Gervanni Lucrese's View
"I-I'm really, really, really sorry, Mom, Dad. I messed up things even more. Forgive me." I cried on their shoulders. I hugged them both at ganun din sila sa akin. They tapped my back and kissed me.
"Hush, Son. We understand you. We do. But please, try tolerating your mouth whenever you're angry. You'll really mess things up." Dad. I nodded at humiwalay na sa kanila. I looked at Luna. Nakatulala lang siya sa kawalan. She suddenly hugged herself and cried. Agad akong lumapit sa kaniya at mahigpit siyang niyakap.
"Va... Napaka-hayop niya, Va! Napaka-demonyo niya!" She sobbed at kumapit sa braso ko. Mariin akong pumikit at hinalikan siya sa ulo. I can't control my tears so I let them flow freely.
We've been staying here in the hospital for almost a week already at ganito lagi ang nangyayari. She'll hug herself and cry for an hour, cursing Gerson Fucking Liorei. And it kills me! I want to give him the payback he will never forget but I can't leave her here. Kahit na napakarami naming nagbabantay sa kaniya, hindi ko siya maiwan-iwan dahil mas kailangan niya ako.
"Va... Paano kung mabuntis niya ako? Paano kung...may mabuong baby? Va! Ayoko! Ayoko, Va! VA! Ayokong magka-baby kay Liore!" Histerikal na sabi niya habang naka-hawak sa kanyang puson at humahagulgol.
"Luna... Please... Don't say that... Please..." mahinang sabi ko at hinawakan siya sa batok at pinag-dikit ang noo namin. We both cried. Fuck! That was fucking possible! If ever that man---damn him! Damn him to death! I will surely kill him!
"Rin, tahan na. Kumalma ka." Pag-aalo ni Dad sa kaniya. Lumapit ako kay Mom at sa kaniya ibinuhas lahat ng luha ko dahil sa galit. Anong gagawin ko kung may mabuo nga? Paano kung may mabuo nga? Hell! Napakadami na nga ng mga problema namin dumagdag pa si Liorei!
"Hayop silang mag-ina, LIFE! Mag-ina nga sila! Parehas silang mga---mga---AAAAAAHHHHHH!"
"M-Mommy..."
"Shhhh. Stay strong. Stay strong, son. W-We can surpass this. Be strong." Umiiyak at pumipiyok na sabi ni Mom sa akin habang hinahaplos ang ulo ko mapa-kalma lang ako. But I can't! I couldn't! Gusto kong puntahan ang demonyo na 'yon at pagsasasaksakin siya ng paulit-ulit hanggang sa hindi na siya makilala! Gustung-gusto ko siyang patayin, noon pa man! At gusto ko nang magawa 'yon ngayon!
"Kuya, Sera, mas mabuti pa siguro kung i-uwi na natin si Rin. Being in this hospital doen't help. Baka bumalik pa sila. It's more safe in our house. There, we can talk to each other privately. And we're safe there." Seryosong sabi ni Tito habang buhat-buhat ang kambal na subo-subo ang pacifier nila habang naka-tingin kay Luna na umiiyak.
"Daddy, Ate cwying." Yuan. Ngumiti lang si Tito sa kanila.
Sumang-ayon kami sa sinabi ni Tito at pina-discharge na si Luna. Pansamantalang pinostphone ang kasal nila Paris at Maxine. Ngunit itutuloy namin 'yon dahil sa kagustuhan ni Paris. Mabuti na lamang ay nagsisimula pa lamang kami at wala pang natatapos sa kasal nilang dalawa. Mabuti na 'yon kesa naman madismaya ang mga inimbita namin. Nila.
~
"OH MY GOD! OUR HOUSE!"
Pare-parehas nanlalaki ang mga mata namin nang madatnan ang bahay naming abo na lang ang natira. Gulat na gulat kami sa naabutan. H-How did this happen!? When did this happen!?
Dahil sa naaabutan ay nagmamadali kaming pumunta sa bahay nila Tito Yohan and hell! It was already burning nang maabutan namin!
Hinang-hina kami sa nakita. A-All of the important files of them, are there. Everything, is there. Tita Yanny is sobbing really hard and she even fainted. Everyone was so devastated. At iisa lang ang pinaghihinalaan naming gagawa ng bagay na ito.
GERSON FUCKING LIOREI.
"Where are we going to live now, Dad!? What if... What if he stole ours too!? Dad---" nafu-frustrate na sabi ng naiiyak nang si Yohanne. Umakbay ako sa kaniya. Mas lalo pa akong nagpuyos sa galit sa loob-loob ko. I was so furious ngunit kinikimkim ko lamang. First, our wealths. Second, he felt Luna. And now, Tito Yohan and Tita Yanny's properties!? Gaano kahalang ang kaluluwa niya sa kayamanan!? He has all the sins! He could be Lucifer or Satan or BOTH!
"Let's go home." Malamig na sabi ni Luna na nasa isa kong tabi habang yakap-yakap ko. Napa-tingin kaming lahat sa kaniya. Home? But...nasunog na ang mga bahay na pwede naming matuluyan!
