Zaf's pov

Despite the noises I could hear outside the palace, the prince pulled me into a room. This room is different from the room I slept in earlier. Too dark because most of the equipment is black. The window is closed and there are thick curtains.

Rinig na rinig hangang dito sa loob ng palasyo ang ingay sa labas. Talaga bang may magaganap na digmaan?

I saw two soldiers approach us, the prince must have called them. They bowed first and then stood up straight.

"Bantayan niyo siya. Do not allow anyone else to enter here, no matter who they may be, and most importantly, do not let her leave." Utos sa kanila ng prinsipe.

Habang sinasabi ang mga yun ay may lumapit namang isang serbidora. Medyo bata pa pero mas matanda yata sakin ng ilang taon lang, who knows baka libo-libong taon na sila. Iniling ko na lang ang isipang iyon.

"Mahal na prinsipe ano po maipaglilingkod ko." sambit ng serbiro matapos siyang yumuko ng konti sa prinsipe.

The prince pulled me up and presented me to that servant. She was different from the miss I had encountered earlier.

I feel like she is familiar to me.

"Kilala mo siya diba?" Tanong ng prinsipe sa serbidora.

The maid kept her head lowered in deference, but when she slowly raised it to meet my gaze, her eyes widened in sheer astonishment. It was as if she had stumbled upon a long-lost acquaintance or witnessed the return of a dearly missed presence.

I don't know but, I feel different. It was as if I wanted to hug and hug her. As our eyes locked, an undeniable longing welled up within me. It was a profound yearning, an overwhelming desire to bridge the gap between us, to embrace her as if we were separated souls finally reunited.

But why would I do that?

Feeling close lang? Habang nakatingin ako sa serbidorang iyon ay nakaramdam ako ng pagkirot sa ulo ko. As if the very core of my existence yearned to unravel the mysteries that lay shrouded in the mists of forgotten memories.

"P-paanong--?" Nagtataka na tanong ng maid. Ngunit pinutol lamang ng prinsipe ang sasabihin niya.

"Ikaw muna ang magbabantay sa kanya sa loob. Alam mo na ang gagawin mo." Utos ng prinsipe.

Naguguluhan man ang maid pero nagawa pa rin niya akong tanungin ng mahinahon. She's different from the other maids here. Looks like she have an important role in this palace and even the prince have a slight consideration on her because she can even talk to the prince like normal not like the other maid that praised him like an almighty.

"Paumanhin binibini, ngunit ano ang iyong pangalan?"

Napakurap-kurap ako dahil sa pagkatulala.

"Ahh ako po si.." Naalala ko ang ginagamit kong pangalan maliban sa totoo kong pangalan.

"A-akira po, Akira. hehe"dahilsa sinabi ko ay narinig ko ang reaction ng ibang mga kasama namin nan nandito including those soldiers. They gasp like I said a word they against the rules, the maid look at me with astonishment and the prince clenchedhis jaw.

"Ngunit--" hindi natuloy ang sasabihin ng maid dahil pinutol ulit iyon ng prinsipe.

"Tama na yan. Pumasok na kayo sa loob. And no matter what happen, do not leave the room." utos ng prinsipe.

"Teka! Bakit mo ba ako kinukulong dito!?" Atungal ko sa prinsipe.

The prince remained silent, his expression resolute, as he turned and walked away. His jaw remained tightly clenched, a visible sign of his inner turmoil and determination.

Nagulat na lang ako sa mga narinig kong mga pagsabog sa labas at mga ingay.

"Mahal na prinsesa kailangan niyo na pong pumasok sa loob." Pagtulak sa akin ng maid ng marahan sa pintuang bahagyang nakabukas.

Teka?

"prinsesa? Who? me?" I ask with confuse reaction.

Natigilan din ang serbidora at nagtataka ring tumingin sakin.

"May sinabi po ba akong ganon binibini?" Saad ng serbidora.

Napailing-iling na lang ako. Baka guni-guni ko lang yun.

