That Beauty In Which She Was Masked With

I could not figure out whether I was closing my eyes or not. Darkness sheathed like black paint pouring down in droplets. My face felt like it was burning together with the intense lines of heat throbbing underneath my left eyesight. Metallic smell of red liquid colluded with the trail of stench wind and it was unpleasant. My body was in a dire state, as if every bones inside have shattered and it was a wonder how I still manage to have a clear consciousness.

I was hearing that barely inaudible beat of heart pounding against my chest, ringing through the end of my head which added to the chaos that was impending my mind. The feeling was the absolutely worst, with every part of me exuding pain like needles going through in and out of my skin. I couldn't do anything but feel the rough terrain subtle enough to massaged my back in another stabbing sensation.

I groaned, cursing myself on not being able to remember how the hell I ended up in this situation. I could barely feel my energy, hell, I even doubt I could survive another shot. Where am I anyway? And why can't I see anything? It doesn't scare me though. Rather, darkness calms me down more than anything else. But that isn't a necessary evaluation at the moment. If I want to know my situation, I need my eyes.

Movements. There were movements. I could tell by the sudden shakiness of the air, the light noise of their footsteps creaking subtly on a wooden floor. Then a sensation of energy. It was heavy, it felt like the atmosphere was condensed into a wave of something sharp and overbearing. It began to course through my veins, blending with my own dark energy. I began to convulse, a screech escaping my lips. It was painful, as if pins were flowing through my blood and I was being subjected to such torture without being able to do anything about it.

"Don't fight my energy. Accept it." A disembodied voice, spoken in a flat but modulated tone.

I calmed, the voice having such effect. My breathing returned to normal, my heartbeat slowed and the pain around my body started dispersing. The energy was overbearing, but it wasn't that bad when I accepted it naturally inside me. What came first were colours, bright figures almost blurring like motions that I couldn't catch. As soon as the energy settled inside me, I the dizziness from earlier vanished, replaced by confusion. I sat up while squinting.

"Who are-" Hindi ko na natuloy ang tanong ko nang makita ko kung sino ito.

Nakasuot siya ng bughaw na cloak, natatakpan ng hood ang buhok nito pero makikita ko parin ang mukha dahil nakalagay sa gilid ng mukha niya ang maskara na kadalasan niyang suot. Nakikita ko ang bughaw na mga mata nito, pati narin ang kaunting mga sugat sa mukha niya. Nagkatinginan kami ng ilang segundo bago ko iniwas ang sarili kong tingin tsaka humiga na lamang ulit. Nasa isang sira-sirang cabin kami, madilim din sa labas.

"Do I look like her that much?" Tanong niya sabay sandal sa pader malapit sa bintana.

"I didn't even say anything." I replied, sighing.

"Your look told me instead."

"You're just as perceptive as your sister."

"We're different."

"...I can tell." I stared at her figure gazing over the full grown moon outside the window, the bluish light seemingly making her eyes glow. "Her eyes are pale crystal blue, like a clear gem unhindered with no more colours. Yours are bluer, with darker shades surrounding it like a that same pale crystal gem only this time, they were slowly getting drowned by those shades."

"Your straightforward nature and honesty are refreshing."

"Why? Too used dealing with pretentious people?"

"Aren't you one?"

"Just like your sister indeed. You return questions with another. Honestly, that's annoying."

She chuckled. "Well? Am I wrong?"

"No. I might just be pretentious after all."

"You're also very reckless."

"I'm known for it."

"Including the fact that you almost died, your reputation compliments you well."

Napabuntong-hininga ako sa sinabi niya. Huling naalala ko ay kung paano walang pagdadalawang-isip ako binaril sa ulo ni Athena. Hindi ako galit, pero nasaktan ako sa ginawa niya. Athena was a sister more than Andrei could ever be. The two were friends, they were always together simula pa nung bata pa ako kaya halos palaging nasa bahay si Athena noon. But even until the end, Athena is and will always be, loyal to my sister. Naiintindihan ko, kaya hindi ako galit.

Who am I even kidding? I did try stabbing her from the back, exploiting my weakness like that so she could lower her guard. If it hadn't for one of her friends shooting my hand away, I would have succeeded in rendering her unable to battle. It wasn't that I was planning on actually killing her, I could never do that. Pero may mga sinabi siyang bagay na hindi ko maintindihan bago niya pinutok ang bala niya sa ulo ko. Mga bagay na hindi ko maintindihan.

I couldn't even remember the pain. Nung binaril niya ako, naramdaman ko na lamang ang bala sa loob ko at tsaka nawalan na ako ng malay. Kaya hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit buhay pa ako hanggang ngayon. Not that I am ungrateful. The dark version of me, who I have been expecting to scold me right now, is silent. Mabuti narin para walang manggugulo sa isipan ko. But it's kind of uncomfortable without her presence tugging at the back of my consciousness.

"So...you saved me?"

"I helped you survive, but I didn't save you."

"There's actually a difference?"

"Your Cursed Mark forced itself out, putting a barrier around your brain which might have dealt a damage to her instead of you. The ship exploded soon afterwards and I was tasked to retrieve your body. Fortunately, you were alive albeit just severely wounded."

"How far was that event again?" I touched my right forehead, there was an obvious scar and I hated the fact that my clear face was somehow ruined. Scars usually are heal by spiritual energies, the only exception is when a wound happens and the energy isn't enough to heal it.

"Several hours. The sun has just set around an hour ago." She shook her head. "Though if you're alright now, we better get moving."

"You've been giving me your energy for that duration of time period, shouldn't you rest?"

She smirked. "Don't underestimate me, Miss de la Vallíere."

I glared at her. How I hated being reminded of that name. "Where are we going?"

"Entering the Southern Border." On her answer, she was already out of this small broken-down cabin.

I walked after her, dark forest immediately meeting my sight. Tinaas niya ang kamay niya at sa isang iglap ay may lumabas na isang bolang liwanag na lumulutang lang sa gilid niya. Sa sobrang silaw ng bola ay halos hindi ko na halata ang kadiliman ng gubat. May mga naririnig akong pagsabog at sigaw sa malayo, pati narin ang nagbabagang apoy.