"A-Aloïsia? Don't tell me---"
"Yes. To my house. To OUR house." She looked at me after she said it. Nanatili lang akong naka-tingin sa kaniya bago siya hinalikan sa noo. She smiled faintly at sumandal sa dibdib ko. Wala na kaming inaksayang oras at pumunta na sa sinasabi niyang bahay.
Greens welcomed us. Napakalawak ng dinadaanan namin ngayon na puro mga puno. It wasn't creepy but cool. The wind breeze is so fresh dahil sa sobrang dami ng mga halaman dito. We reached a very, very big gate and we are all in awe nang makita ang napakagandang mansion after our eyes. The fountain was so big too and---it was a crystal Dragon's Seal! It's our family symbol! Why the fuck is that there!?
Halos malaglag ang panga namin sa sobrang ganda ng buong lugar. Napaka-aliwalas dito at malamig dahil na rin sa may kataasan ang kinatatayuan ng mansion at idagdag pa ang mga halaman at mga punong buhay na buhay. I picked a pink rose and gave it to Luna kahit na puro tinik pa ang mga 'yon. She smiled at me before accepting it.
"Let's go inside. Welcome to our new home." Naka-ngiti niya bago itinulak pabukas ang kulay puting mga pinto. Nahigit ko ang hininga ko nang makita ang napakagarbo at napakagandang loob ng bahay. There are two-way grand staircase na agad sumalubong sa amin and it was covered in a red carpet. It has the vibe of 18th century with a mix of modernity. No words could explain how breathtaking and jawdropping this place is.
"W-Wow, Luna. Y-You're this rich?" Fuck. Nanliliit agad ako.
"DEATH's this rich." She corrected na otomatiko kong ikina-irap. Iginiya niya kami sa sala and HOLY JESUS! What is she doing here!?
"Oh, welcome to my house. Please feel free and feel at home. Have a seat, visitors." Naka-ngiting sabi ni DEATH bago humigop sa tasa na may lamang tea.
Hindi kami nakagalaw sa kinatatayuan namin. Gulung-gulo naman ang mga Conquerors habang papalit-palit ang tingin sa kaniya at kay Luna. Tito Devon and Tita Elexea Ayuri went to her at niyakap ang anak nila. She hugged them back with a smile. She was wearing this 18th century dress and heck, she looks like a damn PRINCESS! No, she's literally a princess already!
"My daughter, you look good in that gown. I suddenly miss wearing those." Naka-ngiting sabi ni Tita Elexea Ayuri at hinawak-hawakan ang damit niya. She smiled beautifully bago iniladlad ang suot niyang gown na kulay puti na may halong pula at asul bago umikot. Her chest is seen because it was an off-shoulder styled.
"I prefer wearing these clothes rather use newest fashion, Mother." Wika niya. Damn. She's goddamn beautiful.
Bumaling siya sa amin at tinaasan kami ng kilay, "And why are the Dragunovvs here? Get out! You're not allowed in my house!" Pangtataboy niya agad sa amin. Bumitaw si Luna sa akin at hinarap siya.
"No, DEATH. They will stay here. Because I said so." Matigas na sabi niya. Now, it's their face off.
DEATH cackled sarcastically bago lumapit kay Luna. In a princess way, "Don't talk to me like that, my puppet. What a courtesan. Do you think I forgot what you made me feel that night!?" Made her feel what? That night? Is she pertaining to---
"I don't know what you're talking about, DEATH. The Dragunovvs will stay here whether you like it or not."
"Are you warning me? The absolute?"
"It's ironic to think that you hate the Dragunovvs the fact that you are the Dragon's Seal." Sarkastikong sabi ni Luna na nagpa-milog sa mga mata namin. Nabigla kaming lahat nang malakas siyang sinampal ni DEATH. Agad ko siyang hinila palayo sa kaniya.
"What the fuck, brat!?"
"That's why I hate them more! I am the Absolute, not the Dragon's Seal nor the The Immortal anymore! Dare to defy me and you will be killed. Do you understand!?"
"Y-Yes." Sagot ni Luna na nagpa-dilim sa paningin ko. I glared at her, a deadly glare to be exact. I hate to see Luna completely powerless whenever she's around. I hate her attitude. I hate her tone. I hate everything about her!
"Don't look at me like that, nasty Dragunovv. Don't forget that everything on hers came from me except her face. You both started from being enemies to lovers, right? That could happen to us and that's the thing I will never let to happen---"
"Bakit? Sinabi ko bang papatol ako sayo?" Pabalang na sabi ko na nagpa-singhap sa kanila, "You know what? You should go back where you came from and sleep again. Life is better without you, MISS DEATH. Hate us, the fuck I care? You hate us, this generation, without us even knowing what happened in the past. We don't even know who the fuck are you. You're acting like a kid. You're still immature. You still need to be nurtured."
