Chapter 17: Aftermath

I was told that I had hibernated for an entire year, pero sa dami ng aking mga nalalaman, pakiramdam ko ay isang dekada akong nawala. Paano humantong sa ganito ang lahat?

"Katulad ng sinabi namin sa 'yo, marami ka pang dapat na malaman," kalmadong sambit ni Brienne. "I wouldn't say the world has completely changed when you were gone. Hindi naman sa ganoon. Lumalabas lang ang katotohanan ngayon."

I shook my head, umupo ako sa sofa at sumandal doon. Tumitig ako sa kisame habang kinakalma ang sarili.

How could she say that there were still things I needed to know when, in the first place, these were things I had never even considered to happen? Everything sounded so absurd to me.

"I will get you a drink," I heard Brienne say.

"Kailan niyo ba sasabihin sa akin ang lahat?" tanong ko nang hindi siya nililingon. "Why cannot you just tell me everything?"

"Kapag handa ka nang tanggapin ang katotohanan," malabo niyang sambit. Narinig ko ang mga yabag niya palayo.

Kapag handa na akong tanggapin ang katotohanan? Hindi ako kailanman magiging handa pero kung malalaman ko nang mas maaga ay baka agad ko ring matanggap.

Si Lord Wenson ang pumalit sa akin bilang pinuno ng Nightfall Clan? It doesn't make sense to me. I have a list of vampires who would dare to take my place or plot something against me, but I had never considered him.

Lord Wenson never showed any interest in power. In fact, siya nga ang gumabay sa 'kin no'ng mga panahon na walang naroon para sa akin. There must be something wrong here.

Bumalik din si Brienne matapos ang ilang minuto. Inabot niya sa akin ang isang inumin na may amoy ng dugo at iba pang hindi ko kilalang sangkap. Marahil ay may halo itong mga halamang gamot.

"I am ready," I said.

"Then, drink that."

Kumunot ang noo ko, pero ginawa ko ang gusto niya. I drank the whole glass. It tasted so good. I couldn't blame Callum if Brienne had also tricked him.

"Where's Callum?" tanong ko no'ng mapagtanto na wala silang nabanggit tungkol sa kaibigan ko. "Is he around here as well?"

She sat on the sofa across me. Sa hitsura ng mukha niya ay alam kong hindi maganda ang kanyang sasabihin. I don't think he's here.

"When Lord Reggar found out our whereabouts, I only managed to save you. Naiwan si Callum. Unfortunately, I still have no news about him," she said with a heavy heart.

My mind raced with worry and fear as I tried to imagine what might have happened to Callum. Malamang na nahuli siya ni Lord Reggar. Isang taon na ang lumipas matapos ang insidente.

"He's safe, right?" I asked.

She sighed and looked away, unable to meet my gaze. "I'm not sure about that. I'm sorry," sagot niya sa mababang boses.

I bit my bottom lip as I felt my frustration and helplessness come rushing back. I couldn't bear the thought of not knowing what happened to Callum, but I also couldn't imagine facing the truth if it was the worst-case scenario.

"We need to save him," I said with desperation. "Listen, Brienne. Tutulungan ko kayo sa gusto niyong mangyari. Ngunit kailangan niyo muna akong tulungan na sagipin ang kaibigan ko."

Fuck! Nadamay lang naman siya dahil sa akin. Hindi ko siya maaaring pabayaan na lang.

Brienne stared at me with such weight. Tila tinitimbang niya kung gaano ako kadesperado sa gusto kong mangyari.

"You will receive my full support after we save my friend," I said. "Kailangan nating kumilos sa lalong madaling panahon."

She nodded, "I will tell Lord Caezar about that."

My frows arched. "I'm not your prisoner here. I am coming with you."

"Oscar—"

"Hindi lang ako basta maghihintay rito," madiin kong putol sa kanya. "Kung ang inaalala mo na baka may makakilala sa akin, magiging maingat ako. Pero sasama pa rin ako."

"That's not what worries me," she sighed. "You don't yet have a full understanding of the situation. I'm afraid your lack of knowledge might lead you to do something reckless."

"If you can't help me, I will save him myself."

"No." Umiling siya saka na tumayo. "Makakarating kay Lord Caezar ang gusto mong mangyari. Sa ngayon ay mangako ka muna na mananatili rito hanggang sa makabalik ako."

"For how long will you be gone?"

