Simula: Resurrection of the Ice Witch

***

THIRD PERSON POV

Shadows of Lumina|Kabanata XX
By: Mortimer Graves

"Ice witch!" his voice thundered through the dark basement, echoing off its walls as he ascended in a blur of speed.

Nagmistulang yelo ang buong paligid. Tila ba ay dinaanan ng malakas na bagyo at sa isang iglap ay nasira ang buong kalupaan. 

Tumambad sa kanila ang maliwanag na sinag ng buwang tumatama nang diretso sa kanilang kinaroroonan.

Sa gitna nito ay isang babaeng puno ng dugo ang mga kamay, ebidensya ng kanyang karumaldumal na ginawa sa teritoryo ni Baron Emberwood.

The Ice Witch, with her silver hair and snow-like complexion, wearing all white, tainted in crimson after exterminating those in her way like parasites.

They're currently at the land of fire, Pyropolis. However, on that particular night, it's surprisingly freezing; The snow is falling gently, almost as if time has come to a standstill.

Tumingala ang mangkukulam habang sinasalo ang mga nyebe sa kanyang palad. Mga nyebeng nagmistulang pula mula sa dugo sa kanyang mga kamay.

Unti-unti siyang lumingon sa kinaroroonan ng Duke dahilan upang makasalubong niya ang malamig na mga titig nito.

She looked directly into his set of deep red eyes that resembled fiery rubies—looking at her with no remorse. "Duke Aslan Bloodthorne. . .'' She called upon his name, breathily.

The Northern duke and a great war hero, one of the most powerful people in Lumina. The duke that everyone loathes despite his great contributions in the empire.

"This will be your end, you and your evil blood."

The Northern Duke, Aslan Bloodthorne, after a long chase, has finally cornered the last witch. . .

"This basement holds a lot of painful memories, it's quite distasteful," the witch chuckled. "Isn't this where your Duchess used to live?"

"Where's Sinclair?" He asked in a cold manner. Not bothering to show an ounce of care on his wife—Duchess of the North.

The Ice witch just smiled at him, but it isn't like her usual playful smile; Rather, a lonely one.

"The echoes of a child's cries, constantly abused and neglected in these very walls; Witnessing how her mother killed herself in the same place we're in," she uttered. "Can you blame her for wanting to seek vengeance? She's her mother's daughter, after all," The evil ice witch laughed.

Nagsalubong ang kilay doon ni Duke Aslan. "I don't want to hear any of your nonsense Ice witch! Let's end this as I'm tired of the chase," his voice echoed as a strong gravitational energy started pressing over her.

However, the ice witch remained standing on the ground; Unscattered. . .

Napalibutan siya ng kulay asul na apoy na gumuhit mula kay Aslan at agad na tumupok sa kabahayan kung saan sila naroroon. 

Apoy na tanging nagbibigay ng init sa malamig na gabing iyon. . . 

She's the last witch, far more powerful than any other witch they've all encountered and killed.

Expecting that the witch would deflect his attack as usual, Duke Aslan still ran into her direction at the speed of light, ready to pierce her with his sword. 

However, she didn't do anything this time. . . Instead, she allowed his fiery blade to impale her chest.

Aslan halted, gazing upon the Ice Witch; Blood seeping from her lips.

Humangin ng malakas sa kanilang direksyon at ang sinag ng maliwanag na buwan ang tanging nagsisilbing ilaw sa madilim na gabi.

Kasabay nito ay ang unti-unting pagbabago ng anyo ng mangkukulam.

Her once silver hair turned into midnight black. The clearest crystal blue eyes he's ever seen are looking straight at him with an unusual warmth. 

The most beautiful face his eyes ever laid on has a gentle expression like how she always looked at him—throughout their marrriage.

Duke Aslan froze, and couldn't utter any more words. "Duchess Sinclair. . ." Her name escaped his lips. "Is this one of your silly illusions?!" he shouted, angrily.

"Huwag mo akong paglaruan babae! Imposibleng ikaw ang asawa ko!" galit niyang turan sa mangkukulam.

Ngunit hindi ito sumagot. Bagkus at nanghihinang hinaplos ang mukha ni Aslan.

"Even though our marriage is not a happy one, rather a forced union we never wished for. You still freed me from the chains that bounded me. From the cage, I thought I would be forever locked in," she uttered weakly. 

