chapter eleven;
unstable

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THIRD PERSON'S POV

Mildred, who went with Evienne to the Harbridge Mountain where the fox was in berserk mode trying to destroy everything it laid its eyes upon, was stunned and couldn't even take a step after arriving at the place.

She felt the ominous tension and the smell of blood and death in the air. She was used to this kind of thing, as she was a mage who fought monsters when she was young. However, she shivered because it was so different from all those experiences.

"T-This..." She couldn't even continue what she was saying as she glanced up at the enormous fox that was out of control. Dread spread all over her system.

If this monster isn't repressed in here, the land where the Second Prince's Palace and its neighbouring cities would perish.

Napalunok na lang siya sa naisip. It was the first time she saw such a huge berserk state of a beast. It wasn't normal. It wasn't something that they had already encountered. This was... going to destroy everything.

Kinabahan siya at literal na napaluhod sa lupa nang bigla na lang umungol nang malakas ang fox. Halos magdugo ang tainga niya sa tindi no'n at halos tumungo siya sa lupa dahil sa bigat ng hangin.

Too strong. This was too strong. The Second Prince might be put in danger.

Kaagad siyang nagsisi na dinala niya ang Celeste sa lugar na 'to, dahil malalagay lang siya sa panganib. Pero ang tanging nasa isip niya lang kanina ay ang kaligtasan ng ikalawang Prinsepe kaya isinama niya ang Celeste.

Even though she was struggling to even lift a finger from the intense pressure, she managed to tilt her head to see where the Celeste was, and her mouth almost hung open to see how she was still standing tall like no gravity was pulling her down. She wasn't affected by the heavy air.

She couldn't believe it. She was a master-levelled mage; she wasn't weak. And she knew that even if she was a Celeste, her power wasn't as strong as the Prince's mother, the dead Queen. So, one way or another, she would bow down and be put in danger.

Gusto sanang tawagin ni Mildred si Evienne para bigyan ng babala, o hindi kaya'y itakas muli, mula sa lugar na 'to. Alam niyang magagalit ang Prinsipe sa ginawa niyang padadala sa dalaga rito.

Pero hindi na niya nagawang tawagin ito nang mabilis 'yong tumakbo sa patungo sa isang lugar. Mildred's gaze followed where Evienne was going, and goosebumps felt all over her body when she saw the Second Prince fighting the fox alone.

The violet light was gleaming brightly, but... she knew that eerie feeling in the air. It was the feeling of the Abyss getting out of control. She knew that well like the back of her hand. She had always attended and watched the Second Prince suffer from that Abyss.

She gritted her teeth and closed her fists; although it seemed like there was a huge rock weighing her body down, she still pushed herself to stand up. Hindi niya pwedeng pabayaan ang alaga.

He had been through so much suffering; she didn't want him to sacrifice himself like this.

She was well aware that the Second Prince was no match for the crazed fox monster.

It might be selfish of her, but she wished that the Celeste would do its best to help the Second Prince, and she would take that opportunity to escape with them using the magic portal.

She might be labelled as a traitor in the eyes of the Kingdom, but her loyalty only lies with the Second Prince. And she would gladly die and protect him. She lived a long life already anyway; she was glad it wouldn't be a waste.

Mildred managed to stand up, and she saw the appalling state of the mountain. Halos makalbo na 'to at napakaraming tubang puno, idagdag mo pa ang mga nagkalat na mga patay at sugatan na tao.

The knights, mages, and mercenaries were all wiped out. Her heart became heavy to witness the effect of the powerful enemy in front of them.

Mildred used her mana in hopes of going near where the Second Prince was fighting. But before she could do that, she stopped in her tracks because she felt a different power in the air.

"What... what is this?" All the hair in her nape stood up as the warm but massive energy filled the air.

That power was all over the place. Parang gustong makawala, pero hindi magawa. It was ranging, almost like the abyss—going out of control. However, unlike the Abyss that felt threatening, this one felt like it was getting excited to be used and out in the atmosphere.

"Celestia...?" Mildred couldn't help but murmur. It was bizarre. "How could a celestia be like this?" Celestia was powerful, she knew that... but this one almost felt like an Abyss, an Abyss that wasn't going to cause pain but greatness.

