The sun finally set and we're totally left in the dark. Luckily, the stars and the moon are up there to light our place.

I look at Nickolas peacefully sleeping beside me. I pulled myself closer to his chest to hear his heartbeat. It will always be the best music to my ears.

"Gusto mo na bang umuwi sa palasyo?" He asked as he hug my shoulder covered by the sleeves of my silver

I just shook my head and pulled myself closer to his chest. I weaved a deep breath and cried silently. Yet, he can still hear it.

"Hey, why are you crying?" Tanong niya at pinunasan ang luha ko.

"I'm sorry for everything I've done, Nick."

Until now, I'm still cursing myself for everything I've done in the past. My evil doings, the wickedness. Especially for the fact that I made the man I love the most suffer.

"That's enough. You made a lot of apologizing today, huh?" He said in a mischievous tone.

Napasimangot naman ako. Everytime I apologize, he will just laugh at me like it isn't a serious matter.

Inilapit ko ang mukha ko sa dibdib niya at mahigpit siyang niyakap. He hugged me back and I can feel his heart beating.

Dug.

Dug, dug.

Dug.

"Nickolas, I may not change the past, but I promise to set everything right for the future."

* * *

I looked at the sword reflecting half of my face. I still look the same but it seems like everything became different. This Victoria is different.

I traced the metallic sides of the sword with my fingers. It's been a long time since I last used you. Gagamitin ulit kita... pero sisiguraduhin kong para na sa kabutihan.

"Ashley and Ethan already found out the enemy's den. Ang mga kawal ng Winzellia at ng lima pang mga kaharian ay nakahanda nang sumugod."

Ngumiti naman ako at tumango kay Nickolas. Sabay kaming lumabas at naglakad patungo sa kinaroroonan ng mga kawal.

I'm the one who arranged everything in this battle. To the plan, the backup, the armors and the magic we will be using.

I mentally laughed. I remember , in the past, I'm one of their enemy but now, I led them.

Lumapit si Nickolas sa akin at hinalikan ang noo ko. He held both of my cheeks and gave me a sweet smile.

"I'm so proud of you, Victoria."

I felt butterflies in my stomach as sweet flowers bloom in me. Him calling me in my real name gives a blissful feeling in me.

"This is the only thing I can do for all the wrong things I've done in the past."

Nakapuwesto na ang mga kawal upang sumugod habang nasa kabilang dako naman ng baybayin ang mga kalaban.

I'm confident that we will surely win because compared to our thousand warriors, they only have less than a hundred. Plus the potions I made for our additional protections.

Inaabangan namin ang pagsugod ng unang kawal sa panig ng mga kaaway upang maghudyat na simula na ng laban. Ngunit ilang minuto na ang nakakalipas pero wala pa ring isinasagawang kilos ang mga kalaban.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Nickolas. Something's odd in here.

Napaatras ako nang makita ang mga itim na nilalang na naglalakad pasulong mula sa kabilang panig. Napakarami nito na tila libo ang bilang.

Napapikit nalang ako sa inis. Vincent used the dark magic! Ngunit hindi lang iyon ang ikinainis ko.

Unti-unting naglaho ang liwanag sa aming mga katawan na nagsisilbing palatandaan na may proteksyon kami mula sa potion. Maging ang mga wand ng mga sorcerers kabilang si Nickolas ay ayaw ding gumana.

If the light magic creates fellow magic, dark magic destroys.

If only I can use the light magic I possess. Yeah, wala na ang light magic sa kamay ng head sorcerer dahil nakuha ko ito sa kanya sa nakaraan. Ngunit ang ipinagtataka ko, paano ito nasama sa akin pabalik?

Maybe, because this is the magic I used to go back in time. Ang sumpang iginawad sa akin ni Nickolas sa nakaraan ay hindi mapapawalang-bisa kung kaya't ang ginawa ko ay dinagdagan ito sa pamamagitan ng light magic.

