"For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream." - Vincent Van Gogh Paradox. It's what you call something with an opposing nature. To look up in the sky and not dream at all, to hide yet want to be known, to love yet yearn for freedom, and to be a star but gives no light anymore. In a life where survival is practiced and dreams are hard to reach, a star for Alleia is something she wouldn't be able to reach. For her, it's just a dream she could think of when the sun goes down. A story that she wouldn't read because she knew she wouldn't achieve. But in those little moments where she would wander at the sea with her lamp as her guide, there was someone at the distance writing about her. She is his muse and the subject of his poems. Angelo Dion was not just smitten; he was entranced by her. Enchanted by her sight. Captivated by her eyes. Entranced by the light only he could sight. Because how beautiful is it to be written by a writer? Alleia wasn't a fan of stories. But she was written by him; she found no light for herself, but she is the star for him. A star that was meant to only be admired from afar. How would Dion chase her if among the stars, she was the brightest and hardest to reach? ------- Enkrateia Series #1 [COMPLETED] Date Started: 04/30/2024 Date Finished: 08/18/24

"The ghosts of all the women you used to be are all so proud of who you have become." - Nikita Gill. Do you ever wonder about the bitter-sweet feeling of looking back at your old self and not being able to tell them that you have surpassed all the things you thought you couldn't? It's like looking at the pond and your reflection on the water was the 18-year-old you, a carefree soul that you wish you could hug, smiling at you like she's so eager to meet you. This is énouement. As free as she could be, Zahra Venice Montano did all things to enjoy her teenage phase. She loved drinking, having parties, and even exploring her world through dancing and traveling. She is the epitome of freedom. Nothing could stop her from being as free as the birds in the sky. But she would come to realize that freedom comes with a price. As if everything she enjoyed seemed to backfire on her. She got into a big scandal, where her reputation and image were deeply destroyed. No one stood by her side, and all people placed their judgement on her - as if she would no longer be accepted as a human. But despite all the cruelty and harsh treatment she received from the world, her childhood crush, Yuan Van Fajardo embraced her past, accepted her flaws, and cradled all her fragile and broken soul. Yet the world said it's not enough, she needed to be destroyed even more. Her past came back like a flash of nostalgia, only that it came back as true. When everything is finally at peace, a rumor will circulate that will crush all the pieces she built again. This time, however, she realized that even Yuan can judge her, misunderstand her, and most of all...break her. Pieces by pieces. Until she could no longer embrace the shattered remnants of her past self. ----- Enkrateia Series #2 [Contains spoilers from Return to Me and Among the Stars] Date Started: 10/04/2024

"And the ocean taught her how to drown in all the things bigger than herself. The ocean loved her and knew everything that made her. And every time she'd walk to the shore, she'd smile at the ocean because the waves told her story." - R.M. Drake There is something intriguing about academic achievers. Because to achieve something means to sacrifice your sleepless nights, oceans of tears, and waves of sadness for grades and honors. But to have come at this point, what more do they have to sacrifice to be worthy in the academic world? Francine Syera Celestino was never happy about her achievements. She regrets being a gifted kid. The growing expectation from her family and relatives made her feel suffocated to even breathe and take a rest. Because for her, once she fails, everything will fall apart. That's why Fran was so envious of the ocean. For the ocean's rhythm felt like freedom, in the calmness of its surface, in the rage of its waves, no one can control it, it moves freely. However, as much as she wanted to be the whole ocean, she is just the swell of it. A raging surface waves that most people were afraid of, for it is an indication of a storm. Yet despite this cruel truth about her, Gabriel Velasco was never afraid to cross her. He waited for the swell to crash beautifully on the shore and meet it with a smile on his face. Riel saw the ocean in her eyes. He felt serenity in meeting her soul. But the ocean swell was tremendously strong. How can he surf the ocean swell with a heart that sinks to the depths of its water? ------ Enkrateia Series #3 Date Started: 08/19/24