Darkest Light

DL 25: Death?

We're here at Zion's house. Medyo nakakapagpahinga na kaming dalawa after ng war.

Nagulat kaming dalawa at bigla na lang may kumatok sa pinto.

"Ako na ang magbubukas, Zion..."

Bubuksan ko pa lang sana ang pinto pero bigla nang tumambad sa harapan ko si Sandra and Wanda. They both look exhausted and weak. Naghahabol sila ng hininga.

"W-What happened with both of you? You look tired and exhausted," I said.

Hinihingal sila sa harapan ko. I don't understand them.

"Hey, please talk to us. What happened?" Zion asked curiously.

Sandra took a deep breath and...

"Zion, Vile... We need your help," She said anxiously.

Nagkatinginan na lang kaming dalawa ni Zion. We don't have any idea about what's happening to them...

"Elvira is using the staff of darkness. We need to stop her! Our guild master and her are fighting! We can't beat her! She's too powerful with that weapon!" Wanda said.

I'm so shocked because of what I've heard. Ms. Elena is in great danger!

"Well, let's go!" I said.

"Wait... I'm going to assure that we will win over her," Zion said seriously.

He is walking towards a room so we are following him. Maya-maya ay may binuksan siya. A door appeared in front of us.

I don't know anything about this secret room...

We're just following him. After a second, we saw a huge library...

"We never know that you have a secret library, Zion," Sandra said.

Hindi na nagsalita si Zion. We are just following him and after a second, we stopped in front of a weapon.

It's a dagger with an ancient design on its hilt. There's a phoenix design on its blade. I can feel too much magic energy from this weapon.

Zion held the weapon and he is just looking at it...

"What is that weapon, Zion? It looks so powerful," I said.

His eyes looks so furious...

"This is the weapon that was welded by my parents together with a demigod sorcerer, Seilah..."

"I think I saw that weapon already from books but I just can't remember," Wanda said.

"I'm hiding this weapon after my parents died. Ms. Elena gave me the right to hide this. I will use it to the sorcerer who killed my parents," he said furiously.

I can feel his rage...

Wanda look so anxious while looking at Zion...

"It's Crux Salve... This weapon is designed to kill a sorcerer who has a power like a deity. It can kill any sorcerer even you, Vile..."

I'm in shock because of what he said...

After a second, I smiled...

"Well, I'm pretty sure that you won't use it against me. Alam mo naman na wala akong gagawin na laban sa'yo," I said sincerely.

"There's no time left. We should go to our guild as fast as we can," Sandra said.

"Wanda, please cast a spell to teleport in our guild," Zion said.

Wanda looks so weird. She looks anxious...

"I'm sorry, I don't have enough magic energy left," she said anxiously.

"Hmmm... It's ok. I will try to cast a spell," I said.

Maya-maya ay bigla na lang lumapit sa akin si Sandra at bigla siyang bumulong...

"Hmmm... Vile, please keep safe. I had a nightmare about you," Sandra said.

"Huh? What it is all about?" I asked.

She sigh...

"I dreamed about your death..."

Nabigla tuloy ako dahil sa sinabi niya...

Natulala na lang ako...

"Hey! Ano ba ang pinag-uusapan niyo? Bilisan na natin!" Sabi ni Zion.

Maya-maya ay natauhan din ako...

"We should talk about it later," I said.

I raised my hands in the air. I should know how to teleport because of my magic. I released a pair of electrifying magic circles.

I'm using the highest form of dark magic, the demonic arts...

I released a massive dark aura around us. After a second, everything turned into black.

I opened my eyes and we're here at the guild already!

"You're amazing Vile!" Sandra said.

We saw our guild leader who is fighting with a dark sorcerer who's wearing a completely full black feminine armor. I think she's Elvira...

Ms. Elena looks exhausted and she is just defending herself from Elvira...

"Oh, the deity is here!" Elvira said.

She is just laughing while holding the Deus Ve Roca. She can use it! It's dangerous!