The curse is to disappear and only be remembered in the book I have written. But I countered the curse with another curse-- to go back in time and finish the mission or else, I'll disappear like the first curse said.

Alam ko kung bakit nakabalik din sa nakaraan si Nickolas katulad ko at panandaliang nawala ang alaala. Marahil ay dahil nadamay siya sa sumpa. Ngunit ang ipinagtataka ko ay kung paano rin nakabalik si Vincent. He seems to know everything since the start.

Huminga ako nang malalim upang pakalmahin ang sarili. I can't use the light magic like what Vincent did to dark magic. Nanghina ang mahika ng liwanag nang gamitin ko ito upang makabalik sa nakaraan. Kung gagamitin ko pa ito ngayon ay baka hindi ko maisakatuparan ang plano.

To use it's full magic, I should be near its sector.

Our chances of winning descended from 90/10 to 30/70. I'm afraid that we might lose this battle.

But I shook my head. I'm not named Victoria for nothing. No matter what happen, the victory should be mine.

Nagsimula nang sumugod ang mga kaaway kung kaya't sumugod na rin kami. Nickolas held my hand as we run towards the enemies.

Kunot-noo ko siyang liningon. "Hey, I can fight." Paalala ko sa kanya.

I remember the last time we faught against the dark organization. That time, I don't know how to fight. But now that I remember everything, all my skills came back and one of them is using sword.

"I know. But still, I want you to fight beside me."

Again, the butterflies in my stomach went wild. I don't know, it might open my tummy and fly around. This feeling whenever I'm with him is so strange that it seems like I've never felt it before.

This feeling I am feeling, can it be the thing they called love?

Napanguso ako sa sunod niyang ginawa. Kahit na tumatakbo kami ay nakuha niya pa ring pitikin ang noo ko.

"Don't you dare decline my request again this time."

Mahina naman akong natawa. He also told be to fight beside him last time but I didn't because I need to make a way to talk to William.

"Promise, I won't."

The battle begun as the enemies and us met halfway. Tinangka akong hampasin ng isang kawal ngunit mabilis ko itong iniwasan at sinipa sa tagiliran. As I struck the sword in his chest, blood stained in my cheek.

Mabilis ko itong pinunasan at sumugod sa panibagong kalaban. They are all weak compared to me. I can even fight alone against this five warriors.

I looked around to see everyone fighting. Ngunit nanlaki ang mata ko nang may makitang babaeng nakasuot ng talukbong ang nakaakyat sa puno. She gave me a evil grin. [Angeline]

Before I can move away, she immidiately released the arrow in her bow. But it didn't hit me.

Someone hugged me as the arrow hit her back.

"G-Giselle!"

She groaned in pain as she hit the ground. Dali-dali akong lumapit sa kanya at inalis ang panang tumama sa kanyang likod.

But I trembled as I saw Giselle's blood in the arrow. Red is slowly turning into green. [And green means poison.]

Mabilis kong kinuha ang ulo ni Giselle at ikinandong sa akin. She vomitted green blood as she coughed.

"Gi," that arrow is for me. Hinawakan ko ang sugat sa kanyang likod upang patigilin ang pagdurugo nito.

"Vicky, I miss you."

My heart broke into pieces as she utter the name she's the only one who's calling me.

"Vicky, magaling na ba ang mga sugat mo?"

"Sana hindi ka na awayin ni Seli, Vicky."

"Bff tayo di'ba, Vicky?"

Vicky. The nickname I have buried because of the misery of my childhood. But I didn't notice the good memories it holds with my bestfriend.

Nickolas sat beside me as he check Giselle's wound. He looked at me with his hopeless eyes... and I hate it.

"T-The arrow has a poison that can kill someone within ten minutes."

I looked at Giselle because of what Nickolas said. "No, no. She can't die. My bestfriend can't die!"

