Chapter 21: Relationship

"No weapons. Just fangs."

I nodded at Owen. Nakatago kami sa itaas ng puno habang nakatuon ang atensyon sa usang hayop na kumakain ng damo. Owen was teaching me how to hunt food. Obviously, I pretended not knowing a thing. Sa totoo lang ay isa ito sa mga pinakauna naming natutunan.

Brixton was brutal at killing animals. He could kill without feeling remorse. Meanwhile, Nathalia and I first had to learn how to kill without feeling any regret. It was just that Nathalia never used her fangs on animals. Nakakadiri daw.

"This is my target," Owen whispered. Napatingin ako sa kanya. Seryoso ang tingin niya sa usa. His little fangs protruded behind his lips. "I will show you how it's done."

"No. I think I know what to do now," I said.

Napalingon siya sa akin. "Don't you want me to show you first?"

"I've already learned so much from you," I said, smiling.

"Okay..." He calmed down. "Show me."

"I will, Master Owen."

He laughed.

I turned my attention to the poor dear. Sinukat ko muna ang layo nito sa akin. Pagkatapos ay tumalon ako sa likod nito at niyakap ito. Nagpumiglas ito sa pagkakahawak ko.

"Fangs!" Owen screamed.

"What?"

"Kill it!"

I didn't want to end the play yet. I was enjoying my lesson with my little master. Pinakawalan ko ang usa sa pag-aakalang makakatakbo ito. But in just a blink of an eye, Owen had it in his grasp. Blood dripped from his lips as the deer lay dead on the ground.

"He almost escaped," he smiled.

"Would you mind sharing it?"

Pinagsaluhan namin ang hinuling hayop ni Owen. We stayed in the forest. I tried to open a conversation with him, particularly about his life. Marami siyang kuwento pero ni isa ay wala siyang alam tungkol sa kanyang mga magulang.

"I didn't even know that I was supposed to have parents. All I knew was that I had to survive, come what may," he said, chewing on the raw meat. "And what about you?"

"Fortunately, I grew up with my parents."

"Where are they now?"

"This is where I can relate to you. I'm all alone now," I said, smiling as I reached for the corner of his lips to wipe away the blood. "I don't have my parents anymore."

"Well, you have a clan."

"I'm not sure about that. Having a clan doesn't mean having a family. Just like the misconception that being alone always means sadness."

Palubog na rin ang araw kaya minabuti na naming bumalik. We were expecting some visitors tonight. But I was expecting someone to leave tonight as well.

"Be safe in your journey," I told him.

Callum sighed and looked at the path he was about to take. "I want to discover the finest wine ever made. I heard the Northern Vampires were good at brewing wines."

"Thank you for your service, Callum. I appreciate it so much." Pinatong ko ang kamay ko sa kanyang balikat. "I hope to meet you again someday."

"Oscar..." Nilingon niya ako. For some reason, there was a look of hesitation in his eyes. Not hesitant to leave for sure. "Hindi ba pumasok sa isipan mo kahit minsan na takbuhan na lang ang lahat?"

I smiled and shook my head. Maybe for a moment, that thought did cross my mind. It seemed easier just to abandon than to stay and try. Pero hindi ito nanatili nang matagal sa isipan ko. I just couldn't abandon everything for the sake of starting something new.

"Okay..." He shrugged. "Sa tingin mo ba bagay rin sa akin ang asul na buhok?"

"I think red hair suits you most," I chuckled.

"Right. See you again, Leader."

"For sure."

I've been through a lot of loss in my life, and watching another one walk away felt like experiencing your first loss all over again. Wala kang magagawa kung hindi ang panuorin silang umalis.

"They are here," dinig ko ang boses ni Brienne sa likod ko. "I'm sorry for interrupting your moment. But they are so eager to meet you."

"It's fine." Huminga ako nang malalim saka bumaling sa kanya. "Let's meet them."

Sa bungad pa lang ng compound na tinitirahan ko ay dinig ko na ang ingay. The moment I set my foot in, the chatter and clinking of glasses abruptly ceased. Nakuha ko ang buong atensyon ng lahat.

"L-Lord Oscar..." A random man approached me. Mabilis ko siyang nakilala. He was the man I met in jail. Iyong lalaking umaasang babalik ako. He walked to me with tears in his eyes. Like he couldn't believe that I was really here.

"You are really back," he smiled and immediately wiped his tears away. He tried to act formally by clearing his throat. "You can call me Arthuro. Nagagalak akong makita ka ulit, Lord Oscar."

"I'm glad to meet you, Arthuro. Thank you for being here."

"Andito ka lang pala?" Isang lalaki ang tumayo. Masama ang tingin niya sa akin. "Habang nahihirapan kami, ikaw naman ay nagtatago lang?"

"So, the rumors are true?" Panibagong mukha ang tumayo. Gaya ng nauna sa kanya ay hindi rin maganda ang tingin niya sa akin. "They didn't exile you. Kusa kang tumakbo at iniwan kami."

