Anong pinagsasabi ng baliw na 'to?

"Tuluyan na bang lumuwag ang turnilyo sa utak mo? I seriously recommend that you see a doctor-"

"I mean," tumaas ang naiinis niyang boses. "Stop flirting with my man!"

I glanced at the 'man' in question, pero abala na ito sa pag-aayos ng uniform. He pretended to not have heard any of our conversation. Nag-iisip na din siguro 'to ng paraan para maiwasan ang mga tanong ko.

"Hoy! Nakikinig ka ba?!"

Umatras ako para hindi matalsikan ng laway ni baliw. "Fortunately, kagaya ng maayos mong pagdescribe na isang lalaki ang Damon na 'to, maayos din ang tainga ko, thank you."

She rolled her eyes.

"Pero, seryoso, tingin ko need mo ng doktor. Should I call one of the academy physicians to see-"

"Maybe you're too shocked to comprehend the truth, Raven." Beatrix crossed her arms proudly. "Damon and I are together. Kami. May relasyon kami."

Napaawang ang labi ko. I blinked, turning to Damon who was intently staring at me. I tried to say something but I couldn't form and choose the right sentence, kaya ang nasabi ko na lang ay,

"Ew."

Suminghap si Beatrix. "Nang-iinsulto ka ba?!"

"We're nly together. It's a casual relationship." pagtatama ng lalaki.

Still, that won't change my reaction. I approached him to ask about his conversation with Ellis! Hindi ang maki-usyoso sa relasyon niya. Much more with Beatrix involved.

Tsaka... siya at ang babaeng 'to?!

"Pero akala ko crush mo si Helios?"

"I admire him. That doesn't mean I want to be his girl!" umirap siya. "Isa pa, a prince like him is more suited to be with someone like Dustine, a daughter of a High Lord and Regent."

Aside from discovering Damon's ugly taste in girls and finding out that Beatrix would jump at any handsome man who'll offer a relationship, I couldn't believe what I just heard.

"Sino ang alin?"

"Don't tell me you don't know?" mapakla siyang tumawa. "Kaya naman pala lapit ka ng lapit sa kaniya. Let me educate you, Raven. Helios is not just any ordinary boy, he's the prince. The successor of the throne. The future king of Hiraya. At ikaw na walang pagpapakita ng halaga sa mga batas natin ay hinding-hindi pwede sa kaniya."

That son of sun! He's a prince?!

Sa ilang beses naming magkausap, ni hindi niya man lang nasabi 'yon? Kahit na 'Oi, Raven. Prinsipe pala ako' na lang sana.

He says those buffet words all the time but fails to provide the most important thing. O baka naman sa'kin ang problema? I mean... being a royal isn't exactly a secret. Bilang isang citizen ng Hiraya, isa sa obligasyon namin ang makilala ang naninirahan sa Palace, lalong-lalo na ang royal family.

But what can I do? I've been imprisoned in my own house my whole life. Ang tanging alam ko lang na lugar ay ang central town ng Alora. I can't even remember the king's name, without hearing it once, and since I don't even know his surname, there's no room for realization.

Tamara's third finger-snap brought me back to the present. Ang pasaway kong kabayo na si Lilith ay marahan akong sinipa. Nanghihingi na naman ng atensiyon ang bubwit.

Tumayo ako at bumuntong-hininga. I can feel three pairs of eyes following my every move. Hindi ko sila pinansin at sumakay kay Lilith, letting my heels click on the stirrup. I don't usually let Lilith wear a saddleㅡ nagamit ko lang when I had to train herㅡ but this time, I wasn't really in a mood. Gusto ko lang magpahangin sa gubat at dahil wala kaming training, I wanted to use that opportunity.

"Grabe, hanga talaga ako hanggang ngayon sa'yo, Raven. I can never imagine myself wearing heels while riding a horse." nakangiwing komento ni Tamara sa tabi.

"You're just not used to wearing it, Tammy." said Griffin with his ugly nicknames. Sumakay din siya sa kabayo nang makita ako. "You're going for a run, Raven? Pwede sumama?"

Hindi ako sumagot at pinatakbo na si Lilith. The wind blew against my face rather harshly, the forest passing by in a fast blur. I can barely hear Griffin's horse from how fast Lilith and I were going. At mukhang naiintindihan niya rin na gusto kong magpalabas ng sama ng loob. She was tamer now, obeying every direction I give and never complaining.