Nanginginig kong hinalungkat ang dala kong bag upang maghanap ng panlunas. Napangiti ako nang makita ang isang healing potion dito.

Iniangat ko ang ulo ni Giselle at ipinainom ito. I waited for a minute to see its effect but nothing happened. Patuloy pa rin siyang pumipikit at dumidilat upang labanan ang panghihina.

I shifted to Nickolas with a questioning look and panic. "Bakit walang nangyayari?"

"Victoria, the dark magic." Paalala niya.

Then, I remembered. The protection potion effectiveness that vanished, the wands of the sorcerers that can't work. Vincent used the dark magic to make our power disappear.

And because of that...

Nanghihina akong lumingon kay Giselle na ngayon ay nag-aagaw buhay. I shook myvhead as tears flow down my cheeks.

My healing potion can't also work.

"No, no. You can't die, Gi. You can't die."

She took something from her pocket and put it in my hand. I saw an almost crumpled trimmed paper with a shape of two kids holding hands.

My tears fell as I remember it. That's the friendship paper I made when we were kids. All this time, she kept it?

"I've been keeping that even when we are not in good terms. I miss my bestfriend. Are you still her?"

"Yes, I'm still her. I'm still your bestfriend. Kaya huwag kang matutulog ha? Mabubuhay ka pa," I said as I held her hands. Gi, babawi pa ako sa mga naging kasalanan ko sa'yo.

She shook her head and what she said broke my heart. "Gusto ko nang magpahinga. Take care of yourself, Vicky."

The grip of her hand in mine slowly loosened as she close her eyes. I hugged her tight as I cry.

"Victoria!" Masiglang tawag niya sa akin. Nakangiti pa siyang kumakaway habang nasa tapat ng malaking tansong gate ng palasyo.

"Kamahalan, sabihin niyo po kung isa siyang panauhin at papapasukin ko." saad ng tagapagsilbi ngunit mariin akong umiling.

"Hindi ko siya kilala."

Ngunit hindi nagpatinag si Giselle at naghintay pa rin sa akin sa labas ng palasyo kung kaya't napilitan akong harapin na siya.

"Vicky, isa ka palang prinsesa." Namamangha niyang bungad sa akin.

"Pwede ba, huwag mo na akong tawagin sa palayaw ko? That name sucks."

"Pero--"

"Stop it. Just leave, Giselle. I don't want to see you ever again."

I shook my head as I remember that memory. Hindi ko dapat siya pinagtabuyan noon. Hindi ko dapat siya pinaalis. I should have treasured her like she did to me.

I aim for the sky that I didn't notice the important things that I'm lowly losing as I fly... And she's one of those things.

I remember, Giselle also died in the war back then. It's because she attempted to kill me but failed. And now, she died again. But it's to save me from being killed.

I watched her die for the second time. The cause of her death may be different but one thing stayed the same... [It's all because of me.]

I rested her head carefully in the ground. I kissed her forehead before whispering,

"Magpahinga ka na, Gi."

I stood and turned my gaze into the tree where Angeline is sitting and watching us as she smirk.

As I get there, I immediately pushed her and in shock, you fell off the tree. Dahil sa galit ay agad ko siyang sinunggaban at itinutok ang espada sa kanyang leeg.

Fear flashed in her face. She didn't knew I can move that fast and I can easily kill in a blink if I want.

"Victoria!" I was about to slash Angeline's neck when I heaed Nickolas' shout.

Hindi pa rin naaalis ang hawak ko kay Angeline nang liningon ko siya. He shook his head as he walk towards me.

Kumunot naman ang noo ko. Angeline killed somone, so, she also must be killed.

Huminga ako nang malalim bago alisin ang espada sa leeg niya at mariing sambit,

"Take us to Vincent. Or else, I won't let you see the dawn again."

She immediately stood up and led the way. Mahina akong napatawa. Takot din palang mamatay ang demonyitang babae na'to.

