Breaking Future

I wonder why I can never choose between vanilla and jasmine. Both have rich and exquisite flavour that soothes my whole system. The way their liquids flow through my throat is always so pleasant like one could never get tired of it. The texture are both different though. Vanilla usually have this creamy texture aroma while jasmine looked like a coloured water but with scent that would make anyone tingle.

There are different varities of these drinks, like vanilla bean black tea, vanila chai tea, jasmine green tea, jasmine oolong, jasmine black tea...but my most preferred types of these teas are cinnamon vanilla milk tea and of course, the popular jasmine pearl tea. I usually brew both types of teas myself to be able to achieve the perfect flavour, I don't trust other people easily after all.

Yes, trust. Speaking of the fact that I don't trust people easily, a great example of it should be this young lady sitting in front of me. The weather outside is beautiful and me crossing my legs holding both cups of the teas I have mentioned earlier, today should be one of those relaxing moments that I rarely come to meet. Yet whenever I seem to look at her, I could never do so.

"Are you two just going to stare at each other?" The door opened revealing Kana Grail who has been gone for almost an hour now.

She left us here in this room while the Dwarf King is still busy as she deals with her own business. Her eyebrows furrowed seeing no reaction from the two of us. I returned my gaze to the cups I'm holding, and with a sigh, I placed both on the table and looked at this girl once again.

I was trying to understand the magic behind her face, how come she looks so much like me? I couldn't sense a particular amount of spiritual energy from her so might as well say she's really that weak or she has them hidden. If Kana was right and there was no such magic that could do a perfect copy of one's face, then I have to force myself to accept these two possibilities. Either that she's a long-lost sister from another man or woman or that she indeed came from the future.

"Are you always like that?" She asked, breaking the silence.

She's slender, her eyes are paler, her eyelashes are long, has a long black hair that reached up to her waist which is pretty much the same length as mine, and what's more—ah, her speech and character somehow resembles my own. Although our movements are different, while I move with grace and smoothness, she moves wildly, she has too much excess movements and obviously, she doesn't have any experience fightining an actual battle.

Looking from this point of view, she's really thin like she has never eaten a mouthful of food. She has a fair skin, but at the same time I can't help but think that she's actually just pale. I could tell all of this just by a single glance. It might not be a fact since after all, she managed to enter in this place, but my first impression of her is that she's useless, someone whom people would get tired protecting.

But then again, perhaps I'm wrong.

"What do you think are you doing?" I asked, prolonging my patience. Kana just handed her my cup still full of vanilla.

"Finally back on your senses?" Tsk. Have I been spacing out for that long? "Finally ready to accept reality?"

"I'm just accepting the possibility." I took a sip from the cup filled with jasmine then sighed. "But that does not mean I accept her. She just owned my identity, pretending to be me, and then what? Long story short, I don't trust her." I said all of that looking at the girl as if I'm looking at the mirror.

"That's so like you." She sighed. "Well, not that I didn't expect this. But I'll have you know that it wasn't my intention to ruin you at all—"

"I'd appreciate if you cut to the chase." She frowned. It's obvious she's annoyed.

"I'd appreciate if you listen—"

"I am."

"Are you rea—"

"Speak." Clenching her fists, she sighed giving up.

"You and your words." She muttered. "Like I told you before, I came here just shortly after you were gone. Walang nakakaalam kung nasaan ka pumunta kaya nung bakita nila ako ay inakala agad nilang ako si Keila Willar. I want to have control over things kaya nagpanggap ako bilang ikaw. Of course, those who know you well are suspecting me—"

"Why do you need control over things?" Her face became serious, her eyes locking on mine that I couldn't look away even though I wanted to.

"We're winning this war. Zyrendel has to to win." My eyebrow lifted then I closed my eyes with a smirk.

"You mentioned this isn't just about the two factions fighting anymore." I opened my eyes, slightly shaking the cup between my fingers. "You..." I stared at her. "You didn't really literally ruin the Arkion Faction."

"P-paano mo—"

"I've always thought it was strange that the moment you were brought to light, the Arkion Faction started dispersing. Kion went into hiding when he'd usually face everything head-on. When Trudy Dome was killed, the members who chose to force things their way appeared like ants attacking the King's Faction. In other words, they were provoked."

