Hi, crowns! Good morning. Sorry for all the errors.

Pahinga muna sa twists and such. Haha. Enjoy reading. This is a light chapter. I hope you'll still drop some comments! Thank you so much.

Have a great day and always take care. 🤍

***

#TCS51: A Story from Long Time Ago

Someone's POV

I peeked through the white cloth I was wearing above my head that was covering my face, and my whole body. Kaso bago pa ako makatingin sa paligid, nakaramdam na kaagad ako ng hampas sa ulo ko. "Aray!" reklamo ko at saka palihim na sumimangot. The person lowered my head forcefully and continued walking so I just followed only looking at the ground.

"Titigin lang naman ako!" I whispered while pouting. Gusto ko lang makita ang bayan. Bakit ba bawal na makita ang mukha ko sa lugar na 'to?

"Sumunod ka na lang sa amin, Agnyska." Nakaramdam ako ng pagtitimpi sa boses nang Lola, para hindi kami maging agaw pansin sa ilang taong nandito sa lugar. I sighed while trying to tilt my head to the side to see the people around us. I only saw a little, but it was full of colour and richness. Different people have their silk and neat dresses, and the men have their warrior attires. I giggled secretly.

Dahil wala akong tigil sa pagtingin sa paligid hindi ko napansin na tumigil ang Lola sa daan, kaya naman napahawak ako sa noo nang bumangga ako sa likod n'ya. "Ang batang 'to talaga." She whispered in irritation, my head almost shrunk down to my neck, while I was waiting for her to hit me lightly on the head.

Kaagad tumigil ang isang kalesa sa harap namin. I peeked at it and saw a white horse, carrying a white carriage that was simple. Naramdaman kong sumakay si Lola, kaya naman mabilis akong sumunod sa kanya.

Nang makapasok sa loob, kaagad sinarhan ang mga bintana at ang pinto. I chuckled excitedly, and removed the veil and cloth covering me. "Fresh air!" biro ko habang humahagikhik. Napailing-iling naman si Lola sa akin.

"Saan po tayo?" I asked while pouting.

"Sa labas ng syudad, kailan magdasal at kailangan kang sanayin para umakto biglang susunod na pinakamataas na Priestess." Nanlaki kaagad ang mga mata ko at hinawakan ang pinto ng carriage. I don't want to go there! I don't want to be someone holy, pure, and proper!

"Lola! Ayoko!" I shouted at her. But the carriage started moving. I shut my eyes tightly.

"You are the blessed one," uttered Lola like it was a mandatory script from a book.

"Sabi n'yo lang 'yun, may blessed bang katulad ko?" Sumimangot na sabi ko.

I just don't get it. Lola's the Highest Priestess in our land. She was powerful that even the Emperor's Domain couldn't really touch our family and little town. Why? Because they'd face the wrath of the gods of our land if they ever touch the 'chosen' people which is our clan.

We always have this golden bangles on our hands to identify our clan, and we always wear white clothing with the golden rectangle necklace. Pero hindi kami palaging umaalis sa syudad, lalong-lalo na ako. Joke. Mahilig akong tumakas eh.

Nakatira kami sa halos bundok at nasa baba namin ang sariling syudad. Nakahiwalay kami dahil do'n daw kami mananatiling banal at pure. Tss. Daming talaga nilang alam. Hindi ko rin alam ba't ako ang sinasabi nilang napili.

Dahil si Lola ang High Priestess ako na ang kasunod? Hindi. Hindi naman kasi kami magka-dugo. Lola was also chosen when she was young. Nagkataon lang na ako raw ang papalit sa kanya. Pero bakit ako? Hindi naman ako mabait. Kung tutuusin pilya pa nga ako eh. Psh.

"Ikaw na lang dapat Lola talaga ang pumunta at magdasal, h'wag mo na akong idamay. Gusto ko maging sundalo!" Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Lola na parang aatakihin s'ya sa puso. My eyes widened, and I almost cried hysterically.

"Oh my gosh, my dearest, Lola! You can't do this to me!" I begged, and faked a cry. Kaya naman kaagad akong nakaramdam ng palo ng hawak n'yang magic wand—este 'yung blessed stick n'ya sa ulo ko.

"Ikaw ang napili, kailan ba papasok sa kokote mo 'yang bata ka?"