"Say that again one more time." Madiin na sabi niya bago itinaas ang kamay niya. Itinutok niya sa akin ang hintuturo niya as if she was aiming at me. Like a gun.
"Daughter, stop. You don't need to hate this generation of Dragunovvs. They are the opposite of them already---"
"No, Father. He just dared to talk back to a Princess and to the absolute! Things are getting pretty interesting. Why don't you all keep on entertaining me, yeah?" Naka-ngisi pero madiin na sabi niya. Nagsukatan kami ng tingin dalawa. Fuck. I'm feeling weak. There's a part of me na gustong magalit sa kaniya at pagsalitaan siya ng mga salitang magpapa-iyak sa kaniya but I could see my Luna on her. And I was just holding back!
"DEARIL.ERNALINE.AZAZEL.THANA.HANCTARY." Madiin na tawag sa kaniya ng ina niya na nagbabanta. Ngunit hindi siya nagpatinag. She glared at me bago iwinasiwas ang kamay niya pakanan. I remained still. That's it?
My eyes widened nang kumirot ang pisngi ko. Hinawakan ko iyon and heck!? There was blood! I saw how a smirk slowly flashing in her lips. We looked at her with full of horror. H-How could she---!?
"Oops. My hand slipped." Painosenteng sabi niya bago ngumisi ng nakakaloko sa akin, "I could hurt anyone I like without even staining my hands with your nasty bloods, low-classes. Now, if you're going to diss me again, make sure you know how to dodge. I love surprise attacks." I gulped. She's really...dangerous!
"I will let you all stay here as long as you want if that's what she wanted to. And for the both of you, bloody, no PLEASURE. I hate the feeling." Asar na sabi niya bago umirap at tinalikuran na kami. Bumalik siya sa pwesto niya kung saan ipinagpatuloy niya ang pagpe-painting niya. Hindi pa man kami nakakagalaw ay nakita namin ang isang taong pababa sa hagdanan. No other than VOLTAGE XIRCUIT!
"Volt!? The heck!?"
"Yo (=__________=)." He greeted nonchalantly while drying his hair using a white towel. He looked at DEATH, "She's hard to babysit." T-They're together? Kung ganon, magkasama silang pumunta dito maging 'nung mga nakaraang araw?
"Pikachu..." mahinang tawag sa kaniya ni Xerene. Natigilan siya sa paglalakad. He just glanced on her at nagpatuloy na sa paglapit kay DEATH. I looked at Luna. She's hurt.
"Go away, Xircuit! You're pissing me!"
"Shut the fuck up, DEATH. I know your weakness. Don't let me do it. Tch." Wika niya bago kinuha ang kamay niya at sinaksakan siya ng syringe basta-basta.
"Ouch! What was that for!?"
"Samples. Will you please shut up? You're as annoying as her, noisy as her, immature as her---do you know what I do to them?"
"What? C'mon, you dare to talk like that to the absolute!?" Damn that absolute word. Tsk. Beats me.
"Nothing." Walang kwenta niyang sagot at hinugot na ang syringe sa kaniya.
"Use your electricity here. I wanna know how strong it is."
"Soak yourself first in the water." Sagot ni DEATH na masama ang tingin sa kaniya.
"No thanks. I'm Voltage Xicruit. Electricity won't work on me."
....
....
....
.....
"That'a a joke, fuckers. Laugh." Seryosong sabi niya na ikina-bored look ko. Joke?
"Wow! May sense of humor ka na pala, Bro? Achievement~" manghang-mangha ngunit sarkastikong sabi nila Max at Paris. Napapa-slow clap pa.
Nangalay ako sa kakatayo kaya hinila ko si Luna papunta sa couch para maupo. DEATH glared at us first before rolling her eyes on us. Nagsi-upo na din sila ngunit walang tumabi kay DEATH (except Volt) sa takot sa kaniya. Nagsimulang mag-ingay ang kambal at nagharutan. Until they accidentally bumped on DEATH, spilling her paints on the floor. Our eyes widened. My heart skipped a beat. I saw fear registered on Tita Yanny's face. Takot sa kung anumang gagawin ni DEATH sa dalawang bata. Even I! Crap.
"Cowors!" Sabi ni Yamnie bago nilaro-laro ang mga pinta at pinahid sa damit ni DEATH. Doon na siya sumabog.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?" Sigaw niya bago napatayo. Unti-unting nanlaki ang mga mata namin nang unti-unting nagkulay asul ang mga mata niyang galit na galit habang naka-tingin sa kambal. She balled her fists who's releasing a small amount of electricity. I was about to get the twins na nagsisimula nang umiyak nang maunahan ako ni Volt.
"Don't be angry on such small things, DEATH. They are cute." Kalmado niyang sabi at iniharap ang kambal kay DEATH na nagpupuyos sa galit. Her eyes went completely blue at palakas na din nang palakas ang mga kuryenteng inilalabas niya. Holy shit this superhuman!
"Hand them to me." Madiin niyang sabi at inilahad ang kamay niyang balot na balot na ng kuryente. Tita Yanny started crying and being histerical.