"Ahh wala, wala"

Sinara na ng serbidora ang pinto pagpasok namin. Naiwan ang ilang mga kawal sa labas para magbantay.

Third person's pov

Hindi napigilang yakapin ni Akiro si Zaffira dahil sa ilang libong taon na niyang paghihintay sa pagbabalik niya sa mundo nila. Ngunit ang nangyaring iyon ay wala sa plano niya.

Hindi nasunod lahat ng mga plinano niya sa sandaling makabalik na si Zaffira dito sa immortal realm.

Yun dahil lahat sa isang pagkakamali niyang magpakita agad kay Zaffira. Binura ni Akiro sa alaala ng dalaga ang eksena kung saan niyakap niya ito.

The palace halls whispered with curiosity and speculation as he made their way through the grand corridors with the woman lying unconciously in between his arms, unaware of the storm that awaited them. Everyone in the palace who sees how the prince carry the woman in his arms will surely think of undecent thought. The prince's decision, driven by a mix of affection and intrigue, had set in motion a chain of events that would challenge the established order and test the strength of familial bonds.

Hanggang ngayon ay kamukhang-kamukha parin niya ang Zaffira noon. Siyang-siya parin ngayon.

May mga taong hindi na kilala si Zaffira dahil sa ilang generasyon na ang nakalipas at namatay na din ang ilang mga immortals na nakakakilala kay Zaffira dahil sa ilang digmaan ang naganap sa pagitan ng kaharian ng Taraya at Nemestia.

Meanwhile, the kingdom of Spiro had fragmented and scattered.

It splits and some parts had legally secured by the kingdom of Nemestia and the half was acquired by the kingdom of Taraya. That is why in the whole of Tennesee there are only two kingdoms left.

The king of Spiro dies because of the betrayal and murdered by his own daugther princess Sassy, ​​because of her desire to rule the kingdom.

But Sassy was unable to control the kingdom of Spiro because all the subjects and disciples knew what she had done to the king which her own blood and father. She was possessed by her evil desire urging her to be the most powerful in the whole Tennessee. She always feels inferior even she had the status of a princess. The king of Spiro isn't ready to passed the throne on her because he already knew her daughter's inner evil that will lead their humble kingdom into the greatest calamity. And that calamity had been done.

Until this now, no one knows if the princess is still alive. She managed to hide her presence in a thousand of years.

On the day when Akiro saw Zaffira talking to one of his servants, he could not help but approach it as he saw the irritation on the face of the woman he had been waiting for thousand years.

But he was just surprised when Zaffira suddenly tweaked the waitress. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang gagawin dahil ngayon lang siya naka-engkwentro nang ganong pag-aaway. Hindi niya alam kung paano aawatin si Zaffira kaya wala siyang ibang nagawa kundi hilain siya sa kanyang bewang.

He had almost crumpled the letter he was reading given to him by a soldier. He also looked at Zaffira to see how she would react when the kingdom of Taraya was mentioned. Ang kaharian kung saan kabilang at lumaki si Zaffira. Ngunit ng makita ang reaksyon ng babae ay nakaramdam siya ng awa, pero agad din iyon nabawi dahil sa kanyang nabasa sa report na binigay sa kanya ng kawal.

The kingdom of Taraya is waging war.

War against them.

Digmaang ika-limampung beses nang nangyari sa mundong ito.

In a tragic turn of events, the King of Taraya believed that Prince Akiro had killed his beloved daughter, Princess Zaffira. The weight of this misconception was unbearable, leading to the queen's untimely demise, as she could not bear the anguish and grief caused by the loss of their only princess.

Driven by a desperate belief that he could somehow save his child and restore the princess's life, the king's heart was consumed by a burning desire for justice. Learning the truth behind Princess Zaffira's demise and the identity of the responsible party, he wasted no time in severing Taraya's once harmonious relationship with Nemestia, the kingdom from which Prince Akiro hailed.

