Once you give your trust to someone, you will expect them not to break it. And if they do, it would be hard for you to give yourself again. If you discovered that a secret has been kept from you, it can lead you to breakdown in trust. This creates a sense of deception and can lead to feelings of betrayal.

"Tell me, what do you know about me?" I asked curiously.

I couldn't see his reaction but it's obvious that he could read mine. He's the only one who has the special ability among all of them. And while me? Don't even bother ask!

"Why are you asking me that? Do you even think that... we're close enough for me to know any single detail of you?" he asked me back.

Mahina naman akong natawa."Hindi na ako gano'n ka tanga kumpara noong una akong pumasok sa lugar niyo, Zandrei. You were not mad at me when I first entered the Academy---"

"Muntik na kitang makagat, Mali," he cut me off.

"Pero hindi ka galit no'n, uhaw ka lang. You were fighting the urge to bit me because of my blood," I defended."Binigyan mo rin ako ng dugo no'ng unang beses na nauhaw ako. I was confused. Why would even someone like you, a high class vampire rather, help an ordinary human like me."

"You're no ordinary, Mali. Besides, I only did that to cover you up. Magtataka sila kapag uminom ka ng dugo na hindi ka pa naman bampira."

Napaisip naman ako kaya ipinilig ko na lang ang ulo ko. He really knows how to ride with conversations huh?

"At 'yong sa town? When you suddenly got jealous? What was that for?" Hindi na ako nagpatumpik tumpik pa at tinanong na 'yon.

Lahat ng mga misteryoso niyang galaw tandang tanda ko pa. Those were the things I could hardly forgot. Noon nagtataka na ako pero inisip kong wala lang 'yon at gano'n lang siya makitungo dahil pinsan ko si Kuya Seven, his friend and teammate.

Pero nararamdaman kong iba 'yon.

I couldn't see him but I heard his footsteps walking away."J-Just sleep, Mali. Pagod ka lang kaya magpahinga ka na."

"Do you know what's very tiring, huh, Zandrei? Asking everyone what's wrong with me and what's in the past that makes me suffer right now. But no one could ever give me the answer directly," I said as I walked away before he could even speak.

Akala ko may makukuha akong sagot sa kanya. I thought I could sleep peacefully again after I got the answers to my questions. Pero wala rin pala.

Bakit ba tinatago nila lahat sa'kin? Akala ba nila hindi ako masasaktan kapag pinatagal pa nila? What's the difference between now or sooner? Pareho lang din naman ang sakit kapag nalaman ko.

The next day, I was left in the house alone. Tanghali na nang magising ako kaya naghanap na lamang ako ng makakain bago lumabas. Eto ang araw na sinabi ni Kuya Seven na darating ang namumuno rito sa Clavier Nantes. Everyone must be in the meeting right now and since I'm not included, I have to wait until they were done.

"Magandang araw, hija. May gusto ka ba rito?" tanong ng isang babaeng may kantandaan na.

Nakapasok ako sa isang maliit na store kung saan may iba't ibang bagay na nakakamangha. Kagaya ng gumagalaw na sapatos, mga potion sa set, kumikinang na relo, lumilipad na carpet, at marami pang iba.

I shook my head."Wala po. I don't have money with me. Titingin lang siguro ako."

"May gusto kang malaman sa nakaraan mo, hindi ba?" Tila nagulat ako bigla sa tanong niya.

Paano niya nalaman? Nababasa niya ba ang isip ko just like how Lixe does?

"W-Wala akong kahit anong maibibigay na kapalit. I don't want to owe anyone."

She snapped her fingers and the flying carpet move towards her. Sinakyan niya 'yon papunta sa direksyon ko at hinila ako para pasakayin. Before I could utter any word, the carpet flew us to the wall and we disappeared from the store.

Tumagos kami. Just how amazing this world can be.

"What are we doing in this forest?" I asked her, looking around to observe the surroundings.

"Tama ako na gusto mong maalala ang ibang parte ng iyong nakaraan kaya handa akong tulungan ka. Pero bago mo 'yon magawa, kailangan mong dumaan sa isang pagsubok," sabi niya pa.

Kumunot naman ang noo ko."Anong klaseng pagsubok? There's no word such as 'easy' in this world kaya alam kong mahirap 'yan."

"Kung hindi mo ibabalanse ang puso at isip mo, magiging mahirap para sa'yo ang lahat. Sa loob ng limang minuto, ikutin mo ang buong gubat at hanapin ang nag-iisang prutas na bunga sa lugar na ito. Kahit anong mangyari, babalik ka sa'kin dala ito at mangyayari ang gusto mo," she instructed.