"Please! Don't hurt my childrens! I'm sorry! I'm so, so, sorry!" Iyak niya at akmang lalapit kay DEATH nang pigilan namin siya. Baka siya ang masaktan niya!
"Shut up, woman!"
"FUCK!"
"Aaaahhhh!!!" Tita Yanny yelped in pain nang pinatamaan siya ni DEATH ng mga kuryente niya. Nataranta ang lahat. Gulat na gulat. Lapnos agad ang braso niyang nadaplisan. And shit! It looks awful!
"You're a monster!" Galit na galit na singhal sa kaniya ni Yohanne. Her eyes went back to normal again. We're all looking at her furiously. Who wouldn't? Napaka-babaw ng rason ng galit niya!
"You've gone too far, Ernaline Azazel!" Ani ng kanyang ina at mahigpit siyang hinawakan sa braso at iniharap sa kaniya bago siya nasampal, "Is this what you want!? Everyone to fear you!? Obey you!? Be under your manipulation and control!? Everyone's thinking you're a monster! A monster---"
"I REALLY AM ALREADY, MOTHER!" Sigaw niya at iwinaksi ang kamay ng ina at lumayo ng bahagya kay Tita Elexea Ayuri.
"That fucking Lucrese Dragunovv made me a monster! He MADE.ME.A.MONSTER! And now you'll ask me why I hate his...his family!? He put me in that freaking glass against my will! He forced me! He sealed me there, call me his masterpiece, until he doesn't know how to end it! I was SEALED FOR YEARS! He took my freedom! Mother, he took my freedom. He fooled us! Betrayed us! The bastard tricked father! I didn't want to be this way, Mother. I wanna be normal. I want to be who I am. But now I can't. I can't bring back the time. He took everything from me. Even the love of my life."
Lahat kami ay natahimik dahil sa sinabi niya. And for the first time, we saw her cry. Her tears are like melted crystals and I'm being honest. They are really shining. I can feel her pain. The pain she was feeling. The pain she was just keeping deep inside of her. And now, she's being fragile.
"I'm not bad. Father, Mother, you know that. Didn't people used to adore me before? They used to compare to every goddesses. I'm not bad. But because of that Lucrese Izaac! That wicked man! He made me to be a MONSTER! Now everything I do, everything I think, is always contradicting to whatever I want! Mother, it's so hard to be like this! I want to live my old life again as a Princess not as a monster!" She erupted. Malakas niyang tinabig ang painting board dahilan para matumba 'yon. We all look at her artwork. And it was a man. A very, very handsome man.
"And now he's just in my memories. He died while waiting for me. This pain, is frustrating me! It's killing me inside when I felt that fucking pleasure---you think it's fucking funny!? I was in pain! PAIN! And I will feel that sexual pleasure!? That fucking Lucrese Izaac should have connected you both to me too so I will be the one to carry all your burdens in your lives! If only I have the ability to bring back the time, even for a short period of time, I will. And I won't let this all happen again. I will kill all the Dragunovvs back in time so that they won't spread dirtiness anymore. LIFE made things impossible to possible for DEATH. And now, in his name, I shall must make this generation suffer." She left. She left us all dumbfounded. Volt let go of the twins na agad tumakbo papunta kina Tita Yanny at Tito Raghkeid. He followed DEATH.
Nag-tinginan kaming dalawa ni Luna. And she was crying. I hugged her to soothe her. Tito Devon excused themselves at sinundan din si DEATH. Now, it was just us who remained.
"Let's...talk about everything in the meeting room." Tumatango-tangong sabi niya at pilit na ngumiti, "It's for the best." She dragged me and I just let her. I thought we're going to go upstairs but no. Pumunta kami sa likod ng hagdanan. She pressed a button hiding under the staircase. The floor split into two at doon lumabas ang isang glass elevator. My jaw dropped. C-Cool!
"Max, sabihin mo kina Volt na sumunod. Pati sina DEATH, Sir Devon at Mistress Elexea Ayuri. It's time." Wika niya bago kami pumasok sa loob. Kasabay namin sina Dad, Mom, Minerva, Locke, Yohanne at Freya. Walang umiimik sa amin. Matapos ang ilang segundo ay huminto na ang elevator. A meeting room welcomed us. Malawak ito at malinis. Luna opened the AC at iginiya kami paupo. Tahimik lang kaming naghihintay sa iba. Nang dumating sina DEATH, she's back to normal again at iba na ang suot niya. But still, ganun pa din ang style. Floor length, with a leg of mutton sleeves, and off shoulder. Kung ang buhok niya noong una kaming nagkita ay tuwid na tuwid na itim, wavy na iyon ngayon at brunette na. Our eyes met. She glared at me immediately na inirapan ko lang.
Biglang may sumagi sa isip ko. Kinalabit ko si Luna.
"Luna."
"Hmmmm?"
"I know this is crazy but, if she could feel whatever you're feeling, does it mean she loves me too?" Tanong ko. Nalaglag ang panga niya. Nagtinginan lang kami. Hindi alam ang maisagot. We looked at DEATH. I faked a cough.