Fueled by a relentless pursuit of vengeance, the king waged war on multiple occasions, eager to eliminate the prince of Nemestia. For him, the cycle of life and death became twisted, as he believed that only by taking life could he find a substitute for the life that had been taken. As long as the prince or the king of Nemestia remained alive and breathing, the king of Taraya saw no end to the conflicts that ravaged their lands.

Nagsimula ang lahat ng ito dahil lahat sa maling akala at sa panlilinlang sa kanya ng dating kawal ng prinsipe na kasama noon sa nangyari. The betrayal and manipulation inflicted upon him further fueled his wrath and desire for retribution.

Now, with the revelation that his child had been resurrected and was in the hands of the person he believed had killed her, the king of Taraya's aggression intensified. The pursuit of justice became entangled with his desire to protect his child, leading to a tumultuous and volatile situation.

In this web of mistaken beliefs and twisted fate, the king of Taraya found himself on a collision course with the one he perceived as his greatest enemy. The complexities of their intertwined destinies and the weight of their past actions propelled both kingdoms toward a confrontation that would shape the course of their shared history.

Gusto niyang bawiin ang anak mula kay Akiro. In a desperate quest to protect his precious daughter, the King of Taraya was willing to defy even the divine rules set by the deities themselves. Unmoved by the fact that his daughter had been betrothed to Prince Akiro through divine intervention, the king's unwavering determination to ensure his daughter's survival superseded all else.

The magnitude of the king's love for his daughter knew no bounds. He was willing to challenge fate itself, openly defying the sacred union forged by the Octavius. The prospect of losing his beloved daughter was an unbearable thought that eclipsed any reverence he had for divine decrees.

Sa ngayon, mas pinagtutuunan muna ng pansin ni prinsie Akiro ang nangyayaring digmaan mula sa labas ng palasyo. Nagsisimula na ang digmaan at hindi alam kung kailan ulit ito matatapos. The Prince still have his reason not to hand over the princess to the king of Taraya.

Having successfully accompanied Zaffira to a room where she would be safe, he departed with a jaw tightly clenched, incensed by Zaffira's deceit regarding her identity.

You can't fool me my dear princess.

That's what Akiro had in mind when he got out.

Isang mausok at matindig patayan ang sumalubong sa kanya.

The rattles of swords could be heard all around. Huge fires and some prostrate bodies gradually turning to ashes. In such a scene he met some opponents. Each time he strikes with his sword he gains a few lives.

Lost in contemplation, he pondered the implications of the King of Taraya capturing Zaffira and returning her to the very kingdom she was destined to rule—a realm that rightfully belonged to her. What would be Zaffira's reaction if her memories were to resurface, revealing Prince Akiro's role in mercilessly eliminating her loyal soldiers? What if Zaffira's recollection returned, filling her heart with hatred towards him for orchestrating the annihilation of the soldiers who should have served under her command? Sa bawat pag tunog ng espada niya at pagtalsik ng dugo, napapapikit siya dahil alam niyang ang mga buhay na kinukuha niya ay pagmamay-ari ni Zaffira.

Regret seeped into his thoughts as he reflected upon the consequences of his own foolishness. While others perceived him as flawless, the embodiment of perfection, the meticulously crafted plans he had executed led to a grievous mistake. The near-fatal act he committed against Zaffira set in motion an unrelenting calamity that persisted for years without respite.

How could he have dared to seize the life of the woman who was betrothed to him? How could he have contemplated ending her life without even having met her? If only he had resisted his ambition and perfectionism, choosing instead to marry the woman he genuinely loved, disregarding the divine's predetermined decision. Perhaps then, this catastrophic chain of events could have been averted. He failed to recognize that divine intervention should never be challenged, as it carried profound consequences. This calamity, beyond his individual control, served as a powerful reminder of the divine's omniscience. The Octavius, in their wisdom, meticulously assessed every aspect before reaching a decision, fully aware that any misstep could result in a disastrous outcome.

There would have been no war going on.

