Author's Note:
To celebrate my birthday today, here's another update for you guys. <3

Chapter 41: The Birth of Grief and Longing

King Luther's brother! The one who made Queen Theodosia's life a miserable hell because of his obsession towards her.

Oberon Lockrige. How... How is he alive after falling a high cliff and fell into a forest full of monsters?

Serene kept on thinking those thoughts while watching the man walk towards Marcela.

"I think they already remembered you. Now, I shall get to my business," ani Marcela.

Matapos sabihin iyon ay bigla na lamang may kung anong itim na tila shadow ang bumalot sa katawan nina Nimfa at Rainielle. They were immediately dragged away by the shadow from Serene.

"Rainielle! Nimfa!" sigaw ni Serene.

Serene was about to chase them when Marcela suddenly appeared in front of her and grabbed her neck. Muli silang natumba sa marmol na sahig. Nabitawan ni Serene ang hawak na letter opener.

"Sister!"

The twins were about to rescue her when Oberon started attacking them as well. Blocking the path towards Serene. Rainielle tried her best to cast fire, but it seems like the shadow was blocking her mana.

"Stop casting your puny fire, fire mage. Have you ever thought why you can't sense my black mana? That's right, it's because my power can block your own mana vision, that's why no one can sense it. Except this woman..." baling muli ni Marcela kay Serene.

Napasulyap si Serene sa letter opener. Pasimple niyang inabot ng kamay ang letter opener habang pilit ding kumakawala sa pagsasakal sa kaniya ni Marcela.

"You wench... I only left because I had an important preparation to do for this moment, but when I came back, you're already in the picture. You almost destroyed the plan that we have been working on for 15 years. But that doesn't matter now. Because I will make this kingdom mine and destroy it with my own hands, no matter what happens."

Serene struggled more. Ngunit agad siyang natigilan nang makaramdam ng kakaibang surge ng mana mula sa kaniyang katawan. A white shadow-like particles was getting out of her body and are transfering into the pendant of Marcela's necklace, ang shape nito ay pabilog na tila isang crystal ball.

She's trying to extract my soul! Shit!

With all her might, Serene grabbed the letter opener once more. Nang maabot niya ito ay walang pagdadalawang isip niyang sinaksak ang braso ni Marcela. Agad na napasigaw si Marcela sa sakit at napabitaw kay Serene. Mabilis na tumayo si Serene habang hawak ang tiyan.

Nimfa and Rainielle both screamed despite their mouth being covered by the shadow of Marcela's ability. Both of them had the same thought as they watch Serene.

Run, Your Majesty!

She tried her best to run towards the exit to ask for help. But a shadow immediately blocked her way and surrounded her body. Tulad nina Nimfa at Rainielle ay hindi na rin siya makagalaw. Sinubukan niyang kumawala mula rito, she even used the small amount of divine mana that's left in her body but the shadow was too strong.

"Vester!" singhal ni Klaus.

Natigil sa paggalaw si Serene nang makita niya ang nakaluhod nang si Vester sa sahig habang hawak ang kaliwang mata. Blood was dripping from his left eye. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Serene sa nasaksihan. Even Klaus, Lorcan and Zael are already drenched in their own bloods and wounds.

This can't be... W-Why...

"Do you get it now, Your Majesty? No one can beat us. I mean... How could a mere fire mage, knights and princes defeat someone contructed with an Archdemon?" ani Marcela habang papalapit kay Serene at hawak pa rin ang sugatang kamay.

"You... You contracted with a demon?! Do you know how much that will cost you?!" singhal ni Serene kay Marcela.

But instead of answering first, Marcela slapped Serene hard which causes for lips to bleed. Rainielle and Nimfa struggled more from the shadow while tears rolling down their eyes.

"Shut up, you're annoying. And I know that very well, I already gave my life to that demon in exchange for this great power, that's why I acquired the body of this girl for me to execute my revenge."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Serene nang maalala ang sinabi ni Savannah noon.

"Grand Prince Ezra and His Majesty are suspecting Marcela's body to have been taken over by someone. Marcela's body was just a vessel, we still do not know who is residing to her body."

I have read from books before that contains ancient divine magic that if a vengeaful spirit were to corrupt someone's body, they trap the soul of the original owner to its deep consciousness. Someone has to wake up the soul in order for the body to be retain by the true owner.

If my suspicion right now Is right, that the one who corrupted the true Marcela's body is a vengeaful spirit, then, I just have to do that.

