Chapter 4

"Hahaha...aren't you afraid Cornelius?" 

"To whom should I?" 

"You are audacious my dear brother. Prince Cornelius is indeed red-blooded. Pasalamat ka nakakatanda kitang kapatid kaya nirerespeto ka ng hari ng araw. Hahaha!" 

"Shut your goddamn mouth, Apollo. I didn't bring you here for some ridiculousness." 

"If so, you know what I mean brother. Oras na malaman niya nandito tayo...I bet this is already doom."   

"I'm more reluctant if it's Octavian but if you were talking about Loki, I guess I can pull some trick."  

"But Octavian is just first-born. You will never compare him to Loki...even us. Loki was the one who inherit all the powers of our ancestors."   

"So, does this mean you believe him? Do you believe him that this girl was just a stranger? He supposed to bring the head of that evil princess but now he was immuring a useless woman." 

"Ano bang balak mo kapatid? You know what, maybe Prince Loki Thaddeus was fucking in love with a woman? What do you think? Should I ask him?" 

"Well, if he can't...I'll do it by myself. Ako ang maghahanap at papatay sa prinsesa. Hindi ko bibiguin si ama."  

"Fuck! That's bullshit! Fuck you, Cornelius! What are you thinking? You were ruining the future of our kingdom. Wala kang pinagkaiba...you are acting like you want to betray our ancestors. You will do it even though you weren't the one bestowed in the prophecy. It was only Loki Thaddeus kaya nga kahit si Octavian ay wala ring magawa hindi ba? You're insulting the prophecy."  

"Fuck off, Apllo! I knew you were just afraid I might die. Ayokong maghintay sa wala. Matagal na panahon ng hinintay ng ating angkan ang ikalabing-walong kaarawan ng prinsesang iyon. Binigo tayo ni Loki...hindi siya karapat-dapat sa propesiya. At tingnan mo nga iyan? Bakit may takip sa mukha ang babaeng'yan?" 

"Hahaha...huwag mong sabihin na pati ikaw ay magkakagusto sa babaeng 'yan? Kaya pala dinala mo ako rito ay balak mo pa ata kunin ang maskarang nakatakip sa mukha niya. Prince Cornelius, you can't fool me. Baka kapag naisakatuparan mo 'yang gusto mo ay hindi ka na makaahon. Paano kaya kung nakakamatay sa ganda ang prinsesang 'yon? Baka maaga kang mamatay Cornelius." 

Sa bawat paghinga, mahigpit kong pinikit ang aking mga mata. Madilim at nakakawalang buhay. Wala akong makita ngunit hindi ibig sabihin non ay hindi ko naririnig ang boses ng nag-uusap. There names was Cornelius and Apollo. They were also talking about the two man Octavian and the other one is Loki Thaddeus which I thought was kind of glorious than them. Apollo is much good than that impolite Cornelius. How dare him accuse me for being a wicked princess?! He even use my name as a princess and that was a sin! Minura niya ako at pinagsalitaan ng masasama. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa mga naririnig ko ngayon. Pareho lang sila ng lalaking 'yon! 

Pero nasaan na ang lalaking 'yon? Bakit mag-isa lang ako rito? Hindi kaya'y nadakip din siya? Hindi rin ako nakakasiguro kung sinong prinsesa ang tinutukoy nila.  

"Hey, Octavian. Narito ka rin ba dahil magkakagusto ka rin sa pasalubong ni Loki?"  Rinig kong tanong ng lalaki na kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay si Apollo. 

"I know what you were thinking Octavian. Disappointed right? Iniisip mo rin bang sana ikaw na lang?" Tanong naman ng pangalawa na sa pagkakaalam ko'y si Cornelius. Ang lalaking walang galang sa nakatataas.  

