"What- What did you just call me-"

My words died down when she disappeared once again, all the darkness leaving as soon as the sun peeked through the trees.

Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat na maramdaman o ang karapat-dapat na reaksiyon sa pagtawag niya nang makita ang babae na nasa harap ko.

Her hair was as dark as the night, face as smooth and solemn as the moon, and eyes that sparkles like stars. She was the epitome of night, as if the goddess herself has landed unto the land, but still, there was that human feeling about her that erased my assumption of ethereal. Ang mas nakakabahala pa ay nakikita ko ang itsura ng babaeng anino na laging sumusunod sa akin. It wasn't even a few minutes but some of her reactions and movements resembles familiarity.

She reminds me of the woman who called me her daughter.

"Si Sarienne..."

Binalingan ko si Tamara, nagulat sa boses niyang pumutol sa iniisip ko. "Sarienne?"

Dahan-dahan ang naging sagot na tango niya. "That's what Sarienne looks like when she was young and alive. Like her twin, she was regarded as one of the most beautiful woman in Hiraya."

I stared at the woman in front of me. She was sitting in a large uprooted tree, the cause of such damage unknown to me. And just like how Tamara has described her, or how the people back then admired her, she was truly a beauty. Memorably gorgeous as each night sky but a presence as cold as the late evenings. Her face that looked kind is a contrast to her dangerously dark eyes.

"Pero ang tanong..." Griffin started, anxiously looking around the forest we were in. "Bakit tayo nandito?"

It was my question as well. Nang tuluyang mawala ang dilim na dulot ng babae ay natagpuan na lang namin ang sarili sa gitna ng gubat.

Dusk was approaching as the sun slowly settled behind the trees. The birds chirped their afternoon songs and the nocturne animals got ready for their hunt. The forest was nowhere familiar to my eyes, but it was both peaceful and eerie. Sa bigat ng tensiyon na mayroon sa ere, natitiyak kong may mangyayaring masama maya-maya.

"Sinasabi kong hindi magandang ideya ang pagbalik natin doon, Sarienne. This must be a trap they're setting."

I glanced at the man who sat opposite to Sarienne. He had a strikingly handsome face, one that would attract hundreds of maidens. His dark blue hair was slightly long, stopping just above his collarbone, and it was tied neatly on a manbun. For some reason, that only emphasized his masculine features, eliciting a quiet squeak from a blushing Tamara.

Napatingin kaming lahat sa kaniya. The distaste that flashed by Azriel's eyes didn't leave unnoticed.

"Kinikilig ka?" tila akusa kong tanong.

"No, I mean, nag-gwapuhan lang." halos mapanguso siya sa pagdepensa. "That's Ryuu. Ang kasama ni Sarienne sa pagtakas dito."

"Her lover." I deadpanned.

"Hindi naman ata magandang description ang lover, Raven. She would be cheating on Eleazar then, especially that she's pregnant during these times."

Griffin's response made me stupid. I did a double-take on Sarienne, taking in her blooming expression and her slight shift of position made me aware of her pregnant belly.

"She's pregnant?!"

Tumango si Azriel. "The Second War is normally forbidden to be discussed or told, but the heroic appearance of Sarienne never died. At the time, she was a mother, deciding to save her firstborn at the risk of her new one."

"Kung gano'n..." inikot ko ang tingin sa gubat na kinaroroonan namin. "Nandito tayo sa gubat na pinapahingaan nila bago ang Second War."

"How did you come to that conclusion?"

"She's pregnant and in a forest on her way back, judging from Ryuu's warning about a set trap." I continued. "From the book we've read, this is when the both of them will go back to save her first child only to face off an ambush."

Tumango-tango si Tamara. "Kung gano'n, baka ito na nga 'yon. This forest is near the borders of Alondra, which is directly connected to the Gareth's tunnel."

Bago pa ako makasagot ay ang mabigat na buntong-hininga ni Sarienne ang nagnakaw sa atensiyon namin.

"But I cannot leave him alone, Ryuu. Maraming rason kung bakit nila gustong kunin siya. His soul magic... it promises them strength."