"Ay sus, napili lang naman ako no'ng nag-spin the bottle tayo. Baka gusto n'yo mag-spirit of the glass na rin tayo?" At ayon nga lumanding na naman ang stick n'ya sa ulo ko at napatampal s'ya sa sariling noo. I pouted at her.

"Susmaryosep ka talagang bata ka!" sigaw n'ya tapos biglang napatikhim, kasi hindi talaga dapat sumisigaw ang kagaya n'ya. She composed herself and whispered, "kaawaan ka sana ng Maykapal." At talagang pumikit pa 'to at itinaas ang dalawang kamay para ihingi ako ng tawad.

They told me I was the chosen one, that I'm going to be the most powerful High Priestess, because of that night.

I closed my eyes remembering that night. That bloody night where the stars where falling down the sky. No, it  weren't stars that were falling. Mga palasong may apoy, at mga batong may pampasabog. Mga kalabang bansa na sumugod sa bansa namin, at ang syudad namin ang tinira.

It was nothing but a chaotic and fiery night. I thought everyone was going to die. Because I watched my parents dropped on the land with their hearts pierced by the arrow's fire. I remembered crying and being devastated.

Ang bata ko pa no'n, halos magsasampu pa lang. Lola was praying so hard that night. She was dancing to ask for protection. Because she's the Priestess. Can that alone really save our people? Our people who were supposed to be the chosen ones? Siguro... naniwala ako sa murang edad ko no'n eh, kasi 'yun ang kinagisnan namin.

I joined in praying. I just wanted that night to be over. The fire. The shouts of help, and pain. Every sound in my ears was a ringing reminder of death. Hanggang sa nakarinig ako ng isang sigaw. Sigaw ng nagbabadyang kamatayan.

I went out to check about it, and saw a woman, with her child. Tinututukan ng espada ng isang lalaking kalaban. Hindi ko alam, pero nanlumo lang ako. Hindi magawang tulungan ang kawawang mga tao namin.

Hanggang may isang batang lalaki ang dumating. He was barehanded, but he caught the blade in between his hands. He fought everyone who crossed his way. He won with so much effort. He won with so much victory. Even though he was alone.

Do'n ko na pagtanto na... hindi palaging hiling lang, kailangan may gawin ka rin.

I tried to help the boy, but who am I anyway? A young girl who only knows the way of the divines.

Imbis na makatulong, ako pa mismo ang muntik nang mamatay. Kung hindi lang ako sinalba ng lalaking 'yun. He offered me his hand. He smiled to reassure me. However, an arrow and a spear were both targeting him.

That was when... that was when the sky produced thunders, lightning, and the rain slowly fall upon our village.

I pushed the guy to save him. I was shot by the arrow. And the guy saved me from the spear. When I was bleeding and the night sky was circling in my sight, with the falling rain, I saw something. A vision.

A vision of the sun being covered by the clouds, but the brilliance soon shined, then the moon walked towards the sun. The land became dark, but when it was over, it slowly revealed a new land.

Akala ko panaginip lang 'yun. Pero may mga kasunod pa akong nakita. Mga magulong pangyayari ng nakaraan, mga duguang tao, mga dahas, at mga pagkakasala. It was all flashing before my death.

But then...

It was like I was punched by the air within myself, and released shallow gasps of breathing, before feeling the pain all over my body. Nang imulat ko ang mga mata ko, nando'n ang High Priestess o ang Lola. Pagkatapos nando'n din ang lahat ng mga taga-sunod n'ya at namamahala ng lugar namin.

Then, turned out, I was alive, and the invaders backed off, because of me. Why? I didn't know. But they said, I brought them disaster, and curses. They died in pain like they were all experiencing what I was going through that night.

Impossible. Who could even do that?

However, it was proven real. Lahat nang mga nagtangka sa amin, namatay sa palaso. Palaso na katulad ng tumama sa akin. Hindi lang 'yun, lahat sila may marka. Marka na katulad ng nasa pulsuhan ko nang ipanganak ako.

I couldn't believe it.

But then... some nights... I'd wake up. Uttering things. Things I didn't know that could bring us benefits and curses.

Ayon sa kasaysayan namin, tanging ang biniyayaan at napiling lubos lang ang may kakayahan kagaya ng akin. Some High Priestess, only became one, because of a dream. A dream that they were chosen.

