Blood and Roses

CHAPTER ONE

ㅤTHE air began to stifle and the once harmonious and joyous kingdom became radiant with pure heat – signifying abomination the rebels felt for the vampires who ruled the land. Skycrapers are no longer an eye candy because for the rebels, it was these colossal flames that seemed to reach the heavens. But how could they see it stretch further if smoke covered the skies to obscure the catastrophe in this very ground?

“Hide in the forest as we fight against these rebels,” Arthur told her as he cupped her cheeks and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead.

It was midnight when a knight announced that there are rebels who are attempting to disrupt the palace’s peace. Everyone was awoken by the abrupt news and it alarmed everyone – from the servants, knights, and them, the king and queen. Women were tasked to leave the kingdom immediately, there were assigned maids to accompany Erina as they escape and hide from the mess brought by the rebels. Meanwhile, all men are tasked fo defend the kingdom and it includes Arthur.

“I’ll soon follow you once the situation worsens, we’ll seek for help. But Erina, bear in mind that if I’d not survive, I’ll send Merlin for you,” was the last thing she’d heard from him before panic washed through everyone’s being as the rebels have destroyed the barracks placed to hold them back, “go! I’ll see you soon, Eri—”

Arthur’s voice was cut off when his eyes lowered and saw the child Erina carried in her arms. Selene, their newborn daughter, was sleeping soundly albeit the chaos stirring outside. It was then when terror danced around Arthur’s eyes and the emotion worried Erina.

“Arthur...” she softly called him as she reached out a hand to caress her husband’s face.

He scooted towards them and caressed Selene’s head, lips were tight, and his expression alone screamed that he fears what could occur during the war.

“I want to see her growing,” Arthur’s voice cracked and his hand that caressed Selene’s head trembled, “she had just been born, Eri, she doesn’t deserve to witness the war.”

Erina hummed. “Yes, your Majesty.”

Arthur took a deep breathe and steeled himself to let go of his family. It was then when his and Erina’s eyes met and the burning determination to keep their kingdom and families safe fueled him – but why is it that it worries Erina? Everything that occurs around them, even the heavens, seemed to tell her that tragedy is the only end of Izquierdo kingdom.

Erina hopes that it wasn’t it.

Chaos gradually embraced Izquierdo kingdom and death was all around. Multitude of corpses sprawled across the fiery streets and Erina ran and ran, ignoring the weak calls for help.

As their queen, although Erina wanted to stand up for her people, she can’t risk the life she’s carrying in her arms. All she could do in the midst of war was to desperately escape the land she once cherished in order to preserve her daughter’s life – until she finally escaped Izquierdo kingdom through the sewerage to seek for a place to hide in Rutchill woods.

The woodlands was dark and terrifying, tall trees filled the location and fog clouded Erina’s vision, her eyes squinted and she struggled to see what’s in front of her. Anxiety and uncertainty danced around her, celebrating what makes her heartbeat race. Sometimes, animals made sounds which alarmed her, her guards would raise and the first thought that come across his mind is her baby, but as she deemed these creatures harmless, she continued to wander in search for a safe place to hide.

Her heart ached and tears streamed down to her cheeks, fear braced her being as she carried her beloved child to safety. She unexpectedly lost people while she ran into the deep woods in search for refuge. Some of the maids assigned to protect her were rebels and those who were faithful to her fought for her and her child’s survival. Soon after, she saw a small cave near the riverbank and decided to take rest in there, hoping that she won’t be found.

Her sharp senses remained alert that despite hiding from afar, Erina could still discern the screams of horror blaring from the place she left, the warcries that dominated the land, maniacal laughter, and pleads from those who desired to spare their lives, yet; she couldn’t do anything for those whose lives were trampled by rebels.

Erina huddled in the corner of her chosen hiding spot as she cradled her daughter. Fear and anxiety slowly graced her being as she heard footsteps from afar, tears began to form at the corner of her eyes and her throat dried – she held up the sob that wanted to escape from her lips, wearing a pretense of strength for the sake of her child.

Nagbaba siya ng tingin para tignan ang anak. Nang makita itong mahimbing na natutulog sa mga bisig niya, walang pakialam sa mga nangyayari at walang kamuwang-muwang, hindi napigil ni Erina na kagatin ang pang-ibabang labi. Kapapanganak lamang niya at hindi ito ang gusto niyang kinabukasan para sa bagong silang na anak.

