"Ran where are you?" kanina pa naglilibot sa buong bahay si Agatha at hinahanap ang kanyang anak.
Gumising siya kanina na wala sa kwarto nito ang anak niya and some of her clothes are gone. She run back to her daughter's room and closed her eyes to concentrate. Puno ng pag-aalala ang kanyang isip ngunit pinilit niyang magconcentrate. She slowly waits until her powers are released.
Agatha opens her eyes and the room changed. She stood there watching how her daughter slide down to bed and slowly fix her clothes in a big bag. She saw that she left a paper on top of her pillow. She followed her at nakita niyang pumasok ito sa kwarto niya. Nasa kama siya at mahimbing na natutulog. Binaba ni Ran yung bag sa labas ng pintuan at lumapit sa natutulog na siya.
"Mama pasensya ka na ha. Kailangan kong umalis ngayon but I'll be back. Last na ito at gragraduate na ako. I really want to help you so------wait for me ma." Hinalikan nito ang noo ng natutulog na siya.
Napasinghap si Agatha at nang buksan niya ang kanyang mga mata ay nasa kwarto siya ng anak na ngayo'y walang kabuhay-buhay. Nanlumo siya at napaupo sa kama ng anak niya, she rubs the pillow and her tears started to drop. She didn't know what to do. Ran is her life; she is the reason why she is still living in this mundane existence. She saw something on the floor below her daughter's desk. Pinulot niya iyon at nakita niyang yung papel na iniwan ng kanyang anak. Nilipad siguro ng hangin o kayay naghulog at napunta sa ilalalim ng desk.
Ma,
Pasensya ka na mama at bigla nalang akong umalis ng walang paalam sa iyo. Pagkasi sinabi kong gusto kung ituloy yung PT namin ay baka maghisteria ka at sasabihin muli na sasama ka sa amin. Ma I want to do this on my own. I love you and I want to help so please you work and I can't do that without graduating. I'm so sorry. Ma babalik din ko. I'll be fine. Kasama ko naman si Maha so don't worry. Ma I love you and be safe, wait for me. I'm really sorry, but don't look for me and just wait for me.
Ran
Agatha feels so empty and she can feel how her protection slowly fades away from her daughter. Hindi na ngayon protektado ang anak niya and she is so scared that they will find her. Napatayo siya nang may marinig siyang ingay mula sa baba. She immediately run downstairs hoping her daughter is home and that Ran changed her mind. Napaatras siya nang makita niyang hindi ang anak niya ang nakatayo sa may gitna ng kanilang sala kundi 4 na babae at 3 lalaki na kapwa nakatingin sa kanya. She felt that dark aura emerging from them so she concentrated on her own ability just in case.
"Who are you? What are you doing on my house?" matapang niyang turan na may halong malakas na enerhiya upang maramdaman nilang kaya niyang labanan sila.
"Please don't be alarmed. We are not your enemy. We are here to protect you.....you and the princess. We are from the shifters bloodline, one of the cursed families. We are bound to protect you...and her." The girl wearing a brown leather jacket and skinny jeans said. She has a long black hair and her face shows friendship and honesty.
"Shifters? You are wolves. Why are you here?" Agatha said saka siya bumaba sa hagdanan.
"Yes we are. We are here to protect you. Your power is weakening because the princess disappeared. We are here to get you out of here. The Dark King...already found you." The man beside the girl said as her eyes widen in disbelief.
"He did? I have to find my daughter. I can't leave, she might return here. I have to-----." Saad niyang nababahala.
"Don't worry she is safe. Many of our people are there to protect her; she is now our main priority. For now we need to leave. The Dark King already sent his slaves and men to acquire you. We need to leave right away. We are going to bring you to a safe place, people you know are also there....protected." the girl said and they look around the house as if they are sensing something coming.
"People I know?" saad niyang may halong pagtataka.
"We must haste, I can smell their stinky scent. They are slowly approaching from the south." The other man said as they all move aside to look around.