"What happened to the Headquarters?" Nag-aalangan kong tanong.

She glanced at me for a short while with a smile tsaka ibinalik ang tingin sa unahan. "Still under siege from Zyrendel's force. But some of the Ends are there, sila na ang bahala. The rest being sent to the Spirit Land."

"Spirit Land? Why?"

"Let's just say things are going to get interesting soon. Whatever Zyrendel is planning, they seem to have a rough idea what's going to happen for them to attack the Headquarters rather than going here for the New World War."

My eyebrows furrowed. "What's going to happen?"

"The formula Ke'ala created that caused unintended backfires for those who wish to use it against her, Titania had it successfully completed."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Exodus. Black Clan. Coven. The Assassin's Association. The West Mages. Dragonbornes, and even those Beast People. The New World War will soon end, and that formula will mark its beginning."

"Hindi ko parin maintindihan."

Natawa siya sa sinabi ko at napailing na lamang. "I'm saying every single one in this country will die."

"And you brought me here?" I don't mean to sound ungrateful for her helping me actually survive death, pero gusto ko parin malaman kung ano ang ginagawa namin dito kung ang ibang Ends ay nasa Headquarters.

"Don't be like that. I actually like you a lot and I don't want to be alone so I brought you along the way." She smirked.

I snorted. "You two really are different." I mumbled, which she heard but ignored.

"I haven't told my name, now that I remember." She pushed the bushes away, creating a path for us. Tumigil siya kaya tumigil din ako. "Ah, now this is what you call a beautiful scenery."

Ma dito sa ibabaw ng cliff ay makikita namin ang nangyayari sa ibaba. Maraming taong nakikipaglaban. The forest under us is as good dead, with fire surging everywhere. Kahit malamig ang hangin ay ganoon parin na nararamdaman ko ang init mula sa ibaba.

Tumingin ako sa kaniya na nakalagay ang mga kamay sa beywang. Unlike someone I know, she's full of expressions and she doesn't hide anything of what she feels. At least, that's how I understand her nature. In other words, she's more vibrant and cheerful, honest and productive. It makes me wonder if they really are blood related, but when she looked at me with that grin witch dancing mischief in her blue, darker shaded eyes, they aren't that different from each other after all.

"So, what's your name?"

"Ka'ela Feyree. With an 'a', alright?" She sighed. "People usually mistake my name for being her in the past it was seriously annoying."

"Feyree, huh? I always did wonder." I paused, making her tilt her head slightly to the right in anticipation. "Are you the leader of Exodus?"

She frowned, then her eyes widened for a moment. "Ah! The name does cause confusion. Unnecessarily, that is." She chuckled.

"Answer my question."

"You're an impatient one."

"It's just a yes or-"

"No."

"No?"

Her grin got even wider. "No."

There was no usual yawns but heavy breathings as I stumbled over the door with my hand clasped around my chest. I was panting. Hot temperature and the iron smell of blood exuded from me, my entire clothes drenched in red liquid that it was mortifying to look at. With a last push, I forced myself forward, the dim lit room hindering my vision from seeing everything. But it was enough when I found the vault with the cold metal making my skin shiver as I entered the password.

The frozen ice instantly melted as soon as the vault opened, the cool steam of ice escaping. I struggled to keep myself up, my face paled from its usual colour that I could no longer muster any strength to keep my knees together. They continued to wobble along with my body, weakening. But I was able to grab the mechanic object from its tiny chamber before my knees hit the crystal floor. There sighted was my own pathetic reflection bathed in blood as it continued to pour out like a broken faucet.

I closed my eyes as I held the last of my breath, clumsily dragging the coiling wires inside my chest which were already soaked in sticky red liquid. I screamed, painful cries echoing in this emptiness when I pressed the button on the middle of the mechanic item. I felt the wave of electricity throbbing inside the said object, the wires instantly reattaching themselves on the holes found on the surface of the metal. I cried again, the electricity now running around my body that shook me to the core.

I fell, my body hitting the floor caused by another source of energy renewing itself inside me. The pain continued to soothe me to slumber, but I knew I have to stay awake if I don't want to actually die. Heat raged itself inside my flesh, like my bones are being burned and my blood kept on boiling. I couldn't help but feel the overwhelming pain and yell even when my lungs were already at the point of breaking, I didn't stop.

"Oh my dear little Iyana." Titania's voice rang along with my screams. Her hands traveled onto the side of my cheek, as if it would helo alleviate the pain. "How I wish I could share your pain."

My eyes went open, glaring at her with all the loathing I could offer. "Curse...you-"

I stopped, my throat too dry to let another voice out until I shrieked, the pain tearing my chest apart. Tears rounded up on the corner of my eyes, biting my lower lip to stop the convulsion. Titania ignored my words, placing her hand on my chest and my eyes grew wide as she forced her energy inside. I pulled away, until she held my neck down to stop me from moving.

"Do not make things harder, Iyana. You know my energy is the only thing that can help you when you're like this." She giggled.

Every single time her energy blended through my pure one, it's like she was stitching my flesh up and I was awake through its process. I gave up from pushing her away, no longer having any energy of my own left to even utter words just to show how much I despise her. Alam niyang kinamumuhian ko siya, at natutuwa siya dahil alam niyang kahit ganoon ay wala akong magawa kundi hayaan lang siyang gawin ang gusto niya.

I sobbed, my chest heaving up and down at pagod na pagod na akong kalabanin siya ng ganito. Matagal na sana akong namatay kung hindi dahil sa sarili niyang enerhiya. Pero hindi din naman aabot sa ganito ang sitwasyon ko kung hindi niya pinairal ang kabaliwan niya sa puntong ito. She loved seeing me suffer so I could rely on her like this, and I hate every damn second of myself for being unable to do anything.

"Shhh... it's alright. I'm here and I won't let you die. Accept the pain, child. This kind of pain is the only way for you to survive." She let go of my neck, caressing my shoulder. "It's funny, isn't it? To survive just to suffer."

