People have always misunderstood me—and yet I make no effort in correcting them. I made it to a point one day where I came to a realization where no matter how much I try to change their perspectives and prejudices of me, it will be no used. Once people think of one as evil, they will spare no time to rethink those mindsets. Thus, when the majority judged me as a villain and therefore I should die, I accepted it.

I do not fear death, there is no reason left for me to. I have done everything I have long planned on my game board, I have long set my pieces to do their roles, and I have long sacrificed my sanity for the sake of this arrangement. There was no going back, nor was the use of regrets. They are futile emotions, something that is a must to feel yet at the same time, there is no need to.

Others see myself as a being devoid of emotions for I feel no remorse when I kill nor I feel any trace of pity. I feel no such thing as sorrow, regrets, hatred, happiness—nothing. Nothing but satisfaction and content. Some regard me as a monster, but I think otherwise.

It is impossible to have no emotions, after all, even Gods have them, even plants, the skies, the soil—the world have these strange feelings, and I am no exception. I have become powerful not because I chose to become a monster, but because I had enough.

Truthfully, I do not blame humans for thinking of me as such, as well as the fact that I do not hate them for not knowing the truth and went on ahead blaming me for every misfortunes out there. People believe what the world wants them to believe and people put their faiths on what they are being led to.

As for what the world appears at the moment, it does not matter whether one have seen or heard the truth, for them; truth is something taught by the majority, something passed down through generations of beliefs, and truth is something told by the ones with power who claim that only them have the rights to these 'truths'.

My words aren't intended for people to understand, but I won't hold a grudge even if they don't. Some fear me while some pretend they do not. Some curse at me while some cannot say it directly on my face. Most despise my existence while most simply do not care. And very little are grateful to me while very little worship me, thinking I was some kind of God able to grant them their desire and hunger for power.

Somehow, I found myself entertaining such thoughts as I strolled around this abandoned yard. The grasses weren't tall, but they were enough to gently tickle my ankles as my weight slowly sank the soft, dampen soil. The surrounding trees were dead, but I had always deemed of it as strange while plants tend to grow around this area.

The smell of rusted iron then visited my nose as the silent howl of the passing wind passed by, making my long, black hair flutter silently behind me. The sun was already setting, its low, pitched-red sunlights hitting the tombstones; glistening against the threat of the falling sky.

The sight of these tombstones extend far beyond the reach of these pale, blue eyes. There were too many of them, something a simple concept of numbers cannot dictate. Hundreds, thousands...they appear to be endless. Still, I remember every single names imprinted on the layers of these stones.

"Do you blame yourself now?" Your voice echoed though the stillness of the forming silence.

My finger carefully traced the cold lines of one tomb, leaving small particles of dusts sticking against my skin. "I tried. However, no matter how hard I made myself feel that remorse, I simply couldn't. I feel nothing."

"Then why remember the names?" You lowered yourself, picking up a rock coloured in transparent white.

"I thought it would one day dawn to me the horrors of my actions and immediately regret it." I rested my palm on it after rubbing the building dirt. "Still, no matter how I remember the names, I feel nothing."

"When will you die?" That question left a lump on your throat, making you gulp.

I chuckled, moving across a set of tombs. "Would you want me to?"

I glance back to catch you with your eyes shut, sitting on the ground as you leaned your back against the large tree which served as a shade. But with that question, you opened your eyes, their gray colours drowning the light rays like a prism, resulting into more vibrant hues.

"I don't know. Honestly, I do not know." You admitted. "I don't want to be lonely, but I can't meddle. I can only watch you from afar. It is strange feeling."

"Perhaps it is time for you to thread your own fate." My feet then brought me standing in front of you, my own shadow overcasting yours. "Don't you think so?"

"I am an anomaly, Caelesti." You smiled a bitter one. I crouched lower to the ground, matching your level. "I have no fate. I cannot meddle with those with one."

Another set of breeze went excusing itself passed between our gap, our eyes scanning each other. I lifted my finger, sliding it unto your forehead, moving the small strands of your silky, grayish hair which almost seemed translucent as the light meets them.