"S-sige, I'll come but I need to get something." Agatha runs to the kitchen and she push a little bricks just below the sink and the floor open up a small hole. She took the box she has hidden there for many decades. Paglabas niya sa kusina ay sinalubong siya ng mga ito at nakita niyang dala-dala ng dalawang babae yung 2 malaking suitcase niya at amng bag ng anak niya na may kalakihan.
"We need to go we already pack everything important for you and your daughter. They won't find anything here that they can use to track you and her. We will burn the house." The other man said as he thrust a black coat on her shoulders. She was against the idea of them burning their home, the home she and her daughter shared with love and happiness. But if it is to save her daughter....so be it.
They ride for many hours and finally they stopped. They are in the heart of the forest; they guided her inside a wide watery cave. After walking in the darkness she saw a light and as they draw nearer until the light strike her eyes she saw that they are coming out in the other side mouth of the cave. She saw forest and heard this growling sound from the woods. They guided her into a small cabin made out of woods, it is a well-built cabin and so wide that it can contain 50 people. As they approach the cabin men wearing t-shirts, jeans and some are wearing shorts come out of the house and greeted them. Napaupo nalang siya sa isang upuang gawa sa kahoy doon habang kinakausap ng mga kasama niya yung mga nagsilabasan. Nag-aalala siya sa anak niya, if HE is looking for her then HE might also found out about her daughter. Ayaw niyang si Ran ang gamitin ng kanyang ama upang matupad ang propasiya. She can't allow darkness to take her daughter away from her. Even if it is already fated and written in prophesy, she don't believe that the person is her Ran.
Hawak-hawak niya yung box na gawa sa metal na may desinyong isang mata sa gitna na nakukulayan ng pula at itim habang nag-iisip siya. The box was locked with magic and the content of that is a book that will complete the prophesy, the book contain the spell that needed to waken the darkness inside the chosen.....which is unfortunately her own daughter. Her father was really hoping one of his bloodlines to be the chosen but for many decades that HE waited, that never happened so his only anticipation was with her...the last legitimate child he have with the princess of the light casters.
"Your highness come we have prepared a room for you to stay.....temporarily." napataas ang tingin ni Agatha nang may nagsalita sa kanyang harapan.
She sees a woman with a black short hair. Hangang balikat nito yung buhok nito at maamo ang mukha nito, her skin is tan and she is walking with strong posture.
"Where are we anyway?" tanong niya habang nauuna ito papasok ng bahay. Tumaas sila sa second floor at ginaya siya nito sa isang malawak na kwarto at nakita niyang nandoon na yung 2 suitcase niya at ang bag ng anak niya, she rub her hand on the bag as worry came into her face. How is her Ran doing? Sana lang ay nasa maayos itong kalagayan. Hindi na ito abot ng kanyang proteksyon kaya sigurado siyang mahahanap ito ng kanyang ama o kaya kung sinung gusting kunin si Ran. She laid the box on the bed and faces the girl again.
"We are in our secret hide out. We hide in here as the Dark casters look everywhere to annihilate our kind since we swore to protect you and all information about your existence at kung nasaan kayo nakatira. We are force into hiding and hide our existence just to bury any information that may expose you to them. But now that you and the princess separate....our time of hiding is enough. We found out that one of our past elders has become a traitor just to become stronger. That is why they know where to find you. I'm sorry your highness." She said as she opens the curtain in the window.
"I see. It's not your fault.....I know sooner or later they will find me. I just hope my daughter is safe." Agatha said as she closes her eyes and chanted a spell and the box become a necklace and she picks it up to put it in her neck. Iyon ang alam niyang paraan upang maitago yung libro at madala san man siya magpunta. Ang librong iyon ang isang importanteng bagay na kakailanganin sa ritual, kung pwede sana niya itong sirain at sunugin nagawa n asana niya decades ago. Pero purong mahika ang laman ng libro kay di iyon masisira ng basta-basta.
"She is in a safe hand your highness. She is protected by our leaders and warriors. They will keep her safe. Oh by the way your highness someone wants to see you. We will wait for you downstairs. Take your time to rest." She smiles and she left.
