Grief is the melody of love, played on the broken strings of the heart, resonating with the pain of losing someone special. In the midst of our pain, we often find ourselves grappling with feelings of guilt, regret, and longing. Nothing hurts the most than being left by someone who shared all the ups and downs with you.

Gustuhin mang sumama ni Kuya Seven ay wala siyang magagawa dahil hindi niya kayang tumawid sa borders line kagaya ni Zandrei. And yes, he's with me. He really insisted on coming with me since he has the ability to do so. Kinakabahan pa rin ako sa kanya dahil kapag pumalpak siya, katapusan na.

"Why are you coming? Parang 'yan ang gustong itanong sa'yo ni Mavis kanina," rinig kong bulong ni Aiko kay Zandrei kahit na nasa malayo sila.

I pretended like I was busy on preparing myself and did not bother to look at them. Nahagip din ng mata ko si Mavis kanina sa hindi kalayuan pero hindi naman siya lumapit dito. Zandrei even noticed her and excused himself but he immediately went back, telling she's gone.

"Why wouldn't I? Mali's alone. Seven couldn't accompany her. Just tell Mavis whenever you guys see each other," sagot niya.

Binatukan naman siya kaagad ni Xian. "Are you for real? Kaya nga hindi sumasama sa'tin 'yon kase nagtatampo sa'yo. Hindi mo man lang ba kakausapin?"

"I tried," he sighed. "Its her who doesn't want to talk to me. Wala na akong magawa ro'n dahil nagpaliwanag naman na ako sa kanya."

I don't think if this hearing ability is a blessing or not. Nakakarinig na lang ako ng mga bagay na hindi ko naman dapat na pinapakinggan. Bahala na nga!

"Are you guys ready?" Tumango naman kaming dalawa kay Tito Art. "Just always remember to come back whenever your mission is accomplished. Kailangan niyo lang na pigilan ang pagpatay ng dark vampires sa mundo ng mga tao. Hindi naman sila ganoon karami dahil naisara na namin ang portal kaagad. I also want to you coordinate with the hunters and tell them about the situation. Find the guy named 'Nexas Sheldon' because he knows Mali." Napatingin naman sila sa'kin na walang kaalam alam tungkol do'n.

Ako? Why is it me again? Oo nga't bumalik na ang mga alaala ko ngunit wala naman ang pangalang 'yon sa memorya ko. Who is he?

"We'll get going now. The situation in Zeal might get worsen," sabi ni Zandrei.

I looked at him, hesistant. "Hindi mo ba talaga babaguhin ang desisyon mo?"

"Its not as if you can do it all, Mali. Hayaan mo na ako. I can handle myself," he assured.

"Kapag 'yang pinsan ko napahamak, Jyron, titirisin kita! Tandaan mo yan!" Pinaningkitan siya ng mata ni Kuya Seven at pinakita pa ang kamao nito.

Shocks! Bakit ba siya ganyan? Nakakahiya ka, Kuya!

"Ako na ang bahala. She's my responsibility."

I inhaled a large amount of air before we stepped on the borders together. There's like an electricity that flows in my body, making me feel the mixture of coldness and heatness of the air. Matagal tagal na simula nang makaramdam ako ng ganito at 'yon ang huling tumawid ako sa mundo namin.

When I opened my eyes, I was in the forest but I can hear the loudness of the vehicles down there. Napalingon kaagad ako kay Zandrei para tingnan kung okay lang ba siya. I felt relieved that he is. Ni hindi niya man lang ako tinapunan ng tingin at nadidistract pa sa mga nakikita niya.

Ibang iba naman talaga ang Zeal sa Hydera Penha. The places says it all.

"Wag kang lalayo sa tabi ko, baka mawala ka pa. Its your first time here," I said to get his attention.

"Yeah. Ayoko ring mawala ka ulit sa paningin ko. I'll get crazy." His words did not fail to make me feel uneasy.

Hindi talaga ako mapakali kapag nagiging ganyan siya. Pakiramdam ko may dobleng meaning 'yong mga sinasabi niya. He really knows that I easily get confused and he's taking advantage. Minsan pa naman nag-aasume ako kahit hindi naman dapat.