"Do not envy me for a having a fate." I warned. "For those with one are trapped."

You caught my hand, your fingers grazing the lines on my palm. Yours were cold, but they were cleaner, like a hand belonging to somebody who do not have any reason to live. Perhaps, you are indeed a perfect definition for it. But you know how I always think otherwise.

"Those without one are lonely," you looked down, gripping my hand. "And I cannot stand it, Caelesti."

"You've been doing just fine before you met me, you'll be fine even if I were no longer there."

"I've been doing just fine for I ignored my loneliness, and your company made me unable to ignore it any longer."

I withdrew my hand and placed it atop your head, rubbing your hair. "Then just ignore it all over again."

"Can I be selfish?" Your question made me smile as I stood up, patting the dusts off the lower part of my dress. "Can you not die?"

"And when will I?"

"Until I get bored of your company."

"Selfish indeed," I looked above, the skies were already turning into reddish-pink. "But it's alright to be selfish, it's fine. It's just that this time, you were to asking for too much."

"Am I not supposed to ask for too much?"

"Humans are supposed to ask for too much, after all, if it isn't, what's the point of even asking?"

"Humans, huh?" You smiled a bitter one. "Does that even apply to me as well?"

I breathed out a small laughter, almost as though blending in with the visiting breeze, filling up all the spaces around us. You were always never afraid to hide your emotions for you know how useless it would be before me, and that part of you is admirable.

"Why?" I returned the question. "Don't you see yourself as one?"

You sighed, pulling yourself up. "What about you? Don't you see yourself as one?"

Although I could feel you doing so, I still asked. "Were you trying to insult me?"

You simply smiled, letting me see such an unfamiliar sight. "Uh-huh, and it was useless."

I returned my gaze to the blend of the setting sun and the rising moon, both producing different shades of light which were being painted on these mixed-coloured skies. Along with the scenery unfolding above, I lifted my hand; my fingers motioning some kind of law formations as they began to glow, soon fading.

In one blink, the gloomy atmosphere changed, replaced by the warmth of echoing laughters, the pleasant chatterings, the sound of racing footsteps across the short, green grasses with blooming flowers amongst their kinds, and the rare view of those blooming sakura flowers; pouring like droplet of rain, only then they were floating through the breathe of air.

Children ran through the endless fields, their joys hinting vibrance all over the adults' faces. Some went drinking on the corners, their flat-rounded cups hitting with another; filled with the smell of the infamous rice wine. While there were some gripping their wooden swords as they attack those who held the same; training under a fine weather.

I heard your familiar movements from behind, your hand clutching the loose ends of my sleeve. I smiled and pointed towards the violently, swaying trees. Each of the steps she took caused the plants to wither, turning eveything into a black mass of death. Her face devoid of what known to be expressions, they were blank, almost as though looking at an empty canvas.

With a swift pull of her hand from beside, the ground suddenly shook, breaking down the rocks, forming cracks on then ground. All eyes went to her, their actions completely putting into a halt, and the earlier atmosphere turning into a cold, intimidating one.

"Her name was Ke'ala Feyree." I answered the question buried deep in your mind.

"What was she doing?" You asked, your eyes scanning the sight.

"She was..." then warriors summoned their weapons, children hiding behind their mothers. "She was doing them a favour."

Their weapons clashed against an invisible barrier planted just before the woman, her eyes were closed, as though trying to convince herself to go back. But the shattering sound of something breaking came in next; the barrier was down as one sword pierced through her chest.

However, it was not enough to produce some kind of expression upon her calm face for rather, she opened her pale, blue eyes; now filled with unusual determination, yet there was a hidden hint of sorrow building that even she failed to realize—no, she was definitely ignoring it, constantly telling herself that it wouldn't matter. She was scared of she would regret everything once she realizes that sadness, and thus she ignored it.

Her blood was red, but there was an unnatural scent along it that even as it oozed out from her front; she was feeling refreshed. With a flick of a finger, dozens of warriors before her went crouching on their knees. They were shouting, swearing curses, as well as words that they were hoping that would reach her—but they never did.