However, mine was different. It just didn't choose me, but it also granted me some kind of fate. A fate that I had always wanted to run away from. Kasi... sa panaginip ko na nagsasabi na ako ang itinakda... ay kamatayan lang ang kinaharap ko.

Namatay ako. At hindi ko alam kung bakit ako namatay, at bakit ko kailangang mamatay.

I hated that idea. Sino ba naman kasing gustong mamatay dahil itinakda kang mamatay?

Kaya simula no'n, naging pasaway ako. Lihim ako nag-training ng sarili para maging mandirigma. That was the first goal I had when the vision I had was my death. Death? No. I'd fight it. I'll define my own fate. I'd walk on my own path that I wanted. Not just something given to me.

Nakita ko kung paano lumaban ang batang 'yun na nagligtas sa karamihan sa amin, at sa akin. Magiging kagaya n'ya ako. Magiging malakas din ako. At magagawa kong ipagtanggol ang buhay ko. Hindi ko kailangan gawin ang ginagawa ni Lola.

Yes, I'd still pray for everyone. But mostly importantly, I'd act, and not beg for mercy. Para saan pa ang awa kung walang gawa?

Pinagbibigyan ko lang talaga si Lola na i-train pa rin ako para humalili sa kanya. Kasi 'yun ang pag-asa ng bayan namin. Hahanap na lang ako ng kapalit ko, at ako pa rin ang masusunod sa sarili kong buhay at tadhana.

At saka... hahanapin ko pa ang batang lalaking tumulong sa akin no'n. At sa pagkakataong 'yun, s'ya naman ang tutulungan ko.

"Ikaw talagang bata ka! Magdasal ka nang maayos nang makarating tayo ro'n nang maayos, hindi 'yung matutulog ka lang!" I pouted, because Lola just hit me lightly on the head. I just followed her and prayed solemnly.

Nang matapos, nakarating din kami sa isang mistulang palasyo sa may bundok, na talagang pinagawa para sa amin. It was holy ground and place. Because this is where Lola usually writes her prophecies and vision for the Domain.

Of course, this is our country, although they fear us, we still contribute to its greatness.

When Lola went down, I covered myself fully again. It was prohibited to see my full face, and body, and it was even prohibited to touch me without my permission, and if I wasn't the one who had the intent for the contact.

Si Lola lang talaga ang pwede, dahil s'ya ang kasalukuyang High Priestess.

I also went down, and followed her. She was also covered up like me, and we entered the sacred place. Naiwan kaming dalawa.

I sighed. Ginawa ko na lang ang sinasabi ni Lola. Wala namang masama. Pero itutuloy ko pa rin ang balak maging mandirigma, kaysa maging susunod na pinakamataas na Priestess.

Lola prepared for the candles, and I lit them. She placed it on their proper places, and also put some fresh flowers in front of the place. It was a bright place. White and cream. It looks so pure and sacred. The materials were mostly golds, silvers, and the posts have their own paintings of the believed holy beings of our land.

Lola started to prepare for her things. And she placed her circular headdress that were consists of white flowers and vines. I stood tall and properly.

She knelt down, and I also did the same. She stood up, and bowed down. Then she lifted up her right hand, in a rhythmical way, slowly swaying with the air, and I followed her every step. The dance that I had been taught since I became the so-called chosen one.

I closed my eyes slowly and let my body be lost in the rhythm. My feet had always memorized each step and each fluid movements. It was easy. I was sure, Lola and I were synchronized. I prayed. I prayed to become safe.

I prayed for my own fate. And for the prosperity of our land. Then in the last steps of the solemn dance and praise, I wished to find the guy who saved my life. I still clearly remember his face, and his smile when rescued me.

I put my palms together, and circled it on the opposite ends, and slowly separating it, then slowly kneeling down.

Habang ginagawa ko 'yun, parang bigla na lang humangin ng malakas, at para akong dinala sa ibang lugar. I gulped and when the wind slowly settled down, I felt an impact on my heart and body. Like some soul entered my realm.

I tried to open my eyes, but I couldn't do it. Napatiim-bagang ako sa sobrang pagkalito. Hanggang sa biglang pagliwanag ng mga nasa paligid ko kahit nakapikit ako.

May biglang tumakbo sa harapan ko. Kaagad kong sinundan ng tingin 'yun, at laking gulat ko na lang ng makita ang bayan namin. Sinundan ko ang lalaking tumatakbo. Tapos ay napalingon sa likod, dahil parang hinuhuli s'ya ng mga guwardya.

