Darkest Light

DL 24: Bitter Past

Vile POV

I opened my eyes and I'm here inside a room. There's no one here except me. I tried to stand up and I can feel that I regained my energy already.

I feel much stronger because I already released my true power. I'm hiding my power for almost years because I don't want to kill or scare anyone again.

I know that I'm suppressing the massive darkness inside me. Sometimes, I can't fully control my power.

I don't want to cause harm to anyone...

I started walking outside the room and I saw some sorcerers here in our guild. They are looking at me and the look so nervous.

"Hi guys... Good evening," I said cheerfully.

Parang hindi sila makatitig sa akin ng deretso. Parang takot na takot sila.

"G-Good evening..."

Bigla na lang silang nagtakbuhan. I don't understand what happened to them.

Pumunta na lang ako sa rooms kung nasaan ang ibang mga sorcerers. Some of them have bruises and wounds all over their body.

I entered the room and all of them are looking at me nervously.

"I'm here to heal all of you," I said sincerely.

I raised my hands in the air and I released a pair of golden magic circles from my hands. I started casting a healing spell.

All of them are glowing in a golden light. Their bruises and wounds are starting to fade away.

I'm done healing them and they are just looking at me.

"T-thank you Vile..."

I smiled at them. Umalis na lang ako. May kakaiba sa kanilang lahat. They look nervous and uncomfortable with me.

Ok, I got it. They are afraid of me because of the kind of magic that I possessed.

I feel bad... Sabi ko na nga ba, matatakot ang karamihan sa akin. I don't really like to use a dark magic; a demonic magic.

What should I do? It's the kind of power that resides with me? It's the kind of power that I can use to help my friends; to help Zion.

Pumunta na lang ako sa rooftop. Walang tao dito at masyadong tahimik. I'm looking at the whole guild and some sorcerers are reconstructing destroyed buildings on our guild.

What should I do? I don't want to scare anyone. Maybe I'm using demonic magic but I'm not a true demon. I'm not acting like a demon.

"Bakit bumangon ka na kaagad? Dapat nagpapahinga ka. I heard that you healed some sorcerers already."

Napalingon na lang ako at si Zion pala. I smiled at him. I'm so happy that I saved this guy.

"It's my duty to heal them especially you," I said sincerely.

He just smiled at me... I love looking at him while he is smiling so sweet.

"Hmmm... I just wanted to say thank you for saving my life once again," he said sincerely.

I can't help myself from smiling because of him.

"Don't mind it... You don't have to say thanks because I promised that I will always protect you and I'm just fulfilling my promise. I will do it again and again if I have to," I said seriously.

Ngumiti na lang siya dahil sa sinabi ko sa kanya... Zion is so sweet and kind. Masaya rin ako dahil nalinaw ko na sa kanya na may pakealam talaga siya sa akin.

Kaya pala hinayaan niya na umalis ako kasi ayaw niya lang akong mapahamak. Masaya na ako sa pagkakaibigan na mayroon kami ni Zion.

"I just want to ask something, 'wag mo sanang masamain, Vile."

"Ano 'yun?"

He sigh...

"You're using dark magic right? I know that if a healer will fall into dark magic, his/her healing power will be gone just like what happened to June. I don't understand, you're a dark sorcerer but you can still use a healing magic," he said seriously.

I just smiled at him...

"It's because dark magic resides within my body even when I was a kid and I tried to conceal it. I'm still a healer because I know that I'm kind and pure hearted. It doesn't matter if I use demonic magic. What matters is how pure my heart is."

"Well, that's good to hear. I have a healer/deity friend," he said cheerfully.

"And a lover as well. Don't forget that," I said while smiling.

Natahimik si Zion at umiwas siya ng tingin sa akin. Pansin ko na medyo namumula ang mga pisngi niya dahil sa sinabi ko.

"I'm very thankful that I have you, Vile. I'm sorry if I can't love you like the way you love me but I feel very blessed that I have a person who really care for me. Ikaw lang 'yung tao na totoong nagpapahalaga sa akin magmula noong namatay ang mga magulang ko."

"Don't ask for forgiveness. I'm not pushing you to love me, ok? Siya nga pala, sino ba ang pumatay sa mga magulang mo?"

