Trust Lies In Where Loyalty Fades

I never did truly understand myself. There were times I do, there were plenty of times I don't--but I got through most of them all because I have control. No matter how I would feel, no matter how much I was suppressed, or no matter how much I would struggle--I was fine because I have control of myself and that I know what I must do. Responsibilities have already been long embedded inside me even before I was born. Those tasks were there, they always did. They would never go, like an invisible force of will directing me what should be done and I did-I still do.

Even if it means destroying anything that stands against my path. Right at this very moment though, along with the tingling of the wind, scratching the edges of my pale skin and along with the surrounding heat blending with the scent of blood and metals everywhere, I could feel no rush, no excitement, no anticipation-just pure... contentment. I feel bland even with the layers of magic circle appearing in front of my palm, I feel calm even with the overwhelming energy leaving my body, and I feel pity even with the surrounding barriers absorbing my life force.

Pity for my enemies that struggle for my death. Pity that I must watch them fail over and over again. Pity that I feel sorry for them thinking they deserve it. Pity that I love watching them break before my eyes, making sure the last they see is my figure witnessing their last signs of life. Just like how this huge body of metal plates shattered into tiny pieces at a single blast of my attack. And there I watch everything pour in a slow motion, and it was as pitiful as ever.

I am powerful. I am different. I am special. How long do I have to keep repeating those words again and again so I could finally believe them? I don't consider myself as a liar, but my emotions sometimes create words to make myself seem like one. I am powerful because I know I can do everything I set my mind to. I am different because I am aware how everyone's the same. I am special because of these facts.

Yet being aware of all of what makes me...me is a taxing effort. Which is why I intend to finish everything. All of my plans...the reason why I gathered my aids...I feel now is finally the time and could only wonder how this ends. There are variables I can control and those that I cannot. The people involve in this war, their actions lead to different paths and each path paves an ending. What path will they take? What action will they set into motion? How are they going to kill me?

I knew Titania had something planned up that would be a thorn to my side. I dod expect her to target one of my aids, but to go after my informer of all people? Fińe provides me information, she would travel around in places to places to learn more about my enemies. Her beastman nature especially makes her job a little easier. The fact that she was able to abduct Fińe minding her skills as someone who once worked for the World's Organization, means Titania had meant to target her from the start.

It wasn't particularly hard to pinpoint where Fińe was anyway, considering she would move constantly to gather necessary information, Iyana's army must have had ambushed her. The strange thing was, no matter what the situation is, Fińe should have had been able to escape nor had taken a different path knowing her personal ability which allows her to accurately acquire the exact percentage of success or failure in every action.

Who was it? Who did Titania send to take her? Then there were my other aids. If they had followed my layout, Silverrium should be somewhere waiting while Thana would sneak inside to find the relic. Yes, the relic, Pyramid, should have been the top priority. Before Claudious disappeared, he warned me three things that soon planted a bothersome feeling inside me.

"I have no time left, Ke'ala. I can only tell you three things." He sighed. "Daeva's just the first wave, the Endseekers' wrath has not yet ended. The Grimoire's the only thing that knows the secret of all the relics, you have to get to it before anybody does--especially the Organization."

"Why?"

"I know nothing of what is it, though I am certain everything will end badly once someone gets a hold of this power."

"And the last one?"

He smiled, the dusts already reaching up his chest. "You cannot defeat the leader of the World's Organization, even with all the relics combined."

Laire, being my own personal Guardian who shared the same consciousness, was able to read that information out of me the moment I escaped from that place. I had already told her what to do and I trust her just like how I trust my mind to be able to set me into doing something I deem necessary. Even before I returned to Magnus with Thana and Ellise accompanying me, we had already discussed what to do and I warned them how a single foot out of its place would risk ruining everything.

Then there was Titania suddenly taking my informer. That Fairy Queen is as infuriating as ever. Instead of prioritizing the relic, there was no doubt Thana would choose to help Fińe first. Not that I blame her. For the years we've had each other's back, my aids would take nothing more important as the 'family' we ended up creating. I'm not disappointed of Thana's choice, but this will cost me a lot.

We knew the existence of this formula and how Titania possibly has it. The formula was an island, one that would prevent any form of nether energy from generating. The formula was not perfect, it was incomplete and I was hoping the Spirit Keepers could complete it. However, I don't exactly know how the World's Organization managed to acquire this incomplete formula. They were aware of how incomplete it was and still gave it away like some sort of consolation prizes which ended up people dying at a first word of its chant.

The World's Organization could only, surely, laugh at people's naivety. Titania acquired this formula, however, and took it upon herself to complete it. I don't know how she was able go to do so. That formula, considering the fact that it's literally a huge mass of energy, means it needs something to constantly power it up. It needs to have something to act as mediator between something alive for the magic to remain flowing. The formula was meant to trap me inside, I had created it because I don't trust myself after I finish my responsibilities. I might end up brewing chaos everywhere for all I know.

When Claudious said that Daeva's only the first wave, I realized then what they did about the Endseeker's sudden disappearance. Majority thought the different organizations leading both Orders had succeeded in pushing Daeva into a different realm with the help of the Pyramid. But the Pyramid is still in Titania's secure grasp, and while the locations of other relics are unknown, I at least need to destroy them.

The Grimoire is a different case altogether. Or perhaps it isn't. Lucis told me a possibility while we were out studying about the black tourmalines energy factors-that the Grimoire and the relics might not that distinct when it comes to the reason of their existence. The relics were created by different powerful people in the past, while the Grimoire was created by the Gods with the help of the People of Athànatos. I need my answers regarding this because I feel like there's a connection to how the world right now is on the brink of destruction.

The leader of the World's Organization is one that I'm wary of. There's a possibility that man knows everything and yet he rather observe and watch everything unfold. At least, that's what that Organization is trying to make people believe. One of its top candidates are especially involve in this war, I can't just rule out that the World's Organization isn't in this fiasco.

But this barrier surrounding the whole island is proving itself successful, with my energy not regenerating back into my normal energy capacity, any more powerful attacks like that and I'd officially drain my life force. It only works to me, but the rest of the people's energy here are also being absorbed albeit much slower.

Then came a sudden piercing scream and a slight of Iyana writhing in pain. She was on the ground, kneeling with her hand tightly clasped on her chest. The pain was a terrifying one, as though something was clenching her heart so violently that even I could feel how the energy flowing inside her seems to be colluded with needles. It made me frown. Something was going on with her, does it have something to do with her following Titania that she would even let the woman kill me and swallow her pride of having made that promise herself?