I opened my mouth to say something, only to close it again when no voice came out. She laughed. "Oh my dearest, Iyana. It's your fault and you are aware of this. You wouldn't accept my love, you chose to ignore it again and again that it simply... brought me to choose an option which would make you rely on me and only at me."

I blinked, the heaviness of my eyelids making themselves known. She placed her forehead on top of my own, grinning. "Now you have no choice but to accept my love, to feel my pain of being rejected again and again. You can't avert, otherwise you'd die. Rest assured, I won't let another love one leave me again. No matter how much you deny me, I will make you feel this wonderful sensation."

She closed her face to my ear, as if she was whispering an enchantment. "Can you feel it, my dear? Can you feel that excruciating pain coursing through your body? That's how much I love you. You cannot run away. No matter where you go, I will always appear. You and I are bound. Your soul is mine and my soul is yours. That is your fate, an inescapable one."

She frowned, noticing my gaze barely even open enough to focus at her. I screamed again, my golden brown eyes opening as she doubled the pain, forcing her own energy to tear into my own and my body was slowly adapting to it. Tears raced one by one against my cheek, my teeth gritted. It's like I could feel my own soul being torn in half and I couldn't bear it.

"You can't sleep on me now, Iyana. You know you'll die if I force my energy inside your unconscious state. So stay aware for me dear, will you?" She chuckled, her fingers tracing the hot liquid falling down from my eyes. "You can cry, let it all out. I will always be there to wipe those tears away... only to be cause of them again, of course."

At hindi ko na nakayanan ang sakit. Tinaas ko ang kamay ko at sa isang iglap, may ilang daang bala na ang lumitaw bigla sa ibabaw namin. Napalitan ang mapaglarong ekspresyon ni Titania ng seryoso at medyo inilayo ang mukha nito sa akin. Akala ko ay may gagawin siya, pero matapos ang imang segundong katahimikan ay tumawa ito ng malakas. Marahas niyang hinablot ang kwelyo ng damit ko at pinilit ang paningin kong tumingin sa mga nagbabaga niyang mata.

"Do you really think you can threaten me, dear? My death means your death and you simply aren't courageous enough to go as far as kill yourself. You are a coward, Iyana, you always have been. You managed to arrive this far because of me, because of me! You were always so scared to take another step unless someone shows you the way and that someone is me. Ask yourself, Iyana. Are you really prepared to ruin everything you've built until now all because of your little hatred for me? You know you cannot defeat me. You shouldn't waste your energy."

I clenched my fist, retracting the bullets into disappearance. "... you're right." I admitted, and that made her grin so wide it would tear her cheeks.

"See? You can't kill me, Iyana. You just can't. Now, accept my lo-"

"You're right that I shouldn't waste my energy."

Isang space ang biglaang bumukas sa sahig kung saan ako nakahiga at pansin ko na lamang na nahuhulog na ang katawan ko habang siya ay gulat na nakatingin sa akin. Sinubukan niyang abutin ako pero agad kong isinara ang space kaya hindi ko na narinig ang sigaw nito nang naputol ang kamay niya. Tumalsik sa akin ang dugo niya habang nahuhulog ako, nakasara narin ang kaninang butas sa dibdib ko dahil sa enerhiyang pinipilit sa akin ni Titania.

Tumingin ako sa paligid at napagmataan na medyo malayo ang lupa kaya binuksan ko ulit ang isang space para mas mapadali ang pagbagsak ko. Tumama ang katawan ko sa buhangin at tsaka ako gumulong-gulong. Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako at hindi na muna ininda ang sakit. Nasa isang beach side ako at medyo madilim na dahil kakababa lang ng araw. Malamig ang hangin, may amoy itong pinaghalong dugo at apoy.

Nagawa kong makatayo, medyo bumabalik narin ang lakas ko. Sa hindi malayo ay naririnig ko ang labanan nila, pati narin ang nagbabagang apoy na kumakalat mula sa mga malalaking barko at airships na nag crash-landing sa buhangin. May mga naglalabanan at may mga katawang wala nang buhay. Lumiliwanag din ang paligid dahil sa mga magic circles. Higit sa lahat, nakakabinging pakinggan ang mga tuloy tuloy na tunog ng baril.

Ayon sa mga nakikita ko ay mukhang nandito nga ang Coven. Those people with brown cloaks, beak masks covering their faces and have staffs, marami sila ngayon dito sa Southern Port. Our objective wasn't only to lure Ke'ala, it was also Titania's way of making sure na nandito sa Magnus ang Exodus at Coven. Yesterday, she was also hoping na dadating ang Beast People at Dragonbornes. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pinaplano ng Fairy Queen na iyon, pero wala akong tiwala sa plano na ito.

Opening more spaces at this point will run my energy dry. I need to move discreetly. I can't let Titania find me now. Ayaw niyang lumabas ako ng base at sumali sa laban na ito. She said it was unnecessary for me to waste my energy here, and she seriously expects me to just let my men do all the work.

Naglakad ako papunta sa bayan, maraming buildings ang natumba at patuloy parin ang labanan. May nakita akong brown na cloak na nakasabit sa isang kahoy mula sa nasusunog na bahay. Mahirap nang makita nila kung sino talaga ako, pero mahirap ding mapagkamalan bilang myembro ng Coven. Sa puntong ito, wala na akong magagawa pa kaya kinuha ko na lang ang cloak at isinuot.

Ayaw kong gamitin ang ability ko ang mga bullets ko manlang dahil sa mahinang enerhiya sa katawan ko, mostly because my body's still adjusting to the new heart. Kaya kinuha ko narin ang isang espada. Mahaba ito at matalim, hindi din mabigat. I'm more into long-range weapons rather than ones kung saan kailangan ko pang lumapit sa kalaban para umatake, but this will do. Just because I don't prefer it means I don't know how to use it. Titania did urge me to train using different weapons.

