Don't be afraid to revisit the past. There's beauty in doing the things you forgot and finding joy in them once again. Life gives us second chances to relive the forgotten moments, and in doing so, we create new memories that are even more remarkable. Will I choose to live in the present without remembering the past? Or letting the past change the path I'm going to take in the present?

"Hanggang dito na lang kita pwedeng ihatid. Hindi ako pwedeng makita ng kahit sinong bampira, mapaparusahan ako."

I gave her warm smile."It's alright. I should be thankful to you, Alexia. Pangalawang beses mo na akong niligtas."

"You don't have to mention it. Hindi ka naman masamang tao kaya okay lang. Mag-iingat ka."

Gumaan ang pakiramdam ko dahil hinatid niya ako mismo rito sa taas kung saan makikita ko ang buong town hall. It was a risk for her. Kung tutuusin hanggang sa labas ng haunted forest niya lang ako dapat ihatid dahil 'yon ang utos ni Lezonra. But she insisted to bring me here even though she's not allowed to wander outside Hydera Penha.

Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago bumaba ng town hall. As usual, there were vampire commoners everywhere. Of course, this is like a city where most of them live. Palihim kong nilabas ang perlas na binigay sa'kin at umilaw ito sa kaliwang direksyon. I was wearing a hoodie so that no one could notice me. Although I know very well that I smell a hundred percent of human.

Huminto ang pag-ilaw nito sa harapan ng isang lumang tindahan. There were spider's web in every corner of the store that's why vampires thought no one stays here. Nasa pinakadulo ng bahagi ng town hall ito makikita at wala talagang dumaraan rito. I can even feel the spooky vibes as I step in front of the door.

"You're here! Niane, right?"

Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko nang biglang bumukas ang maliit na bintana at maya-maya ay bumukas na ang pinto.

"Y-Yes. You're Nimfa?"

She smiled widely and gestured me to come in. I looked around her place and I find it really old. Mga luma na rin ang mga kagamitan niya sa loob at hindi ko alam kung para saan 'yon. But everything's organized and clean, I don't know why it looked so creepy outside. Hindi niya ba napapansin na maalikabok na ang pinto niya sa labas kaya walang pumupunta rito?

"Are you selling things? Parang walang pumupunta rito," I said out of a sudden.

She offered me something to drink."It's a hot chocolate tea, no poisons or whatever you call it. And no, wala naman akong binebenta, dito lang talaga ako nakatira."

"O-Okay.."

May nilapag siya sa harapan ko, isang bolang krystal. I saw something like this on Lezonra's desk but it is a different one. Its crytal clear. I can even mirror myself if I look at it.

"Lezonra told me that you want to talk to your parents from the other side. Are you sure about that?" she asked me.

I nodded."Y-Yeah. Besides, Lezonra's your mother right? Why call her using her name?"

"I didn't grow up with her so we don't have a strong bond. And I don't want to tell anyone that she's my mother, its the biggest secret that only me and the creatures of Ivoire knows. And you, Niane. I bet you won't tell anyone about it," she explained and held my hand before closing her eyes.

"Yeah, I got it."

Hindi naman ako nakikisawsaw sa buhay ng iba kay wala na rin akong tanong. I just hope that Lixe won't read my memory or Master Jyron won't use his ability to know where I came from. Ayoko namang may tinatago sa kanila pero personal na bagay din naman to para sa'kin. So I can say that its valid for me to refuse.

"I don't get it." She let go of my hand, looking at me confusingly."Nakikita ko namang natatandaan mo pa ang mukha ng mga magulang mo. How come I couldn't see them?"

"Is there something wrong with me?"

Tumayo siya at may kinuha na libro bago bumalik sa harap ko."Right. Give me their names. Its another option to call them."

"Aries and Lemery," I answered.

Her hand was holding mine while the other was holding the crystal ball. She murmured something that I couldn't hear so I just waited and ler her do it. Maya-maya pa ay bigla na lamang sumakit ang ulo ko kaya humigpit ang kapit ko sa kanya. She continued what she's doing, not minding the pain I've felt. Wala ring kaso sa'kin 'to dahil ginusto ko naman na gawin.

