Kabanata 34.

Ikatlong Persona

Mula sa isang lugar kung saan ay nakikita lamang ng mga taong nais magkaroon ng payapang pamumuhay, lugar na hahanap sa'yo kung ikaw ay nawawalan ng landas sa buhay, lugar na buong akala nila'y matagal nang namatay.

Sa isang matayog at malaking palasyo, sa loob nito'y nakaupo ang pinakamakapangyarihang hari. Nakatitig lang ito sa kawalan habang pinagmamasdan ang imahe ng dalagang walang ganang nakikinig sa itinuturo ng isang matanda.

Ilang taon na niya itong binabantayan at pinoprotektahan, ngunit wala siyang lakas ng loob upang magpakita rito. Kontento na siyang pagmasdan ito sa malayo.

"Your Majesty, the Knight Princes are here." Napaayos ito ng upo. Sa isang pagkumpas ng kamay niya'y nawala sa kawalan ang imahe ng dalagang pinagmamasdan niya.

"Let them enter." he commanded.

Pagdaan ng ilang segundo'y dumating ang apat na binata. Nakapormal na kasuotan ang mga ito na sumisimbulo sa kanilang mga tribu. Sabay na yumuko ang mga ito't iniluhod ang kanilang kanang tuhod upang magbigay galang rito.

"Greetings, from the Spirit Tribe's Knight Prince, Your Majesty." ani nito sabay lagay ng kanang braso sa dib-dib bago tumayo.

"Greetings, from the Dragon Tribe's Knight Prince, Your Majesty." Inangat naman nito ang magkabilang kamay at pinagdikit ang hintuturong daliri na nagmistulang simbulo ng pak-pak bago tumayo.

"Greetings from the Siren Tribe's Knight Prince, Your Majesty." Binuksan nito ang kaliwang palad at pinatong ang nakakuyom nitong kamao dito bago tumayo.

"Greetings from the Zodiac Tribe's Knight Prince, Your Majesty." Pinagdikit nito ang magkabilang hinlalaki at hintuturo't pinorma itong tatsulok bago humayo mula sa pagkakaluhod.

These are the Knight Princes. The prince of each tribe in the Lost Continent, and the knight of the princess. They exist for a purpose to protect her. Their duty will only end if they die, and for as long as they are living, they shall protect her with all their lives.

"What brings you here, Knights?" Unang nagsalita ay ang prinsipe mula sa tribu ng mga dragon.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty, for I have sinned. I altered your daughter's memory." The king remained silent, but a smile was visible in his lips. He must be angry but he's smiling instead.

"I admit my mistake." dag-dag nito.

"As long as you didn't harm her, you are forgiven. Just make sure to protect her against the Black Rose." kalmado nitong wika.

Next to talk is the Siren Tribe's Knight Prince. "The witches and warlocks responsible are all dead, as well as their last descendants. There is only one left, and she's one of us." The king nods his head. Only by killing them will lift the curse, well, that's what they believe.

"That's great. Now she will be the one to kill herself if she will know who she truly is." walang emosyong nitong pahayag.

"Dannilo Niccolo Fiery is responsible for erasing the memories of the people who know your existence, Your Majesty." the Spirit Tribe's Knight Prince said.

"Dannilo Niccolo Fiery..." he trailed. Memories surged through his mind just by hearing his name.

"Maybe I should thank him someday. He saved my daughter after all." He murmured, smiling. But no, his smiles are wicked.

"Anything you wanted to say, Arden?" The Zodiac Tribe's Knight Prince smiled.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I'm just beside her, keeping an eye on her," he paused and tilt his head.

"All I can inform you is that, they thought our princess was the Fire Tribe's princess. The queen and king lied, and she had no idea about it." The king smirk. In a swift movement of his hand, an image imerged  in the air.

They can see her. She's inside an old room, facing a portrait of a woman with the same hair and eyes as her.

"Sooner or later, she will know about it. It's about time for the second flower to bloom." he whispered as they watch her trace the letter written in the frame.

"Faxara..."he whispered, pain crossed his eyes.

"They are messing with the wrong princess, wrong king, and wrong continent." madiin na wika nga prinsipe mula sa Zodiac Tribe.

"They sure did." maikling komento ng prinsipe mula sa Dragon Tribe.