"Marcela! Wake up! I know you can hear me!"

Kumunot ang noo ni Marcela, nagtataka sa biglang pagsigaw ni Serene.

"What the fuck are you spouting so suddenly? Just shut up."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Serene nang magsimula na naman si Marcela sa ginagawa niya kanina. She's extracting Serene's soul again.

"Marcela! Wake up! You can hear me, right?! I know you can!"

"Grand Prince Ezra and the real Marcela were childhood bestriends, that's why His Highness Ezra wants to bring back the real Marcela."

Let's calm down. The real Marcela can still hear me because I am using my divine mana left to touch her deep unciousness.

Muling tinitigan ni Marcela ang mga blangko at itim na mga mata ni Marcela.

"Marcela, Ezra... He's waiting for you, everyday."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Marcela nang banggitin ni Serene iyon habang nakangiti.

"When I first saw him, I really didn't have any good impression about him. But I was wrong. He's a kind and warm hearted boy. Looking back, I think I already know the reason why he's reserved and chose to live almost all his life inside a library, full of books. I think he was trying to find any clues to bring you back. He was trying so hard to see your genuine smile again. If you're thinking that you have no one or nothing to go back to, you're wrong. Ezra... Has been waiting for you all these years. So please, come back. I, too... Ezra's sister-in-law, will welcome you. Come back to us, Marcela. Come back to Ezra."

Bigla na lamang napapikit si Marcela at napahawak sa kaniyang ulo. She groaned in pain while cussing.

"You...! That bitch is already dead! Stop messing with this body!" sigaw ni Marcela habang hawak ang ulo.

"No, she's not yet dead. Kung may patay man dito, ikaw 'yon. The one who's corrupting this innocent child's body!" singhal ni Serene.

"Shut up!"

Inangat ni Marcela ang kaniyang kamay at sasaktan na sana si Serene, but suddenly, a huge amount of light explosion that came from Serene's tummy appeared. Because of the light, Marcela was thrown away and the shadow from Serene's body dispersed. Napaluhod si Serene sa malamig na semento. She can feel her energy draining because of using divine mana and the extraction of soul of Marcela at the same time.

Hingal na tumayo si Marcela habang sugatan ang katawan, lalo na ang ulo. Gulat siyang napatingin sa tiyan ni Serene.

"Hah... That child, don't tell me that unborn child just instinctively protected his mother?" sarkastikong natawa si Marcela.

Napahawak si Serene sa kaniyang tiyan. Mabilis siyang umatras habang palapit sa kaniya si Marcela. Nasanggi ng kaniyang kamay ang duguang letter opener na tinapon kanina ni Marcela. Agad niya itong kinuha at itinago sa kaniyang likuran.

When Marcela was about to attack her again, another ray of light sent her flying along with explosion. Serene's eyes widened. Nang mapatingin din siya sa direksyon ni Oberon ay wala na rin ito sa kaniyang puwesto kanina. But a smoke from the hall's wall on her left was made from Oberon's impact when he was thrown away as well.

"Serene!"

Napaiktad si Serene nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses. Napatingin si Serene sa direksyon ng pintuan ng hall. Her eyes widened, tears began to form in her eyes.

"L-Levi..."

Three days ago...

Napatingin si Levi sa kabuuan ng malawak na field sa kaniyang harapan. Nasa taas sila ngayon ng burol. Their troops are already preparing for the battle behind him. Kararating lamang nila kahapon matapos ang halos tatlong araw na paglalakbay sa Northern Border.

"Your Majesty, can I have a word with you?"

Napalingon si Levi kay Vega. His forehead formed a knot.

He's been restless ever since we left the capital. It seems like he's sensing something.

"What is it?" tanong ni Levi.

Lumapit din sa kanila si Lysander, captain ng elite troops ng First Order of the Knights. Ganoon din si Austen na ngayon ay captain na ng First Order matapos magretire ng dating captain ng first order matapos mamatay ni King Luther.

"I don't feel good about Lady Marcela and Grand Duke. Something seems wrong," kunot-noong usal ni Vega sabay sulyap sa mag-amang nakatayo lamang sa unahan ng knight order ng mga Frasers.

"What do you mean?" tanong ni Levi kay Vega.

Saglit na natahimik si Vega at muling tinignan ang dalawa. They are not talking with each other. Even during their journey, they are not saying anything. Their eyes seems blank in Vega's perspective.

"Master..."

