Third Person

The queen sat at the center of the refectory table. Two seats away from her were two of the strongest warlocks in Westeria named Ash and Storm. Both are twins, but unlike normal twins, they surely don't resemble each other. In terms of their physical appearance, Ash' facial features look more sharp and mature while Storm had the happy-go-lucky and charming face.

Being the strongest known warlocks was a burden for the both of them. Ito ang rason kung bakit palipat-lipat ang mga ito ng tahanan. Every now and then people would try to find them and offer them hundreds and thousands of golds to fulfill their wishes as if they're some kind of Gods that could give them what they want in just a flick of a hand.

Iilan sa hiling ng mga ito ay magkaroon ng maganda at guwapong mukha, mayroon ding nagnanais na mapaibig ang isang dilag, may isa pang tarantado na nais palakihin ang ari nito dahil isang gutling lang ang haba. Kung iisipin ay pawang kahibangan iyon.

They can deny and ignore them as they pleased. They have the authority to do so because the Westerian Czar had given them supremacy and acknowledged their power and capability. In return, they were to give her assistance and would come to her whenever she asks with no means of declining.

"Your majesty, it's really an honor to be with you in one dining table." Storm spoke with politeness in his voice.

Cosette smiled at him in response. She took the table cloth above her lap as she wiped the side of her lips dramatically, raising her pinky finger.

"How are the both of you?" She asked.

"You need not to be worried, your majesty for we are doing well." Ash replied shortly as he used the fork to pierce a hole in the meat.

"Do well? Sinong niloko mo? Halos mamatay nga ako sa tinolang niluto mo kahapon!" Sinamaan kaagad ng tingin ni Ash ang walang prenong bibig ng kakambal nito.

Nang mapansin ni Storm ang masamang tingin ng kapatid ay alanganin itong tumawa. Uminom muna ito ng tubig bago tumikhim.

"I apologize for being rude, your majesty. Hehe." Napailing na lang si Cosette sa tinuran nito. Sanay na siya sa bunganga ni Storm lalo na't wala talaga itong preno magsalita.

Itikom mo ang bibig mo kung ayaw mong itarak ko tong tinidor sa ngalangala mo aniya ni Ash sa kaniyang isipan habang mahigpit na hinahanawakan ang tinidor.

Storm childishly rolled his eyes and replied Sige, itarak mo! Dito mismo! Iginilid niya pa ang ulo niya na parang nilalahad ang leeg niya sa kapatid. Dito bilisan mo! Mas mabuti pang mamatay na lang ako kesa matikman ang luto mo! palatak niya sa kaniyang isipan na ikinasama lalo ng timpla ng mukha ni Ash.

"Do you want a royal chef to accompany you?" Alok ng Westerian Czar. Kaagad na nagningning ang mata ni Storm dahil sa wakas ay makakatikim na siya ng masarap na luto, pero bago pa man siya makapagsalita upang magpasalamat ay naunahan na siya ng kaniyang kapatid.

"We appreciate your benevolence, your majesty but I believe it won't be necessary. My brother and I switch places from time to time and it would only be troublesome for us to travel with someone we don't personally know." Ash declined courteously.

"But-" Akmang aangal pa si Storm nang apakan ni Ash ang kaliwang paa niya sa baba ng mesa.

Aray naman! Napaigtad na lang ito ng upo dahil sa ginawa ng kapatid. Kahit labag sa kalooban niya ay sumangayon na lang siya sa naging pahayag ni Ash. He can't do anything to protest anyway, this brother of his would always find ways to shut him up.

"Very well then." Tuluyang bumagsak ang balikat ni Storm. That's it. His once in a lifetime chance to taste an edible food is now gone. Magtitiis na naman siyang kumain ng nakakamatay na niluto ni Ash sa kaniya.

Bwiset ka Abo! Storm hissed in his mind.

Nginisihan lang siya ni Ash Manahimik ka Bagyo! Wala namang nagawa si Storm kun'di manahimik na lang sa isang tabi.

Ash and Storm grew up alone with no mother or father to take care of them. Walang ideya ang mga ito kung sino ang kanilang ama. Ang kanilang ina naman ay maagang namayapa dahil hindi nito kinaya ang pagdadalangtao sa kanila. They were too strong that they were able to suck out their mother's mana that caused her death.