What I need to do now is to keep out of Titania's sight just until I regain my standard energy level then I can find Silverrium myself. I don't know how bad the situation is over the base but I don't think my soldiers there are capable of holding Silverrium back. That damn illusionist from before got away before I could deal damage. Mas mabuti na nga rin 'yun, that way I didn't have to use too much energy. But she took the captive when she escaped, at hindi ko narin nakita si Angela simula nun. Nawasak kasi ang parte ng area na pinaglabanan namin.

Tumataas na ang buwan, pero may pakiramdam ako na hindi pa matatapos ang laban na ito nang makita ko ang pagdaan ng ilang grupo ng Dragonbornes mula sa ibabaw. Madilim nga at walang mga bituin pero maliwanag naman ang buwan. Siguro binalak talaga nilang umatake sa gabi kung saan hindi sila medyo makita at kung tama nga ang hinala ko, may malaking tyansa na ganoon din ang mga Beast People.

Lahat sila, Regular man or Irregular, ay papunta sa Command Post na nagsisilbing base namin. Iniisip siguro nila na nandoon si Ke'ala. Nilabas kasi ni Titania ang impormasyong nahuli namin ang isa sa aid ni Caelesti at plano naming papuntahin siya dito para pilit na makuha ang relics mula sa kaniya. Hindi din naman nagpahuli ang iba't ibang grupo. Lahat sila ay desperado makuha ang mga relics at hindi ko alam kung bakit. Lahat naman ng tao may rason kung bakit nila gustong makuha ang ganoong pagkakataong umangat.

Halos wala ng tao sa area na ito. May mga katawan sa tabi tabi at karamihan dito ay namumukhaan ko bilang mga sundalo ng Legion Army. Masama mang isipin pero tama nga si Titania. Kahit ano mang pag-aalala ang gawin ko para sa mga nasasakupan ng pamumuno ko, in the end they still are just pawns na pwede kong palitan. I have the support of half of this world's countries and Kingdoms, pati narin ang isang Empire. I can pull out soldiers if I want to.

But still, that doesn't indicate na wala na akong pakealam sa kanila. Kaya sa una pa lang ay nangako na ako sa sarili kong hindi ko sasayangin ang sakripisyo nila para sa Regular Order. Hindi man patas na isang Order lang ang pwede sa bagong mundong magiging resulta ng Great War na ito, pero kailangan naming gawin ito dahil dito nakasalalay ang kinabukasan ng mundo.

Alam ng lahat na unti-unti nang nasisira ang mundo pero wala kaming pakealam kundi ang New World Order lang. Both Orders will fight for their own survival whether the world survives or not, that was the obvious agreement between the Orders. But Ke'ala doesn't want that. Wala siyang pakealam sa New World Order but she's trying so hard to stop the world from destruction. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, may pakiramdam din akong ayaw ko malaman.

Ke'ala wants to activate the Etherion Tower to absorb this world's overwhelming energy which is the cause for this world's slow road to destruction in the first place. But if she does that, magiging unstable ang enerhiya sa mundong ito and the world may survive but what about the people? Most will be annihilated, lalo na ang mga taong walang ability na e-manipulate ang spiritual energy sa katawan nila.

Every living thing has energy and only sixty percent of this world are made out of people who each has the ability to control energy, resulting to abilities, summoning of weapons, magic-but those remaining forty percent can't. They are normal people, innocents who don't even know what's happening to this world.

Once the Tower is activated, the risk that those forty percent may all suddenly die is high especially so that they can't control energies inside them. Nature may even wither, plants and trees rotting away, and the air being contaminated. Because the world has spiritual energy, absorbing it from the outside would cause disturbance here.

At nagagalit akong isipin na walang pakealam si Ke'ala sa katotohanang iyon. All she cares about is this world's survival while we care about humanity. Ito ang rason kung bakit maraming nagsasabi isa siyang halimaw, na sobrang sama niya. Dahil kami may pinaglalaban at siya...mas pinili niyang kampihan ang mundong nagpahirap lang sa kaniya nung umpisa pa. That's why I will end her fate, give justice to her miserable life-at magagawa ko lang 'yun kung mamamatay siya gamit ang sarili kong kapangyarihan.

I trained so hard to catch up to them, to be this powerful pero sa harap ni Titania, wala akong laban, nakakaawa ako at ayaw ko 'yun. I cannot do anything to that woman now dahil nakakonekta ang buhay namin at marami pa akong bagay na dapat tapusin. But I swear, once I finish everything, ako mismo ang papatay sa babaeng iyon and just like how she has been forcing me to accept her 'love', I will make sure she accepts my hatred.

Mabilis akong tumalon nang mapansin ko ang ilang mga lances na papunta sa akin. Patuloy lang ako sa pag-ilag habang umaatras hanggang sa isang pader na ang nasa likuran ko. Umuulan ng mga lances ma sa ibabaw, kung saan saan lang ito nahuhulog, kasabay din nito ang mga pagsigaw. May isang Dragonborne ang dumaan malapit lang sa ibabaw ko, nakita niya ako kaya agad niyang tinapon ang hawak nitong lance sa akin.

Simple ko lang ginalaw ang ulo ko sa gilid at hinayaan itong bumaon sa pader. Bumaba ang Dragonborne, sa laki ng mga pakpak nito ay napapatilapon ang ibang weapons at bato sa gilid. May sinasabi ito pero wala akong maintindihan hanggang sa sumugod na ang lalaki. May hinugot siyang isa pang lance mula sa lupa at ginamit ito para tusukin ako.

Tinaas ko ang hawak kong weapon at muntik ko nang makalimutan na hindi pala ito baril kaya madali niyang naputol ang espada. Bago pa man ako masaksak ng lance niya yumuko ako at dumaan sa gilid niya. Saktong humarap siya nung sinaksak ko sa dibdib niya ang putol na bahagi ng hawak kong espada. Napansin ko ang armour niya kaya tinaas ko ang kamay ko. Napaatras ito nang napagtantong bumaon sa leeg niya ang sandata ko.

