before looking back at me. "You know by now that I would already have if I was allowed to."

I shrugged, returning my gaze to the left where a thin glass of wall separated us from the others. "Still, this is one risky way of getting information."

"What's better than having what you want to know come from those you want them to hear out from?" He grinned. 

"I don't know what I did to scurry your favour for you to gather everyone here for my sake but," nilagay ko ang wakang lamang cup sa ibabaw ng mesa at tumayo. Lumakad ako palapit sa salamon at hinawakan ito habang inoobeserbahan ang mga galaw nila sa ibaba. "I hate owing people. 

"Everyone does, but my Master always tells me to think otherwise."

"Somehow, I can see why." I chuckled lightly. "There's a merit in it after all."

"Hmm you and Master really do have the same nature." I can hear the excitement in his voice. "I can't wait for the day we get to work together!"

"We're bound to fight first before we meet that kind of outcome. It mostly happens."

"Of course, of course." He waved his hand up and down. "But do not misunderstand, Caelesti. You are not the one owing."

"You meant to say it's the other way then."

"It is." Tumayo ito at mabilis na lumapit sa tabi ko sabay hawak sa magkabila kong balikat. "Rather, you are doing us a favour! It is only natural we help you."

"You must enlighten me then. I woke up earlier realizing I'm inside someone's trance, that itself already makes you dangerous."

"But you aren't angry."

"I don't get angry about trivial little things."

"I'm hurt, Caelesti. To refer to me as someone trivial..." he clutched his chest, seemingly hurt when he's far from it. Noticing my indifference, he laughed. "You're too serious. You need to humor me here, at least. 

"It must be great, having more time on your hands."

He sighed, seemingly for how many times already. "Don't give me that look. You will know everything soon but first, we gotta take care of this war first. Before that though, there's the Endseeker."

"'We'?" I questioned, frowning even deeper. "I appreciate your assistance, but I can handle things from here."

"Hmm can you?" He put his fingers on both sides of his temples in wonder. "Okay! I guess we'll just watch what happens from here by the sidelines." He beamed. "We'll even make sure not to step in! Except unless--oh? Something seems to be going on below."

Napunta ulit ang atensyon ko sa ibaba kung saan unti-unti ko nang naramdaman ang biglaang pagtaas ng lebel ng enerhiya sa paligid. Nakakagulat ng sa laki ng enerhiyang bumabalot sa buong trance sa paligid nila, hindi parin nababasag ang lugar. Mukhang hindi nga biro ang lakas ng taong nangangalang Azto Navis na ito. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang habol nila sa akin pero, may mas mga bagay pa akong dapat unahin. 

Hindi lang sa iisang tao nagmumula ang enerhiya na ito. Sabay tumayo si Stephan Taurvi at si Robert Callyan, sa lakas ng enerhiyang bumabalot sa paligid ay nabasag ang mesa pati narin ang mga nakalagay dito. Matalim ang mga titig na binibigay nila sa isa't isa, at pati ang mga tauhan nila ay nakahandan naring lumaban. 

"I dare you to repeat that again, you beast." Robert demanded, his fists clenched his eyes seemed like they were about to kill someone.

"My, have you not heard? Well then, I'll do you a favour of repeating it." Sa isang iglap, biglang lumaki ang pangangatawn niya. Humaba ang buhok nito na umabot na sa lupa, pati narin ang mga kuko ng lalaki na sa sobrang talim ay para itong mga daggers. "I said, you and your blacks are just a bunch of regulars who suck up to their irregular masters because you know that there is no way regulars will be able to win this war." 

Nagulat ang iba nang makita ang dumudugong dibdib ng beastman at lahat ay nakatingin sa nakaupong Iyana habang pinapaikot nito ang baril sa kamay niya. "You won't die, but I could have gone for the head if I felt like it." 

It was a cue other Beast People were waiting. Sumugod sila papunta sa direksyon ni Iyana na umiiba narin ang pangangatawan nila. They appeared more of like monsters in human forms, some grew fangs, others grew wings, while there were those who grew three times bigger than the rest. Hinayaan lang sila ni Iyana at napahikab, pero ang mga sundalo niya namang nakabantay ay humarang sa daan ng mga beastmen na nakataas ang mga baril nila. 

