Napapalibutan ng nagtataasang puno ang mga bahay namin dito. It is like our houses are in the middle of a forest. Liblib at medyo malayo sa ingay ng town. John is now inviting me towards a secluded place, I don't know exactly kung saan. "Saan mo ba ako dadalin?" I asked John but he remain walking silently na tila ba hindi ako nadinig. To be honest, medyo kinakabahan ako sa mga nagaganap. Hindi ko kayang mapredict kung anong motives or drive ang meron si John to lead me in the middle of nowhere. Ilang beses ko na siyang tinanong kung saan kami pupunta pero panay ang sabi niya na malapit na kami. I can't turn my back away from him kasi I am not good at remembering paths. Maliligaw ako for sure, kapag umalis ako without John. "Malapit na tayo." he declared.
Hindi ko namalayan na medyo malayo na kami from our houses. We are now in the heart of the forest. The place looks mystical, as if a strong power maintained its peculiarity. Ramdam mo sa malalamig na hampas ng hangin ang hiwaga ng lugar. The trees are dancing beautifully in the rhythm of the wind, like they were controlled. The rays of the sun cannot enter the forest's grounds because the trees shaded the entire path. Medyo madilim ang paligid dahil sa naglalakihang mga puno, samahan mo pa ng mga rock formations na ngayon ko lang nakita. The settings is indeed astounding and breath-taking.
While I am busy appreciating the scenery, John stopped from walking and looked at me. "We are here." he uttered. I look around. Iginala ko ang aking mga mata sa lugar. My eyes were captivated by the splendor of the place. It felt serene and alluring. Then, I found an extensive round stone table behind John. The table was surrounded by four huge stone towers with letters engraved on it as if it was enchanted by chain of mystical spells. John led me inside, where I passed the division created by the towers. As soon as I walked pass through the division, I felt such a strong flush of power inside my veins na tila ba mabilis na dumadaloy ang aking mga dugo. My vision went circling again pero mild lang. I almost lost my balance, buti na lang, John supported.
In a snap, my nose became irritated by the smell I just inhaled. The wind carried a strong scent of fresh blood. My nose became sensitive. I can smell things that are away from here. John is holding my hands, and when I looked at him, I inhaled again that agitating smell. I removed John's grip on my hand and draw back inches away from him. "John, why do you smell blood?" I asked in the middle of fear. He smiled. "Tama nga ako. Your powers are awaken." giit ng lalaki. John approached me slowly. "Huwag kang lalapit sa akin!" I shouted. The more he walk closer to me, the more the smell became stronger."Huwag kang lalapit sabi!" I declared. "You definitely shape shift, I can smell your original scent." he said in an amused tone.
Then, in a split second, he was behind me. "Do not be afraid." he whispered in my ears which are now hearing even the slightest movement of his blood inside his veins. I didn't expect how quick I would respond. I immediately grabbed his neck as if its my automatic response to a stimuli. I can feel his tensed muscles in the neck. He held my hands which are tightly gripped around his neck and his eyes looked like they are begging mercy but my whole body was dictating me to eliminate him. There is a strong conviction in me that alerts my whole system that John is an extreme danger. "Ca-aalm do-oown, Vee--era." he managed to speak even his neck was strained by my hands. Suddenly, I felt the flush of power inside of me, tamed down. I quickly released him. John fell to the ground and grasping for air. Bakas din ang mahigpit kong pagkakahawak sa leeg niya dahil sa mga iniwan nito marka sa maputing balat ni John.
Dinig na dinig ko ang bilis ng tibok ng kanyang puso, maging ang mga pagal niyang paghinga. I was about to leave him kasi natatakot ako na baka gawin ko ulit yung ginawa ko. I am aware to all that just happened but I felt like a strong power dominated me in that moment. Kung dati natatakot ako sa lahat ng nararanasan ko, pero ngayon, I feared myself. "Stop. Vera." John shouted in the middle of his pain. I looked at him immediately, in my shock, the marks were gone. "You cannot hurt me badly. I can endure pain beyond you can imagine." John said while standing na akala mo walang nangyari. Then, he walked towards the nearest stone tower.
"Vera, look up." giit ni John while looking on something in the stones. I looked up kahit na sobra akong natatkot at naguguluhan. I observed that the entire location of the towers and the table was not covered by any trees. It is an open space unlike the other areas we had passed kanina. "This place was lit by the splendor of the moon everynight. You should see its beauty." John said while looking at me. "Ano bang nangyayari John? Sino ka ba talaga? Ano itong lugar na ito? Ano ba ako?" I asked continuously. I throw all the questions I am wanting to ask. "Halika." John invited me to walk towards the table. When I reached the table, I immediately saw the sculpted images and words on the table. The center of the table was carved into a medium sized basin with a crystal on its mid. Sculpted rock shards held the white crystal and elevated it a little. The basin was surrounded by letters and symbols I cannot comprehend except to the words, La Unidad.
"My grandparents was one of the founders of La Unidad, a unified group of our races. La Unidad was a union of vampires and werewolves. Our family is from the line of one of the primordial tribes of vampires which is an almost extinct blood line. Me and my mom was the only left survivors of our race dahil sa ginawang pamamasalang ng Kai-La-An tribe. La Unidad aimed for peace and unity upon our races but your tribe, look at it as a sin. Leon, your dad entrusted you to my grandparents as soon as he lived in your house. Your parents are one of the founders of La Unidad. This place is our sanctuary." John narrated. "Kai-La-An Tribe? Do I belong to them?" I asked. "Yes, your mom, Lizette was the chosen wolf to be the next leader of your tribe but she joined this league and was casted off due to her relation with Leon. Leon, was a vampire by blood but he don't have the abilities like ours." he replied. "Is this real?" I asked, confirming the reality of everything. John nodded as a reply.
How can all of this be possible? I am a wolf? I cannot process everything. John showed me many things, including photos and documents that are buried in the place's grounds. He showed me evidences of my roots but I cannot convince myself to believe. I am used to a world that is black and white yung walang supernatural. I am a skeptic person in terms of this matters but John is saying that I am a part of this. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin at paniniwalaan ko.
We lost track of time. The night overcome the day. The moon is now shining directly above this place. Then, in just a moment, the place lit up na animo'y automatic ang mga lights. The beam of the moon showed the beauty of the place and its rays stricken the white crystal. As soon as the light of the moon hits the surface of the crystal, the light was refracted and enlightened the whole place. Ang ganda ng paligid. It looks enchanted and guarded by mystical creatures. Me and John was both amazed by the splendor we see. Silence reign over us but it was disrupted by a voice.
"Vera, finally, nakakapagisip ka na din." aroganteng saad ng babae na naglalakad patungo sa kinalalagyan namin ni John. The woman is shining brightly but when she was inches away, naaninag ko kung sino siya. Luna is here. Then, a cracking sound resonated in my ears. Napatingin ako sa pinakamalapit na magkatapat na stone towers. Suddenly, a crack and a swirling soft light appeared in their midst. "Ms. Vera!" matinis at excited na sigaw ng babae na kakalabas lang mula sa liwanag. What on earth is Lucy doing here?