Dahil kabisado ko ang lugar, kasi mahilig akong tumakas. Pumunta ako sa paniguradong dadaanan ng lalaki. When he passed by me, I pulled him, and covered his mouth. Those who were running to catch him, stopped and tried to find him.

Nang mawala ang mga 'yun, hinihingal s'yang tumingin sa akin. Nakakunot ang noo.

I wanted to tell him something, but I couldn't. At nagulat ako ng kusa akong magsalita, kahit hindi ko gusto.

"Run. Don't go to war."

Natawa ang lalaki sa akin. Mas nangunot ang noo ko sa nangyayari. Anong sinasabi ko? Ba't ko sinasabi 'yun? "Saan naman ako tatakbo? Trabaho ko pumunta sa gyera," biro no'ng lalaki. Pinakatitigan ko s'ya at nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang mapagtanto kung sino s'ya.

He's the guy! The one who saved me!

"Run away from your fate. You'll face death." Kakaibang kilabot ang kumain sa akin sa sariling sinabi na hindi ko naman gusto! Parang bumalik sa alaala ko ang bagay kung bakit ayaw kong maging High Priestess.

"Death is catching up; you need to leave this land. You need to find who you really are..."

Nanlabo ang mga paningin ko. Hinawakan ko sa pulsuhan ang lalaki. At halos mawalan ako ng hininga sa ginawa ko. I almost gasped for air, and begged for him to just do what I stated. But he only smiled.

"Who are you?" he asked, as if finding the warning funny. I wanted to tell him about it, but it was too late. He was getting so blurry in my vision, and I was slowly fading.

"Agnyska!" Halos habulin ko ang sariling hininga nang bigla kong marinig ang pangalan ko kay Lola. Her blurry image became more clear. And she looked worried about me. Kaagad akong napatingin sa paligid.

I'm still standing on the scared place. I didn't even move an inch from my last position from before. A vision. Mayroon na naman akong nakita vision.

"Ano'ng nakita mo?" tanong ni Lola sa akin. I shook my head. "'Yung hinahanap ko, Lola." I smiled at her, and she looked so puzzled. I only laughed.

Tatakas ako. Kailangan kong pumuntang bayan bukas. Do'n ko makikita ang lalaki.

Lola and I left the place. She didn't have any vision and prophecy so we went back to our town without any more tasks. Nang nasa nayon na namin, kaagad kaming binisita ng ilan pang mga priestess at priest sa lugar.

I wore the piece of clothing that covered my lower face. 'Yung mga mata ko lang ang kita. Gano'n naman lagi ang suot ko karaniwan. Hindi na bago sa akin.

I went to the field near our town, and practiced my skills in battle. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung epektibo. But I always go out to hunt in the forest sometimes. I could kill deer, and other animals in there easily through my bow and arrows, and knife.

KINABUKASAN, gumising ako nang maaga, at isinout ang isang damit na karaniwan kong nakikita sa bayan. The colour red silk with yellow top, and I covered my face with the white piece of cloth that have an embroidered small moon and sun on the side.

I took my knife, and other things that could be helpful. Then I fixed my hair in a braid. Nang maayos na lahat, sobrang ingat kong tumakas kay Lola. Mabuti walang bantay sa bahay namin, kaya madali kong nagawa 'yun.

I went down the town, and when I arrived, I automatically smiled when I saw how colourful and amazing it is! Ang daming samu't saring mga tinda, at mga tindahan. Pati na rin kainan, at mga mamamayan.

I skipped and looked around, being amused with everything. Tumingin din ako ng ilang hairpin. I saw a crown hairpin. I bought it. It's so cute. I put it on my hair, and proceeded and touring around, almost forgetting what I'm here for.

Hanggang sa bigla na lang may sumigaw, at nagkagulo sa isang parte. I stepped back on the side. And there, I saw a guy who was like running from a crime. I lowered my gaze when the guards were chasing him.

I took the path that I went in my vision, and hide on the corner. Soon enough, I heard hurried footsteps. I smirked, and counted to myself. Kaagad kong hinila ang lalaki nang bigla 'tong dumaan sa gilid ko. I covered his mouth and hid with him.

His eyes widened when he saw me. "Run?" he voiced out confusingly when he saw me.