My heart beats fast and my body shivers as she led us to a wrecked and abandoned palace almost covered with wild grasses and moss.

I don't know what's the name of this old destroyed kingdom because it's almost erased in history books but I still remember it's story.

Long time ago, there are thirteen kingdoms in Everland. Winzellia, Wilhem, Serim, Kizea, Siren, Aurel, Zerlin, Avales, Kasem, Nemphis, Nilad, Veros,

... and Azelea.

The strongest and highest kingdom among all is Azelea. In it's highest tower lies the sector where the dark and light crystals were placed.

But the crystals were stolen. Everything that was in peace turned into chaos. The elemental magics were gone, leaving only the sorcery to rule the world, some cultures of the royalty forgotten, and some things changed.

The chaos made the bond between all the kingdoms broken. The Kizea, isolating themselves, also towns like Aspel and Aster being a democatic towns,

... and the destruction of the kingdom Azelea.

That's all that I know about it. No one knows what happened next or, that's really what happened.

"Vincent and the others are in the tower where the sector lies."

Bahagya akong napangiti sa sinabi ni Angeline. Everything is going according to my plan.

I held Angeline as Nickolas faught with the enemies who block our way. Moments passed until we reached the highest tower.

There, William and Vincent is standing beside the sector which now holds the dark crystal.

Vincent released a dark magic towards us that's why, I immediately pushed Angeline to welcome it. She groaned in pain as the magic transformed her into lifeless ashes.

"Still the merciless princess I knew who won't hesitate to kill, Victoria." That's his first words as he smirk.

"Yeah, still a merciless for those who also don't have mercy."

Vincent let an amused laugh while William is just standing there, intently staring at me. He doesn't know anything. I want to save him.

"You already know what happened in the past. But why didn't you changed your mind? Have you fell in your own trap?" Vincent asked in a playful tone.

"Who said that I'm trapped? Actually, I was saved." I said as I took a glance of Nickolas.

Kinuha ko ang aking espada at itinutok ito sa kanya. Mariin ko siyang tinitigan at binantaan.

"Bring back the dark crystal and rot in hell."

He laughed out loud as I said those words. "Where did you found the courage to say that? Have you forgotten that you're in your enemy's den, right now?"

His voice sent me shivers. All his warriors are outside fighting and the others here were already killed. Hindi dapat ako kabahan ngunit alam kong may tinatago pang alas si Vincent.

Lightings strike everywhere and thunders roar as Vincent raise his hand and the black magic was released. A black monstrous archer appeared.

But before I killed it with the light magic, it already released an arrow. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita kung saan papunta ang palaso.

Before the arrow hit Nickolas, I already pushed him at the side, letting myself to be the one in his position.

I expected an arrow to hit my chest but there is none. All I can feel is a warm embrace of someone as he welcomed the arrow to save me again.

"W-William,"

Everything seems so familiar. The poisonous arrow, the crimson blood turning green, the pain. It happened again. Will I lost another someone?

"Silly, William. That crazy love of yours will now make you dead."

Umalingawngaw ang halakhak ni Vincent sa buong tore bago siya unti-unting naglaho sa mga itim na usok. But I didn't mind him. The pain of losing someone for the second time is already a too much thing to focus on.

"W-William, why did you do that!?" I yelled between sobs.

I thought, he's an enemy. Hindi siya sumama sa akin nang inaya ko siyang tumalikod din sa dark organization. Akala ko, tuluyan na siyang naging masama.

But it seems like I was wrong.

"William," I cried as his trembling hand touches my cheecks. I held it tight.

"Haven't you wonder why I didn't followed you as you leave the dark organization?"

Hindi ako sumagot at patuloy lang sa pag-iyak. Ako ang dahilan kung bakit napunta siya sa dark organization. Pero iniwan ko siya roon mag-isa. I'm so selfish.

"I know that anyone who will leave the organization will also become their enemy. B-But, that isn't the reason why I stayed. I'm not afraid of them."