The deity Draven would not have succeeded in spreading evil. Evo would never have surrendered himself to Draven and pass his power to the king of Nemestia.

As he discovered that both Octavius had been secretly captivated by the woman he himself admired, anger welled up within him. But he was more angry with himself for not being able to protect the woman at naisip pa niya itong patayin.

So since Zaffira's death, he has the courage to approach Evo with the life of a magician. He talked to Octavius Evo in order to unravel the truth. In their conversation, he learned the full extent of Evo's grief over Zaffira's death, compelling him to go to great lengths to bring her back to life. But being only an Octavius, he possessed no ability to resurrect the dead. The only option remaining was to reincarnate Zaffira, infusing her essence with a new life.

Driven by love and a desperate longing to right the wrongs of the past, Evo and the prince Akiro cooperated and embarked on a journey to restore Zaffira to existence, seeking out ancient rituals and powerful artifacts that could grant her a fresh start.

Hindi nagdalawang isip si Evo na ibigay ang kalahati ng kapangyarihan niya sa magiging pangalawang buhay ni Zaffira. Ito ang magsisilbing diwa ng dalaga. Ngunit hindi pa sapat ang kapangyarihan niya, kaya sinubukan niyan kumbinsihin si Draven for the sake of the woman the were both once admire. Alam niyang hindi tatanggi si Draven, pero may mabigat na kapalit.

That was his life. Draven will help them restore Zaffira's spirit into the mortal realm to nurtur her immortal spirit before she could go back in Tennessee. Lahat ng tulong na gagawin ni Draven ay kapalit ng buhay ni Evo. And Evo didn't even complain.

They succeeded in resurrecting Zaffira in the mortal life and because of that, Evo surrendered his life to Draven. Pero hindi kabilang ang natitirang kapangyarihan niya.

That is how Zaffira was resurrected, but in the world of mortals.

The prince witness everything. He's far from being deity like the two Octavius so he just waited and watch the two brothers do the formation and rituals while he just step out at matiyagang sinusubaybayan ang ginagawa ng magkapatid para kung sakaling may maling mangyari ay agad siyang maka respond.

After the resurrection of Zaffira's life. The two Ocatvius just disappeared and turned into ashes. So now he no longer knows what to do once Zaffira's memory returns. If the immortals have a divine rules form them to follow, the Octavius also have their restrictions that will cost their divine life if they will not obey the true nature of life. Resurrecting the dead can be easy for them but it will take their divine essence to make this possible. Draven didn't expect this would happen, while Evo already have a plans before making such decisions.

After of how many years of waiting. captivating his attention as she bathed in a serene stream. Her image remained imprinted in his mind, a reminder of the woman he was destined to marry.

Sa sobrang pag-iisip niyang iyon ay hindi niya alam kung bakit nanghina siya. Nasa kalagitnaan pa siya ng digmaan nang muling inalala lahat ng nangyari noon. Sa patuloy na pakikipagsapalaran niya sa mga hindi maubos-ubos na kalaban ay napaluhod siya sa panghihina. Sa dami ba naman na hindi maubos-ubos na kalaban ay sinong hindi manghihina. Pangalawang pagkakataon na napaluhod siya dahil sa kagustuhang iligtas ang babaeng iaalayan niya ng kanyang buhay kung ito'y muling mamatay. He's not an Octavius who have a divine power to change the fate but he can do everything to resist.

On the other hand, the king of Taraya found Akiro's whereabouts sa gitna ng battle field, nakaluhod ito at nakayuko that make him confused. Hindi naman ganito kahina ang prinsipe dati para mapaluhod sa gitna ng digmaan.

Ngunit binalewala iyon ng hari ng Taraya dahil nagkaroon siya ng pagkakataong malapitan siya at matutukan ng espada, dahil ang mga kawal ni Akiro ay abalang hinaharap ang mga kalaban nilang gustong lapitan si Akiro sa pagkakaluhod nito. Madami man ang nakapaligid na kawal kay Akiro para protektahan siya laban sa mga kalaban ay nakapuslit parin ang hari ng Taraya.

