Blaming oneself for not doing something that caused regret is a natural reaction, but it is crucial to remember that dwelling on past mistakes will not change the outcome. When the pain is too much to bear, it can feel like the weight of the world is pressing down on your shoulders, leaving you feeling helpless and overwhelmed. And yet you're standing still, acting strong when the truth is you're dying in pain.

"Is that really her? Sampung taon pa lang siya no'ng una kaming magkita."

Nasa likod lang ako nila dahil wala akong gana na magsalita. I felt like my whole energy got sucked up in an instant after seeing her lifeless body on my hands. The scene when she died in front of my eyes still makes my hands tremble in fear and anger. Blanko lang halos ang utak ko at 'yon lang ang palaging pumapasok sa isip ko.

"Yes, she's my cousin. 'Wag mo na lang muna siyang kausapin. She's still in shock of what happened," Kuya Seven answered.

"Kahit naman ako ay hindi rin makapaniwala sa nangyari. Bigyan lang muna natin siya ng oras na makapag-isip," sambit naman ni Nexas at tiningnan ako saglit.

"Do you want me to accompany you? Kahit 'wag ka na magsalita okay lang," Zandrei's soft voice wasn't even effective to make me feel a bit better.

I shook my head a bit. "Just focus on the mission. Kaya ko ang sarili ko."

Wala na silang sinabi pa at tumahimik na lang. We were in the hunters' headquarters to explain them the situation. Kuya Seven and the others entered this world with the help of the elemental magic from the cenas. Fire. Water. Air. Earth. Its combination can undertake spells that can send them to the other world. Kaya nga lang, isang araw lang ang itatagal nila rito. They should be back in Hydera Penha tonight. Mauubos na ang limit ng spell dahil marami sila at hindi nito kakayaning magtagal.

Everyone in the room turned their gaze upon us when we entered the room with Nexas. I can also feel their stares on me but I didn't bother to give attention. Ayokong magsalita dahil hindi ko nais na kaawaan nila ako. I always end up being a loser in their eyes.

"Nexas, mapagkakatiwalaan ba natin sila? Marami ng dark vampires ang napatay ngunit ang iba ay hinahanap pa." May isang lalaki na nagsalita, hunter din kagaya niya.

Nexas nodded, agreeing. "They're going to help us. Sila ang mga estudyante ng Vanerhart Academy mula sa Hydera Penha. Aalis din sila kapag wala nang kahit isa na natira sa mga dark vampires."

"Kami na lang ang bahala sa kanila. Just do your part to protect the humans. Mas mapapadali kung 'yon ang gagawin natin," Kuya Seven suggested.

I smiled bitterly. Its funny to think that I managed to save Nexas from those vampires who tried to kill him but couldn't do the same thing to my own grandmother. My ability was kinda selfish. Ni hindi man lang siya gumana noong nakaramdam ako ng kaba at kagustuhang iligtas siya mula sa bampirang 'yon.

"N-Niane.." Eurisse managed to get my attention. "Kung ayaw mo pwede namang dito ka na lang—"

"I'll go. Sinabi kong wala akong ititira sa kanila. Hindi ko kakainin ang mga salita ko," putol ko sa sasabihin niya at tumalikod na.

I heard them call my name but I didn't bother to look back. Hindi na ako aatras kahit na ano pang mangyari. Revenge is only I could think of. Noon hindi ko ugali na pumatol o manakit pabalik pero ngayon gusto ko nang patayin ang kahit na sinong nagpapahirap sa'kin ng ganito. Killing is a sin if you're a human being and you'll definitely go to hell. But as for me that has the blood of a different creature, I can even turn into a demon if I want to.

Someone was following me and I know its him. Hindi man siya magsalita o kahit na patago niya pa akong sundan, nararamdaman ko siya. I still don't know what's with him and ever since I turned into a vampire, he wants to follow me. Ni hindi ko pa nga sinabi sa kanya o kahit na sino na nagbalik na ang mga alaala ko. Maybe there's a right time for that.

