Merlin the Wizard

CHAPTER 3

Merlin the Wizard

ㅤTO solve a mystery, first, one must find a key. Apparently, it seems like Lucas had been wandering around the puzzle he’s been trying to solve, prancing around without grasping upon an actual reliable source. Until now, he still can’t believe how his mind over-passed such crucial idea. It was as though the thought jumped over his head, never to be found again, until Jonas and the Hymn of the Moon brought it back in front of him.

These two led him to Merlin Kreese, one of the survivors of the tragedy in Izquierdo, an escapee who sought refuge within the premises of Vintress kingdom. His title as the greatest wizard of Izquierdo kingdom no longer holds value. With time, it turned black and white – dull and uninteresting. Moreover, he’s currently residing in the farmlands, living his best life as an ordinary resident whose identity became irrelevant. Now, Merlin is probably spending his time by sitting at the terrace of his house every morning with a cup of tea in hand, appreciating the grand view nature created for everyone.

But this magician has no choice but to spend his day differently this time because Lucas finally had a day off from his training and studies. The king approved of this free day to let him take a breather and give him some time to enjoy solving his recent favorite mystery – the lost princess of Izquierdo. During his conversation with his father, Lucas also mentioned that he will be seeking help from Merlin. Although, he mentioned that he’ll ask Merlin to meet him up in the city, Lucas ended up travelling to Lullin village with a promise that he’ll be back by dusk.

Dapat noong isang araw niya pa ito ginawa ngunit napagtanto niyang mahaba ang oras ng paglalakbay na tatahakin niya kung gusto niyang bisitahin si Merlin. Kailangan niyang maglaan ng araw kung saan hindi siya maiistorbo ng mga responsibilidad at hahabulin ng mga gawain. Mabuti na lang talaga’t hinayaan siya ng ama na sundin ang mga pansariling kagustuhan ngayong araw na ito.

“But don’t you think that it’s weird?” Jonas asked while they were on their way to Lullin village.

Lucas hummed as he stared at the scenery outside the vehicle’s window, his gaze took a glimpse over the people who resided in Vintress kingdom. It would be a lie to say that only vampires and humans lived within their kingdom as there are other races who chose to seek for a living in their land – well, of course aside from the werewolves – anyway, knowing of how it prospered and grew for years, other races often travelled to witness and experience a bed of roses.

Xeofarea sure is a unique world, destroying the walls that separated every parallel universes and desired for each race to learn how to coexist – and oh! Did Lucas just see a fucking dragon? They may be in their human form but their horns caught his attention! That was fucking cool.

“Prinsipe Lucas,” muling tawag ni Jonas sa kanya.

Marahas na bumuntong hininga si Lucas at nilingon si Jonas na nakaupo iilang metro lamang ang layo mula sa kanya. Kunot ang noo nito at nakapinta sa mukha ng binata ang pag-aalala, ngunit para saan?

“Anong problema?” tanong niya.

Sinubukan niya itong ignorahin dahil paniguradong nagtataka ito kung paanong ang bilis niyang napapayag ang ama na umalis nang banggitin niya ang pangalan ni Merlin.

Pinasadahan ng tingin ni Jonas ng mabilis na tingin ang drayber ng sasakyan, tila ba sinisigurong hindi ito makikinig sa usapan nila bago ibinalik ang mga mata sa kanya at tumikhim.

“I was just wondering why king Alexander permitted you to go out today...” Jonas trailed off as he threw Lucas a knowing look.

Meanwhile, Lucas raised a brow at the question. “Napa’no ba? May problema ba kung pinayagan ako ni Papa na lumabas ngayon?”

“Wala naman pero ‘di ba ang bilis? ‘Tsaka, lalabas ka lang para resolbahin ‘yong unsolved mystery na ilang buwan mo nang tinatrabaho. It doesn’t concern your studies nor your training but we’re out here right now and on our way to Lullin village to meet Merlin,” Jonas explained.

A frown painted itself on Lucas’ visage. That was a thought that kept him awake last night, to be honest. His father immediately approved of his day off when he mentioned the Fall of Izquierdo and Merlin’s name. Something about it made him suspicious but he decided to look past through it since Merlin had always been so close with his father. The wizard often visited them way back then but he recently stopped for some unknown reason.