Napaatras sa kinatatayuan niya si Mildred.

I cannot interfere in this. She knew it entirely in the back of her mind. What would happen tonight would only stay in this place.

Napabuntonghininga siya. Hindi niya alam kung tama ang desisyon niya ngayon. She just trusted her instinct. Nagsimula siyang kumilos, isinara niya ang mga mata at ginamit ang mana niya.

When she opened her eyes, she saw those who needed healing and help. Walang-alinlangan siyang lumapit do'n. At kaagad tinulungan ang mga knight at ginamot. She wasn't really a healer, but she was a skilled mage who could give some healing and help.

Habang ginagawa niya 'yon naramdaman niya ang Abyss ni Kallisto. She stopped what she was doing and stared in the direction where it was coming from. The fox was still on a rampage. However, there was suddenly hope in her heart.

The Abyss had always caused anxiety in her, but suddenly, it seemed so reliable. The Abyss that had always destroyed her master's heart and mind was becoming his salvation and power.

Lihim na napangiti si Mildred kahit delikado pa rin ang buong lugar. Hindi man niya kita, alam niyang masaya ang amo niya dahil sa unang pagkakataon makakalaban 'to gamit ang Abyss nang hindi nasasaktan, at nang walang inaalala.

She was thankful that she brought the Celeste with her.

And she suddenly envisioned the innocent doll-like face, who was always bubbly, smiling, and sincere.

How could a person change so much? It made her wonder, but it wasn't the time to think about that.

She knew her master and the Celeste were fighting the fox right now, so she needed to do her best to lessen the casualty. Kaagad niyang ginamot ang mga nakita niyang buhay pa at mga sugatan.

Mabilis din siyang gumawa ng portal kahit alam niyang mauubos at manghihina siya dahil malaki ang nawawalang mana sa kanya kapag ginagawa ang portal at pinapanatili 'yon sa matagal na oras.

She helped them to get out of the mountain using the portal. They were all too weak to speak, but their eyes were screaming gratitude.

Hindi tumigil si Mildred gawin ang bagay na 'yon, kahit minsan halos lumuhod na siya sa tindi ng tensyon at labanan na nagaganap sa kabilang banda ng lugar. It was such an intense battle, that even if she was a high-levelled mage, she would only be a hindrance and a burden, so she didn't dare intrude in their battle.

She could see Kallisto in the air maneuvering his Abyss expertly like he had been doing that all his life. She was so proud of him, but she was also worried that he might die from it. So, she cast a spell to protect him.

Napalingon saglit si Kallisto sa kanya nang maramadaman nito ang kapangyarihan ni Mildred. She smiled at him, and he looked worried for her, but he continued fighting.

The air was something extraordinary. No ordinary person could survive the intense aura clashing and the powers that were going at each other without hesitation. Even the breathing of those knights who have trained their bodies to withstand those kinds of pressure was having trouble breathing.

The fight continued for quite some time, and Mildred felt like she was running out of magic, but she continued saving people and transporting them away from this place.

Her legs gave in, and she heaved up and down. But she was glad that it was all finished.

Then she looked at the battlefield. She became confused with what was suddenly happening. Kaya naman kaagad siyang tumakbo papunta sa lugar na 'yon.

Natigilan siya nang makita si Kallisto na may hawak na puti at maliit na fox habang nakatitig sa isang dako. She followed where he was looking while being stoned on his spot, and she was jaw-dropped when she saw what was happening in front of his eyes.

Kallisto couldn't move; his feet were rooted on the ground. But his Abyss was felt tingly, like it was excited, but it was also stable and not causing him any pain. In fact, it even made him empowered.

The moment earlier lingered in his mind, on how the silver-haired and jewelled azure eyes woman landed in front of him after taking a massive blow from the fox. And how she suddenly gave him a beast.

The beast that he was currently holding was trying to escape from his arms and tried to run towards the Celeste, but he didn't let it escape from him.

"I promise..."

"I'll be back..."

The delicate, sincere, and hopeful voice echoed in his ears like music humming that everything was going to be okay.

