Cedrick
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Napatingala si Callum matapos magputukan ang lupa na nagpalipad sa ibang kasama niya. Nakita niya ang paggunaw ng napakalawak na lupain at mula sa ilalim nito ay ang kulay berde na apoy, sumisimbolo sa isang masamang mahika.

He groaned as he supported himself up to save some people trapped inside the pit. Ngunit sa pagbangon ay isang madilim at sirang paligid ang nadatnan niya. It's shedding bloods here and there, and fogs that were supposed to be grayish white got a stain of red. It was war, indeed.

Napatiim bagang siya at naghihinang nilibot ang mga mata. The supposed to be peaceful war turned out destructive. Tila ba'y bumalik ang nakaraan.

Mabilis niyang winakli sa isipan niya ang masamang alaala atsaka nagsimula nang maglakad patungo kung saan naglalaban ang alpha at si Cartenia.

He gritted his teeth for the second time and proceeded but stopped when he realized something.

He's a beta, he is known to have a strong stamina and long distance sight. Pero bakit tila'y nawawala ito? His heart, it was beating so fast as if something was wrong but he couldn't ascertain what it was.

And a stone hit his head. Mabilis siyang napalingon sa huling dinaanan ni Aldeheid nang lumabas ito kasama ang mga pinagkakatiwalaan niyang mga kaibigan. Ngunit sa oras na iyon ay saka naman ang pagtama ng mahika ni Cartenia sa bahagi niya.

Mabilis niyang hinanap ang pinaroroonan nila Aldeheid. He tried to look as far as possible only by his hybrid ability but he couldn't locate them. Napaubo siya bigla nang may usok na pumasok sa ilong niya.

His eyes widened. He knew that scent, and he couldn't be wrong. Kasi bukod sa ilang taong paninirahan niya sa poder ni Cartenia ay ang kaalaman niya naman sa mahika. Although nutmeg is not made of magic but its effect itself.

Mabilis niyang tinakpan ang ilong at ginawa ang lahat upang makaalis sa lugar na iyon. He needs to get out of the smoke if he doesn't want to have hallucinations katulad sa mga hybrid na nadadaanan niya. On his way out, he managed to pull a child with him when he saw that she was still in her senses.

"Saan ang mga magulang mo?," he asked the child. Callum was in disbelief when she shook her head.

Wala siyang magawa kundi ilagay muna ito sa ligtas na lugar. And while doing that, he did not waste time and located his Alde as well.

Mabilis ang takbo niya habang karga ang bata sa likod. He could not help but stare at the moon. Hindi niya man lang namalayan na mabilis pala lumipas ang oras at gabi na. Kanina, nang magkaharap sila ni Cartenia ay hindi niya naiwasan ang magalit at nais na pumatay. If it was not because of Harrison, mas napaaga siguro ang digmaan.

He could still remember what Cartenia told him that made him start the war: "With your betrayal, I will bring back what you did. The loss, the pain, and suffer. This day shall not end until I find what you treasured..." her appearance was not any near the mother he had known back then. Her long curled hair was almost white, her long unpleasant nails, and her painful curses. Callum could still not accept why this has to happen, when in fact, she was the reason behind all of it, her paranoia in specific.

She pushed her face towards Callum's and continued swearing, "...and do her what I failed to do with your Juliette."

Hindi niya kailanman noon inasahan ang nangyayare ngayon. He was just a little boy when he lost his biological parents, they were killed during the war in Avrieda, where he used to live back then. It was still raining blood when Cartenia found him. She named him Cedrick. Noon pa man ay alam niyang may taglay na itong sungit dahil sa mukha at pananalita nito, ngunit kahit ganun paman ay namumukod tangi parin ang kabaitan nito dahil sa tulong na lagi niyang binibigay sa ibang tao, mapa hybrid man o witches.

After sometime of staying with her ay nalaman niyang nawalan na pala ito ng anak at iyon ang dahilan kung bakit niya kinupkop lahat ng batang ulila. There were seven of them, and he was the fourth child she took and the most favorite. Dahil bukod sa magaling itong makihalubilo sa mga tao ay marunong rin itong mabuhay mag-isa, dahilan kung bakit sila nagkakilala ng alpha. And when Cartenia learned that Cedrick was the first friend of the future alpha, doon na nagsimulang nagkawatak-watak ang magkakapatid.

Callum never really know what happened with his siblings dahil basta-basta nalang ang mga ito nagpaalam. He could still remember Crowick's, the eldest and first adopted son, advice, "Si Mama ay hindi natin totoong magulang kaya wag ka sana sumunod sa kaniya palagi." It was subtle and confusing at first, but not until he finally knew what Crowick meant when he witnessed how Cartenia almost killed Rosalia, Crowick and Dorothy's daughter.

Gladly, he was able to save the family, pero yun rin ang simula kung bakit nagkaroon ng init sa pagitan nilang dalawa ni Cartenia.

At marami pa ang dumaan na masamang sinapit sa kaniyang mga tinuturing na kapatid, lahat ng iyon ay sinapit nila sa kamay ng kanilang tinuring na ina.