Zaffira Winter Rosewood's Pov

"Ano bang nangyayari sa labas?" Tanong ko sa serbidorang kasama ko dito sa kwarto.

Malakas ang kutob kong kilala ko siya ngunit hindi ko talaga maintindihan ang nararamdaman ko ngayon.

"Huwag na lang muna kayong magtanong binibini. Sa ngayon kailangan niyo munang matulog at magpahinga." sagot ng serbidora habang inaayos ang higaan ko.

"Ano!? Patutulugin mo ako dito buong araw nang walang ka-alam alam sa nangyayari sa labas!?"

Bumuntong hininga lang siya at hindi sumagot.

"Bakit parang kilala kita?" Mahinang tanong ko sa kanya.

Natigilan naman siya sa kanyang ginagawa.

"Tama nga ang sinabi ng prinsipe." saad niyang hindi lumilingon sakin.

"Ano?"

After she arranged my bedroom she turned to me.

"Bakit pakiramdam mo kilala mo ako? O hindi mo lang talaga kilala ang sarili mo?" Malungkot at maiyak-iyak niyang sabi.

"Anong sinasabi mo? You know me?" I ask in confusion. Simula kasi nang tumapak ako dito sa palasyo ay marami akong nakita na mga mga weird reactions nila about my me and my identity.

She sat up in bed and took a deep breath as if being held back from crying. Why is she crying?

"N-naniniwala ka ba sa taong namatay na ngunit mabubuhay muli paglipas ng mahabang panahon?"

I raised an eyebrow at what he was saying. Reincarnation? Naman oh! Do they even know something about it?

"Hindi" I said briefly and walked to the door.

"Saan ka pupunta?" natarantang tanong ng serbidora.

"Lalabas?"

"Pero mahigpit na pinagbabawalan ka ng prinsipe na lumabas"

Lumapit siya at hinarangan ako papuntang pintuan.

My face became serious and I looked at her deeply.

"Okay, I won't insist on leaving. But tell me everything, the whole truth. I know you're keeping something hidden. Just like your question earlier."Nagulat ang serbidora sa sinabi ko. Oo tama. Pakiramdam ko talaga may mali. Hindi ako tanga para hindi mapansin ang mga nangyayari.

HAHAHA baliw na siguro ako para maniwala sa sinasabi nilang reincarnation..pero kahit itanggi ko sa sarili ko ay hindi ko mapigilang tanggapin ang mga nalalaman ko!

"ano bang sinasabi niyo, mahal na prinsesa. Ngayon ko lang po kayo nakilala at wala akong alam sa mga ipinupunto niyo" yukong-yuko ang ulo niya ngunit alam kong kinakabahan siya. But she already told the truth.

Naalala ko ang panaginip na lagi ko napapanaginipan gabi gabi. Yun ang nagkumpirma sa kutob ko.

......

"Zaffira, napakaganda mo talaga! Sigurado ako na kapag makita ng prinsipe ang iyong kagandahan, agad siyang mahuhumaling sa iyo! Napakaswerte ng prinsipe na mapakasalan ang aking anak, na pinakamaganda sa kanilang lahat!" Zaffira's mother exclaimed, while gently combing her daughter's waist-length hair.

Nasa ikalabing-walo na ang dalaga at kinabukasan nito ay magaganap ang isang pinakamalaking pagdiriwang sa buong Tennessee para opisyal na ipakilala siya bilang papakasalan ng magiting na prinsipe, na siyang hinahangaan at pinagmamalaki ng mga tao. The event would mark the most grandeur and awaited event in the whole Tennessee as two figured prince and princess who garnered adoration and reverence from the people will be betrothed with the divine blessings from the deity.

......

Those dreams reinforced my suspicions.