She parted her lips; aiming to speak, but her warm breath escaped instead and shut them back close. She didn't know what to say for she thought words wouldn't make them understand, she didn't know what to feel for she thought her feelings wouldn't reach them, and she didn't know what else to do for she thought their lives were worth the sacrifice.

"Ilang ulit mo na ba pinanood ito?" That genuine curiosity reeked out of your mouth.

"Who knows?" I closed my eyes, sensing the change in the direction of the wind, my long black hair dwindling alongside it.

"Hindi ko tinatanong dahil alam kong wala akong karapatan pero, bakit mo ngaba ginawa 'to?"

She took the sword pierced out of her hevaing chest, throwing it away as it swirl through the air, hitting the closest sakura tree; immediately bringing it down. The eyes of those warriors remained open as her hand gesture slit their theoats open; there weren't any trace of fear, just hatred and that overflowing anger that they were never given a chance to let out.

Screams of agony roamed the entire space and cries which severed the earlier existing harmony; all as they took their final breaths. More warriors came, the smell of weapons rang; arrows flying, swords desperate for skin contact—yet all never reached her for before they could even do so, the warriors fell.

I looked over your direction, your eyes were almost never blinking watching the sight. "If I would answer that it was for my anger, will you hate me?"

"Alam kong hindi mo gagawin 'to dahil sa galit ka lang." You answered, your gray, seemingly lifeless eyes, found my pale, blue ones. "Don't lie to me, Caelesti. I wouldn't despise you like any humans would."

I smiled. "You trust me too much."

"Wala akong pakealam kung masama ka ngang tao, wala din akong pakealam kung sino o ano ka ba talaga. Gusto ko lang pagmasdan ka at ang mga ginagawa mo," your gaze returned up front. "Without meddling as I've always done so."

Fire then coiled up around the fields, immediately crawling fast towards the dying trees, evaporating the surrounding rivers, breaking down the standing houses, and even burned the dead bodies as they fill up the ground.

Women, men, young and old, she never spared one as she walk forward unto the next town, nobody could stop on her tracks. Her eyes drifted down to a child, one with short black hair surrounding its face each beside, her eyes were exuding a glare. And again, there was no fear, even for a child, she knew the woman in front of her wouldn't let her live, so there was no used for that emotion.

The woman dropped a weapon, letting it sink down the soil. "Fight." She commanded the young girl, and the girl did.

She grabbed the dagger, wasting none of her time as she thrust it towards the murderer, her emotions were screaming anger, she despised the woman will all her soul. Her blade went through the flesh, and so did the woman's sword piercing from behind the child. She fell just like any others, she lost just like any others, and she would die just like any others.

But her eyes remained open as the woman walked passed by her dying body, her final breath letting out words, "please die." And the woman heard, and she promised she would.

That day became the fall of the Cursed Bloods. The next day became the fall of Leos. The next after it became the fall of Beast People. Then the Dragonborns. Races, one after another began to fall, they were no match for Caelesti the Unknown, the Traitor.
She began to target innocent ones, doing
mass murders without any hint of remorse, and she was known as a true monster.

A monster that should be hunted down but no one could. Even Gods meddled, trying to put her in place—but they could never cross her. They were starting to feel the fear and thus, they could only watch from afar. They knew what the woman is capable of, and they could do nothing but let her be, knowing the reason for it.

Th scenes changed and I was back in this graveyard but still, I could smell the blood, the rust of irons, the rotten corpses, their cries before death, hatred, anger—everything—yet I still feel no remorse. You might ask why, but it was for another time to tell, perhaps I wasn't all that honest to reveal the truth after all.

"Tell me," I moved through the field, my silhouette casting upon the tombstones I pass. "Would Celeztie finally despise me if she were to see such a sight?"

Your eyes squinted a little, pushing strands of your hair behind your ear. "Your daughter had always seen you as somebody to be saved, somebody that should lead a satisfying life, a happy one, even it doesn't include her. For her, you are beautiful, a victim of this cruel world, she sees you as her everything."

"Ridiculous, don't you think so?" My lips exhaled a forming air. "She thinks I'm fragile, that people should understand me. But she fails to realize that it was her who misunderstands me the most. She swore to protect myself, and that she would change my fate."

