CHAPTER 1: MISSION

The Senoas Realm

Winter Kingdom, Faucon's Castle

I pushed the wooden door with a heavy grunt and took a step outside. The vast sky with dotted clouds and the afternoon sunlight soon welcomed me like an unheralded painting.

Bawat haplos ng malamig na hangin ay nagpapakirot sa aking mga sugat. Maingat akong naglakad patungo sa nagyeyelong barandilya ng tore. 

Kumikislap ang mga niyebeng nakapalibot sa malawak na lupain habang ito ay nasisikatan ng liwanag mula sa papalubog na araw. The roads, trees and even a whole mountain are all covered with white after it snowed massively yesterday.

"Exidia, I want to rest!" I whined as the snow almost hindered my steps. 

I decided to hide, to buy time in one of the towers in the west wing of our castle. But the silence of the place brought fear in my chest.

Kahit sa aking sariling tahanan ay dapat maging alisto. Ilang minuto ang itinagal ko sa pagtanaw sa paligid ng biglang bumigat ang presensya sa hangin. Nanindig ang aking balahibo kasabay ng pagdagungdong ng aking dibdib.

As if the shadows had prey eyes.

Ang pamilyar na takot. Ang pakiramdam na may nakamasid sa aking galaw. My fists balled as I jumped on the stone rail as the pressure in the air doubled. I handled my weight carefully as my chest twisted with anxiety.

"Can't he see that I am tired?" I whispered.

A sharp ice dagger suddenly passed through my right side with a small whoosh. A lick of pain struck my cheek and the sensation was like a bucket of ice water that was thrown to me. It woke me up from my tiredness. 

"Even a small cut means defeat," I reminded myself.

Naglumikot ang aking mga mata ngunit kahit ang kanyang anino ay hindi ko makita. Napalunok ako habang minamadali ang paggaling ng maliit na sugat sa aking pisngi. I was about to position myself in a defensive stance when a hot pain shot into my nape.

My vision darken. "What—"

Mabilis akong nawalan ng balanse at nahulog sa sahig. Ang malamig at malambot na niyebe na nakapalibot sa aking katawan ay bahagyang pinakalma ang aking nag iinit na batok. Hindi nagtagal ay naramdaman ko ang kanyang presensya. 

"Your strength should have improved at this point, Zana."

As I heard his stoic voice I pushed myself to stand back on my feet. But regretted it as my head spun with tiredness. 

"I told you to work on your weakness, did I not? Why remain a failure?" his words echoed in my ears like thunders of an unleashed storm.

"Yeah, right..." the urge to mock him to mask out the pain in my chest got the best of me.

But as soon as I said that, I found myself pinned against the stone wall with a big thud. The specks of snow from it fell as my heart sank. I gasped as my lungs started to crave for air. 

He is choking me!

"You have the courage to talk back to your father?"

Pinilit kong kumawala sa kanyang mga kamay ngunit mas hinigpitan niya ang pagkakasakal sa akin. Specs of black dots appeared in my eyes and yet, his mad eyes remained visible to me like I was his next prey. 

My father's brown eyes sharpened. "That little braveness you have can be crushed indisputably, Zana."

He let go of my neck and I coughed as my lungs finally had the taste of air. My legs weakened as if a single blow of wind could turn me down at any moment. 

"Father—" I was cut off.

"That false courage you have is not enough to save you," his eyes glinted with disgust. 

My fist clenched and my wounds still throbbed as if it got poured out with boiling water. But what tortured me the most was his insults and the way he criticized me. It haunted me like an endless nightmare that did not spare me even in daylight.

"My apologies s-sir."

Naramdaman ko ang pamamasa ng aking mga mata. Ngunit bago matuloy iyon sa pag iyak ay nilakasan ko ang aking loob para siya ay sugurin. Inipon ko ang natitirang lakas sa aking kanang kamao. 

Hindi ko naituloy ang balak na pagpapatama ng suntok sa kanyang mukha dahil nawalan ako ng balanse. Tuluyang bumigay ang aking mga binti. But before I could recover, a cold force hit my gut as I flew over a few feet away.

My sight went blurry but when I looked at my abdomen, a river of red blood made a twist on my chest. A sweet metallic scent and amber lingered in the air as the ice spear still throbbed through my skin.