“Nasa’n siya?! Nakita niyo ba?!” Dumagundong ang boses ng lider ng mga rebeldeng humahabol sa kanya. Bakas ang galit sa tono ng pananalita nito, dahilan upang mapapiksi’t pangilabutan siya. “Tang inang ‘yan, dumaan ‘yon sa alkantarilya kanina!”

“Boss, ang bilis nawala no’ng napansin tayo e. ‘Tsaka pinigilan tayo ng ibang kasama niya!” sagot naman ng kasama nito.

Ilang beses na napalunok si Erina, nakikiramdam at nag-aabang sa kung ano ba ang posibleng maging susunod na hakbang ng mga humahabol sa kanya.

“Pwes, hanapin niyo! Nanghihina na ‘yon! Yakang-yaka nang patumbahin! At ‘wag kayong babalik ng Izquierdo nang ‘di siya napapatay lalo na ‘yong batang bitbit niya!” utos nito sa mga kasama at sunud-sunod na hakbang ang narinig ni Erina, kalat sa buong kagubatan – malayo pa sa kinaroroonan niya.

The way her heart pounded against her chest made her nauseous, her arms braced little Selene and cradled the child to prolong her slumber. Despite her throat drying and voice cracking, she hummed a silent lullaby to ease the tension in the air, one that haunted them.

Ngunit sa kabila ng pagsubok na pagpapakalma ng sarili, hindi iyon tumalab sapagkat dinaig ng takot ang dibdib niya nang marinig ang unti-unting paglapit ng iilan sa mga humahabol sa kanya sa kuwebang kinaroroonan niya. Napasinghap si Erina at isiniksik ang sarili sa kadulu-duluhan ng kuwebang pinagtataguan. Nagsimula siyang manginig at tila ba dinapuan ng lamig ang buong katawan nang marinig ang usapan ng mga ito tungkol sa kanila ng asawa niya.

“Napatumba na ang dating hari kaya kailangan nating mahanap ang reyna-reynahang iyon nang makamit ang kapayapaan sa Izquierdo!”

Nahulog ang panga ni Erina sa narinig at namimilog ang mga mata niyang sumilip sa labas ng kuwebang pinagtataguan. Sa kabila ng malamig na simoy ng hangin, naramdaman ni Erina ang pamamawis at ang bahagyang pagbagsak ng temperatura ng kanyang katawan dala ng takot – pagkagulat sa balitang natamo.

‘Wala na si... Arthur?’ The thought sent shivers under her spine and the fear she felt worsened. Erina leaned her back against the wall and her body shook – her knees and arms trembled as she felt catastophe striding towards her and her daughter’s direction.

For several millenia, death was something far-fetched for immortals such as vampires. Nevertheless, as this race continued to coexist with others, the means to execute their supposedly non perishable life has been discovered, thus; death became possible for them.

Kahit pa na hindi pa siya tuluyang nakakabangon sa balitang narinig, marami nang isipin ang bumabagabag sa kanyang isipan. Namumuo ang luha sa gilid ng mga mata niya lalo na nang dumaplis sa isipan niya ang nag-iisang ideya para iligtas ang anak niya.

She may be unable to save her husband from his demise but as long as she can preserve her child’s life, the sacrifice should be worth it... right? The consequences may be fearsome but as long as she’d know that her child will be protected and will have a peaceful life, away from danger, she would be relieved.

“Nasaan na?! Nakita niyo na ba?!”

“Boss, ‘di namin makita kahit saan. Baka nasa may ilog!”

“Puntahan niyo ro’n! Tignan niyo ang bawat sulok ng kagubatan! Walang titigil hangga’t ‘di natin napapatay ang reyna’t prinsesa!”

Sa kalagitnaan ng pagdidesisyon niya, muling dumagundong ang boses ng mga rebeldeng humahabol sa kanya. Lalong pinangambahan si Erina nang mapansing mas malapit na ang mga boses. Kumunot ang noo niya at mas naging alerto siya. Muli siyang napalunok at unti-unti nang nilulukob ng pagkataranta.

Anong gagawin niya?! Malapit na sila at naririnig niya ang bawat hakbang ng mga ito. Sa tuwing pagyabag at ingay ng mga dahong naapakan ng mga ito, sa bigat ng paghakbang nila e alam niyang punung-puno ng galit at yamot ang mga rebelde para sa kanila. Makakapagtago pa ba siya? Ni hindi man lang siya makapagpatong ng mahika sa kinaroroonan dala ng labis na pagkabagabag.