"You're really determined to kill, huh? The Mali that I've known isn't reckless as the Mali I'm following right now." The tone of his voice was like teasing me.

Agad naman ako huminto at humarap para sana magreklamo sa kanya. But it was a wrong move when I faced his chest and I could even smell his neck. His scent. Shit.

I secretly bit my lower lip as my heart beats faster than its normal. "Y-You said I should fight to live. Not just that.. to give them the taste of hell for what they did to Lola."

"Taking revenge sometimes leads you to the wrong path.. the dark side. Ayokong magbago ka dahil kinain ka ng galit at kagustuhan mong gumanti," he said meaningfully.

Hindi ako sumagot sa sinabi niya at tumakbo para tapusin kaagad ang misyon namin. And if ever I'll finish the mission, I will stay here until I find the courage to go back. Matagal ko siyang nabalikan dito at ngayong nakabalik naman na ako ay siya naman ang nang-iwan sa'kin.

I'm starting to get hesitant in everything I do. Maling desisyon kaya ang pagpunta ko ng Hydera Penha? If I only stayed with her, did we had a lot of wonderful days together? Kung hindi ko lang sinunod ang sinabi niyang umalis ako, hanggang ngayon ba kasama ko pa rin siya?

There are so many what if's in my mind that I get no answer. Masasagot lang naman lahat kung hindi lang ako umalis sa mundong 'to. If only I just continued my normal life and live with her for the rest of my life. Its beyond happiness for me.

Ngunit lahat ng 'yon, kailanman hindi na muling mangyayari pa.

"Do you wanna play with me?" I smiled playfully to the vampire standing meters away from me.

He let his fangs out as I changed before he could lay his claws on me. Good thing Zandrei didn't managed to come after me. Maybe he also got in trouble with the others on the way.

"Pain.." I stared at him as I remembered how his companion stabbed her chest. "Seems like you muscles were so strong," I added and stared on it until I heard his bones cracking one by one and little by little.

"Ah!" he screamed, finally got the feeling of how it feels to be hurt.

Hindi pa ako tapos sa kanya nang may naramdaman akong papalapit sa'kin mula sa likuran. Kahit naman hindi ko ito lingunin ay nababasa ko ang gagawin niyang pag-atake.

"Stop.." I muttered before I turned around to see him. "What a considerate friend. Nandito ka ba para iligtas ang kasama mo?" I gave him a sad look while he's struggling to breathe and kneeled on the ground.

"Disappear!" In just a simple word that I said, they got burned into pieces and vanished in the air.

Naramdaman kong nabawasan ang enerhiya ng katawan ko dahil do'n. Maybe because I used too much power—should I call it as one? Nang lumingon ako sa paligid ay wala naman akong nakitang iba pa, but this familiar feeling inside me knows that he's here, watching me from somewhere in this place.

"Stop hiding. Kailan ka pa nand'yan?"

Hanggang kailan niya ba ako susundan? Ni hindi ko nga siya naramdaman kanina no'ng nandito pa 'yong dalawang bampirang pinaglaruan ko.

"Since when did you know your ability? Marunong ka na agad gumamit," sabi niya pa, looking at me with amusement.

I just rolled my eyes on him. "Not to long, ngayon lang. Don't ask. 'Wag mo ring sabihin kahit na sino."

"Oh. A secret just between the two of us," he sounds so different that I stopped myself from looking back.

Nagpatuloy na lang ako sa paglalakad upang maghanap pa ng ibang mapagbubuntungan ko ng galit. Minutes passed when I felt like my body's giving up. W-What's happening to me? Hindi naman ako nasaktan no'ng dalawa kanina kaya bakit—

"Mali! Dammit!" He managed to catch me when my body felt numb.