"Babalik ako bago sumikat ang araw bukas," aniya saka lumapit sa akin. "Will you promise to stay here until I return?"

I swallowed, "You have my word."

"We will save your friend."

"I will save him."

Brienne left after that. Hindi ko alam kung bakit aabutin siya ng bukas para lang makabalik. Masyado bang malayo ang tinitirahan ni Lord Caezar dito? O 'di kaya'y marami lang siyang inaasikaso.

I tried to recall everything I have learned so far. Kahit na ilang araw lang akong namalagi sa ibang mundo, katumbay no'n ay isang tao sa reyalidad. Maraming nagbago habang wala ako.

Nightfall Clan is currently under Lord Wenson's reign. He's trying to maximise the power of the clan. To what extent and purpose? Iyon ang hindi ko pa alam.

How about Lord Reggar? Bakit hindi siya ang pumalit sa akin? Bakit hindi siya ang may pakana ng pagpapatalsik sa akin? Bakit si Lord Wenson ang nasa likod ng lahat?

Malalaman ko rin ang lahat. Babawiin ko ang dapat na sa akin.

I decided to go out for a walk. Hindi pa ako nakakalayo no'ng mapansin ko si Chris. He was talking to a woman who was wearing a black veil.

"Hindi ko alam kung sino ang tinutukoy mo," dinig kong sabi ni Chris sa babae. "There's only five of us here. Well, there's a newbie."

"Can you tell me about him?" I heard the lady ask.

Naging familiar sa pandinig ko ang boses ng babae. Gano'n pa man ay hindi ako agad nagpakita. Patago akong nakinig sa kanila.

"That guy?" Chris chuckled. "He's nothing. Just another trash they invited in."

My fists clenched.

"What's his name?" the lady asked.

Bago pa man masabi ni Chris ang pangalan ko ay nagpakita na ako sa kanila. No'ng magtugma ang mga mata namin ng babae ay mabilis naming nakilala ang isa't isa.

"Is he the new guy?" she asked.

Napatingin sa akin si Chris. "He is."

"Can I talk to him?"

Kumunot ang noo ni Chris. Gano'n pa man ay umalis siya para makapag-usap kami ng babae. Naglakad kami palayo roon para mas makapag-usap nang masinsinan.

"So it was true," I said, facing her. "After you suddenly quit the position as one of the Seniors, you joined the enemies?"

Lady Mystique laughed, "Well, they are not our enemies anymore. Am I right?"

I sighed and shook my head. Hindi ko pa rin masasabing kakampi ko na sila. Siguro ay matatanggap ko na lang kapag natulungan nila akong iligtas si Callum.

"Hindi lang naman 'yon ang dahilan kung bakit ako tumiwalag sa pangkat niyo," nakangiti niyang tugon. Hinawakan niya ang dibdib ko saka pinaragasa ang kamay. "You hurt my feelings when you threatened me with a dagger."

Hinawakan ko ang braso niya saka inalis ang kanyang kamay sa dibdib ko. Sa halip na mainsulto ay napangisi pa siya.

"You are still hard to get, Lord Oscar," she teased.

"Did you know about it all this time?"

"Oh," bumilog ang kanyang mga labi saka natawa. "Don't be too hasty, Lord Oscar. Bago tayo pumunta roon, let's just talk about us first."

Hindi ako tumugon. I just stared at her.

"Do you know why I joined the Seniors?" she asked, biting her lower lips. "I was hoping there was a way to marry you. You know? We could have ruled together."

"I don't need anyone to rule with me," I stated firmly.

"Unfortunately." She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms on her chest. "Elite vampires are not the type of vampires you are into. You are into a lower class."

"Lower class vampires can be more classy than elites," I smirked.

Her lips twitched, and she retorted, "But they are not for a show. They're good at being behind the scenes. You know that better than anyone."

"I will reclaim my throne," I declared.

"Reclaim the throne." Tila napaisip naman siya. "Oh, right. Hindi na pala ikaw ang pinuno ng Nightfall Clan. What a shame."

"It was really shameful," bumaba ang boses ko dahil nakaramdam ako ng hiya kahit papaano. "That's why I wanted to take it back."

"After a millennium, I never thought someone outside the Cardinals could rule Nightfall Clan. Is this the end of Cardinals?"

"I'm still here," madiin kong sabi. "I am a Cardinal."

"Alright," she chuckled. "What do you need to know?"

"Alam mo bang may pinaplano si Lord Wenson na ganito?" tanong ko. "May nabanggit man lang ba siya?"

