Chapter 23: Plans

"No words would be enough to thank the goddess of the blue fire for blessing me with this gift . . ."

At that moment, all I could do was gaze at his emerald eyes. The wind whistled with the trees; their leaves swirled with the fiery dust of the fire, and its dim light illuminated his cheeks— making me lost in a trance that I knew I couldn't recover.

Ah . . . putangina, ang guwapo ni Tobias.

I sighed. I closed my eyes and leaned my forehead with his. Siya ba dapat ang magsabi ng mga salitang iyon? The moment I arrived in this world, he made me realize that I'd been lucky to be his mate.

Mukha pa lang, wala na akong hahanaping reklamo? How much more his character and wealth? Idagdag pa iyong nine in— million niya.

"Thank you," I whispered to him.

Agad akong humalik sa pisngi niya bago ako mabilis na humiwalay sa kanya at mas binigyan ko ng pansin ang kahoy sa apoy at pinaglaruan iyon. I didn't trust myself when it comes to him.

"At least allow me to lean closer? Don't worry. I will not bite."

Hindi ko na nilingon pa si Tobias at mas ibinigay ko ang pansin ko sa apoy. Tumango na lang ako sa kanya. At napahinga ako nang maluwag nang makita ko na ang pagbabalik ni Claret, hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko sa sandaling magtagal pa kami ni Tobias na kami pa lamang.

It's really real that recently converted vampires couldn't control their thirst. Napapalingon lang ako saglit kay Tobias ay nakikita ko na ang leeg niya.

"Claret. . ."

Binitawan ko na iyong kahoy na nag-aabala sa akin. Dahil mukhang hindi pa yata napapansin ni Tobias si Claret ay siniko ko na siya. Tumikhim siya at mas tumuwid ng upo.

"Claret, where are they?" Tobias asked.

"Divina and Zen are playing near the river."

"Ah, yes. I felt the presence of a river nearby. How about the others?"

"Nagbibilang nang bituin? Hindi ba at iyon ang sinabi ni Rosh?"

"Ah, yes," Tobias casually replied.

Bigla kaming natahimik tatlo at tila may gustong sabihin si Claret. Maybe she wanted to talk to me privately?

Lumingon na ako kay Tobias. "S-should Claret and I talk privately, Tobias?"

Kumunot ang noo ni Tobias. "You don't want me here?"

"Hindi sa ganoon, Tobias. I have to talk to Claret. She might want to ask something about the human world, and you'll get bored. . ."

He sighed. "But—" Claret cut him off.

"You might want to speak with Rosh? Naroon siya, nakatanaw sa bituin." Itinuro niya ang direksyon ni Rosh.

Walang salitang tumayo si Tobias at hindi na niya kami nilingon pa ni Claret.

"This will be quick."

He didn't reply with our mind link.

Bago umupo si Claret sa tabi ko ay naramdaman kong ginamit niya ang kapangyarihan niya at saglit kong nakita na tila may bumalot sa amin.

It could be a spell to shield us from vampires who would try to listen to our conversation. "I made a spell."

I nodded. I glanced at Tobias's direction, held Claret's hands, and looked into her eyes. "I think I've fallen for him, Claret. What shall I do. . ."

"We're here to fall in love with our mates, Kezalli."

"I know, but I thought it was just the attraction, a mechanism in this world, our feelings are being manipulated, what if we're just here to dance with a written prophecy? What if this isn't the path that we really wanted? What if we have these invisible strings attached to our bodies? Paano ko sasabihin na totoo itong nararamdaman ko?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ko.

Natatakot na ako na mas lalong lumalim itong nararamdaman ko kay Tobias at tuluyan na akong hindi makaahon sa pag-ibig na akala ko'y totoo ngunit gawa lang ng mahika ng mundong ito.

"Would you like to try? You can cross the mirror and return to human world. Sa sandaling bumalik ka at halos hindi ka matahimik nang wala si Tobias sa tabi mo, saka mo isipin kung may bahid pa rin ng mahika ang nararamdaman mo sa kanya. Bumalik na ako sa mundo ng mga tao noon, Kezalli, mundong walang bahid ng mahika, pero si Zen pa rin. . ."

"I promised to myself that I'll help you and Divina . . ." and probably help Astrid . . .

"I told myself that I'll make my life better in the human world after escaping this world. But he's starting to drown me. . ."