Napaiktad si Vega sa narinig na boses ng kaniyang Holy Summon mula sa kaniyang isipan.

White Panther? What is it?

"Iyong dalawa... Ngayon ko lang napansin ito dahil mukhang humina ang mana barrier nila... Wala silang mga kaluluwa."

Huh?!

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Vega habang nakatingin sa dalawa.

"Clones... Mga clones sila. Ah hindi... Hindi lang sila. Iyong mga knights sa likuran nila. Katulad din sila ng dalawa."

What?!

"Sasabog sila, Master."

Shit! Explosive clones?

Umigting ang panga ni Vega at agad na hinarang ang sarili kay Levi.

"Vida! Compress the explosion!" sigaw ni Vega.

Agad na lumiwanag ang kaniyang dibdib sabay sulpot ng isang blue phoenix sa ere. Saktong pagkasulpot nito ay ang muling pagliwanag kasabay ng isang malakas at sunod-sunod na pagsabog ng mga katawan ng Grand Duke, Marcela at ng Knight Order ng House Fraser.

But thanks to Vida, Vega's blue phoenix summon, the explosion did not affect Levi and the other knights because of its compression power.

"Your Majesty! All the people from House Fraser that went with us are clones!"

"What?! Damn it!" galit na singhal ni Levi.

Natigil silang muli nang makarinig ng lagabag sa kanilang likuran. Nang mapatingin sila sa malawak na field ay pasugod na ang military force ng Nohenberg Kingdom. Their flags flattered as they charged towards the Zarcaiah's force.

"The explosions must be the signal for them to attack," ani Lysander.

"Lysander, prepare the catapults, whenever you're ready fire it even without my signal," utos ni Levi.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" sagot ni Lysander sabay takbo paalis.

"If the Grand Duke and Marcela is not here, then where..."

Hindi na natapos pa ni Levi ang kaniyang sasabihin nang makita ang mga mata ni Vega na puno ng pag-aalala. With just that, he already understood what Vega has in mind.

"Fuck it!" mura ni Levi sabay takbo papunta sa mga knights.

Sumunod sa kaniya si Vega at ang blue phoenix nito.

"Lysander, Austen!" tawag ni Levi sa dalawa na agad namang lumapit sa kaniya, "Vega and I are going back to the capital, those small fries, I can leave them all to you, right?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. But may I ask why?" tanong ni Lysander.

"The Grand Duke and Marcela, it seems like they are still in the capital. They might attack the palace," mabilisang sagot ni Levi habang sumasakay sa kaniyang kabayo.

Vega also rode his horse.

"The reinforcement from Sardonia should arrive later, so hold back as much as possible," ani Levi.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Send three lower knights to travel at the three more borders and deliver the message to my siblings that we must meet at the capital's gate and let the force stay to eradicate the enemy. If they were to ask why, just say that the Grand Duke Fraser and Marcela did not left the capital. They should know the rest."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Agad na umalis sina Levi at Vega. Habang nasa kabayo ay punong-puno ng mga bagay ang isipan ni Levi.

They tricked us. They might've sensed that we are investigating them because of how I acted during the inspection. Damn it! Kaya ako pumayag na isama sila sa North upang mailayo sila sa capital. But I didn't know that they are this powerful for them to be able to create explosive clones.

Nohenberg's force in the North is indeed strong based on what I have seen a while ago. But my 1,000 knights can hold them until Crown Prince's Rolfo's order arrives here. I asked for their alliance before we went straight here, just in case everything goes down. I'm glad I made that choice.

Levi and Vega travelled by their horses from Northern Border to the capital for three straight days without rest, it was only thanks to Vega's summons that the horses did not suffer fatigue. The only thing that kept on running on their minds is Serene's safety.

Three days after, when they arrived at the gate going to the capital. His siblings are already there. Compared to the Northern Border, the thre borders would only take two days of journey by the horse. Kaya inaasahan na ni Levi na mauuna ang mga kapatid doon.

"Kuya, what's happening? How come the Frasers are not with you?" kuno-noong tanong ni Perry.

"It was explosive clones. The war is still on going but we need to head to the palace immediately. Let's go!" mabilisang paliwanag ni Levi at nauna na.

Nagkatinginan na lamang ang magkakapatid at wala nang nagawa kung hindi ang sumunod kay Levi. It took them another two hours to arrive at the capital's main road and another thirty minutes to the palace. But as they enter the main road, the streets were unusually noisy, lalo na nang makita nila ang magkakapatid na Lockridge sakay ng kani-kanilang mga kabayo.