"Ano 'yon?! Teka—may patay! Tulong!"

Mabilis kaming naalarma at agad na pumunta sa pinanggalingan ng sumigaw. The sun was shining so bright and I don't think they would attack at this hour. Hindi ba sila nasusunog sa araw dito? Kapag hinayaan namin ang sariling masinagan ng araw, tiyak na parang kikinang ang mga balat namin. People would surely get confused and start to wonder. Good thing Tito Art adviced to let us wear a cape to hide our skin.

"A dark vampire. Look at the neck," tukoy niya sa taong nakahandusay ang katawan sa lupa.

Ang parte kung saan siya kinagat ay nagsimulang mangitim at may dumaloy na itim na ugat mula rito papunta sa mukha niya. Before it could even reach his eyes, someone who's wearing a formal suit, held the part of his neck where he got bitten and mumbled something. I gasped when I saw how it slowly disappeared but the man still died. He has an ability.

A hunter. I know he is one.

"I didn't know they had such an ability. Akala ko ordinaryong tao lang ang mga naninirahan dito sa Zeal," hindi makapaniwalang sambit ko.

Tumayo 'yong lalaki at lumingon sa kung saan na parang may hinahanap. Then his eyes landed on mine and his brows furrowed. Akmang lalapit siya sa'min nang bigla akong hinila ni Zandre palayo ro'n. He's running so I used my vampire speed to cope up with him.

"A dark vampire saw what that hunter did. Baka mas lalo pa silang gagawa ng gulo para makita nila kung pa'no gamitin ang kapangyarihan nila," he suddenly explained in the middle of running.

Mas nadagdagan pa ang pagtataka ko. "Don't tell me they entered this world to take the abilities of the hunters protecting the humans. Hindi ko hahayaang gawin nila 'yon."

"Hunters from the higher rank have special abilities to annihilate vampires. Maybe that hunter earlier was one," sabi niya pa.

Kung ganoon ay hindi rin sila basta-basta napapabagsak ng kahit na sino kung ganoong may kapangyarihan din sila. But the fact that dark vampires invaded to take their abilities. Sigurado akong hindi sila papasok na walang pinaghandaan. Their master probably sent his skilled vampires to fight.

"You have to kill to protect yourself, Mali. Just do what you did the last time, on your birthday. You killed 3 guards when you turned into a vampire," he reminded me.

Napalunok naman ako sa sinabi niya. "W-What? Wait.. Hindi ko kontrolado ang sarili ko no'n. You know that I just turned. Killing is hard for me."

"We don't have any choice. Help me find the vampires and I'll be the one to kill," sabi niya na lang.

Nagiging pabigat naman ako sa sitwasyon na 'to pero totoo naman ang sinabi ko. I don't even know if I have any kinds of ability. I wasn't prepared to fight because I didn't even trained. Kaya lang naman ako pumunta rito para masigurado ang kaligtasan ni Lola.

Speaking of her.. I hope she's alright.

"There's two coming from the left," I gave him a hint.

"Enigmaflux!" In just a matter of seconds those two vampires disappeared after they appeared.

"I thought you only had pyschometry," I uttered in shock.

"Yeah. I also have techniques using psychometry. It is common for vampires that has abilities. Soon you'll discover yours." He gestured me to come closer so I won't be lost.

Nagtatakbuhan na ang mga tao rito sa kalsada na parang nalilito kung saan sila pupunta. I can also sense this different energy from those vampires we've encountered earlier. Marami pa rin sila dahil iilan lang naman ang napatay ni Zandrei. Just how many are they?!

"Fuck! You're not safe unless you know how to fight." Agad niya akong hinila papunta sa isang gusali at pinagtago sa gilid. "Don't ever come out, understand? Dito lang ako sa labas. The hunters are on the way, I'll help them get rid of this shits."

Hindi pa man ako nakakasagot ay umalis na kaagad siya. Everyone was screaming in fear, doesn't know what to do. God, what should I do? Ang alam ko lang lumalabas ang pagiging bampira ko kapag nauuhaw ako. I'm not even thirsty!

"What the fuck!" I heard someone hissed.

He's the hunter from earlier. Two vampires were fighting him and they were so fast for a human like him. Where's Zandrei? He needs some help!