Bumagal lang kami nang mukhang napagod na siya. Doon ko lang din narinig ang kabayo ni Griffin. Hingal na hingal naman ang nakasakay dito. I rested the reins on Lilith's mane, enjoying the peaceful song of birds in the midday sun. Griffin also did the same, letting his exhausted horse slow down.

"Nasa karera ba tayo?" hingal niyang tanong.

I ignored that and proceeded to ask, "Kapag ba may itatanong ako sa'yo, sasabihin mo ang totoo?"

He stared at me innocently. Bahagyang kumunot ang noo niya bago tumango nang hindi man lang nagda-dalawang-isip.

"Siyempre naman, Raven! Simula noong unang magkita tayo, totoo ang sinabi ko sa'yo." he paused. "Ano ba tanong mo?"

"Sa tingin mo ba, may koneksiyon ako kay Sarienne?"

Muling umihip ang hangin na isinayaw ang buhok naming dalawa. My hair was in a ponytail, tied up by the black ribbon that I received from Mom, while Griffin's hair was slightly tousled because of chasing me. Bukas ang unang dalawang butones ng suot niyang long-sleeve shirt. Under the rays of the sun like this, his rugged look seems dazzling.

Isang minuto ang lumipas na tinitigan niya lang ako. Once again, he had that dumb look in his face.

Bumuntong-hininga ako. "Forget it. Hindi mo nga pala-"

"Siguro." he cut me off. "Didn't she call you her daughter? Hindi ba si Sarienne 'yong nagpakita sa'tin ng memorya? That room si special. It was strictly locked until your key opened it. At sa mga soulstones na nandoon, paniguradong naakit si Sarienne."

"Anong... ibig mong sabihin?"

"Hindi ako gano'n katalino pero ito ang mga nalaman ko sa pagtatrabaho sa isang High Lord noon. The Second War wasn't supposed to be a forbidden topic. Itinago lang ito ng royal council dahil natatakot silang mabigyang kasalanan ang Palasyo. 'Gaya nga doon sa nakita natin, they were involved. And any influence on war is seen as a crime."

"Is that why... they blamed Alondra?"

"With Eleazar's death, the city lost its power. The royal and academy council was already keeping them in check, dahil sa magic na pino-possess nila. Hindi ko alam kung bakit at kailan nagkaroon ng matinding galit sa ganoong dark magic dahil nakasaad sa kahit anong history book na pantay ang lahat ng soulbearers." he paused. "Ang babaeng... sumigaw doon sa memorya. Sa tingin ko kapatid siya ni Eleazar."

I stared at Griffin, digesting all the information he shared. "Paano mo naman nasabi 'yan?"

He looked surprised, not expecting that question.

"Because even though transcripts of the war has been destroyed or hidden, there are images of Eleazar around. Hindi magkalayo ang itsura nila ng babaeng umaway kay Sarienne sa memorya."

Iniwas ko ang tingin. Hindi ko din alam kung anong itsura ng Eleazar na 'yan.

I've never realized how little I knew about this country... about the world. Pakiramdam ko'y isa akong sanggol na nagsisimula pa lang maglakad at makakita ng bagay-bagay.

I don't care about being or looking smart. I don't enjoy reading books unless they're about strategies and war. I've heard military discussions from Conrad and I have an idea about the political situation of Hiraya. Hindi din ako gano'n kabobo pagdating sa mga rules na itinaguyod mula ng lumaki ako, especially about the soul magics.

But I never did pay special attention. Inisip ko na hindi ko kailangan dahil wala naman akong soulstone. And now, here I am, lost at all the information.

Silently, I blamed my parents for it too. Maybe... if they paid attention to me while growing up, I would have known these things? Instead of giving me books to read, what if Mom told me those stories as she did to my two sisters? Instead of criticizing everything I do, what if Dad made an action to teach me? Instead of ignoring or sympathizing with me, what if my sisters reached out and helped me?

The turmoil in my heart kept increasing. Hindi ko napansin na sobrang lalim na pala ng iniisip ko kung hindi ko naramdaman ang paglapat ng kamay ni Griffin sa noo.

"Sobrang distracted mo ngayon, Raven. Noong umalis ka bigla sa lunch kanina, may nangyari ba?"

I swallowed hard, answering it with another question instead. "Alam mo bang prinsipe si Helios?"

"Eh?" he tilted his head, lost. "Siyempre naman. He's a Villareal. Bakit?"

