Arden

My heart felt like it's about to burst. Sa bawat segundong dumadaan ay palakas nang palakas ang pagkabog nito't abot langit ang kaba na nararamdaman ko. Even Caiz, Yael, and Canaan's look on their faces are hopeless. Hindi rin nila alam ang gagawin. 

I look at her laying on her bed. Pinagpapawisan ito nang sobra, maputla ang labi at malalaki ang bawat hiningang pinapakawalan nito. She looks like she's in deep pain, something we probably don't know what's the cause. 

"Fichi...Fichi, what's wrong? Anong ginawa nila sa'yo?" Nakahawak si Caiz sa magkabilang balikat nito't marahan itong inaalog, subalit kahit anong gawin niya'y nakapikit lang ang mga mata nito. 

"This is the reason why we shouldn't have let her go back in that sinful land!" Kahit si Yael ay umaapila na rin. Makikita sa mukha nito ang pag-aalala't galit sa kung sino man ang nagdulot nito. 

"Pinagpapawisan siya pero ang lamig ng balat niya. She almost felt like a cold corpse!" aniya ni Canaan habang hawak-hawak ang noo at bandang leeg nito. 

What happened to her?

"Try to cure her with your healing ability, Yael. Canaan, hanapin mo ang mahal na hari. We need him, she needs him. Hurry!" Natatarantang utos ni Caiz rito. 

Yael raised both of his hands, a yellowish-white energy was released from his hands. When it landed on Flare's body, Caiz supported him by releasing his own red energy. Nanlalamig ang katawan nito kaya he must've thought that warming her body could somehow calm her down and ease the pain she's feeling. 

"I will check her star." Matapos ko itong sabihin ay tumalikod ako't kinumpas ang magkabilang kamay ko. 

The cold breeze of air kissed my face, and I saw the celestial magic circle on the floor as I closed my eyes. Matapos ang ilang segundo ay minulat ko ang aking mga mata't nasa ibang dimensyon na ako.

 I'm in the Astral Realm, the world of stars, moon, and sun. Ito ang lugar kung saan gabi-gabi ako pumupunta upang paglingkuran ang tungkulin ko. I arrange the stars, I'm the one who put the constellations in their rightful place in a certain time. I decide what type of moon you'll see in the sky. I guide everyone in the darkness. 

I tried to find her star, but I couldn't find it. I know where it was, I always look out for her, but for some unknown reason I can't find it. Kinumpas ko ang kanang kamay ko't inilagay ang dalawang daliri sa noo ko habang pikit matang hinahanap ang bituin na pag-aari ni Flare. 

When I located it, I emmidiately opened my eyes. Napakurap ako nang makitang ang dating kumikislap-kislap at pinakamaliwanag na bituin sa kalangitan ay parang nawawalan na ng kulay. 

It's blinking but it's unlike before. Her flaring red light was slowly fading away from the darkness. It means her life was in danger. Each people in the continent was represented by a star, and whenever the star lost it's light and fell down from the sky it means they died. I can literally know if someone is dying or in danger, and our princess, the queen is in grave danger. 

Akmang aalis na ako nang mahagip ng mata ko ang isang bituin sa bandang kanluran. Naniningkit mata ko itong tiningnan nang maalala ko kung sino ang nag mamay-ari nito. It was Frost Yvo Alcastrair's star. Alam kong sa kaniya iyon sapagkat palagi kong tinitingnan ang bituin niya kasama pa ng iba pang prinsipe ng kontinenteng 'yon. 

He was struck by a disastrous spell. His spiritual points were severely damaged. He survived but he's probably weak with no elemental capabilities anymore. Looking at how his star suddenly gaining back it's glow and color, it's very impossible! 

His spiritual points will take decades to heal, and even if they donate him their magical prowess to help him, it still wouldn't work out! Isa pa, his star glows in dashing blue light. Now it's burning red. Natigilan ako nang mahinuha ako na nangyayari. Mabilis akong napatingin sa bituin ni Flare at sa bituin ni Frost. 