Some scenes flashed back on my mind. This time, it was clear. The day Kuya Seven introduced me to Master Jyron when we're around 5 years old. The bonds we shared before. My mother and father... who took care of me inside the castle. Tito Arthemis. Clavier Nantes and the twins.

Naghahabol ako ng hininga pagkatapos kong idilat ang mga mata ko. I found myself lying in the bed and right before I could remember what happened, Nimfa appeared in front of me.

"You passed out earlier. Hindi mo kinaya." Pagbasa niya sa reaksyon ko."Kaya ko namang ipagpatuloy ang ginagawa ko kahit wala kang malay pero kahit anong gawin ko, wala talaga."

"Anong wala? Natatandaan ko naman sila, malinaw ang memorya ko. Bakit ayaw?" I am getting hysterical.

She let out a sigh."Listen, its not the first time I did necromancy but its my first time to encounter such a thing. Sigurado akong walang mali sa memorya mo at hindi pa naman pumalpak ang kapangyarihan ko. I am having second thoughts of telling you two reasons why we couldn't call them."

"What is it? Do I have to do something?"

"There's a small percent of possibility that they weren't dead. Hindi matatawag ang spirits nila kung hindi pa sila patay. But I'm not telling you to have hope or assume anything, I'm just letting you know. Another thing is that their spirits refused to cross over on the afterlife. If their spirits were wandering in our world, they might have something to accomplish. Makakatawid lang sila kapag buo na ang desisyon nila ang natapos na ang misyon nila."

Among the two reasons, I preferred the first one. Kahit naman lahat sinasabi na patay na sila, iba pa rin ang paniniwala ng anak na gusto pa silang makasama. Yes, I might sound naive. Pero mali bang umasa pa akong buhay pa talaga sila?

Hindi ko alam kung paano ako nakararating sa harap ng Academy. Lutang ang isipan kong nakatulala sa harap ng gate. Sa huli ay binanggit ko ang pangalan ko upang makapasok sa loob. Wala namang binago sa security ng gate, AST pa rin kahit may invisible ward na.

Sa dami ng iniisip ko napunta ako sa harap ng headmistress office. Nagtaka nga ako no'ng una kung paano ako napunta dito ngunit bago paman ako tumalikod ay bumukas na ang pinto. Bumungad sa'kin ang gulat na reaksyon ni Tito Art na kaagad naman napalitan ng pag-aalala.

"W-Where did you go? Halos mabaliw kami kakahanap sa'yo. Naisip na nga naming pumunta ng underworld para lang kunin ka," bakas ang takot sa boses niya.

"U-Underworld?" Doon ba ako galing noong iligtas ako ni Alexia?

"The place where they took you based on the cenas calculations. They possessed the elemental power so we managed to track you." Mabilis na nakalapit sakin si Kuya Seven at niyakap ako."P-Pasensya ka na wala si Kuya noong oras na 'yon. I promised to look after you but I failed."

"Sinabi ko naman huwag 'di ba? Don't ever blame yourself if something unexpected happens. Hindi mo naman kasalanan kung hindi mo nakikita lahat ng bagay na paparating. And for me its okay." I gave him a warm smile to calm him down.

Napansin kong sila ni Tito at ang headmistress lang ang nandito sa loob, wala ang iba. And I somehow felt relieved. Akala ko pa naman inaabala ko sila masyado, kahit naman alam kong tumutulong din silang hanapin ako dahil kay Kuya. If not because of him, I don't think they would help me.

"Mind telling us how did you escape from that place? Seven kept on complaining that he couldn't use his ability to find you. And you necklace... you gave it to the twins." Tito Art guided me on the couch.

"Bihira lang pumalya ang predictions ni Seven pero pagdating sa mga maaaring mangyari sa'yo, wala siyang halos makita. All I could think is that they're getting powerful," headmistress Yhue interfered.

Bigla na lang akong may naalala."You guys should be careful. Those dark vampires calls someone as their Master and has the ability of absorbing any kinds of abilities. Kaya natakot ako no'ng malaman ko dahil baka isa sa inyo ang mabiktima nila."