Napalunok naman ako dahil sa kaba."What does it look like? Masyado bang mapanganib ang lugar na 'to?"

"See it yourself."

Wala man lang siyang iniwan na motivational words para sa'kin at iniwan kaagad ako. I don't know where to start and wandered myself around. This place doesn't seem to be dangerous for me. I mean, its like a paradise. But I shouldn't let my guard down since I have no idea what's waiting for me. Lahat na lang ng mabibigat na pagsubok tinatahak ko para lang maalala ang nakaraan.

It really excites them seeing me go through this path when they could simply tell me the truth.

Nasa gitna ako nang paglalakad nang may makita akong nakaharang sa gitna nang daan. It wasn't just something but a BIG WEREWOLF. Twice a size of a human like me. And he's staring at me like I was a kind of prey he's waiting to dig in.

"What are you doing here? Human being?" he asked, salivating.

I gulped, ready to run away."I-I was.. in a middle of my mission. Sorry for disturbing. Maybe I should head out right now. This wasn't a place for me."

"Great, go away. Every creature who tried to pass by me ends up being eaten. And others run away, like a little baby looking for their parents to protect them." I don't know but that sounds insulting for me.

I didn't come all the way here just to run away!

"Are you threatening me?" I crossed my arms over my chest."It's not my first time receiving one either."

"Then come here and face your death," hamon niya pa sa'kin.

I smirked."Main characters in fairytales don't die quickly as the villain. I'm confident enough that its not my time yet. Not until I figure out every single piece of my lost memories."

"I can sense revenge on you. Ang sino mang may pagpupuot na nararamdaman ay hindi makakalagpas sa pagsubok na ito," he said calmly, as if observing me outside to inside.

"H-Hindi naman sa gusto kong gumanti--"

"Hindi pa. Hindi mo pa naiisip na gumanti dahil hindi mo pa nalalaman ang nais mong malaman. Sa tingin mo ba, hindi magbabago ang desisyon mo sa kung ano mang alaala na bumalik sa'yo?" That caught me off guard.

Hindi ko naisip, pero tama siya. I can still be kind dahil gano'n naman talaga ako. But things doesn't remain the way it is. Lahat nagbabago. Desisyon. Emosyon. Paniniwala.

"Maybe you're right. You got me." I faced him without any fear."But I'm not that desperate to get my revenge kung hindi gano'n kalaki ang kasalanan nila sa'kin. My memories vanished, they hid everything from me, and I don't know who to trust."

"Trust yourself. That's the least that you can do."

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa nang mapansin ko ang mga paa niya. It was all stoned. Kaya pala hindi niya ako nilalapitan o makain nang gano'n gano'n lang dahil dito. I didn't know where did I get the courage to walked towards him and I don't have to kneel so I could touch it. He's really that big. Kasing taas ko lang ang mga paa niya.

"What happened? Bakit ganyan?"

He knew what I was pertaining to."Punished, a long time ago. It has been 30 years, don't ask for any reason."

"Marami na akong iniisip, ayoko nang madagdagan pa kapag nagtanong ako."

Hinaplos ko ang mga paa niyang naging bato at hindi ko maiwasang isipin ang nangyari sa kanya. Then I noticed something written on it using a different language. I wiped it clean so that I could figure out what is it. Nangangalikabok na nga ito dahil siguro sa tagal.

"French.." I whispered.

"Paano mo naiintindihan? Sino ka ba talaga?" His reaction was the opposite from earlier.

He doesn't seem to be interested the first time he saw me. Nakatuon lang ang pansin ko sa nakaukit sa bato at sinubukang basahin ito.

Je suis l'air que tu respires,

Sans moi, tu ne peux pas vivre,

Dans les cieux, je suis libre,

Je suis un symbole qui inspire.

Que suis je?

I am the air you breathe,

Without me you can't live,

In heaven I am free,

I am an inspiring symbol.

What am I?

Napapikit na lang ako nang wala akong maisip na sagot. To be honest, riddles aren't my thing. I hate it. This is the type of a problem I can't solve alone.

"Hindi ito kasama sa misyon mo. Tatlong minuto na lang ang natitira wala nang natitirang oras para mahanap mo 'yon," he reminded me.

Shocks! He's right. But I couldn't just leave him alone. Like this. Sabi niya pinarusahan siya kaya ganito, siguro may nagawa siyang malaking mali. Why am I even helping him with this? But everyone make mistakes from time to time. Siguro naman deserve niyang mapatawad. It has been 30 years, I guess that's enough.

"It is something you're longing for. Everyone's aiming for it, but neither get a chance to have it. Guess what?" I read another hint on the other side.