"Don't waste unnecessary bullets." Iyana commanded, not caring at all. "This isn't a war, there's no point in showing them what the Regular Order Legion Army can do."

"It is exactly what Iyana had said." Titania commented. "Settle down, fairies. A war is more enjoyable if our enemy's still in one piece before it happens." Upon saying that, the fairies behind her calmed down. 

"You underestimate me, Titania. You are nothing but an irregular who sided with pathetic regulars, opposite to these filthy regular blacks who sided with irregular. Have you all no shame? Ignoring your own race just because you believe the other side has more chances of winning?"

The Fairy Queen's light expression changed, it was replaced by blankness as her gaze stilled on the beastman. "I care little about irregulars, Stephan Taurvi. I did not choose to side with regulars because I believe they have more chances of winning."

"Then must your reason be?" Zordon Fritz joined in. "If you were on the Irregular Order, regulars will not pose a threat. You are only formidable for your reign extends over the rest of the world. May it be fairies, elves, dwarves, dryads, you are an entity of nature itself. I can only wonder why you side with regulars who did nothing but destroy it."

She laughed, but there's bitterness in it as well as that sadness that I only I can feel. "I don't care about regulars. They can all die and I won't even care." It was a whisper, but the others' silence made it possible to let everyone in this room to hear it. "I do it all for him. For him and him alone."

"S-such insolence!" The beastman raged, stomping his foot that has now turned into that of a lion's, and his huge body adding to the force, the ground cracked in halves in an instant as a result. "We're all risking everything in this war for the sake of the future, to change the world! And yet you, for him you say? Who is this insolent man you speak of--" hindi niya na natuloy ang sasabihin nang natilapon siya sa kabilang parte. Tumama ang malaking likod nito sa pader na siyang nagpayanig sa buong lugar. 

"Do not refer to him rudely! You're kin are no more than a monster who failed to become a human. Monsters are born from demons since ancient times, spawning beast and eventually, animals. Each time they evolve into something lesser, they become weaker until they can no longer retain any thinking but by instincts. Dragonbornes are no different. You are all animals merely gaining dominance over what you have failed to become, being a human. You are discriminated in the past because of that reason, no?"

"SAY NO MORE, TITANIA!" Stephan ordered, his booming voice sending impacts all over. 

"And you say you risk everything for the sake of changing the world, but none of you understand." She continued, ignoring the beastman's outrage. "The world will only change when existences such as irregulars like us disappear. The world has no need for us, and the world will continue its cycle of endless wars and destruction until we disappear."

"It's like you're saying you want mana to disappear in this world. It's like you want the existence of magic to vanish." Amariz finally said something. 

"The world has mana because of the destruction Endseekers caused in the past. The first group of humans who claimed this power called themselves irregulars for they proclaimed that they were different. Regulars began to fear them, and the world has been divided since." The Cursed Blood Lord said, the expression on his face told me he doesn't really care about their squabble. "I can see your point, Fairy Queen. That as long as we, irregulars, exist--those with lesser power will continue to fear us. They will continue to revolt and will never stop until their fears disappear, and will only so when irregulars do."

"That is the point of this war in the first place. To decide which one shall have the rights to live in this world." Robert said. "It is true that Black Clan are mostly filled with regulars, but we coexist with other irregulars as well because our clan is our home. We do not care about anything else, as long as the Black Clan prevails in the end, we can alleviate chaos and start peace. That is our objective. Yet Titania chose to join this war and side with regulars not for the sake of this logic."

"You all only think about yourselves. We all do, we always think of what's best and sometimes, we don't see the same things all the same. But I am different from all of you. I do this not for the sake of the survival of my people, but for Denaricus."

Ramdam ko ang gulat nila habang nakikinig kay Titania. Napatingin ako sa tabi ko kung saan nakatayo si Azto, pero walang itong reaksyon na para bang inaasahan na niya ito. May pakiramdam ako na alam niya at nang kung anong klaseng grupo ang nasa likuran ng mga bagay na ginagawa niya para sa akin. Pero sa halip na sabihan na lamang ako ng mga bagay na alam niya, hinahayaan niya na lang akong marinig ito.