Kanina pa siya nakaupo sa kama at nagcoconcentrate. She is using her power to find her daughter but it seems like Ran is in a place hidden from her sight.
"Your power can't reach her and you can't find her here. She's safe though as what Alexis have said so no need to worry." Agatha is stun that she suddenly opens her eyes to see who owns that familiar voice.
"Oh my! Uncle Luke how-why are you here?" she said as she stands and slowly walk towards the man who is standing and leaning on the door as he smiles to her.
"It's a long story sweetie but we have time so I can slowly tell you. For the mean time come and give me a hug. I missed you." Luke Steban her mother's brother said as he opens his arm to hug her. She approaches him at napangiti rin siya. Matagal ng dekada na hindi sila nagkikita magmula noong tinakas sila ng mga ito mula sa palasyo.
"I'm not a child anymore Uncle...I'm like a decade old now." Agatha said but she hugs him and he hugged her like a long lost child.
"Yes but you're still by lovable sweet niece." He said as he kisses her forehead.
"It's a pity I can't get to meet your young daughter. But one of these days I will. Your power kept her safe and young I see." He said as he looks at her to the eyes.
"Do you have any idea where she is?" tanung niya na may halong pag-aalala.
"She's protected by the shifters. Don't worry they will be with her. Snow families are all gathered there to protect her." He said shoving a small strand of hair away from her face.
"Snow? Do you mean the lineage of the cursed Zanques? Do you think they will protect her? My family is their enemy, my mother cursed them and that is the reason why they turned into monsters. Can you trust them?" turan ni Agatha na may halong pag-aalala at takot para sa nag-iisang anak.
"You worry too much my dear Sillica. You still haven't change, though you changed your hair and appearance but still you are my innocent Sillica. Don't worry they will protect her. She is their princess any way, isa rin siya sa kanilang pamilya. Dumadaloy ang dugo ng isang Zanques sa iyong anak kaya siguradong proprotektahan nila ito. Besides the prophesy should not happen or else it is our death." He said as he hold her face and rub her cheek using his thumb.
"Hindi, hangat maaari ay ayaw kong maging isang Zanques si Ran. Iniwan kami ng walang hiya niyang ama… she has no blood of a monster running in her veins. Matagal ng patay sa akin ang walang hiyang iyon. By the way, where is aunt Josephine....and what happened to you? I thought you are dead, they told us you were killed by my father's men while you were on the run? How--." May halong galit na turan ni Agatha at nang tanungin kung nasaan ang kanyang tita ay nagging mahinahon siya.
"We got saved by the some kind family pero namatay din sila dahil sa amin. Then after years ay tinulungan kami ng mga shifters na magtago kay Hermakus. Hello sweetie." They both turn to see who suddenly speaks behind her uncle. Nakita niyang si aunt Josephine niya iyon, hindi parin ito nagbabago. Maganda parin ang maamong mukha nito, mahaba pa rin ang brown na mahabang buhok nitong hangang bewang na nito, and her skin is still fair as the petal of a white rose.
"Aunt Josephine." She rushes to hug her.
"It's been a long time dear; I can see that you've been great. It's been a great sorrow what happened to your mother and sister. I'm delighted that you are safe." She said as she rubs her back.
"Yes it's been a hell of a memory for me. Yung imahe nilang nasusunog sa plasa at yung pagbibitiw ni mama ng sumpa… lahat ng iyon ay binabalikan ako. I have given up hopes not until my daughter arrived that I have understood my mother's love for us. Kung bakit hanggang sa huling hininga niya ay pinagpalit niya ang kanayang buhay para sa kaligtasan ko at sa pagkakasumpa ng mga taong nagging malupit sa amin." Malungkot na turan ni Agatha habang nagdadagsaan sa kanyang isip ang nakaraan na pilit niyang tinatakbuhan.
"You will be together ones again dear. Have faith on your daughter." Aunt Josephine said as she looks at her with a smile.
"Sure she will. Her place is always been my side. Malakas at matapang si Ran kaya alam kung kakayanin niya. Ang ikinatatakot ko ay ang araw na malalaman niya ang lahat, na isa rin siya sa sumpang sisira sa buong mundo." She said as she looks away towards the window.