I can feel his voice weakening the longer he spoke. I wanna stop him to conserve his strength but I, myself, can't also stop from crying.

"As you left, you instantly became one of their great enemy. I stayed in the organization for you... Because I know that that's the only way I can somehow protect you."

As he utter those words, things flashed back in my mind. Dos. How he cared for me when I was kidnapped, how he protected me from everyone, how he always saved me.

"Dapat ay ibinigay mo nalang ang wand. Sa paraang iyon ay makaliligtas ka pa." saad ni Dos habang ginagamot ang labi at leeg kong duguan.

Hindi ko siya kinibo. Tulala lang akong umiiyak sa kawalan. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin. Mas madali nalang siguro ang mamatay.

"Huwag kang umiyak," sambit ni Dos at pinunasan ang mga luha ko. "Pinag-aalala mo ako, Victoria."
--

Narinig ko ang mga yabag nila na para bang lumalayo na. When they are gone, he immediately removed the cloak.

Napa-upo lang ako sa tabi ng puno dahil sa kaba. That was close. I looked at him just to see familiar eyes.

"D-Dos,"
--

"Ilayo mo na si Victoria rito." That's the last thing he said before wearing the cloak and vanished out of our sight. Invisibility cloak
--

"I won't hurt you, Victoria. And... I'm so glad you're now awake."
--

"I know you're mad at me, Victoria. Hindi kita pipigilan kung gusto mo nang umalis. I'm glad you're now awake. But please, be safe... I want you to be safe, Victoria."

I didn't bother to look back at him. Besides, what he said is not really for me. It's for Victoria.

I cried harder as I reminisce those memories. I'm Victoria. It's really for me.

All those times, he's always by my side. Why didn't I noticed that? I should have treasured him.

"Hold on, Wil. You won't die." I assured him but I, myself also doubts it and I'm scared.

"When you left, I promised myself to protect you at any cost. And now, I will peacefully die. Because I know, I will die protecting you."

Umiling-iling ako habang hindi pa rin tumitigil sa paghikbi. He can't die. No one can't die. They already took Giselle away from me. They can't also take William.

"William, you once said to me that you wanna be a king someday, right? You can't die because you will still be a good king."

"Victoria, do you know what I wanna be in the future?"

Pasimple naman akong napairap dahil sa tanong niya. "Mukha ba akong manghuhula?"

Bahagya siyang natawa sa sinabi ko. Napairap ulit ako. If he's not laughing, he's smiling. Err, it's so irritating.

"I wanna be a king. A good one. Gusto kong panatilihing payapa ang kaharian namin," he said while staring at the sky as if visualizing himself in the future.

I tightened my grip in his hands as I remember that moment. Yes, William. You will gonna be a good king. So, stay alive.

He laughed. Though, it is a weak one, it still resembles the old precious him. "Naaalala mo pa pala iyon."

Of course, William.

"That won't happen anymore... but it's fine. Because I know... you will be the one to fulfill my dream. I know... you'll be a good queen."

He wrapped his arms in me and used his remaining strength to hug me. I can feel his breathing slowly minimizing until it completely stopped.

I let myself cry out so loud. Giselle and William, I both killed them in the past. And now, they also both get killed as they saved me. They both died in my arms.

Ito na ba ang kaparusahan sa lahat ng ginawa kong kasamaan sa nakaraan? The universe made me realise how those people have treasured me and how I have ignored them.

At ngayon na napagtanto ko na ang lahat at handa na akong bumawi sa kanila, the universe took them away from me.

No one can measure how much I am breaking right now. I hate it. I hate the fact that I can blame no one for all the tragedies I've been through but myself.

Everything is all my fault.

But there's still time to set things right.

I carefully rested his head on the ground and stood up. Inilibot ko nang tingin ang paligid bago maglakad.

"Victoria,"

I faced Nickolas as he held my shoulder to stop me. But I removed it and caressed his hand.