Bumalik ang ingay ng paligid. Lahat ay nagkaroon na sari-sariling diskusyon tungkol sa akin. Brienne tried to step in, but I shook my head. Hinayaan kong maglabas ng sama ng loob ang lahat.

"The Nightfalls suffered because of your absence. Gano'n pa man ay nagtiwala kami na babalik ka. Nagtiwala kami kasi inakala naming pinagkaisahan ka ng mga Seniors kaya ka nawala bigla. Ang hindi namin inakala ay kusa kang tumakbo!"

"You are really the worst Cardinal!"

"We should not have trusted you."

I stood there, listening to their insults, and wondered if I was being an asshole because their remarks about me were not hurting me anymore. Maybe it was because I had heard it all before— every insult and snide remark. Or perhaps it was because I knew myself better now. None of their words even came close to the truth. They were just about to learn it.

"Enough!" sigaw ni Arthuro kaya natahimik ang lahat. "Ang rason kaya tayo narito ay para marinig ang paliwanag ni Lord Oscar. Alam ko at naiintindihan ko ang nararamdaman ninyo, pero kung hindi natin siya pakikinggan, para saan pa at andito tayo?"

Lumunok ako nung mapunta sa akin ulit ang atensyon ng lahat. Everyone was waiting eagerly. I should not mess up. This would be my last opportunity to speak my truth.

"Sabihin nating hindi talaga siya tumakbo," sambit nung lalaking naunang umalma. "Paano niya mapapaliwanag ang biglaan niyang paglalaho? Paano niya mapapaliwanag na sa tagal niyang nawala, madadatnan namin siya sa pangkat ng mga kaaway? Nagtatago at tila takot na magpakita."

"Grant." Arthuro sighed. "Let's listen to him first, please. Siguro akong may sapat na dahilan siya kaya niya nagawa 'yon."

"The reason why I joined the resistance against the current administration was because I didn't want Lord Wenson to be my leader. Not because I was hoping Lord Oscar would come back. Dahil sa una sa lahat, alam kong sa una pa lang ay hindi magiging maganda ang pamumuno niya."

"Trust me, Grant. You wouldn't have made it this far if I weren't your leader. Nightfall Clan would have long been reduced to ashes if it were not for me," I said, fists balled up. I didn't want to sound like I was begging for sympathy. "You have no idea how much I have sacrificed just to put you all first. You have no idea how many times I've almost died to keep you all safe."

"Too much talking and you are yet to explain your sudden disappearance," pagmamatigas pa rin niya. "Siguro ay tama ka. Wala kaming ideya sa mga pinagdaanan mo gaya ng wala kang ideya sa mga pinagdaanan namin habang wala ka."

"Maybe if you were not being an asshole and cutting his explanation off," pagsali ni Chris. "Nalinawagan ka na dapat ngayon. Let him talk."

"Chris..." Umiling ako sa kanya.

"There's not much explanation about what happened to Lord Oscar." Lahat kami ay napalingon sa nagsalita. Lord Caezar casually walked in with a smile on his face.

"You are the leader of Caligo Clan, right?" tanong ni Arthuro. "Ikaw ang nagpalaya sa amin sa kulungan. If my source was legit, then you were supposed to be our enemies."

"Your source is right." Tumabi sa akin si Lord Caezar at bahagyang tinapik ang balikat ko. "I was just one of the many battles your leader fought with in silence."

"Then why are you helping us?" Grant asked.

"You see, gentlemen. I don't have the whole night for this conversation. Pinalaya ko kayo dahil kailangan namin ang tulong ninyo," diretsong sabi ni Lord Caezar.

"At bakit namin kayo tutulungan?" nakangising tanong ni Grant. "Are you going to threaten us because we are inside your clan?"

"I need your words, Lord Caezar," nangangalaiting sambit ni Chris habang masama ang tingin kay Grant. "Kanina pa namumuro sa akin ang lalaking ito."

"Calm down, Chris," dinig kong sabi ni Brienne.

"Answer my question, milord," said Athuro respectfully. "Bakit niyo kami tinutulungan ngayon? Bakit niyo tinutulungan si Lord Oscar?"

"I used to serve your current leader. I mean, Lord Wenson. He helped me build Caligo Clan for a sole reason— to fight Nightfall Clan and add more pressure to Lord Oscar," explained Lord Caezar.

"Lord Wenson helped you built this clan?" kita ang pagkalito sa mukha ni Arthuro, pero nakakuyom ang kanyang mga kamay. "For what reason? Bakit niya gagawin 'yon?"

"As I said, Lord Oscar fought many battles without any of you knowing. Did you really think he had the full support of your so-called seniors? Why would they help him if they didn't even support him in the first place? Lord Oscar had to fight two enemies at the same time: outsiders who wanted to destroy Nightfall Clan and allies in the form of Seniors who wanted to take him down and take the throne."