I could feel the intensity in the atmosphere. Nagkatinginan silang tatlo at hindi ko mabasa ang reaksyon nila, siguro malalim din ang iniisip.

"Thanks for letting us know, princess. Sumama ka na muna kay dad, iuuwi ka niya sa palasyo. Its so dangerous for you to stay here. Hindi ko halos mabilang kung ilang beses ka nang napahamak dito, hindi kita kayang bantayan."

Napatayo ako sa sinabi ni Kuya Seven kaya bumaling ang tingin nila sa'kin."No! Hindi ako sasama. Dito lang ako."

"You don't have to worry about your classes, Mali. Monica and I already talked about it," mahinhin na sagot ni Tito.

That's not my concern. A-Ayoko... Ayokong pumunta sa lugar nila. My memories aren't back. Magmumukha akong social climber na walang alam sa pagiging prinsesa. At isa pa.. ang hari. Hindi ko yata kakayaning makita siya.

"Ayoko, hindi niyo ko mapipilit. Pasensya na hindi ako sasama," buong loob kong sagot.

"Galit ka ba kay Lolo? Sa tingin ko 'yon ang dahilan," nagdadalawang isip pa siya na sabihin 'yon.

Hindi ako makasagot."Nasa'n ang kambal? Gusto ko silang makita."

"Magdadalawang araw kang nawala, sinundo sila ng mga magulang nila kahapon pagkatapos naming ipaalam ang nangyari. They give your necklace here before they left," si headmistress na ang sumagot.

Tumango na lang ako at nagpasalamat bago kinuha 'yon sa kanya. Nag-usap saglit sina Tito at Kuya habang naiwan ako sa couch upang makapag-isip. I'm aware that its not really safe here, especially that enemies attempted to kill me in my dorm for two times, I guess? But its not also a reason for me to leave the Academy, lalo na kung sa palasyo ako titira pansalamantala. This might be a safer place for me than the palace. Kaya kahit na anong mangyari pipiliin ko na lang na manatili rito.

Nang makaalis si Tito, dinala ako ni Kuya sa building nila. Now matter how I am going to complain, still he insisted. Wala naman daw ang tatlong master do'n kaya napanatag ang loob ko. And about Eury, she went back to her kingdom only to help them find me. Mabuti na lang at pinadalhan siya ng mensahe na nakabalik na ako kaya babalik na siya pagkatapos din ng ginagawa niya.

"Just stay there, I'll cook something to eat. Sabay na tayong mag-lunch."

Sa room niya ako dinala kaya hinayaan ko ang sarili kong tingnan ang buong kwarto. Kasing laki ng kwarto niya ang salas sa dorm namin, sobrang lawak. My eyes landed on the wall where his picture frames were hanging. May pictures nila ni Eury na magkasama, pati sa mga masters, isa lang din ang solo niya na parang napilitan pa. Napangiti na lang ako nang makitang ganito siya kasaya. I'm glad he has experienced a lot of joyful things even without me during those times. Siguro nalungkot talaga siya no'ng nagkahiwalay kami.

My eyes glued on the little frame on his table. Nakatagilid ito kaya kinuha ko at pinaharap. My eyes stopped on the picture when I realized who it was. Si Kuya Seven at si Master Jyron.. tapos ako sa gitna. Alam ko talagang ako 'yon dahil marami akong pictures sa edad kong 'yan. I was around five years old that age.

I saw the glimpse of my past and as far as I could remember, we had a great childhood together. Kaya kong paniwalaan na kababata ko ang pinsan ko pero ang kasama si Master Jyron, parang imposible parin talaga. H-How did it even happen? Those memories that came back were just important details in my past. Hindi pa lahat bumabalik.

"You're back."

Nagulantang ako at napalingon nang marinig ang boses niya sa likuran ko. Kuya said he was busy! Hindi pa naman sila pwedeng magpapasok sa building nila.

"Y-Yeah.. Pasensya na nandito ako." Agad kong binalik ang frame sa table pero nakita niya kaagad 'yon."Labas lang ako baka tapos na magluto si Kuya."