"Denaricus was a man I have failed to claim as mine. Denaricus had a dream. He foresaw a future, one with peace, one without strives, a world without mana. It was a proactive world with technologies scattered everywhere, tall buildings ranging from sky to sky, flying vehicles, people having the ability to choose how they live, a world without slaves, a world where people are unified...it was marvelous. It seemed--no, it was real."

"For such a world to exist...that's interesting." The Exodus guy said, his emotion of amazement radiating around him.

"And that world will only be achieved without the need of magic, without spiritual energy--without beings like us. Since he was young, he planned every single thing, he did everything he could to build reputation. Then the day came when he told me irregulars do not need a place in this world, and I willingly agreed. He was fascinating." She closed her eyes, smiling. "His eyes always sparkled whenever he talked about that future. Everybody thought he was crazy, until he led regulars and fight against the Leos, manipulating those Cursed Bloods into joining him. But eventually..."her face was now distorted with hatred...and jealousy.

 "He fell in love. With a Cursed Blood, no less! I was always by his side, I did not care whether my own people disappeared, whether I had died...as long as he was always mine." She added. "He told me to stop the war. That the future he saw was nothing more but a dream, something that will never occur in this world. I did not understand. He was simply tainted by that woman, blinded by love that he chose to forget his dream, that he chose to abandon everything he had sacrificed."

"It was you who started the Great War against the Cursed Blood." Zordon, the Dragonborne, had his eyes wide in shock. 

"How do you even know that? Have you even been in my shoes?"

"No." He chuckled. What's even funny? How can he even say that if he had never experienced something like mine in his life? "But someone in the past failed to understand me and that made me leave." He proudly said, as if he had long accepted that fact and has already moved on. But since I have this ability, I know pain he felt is still fresh.

"How can that someone even understand you if you already left?"

"Because they will never understand me unless I leave." Seryoso niyang wika habang nakatingin sa mga mata ko.

"No other than me. I thought it would awaken him, but no. His woman disappeared, ran off to hide in a faraway Kingdom. He despaired, his eyes changed. He simply did not care anymore. He killed and killed, not because he wanted his dream to be realized, but because he was heartbroken. I told him I could heal his heart if only he'd let me. I left, disappeared from his life because of pain, and because I knew he would never love anyone again. He said he would rather die than marry somebody. But he disappeared sixteen years later, and years continued with people hailing him as a Hero who was killed by sacrificing his life for the sake of humanity. He was hailed over something he did not wish to."

Dumerecho kami sa dinning area, marami ang nakahain na pagakin sa mahabang lamesa. It's a rectangular table that would probably fit at least ten people. Umupo si Denaricus sa may dulo at ako naman ay nasa tabi lang sa side niya. Kaonti lang ang nakikita kong tao dito sa malaking mansyon niya, it seems like he's the only one here.

Kakain na sana ako nang mapansin ko ang napakalaking portrait na nakadisenyo sa ceiling. Sobrang halata ito dahil kapag natatamaan ito ng liwanag ay parang kumikinang, as though the painting is alive. It was a beautiful woman with great blue eyes, mahaba ang buhok nitong itim. She was smiling, but there's something from the way she looks, longing? I don't know.

"She's someone I couldn't reach." He said that in a hopeless tone along with an exasperated sigh.

"Is that why you put her portrait on the ceiling?"

"That's the part of it."

"Why put it on the the dining area?"

"Because this is the place I don't usually go to." It's like telling me he doesn't usually eat here.

"So you're trying to forget her but at the same time you don't."

That world...Earth. Denaricus did not foresee a future, he foresaw another world. He realized this not because he fell in love, but because he found that world. He was mistaken and tried to persuade Titania to stop the war, but it had an opposite effect. That woman Denaricus had painted over his dinning room's ceiling, that face...I've seen it before. It was the same woman that fled to Zyrendel and helped the Kingdom flourished, it was the same face in the painting that the King had in his office. It was the same Cursed Blood after all.

