The Song of Teardrops (Van Doren Series #3)

Chapter Nineteen

The sky's fate

- Third Person's POV -

Priam held gently in his hand the little phoenix that just came out of the ashes in front of him. It's no longer the same phoenix whom fled with him hours ago. It's no longer the "Nyx", but a goddess, sleeping inside this fiery creature.

Mariin siyang napapikit sa kinatatayuan at tuluyan ng napaluhod sa lupa. Naramdaman niya ang panghihina ulit ng katawan niya sa pakikipaglaban at sa pangyayari. Sa mga sandaling iyon ay nasisigurado na niyang huling beses na iyon ng kanyang pakikipaglaban. Paubos na ang kanyang oras.

At aalis siyang kahit papaano'y may gaan na sa puso.

It both saddens and gladdens him that the young goddess had hidden herself from the world. She was wise enough to know what she holds, and strong enough to made that decision. Without him, she will be left alone and soon, everyone will haunt for her... And not a single person would stand beside her.

"Thélo móno... krátise tin kóri mou mia forá..." He spoke in his mind to hers using the language of her kind. Natutunan niya ang kanilang lengguwahe sa pamamagitan ng mga Devisees na minsan na rin niyang nakasama... pero nabigong maprotektahan.

"I only... held my daughter once..." He said. "If the time will come that your paths will be brought together, I beg you... please make sure she'll have my wings to always embrace her. To always give her comfort and joy when no one can..."

"She is your Devisee. She's gone in this world... For now." He revealed to her.

"You're a shadow now, Thalia. You'll live in the dark. Alone. If you wish to break free from it someday, then follow the light. Follow the song... The hymn that came from the Devisees... You already know where to find it, Goddess of Tears."

Napamulat siya matapos ibigkas ang mga salitang iyon at tumayo na. Binuksan niya ang kanyang mga pakpak at sandaling sumulyap sa paligid.

All ruins, a dead kingdom. That's all he could thought about. Iisipin nalang niya na maaaring ito na ang simula ng kaparusahan ng mga bampira at ang buong lahi nito. Sinubukan niyang pigilan ito sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong sa pagsalba ng kanilang mga kaharian, ngunit sa pagkakataong ito, alam niya ng wala na siyang magagawa pa.

It is nothing more now but a fallen kingdom.

Ilang minuto siyang nakatayo lang roon. Tumahimik na ang paligid. Wala na ang mga kalaban dahil tuluyan ng dumiretso ang mga ito papunta sa palasyo para magpunyagi ng kanilang tagumpay. The only ones that remained in front of him were the bodies of those who've fought.

Napabuntong-hininga siya at nilapitan ang mga bangkay dala-dala ang munting dyosa kanyang braso. He let his feathers dance around the bodies for the dusts follow, until they are all buried. Of all the wars he had been, this doesn't bother him anymore. Burying.

This is just one of the silent wars that have been emerging in different places in Astraea. At hindi na siya nagulat pa na dito ito naganap sa isla ng mga bampira. It turns out they have a bitter fate just as him. They were one of the reasons of Astraea's death. That's why many kingdoms always wanted to take revenge from them, but he never thought it will come to this. That kingdoms would take counsel from witches just to destroy them.

Both sides have been deceived. It's over. He must let this war slide. He doesn't want to, but he must.

Binuksan na niya ang mga pakpak niya at mabilis na lumipad papalayo sa isla. Priam fled weakly to the sky with the little phoenix in his arms. He went inside the secret clouds where portals to his own home, Asterin, were open.