Not that Titania could ever. Titania is strong--powerful even, but that's all there is to it. I won't let myself die with my death placed on her hands. But that isn't exactly what the situation is calling for at this very moment. The Fairy Queen is desperate, too desperate that whatever she did, it's affecting Iyana. Even back then, Titania's emotions were already too extreme and the memory of Denaricus' 'final will' of having all irregulars wiped out off this world, is what's driving her into insanity.

"People truly are crazy in their own ways." I mumbled, turning myself back to watch the titan of scrap metals stick itself out piece by piece.

"YOU THINK AN ATTACK LIKE THAT COULD DEFEAT MY GREATEEST TECHNOLOGICAL CREATION, CAELESTI?!" The mad woman laughed manically and there's something about that laugh that made me feel even more infuriated.

I lifted my eyebrow, before my eyes widened for a second at sudden realization. The machine was able to return back to its previous state as though it hasn't just literally shattered into pieces about five minutes ago. Iyana continued to suffer, the pain almost reaping the voice in her throat out. I can't help but feel a little bit upset at the sight. Iyana never showed that much emotions, showing one now especially in my presence means she's starting to give up.

She would usually hide it, make sure no matter how much pain she would be in, she would quietly say nothing and slowly accept the pain. That was the reason why she always had that bored expression anyway. I understood then it was her form of a defence and I always did admire her for being like that. It was as though nothing would get her down. That's why I hate it. I hate the sight of my friend reduced to such a way, stupid may that have sounded like. But it was the truth. She was a friend, had always been, and she still is. But with her being like this now...

"Ke'ala." Laire's urgent voice immediately penetrated my thoughts. "You'll need to retreat."

Retreat? Even after all the months we spent in planning every exact move? I anticipated Titania would plan something up, I was expecting something like this. Why would we even need to retreat? No, if Laire's saying something like that, it means whatever's going on is dire. But even if I were to retreat, there's this barrier keeping everyone inside locked up, especially me. Retreat isn't one of my options in the plan.

"It's not about the plan, Ke'ala!" Laire exclaimed hurriedly, I could hear explosions from the other side of our connection. "The World's Organization has destroyed the Etherion Tower-"

"Which I've already foreseen." I answered, almost out loud while dodging the technology's fatal attacks of swinging its big arms around to catch me.

"Ellise had a run-in against one of the candidates while leaving the Spirit Land just now. She was our last line of defence in there, she had been trying to free the Spirit Keepers alone. The plan was simple. You distracting the big enemies, Thana sneaking in to destroy the relic, Silverrium in standby to deal with Iyana Klein, Fińe breaking the formula, Lucis using his spells against the rest of the organizations' forces to keep them at bay and plan our escape after we've succeeded in our goal of making that relic disappear."

I jumped up, avoiding another beam of light coming from the technology's palm. I landed back on the ground safely, but the beams kept on coming. I opened my hand and used Gïzë to store the attack and let it out using my other hand back at the machine. The beam of light managed to send the opponent back, but this time, the armour on its body began to disperse and scatter, absorbing into one form of a giant iron sword.

"Now's not the time, Laire." I whispered, barely even inaudible. I summoned my own medieval sword to block the attack from above, creating a big dent below me that sunk my feet down into the soil, the cracks widening on each side.

"You may have predicted something like this would happen but you told us that the World's Organization wouldn't interfere directly, but that's exactly what they're doing! Aeryn had been keeping an eye to Exodus ever since you told us to be wary of them. Zyrendel had attacked them this morning, and I still have no news from her since then. The last thing she told me is that Magnus will not survive, and you have to retreat."

Which means whatever information she acquired in there is dangerous. The fact that Laire can't contact Aeryn now of all times is making Laire feel very much concerned. Not for the plan failing but me ending up being caught in the backfires of the plan we had been setting up for months prior to this. But what can we do at this point? I had a feeling something like this would come up that could ruin our plans and this is exactly why I had those black tourmalines prepared just in case the Etherion fell. It did.

What I did not expect is for the Tower to fall that fast. But I simply have to do much more than this. I will make sure my plan will prevail in the end. The Etherion Tower being gone forever means Laire won't be able to use the Guardian Key to activate it and they would have no choice but to return to Cretian Plains to retreat back from Spirit Land.

But like I said, it's fine. I can handle these changes. I simply have to take even more dangerous risks enough to even call it a gamble. Although I have never gambled, I would always call when the stakes are high because I know I will win. I simply have to make necessary adjustments now. But I will succeed, and it doesn't matter what kind of sacrifices are made to achieve that.

"I see what you're doing, Titania." I said, lifting my hand to the side as small invisible layers of circles appeared, spinning as they generated a magical attack. "Don't underestimate me." Without a warning, I shot the beam of concentrated energy towards Iyana's kneeling figure.

She was surprised by this and it was because of her current condition that she wouldn't be able to do anything against such a fast-paced attack. Until a metal hand put itself in front of her, completely nullifying the energy. The technology really was getting annoying. It was able to adapt to my attacks and it's still adapting even now. As long as what drives it to keep regenerating over and over again is alive, it will keep adapting until I end up draining all of my life force.

"I don't know exactly what you did, but killing Iyana will make that scrap metal stop its ability to keep on regenerating. Just because we value our little friendship means I won't kill her, Titania." I said, preparing another attack of concentrated energy.

"I EXPECT NO LESS FROM CAELESTI HERSELF. BUT I MUST SAY, I AM QUITE CURIOUS ON HOW YOU FOUND OUT."

"I feel emotions, Fairy Queen, and though those emotions--I can sense the the flow of energy."

I shot the same attack, this time, even stronger that it pierced through the metal and headed straight for Iyana's chest. But the latter was prepared this time, using a space to intercept the the beam of energy and summoned another space just above her which sent my own attack back at me. I simply dissolved it, leaping backward to avoid the giant robot's foot.

"YOU CANNOT DEFEAT MY DEAREST IYANA. THAT, I CAN ASSURE YOU. NOT EVEN THIS TECHNOLOGY, ACNOLGÍUM, CAN!"

"Acnolgíum, huh?" I mumbled, returning ny gaze to Iyana who was now raising her left arm wrapped in absolute black with red lines as though an oozing fire that was burning the insides of her flesh. "That overwhelming energy... it's coming from your heart but at the same time it isn't."

"You said I don't need this kind of power to be strong..." She snorted. "Easy for you to say, since you've already reached a stage where you're different from the rest."

I sighed. Why do those people that really matter always undermine themselves in front of me? Thinking of that question, I found myself walking towards her once more. Iyana can be stubborn too, I notice. But unlike some certain reckless girl out there, Iyana isn't prideful. Her pride can easily shatter and it would take a lot of effort to keep her confidence up. She built a name for herself back at the Academy, she proved to herself that she was strong, and that was how she prided herself with.

