At first, there was nothing but time
And within her heart blossomed five rulers of the divine
A new world shall be born with their hands intertwined
And thus, the fate of the future was signed

One stayed below for he love the land
The animals and plants were created from his hand
The other one was infatuated with the sky
With a flick of his hand, there were clouds and beasts that could fly

The cloudless and dull sky for the two gods was no fun
Thus they asked the deities of moon and sun
With their careful hands, day and night arose
They changed places in the sky, never coming to a pause

The fifth ruler stayed underground
And there was a stray soul he found
Curiosity won, and so with his hands of clay
He created the humans who will breathe, praise, and decay

The humans were to praise the gods' creation at first
But as the sands of time flew, there was knowledge they thirst
With every tick of the clock, the humans evolved
Until they could function without the deities involved

The goddess of the night does not meddle with human affairs
She often stays in her chamber, ignoring every moonlit prayers
But one night, the maiden couldn't handle the cries
Of a man who desperately screams for his son's life

In a lake that shimmered under the starry night
The maiden sighed at such a pitiful sight
She lifted his chin and listened to the pleas
Then spoke, "But may I ask the reason for all these?"

"Is it not natural for humans to die?
For what reason should I save a life?"
With not a blink, the man answered
"For love," the reply made the goddess astounded

"Very well," the maiden replied
And with the evening wind, she kissed the man goodbye
There is a life that will be saved tonight
But it will not come without a price

Hearing such news, the sun was enraged
Why did the moon suddenly leave her cage?
To involve with humans who never needed her care
But now, the lake is often the place for her nightly affairs

He barged into her chambers and demanded an answer
Her reply was something he would forever remember"
Do you know what the humans mean by love?"
She asked, unaware that it was the only emotion he had

The ruler of the sun shows no affection
But his love for the moon is considered obsession
He wants her by his side, to love and to hold
And to lock and cage her, to be his alone

But his beloved moon was already stolen
Thus, he met the man and began to threaten
Carefully, he laid out plans and the man has fallen
Into the treacherous bite of a serpent forgotten

The goddess has already received a warning
From the rest of the rulers, of her human's becoming
She paid them no heed, continuing to visit
Until a vial of poison challenged her limit

Thus the fate of the future started to weave
The fall of the night caused the rulers to grieve
And their eternal rest was the beginning of a siege
That will only stop when magic arises from the lady who always believes

"What... the fuck." inikot ko ang tingin sa madilim na paligid. "Where am I?"

The place was dark and empty, except for the single light of a floating orb at the center. Doon din nanggaling ang mga imaheng nakita ko kanina. Every word and every line held the story of the past.

A movement from the left alerted me. Sinipat ko ang papalapit na pigura ng isang bata. She stared at my confused face and laughed.

"You look lost."

"Because I am." I retorted. "Nasaan ba ako?"

"This is the oracle's temple." sagot niya at naningkit ang mata sa'kin. "Did you not wish to know the truth?"

I frowned, choosing not to answer.

"I am giving you the answers that you seek, so don't peel your eyes away... from the mistakes of your ancestors."

Hindi na ako nakapagtanong kung anong ibig niyang sabihin dahil nagliwanag ang paligid at muli kong narinig ang nagku-kuwentong boses kanina.

The tale started with two rulers and a man
Two of them lost, while the other won
The nap of eternity allowed the sun
To carry his resting beloved in his arms

The second tale involved a young servant,
Hiraya, a lovely name unfitting for a low-born peasant
She loved Silas, the son of the man who claimed
To be the person who caused the divine rulers pain

Silas was a kind boy, who cares not for societal class
And so with Hiraya he played, letting the years pass
Until the announcement of war has arrived
And Silas, a young man, must take part for his pride

Filled with fear, Hiraya ran for the lake
She cried her heart out, all for her love's sake
One night, a maiden appeared
And asked what is it that she anxiously feared