He sigh...

"They were killed by Elvira, the queen of Ruvekha..."

Hindi na ako na bigla. I just tap his shoulder.

"I'm seeking for justice. I know that I'm no match to her because of her power..."

Elvira is a very powerful Dark Saint. She's a lot powerful than Zion. I can also feel that she's more powerful than Ms. Elena because she have the staff of darkness.

Zion held my hand and he looked into my eyes. I saw sadness and emptiness from his eyes.

"Vile, can you please help me to seek justice for my parents? You have a power like a deity. We know that you're a demigod sorcerer. Please help me..."

I hugged him tightly...

"It goes without saying, Zion. You know that I will always be with you in every battle. I will do everything that you want me to do," I said seriously.

Humigpit din ang pagkakayakap niya sa akin...

"Thank you again, Vile..."

Kumalas na ako sa pagkakayakap ko sa kanya...

"I just wanted you to seek for justice and not revenge. I don't want you to be consumed by rage just like what happened to me before..."

"Huh? I don't understand you," he said.

"Ok... I will tell you everything from my past," I said.

He is just looking at me. His eyes are wondering. Both of us had a bitter past. A past that makes us who we are now.

I took a deep breath before I started telling every single detail from my past.

I know that this will break my heart but I will never hide even a little secret from him.

"Vile, may pamilya raw na mag-aampon na sa'yo."

I'm glad because of what I've heard...

I started smiling...

"Talaga po sister? Nasaan na po sila?" Magalang 'kong tanong.

"Hintayin mo lang, Vile. Maybe tomorrow, kukunin ka na nila."

I hugged her tightly...

"Oh? Bakit Vile?"

"I will miss you sister."

My voice is cracking and I'm about to cry. Dito na kasi ako lumaki sa ampunan. Mamimiss ko lahat ng mga bata at mga madre na kasama ko dito.

"Vile, pwede ka pa rin naman bumisita dito kung gusto mo. We will miss you too. Oh sige na, maghahanda pa ako ng hapunan."

She left me... I started walking outside the room and I saw the sky full of stars.

Matutupad na rin ang pangarap ko na magkaroon ng pamilya. Dito na kasi ako lumaki sa ampunan at walang nakakaalam tungkol sa pinanggalingan ko.

I will miss every single person here...

Buong gabi akong hindi nakatulog dahil excited na ako sa magaganap bukas. Nakahanda na rin ang mga gamit ko.

Kinabukasan ay nagbihis na ako at nag-aantay na ako sa office ni sister.

Maya-maya ay bigla na lang may kumatok...

A couple entered the room with a kid. They are just looking at me.

"Hi sister... Siya na ba si Vile?"

"Yes po... Vile, sila 'yung mag-aampon sa'yo."

Lumuhod sa harapan ko ang mag-asawa at lumapit naman sa akin 'yung batang lalake.

"Hi Vile... You look cute and adorable."

"Kami 'yung mag-aampon sa'yo. You can call us your mom and dad."

"Vile, ito nga pala si Nelson, anak namin. Magiging kapatid mo na siya. Say hi Nelson!"

"H-Hi..."

This kid looks so shy...

I smiled at them...

"Hindi na kasi kami magkaka-anak. Gusto ni Nelson ng kapatid kaya naisip namin na mag-ampon na lang."

I don't know what to say. Maybe I'm just shy at them...

Hindi nagtagal at isinama na nila ako sa bahay nila. Their house is huge...

Noong una, maayos ang pakikitungo nila sa akin. Days passed and a huge problem came to their lives.

Sometimes, I can hear them scolding at each other. I think they have a problem with their family business.

This time, nag-aaway na naman sila...

I'm about close the door of my room but I can hear someone who is crying. Lumabas na lang ako at pumunta ako sa pinanggagalingan ng iyak.

I saw Nelson who's crying inside his room...

We're not really close but I think he needs my comfort.

"N-Nelson..."

He stopped crying. He wiped his tears and he looked at me

"Why are you here in my room?"

"I heard you crying..."

"No, I'm not!"

He looks mad at me...

"It's ok if you're crying. I'll be there for you. I'm your brother, right?"

He looked away...