Napanganga ako kasabay ng panlalamig ng aking mga kamay. I tasted the metallic rust in my mouth. Another failed attempt, he might throw a fatal blow in an instant.

"You never failed to humiliate me by that weakness of yours," the distaste in his voice was clear.

Blood leaked from my mouth but he didn't care. He didn't even help me. The vines of fear inside me bloomed in a blink of an eye. The safety in the arms of a family member was like a dream that will never come through.

This is hell.

"How long will you make me wait?" he sighed. "Zana, this territory calls for a strong leader, not a girl who always whimpers."

"Father, I—"

"How shameful it is to consider you as my child," the void in his voice was too strong, it devoured the little strength left in me.

My mouth went dry. "P-pardon?"

"You mirrored sympathy. It's impossible for you to gain respect from our people—neither mine. You will bring down your followers as you lack the ability to fight or even defend for yourself."

Ibinaba ko ang aking atensyon sa dugong patuloy na pumapatak sa puting niyebe. I never knew that being such a disappointment to the family would imprint a permanent scar in my soul.

Tinanggap ko lahat ng kanyang sinabi at hindi na nagtangka pang sumagot. Hindi nagtagal ay narinig ko ang kanyang paglalakad palayo. Tumunghay ako at kasabay nito ay ang pagsikip ng aking dibdib. Hindi man lang niya ako nilingon hanggang siya ay tuluyang makaalis.

"Such cruelty father," bulong ko sa hangin.

Matapos makaipon ng lakas ay sumagi sa aking isipan ang aking malambot na kama. Tinungo ko ang pinto ng tore at sa bawat paghakbang ay parang tinutusok ang aking katawan ng mga karayom. Isa't kalahating araw ang aming naging ensayo kaya't labis na pagod ang aking nararamdaman.

As I got out of the west tower, the sight of the descending stair made me wince. The wounds I have sustained will probably throb. After all, my father used an enhanced magic to hinder my self-healing whenever his attacks would land on me.

My jaw clenched as my father's cruel ways to train me flashed in my head like a train of horror. My hand reached for my abdomen and it was still damped. Naisin ko man na tumakbo papunta sa aking silid ay pinigilan ko ang aking sarili. Maaaring bumukas ang aking sugat at marumihan nito ang sahig ng aming kastilyo.

"N-nectar. I hope I still have it in my r-room," my voice was raspy in my own ear.

I leaned on the wall as my body submitted to fatigue. My eyes caught a glimpse of an old tapestry on the other wall and saw the huge portrait of a map. Inilibot ko ang aking mga mata sa magandang habi ng mga kulay upang makagawa ng magandang larawan.

The map of the Senoas Realm.

The world where I live is almost shaped like a heart with a big crater in the middle and it was filled with water while in the center of it is an island.

The map is painted with dancing blue, white, red, and green colors. It has other details, like clouds and parts that have huge currents of waves. Ang mga larawan ng mga halimaw at kakaibang nilalang sa ibang bahagi ng mapa ay nagpapatunay na roon sila nakatira.

Some parts had so many trees and some had deserted areas. The prominent structures were painted in a marvellous way, even the border lines are so vivid.

Noong pumapasok pa ako sa Rosean Academy ay isang buwan naming inaral ang mapa ng aming mundo. At dahil mula ako sa isang maharlikang pamilya ay dapat bago matapos ang isang linggo ay natutunan ko na ang bawat parte ng mapa.

"But being an heir was like another name for a royal prisoner," I sighed as my eyes still roamed around the map. 

In every kingdom there are different kings and queens who hold the throne of monarchy of the North, East, West, South and of the Center kingdom, as well as the other Senonian people of this realm. 

Those who live in the Fire Kingdom wield fire, while the Cerulean Kingdom command the power of water. Azure Kingdom hold the power of air while Verdant Kingdom control the power of earth. And the Winter Kingdom possess the power of ice.

"Why does body pain have to be this painful?" a vein suddenly pumped.

Pinilit ko ulit maglakad kahit nahihirapan hanggang makapasok sa aking silid. Napansin ko ang pagdilim ng kalangitan mula sa nakasaradong bintana. 