I had a familiar feeling inside me, my body's starting to heat. My breathing became slower as my eyes turned red like a blood I want to see in front of me. Those vampires kept on teasing the hunter with their vampire speed and seems like they did make him feel dizzy. There's no way they could scratch him. He'll get poisoned.

"Pain.." I whispered as they both lost their strength and kneeled on the ground.

Agad naman napahawak ang hunter sa ulo niya at kaagad na hinanap kung sino ang may gawa no'n. He did saw me. But I remained my eyes on those vampires I enjoyed playing with. Its a vampire vs. vampire then.

"Death," I whispered again as they vanished in an instant.

Naramdaman ko namang bumalik ako sa sarili ko na parang naghahabol ng hininga. I was fully aware of what I did but its not the time to be surprised. Mabuti na lang din at hindi 'yon nakita ni Zandrei. I still don't know how to explain.

"You're a vampire."

Napatalon naman ako sa gulat nang makitang nakatayo na 'yong hunter sa harapan ko. Hindi agad ako nakagalaw. Anong gagawin niya? Is he going to kill me?

I gulped. "H-Half-vampire and human. I beg you not to kill me. Hindi ako kasama sa pumatay ng mga tao. This is also my world!"

"How could I believe you? No vampire lives in Zeal. Kahit pa na hindi ka purong bampira," he refused to believe.

"She used to live here for seven years and just moved to Hydera Penha 2 months ago," Zandrei appeared at his back.

Agad namang napalingon ang hunter sa kanya. "You're with this girl earlier. Bakit ba talaga kayo nandito? Kayo ba ang dahilan kung bakit nakapasok ang mga dark vampires dito sa mundo namin?! Most of the people died in their hands with us being unprepared."

"No, we're not. Dark vampires invaded to take the hunters abilities. They were gathering energies because of the rebirth of their master. 'Yon ang pinipilit din naming pigilan para hindi pa mahuli ang lahat," Zandrei told him.

Hinawakan ko naman ang magkabilang balikat niya. Napatingin naman kaagad si Zandrei na kamay ko at hindi inaalis ang titig dito. Ngunit mas nakatuon ang atensyon ko sa hunter na 'to para tulungan niya kaming mas mapabilis ang misyon.

"Can you help us find Nexas Sheldon? I bet he's on your organization," pakiusap ko sa kanya.

His eyes widened, giving me an 'asking' look. "Bakit mo ako hinahanap? May gusto ka ba sa'kin?"

"Watch your mouth human," Zandrei gave him a deadly look.

Agad ko naman siyang binitawan dahil sa gulat. Kung gano'n siya nga ang hinahanap namin. All we have to do is to tell him about the situation and then I can go and see Lola. Mula sa pagtapak ko sa lugar na ito ay wala kong ninais kundi ang makita siya.

"Pwede bang kayo muna ang mag-usap? I really have to secure that Lola's safe. Hindi ako mapapakali kapag hindi siya nakita," I almost beg just for them to agree.

"We'll come with you."

"Sinong nagsabing sasama ako sa inyo? May importante rin akong gagawin no? I alsp gave to secure their safety from vampires like you," Nexas looked at him from head to foot.

"We're not like them. Don't be stupid," kalmadong sagot naman ni Zandrei.

Wala na akong natitirang oras kaya hinayaan ko na lang sila ro'n na magbangayan at tumakbo na paalis. Danger can be anywhere. Kahit saan na napapadpad ang mga dark vampires kaya kinakabahan akong baka pumasok sila sa mga bahay dito.

They shouldn't do anything that I might dislike. Wala akong sasantuhin kahit na sino.

"May mga bampira! Nandito sila!" sigaw ng isang nanay na nagtatakbo sa takot.

A vampire who's chasing after her got killed by someone at my back. With his presence near me, I can tell who did it. Nagpatuloy lang ako sa pagtakbo papunta sa subdivision namin. When I got there, people where running everywhere. Panicking. Crying. Shaking in fear.

"Where's your house?" Zandrei asked me.

Pati ako ay nalilito na kung saan pupunta. "I-I don't know. Marami nang mga bahay rito kumpara no'ng huli akong dumalaw. There are also renovated houses that I couldn't find where is it located."