I walked closer to him. I sat beside him. I don't know how to comfort a person but I think I should.

I just hugged him...

"I'm here for you, Nelson. You don't have to cry. I know what you feel."

Because of that day, Nelson and I become good friends. He always open up with me in every problem that he have.

One day, naglalaro kaming dalawa sa loob ng bahay at hindi sinasadyang nabasag ni Nelson ang mamahaling vase nila.

"Vile, please 'wag mo akong isusumbong kila mama. I'm sure magagalit sila."

He looks so scared...

"Mga anak..."

Napatingin na lang kaming dalawa sa mama ni Nelson. She looks shocked because of the shattered vase.

"Sinong nakabasag niyan?"

Her voice is scary. She looks so angry...

"Sino sabing nakabasag niyan?"

Nanginig kaming dalawa ni Nelson dahil sa sigaw niya. Nelson started crying...

I feel bad... I don't want anyone to cry.

I know that he have so many burdens inside his heart...

"A-Ako po ang nakabasag," mahina 'kong sabi.

Nelson looked at me. He looks so shocked because of what I've said.

"Ikaw talagang bata ka! Puro kamalasan lang ang dinala mo simula nang ampunin ka namin!"

Bigla niyang hinatak ang damit ko. Kinaladkad niya ako palabas ng bahay nila.

All I can do is to cry...

"Lumayas ka na dito sa pamamahay namin! Alam mo ba na mas mahal pa sa'yo 'yung vase na binasag mo?"

Is it true? That vase is more expensive than me? Then what's my price?

I'm no one; I'm cheap; useless...

"Please... I'm begging you, let me stay."

Namamaos na ako sa kakaiyak...

"Mama please! Let him stay in our house. He's my only friend. I don't want him to go," Nelson said while crying.

"Bahala kayong dalawa sa buhay niyo!"

Dahil kay Nelson, hinayaan nila ako na tumira sa bahay nila.

Lumaki ako na nagsisilbi sa kanila...

I don't want them to abandon me. Ayokong mapalayas nila ako kaya ginawa ko ang best ko para maging mabuting adopted son.

Sometimes, they are hurting me physically and mentally in every mistake that I did.

Kapag nagkakamali ako, binubugbog nila ako. My apology is always not enough. All I can do is to cry...

Nelson is always here to protect me. He's my only friend...

Sometimes, I can see Nelson who is moving objects using his mind. I know that he is not a normal person.

Sometimes, I can see his parents who are releasing dark magic circles. As far as I know, they are members of guild called, Ruvekha. I pretend to be blind and deaf.

One day, there are strange people who entered our house. They look weird and creepy.

"Ano po ang kailangan niyo?"

"Don't dare to pretend! Nakita namin kayo na gumagamit ng mahika! We know that you're a family of sorcerers!"

"Mga anak, magtago na kayo!"

Tumakbo na lang kaming dalawa ni Nelson...

I heard an explosion on our house. Tumakbo kaming dalawa ni Nelson sa likod ng bahay at may mataas na pader.

"We need to escape but we can't climb that wall. It too tall!" He said.

"Hmmm... Why don't you use your magic?"

He looked at me. Mukhang nabigla siya dahil sa sinabi ko...

"I know that you have a magic, Nelson. Don't worry, I'm always keeping it as our secret," I said sincerely.

He released a dark magic circle and he started levitating in the air.

Nagulat ako at bigla na lang may humatak sa akin. Napadapa tuloy ako sa damuhan...

"Vile!" Nelson screamed.

"I want you to escape, Nelson! Save yourself!" I shouted.

"No Vile! I will save you!"

Nelson fired a dark jet light but the guy dodged it so easily. He got a shovel. Ibinato niya 'yun kay Nelson. Nalaglag si Nelson sa damuhan.

Hindi ako pwedeng tumingin na lang...

Tumakbo ako papunta sa kanila at bigla na lang may humampas ng kung anong bagay sa likod ko kaya nadapa ulit ako.

Wala nang malay si Nelson...

"Napatay na namin 'yung mag-asawa! Isunod na natin 'yang mga bata na 'yan!"

Nanginig ako dahil sa narinig ko. They killed Nelson's parents? Nanginginig na ako sa takot. I can feel my heart that's beating so fast.

