Truth beyond the Mystery

CHAPTER 2

Truth beyond the Mystery

ㅤSEVERAL years ago, it is widely known that Izquierdo kingdom was one of the most prosperous, powerful, and peaceful kingdom within Xeofarea. However, an unforeseen revolution occurred which caused the vampires and humans who placed their faith upon the royal family’s extermination. A conflagaration between two races happened due to a rumor wherein the king and queen are using the land along with its people to their delectation. There were no proof shown but the townspeople believed what was told to them and Lucas suspects that they trust that individual a lot that it was easy for whoever it was to manipulate crowd.

Moreover, the late king, Arthur Griego along with his loyal subjects were annihilated while defending the castle and the innocuous, while the late queen, Erina Griego died in Rutchill woods with an unknown reason – some suspected that she was also killed while some says that she suicided but there were no concrete evidences to prove the aforementioned hypotheses.

Aside from the king and queen’s deaths, another mystery that had been going on for years is the lost vampire princess, Selene Griego, who was born a few days before catastrophe occured within Izquierdo.

Lucas heaved a deep sigh and closed the book that he was reading. He closed his eyes and his hair tussled along with the gentle wind that came to visit their library – it was such a cool breeze, one that Lucas preferred. Really, it’s a good thing that he chose to sit beside the window today as he read through various documents regarding the unsolved mystery of the Fall of Izquierdo. Though, of course, he will be reprimanded by his tutor if they knew that he neglected his studies for trivial and personal research, but who cares?

Anyway, the question never left his mind even after he read the text written inside the book. Questions began to rush inside his head like waterfalls and Lucas can’t help it but to sneer at himself and at the information he gathered.

Everything written about the princess looked like bullshit.

Lucas then snorted. Palaisipan sa kanya ang pagkawala nito pero ang dami niya ring sagot sa katanungang: nasaan si Prinsesa Selene? Dahil saan nga naman mapapadpad ang prinsesa? Saan iyon dadalhin ng mga tao kung hindi pinatay? Imposibleng iwan ni Reyna Erina ang bagong silang na anak sa kung saan at sanggol lamang noon si Selene, imposibleng makaligtas mula sa panahon. Bampira sila oo pero... paano kung inatake ang bata ng mabangis na hayop o kung hindi naman, mga lobo?

He took a quick glance through the previous records he read about the fall of Griego family. There is no doubt about the havoc that transpired several years ago but – the princess? Ha! Kumbinsido si Lucas na naganap ang lahat ng trahedya, mula sa pagbagsak ng pamilyang nagpaunlad sa kahariang Izquierdo hanggang sa pagkamatay ng dating hari’t reyna. Minsan na rin iyong ikinuwento sa kanya ng ina.

Kaya lang, kahit anong libro ang basahin niya, wala siyang mahanap na impormasyon tungkol sa prinsesa. Marami siyang tsismis na narinig pero wala namang pruweba ang mga iyon kaya hindi rin magandang panghawakan at paniwalaan.

Napaismid si Lucas nang maalala ang isa sa mga tsismis: the queen may have sent the princess to another world. Man, parallel universes don’t exist nowadays!

Xeofarea isn’t a complex world with several realities like in fiction. What if’s won’t work here. Well at least, not anymore – but save that conversation for another time since in front of him lies the unsolved mystery of Selene Griego, the lost vampire princess who disappeared without a trace.

Sinapo ni Lucas ang noo. “Ang tatanga naman ng naniniwalang ipinadala sa ibang mundo ang batang ‘yon!”

“Sino sa mga ‘yon, mahal na prinsipe?”

The prince nearly jumped in surprise when his knight, Jonas, abruptly butted in to his conversation with himself. While curiosity filled the other male’s voice, Lucas turned around to throw daggers at his knight. He shouldn’t even be ashamed that he’s caught talking to himself but hell, his cheeks burnt a bright red in embarrassment!

Should he hit Jonas, though? Lucas stared at his knight who tilted his head as he received no response from the prince. It was then when Lucas slowly shook his head – nah, that’s just a waste of time. And no, he’s far too concerned regarding the princess’ whereabouts.

