"Blade..come back.."
"Breathe for me, my prince. Let me hear your heart beat again..come back.."
Twenty five years after Great Vampire War. Sanctuaire. France.
"Again Nia."
I sighed. Pinunasan ko ang pawis sa noo at tumayo uli. Nawala na ang hapdi ng sugat ko sa tagiliran. Gumaling din yon agad.
Again.
"En garde." Mama commanded.
I took my saber and positioned myself. Feet on the right angles. Arms ready. Sword pointed forward.
I have to do this. I have to learn. If I lose my voice again I am nothing. Marami nang napahamak dahil sa kakulangan ko. Kailangan kong lumakas at matutong lumaban sa ganitong paraan para di na maulit ang mga nangyari noon.
I've been kidnapped. Chained. Raped.It's all because I am worthless without my power. I will never have the right to be a Soliel princess if I am this weak.
Marami na ring napahamak ng dahil sa akin. Si Van, Si Mommy G. Si Bullet.
And si Blade.
Si Blade.
I want to make sure that he'll be proud of me. Na hindi na ako ang dating prinsesa na kailangan nalang laging iligtas.
Mama charged in. Our swords clashed and echoes of metal against metal filled the whole room. I have to retreat a few steps without lowering my guard. Rear foot first followed by another.
I never thought Mama could be this harsh. Brutal to be exact. Tuloy-tuloy siyang umaatake. Nahihirapan na akong sundan ang galaw niya sa sobrang bilis.
I knew she thought this to Helena too when we were younger. At akala ko malikot lang siya kaya siya maraming sugat noon. Ngayon alam ko na kung saan galing.
Parry. Riposte. The blade hit my arm followed by a slash on my shoulder. Nabitawan ko ang espada ko dahil doon.
"Stop!"
There. I used my psych again. I failed.
Mama stopped midway from an attack, dropped her stance and sighed.
"Nia, you don't have to do that." She said. She seemed frustrated, tinatago lang niya.
Pero tama naman siya. Mahihirapan talaga akong matuto kung lagi ko nalang gagamitin ang kakayahan ko sa ganitong sitwasyon. I could have evaded Mama's attack, rolled over and catch my sword again.
I sighed. Too late.
"Helena trained with me without using her pysch. You can do it too."
I felt a pang of jealousy inside me nang marinig ko yon kay Mama. Si Helena parin ang magaling.
Pero wala naman akong magagawa. She was the real daughter after all. The real Soliel. Noon pa man, simula nang malaman ko ang totoo, tinanggap ko na siya ang mas magiging paborito ni Mama. Lalo pa ngayon.
Helena disappeared two years ago. Without a trace. Without a clue where she went. Hanggang ngayon, pinaghahanap parin siya. Nag-aalala na kaming lahat.
Though I don't believe she'll do something that will hurt herself. May tiwala ako sa kapatid ko na kaya niyang dalhin ang sarili niya sa kabila nang nangyari. Sana lang ay bumalik na siya.
"Can we do it again, Mama?" I said. I took my sword and faced her.
She nodded and smiled.
"Engarde."