Umiling ako. Kung gano'n, ako lang pala ang tangang walang kaalam-alam sa estado ng kausap ko. I would like to say it doesn't matter... but if the rumor I've instigated reaches his family and mine, my Dad's war with me will happen before that prophesied event.

Pinitik ni Griffin ang noo ko kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. His eyes made me unsettle. Sanay ako sa bobo at masayahin niyang mukha kaya kakaiba ang makita siyang seryoso.

"What now?" I quietly asked.

"Iniisip ko lang..." sumimangot siya. "You always exude a dangerous presence. Mahina lang ito pero nagtatago sa'yo. I'm always on alert whenever you are near and now, siguro dahil iyon sa anak ka ni Sarienne, the darkness herself."

"What do you mean?"

"Ah." huminto siya't napakamot ng ulo. "'Di ko pala nasabi sa'yo 'to, pero ang soulstone ko pwedeng kabilang sa House of Psyche. Hindi siya pangpisikal o elemental. I can feel whatever soul magic anyone near me has and sometimes, if I know what it is and if I can apply it, pwede ko itong ma-copy."

"At... naramdaman mo ako?"

"Siyempre naman, Raven! I never felt it at first dahil sobrang hina ngunit napaka-delikado ng soulstone na mayro'n ka." nawala ang excitement niya nang makita ang kunot kong mukha. "B-Bakit? Anong problema mo?"

Ang problema ko, Griffin, ay wala akong soulstone. It's black. It doesn't function. It has no magic inside it. So how can you feel something that I don't even have?

"Wala." I forced a smirk. "Dapat pala na mas maging careful ka, Griffin. There's an upcoming match and you might find yourself on the ground before you could blink."

Iniwan ko siyang nakatunganga doon sa gubat at pinagpatuloy ang pagtakbo kasama si Lilith. When we eventually got back to Tamara and Azriel, they started asking me questions because I was acting weird. I kept a cool face, laughing and joking around them while keeping the raging anger inside me.

How. Dare. They.

Nabasag ang salamin ng banyo nang suntukin ko ito. The lights flickered. Sa basag at duguang salamin ay nakita ko ang distorted na sarili. Sa likod ko, naroon ang isang pigura ng babae.

"You called me your daughter."

"Because you are."

Shadows that formed her hand crept from behind to grip my chin. The darkness that covered me was so cold but familiar. And despite the danger lurking, I found it more comforting than the lonely nights I spent as a child.

"We have waited for you for so long." itinaas niya ang baba ko. "They hurt us. They lied to us. They took away your truth."

"Who is we?" sa halip na tanong ko at inignora ang iba niyang sinabi.

"All those who had their souls trapped in that room. All those who had their life buried for eternity. All those who had to suffer in the void that the light has created."

Her whispers made my skin rise. Lalong lumamig ang banyong kinaroroonan ko at sa bawat paglipas ng oras, bumibigat ang damdamin ko sa galit at sama ng loob.

"They lied to me." ang tanging tugon ko. "Is it so hard to tell the truth?"

"They lied to me too. I did everything they want. I hid. I denied my love. I forgave those who hurt me. And in the end... they betrayed me. When all I wanted was to protect and love my children. They stole you from me. They-" unti-unting tumataas ang boses niya. "They stole the three of you from me!"

"The three... of us?"

May kutob na akong si Tsukishima nga iyong isa, mula sa isinagot ni Helios at sa nakita ko mula sa memorya ng silid na 'yon. I'm also aware that Sarienne has an eldest child. Pero hindi ko naman alam ang pangalan o kung sino.

"Yes. Your brothers." her dark eyes met mine. "They are here. I wanted to talk to them but they could not hear my voice. Unlike you."

"Sino ang isa?"

Even if I haven't dropped any name, she knew what I meant.

"You talked to him. He lives with you. He has saved you once... from the illusion of Chaos."

Nang maintindihan ko na ang lahat-lahat ay napatawa ako. It was a laugh of anger, hatred, and never humor. I laughed and laughed, watching myself in the broken mirror with my bloodied hands and tangled hair. Nang hawakan ko ang sink ay nanginginig ang kamay ko. Hindi sa takot, pero sa galit.

"Fuck."

I bowed my head and the memories flashed. Lahat-lahat ng ebidensiya na hindi ko pinansin. Lahat ng bagay na isinantabi ko dahil nasisiguro kong nagkamali lang ako ng konklusyon.

