Notorious Nightingale

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Everyone was shocked upon hearing the voice of Shinigami. He opened his eyes and looked at me, mapupungay ang kaniyang mga mata at magaspang ang kaniyang boses. “Zendaya?” He said once more, nanghihina pa rin siya. He looked so fragile and weak, but nonetheless, he was alive.

Tumakbo agad ang lahat ng aking kasama palapit sa amin, si Lilith naman na nakalipad ay agad na dumapo sa gilid ng kabaong habang si Shinigami ay bumabangon, “you’re alive!” She cried the most and flew once more to embrace Shinigami.

Naguguluhan naman ang mukha ni Shinigami, “what do you mean? Of course, I am...” Aniya.

Kumunot ang noo ni Lilith, “you don’t remember dying?”

“No. I did?” Mas lalong naguluhan ang ekspresyon ni Shinigami. Oh, right. His memories of me losing control may have gone as that was the time he just died. So, he probably does not know and is clueless to the things that happened.

“Yes, because of me. Both of us were gone for three months... And in the long run, I am able to control my magic already thanks to the help of Margaux, that is how I returned you from the dead.” Sagot ko naman, “so, tell me, Shinigami, as someone who died, what does the other side look like? Is there heaven?” I asked. “Did you meet God?”

“I don’t really know. The only thing I remember was that night where you were performing onstage, putting the entire Encora City asleep with your magic.” Aniya. So, that is his latest memory. Tumango naman ako. Lumabas na siya sa kabaong at inalalayan naman siya ni Enzo dahil nanghihina pa rin siya.

“It must be because you were meant to be alive again, Shinigami. It is your destiny to die and be saved by Zendaya herself.” Tumingin si Lilith sa akin pagkatapos, “your magic is now on par with God. You have control over life and death, you can rewrite the laws of nature as well... And you can bring your fantasies into reality. This is creation magic, the gift that God has given unto your family name. It is safe to assume that you yourself is God already.”

“I know you think highly of me, but there is still limits to my power.”

“No, Zendaya. Your power is limitless. It’s all in the mind, right? Heck, if you imagine hard enough to be immortal, you may become immortal yourself.” Tumawa pa si Lilith matapos ang ilang sandali, “but that’s a possibility only and we do not know for sure. There’s so much mystery on what creation magic can do.”

Everyone nodded in agreement to her claim.

“For now, you need plenty of rest.” Sabi ni Lilith kay Shinigami. Pagkatapos ay tumingin siya sa akin, “you must be exhausted already too, Zendaya.”

Doon ko lang naramdaman. I guess I did exhaust my power—but I did not feel that tired, it’s like I only used a quarter of my magic in order to revive Shinigami. Perhaps these changes happened because of the Tree of Life, perhaps it has given more than I can comprehend, “I can manage.” I smiled. “I got the news from Genesis already that the Nightingale Empire is ready.” I couldn’t expect more from Marshall for being able to pull it off. I gave him five months and he beat it. He was able to reconstruct the island for four months, to add. I am so proud.

Nightingale Empire—the sound of it made my heart thump fast. It wasn’t just about Nephyria Kingdom anymore. I will have every kingdom to submit to me... And I will change the systems that has perpetuated an arena of oppression, especially among the poor. I will be the voice those who are silenced and the eyes of those who were blinded. I will serve as their ray of hope in this world of despair. I can make this dream into a reality, with my own power... And with the people who fights alongside me.

Today will mark the start of an empire and I will rule as the Invincible Queen.

“I asked Genesis to take care of bringing the poor people in to live at the island already. And since Genesis said the island was ready, then the Night Court Castle must be there already.” I added, “anyway, as I’ve been briefed upon the current state of affairs in this kingdom, the Night Court has been gone for three months. But now that I am back with enough manpower and everything is set, it is high time to strike the enemy already.” I declared. “We won’t let them have their way with our people anymore.”

Everyone looked at me and bowed their head as a sign of respect and I let myself bathe in it, the feeling seemed to empower me and fill-in the quarter of my magic that I used... I felt much alive once more. It’s all in the mind, Vandersnatch was right. Because I thought of my magic being full again, it did become full. This means that I can use my magic infinitely and I’ll recover the mana I lost without a sweat. I felt invincible, I guess I was... I can also bring the dead back to life.

Bigla kong naalala muli ang sinabi ni Vandersnatch noon—the law of equivalent-exchange. This balances the world and nature itself. It is an unbreakable law that is embedded into reality.

Hindi ko maiwasang maisip, if there is truly such a law of give and take, then what would be the consequence of bringing Shinigami back from the dead?

And what would be the consequence as well of being able to replenish your own mana and power by just thinking of it?

Maybe it’s just me overthinking. I should be celebrating that I successfully managed to bring him back from the dead, that means I cannot lose anyone I love anymore. If someone dies from my Night Court, I can simply revive them.

I smiled. I have successfully built my Night Court... We were now complete and whole. It is time. The time has finally come.

I closed my eyes and reconnected with Genesis.

“What is it, Zendaya?”

“Where are you?”

“At the Northern Coast of the Royal Capital, in front of the Nightingale Island that is a kilometer away from here. We’re currently holding a group of those people we’ve helped and chosen to live in the island.”