"Since I was a small boy I've always longed for immortality, to live forever so that my name could live through ages! I searched for a way to be able to do that, I tried everything I knew but nothing happened. But now—"

"If you're thinking of seriously acquiring immortality by crossing different worlds, you're insane."

"All best people are." He sighed. "But do not worry, even if I'm thinking about it, I cannot risk my life for something half as good and impossible."

"Is it because it's impossible to cross worlds without enough energy?"

"Your kind has always been that smart. And yes, you're right. Napunta lamang siguro ako dito dahil pati ako ay sobra sobra ang enerhiya sa katawan. It's funny how I got rid of irregulars when I myself is one."

Bigla na lamang bumalik sa akin ang pangyayaring iyon, 'yung panahon na nag-uusap kami ni Denaricus sa bakuran ng mansyon niya. Marami pa siyang sinabi sa akin, at nung nalaman kong isa pala siyang irregular, hindi ko ito pinansin dahil hindi ko inaakala na magiging malaking rebelasyon ito. The man who drove irregulars into hiding in the past, the man who killed countless Leos and Cursed Blood, the man who is seen as a hero of regulars for all those years is actually an irregular. Denaricus had a child though, he told me passed on his title over his sixteen-year-old son before he disappeared. 

"If Denaricus did not want to marry someone, then why did the Klein legacy continue? They're basically the oldest living noble since ancient times." Amariz questioned.

"I did my investigation myself in the past due to an unsettling thought Ke'ala said." Iyana answered. "Denaricus did not marry, but he has a child. Don't even say he adopted for our blood of a Klein is as thick as his. That boy was named Denarius Klein, who soon became one of the members of the Council. It was too long ago that the past hardly had any data concerning him, but I've seen paintings of him in our Estate back then, and I can say he looks very much so like Denaricus for him to be adopted. His mother...well, I couldn't find anything about her."

"No. Denaricus did not marry. That child..." Titania sighed, looking guilty. "He was a mistake, born out of desperation that I couldn't take what's mine."

"Denarius Klein was your son." Iyana finished. "Which means all these time, Klein has always been from an irregular lineage?"

"Came from an irregular lineage. As of now, the current Kleins do not even have a drop of irregularity in them. Most people live their  lives not knowing they are descendants of irregulars. The reason for this is because the more time passes, the more the blood mixes until the irregular blood can never be traced back. But sometimes, there are instances where that blood appears by surge of too much emotions. Iyana Klein, your blood of irregularity--"

"That's where you're wrong, Titania." Iyana stood up, stretching her arms upward. "I was a wandering spirit who managed to take this weak body as mine when I was a child. The real soul of that child became a spirit. In short, we exchanged places. I have been in control of this body now for eleven years now, it's good as mine."

This story is familiar. It had already been long resolved. What Iyana did not know is that the spirit who was the former owner of that body, Ziandra, became my contracted spirit in a brink of disappearing because of the lack of spiritual energy. In other words, I chose to save her and renamed her existence as a spirit of mine. They only exchanged bodies in the first place because of an energy disturbance. We didn't think much of that disturbance back then, but now that things have escalated to this, that energy disturbance and what's happening to this world now might just be connected.

"But someone in the past failed to understand me and that made me leave."

Denaricus' bitter regret came like a wave of nostalgia in my mind. I didn't expect him to be talking about Titania, and now the Queen is even creating more mistakes just because she misunderstood Denaricus. She claims she's starting this war because she wanted to finish what Denaricus couldn't do because he was 'blinded by love'. Kung sasabihin ko sa kaniya ang lahat kong nalaman na galing mismo sa bibig ng lalaking naging rason kung bakit siya naging ganito, may posibilidad na hindi matuloy ang Great War dahil baka pigilan niya pa nga ito. Napaisip agad ako kung ano ang gagawin. 

"My point is, the real soul of this body had already vanished a long time ago and I was saving the body from dying by taking over it. It may be true that I felt a sudden surge of emotion the first time I activated my energy enough to have even killed by accident." Iyana continued. "But there is no trace of irregularity in my body because of that energy disturbance that made it possible to do the exchange in the first place. To make it simple, I am not capable of gaining that irregularity no matter how much I try."