You looked up, the skies were already darkening. "But you don't want her to."

"I only gave birth to that child, letting Andrea and Iyana raise her—all so she could kill me. I knew she would look for me, but I didn't expect her to misunderstand my intentions. I feel no attachment to other people, and that doesn't put her in any exception."

"And yet you just let her keep misunderstanding you. Kung gusto mo ngang patayin ka niya, ay sana matagal mo nang pinakita ang pinakita mo sa akin. Dahil sigurado akong hindi na siya magdadalawang-isip na patayin ka."

"I tried showing her," I recalled that event back at the Alitheia Fountain. "But she saw how she was taken from me instead, and how she was killed in all different parallel worlds. It complicated things more and fueled up her desire to change my fate."

"You daughter is something else—a fool to be exact, naive, she sees everything with kindness, especially the way she looks at you like you're the most amazing person ever lived." You laughed, your voice ringing through the yard. "But I actually like your daughter. Celeztie is...you wouldn't know what she'll do. Even I believe she could change your fate."

You watch as I lit up the lanters hung unto the branches of the surrounding trees, enlighting everything in sight. "Like you said, I don't want her to."

"And yet you let her anyway. I may cannot meddle, but I do know you for so long now, Caelesti. If one could say, it's the fact that I've been watching you like an open book. I am your reader who sees everything, and I do have the urge to meddle, write something in your pages, but I can't. I can only watch from afar and let your author—fate, drive your own road."

"And that 'afar' puts you in a place where you can talk to me freely?" I meant that as an intimidation, but you never really see me as one.

"Yes." You admitted, like you always easily do so. "And from how I see it, you aren't ready to let your daughter see the truth yet." You gave a teasing smile. "You still want to watch her, tell her things that she could remember you by, you still want her to cling to a hope you could be family—despite knowing there'll be no chance to."

"A reader indeed." I feet halted from walking, staring into a space before looking back at you. "I do not feel fear, and you know that. But it's strange how the more I watch Celeztie, the more the fear inside me builds like a flowing water, slowly at first, until they become too heavy to contain."

"And you fear you might not be able to contain it at all, and that all the plans you've built until now would come crumbling down. You want her to despise you yet you fear that she would. You are complicated, Caelesti."

"I am known for it." I replied, pebbles of stones dancing above my palm.

Our gazes went towards the man, his light footsteps carefully threading through the rough path. His eyes looking for what it had been searching for, and it finally landed on mine. His brownish-black hair waving above his head, some strands of it faling behind. His onyx, black eyes reaching my figure from a distance.

"A person who fell out of love wouldn't watch someone with eyes like yours." You said chuckling, walking ahead. But before you could even disappear from my view, you stopped, another smile creeping on your face. "Be honest even just this once, Caelesti. He at least deserves it." And that was it, you vanished like you were never there.

"I knew I'd find you here." He said, appearing so suddenly in front of me.

I didn't say anything as I turned myself around walking towards what made out once to be a willow tree. I motioned my hand across the wind, a space then materializing the moment my energy whirl around me. The space was similar to a door; its edges radiating invisible energy forces which passed through me as I stepped inside.

I was met with silence; even the air is still, there was no breeze yet it was cold, as though I was in a middle of an emptiness. A tree stood alone above this soil, surrounded by clear, blue waters. The skies were a canvas of dark and blue; stars twinkling with ease above as they reflect below like a mirror. The clouds were accompanied by shadows of those passing glowing lights; a meteor shower.

"You were always a fan of such sceneries." He whispered, his breath warming the edge of my ear.

"Aren't you?" I questioned, turning my head behind, only then I found his face so close to mine.

"I am." His voice quivered as he said those, his eyes piercing my soul when he did. "Especially when it's this beautiful."

"I told you," I recalled. "Any sight I'll see with you will always turn out to be."

I moved away, my finger grazing along the rough texture of the tree, the leaves twirling throught the branches, as though rejoiced by my mere touch. The rocks were layered around it, then arching towards the calm waters, creating a subtle path.