It was sad for them growing up thinking they killed their own mother, but when they became an adult, they realized how much their mother loved them. She knew giving birth to them could kill her, but she still choose to sacrifice her life in exchange of theirs.

Lumaki ang mga itong walang kalinga ng mga magulang at tanging isa't isa lang ang kanilang kaagapay at kasangga sa ano mang problemang dumating sa kanila. Growing up in the woodlands made them interested in mythical animals and herbs. They started mixing different saplings and magical particles that turned into unusual potions. For some unknown reason, they were able to wield powerful incantations and spells.

Storm specializes in herbs and plants while Ash expertise belongs to faunal mythical beasts. Ash had the mastery of creating potions while Storm's more diverse in incantations. Pero sa kanilang dalawa, kung gaano kagaling maghalo ng mga sangkap si Ash para sa potion na ginagawa ay ganoon naman ito kapangit maghalo ng sangkap panluto.

Kung gaano naman kadali para Kay Storm intindihin at bigkasin ang isang enkantasyon ay nahihirapan naman ito umintindi ng simpleng instructions para magluto. That's why both of them can't cook at all. If the two of them are left in the kitchen, they will only destroy it.

"I invited you here to ask you one thing." Ash rested his back in the chair as he wipe his mouth with a cloth.

Of course, she will not call for them without a reason.

"Days ago, I felt the lingering energy of the Legendary Divine Beast." Storm turned his gaze to his brother.

The Nine-Tailed Fox, Divine Beast of Nine Calamities, the only mythical beast they were not able to hold a sample DNA. Ni balahibo nito ay wala silang mahagilap, and if they would be given a chance they will do everything to have it's DNA to assess its genes and origin.

But into their dismay, it's been gone for centuries.

"Were you able to locate it given the short period of time?" Tanong ni Cosette rito.

"Yes, your majesty." Mayamaya'y biglang nagbukas ang pintuan at may pumasok doong dalawang chamber maids na may hawak-hawak na mga cups at isang pitcher na gawa sa mineral na kung tawagin ay Nephrite.

"We were traveling to Ravenburgh when we felt the energy before we crossed the borders of Terrasierra." The Westerian Czar crossed her arms as she began to think of the reason why the Nine-Tailed Fox's presence was in the region of Terrasierra.

Does the beast want Emerald to be its master?

Umiling si Cosette. That's impossible. Emerald already had her own Divine Beast, the Mountain Griffin. No person can have two Divine Beast at the same time. Hindi rin maaring si Sage iyon dahil mas nauna pa itong magkaroon ng Divine Beast kesa kay Emerald.

"Are you sure?" Paninigurado niya pa.

"Yes, your majesty." Walang pagaalinlangang sagot ni Ash habang pinapanood magsalin ng ng tubig ang mga chamber maids.

"Ipagpaumanhin niyo kung hindi namin kaagad nahanap ang episipiko nitong kinaroroonan sapagkat iilang segundo lang ito nagparamdam, kamahalan." Cosette smiled upon Ash' apologetic remark.

"I understand, you don't have to apologize. Maski ako ay hindi ko ito nahanap kaya hindi mo kailangan humingi ng tawad." Seconds of silence filled the room. Ang tanging ingay na narinig nila ay ang pagsarado ng pinto dulot ng paglabas ng mga chamber maids matapos magsalin ang mga ito ng inumin.

"Oh, these are my gift for you." Ash and Storm both tilted their heads to check the liquid inside the cup.

"If I may ask, what is this liquid, your majesty?" Takang tanong ni Ash dito.

"This will provide you knowledge and wisdom. It will keep you safe against mana depletion." Inangat ni Storm ang cup na hawak habang sinusuri nang mabuti ang likido sa loob nito.

Pinagloloko ba tayo ng mahal na reyna? Tubig lang 'ata 'to e? aniya sa kaniyang isipan. Muli ay sinipa na naman siya ni Ash sa ilalim ng mesa kaya muntikan na matapon ang laman ng cup kung hindi kaagad ito nabalanse ng binata.

Storm awkwardly look at the queen upon his clumsiness. "Hehe." He laughed awkwardly as his left dimple popped on the left side of his cheek.

Nang makitang ininom ni Ash ang tubig ay mabilis niya rin itong nilagok. Tumaas naman ang kilay ng binata nang mapansin ang nakakapanibago nitong lasa. It felt cold and refreshing and a little bit sweet. It looks like a simple water, and yet somehow different.