Nang makababa sila sa tapat ng main gate ay tila binuhusan sila ng malamig na tubig. Corpses were everywhere and Calixto together with the other priests are fighting against the Zarcaiah's own knights.

"High Priest!" sigaw ni Lucio.

Napalingon sa kanila si Calixto. The High Priest's devastated face became brighter.

"Your Highnesses, Your Majesty!"

"What the hell happened here?" tanong ni Ahren.

"I don't know either. But Lady Savannah de Fraser came running to the temple while crying and asking for our help, saying that they were attacked by Lady Marcela with a black mana and Her Majesty is in danger. We can't enter the Main Hall because of the corrupted knights that kept blocking our way. Her Majesty is still inside with the Grand Duke and Lady Marcela."

"Get out of the way!" singhal ni Levi at binunot ang kaniyang sword.

The others joined him as well. Wala na silang panahon para pakitaan pa ng awa ang mga corrupted knights na patuloy na umaatake sa kanila nang walang pag-aalinlangan dahil sa black mana. Alam nila sa sarili nila na kapag mas lalo silang magtatagal sa labas ay mas lalo ring manganganib ang buhay ni Serene at ng mga kapatid sa loob.

"High Priest, can't you do anything about this?" tanong ni Perry habang patuloy na nakikipaglaban sa mga corrupted knights.

"I can't undo their spells because they are being controlled like puppets. I have to find the host and I think it is Marcela. I need to reserve my divine mana because I can sense it, hindi siya nag-iisa sa loob, may isa pang wielder ng black mana roon."

"Then, I'll just finish it this instant," sabat ni Vega sabay takbo palapit kay Levi na walang tigil sa pakikipaglaban, desperadong makapasok sa loob.

Vega held Levi's arms before pulling him. He didn't even notice Vega's presence because of panic.

"Get your-"

"Calm down first, Your Majesty. I have to do something so snap back first. Don't let your emotions overpower your rationality."

Doon lamang kumalma si Levi at huminga nang malalim bago magmura saka umatras. Vega immediately summoned his stunning and white panther, the Holy Summon. Its fur was almost shining, her golden and cat-like eyes was also fascinating and magical. Calixto was mesmerized for a moment because of how beautiful the Holy Summon is.

"Hera, go and cut these puppets' strings and make them sleep. Clear the air from its black mana as well."

"Yes, Master."

Agad na lumiwanag ang paligid. The surge of divine mana washed over the place. The strings of black mana that are connecting with Marcela and the corrupted knights were easily cut and the air full of black mana pollution were immediately purified.

Matapos iyong gawin ni Hera ay napaluhod na lamang si Vega habang hawak ang dibdib, bulto-bulto ang pawis at hingal na hingal. He caught blood from exhausting both his body and mana.

Damn. Using Purification and Exorcism at the same time has always been a pain in the ass. I don't have a strength left in my knees.

"Sir Vega!" untag ni Perry at dinaluhan siya.

"Your Highnesses, Your Majesty... Please don't mind and just go ahead. I can manage myself. I'll be able to regain my strength in an hour so hurry!" pakiusap ni Vega.

Perry bite her lips before nodding her head. Agad siyang tumayo at hinarap ang mga kapatid.

"Vega, make sure to get better. Wait here," ani Levi sabay takbo papasok ng Main Palace.

Vega smirked, "Hah... Yes, Your Majesty,"aniya sabay higa sa malapad at sementadong carriage way, "I'm beat."

Napatingala siya sa madilim na kalangitan

Please be safe, Your Majesty. I'm sorry... If only I noticed it from the very beginning. But it made sense, it seems like they used a barrier to block my senses of detecting black mana. Those shits! They must be related to some kind of a high-tier demon.

When they arrived inside the hall, it was just right on time for Calixto to cast a high-tier divine magic to dispell both Oberon and Marcela's black mana. Dahil doon ay nabitawan din ng shadow sina Nimfa at si Rainielle na agad nagcast ng barrier sa paligid ni Serene sa kabila ng halos sumuko na nitong katawan.

"Serene!"

Halos maiyak si Serene nang makita sina Levi sa pintuan. Nimfa and Rainielle immediately assisted her before running towards the Lockridges. Levi immediately hugged his wife, Perry joined too while getting emotional.