Si Claret naman ngayon ang humawak sa kamay ko. "I know that you still have doubts, maging ako'y walang nais paniwalaan nang sandaling dumating ako sa mundong ito. I never thought that vampires existed. Akala ko nang noon ay nasa isang palabas ako, o kaya'y napagkatuwaan. . ."

"That's quite awkward," nakangiwing sabi ko.

"But I admire you, Kezalli. You are brave enough to enter a battlefield this early."

I sighed. If she ever discovered my life in the human world after her visit, after that tragedy in the fire, would she still look at me like this? Would she still tell me these words again?

"I came here for you, Claret. Kayo ni Divina, I might be the greatest scammer in the slums, but I am a woman of my word. I grew up, and here I am in front of you. Tutulong ako sa abot nang aking makakaya."

She smiled at me. "Salamat. . ."

Humarap akong muli sa apoy. Ngayon na walang nakaririnig sa amin. I might have as well mention Astrid and know more about her from Claret.

"I haven't heard about the third goddess of the prophecy . . ." I didn't know how to address her. Should I call her first ngayong kami lang ni Claret ang nakarating dito?

"Ang huling natatandaan ko lang ay pumapasok na raw siya. As someone who's trying to build my life in human world, nahirapan na akong tumawid rito. If those remaining women from the prophecy created a worthy life in the human world, I don't think it will be easy for them to sacrifice everything, Claret."

"Rosh's mate. . . Astrid. She has a successful career in the human world. I think she was a known engineer before the tragedy—"

Agad ko nang sinundan ang sasabihin niya. "Engr. Astrid Noella Fontanilla?"

"H-how did you know her? Did your grandmother—" agad umiling akong umiling sa kanya.

"Engr. Astrid was known in every orphan care centers, Claret. Halos lahat yata ng center ay kilala siya. She's been known for her volunteer programs and donations. Bago ako tumayo sa sarili kong mga paa ay ilang beses akong nagpalipat-lipat sa mga center at kilalang-kilala namin siya."

And then I faked my surprise, dahil napag-usapan na namin ito ni Tobias kanina. "B-but she died. . ."

"When I returned to this world and brought that news to Rosh, I saw how he almost asked to end it, but after Queen Leticia arrived in this world, and cleared everything, she gave Rosh hope. Astrid is still alive, and she might be somewhere."

"Oh. . ."

"There are lots of mysteries in this world, Kezalli. I know that you're still unsure about your life here, but I'll assure you that Tobias's love is genuine. He could even move the oceans for you."

I laughed. "I know that he can do it, literally."

Akala ko ay makaririnig pa ako ng ibang impormasyon tungkol kay Astrid mula kay Claret, ngunit wala na siyang nasabi pa. I even wanted to ask her if she happened to enter the mirror not as a portal, but a different realm designated for us— women from the prophecy.

Hindi na rin nagtagal ay bumalik na rin ang lahat at tinanggal na ni Claret ang kanyang mahika sa paligid namin.

"I think it's better to set our plans now," panimula ni Rosh.

We nodded at him.

Ngunit bago sila magsimula ay sinalubong muli ni Claret ang mga mata ko. "It's good to have you now, Kezalli. Thank you for crossing that mirror for us— for our prophecy."

Akala ko ay mananatiling kami lamang, ngunit agad hinawakan ni Tobias ang kamay ko nang naroon na rin sa grupo si Eyah, at sina Cora at Pearl na mga diyosa. Minsan ay nagkakasalubong ang mga mata namin ni Eyah, she looked seemingly awkward and harmless as someone who was new to the group.

Nakakasuka.

Hindi na napigilan ni Tobias ang kanyang sarili, mas dumiin ang hawak niya sa akin at bumulong siya. "You tell me if you want to end it, Love." Ramdam ko ang pag-iinit ng pisngi ko sa matinding galit.

"I thought you're going to save them? What happened? Bakit sila nasa kamay ng babaeng iyon?" Rosh asked Blair and Eyah.

Pinilit ko ang sarili kong hindi magtaas ng kilay. Of course, that was one of her schemes. She might have delayed Blair.

Blair sighed. "W-we only rescued the children and secured their place. When we found them, these goddesses were already gone."

Children?

Pati ba naman sa mundong ito?

"Don't blame them, Prince Rosh. Cora and I did it on purpose. We couldn't just let that woman toy with us while trying to use those children to hinder us from fighting against her. We did a spell to transport those children to a safe place, and teleportation with those numbers of presence took too much of our power. But Cora and I took that risk."

Dahil narito na sa usapan si Eyah, pinili ko na lang hindi magsalita at makinig na lang sa kanilang usapan.