"She's awake." He stated. "But I was worried. I couldn't stand the fact that I had let her die die in front of me."

"Celeztie has come a long way. Your daughter wouldn't die that easily." My words made him smile, and there's always something about that smile that shakes everything inside.

"Exodus has made their final move." He came leaning against the tree, arms crossing against his chest. "Aeryn reported that the Clan also has entered the board. Athena and the rest of her crew ships have already gathered. Your spirits have been setting everything back in the Isle."

"I expected Thana to be the first one to accomplish everything."

"Thana Keres actually was the first. She didn't report anything saying you'd know anyway." He chuckled. "The dwarves are all ready, so do the elves."

"The alchemist?" My question was left hanging when he did not answer immediately, making me stop walking along the edges of the soil floating above this water.

There, I found him staring at my movements. "Lucis Voltron have created a domino effect, when he was done, it released the others from their tasks. He's finally doing it."

"I've never heard from Kion these days." I saw him frown hearing the name of that man from my mouth.

"Zen Arkion is on the move after Exodus has declared their end, along with Ellise."

"Since he is, then I expect everything now is in my arrangement. Including the Saints and the Council."

"Including Andrea and Iyana, of course. Might as well add the Academy." He confirmed. "You even riled up the Alberich Empire by letting Silverrium go on rampage in there."

"Things wouldn't get into place if they wouldn't join the strife."

"Amakin Noire is still in Siegber, he's been waiting there for a year now. Matagal nang nagrereklamo sa akin ang lalaking iyon."

"Send him back on the plains. He'll thank me for it."

"The West Mages Association contacted the Assassins Association, they were planning to drag the Coven into their mess."

"Let them. Send the spy, she'll know what to do."

"I'll let Finé Weiss know then."

"Is that all for today?"

"It is. All of them are now just awaiting for you to move your first piece."

My bare feet came in contact with the stillness of the water, it was cold but soothing nonetheless. His footsteps dragged him near me, sitting on the ground comfortably with his legs crossed as his eyes never truly left my figure. They were scrutinizing me, looking so deep in thoughts—though I don't really mind.

The silence continued on for minutes, but numbers couldn't really keep up. It felt like there was an unspoken certainity among this gap surrounding us. Somehow, it also felt like it had been an eternity since we've had this peaceful air dragging along. Whenver we talk, it was always me who pushes him away, but how strange...I don't feel like doing so at the moment.

"Ke'ala," he called out, but there was no need to turn around. "Feyree." He called out once again.

"What is it that you want, Erevera?" I took another step forward, the waters reaching my knees, the lower part of my dress was soaking.

"You wouldn't mind sparring against me for a moment, would you?" Somehow, I could already see him with his familiar grin.

"You think you can finally land a hit now?" I challenged, sensing him summon his spear.

"Kung magagawa ko nga, gagawin mo ba ang hihilingin ko?"

"You sound confident." A barrier came in contact with his spear before the blade of his weapon could reach my back.

"Because I am." My barrier broke down the moment his energy was released; creating waves upon this stillness.

Finally, my eyes drifted back to him, his hair was already dishevelled—only more when he slid his palm over it. His thin shirt were no longer dry, enough for me to see what lies underneath, not that I haven't seen all of him.

Magic circles raced around me, each of them releasing different sets of elements, one was fire, ice, earth—and they were endless. But they weren't enough. Lifting my hand, the magic circles all disappeared, the elements diverting towards his direction. He easily deflected them by circling his spear in front of him, the attacks shooting through the waters.

The spear he held was thrown towards my position; the wind twirl around it, creating a momentum that it managed to break through the layers of barriers, finally meeting me. I flicked my fingers to the side, his weapon producing a tremor below, its impact enough to almost evaporate the liquids.

"You're still holding back." I muttered.

His figure moved almost as quickly as the air and he was already long above me, his spear making its way once again towards his target. But then, I created a space; the spear passing through it and appearing next behind him. He landed meters away from me as he caught his weapon, playing its pole through his fingers. The water reaching his knees sway as he took his steps forward.

"And so are you." His spear met my neck, its blade barely grazing through my skin.