I yawned, it was my exhaustion finally showing. I pulled out a lance from the ground and turned to continue my walk. While waiting for my energy to recover, might as well take out enemies as many as I can. I'm short and smaller than average, reason why I'm fast and flexible. It was a mistake for that Dragonborne to even underestimate me. Their race is supposed to be strong and powerful, but that was disappointing-I shifted my body down, stumbling over the pebbles with my back.

May naramdaman kasi akong paparating. Habang nakaluhod ako sa lupa ay napatingin ako sa harap. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang nakatayo na ulit ang taong akala ko ay patay na at nakatutok pa sa akin ang isang lance. Napansin ko naman ang biglang pagkawala na parang bula ang sinaksak ko sa leeg. Isa itong clone, isa sigurong ability niya.

Dragonbornes wielding ability or magic isn't rare, but they are uncommon. Dragonbornes are already a race capable of harnessing energy, and they use that spiritual energy to summon their dragon wings or horns, along with that is their natural power of strength and agility. Seeing one who can use their energy to unlock an ability or magic means their spiritual prowess is higher than average.

May sinabi siya na hindi ko naman maintindihan habang malakas niyang tinapon ulit ang lance sa mukha ko. Hindi ako umilag at hinayaan lang itong dumaan sa space na pinalabas ko. Sa isang iglap ay may lumabas na space sa likod niya at doon dumaan ang lance. Nagsummon siya ng isang clone at hinayaan ang katawan niyang tamaan ng lance. Nawala na naman ng parang bula ang katawan at nakangiti ang clone na sinummon niya kanina.

"An ability to transfer consciousness to your own clone, huh?" I sighed, sabay tayo at pinaikot ang lance sa kamay ko. Mas mataas pa ito sa akin na kinaiinisan ko. "This is going to be troublesome."

He won't die as long as he can summon another clone and transfer his consciousness over. I just need to be fast with my attacks then. Sinabihan ko pa naman ang sarili kong hindi ko muna gagamitin ang ability ko at weapons pero isang Dragonborne ang kalaban ko, even if he might just be a nobody, malakas parin talaga ang lahi nila.

Tumawa ang lalaki pero hindi ko pinansin at nagsummon ng maraming spaces sa paligid niya na kahit nagsummon man siya ng clones ay tiyak na matatamaan parin siya. I snapped my fingers, bullets immediately flying everywhere. Pabalik-balik lang ang mga bala ko, kung hindi man sila tumatama dahil sa pag-iilag niya ay lumulusot lang ito sa isang space at lulusot naman sa kabila. He kept summoning clones after another, may sinabi talaga siya pero anong magawa ko kung hindi ko maintindihan?

I flinched, ramdam ko kasi ang parang kuryente na dumaan sa buong katawan ko at dahil sa biglaang sakit ng puso ko ay nawala ang mga spaces ko at bala. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko tsaka napabuntong-hininga. Did I push myself too hard? Summoning even just a single space already causes too much energy, ano pa kaya kung sobrang dami at mga bala ko pa?

My stamina did improve over these past years dahil sa training at modifications na ginawa ni Titania sa katawan ko, but with my new mechanical heart still adjusting to my energy, I shouldn't have exerted too much energy. But looking up front, may mga tama ang katawan ng Dragonborne. Nakabukas ang bibig niya at may sinasabi pero wala talaga akong pakealam.

I summoned my signature weapon, a magnum gun, at walang pagdadalawang-isip na pinutok ito sa kaniya. My main weapon isn't a bullet, it's actually a magnum pistol gun and a magnum rifle. The bullets I summon comes from these guns, an advantage for those who have guns as a weapons. Summoning a gun rather than using most of my energy into summoning dozens of bullets takes less energy. Though of course, ang problema lang ay kailangan ko pa itutok ang trajectory unlike when telling my bullets to where they should hit.

If there are important things I care most about myself, it's my sight. Just like no matter how much this Dragonborne clones and transfers himself into another, tiyak na matatamaan ko talaga siya. I've been using my eyes to predict and calculate the exact movements of my opponents all my life, so unless he suddenly dodges and block my bullets, he would surely get hit.

For the tenth time, natamaan ko na naman ang ulo niya pero bago pa man 'yun ay may lumitaw nang isa pang katawan niya sa tabi ko. Tinaas ko ang kamay ko para isangga ang suntok niya pero dahil sa lakas nun ay napaatras na naman ako.

"Tsk. Persistent." Naiinis kong bulong sa sarili sabay pagkawala ng baril na hawak ko. "You're leaving me no choice-"

Hindi natuloy ang pinaplano ko nang yumanig ang lupa. Sa sobrang pagyanig nito ay bumiyak sa iba't ibang direksyon ang lupa. The gap between the cracks were growing wider and wider while the earthquake continued to destroy everything. Napakapit ako sa isang bakal nang muntik na akong mahulog, sa sobrang lapad ng gaps sa gitna ng mga cracks ng lupa ay pati ang nga sira-sira nang buildings at punong-kahoy ay nahuhulog dito.

Pati ako ay walang alam sa nangyayari. Until my grip around the metal slid, kaya nagpalabas ako ng isang space sa gilid ko at tumalon papasok dito. I rolled on the ground at tumama ang likod ko sa pader ng isang nasusunog na bahay. I sat up and looked around. Medyo tumigil na ang pagyanig pero may lumalabas namang parang green na gas mula sa malalapad na gaps.

Nagulat ako dahil parang ganito din ang gas na kumalat sa halos kalahating bahagi ng Leomer Empire bago nawala si Daeva. That's right. Ang mga grupong nagtulong-tulungan para kalabanin ang Endseeker na iyon ay hindi nanalo. Hindi nagamit ang kapangyarihan ng Pyramid which was supposed to push Daeva to a different realm. Daeva herself disappeared matapos kumalat ang gas.

The green gas came from a meteor-like ball, opening midair which released hordes of human-like monsters. As if the those creatures weren't enough, the gas killed many people after a few minutes of inhaling it, their bodies convulsing, trembling violently while bubbles of sticky green liquid dripping from their lips and nose. What happened after was mortifying. They just... exploded. The slimy green substance coating their remains attracting more of those weird creatures.

