Ravenna Series #1: Arcane Twilight

K A B A N A T A 30

[Kabanata 30]

For weeks, I've been reading books, consulting priestess and vampires with higher ranks more about the merging of the twin goddesses and finding a way to break it, but they all failed me. I was so scared for the life of my sister, I'm scared of being left alone again so I'd take the risk of coming here hoping for an answer.

I met a new friend, same bloodline that lived for two centuries in a forbidden place that's used to be the center of Trias Den—now covered with a thick mist that's lethal to vampires and werewolves, then I heard another story. Another story of death, suffering, and greediness.

Hindi matapos-tapos ang kaguluhan sa mundong 'to hangga't walang aako ng responsibilidad, walang mag-aayos—hangga't hindi pa ako tuluyang nagiging ganap na dyosa. Yes, I'm ready. Hindi ko na hahayaan pang kumalat ang kasamaan ng mga nilalang, tama na ang mangkukulam na 'yun, tatapusin ko ang sinimulan ng unang dyosa at ibabalik ko sa dati ang lahat.

I will bring Trias Den back to the way it was.

"Merge with me, Isabelle." naging madiin ang pagkakahawak ni Thania sa kamay ko. Punong-puno ng kalituhan ang utak ko at hindi ko alam kung ano ang uunahin.

"M-merge, how? Hindi tayo kambal, Thania."

"This is the last thing my brother told me. Ito ang sikretong natuklasan ng aking kapatid. The council... the moon goddess, t-they hid it from us. We were both come from the goddess, we have a strong connection to each other, nag-aagawan ang presensya natin sa isa't-isa, Isabelle. A-alam kong nagsusuka ka ng dugo, nararamdaman ko iyon. Goddess Leone made sure that you won't commit the same mistake me and my brother did. Sinigurado niyang matutuloy ang pag-iisa ninyo ng kambal mo... that's why she made you sick at hangga't walang nananalo sa inyo'y hindi siya titigil..."

Napakuyom ako ng kamao dahil sa sinabi niya. I want to hate Goddess Leone about what she did to Thania and to my sister! That's why she's so eager to merge us! Natatakot siyang maulit na naman ang nangyari dati. She's also a goddess, she's supposed to be helping us!

She saved me from my death before. She's the one who gave me a clue about my sister. Was that part of her plan? Mali ba ang pagkakakilala ko sa kanya?

Nahahati na ang isip ko sa mga nalaman ko at sa mga pinaniniwalaan ko.

"And what? Kill you? Nahihibang ka na ba? I can't do that, Thania! Not to you!" halos gusto kong humiwalay sa kanya. Muling yumanig ang paligid dahil sa patuloy na pagsugod ng mga kalaban.

Nicholas' already pale and Thania's coughing more blood.

"Ito lang ang natatanging paraan, Isabelle! You're our last hope of saving this world, alam kong kaya mong ibalik sa dati ang lahat. With my powers, you can be the most powerful. T-this my last wish, p-please take it and let your sister live a long life."

Hindi ako makapagsalita, tila'y nabara ang aking lalamunan. Why does it have to end this way? Bakit sa tuwing naiipit ako sa isang sitwasyon ay wala itong ibang kinahihinatnan kundi kamatayan?

Napahilamos ako sa aking mukha. Why is everything so complicated?

"Decide now, Isabelle. No matter what you'll choose, we'll always be here," narinig ko ang boses ni Khalil. Lumapit ito sa amin at umupo sa tabi ko.

Tumingin si Thania sa kanya at ngumiti. "I-i've always admired your father, how he and the Queen risked their lives to save you... how they fought and ruled with greatness and just. W-walang makakapantay, mahal na hari. You and Isabelle can do the same, bring back Trias Den... unite this world once again..."

Hindi ko namalayang umiiyak na pala sa mga sinabi niya. I glanced at Khalil to see his reaction, I was expecting to see him nod or say a simple 'thank you,' but I was suprised how he smiled at her and held her hand.