"Why do you keep on hindering the happiness of your children? Takot ka bang maiwan?!" he remembered asking that to Cartenia, without response he immediately knew the answer.

Lahat parin pala ay konektado sa pangungulila niya sa namatay niyang anak. Callum swore he could adjust, kailangan niya lang manatili sa tabi nito dahil alam niyang malaki ang utang na loob niya rito. Pero nagbago lahat iyon nang makilala niya si Juliette, ang itinakdang pares niya. Callum knew it would be difficult for him once Cartenia knew about his mate, kaya maingat niya lang itong itinago sa kaniya.

Until the day happened, at nalaman nalang niyang wala na siyang pares. It was agony for him. Masakit at sobrang sakit na naging dahilan kung bakit tuluyan nang nawala si Cartenia sa buhay niya. He loathed her, and swore that once he found love again, he will never let her touch that life ever again.

He felt rage with what he remembered. Mas bumilis ang takbo niya at nawalan na ng pakealam sa batang nasa likuran. He was too impulsive and cared less with anyone but his Alde.

Blood rushes in his eyes, he felt more powerful yet weak. Nanghihina dahil sa hindi malamang dahilan. He ignored other things and focused on the noises around him. The smoke was long gone but the darkness of the place suffocated his sight. Gayunpaman ay hindi nito nagawang takpan ang daan patungo sa isang mahinang liwanag, na lumalaki habang papalapit sila.

His strength gained little by little and he sensed that everyone was there, even Aldeheid. Ang hindi niya lang alam ay kaharap ng mga ito ang taong pilit niyang pinapalayo sa buhay niya.

He almost shrank in his position when he saw in the very first time, Aldeheid's awakened form. She was facing Cartenia, both of them were soaked with blood. The only difference is that Aldeheid was still standing while Cartenia was already on her knees, still attempting to fight back.

Sa gilid ng kaniyang mga mata ay ang mga nanghihinang kaibigan niya. Rios laying with his sword beside and Jarriet in Harrison's arm, na hula ni Callum ay naepektohan sa mahikang gamit ni Cartenia. Although the alpha was still standing, without any stain of blood, alam niyang hindi nito papatulan si Cartenia kahit paman siya ang pinakamalakas sa kanila na naroon. He also saw a glimpse of Adelaide on the far corner in his eyes, wearing her usual green cloak. Alam niya agad kung ano ang ginagawa nito, kaya bahagyang tinanguan niya nalang ito bilang pasalamat.

His stare went back to Aldeheid. Alam niyang wala nang oras upang isipin ito pero ba't tila nalilibogan siya sa nakikita?

Those thick thighs dripping with blood, finger claws as sharp as knife which he wants to feel it in his flesh, and damn those blood eyes that he couldn't stop staring. Wala sa sariling napalunok siya.

He immediately went back to his senses when he saw Cartenia raising her hands. Napagtanto niya agad ang gagawin nito ngunit bago pa man siya makagalaw ang nakita niya nalang ang kinilala niyang ina na duguan at sira-sira ang mukha. Despite that, he knew she was still breathing.

Mabilis niyang pinuntahan si Aldeheid nang makita niya ang purisigido nitong mukha. He doesn't know what happened and what is happening but he knows he has to stop Aldeheid from what she was about to do. He do love Cartenia dead but he can't let Aldeheid do that. Alam niyang wala na ito sa sarili lalo pa't pangalawang beses niya pa itong naranasan, at labis nalang ang pagkadismaya niya sa sarili kapag makita niya si Aldeheid na nagsisisi sa nagawa.

If there is someone who's going to end Cartenia, it should be him.

When he held Aldeheid, he was shocked when he saw her. Napakurap siya atsaka hinawakan ang mga pisnge nito. "Are you...really awake?," hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya. Kasi una sa lahat, paanong kontrolado ito?

A faint smile escaped from her face, "I knew you weren't dead." she whispered before they both snapped their heads towards Cartenia when she spoke.

"Y-you! No one in this town will ever live! I will leave no one but bones and skulls!" she managed to scream despite her weak appearance.

"Evil never succeeds. And I am not afraid to kill you even if it means not able to meet my mom in heaven." Aldeheid answered bravely and readied herself.

Cartenia coughed blood as she tried to support herself but halted when she saw someone familiar. It was as if hope returned.

"My baby!" she smiled and spread her arms for the young girl Callum brought.

But the girl did not even move a little nor showed emotions. She only stared at Cartenia for so long even after Cartenia called her for the third time.

"Come here. Aren't you gonna help your mummy from these monsters?," she pleaded, her voice contrasted her real attitude. Napakunot noo naman si Callum doon.

The girl answered no. Naglaho bigla ang mga ngiti sa mukha ni Cartenia at napalitan ng pagkainis na may bahid na kalituan. "You won't? Then, at least make yourself useful and tell them what you saw! Tell them their deaths and the future of Malcolm!"

