Chapter 28: Father and Son

Lady Brienne passed out so I had to bring her to the Mansion. Pinabantayan ko siya sa mga tagapagsilbi at siniguradong kumportable siya. Kahit man lang sa ganito ay makabawi ako sa kanya. Sa mga nagawa niya para sa anak ko.

I wish I could do more for her. Ang pamilya ko ang rason kung bakit siya nawalan ng pamilya, pero nagawa niya pa ring alagaan ang anak ko— ang dugo na nagmula sa angkan na kumitil sa kanyang pamilya.

However I remembered what she said to me back then. Hindi na siya tatagal sa mundong ito. Ginamit niya lang ang kakayahan niya para tumagal nang ganito. Napansin ko rin na madalas na siyang manghina.

I took a sip on my drink as I stood on the balcony of my room, admiring the great wall of Nightfall Clan. The boundaries that pushed away everyone who tried to bring us down.

I was able to save my clan, but I failed to save my own son.

Naiintindihan ko ang galit na nararamdaman niya sa akin. Tanggap ko at wala akong magagawa roon. Pero ang pagkabigo na naramdaman niya sa ginawa ni Brienne, hindi ito katanggap-tanggap. She has been nothing but kind to him. And she won't last anymore.

Narinig kong bumukas ang pinto. "Lord Oscar. Si Lady Brienne..."

Mabilis akong sumunod sa tagapag-silbi. Pagpasok ko sa kwarto ni Lady Brienne ay naabutan ko siyang nakahiga sa kama. Nakakumot siya hanggang sa leeg. She's awake and staring at me.

"How's your feeling?" I asked.

"How's Lord Caezar?" tanong niya sa mahinang boses.

Hindi ako nakasagot nung naramdaman kong hinawakan niya ang kamay ko saka hinaplos. Her touch felt cold and feeble. I saw the mark on her skin again. It was not a mark. It was a wrinkle.

"You need to talk to him, Lord Caezar."

Dahan-dahan kong inalis ang kumot na nakabalot sa kanya. Gaya ng inaasahan ko ay kulubot na ang kanyang balat. Lumalabas na kung gaano na katagal ang nilagi niya sa mundong ito.

"May kakilala ba tayong manggagamot?" tanong ko sa mga tagapag-silbi. "Kahit na mahinang klaseng manggagamot lang."

Walang sumagot sa mga tagapagsilbi. Hinarap ko si Brienne nung hinaplos niya ang kamay ko. Mahina siyang umiling sa akin.

"I despise your family, your bloodline, and everything associated with the Cardinals," she whispered, her voice growing progressively weaker. "But Lord Caezar is different."

Umupo na lang ako sa tabi niya saka hinawakan ang kanyang kamay. Umabot na sa leeg niya ang pagbabago ng kanyang balat.

"He's a pure young boy who is also a victim of your family's curse. He cannot bear hatred for too long. Mabilis siyang magpatawad. Maunawain na lalaki. Mapagkumbaba. May pusong hindi kayang magtanim ng sama ng loob."

"C-can you tell me more about him? What was he like as a kid."

Pinagsalikop ni Lady Brienne ang kanyang mga daliri saka pinatong sa kanyang dibdib. Nakangiti siyang tumitig sa kisame, parang inaalala ang nakaraan.

"He was just like a regular kid. Naughty. Playful. Curious. Minsan nga ay nakalilimutan kong isa siyang bampira. He has always had a great self-control. Kapag lumalabas ang alab ng kanyang dugo ay pinipili niyang umalis para ibaling sa iba ang pagkauhaw. He never hurt me."

I suddenly recalled my younger self. He was just like me. All those descriptions perfectly depicted the kid I used to be. I wish I had seen it.

"It was just us against the world. Living in the wilderness was not even the hardest part of our journey." Tumingin sa akin si Lady Brienne. "It was living in secrecy."

How could a story be so magical and hurtful at the same time? It was emotionally moving to learn about him as a kid but painful at the same time. I couldn't help but wish I could have been there.