But that's also why she's so vulnerable is as a person especially so as a friend. She may have authority, she may have power, but she thinks that's all there is to it and slowly, the confidence she built over all those years ago, crumbled. Was it deliberate? Did Titania break her like this so Iyana would remain following her? And how do I even know this? Of course, it's simply because of how her feelings make it so obvious.

"Your emotions are calling out to me." I muttered, looking directly at her golden brown eyes that reflected my own pale ones. "Pain. The feeling of being trapped and it's hurting you. Agony. The feeling of hopelessness and you accept it because you believe you can't do anything about it."

I lifted my hand, my medieval sword immediately flying to me which I had struck on the ground earlier, spinning it around to parry Acnolgíum's giant sword. The force of impact was too big that I was blown away. Balancing myself mid-air, I turned my body all around and used the sword to stop the momentum as I landed on the ground. I looked up, summoning a barrier that barely almost hadn't been able to block the technology's multiple laser beams.

They didn't let me rest up though, they used the opportunity that my energy won't fill up naturally because of being trapped in this island that letting me pause for even a second would be a waste of chance to attack. Iyana knew that of course, that in an instant, she was already in front of me. She raised her hand that was letting our dark electricity-like surges with red flares all around it.

She dropped her hand even being aware that I would block it with my weapon, but my eyes only widened that the moment her fingers met in contact with the blade, the sword immediately turned into stone... eventually crumbling in ashes. She eyed me, as though carefully assessing what my next move would be. Knowing her observant nature, she quickly blocked my path from the right when she punched the soil.

The crust beneath formed huge cracks, the ground trembling as she dashed forward to reach for me. Instinctively, I avoided her grasp like my life depended on it. Sharp nails began to grow and even more power was surging through it. The heat, even when I'm a meter away, was reeking so intensely that the air around her was condensing, trapping in the radiations. Even with just this gap between us, my body feels like burning and hot sweat kept on dripping from my forehead.

"You're becoming annoying, Ke'ala." She hissed, bending her other knee as though it would help her get another dash later.

"I'm not wrong, Iyana, and you know that well." I shook my head in dismay.

My reply, which made her seem mad, caused her summon her magnum gun, holding it securely in her right hand. It was her usual favourite, one that lets me know she's still making sense of all of this. I sidestepped, swiftly avoiding her invisible bullets. They may not be seen by the naked eye, but they were still coated with layers of energy enough to even make them seem so translucent in the first place.

"You know nothing!" She yelled, an arching blade protruding from the top of her magnum's barrel. "You think I don't want this?" She moved fast, slashing her gun at my face which I hastily dodged. "You think you're cheering me up by saying those facts?! No! You only care about what you want! You think everyone around you is selfish when you're being one yourself!"

That was it. That made me upset that I had stopped moving away. I caught her right wrist, yanking it forward enough that her eyes were looking at me. I leaned my face closer, not caring whether my skin was burning from too much heat ravaging her entire body. Her emotions are a huge mess. She's in disarray, as though a huge maze where she keeps on struggling to find an escape amd in each turn, she would end up returning to where she came from. Forever trapped with nowhere to go.

"I've never said I wasn't selfish. I just don't deny I'm different from all of you." I whispered, smiling. "You know what makes me so different, Iyana?" I ignored the hot sensation tearing my palm open. "I'm different because I can't go against my fate. I will be trapped and forever will unless I die. But you can be free. You can find your own path. You have a fate, but you're allowed to make changes to it. You have a name and you have an option on how to use it."

Her expression softened. "You really are making me regret my decisions so far in life, aren't you?" She pushed me away, clutching her chest once more. "The overwhelming energy you're feeling right now from me and Acnolgíum have sources. Acnolgíum won't get detroyed as long as I'm alive and I won't die as long as my energy source is beating."

I frowned. "The source you're talking about..." I trailed off, unsure of what I'm even thinking.

"It's my heart. The heart in which she forced the power of the Guardian Abyss to, and the heart she took out from my body. I won't die as long as my heart is beating and she can't risk my enemies striking it down--"

"So she replaced it with a fake and hid your original heart somewhere. That original heart is where that overwhelming pure energy is coming from that's powering Acnolgíum and this entire formula Titania used to cover up what remained of Magnus." I continued, realizing it now.

"Ke'ala..." Laire called out, surprised by the information.

"What's better than hearing what you want to hear from those you want it to hear from?" I smirked, chuckling to myself. "You heard the girl, Laire. Have Silverrium find it. Thana should be prioritizing Fińe somewhere. Tell her to get back to her task of destroying the relic after she takes care of Fińe."

"You made her say it by showing a little bit of your vulnerability." She wasn't entirely a fan of what I did, but she understood it was the best option considering I can't really regenerate my energy right now.

"That was the most efficient way." I answered truthfully.

"Silverrium is acting strange, Ke'ala. After Acnolgíum dealt damage to the demon, he's been...off. No, even when you disappeared, he's been acting so hesitatant. Shouldn't I leave the job to Dr. Voltron?"

I sighed. "Silverrium worries about me a lot. Surely, he's just concerned about my wellbeing as usual. As for Lucis, he's busy dealing with pushing other enemies away from where I am, no?"

"You're...right, I suppose. I don't think he can spare more effort. Ellise should be assisting him soon though." I could sense Laire doubting something. Laire having a doubt is a notable thing, and nobody would just pass it on as nothing. "I still think we should retreat, Ke'ala."

I summoned my dual blades, the black cloak--which I took from those blacks blocking my way earlier---was wrapping around my body, fluttering as a gust of wind went passing itself by. "What's your call now, Iyana? Are you just going to let Titania enslave you or are you going to prove to yourself you're just a defective human being after all?" I taunted. Not that I was ever good at it.

My taunts are always forceful, especially so when I only force myself to say it. In this case, it's exactly the latter. I never did want to insult her, but I knew I needed to rile her up. Iyana has always been passive, she wouldn't fall to provocations so easily. But judging from the expressionless facade she's showing at the moment, I could only laugh knowing my taunts didn't work. I watch her steady her gunblade in front of her as the left hand was on the extended on the side.

"Alam kong may binabalak ka, Ke'ala. Wala akong planong magpadala sa mga sinasabi mo."

"Well, this is going to be tough." I said, tightening my grips around the hilts of ny dual swords as I crossed them before my face.

