The Grimoire

Epilogue

VERMILLION

"How is it going?" I heard from behind kaya lumingon ako. Kel.

"Almost done," sabi ko at pinagpatuloy ko ang pagtanggal sa mga natitirang metal na nakabaon sa mga gusaling natumba. I put up my last strength at nakuha ko na rin sa wakas. 

It's been a week since our fight at as of now, wasak na wasak talaga ang buong Terrax. The Kings of each country have been deciding kung anong gagawin dito lalo na't walang royalty ang natira. Sa mga naririnig ko, gagawin nalang itong isla para sa mga tourista kasi halos lahat ng tao na dating nakatira dito ay ayaw ng tumira at mas piinipiling lumipat sa ibang bansa which is not avoidable. Sumali na rin si Cairo sa meeting nila kaya 1week ko na rin siyang hindi nakikita. I'm not sure bakit siya pinatawag pero pinasali na namin. Most probably para iexplain ang lahat ng nangyari kasi nga nadamay ang buong mundo.

"Tapos na kami rito!" rinig kong sigaw ni Leo.

"Your Highness, I think you need to take a break," Kraken said at napatingin ako sa likoran niya. He prepared a table with snacks on it good for everyone na tumutulong sa amin.

"Yay!" rinig kong sigaw mula sa likoran ko at tumakbo siya papunta sa mesa. "Cookies!" he shouted with joy at napangiti ako. 

Lay's attitude is the complete opposite of Leo. He's fun and seemed like the sunshine of the group. Lumapit kami sa mesa at kumain kami. Habang kumakain kami, we heard sounds of trumpet which means that the royalties finished their meeting at nandito na sila. Napatingin kami sa harap and we did saw few of them. Cairo, Al, and Animus. 

"Oh! Vermillion!" Al greeted happily at tumakbo siya sa akin. He opened his arms para yakapin ako at bago pa siya makarating sa akin, Cairo grabbed his cape at natumba siya. "Hey! Ang arte nito! We were friends when we were kids, y'know?!" reklamo niya. "Mas una kaming nagkakil-" he stopped kasi tinakpan na ni Cairo ang bibig niya.

"Mas una kaming nagkakilala. In fact, your stupid promise for that stupid wedding was already late. I gave her a promise before yours," he replied with a frown. "Tumigil ka," he added at tumawa kaagad si Lay.

"Royalties ba ito? Para lang silang mga bata eh. Nag-aaway nga naman sa-" napatigil siya nang binatukan siya ni Leo. "Aray," he whimpered at napatingin kay Leo. "I was just joking," he added.

"Stop talking at kumain ka lang diyan," Leo answered at tumawa kaming lahat. It's been so long. Kailan nga ba ako huling tumawa? Kailan ba kami huling nag-enjoy ng ganito?

"Vermillion," Cairo called kaya napatigil kaming lahat at napatingin sa kaniya. "We need to talk," he added at medyo nagulat ako. "Privately," he continued. 

Naglakad siya palayo at sumunod kagaad ako. I'm sure they were wondering why at kahit ako rin. I looked around as we walked at hindi ko pa rin makaklimutan ang lahat ng nangyari didto. I can't believe we all survived. I can't deny that the aftermath of the battle left a haunting tableau of destruction and despair. Buildings that once stood tall and proud were reduced to rubble, their shattered remnants scattered across the landscape like broken memories. The city bore the scars of a recent and brutal conflict, its once vibrant streets now echoing with an eerie silence. 

The air was thick with the acrid scent of smoke and burning debris, while a fine layer of dust settled on every surface. The once-bustling urban center now resembled a ghost town, with shattered windows and charred facades standing as grim reminders of the violence that had unfolded. Streets were pockmarked with craters and lined with the twisted remains of vehicles; their carcasses abandoned where they had met their fiery demise. The city's infrastructure lay in ruins, with power lines dangling precariously and water mains ruptured, leaving behind a city in disarray.