"Yet you still took my offer of joining me to end the Irregular Order." The Fairy Queen replied abruptly. "You carry on Denaricus' will of ending what he never did as his descendant."

"That's not it, Titania. I took your offer for the sole reason that it will carry me onto the same platform as the people I want to defeat. That only by joining you will make it possible for me to reach that battlefield we promised to meet."

Titania sighed. "That is why you cannot become more powerful. You are creating the same mistake Denaricus once did. He was blinded by love while you...you are blinded by this trivial thing as friendship rivalry. There is nothing more pathetic than your naive friendship. Friendship always ends, Iyana. You will have to reign over them eventually, you will have to kill them soon. I see no point in attaching yourself to these filthy irregulars! They are weak. Attaching yourself to them will only make you so much weaker!" 

It was the first time I have truly seen her anger. Veins became visible on her forehead down to the neck, her hands were clenched and her eyes were glowing in deep purple. But my eyebrow lifted at what I heard, amused. While Andrea on the other hand couldn't prevent her agitation that nobody noticed that a dagger was already pointed on the Queen's neck from behind. Iyana was in front on the same time, her magnum gun pointed with ease on the Fairy's chest. It happened in an instant that the other fairies didn't know what to do. Well, I do understand both of their anger. Titania did not only insulted each of us, but also our so-called trivial friendship.

All pf the sudden, Iyana's army was attacked by the Beast People. Exodus, before I knew it, was already crossing weapons against the Dragonbornes. The sound of steels and battle cries immediately crowded the whole room. The rest were also either defending themselves or mindlessly attacking others. It was an utter chaos of mess, but the leaders remained standing while looking at Iyana and Andrea who were still threatening the Fairy Queen to refuse the insults she gave. But Titania only laughed as a reply.

 "That's a blow the Queen shouldn't have said." Wka ni Azto sa tabi ko. Kanina pa nawala ang clone niya sa ibaba na hindi na namamalayan ng lahat. "They can use their raw energy, but any more than that is impossible. Either some may die or left heavily injures. This is getting ridiculous."

"Aren't you going to stop them?" I may have asked that, but my gaze remained on Titania who was still spouting nonsense. 

"What about you? What are you going to do? I did say I won't get in your way."

"Titania..." the name left an aftertaste in my mouth as my fingers touched the glass. I watch the cracks slowly spread, until the last line met the first and completely shattered. "She agitates me."

Huli kong nakita ang ngiti nito bago nawala si Azto sa paningin ko. Nakita ko na lamang ang sarili ko na naglalakad papunta sa mga lumalaban. Hindi pa nila napansin ang presesya ko dahil nakatuon ang mga atensyon nila sa mga kinakalaban nila. Kaya walang pumapansin sa akin habang naglalakad ako papunta sa gitna. Medyo malayo ang mga leaders at representative sa mga upuan nila dahil nagsimula narin silang makipaglaro sa isa't isa. Nakita ko ang dakila kong ama na nagpapaulan ng enerhiya kay Headmistress Amariz, ang Saint naman ay walang kahirap-hirap na sinasangga ang mga ito gamit lamang ang mga kamay niya. 

Napansin ko din sa tabi si Robert na nagpapalitan ng suntok at sipa sa kaharao nitong si Stephan. Ang leader naman ng Assassin's Association na si Avarin Sumire ay nakikipag-espadahan sa representative ng Exodus. Nariyan din ang witch na si Kana Grail na nakikipagbatuhan din ng enerhiya sa Dragonborne na si Zordon Fritz na iniilagan ang mga ito. Si Andrea at si Iyana ay hanggang ngayon kaharap parin si Titania na nakangise. Mahinhin ang bawat galaw nito pero kahit ni isa hindi siya matamaan ng dalawa. Hindi din naman kasi puro salita lang si Titania, she has the control of nature after all. Hindi siya tatawaging Fairy Queen kung matatalo siya ng ganoon lang kadali ng dalawa. 