"If they thought claiming her as their own would make them safe, then they better think again," The four of them glanced at the king. "Letting her step in their territory is like digging their own grave, and she will be the one to push them in there." Once again, the king's lips are twitched into a smile.

"Dannilo knows everything but he chose to remain silent." Spirit Tribe's prince muttered.

"Someone will break that silence, and when that time comes, he will realize how coward he is." usal ng prinsipe mula sa Siren Tribe.

"If there is no breaking, there is no making." ani ng hari.

"If you have nothing else to inform me, you may take your leave," The four of them noded and bowed their heads in unison. "And don't forget your missions." he reminded.

"Farewell, Your Majesty." Sabay na naglakad ang mga ito palabas ng Throne Hall.

The king gritted his teeth and balled his fist when he saw an image of them hugging her. That should be him and his queen, but they killed her.

Little did they know, that the Lost Continent is the home of Lost Souls. Little did they know that every Empire has an Emperor, and Elysian Empire's Emperor is the ruler of the hidden continent.

Sa kabilang banda, bagot na bagot na nakangiwi si Flare habang nakaupo sa damuhan ng napakalawak na hardin ng palasyo. Nasa ilalim siya ng puno't nakasandal ang likod niya rito. Tinitigan niya lang ang araw na papalubog na. Wala ng mas nakakabagot pang pangyayari sa buhay niya kun'di ang manatili sa palasyo't mag-aral ng tamang asal at pag-uugali bilang maharlika.

Why can't they just let her be herself? She's fine the way she is. Bakit kailangan niya pang malaman kung paano dapat kumilos ang myembro ng kanilang pamilya. She's not the prim and proper type, they knew that. Tumayo ito't akmang aalis na nang may magsalita mula sa likuran niya.

"Ate?" She look back and she saw Freed. Her younger brother, just six years younger than her.

He has this usual playful smile on his lips. She stilled when he hugged her waist. Never in her life had she been hugged my a child of his age. Well, he's not really a child since he's eleven years old.

"Why are you here alone?" he asked softly, nuzzling his face in her stomach. Unknowingly, she stroke his hair gently.

"Bakit ka narito? Hindi ba dapat nasa loob ka na ng kwarto mo? Papagalitan ka na naman dahil ang tigas ng ulo mo." He shook his head and she heard him sobbed. Napatigil ito sa paghimas ng buhok niya.

"Ate, ayaw ko na po. I'm tired of being alone in my room. I hate myself for being a sick boy," She hugged him back. Freed is indeed someone who easily gets sick. Kaya halos lahat ay ipinagbabawal sa kaniya't hindi ito pinapalabas ng kuwarto.

"I can't have friends and play with them, cause my body can't cope up. I hate the idea of being home-schooled. I can't even use my ability and element because my body won't be able to take it. I hate myself because I'm so weak." Muntik na ito mapaluhod kaya inalalayan niya na lang itong makaupo. Now she's sitting on the ground while he's still hugging her in her waist.

"Being weak is fine." she whispered, caressing his back.

"But being too weak is considered useless." he countered back. She held his shoulders and forced him to face her.

"Listen, Freed. Being strong is not base on physicality. You are strong mentally and spiritually, or else you won't be able to live until now." He just stared at her. Napatigil din ito sa pag-iyak.

She's not doing anything, but he can feel the heat of her energy. Nag-uumapaw ito sa lakas at ramdam na ramdam niya 'yon. He never felt such a disturbing aura of a mage before. She's strong, no, too strong.

"Your family is here for you. I am here for you. You are not alone." Somehow, Freed felt someone touched his heart. He hugged her again, but this time he's smiling from ear to ear.

When he discovered the truth that he had an older sister, he thought he'll never get along with her, but he was wrong. Kapag nagkakatagpo ang landas nila sa pasilyo ng palasyo, ngingitian siya nito. Kapag kumakain na'y kusa niyang lalagyan ng tubig ang baso nito't paglalagyan siya ng kanin kahit hindi niya man inutos.

"It's getting dark. Come on, let's go inside." She wipe his tears and helped him stood up.

"How did you managed to get in here, sister?" nagtatakang wika ng nito.

Right. This huge garden is a maze. The tree where she's sitting is located at the middle part of the maze. Judging from the time and days she spent here, she never could've reach it without getting lost.

"Oh, I have a great sense of direction." sagot nito. She held his hand and guided him to walk.