Nagkatinginan kami sa isa't isa nang ilang segundo bago ko sinimulang maglakad paikot sa kaniya. Binabantayan ko din ang mga galaw ni Acnolgíum sa gilid, pero wala itong ginagawa at tanging nagmamatyag lang sa ginagawa namin. Alam kong kontrolado ni Titania ang malaking teknolohiya na ito at hanggang maaari gusto ko nang masira ng tuluyan ang robot na ito.

Pero hindi ko 'yun magawa dahil tiyak na kahit anong gawin ko ay babalik at babalik parin ito sa dati. Pinagkakatiwalaan ko si Silverrium na mahahanap niya ang source at siya na ang bahala dito at hanggang magawan niya ng solusyon ang pagtigil ng pagdalot ng source kay Acnolgíum ay sisiguraduhin kong sa akin muna ang atensyon nito.

Hindi ako pwedeng gumamit na malalaking enerhiya o mauubos ng tuluyan ang life force ko. Mas nagiging mahirap pa ang lahat dahil kahit anong pilit kong pilitin si Iyana na kalabanin si Titania, wala talaga siyang planong traydorin ang Fairy Queen. Simila noon pa lang sa Academy ay hindi madaling mawasak ang dedikasyon niya sa mga taong pinapaniwalaan niya o sinsilbihan. Alam kong galit sjya kay Titania, sobrang galit, hawak din ng reyna ang puso niya kaya siguro iniisip niya na wala siyang magagawa.

Napangiti na lamang ako at tumakbo ng mabilis papunta sa direksyon nito. "It may be true I'm working on something," mabilis niyang sinangga ang isang espada ko at sa halip na umatras siya nang ibaba ko ang isa pa ay ginamit nito ang isa niyang kamay. Wala pa ni isang segundo nang nawasak ang kanan kong weapon kaya ako na ang umatras. "But that doesn't mean my words to you are all lies."

"You bluff but you aren't a liar, Ke'ala. I know that much." She swiped her fingers on the air, summoning another dozens of bullets which all immediately came after me. "Try as you will, pero kahit anong sasabihin mo, hindi magbabago ang isipan ko. I will serve Titania and I will kill that woman myself. Before that, I need you out of my life."

I blinked at her words, straightening myself up after I just parried her bullets in a stream of slashes. What she said did hurt me, more than necessary. I also know they hold truth which only made this sickening feeling of sense of rejection feel even worse. If only I could change her emotions now...but that would make everything fall out of place. Changing emotion is an easy feat, except that it needs huge amounts of energy poured in altogether and my own emotions as a sacrifice.

But that isn't the problem. The problem is that I don't like it. Emotions are beautiful when invoked naturally, when they are polished and nurtured to the way they are rather than simply creating it out of nothing. A restriction I had never really meant to placed upon myself. But it had always been there, even before I was born as Ke'ala Feyree. That restriction was already drilled inside me. A limit, a rule that I was free to break or follow. Breaking it would make me feel the worst while following it keeps my sanity in check. Not that I care about my mentality at this point now that I have already long went past that line.

"WELL SAID, IYANA." Titania laughed. "WHY DON'T WE FINISH THIS NOW, DEAR?"

"I'm already planning to." Iyana answered.

Dark electricity coiled around her left arm, the heat growing more intense as seconds passed. It took me a second to realize the electricity was actually a stabilized form of energy and despite its black colour, it's reeking of pure spiritual energy that it could drown in anything opposite to it. The electricity-like energy was shot towards me. It missed, going past beside my head. I could feel a large crater behind me, the soil that earlier filled it up disappearing into nothing. She deliberately missed, of course.

"Are you sure you really can afford purposely missing at this moment, Iyana?" I asked, honestly that is.

"I'm warning you, Ke'ala. Stop playing around already."

She created dozens of those electric like energy balls. They were dark, except that a pure white colour was glowing from the inside. So that's the power of the Guardian Abyys, huh? It can be absolutely terrifying at first glance. Avoiding them is easy, except that they explode when the balls hit one another. But that's not all. The explosion doesn't cause fire or anything like that, it simply swallows up everything near the balls' radius and erase their existence. Just like how I'm now surrounded by dozens of craters and how the surrounding buildings were easily reduced to tiny dusts.

My remaining sword also crumbled into ashes from how I deflected an attack earlier. The situation is slowly raising in difficulty. I can't get near her because of her long-ranged attacks and I can't even block because of the nature of that energy turning everything into nothingness at a single contact. Even when I do manage to deal a blow to her, her spaces would appear turning my attacks back to me. Then there was Acnolgíum shooting laser beams at me whenever I stop fo rest. They were constantly cornering me.

"Hanggang dito lang ba talaga ang makakaya mo?" Iyana snapped her fingers and suddenly, the steam of heat around the entire area exploded. This time, they were fire.

A dome of flame engulfed me in an instant. I cursed, noticing how the flame not only burns my skin but is also eating away my spiritual energy. They have been expecting me to use my energy, but that's what I should avoid considering my present condition. No matter how abundant my energy is, I can't absorb any energy more because of the barrier surrounding this country above. I can feel emotions, I can feel the flow of energy, but it's new to me how I can't exactly absorb them.

But that doesn't really mean I can't defeat them. I just need them to keep cornering me like this until Silverrium finds the source. Because fighting them head-on would ruin my goal of buying Silverrium time. Although if this keeps on, I might get in trouble--I hissed, realizing my the energy surrounding my skin had already become so thin. Staying more inside this dome of fire would definitely even burn my insides.

I didn't really want to waste any more spiritual energy at this rate, especially when most of my energy automatically goes to my injuries and wounds to be able to naturally heal them. However, the predicament gave no other option kaya nagpalabas ako ng weapon kong scythe. Kayang putulin ng scythe ko ang kahit anong klaseng mahika o enerhiya, ang kahinaan lang ng weapon na ito ay hindi ito ganoon ka suitable sa direktang pakikipaglaban pero sa lahat ng weapons ko ay ito lang ang may bilis at haba na kinakailangan ko para makalapit kay Iyana.

My point is, my scythe can cut through even this thick layer of fire that with a single slash, mabilis nawala ang buong dome ng apoy at bumungad sa akin ang medyo nagulat na mukha ni Iyana na agad napalitan ng kaonting ngiti. Tinaas niya ang gunblade na hawak ng kanan niyang kamay at tinutok ito sa akin. Hindi na ako nagsayang pa ng sasabibin at tumakbo papunta sa kaniyang direksyon. Pinaikot ko ang scythe sa unahan para sanggain ang mga nagsisiliparan niyang bala.

