Herbs from the sacred well’s surroundings. The water from the sacred well. Blood.
I believed these were the things I needed to activate the artifacts. I only have to go to one place and that is the sacred well—my next destination.
As I walked through the forest, the sun was hitting my body, casting long shadows that danced with the rustling leaves. Nasa daan ang tingin ko, pero ang isip ko ay patuloy na nililipad.
I couldn’t help but think about everyone who had helped me on this journey. Each letter and each clue had brought me closer to understanding my destiny. My future self had guided me 'til the end. She didn't fail.
And Hulyo and Teresa. They helped me a lot. Hindi man kami magkasundo ni Teresa, pero pinili niya akong tulungan kasama si Hulyo. I hope they're safe. I hope no one knows I am no longer in the village. Dahil baka mapahamak sila kapag nagkataon.
The path I'm taking grew smaller, the trees thicker, and soon I heard the gentle sound of the sacred well’s waters. Minsan na ring inalagaan ito ni Elara. I know the sacred well is full of magic too. As if someone is taking good care of it.
Before I knew it, the well stood before me, old and peaceful, surrounded by wildflowers and herbs.
I took my time to appreciate my surroundings, and the well. May umakyat na ring mga halaman dito na para bang tinatago ito sa kung sino. Kung hindi mo titingnan, iisipin mong wala nang laman ang well.
I slowly knelt by the well, and I felt how cold the sand was under my knees. It's wet, like rain poured over it. Carefully, I picked the herbs, and their smell filled my nose, which calmed my system. My emotions cool down.
Nang matapos ko ang pagkuha ng herb, at nailagay iyon sa dala dala kong bag na nakasabit sa balikat ko, tumayo ako. Pinagpag ko ang madumi kong tuhod bago lumapit sa well. Sumilip ako roon. May laman man itong tubig, kita ko pa rin kung gaano ito kalalim at kung gaano kadilim ang ilalim nito.
Umatras ako at pinakalma ang sistema. Hindi dapat ako mag isip ng kung ano ano. Huwag ka ngang matakot, Asya! Tinatakot mo ang sarili mo!
I pressed my lips together. Binuksan kong muli ang bag at kinuha roon ang dala dala kong lalagyan ng tubig. It's a small vial.
Sinimulan ko na punuin ng tubig iyon na galing sa well. Natatakot man akong mahawakan ang tubig, pero wala akong magawa dahil kailangan ko ito. Nilakasan ko ang loob ko. Doon lang ako tuluyang nakahinga at kumalma nang mapuno ang lalagyan at inilagay ko 'yon sa bag.
As I stood properly, ready to complete the next step I have to do, a movement caught my eye. Someone was watching me from the edge of the forest. I squinted, trying to see the figure clearly. It was a woman older than me, and her features were strikingly familiar.
“Teresa?” I called out, but as she stepped closer, I realized my mistake. This wasn’t Teresa. Hindi niya ako sinundan. Nasa village ito. But they have the same hair color, same height, and skin tone!
“I'm not Teresa. My name is Liora,” she said softly.
Shock rooted me to the spot. “Liora...? But you're dead...” It was almost like a whisper.
“I am. Sa mata ng lahat.” She was laughing when she said those words.
“A-Anong... P-Paanong...” Hindi ko na magawang makabuo ng salita.
“Teresa. Her family. I was given to them. They faked my death so I will be safer in this world.” Umupo siya at pinagmasdan ang mga bulaklak kaya bumaba ang tingin ko para sundan siya.
“May alam ka?”
“My mother left clues for me too. She would never let me live with no idea of how cruel this world is. She knew the village head would try to keep the power for himself. Teresa's family also told me everything. Knowledge is power, at hindi nila pinagkait sa akin iyon. Magulang at karapatang mamuhay ang siyang pinagkait sa akin.” Muli siyang tumayo para harapin ako. Nakita ko ang pagkuyom ng mga kamay niya, nanginig iyon. I felt how anger embraced her whole being.
“You're going to activate the artifacts.” It wasn't a question but a statement.
I nodded. “I'm Asya.”
She nodded too. “The new protector. Are you sure you're going to activate it?”
Kumunot ang noo ko sa kaniya. “If not, everyone will die.”
“Don't they deserve it?”
Natigilan ako sa lamig ng pagkakasabi niya no’n.
“Mas gugustuhin ko pang mangyari ang sakuna.”
Hindi ko mabilang kung ilang ulit akong umiling sa harap niya. “No, Liora... They don't deserve it. Wala silang alam. Pinagkaitan sila ng kaalaman—ng kapangyarihang sinasabi mo. At hindi sila ang gumawa ng masama. We have the same goal here—”
“We don't have the same goal, Asya. Kasasabi ko lang.” Pakla siyang tumawa.
Hindi ako tumigil sa pagsasalita. “Once I activate the artifacts and make sure the safety of everyone, I will get the justice you deserve. Aalisin ko sa kanila ang kapangyarihan na pamunuan ang lahat.”
“That's not enough.”
“Hindi kamatayan ng lahat ang sagot sa lahat! Ang nagkasala ang mananagot, hindi ang mga taong nasasakupan.” May pagtaas ng boses kong sabi. May pinalidad sa boses.
Mabibigat ang hininga ko. Silence took over until her voice was heard again. Her calm voice this time. “I’ve watched over the well and the artifacts all my life, waiting for the right moment to reveal myself. Despite my resentment, I know I was waiting for you to come...”
Naluha ako sa narinig. Hindi kinaya ng puso ko ‘yon. Hinaplos no’n ang kalooban ko.
“You are indeed the chosen protector, Asya. You have the heart. The heart to protect.”
Thank you...
“Let me help you. Helping you is like helping my mother complete her mission too.”
I believed we didn't just meet so I could know she's alive. We didn't just meet so we could help each other, but to also deliver her mother's words to her.
“Your mother loves you, Liora.”
Tipid siyang ngumiti sa akin, may pait. “I know.”
Nanginginig ang kamay na kinuha ko mula sa bag ko ang diary ni Elara at inilahad sa kaniya iyon.
“It's hers.”
Namuo ang luha sa mga mata niya. Nang ibaba niya ang tingin, doon na ito tumulo patungo sa cover ng diary na may pangalan ni Elara.
“Am I allowed to read this?” Her lips trembled.
“Of course. That's for you.”
BINABASA MO ANG
VANGUARD
Fantasyan epistolary novel. - In a serene village with a close-knit community, a woman who loves writing a diary, discovers a series of mysterious handwritten letters. As midnight strikes, these letters begin to appear, each containing messages that hint a...