"This maze is full of traps and confusing traces. You are amazing." Kulang na lang ay pumalakpak ito sa pagpupuri sa kaniya. Oo nga't maraming mga patibong dito, pero madali lang naman itong kalkulahin.

She's that kind of woman. She will calculate everything before doing something. Sure, this huge maze is full of traps, but no matter how random those traps are, she can always find a pattern to escape them.

"No biggie. For sure you already memorized this maze more than me." He shook his head repeatedly.

"Eleven years and I still find myself lost in this maze." She chuckled when he pouted.

"Who made this by the way?" naitanong niya. The mazes are made of tall wall like bushes, but in a mysterious way, they are full of red roses.

"Oh, mom said our dear ol' Aunt made this maze." Saglit na napakunot ang noo ng dalaga. They have an Aunt? How come the queen never mentioned about her?

"Great. She must be really smart." komento na lang nito.

Nagdaan ang ilang minuto'y nakalabas sila sa hardin. Freed's hand is clasp with his older sister's left hand. Nang matanaw sila ng mga kawal ay mabilis na nagsiyukuan ang mga ito upang magbigay ng galang.

Pagpasok nila sa loob ng palasyo'y naabutan nilang nagkakagulo ang tagabantay ng prinsipe. The palace maids are all over the place, panicking as if their lives depends on it. And when their eyes landed on the prince she's holding, they look relief. Kung titingnan mo ang hitsura nila'y halos hindi sila magkanda-ugaga kakahanap dito.

"Prince Freed, you got us worried." Akmang lalapit na ito sa kanila nang minuwestra ng dalaga ang kamay niya, senyales na huminto sila sa kanilang kinatatayuan.

"I sill take him to his room." Napatango na lang ang mga ito. Sila man ang tagabantay sa prinsipe, kailangan pa rin nilang sunding ang utos ng mas nakakataas sa kanila.

"Sa labas ng kuwarto mo naroon ang mga kawal at tagabantay mo, kaya paano ka nakatakas?" tanong nito. Freed look at her and smiled.

"My Sixth Sense is Invisibility." Nagsimula ng umakyat ng hagdan ang mga ito. Blinding light from the chandiliers made her close her eyes. The lights are reflecting the golden interior design of the palace.

Sa ilang araw niyang pabalik-balik dito ay hindi pa rin talaga siya nasasanay. Nang makatapat na sila sa silid ng prinsipe ay pinagbuksan niya ito ng pinto. Ginulo ng dalaga ang buhok nito't nginitian.

"Go inside your room. If you want someone to play with you, just call for me." Tumango-tango ito saka dahan-dahang sinara ang pinto. Agad na bumalik ang dalaga sa dinaanan niya kanina, at akmang liliko na sana ito sa kaliwang bahagi ng pasilyo nang mahagip ng mata niya ang isang pinto na mayroong kulay pulang rosas na disenyo.

She halted on her feet and look back. Parang may kung anong mayroon doon sa silid na 'yon at gusto niyang malaman. Hinawakan niya ang siradura nito't nakikipagtalo ang isip niya kung bubuksan niya na ito o hindi. Luminga-linga muna siya sa paligid, at nang makitang ang mga kawal ay hindi nakatitig sa gawi niya, mabilis pa sa alas-kwatrong pumasok ito sa loob.

Pagpasok niya sa loob ay isang nakakabinging katahimikan, at nakakabulag na kadiliman ang sumulubong sa kaniya. She lift her left hand and ignited a small flare of fire. Sa paglagablab ng apoy sa kamay niya'y sumalubong sa kaniya ang isang malaking frame na gawa pa sa ginto.

Mula roon ay may nakapinturang imahe. Bagamat nasa baba pa lang ang naiilawan ng apoy ay ang kulay pulang bestida lang at ang mahaba nitong buhok na pinaghalong kulay pula at itim. Unti-unti niyang inangat ang kamay niya upang makita ang kabuohan ng imaheng naroon.

Natigilan siya't lumamlam ang mga mata niya nang makita ang mukha ng babaeng 'yon. For an unknown reason, something inside her felt weird. Ang babaeng nakikita niya mula sa imaheng nakapintura ay nakangiti't may kulay pulang rosas na nakaipit sa pinakatuktok ng nakapumpong niyang buhok.

