The Leviathan Curse

Chapter 10

Ten

The curse of immortality. Gods are fated to guide, protect and cherish the living beings in this world in a never-ending time. But one day, a powerful god crossed the boundary between Heaven and Earth.

The water god fell in love with a human boy.

Kahit alam ng diyos na ito na maikli lang ang buhay ng isang tao, hindi ito pumigil sa kanya na makalapit at makilala nang mabuti ang lalaki. Kahit na malaki ang magiging kabayaran nito. She couldn't help but want to stay by that person's side.

Nagpalit-anyo ito bilang tao at namuhay kasama ang kanyang minamahal.

And then she gave birth.

The child with the blood of a human and a god was never heard of. She has a physical body, but she also gained power like that of her mother before when she was still a god.

The human god was scared that her child will live through a never-ending time in a physical body.

The curse of immortality will fall upon this child, too.

Before long, enemy gods have learned of the blasphemy created by the water god. Fire and Earth gods joined together to kill her and the child. Nagawa nilang patayin sa malawakang giyera ang ama at dahil dito, lubos na nagdalamhati ang diyos ng tubig.

Nasa bingit na rin ng kamatayan ang makapangyarihang diyos at wala na siyang lakas upang hawakan ang sanggol na pumapalahaw ng iyak.

She desperately wished for a god to protect the child who can bridge the gap between Heaven and Earth.

And just then, a mysterious being appeared before the water god.

"I must fulfill the wish of a dying star." The light touched the cheek of the child. "I will let this child live on the other side of your life for protection. When the time comes and you willingly step foot on this side, I will give you my blessing."

Years passed, the mysterious being watched the child grow. Lumakas ang kapangyarihan nito nang hindi niya namamalayan ngunit hindi ito kailanman nabahiran ng kamatayan.

The mysterious being, called by the name Celestial, wondered. This child is indeed cursed to live forever.

Mabubuhay siya habang pinapanood ang mga bagay at nilalang na maglaho sa kanyang paligid. Mabubuhay siya kahit mawala ang buong mundo. Hindi siya maaaring makapasok sa mundo ng mga diyos, at hindi rin maglalaho ang kanyang katawan.

She will be alone, walking across the Earth even after its collapse.

But Celestial has heard the lesser gods talking about a human who befriends a lot of spirits. This human has gotten curious about a certain legend passed down from many generations.

The legend about the water god.

Celestial knew that this boy is part of the clan where the child's human father once lived.

Laging pumupunta sa tabing-dagat ang batang lalaki at naghihintay. Alam nito na matagal nang nag-iisa ang nilalang sa ilalim ng tubig.

"The child of the Water God." She heard the boy murmuring. "I wish her freedom."

And so Celestial decided. With the resolve of the boy who can also bridge the gap between Heaven and Earth, she called upon the leviathan who thinks of herself as the water god and is bound to stay on one side of her life forever.

It's time to step forward and give her the blessing.

This child will never be alone anymore.

***

"Ibig sabihin ba nito, ate, anak din ng diyos 'yong batang lalaki?"

Umiling ako sa kanya. "Isa lang siyang ordinaryong tao na lubos ang pagmamahal sa mga diyos."

"Eh, 'di kapag namatay siya, mag-isa na naman si Levi!" Kasabay nito ang ungol ng pagrereklamo ng iba pang mga bata. Ang grupo namin ang pinakamaingay sa loob ng bahay-ampunan. Ang ibang mga bata ay may kani-kanilang nilalaro.

Napakamot tuloy ako ng ulo. Masyado talaga silang na-attach sa story book na hawak ko. "Hindi na siya magiging mag-isa. Meron ba kayong nabasang libro na walang happy ending?" Umiling sila. "Haha. Oh sige, tatanungin ko kayo. Ano sa tingin ninyo ang blessing na tinutukoy ni Celestial?"

"Freedom!" sabay nilang sagot at automatic silang napangiti at tumawa.

"Tama. Masaya na siyang makakilala ng mga tao at makapunta sa maraming lugar. Mahal niya ang mga tao kaya kahit mawala man sila, nasa puso pa rin niya ang alaala na naiwan at iyon ang nagbibigay ng lakas sa kanya."

"Miss Levia," tawag sa akin ng isa sa kanila. "Totoo po ba na dahil kay Celestial at doon sa batang lalaki, nalaman ni Levi kung anong dapat niyang gawin?"

Hm? "Gawin saan?"

"Hindi po ba sinumpa siya na magkaroon ng powers na galing sa diyos ng tubig?"

"Tinanggap na lang ni Levi ang katotohanan na hindi siya ordinaryong tao. At ginagamit niya ito para makatulong sa kanila."

"Mabuti naman po. Hehe. Kasi 'di ba po may mga nakakatakot na mumu na ginagamit sa masama ang kapangyarihan nila?"

"Oo nga po, Miss Levi! Tulad ng bampira!"

"Werewolf!"

"Dwende!"

Natawa ako. "May mga nilalang talaga na masama at meron ding mabubuti. Gusto n'yo bang magkwento naman ako tungkol sa kanila bukas?"

"Opo!"

Sinalubong ako ng guro ng mga bata paglabas ko ng silid. "Salamat po sa pagbisita rito, Miss Levia."

"Walang anuman. Natutuwa ako dahil puno ng buhay ang lupang itinayo ko para sa mga batang ito. They remind me of someone who's always curious about life and nature."

I held Klaus' book tightly. The book I once thought of as an ordinary one. But it was really a journal that contained the memories of my mother. She already knew back then, that she will never see me grow up. So she decided to pass down her story until it can be heard by her own child.

But thinking about it, how can I destroy that ultimate curse? But is it really a curse... or a blessing?

I was unsure of my answer, hanggang sa mangyari ang hindi ko inaasahan.

In the middle of a world war, I encountered an extraordinary being.

A human who can wield fire.

###

Punta na tayo sa present time!