"But you will need to let her go when the time really comes...and you know that. Sumpa man siya sa mundo ay hindi parin mababagong kadugo nating siya. Makakaya niyang kontrolin ang kadilim… at susubaybayan natin siya" Her uncle said as she returns her eyes to them and smiles bitterly.
Alam naman niya na darating talaga ang araw na kailangan niyang pakawalan ang anak niya. She already knows that one of these days Ran will find someone who will love her as much. Ang tanging kinakatakot niya ang kung mahanap ito ng kanyang ama and all of what she feared will come true. There is something inside Ran and she knows it. Ran's destiny is already written in that book, she feared that on the process she will truly lose her daughter. Sa paggamit ng kanyang ina na si Adaline sa sumpa na nasa itim na libro ay nagging ligtas siya at na sumpa ang mga masasamang tao na nagkasala sa kanila noo. Pero may kaakibat na kapalit ang sumpa, magigising ang siyang mamumuno sa kadiliman at ito yung matagal na hinihintay ng kanilang ama noon. Si Ran…. Kahit anong gawin niyang pagtatago at pagbabantay rito… si Ran parin ang pinakahuling sumpa. Sa kanya gigising ang kadiliman gamit ng ritual na gigising sa kapangyarihan ng kadiliman na nasa loob ni Ran.
"Dear let us head downstairs; the shifters have prepared us a feast. You might as will learn something from them at the same time we will tell you what have happened to us." Aunt Josephine said as she drags her out of the room.
As they walk down the stairs and she saw how they all look at her na para bang nakakita sila ng isang nakakatakot na multo. Lahat ay tahimik at nakatingin sa kanya na para bang isa siyang special na tao. She saw the women fixing food in a wide table as the men just sat there. Hinila siya ng kanyang auntie at uncle sa lamesa at pinaupo siya sa gitna ng lamesa. Sininyasan nila yung mga lalaking nakatunganga lang sa tabi at nagsitalema sila at umupo sa lamesa. They all started to eat the food laid on the table. They all finish eating and they are now sitting so quietly.
"Uncle, please tell me, do you know where my daughter is?" she asks as she look at her uncle as everyone look at her.
"Well!! Yes but I can't tell you yet. We must lay low for a while now that your father found out about you and...your daughter. He won't stop at nothing until he gets her.....the chosen. He is obsess about the written prophesy.....more especially of power that he even meant to sacrifice his descendants just to fulfill it. We all want her to be safe and being away from you will help. They will look for you hoping to find her with you while...she is in a place where the guardians can protect her. Don't worry, if time comes that she won't be safe anymore then they will send us a message and we will go to her. Just stay here and be safe." Turan ng kanyang uncle na matamang nakatingin sa kanya habang ang lahat ay tahimik lang na nakikinig sa kanila.
"If you said that she is safe then I'll wait. I just hope she won't be in any harm." Turan niyang nanlulumo. This is the very first time her daughter is away from her and she doesn't even know where she is. It made her so worried especially now that her father found out about them. Palapit na rin ang pulang buwan, ang araw na nakatakda sa pagkagising ng kadiliman.
"Don't worry dear, she is safe." Turan naman ng asawa ng kanyang uncle.
"Our relatives are there to protect her and the guardians are also all around her. Don't worry your Highness they will send a word when things get bad." The man wearing a gray t-shirt beside a woman who is so pretty with her long reddish hair said as they look at her.
"Peter is right sweetie besides gave her time to learn to defend herself alone and for her to polish her own hidden powers which are too strong. Her protectors can help her sort it out, don't worry too much." Her uncle Luke said as he reach for her folded hands and hold it in his warmth and he smiles as she to give her smile of relief.
"As long as she is safe, I hope HE won't catch her until the red full moon." She said as everyone nod indicating that they are all aware of the written prophesy.
Pinakilala sa kay Agatha ang lahat ng nandoon, lahat sila ay nasa pamilya ng mga Zanques na sinumpa. The others are their children with their life mates, brothers and their sisters. Her uncle introduces them as they bow to her in respect.