Wait, no. His father was not only close with Merlin, but also with king Arthur, who was Izquierdo kingdom’s late king.

Nagkibit balikat si Lucas. “Ayokong isipin na may balak si Papa. Malay mo, gusto lang din niyang maresolba ko ‘to dahil kaibigan niya noon si haring Arthur?”

Matapos magsalita, inabangan niya kung mayroon pa bang nais na idagdag si Jonas ngunit lumipas ang dalawang minuto at katahimikan lamang ang ibinigay ng binata sa kanya. Lucas assumed that it’s because he laid out a valid reason which Jonas can’t revoke. Iyon lang naman ang naisip niya.

“Naisip ko lang din, mahal na prinsipe. Kung tungkol sa Hymn of the Moon ang itatanong mo kay Merlin, ‘di ba mas mainam na magtanong na lamang sa mga wizard sa Magic tower?” pag-iiba ng usapan ni Jonas.

Lucas huffed at the suggestion and he immediately dismissed the idea. Jonas probably doesn’t know but he’s been mentioning it inside his head over and over again, for several times, Merlin used to be Izquierdo kingdom’s head magician. That old man whose personality remained to be shrouded in mystery and mischief may not look like he’d help Lucas, but he wanted to believe that Merlin would somehow lead him to the key.

“They won’t help me out. Those old men treats this tragedy as a taboo.” Lucas knew, because he tried to subtly ask about the Fall of Griego and their new head magician looked at him with terror glinting in his eyes. “They think that Vintress kingdom may suffer the same fate if I continuously learn about Selene.”

Just what kind of thought was that? To compare Vintress and Izquierdo – the Sutcliffes and Griegos. Albeit these families had been friends and worked altogether back then, Lucas doubts that war would ever ensue within their kingdom.

Not on his father’s watch. Not even on his watch.

It was just that... it’s unfortunate for the Griego family to have underwent such catastrophe.

It was then when he snorted. Lucas just realized that he had it bad. He’s really engrossed in learning about the Fall of Izquierdo, huh. What is it about the mystery of the lost princess that it kept on pulling him in, anyway?

*

Three hours have passed and they’ve finally arrived in Lullin village. The location was small – with greenfields surrounding the entire place which made it appear cozy and refreshing. There are small houses around the village, albeit distant from each other, everyone seemed to get along. He even saw some people interacting while some kids ran around, their chuckles and giggles resounded and it relieved Lucas – he’s glad that these people residing here are living in harmony.

Meanwhile, as the breeze grazed their skin and the sun tickled them with its warmth, Lucas’ eyes roamed around the entirety of the village. He had been to Lullin several times, most of these chances, he came with his father to pay Merlin a visit. But right now, the village seemed to flourish even more, with greenlands filled and rich with various plants to ensure people’s survival.

“Prinsipe Lucas,” mahinang tawag sa kanya ni Jonas mula sa likuran. Pakiramdam ni Lucas, bahagya rin itong nakayuko.

Mabilis niyang nilingon si Jonas maging ang drayber na nagbigay galang din sa kanya. Tango lamang ang naging sagot niya sa mga ito at nagsimula siyang maglakad tungo sa bahay ni Merlin.

While Lucas traipsed his way toward the previous wizard’s residence, it was inevitable that he’d snatch the residents of Lullin village’s attention. After all, he’s Lucas Sutcliffe, the crowned prince of Vintress kingdom – and it’s seldom to see him outdoors, wandering around. With dignity and pride looming around his entire being, screaming power and royalty, Lucas strode with confidence.

He can feel the residents’ desire to approach him, especially the maidens who had been talking of how they could catch his attention, but everyone backed out upon seeing Jonas behind him – the knight who’s known for his excellent swordmanship, the eldest son of Reyna Lyte who is also the commander of the army, the strongest female knight within their kingdom.

Noong nakikinita na ni Lucas ang pamamahay ni Merlin, agad na naningkit ang mga mata niya nang makita niya ito sa may teresa, nakatayo’t nakakrus ang mga braso na tila ba kanina pa hinihintay ang pagdating niya. May aliw sa mga mata nito at habang palapit si Lucas sa kinaroroonan ni Merlin, napanood niya ang unti-unting paglawak ng ngising nakakurba sa mga labi nito.