"He protected me more than I protected him. He was still a kid back then. Nung biglang nilusob ng tatlong bampira ang munti naming tirahan. We had planned to keep running. But when he saw that I was hurt, he abruptly halted his steps. With glaring and blazing eyes, he looked at them. Malinaw pa rin sa aking alaala kung paano niya pinatumba ang tatlo. "Ayos ka lang ba, Lady Brienne?" tanong niya, gayong siya ang pagod at puno ng dugo."

I felt a water drop in my hand resting in bed. My hand was firmly formed into a fist.

"Marami man akong kasinungalingan na sinabi sa kanya, pero may isang bagay akong kailanman ay hindi itinago sa kanya," bulong pa rin ni Lady Brienne. "The story I fed him was not the story of Lord Wenson. It was your story. Ang kuwento ninyo ni Celeste."

"W-what do you mean?" Pinunasan ko ang mga luha ko.

I wanted more. If only she could also take me there so I could witness everything through my own eyes.

"His mother was the kindest woman, and despite her being a slave, she was the most elegant woman. That's why you fell in love with her."

I looked away when my eyes began to blur again. Nilamukos ko ang kumot habang pilit na pinipigilan ang emosyon.

"Ang rason kaya pinaalaga siya sa akin ay dahil din sa kaligtasan niya. That you loved him more than anything, but all you could offer him at that time was safety."

I wonder, if only I had known that Celeste was pregnant at the time, would my decision have been different? Would I have fought for her? Would I have possessed enough courage and, just as she wanted from me, run away?

"The story of his parents that I told him was the truth, but not the father he had always known. He began to grow skeptical. Kaya nung nakita mo kami kanina, doon na niya ako hinarap..." Muling bumuhos ang kanyang mga luha. "And I could not lie anymore."

Napayuko ako sa aking mga palad. No matter how hard I tried to hold it back, a soft, hard sob escaped from my lips.

"You have to save him, Lord Oscar. Huwag mong hayaan na mawala rin siya gaya ng ginawa sa inyo ni Lord Severo. Be the father he had always longed for."

I shook my head. "There's nothing I can do for him to accept me."

"You don't know him after all."

Umangat ako ng tingin. Lumunok ako saka madiin na tumingin kay Lady Brienne.

"Ang magagawa ko lang ay alisin ang galit na nararamdaman niya para sa 'yo. Wala kang kasalanan, Lady Brienne."

She just let out a heavy sigh. Tinaas niya uli hanggang leeg ang kumot saka na tumalikod sa akin. Hindi na siya kumibo pa.

"Maraming salamat sa lahat ng nagawa mo para sa anak ko, Lady Brienne. Habang-buhay kong tatanawin na utang na loob ito. Please rest for now."

Tumayo na ako at lumabas ng kwarto niya. Bumalik ako sa silid ko saka ako humiga sa kama. Naramdaman kong umagos ulit sa mata ko ang luha.

"Please help me, milady. Help me save our son."

The following day, I was stripped of my position as the leader of the Nightfall Clan. I lost the privilege of entering the Mansion. I became a regular Nightfall member with a powerful surname.

Pagdating ko sa battle arena ay halos andoon na ang lahat. Both Caligo and Nightfall members were gathered here to witness a historic battle. The outcome would determine who would claim the throne.

After centuries, the throne of the Nightfall Clan remained the most coveted possession in the vampire world. It was revered with deep admiration as if it radiated the brilliance of diamonds and was intricately crafted from obsidian stone. But they knew nothing about it.

"Lord Oscar!" Lumapit sa akin si Austine. Inabot niya sa akin ang kanyang mga armas. "You can borrow my arrows."

I chuckled. "But we are not allowed to use anything but fists and fangs."

"Really?" he pouted.

"Will you watch?"

He shook his head. "I don't want to see you fighting. Maglalaro na lang ako gaya ng sinabi mo sa akin!"

Napangiti ako. Ginulo ko ang kanyang buhok.

"It's all up to you now," sabi ni Lord Reggar nung nilapitan niya ako. "The fate of Nightfall Clan now rests in your hands."

"I'm glad you are still here."

"Why would I miss the greatest battle Nightfall Clan will ever see?" he laughed. Nagulat ako nung niyakap niya. "It's been a long journey with you, milord."