Hindi ko namalayan ang pagdating ng lalaking tinatawag nilang Octavian. Sing bilis niya ang hangin at napakatahimik ng mga bakas niya. Bagay na ikinamangha ko dahil sa kakaibang presensya niya. He was like the highest form of tranquility. Hindi ko siya naririnig na nagsasalita at hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit pakiramdam ko'y nakatitig siya sa akin kahit wala naman akong nakikita. 

Bakit kaya namamanhid ang katawan ko? Na sa akin ang lahat ng lakas ang kapangyarihan na kinakailangan ko pero bakit isa akong walang pakinabang ngayon? Bakit ko hinayaang mapunta ako sa ganitong kalagayan?  

"Umalis na kayo."  

Napapikit ako ng mahigpit sa boses na narinig ko. Hindi pangkaraniwan at sumisigaw ng kapangyarihan. Kahit na malakas din ang presensya na taglay nina Cornelius at Apollo, masasabi kong mas malakas siya sa kanila at mas dakila. I remember my brother...his movements is like this. Kaya nga sa aming lahat, siya ang mas unang nakapansin sa punyal na tatama sana sa akin. 

This man whose name Octavian was someone who worship union and commitment. Mas nakikita ko sa kaniya ang pagiging tapat na pinuno. Maaaring siya ang hari? Pero bakit ganito na lang kung makipag-usap ang dalawang 'to sa kaniya?  

"Aking nakakatandang kapatid ano ang nagtulak sa iyo para pumunta rito? Balak mo bang mapag-isa kasama ang isang babae?"  

"Umayos ka Apollo. Pinapatawag ka ina, kailangan mong diligan ang ang mga halaman niya at ikaw Cornelius...ikaw naman ang magsasanay kay Zipporah." 

"What the fuck! Hindi ba ako mahal ni ina? Pinatatawag niya lang ako kapag may kailangan sa mga halaman niya." 

"My baby Zipporah is beyond good than what you think Octavian. At isa pa...hindi ko siya matiis kapag gusto niya lang mamasyal buong araw. I will spoil her anyway."  

Tama ba ang naririnig ko? Matatawa na ba ako? Kung iisipin, wala silang maibubuga sa kapatid at mga pinsan ko. Sino naman kaya si Zipporah bakit ganoon na lang kabilis bumaliktad ang ugali ni Cornelius? And this guy Apollo, parang gusto ko rin siyang parusahan. Mali! Lahat sila ay gusto kong parusahan. Makaalis lang ako dito, makikita talaga nila ang hinahanap nila.  

"Cornelius, kilala kita kaya...tigilan mo na kung anuman ang binabalak mo. Walang ni isa sa atin ang mangingialam sa propesiya. And be careful with your words...Loki will be the next King. I bet you don't want any trouble. Aside from that we needed the strongest alliance...it seems that the downfall of one clan is coming."    

They were also talking about the prophecy which is also sacred to our ancestors. I was wrong to think that he was the King but it was the mysterious man named Loki Thaddeus. Sa paraan ng pag-uusap nila, naiisip kong may kaugnayan sila sa isa't-isa o mas tamang sabihin na magkakapatid silang apat. Hindi ko alam kung anong klase ng pinuno ang tinutukoy nilang si Loki at hindi ko rin alam kung bakit konektado ang lahat ng sinasabi nila sa aking isipan. Maaari bang katulad ko ay may propesiya rin para sa susunod nilang hari? Sino naman ang prinsesang tinutukoy nila? At anong angkan ang gusto nilang pabagsakin?  

Parang padaan ng hangin ang bilis ng pag-alis ni Cornelius at Apllo. And now I was left alone here with the man Octavian. I noticed the changes as well their movements...their reflexes were like the wind. I am sure they weren't werewolves and knowing that their presence shouts extreme power...this might be my first fight and I only had myself. Akala ba nila uurungan ko sila? Kailangan ko lang maibalik ang kapangyarihan ko...kailangan ko munang makawala dito. 

I'm going to save myself. Hindi ako pinanganak maging isang prinsesa para lang sa wala. 