Ang tahimik na paligid at ang pamilyar na haligi ng aking silid ay napakalma ang takot sa aking dibdib. Ngunit pagdating ng panibagong umaga ay gigisingin ulit ako ng aking mga pangamba. 

"How shameful it is to consider you as my child."

Nagtangis ang aking panga nang maalala ang mga salita ni ama. Gusto kong magtanim ng galit ngunit alam kong hindi sukdulan ang kasamaan ng kanyang ugali. Mabait si ama at mapagmahal noon ngunit nagbago iyon noong nawala ang aking kapatid.

"Am I really that bad?"

But I never betrayed anyone. I never lied or cursed. I never did anything against their beliefs! I have been a good girl for our territory but it went in vain when they found my brother bathed in his own blood.

"I hate it."

Do they really think I wanted that to happen? For me to steal the power to rule our territory against my brother?

"How many times do I have to say that I never want that!" I slammed the table next to me as I recalled the incident.

They quickly lost sight of the fact that I was a good daughter. They didn't give me the chance to defend myself. They were so selfish and close minded that they all blamed me for what happened to my brother!

Naramdaman ko ang pagtulo ng aking luha at kasabay nito ay ang mga katanungan sa aking isipan.

"What really is a family?" Naupo ako sa sahig at sumandal sa haligi ng aking kama.

Habang lumalaki ang mga bata sa mundong ito ay maagang itinuro kung ano at kung gaano kahalaga ang isang pamilya.

"But the definition of family change as we all grow..." I trailed off. 

I remembered it clearly that Senonian people treasured their family as a tribute to the Titan who sacrificed her life in exchange for a new life. I closed my eyes as I recalled the story of that woman.

Nagsimula ang kuwento ng aming lahi sa babaeng si Seasons. Hindi niya gusto ang kahit anong digmaan. Siya ay nakaalalay lang sa mga nasasaktan kaya ang tingin sa kanya ng iba ay mahina dahil sa pagiging mabait. Unfortunately, she fell in love with a mortal and that was the biggest mistake she has ever made.

The mortal man didn't know her well enough. At sa pag aakalang mortal si Season kagaya niya ay walang humadlang para magmahalan silang dalawa. Nagpagkasal sila at biniyayaan ng limang supling.

Noong una ay normal silang namumuhay hanggang sa lumabas ang kakayahan ng kanilang mga anak. Sa labis na takot ng lalaki, na halimaw ang mga ito ay binalak ng mortal na itapon sa bangin ang kanilang mga anak.

Fortunately, Seasons saved his children who then became our ancestors. They are the ones who took care of the world we live in.

We are from Seasons, everything about this realm is all about her and the Senonian people of all bloodlines will do everything to protect the world we live in.

"She sacrificed herself for the love she has for her children. And yet, my father hated me for an accident?"

My bitterness immediately vanished when I felt the whisper of the cold wind. The white curtain kept on swaying like a night phlox flower in the moonlight through the dark.

"Binuksan ko ba 'yon?"

Anxiety slipped quickly in my chest as I was so sure that I didn't even touch that window.

"Vermoon dei," I froze on my spot as I heard that greeting from a cold voice.

My body moved on its own. I kneeled down with one knee to give my respect but I hissed when I felt a surge of pain on my legs.

I bit my lower lip. "Your Majesty."

My heart trembled as his footsteps echoed in the room and it got closer. Ang kanyang presensya ay nakakapanindig balahibo. Hindi ko napansin ang kanyang pagdating!

I couldn't help but to be cautious and shy as my straight—now tangled chestnut red hair blocked my face. Bloods are all over my white long sleeves. My right cheek still had a bruise and I am sure that I smell bad!

A mess indeed!

"The heir of the Faucon Territory, Lady Zana. I am afraid I have come to discuss a matter of great importance for you," a pair of shoes appeared in front of me. 

My eyes almost bawled out from its socket as Jack Frost stood right before me. The unconquerable king of Winter Kingdom!

Dahil nakaluhod at nakatungo ay hindi ko makita ang kanyang hitsura. Ngunit ramdam ko ang kanyang malamig at mabigat na presensya. Kahit kinakabahan ay naintindihan ko ang kanyang sinabi.

