Sinister Facades (Complete)

Chapter 21

"But before we protect you, you need to understand who she is," simula ni Qavis, pagkatapos inilapag nito ang wine glass sa mesa.

"Eisheth is the daughter of the Queen and a King of Demon, but not powerful enough to rule over Hell. Your Infernal Majesty; your father, was the most powerful among the devils, which is why they are so eager to be close to their daughter through you. They know that once a powerful demon mates with their daughter, they will gain strength through the child. And to add more, it will be the end of the world once you have a child with her."

"That's why we are here to stop you two. That's what your father wanted to do," dugtong ni Noel.

"In the beginning of this, before the king sent you into this world, he knew that you were obsessed with their daughter. Since your Infernal majesty; Father didn't like her, he sent you here, erased all your memories, and hide your true nature," dagdag pa ni Qavis, pagkatapos tumayo at naglakad papunta sa gilid ng bintana habang malayang pinapanood ang mga taong nasa ibaba.

"We thought you had already found someone to mate with. We thought it was Chantriel." Nakuha nito ang pansin ko nang mabanggit niya ang pangalan ng babaeng minahal ko noon. "We protected her for you since you had no idea that someone else was watching over you two. But fate is tricky. I didn't expect Chantriel would marry someone. But do you know why Chantriel married someone?"

Umiling ako, "Babagsak na kasi ang negosyo nila Chantriel, at ang kaibigan ng kanyang ama lamang ang makakapagligtas sa kanila—"

"Wrong." Nakita ko ang sumilay na ngisi sa kanyang labi mula sa repleksyon ng bintana. "It's all Eisheth's doing. Her obsession with you runs so deep that the mere thought of you being with a mortal drove her to this madness. She couldn't bear to see you in the arms of anyone but herself. Even your precious friend in the bar of Villa Romanillos, Justine. She's the one behind of all this killing."

Ang mga salitang iyon ay parang mga karayom na tumusok sa aking damdamin. Hindi ko akalain na ang pagmamahal ko kay Chantriel ay naging kasangkapan para sa kaguluhan na dulot ni Eisheth. "So, lahat ng ito... lahat ng kasunduan... dahil kay Eisheth?"

"Yes," sagot ni Qavis. "Eisheth manipulated everything to ensure that Chantriel would be out of the picture. She wanted you all to herself, and she would stop at nothing to get what she wanted."

"Pero bakit ngayon lang ako nakaramdam ng ganito?" tanong ko, pilit na inuunawa ang mga nangyayari.

"Dahil sa paparating na full moon," sagot ni Noel. "It's the trigger that will awaken your true nature. Your father's power is weakening, and your demonic blood is surfacing. We need to act quickly before it's too late."

"You must remain within our protection as your Father's trusted devils, one of your clan," sabi ni Qavis. "We will create a barrier that will keep Eisheth away. You must resist her influence. Huwag kang padadala sa kanyang mga pang-aakit at pang-uudyok. It is important that you control your power and that she does not succeed."

Huminga ako nang malalim, pilit na tinatanggap ang bigat ng aking responsibilidad. Alam kong mahirap ang daan sa harap namin, pero handa akong gawin ang lahat para maprotektahan ang sarili ko at ang mundo mula sa posibleng pagkawasak na dala ng aking kapangyarihan.

"Pero bakit ganoon?" tanong ko, hindi maitago ang pagkalito at pagkabagabag sa aking boses. "Hindi ko akalain na obsessed ako sa babaeng iyon, at ni wala man lang akong matandaan na nakasama ko siya. Bukod kay Chantriel na siyang minahal ko ng tunay."

Naglakad pabalik sa akin si Qavis, ang kanyang mga mata ay puno ng pag-unawa. "Kyle, your memories have been tampered with. Your father did everything he could to protect you, including erasing parts of your memory that could endanger you. If you ask me if I can bring your memories back, I'm sorry but I can't. The obsession you feel for Eisheth is not natural. It's a result of her spell and manipulation."

Napaisip ako sa mga sinabi niya. "So, lahat ng nararamdaman ko para kay Eisheth, lahat ng pagkahumaling ko sa kanya noon... lahat iyon ay gawa-gawa lamang?"

Tumango si Qavis. "Yes, Kyle. Eisheth used her powers to make you believe that you were obsessed with her, that's what your father said. But your true feelings are your own. The love you have for Chantriel is real, and that's why Eisheth saw her as a threat. She knew that as long as Chantriel was in your life, she would never have full control over you."

Napalunok ako, pilit na inuunawa ang lahat ng mga rebelasyon. "Kaya pala... kaya pala lahat ng ito ay nangyari... Lahat ng kaguluhan, lahat ng sakit..."

"Exactly, Eisheth's influence over you is strong, but it's not unbreakable." Nagsalita si Noel.

Huminga ako nang malalim, pinipilit na tanggapin ang bigat ng sitwasyon.

Pero bago niya senyasan si Noel na tanggalin ang mahikang ipinalibot sa loob ng unit ni Noel, ay nagsalita ako upang agawin ang atensyon ni Qavis.

"Before Justine died, nakita mo ako sa waiting shed, hindi ba?" Tanong ko, nakita ko ang pagtaas ng kanyang kilay. "Pumunta ka sa istasyon ni Officer Brixton. You saw me, am I right? You saw me with a scary figure," dugtong ko. Nakita ko ang mata nito na tila nabigla sa narinig.

"I didn't expect that she was there, with a scary figure." Sabi niya, tukoy sa nakita ko noon sa waiting shed noong gabing iyon sa Villa Romanillos.

"P-pero bakit ka nandoon?" Tanong ko, na hindi mapigilang ipagtataka.

"It's none of your business, you infernal prince, El Diego." sabi niya, na nagpapahiwatig ng galit sa kanyang tinig. Pagkatapos ay sinenyasan niya si Noel na ituloy ang pagtanggal ng nakapalibot na mahika.

Alam kong wala akong karapatan na pakialaman ang kanyang mga gawain, ngunit bakit siya naroon sa istasyon ni Officer Brixton? Ano ang kanyang layunin?

"I'm sorry," ang tanging nasabi ko, habang inaalis ko ang takot sa aking kalooban. Pagkatapos ay hinawakan ako ni Noel sa likuran at marahan akong nilagyan ng mahika.

"Stay still. I'll cover the scent for now," sabi ni Noel, at halos mapapikit ako sa sakit na dulot ng paglalagay ng mahika.

Hindi ko alam kung paano, ngunit sa mga sandaling ito ay nadarama ko ang isang kakaibang pagkawala ng
kamalayan, na tila anuman ay maaaring bumagsak mula sa aking kinauupuan. Ngunit bago pa man mangyari iyon, narinig ko ang boses ni Qavis.

"Behind every sinister facade, lies a tale of hidden intentions."