"Ha?" Nalilitong sabi ko rin.

Pero dahil sa bigla naming pag-uusap, bigla na lang dumating ang mga guwardya at nakita kami sa pinagtataguan. My eyes widened, and his also! "Run!" sigaw ko, at ayon nga. Bwisit. Naging literal na tumakbo kaming dalawa.

He was supposed to go on the other path, and I pulled him with me. Hindi n'ya ba alam ang buong lugar at tatakbo s'ya papunta sa mga nag-ra-round na mga guwardiya?! Baliw 'tong lalaking 'to!

I ran while pulling him, and he was chuckling looking back at those who were targeting him. Lumiko kaming dalawa, at mabilis na lumusot sa isang bahay, at tumalon din sa isang pader. Hindi kami tumigil, hanggang sa bigla kaming nakarating sa simula ng daan papuntang gubat.

I stopped and looked at the way. Alam na alam ko rin 'to. May short cut dito papunta sa kung saan 'yung field kung saan ako nag-tre-training. I tried to pull him with me, but he suddenly didn't move from where he was standing.

"Babalik ako." Mahinang sabi nito.

"Ha? Papahuli ka? Tara, samahan pa kita?" Muntik ko nang matampal ang bibig sa mabilis na sinabi at hindi nag-iisip. He chuckled at me, then shook his head.

"May babalikan ako," ulit n'ya. I knotted my forehead at him.

"Matapos kitang tulungan tumakas?" Hindi makapaniwalang sabi ko.

"Pasensya na... kailangan lang talaga." His soft voice told me and his eyes gazed on another path. Para bang may naiwan s'yang napaka-importanteng bagay ro'n. I sighed.

"Saan ba?" Tapos nauna pa akong maglakad papunta ro'n. Hinila n'ya naman ako pabalik. Nagtatakha akong napatingin sa kanya.

"Hindi ka kasama, baka mapahamak ka pa eh..." Kamot-ulong imik nito.

"Hindi pa ba pahamak 'yung sinamahan kitang tumakas sa mga guwardya?" Mas lalo s'yang natawa sa akin at napailing-iling ang ulo.

"Tara." Binitawan n'ya ako at walang nagawa kung hindi isama ako kung saan man s'ya pupunta. Napatingin ako sa mga kamay n'ya. I touched him, and I allowed his hand on me. Pwede naman 'yun. Ako naman may gawa. H'wag lang talagang malaman ni Lola.

Because he is taller, although he was just walking, I was a little left behind by two or one step. Hinayaan ko na lang 'yun at pinagmasdan s'ya.

He's tanned, really tall. I'm only about his shoulder, and I'm considered tall in our place. His body is also toned, every movement and you'll see muscle flexes. Pero hindi gano'n kalaki ang katawan n'ya. Tamang-tama lang. His hair was messy. Tied in a little ponytail because it's long, and up to his neck.

His clothes were dirty and old. Kupas na kupas, at parang s'yang nagpagulong-gulong sa lupa kaya gano'n ang hitsura. Pero... hindi ko alam. He just looked so dignified, and strong. He has a powerful air around him, but it didn't scream authority, instead... empathy.

"Ikaw 'yung nasa panaginip ko." Biglang sambit nito habang naglalakad nang mas mabagal, parang napansin na hindi ako makahabol sa kanya. Sinadya n'yang sabayan ako. I smiled to myself. Luckily I have this silk fabric around my face. He won't see my smile.

"Panaginip?" takhang tanong ko. He nodded.

"Oo, sabi mo tumakbo ako kasi kamatayan kakaharapin ko." Then he laughed softly. I stopped on my tracks. Gulat na gulat. He dreamt of my vision! Paano?! Ako lang ang nakakakita no'n!

"Weh?" Habol ko sa kanya kasi tumigil din s'ya sa paglalakad.

"Bakit mo sinabi 'yun?" Kunot-noong sabi nito, kitang-kita sa kumikislap na mata ang pagtatakha.

"Sabi mo pa hanapin ko kung sino talaga ako." I bit my lower lip. For some kind of dream, this one's too vivid. Alam pati sinabi. Bakit n'ya ba nakita 'yun? Dahil ba sa dasal ko na magkita na kami?

"Sino ka ba?" tanong ko naman.

"Ah, oo nga, hindi pa pala ako nagpapakilala." He scratched the back of his head, looking shy. "Laurentius." Pakilala nito.