But seeing this miasma now... what is going on here?

Hindi ko na pinansin ang Dragonborne na nahulog mismo sa may crack and even if he were able to survive, the miasma would get him eventually. Kailangan kong lumayo dito. I was able to save myself last time na nandoon ako mismo kung saan nagsimula g kumalat ang green na gas with the help of Titania's energy covering me. It would have been fine if I had my normal energy level, but at this rate, ten more opponents as troublesome as that previous one, I'll have no choice but to call for Titania.

And that queen knows na kakailanganin ko din siya. She's probably hiding somewhere watching me as usual and it's really bothersome. I am not powerful without Titania at alam niya ang katotohanang iyon, so she always did try pushing my buttons until I just give in. But I didn't, which annoyed her. She was being patient with me for a long time, but that woman became suddenly impatient and modified my body.

I loathe her existence. Gusto ko siyang mamatay. Gusto ko siyang pahirapan katulad ng ginawa niya sa akin. I want to torture her to the point she'd have to beg for her death. Of course, she's aware of my hatred for her. So it's completely frustrating how she 'loves' the feelings of hatred I have even though it wasn't supposed to be a her own pleasure.

"You can hate me, despise me-it doesn't matter. That way, my existence will be engraved in the deepest of your soul and you will never forget every part of my being. You will be drawn to me fuelled by the intensity of your emotions and I will make sure I am that insanity enslaving your heart, my dearest Iyana."

Napapikit na lamang ako ng mata at nagbuga ng malalim na hininga. Despising her is no good because she finds it pleasuring seeing me loathe her. That's why I always remain calm when deep inside I want nothing more than to grab her throat and choke her to death whenever my gaze meets hers. But I need to control myself. Control. I've always been good at it. Always showing an emotionless facade that they see nothing but boredom in my eyes.

But is that really what I want? For people not to know what I truly feel? For others not know how much I struggle maintaining my authority and become a slave to Titania's sadistic rule?

Umakyat ako sa isang patong patong na malalaking bato. Natatabunan kasi nito ang buong daan. Halos wala narin akong makitang tao. Pero sa kabilang side nito ay may lumiliwanag na hindi ko alam. Tinaas ko ang sarili ko at tumalon paibaba. Pansin ko kaagad ang matinding amoy ng pinaghalong dugo at bakal. Tumingin ako sa unahan at natigilan ako sa nakikita.

Maraming katawan ang nakahandusay sa sarili nilang mga dugo. May mga nakasaksak sa kanilang iba't ibang weapons, pero karamihan sa kanila ay spears at lances. But not only that. Some parts of their bodies were either pulled out or severely cut off. Being constantly in every battles and wars doesn't mean I'm used to this sight. Nakakasuka parin, pero hindi ko na lang muna ininda ang nararamdaman ko.

Lumakad ako nang dahan dahan. Karamihan sa kanila ay mag sundalo at pinaghalong Coven at Exodus members. May mga Beastmen din akong nakikita at Dragonbornes, at lahat sila ay mga wala nang buhay. Sa gitna ay may malaking gap kung saan may kaonting miasma ang nagmumula dito. Pero hindi ito kumakalat. Sadyang para itong tubig sa ilalim ng bangin o tubig na hindi umaawas sa isang ilog.

Maya maya ay may kumikinang na liwanag dito. The lights flickered from bright to dim until the light traveled throughout all the cracks. The light coming off from the gaps connected to one another, hanggang sa yumanig na naman ang lupa. But it wasn't that violent as it had been previously that I was able to balance myself without falling.

Ramdam ko ang pagtibok ng mechanical kong puso, as if it was being attracted to something. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko. Even with an artificial heart, I still feel so empty, like I'm not me at ayaw ko ang ganitong pakiramdam. Napaluhod ako nang biglang sumakit ang dibdib ko. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit. Why would it hurt so much? It's not even real-napasigaw ako. Pakiramdam ko may humuhugot ng puso ko kahit na gawa ito sa metal.

I screamed. I screamed. I screamed and didn't stop even after my lungs were already hurting. Isang law formation ang lumabas sa lupa, the lights interconnected with each other revealed a giant magic circle expanding throughout the whole country. The the white-coloured magic circle was glowing so brightly that the dark skies were clearing up, illuminating. Kinuyom ko ang mga kamao, basa din ako ng malamig na pawis. This mechanical heart is under such an overwhelming pain and I don't got a Goddamn clue why!

Hordes of those human-like monsters began to crawl up from the cracks. Their skins were peeled off, some of their eye sockets were empty, they look more of skeletons with their flesh in a brink of disappearing. Malalaki ang bunganga nila, mahahaba din ang mga ngipin at kuko. Their bodies and heads were on different sizes, some were elongated and others were smaller. Isa isa nilang nilapitan ang mga wala nang buhay na katawan na nakakalat lang sa paligid.

I was expecting for them to eat the remains, but I was even more shocked when they slowly entered into the corpses mouths by turning themselves into those green, slimy substances. Before I even knew it, nakatayo na ako at halos tumakbo nang lumayo sa lugar na iyon. I don't need to pretend na hindi ako natatakot. I don't have anyone to please or to even act tough to when I'm far from it. From the corner of my eyes, naabutan ko kung paano bumangon ang isang patay. Nakabukas ang mata pero may tumutulong berdeng likido naman mula dito.

The corpses one by one stood na parang wala lang nangyari sa kanila. Pero kung titignan sa mga kondisyon ng katawan nilang sira-sira na at halos wala na ngang natitirang maayos na bahagi sa katawan, kahit sino ay malalaman kaagad na may mali talaga sa kanila. Tumigil ako sa pagtakbo nang may naramdaman akong paparating mula sa itaas. My eyes widened when something sharp was heading straight for my head, kaya umiwas ako at sa sobrang gulat ay napaupo na lamang ako sa lupa.