"Honestly, no. Maging ako ay nagulat din. All along, I thought Lord Reggar was coveting the throne."

We have the same thoughts about that.

"I don't think I can provide you any information about Lord Wenson. Siya ang pinakatahimik na pinuno," sabi niya sa akin. "Kung may isang bagay man na alam ko, iyon ay hindi siya naiiba kay Lord Reggar. I've also felt like he has something against your father."

Lord Wenson has something against my father? I've never thought about that. Totoo bang pagpapanggap lang ang lahat? Kung matagal na niyang pinlano ito, ibig bang sabihin na maging si Papa ay nalinlang niya?

"Do you think he planned this all along?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Hindi ko masasabi. Just like the rest of the Seniors, he also felt betrayed by your father. It didn't end when he died. When you earned the title, you also earned all the grudges hovering around your family. Yes. Even the grudges we have for Brixton."

I nodded. I never claimed that I came from a noble family. Naiintindihan ko ang sentimento nila. However, when it comes to Brixton, he was just misunderstood. He's not the villain they thought he was.

"One thing was for sure," ani Lady Mystique habang nakatingin sa aking mga mata. "Caligo Clan has never been a threat to us."

"Do you really think so?" My forehead creased. "This clan rose from the dead to take revenge against us. What made you think you were never a threat to us?"

Brixton slaughtered this clan once to avenge his friend. There's only a few of us know about that history. The reason why it's hard to believe that they are helping me is I find it absurd. Why would they help me if my brother was the reason why it fell to the ground before?

"Do you think everything is coincidence?" biglang tanong ni Lady Mystique. "Caligo Clan, previously known as Ganos Clan, stood miles away from Nightfall Clan. There were nearer clans than this at that time. If so, why would Lord Severo lead Brixton's friend here?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Sa tingin mo ba ay may ibang rason kung bakit sa Ganos Clan pinapunta ni Papa si Eskelle?"

"Maybe he had been planning on eliminating Ganos Clan. Maybe it was not merely a coincidence. When your father sent Eskelle to this clan, he knew Brixton would follow him. He knew that it could lead to the clan's downfall. Do you think everything is just a coincidence?"

Napalunok ako at hindi nakasagot. Kung tama ang hinala namin ni Lady Mystique, ano ang rason ni papa? Bakit sa dami ng clan, ang Ganos Clan pa ang sinadya niya?

Is there a hidden motive all this time?

"Hindi naman bago sa atin ito, hindi ba?" biglang tanong ni Lady Mystique. "The vampire world can never have peace. As longas there's power, there's someone who wants to be superior."

"I don't think I understand your point."

"Why do you need to reclaim the throne?"

"To put an end to everything." Kumuyom ang mga kamao ko sa determinasyon na magawa 'yon. "Alam kong imposible ang kapayapaan na gusto kong mangyari. Pero—"

"There's a way to put an end to everything, Lord Oscar," nakangiting sabi ni Lady Mystique. "Kailangan mo lang putulin ang sinimulan. Saan nga ba nag-ugat ang lahat?"

"Greed of power," I said confidently.

"Who even holds such power?"

Natikom ang bibig ko.

Bahagya nang tumagilid si Lady Mystique, mukhang handa nang umalis. Ngunit bago siya tuluyang umalis ay may mga binitiwan pa siyang kataga.

"Alam kong alam mo ang gusto kong sabihin. Alam mo ring ito lang ang tanging paraan para matigil na ang digmaan na ito. Ikaw lang ang makakagawa noon."

I was stunned and puzzled for a moment. Ni hindi ko nga nasundan ang pag-alis ni Lady Mystique.

"So, you are Oscar Cardinal."

Paglingon ko si likod ay nakita ko si Chris. He lunged toward me and pinned me to the ground. His fists rained down on me with brutal force. I struggled and fought back, managing to push him off of me. With a grunt, he stumbled backward and slammed into the wall, leaving a dent in its surface. Sinubukan niya ulit sumugod pero nahawakan na siya ni Baldo at pinigilan pang makalapit pa sa akin.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I hissed, wiping the blood on the side of my lips.

"You!" madiin niyang sagot, nagpupumiglas pa rin na makalapit sa akin. His bloody red eyes were full of rage and fury. "Your clan killed my family and friends! You took everything I have!"

I shook my head. I don't know what he's talking about. Malamang na wala ako no'ng mangyari ang binibintang niya sa akin.