Instead, Lucas tried to ask the knight, “Jonas, may itatanong ako sa’yo.”

“Ano ‘yon, mahal na prinsipe?”

Lucas’s eyebrow twitched and he hissed. “But first, you really got to stop calling me ‘mahal na prinsipe’. Nasa modernong panahon na tayo! Ang baduy pakinggan na kaakibat ng pangalan ko ‘yang titulo ko!”

Jonas stared at him incredulously. Kahit sino yatang pintor e mahihiyang ipinta ang ngiwi sa mukha ng binata dala ng sinabi ni Lucas – pero iyon lang naman ang gusto niya! Pinangingilabutan nga siya sa tuwing tinatawag siya sa titulo niya kahit tuwing kaswal na okasyon lamang ang mayroon o hindi naman kaya’y ordinaryong araw lamang. Lucas gave them the permission to call him by his first name anyway, they won’t get beheaded for being disrespectful or treacherous.

“Ah, hindi ko ho yata ‘yan magagawa. Ayaw ko ho na isipin ng iba rito na hindi kita nirerespeto,” sagot ni Jonas at yumuko.

Siya naman ang sumimangot. O, hindi ba? Ni walang kahit anong okasyon at maliit na bagay lang naman ang hinihiling niya pero nakuha pang tanggihan! Hindi nagtagal, sumuko rin si Lucas at bumuga ng marahas na hangin.

Lucas hissed. “Bahala ka. Alam mo ba ‘yong tungkol sa nawawala raw na prinsesa ng Izquierdo?”

“Nawawalang prinsesa ng Izquierdo?” Ipinilig ni Jonas ang ulo kasabay ng pagkunot ng noo nito. “Nawawala ba si Prinsesa Luan?”

Ah, oo nga pala! Bakit ba nakalimutan ni Lucas na matagal na nga palang pinalitan ng mga Demelza ang mga Griego? May bago nang prinsesa ang kaharian ng Izquierdo!

“Hindi ‘yon! Iyong anak ng dating hari’t reyna ang tinutukoy ko, si Prinsesa Selene!”

“Ah. Kung gano’n, oo. Pamilyar ako sa kanya dahil marami ring naikwento sa ‘kin ang ina ko,” sagot ni Jonas.

Nang marinig ang sagot nito, napangisi si Lucas. “May kumakalat na balitang ginamit ni Reyna Erina ang isa sa mga ipinagbabawal na mahika para protektahan ang anak niya. Sa tingin mo ba, may posibilidad na totoo ‘yon at ipinadala nga sa ibang mundo si Prinsesa Selene?”

Natigilan si Jonas sa tanong na natanggap at mas lumalim ang kunot sa noo nito. Samantala, naaliw si Lucas sa reaksyong natanggap. Of course, Jonas would first think about Xeofarea’s current state and about parallel worlds. After all, the Xeofarea that their ancestors used to live on is different from the current Xeofarea they’re living within. Kaya naiintindihan niya ang pagtatakang puminta sa mukha ng binata.

“Hindi ako naniniwala ro’n, mahal na prinsipe. Gusto mo bang simulan natin sa kung anong nangyari sa Xeofarea matapos ang phenomena-ng sumira sa mga pader na nagbubuklod ng bawat realidad?” pag-uusisa ni Jonas na siyang ikinatawa lamang ni Lucas.

Iwinasiwas niya ang kamay. “Alam ko kung pa’no tumatakbo ang Xeofarea. ‘Wag kang mag-alala, ‘di ako kinulang sa pagbabasa ng mga libro. Ang akin lang, pa’nong naisip ng mga nagpakalap ng tsismis na posible pa rin ang parallel universe? Ha! Ro’n pa lang, parang ang fictional na ni Prinsesa Selene.”

Bumuntong hininga si Jonas. “Hindi ko alam kung paano ko ‘yan sasagutin.”

“Sabihin mo lang sa akin kung posible ba o hindi. Sapat na ‘yon.”

“Para sa ‘kin? Hm. Siguro ipinadala lamang sa ibang kaharian ang nawawalang prinsesa at do’n itinago.”

