Third Person

Xiomara's eyes roamed around the wide town square of Terrasierra. There are tall establishments made of wood, huts and stalls covered with creeping plants and flowers. On an aisle, there were different type of merchants flaunting their products and services. 

At the center aisle there are different types of flowers that compliments the surrounding area where the Flos el Grande was located, the largest flower shop in Westeria. Xiomara could still remember she specially searched the type of flowers to be displayed there. Those were endangered spring flowers in the world. 

She can recognize the flower called the ghost orchid, night-blooming cereus, jade vine and flame lily. Those were some of the few rare flowers she meticulously researched for the relevance of the story. 

"Kayo ba ay sawi sa pag-ibig? Nagpakasal ngunit sinulot ng babaeng matalik na kaibigan ang iyong kasintahan? Hali na kayo't bumili ng aking gamot upang mabighani ang iyong iniibig hanggang hindi na ito tumingin pa sa iba!" Xiomara's attention shifted on the old man who was advertising his potion in the street. 

Nang mapansin siya ng matanda ay kaagad siya nitong nilapitan at pinakita ang hawak nitong maliit na bote na mayroong kulay rosas na likido. She narrowed her eyes as she tried to read the name on the bottle. 

Amor sine fine. . .

Endless Love. She remembered that potion because she named it herself. "Nais mo bang bumili magandang dilag?" She felt flattered upon his words but she knew better than believe it when he's just trying to overwhelm her into buying it. 

"Hindi ho, napadaan lang ako." Akmang aalis na ito nang sundan pa rin ito ng matanda. 

"Sa  palagay ko'y higit na kinakailingan mo ito dahil magiging sawi ka sa pag-ibig," apila pa nito habang hawak ang pulsuhan ng dalaga. 

The old man's eyes shined green for a moment, but Xiomara doesn't give a slightest damn about it. She just took her wrist from his grasp and walked away.

Sawi sa pag-ibig? Was that old man referring to her as Isla or as Xiomara? Nagkibit balikat na lang siya. She doesn't care when she don't even have any love interest. After all, love is just a lie. It was nothing but a delusion.

The old man smiled like nothing had happened. Kumuha ito ng panibagong bote at iwinagayway ito sa ere. "Kayo ba ay matanda na at uugod-ugod pero gusto pa rin tumirada? Ano pa ang hinihintay niyo? Bumili na kayo upang ang pagtatalik ay abutin hanggang umaga!" Napaubo na lang si Xiomara. 

Medyo nakakalayo na siya sa matanda pero rinig na rinig niya pa rin ang malakas nitong boses. She just shake her head and continued to walk. She knew that man. He's the old hermit who lived in the Whispering Forest. Kung paano niya nakilala ito ay sa pamamaraan ng panghihikayat nito upang bumili sa kaniyang paninda. 

She smiled and lift her cloak when she reached the center of the town square. Indeed, her imaginations did not failed her. Terrasierra looks like a living green forest, just the way she wanted it would be. 

She was strolling around when she noticed some of the warriors and people flocking on the sign board just across the street. As much as she wanted to know what's in there, she had no time. She must enter the palace to confront the person behind this. 

Binalik niya ang hood ng cloak niya at lumiko ng daan. When she was walking around familiarizing the area, she was bumped by a child. Muntikan na mabuwal ang bata dahil sa pagkakabangga niya rito, mabuti na lang ay nahawakan niya ito sa braso bago pa matumba. 

When the child lifted his gaze, Xiomara saw  him crying. Kaagad niya naman inalo ang bata at sinubukan itong patahanin. 

"N-nawawala p-po ako. . ." Mabilis na tumaas ang kilay ni Xiomara. Her eyes landed on the child's appearance. He was wearing ragged clothes, his hair was a little messy. Mukha ring kanina pa ito umiiyak. 

"Nawawala ka? Taga saan ka ba?" Pinanood ni Xiomara kung paano paglaruan ng bata ang kaniyang mga daliri. 

"T-taga Terramadre po. . ." Ang Terramadre ay nasa kabilang bayan lang. Malapit lang ito sa sentro ng Terrasierra. He looks like he'd been lost for days, and he's telling her no one ever helped a lost child like him? 