"Eleazar wouldn't allow anything to happen to him-"

"Eleazar is not in a good position!" lumakas ang boses niya. "He was already in a tension with Austin before. Ang pagtulong niya sa'ting makatakas ay pwedeng magpagalit lang kay Lionel at Collette. With Sorin's manipulative tactics, it won't be long that Alondra is under siege."

"You've already expected the attack on Alondra?"

Ngumiti si Sarienne. "I may be a daughter of the night, Ryuu, but I am not stupid when it comes to strategic warfare. You know that for years, I have acted as men like you. Kasama sa pagsali sa parte na 'yon ang pag-alam sa mga pisikal na laban."

Ryuu snorted, but the proud look on his face couldn't be ignored. Still there was an edge on his tone when he muttered his next words, "As a wife of the regent of defense, I guess it's also part of your responsibility."

Tumawa si Sarienne, hindi pinansin ang selos na makikita sa mukha ng lalaki. "Tama ka! Nakatulong talaga. Lalo na't ang panganay ko'y mahilig pa sa gulo."

There was a second of silence, where Ryuu licked his lips and looked away, until Sarienne added, "But... Tsukki's a good boy. He'd rather read than fight." she chuckled. "Which is strange because you're a man of violence too."

Our eyes widened at the insinuation. The words hidden behind that teasing remark is enough to blow someone's wits out.

"Wait... Wait, Tsukki? Tsukki as in Tsukishima?" Griffin blurted out.

"It makes sense for him to be Ryuu's son because he is from Gareth as well. It explains how other officials in the academy regards him highly too... despite the cold nature they give for being an enemy of this kingdom."

It was enough to realize that even Azriel was surprised and nervous, dahil hindi naman siya nagsasalita ng ganito karami at sa ganitong bilis pa.

"Pero hindi lang 'yan! Parang sinasabi niya na rin na anak nilang dalawa! 'Di ba? 'Di ba? Tapos kasal pa siya at may anak kay Ezreal sa panahong 'to!"

Napailing na lang ako habang hindi-makapaniwalang napatawa. Maybe something happened? Maybe Sarienne does love Ryuu but is committed to Ezreal? Pero bakit sila nagkaroon ng isa pang anak kahit na nalaman na niyang nagloko itong isa?

Or maybe... Tsukishima's much older than Sarienne's firstborn with Ezreal? Nauna siyang magkaanak kay Ryuu bago naging sila?

"He takes after you. He likes the night and peace than the burning rage." Ryuu had a faraway smile. "Naalala ko no'ng dinala ko siya kay Lionel, binato niya ng yelo si Helios kasi malapit daw siyang pasuin."

Even I chuckled at that. So the rivalry between the two can be traced to their toddler days. If I could just use this to tease Helios, he wouldn't hear the end of me.

However, hindi kagaya ng pagkasaya ko sa nalamang impormasyon, nawala ang ngiti ni Sarienne. A regretful expression lasted on her face upon the mention of Lionel, her shoulders slumping and the next exhale becoming heavy.

"Wala na sa ngayon, 'no?"

Ryuu produced a smile as sorrowful as her. "Nawala na."

Their whole conversation, and the conversations I have heard before, made me conclude that they must have some large history between them. And I have a tiny bit of confidence that Sarienne was the center of it all.

She was a hero for a couple of people, as much as she was written as a villain in the storybooks.

We unconsciously followed the both of them as they continued on their journey. Ang bawat hakbang na nagagawa namin ay nagpapabilis sa tibok ng puso ko. Every minute that passes by results to the slow setting of the sun, the slow rustling of the leaves, and the quiet tension that is slowly arising. Mas lalo akong naniniwala na may mangyayari talagang masama.

It wasn't until the warm, orange rays touched my skin that my fear became real.

Dahil pagkalabas namin ng gubat, hindi lang ang malawak na lupain ng Alondra ang aming nakita, kung hindi ang dalawang-daang tao na nakatayo mula sa paanan ng bundok hanggang sa tuktok ng malapit na bangin.

Their spears were sharp, blades glinting at the tip. Their swords were unsheathed, with some of them riding war horses. There are also those whose soulstones were glowing, warning both Ryuu and Sarienne that any next step could result to unimaginable pain.