Sa mga oras na iyon, si Lucas naman ang natigilan. Muli rin niyang pinasadahan ng tingin ang mga libro tungkol sa mga Griego. Mahina siyang napahimig. Sa totoo lang, mayroong sense iyong sinabi ni Jonas. Sa halip na sa ibang mundo, posible na nasa ibang kaharian ang nawawalang prinsesa.

Syempre, palaisipan pa rin kung nakaligtas ito. Siguradong pinatay na ang nawawalang prinsesa dahil noong panahon ng giyera sa Izquierdo, isa sa mga target ang sanggol. Imposibleng walang nakatunog kung saan ito dinala ng ‘mahika’ at hindi ito nahanap.

“What is this? I know that you've been reading things about the tragedy of Izquierdo but I never thought that you’d be interested in the lost princess, young master,” puna sa kanya ni Jonas nang simulan niyang buksan ang iilang libro na nasa lamesa.

Lucas hissed. “Shut up. Alam mong fan ako ng conspiracy theories at unsolved mysteries. Umupo ka na lang diyan at tulungan mo ‘kong mag-ipon ng impormasyon dito.”

Nginitian ni Jonas si Lucas. “Ilang buwan mo na ‘tong nireresolba, mahal na prinsipe. Alam na rin ng mahal na hari na ‘di ka sumipot sa tutor mo para lang tumambay dito.”

Natigilan si Lucas at mabilis na nag-angat ng mata sa binata. Hindi nagtagal, napalunok siya at pinagpawisan. Sinong naglaglag sa kanya?! Sinabihan niya ang mga kasambahay na huwag magsasabi!

Ah! Siguradong iyong tutor niya ang nagsumbong!

“Sinumbong ako? Nino? Ng tutor ko? Nakakabagot naman talaga siyang pasukan at puro siya kuda. Kung sanang ginawa niyang entertaining o ‘di kaya e gumamit siya ng ibang paraan sa pagtuturo, papasukan ko siya palagi,” napapaismid niyang sagot.

Muling bumuntong hininga si Jonas. “O sige, kakausapin ko ang mahal na hari.”

Pinigilan niya ang binata sa pamamagitan ng pagkumpas ng isang kamay ngunit hindi niya ito pinasadahan man lang ng tingin sapagkat nanatili ang mga mata niya sa mga librong binabasa.

“Huwag na. Ako na ang kakausap. Alam naman ni Papa kung anong gusto ko sa mga tutor ko. Dapat interactive at effective,” aniya.

Humimig si Jonas. “Maliban sa pagkawala ng prinsesa, nasagot ba ang iba mong tanong, prinsipe Lucas? Tulad nalang noong minsan mong niri-research: Paano nagsimula ang gyera?”

“Mga Demelza lang naman ang sagot do’n. Kung bakit at kung ano ang ulterior motive nila, marami na ‘kong teorya.”

Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman ni Lucas kung anong klase ba ng mga tao ang mga Demelza. Bagamat wala siyang mairereklamo sa pamamalakad ng mga ito dala ng maunlad nitong kaharian, imposible ring hindi nakaakyat sa pwesto ang pamilya nang walang hinila at minanipulang hibla.

Tulad din ng sinabi ni Lucas kanina, walang inilabas na pruweba ang mga Demelza nang sabihin ng mga itong inaabuso ng mga Griego ang kapangyarihan nila. Even so, the people were swayed by their words so... the Demelzas must have done something. Kung ano iyon at paano nila iyon ginawa? Hindi pa rin malalaman ni Lucas.

Tanungin niya kaya si Luan? Kaso, sasagutin ba siya ng maayos ng dalaga? Imposible. Hindi noon sisirain ang pangalan ng pamilyang kinalakhan.

Samantala, inabot ni Jonas ang isa sa mga librong inilapag ni Lucas sa lamesa. He scanned the pages that piqued his interest with a smile that did not falter. Pinasadahan ni Lucas ng mabilis na tingin ang binata at naghintay kung mayroon ba itong masasabi. Nang wala agad natanggap na reaksyon, bumuntong hininga siya.

“Jonas, any thoughts?” pag-uusisa niya.