"Ehem, DEATH. May I ask you a ques---"
"What?" Mataray niya agad na anas sa akin. I hissed.
"I just wanna ask if you love me---"
"Again?"
"If you love me---"
"Are you kidding me---"
"No." Putol ko din sa kaniya since twice niya akong pinangunahan. Nakita kong nagulat sila sa tinanong ko but who cares? I just wanna know.
"It's just feelings, little Dragunovv. It can be erased. And don't worry, I'm finding a way on how to get rid of her in my life. If killing her is the last option, I will. I hate all her feelings." Asar niyang sabi bago ako inirapan. Napa-yakap ako kay Luna nang wala sa oras.
"I'm Luna's only."
"Bloody! You think I will seduce you, get you, run after you or what? I'm a Princess! And I don't run after...guys like you." May pandidiring sabi niya na ikina-irap ko. I hugged Luna tightly.
"I'm just informing you. Just like what I've said earlier, hindi ako papatol sayo."
"Mas maganda." Sagot niya na halos magpaluwa sa mga mata namin.
"What? May nakakagulat ba?" What the---!? She could understand us!?
"Guys, huwag tanga, please. We're connected. Lahat ng alam ko, alam niya din." Natatawang sabi ni Luna and hell, that was crazy!
"Shall we start then? Where should we start? Yours or ours?" Pag-iiba na ni Tito Devon sa usapan. Doon na kami nanahimik.
"Anything you will know shall remain concealed to the public. Are we clear?"
"Yes." Sagot namin. I don't know but I'm nervous af.
"Let's start with the Dragunovvs. LIFE." Wika niya at iginiya si Dad upang magsimula. We all looked at him. Ears ready to listen.
"I didn't died. I ALMOST died. But before that could happen, Voltage Xircuit was there to save me." Panimula niya kaya agad kaming nag-tinginan kay Volt na kandong-kandong ang kambal. He was shaking their hands and playing with them. Walang pakialam sa amin but we knew he's listening too.
"When Sera disappeared, everything became a mess. Alessandra took her place and she forced me, to marry her. At first, I refused. I love my Darling. But she threatened me that she will kill my son, Flyme, so I accepted it. But before that happened, right after when Sera disappered, Rin and I hid everything. We change our surnames to Hexlock, and named my son to Gervanni Lucrese Hexlock."
"For what?" Pataray na tanong ni DEATH. Can't she just listen first? Tsk.
"Someone is looking after the Dragon's Seal. To hid our identities, we replaced Dragunovv to Hexlock for our safety. My parents, killed hundreds of people to continue what my great, great, great grandfather started. I know that's unreasonable but they think that's their own way to continue our legacy. It started by killing, it should end by killing too." Wika niya na ikina-lunok ko. Hinawakan ni Luna ang kamay kong nanlalamig at ngumiti sa akin.
"Someone, if we didn't do that, will target everyone of us just for the Dragon's Seal. Which is you, DEATH. I don't know much of the Dragon's Seal. I don't even know what it is before. I don't know how it looks like. I don't have a single clue about it. I thought it was our insignia. I thought it was they were after becsuse that's our family's symbol but no. It's not that but the real one. Which is DEATH."
"Then what about the files you gave to me? What's inside it?" Tanong ko. He smiled at me.
"Documents with my real name as LIFE Dragunovv. That is where I put my real last will and testament which is named after you, son. All of the real documents and files of our properties are sealed there. Meaning to say,"
"What Liorei has are fakes." We murmured na tinanguhan niya habang nangingisi. Nahampas ko ang lamesa.
"Fuck." Shit. I don't know but I feel like I won a match. For pete's sake! All this time I thought Liorei has it all but it was just a show! THEY.ARE.FAKE. And what's inside that envelope are the real things!
May kung anong inilibas si Luna---the envelope with the Dragon's Seal insignia. She handed it to Dad with a smile, "That's yours. I'm bringing it back."
"Thank you so much, Rin."
"Not me. Thank Yohanne. He's the one who gave it to me." Baling niya kay Yohanne. Now it's his time to explain.
"Son...?"
"Dad, remember when we talked about Uncle's 'friend'? Remember France?" Panimula niya. Tumango si Tito Yohan.
"Who is France?" Tanong ni Dad na naguguluhan.
"She's the one who pretended to be your 'friend', Uncle. I know in the first time I saw her, I know we didn't know her. I know that she's a stranger. Dad told to me that he doesn't know her. That, your 'friend' is smaller than her---"
"Gago, iniinsulto mo ba ako?" Asik ni Luna at akmang tatayo para sapakin siya nang agad ko siyang hinila pabalik sa inuupuan niya.
"Calm down, Luna. Just let him. Mamaya ka na gumanti. Kay Freya ka gumanti para doble ang sakit." Sabi ko dahilan para tumalim ang tingin sa akin ni Yohanne. I just smirked at him.