There was a moment of silence after Lord Caezar spoke. Maging si Grant ay hindi nakapagsalita.

"He used me to add more pressure on your already burdened leader. But this time, they won. They won when they successfully took the throne. They won again because they made you turn your back on him."

"No." After a long silence, Arthuro said. "Hindi sila nagwaging talikuran namin ang pinuno namin. That's the purpose why there's a resistance. To help Lord Oscar take what is his."

"Tama!"

Everyone cheered for me. Hindi katulad kanina ay nakangiti na sila ngayon sa akin. Gano'n pa man ay hindi ko magawang tuluyang maging masaya. Alam ko kung ano ang gusto nila. Iba ang gusto ko. Ibang paraan.

"You don't need to fight alone now," Arthuro said with determination. "Marami pang gustong umanib sa atin. Kung bibigyan niyo pa kami ng panahon, mas lalaki ang hukbo namin para makatulong sa inyo."

"That's the reason why I freed you," Lord Caezar said. "Help us take back Nightfall Clan. Help us win the war against our common enemy."

"It's still not quite clear why you agreed to serve Lord Wenson," sambit ni Grant. "At ano rin ang naging dahilan mo para talikuran siya? You said that this clan was made to confuse Lord Oscar. Nanalo na kayo. Nakuha niyo na ang trono. Bakit tila nag-iba ang ihip ng hangin?"

Grant hit the bull's eye to my questions. Maging ako ay nasabik sa magiging sagot ni Lord Caezar.

"That's for personal reason that only involve me and Lord Oscar," sabi ni Lord Caezar kaya napatingin ako sa kanya. "Hindi ito makakasagabal sa hangarin naming tulungan kayong mabawi ang tahanan ninyo."

"We will gather all the remaining Nightfalls whose loyalty still belongs to Lord Oscar, and then we will help our leader return to his throne," said Arthuro. "Only a Cardinal can rule Nightfall Clan."

"We will offer you temporary shelter for now." Lord Caezar turned to Chris. "Ask Baldo and help our new allies to their temporary shelters."

"On it, Lord Caezar."

Unti-unting sumama ang mga Nightfalls kay Chris. Tumindig ako nung nilapitan ako ni Grant.

"I will help you soley because I care for Nightfalls. Naging tahanan ko rin ito. Pero sa sandaling nabawi mo na ito, hindi niyo na ako makikita pa. Nightfall Clan is not safe anymore," aniya bago sumama sa iba pa.

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nung kami na lang nina Brienne at Lord Caezar ang natira. Humarap ako sa kanila. Nahuli kong nakatingin sa akin si Lord Caezar.

He smiled. "This is a good progress."

"There will be no war."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Ano ang ibig mong sabihin? Hindi ka lalaban?"

"I know what you are doing," madiin kong sambit. I closed the distance between us. "You are not helping me at all. Ang habol mo lang sa akin ay digmaan."

"I was not expecting you to be grateful," natatawa niyang sambit. "But it is clear that I am helping you."

"Alam mong sa oras na magsimula ang digmaan ay marami sa mga pangkat ko ang malalagas. You will use the Nightfalls versus their own. After that what? Mas may pagkakataon ka nang pabagsakin ako?"

"What do you want from me, Lord Oscar?"

I looked straight into his eyes and asked, "Who are you?"

His lips formed a smirk.

"Who really are you, Lord Caezar Bolido?"

Bumaling siya kay Brienne at sinenyasan itong umalis. Pagkaalis ni Brienne ay muli siyang tumingin sa akin. Hindi pa rin napapawi ang ngisi sa kanyang labi.

It was infuriating seeing that smirk on his lips. It was as if he was playing with me. May alam siyang hindi ko alam. At hangga't hindi ko 'yon alam ay mananatili akong katatawanan sa kanyang mga mata.

"Can I ask you something?" he asked.

I stood still.

"How far will you go just to prove yourself?" Sa sobrang lapit namin ay ramdam ko ang paghinga niya. "Hindi ka ba nagpakatanga? Nagbulag-bulagan? Umasa kahit na alam mong wala kang aasahan?"

"Are you proving yourself to Lord Wenson?"

"I thought he was going to acknowledge me finally. But even after everything, he still didn't fulfill his promise." His eyes flickered red, intense and full of anger. "He just used me to get what he wanted."

"D-don't tell me..."

"I thought Cardinals are the worst. But fathers are even worse."

He then turned his back and disappeared.

I was still processing our conversation when Brienne appeared. Alam kong umiyak muna siya bago nagpakita sa akin. Hindi niya 'yon naitago.

"Remember when you asked me why I was helping a vampire even though I am a witch?" she asked. "You thought I needed your help and that he was holding me hostage. The truth is, I don't have the heart to abandon someone who has nothing but me."

Hindi ako nakapagsalita. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa nalaman.

"For the sake of our mission, I hope you can keep a secret."

"Does that mean..." I swallowed. "You are his mother?"

A tear escaped her left eye.