Jonas let out a hum and cupped his own chin with his free hand. “Maraming posibilidad kung paano pwedeng nawala ang prinsesa. Una sa lahat, pwedeng namatay ito dahil kinain ng mabangis na hayop – or she probably became the werewolves’ feast for that night, who am I to say?”

Umangat ang isang kilay ng prinsipe. See, that was his reaction upon reading this pile of books in front of him! There is little to no chance that the princess could have survived against the harsh reality. Basta, tataya yata si Lucas do’n sa parteng magkasamang pinatay sina reyna Erina at prinsesa Selene.

“Ayon sa mga narinig ko, sanggol palang daw noon ang prinsesa noong mangyari ang gyera sa Izquierdo. Nakatakas ang reyna sa pamamagitan ng sikretong daan sa palasyo, dala rin nito ang kaisa-isang anak na babae,” dagdag ni Jonas.

Naghalumbaba si Lucas. Yes, he’s read about that. Pero hindi lang sa sikretong daan sa palasyo dumaan si reyna Erina. Dumaan din ito sa alkantarilya matapos malamang ang iilang kasambahay na dapag e poprotektahan siya sa pagtakas, mga kasabwat pala ng mga rebelde.

“Pupwedeng bago pa makalayo ang reyna, nahanap na sila ng mga gustong pumatay sa kanila,” konklusyon ni Jonas at nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya.

Humimig siya. “Same thoughts. Kung ‘di ang mga rebelde ang pumatay sa prinsesa, posibleng mga lobo o kahit anong mabangis na hayop ang namamalagi sa Rutchill.”

“Iyon lang, ‘di iyon naka-record sa mga libro.”

“Of course, because they still don’t know what happened to her. But considering that she’s still there during that war, even though she’s technically a vampire, we’re still not immune against danger and predators. We’re still prone to death even though we’re labeled as immortals,” Lucas explained.

Lucas averted his gaze from Jonas, bringing his attention back to the table where he laid the books he’s reading. Various texts are served in front of them, most are reliable sources and some of these books helped him create a map for this unsolved mystery. Nevertheless, the information provided are still lacking – the possibilities they’ve shown are suspicious and Lucas refuses to consider them.

However, there is this one book which mentioned about queen Erina, casting a forbidden spell to send Princess Selene somewhere else away from Izquierdo kingdom – this idea entices him. The only downside of that information is of how the author said that the late Queen Erina sent Princess Selene to another universe.

Going back, it shouldn’t be impossible for them to cast spells. After all, aside from a vampire’s strength, one that they can brag about is their abilities to cast spell – though, it is strictly prohibited since the consequences are also heavy. For minor spells, it takes a toll in a vampire by eating out their strength and draining their energy. Still, the caster may take a rest and all will be well. Meanwhile, for the three forbidden spells – these spells require a sacrifice and it asks for the caster’s life and immortality.

If Queen Erina really casted one of those forbidden spells, then Lucas salutes her for her bravery and determination to save her newborn daughter.

“Wouldn’t it be the Hymn of the Moon, then?” Jonas blurted out after a moment of silence.

The knight, abruptly mentioning one of the three forbidden spells, as if he figured out the mystery Lucas had been trying to solve as he spoke with eagerness and enthusiasm caught his attention. He took a glimpse over Jonas, his scrutinizing gaze first felt unnerving, but it did not take long when he brought his gaze back to the books he had been reading.

“What do you mean by the ‘Hymn of the Moon’, Jonas?” Lucas asked as he blew out a loud breathe and leaned against the back rest of his chair.

“Hindi ba’t may tatlong ipinagbabawal na mahika? Isa sa mga ‘yon ang Hymn of the Moon,” panimula ng binata bago ikinumpas ang mga kamay. Kulang na lang e kumuha pa ito ng blackboard at chalk para makapagpaliwanag kay Lucas, “sa pagkakaalala ko, pupwede lamang iyong gawin kung malinaw ang kalangitan at bilog ang buwan.”

Lucas knew, that’s also why it’s his least favorite spell – amongst everything that he learned so far. Ang boring. Walang sipa. Kailangan lang na maliwanag ang buwan tapos... tapos na! Anyone can cast that spell because it has little to no restrictions.