I looked up. Hindi ko na alam kung ano ang mangyayari. It was a giant monster. Wala itong mukha pero marami itong mga matutulis na kamay and tentacles as feet. Its body was emitting such intense heat that a steam of vapor is exuding from it. Tumigil ito na para bang ngayon niya lang napansin na nandito ako. Tinaas nito ang isang matulis na paa nito at sinubukang tusukin ulit ako. I wasn't able to move in bewilderment.

But the monster missed its marked. Ramdam ko kung paano lumusot ang tentacle nitong paa sa lupa sa tabi ko. Binaba naman ngayon nito ang kamay niya para hablutin ako. Pero ngayon ay mabilis na akong umaksyon at nagpalabas ng magnum gun ko. I shot the claw-like hand. Hindi ko inaasahan na mapuputol ang isang kamay nito sa loob ng anim na tira lang. But I knew it wouldn't be so easy when the torn flesh regenerated in a perfect minute.

I cursed, using my space to escape when a bullet suddenly penetrated through the side of my stomach. Tumilapon ako sa malayo at napasigaw ulit sa sakit habang hawak ang kabilang tiyan ko. Sinundan ko kung saan nagmula ang bala at napagmataan na ang lahat ng nabuhay na patay ay nakatingin sa akin, their weapons pointed at me all at once. I could use most of my energy in healing, but in exchange I won't be able to use much energy, and that would mean I have no way of fighting this dozen of enemies and this monster at the same time.

Napabuntong-hininga ako pinilit na tumayo, pero hindi na nakayanan ng paa ko kaya napaluhod na lamang ako. However, again, I wasn't able to do what I had in mind when a burst of light came forth from a distant left. Kitang-kita ko kung paano nawala ang mga taong iyon dahil sa init ng atakeng iyon, as if a laser beam cremating everything it hits. Natamaan din ang malaking halimaw na iyon at natumba pero mabilis itong nakatayo at naka-regenerate. Tsaka nagpakawala ng nakakabinging sigaw na umalingawngaw sa buong Southern Territory.

I looked over at the direction where the attack came from and my mouth went agape when I was finally able to locate the doer. It wasn't even hard to pinpoint due to its humongous structure. Sa sobrang laki ng machine ay halos natatapakan na nito ang mga buildings. Nakatingin ang machine sa direksyon namin tsaka binaba ang kamay nito kung saan nagmula mismo ang laser beam.

I now understand kung bakit sumasakit ang puso ko. The heart that was in pain isn't the mechanical heart but the real one. The technology continued to move slowly as if it's trying to locate something. Biglang sumugod ang kaninang halimaw patungo sa direksyon nito, malayo sila sa isa't isa pero dahil sa malalaki nilang katawan ay ilang segundo lang narating narin ng halimaw ang teknolohiya.

The monster quickly jumped, wrapping its slender tentacles over the technology's head. The giant machine moved around, using its huge hands to grab the monster that was blocking its sight. Natumba ang malaking machine that caused another wave of earthquake. Tinusok ng halimaw ang matutulis nitong kamay sa ulo ng teknolohiya. Mabilis akong umaksyon at tinaas ang kaliwa kong kamay sabay bukas ng isang space.

Pinasok ko ang kamay ko dito and braced myself for the pain when I suddenly closed the space, cutting my entire arm off. I cursed, screaming as I watch my arm regenerate but unlike my usual skin colour, it was dark with red lines of magical law sequences. Kinagat ko ang ilalim kong bibig tsaka taas ng kaliwa kong kamay, mas lumiwanag ang mga patterns sa balat ko and which escaped from my dark palm was a beam of darkness, shooting straight for the monster's head.

Napaatras ang halimaw, hindi din ito maka-regenerate because it was the Guardian Abby's power to burn souls, trap their minds in an endless darkness for eternity hanggang sa tuluyan nang masunog ang kaluluwa nito. Nagpakawala ulit ito ng malakas na sigaw before the monster disappeared, leaving trails of ashes pouring down like rain from above.

Sa pagkawala ng halimaw ay ang pagliwanag ng puting magic circle sa buong Magnus. The huge magic circle floated in the air, covering the entire sky of what remains of the country. The circle then began to spin around, ejecting a transparent glass barrier that locked every single thing inside. Kinuyom ko ang kamao ko at tumingin sa teknolohiya na ngayon ay nagpapalabas ng mga laser beams sa kung saan saang direksyon.

"DO YOU SEE THIS POWER?! POWER TO TRAMPLE ANYTHING! POWER THAT EVEN REDUCED YOUR AID SILVERRIUM INTO SMITHEREENS!" A blaring voice came out of the technology, and everyone could tell who it belonged to.

I was right. Nandito na nga ang hinahanap niya kaya niya na pinalabas si Acnolgíum, the technology's name. It's a massive storage of energy of thousands of people, and the one empowering all of that energy is my actual heart. I don't know what kind of a twisted plan Titania is brewing, but she knows with the Guardian Abby's power forced to me by none other than her, I won't let anyone actually destroy the technology knowing it would kill me. She's had me under her thumb this entire time and even if I was painly aware of it, wala akong magagawa.

My arm was throbbing. Puno ito ng enerhiya while the rest of my body has its energy almost drained. But it's fine. I can't die now. Even if it means going along with Titania's plans, even if it means being a slave to her whims and desires, then so be it. I opened my left palm, and I could feel a great deal of power surging through it that it feels... amazing.

Kahit gabi na ay parang umaga ngayon dito sa Magnus dahil sa magic circle sa kalangitan that powers the barrier that was locking us all in here. To think Titania had been planning this from the start. When she took out my heart a year before, ganoon niya din ba katagal plinano ang lahat ng ito? All to lure all of the organizations? She doesn't even really care who wins this New World War. She just wanted annihilation of everything as what she believed Denaricus' greatest will was before the man disappeared.

"WHERE ARE YOU, CAELESTI?! ARE YOU HIDING, COWERING BEFORE THIS MIGHTY POWER?! AND TO THINK YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE POWERFUL!" Titania laughed as Acnolgíum moved in strides, looking for its target.