"Is this a surprise welcome party?" Sarienne lazily drawled in that sultry tone of hers, creating a charismatic appearance even in the midst of a possible war.

Ryuu crossed his arms beside her, a smirk slowly visiting his face. Naningkit ang mga mata niya sa mga kalabang kaharap, expressing amusement laced with danger.

"They must have missed you so much to personally wait at the foot of the mountain. Touching."

"Hindi namin kailangan ng sarkasmo niyo ngayon. Mabuti at bumalik kayo dahil baka may masama nang nangyari sa pinakamamahal mong panganay, Sarienne." mapaklang natawa si Austin. The way his rough voice vibrates in arrogant amusement brought disdain to me. "Hindi mo naman siguro gustong paglamayan ang mag-ama mo?"

That put a stop to everything. Ang malamyang pag-ihip ng hangin kanina ay naging malamig at agresibo. At the approaching evening, Sarienne's potential wrath can be felt by everyone. 

"The ambush..." Azriel whispered beside me, his eyes widening.

"That means-" nabuhayan ng takot ang mata ni Tamara nang marealize ang susunod na mangyayari. "The Second War!"

"Anong ibig mong sabihin sa 'paglamayan ang mag-ama?'" Sarienne's cold voice cut harshly. "Nasaan si Ezreal?"

Her eyes landed to one of the woman in the front lines. Her hair was as white as snow, freckles lining up soft cheeks. Ngunit sa kabila ng napakaganda niyang mukha ay hindi maiiwasan ang panganib na dulot ng tuluyang puti niyang mata at kamay na kumikidlat.

"Nasaan si Ezreal?!" Sarienne demanded when no one answered.

A tense second appeared, urging Sarienne to clench her fist and demand more, when the woman started her accusations.

"Kasalanan mo 'to! Kasalanan mo ang lahat ng 'to, Sarienne! Dahil sa'yo! Dahil sa kapalpakan at katauhan mo, nawala ang kapatid ko!"

Thundering dark clouds visited the dim sky as the woman punctuated her every word, the crackles of lightning ticking similarly to time bombs. She pointed at Sarienne who went pale. Bumibigat ang bawat paghinga niya at hindi nakaalis sa tingin ko ang pagnginig ng kaniyang kamay.

"Anong..." she started off, unable to finish the sentence anymore.

"My dear brother! Si Ezreal, na walang ginawa kung hindi ang tulungan at suportahan ka! Si Ezreal, na isinakripisyo ang buhay niya para lang makatakas ka dito! Tapos ano, maglalandi ka lang ulit sa tarantadong lalaking binaboy ang katawan mo?!" the woman spat out harshly, uncaring of the silences offered her way. "Napakabobo mo kahit kailan, Sarienne! Noong una pa lang na narinig namin ang tungkol sa inyo ni Lionel, dapat nakinig na kami kay Sorin! Isa kang kulam sa mundong 'to! Kagaya ng gumawa ng gabi, wala kayong dulot na maganda sa Hiraya!"

An unspeakable rage flashed through Sarienne's eyes, as well as hurt and anguish tore her heart apart. Kinuyom niya ang kamao at maikling sinagot ang masasakit na salita ng babae.

"You... You don't know anything..."

As if we were merely an audience to Sarienne's memory, various images flashed around us.

Ipinakita no'n sa'min ang Sarienne na lalaki kung makaasta at makapagsalita. Kung paano siya nagkaroon ng magandang pakikipagkaibigan sa dalawang lalaki at isang babae, na kilala ko ang isa bilang kausap ni Paham noong isang araw. Kung paano niya kailangang magpanggap na lalaki dahil hindi common ang itim na soulstone sa babaeng soulbearers, at para na rin matakpan ang katotohanang anak sila ni Hiraya. Parte din iyon ng pagprotekta niya sa kakambal na araw ang kapangyarihan.

Ngunit lahat ng nakagawian niya ay nawasak sa pagdating ni Lionel. The next images were very fast but it showed us how they slowly fell in love, going from tight friends to lovers, but eventually falling apart. And that's when her dream shattered and reality kicked in.