"I cannot lose my love," she replied
"Why did the beautiful world in the stories died?
Now only war, death, and blood have thrived,
Please, do not let him die!", she cried

There was no answer from the woman
So Hiraya took matters in her own hand,
"I know, this is not what the gods intended,
So if given a chance, I wish to save the world you once prided"

The maiden of the night saw beauty in her heart
So innocent and true that it will be easy to take apart
"Very well," she answered, "But with one condition,
Your love shall not exist for you to save a nation,

"For it was love that caused the eternal sleep
And you, my dear, do not deserve to weep
For love is a curse that will forever destroy
Those born of the night who wishes nothing but joy

And so, I command for our magic within you
To awaken and exist as long as you are true
For your dreams have moved our peaceful rest
And with this condition of love, I shall put you to test

Now wake up, the lady of dreams
Your tale shall now begin to gleam"

Suddenly, it was as if the floor I was standing on crumbled and I fell... into the darkness.

Ngunit bigla ding napalitan ang dilim ng mabibilis na mga imahe. I could also find my balance despite not stepping on hard ground. It was as if I was floating while a myriad of colors assaulted my vision. It later on adjusted and I could make out the images.

I could see the lake that reflected the beautiful evening sky. A young girl was crying on the edge of the lake and a woman, glowing in white and wearing a dress that touched the waters elegantly, was lifting the girl's chin and wiping her tears.

Then something in her heart glowed ㅡ an orb that possessed the beauty of her soul. It was just like the soulstones that we now own. Hers was different, though. It was much more powerful and vibrant, brimming with all kinds of magic.

"As a lowly servant, all Hiraya could do was dream and love." biglang nagsalita si Helena. "But since the gods fell into eternal rest, the wars have never stopped. Her first thought was to save her love, but later on, she realized that asking for something bigger would show better results."

"Kaya ba hiningi niya ang magic?"

"I don't know. But I can confidently say that being the first human to possess magic was never part of her plans." Helena crossed her arms. "It was just... a decision that the maiden of the night made."

Napanguso ako. "Well, they couldn't save the world with their eternal rest, after all."

There was a bit of silence before Helena laughed. "No, child. The eternal rest has become god's only excuse to avoid human affairs and make the same mistake again. Your divine rulers have awoken ever since Hiraya was born."

So, ibig sabihin, hanggang ngayon gising pa rin sila at nagpapa-ignorante lang?

"I can't believe they left the world's future on a young girl's hand." napasimangot ako ng biglang may maalala. "'Saka ba't mo ba akong tinatawag na bata? Are you older than me?"

She only smiled mysteriously and answered my other musing. "The young girl was the start of the world today. It was... let's say, inevitable."

Biglang nag-iba ang mga imahe kaya nawala ang atensiyon ko sa kaniya. The next thing I saw was dying soldiers in the middle of the battlefield. And then, Hiraya came into view, surprising everyone with her magic.

"It was a hard and bold decision. Many could not believe how a peasant was offered something unbelievable. Many also attempted to take advantage of her innocence, but thankfully, Silas stayed with her in every up and down. Even against his father."

I watched as an argument broke forth between Silas' family, one that broke apart their house.

"Hindi ba't siya ang lalaking tinulungan ng babaeng buwan? So Silas was the child that the gods spared?"

"That's right." naging malungkot ang ngiti ni Helena. "The goddess of the night fell in love with that man, but her love was unreturned due to the sun's obsession. However, here, Hiraya loved Silas to the point of sacrificing herself and..."

Iniwan niya ang mga salita sa ere nang magpakita ang susunod na pangyayari. It was Silas professing his love to Hiraya, but unfortunately the young lady could not return the feelings she once had. All because, love was stolen from her heart.

"Terribly a pity. Just when the blood of that man was ready to show affection, it was Hiraya, the known daughter of the gods, that couldn't return his feelings."

Napasimangot ako. What a cruel fate.

