CHAPTER 40Towards the LightWHO WOULD HAVE thought that there could be a place darker than black? A place of emptiness and void, where not even the light could shine, a single sound would do nothing but echo until he’s exhausted hearing the very same sound, and his sharp eyes couldn’t see even a glimpse of his own hand.No matter how Lucas turned around to see his surroundings, he could see and hear nothing. It was as though he has been thrown into a place where a single soul wouldn’t be able to survive without going insane. He felt as though he’s castigated and forsaken — hope was just an illusion and there might be no escape to this hellish emptiness.How did he end up here?Sa pagkakaalala ni Lucas, nakikipagtalo siya noon kay Morfran Demelza.Nasa kalagitnaan siya noon ng pang-iinis. Pilit niyang ipinapamukha rito na wala itong kwenta, na gahaman lamang ito’t makasarili, hindi ito magtatagumpay laban kay Selene, at mas lalo lamang itong magiging miserable. It was a heated argumen

CHAPTER 40.3Into the LightGUSTO NIYANG MAKITA ulit si Selene. Gusto niyang punasan ang luha sa mga mata nito at patahanin ito sa pag-iyak. Ayaw niyang makita at marinig na humahagulhol ito tapos siya, walang magawa. Ayaw man niyang aminin pero nasisiphayo siyang hindi niya maikilos ang katawan para sabihin ditong ayos lang ang kalagayan niya’t babalik siya kahit na anong mangyari.She doesn’t need to cry. He’s still here. Naghahanap lang siya ng paraan kung paanong makakabalik sa tabi nito.This feeling is similar to being comatosed but at the same time, it was different. He could see Selene and he could hear every word that she said. He hears and knows everything that was happening around them. Maging ang pagkataranta ng sarili niyang ama at ang pakikipaglaban ni Merlin sa Grand Magus na naglagay sa kanya sa ganitong sitwasyon.Lucas wanted to clench his knuckles but he couldn’t. Hindi niya alam na mas nakakainis na paralisado ang buo niyang katawan kaysa sa makulong sa kawalan.“L

CHAPTER 40.5One More TimeNOONG UNTI-UNTING umayos ang kapaligiran at kumalma ang lahat, ‘tsaka pa lamang kumilos ang mga kawal para siguruhing maayos na ang buong paligid at wala na silang makakasalubong na panibagong problema. Merlin and King Alexander lost their strength since the last encounter with the Grand Magus too, so they were both supported back to the makeshift tent that their men created. Ang pinakamagandang nangyari rito e nawala na sa daan nila ang dating Grand Magus at nasa kamay na ulit nila si Morfran Demelza.“Please make sure that they all rest well,” utos ni Selene sa mga kawal na noo’y tumango. “Keep an eye on Lucas too, please. Baka mamaya, may after-effect pa rin ang mahika ng dating Grand Magus sa katawan niya.”What she fears was that the aftermath might be strong to the point that it would take Lucas away from her. Halos kababalik lamang ng binata sa huwisyo. Noong nawala ang Grand Magus, ‘tsaka lang din bumalik ang binata sa sarili nito. Base rin sa sinasa

CHAPTER 41.2All Planned Out“WAS SOMETHING WRONG with my son a while ago? You were insisting on checking him up and ‘clearing’ the traces left by black magic. Was he badly affected?”Ang dami naman nitong tanong samantalang kauupo pa lamang niya sa dining table. Nginitian ni Merlin si Haring Alexander na noo’y nagtataka naman siyang tinititigan. Mukhang bothered din ito sa paraan ng pagngiti niya rito dahil napalunok pa ito kaya kalaunan, natawa rin siya nang malakas. He doesn’t want to appear like he is making fun of the Sutcliffes but it’s amusing to see them nervous. Kahit si Lucas na noo’y sabihan niyang may naiwanan pang bakas ng itim na mahika sa katawan, kinabahan at nagtanong kung posible raw bang nasaktan nito si Selene kanina.There is a possibility, though. And it’s quite the big deal either if Prince Lucas wasn’t able to control himself.Kumunot ang noo ni Haring Alexander. “H’wag mo ‘kong tawanan. Henuwino akong kuryoso tungkol sa kalagayan ng anak ko, Merlin.”“Alam ko

CHAPTER 41.4Pleasant SurpriseAFTER THEY’VE ALL rested properly, Merlin didn’t waste anymore time to prolong an announcement that Prince Lucas Sutcliffe of Vintress Kingdom was successfully rescued from his abductors. The previous Grand Magus of Izquierdo Kingdom, although he died after being unable to handle his own strength, was declared to díe in the hands of both Merlin and King Alexander. While Morfran’s whereabouts was kept as a secret. They only told the public that even he was unable to survive after going against her and abducting Prince Lucas.Only the knights they’ve brought to retrieve Prince Lucas knows where the previous King is and based on his own appearance and the changes in his behavior, they have decided to let Princess Selene’s decision to take him back to the dungeon for punishment. They believe that he would not be able to last long, anyway. Plus, the fact that Merlin had threatened the knights that he would ruin everything that they treasure was enough to keep