"Stop this nonsense talk Elvira! Sumuko ka na!" Zion shouted.

"Hahahah... Do you want me to kill you too like what I did to your parents?"

Zion is shaking in rage because of what she said...

"You're going to pay!"

Sumugod si Zion papunta sa kanya. He fired a silver jet light to Elvira but unfortunately, she blocked it with her weapon.

"Rosary whip!"

Zion released a weapon made of beads with a cross on its end. He tried to crack his whip to Elvira but she used again the staff of darkness.

Nagkaputol-putol lahat ng beads sa latigo ni Zion...

Ms. Elena, Wanda and Sandra can no longer fight. They look weak...

Elvira is using again her weapon and it looks like she is gathering the darkness around her.

I will never allow anyone to hurt Zion!

I should help him!

I cast a spell...

"Gothic blast!"

I fired a huge blast of dark magic energy into her. Mukhang naapektuhan siya dahil tumalsik siya palayo kay Zion.

I can still cast my dark spells without releasing my demonic being...

It's true that I was born as a demigod sorcerer. My power is like a deity.

Palapit na si Zion kay Elvira. He released the Crux Salve. It looks like he will really end Elvira's life...

Someone held my hand...

I look back and it is Wanda...

"Please Vile, don't let him kill my mother," she said while crying.

I'm in shock because of what she said. So, the rumors are true? Elvira is her mother?

Wanda is just crying so much...

I should do something!

Sasaksakin na sana ni Zion si Elvira gamit ang Crux Salve pero nilagyan ko ng dark force field and paligid ni Elvira.

Zion glared at me and he looks full of rage...

"Anong ginagawa mo Vile? Akala ko ba kakampi kita?"

Halatang galit siya sa akin...

"You're being consumed with your rage..."

I saw tears falling from his eyes...

I can't do anything. With one wrong move, someone will suffer...

"It's my time to seek for justice! Matagal 'kong hinintay ang panahon na ito! Alam ko na alam mo ang nararamdaman ko! It's my dream! I want to avenge my parents! Subukan mo lang na kalabanin ako, hinding-hindi kita mapapatawad! Kung totoong mahal mo ako, hahayaan mo akong gawin ito!"

I look at my feet...

I love him... Mas matimbang pa rin siya sa akin kaysa sa kahit na sinong kaibigan...

"I'm so sorry Wanda..." I said while my tears started falling.

I took away the force field that I created to protect Elvira...

After a second, I heard her scream. Zion slashed her using Crux Salve...

Napaluhod na lang si Wanda at umiiyak siya...

I don't know what to do...

Tumingin ako kay Zion. He is also crying. After a second, he flew away with his angel wings...

Elvira is starting to turn into ashes. Her hands is fading away...

"Mama!" Wanda shouted.

"I-I'm sorry for not being a mother to you, Wanda. I'm sorry for being a villain in your life. Goodbye... My daughter..."

Wanda is just shouting with full of tears...

After a second, Elvira turned completely into ashes and her particles are flying in the air...

Niyakap na lang ni Ms. Elena at ni Sandra si Wanda...

Napaluhod ako sa harapan ni Wanda... I can't help my tears from falling...

"I'm so sorry Wanda! I don't want to do it, you know that! I'm just following Zion's order! Please forgive me! I don't mind if you want to kill me! Please kill me if you want! I'm really sorry Wanda! I'm really sorry!" I shouted while crying.

I can't hold this guilt...

"All this time, umaasa ako na magbabago si mama. Hindi man lang siya nabigyan ng chance na magbago. I still love my mother even she's a villain. Don't worry, I'm not holding any rage with you. I think her life is the cost for the evil things that she did."

Napatingin na lang ako kay Wanda...

Her eyes looks in pain...

I can feel the agony that she's bearing...

I don't know what to do...

"Please don't burden yourself with guilt. If her life is the key for peace, then be it..."

After a second, Wanda vanished in the mid-air...

