"And your reality is me..."

AVERY

After sealing their agreement, the wounds on their palms started to heal. Zion already removed his dark green hood.

He was wearing a sleeveless gray shirt made of animal skin. The one who made must be really good for the fabric was perfectly sewed and was really fine. Some of the buttons of his shirt were left open, showing some of the tight muscles on his chest. The muscles on his bare arms looked so strong too.

Siguro nga tama siya na mas marami siyang alam sa pakikipaglaban kaysa kay Zirrius. His well-built and strong body was already speaking for himself. Hindi halata sa edad niya ang ganda ng hubog ng katawan niya.

He was wearing a dark brown leather pants and black boots. Makikita ang mga patalim na nasa sa ilang parte ng pantalon niya. Seems like he was really prepared whenever something unexpected happens.

"But you can still visit Augary since I'm still your brother," Zion said with hesitation. He was a bit shy. "I mean, you're my only family left. And I don't want to push you away. I don't think my pride will be able to help me on this kind of situation, anyway. It will be more painful to lose another family due to unreasonable pride," he said as he adorably bit his lips.

Gusto kong mapangiti dahil sa ginagawa niya. Medyo namamangha si Zirrius dahil sa pagiging prangka ni Zion kahit alam niyang medyo nahihiya ito.

"Sure. Bibisitahin kita. I think, it will also be nice to have a little brother," he answered with a genuine smile. "Pero siguro matatagalan pa. Kailangan pa nating matalo si Severus. And right now, I could see that your kingdom really took huge damage from him," saad ni Zirrius na bahagyang sumeryoso. Isang malaki at itim na tower ang nakatayo malapit sa halos mawasak na kaharian. The tower was now finished.

Kahit na maliwanag sa ilaw ang mga bayan ng Augury, mapapansin pa rin ang katamlayan ng buong lugar. Napatingala sa langit si Zirrius nang mapansin ang mga nyebe na bumabagsak mula sa kalangitan. Pero ang nakakapagtaka, sa buong nasasakupan lang ng AUgury umuulan ng nyebe.

"You're right. Severus took his time to destroy this Kingdom. Marami sa mga nasasakupan ko ang naiwan upang maging alipin niya pero marami rin ang nakaligtas. That's the only army I have now. Everytime I check this Kingdom from afar, I let snow fall on my land. My people already know the message behind it. It's a simple reminder that I'm still alive and I never, even once, forget this Kingdom. I will reclaim my throne and I will save everyone," he answered on a deep, serious voice. A hint of sadness was visible on his eyes. "When Augury completely restored its beauty, you are very much welcome to visit," he added with a half-smile.

Marahang tumango si Zirrius at lumingon kay Zion. Medyo natigilan si Zirrius dahil isang pamilyar na marka ang nakita niya sa gilid ng leeg ng kapatid niya. Alam na niya kung ano ito. Isa itong seal na katulad ng sa kanya. His neck is also covered with some cool green marks.

Bumuntong-hininga si Zirrius. He was already tired from Verone's test and he didn't want to face another today. All he wanted now was to get some sleep and rest.

"I'm looking forward for that time," Zirrius said with a kind smile. Medyo naaawa siya kay Zion dahil napakabata pa nito upang mamuno sa isang napakalaking kaharian. "You can visit my kingdom too, but right now, I don't know which Kingdom really belongs to me," Zirrius added. Napansin ko ang bahagyang paglungkot ng boses niya.

Nagtatakang tumingin sa kanya si Zion. Masyadong inosente ang mukha niya at halatang-halata na gusto niyang magkwento pa si Zirrius. He looked like an eager child waiting for a bedtime story to be told. Bahagyang napangiti naman si Zirrius nang mapansin ang reaksiyon ni Zion. Ibinulsa ni Zirrius ang dalawang kamay at seryosong tinanaw ang Augury.

"I'm human before I get here," Zirrius told him. He seemed willing to share some of his pasts to his little brother. Hinahayaan niyang mas makilala pa siya ni Zion. Maybe, somehow, through this, the gap between their relationship will be lessened.