"Why do I feel like you're avoiding me? Did I do something wrong?" Hindi siya nakatingin sa'kin at nakatungo lang.

I stiffened for a moment."It's not like that. Maybe its inappropriate for us to be casual towards each other. You're in the high rank and I'm just a nobody."

"You know that it's not true, Mali. We're both in the same place. You're a princess and I'm a prince—"

"Kinamumuhian ako ikaw tinitingala. Para sa kanila bunga ako ng kasalanan habang ikaw biyaya sa lahat. You're a pureblooded vampire and I'm still a human. Maraming dahilan kung bakit kailangan kitang iwasan, Master Jyron." Bago pa man ako makapagsalita ng hindi maganda ay nilagpasan ko na siya.

"You never know how much I waited for you, Mali." Tila nanlamig ang buong katawan ko sa narinig."I've missed you a lot. Si Seven naaalala mo pero ako hindi. I thought its already fine as long as you're here. Pero bakit kahit nandito ka na parang ang layo mo pa rin?"

My head went blank so as my expression. Wala akong ideya kung bakit may epekto talaga sa'kin ang mga sinabi niya. Yes, I found out that he's part of my past. Pero parang niloloko ko lang ang sarili ko kung lalapit ako sa kanya na parang kilala ko talaga siya, na naaalala ko lahat sa kanya.

Bago pa man ako makapagsalita ulit ay nawala na siya. He left. Nang hanapin ko siya para humingi ng tawad ay wala na siya sa loob ng building. I don't know what's this bond all about but I can feel him whenever he's around. Pero ngayon hindi na, umalis na talaga siya.

"Did you saw him?" Alam niya na siguro kung sino ang tinutukoy ko."Pumunta siya rito kanina pero umalis na."

"Naramdaman ko nga siya kanina pero hindi naman siya nagpakita sa'kin. Masyadong cold ang lalaking 'yon, fierce lang ang alam na facial expression." Umiling si Kuya at nilagyan ng pagkain ang plato ko.

"Oh, I see."

"Nag-away na naman kayo?"

Naibuga ko ang kakasubo ko lang na pagkain sa sinabi niya."W-What? No! I mean--bakit naman? Hindi ah!"

"Sure? You seemed to be gloomy," panunudyo niya pa.

I glared at him."You're eavesdropping, Kuya! Shut your hearing ability if someone's having a conversation."

"Edi inamin mo rin! Wala naman akong sinabing nag-usap kayo ah!" he smirked.

I just rolled my eyes on him."Whatever! You're easy to read."

Pinilit ko siyang pabalikin ako sa dorm ko dahil baka nag-aalala pa sina Lixe at Heaven sa'kin pero ayaw niya. He said that I only have two choices, to come with Tito Art in the palace or stay with him in this building. Mukhang wala na rin akong magagawa pa, nagmamatigas na talaga siya.

"Hindi mo naman ako pwedeng ikulong dito sa building, Kuya. I'm still a student."

Bandang ala 5:30 na ng hapon at kakatapos ko lang maligo. We argued for so many times today because he wouldn't let me do such a thing. Kesyo mapapahamak daw ako o ano.

He's overreacting!

"Kahit na! I can talk to the headmistress and negotiate. Pwede kang mag home study na lang," he suggested.

I looked at him annoyingly."Look, ilang lakad lang mula sa building na 'to ang classroom ko. Its not as if sobrang layo talaga."

In the end, I win. Nagbihis na ako ng uniform kong palihim niyang kinuha mula sa balcony ng kwarto ko. It has a sliding door, lock 'yon kaya ewan ko kung paano siya nakapasok. See. Kaya nga nilang maglabas pasok do'n kahit siguro lagyan pa ng security, how much more the dark vampires who wants to invade my dormitory.

Sakto at papaalis na ako nang biglang bumukas ng malakas ang pinto kaya napatalon ako sa gulat. There I saw the three masters walking inside so I immediately turned around, pretending that I'm looking for something inside my bag. Where's Kuya?! Argh! Nakakahiya na nandito ako at wala yatang kaalam alam sina Master Aiko at Xian.