Aslan trembled at the sight of his wife; The powerless Dutchess of the North. . . 

Who could've thought that the reknowned weak and sickly duchess is actually the most powerful witch everyone feared?

"It's rather a selfish request, but my husband, please free me once more. . . Release me from the painful pages of this life," she whispered.

Naikuyom ni Aslan ang kanyang mga kamao habang titig na titig sa napaka gandang mukha ni Sinclair.

Sinclair coughed up blood again, yet maintained unwavering eye contact with the Duke.

Throughout their marriage, the duke had always displayed indifference; His demeanor composed and cold, never even sparing his wife a glance, as if he was disgusted by her.

However, at that moment, Sinclair couldn't tell if she's having mere illusions due to her draining life force, but somehow, an emotion flashed in his crimson eyes.

That made her chuckle a bit.  "You're really cute, if we were in that world, you're absolutely gonna be my type," she whispered. "Let's just proceed to the story, shall we?" 

She smiled and held his fiery azure sword, pierced in her chest—Just like how it was stated in the tales of the Shadows of Lumina; In that chapter where the pitiful villainess' life ended.

With just one chapter dedicated to her, wherein the kin of witches ended after the last ice witch was killed by her own husband; The cursed Northern Duke, Aslan Bloodthorne.

The duke's eyes widened upon realizing what she was about to do. . . 

Hinawakan niya ng mahigpit ang espada at lalong ibinaon ito sa kanyang dibdib dahilan upang bumagsak siya sa bisig siya ng kanyang asawa.

"Once I die, you'll also be free from the curse. . . I'm happy for you," she whispered.

He seemed to be saying something, but she couldn't hear him well anymore. Her vision became blurry as she just stared at his handsome face.

She closed her eyes. "Finally, I could go back. . ." That's her last words before her life comes to an end.

***

"In that moment, the last witch perished, extinguishing the entire lineage of witches from existence," Cleobelle Samaniego whispered as she delicately traced her fingers over the inked letters on the page.

She didn't even realize a tear dropped into the pages of the book she's currently reading. 

"Okay ka lang?" tanong ng isa sa mga estudyanteng kasalukuyang nasa library ngayon.

Agad niyang pinunasan ang luha at isinara na ang librong binabasa at tumingin sa gawi nito.

'Elysia right?' Cleobelle thought while looking at the popular student at Edenbrook University; That's how Cleobelle knew her.

"Don't mind me." 

Tipid niyang sagot. Nakita niyang nagbago ang ekspresyon ng kausap. Hindi niya iyon pinansin at tumayo nang dinampot ang lahat ng kanyang mga libro.

She didn't even spare her a glance as she started walking away, which the other students watching, didn't like.

Not like she care about how other people perceive her. She only cares about graduating with flying colors in Psychology major to pursue her dreams of becoming a prosecutor.

Her adoptive parents were both very influential lawyers and prosecutors. She wanted to make them proud and that's all that matters to her.

Mula noong mamatay ang mga magulang niya ay napunta siya sa isang orphanage. Dahil ang dalawa ang nag-iimbestiga sa kaso ng pagpatay sa mga magulang ni Cleobelle ay napalapit siya sa mga ito.

Although, none of her relatives back then wanted to take her in, at least two loving parents took her in and raised her as if she's their own.

She sighed and looked at the book she was holding. 

The book "Shadows of Lumina" is a fantasy novel written by an anonymous author, "Mortimer Graves" and for some reason, as soon as it got published, it became famous overnight. 

Since her friends were reading it, she got curious.

She's standing tall and very composed as she is wearing her usual cold demeanor; All eyes are on her. 

Her long ebony hair is flowing like silk as she walks. Her eyes are the clearest crystal blue eyes you'll ever see. 

She's very intimidating and a lot of students hate her cold and snobbish personality but chose to remain silent due to Cleobelle's powerful background.

'Asan na kaya ang mga bruhang iyon? Gusto ko nang matulog. Pinaghahanap pa ako!' sambit niya sa isipan.

Hanggang sa tuluyan niyang mahagilap ang mga kaibigan sa cafeteria.

"Cleo!" pagtawag nila.

Cleobelle walked into their direction, with her heels echoing at the hall of the pantry.