It couldn't be. She wouldn't...

I motioned my hands and left the Astral Realm as I bought myself back in reality. Dali-dali kong nilapitan si Caiz. I tapped his back, and when he saw my expression he know there's something wrong. 

"Her star is losing its glow. Her magical prowess is unstable." Akmang may sasabihin pa ito nang biglang bumukas ang pinto't iniluwa roon si Canaan na hingal na hingal. 

"I can't find the king. There's no sign of him." Nakita ko ang pagbalata ng pagkainis sa mukha ni Caiz. He was not pissed with the king of course, he had a lot of things to do. He's pissed and angry of the situation. 

"I-I can't heal her. She has no physical wounds..." Yael trailed, looking so helpless. He cannot heal magical related damage which means he can't do anything either. 

"Calm down, I'm su-" 

"How am I supposed to calm down?!" Sa pagtaas ng boses ni Caiz ay kaagad na naitikom ni Canaan ang bibig niya. 

Canaan is the calmest amongst us, and Caiz on the other hand is always composed. He's patient as well, but not when it comes to her. He's like a ticking bomb ready to explode and detonate if it involves her safety. We all are. 

"Look at her state, Canaan. Tell me!" Nanlilisik mata itong tumingin kay Canaan. 

"Tell me how am I supposed to calm down seeing her suffering like that!" His eyes were glaring. One wrong word from Canaan and I'm sure Caiz will lose his capability to think straight. 

We grow up and we knew better than fueling his anger. The last time he was angry he almost set the whole forest on fire. 

"Tell me, Canaan!" Canaan being himself raised both of his hands in defeat and tried to approach Caiz, assuring him that everything's gonna be alright and anger doesn't resolve anything. 

"Flare..." Yael's lone tear escaped from his eyes and fell down her left cheek. Nakita ko kung paano tumulo ang luha niya't pumatak iyon sa pisngi ni Flare. 

Kanina pa siya tahimik pero alam kong natataranta na siya't kabado rin ito sa ano mang pwedeng mangyari sa kaniya. After all he's Flare's best pal way back when they're still in the FIre Continent. 

"I think I know the reason why she's acting that way," panimula ko, dahilan upang mapatingin silang lahat sa akin. 

"Her star was supposed to be glowing in red like her strongest bid inside her, her Fire Bid." I stopped for a moment. Humakbang ako papalapit sa higaan niya habang tinititigan ang namamawis nitong mukha. 

"But now her star is slowly fading and it's glowing like a rose gold." Nakita ko ang pagtataka sa mukha ng mga ito matapos ko iyong sabihin. 

"Frost's star is supposed to glow in dashing blue light, because he holds the Water Bid, but now it's blazing red." Kumurap-kurap ang mga ito like they finally realized what I'm trying to point out. 

Sabay na napatingin ang mga ito kay Flare. My stare landed particulary on Caiz. I tilt my head when I saw a certain emotion crossed his face. 

Was that pain? 

"The Bid inside her is the Spirit and Zodiac Bid. Only you and Yael can help her." Sabay kaming napalingon nang marinig ang baritonong boses na iyon. 

The king...

When I look at him, I sensed something different. Lagi akong may nararamdamang kakaiba sa kaniya pero ipinasawalang bahala ko na lang ito. However, this past few months I can't ignore it much longer. There's something happening to him, something he doesn't want us to know. 

Every now and then I'm observing his star and it's direction and sequence is changing from time to time, meaning there's really something going on him. Wala naman siyan sinasabi sa amin at ayaw ko rin naman siyang pangunahan dahil panigurado'y may rason kung bakit ayaw niya itong sabihin at ipaalam sa amin. 