He was enthralled. He couldn't believe that he was just watching what was happening now. He wanted to fight again, he wanted to take down the fox. He wanted it dead. But... remembering those glistening eyes... he just couldn't.

He watched her spread her wings.

"Haaa..." He couldn't help but sigh loudly as he messed with his hair while his other hand remained embracing Yule.

Those wings were genuinely breathtaking.

The way it protected him earlier. And the way she trembled inside his arms while closing her eyes tightly as he saw how those wings unfolded from her back and stopped the attack of the fox.

He felt so relieved but at the same time angry. What if the wings didn't stop that? The Celeste would be bloody and dying in his arms.

Just thinking of that made his blood boil in anger. He couldn't let her die. Not on his watch.

The glowing wings took the Celeste closer to the fox. He gritted his teeth in anticipation and nervousness. He wasn't exactly aware, but he was cheering for her deep inside.

"Damn it." Napaabante siya ng isa nang biglang tumilapon si Evienne sa lakas ng pwesa no'ng fox.

Mildred watched her master let out his emotions freely. She was speechless to see that he was worried about someone.

Evienne still didn't back down, and it made Kallisto's stomach churn in dread. He wanted to fly there and do what Evienne wanted to do. But, there was a feeling that if he did, then everything would spiral down into hell.

Further, he also wanted to see what the Celeste would do in this situation. And through her judgment and actions, he'd know if he could try trusting her or not.

"Trust me... just this once..." He remembered those words. And with a gripping heart and enclosed fists... he stopped himself from interfering.

Pigil hininga niyang pinanood ang lahat. Kung paano pinilit ni Evienne makalapit sa fox kahit halos tumalbog na siya sa lakas ng pwersa no'n. He couldn't see the cuts that were grazing her body, but he knew that she was in pain, as his abyss was reacting violently.

"Nyaaa..." He heard the little groan of the white fox that he was holding. He lowered his gaze on it, and he saw that it was looking at Evienne in worry. One of its limbs was even stretching out like it wanted to go to Evienne.

Kallisto felt an incoming headache because of the situation, but he ignored it and stared back at the intense fight that he was witnessing. He was utterly aware that the fox that Evienne was facing wasn't ordinary.

It killed and incapacitated a lot of his knights and forces, and those people's strength and power weren't to be joked with. So, seeing how Evienne was holding out on her own, he realized how powerful Celestes were.

Damn.

He gritted as he felt a different chill in the air. It wasn't as menacing and heavy as earlier. However, this one was more of his concern because it was something that he wasn't familiar with.

It felt so deep, mysterious, and calm.

Something so soothing but dangerous.

Something so peaceful but destructive.

Something so powerful but concealing.

It was like he was standing in the deep dark ocean, and once he turned around, he knew that a monster would open its eyes, and they would be face to face. It gave him shivers that travelled in his spine.

He keenly watched how Evienne finally got near to the fox's head as the wings on her back shined more brilliantly than before. The clouds that were covering the night sky slowly revealed the hiding moon as its light dazzled upon her.

It was a dramatic moment.

Like an angel was sent down from heaven. Like a fairy of the forest protecting its land.

The bright blue glowed in the whole place; Kallisto was reminded of the Celeste's eyes. Those eyes that always smiled and gazed upon him with nothing but curiosity and sincerity.

How could a person... change this much?

It still baffled him so much. Nothing just made sense. Those bright eyes were murderous when he first stared at it. So what changed? What happened? His mind felt like collapsing from the confusion.

The silver hair flowed in the air as sparks of little glitters scattered.

Kitang-kita niya kung paano ipinatong ng Celeste ang noo nito sa noo ng fox. She even rubbed its fur, comforting the fox.

For Kallisto, what she was doing was perilous and reckless. But, looking at how he was holding a beast—something that was dangerous in his eyes—he knew he wasn't the one to speak.

His lips parted, while his midnight black hair was blown by the wind slightly when he saw that the fox that was raging suddenly felt unthreatening and docile. He slowly glanced at Mildred, and he could observe how shocked she was.

The two of them couldn't believe what was happening currently.

The blood-red eyes that were full of ire became bright red that seemed to lose their vigour.

Then it became soft green. And all the feelings of danger were suddenly gone in the atmosphere.