Hindi na nakita niya kung gaano kalaki ang agwat nila, pero nakita niya kung gaano kapangit ang ugali ng taong nakapalibot sa kanila.

But she endured everything. And that was even more heartbreaking.

My heart bled at every tear she shed whenever they accuse her of selfishness, unknown to the selfless acts she makes behind their backs.

Kahit na hindi ako siya, o hindi ko kailanman maiintindihan ang nararamdaman niya, pero tila ba naging parte kami ng kaniyang damdamin sa panahong 'yon. Ang bigat ng mga napagdaanan niya ay nag-impluwensiya sa sariling emosyon ko. I could feel how misunderstood she was, how hurt, how lost, how betrayed but she must keep up a strong appearance.

At ang makita ang malalapit niyang kaibigan, ang mga itinuring niyang kaibigan, na tumayo sa harap niya bilang kalaban... parang pinupunit din ang puso ko sa pagtataksil na nararamdaman niya.

"I didn't sign up for this."

The to-be-tear in my eye retreated at the sight of a bawling Griffin. Mas umiiyak pa siya kay Tamara na humikbi nang pumatay ako ng langgam. Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin nang makitang nakatitig.

"Huwag ka ngang makatitig ng ganiyan! Nakakabawas angas!" reklamo ng malaking sanggol.

"As if you have angas naman to brag before." pairap kong sagot dahil nawala na ang emosyong naramdaman ko kanina.

I can still feel it, her pain and suffering, though. But what eats Sarienne the most now is the rage that's burning up inside her heart.

No one knew who struck first, but war soon followed the cries of the frontlines.

Kahit na alam naming hindi kami parte ng mundong iyon ay 'di namin napigilang umiwas sa mga atake. An attack I was unaware of ghosted through my skin, piercing the heart of another behind me. Isang sulyap ang binigay ko sa kaniya at nang umubo siya ng dugo ay binalingan ko ang umatake. There, I saw myself, face-to-face with a stone-cold Ryuu.

Earlier, he looked strikingly handsome. Now every shift of emotions in his face makes a normal person want to run.

Pero sa'kin... imbes na matakot sa halimaw na kaharap, I found excitement. My hands shivered, not because of fear, pero dahil gusto ko din siyang makalaban.

Binawi niya ang spear na ginamit pag-atake at hinarap ang susunod na tao. Blood rained everywhere as dusk grew and the moon replaced the sun on the high skies. Lahat ng taong nasa lugar na ito ngayon ay makakaalis lamang sa dalawang kondisyon ㅡ buhay o dalawang segundo na lang bago mahabol ng dilim ni Sarienne at mamatay.

I closed my eyes as the serene sounds of war visited my ears. Nakakabighani ang bawat awit ng laban, mula sa desperadong iyak ng kalaban hanggang sa kagustuhan nilang makatakas sa dalawang halimaw. Gusto kong matikman lahat ng nararamdaman nila. Ang galit, poot, at desperasyon na sumisilip sa kanilang mukha. Gusto kong makuha ang bawat atake nila at malaman kung ano ba ang mas magandang depensa ko dito.

The warground was similar to heaven for me. The sweat and blood that combined with the dirt brings a delicious taste. The swords and shields that are tainted with red gives me a happier life.

Ito ang gusto ko. Ang marinig ang desperadong pakikipaglaban ng tao, ang pagsayaw nila sa kamatayan, at ang pagdaloy ng dugo nila sa lupa ng walang katapusan.

Dito... parang buhay na buhay ang buong katauhan ko.

The sky roared and lightning touched the grounds, uprooting the trees and causing large vines to get out and capture the two. But Ryuu was faster in dodging all magic thrown his way, and Sarienne blooms in a fight at night. Kahit si Austin, na siguro'y regent of defense na sa panahong 'to, ay walang magawa sa talino at lakas ng dalawa pagdating sa laban.

"The Second War..."