"The taste is quite exquisite. . . like there was a mixture of a rare type of concoction. May I ask what this water is made of, your majesty?" Manghang tanong ni Storm sa reyna.

The queen gave him a soft chuckle as she drank the same water the twins had. "This is the water from the Ancestral Tributary." Kaagad naman na nanlaki ang mata ng kambal. They immediately stood up and was about to bow down and kneel when the queen stopped them.

"It was a gift, rest assured you have not offended the Goddess." Nakahinga naman nang maluwag ang dalawa.

The water from the river of Ancestral Tributary was like the water of protection and health. A sip from the water can give you protection and keep your mana flow healthy. It was such an honor to receive such w wonderful gift!

"We are truly grateful for your gift, your majesty. Please allow us to properly show our gratitude." Tumaas naman ang sulok ng labi ng reyna.

Ash stood up and walk towards her. The queen raised her left hand in the level of her waist and Ash took her hand, slightly bowed his head and kissed the back of her palm. Inangat niya ang tingin sa reyna at nginitian ito. Ganoon na rin ang ginawa ng kapatid nitong si Storm.

Cosette's smirk as she watched the twins show their respects towards her. She love to be treated that way. She loves how people treat her like a supreme being, above them. It's really convenient to use a person's weakness to make them feel indebted to you.

These twins were nothing back then. She just gave them small praises and untrue assurances to encourage them so they could be better, she showed them love and compassion, but neither of them knew it was a part of her plan. Lahat naman ng pagmamanipulang ginawa niya sa magkapatid ay nagbunga.

Now she got herself a loyal lapdog that will never betray her.

*♛♚♛༊*·˚

𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐘𝐀 ni Reed ang chess board sa mesa dahil sa galit. He had lost his temper when he figured out the truth behind the death of his war horses.

"The horses were killed due to a miasma? They think I'm such a fool to believe that?!" Asik nito sa kawalan.

"H-huminahon kayo, kamahalan!" Kinakabahang wika ni Khazar.

"If it was really because of the miasma, how the hell did it only kill the horses but left the stablemen unharmed na ngayon ay hindi na mahagilap kung saan napunta?!" Dumagongdong ang boses nito sa apat na sulok ng silid tanggapan.

"Patawad, kamahalan! Kasalanan ko ito! Nararapat niyo akong parusahan dahil sa aking kakulangan sa-" Marahas na napatingin sa gawi niya si Reed na siyang ikinatahimik niya dahil sa mabangis nitong titig na tila ba makakapatay ng tao.

Miasma is an unpleasant vapor from poisonous germs and bacteria derived from rotten carcasses that turned into gases in the atmosphere. It is known to be severe and can even kill a person with the slightest exposure. Kung ito ang dahilan ng pagkamatay ng libo-libong kabayo, bakit nakaligtas ang mga tagapangalaga nito nang buhay?

"Leave."

"But your highness-"

"I said leave, Khazar!" Wala ng nagawa pa ang heneral kun'di sundin ang iniutos ng Arkon.

He knew better than angering his master.

Pag-alis naman nito'y naiwan si Reed na nakakuyom ang kamay habang nakahawak sa maliit na sanga ng kawayan na mayroong lamang kapirasong papel. When he took the small piece of paper inside the bamboo shoot, nothing was written from it.

That third class geisha that Khazar slept with was nowhere to be found. He personally searched for her records far and wide but he obtained none. Her information includes nothing but a slave who was bought by the brothel owner and became a geisha.

Ni anino nito ay hindi mahagilap ng Arkon kung saan mang bahagi ito ng Westeria nagtatago. However, he was able to retrieve her belongings and he found this piece of bamboo.

An empty message?

There were no traces of mana, it means it was not tampered with magic. Ilang beses niya pa itong sinuri sa pagbabakasakaling mayroong kakaiba sa papel. However, it turned out it was just a normal paper.

Dinala niya ang kapirasong papel sa mesa niya kung saan mayroong nakasinding apoy sa kandila. He was about to burn it when letters started to appear. Inilayo niya ito sa apoy at bigla namang nawala ang mga letrang nakasulat dito. Saglit siyang napatitig sa apoy.

So that's how the secret message works? How amusing.

Muli niyang iginakayak ang papel papalapit sa kandila at sa pagkakataong ito, hinintay niyang magsilabasan ang buong laman nito. When the letters stopped from appearing, it was his cue to read the message.