“Iyong generic pala ang tinutukoy mo,” ani Lucas at napaismid.

Sinimangutan siya ni Jonas. “Mahal na prinsipe, kahit generic pa ang Hymn of the Moon, mahigpit na ipinagbabawal kahit ng mga wizard sa Magic Tower na gawin iyon.”

“Alam ko.” Umikot ang mga mata ni Lucas. “Anyway, that’s not what I wanted to know. Ba’t mo biglang in-insert sa usapan iyang mahikang ‘yan?”

“Ah. Kasi iyon lang ang alam kong mahika na pupwedeng mag-transport ng nilalang sa isang lugar patungo sa iba pa,” paliwanag ni Jonas.

Akala niya, may kasunod pa na sasabihin si Jonas matapos nitong ipaliwanag ang Hymn of the Moon ngunit nang wala na itong ibang idinugtong sa sinasabi. Kumunot ang noo ni Lucas bago inabot ang isa sa mga papel na nilukot niya’t binato kay Jonas na mabilis namang nakailag.

Nadismaya ba siyang hindi tinamaan ng papel si Jonas? Oo! Dahil umasa rin si Lucas ng detalyadong eksplanasyon upang gawing valid ang Hymn of the Moon bilang mahikang ginawa ni Reyna Erina para iligtas ang nag-iisang anak! Hindi sapat na dahilan na kaya noong ilipat mula sa isang lugar patungo sa iba ang target.

Ang generic talaga! Tapos ano nga ang kapalit ng mahikang iyon? Ah, buhay nila! Hindi niya talaga maintindihan kung bakit ganoon kalaki ang presyo ng napakabaduy na uri ng mahika.

“Prinsipe Lucas, ba’t ka namamato ng papel?!” kalauna’y reklamo ni Jonas.

Sumagitsit si Lucas. “Akala ko kasi, may sasabihin kang importante at may saysay! Iyon lang pala ang alam mo tungkol sa Hymn of the Moon, kumuha ka pa ng dramatic entrance!”

“Dahil alam ko namang ‘di impressive na mahika iyon.” Kinamot ni Jonas ang pisngi. “At alam ko ring madalas mong tawagin na generic ang Hymn of the Moon.”

Dahil totoo! Bumuga ng marahas na hangin si Lucas at napahilamos ng mukha. Hindi bale na, hindi naman importante ang mahikang binanggit ni Jonas at malakas ang kutob niyang hindi sangkot ang Hymn of the Moon sa pagkawala ng prinsesa.

Aabutin na sana ni Lucas ang isa pang libro mula sa nakatambak niyang babasahin nang mayroong ideya ang pumasok sa isipan niya.

Lucas was stunned for a moment and he didn’t move. As the sudden realization dawned upon him, he thought: why hadn’t it crossed his mind earlier?! He’s been trying to figure out this unsolved mystery all by himself, relying on textbooks which he isn’t even sure if truly reliable, and with Jonas’ criticial yet sometimes ridiculous ideas when... when his father has a connection with Izquierdo kingdom’s previous Magic Tower’s head magician – Merlin!

His eyebrow twitched as he heaved another rough sigh as he reached for his temples to massage.

“Jonas, wala ba ‘kong susunod na schedule bukod sa tutor?” tanong niya habang hinihilot ang sentido.

Humimig si Jonas. “Schedule bukod sa tutor? Bakit mo naitanong, mahal na prinsipe? May pupuntahan ka ba?”

Silence vanquished the area they occupied and Lucas finally stopped massaging his temples. He pondered about several things such as: will this trip be worth it? And will he get answers from Merlin? After all, he’s the only key that Lucas can rely on if he wanted to solve this one conspiracy.

Funny how he spends his time solving Izquierdo kingdom’s lost vampire princess when he has duties to fulfill. He’s spoiling himself by treating every second as leisure! Man, he has to get back on track soon but for now, he really had to see that magician.

“Yeah, I have to see someone.”

Merlin Kreese, one of the survivors of the tragedy – an escapee from Izquierdo kingdom who fled to Vintress kingdom to seek refuge and one of his father’s closest friend. The vampire who may lead him to the answer he’s seeking for.