"Is it worth it?" he asked, his voice slowly lowering. "You became powerful by taking advantage of those who cannot fight back."

"Kumalma ka na, Chris. Nakakahiya kapag nalaman ni Lady Brienne ang ginagawa niyo," pagpapatahan ni Baldo sa kanya.

"Do you see this man, Baldo?" dinuro ako ni Chris. "He's the reason why we are suffering. It's him, his family, and their fucking hell clan!"

"Ano ang gusto mong mangyari?" tanong ko sa kanya bago dahan-dahan na lumapit. I let my guard down incase he still wanted to hit me, I wouldn't dare to fight back. "Nandito ka rin ba para maghiganti?"

"Oscar..." Baldo shook his head. "Hayaan mo muna si Chris."

"Sapat ba ang buhay ko para pagbayaran ang atraso ng angkan ko?" tanong ko nang hindi inaalis ang tingin kay Chris. "If not, then there must be another way. Come on."

"Oscar..." pagbabanta ni Baldo.

"Hindi kailanman magiging sapat ang buhay mo para pagbayaran ang libo-libong pinaslang ng pamilya mo. Walang paraan para mabayaran mo kami dahil hindi kami naniningil."

I smirked, "What do you mean? Buhay ang kapalit ng kinuhang buhay. Hindi ba gano'n ang kalakaran natin?"

"Not for me," he sniffed. Tinulak niya si Baldo kaya nakalaya siya. Tumindig lang siya at hindi na ako sinugod. "I didn't come all the way here to avenge my family or my clan."

"Why are you here then?"

"Para pabagsakin ang Nightfall Clan," nakangisi niyang sabi. "Hindi ko alam kung paano o posible. Pero hindi mo ako mapipigilan."

Saka na siya umalis. Naiwan si Baldo na napapailing na lang.

"Intindihin mo na lang siya," sabi ni Baldo. "Maging ako ay may hinanakit sa pangkat mo. Ngunit ano ang magagawa ko? Hindi kita kaya. Mas lalong hindi ko kakayanin ang pangkat mo. Maghihintay na lang ako hanggang sa matapos ito. Sana lang ay buhay pa ako."

Gaya ng lahat ay tinalikuran na rin niya ako at iniwang mag-isa. Gusto ko mang ipagsawalang-kibo na lang ang lahat, pero habang tumatagal ay pabigat nang pabigat ang dinadala ko.

I was about to go when I noticed someone watching me behind a tree. No'ng mapansin ni Owen na nakatingin ako sa kanya ay mabilis siyang nagtago ulit sa likod ng puno.

"I'm sorry for that," I said. Hindi pa rin siya lumabas sa pinagtataguan. "Did I scare you?"

"Not really..." I heard him say.

"Come here."

Nakayuko at dahan-dahan siyang lumabas sa likod ng puno. Saka siya lumapit sa akin. Hinawakan ko ang baba ng kanyang ulo para iangat ang kanyang tingin sa akin.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

He nodded, "I've seen worse."

That put a gentle smile on my face. Napangiti rin siya.

"You are a brave boy, Owen." Ginulo ko ang buhok niya. Tumawa siya. "Can I ask you something?"

He just nodded, giving me permission.

"May I ask what brought you here?"

I couldn't help but fear that it was once again because of my family and that he was seeking revenge for what they had done to his own.

"I don't have a clan. This is my first ever clan."

Hindi ko inakala na mayroong mas malalang sagot pa sa inaasahan kong tugon niya. He was here, not because he was forced to. He was here because he has nothing to begin with.

"Well, I had friends before. But they also left me," he added, and it amazed me that even with such a sad story, he managed to say it as if it was nothing new to him.

"But I don't think you found the perfect clan for you," I said, and I couldn't help but worry. "You see, Owen. There's an ongoing misunderstanding around—"

"You mean war?"

I nodded, "Yeah."

"I will be fine..." he smiled. "I am strong."

Natawa na lang ako.

"Look!" aniya.

I was amazed as I watched him climb the tall tree with ease and grace. When he reached the top, he paused and looked down at me before flipping down and landing on the ground with a soft thud. He landed perfectly without stumbling or wobbling.

I clapped for him. In the back of my mind, I couldn't help but worry about what might happen next. How could I possibly resolve everything without causing harm or losing someone?

"Can I join the war?" Owen asked.

No.

There will be no war this time.