"Creating a portal for those children, or teleporting them to a safer place was a challenge. Unlike you, who already had experience with portals and as someone who is with power, it would be easy for us to transfer you to a different place, but that's difficult for those children, it would need a lot of power to protect their bodies against the teleportation, and the teleportation itself," dagdag ni Cora.

"Now we can understand," sabi ni Seth.

"Since we just arrived, would you like to share the plan? Seth told us you needed our help," sabat ni Tobias.

"Actually, we're just expecting Kezalli," Rosh rolled his eyes.

"I don't think that's possible, Brother," napangiwi ako nang makita iyong ngiti ni Tobias. Kahit si Rosh ay napangiwi sa nakita niya sa kapatid.

Tobias was literally annoyed even with a smile on his face.

"I chose not to share everything because I already expected that we were going to have this conversation. I think we better share each other's experiences first before we all find ourselves here— around this campfire." Paliwanag ni Seth.

"Zen and Claret were in my team. We used a wooden raft to climb here since if you noticed Parsua Trafadore's still recovering from a snowstorm. We planned to enter the castle, but Mitchelle Thundilior stopped us with her hostages, and then everyone appeared," paliwanag ni Rosh.

"Freya and I took too much time to locate the children, and when we tried to find Cora and Pearl's through their presences we were deceived. Dinala kami sa maling lugar. Siguro ay may ginawa na roon si Mitchelle para hindi namin sila masundan at higit niyang magawa ang kanyang plano," sabi ni Blair.

Gusto kong tumawa nang malakas. Now she's trying to save children? Anong klaseng kasinungalingan ang ginagawa nitong si Eyah? She could be the reason why they were sent in different location.

"When I left to ask for my brothers' help, I told them that we needed Princess Divina's help and they have to prepare a powerful prison for Atlas, I also had an opportunity to explain to them our situation— and the fact that this creature has somewhat in relation with our bloodline as well. Since I can't cross the mirror, I asked some of them to get the princess in the human world or in a holy land that Freya mentioned."

"Holy Land is only for those invited creatures," Eyah said.

You sure? Bruha ka!

Seth grinned. "My brothers can always invite themselves. There's nothing impossible with them even reaching an impossible realm."

"Yes! The handsome princes from Avalon went to the human world. They love lollipop," dagdag ni Divina.

"Why is she here—" Rosh shook his head. Dahil kahit ako ay hindi rin natutuwa na may inosenteng bata na kasama sa misyong ito. Divina's still too young to be involved in this complicated situation.

"Sila ang sumundo sa 'yo, Divina?" I asked.

Hindi ko pa nga pala siya natatanong kung paano siya nakabalik sa mundong ito.

"Yes! They are nice too, Kezalli. It's a shame that you didn't meet them in the human world."

"Sayang . . ."

"What do you mean by that, Kezalli Lanoire?" Agad na sabi ni Tobias sa isipan ko.

"Since we were aware of everyone's situation before we gathered here, we have to talk about our next step. To be honest, we're all involved here— deeply involved. How Atlas's bloodline might be connected with us, how Blair, his half-sister, and this empire have been a victim for years, how Veda Le'Vamuievos is involved, and Atlas's interest in Princess Divina's power. Kahit saang anggulo sa ating lima umiikot ang suliraning ito kay Atlas. Yes, King Dastan and Queen Leticia should know about this, but this is a matter concerning our prophecy," mahabang paliwanag ni Seth.

"I've sent a missive to Dastan. I told him that I could take it from here," sagot ni Tobias.

Ngumiwi si Rosh. "You never get involved. You're not even leaving the palace if not asked by Dastan."

Tipid akong napangiti sa sinabi ni Rosh. Dahil ba talaga sa akin kaya bigla na lang nagpasyang lumabas ng palasyo si Tobias?

"Because I know that this group is already strong enough to ask for my help for the past years. Was I wrong about it? Hindi naman kayo mga inutil na kailangan pa ng tulong ko." He said with a sarcastic smile.

Napangiwi ako sa sinabi ni Tobias, si Rosh ay kanina ko pa napapansin na may kapareho kong ekspresyon sa mga sinasabi ng kapatid niya.

"Sinasabi mo ba na mga inutil kami ngayon, Tobias?" sabat ni Zen na iritado na rin.

Tobias faked his surprise and he annoyingly smiled. Kahit siguro ako ay iinit ang ulo sa kanya. Pang-asar lang.