"Is it that obvious?" She worriedly asked, but Kana shook her head.

"It isn't, whatever plans did you set into motion. Masyadong matalino lang talaga ang babaeng kaharap mo ngayon."

"Anyway, sinasabi kong may naging usapan kayo ni Kion, at gusto kong malaman kung ano iyon."

"I negotiated that I would give up my position as a successor if he'd cooperate."

"Kilala ko si Kion, hindi siya papayag ng ganoon lang kasimple. Ano ang buong pinag-usapan niyo?" Her eyes are averting, ibig sabihin ay nagdadalawang-isip siya.

"The upcoming war, I promised him a new name, a new reputation and surely with that, he would be a King favoured by all. Alam niyang hindi ako ang totoong Keila Willar kaya malamang hindi niya ako pinagkatiwalaan, but he knows continuing his little faction won't get him anywhere kaya sa huli ay pumayag din siya. He has to anyway."

Kion has always been hesitating about his little faction, and I've been doubting about it too. He's a great leader but he doesn't know how to choose the right person to trust. That's why even those greedy ones who wanted power along with his succession sided with him and due to their impatience, they acted rashly and fell to the other faction's provocation. And that led to their ruin.

Pero alam ko na ngayon kung bakit naging madali ang pagkahulog ng Arkion Faction. Pumayag siya sa kasunduan na nilahad ng babaeng ito at matapos nun, hindi ko na alam kung ano ang ginawa niya para masira ang factipn na siya mismo ang naghirap para mabuo. Pero alam kong hindi tuluyang nasira ang Arkion Faction, I have a really good feeling that he's out there rebuilding things again in case hindi susunod sa kasunduan ang babaeng ito. In the first place, he needed to clean his faction anyway.

"How do you plan on making him a favoured King? You don't plan on ruining yourself in purpose so he can have the light, do you?" She kept her silence and that itself is alreaddy an answer to my question.

Tumayo ako at tinapok ang walang lamang cup sa may pader. Nagulat siya sa ginawa ko at alam kong bakas sa mukha ko ngayon ang galit. Nararamdaman ko ang takot niya, si Kana Grail naman ay sa gilid lang nakikinig sa usapan. Dahil sa biglaang pagtaas ng emosyon ko ay nagsilabasan ang mga tinatago kong enerhiya, pinupuno nito ang buong kwarto.

"You do know you're using my name and you have my face, and yet..." I glared at her. "And yet you're helping other people by destroying me? Why? Is it because I'm already a criminal that it doesn't matter? You're creating problems for me!" Her face became pale and she kept clenching her fists.

"Ke'ala! You're suffocating her with your energy!" The Witch shouted.

Realizing this, a sense of guilt same rushing in and as always, it's an unpleasant emotion that I was forced to calm myself again, retreating all the energy I let out back into my body. I sighed. If it continued on, I might have had accidentally let out even the dark energy in my body. 

Glancing at this girl who claimed to be my daughter, nagpalabas siya ng malalim na hininga at bumalik na ang kulay sa mukha niya. It's uncomfortable because it felt like I was actually trying to hurt myself, and it was a foreign emotion.

"I..." she trailed off, and as if she decided on her mind, she locked her eyes on mine again despite her fears. She's a tough one, I'd give her that. "I thought it was for the best. Once Kion becomes King, you'd be free to leave the country without any sort of connections."

"But what I have in mind differs from yours. You don't know what I need."

"I know what exactly you need." She insisted. "What you need isn't here, not at the moment that is. And this war is what you'll have to get through in order to get it." Nagulat ako sa mga sinasabi niya.

Before I left the Spirit Land and before all those battles against the Keepers happened, may sinabi sa akin si Lunox. Another Guardian is the key in order to activate Etherion, no matter how much I'll pour my energy into it, hindi ito maga-activate without a key and the key I'm speaking of is another ancient technology.

A Guardian is an ancient technology built by ancient civilizations in order to attain greatest power. Isang halimbawa nito ay si Laire, a Guardian activated by me. I'm the second person who managed to activate it though, ang nakauna dito ay si Denaricus noong ilang taon na ang nakalipas. Laire once told me that there is a total of five Guardians in this world, people created it in accordance to the Five Spirit Keepers of Spirit Land, every worlds have their Guardians after all.

