Chapter 24: CMC

Lady Elly died in my arms. She died while begging not to save her life, but just to protect her son. Sa sobrang bilis ng pangyayari ay ilang minuto rin akong nakatulala lang sa kanyang payapang mukha.

"I'm sorry..." I whispered as I gently laid her down.

I got up and turned to Chris. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin at tila hindi alintana kung gaano kalaking pinsala ang ginawa niya. He even managed to grin at me.

"Don't bother asking me what I've done," he shrugged, casually wiping the blood off his sword. "Alam ko ang kahihinatnan nito."

"I'm not even going to bother," I said firmly. "But after this, I don't want you interfering with my plans anymore. I don't want to see you getting in my way."

"Huwag mo akong patawanin." Humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa ispada. "Alam kong sa una pa lang ay wala ka nang plano."

"My silence doesn't mean I have nothing up my sleeves," I smirked. "Unlike you, I don't let my personal feelings and reasons jeopardize the lives of everyone."

I sighed and looked down at Lady Elly's lifeless body. It was tragic, but I didn't expect her to depart from here unscathed, either. Alam kong gano'n din ang iniisip niya.

"Now we wait," Chris said.

Napatingin ako kay Brienne na naglalakad palapit sa amin. Sa una ay hindi niya pansin ang nakahandusay na babae. Nung tuluyan siyang nakalapit ay napatakip siya sa kanyang bibig.

Based on her expression, she clearly recognized her. Of course, she did. Now thinking about it, Lord Wenson kept everything secret. Even from his own family.

"I-is this..." Brienne gasped. "Lady Elly?"

"I did it," proud na sinabi ni Chris. "She's our enemy. If what I did is considered a crime, then I don't care. Her family will take more from us!"

I just stared at Brienne. I had so many questions for her. Pero alam kong wala akong makukuhang matinong sagot sa kanya. She would just lie over and over again.

Maybe trusting witches was never a good idea from the very beginning. Witches and vampires belonged to different worlds with distinct beliefs. Before I fell into her trick, someone had already fallen prey to her deceit. Ang pinagkaiba lang namin ni Lord Caezar ay hanggang ngayo'y napapaikot pa rin siya.

"Ako na ang bahala rito." Suminghap si Brienne bago bumaling sa akin. "Naghihintay si Lord Caezar sa 'yo."

"Looks like the war is about to start," Chris chuckled. "Everyone is prepared except for one..."

"You should go as well, Chris," said Brienne.

Nauna na akong bumalik. Tahimik at wala akong dinatnan sa compound. Ibig lang sabihin na hindi rito ang tinutukoy ni Lady Brienne.

I went to the training ground, where a wild and bloodthirsty crowd awaited me. As soon as they caught sight of me, they erupted into chants of my name. It was meant to stir something within me. But their energy didn't resonate with me at all.

Lumapit ako kay Lord Caezar sa pinakaharap. He was smiling now while watching me. Nakangiti rin sa akin si Arthuro na gaya ng lahat ay sinisigaw ang pangalan ko.

"Lord Oscar..." Lord Caezar slightly bowed his head to me. "The time has finally come."

I turned to the crowd. Mas lalo silang umingay. It was scary how they all thought the only way out was through a bloodbath war.

"I think you have to say something, milord," Arthuro chuckled.

"Let him savor how he gathered this kind of crowd first." Naramdaman kong inakbayan ako ni Lord Caezar. "I know it is overwhelming, Lord Oscar. You are the reason why they are fighting. Why there's hope. Why we are all here."

I was not their first reason to fight, nor was I the first man they had entrusted their hopes to. And I certainly wouldn't be the last to lead them into battle. Sometime in the future, I knew that everything would unfold as if it were the first time all over again.

However, I hoped to be the first to break the cycle. To do something different. To accomplish something only a few would try. And I only had one shot to do this.

Itinaas ko ang kanan kong kamay kaya tumigil sila sa pag-iingay. After the loud chant came the defeaning silence. Mas lalong nadiin sa akin ang atensyon ng lahat.

"Lord Wenson not only stripped me of my power and exiled me from Nightfall Clan. He also attempted to mold me into something I was not. And that was not the worst of it. He transformed into a tyrant leader, driven by an insatiable hunger for power that exceeded our natural limits. While we are undeniably powerful beings, there are boundaries that should not be crossed, as doing so could result in catastrophic consequences..." Just like what was currenly happening.

This was not the very time I stood in front of the line. Nangyari na rin ito dati. Pero hindi gaya noon, sa akin sila ngayon kumukuha ng lakas.