Everyone’s probably surprised that Lucas personally went out from the castle to visit an old wizard with the gasps they earned as they walked toward Merlin.

“Prinsipe Lucas,” bati ni Merlin sa kanya nang makarating na siya sa harap ng bahay nito. Bahagyang yumuko ang ginoo at muling nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya. His crimson eyes glinted and the grin he has on his visage appeared mischievous that it made Lucas shudder, “nabalitaan ko ang pagbisita mo.”

Kunot noong umismid si Lucas. “Sinabi ba sa ‘yo ni Papa?”

Mabilis na tumayo ng maayos si Merlin at halos maningkit ang mga mata nang tumango upang kumpirmahin ang suspetya niya. Merlin also hummed in a sing-song manner, as if he was expecting something from Lucas. Pakiramdam tuloy niya e alam na nito ang pakay niya.

Merlin’s long, silver hair tussled along with the gentle breeze and his skin shone as soon as the sun touched his skin. His young features would never fail to deceive humans that he ages around late 20 but in reality, this guy’s already 80 years old. Ah, the pros of being born as a vampire – their youthful look remains.

“Mukhang ‘di ko na rin kailangang sabihin kung anong ipinunta ko rito dahil nakapag-usap na kayo,” aniya.

Mahinang humalakhak ang mahiko. “Iisa lang din naman ang naiisip kong dahilan para bisitahin mo ako, mahal na prinsipe. Kahit kailan, ‘di ka naging interesado sa presensya ko. Ngayon ka lang nagkusang lumapit.”

Matamang pinagmasdan ni Lucas si Merlin at ibinalik din nito ang intensidad ng pagkakatitig niya rito. Sa unang tingin, tila ba sinusukat ni Lucas ang ginoo ngunit kalauna’y sinukuan niya ito at minuwestrahan si Jonas na ibigay kay Merlin ang regalo na inihanda niya.

Bakas ang tuwa sa mukha ni Merlin nang makuha nito ang regalo. “Ah, mahal na prinsipe! Nag-abala ka pa. Hm, suspetya ko e mga pills ito para pigilin ang pagkauhaw natin sa dugo, tama ba?”

“Yeah. Apparently, the Science Division created a new version of those pills. It’s an enhanced version of the ones we’ve been taking for years. It serves as an alternate for livestock blood and blood packets from hospitals, in case that those aren’t available. Also, tea. I bought some tea,” paliwanag niya.

Tumango-tango si Merlin bago sila minuwestrahang umupo sa teresa. Nagpaalam din itong maghahanda muna ng makakain habang naghihintay sila at aliwin daw muna ang mga sarili nila sa senaryong handog ng Lullin village. But ah, the way how Merlin speaks in a sing-song voice as if he’s got no care about the world never failed to make Lucas grunt. Alam naman niya na free-spirited ito pero minsan, tini-take rin sa ibang lebel ni Merlin.

Fifteen minutes later, Merlin returned with sweets and brewed tea – one that Lucas prepared for him. Even Jonas was enticed by the aroma from the high-class product Lucas chose which earned him a compliment that snacks would taste so much better with the tea he specifically chose for this occassion.

“Masyado kang handa, mahal na prinsipe!” natatawang puna ni Merlin sa kanya habang nagsasalin ng tsaa sa kani-kanilang mga tasa, “para bang sa likod ng isipan mo, nagkaroon ka ng ideyang ‘di ko ibibigay ang impormasyong gusto mong malaman.”

Lucas paused, stared at Merlin before he snorted. “Not at all. Pakiramdam ko, ibibigay mo sa ‘kin ‘yong gusto kong malaman dahil sangkot ang kahariang minsan mong pinrotektahan.”

The moment Lucas opened the topic and revealed his intention, the air suddenly got heavy and all of the sudden, there was this looming dread and loneliness in the atmosphere. The abrupt change of ambiance made his forehead furrow, he even exchanged glances with Jonas, until he brought his eyes back to Merlin who has an indifferent smile on his face.

But if it appears indifferent, then what’s with this heavy and suffocating atmosphere?