Another Guardian is in the Lethum Mountain, that cold mountain where the three of us used to be in a competition together. It was in a distant memory kaya hindi ko na masyadong maalala, pero bago ako nakalabas sa bundok na iyon gamit ang portal, I was sure came across what I thoight to be a monster. Malaki ito at nakabalot ang buong appearance ng kulay itim, walang nakakaalam ng mukha and it seems to be floating. I'm still not sure if it was indeed a Guardian though and I wouldn't risk going there unsure.

Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko parin makausap si Laire, hindi ko alam kung bakit, kaya hindi rin ako makakuha ng mga importanteng impormasyon ukol sa paghahanap ko sa Guardian na ito. Lunox specifically told me that another Guardian might be here in Zyrendel and as a result, I need a lot of personal connections in order to find it.

Pero mukhang wala namg patutunguhan ang planong iyon. Dahil ngayon, alam na ng babaneg ito na ang Guardian ang hinahanap ko. Paano niya nalaman? Nanggaling ba talaga siya sa hinaharap? If so, I still don't know why she returned, not that I'm concern about whatever reasons she has anyway. Her words seem trustworthy enough, and a part of me says I should continue to observe her at the meantime and see what she has to offer.

"You still haven't told me why you have to win this war and who are you up against."

"You're familiar with the Fallen Kingdom of Leomer, right?" I nodded. Who isn't? "They have been trying to rebuild their Kingdom for several years and by now, they have a national power that could even rival this Kingdom. Or even probably stronger." Zyrendel has always been known by its power, and the fact that Leomer managed to even become its rival is amazing enough. "That's not all. Seven years ago, Leomer has grown into an Empire."

"An Empire, you say? You're saying they have conquered many Kingdoms from those years?"

"That's right, and the're becoming dangerous." She stood up para mapantayan ako, pero mas mataas parin ako. "They have been trying to conquer nearbye Kingdoms and Zyrendel isn't an exception. I know they're going to attack but I don't know when. Kaya kailangan ko ang tulong ng mga dwarves, we're basically racing against time here. If they attacked without us having to prepare for it, this Kingdom is doomed." Probably one of the reason why Kion agreed with her conditions.

"At bakit mo naman kailangan tulungan ang kahariang ito? Higit sa lahat, ano ang koneksyon dito sa hinahanap ko?"

"Nasa kanila ang hinahanap mo. Specifically, from the Emperor. Bakit ba sa tingin mo biglaang lumakas ang Leomer?" Must be because of that Guardian's help then, and the said Emperor has it.

"Well I can just easily take it from him without ki—"

"NO!" Her yell interrupted me. She seemed so determined like she'd die just to achieve whatever she has in mind. "He has to be killed."

"And why is that?" But she didn't answer. I sighed. "Nevermind." Must be a personal matter that I won't be bothered about in the first place. "Now then, let's come into an agreement."

"Agreement?"

"I can't just let you go off using my identity without me having to benefit from it, can I?"

"You mean a negotiation? Tutulungan kitang makuha ang hinahanap mo, hindi pa ba sapat 'yun?"

"Don't make me laugh. Kayang-kaya kong kunin ang hinahanap ko, tulungan mo man ako o hindi."

"You're overestimating yourself. You are strong, but the Emperor's probably stronger than you at the moment." I frowned. It's like seeing my own face say I'm weaker, and I hated it. But I don't feel like acting against such a provocation, so I'll just let her with her little fantasy of me being weaker.

"So what would you offer then? Assistance?"

"I'll draw them here and I'll get what I want and you'll get what you need." I chuckled, I don't know why but that seemed to have surprised her.

"You sounded so serious that it was amusing."

"So this is all just a game to you?"

"But it's rather simple, let's see...ah like a game of snake and ladder."

"Snake and ladder? I know the game pero hindi ko alam na nilalaro pa ito." So it isn't popular anymore? Naalala ko na sikat ang larong iyan sa isla. Halos palagi kaming naglalaro niyan ng mga kapatid ko— "so, ano ang koneksyon ng larong ito sa sasabihin mo?"