Napagawi ang tingin ko sa bagong dating. Lord Caezar stood on the opposite side, his expression cold and stoic while staring straight at me.

"He's not easy to deal with," bulong ni Lord Reggar. "In fact, malaki ang potential na nakikita ko sa kanya. He could defeat you."

That was intended as an insult towards me. However, little did he know, I felt honored by his words. Ang marinig na pinupuri siya ng iba ay nakakagaan ng loob.

"There's no need for further introductions," a voice interrupted the loud chatter. Napunta sa gitna ang atensyon ng lahat. "The winner will be determined by whether the opponent kneels, lay, or is down within ten seconds. Lord Oscar Cardinal of the Nightfall Clan and Lord Caezar Bolido of the Caligo Clan. The victor will claim the throne as the supreme leader of the Nightfall Clan."

When the drums sounded, Caezar and I walked to the center of the arena. We had nothing on us but our pants, which could easily be torn apart.

"Before anything else..." Lord Caezar slightly bowed his head. "It's a pleasure to fight a Cardinal." Nung inangat niya ang ulo niya ay nakangisi na siya. "It's also an honor to defeat one."

The sun was at its peak, watching and waiting, eager to see which one would weaken first so it could burn him alive.

Siya ang unang umatake. He tried to push me to the ground, but I quickly seized his arms and hurled him aside. Mabilis siyang nakabawi at muling sumugod. He used his legs to trip me, but my stance remained unwavering, firmly planted on the ground.

"Impressive defense," he complimented after several attempts. Bahagya siyang dumistansya sa akin at pansamantalang tumigil.

"You are fast," I said, smirking.

"You are sturdy as a rock."

In the blink of an eye, I was already standing directly before him. With immense pressure, I brought the heel of my hand and delivered a powerful blow to his chest. Napaatras siya. Tumagas ang dugo sa gilid ng kanyang labi.

"Shit," he cursed.

Sa isang iglap ay nasa likod na niya ako. Inulit ko ang ginawa ko sa kanya, ngunit sa pagkakataong ito ay sa likod na niya. He retreated and created some distance between us.

"Is this how powerful the Cardinals are?" he chuckled, wiping the blood off his lips. His eyes finally changed hues, blazing red.

I froze as a vivid image flashed in my head, remembering Lady Brienne's story of him. How his eyes blazed with fiery red and single-handedly defeated three mature vampires. He was only a kid.

Napangiwi ako nung maramdaman na tumama sa dibdib ko ang kanyang kamao. Hinatak niya ang braso ko at nagawa niya akong ibagsak sa lupa. Naramdaman ko ang lakas ng pagbagsak ng likod ko.

"I changed my mind," he looked down at me. "Gusto ko na ring makuha ang Nightfall Clan."

"One!" I heard someone count.

I could feel the sun prickling against my skin. Nakabangon ako nang maayos dahil tumigil si Lord Caezar sa pag-atake.

"Narinig mo ba ang sinabi ko, Lord Oscar?" he smirked, showing his fangs. "This is my revenge. I will take away your family's pride."

I get where he is coming from. But I cannot let him take it. I don't want him to suffer the same fate that I did. Tama na ang dinanas ko.

"You cannot take this clan, Lord Caezar," I whispered, clenching my fists.

"Kahit na ito ang kabayaran sa mga pagkukulang mo sa akin?"

"Kahit na ang kapalit nito ay ang kapatawaran mo," ngumiti ako.

"Kahit na ang katumbas nito ay buhay mo?" tanong niya pa. Natawa siya. "Sabagay, naiintindihan ko naman. Mas mahalaga sa mga Cardinals ang Nightfall Clan kaysa sa ibang bagay. Gagawin niyo ang lahat para protektahan ito, kahit na abandonahin niyo ang iba pa."

Tumitig lang ako sa kanya. The truth was, I would kill anyone for him. I would do anything for him and for his forgiveness. I would give him anything but this clan. This clan was a curse. Lahat ng humahawak nito ay pait at pagdurusa ang sinasapit. Hindi ko hahayaan na sapitin niya ang dinanas ko.