Patuloy lang kami sa paghahanap kahit na nakikipagbanggaan na kami sa mga tao. Naghahalo na ang mga amoy nila kaya hindi ko na matukoy kung nasa'n ang amoy ni Lola. Mas binilisan ko pa ang kilos ko dahil baka kung ano na ang nangyayari sa harap. Knowing her, even if there are commotions outside, she would rather want to stay inside the house and not to bother what's happening. Sanay siyang hindi nakikialam sa paligid niya.

"Lola?! Lola!" I called her, hoping to hear her voice.

Kahit konting ingay lang please.. I just want to know where are you right now.

"Sino kayo? Anong kailangan niyo?"

My eyes widened when I heared her voice for the first time again. She was like talking to some—Oh shit!

"Nando'n na sila!" I whispered nervously.

"Tell me the way."

Agad kaming tumakbo sa malapit na hindi kalakihang bahay. This was like the size of our house, its just that the walls were painted white.

"Lola!" The door was locked when I tried to open it so we don't have any choice but to break in.

Doon ay nakita ko ang tatlong bampira na nakatayo sa harapan niya. I almost cried when I saw her, looking at me with surprise. Hindi ko lubos na maipaliwanag ang sayang naramdaman ko nang makita siya.

"Niane.. apo ko. Sa wakas at bumisita ka na ulit," nakangiting sambit niya.

I was about to answer when the vampire in front of her raised his hand with sharp claws. Biglang tumigil ang mundo ko at blanko ang utak na hindi ko na alam kung anong una kong gagawin.

"No! Stop!" I yelled.

Zandrei managed to use his vampire speed to drag him onto the wall but the relief I've felt instantly vanished when the other one stabbed her on the chest. Agad ko naman siyang napatumba ngunit huli na ang lahat, hindi ako umabot. Napatumba ko silang dalawa ngunit hindi pa naman sila patay kaya si Zandrei na ang bahala sa kanila. Nawala ang atensyon ko sa kanila at bumaling kay Lola na nakaupo sa sahig hawak ang dibdib niyang umaagos ang dugo.

"L-Lola.. P-Please don't give yourself. Dadalhin kita sa hospital." My hands were shaking while making her lean on my chest.

Malaki pa rin ang mga ngiti niyang nakatingin sa'kin. "Matanda na rin naman ako, apo. Hindi na rin ako mag-aalala sa'yo dahil talagang nagbago ka na. Masaya lang ako na makita ulit ang pinakamamahal kong apo."

"L-Lola naman eh.. We just saw each other. Don't you miss me?" Pinipigilan kong hindi umiyak pero kusang naglabasan ang mga luha sa mata ko.

Her warm hands caressing my cheeks makes my heart calm. "Namiss kita, mahal ko. Alam ko namang magiging maayos din ang buhay mo kapag sila ang kasama mo. Nagawa ko ang parte kong alagaan ka hanggang sa tumungtong ka sa tamang edad."

"Seven years is not yet enough! Just please! Don't talk anymore. You're bleeding!" I cried, panicking when I saw my hands covered with her blood.

I suddenly felt thirsty. Ngunit alam kong kaya kong kontrolin ang sarili ko dahil kay Lola. I couldn't drink her blood. Hindi ko siya sasaktan!

"Z-Zandrei.." I looked at him with pleading eyes.

His eyes softened and came closer, observing her body. Maingat niyang hinawakan ang kamay ni Lola pati ang leeg niya para tingnan kung may pulso pa ba siya. I saw his jaw clenched because human's blood smell so good. Ngunit nakaya niya pa ring kontrolin ang sarili niya.

Unting unti nang bumagal ang paghinga ni Lola. "A-Apo.. Nahihirapan na ako. Hindi ko na kaya."

"No! Hindi pwede 'yan, Lola! 'Wag ka namang ganyan oh! Iniwan na nga ako nina Mama at Papa pati ba naman ikaw?!" Agad kong tiningnan si Zandrei na nahihirapan na ring kontrolin ang sarili niya. "C-Can you so something? Kailangan pang mabuhay ng Lola ko, please.. Siya na lang ang meron ako rito."