I slashed my weapon towards her which she instinctively dodged by stepping back. I pushed myself forward, turning my body around to create an even more momentum as the sharp end pole of the scythe hit her abdomen, stabbing through just below her chest. Napaatras siya sabay hawak dito, pero hindi parin siya tumigil sa pag-atake. Nagpalabas siya ng maraming spaces sa paligid ko kung saan bawat isa ay may dumaang maraming bala. Wala akong iilagan dahil bawat gilid at taas ay may nakahintay na space.

Lumusot ang ilang bala sa katawan ko bago ko tuluyang nahati ang lahat ng space gamit ng scythe. Pero nakisali narin sa gulo si Acnolgíum na huli na nang mapansin ko ang malaking espada nitong pababa sa akin. Sa halip na isangga ito ay tumalon ako pagtaas para salubungin ito. With enough momentum, I went past the giant steel sword and cut it in half before landing on the other side behind the technology. Hindi ako tumigil sa paggalaw dahil alam kong nakaabang si Iyana sa tabi.

Even with me ignoring the gunshots on my torso and upper left shoulder, the pain was still making me move much slower that Iyana's gunblade, which she threw at me, managed to catch me off guard by passing through a space before it got to me and suddenly appearing behind. Iniwasan ko ito pero dahil sa bilis ay nagawa parin ng blade sugatan ang paa ko sa kanan kaya napaluhod ako.

A shadow immediately appeared on the ground. Looking up, I let out a silent curse when Acnolgíum's huge iron foot was about to step on me. I rolled to the side, somehow expecting another laser beam. Not only that, Iyana used the opportunity to let out hundreds of spaces on the sky that multiplied the beam of lights even more. I slammed my hands on the ground, creating layers and layers of rock barriers around me. The consecutive penetrating attacks instantly melted the rocks.

"Holding back really is difficult." I numbled to myself, sighing as I summoned an actual glass ancient barrier this time. It was able to deflect their attacks away but as a result, the entire area around me now is turning into a wasteland.

"HOW LONG DO YOU THINK YOU CAN KEEP DOING THIS, CAELESTI? EXERTING MORE ENERGY WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD YOU TO DEATH!" There came Titania trying to agitate me again.

Her voice, probably because of the barrier wrapping around the entire country, has been reverberating so loud now that every single soul in this island can perfectly hear her words that it's honestly really annoying and considering it's coming from me who's barely even affected by other people, anyone would definitely agree Titania is a bothersome being. If only I could kill her myself...but looking at Iyana right now, I do know that isn't my responsibility.

Kung iisipin ay hindi din mali ang sinabi niya. Malaki ang energy capacity ko at marami pa rin akong natitirang enerhiya. Pero kung magpapatuloy 'to, ako din ang mauubusan. Spiritual energy is generated by the life force and it gets that energy from the flow of nature and this formula was generally created to prevent my own life force to do just that. The worse thing is that Titania had not only perfectly completed the formula but also added something more. Right at this moment, every single living thing's energy inside Magnus' barrier is being absorbed by the source. The only difference between them and me is that they can still fill up their life force despite that.

"When are you going to stop struggling, Ke'ala?" Iyana questioned, putting a pressure against my own ancient barrier by shooting those black and white energy balls nonstop. The barrier will still continue to deflect them as well as Acnolgíum's laser attacks but it's a matter of whether it could last against such heavy blows.

"Good question." I said, exactly asking that same question to myself. "You heard her ask, Laire. Anytime now?"

"I can't contact Silverrium. He's preventing me from connecting to his mind."

I frowned. "Did something happen?"

"Dr. Voltron was overwhelmed by the enemies. He was retreating when I told him to help find the source, but it had been too long now. I could not contact him anymore."

I clenched my fist. This is turning way differently than what we had planned. What's keeping us astray? I can't help but feel there's something going on that I had failed to notice--I still do now--and my premonitions are usually correct. Is this why Laire had been telling me to retreat? But I can't do that. We've already been this far. If Fińe hadn't been taken by Titania in the first place, everything would have went smoothly with our informer around.

"What about Thana? Fińe?" I stepped back, feeling my barrier crack a little above.

"I can't contact them. None of your aids right now are available. Ellise should still be back at Cretian Plains, she couldn't enter Magnus due to its barrier. Irona stayed back at where you left her when you returned."

"So they're still both at Cretian." I gritted my teeth. "Irona with her superior spacial ability should still be able to enter Ellise. One of them needs to destroy source, Laire--or this will all be for nothing!"

"I think you've grown complacent with your aids, Ke'ala."

I smiled bitterly. "You're saying I should do things on my own then." It wasn't a question, but it was as though I was asking myself that.

"The spell you had me prepared--"

"Not the time for that yet."

"I can't believe I'm saying this but you're insane."

"And so I have been told." I traced my fingers on the air, forming a sequence that the moment the glass barrier shattered, a dozen mirage of myself was created that confused them.

"Since when did you learn spells like that?" Iyana asked, shooting down my clones only to be replaced by another.

"I may or may not have been reading a spellbook here and there." I answered, remembering Lucis' most prized possession.

"For you to still have energy to spare for such a powerful spell, just how abundant is your energy?" Tinaas niya ang kaliwa niyang kamay at nagpalabas ng isang napakalaking bola ng enerhiya. Kung kanina ay sa gitna lang ang puting liwanag, ngayon ay nakabalot na ang itim ng puti sa paligid. The electricity-like energy around it turned red.

"Try seeing it for yourself." I challenged, which in undoubtedly agreed by throwing the humongous white ball of pure energy towards my mirage.

The huge energy ball exploded, swallowing everything up including my clones as well as any signs of excess energy floating in the air. I threw my scythe on the other side, pulling me along with it. I almost got sucked inside the ball, but it disappeared after several seconds, causing a sudden release of pure energy waves--too pure, in fact--that it was suffocating me. Due to Acnolgíum's big body, its movements were slow that I still managed to jump away before it landed its fist on me. I touched my chest, as though it would help return air to me.

It did, channeling my own energy flow around throat down to my chest. The way I manipulate energy is very refined and polished that it would seem I can do anything with it when normally, people struggle to even direct it to a certain direction. I've been bathing in energy my whole life thatbut had become too easy for me to do so. But that doesn't help my situation much. I need to do something about Acnolgíum before dealing with Iyana, but it would fix itself up again no matter how much I would destroy it. I have dealt minor injuries to Iyana, but it would seem that her overwhelming energy is protecting her from being affected from it.

Think, Ke'ala. Them cornering you like this may buy Silverrium time, but that's not something you'd really like to risk your life for, is it? I trust my aids just like how I move every single limb on my body and when I do, it means I believe they will be able to do what I ask of them without fail. Holding back will only damage me at a certain end and I rather risk trusting those people I call my 'family' rather than risking my life for a death unguaranteed here. That's why I won't hold back anymore.