"And that's it. I started doubting her. When Van gave her that thing, I was alarmed. So I stole it without them both knowing it. I hid it, and when we found out that Xerene was your real friend, I gave it to her. Yes, I know. I'm such a good boy. I did a great job. You're welcome and thank you."
=_____________________________________________=
"Oh, Yohan, thank you very much." Masayang sabi ni Dad na ikina-irap ko. Edi siya na. Tss.
"I just did what I think is right. If I didn't do that, we will face a bigger problem. Other than we have now." We nodded in response. He has a point, anyways. Tama lang talaga ang ginawa niya.
"Van is stupidddddddd. He let a stranger trick him. Stupiddddd."
Yohanne Minuet Dragunovv.... *jaw clench*
"Now, Liore fell in darkness. There's no hope of light to strike down upon him. He even poisoned me to death just to have what he wanted. I can't believe him." Napapa-buntong hiningang sabi ni Dad na nadidismaya.
"Just let him, Father. There's no hope of light to strike down upon him but I will." Madiin na sabi ko at habang nanliliksik ang mga mata sa galit. He smiled at me. Pinakalma ako ni Luna na ikina-buntong hininga ko.
"Voltage put me in one of the cylinder glasses, removed all the poisons in me, and I was in comatose state for a year. I was alive thanks to him."
"Yeah. We're there too in that attack. We pretended to be that bitch's ally just to have the real body of his and replace it with a silicone one." Ani Minerva na naka-taas pa ang kamay. Muli kong nahampas ang lamesa.
"I knew it! You're the two woman!" Sabi ko na nginisihan nilang dalawa bago tumango.
"What about you, Sera? What happened to you?" Baling ni Dad kaya tumingin kami kay Mom. She looked at Luna first before smiling.
"I volunteered as a sacrifice." Sagot niya while still looking at Luna. I looked at her, and her eyes are teary already.
"---For my bestfriend." Dugtong niya and that is when Luna bursted. She was crying already. Mom wiped her tears away and chuckled. Sacrifice...?
"Rin told me everything about her that the two didn't know. She just said that, she was living for over a hundred years already and that she was just a part of a crazy, superhuman invention. She was part of the Dragon's Seal. When I knew that, I was so...shocked, of course. We kept it a secret to the both of them. And one day, she became sick. So sick to the point she started vomiting with bloods. I-I thought that she was dying already. It turns out that a malfunction was happening to the real Dragon's Seal. We went there to fix the things but, we didn't expect that the Dragon's Seal was being abnormal. The bodies, aside from DEATH which is the main acceptor, Devon and Elexea's body can't contain, endure and support the power of the Dragon's Seal anymore that's why it became abnormal. So... I volunteered. I sacrificed my life for her. Kahit na wala nang kasiguraduhan kung magigising pa ba ako ulit."
Our silence was broken by Luna's cries.
"I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry! It was my fault. LIFE... Raghkeid... Vava... I'm sorry!" Paulit-ulit niyang sabi at natakpan ang mukha niya habang patuloy sa pag-iyak. DEATH looked away.
"Shhhh, Bestie. It's not your fault. I volunteered myself to do it. Don't cry."
"But---Sera, nawalan si Vava ng ina. Kung... Kung hindi dahil sa akin---"
"Everyone sealed in there will die. Even you." Putol ko sa sasabihin niya dahilan para mapa-tingin siya sa akin. I smiled at her and wiped her tears away.
"It's okay, Luna. What important is, they're here. Alive. Dad has the chance to see his future grandchildrens already."
"Son... >/////////////////////<" Lol, Dad. *chuckles*
"Pero, Va---" Pinitik ko siya sa noo.
"Sabing okay na, eh. Kulit talaga." Nangingising sabi ko na nginusuhan niya lang. Kuntento na akong buhay pa silang dalawa at kasama ko. Ayon ang mahalaga. Ang buhay sila.
"Does it mean they possess some, supernatural power too just like DEATH?" Max. DEATH chuckled sarcastically.
"They are more on just a container of Dragon's Seal power. More on, testers. The power will flow on every veins of them for a test before going to me completely. Those who died ain't compatible or didn't endured it because real electricity flows in their veins." Crap! REAL electricity!?
"Shit. Then Mom's life is in danger that time dahil walang kasiguraduhan kung kakayanin ng katawan niya ang Dragon's Seal?" I think I will have a heart attack.
"Precisely." Naka-ngising sabi niya na ikina-tigil ko na halos sa paghinga. Then, I'm greatful she's still alive! If ever her body rejected accepting those electricity components, she'll die!
"What is really the power of the Dragon's Seal, anyways?" Tanong ni Max na hindi na mapakali. He wanna know. We wanna know.
"Nah. It doesn't matter at all." Ismid niya na ikina-simangot namin.
"Immortality." Sagot ni Luna na ikina-samid namin.
"WHAT!?"
"Not exactly but her healing is much more faster than a normal healing. That's why she'll be hard to kill. As for Sera, Sir Devon and Mistress Elexea Ayuri, their aging slows down in return---"
"I'M FOREVER YOUNG ALREADY, OH MY GOSH!" Tuwang-tuwang sabi ni Mom at napa-tili pa habang hinahampas si Dad. Battered husband.