Hindi ko matatanggap ang ano mang kahahantungan ng lahat ng 'to. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa natatanggap ang pagkawala ng mga magulang ko dahil hindi pa lahat nalalaman ko. I don't want to lose someone special in my life.. again. Tama na ang mga magulang ko, 'wag naman pati Lola ko. H-Hindi ko kakayanin ang sakit.

He bit his lower lip to stop himself from doing anything. "I-I don't have any abilities to heal a human. T-Their body.. is different from ours. Mahina na rin ang katawan niya.. mahihirapan na siyang kayanin."

"No! Please, ayoko. Sinabi ko nang hindi ko siya hahayaang mawala sa'kin!"

"Niane, apo ko. M-May gusto lang akong sabihin sa'yo.." Humugot siya ng malakas na hininga upang makapagsalita. "May nailigpit akong isang libro.. galing sa Mama mo.. m-mukhang galing sa mundo niyo. H-Hindi ko alam kung saan niya nakuha 'yon pero.. pakiramdam ko importante at maiintindihan mo.. Hanapin mo sa kwarto mo at dalhin mo pabalik do'n," dagdag niya pa at pumipikit na.

"L-Lola.. Please stay awake." I tried to shake her body a bit. "I love you, please. Stay with me."

Her eyes were half-opened but still gave me the most wonderful smile I've ever seen. "Mahal na mahal din kita, apo ko. M-Mag-iingat ka.. palagi."

Unti-unti nang pumikit ang mga mata niya at hindi na dumilat pa. I couldn't feel the warmth of her hands anymore. That is when I know she already left me. Umiyak ako ng sobra dahil sa sakit na hindi ko alam kung kakayanin kong dalhin hanggang sa pagbalik ko ng Hydera Penha. The only person who gives me strength to live my life no matter how cruel the world is.. left me.

For the second time in my life, I felt alone. Wala nang saysay para sa'kin ang patuloy na mabuhay.

"W-Why?! Why do I have to go through all of this?!" I screamed with all I've got.

"Jyron! Anong nangyari—Shit!" rinig kong boses ni Kuya Seven at pati ang bulong ng iba pa.

They're all here.. but it doesn't make sense anymore.

"They will regret all of this! Pagbabayaran nila ang lahat ng ginawa nila sa'kin. Papatayin ko kayong lahat!" I closed my fist as I felt a strong energy flowed in my veins.

Its do or die. Binantaan ko na sila kaya wala na akong ibang gagawin kundi ang nararapat. I will take revenge!

Napatingin ulit ako sa walang buhay na katawan ng Lola ko. "Kapag nakita mo sina Mama at Papa.. pakisabing magpakita sila sa'kin. I-I don't know.. what to do anymore."

"M-Mali.. princess I'm sorry. Nahuli kami." Isang mahigpit na yakap ang binigay sa'kin ni Kuya Seven, but even him, couldn't lessen the pain inside me.

"You guys find Nexas and help him kill all those vampires. 'Wag kayong magtira kahit na isa," I heard Zandrei ordered them.

"Kuya! S-Sobrang sa'kit!" Sinubsob ko ang mukha ko sa dibdib niya. "Ano bang kasalanan ng Lola ko para pati siya pinatay nila?! Lumayo na nga ako para hindi siya madamay pero kinuha pa rin siya sa'kin! What's wrong with me?! Bakit ganito na lang palagi ang nangyayari sa buhay ko?!" I cried to let everything out.

The agony that I'm feeling because of my grandmother's death cannot be compared to any pain that I experienced. Its unbearable. Pakiramdam ko mamatay na ang puso sa sakit. I'm alive, but I'm not actually living. Dahil sa nangyaring ito, paano ko pa ipagpapatuloy na mabuhay sa mundo?

He tried to console me, but the more he does, the more the wound in my heart goes deep and deep. "Hindi ko rin alam kung paano kita papakalmahin ngunit nasasaktan din akong nakikita kitang ganito. Stop crying, princess. I'm sorry if I couldn't do anything."