Who is that girl? Who is the woman combing the child? Ngunit hindi ko na kailangan tanungin ang sarili dahil malinaw naman sa panaginip ko ang mukha nila. sadyang ayaw ko lang talaga tanggapin. Mag pagkakahawig sila kaya halatang mag-ina. Pero bakit kamukha ko ang dalaga? Sino ba talaga sila? Are they a part of my life? Relative or what? or that scene itself is really once of my past?

"Sigurado ka ba? Paano kung may alam ako pero ikaw ay nagsisinungaling parin sakin?" Panakot ko sa kanya kasi nadulas na nga ang dila niya na hindi pa yata niya napagtatanto eh ayaw pa aminin.

"Pero hindi mo dapat malaman sa akin! Malalagot ako sa prinsipe kapag nagsalita akong wala siyang permisyo."

Ngumisi ako. Huli ka na!

Hindi ko na kailangang hintayin na kusa nilang sabihin sakin ang mga nangyayari. Ako na mismo ang tutuklas.

"ganon ba." Maikling sagot ko at naupo sa isang sofa. I waited until she let her guard down.

Napabuga siya ng hangin at naupo rin sa isang sofa. Nang mapansin kong hindi na siya ganon ka alerto sa pagbantay sa akin ay mabilis akong tumayo at tumakbo sa pintuan. And lucky me, hindi naka-lock.

"mahal na prinsesa!" tanging sigaw niya lang at wala na siyang nagawa nang makalabas ako. wala na rin yung mga bantay kasi mukhang nagkagulo na rin dito sa loob.

Despite the loud noises and explosions outside, I bravely ran out without anyone noticing. They were all too busy fighting and keeping other enemies from entering the palace.

As I stepped outside, I was met with a hazy and intense atmosphere. People were fiercely battling their opponents, showing no signs of relenting.

But I stared at the crowd of people fighting, not far from where I was standing. I saw prince Akiro inside that bustling crowd, nakaluhod at nakayuko. From this posture, parang pagod na pagod siya. However, what shocked me even more was the sight of a man standing behind him, dressed in vibrant regal attire reminiscent of a king. A sinister grin adorned his face as his gaze fixated on Prince Akiro. To my astonishment, he pointed his sword directly at the prince's back, poised to strike at any moment.

Ang bilis ng mga nangyari, parang isang saglit lang ay bumalik ang kaluluwa ko sa nakaraan.

Ama. My Father.

My eyes blinked as I was dazzled by the glitter of the sword behind the prince. I blinked a few more times and trained my body as I felt my soul travel back to the past.

Now I remember everything!

When I was again dazzled by my father's sword as he raised it, ready to thrust his sword at the prince who had drowned and bent down as if he had failed, unaware of what was happening around him.

When the sword came close to Akiro I couldn't help but shout.

"Father! Stooop!" I almost shouted my lungs out.

Tears welled up in my eyes. People were also stunned to my scream.

While my father was looking at me habang nasa ere parin, ready to kill Akiro, who was also looking at me in shock.

My tears continued to flow and I slowly walked closer to them as the battle between two clans stop from a moment. The soldiers of Taraya stop to py respect on me and give way for me to walk freely towards my father and the prince.

"Don't!" Akiro yelled at me as I continued onstep, he's still resisting.

My knees trembled when my father look at me using his fierce eyes but with longingness.

"Zaffira. Anak ko!" I shed tears again.

"Zaffira! Stop right there! Don't come any closer!" Akiro shouted at me.

But I ignored him.

Sinubukan akong pigilan at harangan ng mga kawal ni Akiro, they are really a loyal soldier who only obey they prince words. But my father's soldier resist them.

Nakababa na rin ang espada ng aking ama, while Akiro regain his composure was about to take another step to stop me but he was caught by my father's two soldiers.

I was close but Akiro continued to insist on stopping me. Akiro is strong so he always gets away from the soldiers who stop him. But no matter how strong he is, he will still get tired sa dami nang pumipigil sa kanya.

Note: Inabot ako ng limang oras sa pag re-revise dito. Ang haba-haba, pero sana umabot pa kayo dito at hindi nabagot sa pagbabasa. Thank you!