Nagising ako nang bandang alas 5 ng hapon. I gained energy from the hours I slept but my body was longing for something. A blood. Not just an ordinary blood but from Zandrei's. Hindi naman ako pwede na uminom ng sobra galing sa kanya dahil hindi raw maganda ang maidudulot nito sa katawan ko. They knew the reason behind it but never told me anything.

"You're awake. Nahimatay ka dahil sa sobrang paggamit ng lakas mo. You overused it." He helped me to sat on the bed and when I look my eyes around, I realized that I'm in my room.

Bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa no'n silang lahat. Why are they all here? Is the mission accomplished?

"Mukhang nanghihina ka. We brought a bag of blood with us." Lumapit si Kuya sa higaan ko at umupo.

I gave him a meaningful look. "Its not what I want. Just put it back."

"Hindi pwede rito, Mali. To remind you, hindi na pwede. It can bring something to your body." He glanced at him on my side before me.

"Alam ko. I can still endure it. Hindi naman na ako nanghihina, nauuhaw lang.. konti," I lied.

'Try to lie better next time, Mali. Hindi ka talaga marunong magsinungaling'

Ipinilig ko ang ulo ko nang marinig ang boses niya sa utak ko. Why does he have to tell me some tips?! Alam ko naman 'yon!

"Nia, kanilangan na nating umalis maya-maya. Tapos na ang kailangan nating gawin dito," malumanay na sambit ni Lixe.

Pansin kong simula pagkarating nila rito ay walang ni isa sa kanila na nagsalita, sina Kuya at Zandrei lang. Not even Mavis who's insulting was her kind of hobby. Nakikita ko ang awa na dumadaloy sa mga mata nila at ayoko no'n. I don't want them to look down on me.

Bumuntong hininga naman ako. "I'll stay here. Kayo na lang muna ang umalis."

Lahat sila ay natigilan sa sinabi ko. I could feel the tense in the atmosphere. Ayoko ng ganito. They're all a part of my journey in Hydera Penha. But I don't think I belong in that world. Kahit naman kalahating bampira ako, kaya ko naman sigurong manirahan pa rin kasama ang mga tao.

"Niane.. I felt so sad for your loss. I've also spent three years of my life with her. Ngunit alam mo kung ano ang dahilan kung bakit gusto niyang bumalik ka sa mundo namin.. natin." Eurisse started to get teary eyes that's why I immediately looked away.

"Ang pagbalik ko ay siyang naging dahilan din ng pagkawala niya. Hindi ko pa rin kayang isipin na kapag umalis ako ulit dito.. wala nang maghihintay sa pagbalik ko." I bit my lower lip when I felt like my eyes heated because of tears wanting to overflow.

"Niane.. We're so sorry. Alam naming masakit sa'yo kaso kapag hindi ka bumalik, paano ka mamumuhay dito?" Heaven on the other hand, doesn't want me to stay here.

Hinawakan naman ni Kuya Seven ang magkabilang balikat ko. "Princess, there's still other way. Please, just come with us. Mag-isa ka lang dito."

"Lahat naman ng sakit kaya kong tiisin pero kase ito hindi eh! Tatanggapin ko naman lahat ng kahit anong gawin nila sa'kin. Pero bakit kailangan humantong sa ganito?!" Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili kong umiyak sa harapan nila.

I felt so weak, crying in front of these vampires who were stronger compared to a girl-for-nothing like me. Hindi dapat ako umiiyak ulit eh. Akala ko ubos na lahat ng luha ko. Marami pa rin palang natitira.

"If we let you stay here, will you come back? If you're going to, we won't stop you." It was Zandrei who didn't stop me from leaving, instead he made a deal.

"H-Hindi ko alam kung kaya ko.. Litong lito pa ako." Pinunasan ko ang mga luhang walang tigil sa pag agos sa mukha ko.