"Eventually, Silas became the king." pagpapaliwanag niya kahit naman nakikita ko bawat imahe. "And Hiraya became the greatest sorceress to ever live. With their power combined, they brought peace to the world and divided it into five lands that rested in the hands of different rulers. Now, I believe you know how the soulstones came about, yes?"

Tumango ako. The magic that Hiraya blessed to the world has a mind of its own and chooses who will wield them. In a way, it was as if the gods themselves picks the human that will have their magic. To control it, Silas made the soulstones, and thus became the first soulbearer as well.

Pero sandali, ano ba 'to? History class?

Helena waved her hand and another set of images played. A wedding of the greatest king. Silas and another woman, with Hiraya watching in the stands.

"Hiraya, as a curse of her magic, could not love. But Silas, as a king, cannot remain unmarried." she sighed wistfully. "So the supposed-lovers went their own different path, still with the same goal of making the world a better place for the future generation. Then one night,"

Hiraya dreamed of a flower field
There she saw a deity with a purpose unfulfilled
A god showered in light and gold
One whose love could never grow old

"Your time is running short," he warned
"Your future is no longer in our hands
For the magic of forever cannot be contained
In a body of a human, so weak and frail"

"I am not afraid," she replied
"For my part is done and tried
My wish has been granted
And my dream happened as intended"

With a long stare, he finally decided
"Love and family were what you once wanted,
You sacrificed your heart for a world forgotten,
And so, with a promise, I shall make that happen

Your soul shall divide into two offspring
The twins ㅡ light and darkness they shall bring
For a heart stolen, the darkness will feel
For a cursed magic, the light shall seal

This is a promise of the sun
To repent for the mistakes once done"

"Light and darkness..." I murmured as the story stopped again and I was back in the dark room. "Sorin... and Sarienne..."

"And here is the last tale that decided your fate."

Before I could ask what Helena meant by that, I found myself in the middle of a dark corridor, staring at the garden where two children played. Pamilyar ang babae sa'kin at ang lalaki naman... he reminded me of Helios.

"Lionel! Lionel!" sigaw ng batang babae. "C'mon, catch! Ang hina mo naman!"

Umikot siya para harapin ang kalaro kaya naman mas nakita ko ang mukha niya. Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan. It's no wonder she looked so familiar because that's exactly how I looked as a child. The same hair, the same eyes, the same features. The only difference we had was the bright smile on her face.

"Aray!" nadapa ang batang lalaki nang muling tumakbo si Sarienne. "Bakit kasi tumatakbo-takbo!" iyak nito.

Blanko kong tinitigan ang dalawang naglalaro. I've never imagined the future king to be a crybaby as a child.

Hmm, I wonder if Helios cries easily too. I know he blushes easily, but... I do wanna see him cry.

Though I think I don't like others finding out about it.

I was startled when a young child, someone who looks like Sarienne but also feels different, stepped closer to the window. Despite having the same facial features, her hair, and eyes were golden colors.

The twin that possessed the soul of light - Sorin.

"Don't you want to play with them?"

Nilingon ko ang nagsalita at nakita si Silas, the crowned king and hero who never left Hiraya's side. Up close, he looks exactly the same as the images I saw a while ago. And... he's also the exact image of his father.

"No." the girl coldly stated. "It's only a waste of time."

Tinalikuran niya ang dalawang naglalaro sa may hardin at dumiretso sa library, still clutching a thick book. Silas only watched her leave with a solemn smile on her face.

"Their personalities are the exact opposite of their soulstones. While Sorin's glow brightly, she was cold and aloof. On the other hand, Sarienne was the brightest girl alive."

"Maybe that's why she's such a psychopath."

"Hm," ayan na naman ang misteryosong ngiti niya. "We'll see."

I watched as their story unfolded. Even as children, it was clear that Sarienne and Lionel loved each other. They were affectionate and always seeks each other presence. Sorin would blend with the background, watch them with an emotionless face, and disappear to read her books.