I should find Zion. I should apologize for what I did earlier.

I put my right hand in the middle of my chest. I can locate him using the connection of his moon necklace.

I got it! He's at the beach...

I teleported quickly and I saw him standing at the shore...

"Z-Zion..."

His silence is making me feel really bad...

I know that he's so mad at me...

I moved closer to him...

I hugged him tightly...

"Bitawan mo ako!"

Nabigla ako dahil sa sigaw niya kaya bumitaw na ako. My warm tears are starting to fall from my eyes.

"Zion, please forgive me..."

My voice is cracking and I don't know how to ask for his forgiveness.

I made him feel bad and I don't know what to do.

Humarap siya sa akin at nagulat ako dahil tumutulo ang mga luha niya...

"All this time akala ko kakampi kita! Paano mo nagawa 'yun, Vile?"

"Z-Zion... Naaawa ako kay Wanda. I know how it feels so-"

"I don't care! You promised that you will help me to seek justice for my parents but you tried to stop me! I never expected that you can do that! Akala ko pa naman kakampihan mo ako kagaya ng pinangako mo!"

He is completely mad at me...

I don't know what to say...

I just look at my feet...

"Tell me anything that I have to do for you to forgive me," I said while my tears are falling.

"You don't have to do anything. I'm so disappointed at you..."

His words struck my chest like a thunder...

Maya-maya ay umalis na si Zion sa harapan ko. Sure ako na ayaw niya muna akong makita...

Ang tanga ko naman kasi...

I should not try to break my promise. I should not protect Elvira even she's Wanda's mother.

Wanda is important for me but Zion is my life...

Dumilim na ang paligid at lumubog na ng tuluyan ang araw. Hindi ko pwedeng patapusin ang araw na ito na hindi kami nagkaka-ayos ni Zion.

Lumipas na ang mga oras at ramdam ko naman na nandito pa sa guild si Zion. I cooked a soup for him.

Pumunta na agad ako sa room niya dito sa guild. Hindi na ako kumatok dahil bukas naman ang pinto.

He is just lying at his bed. I know that he needs comfort. He needs me...

"Hmmm... I cooked a dinner for you," I said sincerely.

"I don't want to eat. Get out..."

I sigh...

"You did not eat lunch so you should eat dinner, Zion."

Nakatalikod lang siya sa akin. I tried to touch him and I'm in shock because he is burning hot.

"Z-Zion! You're hot! What do you feel? I'm gonna heal you!" I said worriedly.

I tried to heal him but...

"Stop it! I don't need you!"

I should not let this day pass like this...

"Zion, please forgive me. Nasasaktan ako ngayong galit ka sa akin. Alam mo naman na hindi ko sinasadya 'yun. Please forgive me Zion. I will do anything that you want," I said.

Hindi na siya nagsalita...

"Hmmm... Kainin mo na lang itong sabaw na niluto ko para sa'yo..."

I held the bowl with a hot soup. Nakatalikod si Zion sa akin at sinubukan kong lumapit sa kanya...

"Please eat this..."

"Ano ba? Ang kulit mo! Sinabing ayaw ko sa'yo eh! Umalis ka dito!"

Bigla na lang niya akong naitulak. Napatumba ako sa sahig.

The hot soup was poured on me. It's burning hot but I forced myself not to scream in pain.

Nakatalikod si Zion sa akin. Hindi niya yata napansin kung ano ang nagawa niya...

The soup is burning my skin...

All I can do is to cry...

"You know what? I feel betrayed! Akala ko kasi totoo 'yung pinangako mo na kakampihan mo ako sa kahit na anong gawin ko. Now, I'm doubting if you really love me..."

I'm in shock because of what he said...

His words are a lot painful than the soup that is burning my skin.

"You know that I won't hesitate to die for you. Why are you doubting my love for you? I'm here, asking for your forgiveness because you mean everything for me. I'm sorry if I made a wrong move against you. It won't happen again. Just call me if you need me..."