"You draw the players, and I'll make the game."  It's me saying she'll deliberately set the enemy to the traps I'll be preparing.

"I see..." she nodded, understanding. Seems she isn't that stupid as I thought, she saved me the trouble of explaining. "Does that make you a snake?"

"A snake?" I snorted. "No, I'll be the game board itself." It's much better controlling the setting itself than being one of the traps. "In this case, you'll be the finish line."

"That doesn't sound good." She frowned. "In other words, you're directing the enemies at me."

"Exactly. Ikaw ang susunod na successor, hindi naman sila aatake na walang kaalam-alam kung anong klase ang kinakalaban nila. Malaman nilang ikaw ang susunod na magiging lider ng kaharian, sa'yo mapupunta ang atensyon." Once she's dead, the Kingdom is doomed and then they'll come after the King, everything will be easy at that point on.

"Alam mo naman pala at gagawin mo pa akong finish line?" Once they cross that finish line, the game will end, and that's where my plans will start.

It'll worry me if the King will die, dahil agad na mapupunta ang trono sa babaeng ito na nagpapanggap lamang bilang ako. Kung mamatay naman ang babaeng ito sa kamay ko, may posibilidad na hindi ko nga makuha ang hinahanap ko. In the first place, kailangan ko din namang matapos ang koneksyon ko sa Zyrendel.

If the Kingdom were to fall with the King and the successor dead, wala na akong pro-problemahin pa. Makukuha ko din naman ang Guardian. The upcoming war will decide everything. It's like killing birds with one stone.  Honestly, I couldn't careless about what happens to this girl, it's not like I'm bound to act like a...mother if she was indeed my daughter—from the future, that is.

"If you trust your men, then there's no reason for you to worry, is there?" It'll be a different case if her people could actually protect her and keep the enemies from going after their future Queen.

"I'm not as stupid as you think. I know every words that come out of your mouth is a one-edged sword. You may propose this as a negotation, but I know better than that." I frowned. "Both parties may be able to benefit from this negotation, but that's your specialty isn't it? Coat your words with a proposition that we can both benefit when in fact, you get to have more in the end." I smiled.

"You're smart, you seem to grasp my personality well." People like her is rare these days. The world is mostly filled with stupid and very naive ones after all. "But so what? It depends if you choose to take more from a benefit or take what you have. It's all about taking chances."

"And taking chances means risks that I don't take."

"That would be the case if you think of it as a risk." Her eyes widened for a moment.

"So you mean you're confident about whatever plan you have in mind."

"Exactly. So, do we have an agreement?" She sighed.

"Fine." Finally. "Remember that you can't make your appearance this whole time. Pero kailangan parin natin ng tulong ng mga dwarves. The weapons they make—"

"I know about their weapons, I'll take care of it."

"Paano mo kukumbinsihin ang hari nila?"

"I'll get whatever I want." Ibinalin ko ang atensyon ko kay Kana na may binabasa. "I'm sure the King's all free to meet me now." She clasped her hand together, closing the book.

"Mabuti naman at tapos na kayo. Isipin niyo nalang na wala akong narinig sa mga pinag-usapan niyo." She chuckled. "It was fun having to eavesdrop in this mother-daughter conversation." She led us outside, walking through the halls.

"And it isn't fun having a Witch tease me about it like it matters the most."

"But it does! Who could have thought of you having a—"

"Quit it, Kana Grail." She laughed, her voice echoing through this empty space.

The place was surrounded by rock walls, every steps we made created a hard sound. Up front, there laid a huge double door. Walang mga gwardiya sa labas na pinagtaka ko. Nang pumasok kami ay may malaking pigura ang nakatayo sa gitna, walang mga upuan o lamesa. It was a huge empty space. The figure was a dwarf, may hawak siyang malaking espada.

He has a long blonde hair as well as beard covering his mouth. Nakasuot siya ng golden armour, may asul naman na kapa sa likod. Napunta kaagad sa akin ang mga mata niya nang nagkaharapan kami. No one dared to break the silence, his presence was too overwhelming that I could sense a great deal of respect and fear from these two.

"Ke'ala Feyree." He called. The two, as though been ordered, bowed their heads as a greeting, but I didn't. Then his eyes met the girl beside me, his eyebrows furrowed. "I've always known she was fake."