"Uy Niane! Sabi ni Jyron nandito ka raw, dito ka na titira?" Master Aiko pursed his lips when he glared at him.

Hindi ko alam kung anong isasagot ko o mag-eexplain ba ako."M-Maybe just for today, I'll be back on my dormitory. Pinipilit ko pa si Kuya."

"You're not going back. Kahit ilang beses natin 'yang pag-awayan hindi ka aalis dito." Pinanliitan niya ako ng mata pagkalabas niya kaagad sa kwarto niya.

"Okay lang naman, Niane. 'Wag ka nang mahiya," Master Xian smiled.

I nodded a bit."Pasok na po ako."

I bowed down a little before leaving the room. Gosh! Hindi ko kaya ang gano'ng set-up araw-araw! Nakakahiya at ang awkward pa! Ni hindi ko nga tinapunan nang tingin si Master Jyron kahit ramdam kong nakatingin din siya kanina.

Shet! Mababaliw na yata ako!

"Niane!" Kumaway sa di kalayuan si Elora kaya nagmamadali akong lumapit."Kamusta? Wala sina Lixe at Heaven ngayon, may pinapagawa ang mga cena nila."

"Are you okay now? Narinig naming dinukot ka raw, mabuti na lang ayos ka lang," Hendrix appeared beside her.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko."Alam ba ng lahat? Ayoko pa naman ng dagdag na gulo."

"Don't worry kami lang naman dalawa ang may alam. We got worried that's why we asked Lixe. Hindi pwedeng malaman ng lahat ang nangyari lalo na ang pagpasok ng dark vampires sa academy. Makakarating sa council at baka pumunta sila rito," Elora explained.

Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag kahit na papaano. Hindi na ako pwedeng magpadalos dalos sa mga kilos ko. Maybe I should listen to Kuya right now. Hanggang ngayon walang alam ang councils na may tao na nag-aaral dito sa Academy. I hope this time, luck is on my side.

I attended the usual night class with them and everything seems to be normal. Totoong wala talaga silang alam sa kung ano man ang nangyayari sa Academy. Sinadya nga ng mga cena na hindi nila malaman para maiwasan ang panic attack. Lalo na't hindi lang ito ang unang beses na napasok ang school.

"Ihre aufgabe ist es, ihr familienporträt zu malen. Du kannst es mir dieses wochenende direkt weitergeben," sambit ni Madam Crysta.

We were tasked to paint our family portrait to be passed this weekend. Personally na lang daw ipapasa para sa privacy din namin. I'm not that good in painting but it doesn't mean I don't know how to. Saka ko na lang sisimulan kapag may gana na akong gumawa.

Madam Crysta continued her discussion until 10 pm and then we moved to the training room for our extracurricular activities. We're going to do combat training until 3:30 am and it will be surely tiring. Kailangan naming lahat na magparticipate para sa grades at walang bumagsak. There's still discrimination based on your class. Kapag Artilles, mahina ka. That's the minset of the higher classes. 

"Just take a break whenever you felt tired. Don't push yourself too much. Makakasama sa katawan mo," Madam Crysta reminded me.

"Kaya ko naman po. My body is slowly coping up with the activities."

Alas 4 ng madaling araw natapos ang klase namin kaya pagod akong bumalik sa building nila Kuya. Nagdahan dahan lang ako dahil baka natutulog sila ngayon. Even if vampires are supposed to be awake at night and sleep during daytime, their daily routine is kinda different. Minsan gising sila sa gabi o kaya sa umaga. I wonder if they could take a rest or sleep for minimum hours.

"Nakauwi ka na. Just go to my room and sleep."

"Oh freaking shit!" Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko nang biglang magsalita si Kuya at bumukas ang mga ilaw."Kuya naman! Pagod ako tapos nanggugulat ka pa!"

Doon ko lang napagtanto na gising pa silang dalawa ni Master Jyron. Are they talking? Teka bakit ko ba tinatanong? The two masters might be sleeping right now.

"You're thirsty."

Automatikong nanuyo ang lalamunan ko pagkatapos marinig ang sinabi niya. Tiningnan ko siya saka si Kuya bago pumunta sa fridge at naghanap ng tubig. Mabuti na lang at mayroon sa pitsel kaya nakainom ako.