Kallisto staggered to walk towards where Evienne was. The huge fox became so small. Hindi niya alam ang mararamdaman nang pagkakataong makita niya ang fox na nakahiga sa damuhan malapit sa waterfalls.

It appeared so innocent compared to what they were fighting earlier.

He stepped towards the orange fox and Evienne unhurriedly while carrying Yule, who wanted to run towards them. He couldn't take his violet eyes off the silver-haired woman who slowly took the fox in her arms.

Then she turned towards him.

She smiled.

Her jewel eyes smiled.

That was the first thing she did when she saw him.

It made him stop in his tracks.

Who?

It was the only thing going on inside his head. The woman he first saw that slaughtered his knights was gradually fading in his eyes, and all he could see was the woman with wings and a smile on her face.

The wind blew, and Kallisto's eyes never left the woman's gaze.

It was a breathtaking view.

Something one could never witness in their whole life. But he did. He saw everything. The brilliance was brighter than the sun and the moon combined.

The Celeste walked towards him, but he noticed the change in her expression.

She's hurt... she's in pain...

He was certain. Because he was an expert in that kind of face. Hiding his pain from those who cared for him because he didn't want their pity and sympathy.

Kallisto didn't feel pity for her. Instead, he felt confused but also thankful.

Kitang-kita nito kung paano muntik nang matumba ang babae, kaya naman humakbang kaagad siya papalapit dito. He caught her in his arms. His gaze slightly lowered when he saw how the silver-haired woman was concerned about the fox that she was holding rather than herself.

His teeth gritted in unexplainable irritation.

Couldn't she see that she was more of a mess than the fox?

Pero sa huli napailing na lang si Kallisto. Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala sa lahat nang nangyari. Parang panaginip ang lahat. Parang ginawa lang ng utak niya. He even suspected that they might be under some kind of illusion, but he knew it wasn't the case.

"How did you...?" Hindi na rin naituloy ni Kallisto ang gusto niyang sabihin dahil kita niya kung paanong nanghihina ang Celeste sa bisig niya. He held her tighter but he made sure that none of the beasts that they were holding would be squeezed.

"I'm back..."

It was only those words that she uttered but it felt so impactful.

Nagpakawala siya nang mahinang tawa dahil do'n. He couldn't believe that it was the first thing that she told him.

What a twisted woman.

Well, she really did fulfill her promise earlier.

"Hey... who... just who are you?"

He really didn't mean to voice out that question, but it just escaped. That was the only thing he could think of, aside from wondering about the beasts.

"E-Eve..."

Natigilan siya nang marinig ang boses ng dalaga. That voice was so happy and relieved.

"Evienne Soleil..."

"That's my name..."

He didn't know but hearing that name made him feel comforted.

He liked that name better.

He liked her delicate jewelled blue eyes better.

He liked what she did earlier better.

He liked that she was so different from how he met her first.

"Please stay... this way..." he whispered with the wind as it enveloped the two of them in the radiance of the moonlight.

However, that peaceful feeling and relief suddenly vanished when she suddenly coughed blood.

Kallisto's eyes widened as he didn't know what to do for the first time in his life. Nataranta siya pero hindi magawang kumilos sa kinatatayuan. He held Evienne in his arms tightly as she lost consciousness.

"Evienne?" The name rolled out from his lips softly than he could imagine.

But he was alarmed at the current situation.

He supported Evienne's body, and the fox he was holding went to Evienne as it moaned like it was crying because it felt like she was dying. Bumigat ang pakiramdam ni Kallisto sa pagkakataong 'yon.

He was fortunate that Mildred came in and took the unconscious orange fox and the white fox that was worried for Evienne. Without saying anything, Mildred opened a portal—she knew that the situation was urgent.

Tumango kaagad si Kallisto sa kanya, at saka mabilis na binuhat si Evienne. He held her carefully but tightly. His heart was hammering in his chest in nervousness, as his Abyss suddenly felt like it had suddenly disappeared from him.

He didn't feel its presence nor the pain that it brought. He became more perturbed because Evienne's Celestia felt so weak.

Mabilis siyang pumasok sa portal at kaagad silang lumabas sa loob ng kwarto niya.