I pushed myself to stand and I am keeping myself from screaming because of the pain that I feel...

Lumabas na ako sa room dala ang mga bubog ng nabasag na bowl. Sobrang hapdi ng balat ko at halatang napaso ako.

Pumunta na lang ako sa kusina ng guild at kumuha din ako ng ointment para sa napaso 'kong balat...

Napatulo na lang ang mga luha ko habang nilalagyan ng ointment ang balat ko.

Mas masakit; mas mahapdi dahil si Zion ang may gawa nito sa akin.

Literally, he is the only one who can hurt me like this...

Ganito na lang ba ako palagi? Sunod-sunuran sa kanya? I don't feel like I'm his friend anymore... I feel like I'm just a beggar; asking for his forgiveness...

Hindi ko na mapigilan ang sarili ko na umiyak...

Mabuti na lang at walang tao dito sa kusina...

"Bakit nalapnos 'yang balat mo, Vile?"

Nagulat tuloy ako at pinunasan ko na bigla ang mga luha ko.

"Hey! Are you crying?"

Lumingon ako at si Sandra pala...

"Hmmm... Napaso lang ako ng sabaw," mahina 'kong sabi.

"Oh... That looks so painful! Dapat kasi nag-iingat ka," she said worriedly.

"I don't mind it. Zion is so mad at me and it's more painful for me," I said silently.

"Hmmm... Don't worry, lilipas din 'yung galit niya sa'yo. He will realize that you are just caring for everyone. Alam mo, sobrang unfair na ng nangyayari. You can forgive him easily but you're having a hard time asking for his forgiveness..."

It's true...

"Magkaiba naman kasi kami. Hindi ko siya kayang tiisin kasi mahal ko siya. I'm just a friend for him that's why he can treat me like this," I said and my tears started falling.

"Oh... Please don't cry little brother..."

I wiped my tears using my hand...

"Nilalagnat nga si Zion ngayon eh. I wanted to assist him be he don't want to see me."

"Hayaan mo na lang. Masungit talaga 'yung mokong na 'yun kapag nilalagnat," natatawa niyang sabi.

I can't hide my loneliness...

Hindi ko matiis na huwag mag-alala kay Zion kahit ganito siya sa akin...

"Hmmm... Pag-usapan na natin 'yung premonition na nakita ko about your death."

I look at her and she's serious...

After a second, I look away...

"It doesn't matter for me. I don't care if I die sooner or later. What matters for me is to ensure Zion's safety..."

"Vile naman! Puro ka Zion! Tingin ko obsess ka na sa kanya! Hindi na love 'yan! Isipin mo naman ang sarili mo! Buhay mo ang pinag-uusapan natin dito!"

She looks mad...

I know that she only care for me...

I sigh...

"I don't have a family, Sandra. I only have friends like you. I don't really mind if I die. I just love Zion. Hindi ko naman ginusto na mahalin siya pero hindi ko talaga mapigilan ang nararamdaman ko. All I want to do is to ensure his safety, ok? If something happens to me, please look after him; please take care of him..."

She look away...

"I don't know why Zion can't love a person like you..."

Nabigla tuloy ako dahil sa sinabi niya...

"I have a strong feeling that he is starting to fall in love with you but he is just fighting his feelings. I'm afraid that he will only realize your value when you're already gone..."

I sigh...

"He will never love me... I'm sure that if I die, he will just cry for an hour or maybe for a day but he will never miss me for the rest of his life. It's ok for me... I just want him to be happy. Ok rin na hindi siya attached sa akin para kapag nawala na ako, hindi siya masasaktan..."

Sandra is just looking at me anxiously...

I don't care if my death is near...

Hindi ako nakakaramdam ng takot...

Wala naman kasing nagmamahal sa akin ng totoo...

Wala namang nagmamahal sa akin kagaya ng pagmamahal na kaya 'kong ibigay...

Ang mahalaga lang sa akin ay magkaayos kami at maprotektahan ko si Zion...