Also, she’s already grown weak! Araw pa lamang ang lumilipas mula nang maipanganak niya si Selene at inatake sila ng mga rebelde. Hindi pa man siya tuluyang nakababawi at napilitan na siyang kumilos para isalba ang bagong panganak na anak.

... she can’t understand why are the rebels doing this, as well.

Arthur and Erina ruled Izquierdo kingdom for centuries and just like the previous king and queen, they served their country well and had never neglected their land. They were the reason why Izquierdo kingdom flourished even more. The life in Izquierdo may not be easy but everyone was content and happy! They were once a tranquil kingdom until something... or someone turned their backs against them. For what reason, she may never know.

They don’t know who is the mastermind behind this rebellion. But in just a snap of a finger, chaos lurked around the place. It danced and danced and danced along with the screams of anguish that surrounded the once peaceful kingdom.

Hindi niya maintindihan. Sinakripisyo nila ni Arthur ang lahat para sa mga tao. Kaya paanong nauwi ang lahat sa ganito? Ang gusto lang naman ni Arthur at Erina ay ang tahimik na mamuhay ang mga tao at bampira. Wala nang iba.

When she realized that she can’t do anything to turn back time, Erina decided to find solace by caressing her child’s cheek. Her motherly gaze never left Selene and she carved her daughter’s image inside her mind. She also reminisced the time when she carried her child inside her tummy, the moments when Arthur would grin widely whenever he’d hear and feel Selene move from inside Erina’s body. They were nothing but a family who wanted the best for Selene... but here they are.

Although it may sound unfortunate, at least Erina and Arthur were able to spend their remaining time with Selene. They were able to see their child and act as a family for a few days. The two of them were able to be parents – they were able to show Selene how they adored her. Even for just a short time... but it was never enough.

Erina and Arthur wanted to see Selene grow as a strong lady who’d serve their kingdom – or if she does not want to be queen, they’d let her do whatever she wanted! The two of them wanted to spoil her rotten and give her what she deserves. They wanted to see her smile, hear her laugh – hear her say that she loves them both.

Ah, how unfair life is. They just celebrated Selene’s birth but they’re already being robbed of happiness.

Panandaliang pumikit si Erina, humugot ng malalim na hininga, at nilunok ang kung anong nakabara sa kanyang lalamunan. No, hindi ito ang tamang oras para manghinayang. Malungkot man ang kapalarang kinatamo nilang mag-anak, kailangang harapin ni Erina nag mapanakit na realidad at isalba ang nag-iisang kayamanan nila ni Arthur.

“Hindi ko hahayaang mamatay ka rito, Selene...”

Desidido na siyang magsakripisyo para sa anak niya.

“Sa paglaki mo, ayos lang na magalit ka sa amin ng ama mo.”

Unti-unting nababasag ang boses ni Erina habang kinakausap ang anak. Hindi niya alam kung naiintindihan ba siya nito ngunit ang bahagyang pagkunot ng noo ni Selene ang dahilan upang makaramdam siya ng pagkurot sa kanyang dibdib.

It was then when hesitation danced in her eyes. She does not want to let go of her but...

“Patawarin mo kami, Selene,” Erina spoke in a hushed voice, “pero sana kahit ikaw lang... sapat na ‘yon sa ‘kin. Balang araw, maiintindihan mo rin kung ba’t ka namin iniwan.”

Huminga ng malalim si Erina at marahang tumayo. Lumakad siya palabas ng kuweba para silipin ang buwan at kalangitan, iniinda ang panghihina’t hapdi mula sa mga sugat na natanggap.

When she discerned that it was a full moon and the skies were clear, she immediately feared for herself. If only she won’t be sacrificing for her child, she probably would have chosen to wait until death comes to pick her up – or if help would be available, she would wait for Merlin to save her and Selene.

Nevertheless, Erina steeled herself. She must only think of Selene, therefore; when she deemed that the time is right, Erina casted the forbidden spell to save her daughter.

As soon as the magic circle appeared beneath them and glowed a bright red, Erina gulped and attempted to clear her mind. She shan’t fear death, rather, the danger that may lurk around her helpless daughter, Selene. Even so, at the back of Erina’s head... she knew.

This magic requires a sacrifice: her life.

Whether she dies here or not, it was not a problem anymore. All she could think of right now is her family, Selene and Arthur.

“Deschide usa catre o alta lume.”