 I was about to take off my mask but kept struggling with how to do it. I change my mind and now I just wanted to stand just to make sure I st amill able to walk. Well, who knows if these creature loves to experiment with organs of the body? They even wanted to kill a princess by cutting her head which is very similar to my identity and of course my dreams.  

I'm at the point of reaching my feet on the ground when I heard a familiar voice that cause me to stop. The voice was powerful and beyond kingly. The familiar voice was like the ballad of the warrior's nightingale. Mahimlay ngunit malalim.  

"Octavian...do not ever try to remove her mask."  

Iyon ang una niyang sinabi. Ganitong-ganito ang boses niya ng gabing iyon. Sariwa parin sa aking alaala ang lahat ng nangyari at ang pagigiing mataas niya sa nagtatagong misteryosong boses. He's here but I don't have any idea where he belong. Maybe he will help me just like how he pleaded for a help. Hindi ko na agad nalaman kung ano ang sunod na nangyari. Nagising na lang ako at ngayon ay nabihag ako ng mga mababangis na gusto kong parusahan. Uunahin ko talaga ang Cornelius na iyon. Masyadong matalas ang kaniyang dila. 

"I knew you will come for this sleeping woman. I mean...a stranger as what you've said." 

"An amusing attempt then...but you were mistaken. I've been here already getting entertained by you, Cornelius, and Apollo. I like your guts especially Cornelius for condemning me. Looks like...someone wants to replace me."  

"Ikaw ang nakakaalam sa mga sinasabi mo. If there's one solution you can think about...then you must get rid of someone." 

"Right! Just like how you did it Octavian? It was so flawless. I'm not blind or deaf. I have all the capacity of a ruler. I know you were the one who sabotage me that night. And now you even meddle with my affair."  

"Are you trying to say that I wanted to betray this generation? That I am rebellious? What do you want us to do? Do you want to kill ourselves? Believed what you're going to believe...I have my ways too. I will not allow anything that will ruin the promise of our ancestors. I will not allow you to sacrifice the emblem's grace for the sake of saving you."  

"I was born as the highest and most powerful son of vampire's King. No one can save me because I am the hell...I can be your nightmare as well Octavian." 

"Dyan ka nagkakamali. May mga bagay akong hindi mo alam. At sa oras na malaman kong ipinagkanulo mo ang buong angkan...hindi ako magdadalawang isip na patayin ka sa paraang gusto ko." 

"My dear brother, handa akong makipagpatayan sa'yo. Nagagalak ako at napag-isipan mo iyan ng mabuti."  

"Mabuti at marunong kang makinig. Kailangan ko ng umalis...may tatapusin pa akong mahalagang bagay." 

"Blood for blood Octavian. Mag-ingat ka." 

"Goodbye Loki."  

I knew it!  

Parang naputulan ako ng hininga sa mga nalaman ko. The moment I heard his voice I allow myself to listen to everything they were arguing at hindi nga ako nagkamali. He was the man I'm searching for...expecting that he will rescue me out from this hell. I never knew he was the one who put me here. He pretended to know nothing and took advantage of me. Siya ang lalaking nakita ko sa kagubatan. Siya at ang nagngagalang Loki na susunod na hari ay iisa. Siya ang dahilan kung bakit nandito ako. He betrayed me! Kinasusuklaman kita Loki Thaddeus! Hinding-hindi ka magtatagumpay sa pinaplano mo at sisiguraduhin kong luluhod ka sa araw ng pagdurusa...sa tapat ko at sa tapat ng aking angkan. 

Gusto ko mang alisin ang maskarang nakatakip sa aking mukha ay hindi ko na nagawa dahil mas pinangunahan ako ng matinding galit. Galit dahil isa akong prinsesa ngunit nagpalinlang sa kaaway. Galit dahil hindi ko mapakinabanagan ang kapangyarihan ko maging ang dugong lobo na nananalaytay sa aking katawan. 