"I would never think of that insolence, Prince Zen. I am here because I can't deny a request from my favorite princess. . ."

Divina giggled. "I asked King Tobias to help us! Kezalli's still shy for everyone so King Tobias is here."

Natawa silang lahat sa sinabi ni Divina. "Besides, Divina wants King Tobias's help than the villain from Parsua Deltora." She rolled her eyes.

Kilala ako na ang tinutukoy niya. For me, he's also my villain.

"Villain?"

"Prince Pryor! I will not ask for his help!"

Hindi rin nagtagal ay bumalik muli kami sa usapan tungkol sa plano.

"Alright, let's get back to our plans. Now that we're all aware that everyone has a big role in this mission, let's get started," ulit ni Seth na nasa unahan naming lahat.

"We're all aware that we can create bigger damage to Atlas if someone has ancient blood, we had an encounter with him before, and Rosh managed to cut his arm. When was Atlas' last encounter? How was he?"

Itinaas ni Claret ang kamay niya. "I had an encounter with him as well. He happened to grow back his arms, but he used a number of living presence, and I did damage to his body as well. I think it will take more time for him to recover if it is going to be Rosh's attack."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Claret? Alone? Nagawa niyang harapin si Atlas? Kung kaming lahat ay nagpa-plano pa lang para labanan siya, hindi ko maiwasang humanga sa kanya. Claret's definitely a fighter.

"Do you have ancient blood?" tanong ni Seth kina Rosh at Tobias.

Napalingon ako sa magkapatid. Hindi pa kami umabot ni Tobias sa ganoong usapan. "We don't know. We're aware that we are full-blooded Le'Vamuievos, but our mother never gave us the full details of her roots," Tobias replied.

"So, it's possible that they have ancient blood from Queen Raeliana," sabi ni Seth.

"Claret, you managed to give him a severe damage, kami ni Pearl ang huling nakakita sa kanya. He feeds our blood. Kaya lubos din kaming nanghina bago kami dalhin sa harapan ng palasyo," sabi ni Cora.

Ramdam ko ang biglang pagdilim ng presensiya ng lahat ng mga bampirang naroon habang umiiyak na si Divina sa dibdib ng kanyang ama.

Napamasahe sa kanyang noo si Seth. "He's really a pain. Can we just kill—" hindi natuloy ni Seth ang sasabihin niya nang sumulyap siya kina Rosh at Tobias.

Of course, there's a possibility that we'd also kill Veda if we killed Atlas.

"We have to reach Veda first, we need to know her thoughts. . ." sabi ni Eyah.

For what?

Hindi ko na itinago ang pagsasalubong ng kilay ko sa sinabi ni Eyah.

"There's only one person who can communicate with the dead, soul, and anyone trapped in any dimension. . ." sabi ni Seth.

"That's me! Divina will talk to Veda Le'Vamueivos! She's Prince Rosh's secret sister, right?"

"Yes. . ." mahinang sabi ni Rosh.

No fucking way! Hahayaan nila ang bata? And the fact that it was Eyah's idea?

Napapalingon na ako kay Tobias na hindi sinasalubong ang mga mata ko.

"W-will Divina do this alone? She's still young. . ." I said.

"I don't think Divina's capable of bringing another soul with her," dagdag ni Claret.

"I did that! I've brought Uncle Desmond under the bridge of temptation, but I failed to bring him on land, naglangoy pa sa river si Uncle Desmond kaya nabasa ang damit niya," giit Divina.

"What are you talking about?" nalilitong tanong ni Zen.

"Oh, I traveled in the past with Prince Rosh, Hua, Queen Leticia, and Grandfather Nikos! But I think Queen Leticia removed their memories. . ." Divina tilted her head and looked at Rosh.

"Did you remember it, Prince Rosh?" tanong ni Divina.

"Remember I don't understand as well, Princess Divina."

"Hmm. . . that's okay."

"I think Princess Divina has a lot more to say about her adventures, but let's focus more on our current adventure," Seth interrupted awkwardly.

Napapalingon na ako sa paligid. I started to panic. I didn't think it was a good idea, lalo na't galing iyon kay Eyah. She might be brewing something, and she was about to use the innocence and enthusiasm of our poor Divina.

"H-how about I volunteer? I can come with Divina, and if you're worried about the river, marunong naman akong maglangoy," I said as I raised my hands.

Because there's no way I would allow Eyah— Freya or even Atlas to touch Divina and use her the way I was used when I was young.