Bumuo naman ang buhakhak nito sa kapaligiran, isang nakakatindig balahibong buhakhak na humalo sa malamig na hangin sa paligid.

Callum couldn't help but stare at the little girl he almost forgot. Napatitig siya at napagtantong may kakayahan ito kagaya ni Claudette. This young girl is gifted and powers like she has should be taken care. Hindi niya alam kung paano ito nahanap ni Cartenia but it seemed like this girl is matured enough to let Cartenia use her.

"No." the girl asserted again. Unti-unti itong umatras habang panay iling nito sa ulo. Kung gaano man kalito si Callum ay mas naman si Cartenia dahil sa inaasal ng bata.

"No, no, no!" and cried, "I'm sorry, mama, but I lied! No hero is gonna die! No hero is going to leave! But the witch who started all of this!" the child cried, kneeling on the ground as if she had sinned. But the child was not as weak as Callum when he was young. The child was brave and independent, "Y-You are the monster, mama! You killed everyone and my mom! You are a monster!" she screamed with all conviction. She was mad and lonely, and Callum felt her.

Lahat sila ay nagulat sa sinigaw nito. Pati ang alpha na nasa likuran lang nila. Pinagmasdan ng mabuti ng alpha ang bata. Hindi niya ito kilala at kailanman hindi niya rin nakita. Posibleng galing ito sa ibang lungsod ngunit base sa nakikita nito ay hula niya na galing ito sa pamilya na gumagamit rin ng mahika. Napahinga ng malalim ang alpha bago sinuri ang amoy ng bata. At hindi siya nagkakamali, taglay nito ang malakas na mahika na maaaring magdala ng pinsala sa Malcolm.

The alpa's senses went back to Cartenia's pain. She could no longer walk and barely move after the girl's magic surrounded her. Mas mariin siyang napalunok sa nasaksihan. The child does not belong in Malcolm. Hindi dahil sa takot siya na baka ito ang makakaharap niya sa hinaharap, kundi dahil mas mapapakinabangan ito sa kapatid ni Rios.

The magic circled Cartenia's whole. It created sting in her flesh, it was still weak but due to Cartenia's fragile body and the child's deadly magic, it made a burning pain in her skin.

Mariin ang tili at mura ni Cartenia. Paulit ulit lang siyang tinutusok sa mahika nito, at kasabay nun ay ang iyak ng bata. She was already speaking a language witches can only understand. Her words flared Cartenia but Cartenia couldn't do anything but scream. Hanggang nagtaas na ito ng mga kamay para tapusin ang ina pero bago iyon ay naunahan na ito ni Adelaide.

"Witches don't kill lives." aniya niya sa bata na nahinto at natahimik sa nasaksihang pagkawala ng hininga ni Cartenia. The girl knows she wasn't the who did that, because she knows she could never do such powerful thing without lifting a hand.

Hawak hawak ni Adelaide ang isang bote kung saan hinihigop doon ang mga nakaw na mahika ni Cartenia. Hanggang sa natapos ay saka siya ulit humarap sa bata, sa likod nito ay sina Callum na may bahid na inis sa mukha.

Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay bago ito nagsalita, "I wanted to kill her myself, you know." sabay inismiran silang dalawa sa bata. Natawa naman si Aldeheid doon bago ito yinakap.

Adelaide no longer hold her attention to them and diverted it to the child.

"Ano pangalan mo?," utos niya.

Napakurap ang bata, halatang may malaking takot sa kaniya. She hesitated at first pero mas namuo ang takot niya kay Adelaide, "L-Lia." she murmured and suddenly a tear crawled out of her eye.

Marahan itong pinunasan ni Adelaide bago kinarga, "You're Ophelia now." aniya na para bang alam niyang sa huli ay sa poder niya pa rin ito mananatili.

The alpha saw that and he did not like it. But he also could not help but protect the child at all costs kaya mas mabuti sigurong kay Adelaide muna ito mananatili. Because after all, the child is no different from the most wicked he knows.

They all slowly turn back to see the whole town of Malcolm. Good thing that the war did not cost too much damage to Malcolm like it did before. A little part of Malcolm was actually destroyed but at least most of the part was still alive. It was still Malcolm, but a little grim and scary. The same surroundings but different feelings, kasi ngayon ay alam nila na hindi na ulit iyon mangyayare pa.

"So, you're real name is Cedrick?" rinig nilang tanong ni Aldeheid habang naglalakad pabalik ng sentro.

Jarriet, who passed out a while ago laughed, and Callum groaned.

"No. My real name's Callum. Cedrick is the name Cartenia made for me." napatango si Aldeheid.

"But what's your surname?" taka niya.

"Clemente. I'm Callum Clemente." he answered before he saw her smiles.

Magsasalita pa sana si Callum kaso napantig ang tenga nilang lahat nang may magmura.

"Putangina niyo! Tulungan niyo kaya ako dito?! Parang hindi ako yung naghirap kanina bago kayo dumating, stealers!" nag-uusok ang ilong nitong sigaw bago namuo ng buhakhak ang paligid.

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nyariina