The Grimoire

Chapter 23: The Sign

Now I have finally decided what to do next. I have to decide on what to do with this garden. Nakalabas na kami ng tuloyan at sabay kaming nakatingin sa kung ano man ang nasa harap namin at iyon ang mga ibang nakalutang na isla. 

Alam ko na ang mga islang ito na lamang ang natitira mula sa Babylon but having them float forever feels wrong to me. As long as this gardens exist, every single one of them will flock their ways here. Hihintayin ko pa ba na mawasak pa ulit ang mga natitirang isla? Not to mention that Kraken stayed here the longest without anyone with him. 

Napatingin ako sa dagat and I saw him looking towards me as if he was waiting for my order because finally, after so many years, may bumisita na rin dito. 

"Kraken," I called, and he listened to me attentively. This is a big choice and I'm just wishing that I will not regret this. "This will be your last order," I mumbled, and he looked surprised.

"Last, Your Highness?" he asked out of confusion. "Hindi na po ba kayo babalik rito?" he asked with a sad tone. I took up all the courage I have bago ako nakasagot.

"Hindi na tayo babalik rito," I replied at mas nagulat pa siya. He then looked around and pointed at the islands.

"How about the Hanging Gardens, Your Highness? Hindi naman pwede na iwan ko ito," he replied.

"Aalis kami rito. The moment we'll be far away, sink these islands down and lift up the mist. I'm setting you free, Kraken," I replied.

"No," agad niyang sabi. "I've guarded this for years, hindi ko ito pwedeng wasakin. The King ordered me to protect this because he believes that one day-" napatigil siya sa pagsasalita at huminga siya ng malalim. "He believes that one day, you'll come back," he added, and as nuch as I want to treasure this, I know that this is what the King, my true father, would want.

"Guarding this garden is not your job, Kraken. Your job is to protect the royal family," I replied.

"How can I protect the royal family when-" napatigil ulit siya at yumuko na lang. "Kung wala ng natira maliban sa inyong dalawa,"

Dalawa?

Nagkatinginan kami ni Cairo and both of our eyes were widened. 

"Tell me about it, Kraken," sabi ko at umiling siya ng umiling. I jumped down into the waters and it surprisingly caught me and led me to him. I watched him scratch his tentacles with his fingers just to stop himself from talking. "What do you mean by that Kraken? I have a sole memory with someone pero hindi ko siya kilala. He's always with me in every memory I had. Is he my brother? Is he alive?" I asked. He slowly nodded at napalunok ako.

"Is he betraying our kingdom? Siya ba ang may kasalanan kung bakit natuntun ng mga kalaban ang gardens?!" tanong ko. Dahan-dahan siyang umiling at napatingin sa akin. He looked really sad at pati ako nagiging emotional na rin kahit wala naman akong maaalala.

"He," he paused, and he took a deep breath. "He is doing his best to prevent the chaos from happening," he added. "And ... he ... he ordered me to stay here kasi baka," he paused again. "Kasi baka hahanapin mo siya rito at natatakot siya na pagpunta mo rito, walang tao. Kaya," he paused once more at tumigil na siya sa pagsasalita.

"Kraken," I called. "Where is he?" I asked at umiling siya.

"I don't know. Iyon lang po ang naaalala ko. Kahit pangalan ang mukha niya, hindi ko rin maalala dahil kinuha niya ito. Ang alam ko lang po ay hindi niya gusto na madamay ka salabanang ito kasi gusto niya na sa pagbalik mo ay matiwasay na po ang lahat," he added, and my chest just tightened.