"Gusto mo ba ihitid kita sa Terramadre?" Nakangiting alok ni Xiomara rito na siyang ikinatango kaagad ng bata. 

The little child held her hand as they walk on the street. Sa paglalakad din ng mga ito ay marami silang kawal na nakakasalubong. Xiomara made sure to hide her face with her cloak. Nakayuko ito sa tuwing may nakakasalubong na mga kawal. 

She knew why those people are flocking in the announcement board earlier. It was her portrait being posted as a wanted criminal. Being alone would easily make her look suspicious, that's why she decided to help this child. 

Nakahinga nang maluwag ang dalaga nang malampasan ang nagrorondang mga kawal, subalit nawala rin kaagad ang pagkapanatag ng kalooban niya nang mapansing ang tinatahak nitong daan ay patungo sa liblib na parte ng town square. 

She stared back at the child who is now leading the way. Lumingon ang bata sa kaniya at biglang ngumisi. Mula sa malayo ay natatanaw niya ang tatlong kalalakihan na mayroong malaking pangangatawan. They were looking at her with malice. Ang paraan ng pagtitig nito sa kaniya ay tila ba isa siyang isang masarap na putahe na pagpipyestehan nila. 

She knew something was wrong, but she willingly fell into their trap because she needed the child to escape the eyes of the knights. Sa pagbitaw ng bata sa kaniyang kamay ay bigla itong nagtungo sa tatlong lalaki upang ilahad ang kaniyang kamay. One of those men gave him a piece of bread and the poor child started eating as if he hadn't eaten for days. 

Just by seeing it, Xiomara understood the situation. The child was also a victim. She scoffed in her mind as she watched those men walk towards her smirking. 

Ano 'to? Sinaunang kidnapping? 

"Kung sinuswerte ka nga naman. Tiba-tiba tayo rito." She scoffed in her mind. Wala na bang mas igagasgas pa ang sasabihin nila? 

She look back and took a step backwards before taking a deep breath. Akmang tatakbo na ito nang may dumating pang tatlong lalaki na ngayon ay nakangisi sa kaniyang likuran. Now she had nowhere to go. 

How could a weak Archon defend herself against these people? 

Tangina kasi e, nasaan ka na ba Alec? She cursed under her breath as she alarmed herself from the filthy men who were trying to corner her. But of course, she can't just rely on people. As Isla, she only needs herself and no one else. 

"Halt on your feet, you imbeciles!" She exclaimed, dahilan upang matigilan ang mga ito at mapatingin sa kaniya. 

Her electric blue eyes were darting at them, dead cold and emotionless. Saglit na nakaramdam ng pagkasindak ang mga ito subalit kaagad rin naman nakabawi. They started laughing as if they just heard something funny. 

"Naiintindihan mo ba ang sinabi niya?" Kunot noong wika ng isa nitong kasama. Umiling-iling naman ang katabi nito't ang ilan sa kanila ay tila ba walang pakialam sa naging wika ng dalaga.

"Mukhang galing ka sa isang marangyang angkan, ilang pilak at ginto kaya ang halaga ng iyong buhay?" Of course that's what they only care about, silver and gold. Though, Xiomara wondered why there are thugs like them inside the town. 

Above all regions, Terrasierra should be the most prosperous one since they got 60% of the natural resources in Westeria. It's likely impossible to find homeless people who are famished and poor. 

"Sabihin mo dilag, ano ang iyong ngalan?" Xiomara kept the blank expression on her face. Dahan-dahan niyang tinanggal ang balabal na nakatakip sa kabuoan ng ulo niya, at nang masilayan nila nang mabuti ang buong mukha nito'y napakurap ang mga ito. 

For a second, they felt like they've seen a goddess. Ang kagandahang taglay nito'y sapat na upang mag-alanganin ang mga ito sa kung ano mang masamang binabalak nila. Saglit na natulala ang mga ito. 

Then it downed into them. A silver haired woman with electric blue eyes, the trait that only belongs to the Clan of Glazedale. From what they remembered, there are only two remaining pureblood descendant of the said clan. One is the ruler of Ozlevine, and the other one was the bed-ridden Glacial Archon that was seldomly seen by anyone. 