Tamara's voice was almost like a whisper as arrows rained down our direction. Ipinuksa lamang ng dilim ang mga palasong nakadirekta kay Sarienne at Ryuu, ang hindi nadala ay tumama sa dosenang katawan na nakaratay sa pulang damuhan.

"... is better left in writing." pagtapos niya.

Nilingon ko silang tatlo at nakita ang pamumutla nila. I can assume that Griffin's on the midst of puking, while Tamara was slowly losing her complexion. The intense violence around us truly is not a regular occurence for the now peaceful world. Kahit ako naman na tila'y adik sa pakikipaglaban ay hindi nakaka-enkwentro ng ganitong klase na sitwasyon.

They were mild fights. Those that can be finished at a couple of punches or is limited by time and rules.

Never like this.

Never war.

"Pero, nagtataka ako," I wondered out loud to distract them. "Why would they attack Sarienne during dusk, hours before the night, when that's advantageous to her?"

It was dumb. Those who ambushed her were dumb.

Their magic will, of course, prove weaker with Sarienne's right now. During these hours, she rules. Within this darkness, she reigns. As they will grow weak and unable to fight, Sarienne will increasingly become powerful.

"They want to enrage her and to use her full power." sagot ni Azriel.

"Why?"

"You didn't finish the book, Raven?"

Inirapan ko siya. Bakit ba iyon na lang lahat ang tanong-

My breath hitched at the flash of light that appeared through the skies. It passed me by a hair, and even though I was not entirely present, I could feel the burning heat from that ray.

A terrifying scream broke through the mountains, scaring off the birds and animals seeking refuge.

Mabilis akong lumingon at nakita si Sarienne na nakaluhod sa lupa. A blindingly bright arrow pierced through her chest, cracking the soulstone that is her heart.

Isang napakabigat na presensiya ang sunod kong naramdaman sa likuran at naalala ko ang isang lalaki sa init na dulot nito. But this one, this is ten times stronger than Helios' heat. Dito, parang pinipiga ang buong katawan ko at sinasakal ako ng walang awa. Kahit sina Tamara ay nababahala sa init. Kitang-kita ang sakit sa mukha nila dahil sa pagpaso nito.

Sarienne lifted her gaze. Sa paraan ng pagtitig niya at sa direksiyon ay parang ako ang pinakamasama niyang kalaban.

"Sorin..." she whispered with pure hatred.

"Hello, sister."

The voice burned through my ears and my fingers itched to take her tongue out and cut it. Ngunit kinabahan ako nang umubo ng dugo si Sarienne at napahawak siya sa tiyan.

"I am not going to end here." she warned everyone.

She made a final scream before her soulstone cracked and broke.

Sa simpleng pagsira ng batong 'yon ay nagbago ang buong mundo. Nahulog muli ang buwan at pumataas ang araw bago naglaban ang dalawa. Nanood lamang ang lahat sa pag-aaway ng gabi at araw hanggang sa bumalot ang dilim sa buong lugar.

Everyone sucked their breaths when night returned and as the darkness seemed to have gained life.

"Sorin! Anong nangyari? Akala ko ba mamamatay ng tuluyan si-"

"She can't. As the daughter of Hiraya, she's not allowed to die. She's nothing but darkness now, there is nothing else she can do aside from roam around."

Hindi ko mapigilan ang bugso ng poot na nabuhay sa puso ko. All that I want to do at that very moment is to turn around the kill the bitch.

But a cry startled anyone.

It wasn't desperation nor anger nor pain. It was an innocent cry for attention ㅡ shrill and piercing ㅡ resembling a newborn.

Sa simpleng pagsulyap sa gilid ay nakita namin ang sanggol na nasa gitna ng gyera, balot sa lupa at dugo.

Ghastly touches of darkness sneaked towards my cheeks, making me slightly jump in surprise.

"My daughter..." the woman of darkness repeated. "The prophecy that you seek answer to... is nothing but you."

Tumigil sa mabilis na pagtibok ang puso ko, at sa paglingon ko para malaman ang katotohan sa mga katanungan ko'y, biglang nawala ang lahat.

When I turned around, I found myself in front of a fuming Paham atop the stairs, with a number of Academy council members behind him.

Including my sister and my Dad.