“Ah. That tragedy took everything away from Izquierdo,” the wizard began. His voice still hinted mischief but there is the surfacing melancholy as he reminisced the past.

For a second, Lucas was stunned but before he could open his mouth to ask and presumably, empathize with Merlin, the wizard sought to meet his gaze.

“Anong gusto mong malaman tungkol sa Izquierdo, mahal na prinsipe? Kung pa’no ba namatay ang hari’t reyna? Kung sino ang trayidor at ano ang pakay nila? O ‘di naman kaya—”

Bago pa man matapos ni Merlin ang sinasabi, tinignan siya nito mula ulo hanggang paa. That scrutinizing and knowing gaze made Lucas gulp and he almost averted his gaze away from the wizard. Only that, his pride won’t allow him to. Paano niya makukuha ang mga impormasyong gustong malaman kung hahayaan niya ang sariling mahulog sa intimidasyong itinatapon sa kanya ng mahiko?

“... ang pagkawala ng mahal na prinsesa?” Merlin added, his eyes danced in amusement and curiosity.

Napatikhim si Lucas. “Yeah. The last one. I wanted to know what happened to Princess Selene.”

Humimig si Merlin at aliw na inilapag ang hawak na takure sa lamesa. Dama ni Lucas ang paglipat-lipat ng tingin ni Jonas sa kanila ni Merlin ngunit pinili nito ang manahimik at hayaan siyang ipaliwanag ang mga puzzle pieces na naipon mula sa huling imbestigasyon.

“Alam kong mahilig ka sa conspiracy theories, Prinsipe Lucas, pero ba’t si Prinsesa Selene ang napili mong i-research ngayon? Kuryoso ka ba sa pagkawala niya?” pag-uusisa ni Merlin.

Inangatan niya ito ng isang kilay. “Halata ba? Para sa ‘kin, ‘di nag-exist ang prinsesa. Biglang nawala at walang bakas? Ha. Posible ring maagang namatay dahil ngunit ‘di nahanap ang bangkay – maraming posibilidad! Tulad na lamang nang ideyang naging hapunan ito ng mga lobo. Walang ibang record bukod sa... ipinadala raw sa ibang mundo si Prinsesa Selene.”

Merlin’s eyes widened as he explained his side and hypotheses. The vampire’s lips also pursed as if he was caught in surprise. It took a moment – presumably thirty seconds until Merlin was able to sink all information Lucas had blurted out.

And... the wizard laughed as if Lucas said something ridiculous, which he really did.

“Xeofarea doesn’t work the way it used to be. The goddess of destruction, Desdemona, destroyed the walls that segragated several realities – accidentally combining all universes into one as she brought the first Xeofarea to its end,” Merlin explained.

Kumibot ang isang kilay ni Lucas. “Alam ko ‘yan.”

“Mabuti naman, mahal na prinsipe. Bale, crossed out na agad ang posibilidad na ipinadala si Prinsesa Selene sa ibang mundo.” Sandaling nag-isip si Merlin. “Let me debunk the next one. Totoong nabuhay si Prinsesa Selene dahil naroon ako nang ianunsyo ang pagkapanganak niya – nagkataon lamang na ilang araw mula nang selebrasyon, ‘tsaka kumilos ang mga rebelde.”

Amusement continued to prance on Merlin’s eyes even when he averted his gaze from Lucas. The wizard took a sip of his tea and leaned against his chair, feeling the atmosphere go light as well as the refreshing air around them.

“As for death, I see that there’s no way that Queen Erina would let her only daughter suffer when Princess Selene could barely discern the moon,” Merlin added.

“But is there a possibility that a forbidden spell was casted on that night, which made the princess disappear?” Jonas asked in Lucas’ stead.

Mahinang humimig si Merlin. “Hayaan niyo ‘kong ikwento ang mga nangyari noon, kung pa’no ko natagpuan si Reyna Erina at kung pa’no nawala ang Prinsesa.”

Namutawi ang katahimikan sa panimula ni Merlin. Tanging ang kalikasan lamang at distansyang ingay mula sa mga residente ang naririnig nila. After taking a quick sip from his tea, Merlin placed his cup on the table and threw Lucas a knowing look. Hindi pa ito kaagad na nagsalita at tumikhim muna.