"Was that the reason why you never agreed with us? Dwarf King Admon Quil?" She asked.

"No. I simply don't want to associate with humans."

"Yet we're here facing you." This girl sure is good at talking.

"That's because I'm ready to reconsider." Tinaas niya ang malaking espadang hawak niya at pinaikot-ikot ito. "Dwarves have always been good at fighting battles. I have been living for many, many years now that I simply know instinctively if I could win or not. Under your rule, you cannot. But..." his gaze returned to me.

"Then does that mean your're going to help—"

"What's the point of our help if you have her?" His sword pointed at me. "I cannot see the depths of her spiritual power, might as well say her energy is limitless."

"You're taking me for too much credit." I smiled. "I have something else in mind, you see. Everything would be useless if I were to join the war."

"Let me remind you that we're up against an Empire! If we were to lose, so as your little Dwarf Territory." This girl sure is persistent. I raised my hand to stop her from talking more. Wala kaming magagawang trabaho dito kung iyan lang ang mga sasabihin niya.

"Admon Quil, why don't we have a private little chat ourselves?" I hate being distracted. He nodded and looked at Kana.

Tumango naman ang Witch at hinila palabas ang babae na hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko parin alam ang pangalan. Nang marinig ko ang pagsara ng pintuan sa likuran ko ay agad kong pinalabas ang isang espada sa kamay ko. Napangiti siya sa ginawa ko at humanda na.

"Doesn't look like a little chat to me."

"You expected it anyway." I pushed my body forward hitting him with my sword, but of course, he was able to block, it wasn't that fast anyway.

"You're fast."

"Am I?"

Nagpalitan kami ng atake, kasabay ng bawat atake na iyon ay ang paggalaw ng mga katawan namin sa iba't ibang direksyon. Malakas at mabigat ang bawat tapon ng espada niya sa direksyon ko pero hindi ako nahihirapan dito. He may be strong but it isn't enough to even scratch me. Tinaas ko ang kanang kamay ko kung saan hawak ko ang espada at tinamaan siya sa leeg, muntik na sana pero bigla na lamang siyang gumalaw sa gilid at tsaka binigyan din ako ng atake.

Tumalon ako para maiwasan ang espada niya at pumatong sa tuktok ng patalim niya kaya ang resulta ay hindi niya ito naigalaw. Akmang susuntukin niya ako gamit ang kamao niya nang binigyan ko mg bigat ang katawan ko kaya pumailalim sa lupa ang weapon niya tsaka ko tinutok ang sarili kong weapon sa noo nito.

"Were you expecting a win, Dwarf King?" He smiled and shook his head.

Kasabay nito ay ang pagwala ng hawak kong espada. Nakita niya ito bilang oportunidad at sinubukang tamaan ako mula sa itaas ng espada niya pero simpleng pinigilan ko ito gamit ang kamay ko. Walamg dugo ang lumabas sa kamay kahit malakas ang momentum ng atake niya, it was because I managed to control his own attack.

"I can never truly defeat a candidate." Candidate? "You weren't even using your energy, you never used your other hand, and most of all, you could have handled my attacks well even without a weapon." So he noticed huh? Was he really expecting me to go into battle mode against a King?

"I was being modest." He put his sword on his back and placed both of his hands behind him.

"I am never you and you were never me. But I can be you and you can be me. Always, somehow, we wished for it so." He started walking in circles. "It was a riddle from my ancestor many times ago. Do you know the answer?"

"Ourselves." We wish to be somebody we have always desired but it's funny how when we became that person, we somehow wish we were the person before we became like this.

"It took me almost fifty years trying to decipher that riddle and there's you who managed to do so under a few seconds." He stopped and sat down on the circle at the middle, his legs crossed. "I am ready to hear you out, Ke'ala Feyree."

"I need your assistance in this upcoming war."

"Are you certain it's 'I' not 'we'?"

"You will help me, Ke'ala Feyree, and not the country. That's the difference."

"So what is it for us?" As expected of the King, he isn't naive after all. But a part of me hoped he'd just go on and agree. Oh well.

"What is it that you desire the most?"

"You speak as if you can grant it."

"That depends on me." He sighed and closed his eyes, as though he was meditating.