"Who are you? What do you want from us?" I asked nervously.

"We want you dead! We already know that you are the sorcerer that we are finding a very long time ago!"

He raised his hand in the air but the other guy stopped him...

"We should kill the other kid first before him."

He raised his hand again and he released a silver sword...

Any moment, I know that he will kill Nelson using his sword...

Nelson is my only friend...

He's the only person that I care about...

I feel strange... I feel rage...

"What's this? The clouds are turning into black!"

I don't know what kind of feeling is this. All I can feel is wrath.

They will pay for this! They will pay for killing Nelson's parents! They will pay for hurting my friend!

I felt darkness all over my body. I know that I am shaking because of rage...

"Look at him! It's true that he has a power like a deity! We should kill him!"

I closed my eyes and I felt so much dark power from my body. I released all my rage before I open my eyes...

Nakita ko na lang silang lahat na walang malay at puro dugo.

I am shaking in both fear and rage...

Hindi ko maintindihan ang nangyari...

Did I kill them all?

I look at my hands and I'm in shock because my hands are covered with blood.

Napatingin ako sa reflection ko sa tubig at natakot ako sa nakita ko.

I saw a person with black markings all over his body. His eyes are full black and he is wearing a dark, spiky outfit.

I realized that it is me. I'm the monster who killed them...

Napaluhod na lang ako at wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang umiyak...

Maya-maya ay naramdaman ko na bumalik na rin ang dati 'kong hitsura...

"V-Vile... Anong nangyari?"

Napatingin ako kay Nelson at nagkakamalay na siya. Nakatitig lang siya sa akin at mukhang nabigla siya dahil puno ng dugo ang katawan ko.

I started running away from our house...

"Vile!"

Wala na akong pinakinggan at tumakbo na lang ako palayo. I did not save his parents and it's my fault!

I'm a demon! I'm a monster! I killed people!

"Simula noong araw na 'yun, hindi na kami nagkita ni Nelson. Nakita ko na lang siya ulit noong member na ako ng Kreterra. He never know that the people who killed his parents are sorcerers too."

"So, saan ka na pumunta after nung nangyari?" Zion asked.

I smiled at him...

"Nagpalaboy-laboy na ako sa kalsada until I met a dashing sorcerer who saved me. I bumped into you..."

Ngumiti na lang din siya...

"Your past is more painful than mine..."

I smiled too... I will never let aynone to hurt you, Zion.

"What exactly is the type of magic that you are using?" He asked.

I sigh...

"A form of god's magic but it is also the highest form of black magic... Demonic Arts."

I can feel that he is quite terrified because of my power.

"You know what, Zion? I've seen so much death in my life. I want to have a great meaning if I die," I said.

"What do you mean by that?" He asked.

I closed my eyes and I raised my hands in the air. I can feel the power of moonlight all over my body...

"What are you doing, Vile?"

I released my power to cast a spell...

I opened my eyes and my body is shining with a bright light...

"I'm asking for power to cast my spell..."

Zion is just looking at me...

"With the grace of moonlight. Let my spell be done..."

Everything that surrounds me are shining in a bright light.

"If I die, every people that I care about will feel my love. To the one that I love so much, let him see all the memories that we have together. All memories..."

Maya-maya ay naglaho na ang liwanag na bumabalot sa akin...

"Anong ginawa mo Vile?"

"Hmmm... I cast a spell. If I die, everyone will feel my love."

He smiled at me...

"You're too sweet, Vile..."

"Pero syempre special kapag sa'yo. You will see all memories that we have together," I said cheerfully.

He sigh...

"Vile, you won't die ok? We will protect each other, right?" He asked seriously.

"I know, but I'm just assuring my death. I'm ready to die for you anytime, Zion."

Natahimik na lang siya...

"Please don't give me that kind of expression. We should celebrate because we defeated the sorcerers from Ruvekha, right?"

I'm just smiling at him and he sigh...

"Ok fine... Bumalik na nga tayo kila Ms. Elena."

Naglakad na lang kaming dalawa papunta kila Ms. Elena...

I want him to feel how much I love him if I die. I want to assure that I will die first before him.

I will do everything to protect him.

I will only use my power for him...