"Thank God... I'm sorry, we're late. I'm sorry..." Levi mumbled.

Walang ibang isinagot si Serene kung hindi ang pag-iyak habang yakap-yakap si Levi. The twins and the others went to their side too. The brothers immediately tend to Vester while Klaus hugged Rainielle in relief.

Natigil ang lahat nang makarinig sila ng sigaw na tila nasasaktan. Napatingin sila sa direksyon ni Marcela. The woman was already on the floor while scratching her heart. A black shadow was trying to go back to her body but it seems like the real Marcela was not letting her in.

"You wench! Stop resisting and give your body to me!"

The voice from the shadow sounded so raspy and full of anger. It is the vengeaful spirit that corrupted the real Marcela's body.

"Marcela!" Ezra shouted from the distance.

Marcela tilted her head and look at Ezra. Napatingin si Serene kay Ezra na pilit pinipigilan nina Ahren at Lucio.

It is my first time seeing Ezra this restless and agitated. No, more like he was desperate to get a hold of the real Marcela, the one that he's always been waiting for.

"Y-Your Highness Ezra..."

Muling ibinalik ni Serene ang gulat na tingin sa nakahigang si Marcela. The vengeaful spirit shout in anger.

"Damn it! Damn you! I loathe all of you!"

Marcela's pitch black yes turned into a golden brown pair of orbs full of tranquility. It was brimming with tears and relief. Her voice that was once corrupted by the spirit turned into a a beautiful melody. Serene was astonished by the moment.

So... This is the real Marcela. She's beautiful.

"Yes! Yes, Ella! It's me! It's Ezra!"

Marcela smiled as her tears rolled down her face, "Thank God you're safe," she said before closing her eyes.

"Marcela!" tarantang sigaw ni Ezra.

"Your Highness, please calm down. She was just exhausted after being corrupted by the spirit for a long time. She just fainted," agad na sabi ni Calixto sa prinsipe.

Nakahinga naman nang maluwag si Ezra sa sinabi ni Calixto. Ngunit nasa ganoon silang sitwasyon nang muli na namang magwala ang spirit. Good thing, Oberon has already fainted because of the huge impact of the divine mana. Compared to the vengeaful spirit, his black mana is a lot weaker and are only relying on his combat ability to face off the twins earlier.

The huge shadow in the hall in a shape of a woman's body was screaming while cursing everyone in front of it.

"I'll exorcist it now..." ani Calixto.

Napatitig si Perry sa shadow habang nakakuyom ang kamao. Umigting ang kaniyang panga at hinawakan sa balikat si Calixto. Napatingin sa kaniya ang lahat.

"Wait... I have something to say to that woman," ani Perry.

Natigil naman si Calixto at ibinaba ang kamay. Perry looked up to the spirit as she recall what the former King and Queen revealed to her.

"Perry... Before anything, please do remember that whatever we will going to say to you is nothing but a blurry past to your father and I now."

"Mother, what do you mean?"

"Perry... Bellforts—my family before I got married with your father... We can't produce daughters. It is both a blessing and a curse given to our family by Nareus to our family's descendants."

I was utterly shocked when I first heard those words. I don't know what to react but I want to cry. Because at that moment, I already know what was going to be their next words.

"Perry, you... You did not come from my womb."

It was painful. Even more painful because my "Mother" was crying in front of me as if we were sharing the same pain. As much as she doesn't want to admit that fact, I don't want to accept that she is not my biological mother as well.

"When Ezra was still six-months old, a pandemic hit our kingdom and upon investigation, it was caused by a Dark Enchantress. It was... The woman who gave birth to you."

My real mother caused my beloved kingdom a catastrophe? I can't think straight but I am still able to understand them during that moment. I looked at my father.

My father held my hand that time, it was warm, "I had to deal with the Dark Enchantress, during that time High Priest Calixto's predecessor defeated the Dark Enchatress, thus, killed her. That was when I found you inside that shabby and small cottage lying down on the cold floor, you were crying. The former High Priest examinated you but fortunately, you have no mana in you, maybe because your biological father is a human. You were crying so loud and when I reached for you, you held my finger with your tiny hands and stopped crying."

Was it because I love both of them that hearing father reached out to me first, washed away all of my worries in just one swept?