"Call my doctor and priest." Nagulat si Mildred sa sinabi ng Prinsipe. He asked for his most loyal people for the Celeste... but she didn't dare to argue, as she felt like that decision was the best and the right one.

She felt worried for the Celeste, too.

Ibinababa ni Kallisto si Evienne sa kama niya nang puno ng pag-aalala. Even when unconscious, her face was twitching because of the pain. Kinuha niya rin kaagad ang dalawang fox na hawak ni Mildred at inilagay rin 'yon sa kama niya.

Mildred went out to obey his orders, and when they were alone in the room, he suddenly felt frustrated.

Napaupo siya sa tabi ng kama at napahilamos sa sariling mukha. He glanced at the Evienne and saw her ragged breathing and how the white fox sat beside her as his little paw seemed to hold her hand while it was purring like it was saying something to her.

The unconscious orange fox was a little bigger than the white fox, but it seemed to be hurt, too. He saw its bleeding one-tail, and he knew it was because of what he had done earlier. Mas bumigat ang paghinga niya dahil do'n.

Tingnan niya ang mukha ni Evienne, at napabuntonghininga siya. His hand slowly went to her face, and he wiped the stain of blood on the edge of her lips. He saw how there were a lot of cuts and graze on her flawless and fair skin.

"Haaaa..." he sighed heavily. Was this woman really a Celeste? He couldn't help but wonder. No Celeste would do what she did.

He looked at the foxes near her. No Celeste would even think that beasts could be this tamed around people.

Habang patagal nang patagal na nakikilala niya ang dalaga, mas lalo lang 'tong nagiging misteryoso sa paningin niya.

Another twitch in her face made him panic. Kaagad siyang napatayo sa kinauupuan. Pakiramdam niya napakatagal ni Mildred pero halos ilang minuto pa lang naman ang lumipas.

Napaisip na lang si Kallisto habang nakatitig sa Celeste.

Could it be possible that she was feeling a pain similar to the one he was feeling because of the Abyss? Was Celestia capable of making a Celeste feel that way?

It was such a reach thinking, but there was no harm to try out something for her. He couldn't let her die. There was no way—especially now that he finally felt what it was like living without pain. It might be selfish... but for someone who lived his life in hell, it was his only haven.

She might be an enemy first... but now she wasn't.

He concentrated and let his Abyss flow. The abyss that he thought that vanished earlier reacted like it was woken up from a slumber. And with his command, it went to Evienne without hesitation.

The look of pain slowly subsided from her face, and he felt like he could finally breathe.

The Abyss, in the form of a small fox, was now resting beside her.

Her ragged breathing became more stable than earlier. The white fox kept patting the Celeste's hand like it was his way of comforting it.

How could a beast act like this? he thought.

The white fox was far from a beast the way it was behaving. But somehow, it suited the whole situation, and it even seemed to complete a puzzle piece— that was the mysterious Evienne.

Kallisto watched and guarded the three foxes that were on his bed and the silver-haired woman.

But then, he snapped his fingers to turn them invisible. They remained visible in his eyes, though. He didn't want the doctor and the priest to be startled by it, and he didn't want anyone to know about it. It might suddenly became a huge issue.

Ilang saglit pa, may bumukas na portal sa kwarto at lumabas mula ro'n si Mildred at ang dalawang lalaki na may edad na. The two older men were surprised to see the Second Prince's state, and worry immediately crossed their faces.

Pupunta na sana ang dalawa para tingnan ang kalagayan ni Kallisto at gamutin ito pero sa isang tingin lang nito ay natigilan ang dalawang matanda. Kallisto's eyes travelled to the lady who was lying on his bed.

The two elder's eyes widened, and they were rooted on their spot with disbelief.

"Treat her. Make sure she's unscathed after you heal her, and make sure there's nothing wrong with her," he ordered with such a fearful aura that everyone in the room shivered, and even Yule, who was invisible, flinched a little.

"B-But we cannot treat anyone other than His Highness..." the priest feared for his life when he stated the rule. He was a priest for the Royal Family's Descendant. Other than their blood, they weren't allowed to heal anyone.

Tumalas ang paningin ni Kallisto sa matanda.

