This is the end of Cardinal Series 2. See you on Cardinal Series 3, which is Oscar's story. Again, I appreciate you all sooo much!

EPILOGUE

I am sure there are still miracles in this world that has yet to be discovered. Maybe even an entirely new world where life exists. If not, maybe a new species of mammals that can fly aside from bats?

The world is progressing, and so are our discoveries.

There are also miracles that only exist in our minds. These are the creative things that only our minds can be capable of creating. We call them imagination.

I'm sure what I had just seen is something that should only exist in our minds or books. The strength that even our naked eyes cannot explain to our minds.

First, I was on my way to buy materials for my project. In just a blink of an eye, many things have suddenly changed. Now, I am here in a completely dark room and in a place, I have no idea about.

"You still have time to waive your goodbyes to each other." Those were the last words I heard before they locked the door and left us in this dark room.

I turned my head to the woman I am with. Ilang beses siyang suminghap ng hangin habang palinga-linga sa paligid para maghanap ng maaring pangtakas.

There's no escaping. Masyadong masikip at mahigpit ang kapit ng mga lubid na nakagapos sa kamay namin sa likod. Wala ring ibang bagay rito kung hindi ang dalawang upuan na inuupuan namin, ang pintong nakakandado, at ang maliit na bintana na nagbibigay liwanag kahit kaunti.

I am still perplexed about a lot of things, but seeing her anxious makes me want to untie myself so I can hug her and tell her it's all right. She's on the verge of crying. That will make things more difficult for me.

"This is kind of romantic," I broke a joke, which was half meant. "Kulang na lang ay kandila at pagkain. It could be a date!"

"Do you think this is funny?" she arched a brow.

I smiled and suddenly remembered the threat that we only had a few moments left. Although I'm not sure what they meant, I don't want to regret anything by neglecting it.

It's probably death.

It perfectly makes sense. Kung totoo man ang nakita ko kanina ay malamang na hindi ko dapat 'yon nakita. Ang bagay na 'yon ay isang kathang-isip lamang dapat.

I told her that what she did was cool. How she saved that kid using her superpower? That's really awesome! I've never seen that.

I wish I had not seen that.

Supernatural things are fictitious. I'm not a fan of fictional things. You can say that I am a bland man for sticking to what's normal. But I would rather be normal and live a normal life than being involved in extraordinary stuff with my life at stake.

"You are a hero, Astra!" I blurted out.

I think I just made her more anxious with that joke. Mas lalo kasi siyang nangamba. Sinisisi niya ang sarili kaya kami nandito.

"I told you not to blame yourself." Fuck. I wish I could hold her hands to calm her down. I wish they just took me instead.

"I don't want to lose you, Kristan."

Is it love I have for her? I'm not really sure. But she's special to me. So special. Kahit na narinig ko ang mga salitang 'yon sa hindi tamang lugar, nakaramdam ako ng sobrang tuwa.

"I don't want to lose you, too, Astra..." I whispered.

Someone bang the door open. Naningkit pa ang mga mata ko no'ng masilaw sa ilaw. May naaninaw akong pigura ng isang matangkad na lalaki.

I don't remember him walking to me, but he's now throttling me on the wall. Everything happened in a blink of an eye. His eyes were like burning in crimson flame.

I've never seen a pair of eyes like his. Hindi dahil sa kakaiba ang kulay nito sa masasabi kong normal. His eyes were full of hatred. There was nothing in it but hate.

Nararamdaman ko na ang unti-unting pagsikip ng daluyan ko ng hangin sa katawan. Gano'n pa man ay napagtanto kong siya ang dahilan kung bakit ito nangyayari. Siya ang dahilan kaya nagbago ang kaibigan ko.

I smirked. "I-I see. You are the reason why my friend is in this hell."

At that moment, I wished I had the strength to fight him back. I wish I could do something to save Astra from him. I just wished I could, but everything began to blur as I slowly lost my breath.

The surrounding was gradually fading into a blur. I don't think I'm still breathing. Parang hinihintay ko na lang na bumagsak ang buong katawan ko.

Then I felt a pinch on my chest.

The light completely faded.