"I don't think I can afford to leave you once again, Mali. Umalis ka na noon at gagawin mo ulit ngayon—"

"Sa parehong dahilan," putol ko sa mga salita ni Kuya. "I left in your world when my parents were gone. Hindi na rin muna ako babalik do'n dahil nawala na rin ang Lola ko. Lahat na lang kinukuha sa'kin. Siguro nga nararapat lang na ako lang mag-isa," dagdag ko pa.

"Bumalik ka." I looked up to Mavis who just spoke unexpectedly. "You still have to fight with me. Ipakita mong hindi ka naman gano'n kahina." She turned around and walked away.

What was that? She never did talked to me like that ever since. Anong nangyari sa kanya?

"Is it your final decision? Aalis na kami, tumatakbo ang oras namin dito. Ang isang araw sa Zeal tatlong araw sa Hydera Penha," singit pa ni Xian.

I just nodded in response. "You guys go home. Take care. Hindi ko na kayo maihahatid pa sa borders line. I'm scared that.. I can't afford to see you guys leaving."

Medyo nahirapan pa akong paalisin sila lalong lalo na si Kuya. Still, I insisted on staying here and they already left me. I sighed. Now that I'm alone again, what's next? Paano ko ibabalik ang buhay na nakasanayan ko rito? Gayong mag-isa na lang naman ako sa buhay.

Maraming tao ang nasawi no'ng araw na 'yon at isa na ro'n ang Lola ko. Nexas, who happens to be the grandson of the leader of hunters, came to my house to volunteer and took care of my grandmother's wake. Kilala niya naman pala ang Lola ko dahil ang ama niya ay naging kaibigan ng Lolo niya. I also agreed because I admit that I couldn't handle everything on my own. May pera naman ako dahil sa savings ko sa bank account pero mahihirapan pa rin akong asikasuhin lahat.

"Nakikiramay ako sa nangyari sa Lola mo, Niane. Hindi namin lubos maisip na sa dinami raming tao sa mundo natin, isa pa siya sa nadamay sa kaguluhan." Kalli rushed inside our house tomorrow that day to give sympathy.

I couldn't even gave her a fake smile to show them I can get through all of this. Kahit kailan talaga hindi ko naging ugali ang pagsisinungaling. Even pretending is so hard for me. Madali kase akong nahahalata kapag gano'n. They can see right through my expressions.

"Its my fault that it happened. If I just.. protected her, maybe she's still alive," walang tigil na pagsisi ko sa sarili ko.

Irene patted my shoulders. "Hindi mo naman kasalanan ang lahat, Niane. Tama na ang pagsisi sa sarili mo. We know that she loves you very much and she's not blaming you for what had happened."

Alam ko naman 'yon dahil kusa kong sinisisi ang sarili sa nangyari. Pakiramdam ko palagi kapag may mali, kasalanan ko agad. That everything went wrong because of me. Kailan ba mawawala ang malas sa buhay ko?

"What now? Are you going back to Germany?" Kalli asked.

Hanggang ngayon 'yon pa rin ang alam nila tungkol sa'kin. That Eurisse and I flew to Germany for us to continue our studies there. 'Yon ang pagsisinungaling na.. kaya kong itago magpa-hanggang ngayon.

"Hindi ko alam. Baka dito na lang muna ako," I was hesistant to answer.

"Then we'll accompany you. Dito lang din naman kami sa Pilipinas nagta-trabaho." Irene decided and Kalli agreed. "How about Eurisse? Diba mag-bestfriend kayo? Ang tagal na namin siyang hindi nakita. Nabalitaan niya kaya ang nangyari?" she wondered.

If only you guys knew the situation. Mababaliw din kayo kakaisip tulad ko.

That night Lola's ashes arrived in the house. May mga malapit na kakilala si Lola na pumunta at nakiramay sa nangyari. All of them were talking about the vampires who invaded our world. Nagulat na lang ako nang marinig na may alam din pala sila tungkol sa eclipse na nangyari no'ng birthday ko. Is it even visible here?