"Kasalanan ko 'to eh!" I blamed myself. "Kung pinuntahan ko kaagad siya, kung dumeretso ako rito, hindi sana 'to nangyari. If I was only capable of facing those dark vampires out there without any fear, maybe I had the chance to save her. Kasalanan ko kase naging mahina ako! Palagi naman eh!" I kept on putting all the blame on me.

Dahil sa pagdadalawang isip kong gawin ang mga bagay, pati buhay ng Lola ko hindi ko magawang iligtas. There were chances to save her but I couldn't do it because I don't trust myself. Kung sana lang may nagawa ako.. sana kasama ko pa siya ngayon.

"Its not your fault if you couldn't save her, Mali. Ikaw na nga ang nagsabi, hindi natin hawak ang kalaparan. Time ticks for each one of us and the destiny always plays within." Tinitigan ako ni Zandrei gamit ang nalulungkot niya ring mga mata.

"Gano'n ba kamalas ang buhay ko? O baka ako ang nagdadala ng malas sa inyo—"

"Don't ever say that again! Hindi 'yan totoo. You're precious," putol ni Kuya sa dapat na sasabihin ko.

Another tear escaped from my eyes. "Kung hindi, bakit ako pinapahirapan ng ganito? Is happiness not meant for me? Hindi ko ba karapatan na maging masaya? Sa buong buhay ko, kapag naging masaya lang ako saglit, grabeng sakit naman ang kapalit. Hindi ko alam kung kaya ko pa bang tumawa.. o ngumiti ulit ngayon. Kase ang hirap na tanggapin eh. Losing her was like losing my other half. How am I supposed to live if half of my heart was torn into pieces?"

"She died wishing for you to live. Kailangan mong tuparin ang nag-iisang hiling niya." Pinunasan ni Kuya ang walang tigil na pag-agos ng mga luha ko.

"Yes, I will live." Ang nabuhayan niyang loob ay napalitan ng takot sa sumunod kong sinabi. "I'm going to take revenge. Buhay ng pamilya ko ang kinuha nila kaya buhay nilang lahat ang magiging kapalit! Wala akong mapapatawad!"

Nang tumahan ako ay umakyat ako sa kwarto ko upang hanapin ang sinabi sa'kin ni Lola na libro. I have so many books here because reading is my hobby. Wala naman siyang sinabi na pamagat ng libro kaya mahihirapan akong hanapin ito.

I just let the two of them wander inside my room while I was busy finding the book. Hindi nila ako iniwan simula pa kanina. They insisted on giving me accompany since I just stopped crying. Habang tinitingnan nila ang mga photo albums at frame ko ay may napansin akong nakatagong libro sa ilalim ng shelf ko. It was covered with dirt and it sneezes my nose.

Umupo ako sa kama upang tingnan ito. It was old fashioned. Wala akong librong kagaya nito dahil halos modern lang ang mga binabasa ko noong nag-aaral pa ako rito. When I blowed the remaining dirt, my brows frowned after reading the title.

'The Prophecies Revert' - Viancee Talejandra

Mas lalo akong nagtaka kung bakit napunta ang librong sinulat niya rito. She was the author of the book 'Behind Her Smile' that I've read in the library when Madam Crysta told us to read her works. Paanong hawak ito ng Mama ko kung hindi naman na siya nakabalik pa rito simula nang mapadpad siya sa Hydera Penha?

When I opened the book, its obvious that this is written years and years ago. It uses rag paper, also known as a cotton paper that was frequently used in old books due to its high-quality and durability, ensuring their longevity. Kaya kahit ilang taon pa ang abutin ng libro, kung ganitong klaseng papel ang gagamitin ay tiyak na tatagal ito. I bet you couldn't find something like this in the modern times. It only existed a long time ago and as time goes by, just like living creatures, it disappeared.

"Why do you have that book? Ilang taon na 'yang nawawala sa library ng Academy," biglang nagsalita ai Zandrei sa likod ko.

"That was Lola's book. Nandito lang pala 'yan?" singit naman ni Kuya.

Nalilito ko silang tiningnan ngunit mas naantig ang tenga ko sa sinabi ni Kuya. "L-Lola? Sino?"

"The author of that book, Viancee Talejandra, was our late grandmother. The wife of King Galleardo Thyron Perth, who died a long time ago," he answered.

What the hell?!

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