Then, the academy was established when Paham, one of the best soulbearer, was tasked with educating and maximizing the capabilities of soulbearers.

"It's only necessary that we build a school to train them. Dumadami na ang cases ng mga bata na hindi makontrol ang sarili nilang magic. Some, who possessed the blessing of the night and darkness, use their power to do evil deeds. But then," bumuntong-hinga si Silas. "Even the other soulbearers use their magic recklessly."

"But there are already families holding their own training academies." kontra ni Paham.

"That's true, but even there, the more powerful soulbearers cannot be contained. Idagdag pa na hindi sakop ng mga eskwelahan na 'yon ang bawat magic. With this academy, we can monitor and train the young soulbearers to let them have a better future." sumulyap siya sa bintana. "It may also be a good opportunity for the nobles to socialize and for the royal family to be protected."

Bumuntong-hinga si Paham at tumango. I could tell he wasn't that against the idea. He just wanted to know if Silas will answer his real reason.

Akmang aalis na si Paham sa opisina ng hari nang bigla itong magsalita, "Have you heard from Santium yet?"

Santium. I frowned. That's the country that is neutral in the cold war between Gareth and Hiraya.

Umiling si Paham. "The Valentins are keeping their mouth shut. Their hesitation to sign the peace treaty is also somewhat... concerning. Lalo na at nasa kamay nila ang mga oracles?"

"Are you implying that there might be a reason for their continuous rejection of my plans?"

"Maaari, Silas. There must be something that happens in the future. Something that they fear or dread the most."

The setting changed again to the opening of the academy. It looked like my mother's generation was the first students in that institution. And, as expected, Lionel and the twins were the most popular students.

Although, unlike Helios, Lionel was an approachable and kind boy. The twins were nothing like me as well. Sorin was probably the most diligent student and a disgusting rule-stickler. Sarienne, while as cheeky and hardheaded as me, does not possess the same rebellious spirit. Kanino ko kaya namana 'to?

"Oh, look, there's your father."

Nakuha ni Helena ang atensiyon ko. I glanced at where she's pointing and saw the man who looked exactly like Damon. Kasa-ksama niya ang lalaking kamukha din ni Tsukishima.

"Is that Ryuu with him, then?"

"Yes."

We watched them run towards Sarienne and Lionel and they talked like old friends, smiling, laughing, and brimming with joy.

I stared at Helena with a scandalous face, pointing at the four students.

"Are you-" freaking kidding me?! "Sila, magkaibigan?" I tried so hard to omit some words.

"Of course. The four of them were the best of friends."

The fuck. That's Sarienne's greatest love, my father, and my step-brother's father all in one group. Anong naisip nitong si Sarienne at bumuo ng harem?!

"Don't think like that." mahina akong hinampas ni Helena. "Sarienne only had eyes for Lionel, and it's the same for the boy. Although, the other two harbor romantic feelings for Sarienne, they never did try to meddle."

"So paano ako nabuo?"

"Shh." Helena hushed me. "I think it was around this time."

The settings changed again into a simple room filled with books. There, I saw Sorin sitting on the desk and scribbling on a book, lost in thought. She looked lifeless and disinterested in the world around her. Napansin ko rin na kahit nasa klase sila o sa Awanggan, she usually keeps to herself. She doesn't have any friends, except for...

"Sorin!"

The door opened widely as Sarienne bounced inside, greeting her twin with a vibrant smile. All of a sudden, the melancholic atmosphere melted into one of adoration. Ang malamig na ekspresiyon sa mukha ni Sorin ay napalitan ng ngiti at tinanggap niya ang yakap ng kapatid.

It was as if the darkness of a light soul brightened at the light of the darkened soul.

I was... surprised at their interaction. Lalo na dahil ang Sorin na nakilala ko ay may galit kay Sarienne.

"Sarienne." bati nito balik sa isang malumanay na boses.

"Kain tayo!"

"Mm."