"Mula ako sa kaharian ng Alveria. I was a Prince there. I thought I was the son of the late King so I was considered as his heir. Pero dahil bata pa ako, ang kapatid ng aking ama ang pansamantalang namuo sa kaharian. Unfortunately, it seems that he had no plan on giving me the throne. Umalis ako sa Alveria dahil sa maraming dahilan. Isa na roon ang dahilan na balak akong patayin ng hari. Nangako ako na babalik ako para sa mga taong nakatira roon at para rin sa isang tao na mahalaga sa 'kin. Ngayon, hindi ko na alam kung para sa 'kin talaga ang Alveria," sambit ni Zirrius. "Hindi ko na alam kung doon ba talaga ako nababagay. Hindi ako tao at hindi rin ako totoong anak ng nawalang hari. And right now, Asteria is very foreign to me. I don't know if I can really handle that Kingdom I never even once see and know."

Tinanaw niya ang malawak na kaharian ng Augury na unti-unting nabalot ng yelo. His eyes became distant. He was lost somewhere in his thoughts. I could feel his emptiness, the hole waiting to be filled by something so familiar, something that felt like home. Uncomfortable silence filled the atmosphere. I also felt uncomfortable, as if I was breathing alongside with them.

"If you promised that you will come back, then you shouldn't break that," mahinang saad ni Zion na bumasag sa nakabibinging katahimikan. "A true king must not break any promises he made. Unless, you want to tarnish your reputation. Unless, you're a fake."

"Iba na ako ngayon. Iba na ang anyo ko. Hindi kaya matakot sila sa 'kin?" tanong ni Zirrius na bahagyang nakangiti nang tumingin kay Zion.

Nagkibit-balikat lang si Zion. "Kung naniniwala sila sa 'yo, hindi sila matatakot sa 'yo," simpleng sagot niya. "Eyes shouldn't be use to judge appearances. Eyes must be use to see the truth behind every masks."

Zirrius was quite amused. "What if they are too blind to see?"

"If their eyes are too blind to see, shouldn't they use their hearts instead?" Zion wittily asked back. Mahinang tumawa si Zirrius at napailing. Hindi ganu'n kadali ang sinabi ni Zion pero may punto pa rin naman siya.

Zirrius lightly patted Zion's shoulder. "Thanks," nakangiting saad ni Zirrius. Medyo gumaan ang loob niya dahil sa pakikipag-usap kay Zion. "It will be morning soon. We should head back and rest," he added. Marahang tumango lang si Zion.

Mula sa harapan nila ay may lumabas na isang portal. "This will lead you to Damon's camp," he said. Somehow he sounded disappointed. Siguro dahil hindi na maaaring magtagal pa ang pag-uusap nilang dalawa.

"Take care of yourself," paalala ni Zirrius bago siya pumasok sa loob ng portal.

"You too," Zion said before Zirrius totally disappeared with the portal. Napunta si Zirrius sa harap ng isang lugar kung saan naglalakihang puno ang nakikita niya. Napansin ni Zirrius na may mga bahay sa loob ng malalaking katawan ng mga punong ito. Binubuo ito ng maraming palapag at may mga hagdan na nag-uugnay sa mga ito, mula sa lupa hanggang sa tuktok. It was a magical place due to the tree's dancing leaves as if it has its own life.

Pakiramdam ni Zirrius ay naririnig niya ang mahinang pagkanta ng mga puno na tila naghehele ng isang sanggol. Siguro ito ang paraan ng mga puno upang kahit papaano ay maibsan ang mga paghihirap na dinadanas ng mga Exetherian.

Mapapansin ang ilang Exetherian na nag-iikot sa paligid. Halatang naalarma sila sa biglaang pagdating at pagsulpot ni Zirrius sa kung saan. Pero natigilan sila sa paglalabas ng mga armas dahil sa isang tao na pumigil sa kanila. Kahit nagdadalawang-isip ay bumalik sila sa kung ano man ang ginagawa nila kanina.

"You're back," seryosong saad ni Damon habang nakasandal siya sa isang puno at nakahalukipkip. Marahang tumango si Zirrius.

"How's Avery?" mahinang tanong ni Damon kay Zirrius. "It seems Verone took good care of you," komento pa niya habang seryosong pinag-aaralan si Zirrius mula ulo hanggang paa. Alam kong nararamdaman ni Damon ang kakaibang lakas ni Zirrius ngayon kumpara noong una silang magkita.

Bahagyang umangat ang sulok ng labi ni Zirrius sa unang tanong ni Damon sa kanya. "She's good as always," aroganteng sagot ni Zirrius. Nagkibit-balikat naman si Zirrius sa komento ni Damon at hindi nagsalita. Zirrius was just too tired with this interrogation. At pagod na rin ako upang magkomento.