"W-what are we supposed to do?" Tumikhim ang hari. Inobserbahan ko nang mabuti ang hitsura at pustura nito. I can see droplets of sweat in his forehead, and his royal garment was not worned properly. 

"All you need to do is stabilize her condition," pahayag nito.

"How do we do that?" agad kong tanong.

"You need to get your bid out and have contact with hers to stabalize it." Nakagat ko ang ibabang bahagi ng labi ko. That means...

Umiling ako. That's not what I'm supposed to be thinking right now. I need to save her, Yael and I need to save her. Lumapit na lamang ako sa kinahihigaan nito't pinatong ang magkabilang kamay ko kilirang bahagi ng ulo niya. 

I slowly moved my face closer to hers, my eyes fixated on her lips. Huminga ako nang malalim bago hawakan ang panga niya't ibuka nang konti ang bibig niya. I opened my mouth and moved my face an inch closer to her lips. 

I commanded my bid to ascend from my core, and it did. Nakita ko itong lumabas sa bibig ko't para itong maliit na bola ng cristal na naglalabas ng kakaibang liwanag. Nakita ko rin ang paglabas ng Zodiac Bid mula sa bibig ni Flare. 

My bid released a small amout of energy. Dahan-dahan ay pumapalibot ito sa bid ni Flare like it was trying to heal the small cracks around it. Maybe those cracks are from the colliding soul energies inside her causing them to break apart and hurt the vessel. Her magical prowess is a mess, and unbalanced. 

Naipikit ko ang mata ko nang dumampi sa labi ko ang hininga niya. Our lips are only inches apart, one wrong move and I could kiss her, but I'm trying my best not to. Lalong-lalo na't narito ang hari't ang iba pang prinsipe. 

Matapos ang ilang segundo'y marahas na bumalik papasok ng bibig ko ang bid ko't napaatras ako papalayo sa kaniya. I suddenly felt weak. Muntik pa ako matumba kung hindi ako naalalayan ni Canaan. 

"You'll be okay within a few hours." The king said before looking at Yael, signaling him to do the same thing. 

I saw Yael's bid coming out from his mouth healing Flare's Spirit Bid. Habang ginagawa niya ito'y hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin sa hari. He was worried, I can see it in his eyes, but somehow deep inside I felt like he's also worried of something else. 

Not that I know what it is, we can never figure out the way he thinks. Ni paghula sa mga hakbang na gagawin niya ay hindi namin mahulaan, subalit sa hindi ko malamang dahilan ay iba ang kutob ko ngayon.   

"Is she okay now?" Nabalik na lang ako sa realidad nang marinig ko ang mahinang tanong ni Yael. Katulad ko'y mukhang nakaramdam din ito ng panghihina dahil nakahawak ito sa headrest ng higaan upang suportahan ang sarili niya. 

"She will be. Kailangan niya muna magpahinga," sagot ng hari. 

"She gave her Fire Elemental Bid to Frost Yvo Alactrair." Caiz stated having a glint of bitterness in his voice. 

"Knowing her, she must be thinking she owed him a favor for saving her life. She just want to return the favor." Sa sinabi ni Canaan ay napatango ang hari. We are thinking the same thing. 

But still, her Fire Elemental Bid was like her own soul. It was her strongest Bid. But she gave it to him without any second thoughts. 

"He will only hurt her." Caiz whispered in thin air. Ako ang pinakamalapit sa kaniya kaya sa tingin ko'y ako lang ang nakarinig ng sinabi niya. 

"You may go now," He commanded. We immidiately faced him and bowed our heads as a sign of respect. 

"And thank you so much for saving my daughter." We smiled. Kahit kailan talaga'y hindi niya nakakalimutang magpasalamat kahit na tuntunin naman talaga namin 'yon.

Paglabas namin ng silid ay kaniya-kaniya kaming buntong-hininga. We could never forgive ourselves if something bad happened to her. We swore on our lives to protect her until the day we die, we're hers to use and command. 