Nagluto ako ng mga pagkain at tinulungan naman ako nila Kalli at Irene. Ipapakain namin 'to sa mga dadalo rito sa bahay para hindi sila magutom pag-uwi. Ilang oras pa ang lumipas at nagsi-uwian naman na silang lahat, pati silang dalawa ay pinauwi ko na rin muna dahil sabi ko gusto kong mapag-isa. I felt like I don't want a companion these days. Gusto kong makapag-isip din muna para sa sarili ko.

What am I going to do with my miserable life?

"Walang ni isa ang may alam bukod sa'ming mga hunters na dito ka muna namamalagi. 'Yong dalawang kaibigan mo, alam ba nila?" Pagtukoy ni Nexas sa kanila kanina.

I shook my head. "Wala, hindi ko sinabi. Mas mabuti na ring konti lang ang nakakaalam. Sobrang gulo na ng buhay ko, ayoko nang may madamay pang iba."

"Hindi naman sa pinapaalis kita dahil dito ka rin naman pala nakatira no'ng hindi ka pa bampira ngunit paano ang dugong iinumin mo?" He paused for a bit that made me look at him. "Wala kaseng nagtitinda ng dugo ng usa sa mundo natin. No one buys for it. How are you going to live?" He going overreacting.

"Duh. I'm a just a half-vampire. Tao pa rin naman ako. I can eat human foods. And maybe I'll hunt in the forest if ever it couldn't satisfy my thirst," sabi ko na lang.

"Matanong nga rin pala ako. Kaano-ano mo 'yong unang nakasama mo ritong lalaki? 'Yong ang talim makatingin sa'kin na parang papatayin ako. He was the reason that I almost suspected you as enemies," nakakunot noong reklamo niya sa'kin na parang inaalala 'yong nangyari.

I chuckled a bit. "He's Zandrei, but everyone calls him Jyron as his first name. Gano'n lang talaga siya, intindihin mo na lang."

"Is he your boyfriend? I remember one time when I talked about you, he suddenly changed his reaction. Mukhang nagseselos yata eh," napailing niyang sabi.

I couldn't help but to feel uneasy calling him as my boyfriend. "H-Hindi naman siguro gano'n. We're childhood bestfriends. Hanggang doon lang.. yata."

"See. You can't even figure out yourself. Lalaki rin naman ako. Alam ko kung may gusto kami sa isang babae o wala," he smirked at me.

Hindi ko na lamang siya pinansin at nagpaalam naman siyang aalis na dahil lumalalim na ang gabi. Nakaramdam din ako ng konting paghihina dahil hindi pa ako nakakainom ng dugo simula pa kanina. When I opened the freezer I felt relieved when I saw bags of blood inside. Nakita kong dala nila 'to nila Kuya pero hindi ko naman alam na iniwan pala nila. I just get one and drink it even if its not the taste I've been craving for. Ayoko rin namang tumamlay ang katawan ko dahil binabalik din naman nito ang lakas ko. Its the vampires main drink, of course.

Three days after the wake is her burial. Akala ko tapos na lahat ng pag-iyak ko sa ilang araw na nakalipas ngunit hindi pa pala. Some of the hunters, including Nexas, attended the ceremony. Nandito rin sina Kalli at Irene para damayan ako. Bilang nag-iisang pamilya niyang naiwan, sobrang sakit para sa'kin na tanggapin ang lahat.

"L-Lola.. Hindi pa naman ako gano'n kalaki na para iwan mo. I still needed you. Your guide, advices, and even your warmth. Please tell me that everything's still a dream," I cried so hard, not minding the people around me.

I was in a mess when I got home. Ako lang mag-isa at wala na akong pinapasok pa sa bahay. Everytime I roam my eyes around, all I could think was her. Her memories were in every corner of this house. Ngayon sobrang tahimik na dahil ako na lang ang nandito, wala eh iniwan niya na ako.

I missed her so much. Hanggang sa pagtulog at paggising ko nasa isip ko pa rin siya. I always bring her photo frame with me whenever I go so that I can feel her with me. Nawala man siya sa mundo, hinding hindi siya mawawala sa puso ko.