My fists clenched as the crown went wild again. I couldn't help but smile. I should not fail them.

"But every reign must come to an end. I will bring about its demise. Together, we will put an end to his oppressive rule. We will do everything in our power to win this battle!"

The world of vampires was never at peace from the very beginning. Hindi ako umaasang kung mag tagumpay man ako ay may malaking pagbabago ang mangyayayari sa mundo namin. Ang gusto ko lang ay maging una at umasang masundan pa.

"Prepare, my dear vampires!" I announced.

After that long speech, I left the crowd without looking back. Gusto kong mapag-isa. Pero hindi ko inasahan na susundan ako ni Lord Caezar. He had been elusive to me. Ngayon naman ay nakabuntot siya.

"Alam kong hindi madali ang responsibilidad na nakapasan sa 'yong balikat," aniya ngunit nagpatuloy pa rin ako sa paglalakad. "Alam kong dumagdag din ako sa bigat nito. I want us to be on the same side this time."

Doon na ako tuluyang natigilan sa paglalakad. Humarap ako sa kanya. For some reason, he appeared different to me all of a sudden. His expression, his aura, and even the gaze in his eyes seemed to have changed.

"I allowed my desperation to be acknowledged by my own father to blind me. It was my fault, though," he confessed, sliding his hands into the pockets of his pants. "Nung pinaalaga niya pa lang ako kay Lady Brienne, dapat ay napagtanto ko na hindi ako gano'n ka importante sa kanya. Anak niya ako, pero nagawa niyang mabuhay nang matagal nang hindi man lang ako iniisip. I learned to live on own with only nothing but Lady Brienne."

Lord Caezar gave off an aura as if he knew everything, yet also seemed oblivious to certain things at the same time. Ito ang bigo kong makita noon sa kanya.

"He only let me live so he could use me someday." He sighed and looked away. Nakakuyom ang kanyang mga kamay. "Even after knowing that, I still let him."

"We've all yearned for recognition from our fathers at some point in our lives," I smiled, offering a comforting pat on his shoulder. "You're not alone in this."

"I know you..." He turned to me. "Sa kagustuhan kong makuha ang loob ni Lord Wenson, sinunod ko ang kagustuhan niya. Maging ang kalabanin ka. So I was forced to learn about you and your history."

"I'm sure you know now that my history was more miserable than yours," I chuckled. "I committed more senseless mistakes and failures."

"Can I say something?"

I just shrugged.

"Hindi ko kailanman pinangarap na maging lider ng isang pangkat. Kinailangan ko lang para sa kagustuhan ni Lord Wenson. But..." He looked defeated when he shrugged. "I think because of you, I'm slowly embracing this whole scheme. I mean... being the leader of Caligo Clan."

"Oh, really..." I crossed my arms over my chest. "You know what? You still look like a kid to me. You should explore more."

"A kid?" he laughed, offended. "A kid couldn't have made it this far."

"I know one..." I smiled. "That little kid is just like you, Lord Caezar. He's been through a lot. But unlike you, I don't think he wants to lead just like his father. He just wants to play and have fun."

"I am not into playing," aniya pa.

"Well, you should."

"Are you seriously thinking that I am still a kid?" kumunot ang noo niya.

I smiled. "I think so..."

"Fine..." He pouted. "Maybe I am."

"How old are you?"

Natigilan siya. "V-vampires don't age. Why does it matter now?"

"You don't look like you were born centuries ago. Are you?"

Masinsinan ko siyang pinagmasdan. The only thing that made him appear as a grown adult was his position as the leader of the Caligo Clan. If we were to strip him of his position, he would undoubtedly look like a young man. Not a kid. Of course. Binibiro ko lang siya.

"No. I'm not. Well, according to Lady Brienne..." Bumuga siya ng hangin saka tipid na ngumiti. "Wala akong gaanong alam sa pinanggalingan ko. Not like I am interested in the first place."

Sumeryoso ang tingin ko sa kanya. Ano ba talaga ang pinaplano ni Lady Brienne? If she truly cared for him, she would have told him the truth.

"You should be," I smiled.

"No. After learning about my father, I don't think I want to know more about my history. I am abandoned for a reason. Hindi nila ako kailangan."

"Are you really abandoned?" I asked.

Pareho kaming natigilan sa sinabi ko.

"I think..." I paused, swallowing hard. "You shouldn't rely on her for everything. Malaki ka na rin naman. Subukan mong tumuklas nang mga bagay sa labas ng mga sinasabi lang sa 'yo."