"I b-beg your pardon, Your Majesty. But—it might be better if you will discuss that matter with my father," I suggested in a small voice.

Hindi ako maaaring tumanggap ng mga misyon ng walang sinasabi si ama. Lahat ng kilos at desisyon ay dapat manggaling sa kanya bago ako gumawa ng aksyon.

Ilang minuto ang lumipas ngunit wala akong nakuhang sagot mula kay Jack Frost. Nilakasan ko ang aking loob para tumunghay. Napalunok ako nang magtama ang aming mga mata. Ang asul niyang mga mata ay nagbibigay ng kakaibang kaba sa aking dibdib.

"I was not expecting that as an answer from the heir of a dukedom."

I gasped. "Your Majesty! P-please f-forgive me for my rudeness." I bowed again to show that I did not mean anything to oppose him. 

"There is no need for you to worry. After all, I do not take opinions from anyone who's far below my standards," he replied. "However, it seems that you are unaware of your place to just turn down your king."

The weight of his words and the authority in his voice made me want to bow my head, to the point it would touch the floor. He stepped closer and leaned down to meet my level. My eyes snapped at his face and I couldn't stop myself as I kept admiring his charming eyes.

His frosted-white hair glistened because of the moonlight. And his rosy thin lips... oh, dear me. He is so strikingly handsome despite his age.

"F-forgive me, I should h-have known better not to precede you, Your Majesty."

"Very well," he cleared his throat. "I am here to give you a privilege to deal with a substantial matter for the Winter Kingdom, Lady Zana."

Kumunot ang aking noo dahil sa kanyang sinabi. Magtatanong pa sana ako ngunit mabilis siyang nagsalita. Umawang ang aking labi dahil nasilayan ko ang pagkislap ng galit sa kanyang mga mata.

"Find my child in the Mortal Realm."

"P-pardon?"

Pakiramdam ko ay may kung anong malakas na puwersa ang tumama sa aking dibdib. Tama ba ang aking pagkakarinig na may anak siya? Ngunit wala siyang reyna dahil matagal ng bakante ang posisyong iyon!

Noong naitalaga siya bilang hari ng aming kaharian ay walang ni isang balita na may nakakuha ng kanyang atensyon. Paanong nagkaroon ng anak ang aking hari kung ang puso niya ay kasing lamig ng kanyang kapangyarihan?

Oh, wait. No way. I had no desire to accept it!

Halos mawalan ako ng malay dahil sa kanyang mga huling sinabi. Nagtangis ang aking panga nang maalala ang pamilyar na galit para sa mundong iyon. Hindi ko pinangarap na mapunta muli sa Mortal Realm!

I forced myself that I was mistaken but when I looked at his cold eyes, I sighed in defeat. He is indeed serious, there is nothing I could do about it. Tumayo siya habang nakatitig pa rin sa akin. At sa kanyang bawat galaw ay makikitaan ito ng kakisigan. 

Jack Frost is in a navy blue shirt and black pants. In just simple clothing, he made it look expensive. He didn't wear any fancy attire, unlike what he always wore when he was in the palace. 

The king of Winter Kingdom is a mysterious one. He is handsome and cool and maybe, if he is to wear a rag, he will still look good on it. Jack Frost is incredibly gorgeous, no words can describe his cold and pale features.

Napailing ako para ituwid ang aking pag iisip. Nakakahiya, hindi tama itong tumatakbo sa aking isipan habang tinititigan siya.

"Lady Zana, I grant you the permission to use this."

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata ng mapansin ang sagradong susi ng aming kaharian na lumulutang sa kanyang palad. Hindi iyon ordinaryo dahil may kakayahan itong magbukas ng isang portal patungo sa ibang mundo.

"I expect to see you at the palace in three days," he timidly said and in a blink of an eye, he vanished.

I slumped on the floor as I tried to calm my nerves with the sudden revelation.

"Three days."

At least he wanted me to think about it. But I knew better, if my appearance in the next three days would not appear in his palace. He will punish my bloodline and our territory.

But if I would choose between the mission to find the child of my king in the Mortal Realm or to be a worker in the Underworld, I would choose the latter.

Everything came in like a whirlpool!

×××××