Napapaiyak pa rin ako kapag nakikita ko ang mga gamit niya sa kwarto. Sino na ang gagamit ngayon nito? Pinapahalagahan niya pa naman lahat ng meron siya. Bagay man o taong malapit sa kanya. If I could just turn back the time and make lots of memories with her once more, gagawin ko. Kase pakiramdam ko ang kulang pa eh, hindi pa sapat lahat ng panahon na nakasama ko siya.

"Ilang araw ka nang hindi kumakain. May balak ka bang sumunod sa Lola mo?"

Ilang araw niya na rin akong kinukulit dito sa bahay kahit na ayoko naman na magpapasok. He keeps on bugging me and telling me to eat on time. Hindi ko naman ginagawa ang sinasabi niya. Umiinom lang ako ng dugo pero alam kong hindi ito sapat para manatili ang lakas sa katawan ko. Vampires should have a balanced diet. Blood. Daily vitamin dosage. Raw meat.

"Just leave me alone. Wala pa akong gana," nakapikit kong sagot.

Narinig ko naman ang pagbuntong hininga niya. "Locking up yourself and not eating won't do anything good. Wala naman nang mangyayari kahit buong buhay mo ganito ka lang. Stand up for yourself. Walang gagawa niyan sa sarili mo kundi ikaw lang."

His words made me think again. Ilang araw ng hindi gumagana ang utak ko dahil siguro sa walang laman ang tiyan ko kundi puro dugo. And his words just hit the spot, realizing I was being so dumb, once again. The thought of getting revenge wasn't on my mind for being too preoccupied about things. Gusto kong ipagpatuloy ang pagganti ko ngunit paano? I wasn't thinking of.. going back to Hydera Penha again. Hindi ko pa napag-iisipan.

Magagawa ko lang naman 'yon kapag umalis ulit ako rito. Ang tanong, kaya ko ba? I always doubt my capability of doing things.

Iniwan ni Nexas ang tray ng pagkain sa gilid ng mesa ko kaya sinubukan kong kumain. After I finished half of the plate, I saw the book above the table. Ang librong pagmamay-ari ng Lola namin ni Kuya, Queen Viancee of Alcarmenia.

Bakit lahat na lang ng katotohanang nalalaman ko ay halos hirap akong tanggapin? This might be the aftermath of losing my memories for seven years. Wala sana akong katanungan ngayon at hindi naiipon lahat ng sakit dulot ng nakaraan ko.

'The Prophecies Revert'

This book centers around the Future Protectors of Hydera Penha, a group of courageous individuals who are destined to safeguard their world. Their mission is not just to protect their own kind, but to ensure the freedom of every creature that calls it a home. From the smallest insect to the mightiest beast, each life holds immense value in this richly diverse world.

However, the tranquility of this world is threatened by dark forces seeking to disrupt the harmony and seize control. Amidst the turmoil, a prophecy reverberates through the  union of a mortal and an immortal, a prophecy that speaks of a girl who will rise to save the world. This prophecy serves as a beacon of hope, guiding the Future Protectors on their quest.

The girl, seemingly ordinary, is thrust into extraordinary circumstances. She is the key to restoring balance and ushering in a peaceful era. Her journey is fraught with danger, but she is not alone. With the Future Protectors by her side, she embarks on a quest to fulfill her destiny.

It is more than just a book; it's a journey into a world where every creature's freedom is valued, and peace is the ultimate goal. It's a testament to the power of prophecies and the courage of those who dare to fulfill them. It's a story of hope, bravery, and the unyielding spirit of a girl destined to save her world.

Biglang lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko matapos basahin ang nakasulat sa pinakaunang pahina ng libro. It was like pertaining to something.. someone rather. Why does it feel like what's written in this book is somehow connected to the present happenings?

"They need to know about this. Kailangan kong bumalik."

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