"Saan ka nanggaling? Kanina ka pa tapos ang klase mo diba?" kyuryosong tanong ni Elvira na ikinailing niya lamang.

Cleo's eyes fell into the white rose, Elvira was holding. 'From that guy again?' Cleobelle thought.

"Library," tipid niyang sagot.

"As usual," Gabbie shrugged.

Tumingin siya sa gawi ni Lavender na mukhang tutok na tutok ngayon sa binabasa.

"What chapter are you in now?" tanong ni Cleobelle kay Lavender.

"Hmm. . ." she hummed, then looked in Cleo's direction. "I reached chapter fifteen and I'm currently at the part of Queen Luminara making an appearance in the story," she answered.

Nagpatuloy lamang sila sa pagkukwentuhan patungkol sa libro. 

'It's strange that we are getting along in one book today. Usually we have different tastes,' Cleobelle thought.

"Who's your favorite character anyways? Since there's a lot," Gabbie asked.

"I dunno, who's yours?" Cleo asked her back in a lazy manner.

"Probably Aurelia Vespertine? I like her feistiness," Gabbie shrugged.

"Well I like Liora Celestia," Elvira added.

"Of course you do. Siya ang bida." Iniikot ni Cleobelle ang mata sa sagot na iyon.

Elvira frowned at Cleo's comment. "Well who's yours?" 

Kunot noong tanong niya.

"Wala," simpleng sagot ni Cleo na ikinangiwi ni Elvira.

"Pwede ba iyon?" nguso nito.

"Oo, bakit?" taas kilay niyang sagot.

She can't tell them she cried in that chapter where the last witch died. She never cried in a book before.

Maybe because she usually just reads weird mystery-thriller books, that is.

"Anyways we've been too busy lately right? Are you going to attend Almira Romualdez' birthday party?" Elvira asked them.

"Yeah, I heard it's gonna be held at a famous international cruise ship," Gabbie answered.

"Our families will be there, we've got no choice," sagot pa ni Lavender.

Tinamad magsalita si Cleo kaya naman ay tanging tango lamang ang kanyang naisagot.

The four of them first met at the orphanage when they were still under foster care. Each having their own stories to tell.

Maybe it's fate that they were reunited back in highschool, and since then, they've become inseparable. 

CLEOBELLE SAMANIEGO

It's a week-long and exhausting preparation. Everything is just a hassle to me but I've got no choice.

Gusto ko lang matulog buong araw at maging tambay habang buhay at parang mas madali pa iyon.

The good thing is I passed the final defense of our thesis, with the highest score as well. 

Tinitigan ko ang invitation sa dadaluhang pagdiriwang.

"Oh you look lovely!" my mother commented after the stylist dolled me up for tonight.

They're both busy, so at these kinds of events, I have to attend for them.

Aside from my mother being a prosecutor and father, a lawyer, both of them are also influential tycoons. Having connections with a lot of big corporations.

My biological parents died when I was seven; I suddenly remembered my last memory with them. . .

"Cleo, behave yourself okay? Makinig ka sa teacher mo ha?" 

Lauren Trevino, my biological mother uttered while we're in front of my school.

"Yes mommy," tahimik kong sagot habang tulala sa mga mata ng aking ina.

Her eyes were the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen; As if she's not from this world.

"Mommy you look like a fairy!" I uttered, making my mother chuckle and kissed my forehead affectionately.

"Indeed. She's the most beautiful isn't she?" my father, Cadmus Trevino, chuckled as he pulled both of us in for a loving embrace.

"Wag mo akong bolahin Cadmus," My mother, rolled her eyes making my father smile.

"I'm just telling the truth," he grinned, then looked at me. "Now go inside or you'll be late in class," my father added.

"Bye bye Mommy! Daddy! I love you both in the whole universe!" 

Masigla kong saad.

After that, we bid our goodbyes; Not knowing it'll be the last time that I'll see them.

It's a crime of passion, they said. Rumors say that the woman who killed them is father's mistress. She killed herself right after she murdered my parents.

I was too young to understand everything.

I was in foster care for a year. That's where I met my only friends, Elvira, Lavender and Gabbie, who were the closest to me. Then I was adopted by Nicholas and Gwen Samaniego.

I snapped back to reality when my mother giggled over the phone. 