Pinawala ko ang scythe at sabay taas ng dalawa kong kamay. Nagtipon ako ng isang napakalaking nether energy ball. Kakaiba ang enerhiya ko dahil dalawa ang attributes nito, a pure and a dark one. It was said in the past that pure energy is an energy capable of creation and dark energy is capable of destruction. That myth was what gave dark energy users a bad name in the first place. But what happens when I have bothh?

Tumigil sa pag-atake si Acnolgíum nang makita ang gagawin ko, ganoon din si Iyana na para bang hinihintay ang gagawin ko. Pero nang lumaki na ang energy ball sa ibabaw ko ay umaksyon din silang dalawa. Nagpakawala din si Iyana nang napakalaking pure energy. Kung akin ay pinaghalong kukay gray at silver, sa kaniya naman ay pinaghalong puti at kaonting pula. Tinulungan ng teknolohiya si Iyana madagdagan ang kapangyarihan ng enerhiya nito by sending in a huge portion of its energy towards it.

"Finally getting serious now, Ke'ala?" Iyana was smiling. She usually wears a neutral and bored expression but this just told me she's shivering in anticipation.

"Oh please." I chuckled. "This is hardly just a greeting." All of the sudden, multiple magic circles appeared above, covering the entire sky that the barrier was barely even seen.

"Ke'ala!" Laire called out urgently. "What are you doing? I am aware of how abundant your spiritual energy is but at this rate, you're going get drained empty! Why can't you wait until one of your aids deal with the source and take down this barrier?!"

I ignored her calls, going along with that was the unsealing of the magic circles, spinning in the air as different ranges of attacks made out of the same nether energy poured down as though they were droplets of rain. She summoned hundreds of spaces at once, catching the raining attacks before they get to hit her. It wasn't the same for Acnolgíum though, the humongous machinery wasn't able to defend such many attacks all at once that forst its arm got torn off, then another--until the attacks deluged its body, spears of energy struck it in place that eventually caused him to explode, its mechanical parts scattering everywhere.

The attacks kept coming, but Iyana was easily shielding herself from all of those. Then the nether energy above me brightened, it was so overwhelming that it even dispersed the air around us and with a single push, I threw the ball towards her with all my force. Our energies collided in an instant, stopping just before another explosion occurred. Iyana's energy was sucking in everything that tornadoes appeared around us and mine was leaving everything so lifeless that even oxygen was disappearing.

"Ke'ala!" Laire yelled, snapping me out of the trance.

"I'm not going to hold back. One of you needs to get this barrier down before I end up emptying my own life force."

"And I'm telling you that won't happen anytime soon! I can still arrange our path for retreat--"

"Laire."

"I only want what's the best for--"

"I trust all of you." I smiled at the thought. "Is that so unbelievable?"

"...I thought you don't need that word?"

"That's all I cling unto now." I concluded.

I extended my arms sideward, feeling my chest swell up as energy gathered around my palms, the Sigillum inside me was throbbing along with my racing heartbeat. A dozen fire phoenixes then appeared, spinning with their glowing fire feathers stuck close to their body before thoroughly expanding their wings when they reached the sky. Their shrieks covered the entire area, shooting rain of fireballs from above as well as their giant feathers serving as spears.

Iyana was too distracted about our energy balls still currently fighting for dominance mid-air that she wasn't able to notice a feather changing its trajectory to avoid a space. When Iyana did notice it, was already just a meter above her head. Knowing she was going to do something about it anyway, I used the opportunity to concentrate another batch on my energy on the ground. Immediately after a few seconds, green vines appeared beneath her feet that caught her defenseless after she crumbled the feather with her left hand.

The vines were associated with thorns that made her look at me with a glare, stabbing her feet up to her legs with the vines continuing to coil up around her waist. It didn't even take five minutes yet when Acnolgíum was once again revived, shooting light beams towards the fire phoenixes. It also already adapted to my energy attacks raining from the air that it had created a single layer barrier on its side, spinning it around its hands before throwing the giant layer like a boomerang that cut through my magic circles.

The battle continued to prolong when Iyana got out of the vines, jumping on Acnolgíum's shoulders when I released my earth magic, creating a seemingly endless rock spikes off the ground, extending upward that reached the technology's metallic legs. Sweat dripped from my forehead, I was already panting. My energy isn't going to last long if I continue to release powerful energy ome after another. If this were a different enemy, I would have already finished this but Iyana is a difficult one, especially when it is her heart that's powering this entire Magnus.

Hindi makagalaw si Acnolgíum dahil sa mga spikes na nakatusok sa katawan nito, na kahit anong tira niya ng mga atake ay ganoon paring tutubo ang mga bato mula sa lupa. Malalaki din sila at matitigas na hindi basta-bastang masisira. But Iyana hasn't given up yet, she summoned another batch of spaces around our still fighting energy balls, empowering her own that pushed mine back. Pero kahit anong gawin niya, hindi kinaya ng pure energy ang nether na hinigop ng energy ball ko ang sa kaniya.

Iyana jumped out of the way, my nether energy dominating that hit Acnolgíum. The technology instantly turned gray at a single contact, eventually disappearing without leaving even just a tiny trace behind. Ramdam ko ang pagkagulat ni Iyana sa nakita, parang gumaan din ang nararamdamang bigat ng damdamin niya nang nawala si Acnolgíum. Hindi sko sigurado kung babalik pa ang teknolohiya na iyon kung lahat na parte nito ay nawala na, pero alam kong hindi dapat ako makampante.

Tinaas ko pa ang lebel ng enerhiya ko at mas lumaki pa ang nether energy ball, sa sobrang laki nito ay kay na nitong pasabugin ang buong Southern Territory.  Nagulat ako nang tumalon si Iyana papunta sa energy ball na ito at pinasok ang kaliwa nitong kamay. Halos hindi ako makapaniwala nang naramdaman ko kung paano unti-unting nawawala ang enerhiya ko hanggang sa tuluyang sumabog ang nether energy ball. Napapikit ako nang mata dahil sa liwanag, kasabay ng matinding liwanag na ito ay ang tunog ng parang may nawawasak.

A familiar presence then engulfed me from behind, pushing me back as I felt his body shield me from an incoming penetrative wave of pure energy. A cloud of smoke eventually appeared, hindering all our sights as well as gusts of wind particles as though there was a sandstorm brewing. I gathered my energy around my hand, swiping the air around us in circle. The action cleared all the dusts and smoke away, making me cough.