"Children introduce yourselves." The girl her uncle introduced as Amelia said to the rest.
"Your majesty my name is Emerald Amelia's sister and these are our brothers, Jasper and Glendel." said the woman who is just like Amelia but she has a short reddish hair and she is wearing a simple pink dress. The two nod and bowed to her as she too bowed to them.
"Hi I'm Jasper as my sister introduced me and this is my wife, Cristal. She was ones a human but I changed her. These are our children; Ezo and you already met his wife Alexis who is also ones a human.....a great doctor, Pamela our 2nd and Cammel our youngest." Jasper introduces as they also bowed to her with a smile and she too did the same.
"And these are our triplets; Ken, Karl and Kanely." Peter said as the three identical men bowed to her and she look at them in awe. They three look so alike but Ken is more strongly build, Karl is the cold type and Kanely is the friendly looking one.
"This is my wife, Britany. She is also ones a human, a scientist. I changed her for us to survive." Kanely said as the lovely woman who stood just behind him bowed at her. She looks so innocent and her skin is so fair. She has black long hairs that sway in her back as she moves.
"This is Stella Gale my wife; she is one of us in birth." Karl introduced the woman who sat beside him. The girl has a very attractive blonde hair and golden eyes. She too bowed just like the others at gaya rin ng ginawa niya ay ngumiti siya rito.
"This is my wife, Freya. That man on the door is our son, Brook Frank. His wife is outside gathering fruits for us." Ken introduced.
"It's so great to meet you. What about the other half naked men who look so lost?" Saad niyang nakangiti sa lahat ng nandoon.
"The other men are our subordinates; they are some of the first Zanques relatives that were reached by the curse. Some.....just went to the enemy's side in retaliation, they are those who have lost the feeling of love and hope." Peter said sadly.
"Oh I see, I'm sorry to hear that." Agatha said at napailing nalang ang mga ito.
"That's just the nature of the curse and it's so common to us. Those who can find their wife earlier are considered lucky. Those who don't are now our losing their faith and life." Amelia said as every one of them nod.
Magsasalita pa sana si Jasper nang biglang may pumasok na magandang babae na may hawak ng isang basket ng prutas. Mahaba ang kulay pula nitong buhok at kamukha ito ng kanyang tita Josephine.
"Oh sweetie this is our granddaughter Analey Frey and...she is Brook Frank's wife. That is why we are here." His uncle Luke said as she amazedly looks at the girl who now laid the basket on the table and stood behind Ken and bowed to her.
"Hello Analey dear it's nice to meet you." She smiles as she too smiles.
"It is also great to finally meet you your highness." She said.
Hindi niya maipagkakaila na kadugo niya ito, may dugo ng isang light caster na dumadaloy sa kanya kahit mukhang ginawang shifter ito ng kanyang asawa, kung hindi kasi iyon gagawin ng mga shifters/wolves ay mamamatay ang kanilang mga asawa na walang dugong shifter.
"Your granddaughter?" she looks at her uncle questioningly.
"Oh my bad! Let me introduce my son Jonathan and his wife Freyala. They are Analey's parents. Our youngest Nashale...we adopted her. This man is her husband Riejan, he is a vampire haunter. Our Eldest son is not with us but we know he is safe out there." His uncle said.
"His name is?" taking tanung ni Agatha. Hindi niya alam na nagkaanak pala sila habang nagtatago at tinatakasan ang kaniyang ama na si Hermakus Marconnes ang hari ng mga dark casters.
"Raven Dawn." Her aunt said and she smiles to them.
"I see, I hope you can meet him some day. And please all of you....stop calling me your highness. Just call me Agatha." She said and they all nod.
"Dear I prefer Sillica." Her aunt Josephine told her at napangiti nalang siya.
"That was before Aunt Josephine. I'm called Remelia Agatha today." Sagot niya na nakangiti.
"Even if you change your name, you are still our Sillica." Her uncle said as he kisses her in the forehead.