"Agnyska," sambit ko naman sa pangalan ko.

Naglakad kaming dalawa nang tahimik. Mabuti na lang wala na 'yung mga humahabol sa kanya. "Bakit ka pala hinahabol?" Hindi mapigilang tanong ko.

"Kasi..." Parang nag-alinlangan s'yang sabihin.

"Kasi?"

Hindi n'ya sinagot, naglakad lang s'ya kaya sumunod lang ako, hanggang sa mapunta kami sa isang lugar. Natigilan ako sa nakita.

It was a street different from before. If the other street was full of colours and lively things, this one was dead. Para akong nanghina sa nakita. People were looking at me like I had tons of money because of what I'm wearing. And these people have... almost nothing.

Lahat sila sobrang dumi at sira-sira ang mga damit. Tapos walang matinong mga bahay sa paligid. Parang hinagupit 'to ng isang bagyo. Tapos walang tumulong sa kanila. May mga bata rin sa mga gilid ng daan na nanlilimos.

Laurentius stopped on his track, then gave the poor boy, a single cent. Like it was his last penny, but still gave it. Nakaramdam ako ng matinding panghihina at kakaibang kabog ng puso.

He entered one house, and I followed him. "Pasensya ka na, magulo at madumi." Umiling ako, hindi naman ako manghuhusga sa gano'n. He took one basket, and he went to the cupboards and got some stocked foods in there.

He also took some clothes from his sideboard.

Tiningnan ko lang lahat ng ginawa n'ya. Nang makuha lahat nang 'yun, lumabas s'ya ulit. Tapos nagulat ako nang may mga batang sumalubong sa kanya. He chuckled and his eyes almost left his face because of how genuine his smile is. He lowered himself, then took the bread from the basket, and gave it to the children.

"Salamat, Kuya!" sigaw ng mga bata at tumakbo papalayo sa kanya.

I looked at him in awe. That's his only food... and he gave it to them.

"Hindi ka ba magugutom? Bakit mo binigay?" Mas humalakhak s'ya sa akin.

"Hindi masamang magbigay kung mayroon ka namang pwedeng ibigay." Tapos nagsimula ulit s'yang maglakad. At halos kada madadaanan n'ya na mayroong nanghihingi sa kanya, bibigyan n'ya. Kulang na lang ibigay n'ya pati tsinelas n'yang sira na.

I bit my lower lip. I knew he had been so courageous when he saved our village, I didn't know that there was even more than that... Napakurap-kurap ako kasi may kung ano sa puso ko ang humanga sa kanya na halos magtubig ang mga mata ko.

Habang sinusundan ko s'ya, nagbigay na rin ako ng ilang sentimo na kinuha ko kanina sa bahay.

May isang bata pa na lumapit at wala na akong maibigay kaya naman ibibigay ko sana 'yung hairpin na binili ko, pero biglang kinuha ni Laurentius 'yun para pigilan ako. He gave the child, another thing from him instead.

Tapos pumasok kami sa isang lugar na parang lumang bahay.

"Ito 'yung dahilan bakit ako tumatakbo kanina," he mentioned with a smile, and we both entered the place.

I gasped when my eyes saw what was inside... Nanghina ako sa nakita. Mga warriors. Mga batang maraming galos, sugat, at ang ilan duguan. Mga taong mukhang pinabayaan dahil hindi na kayang lumaban kaya hindi na pinagtuunan ng pansin.

"Pwede kang tumulong gamutin sila?" He looked at me with so much plead and innocence, I could only nod.

He took something from the cupboard of the place, and his bag. "Pwede pakuha ng tubig at batya? Salamat ah," sambit n'ya sa napakagaang paraan. I nodded, and started to do what he asked me to.

"Lumabas kasi 'yung isang batang sugatan dahil sa gyera, nagnakaw ng tinapay sa syudad, hindi naman pwedeng walang bayad, wala rin kasi akong pambayad sa ninakaw n'ya, kaya ako na lang umako." He told me while treating the child that seemed to have a fever.

I gulped, and nodded. That was why... "Hindi ako pwedeng mahuli, baka mawalan akong pusisyon bilang mandirigma, at hindi ko na talaga matulungan lahat nang nandito." Napaawang ang mga labi ko sa sinabi nito.

"Salamat sa tulong..." he whispered sincerely, I could only stare at him.