Mukhang napansin naman ni Damon ang nararamdamang pagod ni Zirrius. His red kissable lips curved into a half-smirk. "That's your room," he said as he pointed the room on the top of the tree. Marahang tumango si Zirrius at naglakad na patungo sa silid niya. He walked up the spiral stairs surrounding the huge tree until he reached his room.

May maliit na lampara na nakapatong sa isang mesa. Medyo maluwag ito at kasya pa ang ilang mga upuan na gawa sa kahoy. Malaki rin ang kama sa gilid ng silid. Makikita ang isang maliit na bintana na nakabukas. Medyo namamangha pa si Zirrius dahil sa lugar na ito.

The almost silent song of the trees were calming and beautiful. Somehow there's a hint of sadness and at the same time, a slight joy on the song. Ipinatong niya ang dalang gamit sa mesa.

Napansin niya na may banyo rin sa loob ng silid kaya nagpasya siyang maligo muna. Nang makapasok sa banyo, namangha siya dahil sa shower na nasa loob nito. It was overflowing with water like a waterfall. He noticed that the floor made of woods were absorbing it to avoid flooding.

Medyo naramdaman ni Zirrius ang pananakit ng ibang parte ng katawan niya. This was really a long day for him. Almost everything made him tired. He took his bath with quiet excitement. Medyo mainit ang tubig na tila nanggaling pa ito sa isang bukal. Pakiramdam niya naiibsan nito ang sakit ng katawan niya. His tensed body was now relaxed.

Hindi ko na rin siya kinulit dahil pakiramdam ko ay napagod din ang kaluluwa ko dahil sa mga nangyari. Iniisip ko pa kung paano ko makakausap ang kanang kamay ko. I was sure he was waiting for my orders. Nagdesisyon ako na gamitin mamaya ang katawan ni Zirrius habang natutulog siya.

Nang matapos si Zirrius dumiretso siya sa kama niya upang magpahinga. He was already drained and all he wanted now was to sleep. Halos napapapikit na rin ang mga mata niya kahit hindi pa niya gustong matulog. The songs of the trees were really soothing and relaxing. Wala pang limang minuto ay nakatulog na siya.

Bago ko masaniban si Zirrius ay may nakita akong liwanag sa kaliwang bahagi ng kinaroroonan ko. May kutob ako na si Damon na naman ang may gawa nito. Mas pinili ko muna siyang puntahan. Mamaya ko na lang siguro sasaniban si Zirrius kapag mahimbing na mahimbing na ang pagtulog niya.

Kaya pala hindi na nakipagtalo kanina si Damon ay dahil balak na naman niyang pasukin ang isipan ni Zirrius. Hindi pa rin kasi kayang gumawa ni Zirrius ng barrier para maprotektahan ang isip kaya madali para kay Damon ang gawin ito.

I opened the door and entered Damon's room of thoughts.

I ended up on the same room we met last time. Napansin ko na medyo madilim ang ekspresiyon nang mukha niya pero bahagyang lumiwanag 'yon nang mapansin niya ang presensiya ko. He felt relief that I was not hurt or anything. Nakahinga siya nang maluwag dahil sa pagpasok ko sa silid na ito.

Prenteng nakaupo siya sa gilid ng kama habang magkasalikop ang dalawang kamay. His bare torso was glistening due to the silver marks on his chest. He was just wearing his trousers. Even when he seemed worried about some things, he still looked gorgeous like before. He still looked calm and collected.

He was staring at me intently like he wanted to remember every details of my face. Marahan niyang kinagat ang labi dahil sa hindi ko malamang dahilan. I was not sure if I see longing in his eyes. Seems like he missed me so much?

Naglakad ako patungo sa isang pulang sofa at umupo roon.

"I thought you'd be on Ynaris for just two months? Bakit kayo nagtagal?" mahina at nag-aalangang tanong niya. He seemed so lost. Siguro dahil na rin sa pagbagsak ng Exether.

"Zirrius needs to train. And it's safer to train in Ynaris," sagot ko sa kanya.

"Verone is dangerous," he said between gritted teeth. "Hindi natin siya maituturing na kakampi. She's on nobody's side. She only take sides when she knows that it will benefit her and her kingdom," seryosong sambit ni Damon.

"I know. But right now, she chose to fight with us. We should trust her," seryosong sambit ko. Mabigat na bumuntong-hininga si Damon. Hindi pa rin naaalis ang pagdududa niya. Hindi ko naman siya masisisi. Tinulungan ni Verone si Severus na pabagsakin ang Exether. Verone was really unpredictable and that's the reason why it's really hard to trust her. Pero wala akong nararamdamang kahit anong galit kay Verone. Naiintindihan ko na ginagawa lang niya ang lahat para sa Ynaris.