But now that I remember myself, standing in that street and waiting for my family to look back, I became furious again.

Naalala ko ang panahon na 'yon. Maganda ang sinag ng araw kaya lumabas kami sa Alora. Mom was pregnant with Theron and we were all still kids. Habang naglalakad ay naakit ang atensiyon ko ng isang espada kaya huminto ako't tinitigan ito. When I glanced back at my family again, I found them walking further away from me. Nakita ko din kung paano tumigil si Flair para tingnan ang isang bulaklak, at kung paano tumigil si Mom para hintayin siya. She opened her palm for my older sister to take, while the other was being held by Ellis. Ang panganay naman ay nakakapit din kay Dad na may ngiti sa labi habang pinagmamasdan si Flair.

How haven't I seen how perfect of a family they looked? And how I wasn't part of it?

Flair has Mom. Ellis has Dad. Theron has both of them. Why haven't I realized just from this that I'm just an outsider? Isa ba akong ampon na ibinigay ni Ryuu dahil wala na si Sarienne? O nakita lang ba nila ako sa lugar na 'yon at kinupkop hanggang sa makulala ni Ryuu si Dad at ibinigay sa kaniya ang susi?

"What are you thinking about, my child?"

Itinaas ko ang tingin. There are angry tears pouring and I hurriedly wiped them away. Ayokong iyakan ang isang walang-kwentang bagay.

"The prophecy."

Tumahimik siya saglit.

"I am sorry." her next whisper made me stop. "I am sorry, my child. I was too weak. I believed them too easily. And because of my incompetence, you have to pay. I hoped for no war to happen again, but here I am, preparing you for one. Making you one."

Her grip on my chin loosened and quiet sobs made the bathroom gloomy. Kahit hindi ko pa siya tuluyang kilala, nababasag ang puso ko para sa kaniya. All her life, she suffered the hardship of being the woman of darkness. Her very own identity cost her love, her husband, her children, and her life.

"I am sorry for giving you a cruel life..."

Sa huling patawad ay tuluyan siyang nawala. Saglit na dumilim ang banyo at sa muling pag-ilaw nito ay doble na ang liwanag, senyas na tuluyan na siyang umalis.

As I walked through the corridors that night, I couldn't feel anything but anger in my heart.

It was making my blood boil. Mararahas ang mabibigat na hininga ko at tila ba gusto kong sirain lahat ng nakikita ko. Gusto kong sumigaw ng sumigaw, ibigay lahat ng tanong ko sa mga gods dahil baka sakali'y sasagot sila, hanggang sa maubos ang boses ko. Gusto kong puntahan ang mga taong naglaro sa'kin at magtanong ㅡ magdemanda ㅡ kung ano ba talaga ang totoo.

I wanted to rip everything to shreds right now. Let the darkness inside of me erupt and I'll be bleeding to my pain.

Ngunit may isip din ako. I wouldn't let myself be blindsided by my emotions. Anger, happiness, or pride, wala akong pinipiling emosyon pagdating sa isang laban. And while this may not be the fight that would break my bones, I need to make sure that it will shatter their truth.

Or make their fears come true. Kagaya ng ginawa nila sa'kin.

I have a plan. And I'll make it a good one.

After all... this is Raven Tempest they're talking about. I may not be the Tempest rebel anymore, but I am the daughter of the darkness herself.

And angering the night will be the dumbest thing they'll do.

"Oi, Raven."

Nakangiti kong binalingan si Tamara na nagpakita sa tabi ko. We were in a free training on a Friday morning. Nagi-i-stretching ako ng payapa nang lumapit siya't bumulong-bulong. Either may ibabahagi siyang tsismis o siya ang magpapasimuno.

"Ba't kanina pa si Griffin nakatingin sa'yo?"

"Maybe because he has a crush on me?" I stated the obvious.

Tamara gave me a silent glare. "Madalas parang tanga siya, pero ngayon ang seryoso ng mukha niya. Kakaiba. Sa tingin ko may nangyari do'n."

Azriel, who was doing push-ups a while ago, wiped the sweat off his neck and stared at Tamara. "What?"

"Siguro..." we waited patiently for her to think the next words for five minutes. "Siguro nagconfess siya sa'yo at ngayo'y hinihintay ang sagot mo!"

"Doesn't he confess everyday?" inosenteng tanong ng lalaki.

"Ngayon for sure na!"