"What do you want from me, Loki Thaddeus?" I asked firmly full of boldness. 

I can't see him but his presence tells me how powerful he is. He didn't answer like it wasn't his responsibility like I have to beg first but even after it he is the law. 

"You monstrous despicable creature! I said what do you want?! You used and fool me...I wonder what you did to get me here? You pretended like a  useless man! I didn't expect it was your plan  from the very beginning." 

The surroundings remained tranquil and the bed is spacious. He ignored my words and I couldn't hear d any noise. He is calm and soundless. Napasinghap na lang ako ng parang kumpas lang ng hangin at naramdaman ko na lang bigla ang mainit niyang palad sa aking panga. He removed my mask slowly and I couldn't understand why it made me so weak. Kakaibang init at enerhiya ang naramdaman ko dahila para habulin ko ang hininga ko. Gulat akong napatitig sa mukha na sa harapan ko ngayon. 

Katulad ng reaksyon ko ay tila nagpipigil rin siya habol ang hininga niya. Napapaawang labi niya at napapalunok habang maingat na nilalandas ang daliri sa aking leeg. Breathing was like the hardest thing for me to do. Hindi ko alam kung bakit magka-ugnay ang aming nararamdaman sa kabila ng pagkakasuklam sa magkaibang mundo.   

Napaangat ako ng tingin sa kaniya ng itigil niya ang ginagawa. I swallowed hard because of the embarrassment I felt. Hindi ko dapat siya hayaang pasukin na naman ang paininiwala ko. His shoulder-length hair was suited to his ferocious face. His crimson red eyes were visible making him look like a god-like monarch. I couldn't deny the fact that everything about him was so sexy. I just can't...it is the reality that his presence wants to remind me. His eyes were ruthless and his stature screams no mercy. 

"Don't you dare utter any single word if I didn't ask you to." His forehead creased when he said it. 

Mas lumapit siya sa akin dahilan para mapatukod ako ng kamay sa malaking kama. Nanlilisik ko siyang tiningnan habang siya ay napikit na para bang pinipigilan ang sarili dahil sa pamumutok ng ugat niya. Marahas ang bawat pagsinghap niya na parang umiinom ng mainint na inumin. 

"What the hell evil creature! Wala kang karapatan pagsabihan ako ng ganiyan. I heard you all talking about the princess. You have already proven to your brothers that I'm not the princess you all wanted to kill. I have no use here! So why are you still imprisoning me?" Puno ng galit ang aking boses. 

Sa halip na galit ang makita ko sa kaniya ay napangisi pa ang mapula niyang labi. Mainit niyang binasa ng dila ang kaniyang labi na tila nakakapaso 'yon bago ako tingnan. Napakalayo niya sa lalaking natagpuan ko ng gabing iyon. Isang walang pusong bampira ang nakikita ko ngayon sa aking harapan. I may be a spoiled princess but I cared too much to all my people. It is my responsibility to maintain the peace and power of our Kingdom.  

"You're so stubborn. What should I do to keep your mouth shut so that you'll learn your lesson hmm?"  

Ramdam ko ang panginginig ng siko ko dahil sa mainit niyang hininga sa aking leeg. Gusto ko siyang saktan dahil sa kapangasahan na ginagawa niya sa akin. Maaaring katapusan na niya ngayon kung malaman ng pamilya ko ang gingawa niya sa akin. 

"You took my first kiss! You audacious creature!" Sigaw ko dahilan para mapapikit siya dahil ang lapit-lapit ng mukha niya sa akin.

It was a swift move, like a flash of thunder until I felt his hot fingers rubbing my chin. I don't but the way he did it, he make sure it was seductively perfect to allure me. The question is, am I going to tolerate this?

"Do you know what I don't like hmm?"

Ang kulay dugo niyang mata ay nagkikipaglaban sa mga ugat na dumadaloy sa kaniyang kamay at katawan.

"I don't like it when someone disobey my order."