"I trust her with my life," madiin na sambit ni Lord Caezar. "I get that you don't trust witches. Pero iba si Lady Brienne. Kung hindi dahil sa kanya ay wala ako ngayon!"

"Hindi ko sinasabing huwag mo siyang pagkatiwalaan," pagtatama ko. "Ang sinasabi ko lang ay subukan mong tumuklas ng higit sa mga nalalaman mo."

He laughed. "Okay..."

I nodded.

"We will ride tomorrow at dawn," he said. "I will stand with you, Lord Oscar. If we triumph, I want Nightfall Clan and my clan to form an alliance."

He extended his hand to me. I smiled and held it.

"I appreciate you, Lord Caezar," I said sincerely.

"As am I, Lord Oscar," he responded, his tone filled with determination. "I am looking forward to working with you. For the future of our clans."

After the conversation, I decided to go back to my room. Hindi ko inaasahan na makikita ko roon si Lady Brienne. Nakaupo siya sa kama ko habang hawak ang isang puting lampin.

"L-Lady Brienne?"

I heard her sob softly. Niyakap niya ang puting lampin. She held to that like it was everything to her.

"Is everything okay?" I asked worriedly. "Si Lady Elly ba?"

Nag-aalala ba siya na dahil sa pagkamatay ni Lady Elly ay mas lalong magalit si Lord Wenson? I don't think that was the reason.

Sa halip na sumagot ay mas lalo lang lumakas ang paghikbi niya. Umupo ako sa tabi niya. Napansin kong may nakaburda na tatlong letra sa puting lampin na hawak niya.

"Tama ka..." mahina niyang sinabi. "Ganos Clan was a small clan where witches and vampires used to live together. Sa sobrang liit ng pangkat namin ay mabilis kaming naubos ng kapatid mo. I was a kid back then..."

I stiffened in my seat, the weight of the revelation sending chills down my spine. Alam kong tama ang hinuha ko, pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasang magulat dahil sa pag-amin niya.

"Nakatakas ako... pero nawala naman lahat sa akin," pahina nang pahina ang bulong niya. "If only I could turn back time, I wouldn't have fled. Kahit na hindi ko pa gamay noon ang kapangyarihan ko, lumaban pa rin sana ako."

Alam kong nagawa lang 'yon ni Brixton dahil gusto niyang ipaghiganti ang kaibigan niya. Dahil na rin sa kagagawan ng sarili naming ama. Ngunit ang pinakabiktima rito ay ang mga naninirahan doon. Si Brienne.

"So I practiced witchcraft beyond our limits..." Humarap siya sa akin, puno ng luha ang kanyang mukha. "That's the reason why I am still here."

"To avenge..."

"I lived with a sole purpose for being the reason of Cardinal's downfall. Ngunit kahit na wala akong gawin, pinanuod ko kayong isa-isang mawala. It was fulfilling even though I didn't do anything. But it didn't last."

I just stared at her, at a loss for words. I knew that mere apologies wouldn't be enough to make amends. Hindi rin naman 'yon ang dahilan kung bakit niya sinasabi ito. That made me anxious. Why is she telling me this now?

"Lord Severo Cardinal left. Your mother left. Your brother and sister also left. I watched each Cardinal depart, and witnessing their disappearance brought me a sense of fulfillment. But deep down, I knew I couldn't just stand by and do nothing myself. Kaya nung ikaw na ang namumuno, kumilos na ako. Lord Wenson helped me."

"Hindi si Lord Wenson ang tunay na ama ni Lord Caezar, hindi ba?" tanong ko. "You just made that up as a part of agreement."

Her lips trembled. Muling bumagsak ang luha sa kanyang mga mata. She crumpled the white cloth she had been holding the entire time.

"Tell me, Lady Brienne."

"Alam ko sa sarili ko na ang ang huling misyon ko bago tuluyang lumisan sa mundong ito ay ang panuorin kang maglaho gaya ng pamilya mo. I am still mad at you and your family. There will be no forgiveness."

"Still..." I sighed. "I'm sorry—"

"So I made an agreement with Lord Wenson. Inalagaan ko si Lord Caezar hanggang sa puntong puwede na siyang gamiting kasangkapan ni Lord Wenson para pabagsakin ka."

"You will hurt him..."

Mapait siyang ngumiti. "Akala ko ay naging bato na ang puso ko dahil sa ginawa ng pamilya mo sa akin. Ngunit nung makita kong nasaktan si Lord Caezar dahil sa pagtalikod na ginawa ni Lord Wenson... nakaramdam ako ng sakit. I felt guilty."