I closed my eyes; sensing that same, familiar turmoil building up inside me before opening them again. This time, our bodies weren't moving, our breathings were synced, and our eyes never leaving each other. There was always something among this silence that makes our gap feel so invisible.

Each time his eyes find mine, it always seemed like it was the first. That the more he stare, the deeper I come to understand what really lies beneath those looks. He was never really holding unto me in the first place and neither did I, for there was something else that even until now, binds us together—souls. They always draw us near, no matter how much apart we drift.

"What is it?" I asked, referring to his earlier condition.

His weapon disappeared on my neck, it was replaced by his hand, bringing another familiar warmth. His mouth opened, but then again, he shut it close, exuding a shaky sigh instead. Each of his gestures, expressions, I somehow am able to decipher the meanings behind, not because I have this ability...it was something else.

"Why don't you stop the act now?" It was a plead I wasn't ready to hear. "Why don't you act like a human for once?"

"You're saying I'm not." It wasn't a question, but a statement.

"You act like you aren't." Those words were accompanied by a smile. "Humans may be weak because of their emotions, but it's fine, Ke'ala. You can stop acting like a monster at this moment." His hand travelled up, cupping my face. "And just kiss me."

He closed that unneeded space parting our lips apart, and as seconds paved away, the more I felt weak; I didn't like it. Emotions started surging through me—and so did that one thing I was never known for to feel, fear. Thus, I moved back, returning my eyes to the way they always were—blank.

"Was that all, Erevera?" He chuckled a bitter one. "Leave."

"Sinisisi mo parin ba ako hanggang ngayon, Ke'ala?"

"I have never blamed you."

"Then tell me to stop loving you and I will."

"Will you really kill yourself before me?"

"Yes." His spear reappeared, its blade pointing straight to his chest. There was no hesitation, and I hated it.

I motioned my palm, his weapon then disappearing as I did so. "You're making me angry."

"Ayaw mo bang mamatay ako o ayaw mo bang mawala ang pagmamahal ko sa'yo?" He questioned seriously. "Because you're trapping me, Ke'ala."

"Just endure it." It almost sounded like a plead, making me look away. I've always hated having to face anything like this.

"Until when?"

"Until I die."

"You're hurting me."

"I know."

"That's selfishness." He declared. "Something that I cannot give." He knelt one of his knee, the water reaching below his hips; grabbing my hand. "The last time I did this was for that promise intended for a lifetime."

"What is it for this time?"

"An apology." His hand gripped mine tightly, sticking his lips along its knuckles. "An apology that I might not be able to stop loving you even after you die."

"Then don't."

"I wouldn't be able to stand the pain."

"The pain would indicate that you're alive."

"That's precisely why I don't want it. I refuse to live in a world with a broken soul."

"You have a daughter."

"We have a daughter."

"A daughter that still needs her father."

"And so does she needs her mother."

"She would despise me."

"She will understand."

"She's misunderstanding me the most."

"And you're not trusting her the most." He stood up, this time, there was a genuine smile imprinted on those same lips he used to meet mine. "So tell me, do you still love me?"

I didn't answer. I always seem to lose my words against him, like no matter how much I reason logically, he would always shut them all down. You knew romance was never my cup of tea, you would often tell me how awkward I seem to appear concerning it.

But you would also say it's fine to let loose—that it doesn't really matter. So I wonder if you're watching this from afar where you can't meddle, afar where you would feel lonely and alone, where you'd envy me for having such a fate. You shouldn't, for my fate isn't that enviable.

"Then I'll become a human just this once."

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him down my lips, locking him close as though I've always wanted to do this. Minutes went on through the flows of time, but it wasn't enough to break this moment.

We were panting, our heartbeats ringing through the entire calmness, but as his hand slid the sleeve down which was resting above my shoulder, I just knew the night wouldn't end just like that. And I wasn't complaining.

"You wouldn't mind joining me in for a night swim, would you?" I returned his smile, knowing what it actually meant.

Enternity would burn such sight, that along with this silent night; the monster they see as Caelesti, became a human.

——————

AN: So yeah, that's it. I'm not used to romance, so forgive me. But happy reading!