I have freed you from being a lowly geisha as per requested. Head west to Molave Karst where I have build a house away from people's reach. Hide carefully and never betray me unless it is death that you seek.

"This is. . ." Itinapat ni Reed ang papel sa kandila upang masigurado ang markang nakaukit sa papel.

Napakurap na lang ang Arkon nang luminaw ito sa kaniyang paningin. The seal that was stamped at the lower right corner of the paper was the insignia of the House of Amadeo which means this letter was from Kane himself.

Sa pagkakataong iyon ay hindi man lang namalayan ni Reed na nailamukos niya ang papel na hawak niya. Does that mean Kane was behind the death of my war horses? Huminga nang malalim ang binata. But what would he gain from killing my horses? Saglit naman itong mag-isip kahit na nilalamon ng galit ang buong sistema nito.

"Is he buying more time to forge the armories?" Reed shakes his head as he bit his lower lip and brushed his hair up in frustration. That makes no sense. Kane could just simply ask him to give him more time.

Natigilan naman ito nang may sumagi sa isip niya. First he lost the weapons and armories, and now his war horses. It couldn't be just a mere coincidence. There must be something going on. Ayaw niyang isipan nang masama si Kane dahil kahit papaano ay may pinagsamahan ang mga ito. Kaya naman ang mas mabuting gawin ngayon ay ang harapin ito at komprontahin.

Akmang aalis na ito upang magtungo sa Ashfell nang biglang aligagang pumasok sa loob si Khazar. "Hindi ba ang sabi ko'y umalis ka-" Biglang lumuhod si Khazar kaya napatigil siya sa pagsasalita.

"K-kamahalan! Dumating ang mga probisyon ng mga pananim na pagkain mula sa Tierrasierra! P-pero nagkaroon ng problema. . ." Napahilot ng sentido ang Arkon.

"Ano na naman bang problema?" Talaga bang hindi siya tatantanan ng lintek na problema na 'yan?

"Nang ginamit ito ng punong tagaluto bilang pangsahog at pinakain sa ating mga kawal ay nakaramdam ang mga ito ng labis na pagsakit ng kanilang tiyan. Ang ilan sa kanila'y nagsusuka ng dugo!" Kahit sa boses ni Khazar ay halata ang pagkagimbal at panginginig nito kaya naman nagtagis ang bagang ni Reed.

"He wants to decrease the number of my military forces?" Reed whispered as he scoffed. Naniningkit ang mga mata nito.

Sa galit ng Arkon ay hindi niya namalayan ang pagkulimlim ng kalangitan at ang pagtutumpukan ng mga nagdidilim na ulap. Maya maya'y nakarinig ang mga ito ng sunod-sunod na kulog at kidlat.

The people of Ravenburgh then knew, their Archon was mad.

*♛♚♛༊*·˚

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐑 of Zahartha sat luxuriously on his black diamond and gold throne, one leg crossed over the other. In his hand was a gleaming white chess piece, a knight. His long, slender fingers started playing with the knight across his knuckles.

What a beautifully chiseled figure, bestowed by the heavens. From his jet black hair to his golden grey eyes, to his perfect skin and elegant attire that complemented his physique, he was breathtaking. Any lady would fall to her knees and kneel directly in front of him.

He placed the knight two tiles away from the white queen. The man on his dark throne hall chuckled, his broad shoulders slightly shaking from the excitement. Amusement was written all over his face.

"One is fake, one is the real heir." He stared at the white and black queen across the chess board as he began humming in his ethereal baritone voice.

He had set the traps and carefully calculated things that were bound to happen. And at the moment, he is curious how the queen would move. Will she take the bait and act just like the pathetic and useless woman in the novel? Or will it be different this time considering he's making some alterations?

He gently took the glass of wine on the side table of his throne and drank it. A memory flashed in his mind which made him automatically touch his lips. He can still remember. It was soft and it tasted sweet. He tilt his head and stared at the white queen.

"What is your next move, queen?" He whispered in thin air with a loop-sided smile on his face.

He will win this game because he holds the truth. But above all, he wonders what would that stupid author feel if her book won't end the way she wanted it?

He had the upper hand, alright. However, there is one flaw. He may have read the truth of the book and predicted what was bound to happen, but he knew nothing about a certain fact.

How can he win if the enemy is his queen?

G O L U C K Y C H A R M