Then the moment I stared at his eyes. I saw something. A gleam. A spark. A glow. A reddish orange aura. "Sun... the sun..." I uttered, out of my mind.

"Ha?" Nagtatakhang tanong nito at para akong hinugot sa kasalukuyan.

I saw how the sun was shot with several arrows then a sword. Parang bumagsak ang puso ko sa lupa at napaiwas ako ng tingin.

"Wala... hayaan mo, ako naman ang magproprotekta sa 'yo."

Nakangiti kong sambit sa pinaka-sinserong paraan na s'yang pinagtakha n'ya pero hindi ko sinagot. Niligtas mo ang buhay ko noon, ililigtas din kita pagdating ng panahon.

WHEN I went back to our place, I thought of everything he did and what happened today. And the next day, I excitedly knew what I should do next. I cooked. I cooked a lot of meals and dishes. Naghanda rin ako ng mga tinapay, at ilang mga gamot.

Hindi naman kasi kami mahirap, may kaya kami dahil kami pa mismo ang binibigyan ng Domain ng mga gamit at pangangailangan. Kasi kung wala kami, hindi magiging secured ang pamilya nila. They needed our blessings, and our power.

"Anong ginagawa mo, Agnyska?" Lola asked, while I was preparing all the things I readied and go down the town.

"Tutulong." I smiled at Lola.

"Ano'ng sumapi sa 'yo?" Takhang-takha si Lola kasi aminin ko man, hindi naman ako kabaitan, pilya lang talaga.

I pouted at Lola. "H'wag kang mag-alala Lola, ako pa rin 'to." Natatawang sambit ko at hinayaan n'ya ako dahil alam no'n na kabutihan naman ang gagawin ko, at ginawa ko na naman ang mga ritwal na hindi ko ginawa sa mga lumipas na taon.

She only looked at me like I was some new person. I shrugged. I traced the embroidery on the cloth covering my face, and went down to where I could find Laurentius.

Hindi n'ya inaasahan ang mga dala ko nang dumating ako. Para s'yang nakakita ng milagro at kakaibang saya ang puminta sa mga mata n'ya. I cackled gently at him, and he thanked me. Hindi ko na nga mabilang kung ilang pasasalamat ang narinig sa kanya.

People who looked so devastated, showed smiling faces when we helped them. My heart was filled with something more than I could imagine. It was a feeling of lightness, and so much joy. Simpleng tulong lang, pero parang sinalba na namin ang buhay nila.

Nang matapos sa paggagamot at pagtulong, tumingin ako kay Laurentius. "Salamat." Nakangiti kong sabi.

"Salamat," he answered.

Lumipas ang ilang buwan at araw at palagi akong napunta kay Laurentius para tumulong. He was so guilty about it, and I told him to pay me back by training me to become a warrior. He was hesitant at first because he didn't want to get me in danger, but I managed to convince him.

I brought him to the field where I always train, and he guided and corrected everything I learned on my own. He thought me on how to be a courageous warrior. And the thing that stuck to me the most is... "A warrior, never leaves his comrades."

I started to become a better person while being with him. Ginagawa ko pa rin ang mga pagsasanay biglang kasunod na High Priestess, pero hindi ko pa rin gagawin 'yun. Nagsimula akong magturo ng mga bata sa angkan namin, para maghanap ng pwedeng pumalit sa akin.

Then I also trained to become a magnificent warrior. Laurentius and I became so close. But he still hadn't seen my whole face yet. Pero kahit gano'n, ni minsan hindi n'ya tinanong o kinuwestyon ang bagay na 'yun.

"Agnyska..." Laurentius called when we were both watching the magnificent waterfalls in front of us. I smiled at the nature.

"Hmm?"

"Aalis kami bukas. Pupunta sa isang digmaan." Natigilan ako sa sinabi nito. Hindi ako nakapagsalita. At gano'n din s'ya. I looked at the space between us. Three huge rocks, and some flow of water in between.

"Salamat sa lahat ng tulong mo," he added when I didn't say anything. I slowly stood up, and the white dress slowly flowed with me, when I unhurriedly crossed one rock. Napatingin s'ya sa akin nang nag-aalala.

I balanced myself, and didn't fall, he chuckled.

"Babalik ka 'di ba?" I asked, walking to the next rock. He didn't glace at me, and stared at the falls. Kinabahan ako bigla. 'Yung vision dati...