Sarienne linked arms with her as they walked outside. "Alam mo ba, kanina si Ryuu..."

Their voices disappeared as they left the room and I was left alone with Helena who busied herself snooping around.

"Now, that's a shock." komento ko. "I honestly thought Sorin hated or is envious of Sarienne."

"Why are you calling your mother by her first name? Seriously..." she grumbled while shaking her head in disappointment. "Anyway, that's what the present world knows. And maybe that's what the present Sorin feels. But as children, the twins only ever have each other."

"Si Lionel. The king. There's plenty of people around them."

"Oo, pero nauunawaan nga ba nila ang dalawa? Those two... are the most unordinary humans. If you think about it, they are comparable to the rulers for they are born out of magic. Ang tanging pinagkakaiba lang ay may vessel na nagdala sa kanila."

I hummed, not bothering to answer while approaching Sorin's desk. Napakaraming libro doon. Most of them were non-fiction. Bibliographies and stories of war, as well as the history of magic.

I suppose one of the reasons why the past has always lived until today, why we could have a near-perfect interpretation of the events that happened before, was through these books. In some way, learning our history allows us a better understanding of ourselves.

And these books... most of them revolved around magic, Hiraya, and... a curse?

"Ah, that was written by Dante."

Binalingan ko si Helena na nakangiti habang tinitingnan ang libro. "Dante? 'Yong tagahula?"

She sent me a glare. "How rude. He's an oracle. And yes, even back then, he was a famous author. One of his popular pieces was this story of a curse."

"What curse? Mala-tangina ba?"

She ignored me. "The curse that started with the goddess and the human, and first took effect with Hiraya and Silas. Do you know why Dante knew such things?"

Hindi ako sumagot. Nandito lang naman ako para malaman ang mangyayari sa'kin, hindi 'yong tungkol sa taga-hula.

"He has visited the underworld before and met one of the rulers. Through him, the tales of the darkness, the underworld, and the curse were brought to light. However, through him-"

Helena was interrupted by Sorin's sudden entrance. Her cold demeanor was back, probably since her twin isn't around anymore.

Sinipat ko ang batang sigurado'y matanda na. "Ituloy mo."

"Ayoko. Parang hindi ka naman interesado."

I glared at her. Magsasalita na sana ako nang patahimikin niya naman para daw panoorin ko si Sorin. Bored, I leaned on the wall and watched as she skimmed through her books again and later went on to sleep. Muli kong tiningnan si Helena na tila nang-aakusa dahil bakit ko kailangang makita ang night routine nitong tita ko!

"Seriously, what-"

My complaint was swallowed down as the room around us changed and I was brought again to the field of flowers. In the distance, I saw Sorin talking to a figure that was shining so brightly. It was so familiar. Kagaya noong nakita din ni Hiraya ang ruler of the sun sa panaginip niya.

They were having a conversation, one that seemed intense and interesting, but...

"Can't we move a bit closer?"

"We cannot." dismayadong sagot din ni Helena. "He noticed my interference last time so he blocked me in the next dream."

"Sandali... hindi ba pinapanood lang natin ang past through that magic future ball?"

"No. We're in my memories."

Nalaglag ang panga ko sa chill at blanko niyang rebelasyon. I wanted to ask more questions when I found myself falling again... unto the academy grounds. I muttered complaints under my breath as I soothed my aching butt. Napaka-chaotic naman pala ng memory ng isang 'to.

Sisigawan ko na sana si batang-matanda ng reklamo nang makitang nagsisigawan din pala si Sorin at Sarienne.

"Why are they fighting? What happened? I feel like I just missed a big scene or something..."

"Wala din akong ideya. The next time I visited the twins, Sorin started being hostile."

Oh. So tinatakpan niya siguro 'yong ibang memories niya na hindi related sa dalawa. Saan kaya pumunta-punta ang batang-matanda na 'to? She probably is embarrassed to show me her romantic encounters.