But why does it feel like... its not enough. Nandito na naman ang pakiramdam kong kahit uminom ako ng gaano karami ay hindi pa rin mapapawi ang uhaw ko.

"I told you not to give her much of your blood. Alam mong hindi pwede, Jyron," banta ni Kuya sa kanya.

"Its uncontrollable when she needs it. I am just giving her satisfaction," Master Jyron simply answered.

"Baliw ka ba? Hindi mo siguro alam kung anong mangyayari sa kanya kapag pinagpatuloy mo yan. She's not yet a vampire and your blood awakens her," he said.

Tiningnan ako saglit ni Master Jyron at hindi na ako nakaiwas pa."Its like a torture seeing her wanting to have something and not giving it to her when I know on myself that I can. Hindi mo alam kung anong pagpipigil sa sarili ang ginawa ko para do'n."

Mabilis siyang nawala sa harapan namin at narinig ko na lang ang pagsara ng pintuan ng kwarto niya. He's not leaving. Good grief. Hindi naman talaga ako lumalayo sa kanya. It doesn't sound right if he's going to adjust for my sake. Iniisip ko pa rin kung tamang desisyon bang nakikitira ako sa kanila.

"Nauuhaw ka pa ba?"

Umiling naman kaagad ako dahil unti unti namang nawawala ang pagnanais ko sa dugo niya."Not anymore. I'm fine."

Nagising ako ng 10 am kaya lumabas ako para bumisita sa dorm ko, hoping the girls were there and I was right. We didn't have much time to cope up with what's happening around us that's why it feels relieving seeing them fine. Kung anong sinabi ko kina Kuya 'yon lang din ang sinabi ko sa kanila. The rest, I kept it as a secret by myself. Doon na rin ako nagbihis at sabay kaming tatlo na nagpunta sa dining hall.

They ordered raw meat together with their daily vitamin dosage, common for vampires. Habang ako ay kumain lang ng pasta and grilled meat with an energy drink. Yes, some of them drink it too that's why I can drink it anytime. Hindi naman nakakasama sa katawan nila pero mas mainam na dugo palagi ang iniinom nila.

As what I've said they're both busy for some matters I didn't bother to ask. Hindi rin naman nila kailangang sabihin dahil wala naman akong maitutulong sa kanila. Wala narin akong nagawa kaya bumalik na lang ulit ako sa building at baka hinahanap na naman ako ni Kuya.

"Kuya Seven? Kumain na ako sa labas kaya 'wag ka nang magluto," I shouted when I entered the salas.

The place is so quiet. Where could they be?

"Lumabas silang tatlo ng Academy at nagpunta sa counsils." A voice at my back made my knees weak.

Lumingon ako sa kanya."Why didn't you come with them? Leader ka."

"I don't have to be there. They already know what to do. Besides, they'll get back after giving some reports," he answered casually and looked at me."Binilin ka rin ni Seven sa'kin kaya 'wag kang malikot."

Napaawang labi naman ako sa sinabi niya."What am I? A five year old kid? Hindi na kailangan!"

"At least the five year old Mali seems to like me when I'm around." That caught me off guard.

Magsasalita pa sana ako nang hawakan niya bigla ang braso ko. My silver bracelet caught his attention, observing it carefully. Then the side of his lips rose up, looking at me with his teasing eyes.

"I'm glad you're still wearing the bracelet I gave you ten years ago."

And with that, another memory flashed back inside my head. Napapikit ako dahil sumakit na naman ang ulo ko. Memories of... him. Kamukhang kamukha niya 'yong bata na nasa frame doon sa table ni Kuya Seven. Its really him and I'm not mistaken.

"M-Mali.. I'm not forcing you to remember anything. Just stop, calm down." It was the first time I saw him panicked.

Bigla na lang nanghina ang buong katawan ko at bumagsak sa mga kamay niya. Bago pa man pumikit nang tuluyan ang mga mata ko ay nabanggit ko ang pangalang madalas kong tinatawag sa kanya noon.

"Zandrei... my prince."

**************************