"SLOWS DOWN. Wala akong sinabing forever ka nang ganyan. Tss." Luna ended her happiness like that na ikina-hagikgik namin. Mom pouted and hugged Dad's arm.
"Paano 'yun? Uugud-ugud na si Honey tapos ako baby face pa din? Awww, Honey. Don't worry, I will still love you if that time will come." Kinikilig-kilig na sabi ni Mom at kiniss si Dad sa labi sa harap naming lahat. We rolled our eyes because of that. But we were smiling.
"Why so dear, Darling?"
"Yieeeee, aanakan na niya ako ulit~ Hihihihihihihi!" God, Mom. Ang landi mo din. Magkaibigan nga kayo ni Luna. *sigh*
"Sure. Now, shall we continue?" Isa ka pa, Dad. Enjoying, eh? (=_________=)
"Our turn, then." Tito Devon. Nagsi-ayos na kami ng upo at handa na ulit makinig.
"J.T Lodge and LIFE Dragunovv I is one of my companions back in 1700s. J.T Lodge is a great, great inventor, LIFE I is an engineer and I'm a doctor." Woah. My great, great, great grandpa is an engineer!?
"We three are good friends. They treat me as me, not as a Prince who broke the palace rules. The idea of making the The Immortal was mine originally. Originally, it should be a machine that will kill tumors and cancer cells. Since I'm a doctor, that is what gotten into my mind. I told it to them, and J.T Lodge made a better idea. That is to make things more innovated, that is to make people live longer. Just like what happened to us, our aging slows down. By slowing it down could make people live longer." Panimula niya at huminga ng malalim.
"Everything is settled already. My formulas are completed, and LIFE I is complete with The Immortal's blueprint and design. But things didn't get easy and smooth. J.T Lodge became obssessed with it, kicked us out, keep The Immortal his, and that is where everything happened."
"He made something more than that. He copied my formulas and claimed it his. We don't know more about his doings inside his lab but we're updated because of our spy that's working with him. Hundreds have died because of The Immortal is a failure. Something is not right. Or something is missing. He started inventing again. Again and again until he got it right. The hundreds became a thousand. A thousand of lives has taken just because of his craziness and obsession. He became wanted and we bid a big amount of money as a reward for him to be captured and to stop his madness. And we did. He was shot for attempting to escape. People raid his teritory and burned it. Together with The Immortal. We thought the bloodshed end there but no. It didn't."
"LIFE I continued The Immortal himself. He kept it a secret from me. Dragunovvs are once known as the richest. They own many haciendas and factories where people could get the things they need for everyday their everyday living. He became powerful when he inherited everything after he used his own parents as the first people who will experience The Immortal. But they died." Napa-takip ako sa bibig ko dahil doon. Nanlalaki ang mga mata nila Dad dahil sa sinabi niya. At lahat kami ay hindi makapaniwala.
"Xerene, J.T Lodge's daughter, was under our care when LIFE Dragunovv showed up and asked me for her adoption. I refused because she doesn't want to. And she and DEATH are friends. I can't take one of my daughter's happiness away so I refused. He became angry because of my refusal. That is when the vendetta between the Dragunovvs and Hanctarys started. He kidnapped my daughter without us knowing it. He sealed my daughter and used her as the third tester. I figured out what he did and before I could make a move, he threatened me by attempting to kill her. His mad brain figured out that The Immortal won't work unless there are supporters. That is when he forced me to make a face just like my daughter's. He peeled off Xerene's skin and hearing her screams in pain kills me. I...I was almost killed by Izaac when I tried to stop him. And when he was finished, I did my work. I put the face on Xerene's. The face just like my daughter's."
"Oh my god..." nanginginig akong tumingin kay Luna na naka-ngiti ng mapait. He's cruel!
"I asked him why and he just said: 'I wanted to because I hate Lodges. Don't you like it? She will take over your daughter's place since they have the same face. While the real one is sleeping peacefully and in dreamland.'. He was completely INSANE. He's mad already! He killed hundreds of people too for The Immortal but they all died. Only my daughter...matched to The Immortal. He did many---things that it's inhumane to her. He made my daughter inhumane. We removed Xerene's heart and replaced it by an artificial heart and sensor that connects my daughter to her. Whatever she will feel will reflect on my daughter. Y-Yes. X-Xerene doesn't have a real heart but an artificial one. She's living under the Dragon's Seal power. And my daughter could end her anytime."
"That's why her life is in my hands." Mapang-asar na sabi ni DEATH at ipinakita ang kamay niyang naglalabas ng kuryente. Iniharap ko si Luna sa akin.
"Is that true? Does it mean that her heart----"
"Yes, Va. Nakikihati lang ako sa puso niya. And yes, she loves you too."
HOLY MOTHER OF JESUS CHRIST!