"Power? Lahat ng nilalang hinahabol ang kapangyarihan. For us, its superior," he answered but nothing happened.

"Its probably not. Wala ka bang ibang naiisip na matagal mo nang gusto? O hinihiling?" I asked, still thinking.

He let out a deep sigh."Isa lang naman ang gusto ko, ang makalaya rito. What else would I even ask for?"

"Freedom? Is it?" Napaatras ako nang biglang mabalot ng liwanag ang buong katawan niya.

Nasisilaw ako sa liwanag kaya lumayo ako nang konti. I don't know what's happening. Did I do something wrong? Or did I freed him from his punishment?

"H-How could you?"

Napalingon ako sa kanya at namangha sa nakitang pagbabago sa katawan niya. I think he's back to normal. Hindi na siya giant, we're on the same size. And his brown fur turned white. I'm starting to admire his appearance. He looks calm and.. friendly.

"I guess you're free. Mind telling me your name in exchange of what I did?" Hindi ko alam kung paanong nagawa ko pang ngumiti at tanungin 'yon sa kanya.

He immediately looked away."I'm Ohren. But your time is up now. The mission is over."

"Okay lang. Wala naman akong pinagsisihan na tinulungan kita." I shrugged off my shoulders."Siguro kase nature ko ng unahin ang iba bago ang sarili ko. The reason why I always end up in the situation where they pity me for having this kind of heart."

"Wag puso palagi ang pinapairal, balansehin mo ang utak sa nararamdaman," he gave me a piece of advice.

"Pinakawalan kita, hindi ba? Why don't you come with me?" I gave him an offer.

Tinalikuran niya naman ako."Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa nagawa mo, pero mas pipiliin kong manatili rito kaysa sa labas. The world outside is worse than hell."

"You're right. I wish I could stay here just like you." Mapait naman akong ngumiti.

Nagising ako bigla nang maramdamang kumirot nang konti ang ulo ko. What happened? I was just talking to Ohren, the werewolf, and I.. I couldn't remember anything after that. Hindi ko man lang nabigay ang pangalan ko sa kanya, baka sakaling may alam siya tungkol sa'kin lalo na't iisang angkan sila ng Lolo ko.

"Nia! Bakit sa cottage ka sa labas ng store natutulog? Nakita ka namin kaya binuhat ka ng Kuya mo rito," Lixe appeared out of nowhere.

Tiningnan ko siya nang nagtataka."Cottage? I-I was.. nevermind. Baka dinalaw ako bigla ng antok. I was just taking a stroll earlier."

Maybe I don't have to explain everything to them. Hindi naman sa nagtatago ako sa kanila dahil pakiramdam ko gano'n din sila sa'kin. Its just that I don't have the energy to talk or tell stories. Lalaki na naman lalo ang usapan, nakakapagod.

"May problema, 'di ba? Ilang araw ka nang matamlay. Kakain tayong lahat kasama ang pinuno ng angkan nila rito. Sabi nila isama ka raw namin," sabi ni Heaven.

"My mind is preoccupied right now. I don't think kaya kong sumama sa inyo. Hindi naman na siguro kailangan na nando'n ako," I answered in a monotone voice.

"You have to go, princess." Biglang pumasok si Kuya Seven sa kwarto kaya lumabas muna ang dalawa."They were looking forward to see you. I'm asking for a favor. Please?"

How could I say no to him? Seeing his soft eyes pleading on me, as if he really wanted me to accept the invitation. Never pa naman akong humindi kay Kuya dahil ngayon niya lang to ginawa.

"Fine, I'll just change."

Wala akong alam kung anong susuotin ko. I didn't bring any elegant dress or formal attire na pwede sa isang gathering. Well, its just a simple celebration or what but I must look presentable. Sabi kase nila mission to eh, that's why my clothes were only for adventures.

Ayoko namang ipahiya ang sarili ko.

"Ang tagal mo, nag-ayos ka pa?" bungad kaagad ni Mavis nang makita niya ako.

"I don't have to," maikli kong sagot.

Totoo namang hindi talaga ako nag-ayos. Wala talaga akong mahanap sa maleta ko na maisuot sa ganitong pagtitipon. Kaya kung ano ang mas kumportable ako, 'yon na lang.

I couldn't say anything about the place. Its just the same as the places of witches and sorcerers in the movies I've watched in Zeal. The floating lampshades in every corner of the room. Pati na rin ang mga gumagalaw na paintings sa walls na lumilipat ng pwesto kahit saan nila gusto. Everything here is kinda magical. Ni hindi ako makapaniwala na makakapunta ako sa lugar na ito o makakakita man lang sa totoong buhay.