“When war broke out, I was beside king Arthur who told me that if he didn’t survive, I have to help queen Erina escape from Izquierdo kingdom – and help her to raise their daughter, the princess. It was alright and I advised him that she should hide in Rutchill woods temporarily while waiting for our return,” Merlin began with a sigh, “hours of defending the kingdom and our remaining people, our numbers were slowly decreasing. Not only that, king Arthur also died along with his faithful subjects, thus, I immediately fled from battle to follow queen Erina and to do what king Arthur ordered me to.”

Habang nakikinig si Lucas at Jonas, ikinumpas ni Merlin ang isang kamay at sa isang iglap, tila ba nakikita nilang dalawa ang mga imaheng nais nitong ipabatid. Mga alaalang hindi na dapat pa iniisip ni Merlin kung hindi lang dinala ng kuryosidad si Lucas sa tahanan nito.

Sa mga oras na ito, ipinapakita ni Merlin sa kanila ni Jonas ang paghihirap nitong hanapin ang mag-inang sina reyna Erina at prinsesa Selene... hanggang sa dalhin si Merlin sa isang kuweba na walang ibang nilalaman bukod sa suot na damit ng reyna at abo – ang bangkay nito.

“Nang mahanap ko si Reyna Erina, wala na ‘kong ibang nakita bukod sa abo’t damit niya. Ang buong akala ko, kinitil ng mga rebelde ang buhay nito ngunit sa pag-iimbestiga, nahanap ko ang mga naiwang bakas ng ipinagbabawal na sumpa – ang Himno ng Buwan o Hymn of the Moon,” dagdag ni Merlin.

Kumunot ang noo ni Lucas at sa pagkurap niya, nawala na tila ba bula ang mga alaala ni Merlin sa isipan niya. Palibhasa, bigla na lamang bumuhos ang pagsususpetya niya nang banggitin nito ang Hymn of the Moon. Alam nilang pinag-usapan nila ni Jonas ang posibilidad na magamit ang mahikang iyon sa ganoon kahigpit na kalagayan ngunit batid ni Lucas kung gaano kababaw ang sumpang iyon.

Nang mapansin ni Merlin ang pagkabagabag at paghihinala sa itsura ni Lucas na siyang dahilan kung bakit naistorbo ang mahikang ginamit nito para makita nila ni Jonas ang mga alaala ng mahiko, napangisi si Merlin. Wala pang sinasabi si Lucas pero alam na kaagad nito ang nais niyang ipabatid at itanong, kung kaya naman bago pa man nito maisaboses ang mga katanungan, dinipensahan na ni Merlin ang sumpa.

“Thou shalt not believe the Elders in your Magic Tower, prince Lucas. The Hymn of the Moon isn’t an ordinary spell, it’s far from what other wizards described it. It is the easiest to cast, yes, but the consequences are dangerous while its benefits are highly commendable.”

Nagpahalumbaba si Merlin at tinapunan si Lucas ng ngisi. Nasa hangin ang tension at ang pagkasabik ni Lucas na marinig ang eksplanasyon tungkol sa ipinagbabawal na mahika. All his life, he believed that it’s nothing but a generic spell but right now, Merlin makes it sound like it’s a lot different than what other wizards would describe it. Tila ba mayroong mas malalim at delikadong eksplanasyon para mabagabag ang sinumang nakakaalam nito.

“This forbidden spell allows us to transport an individual from one place to another while erasing their memories as one of us, suppressing the target’s vampiric abilities, and making them hard for fellow vampires to track down. It’s a protective spell and it may not sound admirable at first, yes. But it’s cost? The life of the caster,” Merlin explained.

The way how Lucas sucked a breathe made the wizard chuckle. He knew... he knew that Lucas wasn’t expecting the true nature of the Hymn.

“Princess Selene may not be transported in another world but she still lives somewhere out there,” Merlin continued as he reached for his cup to take a sip of his now cold tea, “the reason why she remains as a mystery is because... no one had ever seen Princess Selene ever since the queen suppressed her vampiric abilities. Not even the enemies. Thus, I am sure that she continues to exist... presumably as a human, that is.”