"At that moment, I can't take my eyes off of you any longer. So I had the High Priest purify you and brought you to the palace. Your mother became fond of you and immediately registered you to the family before Ezra could, so that no one would question your legitimacy. We had to hide you for over a year, that's why it caused a huge uproar when we finally revealed you to the public. It was fortunate that the fact that Bellforts can't produce daughters was hidden from the public, that's why no one suspected your identity though it caused some confusion your age was very close to Ezra's. Except your brothers Levi, Ahren and Lucio. We had to explain everything to them, but they never hesitated even for a moment when they first saw you. Levi even held you even though he's not fond of babies that much during that time because he said they are whiny."

Mother held my hand during that time as well while her eyes are full of tears.

"No matter what, Peressia. You are still our daughter, no one can change that fact. You are still Levi's, Lucio's, Ahren's, Ezra's, Vester's and Klaus' one and only sister. Peressia Hyleen Lockridge is our one and only daughter."

And no matter what happens, Mahlia Lockridge and Luther Lockridge are my parents. No one can change that fact.

After they revealed everything to me that day, they also suspected that my biological mother came back as a vengeful spirit with the aim of destroying Zarcaiah, thus, possessed Marcela's body. That's why they did everything to send out Marcela away from the palace without my eldest brother knowing and despite Ezra's feelings. With the help of the former High Priest, they attempted on exorcising Marcela but failed which caused for Marcela to fled outside of the palace, which made Levi desperate on finding her. Ayun din ang dahilan kung bakit humina ang High Priest at binigay niya ang posisyon kay Calixto.

They also investigated my biological father's whereabouts, but it was revealed that my father died because of murder which made my biological mother turn into a Dark Enchantress caused the kingdom the epidemic.

And that vengeaful spirit in front of us now... Is my biological mother.

Perry felt the tears that fell down her cheeks as she watch the spirit with full of anger, sadness and longing.

"Despite everything that you have done—killing mother and father, cause demise in two of my brothers lives, put this kingdom in chaos... I am still grateful that you gave birth to me."

The vengeaful spirit stopped shouting, as if it was listening and looking at Perry.

"But I will never... Acknowledge you as my mother. You are nothing but a villain to me. That's why now, just rest already and cross the afterlife. Stop holding us back," ani Perry sabay talikod.

Nakakailang hakbang pa lamang siya nang makarinig ng tawa mula sa shadow. Ngunit sa kabila ng tawa nito ay maririnig ang panginginig ng kaniyang boses. The sarcasm was mixed with guilt and sadness. The Dark Enchantress could not help but to long even just a bit for her own daughter, but she knows very well no one can prevent her anger towards the kingdom, the one whom she believes made her a villain.

"That's not right, dear daughter. I may have disappear from your lives today, but I will never let you all be happy either."

Nanlaki ang mga mata nila at agad na tinignan ang shadow. A small orb of white light appeared beside the shadow. Serene immediately realized what it was.

She accumulated that much during that small amount of time?

"T-That's... No!" singhal ni Calixto at agad na inexorcise ang spirit.

"Levi..." tawag ni Serene sa asawa.

Napalingon naman sa kaniya ang lahat. Serene smiled at her husband while caressing her womb.

"It seems like we're going to have a prince. How about Eliseo as our child's name?"

"Wife...?" nagtatakang tanong ni Levi.

Ngunit patuloy lamang na ngumiti sa kaniya si Serene bago siya nito ni niyakap. Tears fell down from Serene's eyes as she watch the white orb crushed into pieces along with the vengeaful spirit's extermination.

"I love you, always. Please take care of our child."

I shall... Find a way... I will protect this child...

"Your Majesty!" sigaw ni Calixto.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Levi nang maramdaman ang pagbitaw at pagbigat ni Serene. Napaluhod siya sa semento at hinawakan ang pisngi ng asawa. His body began to tremble when Serene's body turned cold and her face became pale.

"W-What... Serene... Wife?"

Levi's body became numb but he can feel the pain striking his heart. His world started to crumble into pieces.

"No... Please, don't do this. No, please... Serene, don't do this to me! Wife!"

Napahawak sa kaniyang bibig si Perry habang naiiyak na nakatingin sa kulay puting pieces ng orb na nabasag kanina.

"I-It was sister's soul?" ani Perry at napaluhod na lamang sa malamig na semento habang umiiyak.

"Damn it! Wife!"

On that gloomy morning, the quiet palace of Zarcaiah was filled with Levi's screams, asking for the heavens to not take his wife and child away from him.

On that gloomy morning, the chaos that once threatened the safety of the kingdom has totally disappeared but replaced by another series of grief and longing.