"Is it her? Aries' daughter?"

Nabaling ang atensyon ko sa isang lalaking may katandaan na dahil sa maraming bigote na tumutubo sa baba niya. If he's on Zeal, everyone can tell that he's around 50's or 60's. Pero dahil ibang mundo ito, ayoko na lang magtanong.

Kuya Seven gave me a warm smile and told me to come closer."She's my cousin, Niane Maliseth Azore Perth. And yeah, its her."

I don't know how to great him that's why I just smiled as a response. Wala rin naman akong ibang masabi. Hindi sinabi sa'kin ni Kuya ang pangalan niya at wala rin akong naaalala na kilala ko siya sa past ko. Sana maintindihan niya ako.

"We don't have enough time. Sunod sunod na ang pag-atake na nangyayari sa Academy. We have to go back as soon as possible," biglang sambit ni Master Aiko sa kalagitnaan ng pagkain namin.

"Did the headmistress told you that?" Master Jyron asked him and he just nodded.

Hindi ako makakain ng maayos sa narinig. I should've expected that it will happen again. Kahit na nando'n ang lahat ng cena, even the headmistress, walang sapat na proteksyon ang school laban sa mga black vampires. They were uncontrollable.

"Bukas na tayo aalis, isasama na natin sina Jazzy at Jazzer. Things will get complicated if we keep on taking it slowly," Master Xian interrupted.

Wait what? The twins?!

Hindi ko mapigilang huminto sa pagkain."Why them? Akala ko ba isang witch at isang sorcerer na naniniwala sa eternal love ang hinahanap natin. They're siblings!"

"Eternal love can also be considered as a love for blood relatives like siblings. The bond between siblings can be incredibly strong and lifelong. It is a special kind of love that is built on shared experiences, support, and a deep connection." Si Mavis na ang sumagot kaya hindi na lang ako nagtanong pa.

I didn't know it was possible. Kung sabagay, lahat naman posible sa mundong 'to.

Marami pang pinag-usapan bago natapos ang salo-salo. Akala ko nga tahimik kaming makakakain pero mas marami pa yata ang sinabi nila kaysa nakain. I was just listening and continued eating, not talking unless they ask me something or my opinion is needed. Kinakausap pa nga ako ng pinuno tungkol sa kung anong pakiramdam na nakabalik na ako rito, lahat lahat.

And I wasn't used to lie, I was taught not to. Kaya sinabi kong hindi ako komportable, na kung papipiliin ako mas gugustuhin kong bumalik sa mundong nakasanayan ko.

"Jazzy, Jazzer.. Come here." I patted the seat beside me, gesturing them to come.

Umupo naman sila sa magkabilang side ko. Dumeretso na ako rito sa bahay nila pagkatapos ng salo-salo dahil pagod ako at gusto ko silang makausap. While the others, I have no idea where they went to.

"Ate nasabi na ba nila sa'yo? We're coming with you guys way back to Hydera Penha," Jazzy told me in a soft tone.

Ngumiti naman ako ng konti."Yes, they did. Okay lang ba sa inyo 'yon? Baka mag-alala ang Mama niyo sa inyo. Its a place far away from your home."

Ngayon pa lang nag-aalala na ako para sa mundong kakaharapin nila sa labas. This place could be safe for them, but Hydera Penha isn't. Its full of danger. I just hope that we could send them back here after casting the invisible ward in the Academy.

"Uuwi si Papa ngayon galing sa misyon niya kaya makakapagpaalam pa kami bago umalis. Don't worry too much, we trust them," Jazzer gave me a reassuring smile.

"Listen, I'm not saying this as a threat but to give a piece of advice. Don't trust someone that easily, okay? Anyone can pretend that they're good and fake their words so better be careful. Come here guys, give me a hug."

Its really true that the bonds you have with the people important to you will stay. That's what I've felt ever since I saw the twins again. Pakiramdam ko parang nagkaroon ako ng mga nakababatang kapatid.

"I hope you'll take care of my twins," Tito Carl said, their father.

"I don't have any abilities just like them. I'm still an ordinary human. But I will do my best to look after them.. as their older sister," I assured.

Tita Danaya caressed my hair."You don't need those abilities to protect someone, Maliseth. Trust me. Your determination to do something came from your own will and not from the abilities that you've got."

Kahit papaano naman ay nabuhayan ako sa sinabi nila bago kami umalis. Sa'kin palaging nakadikit ang kambal at kinakausap ako kapag may nakikita silang bago sa paningin nila rito sa labas. They should be asking things to Kuya Seven instead of me. Wala naman akong alam sa mga bagay dito at isa pa, habang tumatagal nawawalan ako ng pakealam.