Dragonbornes flew around the machine, shooting various magic at it but they hardly even made any scratch on its metal surface. Even some Coven and my soldiers were shooting it, as if everyone had found a common enemy. Then there were still those strange creatures, along with the miasma spreading all around. Everything was such a mess na wala nang may alam kung ano na ang gagawin.

"WEAK. WEAK. WEAK! YOU ALL OUGHT TO LEARN YOUR PLACES!" Acnolgíum shot another laser beam, this time, it shot its attack in multiple directions all at once, the attackers disappearing into nothingness at a single hit. "WHERE ARE YOU, CAELESTI OF THE UNKNOWN! ARE YOU SEEING MY SECOND GREATEST MASTERPIECE?! YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A TINY PEBBLE BEFORE ITS MIGHTY POWER!"

"Huh?"

My skin suddenly crawled hearing a familiar voice. Agad kong sinundan ang direksyon kung saan nagmula ang boses. Medyo malayo siya sa posisyon ko kaya halos hindi ko na siya makita, but that person... I was completely aware who that back belonged to.

"What's this? A new toy?" There was an unfamiliar distance in her voice and amusement I didn't fail to notice. The figure chuckled. "How cute."

"CAELESTI! FINALLY DECIDED TO DIE?!" Acnolgíum jumped in front of her, with Titania's laughter echoing throughout all of Magnus. "A LOWLY BEING LIKE YOU SHOULD BOW DOWN TO ME!"

"What's this, Iyana? I didn't know you're into robots now." She said, turning her to me. "Oh? What's that?" She pointed at my arm na para bang wala siyang pakealam na nandiyan si Acnolgíum sa unahan niya ngayon.

"You can feel it, right? The power." I raised my left arm, as if it would show her my struggle for power. "But Titania will kill you, and I can't interrupt with her plans."

She frowned. "Didn't you promise along with Andrea that you would kill me? You're going to back away from your promise just because you can't go against that crazy woman?"

"You don't understand." Seryoso kong sabi.

"I don't. But I do know your emotions, Iyana." Lumakad siya papunta sa akin. "I may can't go against my fate but you can go against anyone." She pointed at my chest, feeling the beat of my mechanical heart. "You're not defective. You're not broken. You're not weak without those additional powers." She glanced at my arm momentarily, smiling warmly at me. "You're Iyana, think about what kind of legacy you'd leave under that name."

I smiled bitterly. "How can you even say that in this situation?"

"What? My friend is in a state of dilemma and I can't even cheer her up?"

I closed my eyes, finally letting myself smile. "You're unbelievable."

"I'm just stating fact-"

"YOU IMBECILE! HOW DARE YOU IGNORE MY MASTERPIECE?!"

Napaatras ako nang bigla na lamang nagpakawala siya ng enerhiya, nakapikit ang mga mata nito habang lumakad ito pabalik sa unahan ni Acnolgíum. Kasabay nang pagbukas ng mata nito ay ang seryoso mukha na pinapakita niya ngayon. And I know what kind of face that is.

She's agitated.

"How I hate being interrupted."

"CAELESTI! JUST GO AND DIE!"

"Shut up. You're noisy."

Acnolgíum launched its arms on both of her sides like it would prevent her from escaping. The technology then prepared itself to release another massive energy of light beam. Acnolgíum has an absorbing nature that it could adapt to its opponent's magic or ability. Seeing how it was able to exude laser in a form of light magic, mukhang pati mismo si Silverrium ay hindi kinaya ang kapangyarihan ni Acnolgíum.

Pero nagulat na lamang ako nang walang pagdadalawang-isip na nagpakawala siya ng isang mahika. Layers of circles appearing in front of her hand and in an instant, Acnolgíum's lower chest exploded, her magic accurately creating a huge hole on the machine's tough exterior.

"YOU REALLY THINK THAT CAN DESTROY ACNOLGÍUM?! THINK AGAIN, CAELESTI! NO MATTER HOW POWERFUL YOU ARE, INSIDE THIS BARRIER, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO REGENERATE THE ENERGY YOU KEEP LOSING!"

Acnolgíum easily regenerated, the metals blown away was formed through the hole that was blasted just now. Of course it would. Acnolgíum is an almost unbreakable technology that can rival all of the Guardians' powers. A simple attack like that won't be able to even half Acnolgíum's defence and attack power.

"YOU WILL EXHAUST YOUR SPIRITUAL ENERGY SOON AND YOU WILL DIE! YOU KNOW THAT WELL, DON'T YOU? AFTER ALL, IT WAS YOU WHO CREATED THIS FORMULA THAT COULD TRAP YOU INSIDE WITH NO ESCAPE!"

But then there was another explosion, and another—and another. The attacks kept on coming, smokes covering everything in that area. Sa lakas din ng impact ay tumalon ako palayo para hindi ako maapektuhan ng isa pang pagsabog. The smoke finally cleared up after some time, tumigil narin ang sunod sunod na pagsabog. There she was, her long black hair fluttering easily behind her back and she was standing there, watching the scraps of metals pour like raindrops from the sky.

"I said shut the hell up." She muttered, the coldness in her tone pulling out that unnecessary fear. "Was that so hard to understand?"

She laughed, raising both of her arms beside her openly. "Show yourself, Titania. Is that all you have to offer? The toy was amusing but it was hardly enough to serve as entertainment."

She pushed the falling strands of her hand behind her ear, pausing her fingers there as she looked upward. "My name is Ke'ala Feyree." Her face returned to its usual cold, emotionless facade. "And I think it's time for me to all of this."

She let out an exhausted smile and even then... I wonder how she still looks so beautiful.

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AN:

Advance Merry Christmas! I can't believe it's been almost three years since I first uploaded the first chapter of this story. I remembered updating a double one last year, but I don't think I'm able to do that right now.

I apologize for not updating last week, it's saddening how my body sometimes just can't keep up with my mind. But I hope you feel the sincerity of my apology with this chapter, this is quite long after all.

Anyway, happy reading!