Freed Souls

Epilogue

This is the end of the Soul Trilogy.

Next story: Never Classic (Nathalia Cardinal's story)

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Until again...

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EPILOGUE

It almost felt like a fairytale— a dark fairytale.

I gently brushed my daughter's hair while she was casually sitting on my lap and staring at the meadow. I took my time because I am not sure when will I be able to do it again after this.

I would wish for the time to freeze, but then I realized, even the time couldn't touch us. Everything changed except us. We were bound to stay here forever.

After stroking her hair, Aya stood in front of me. She gave me the flower crown Tegan made for her. On her other hand was the stone Corbie crafted for her.

Hyacinth never forget. Everything that happened, she remembered.

After wearing the crown on her head, she spun around while feeling her white dress. Her little chuckles made me smile.

She never asked me again.

Now that the seal that binds her here has finally broken, she's already free. She would seek all the answers herself.

Napasinghap ako nung biglang yumakap sa akin si Aya. Naramdaman kong may nilagay siya sa ulo ko. Binigay niya sa akin ang flower crown.

She's not a kid anymore.

Today is the day that I will set her free. This also means that I have no control over her anymore. She can do anything without seeking my approval.

She's ready for her journey.

Hawak ko ang kamay ni Aya habang papunta kami sa harapan ng Esparago Clan. Abel was there, too. He was thoroughly talking to his son, Tegan, who looked so annoyed.

Corbie approached me. Nginitian niya ako bago niyakap.

He knows everything.

I bent my knees to caress him on his cheek. I tried hard not to cry, but I felt the tears streaming down my face. Corbie wiped my tears and whispered something.

"Ako na po ang bahala ang bahala kay Aya."

I watched how they turned their back on us to mount their horses. They all have their own. Hyacinth has Servena. Tegan's George. Corbie has his own, too.

Corbie and Hyacinth looked back at me for the last time.

I waved at them and whispered, "Until again..."

I watched them gallop away, leaving only the footprints and dust in the air. 

The noises turned into haunted memories.

I have to live my life alone starting now. I have to live without waiting for any one of them to come back, because... I am not sure anymore.

Maybe someday... our paths will cross once again.

Lumuhod ako saka hinawi ang mga tuyong damo sa ibabaw ng kanyang puntod. The name embedded on the grave still haunts me. It's been a long time since I visited her grave, but someone never forgot to do it.

There were fresh flowers beside her gravestone.

I spent a little time there and talking to the wind. It didn't even feel like I was talking to the wind. The warm air felt like a hug from my long-lost best friend, Celeste.

Pagkatapos ko roon ay sumakay na ako sa kabayo ko para puntahan ang susunod kong paroroonan. Esparago Clan has been good to me, no, they are the best. But I have to do something else this time.

Ngayong wala na akong inaasahan na babalik... kailangan ko nang gawin ang matagal ko nang gustong gawin. Kaunti pa lang ang nalalaman ko tungkol sa angkan ng ama ko. Iyon ang susunod kong tutuklasin.

I looked up at the vast azure sky as I felt the harsh wind brushing against my skin. My hair was swinging on my back while I was moving forward.

He never returned.

After he disappeared that night, he totally vanished.

No one knows why.

Not even me.

It's been a long time...

I could still hear his name being mentioned around.

He might not be here anymore... but his spirit lives with us.

The legend, as they called him. Brixton Wenz Cardinal.

I halted my horse in the middle of the forest. I roamed my eyes around. I don't think I am lost. This is the exact place where Abel brought me last time.

"Welcome back..."

Napatingin ako kay Ginoong Antigo, ang tagapag-bantay ng lagusan papunta sa mundo ng mga manggagamot. Nakangiting naglahad siya sa akin ng kamay.

"Are you ready to dig dip into your history?" he asked.

I smiled. "That's the reason why I am here."

"Wait. Have you heard the news?"

"About?" I asked.

He stared into my eyes.

"The Cloaks are five again..."