And then there was Titania's smiling figure as she obliterated the last hint of my nether energy ball, protecting Iyana from behind her. Iyana's left arm was bleeding, too much blood was dripping from all over it that I could feel her suppressing the pain from her bones crumbling inside. Titania just laughed, lifting her hand gracefully. Along eith that movement were boulders of rocks being lifted from the ground and in a single swing, she sent all of those to our direction.

The demon in front of me did not let me do anything, easily deflecting all the rocks away by releasing a light wave around him which turned the rocks into piles of dusts. Silverrium had plenty of cuts on his body, I can tell from his stance that he could even barely stand up. He doesn't have enough energy left and yet...but if that wave of pure energy got to me earlier, my body might have ended up way worse than Iyana's left arm.

"That was reckless, dear." Titania commented, making Iyana look away.

"I could have handled it."

"You could have indeed, except that you would have already been too beat up to witness it. There are plenty of chances you could outpower Caelesti, Iyana. You don't have to waste your life at the process of proving so."

"And here I thought you were just going to stand by and watch." I said, forcing myself up.

Any more excessive energy and my life force would start to be in pain, an indication that I'm at my limit. But just how wonderful for Titania to appear now of all times. If only that barrier above would disappear already.

"I could have preferred that." She slid her fingers on Iyana's arm, there were small dots of lights blinking whenever she touched the latter's skin. "However, there would come a point I cannot simply just do so, including now." 

"Acnolgíum was bothersome enough, and now you're even here." My eyebrows furrowed, admitting that so openly.

Titania was done healing Iyana's arm, the darkness that surrounded it earlier also disappeared. Iyana did mention in thag past about the Fairy Queen's superior healing power. Well, considering she rules this world's nature, healing should be the least difficult thing for her. But there's something about her energy being transferred to Iyana is bothering me. How could healing hurt her like that? No, it's not about the healing itself but Titania's energy. It felt...painful.

"It was such a waste, really. I was hoping Acnolgíum could finish you off with my dearest's help." She shook her head, pretending to show a face of disappointment. "But you were too powerful for my second masterpiece."

"Second?" Did she mean to say there's something more stronger than that technology?

"Of course." She smirked, holding Iyana's shoulder. "You were having a hard time with my greatest masterpiece, no?"

I glanced at Iyana who said nothing. "How pitiful. To be reduced to a mere tool. That isn't so like you, Iyana."

She chuckled bitterly. "Worry about yourself, Ke'ala. You're in no position to do otherwise."

"I'm sure there's another reason for you to show up, Titania." I said, ignoring Iyana's words. She was right though. But I can't help but do just that anyway. "And you even brought another presence along."

"My, for you to notice. As expected of Caelesti of the Unknown, huh?" Along with what she said, I heard footsteps coming after from behind her. "Meet the top first Candidate of the World's Organization, the Demon of the Void." She smiled, crossing her arms as her finger tapped unto her chin, as though observing my reactions.

"For you to be acquainted with the Candidates--" hindi na natuloy ang sasabihin ko nang makita ko kung sino ito.

Ganoon parin ang mukha nito, pero iba lang sa paraan ng pananamit nito at pagtayo. He was wearing a black fedora hat, letting his black horn stay unperturbed just on each side of his forehead. Hindi tulad noon ay hinayaan niya lang ang buhok niyang nakababa, then there was his usual beard. Nakasuot ito ng pormal na pulang tuxedo, may hawak din itong sigarilyo.

May eyepatch ang kanan nitong mata, habang halata naman ang pulang kulay ng mata nito sa kaliwa. His ears were long, and I could feel his overwhelming presence just by standing there. Lumapit siya kay Titania tsaka ngumiti sa akin. The same usual interested grin. I never did really trust this man--or demon, in that manner.

"Hello, Kitty." He grin grew wider.

"Your naming sense has become even worse, Salem." I replied, clearly bothered by it.

The demon laughed. "Awe, don't be like that. We've only met twice in some... faraway place. But now that you've seen my actual form...any comments?"

"You've become even more infuriating."

"At least you can't deny I made you laugh before, did I?"

"I could at least compliment your fun remarks." I watch him blow the smoke from his nose. "Still, I'm a bit curious now."

"I've been wandering from here and there for years now. It was a great coincidence I met you back at Orc Country. I reckon you had a great time there, being a human and all."

"Oh that, I did." I smiled, remembering my time there. Time moves differently from that place and here. I've been there for at least a week after I've killed the blue orc's Champion but still managed to return here in time. "So you're attempt to break into Zelestia is just you wandering around, I see."

"Don't give me such suspicious look. I've been meaning to pay a visit to those lower gods for some time now, but I was having a hard time entering." He clicked his tongue. "But you did get something out of that visit yourself, I assume. It's just too bad I had to return back here so soon after our last meeting. The Organization can be a bit tiresome to deal with."

"For you to be acquainted with Titania, am I right to think the World's Organization is secretly backing that woman's plans then?"

"Well, that's inevitable."

"How?"

"Hmm I thought it was painly obvious though." He sighed. "Titania, the Fairy Queen of Enchant Woods, is our top third Candidate after all."

I wonder why that didn't even come of as surprising. Iyana was different though, she immediately shot Titania a questioning look which the latter shut down by simply smiling, as though telling her she would answer her questions later. This woman...to think the World's Organization's been aware of many things from the start because of her. Although that doesn't matter now, I suppose, especially that I currently have the full identities of the first, second, and third Candidates, and I can say they aren't easy to deal with at all.

"Ke'ala! Ke'ala, answer me!" Laire called out again.

"What is it? I know how dangerous tje situation is now that the First and Third are here--"

"I don't know what happened in Cretian, but I can't even contact Ellise now. Thana and Fińe are in a critical condition from too much blood loss, which I believe Iyana had something to do. While the doctor--" she stopped when I heard the said doctor was coughing violently. "I found him trying to heal both. He's badly injured himself."

I clenched my fists so hard my nails would have dug through my skin had I pushed them even more. "So you're saying I'm left with no choice but to run away."

"We're in the same room where the source is. Doctor Voltron found a way to cancel how the energy from the Abyss is being channeled from Iyana's heart."

My eyes widened for a second. "Then--"

"We're going to do something about your situation, but that's it. We're going back, and you're coming with us."

I was taken aback by what she said. "What?"

"We're going to retreat whether you like it or not."

"Why?!" I glared. I focused my gaze up front where Titania and Salem seemed to have known what's going on.

"You look troubled, Rapunzel." Salem incurred. "Want to talk about it?"

"Shut up." I hissed.

He raised his hands. "Woah, Cinderella. I'm trying to help you, am I not?" I gritted my teeth and was about to summon my weapon when Salem pointed at Silverrium. "Don't look too shocked, my First Great Demon General, Silverrium."