"Do you think it has something to do with that dream?" suhestiyon ko para naman hindi niya isiping lumilipad na ang isip ko.

"Yes. Do you remember what the sun god told Hiraya?"

"Hindi."

Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin.

"What? I have the shortest attention span and memory, you know. If I only have a way of getting out of this memory lane or whatever, ginawa ko na. Pakialam ko naman sa nangyari noon- aray!" bigla niya akong sinipa sa likod ng tuhod. "Foul!"

"This past is what makes the present and future a mess, you know! And if you want this curse to be broken, you need to know what to do."

Ngumuso ako at hindi na sumagot pa. Baka madelay pa ang paglabas ko dito mamaya.

"Moving forward," hindi niya na ako pinansin. "As an act of mercy, the sun god divided the curse and desire of Hiraya to the twins. Sorin was to carry the responsibilities of the curse and not feel love as repentance of a daughter of the sun. On the other hand, Sarienne was free to love anyone she desires for that's what the goddess of the moon once wanted."

"Ha? Pero, wouldn't that just be punishing someone innocent? Sorin shouldn't have to pay for that ruler's debts. Kaya ba nagalit siya?"

Ilang segundo bago siya nakasagot. "Sorin is an intelligent girl. Due to her vast amount of knowledge, she already had suspicions about the curse. Honestly, all she did was investigate it on her own. That's why he appeared in her dreams." Helena glanced at me. "He wanted to warn her."

Oh. "I thought he told her the truth."

"He confirmed her suspicions." bumuntong-hininga si Helena. "That child," tukoy niya kay Sorin. "She hates the blood of Silas more than anything else. For her, it was because of them that the curse was placed."

Well, she's not wrong.

"And right now, they were fighting because of Sarienne announcing that she's in a relationship with Lionel."

"That still gives me goosebumps." nakangiwing komento ko. "Malapit na sana kaming maging magkapatid ni Helios."

"If they did happen, you and Helios would not exist because the curse wouldn't continue."

Hindi ko na lang pinansin ang walang-awang pagdeny niya sa existence ko.

Lionel came to the fighting twins and said something to Sorin before dragging Sarienne with him. Naiwan si Sorin sa hardin ng akademiya na nakatitig sa papalayong likod ng kapatid habang nakakuyom ang kamao.

She looks... pitiful.

Iniwas ko ang tingin. In a blink, my surroundings changed into a busy street.

"What the fuck!" napahawak ako sa dibdib. "Warn a lady!"

"You are far from being a lady."

Gusto kong sapakin 'tong si Helena kahit na sinong importante pa siya.

Pero dahil mabait akong tao ngayon, I only sighed the stress away. "Nasaan ba tayo?"

We were in the middle of a busy street with stalls and shops that lined up in the side. Napakaraming tao na nakasuot ng damit na taga-Allysteria. Their clothing are more conservative and easy to move around, unlike Alora's dresses and princely clothes. Hindi ako madalas pumupunta dito pero hindi pamilyar sa'kin ang lugar na 'to.

"This is the birthplace of your father, Eleazar, and where your mother stayed in the ten year war." nilingon ako ni Helena at ngumiti. "Welcome to Alondra, Raia Venetia."

Alondra... The city locked underground, never to see the light of day again.

"And right now, the beautiful city is imprisoned under the mountains of Salem."

"Mountains of Salem?"

"Oo. Ang bundok na pinuntahan mo ngayon lang sa pagsunod kay Andreas." Helena chuckled at my frown. "Do you not remember where Salem was located, Raven? The mountain located in the south of Allysteria, overlooking the Academy, and is only separated from the Palace through the Cyprus River. It was also once the town of Alondra."

"I've never paid attention to what our country looked like," I responded, still in a daze.

So this is what Alondra looks like under the light, not like I have seen it in the darkness before. Still, unlike our stiff estate and Alora, the air here feels familiar. Tila ba nawala lahat ng pag-aalala ko.

It's as if... I finally came home.