"Are you saying that you'd face your punishment for disobeying my words?"

"Your Highness..." halos mangiyak-ngiyak na imik nito.

"That woman is my wife and my Celeste. You are not treating her for her sake, but for me." Nanlaki ang mga mata ng dalawang matanda sa narinig.

Kallisto knew how stubborn these two loyal people could get, so he revealed the truth to them. It wasn't a secret, but it wasn't also something that he wanted to get known.

Kaagad sumunod ang dalawa sa sinabi ni Kallisto at mabilis ginawa ang makakaya nila para dito. He saw how the white fox watched everything with curiosity but also wariness. It was ready to bare its fangs if they did one wrong thing to hurt Evienne.

He sighed. Such a peculiar fox—no, beast.

Napaupo na lang siya sa isang upuan sa kwarto niya at hinayaan ang dalawang matanda na gawin ang trabaho nila.

Mildred also politely went near Kallisto. He looked up and wanted to dismiss her, but she suddenly told him that she wanted to heal him.

"No," he shook his head. "You've already exhausted your mana; you should rest, too."

She shook her head, and Kallisto glared at her authoritatively. "Forgive me, Your Highness." In the end, she couldn't heal Kallisto, who was also hurt.

Instead, she went out of the room to instruct people on what to do with the injured and not fully healed survivors and the situation in the Harbridge mountain. She sighed. The fight might be over, but the real battle was only starting.

There were a lot of cover. And one of those was to solve why the child fox suddenly berserk out of nowhere and how Celeste managed to tame it.

Napahilot na lang si Mildred sa sintido dahil sa sakit ng ulo, pero kahit gano'n ay napanatag siya.

The Celeste... there was more to her than being just a pain reliever for her master—no, from now on, she knew that the lady would also become her master.

Especially with how Kallisto acted.

Back in the room of the Second Prince, the two elders were having trouble rectifying the woman's condition. They were both shocked when they examined her using their mana and powers.

Her condition was unstable. Although her face seemed to be free of pain, her insides were a mess.

Broken bones, cut skin, ruptured organs, and a plate that was slowly breaking.

"Y-Your Highness," naalarmang imik ng doctor. "Forgive my question, but are you using the Abyss to somehow help and alleviate her condition?" magalang na dagdag nito.

Kallisto closed his eyes and nodded.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ng doktor. It was the only thing that was keeping the plate intact.

"How's her condition?" he asked that while looking at the Celeste, who seemed peaceful, but he knew she was a mess deep inside. He could feel his Abyss holding onto something so unstable.

Napapikit ang doktor hindi alam ang unang sasabihin, pero huli walang nagawa kung hindi ibalita rito ang katotohanan.

"Fuck..." Kallisto cursed under his breath.

"Do whatever you can. You need to save her," gigil na banggit nito.

Shivers went up to the doctor's spine, and the priest who was healing Evienne's outside injuries trembled in fear as they saw how the Abyss's violet aura rose in his body. Kaagad silang napatangong dalawa kahit pinagpapawisan na ang mga noo.

Kallisto felt helpless and regretful.

If he only interfered, would the result change?

Damn. He knew that it wasn't time to ponder with it, but he was conflicted. His fists formed into a ball, and he closed his eyes tightly as the heavy feeling on his chest dawned on him like a storm that started to pour.

"Evienne..." he whispered her name, hoping that she'd finally open her jewel blue eyes again with a smile on her face... but of course, it was wishful thinking—it didn't happen.

And the only thing that he could do was make sure that his Abyss would not let her plate break.

The priest and the doctor wanted to get help because they couldn't handle it. So, he let them do that.

He sat on the edge of the bed again when they left. And he removed the invisibility on the three foxes.

Yule went closer to him and sat in front of him as he pointed his paw on the unconscious Evienne while creating noises looking at him. It seemed to be asking something, and Kallisto pressed his lips together as he couldn't answer it.

"She'll be fine..." he murmured while looking at Yule. His answer wasn't for the fox, but it was for his own comfort.

"She'll be fine..." he repeated as if hypnotizing himself, although he knew better that she wouldn't be fine at the moment.

And all he could do right now was to stare at her hopelessly as he reached for her hand, holding it delicately.

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