Kingdoms: Magic of the Greatest

Prologue

I ran as fast as I could. Hindi ko hinayaang makaramdam ng kahit anong ginhawa ang aking mga paa hanggang hindi pa ako nakakalayo. Andito na naman sila, hinahanap na naman nila ako. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, nang mamulat ako sa mundong ito ay napagtanto ko nalang na kailangan kong tumakbo, magtago, at lumayo para mabuhay. Sa murang edad ay kailangan kong umalis ng orphanage para hindi makadamay ng tao. I have to live off my life by running away from these people whom I don't even know. Heck, I don't even have the slightest idea why they are after me.

Tumakbo ako like my life depends on how fast I ran like I always does. Pamilyar na ako sa mga ganitong lugar, mga gubat, parang tahanan na din sa akin ang ganitong klase ng lugar. I always think that the forest can hide me from the bad people who are after me.

Nararamdaman ko pa rin ang presensya ng mga taong humahabol sa akin. I had to find the biggest tree around para makapagtago ako. My eyes are used to the darkness kaya madali ko lang itong nahanap. I entered its roots para itago ang maliit kong katawan. Hindi nila ako mahahanap. Poproktehan ako ng kalikasan.

"The nature will always find a way to protect you, Fresia." I can still remember Sister Lily's words to me before I left the orphanage. She told me that I am one of the most loved by nature. I couldn't believe her that time, iniisip ko na kung pinoprotektahan ako nito, bakit kailangang mahirapn akong mabuhay? Why do I have to resort myself into hiding so that people wouldn't get hurt because of me? Why do I have to live alone in the darkness?

I chuckled at the thought. It's been years. Bakit di pa ako nasasanay? I'm almost near my legal age and it's been 6 years since I have been under these trees. Dapat sanay na ako, dapat di na ako nalulungkot. Mas mabuti ng ako ang malungkot kaysa ang mga taong nakapalibot sa akin. Hindi sila kasali sa kung ano mang sumpa ang meron ako para maghirap din sila. I have to go through this alone because I'm the cause of all these.

Tinakpan ko ang aking bibig nang maramdaman ko ang mga papalapit. Hindi nila ako mahahanap. Nangako akong hindi ako magpapahanap. I had to close my eyes para mabawasan ang kaba, natatakot pa din ako. Takot na takot pa din ako.

"Trace her now, Vulcan." Ani ng isang tinig na sobrang pamilyar sa akin. Kumuyom ang mga kamao kong tumatakip sa aking bibig kasabay ng pagpatak ng aking mga luha. Biglang bumalik ang mga alaalang nagmula sa akong nakaraan.

"You are loved by nature. It will always find a way to protect you, Fresia." Sister Lily said while she touching my 12 year-old face. This conversation is always familiar to me, she always tells me this. Sister Lily is a family to me, she's the closest to me and I love her more than anyone else.

"Yes po, Sister." It's a typical afternoon to me. Nandito kami sa garden sa likod ng orphanage. Dito na ako lumaki, pamilya ko ang lahat ng taong nandito. Just like other kids. I don't know where I came from. Ang alam ko lang na Sister Lily took me in when I was little. 'Yun lang ang tanging nalalaman ko patungkol sa aking pagkatao at wala naman akong balak na may malaman pa. My life at the orphanage is enough for me. I couldn't wish for more.

"Iha, halika na sa loob. Baka maabutan tayo ng dilim." Sister Lily does not want to expose me from open areas, wala daw poprotekta sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ibig sabihin kaya hindi ko masyadong pinapansin. Pero I always make sure that I always follow her words.

That night was normal either. We had a great dinner and the sisters put us to bed for sleep. I am with the oldest kids na nandidito sa orphanage. Nasa edad ko lang silang lahat.

"The sisters have put us to bed early today." I heard Karina say. "Well, it's the end of the month. Ganito naman palagi." Gino replied back while pulling his comforters. Right, it's the end of the month kaya maaga palang ay matutulog na kami. This was always the case and I don't know why.