"Both of you should rest," Rinig kong sabi ni Caiz bago kami lampasan at nauna nang maglakad. Looks like he's going to the royal spring to blow up some steam and calm himself down. 

I tilt my head as I crossed my arms. Pinagmasdan ko lang siyang maglakad palayo hanggang tuluyan na itong nawala sa aking paningin. We are all feeling the same thing. It's not just him or me, and even if Yael and Canaan won't admit to it, I know. 

We're all jealous. 

Frost

I opened my eyes, I smiled weakly. There I thought it was really happening. All along it was a dream. Right now, I miss her. I really missed her. She's the only thing that keeps me going. Even if it's impossible, even if I became useless I still want to be with her. 

I know it's impossible since we are cursed, but I can't help it. 

I sighed and took a deep breath as I composed myself. I cleared my throat and answered the knock on the door. 

"What seems to be the problem?" 

"The prince and princess of the South are here to see you, your highness." Inayos ko ang pagkakasandal ko sa headrest ng higaan ko. 

Looks like they're here to visit me, huh.

"Let them in." Pagkatapos ng ilang segundo ay biglang bumukas ang pinto ng aking silid. Nakita ko kaagad ang pag-aalala sa mukha nila. 

"How are you, Frost?" Sa naging tanong ni Feleri ay isang malamig na titig lang ang iginanti ko sa kaniya. Nang hindi ako sumagot ay nakita ko ang paggulong ng mga mata niya. 

"Fine, you're okay now, but I guess at some point you're not okay because you lost your element," she said as she answered her own question. 

"We came as soon as nabalitaan naming gising ka na. We wanted to make sure you're okay." I just stared at him, and a memory flashed in my mind.

 We've been friends since we're young, I know how much they cared for me. However, even if they're trying to hide it, I know they talk behind my back just because I'm a late bloomer. They thought I don't possess any element at all. We're young, I know. That was in the past and I already forgave them. 

When I met Flare and shared a curse, I know I had to control my emotions. So I learned to care less and limited my interactions with them. Hinayaan ko silang isipin na dahil sa kanila kaya ako naging ganito. I made them think that incident made me lose my trust. I know. I can feel they're trying to make it up to me until now and I appreciate that, but I still choose to ignore it. 

"Did you know?" Sabay na umangat ang tingin nilang dalawang magkakapatid nang magtanong ako. They look confused. 

"Did you know they're plotting to kill her on our wedding day?" He mentally smiled weakly. It feels so nice to say our wedding, if only it could really happen without one of them dying. 

Sabay na napakurap-kurap ng mata ang mga ito. I can see their reactions and I guess they knew nothing about it. The Kings and Queens planned it without informing us. 

"If I had known of it, I would have stopped it." Natahimik kaming tatlo. I was just looking at them, watching every facial expression they make. 

The lies are now uncovered with the truth. The truth that made us a fool and caused turmoil in the whole Empire.  

I clenched my fist underneath the sheets. Mas pinili nilang huwag ito ipaalam sa amin dahil alam nilang hindi kami sasang-ayon sa gusto nila't gagawa at gagawa kami ng paraan upang mapigilan sila. Flare is close with every princes of the continent. Gaya ng kaniyang yumaong ina ay nagawa niyang kuhanin ang loob at tiwala ng mga ito. 

She can easily sweep you off your feet. A woman who can turn anyone's head not just because of the exquisite beauty that she has, but because of her sassy attitude. Just like how her dear old mother captured the heart of the royalties in her age. 

"How's your mother?" Before I lost my consciousness, I heard what that man said. Base on her reaction it wasn't just a mere accusation. 

The look in her eyes, was priceless. I've never seen such a graceful and composed queen flustered and pale. Ang katotohanang binitawan ng haring 'yon ay nagdulot ng panginginig ng kalamnan ng reyna. Para itong binuhusan ng tubig at  hindi maipinta ang mukha nito. 