Their eyes landed on her posture. She was standing with confidence and authority. Her hands were formally positioned on her abdomen as she held her head high like a queen looking down at filth and dirt. It's like seeing them was such an eyesore.

 "You dare to overstep your boundaries?" Nasindak naman ang mga ito nang makita ang anino ng isang soro sa kaniyang likuran. 

The shadow of the white fox with blue eyes were glaring at them as if it was giving them a warning not to get any closer. Mabilis pa sa alas kwatrong natigilan ang mga ito. Their eyes widened in shock as their mouth gaped open. Nahintatakutan ang mga ito't walang ano-ano'y tumakbo paalis. 

Ang tanging nasa isip lang ng mga ito ay ang lumayo sa dalaga bago pa may masamang mangyari sa kanila. Ito ay sa kadahilanang taglay niya bilang tagapag-alaga ang sinasabing libong taong ng nawawala na Soro ng Siyam na Kalamidad. 

The Nine-Tailed Fox, the Divine Beast of Nine Calamities. It was a wondering Divine Beast with no master. Thousands of years ago, the former Westerian Czars and Archons did everything they can to get on its good side, tame it and have it as their Divine Beast, but into their dismay, they never succeeded. 

And now it has re-appeared, did it finally chosen a master?

Kaagad naman napataas ang kilay ni Xiomara habang pinapanood ang mga itong tumakbo. Does she look that scary that it sent them running away with just a few words? Iyon ang hindi niya maintindihan. However, she doesn't care anymore. Ang importante ay nalayo na siya sa kapahamakan. 

Or so she thought, because just when she was about to approach the child she helped earlier, she was surrounded by warriors wearing their mightiest metal suits and sharp weapons. In the end she still got caught. 

"Xiomara Serai Glazedale, you are under arrest for harming our Archon." Before she could even say a word, her wrist were already chained. 

Wala itong ibang nagawa kun'di bumuga ng malalim na hininga. She rolled her eyes when she counted the warriors. There are about twelve of them. How assuring is that? She's being accompanied by a dozen of warriors as if she's the most wanted criminal in Westeria. 

When one of the warriors was about to touch her, she gave him a glare. "Don't you dare touch me with your sinful hands!" Nagkatinginan naman ang mga ito. 

"I can walk alone," pagdidiinan nito. Wala namang nagawa ang mga kawal kun'di ang sumunod sa gusto niya.

Kahit bihag ito'y isa pa rin itong Arkon. They can't just touch her as they please. 

Xiomara narrowed her eyes as she look at the chains tied on her wrist. Sasama siyang mapayapa sa mga ito dahil wala rin naman siyang magagawa. As much as she wanted to run away, she can't. She had no capability to fight against them. Bukod doon, mas mabuti na iyon nang makaharap niya nang diretso ang pasimuno ng lahat ng ito. 

Sage Lionheart, the Terra Archon's brother. 

*♛♚♛༊*·˚

𝐂𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄 opened her eyes when she felt the lingering power of a legendary divine beast. Napatayo siya sa kaniyang trono. Even though it was just a lingering energy, she still felt it. The Nine-Tailed Fox, the Divine Beast of Nine Calamities has shown up after thousands of years. Now is her chance to have contact with it and make it as her Divine Beast in order for her to become stronger. 

"Knights!" She called out. One of the knights immidiately entered the throne hall and bowed his head, ready to take orders from his queen. 

"Have the warlocks locate where the legendary divine beast's energy is coming from," utos niya rito na siyang ikinatango naman ng kabalyero. 

After the knight left, Cosette felt her eyebrows getting heavy. It's only been half a day but being a queen surely is a tiring responsibility. She needs to read and write every memorials and reports, she had a lot of invitation to reply and community problems needed to be resolved.

As such, she needs to be smart and careful in every decisions she make. She have to be fair and just no matter what it takes. Because as the Westerian Czar, she needs to prioritize the peace and harmony of her people. 