I will make sure everything ends with me. This pain, this curse, this clan.

"Give us swords!" Lord Caezar announced.

The guards were quick to give us swords. Mahigpit na hinawakan ko ang ispada habang nakatingin pa rin kay Lord Caezar.

"I shouldn't have known the truth," he whispered. "I wish you weren't my father."

"I wish the same..."

He swung his swords at me. Although I managed to dodge, he still managed to graze my shoulder. Naramdaman kong kumirot 'yon.

I blocked his next attack with my sword, preventing it from getting any closer to me. The clash of our blades echoed through the stillness, resonating a sharp and ear-piercing screech. Diniin niya ang kanyang armas kaya mas hinigpitan ko rin ang pagkakahawak sa akin.

"You will really go this far just to protect this hell place," he whispered, looking straight into my eyes. "I wonder if you will go further and kill me."

Tinulak ko siya pero muli siyang sumugod. This time, he didn't just try to swing his sword at me. He tried to stab me, so I had to dodge and step back.

"I will never ask for your forgiveness," I said. "I don't think I even deserve it. Pero si Lady Brienne. Ginawa niya lang ang lahat para protektahan ka."

"Do you think I don't know that?"

"Then, don't be mad at her. Sa akin ka lang dapat magalit!"

"I cannot!"

Sa kagustuhan kong humina ang dipensa niya ay napilitan akong sugatan siya sa binti. Mukhang napasobra dahil napaluhod ang isa niyang binti pero agad din siyang tumayo.

"I was already doing better after I learned that my father never cared for me," he whispered, his voice filled with apparent agony. "Do you have any idea how much it hurt me to learn that?"

"You can yield now. I will not allow you to take this position."

I noticed that his wounded leg started to tremble. Naramdaman ko rin na bahagyang humina ang paghawak niya sa kanyang sandata.

"I fucking hate that I know your history," he exclaimed, his anger intensifying. However, as his emotions surged, the intensity in his eyes began to fade. "Because I already knew about you before I learned about us. And now... I can't fucking hate you."

My tears fell faster than my dwindling hopes. His sword fell first, followed by mine. And before I could even comprehend the weight of his words, he had already turned and walked away.

"Lord Oscar Cardinal still reigns. Long live the king of Nightfall Clan!"

I heard everyone cheering my name, the sound roaring and resounding throughout the arena. I didn't bother to look around. I found myself running in the direction he had gone.

I ran after him while his words were echoing in my head. Sinundan ko ang amoy ng kanyang dugo at mga bakas na naiwan niya sa lupa.

There, I saw him leaning agaist a tree. Napansin kong nanginginig ang kanyang mga balikat. There were tears in his eyes.

"Bakit mo ako sinundan? You already won."

"I-I thought I misheard you..." Fuck. My tears.

But I heard what he said.

"Sinabi ko na sa 'yo. Alam ko na ang kuwento mo bago ko pa nalaman kung sino ka talaga." Ngumiti siya. "Kung ano tayo..."

"C-Caezar..."

"I don't hate you... father. There's no reason to."

Alam kong walang lakas ang nawala sa akin sa laban namin. Pero napaluhod ako sa mga sandaling 'yon habang nakatingin sa kanya.

"I just hate that I am a Cardinal. But I don't hate my father."

"H-how can't you hate me?"

Nakangiting nilapitan niya ako. Umupo siya sa harapan ko. Saka siya bumuntonghininga.

"You are constantly misunderstood. Your perceived weakness always obscures your real intentions. But they know nothing about you. I do."

Napapikit ako nung hinawakan niya ang pisngi ko. That was the best feeling ever. The touch of someone who knows me.

My lips curved into a smile. It felt like everything was just another delusion. Pero nung magmulat ako ng mga mata ko ay nasa harapan ko pa rin siya.

"Can you be my father?" he asked.

"Can you be my son?"

"Hmm..." Tila napaisip naman siya. "As long as I will remain as Caezar Bolido. I don't really like your surname."

I chuckled and hugged him tightly.

"You can be anyone you want, son."