"Nick, this is my battle."

At first, he hesitated but then, he held my hand back and nodded.

With fiery heart, I walked towards the edge of the tower. There, few steps away, Vincent is standing under a dark cloud in the air.

So, I also stepped and out of thin air, a white cloud appeared under my feet. I let it carry me towards where Vincent is.

"I see raging fire in your eyes. May I remind you, Victoria. Your light magic can't work with hatred. You will definitely lose against me."

I let a smirk curve in my lips as one of my eyebrows raised.

"Who said that the fire in me is because of hatred?... It. is. of. justice."

Justice. For Rina, for Kuya Art, for Giselle, for William, and for everyone who was hurt in this war. This is for them.

I raised my hand as I let light energy be released from it. He also did what I did.

And as the light and dark magic collide, the night and the day also collided. Sa unang pagkakataon ay nag-agawan ng teritoryo sa langit ang araw at ang buwan.

Hindi ito katulad ng eklipse kung saan pareho silang naghahari sa kalangitan. Dahil sa pagkakataong ito, amg araw at buwan, handa silang gawin ang lahat upang isa lang ang matira sa kanila.

Ang mga bituin din ay nagsilitawan mula sa mga ulap at tila nawalan ng balanse dahilan upang sila ay isa-isang mahulog. A meteor shower is beautiful but chaotic.

Mabilis na sumugod si Vincent sa akin gamit ang kanyang espada kaya mabilis din akong umiwas. Ngunit ang kanang braso ko ay nadaplisan ng kanyang patalim.

"It seems like being good made you weak," he said in a playful tone as he float in the air.

I touched my wounded shoulder as I look at him with death glares. This time, ako naman ang sumugod. I threw punches that all landed in his stomach and chest.

"And looks like evilness made you weaker," I replied.

He raised both of his hands to release the full power of the dark magic. And to conquer it, I also raised mine. We both threw it to each other.

Dark magic destroys while light magic creates. And if they collide,

... The elements will be formed.

Once again, for a long time, everyone witnessed the power of all the elements possesed by someone.

I can feel it in my body. The fire, the air, the water, the earth. I feel... I feel so powerful.

Pero hindi iyon nagtagal. The presence of the elements in me transfered to Vincent, then, trasfered again to me, and to him. Palipat-lipat lang ito sa amin na tila hindi alam kung saan talaga mananahan.

And like how the sun and the moon above us, to know who will hold the elements and reign in the sky, only one of us shall survive.

I trasfered the presence of the element of ice in the sword I am holding. I saw Vincent also transfering an element in his sword. Lightning.

Sumugod siya kaya sumugod din ako. He released lightning and I dodged it with ice.

I built ice towers to corner him. Itinutok ko ang aking espada sa leeg niya habang umuusok ito sa lamig.

"Give me the dark crystal."

Tumingala siya at napalunok habang pinipilit hindi masugatan ang kanyang leeg. Tumingin siya sa akin nang mata sa mata bago ngumisi.

"Take it," he said as he released it in front of my face.

Napaatras ako dahil sa malakas na pwersa na tumama sa akin. Ngunit agad ko itong sinangga ng light magic.

Nagtagal kami sa ganoong posisyon habang naglalaban ang mga kapangyarihang hawak namin.

Ngunit kahit kailan ay hindi matatalo ng kadiliman ang liwanag.

Unti-unting umatras ang dark magic ni Vincent hanggang sa siya mismo ang matamaan nito. Umalingawngaw ang sigaw niya habang unti-unting nagiging alikabok ang katawan hanggang sa tuluyan na ngang maglaho.

Nawala ang mga itim na ulap sa kalangitan at tuluyan nang huminto ang paghulog ng mga bituin. Ang buwan naman ay lumihis ng landas mula sa araw upang hindi sila magbanggaan.

Umaliwalas ang panahon at naglaho ang mga itim na nilalang na kinakalaban ng mga kasamahan namin.