"She was cursed. Same as our father." Flame replied. 

"Flare cursed them," matabang na wika ni Feleri. Her tone was like she was blaming Flare for what happened. 

Flare's not to blame about all of this. We all can't blame her, but people who don't understand her story surely will. Closeminded people can never understand the pain she's going through because they will never be on her shoes. 

And their mother, the queen. Ambition and greed were all over her eyes even if she's trying to hide it. I can see it. I can see everyone's aura. I can identify their intentions and emotions. I know when one's happy, sad, jealous, or angry. 

She was taken over by greed that she forgot about everything else. She's too preoccupied with her throne that she forgot being a person. 

The greed for fruit misses the flower.

That king who's name was forbidden in our land speaks the truth. His aura was pure, he does not speak lies. But the queen's aura that day was guilty and denial. She may fool everyone including her family, but she can never fool me. 

"Our mother is said to die on midnight under the red moon." The look on his face was so worried and problematic. Nakasandal ito sa harap ng teresa ng aking silid habang nakatingin sa malayo.

"And our father is said to kill himself and die for not protecting our mother." Wala akong naging reaksyon sa sinabi nila. Maybe because I'm thinking they deserve it after all the things they did. 

"What are your plans?" I asked. 

They started explaining their plan when I suddenly felt something hot gushing inside my body. Hindi ko muna ito pinansin pero habang tumatagal nang tumatagal ay bumigat ang pakiramdam ko. My breathings hitched when my heart started to burn like it was on fire. I released a low groan as I clutched my chest with my right hand. 

"Frost are you lis-" 

"Frost!" Flame and Feleri approached me, not knowing what to do. 

I tried to breath normally, but burning sensation I feel all over my core was something I could not supress. It was excruciating and it felt like my body was being ignited with hell fire. 

"Frost! Frost, what's happening?!" Rinig kong natatarantang wika ni Feleri. 

"Call Queen Winter, Leri! Summon the royal physcian of the Empire!" Sinubukan niya akong hawakan sa braso subalit mabilis din siyang napabitaw na para bang napaso sa hindi malamang dahilan. 

"Y-you're..." Nabitin sa ere ang sasabihin niya. 

"You're literally burning like you're on fire!" I have no capability to think straight in this situation but he's a Fire Elemental Mage, he should be immune with anything related to fire. 

But look at him touching me but ended up taking his hands off because of being burnt? 

"Son!" I saw my mother's worried face as she hurriedly run towards me. Hinawakan niya ako sa balikat pero napaatras din nang dumapo ang kamay niya sa balikat ko. 

"W-why..." 

I was sweating with the burning agony I'm feeling. Habol-habol ko ang hininga ko't halos mamilipit ako sa sakit na nararamdaman ko. Nararamdaman ko ang pamamasa ng buhok ko dahil sa init na nararamdaman ko. My veins in my neck and wrist are visible as I retiliate with this tormenting feeling. 

There's something going on inside my core that I could not explain. My broken bid was being  ruptured. It felt like something was fusing from the outside, something even more powerful than my bid and it's causing me this pain. 

My back started to arch as my skin almost turned red as I writhed from the muscular spasms. If this goes on, I felt like my body could not take it. Nakikita ko ang hindi maipintang mukha ng aking ina sa pag-aalala't hindi ito mapakali habang nakatingin sa'kin na naghihirap. 

Keep my fire burning inside you, Frost. 

I shouted when I heard her voice inside my head. The pain reached my limit and I felt like any minute I will lose my breath. It's burning not just my core but the organs inside my body, my nerves, my muscles and bones. 

With the final fusion happening inside my magical prowess' core, my body stilled like it was strucked by lighting. My vision started to get blurry as I slowly lose my conciousness. Naramdaman ko na lang ang pagbagsak ng katawan ko sa aking higaan. 

I knew then, something will be different when I woke up. 

Itutuloy...