Tumawa ako. "Noon ba, hindi? Pero wala naman kasing nangyari. Tinanong ko lang siya tungkol sa memorya na nakita natin sa silid na 'yon."

"Dahil ba tinawag ka ni Sarienne na 'daughter' niya?" I nodded at Tamara's question. "Nakakapagtaka nga. Bakit ka niya tatawaging gano'n e may kompletong pamilya ka naman?"

"I know, right?" I smiled sarcastically. "It's crazy."

Tumayo ako at hindi pinansin ang nagtatakang tingin ng mga tao sa paligid. I approached Andreas, who was busy talking to Zara. Nang makita ako ay tinigil niya ang usapan. Zara glanced at me, nodded, and left, making my messed-up mind overthink things again.

"Anong maitutulong ko, Raven?" agad niyang tanong nang makalapit ako.

Tinitigan ko siya. Isa ka din. You were with Ellis last time in that room which answered most of my questions. You are the same as them, Andreas. A secretive liar.

I smiled sweetly. "Can I skip today's training? I'm not feeling well and I don't think I have to train a lot."

Napalakas ata ang boses ko dahil nakarinig agad ako ng singhal. I turned around to see Beatrix and Dustine glaring at me, one irritated and the other disappointed. I forgot. Kailangan ko din pala ng permiso ng dalawang palaka para umihi.

"How convenient 'no, Raven? You just have to walk straight to a male and ask him for favors. Buti na lang na kahit anong pagkukumbinsi mo kay Damon, hindi siya natitinag!"

Pinigilan ko ang ngumiwi. Why would I even want to flirt with my brother?

"Okay." tanging sagot ko at hinarap si Andreas. "So?"

"Do what you like. As long as you can fight with no problems tomorrow."

"Perfect." I triumphantly flipped my hair, giving Andreas a much-deserved flying kiss.

Narinig ko pa ang mahinang pag-'tsk' ni Beatrix nang makaalis ako. When I met Azriel and Tamara's confused gaze, I excused myself with stomach pains. Hindi naman sila nagtanong pa, maliban sa mga mata ni Azriel na nanatili sa'kin hanggang sa tuluyan akong makawala.

I have no idea about where I'm going or what I'll do. Gusto ko lang mapag-isa at makalayo sa mga tanong. Despite my attempts to look and act normal, I know they would doubt me. Azriel studies people's expression and moods with mastery, idagdag pa ang literal na sharp eye na mayro'n si Tamara. In addition, they have always been supportive of me and I don't want to hide anything from them.

Hindi ako sobrang honest but I know that I wouldn't hold important information back. Lalo na kung naitanong na ito at alam kong importante pero 'di sinagot.

"Raven? Raven!"

Tumigil ako sa paglalakad nang marinig ang pangalan. I didn't notice that I was out in the garden already. Nasa isang bench na nalampasan ko na si Theus. He waved at me, swallowing down the last of a sandwich I'm sure he stole from Awanggan.

Gusto kong pisilin ang chubby cheeks niya sa ginawa at dahil nakita ko siya ulit.

"Are you alright? Parang wala ka sa isip kanina habang naglalakad." aniya.

"May iniisip lang."

He laughed and I glared, feeling insulted.

"Hindi! Hindi!" natatawang depensa niya. "It's a surprise to see you that concentrated. Kahit noong nasa Obstacle War ay parang wala kang pakialam sa mundo kahit na matindi na ang ginagawa mong pagplano."

Napangiti ako. "Nakakapagtaka ano? When it comes to fighting physically, our bodies and mind seem to know what to do. But if it's a fight regarding our lives, our mind and hearts argue."

His lips parted. "Woah. Akala ko saglit si Dawn ang kausap ko." natatawang saad niya.

Umupo ako sa tabi niya. This reminded me of that one time I checked up on him and we were trapped under War's soul magic. Isa 'yon sa mga curiosity na hindi ko pinansin, dahil inisip kong mas mabuting iwasan ang problema bago pa ito lumaki.

"How's your soulstone? Is it working now?"

Theus nodded, smiling. "Nakaka-" sa isang iglap, naging puti ang mga mata niya at hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. "Nasa ikalawang pinto ang sagot na hinahanap mo." his eyes snapped back to normal, making him blink repeatedly. "Ah. Bumalik na siya."

"Kita ko nga. May pa-demonstration pa." I joked and we both laughed.