Isa-isang itinaas ang mga watawat ng anim na kaharian at tumunog ang mga trumpeta. Senyales na nagwagi ang aming panig.

My face is soaked with tears, sweat, and blood. Ngunit nakuha pa rin ng labi ko na kumurba ng isang ngiti. Dahil sa mga sandaling ito, tapos na ang laban.

... at nagtagumpay kami.

* * *

Days passed and everything slowly became alright. There are new rulers in the kingdoms included from the dark organization making it in peace and in alliance with all the kingdoms.

I brought back the dark crystal in the sector and the light staying in me until I learn how I can remove it. At first, I hesitated. Because since then, it's my dream-- to be the most powerful in Everland.

I already had the historical elements that can make me rule the world. But I know, that won't really make me happy. My happiness is here.

"What do you want to be in the future?"

I asked Nickolas as I caressed his hair as he sit in my legs in the light of the sun.

Tumingala naman siya sa akin at nag-isip. "Even when I was a child, I always dreamt of being a great head sorcerer in the future. Training students to be good ones. I always like that."

Napangiti naman ako sa sagot niya. "Well, you will definitely become a good head sorcerer in the future. I know that." Though, I might not be able to be with you when it happens.

"How do you know? You're not a fortune teller," he utter as he pinched my cheeks.

"Well, it's just my gut. But I know that it will really happen," saad ko kaya mahina siyang napatawa at tumango-tango para ipakitang kumbinsido siya.

"What about you? What's your dream? What you wanna be in the future, Victoria?"

Napaisip naman ako. All my life, I dreamt of being superior to everyone. I compete, I ruin things because I want to be on top. But I realized, that's not really the dream of mine. All of those were just selfish desires that led to nowhere.

"This," sambit ko.

"This?"

"This is my dream. Being in a peaceful place with someone who really care for me," I said as I smiled at him. "I grew up in a chaotic environment where I desire of everything without contentment. But here, with you, everything seems more than enough."

He looked up at me as he caressed my cheeks. I leaned in the tree at my back and looked up at the sky.

"Nickolas, I grew up with so much hatred in my heart. I thought that hatred is the most powerful thing because it can make someone do everything just to fulfill her desires. But now, I realised that it is love."

"I love you."

I smiled as he said those words. I held his hand and intertwined it with mine. "I love you too."

Minutes passed with a moment of silence. We are just watching the sky as the birds fly while holding each other's hands.

"Inaantok ako," saad ni Nickolas at humikab.

"Sleep."

"But... will you still be here when I wake up?"

I laughed with his question and pinched his cheeks. "Of course. Why wouldn't I?"

He also laughed when he realized his question thinking that there's no really a reason for me not to stay.

Ipinikit noya ang mga mata habang nakahiga sa binti ko. "Just wake me up before sunset, okay?"

"Sure."

Hinimas-himas ko ang buhok niya habang pinagmamasdan siyang matulog. He's so peaceful like we haven't been in a chaotic world days ago.

And when I assured that he's already in a deep slumber, I took something in my pouch. A bottle of a potion that can prolong someone's sleep.

Dahan-dahan kong ibinudbod sa kanya ang pulbos na laman ng bote. Unti-unti akong umalis sa pagkakaupo at maingat na ihiniga ang ulo niya sa ugat ng puno.

I kissed his forehead as I whisper, "Just wake up after the sunset, Nickolas."

I immediately went back to the palace of Winzellia. Warriors and servants made their bows as I passed by. I just smiled at them as a greeting.

Lisa bowed at me as I enter the royal chamber. "Nagawa mo na ba ang pinapagawa ko?"

"Yes, your highness. I already sent your letter to the royal council. But... I don't think that they will approve your request, your highness."

Bumaling ako sa kanya at ngumiti. "Of course, they will. I know that Ariel can be a good queen in the future."