"Correction, YOU love him. I don't. And I will never love a Dragunovv." Madiin na pagtatama ni DEATH. Pakiramdam ko ay magpa-pass out ako dahil sa nalaman. Good god! How could this happen!?
"But you already do. That's your heart. Xerene is just sharing with its beat. Honestly speaking, you love him. You both love him. Your heart LOVES him. Wow, bro. I'm so proud of you."
"Fuck off, Yohanne!" He's not helping! Tch!
"My heart do but my brains says it doesn't."
"Tumitibok ba 'yang utak mo, ha? Ha? Ha?" Asar na asar kong sabi at hinawakan ang mga pisngi ni Luna. And now I'm confused as hell.
"MY BRAIN SAYS IT DOESN'T. Don't be such an idiot, Dragunovv." Sarkastikong sabi niya. Nag-irapan kaming dalawa. Fuck! She's really like my Luna!
"Kaya okay lang kung mamahalin mo din siya, Va. Iisa lang naman ang pagkatao namin at sa kanya ang mukhang ito. Lahat ng sa akin ay sa kanya---"
"NO! Don't say that, Luna. You two are different, okay? She's a brat and you're a flirt. You're different." Umiiling na sabi ko kaya nasapok niya ako. But it was a fact! Right?
"Does it answer all your questions?" Tito Devon. Napa-tingin kami kay Freya nang magtaas siya ng kamay.
"I have a question," tumango si Tito Devon, "By any chance, can we know her real face? Can we remove the thing that represents as her heart and replace it with a real one? Can we?" Tanong niya. That was a good question. Ayan din ang bumabagabag sa akin.
"We don't know. There's a possibility. And about her face, I can vaguely remember because she's still small back there---"
"Until now." Sabay-sabay naming sabi na nagpa-busangot kay Luna. We chuckled. Umakbay ako sa kaniya at hinila siya palapit sa akin at hinalikan siya sa ulo.
"Hype kayo. Mga hype kayo!"
"Humans do, Luna." Natatawang sabi ko kaya nasiko niya ako sa tagiliran.
"Human ka ba? Human ka?" Pambabara niya na ikina-irap ko agad.
"You really don't have any plans to reveal yourself to your families in England?" Paris.
"Boy, things will be more complicated just like what I have said before. But it doesn't mean we don't care. As their Prince, I still have my concern to my homeland. We'll just watch them from afar." Naka-ngiti niyang sabi na tinanguhan na lamang namin. Wala na kaming magagawa kung iyan na ang desisyon niya. Mas mabuti na rin siguro 'yon para iwas explanations pa sa iba na wala naman talagang pakialam pero nakiki-chismis lang.
"Then what about you, DEATH? If both of you are close friends before, why do you hate her now?" Tanong ko at tinaasan siya ng kilay. Tumingin siya sa akin. Malamig.
"Who wouldn't? If you were in my position, and someone's out there, using your face---she TOOK it all. What was mine, she took it all. My face, my liberty, EVERYTHING! Now you'll ask me why I hate her!? That face, is mine! MINE!"
"But it wasn't my fault! I was just a victim too, DEATH! Stop being unreasonable!" Ani Luna at nahampas ang lamesa at napa-tayo.
"Yes you are. And so am I! Your emotions---sucks!"
"Everything that I have achieved, I do it for you! For the three of you! I spend all of my life studying, studying, STUDYING just to wake you without harming you. You think I'm enjoying my life outside!? You know what I'm feeling, DEATH! You know it all! My pain, my regrets, my sins, my sorrows---ALL! I have nothing to hide to you! If you will keep on hating me, GO ON! You're unreasoble. I can't understand you. We CAN'T. It's obvious that all of us are victims here and I am the who suffered the most! I didn't live a normal life, DEATH. But I survived. Because of you. For the all of you."
DEATH became speechless. Her jaw is clenching and her fists are balled as she glared at Luna. Both of them, at the same time, cry. I can't help but to stare at DEATH.
"Yes, I do. But you can't feel mine. Call me unreasonable. Call me mean. Call me everything you want but you will never understand me. My life, was RUINED. He made me inhumane. He made me different from the others! You can call this a gift but I call it a CURSE. Now, if you excuse me, I'm leaving." After those words that're inflicted with so much pain, she turned her back and leaved.
Naibagsak ni Luna ang sarili niya paupo at napa-sapo sa mukha niya sa sobrang panghihina. Hinila ko siya palapit sa akin at mahigpit siyang niyakap. She rested her head on my chest na hinayaan ko lang. I kissed her head.
"Maaayos din ang lahat." Tanginang nasabi ko na lamang na tinanguhan niya lamang. Nagsi-tayo na kami para magsi-alis nang biglang magsalita si Luna.
"Wait, I need to tell you something." Wika niya kaya nagtinginan kami sa kaniya, "France is here. I hid her here." She said.
"WHAT!?"
BINABASA MO ANG
The Dragon's Seal: DEATH after LIFE (UNDER REVISION)
Science FictionPrevious Title: Their Final Battle THE REVISED VERSION IS UP.