Nauna siyang umalis dahil nagsimula na ang klase niya. Pinag-isipan ko ang pangingitain niya. He had a vision of me back then too, and it was about what I desperately wanted. Now this one is about my answer. I wonder if the two visions are connected.

Lumipas pa ang dalawang subject na wala akong ginawa kun'di makipagkulitan kina Tamara at Giovanni. I didn't entertain any confused stare when I purposely ignored Helios, or when I passed by Tsukishima without a glance. Wala ding nagsalita nang hindi ko pinansin ang tanong ni Damon. That whole day, despite the normalcy I tried to maintain, I know my avoidance sparked some interest.

"Raven...?"

Nilingon ko ang may-ari ng mahinang boses. It was an unknown girl, probably from another house with the different necktie she had. Hindi ko nga lang maalala kung kanino ang may yellow o gold na kulay.

"Yes?"

Tamara and Azriel stopped walking to peek at the girl. Mas lalo kong nakita ang kaba sa mukha niya dahil sa atensiyon ng dalawa.

"Ah-uh, ano... si Ate Ellis... May pag-uusapan daw kayo at kung pwede ay kitain mo siya sa training hall."

Tumango ako at nagpasalamat sa kaniya. Hindi na naghintay pa ang bata at agad na tumakbo paalis. Tamara joked that I was such a beast, even kids are afraid of me, but I think she was more terrified of them two. Kausapin mo ba naman ang pinaka-ayaw na estudyante sa academy, at may dalawang intimidating na taong susulpot sa likod niya, siguradong kakabahan ang batang 'yon.

"Pupunta ka do'n, Raven?" tanong ni Tamara na tinanguan ko. "Gusto mo samahan kita?"

Umiling ako. "It's alright. I'll see you at dinner."

"Okay..."

I would like Tamara as mental support but talking to Ellis is as exhausting and stressful as running a 100km marathon. At sa ngayon na hindi maganda ang loob ko sa kanila, our verbal arguments would only increase in tension.

A softhearted woman like Tamara doesn't deserve to hear our conversations.

I arrived at the training hall with my heart still heavy. Akala ko mawawala ang galit kapag nakatulog ako o lumipas ang isang araw, ngunit hindi ko na makalimutan ang pagsisinungaling na ginawa nila. I cannot believe that they withhold such an information from me. I cannot believe that they refused me of my identity. Na sa ilang chance na pwede nilang sabihin ang totoo, pinili nilang pagalitan lang ako.

I was ready to talk to Ellis even with my raging heart. I have sharpened my words, at the same edge that she has. I have carefully conducted my master plan, letting this talk with my so-called sister be the catalyst for everything.

Kaya nang humakbang ako papasok sa training hall, hindi ko inasahang muli akong lalakbay ng memorya.

Sa isang iglap ay nakita ko ang sarili na tumatakbo sa madilim na kagubatan. Hinahabol ako ng napakaraming tao sa likod. Wala akong mapuntahan o malapitan, at ang tanging gumagabay lang sa bawat hakbang ko ay ang buwan sa langit. Ang tanging rason lang kung bakit hindi pa bumibigay ang paa ko ay dahil sa malamig na hanging isinasayaw ang aking buhok.

I tried so hard to keep my eyes in front because whenever I glanced at the sides, I see myself being abandoned and ignored. I saw myself standing in the doorway of Mom's room, watching as she create stories for my older sisters to be entertained. I saw myself in the middle of a party, alone and lost despite being crowded by the people, because Dad was more proud of my other siblings. I saw myself in the middle of a war, crying and hugging my knees because I was a child of darkness.

Then I saw a light.

But the more I approach it, the skinnier the forest gets. Kumonti ang mga puno at mas lalo akong pinapaso ng araw. Hindi ako tumigil hanggang sa maabot ang dulo ng gubat... at makitang nasa taas ako ng isang bangin.

The screams of my name became louder. When I turned around, I was transported into the center of a room.

My room.

Nahulog ang hawak-hawak kong espada nang makita ang kabuuan ng kwarto. The furnitures were a mess and there were signs of fighting around the place. Ngunit ang nagpa-estatwa sa'kin ay ang mga nakahandusay na katawan sa paligid.

When I looked down and saw Tamara's lifeless body, with her blood on my hands, I screamed.

Sa pagbasag ng salamin sa paligid ko ay tuluyan akong napapikit at nahulog sa sahig.

At biglang dumilim ang lahat.