Her hair was tied like a bun. May iilang hibla ng buhok niya sa unahan ay nakalugay at medyo kulot pa ito. She was smiling widely. She looks so elegant, but her eyes tells another trait. Like her, it screams fierceness, dominance, and authority. Was it just her, or the look in their eyes are the same?

Inihakbang ng dalaga ang paa niya nang mapansin may nakaukit na pangalan sa baba ng frame. Nilapitan niya ito't pinaglandas ang kamay niya sa mga letrang nakaukit.

"Faxara..." she whispered. As she read that name, a memory surged in her mind.

Flare Axara Elvinov...

She remembered it clearly. That's what Eagan called her before she fainted during the Monthly Examination. She knew what she heard.

Her hands travelled down the dusty drawer. Binuksan niya ito't nahagip ng mata niya ang isang makapal na aklat. Just like the design of this room, at the center of the book there is a red rose. She took the book with her and went out the room without anyone noticing her.

She needs to know the reason why. The reason why the king and queen never mentioned a woman named Faxara. If she's a member of a royal family, even if she's dead, they  supposed to let her know.

She entered her room and close the curtains. She was about to open the book when she heard a knock on her door. Mabilis niya itong tinago sa ilalim ng unan niya't pasimpleng umupo sa kaniyang higaan.

"You may enter." On cue, the door opened. Iniluwa mula roon ang mahal na hari at reyna. Nakangiti ito sa kaniya habang patungo sa kaniya.

"How are you, princess?" tanong ng hari.  Umupo ang mga ito sa higaan niya habang nakaharap sa kaniya.

"I'm fine." maikli niyang sagot dito.

"How's your etiquette class going on?" Muntik na niyang maigulong ang mata niya. She hated the etiquette class. Nababagot lang siya't wala siyang mahagilap na rason kung bakit kailangan niya pang pag-aralan 'yon kung gayong wala namang mali sa kilos niya.

"I don't like the class." diretso niyang saad. Nakatingin naman ang hari at reyna. Sure, Flare is brutally honest about the things she like and dislike.

"Why? It's for your own good." malamyos na wika ng reyna.

"For my own good? I'm fine the way I am. I don't need to change. I gave you the permission to be my mother and father, but I never gave you the permission to change myself," she said full of conviction.

Saglit na natahimik ang hari at reyna. They never expected this woman to be so blunt and straightforward. "I can be rude and blunt, but I can be proper and calm in certain situations. You don't need to give me those classess. I survived myself. That fact proves that I am mature and I know how to interact properly." dag-dag nito.

"We're sorry." iyon na lang ang tanging nasambit ng reyna 'pagkat wala naman siyang karapatan na pagalitan ito dahil sa pagsagot-sagot sa kaniya. Bukod doon ay pawang katotohanan lang naman ang lahat ng sinabi nito't wala itong bahid ng kahit ano mang kasinungalingan.

"We won't force you to have those classess anymore, but you have to take a rest now. Bukas ay ipapakilala ka na namin sa buong tribu." ani ng hari.

"Ipapadala na lang namin dito ang iyong pagkaib upang hindi ka na mag-abala pang bumaba." malambing na usal ng reyna. Akmang hahawakan nito ang buhok niya nang inilayo ng dalaga ang ulo niya.

"You shouldn't touch my hair." Naaalala ng reyna kung paano maglagablab ang buhok nito noong sinugod siya ng mga kawal kaya naintindihan niya kaagad kung ano ang ibig ipahiwatig nito.

"Alam naming hindi sapat ang patawad sa kasalanang nagawa namin sa'yo pero sana bigyan mo kami ng pagkakataon upang bumawi sa lahat ng pagkukulang namin sa'yo. Hayaan mo kaming ipakita at ipadama sa'yo kung ano ang buhay na dapat ay nasa'yo." pakiusap ng reyna.

"We'll wait for your forgiveness." maikling usal ng hari.

"We'll take our leave now. We love you." She stilled when both of them hugged her.  Tumagal iyon ng ilang segundo. While they are hugging her, Flare felt nothing. She can't feel her emotions building up. It was as if their hug means nothing to her.

Her eyes became emotionless. She must feel something. She must yearn for their love and care. She must be thankful she found her parents, and yet she felt nothing at all. This scene could've made her cry in happiness, but it didn't happen.

Her eyes became cold, and her face became emotionless. Something is not right. Something is definitely  wrong. Something is missing. Something is odd.

Right then she realized, these two are not her parents at all.

Itutuloy...