Silverrium stiffened, glaring at him. "Forgive me for my insolence for asking such question, my King, but why have you not appeared to me after all this time?"

"It's not that I never meant to find you. I just didn't know where and who has Sigillum, the relic I created to house all of my demons and monsters. Now I see you've become one of Caelesti the Unknown's--who's the holder of my relic--aids, how admirable. I am proud of you for keeping yourself useful throughout all these years."

"I--" Silverrium stopped, his eyes widening as Salem looked directly into his silver eyes, both of their eyes glowing. "Forgive me, my King, but my loyalty remains intact." He stepped forward, extending his right hand as though to cover me.

"Hmm..." Titania snorted. "Is he really one of your Generals in the past, Salem? He seems protective of that Unknown."

"He is, isn't he?" He laughed. "Doesn't his loyalty to those he follow just so heroic? To think I've raised such a fine demon, it makes me proud like a father."

"Iyana, dear, if you please start of our denouement." The Fairy Queen said.

"Gladly." Iyana replied, her serious facade making me wary now.

Spaces appeared all around us once again. Except that this time, what appeared in these spaces weren't her usual bullets but red lines of energy, they looked like strings embedded with such magnificent amount of energy. These strings were coming from Salem, I could tell from the way his energy was currently flowing through these spaces. Silverrium summoned his longsword, easily cutting the strings down but that was all he could do. Even him has so little energy flowing in his body now.

I sighed looking at this aid of mine, ignoring another wave of large boulders of rocks heading towards us, ignoring Iyana's invisible bullets, ignoring all their various attacks altogether--I watxh as Silverrium struggle to keep them away from me, egen going as far as to use his body as a shield to protect me. He muttered a spell as a light barrier appeared in front of us, but the energy backing it was so weak that it instantly melted against Titania's blasts of sharp formation of wind.

Still, I ignored all of it. Realizing how Laire had been telling me to retreat. Did she know this will happen? When? When did we fail on noticing how Silverrium had been wavering for so long now? Did Laire tell me nothing because of the way I said I trust all of them? No, I would still trust them all over again though. How could I not? Seeing how he kept on struggling just to protect me when his body was against it from the start, how his actions were being betrayed by his emotions.

"Should be some time now." The demon in red muttered.

Salem blew another smoke from his cigarette, the air immediately being engulfed by this smoke that I could see nothing but this gray smoke. I couldn't move. Strings slowly coiled up around my feet, traveling up until it wrapped around both of my arm from each side, the strings coming from the spaces trapping me in the middle. An energy beam struck through my leg, the pure energy originating from Iyana--which made my legs wobble up. But the strings were preventing me from even kneeling, the strain on my lower body was too much that I cried out in pain as another energy beam passed through my shoulder.

Yet I didn't do anything. What could I even do at this point? My life force was on a brink of shutting down from the continuous absorption of my energy, my face was pale and too much blood had already left my body. Laire did say they were going to do something about that barrier above, I trust they would but it might be too late by then. I felt dejected. I was feeling...so tired. It isn't so like me though. The word 'trust' had already cost me too much damage. However, I still wouldn't mind using that word again.

I kept saying in the past that feeling of trust didn't matter. I failed to realize how I've always been putting my trust on this 'family' of mine and never actually doubt--no matter how much I deny it--that they feel the same. That they trust me. I still believe they do.

Blood dripped from my lips, the taste of copper immediately filling my tongue yet at this moment, it feels so bland. I looked down where the sharp end of a familiar sword protruded from my chest, sliding through my back. It was painful. It was as though I was being trapped in time where everything seemed to have slowed down. However, at that very moment my dull pale blue eyes met his glowing silver ones, I only cared about how his hands trembled as one touched my shoulder--the other, without hesitation, surrounded the hilt--pushing it even more that blood was beginning to paint upon his blade, glistening. My reflection on it looked so beautiful, but it was also very... ugly.

"Whom..." I panted, words seemed to flow out even more difficult. "Whom does your..." I grabbed his hand that was still wrapping around the hilt of his sword on my chest. "...trust belong to?"

"My loyalty remains intact to where I had originally given it to." He admitted, and we both know exactly who that person is. "And so is my trust."

And there were no more need for words. My smile was enough to reassure him, that whatever he does from now on, I would still trust him--foolish may that sound.

The strings from my right snapped, my hand dropping immediately as energy slowly left my body. My head fell over his chest, the exhilarating pounding of his heart thoroughly unmatching my silent, whispering heartbeat. Laire was saying something, the world around me was screaming something, but I couldn't hear them. Everything looked as though they were moving so fast that I could only close my eyes, the heaviness of my eyelids forcing me to.

Then there was another cracking sound, small fragments of something sharp hitting my skin. But I didn't care anymore. I was on a brink of loosing consciousness when the strings coiling around my body was cut off, my body being carried as I felt myself hover over the air, a pair of arms supporting me from below. There was a familiar presence, as though coaxing me to open my eyes.

Warmth...I feel...so warm despite the cold that was eating my body from the inside. A mere presence capable of making me feel so pleasant. Fingers then traced the side of my face, and that single touch brought a wave of nostalgia and memories that made me heart snap a beat. Then another--and I have never felt so alive than I've felt so at the moment that without even realizing it, I have already opened my eyes--afraid this familiar presence might leave.

And there he was.

My hand was trembling as I reached after his face. Seeing him showing such expression made me smile, and that was enough for me.

"You're...here." I whispered, my eyes struggling to stay open. Until I gave up fighting, letting myself rest, contented as I feel his forehead against my own.

It was all I needed. It was all I wanted. We both knew, at the end of the day, we were what each other have the most that truly mattered.

"I am, Ke'ala." He assured, imprinting his lips on mine. "I'm here."

------------------------------------------

PLEASE DO READ.

AN: Officially the longest chapter so far in this book, my new year's gift to you instead of cutting the chapter. Also, I apologize for not updating recently. Sometimes, I'm not in the mood to write for life would often get in the way and I don't want to force myself for it would greatly affect the chapter's content. After all, I can't just sacrifice speed over quality.

But that's not important right now. I just want to wish you a Happy Great New Year! I hope you have a great year ahead! I can't believe it has been almost three years since Magnus Academy came to be and everything seemed to have gone by so quickly. From my first ever readers to those who have supported me until now, I'm glad you're still here.

I plan to end this book this year, but that won't happen anytime soon. Hanggang book two lang po talaga ang Magnus Academy and it's already a great honour for me to be able to share my work with you.

I can only hope for you dreamers to support me until the end as well as my future works.

Again though, Happy New Year!