I could feel my body being sucked out of darkness. Parang sinusunog ang katawan ko sa sobrang init ng pakiramdam. Pakiramdam ko rin ay sobrang tuyot ko para mauhaw nang ganito.

A pair of bright amber-red eyes were staring down at me when I opened my eyes. Although my body was burning in heat, my head felt light, like there was nothing in it.

"W-who are you?" I asked.

"I should be the one asking you that. Who are you?"

That's when I started questioning things. I lived with one foot in confusion about who I was before and one foot asking what I was supposed to be now.

There are only a few that I am sure of.

I am Kristan Deil Admiral.

I serve no one but Nathalia Cardinal.

I watched her dance with the other floral women. Everyone was clapping in rhythm. There were laughters and stories everywhere. But she had my eyes the whole time.

The dance should be graceful, but she's dancing seductively. Sa tuwing mapapatingin siya sa akin ay kikindatan niya ako. Napapainom na lang ako ng alak dahil sa panunuyo ng lalamunan.

"Do you want more wine?" Lady Massie asked.

"I'm good. I really love this festival," I said while staring at Nathalia.

"Thank you for appreciating it. Azalea festival just started a year ago, and that's the best that ever happened to Azalea village. I'm glad you and Nathalia are here to celebrate it."

I smiled. "We will always be here."

I've never seen Nathalia glow like this. Here, she doesn't need to wear make-up or sparkly gowns. She just has to be herself and be happy.

I don't want to forget this moment.

Sandali akong umalis sa kasiyahan para bumalik sa tinirihan. Kinuha ko ang libro ko para magsulat. Hindi ko sinusulat lahat ng nangyari.

I just write about special moments.

"On the second day of October, Nathalia led the dance of Azalea Festival. She winked at me."

"Hey!"

Tumingin ako sa pintuan kung saan nakatayo sa Nathalia. Hinuhubad niya ang kanyang mga sapin sa paa habang sabik na nakatingin sa akin.

"Bakit ka umalis?" tanong niya.

"May ginawa lang—"

Napangiwi ako nung bigla siyang dumagan sa akin. Kinuha niya ang mga kamay ko para ipatong sa kanyang mga hubad na hita.

"I think you've stared at me too much tonight," she whispered, seductively licking my lower lip. "I wonder if that's because you find me hot or you just love my Azalea dress."

"Can I say both?" I grinned and gently grabbed her legs.

She chuckled. "I miss my slave..."

"Prove it."

"Really?" tila nanghahamon ang boses niya. "Buti na lang hindi kita nahuling nakatingin sa ibang babae. You saved the festival."

I laughed. Alam kong hindi siya nagbibiro.

I think she has changed a lot since we arrived here, but there are things she cannot just leave behind no matter what. Being messy is one.

"I think the rule is you must dance until your flower dress starts to wither. That's what I heard from Lady Massie."

I bit my bottom lip when she grabbed my crotch.

"Do the honor, then. Make my flower wither," she whispered.

I laughed so hard.

"Hey..." Lumambot ang boses niya. Nasa ibabaw ko pa rin siya at hinahawi ang buhok ko. "Remember when you asked me about that."

"About?"

"Out of all the personality and life, I once embodied so far, who really has the real me? Who really holds me?" she swallowed.

I just stared at her.

"No one." She smiled. "I don't need to be someone when I can be anyone I want. I don't think I can live in the same place my entire life. But for now..." she rested her head on my chest. "Can I stay here with you?"

I played with her hair. "For as long as you want, milady."

"You make my heart feels more valuable than ever."

"What a weird way to confess that you don't want to lose me," I joked. Mahinang hinampas niya ako sa dibdib na ikinatawa ko.

"Wait!" Biglang bumangon si Nathalia. "Ang sabi rin pala ni Lady Massie ay may meteor shower ngayon! Come before we miss it!"

"Susunod ako," sabi ko.

No'ng lumabas siya ay kinuha ko ulit ang libro ko.

I wrote another special moment under the date today., "P.S. She confessed and felt embarrassed, so she changed the topic. That's funny. I want to see the meteor shower, though."

Unfortunately, it suddenly started to rain. We didn't get to see any sparkle of light from above. The sky let everyone down. But little did they know, I found one.

She was enjoying the rain.

THE END