Chapter 16: The One
Sinubukan kong tumayo dahil nakaupo ako at nakasandal sa pader. Ngunit hindi ako makagalaw. Alam kong dala ito ng pagod mula sa mundong pansamantala kong tinirahan.
May hinagis sa akin si Brienne. It was a pocket of blood. Alam kong kailangan 'yon ng katawan ko, pero hindi ko kinuha.
"Mas mabuting uminom ka muna," ani Brienne. "You need to regenerate your strenght. May mga bagay kang dapat na malaman na alam kong ikagugulat mo."
"Like, what?" I smirked. "Na habang wala akong malay ay dinala mo ako sa Caligo Clan?" Saka ako bumaling kay Lord Caezar. "I've always thought you were better than this."
"Marami ka nang nasabi, Oscar," ngumisi si Lord Caezar. "Pero wala sa mga nabanggit mo ang dapat mong marinig."
Dumiin ang tingin ko sa kanya. Inabot ko ang dugo na binigay niya. Using my right fang, I tore the edge of the pocket and quickly gulped it. I felt a surge of electricity coursing through my throat.
Gumalaw ang kandado sa labas. Pumasok sina Brienne at Lord Caezar para lumapit sa akin. Nanatili akong nakaupo kahit na kaya ko nang bumangon.
"Did you know how long you have hibernating?" Lord Caezar asked, his lips curved into a smirk with a visible anticipation in his eyes.
Bumaling ako kay Brienne. Walang emosyon lang siyang nakatingin sa akin. No. She didn't trick me this time. She just took advantage of my situation.
"It has been a year since the Nightfall Clan last saw their king," Lord Caezar said, and I immediately felt a burst of confusion. "Tama, Lord Oscar. Isang taon kang walang malay."
"I helped you, Lord Oscar," sambit ni Brienne. "Alam kong nagtagumpay tayo sa nais mong mangyari. Binalaan din kita sa una pa lang. There were stages of grief. This is the last stage. Reality."
Lord Caezar crouched in front of me. Tiningnan niya akong mula paa hanggang ulo. Nanunukso ang kanyang ngiti.
"How's your reunion with the love of your life?" he chuckled, trying to push my buttons even more. "I bet it was magical. Unfortunately, the magic ended right after you left that world."
"I don't believe you—"
"I don't think there's a reason for us to lie," bumuntonghininga si Lord Caezar. "You abandoned your clan."
I growled and lunged at him, fueled by a surge of anger and frustration. But my attack was immediately repelled by Brienne, sending me stumbling backward. I struggled against her grip, but she was too strong for me to break free.
"I didn't abandon anyone!"
"Poor lad," Lord Caezar stood up and shook his head. "You must preserve your energy. Hindi na tayo magkalaban ngayon."
"Listen to him, Oscar," ani Brienne na madiin ang tingin sa akin. "May mga dapat kang malaman. Please remain calm!"
"Screw you!" I screamed. "You will pay for this!"
"Hindi kami ang kalaban mo!" sigaw ni Brienne.
Natigilan ako pero mas lalong naguluhan. Nung mapansin ni Brienne na tumahan ako ay dahan-dahan niyang inalis ang pagkakahawak sa akin. Muli akong napaupo sa kanina kong posisyon.
"Are you willing to listen this time?" Lord Caezar sighed.
Hindi ako sumagot. I'm not sure if I will believe whatever they will tell me. Gano'n pa man ay nakuha nila ako no'ng sinabi ni Brienne na hindi sila ang kalaban ko.
"Let me ask you, Oscar," kalmadong sabi ni Lord Caezar. "Ang tinuturing mo lang bang kaaway ay ang mga bampirang harap-harapan kang kinakalaban?"
I remained silent, looking down and lost in thought. Amidst the chaos in my mind, I suddenly realized I had returned to my messed-up and confusing reality.