"Shit.." I bit my lower lip when I felt like my shoulder where my birthmark is placed started to ache.

No.. Not this again. Its the second week of October. The fourth week will surely be a hell for me because its my birthday.

"Okay ka lang, Ate? Pinagpapawisan ka," Jazzy seemed to notice something.

"Wala, pagod lang to. Tubig lang ayos na." Sinubukan kong pigilan para hindi nila mahalata dahil ayokong may mag-alala na naman sa'kin.

Pinagdarasal ko talaga na sana makabalik na kami ng mabilis at kahit doon na lang ito sumakit. I couldn't bare the pain in this kind of situation, na nasa gitna kami ng paglalakbay.

Hindi ko lubos maisip kung paano ko nagawang lagpasan at tiisin ang sakit hanggang sa makauwi kami. Dinala nila ang kambal sa headmistress office at nando'n silang lahat, maliban sa'kin. They forced me to stay but I refused telling them I'm really tired and I need some rest. Pero sa totoo lang hindi ko na kayang tiisin pa 'to. I was just thankful na umabot ako sa kwarto ko bago ako bumagsak sa sahig.

"Argh! P-Please.. s-stop!" Namimilipit na ako sa sakit na hindi ko maipaliwanag.

I was crawling on the floor hanggang sa makaakyat ako sa kama. Unti unti na akong nawawalan ng lakas na tila ba hinuhugot ng sakit. This is like a torture! Pakiramdam ko pinuputol ang braso ko dahil dito.

"Ahh! It hurts a lot! Please, tama na!" I couldn't stop screaming.

Pilit kong tinakpan ang bibig ko gamit ang unan dahil sa lakas ng mga sigaw ko. I was sweating so hard. Sobrang kalat na rin ng kwarto ko dahil sa hindi ako mapalagay sa sakit.

"Nia?! Nia? Okay ka lang?" Lixe was knocking the door as if she's gonna break in.

"Buksan mo ang pinto, Niane. What's happening," Heaven was with her.

"Mali? Princess?" Nasira ang pinto dahil sa lakas ng pagkatulak ni Kuya Seven."Shit! Damn it!"

My eyes were half closed so everything gets blurry. Hindi ko mahulaan kung anong reaksyon nila o kung sino pa ang nandito maliban sa kanilang tatlo. Ang sakit na idinulot ng birthmark ko ay nagbigay ng kakaibang side effects sa katawan ko. I couldn't even hear their voices.

Nagising ako na wala sa kwarto ko. This place was familiar. Nasa infirmary ako. I let out a deep sigh as I tried to sit on the bed, resting my back on the headboard. Ako lang mag-isa ang naiwan dito, siguro dahil may kanya-kanya silang ginagawa. Mas mabuti na rin 'to. I'm not in the mood right now.

"Aren't you thirsty?"

Napabalikwas ako sa hinihigaan ko at napadaing dahil sa biglang paggalaw ng katawan ko. I wasn't expecting his presence here. Bakit ba nandito na naman siya?

He was about to come closer and help me but I raised my hand, telling him not to. Hindi niya sinagot ang mga tanong ko no'ng nakaraang gabi. I don't think we have something to talk to aside from that.

"Alam kong isa kang master pero magbigay ka man lang ng sign if you're around. Hindi nakakatuwa kapag nagugulat niyo 'ko," I just answered.

Now that he mentioned the word "thirst" bigla na lang natuyo ang lalamunan ko at parang gusto kong uminom ng dugo niya. But I have to stop myself from craving for his blood. Sabi ni kuya hindi 'yon magiging mabuti para sa'kin lalo na't tao pa ako.

"Did Seven told you something about drinking my blood?" he asked out of a sudden.

Kumunot naman ang noo ko."Nothing. I just don't feel good this past few days. Tubig lang ang gusto ko."

"Everyone can be good at lying, Mali, but you're not. Hindi mo ugali ang pagsisinungaling," he smirked.

I faced him without any emotion."What do you even know about me, Zandrei? Tama ka, hindi ako marunong magsinungaling. Kayo lang naman ang mahilig gumawa no'n."

"Hindi ako nagsinungaling sa'yo, Mali." He stared at me blankly."There are just things I couldn't explain--"

"Or you couldn't tell, right?" putol ko sa sinasabi niya."Kung mahirap para sa inyong sabihin, mas mahirap pa rin sa'kin na tanggapin."

"You don't understand, Mali. You're still full of emotions right now. Hindi makakatulong ang maaari mong malaman sa kondisyon mo ngayon."

"I guess that's it. Just leave me alone, Master Jyron. Pagod ako," malamig kong sagot.

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