So it was Lord Caezar who managed to sway her decision, to change her mind and perhaps even her heart.

"You know what hurts me more? It was my fault," she sobbed. "Kasalanan ko kaya siya nasasaktan. Kaya..." Suminghap siya saka tumingin sa mga mata ko. "Pinangako ko sa sarili ko na babawi ako sa kanya."

I smiled, "I'm sure he will understand."

"Why do you think I saved you from Lord Wenson?" she suddenly asked. "Our plan was to kill you. When we finally had the chance, I betrayed him and saved you. So, why do you think I did that?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "To help him win against his own father by using me?"

"Lord Wenson." She chuckled. "To help him win against Lord Wenson. Not his own father..."

My fists clenched as her words started to blur in my mind. I knew she was giving me hints, but my thoughts failed to connect the dots.

"You are right, Lord Oscar. Lord Wenson is not his father." Pinakita niya sa akin ang puting lampin na hawak. "Ito lang ang tanging pag-aari na naiwan ng kanyang ina. She had his initials embroidered on it."

Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko nung tanggapin ang puting lampin. I used my thumb to trace the letters embroidered on the clothing.

CMC.

Nilapit ko ito sa aking mukha at inamoy kasabay ng pagbagsak ng mga luha sa mata ko. The scent was hauntingly familiar.

"When you let her go, and before she served Lord Randolf, she first served his father, Lord Wenson, for a few months. She was so scared, not just for her life. But also... for his."

"N-no..." I glared at her. "You are lying to me again..."

"Pinangako sa kanya ni Lord Wenson na magiging ligtas ang mag-ina habang nasa pangangalaga niya. I was there the whole time she was carrying him. She wanted to tell you... but she also didn't want to risk all your lives. So she kept it all to herself. Until she gave birth..."

Napapikit ako saka niyakap ang puting tela.

"However, I was there for a different reason. Nung inilabas niya ang bata ay pinalabas naming nagkaroon ng problema kaya hindi ito nakaligtas—"

"Stop now, please..."

"That's where my mission started. I took her son away, and she had to live without telling anyone about it. Like it didn't happen." Naramdaman kong niyakap niya ako. "This is the truth about Lord Caezar."

Hindi ko alam kung paano pagaganahin ang utak ko dahil tila blangko ang lahat ngayon. I could feel the pain of my past reopening, as if it were the first time. But it hurt more intensely than ever before.

She had to live with this pain alone.

I thought I've already forgiven myself. Pero napatawad ko lang pala ang sarili ko sa mga kasalanan na alam kong nagawa ko. Hindi sa mga kasalanan na wala akong alam.

"Sa tingin ko ay hindi ako kailanman magkakaroon ng lakas na aminin ito sa kanya..." umiiyak na bulong ni Brienne. "Dadalhin ko na lang ang lahat sa aking hukay. Patawad, Lord Oscar. Patawad, Lady Celeste. Patawad, Lord Caezar..."

I did nothing but cry and contemplate how she must have felt during those moments. She must have felt so alone, cold, and dark. She had to suffer alone.

"She embroidered that cloth for him..." Lady Brienne whispered. "Those are the initials of your son. Alam niyang lalaki ang anak niyo kaya malapit sa pangalan mo ang pangalan niya."

Inangat ko ang ulo ko saka pinagmasdan ang mga letra na nakaukit sa tela. Napangiti ako kahit na pinipiga pa rin ang puso ko.

"Please don't tell him yet..." I whispered.

"Gaya ng sinabi ko ay wala akong planong sabihin sa kanya. Maliban na lang kung ikaw na mismo ang magsasabi sa kanya..."

I shook my head. "He doesn't have to know."

Hindi naman niya kailangan na malaman ang totoo. Wala na rin namang magbabago pa. Hahayaan ko na lang siyang iba ang ituring niyang ama.

I don't think I even deserve him. Mas hihirap lang ang lahat para sa kanya. Saka may plano na rin ako kung paano tatapusin ang lahat.

Hindi na rin magtatagal ang lahat.

"I have to leave now..." Tinapik ni Lady Brienne ang aking balikat. "Don't worry. I will always have his back. Hindi ko hahayaan na mapahamak siya sa laban na ito."

Nung makaalis si Lady Brienne ay hinalikan ko ang tela saka muling pinagmasdan ang tatlong letra na nakaukit dito. Pumorma ang isang ngiti sa aking mukha.

Caezar Merjudio Cardinal.