Iyana's purple cloak fluttered behind her as she twisted her body on the air, landing perfectly still on the ground with both of her guns thrown above her, they changed into submachine guns. Her face had no  expression when she fired towards the Queen's direction, as well as multiple spaces appearing around her target. Each space let out large amounts of bullets that pass through the other space only to escape from another. It was a cycle that the Queen's energy barrier managed to defend against--then I remembered Denaricus' visions.

Then I saw something, something even worth getting into hell for. May isang babae, nakatayo sa harapan ng mga nasusunog bagay. Houses, trees, even the ground was burning. Walang emosyon ang mukha nito, I couldn't even see her face but I know she's wearing a purple cloak. Parang yung imahe lang ni Denaricus kanina, maliban nakang na babae na ngayon ang nakatayo dito.

Andrea already had her black marks spreading to half of her face as energy enveloped her like a protective robe. She moved in such a speed that I couldn't even see her breaking Titania's barrier in a mere touch. The impact sent the Queen back, her face now with irritation. But Andrea's attacks were relentless. She kept attacking the Queen who couldn't defend herself due to the speed and accuracy of the attack. Titania already had some of her bones in arms broken due to her blocks. Andrea grinned, she knew she had an advantage when it comes to close quarter combat. She jumped above, her white cloak covering her body as she disappeared from the Fairy's sight--

Then the image shifted.

It was another girl wearing white cloaks, black marks all over her skin at kagaya din ng kanina ay hindi ko maaninag ang mukha niya. She was laughing like a demon while destroying everything in sight.

I frowned as Denaricus' voice echoed like ripples of water inside my head.

"Someone will rise to finish what I haven't ended," 

Iyana.

 "That will trigger the destruction caused by another person. That person will rise to seek what is a must." 

Andrea.

Tapos ay napalitan ito ng isa pang imahe. A man and woman fighting a battle which caused death for every living thing on the area. Sobrnag pamilyar nila but at the same time they don't. I suddenly feel miserable. They feel so much anger towards each other that it's hurting me.

I have my guess who those two are, but to think every single memory I've been constantly shown perfectly matched Denaricus' vision...

"Two will battle until death, ending everything." 

I smiled bitterly, closing my eyes as visions replaced my thoughts. 

Then he smiled, a sad one, I could almost see a certain image from just his eyes looking at mine.

And there I saw a girl...

Laying still on the ground.

Showing all the emotions she thought she had already long let go.

As the world above her gazed down, she opened her lips one last time then smiled.

A beautiful one.

She smiled the most beautiful smile as someone took her final breath.

I wonder why do I have to face such fate. Like not facing it at all is a sin, as though I'd die trying to change it and it will never be. I blame the world for it, but my burdens are always unfounded.

"And someone will claim your death."

And yet...despite always ending up with no one to turn to but myself...despite everything, nobody cares. No one will care what I think. No one will care about the things I want. No one will see my existence as me but as Caelesti who holds a fate that drives people into despising me. No one will see me for who I am. No one will sense my pain. No one will sense my tragedy. No one will hear my voice drowned out in this sea of chaos. No one will hear my heartbeats engulfed in this mess of livings. 

They will all only be willing to do them when I stop thinking, when I stop caring about the things I want. They will only start seeing when my existence disappears, when I stop being who I am. They will only start sensing when I stop being in pain, when I forget even my tragedy. They will only hear me when chaos cleanses, and when my heartbeats stop. They will only...when I abandon everything they believed I would do, when I abandon the future they all know that I don't.

Then I shall abandon my fate.

Then I shall shape my own destiny.

Then I shall abandon everything.

A sudden quietude then kissed the deafening noises. I began to hear nothing but the sound of heavy breaths and weapons falling off the floor. I began to sense emotions; surprise, amusement...and my favourite yet unwanted emotion, fear.

I opened my eyes, and finally...

They were all looking at me.

I parted my lips, my voice resulting to a cold symphony that suffocated them as though a passing wind; fleeting but dangerous, powerful yet there was that strange melancholy surrounding it like thorns drawing them all in without realizing they were already in pain. 

"Hello."

And it was enough to make them tremble.

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AN: Another early update! I hope it would continue to be that way. But I wish you a happy reading!