Sinenyasan ko si Lisa upang sumunod sa akin sa paglalakad. "Your highness, can I ask a question?"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you requested Ariel to become the new queen and Sir Nickolas as her councilor until she turn in her legal age? You're highness, where are you going?"

Napahinto ako dahil sa tanong niya. I looked at her with a sad smile. "Somewhere far away. Let's just say, in a beautiful place."

I can see confusions and questions in Lisa's eyes but she chose to be silent. I bid my goodbye as I left the castle.

Time runs fast, the sun is already setting at west. I walk through a part of the forest where orchids grow. And at the side, a cliff lies where you can see the seashore belows it.

"Are you sure about this, Victoria?" Bungad ng gabay ng hinaharap sa akin ng makalapit ako. Ngumiti lang ako at tumango.

"Even in the past, I'm already watching you. You're a selfish princess, Victoria. I badly want to see you sacrifice even a small thing for someone. Pero hindi ko alam na aabot tayo sa ganito. You're willing to sacrifice everything."

Bahagya akong natawa sa sinabi ng gabay ng nakaraan. She's right. All my life, I have been selfish. I always want the best for me even if it will be the worst for others.

I'm glad that I've changed.

But the change in me can't remove the truth about the curse.

"In order to go back to your world, you need to kill him."

Those words from the guardians weren't part of the act. It's all true. But there's something that changed.

The curse made both of our lives in the edge of death. The story about the moon and the sun fighting for the throne of the sky wasn't really for me and Vincent. It is really for Nickolas and I.

Only one of us can live and survive.

And I'll make sure that it is you, Nickolas.

"This knife will be the one to break the curse between the two of you. Are you really sure about this?" The guardian of the present said as she handed me a golden knife. I just smiled and nodded.

In order to set everything right, the curse must be broken.

And in order to break the curse, I need to die.

Because I, myself, is the living curse.

All my life, I've lived in chaos. They may see me as an elegant princess, but behind the confident smile I am wearing lies a chaotic mind in my head.

As the sun set, one of us will die.

A tear fell from my eyes as I struck the golden knife straight into my heart. The pain traveled through my whole body until it made me coughed blood.

Every breath I take pains me. I look at the knife in my chest that is now shining as the light of the setting sun touches it.

"Victoria!" I closed my eyes as I heard his voice. Why are you here, Nick?

"W-What have you done!?" He yelled as I lost my balance and fell into his arms.

He pulled the knife from my chest and rested his hand on it to stop it's bleeding. He looked at the direction where the guardians are standing.

"W-What's happening here!?" He shouted but none of them answered.

"Tell me!"

I told the guardians not to tell Nickolas about the curse. As he slept beside me lately, all he knows is that we'll live happy ever after after all the chaos we've been through. But that's not the truth.

The guardians had no choice but to tell him everything now. Well, even of he knew, it's already too late.

"Why didn't you tell me, Victoria? You know... You know that I can sacrifice my life just for you." And that's the reason why I didn't tell you the truth in the first place.

I forced my trembling hand to caress his cheek and wipe his tears. Breathing pains me but seeing him like this pains me more.

This is the reason why I let him sleep for that long. Because if I see him, I might regret leaving his side. And now, I did.

"N-Nick, your life is much worth living than mine," I said but he just shook his head and cry.

It's hurting me. I don't want to leave him.

But I should.

"Goodbye, Nickolas. I love you."

I used my remaining strength to pull myself towards him and pressed his lips in mine.

The last tear fell from my eyes as I felt my body slowly turning into ashes. My eyes became blurry and my mind became at peace.

The pain, the tears, and all the brokenness. All was gone now. I can feel nothing but being blown by the wind towards somewhere.

But before everything ended completely, a last thought came into my mind

--a written text in the first page of the book I've written.

She's wicked. That's why she was cursed to have a tragic ending.

----------
.
.
.
.

The next update will be the epilogue! Mwah