"Hindi ko rin alam..." My heart suddenly felt a gripping ache.

"Laurentius..." And I crossed the last rock. And I went to him. I tried to hold his face. His eyes widened, and almost backed away because of what I was trying to do. I looked at him confusingly.

"Agnyska..." Nahihirapang sabi n'ya. He shook his head. "No. This is not right." Lumayo s'ya sa akin, at natulala ako sa kanya. The cover on my face swayed with the wind, but not revealing it.

"Alam mo?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.

Tumango s'ya. "You'll be the High Priestess..." Para bang napakadaling sabihin sa kanya no'n at parang gumuho ang mundo ko.

"And High Priestess... is not allowed to have someone..." Nagpatakan ang mga pinipigilan kong luha sa sinabi n'ya.

"Hindi... hindi ako magiging High Priestes..." I shook my head, and my clasped my hands nervously. I didn't know what to do or what to say.

I knew it from the beginning. I won't be a High Priestess; I will decide my own fate.

He didn't hear me. He just slowly walked away from me. And while watching him leave, he glowed with a brighter radiance because of my tears. I didn't call for him, instead, I looked at the falls with my heavy heart.

"Be safe... my solace..." I prayed wholeheartedly.

I continued my life like he didn't come into it, I pretended everything was fine, and continued training on my own, and sometimes flashes of our laughter, and his memories will flash inside my head.

And sometimes, I'd dream of him, and the war he's currently participating in. Ligtas naman s'ya palagi, at kagaya pa rin ng dati, walang iniiwang mga kasama. Sobrang lakas n'ya sa labanan, sobrang bihasa n'ya sa ginawa.

Time flew, but I still long for him. I continued following my Lola.

And when we went to the sacred place to pray and dance solemnly. A vision appeared again.

It was him... Laurentius. And through that... I found out why he needed to run away. It was because will be killed in a war. He will be killed in the current war.

I wanted to defy fate. I badly wanted to create my own path. And change the vision that I saw about Laurentius.

The next day, I prepared myself. I prepared myself to go to the war. Kinuha ko ang bow and arrow ko. Pati na rin ang ilan pang kakailanganin. I covered my face with the black cloth with the embroidery of the sun. I grabbed the horse in our place, and went there with full determination to change everything.

Nang makarating sa lugar, madilim na pero nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa matinding digmaan na nagaganap. Bawat lugar, maraming duguan at mga mandirigma. Marami ring nagkalat na mga apoy, at iba't ibang sandata. Halos hindi ako makahinga sa paghahanap kay Laurentius.

Then I saw him helping his comrade. I readied my arrow, and targeted the one who was supposed to attack him.

Someone also started to fight with me, and I ran and fought with everything that I learned. It was bloody, and fast paced, and when I arrived to where Laurentius is... I saw the vision.

The part where someone will stab Laurentius with a long sword.

I ran as fast as I can, gritting my teeth, and threw myself in him.

I successfully did it. Everything became a slow motion, then I saw how, the sword slowly buried in my body. My eyes flew wide open with the unbelievable pain, and on how I started to cough blood.

I turned my face, and I saw Laurentius face that showed terror. I tried to smile, even though it was so hard...

"Laurent..." That was the only thing that I could manage to say, and I coughed blood again. Tinanggal ng kalaban ang bumaong espada sa katawan ko at napaluhod ako sa lupa. Habang marahang nawawalan ng malay.

"Agnyska!" yelled Laurentius, and almost fell back on the land, if he hadn't catch me.

I saw that he was crying, and I slowly reached his face. I caressed it. I smiled. Finally, after how long, after how many years... I could finally touch his face.

The moment I touched his face... he suddenly felt like a different person. Glowing with so much golden aura. Like someone... who was supposed to wear a crown, instead of holding a sword.

He hugged me, and he lied me down carefully. And what I saw was a different Laurentius. It was pure terror, and fear. Hindi s'ya mapigilan. Ang dami n'yang napatay, ang dami n'yang pinagbayad sa nangyari sa akin. Ni walang makalapit sa kanya sa matinding takot.

Takot na tipong titingnan mo pa lang s'ya... ikaw na mismo ang magkukusang lumuhod.

That was when, the two of us started to fight our fates. However, could we really escape it?

Or... would we only face the consequences faster?

***