"Take care on your way there, anak," my father smiled.

I'm currently talking to both of them through video call before I leave.

"I gotta get going now. The chauffeur is ready. You owe me one on this," I rolled my eyes at both of them as I ended the call.

I looked at my reflection in the body mirror inside the dressing room.

The stylist did my hair and make-up splendidly. It's clean and simple like my usual style.

I'm dressed in a luxurious silk champagne dress that hugs every curve and has a slit. I've paired it with silver stilettos, a snow-white fur scarf and a silver necklace for a simple yet elegant look.

I stepped out of the room and slowly went down the grand staircase of our house. I took my time getting to our car and then directed the driver to head towards the location of the event.

It's a majestic cruise ship where it'll take place.

'Lumina Cruise. . .' Binasa ko ang pangalan nito.

The moment I stepped onto the deck of the cruise ship, I was greeted by the elegant music floating through the air gently.

Maraming tao sa loob ng bulwagan ng cruise ship. Mukhang mahihirapan akong hanapin dito ang mga kaibigan ko.

Nagsimula na rin kanina pa ang ball, kung tutuusin ay late na ako.

Nailing na lamang akong nagpasyang mag enjoy sa party.

It's pretty boring here. Just conversations and music. The only thing I enjoy here is food. 

"Are you alone?" another man approached me.

Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilan ba silang namemeste sa akin kanina pa. 

"No, go away," I said coldly.

Akmang lalapit pa din sa kinaroroonan ko ngunit mabilis kong inisang lagukan ang iniinom na alak at binalingan siya ng nakamamatay na tingin.

"Grrr. . .!" I started growling, adding spice to my act. "Arf! Arf! Arf! Grrr!" I barked like crazy, not minding the stares the people were giving us.

"What the—are you crazy?!"

Napaatras ang lalaki doon, tila ba ay hindi alam ang gagawin saka napahiyaw nang bigla ko siyang kinagat sa braso.

Agad niyang binawi ang braso sa akin, habang ako ay muling nilagok ang iniinom.

"T*ngina! Maganda sana, baliw lang!" mura nito.

Pinakita ko lang sa kanya ang gitna ng daliri ko.

Inis na akmang aambahan ako nito ng suntok  ngunit pinakita ko muli ang ngipin ko sa kanya dahilan upang agad itong napatakbo.

"That's right, scram!" I gritted my teeth as I drank another glass in one shot.

Lasing na talaga ako.

I felt my vision blur as I started walking out. Then suddenly, I bumped into a tall figure.

"Get out of my way!" I frowned.

I'm getting more dizzy, I shouldn't have drank that much.

Before I could run, the man held my hand, gently. I glared at him and forcefully pulled it back as I left him there.

However, I was greeted by the empty upper deck instead.

Nangunot ang noo ko doong sa ibang daan tumakbo, ngunit tila ba ay naengkanto ako at kahit saan ako lumiko ay sa upper deck ako napupunta.

Naglakad ako papasok at lumapit sa railings saka pinagmasdan ang malawak at madilim na karagatan.

I sighed in exhaustion and was just about to turn back; When suddenly, a forcedful push sent me tumbling down into the abyss below.

"What. . ." iyon ang tanging lumabas sa bibig ko.

Tila ba ay tumigil ang oras nang bumulusok ako sa malalim na karagatan. Para bang may pwersang pilit na humihila sa akin pababa; Pilit akong nilulunod.

I was losing hope as I could only stare at the fading moon's reflection, underwater.

'God please. . . Please someone save me. . .'  I silently and desperately pleaded while trying to save myself from drowning.

I tried and tried, but it's exhausting me further.

'Ayoko pang mamatay, gagraduate pa ako!' 

I don't have the strength to hold on anymore as my vision darkened even more.

I guess it was just an illusion when I saw a figure jump into the water, trying to reach my hands.

I imagined a warm embrace as the endless darkness enveloped me.

Expecting that I'd be greeted by the afterlife, I gathered my breath and opened my eyes.

However, what I was greeted by is a woman bathing in her own blood; Lifeless. Yet her eyes remained open, looking straight at me, and I,  lying right beside her.

A woman who have the same eyes as I am, looking exactly like my birth mother, Lauren. . . 

"Sinclair!"