"It's not what I desire for myself but for the whole dwarves under my territory. This place can't hold us anymore after a few years."

"So you wish to find another place to live."

"It's not just any place. Have you heard of Cretian Plains?" I frowned.

"I haven't."

"Of course. It's one of those denounced myths, you wouldn't be able to hear it from people these days. Cretian Plains is said to be the most mysterious mountain plain in this whole seven continent. No one has ever been there, thus its location is unknown."

This world has seven continents in total and Zyrendel belongs to the fifth continent while Magnus belongs in the fourth continent, the places might have been different but both countries are actually near each other. The first and second is called the Alberich Empire, currently the most powerful in this world.

If Leomer managed to become an empire as well, would that mean they were able to conquer the whole seventh continent? The third continent is located on the East part of the world, I remember the history books calling it Siegber Nations because the whole third continent has the most number of surrounding countries, and they were all been conquered. Unlike the Alberich Empire, that one is quiet.

As for the fourth and fifth continents, all countries and Kingdoms in it are independent, it's like saying those two powerful empires don't touch it and yet Leomer will. I wonder what would be the reaction of both, will they interefere or simply watch? I guess history classes back in the Academy helped a lot.

"I'll find it for you in exchange you help me with everything I need."

"There's no assurance you'll be able to find it."

"I will find it."

"How can you be so confident?"

"Because I feel like I can."

"What if you don't?"

"Then I'll offer you this Kingdom." His eyes grew wide from shock.

"What?!"

With the Kingdom on the stakes, tutulongan niya ako at kung manalo man kami sa laban at hindi ko mahanap-hanap ang Cretian Plains, mapapasakaniya ang Kahariang ito. In the first place, I plan to kill the King and the girl once the war ends, pretty much the Kingdom is doomed kung mangyari nga 'yun kaya ibibigay ko nalang sa kaniya. Pero kung mahanap ko man ang Cretian Plains, then it's a win-win situation.

"I'm serious. I never joke."

"But you tend to bluff, no?"

"Do I?" I chuckled.

"Alright, I will agree to your conditions."

"Then I'll expect your medicines and weapons on the right time."

"Refining them takes time, at least delay the war a little longer."

"We'll take care of it."

Lumabas ako sa pintuan at nang binuksan ko ito ay nakita kong doon naghihintay ang dalawa, pabalik-balik sa paglalakad ang babae at nang makita niya ako ay agad itong pumunta sa harapan ko. Pero hindi ko muna siya kinausap at sinundan si Kana na nagsimula nang maglakad.

Nararamdaman kong marami ang tanong na gusto sa aking itanong ng batang ito pero huwag muna ngayon. Sa paparating na away laban sa mga Leos, wala na akong pro-problemahin kung makukuha ko ang Guardian,  wala na din akong pakealam sa kaharian na ito matapos kong makuha ang gusto ko. It's not like I'm emotionally bound to this country anyway.

Marami pa kaming pinag-usapan ni Kana tungkol sa mga gagawin ng mga dwarves, pinag-usapan din namin ang mga resources ng kailangan nila kaya mukhang matatagalan pa nga. Dwarves are a natural-born blacksmiths, magaling din sila sa larangan ng medisina kaya noong unang panahon ay maraming naghahanap sa kanila.

Just because they are good at it means they are being respected, while some does, most actually see them as slaves dahil talagang sikat ang mga ganiyan noon. Well times have changed, it's humans who need them now. Pero lumalaki ang koneksyon ko, and I used to fear that the name Ke'ala Feyree would spark some trouble unknowingly, but I have changed.

Palabas na kami ngayon ng kweba. To think it's already night time when I came here around afternoon earlier. After I adjusted my eyes through this darkness, the path became much clearer. The breeze was cold against my skin, it was soothing, one that somehow engulfs my whole senses, rejuvenating them.

"Paaano mo napapayag ang hari? He doesn't even want to face me."

"Negotiations."

"How?"

"Cretian Plains." Even without looking back, I could sense her surpriseness. "I need to find it for him."

"What if you can't?"

"I offered him the Kingdom."

"You did what?!" Bigla niya nalang akong hinila paharap sa kaniya. "Are you insane?!"