Ganito rin naman ang ginagawa naming lahat. Nagiging makasarili kami para sa mga teritoryo namin. It's already a given. Kung ako ang nasa posisyon ni Verone, baka gawin ko rin lahat ng mga ginagawa niya.

Tumayo si Damon. I noticed that his chiseled jaws were clenched firmly. Nagsimula siyang maglakad patungo sa kinaroroonan ko. Matiim na nakatitig sa 'kin ang mga abo niyang mata. He was intensely intimading. Kung hindi ko lang siya kilala, baka itinapon ko na ang sarili ko sa kanya.

"Zirrius is the real King of Asteria," he stated flatly. Malalim akong bumuntong-hininga. Wala talagang maiitago si Zirrius kay Damon hangga't hindi niya natututunan ang paggawa ng barrier sa isip niya. Sana hindi umabot sa ganito ang kayang gawin ni Severus dahil kapag nagkataon, wala na kaming kawala.

Tumigil siya sa harap ko. His gray eyes was still piercing through my soul. "Katulad ni Verone, mapanganib din siya," he added.

Sumimangot ako. "Hindi siya kaaway," mariing wika ko sa kanya.

"Siguro, sa ngayon, hindi siya kaaway," mariing wika niya. "Pero paano kung magdesisyon siya na makipagtulungan na lang kay Severus?"

"Hindi niya gagawin 'yon. Pinatay ni Severus si Zara," nagmamatigas pa rin na sambit ko. Zirrius would never betray me. Right? Hindi maiwasan ng kaluluwa ko na bahagyang magduda sa sarili kong tanong.

"Unfortunately, Severus have his ways. Sa ayaw o sa gusto ni Zirrius, maaari pa rin siyang makontrol ni Severus," seryosong saad ni Damon. Natahimik ako. Alam ko. Nakukuha ko ang gusto niyang sabihin pero hindi pa naman nangyayari ang sinasabi niya. I hate it when he was already analyzing situations ahead of time. He was awakening the possible horrors inside of me.

"It will be more dangerous for both of you to go to Elfania. Especially with Verone on your side," he said. Napansin ko ang mariing pagsara at pagbukas ng mga kamao niya. Malalim siyang bumuntong-hininga bago siya kumalma.

"It's the only way to get my body back," naiinis na saad ko.

"Then let me go there alone. I'll retrieve your body for you. Hindi kita hahayaang mapahamak. I'll do everything for you just to keep you safe," he said sincerely. Tila tumatagos bawat salita niya sa kaluluwa ko. Napaawang ang labi ko habang naguguluhang tumingin ako sa kanya.

"Why are you doing this? You don't have to!" naguguluhang saad ko sa kanya. Iniangat ni Damon ang kamay niya at marahang hinaplos ang pisngi ko. Mariing napapikit ako bago nagpasyang tingnan siya sa mga mata. His gray eyes were pleading and almost desperate.

"Mahalaga ka sa 'kin, Avery. Hindi mo alam pero mahalaga ka sa 'kin," he almost whispered. Napansin ko na nahihirapan din siya sa sitwasyon. Mahalaga ako sa kanya? Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya na humahaplos sa pisngi ko.

"Zirrius is with me. Kaya na niyang ipagtanggol ang sarili niya. Kaya na niyang lumaban," mahinang saad ko kahit naguguluhan pa rin. Bahagya akong napailing. Damon was making this mission harder for me. Ayokong nag-aalala siya nang ganito.

"You're not safe with him," he countered. "Especially when Severus discovered who he really is. He'll be after his head or if not, then he'll be after his power. Severus will use him," he insisted.

"She's safe with me."

Natigilan kaming dalawa ni Damon dahil sa isang hindi inaasahang bisita. Seryoso ang tinig ni Zirrius. Nang lumingon ako sa kinaroroonan niya, nakita ko siyang nakasandal sa hamba ng pintuan habang seryosong nakatingin sa 'min ni Damon. Bahagya akong kinabahan.

Bumaba ang tingin ni Zirrius sa kamay namin ni Damon na magkahawak. Damon held my hand tightly and didn't bother to let go before he faced Zirrius. Seryoso rin siya at hindi ngumingiti.

"It seems I underestimated you," seryosong saad ni Damon. Kahit bahagyang nagulat siya, hindi niya ipinahalata kay Zirrius.