Feeling sleepy, she left the throne hall and walk towards her bed chamber. Magpapahinga lang ito saglit bago muling gampanan ang responsibilidad niya. When she  held the knob of the door, she stilled when she felt a familiar aura. She was conflicted for a moment, whether she'll open the door or not. 

But here goes nothing. . .

She took a deep breath before opening the door, and closing it afterwards without minding the presence she could feel. Nag dumako ang tingin niya sa kaniyang malambot na kama ay nakita niyang may lalaki doong nakaupo at prenteng nakasandal ang likod nito sa uluhan ng kaniyang higaan. 

He was wearing a black mask covering half of his face except for his jaw and lips. When she met with his golden grey eyes, she felt her knees weaken. Isang ngisi ang kumawala sa labi ng estrangherong mapangahas na pumasok ng kaniyang silid. 

"Good afternoon." He greeted as if he was just an expected visitor. 

Imbis sumagot ay napasandal sa hamba ng pintuan si Cosette. She felt fear and anger swept through her the moment she saw him. Hindi niya maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman niya nang makita muli ang binata. 

"Why do you fear me, Cosette? We've been friends since young." He asks, scarcely raising his smooth, husky voice above a whisper.

Cosette narrowed her eyes when she finally recovered from the shock that he gave her. Umayos siya ng tayo at taas noong naglakad papalapit sa lalaki. 

"What are you doing here?" He crossed his legs. Inabot nito ang isang kopa at serbesa sa gilid ng higaan ng reyna. 

He poured the wine in the clear glass and slightly twirl it to watch the liquor dance inside the glass. "I'm here to visit you of course." He answered firmly. 

She rolled her eyes and scoffed. "And you expect me to believe that? Cut the bullshit, Alexius." When his name rolled in her tongue his smirk widened even more. 

"Oh, so you remembered me." It wasn't a question but a statement. Cosette clenched her fist and glared at him with so much hatred in her eyes. 

"Why would I forget someone who betrayed me and shattered my trust for a fucking map?" He chuckled. Mariin na pinikit ng dalaga ang kaniyang mga mata nang magtunog kaayaaya sa kaniyang pandinig ang halakhak na 'yon. 

"What are you up to this time? In what manner are you going to destroy my land once again?!" Her voice roared in the corners of her room but the gentlemen doesn't seem to care about it even a bit. 

"Well," He licked his lower lip. 

Cosette watched him play his finger inside the wine glass, reaching his fingertips on the liquor, swirling and thrusting it as if he's playing with something. 

"I have told you." Tumayo ito mula sa pagkakaupo sabay patong ng kopa sa maliit na mesa. He walked towards her, not breaking an eye contact for he hand known that she cannot take her eyes off him. 

"I came here to visit you because I missed you." Kumurap ang dalaga, at sa ilang segundong kurap na iyon ay nagulat siya nang makitang nasa harap na niya ang binata. Hinapit nito ang kaniyang bewang at hinila papalapit sa kaniya. 

She can feel the warmth of his body and his hot breath fanning on her neck that sent shivers down every fiber of her being. Naramdaman niya ang pag ngisi nito sa kaniyang leeg at ang paglapit ng bibig nito sa kaniyang tainga. 

"I missed manipulating you," Mahina itong napasinghap nang maramdaman ang tungki ng ilong nito sa punuan ng kaniyang tainga. 

"Controlling you like a puppet stuck within her master's thread, obeying my command and giving me all the information I needed without knowing you are slowly betraying your kingdom." He continued to taunt her. His left hand moved on her back, tracing her bone. 

"What a good girl." Nang makalikom ng sapat na lakas si Cosette ay tinulak niya ito dahilan upang mapaatras ang binata. 

Nanlilisik mata niya itong tiningnan. Nang maalala kung ano ang ginawa nito sa kaniya ay nakaramdam siya ng labis na galit at pagkamuhi. 

"What is wrong with you?!" She snarled.

The man laughed sexily.

"Do you want a list?" 

And there, she lost it. Of course, there would be a book of reasons about things that are wrong with him! His existence is enough to prove that everything about him is forbidden.

For he is Alexius Astagria, the descendant of Evtyx. The ruler of Zahartha, and the sworn enemy of Westeria. 

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