"I have long been out of my sanity."

"Laro lang ba talaga sa'yo ang lahat ng ito?! Buhay ang nakasalalay dito!"

"Seems you don't know me that well for you to get flustered like that. Why? Tell me, have I changed that much in the future?" She suddenly felt guilty.

"Ke'ala, hindi mo kasi naiintindihan—"

"Damn it! Then make me understand!" I didn't mean to raise my voice but I did.

Kahit ako nagagalit narin na aksidente ko na namang napalabas ang masamang enerhiya sa katawan ko. Unlike the pure energy residing in my body, I can't control the dark energy that well because it reacts to even the smallest change in my emotion. Controlling the dark energy would mean controlling my own emotions which is getting harder and harder the more I come in contact with power.

"Nakakapagod na ang mga pinagsasabi mo na hindi ko naiintindihan. If you aren't going to tell me anything then stop acting as though you care about my business." I added. I could sense her fear but annoyance is more dominant. Her grip around my wrist tightened.

"But I do care." Her voice cracked and it surprised me. She suddenly turned around and looked up, sighing. "You asked if you changed? You did. At least in the future you aren't as pretentious as you are now."

"So you're regretting coming from my own womb now?" I asked with sarcasm.

"You make me want to do so." Somehow, I just knew those words were half-meant.

She turned her head around, her eyes were blurry because of the building tears. I averted my gaze. It's like seeing my own face cry and it's making me so damn uncomfortable. I sighed and annoyingly took the cloak behind me as I placed it on top of her. She was surprised and looked at me, her eyes were asking. But I didn't want to entertain her kaya lumakad na ako ulit.

"Keep up. We still have a war to win."

"You're surprisingly soft." I clenched my fists upon those words but then, I let it go.

Am I really? I doubt it.

"Shut it or you'll bite your tongue."

"I'm not a kid for me to accidentally do that."

"Don't be so sure about it." Silence followed after that. "Say, you never mentioned you name."

"Somebody from my time said you'll be able to call me by my real name."

"So I'm suddenly a mind reader now? Last time I check, my ability allows me to read emotions, not minds." She shrugged beside me.

"I'm serious. I never joke." Those words are always so familiar, like something I'd say.

"Was that 'somebody' happened to be called Caelesti?" Natigilan siya at napatingin sa akin kaya tumigil din ako.

Nasa akin ang mga mata niya, na tila ba may inaalala. Maraming emosyon ang hinahawakan ng ganiyang klaseng titig. That one single look that actually carries mixed emotions inside, not even words could give justice to those intricate emotions.

"Alam mo?"

"That I'm Caelesti?" I smiled, bitterly. Then I followed the path where leaves land when the wind passes by. She followed shortly after. "I've been given clues enough. Somehow, that is."

Caelesti huh? That person is both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. I thought I'm prepared for a lot of things already but just remembering that name brings me so much doubts and uncertainity. It's like an unfamiliar territory, something that even darkness and light couldn't even pass through. A name that brings puzzles and mysteries like no other.

Although I may seem to follow a certain path towards that name, I just couldn't make myself completely accept it. It's like accepting a part of myself that I'm not even aware of and that's a risk I would never take. Is it fear? I don't know. The more the mystery adds up, the more puzzling emotions are.

"Don't show such an emotion." She bit her liwer lip, and she said it as though she can read mine, or was it obvious? "Don't worry, you aren't that name. You aren't Caelesti." I frowned. Her eyes looked so confident that it almost made me trust her words.

"Your eyes hold so much kindness." I wonder why.

"May sinabi ka ding ganoon sa akin."

"I see." I got back on my tracks and looked up. The stars are shining brightly tonight, a half moon is even visible, but from this distant, it appeared so small.

"It's Ke'ala." I came into a halt once again and tuned my head around, seeing her determined expression. "Your name will be Ke'ala Feyree, nothing else."

I'd like to ask why. Is being Caelesti a bad thing? I'd like to see the reason why, but it's not like I could jump right into the future anyway. But her next words came to me like the passing breeze.

"I intend to keep it that way. So don't ever let go of that name."

At that moment, I was so sure she held much more resentment towards the world than I do. And I could only wonder why.

AN: This barely came out late! Lols, happy reading as always.