"You did," Zirrius answered flatly. Hindi nag-abalang tumingin si Zirrius kay Damon. Bahagyang naningkit ang mga mata niya sa 'kin. I know he still couldn't see me due to the light covering me up against his vision. Bahagyang sumimangot siya.

"You can see her?" he asked Damon with curiosity. Bumaling ang atensiyon ni Damon sa 'kin. He didn't get what Zirrius was trying to say. When he finally realized what Zirrius was seeing then he nodded. Mas lalong sumimangot si Zirrius.

"You're invading my privacy," seryosong sambit na lang ni Zirrius. "Leave my thoughts alone now and never do this again," mariing utos ni Zirrius kay Damon. Damon just smirked.

"If you managed to guard your thoughts then that's the only time I'll leave you alone," Damon answered. Tila hinahamon niya si Zirrius. I know, Zirrius couldn't do that. Tumayo na ako.

"You should rest, Damon," mahinang saad ko sa kanya. Marahan kong pinisil ang kamay niya. "Please..." I pleaded. "Huwag mo ng problemahin ang pagpunta namin sa Elfania. I'm on the safe side. We can handle it. And don't enter his mind like this so we can avoid conflicts," mahinang dagdag ko pa. I let go of his hand and walked towards Zirrius. Hindi ko na sinulyapan pa si Damon. Hindi ko kakayanin kung makita ko man siyang nasasaktan. I would surely be torn between the two of them. Nagmamadaling hinila ko na siya palabas sa silid na iyon.

"You're secretly meeting him like this?" naiinis na tanong sa 'kin ni Zirrius. We already reached the dark part of his existence. And he sounded jealous, like I did something wrong.

"You sounded like I cheat on you. Paano mo nalaman kung nasaan kami? You shouldn't feel it, right?" naguguluhang tanong ko. Sumimangot siya dahil hindi ko sinagot ang tanong niya.

"I felt it. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano. Siguro dahil mas lumakas na ang pakiramdam ko o dahil mas lumakas na ang kapangyarihan ko," kibit-balikat na sagot ni Zirrius. "You hadn't answer my question," he reminded.

"It's not a secret meeting. He just connected his thoughts to you so he can talk to me. He's just worried," I answered.

"And he can see you while I can't?" naiinis na tanong niya. Napansin ko ang bahagyang pagtaas ng kilay niya.

"You haven't seen me before," kibit-balikat na sagot ko sa kanya.

"But you can do something for me to see you," he countered impatiently. Natigilan ako at bahagyang sumimangot.

"My appearance doesn't matter now. I'm just a soul. I need my body and that's the only time you are allowed to see me," nakasimangot na saad ko. "Why are you even insisting to see me now?"

"It's just not fair that they can see you while I can't," parang bata na sagot. "Somehow, you intrigue me. Suddenly, I felt like I want to unlock your very soul... to see you as you really are... to see the face behind that blinding light... And I don't know for what reason," mahinang sambit niya. He sounded sincere and my soul wanted to run amok.

"Do you think I'm going insane?" he frustratedly asked me. Kahit ako, hindi na rin makapag-isip nang tama.

"Maybe, you are," mahinang saad ko. Mabigat na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan niya. Marahan siyang umiling bago niya inilibot ang paningin sa kinaroroonan namin. The whole place was so dark.

"Are you staying here?" he asked. I nodded in silence.

"This place is so gloomy," he commented.

"That's very you," I said with a frown.

Mas lalong sumimangot si Zirrius dahil sa sinabi ko. "Shall we change this place into something better?" he asked me. He looked at me even when he couldn't see through the light.

Humalukipkip ako at tiningnan siya nang matiim. "Can you change the place?" paghahamon ko sa kanya.

His lips curved into a masculine grin. "What do you want to see here?"

Nagdududang pinag-aralan ko siya. Hindi ko alam kung seryoso ba talaga siya sa sinasabi niya. But he's the only one who can control the scenery here. Did already he know that?

"Fine," I said. "I want a tunnel made of red and blue rose. At the end of that tunnel, there's a wide field of lavender and perfectly placed golden-leaves maple trees and cherry blossoms on the sidelines. That will be enough. I don't think we can exactly copy that place here. It's so magical," seryosong saad ko sa kanya.

"That kind of place exists?" interesadong tanong ni Zirrius sa 'kin. I nodded and smiled. "But it's not exactly the way I described it. I just want a replica right now, since you're too kind to change this place."

*****