“Good. I want you to look around and vividly send me pictures of the place.”

Ginawa naman iyon ni Genesis, habang nakapikit ang aking mga mata ay nakikita ko agad ang nakikita ni Genesis. Ang bughaw at kumikinang na dagat, ang puting buhangin, at sina Wendy at Marshall na nakikipag-usap sa ibang mga tao. Those must be the ones working for Marshall.

“Margaux, hold my hand and use your magic.”

Sinunod naman ni Margaux ang aking utos at naramdaman ko ang kaniyang paghawak sa aking kamay. After that, a portal opened in front of us, causing everyone around to be shocked.

“This is Margaux’s magic, Portal. We can teleport to anywhere we want with it. That means it’d be easier to travel. We can be at any place we want to be at.”

Tumango naman si Margaux pagkatapos. I can feel the burst of energy from the portal she created. What a convenient magic. If I wanted to gather more members of my Night Court, it’d be easier to do so. But for now, I have enough already. But those who wishes to join my Night Court will be given the privilege to do so, especially those who can be assets.

I guess I do not need to travel anymore though. I’ll have the Night Court’s name to be known by everyone in Terra Forma... And those who wishes to join and have me rule over them will be accepted wholeheartedly.

Chapter 64

“How about Abyss and Void?” Enzo pouted as he brings out the name of the stallions I created. As our driver before, he must have grown attached to them. Tumango naman si Marayuka na nasa gilid lang niya. Hmm, I am curious what’s going on between them. Now that I pay more attention though, I thought there was something between the two... But now that I’ve spent a little more time with them, it only seems that Marayuka is the only one who has a thing for Enzo. A one-sided love, huh?

“We leave them to the old couples outside this city.” I said, remembering the two people who helped us. “Anyway, now that the portal to where Genesis and the others is made, it is time to meet the other members... It is time for my Night Court to finally be complete again. We commence the next phase of our goal.” Tumingin ako kay Wynonah, “you’re leaving behind in this city of yours?”

Umiling si Wynonah, “no, I am coming, Zendaya.” Aniya, pagkatapos ay pinikit niya ang kaniyang mga mata at biglang nagkaroon ng liwanag mula sa kaniyang mga kamay, matapos ang ilang sandali, isang perlas na kumikinang ang nagpakita mula roon. It was the same pearl that Karamela gave to her before she died. Tumingin ako sa sunod niyang ginawa, at nakita ko ang isang sirena sa kaniyang likod na nasa anyong-tao. I already know what she was doing.

“Ariella,” tawag niya sa babae na agad namang yumuko, “I am a member of Queen Zendaya’s Night Court... I am not fit to be your queen.” After that, she offered the pearl to Ariella, “and during the time that Zendaya was gone, I was thinking hard who will I crown as the new Queen of the Sirens, and I chose you.”

“B-But—”

“Ariella, I am not a siren, though my ancestor may be one, but I am human. A mere human cannot be your queen.” Ngumiti si Wynonah sa sirenang halatang malapit nang umiyak. “I leave this city by your hands as well, please protect it along with the other sirens. It is also beautiful how open the people in this city is, especially that they’ve come to accept your magical presence instead of discriminating you which the Church wanted, but this is a neutral city and the Church has no influence here. This city is your home now. Protect it with your life, so that when the war is finally over and the Nephyria Kingdom is a happy place to live in for everyone again, I shall have a place to return to.”

Tinanggap naman ni Ariella ang perlas at pagkatapos ay biglang nagkaroon ng marka sa kaniyang noo, isang pahayag na siya na ang bagong reyna muli. “Thank you for entrusting to me the crown, Wynonah.” The siren said, after that, she looked at me and bowed her head in respect, “thank you for saving us too, Queen Zendaya. We are indebted to you, we owe you our life. If there is anything we can do, please just tell us.”

Tumango naman ako, “for now, you do what Wynonah has requested.”

“I will.” Ariella said.

“Guys, please cross the portal already as I cannot hold out anymore. It’s open for five minutes already.” Tila nanghihinang saad ni Margaux.

Nagpaalam kaming lahat kay Ariella, ang bagong reyna ng mga sirena, at isa-isa kaming naglakad papasok sa lagusan.

When we were finally on the other side, agad kong nakita ang pigura ni Genesis, Wendy, at Marshall. Tumakbo si Wendy palapit, leaving trails of her steps on the white sand, I looked beside us and saw the sea. I sniffed and smelled the salt air. It was a majestic sight. I’ve never seen the sea this close. It was my first time. From where we stood too, I saw the Nightingale Island and the city that I asked Marshall to build. Matayog din ang kastilo na tila nasa sentro ng isla.

“Zendaya... And others!” Wendy greeted.

“Zendaya.” Ngumiti si Marshall pagkatapos at yumuko, “we’re all set.”

“Good job, Marshall.” Sagot ko naman. “It’s time for the people to know that I am back.”

And with that, I closed my eyes and imagined my dress changing—from a black cloak that I wore, a white dress embodied me, it had intricate designs and cryptic symbols that were close to a nightingale bird and the cloth that covered my face vanished along with the veil, revealing my white hair that glistened with the sunlight. My magic was pretty convenient for me to be able to do this thing that Diana does before—making dresses and all, ah, I suddenly remembered an old friend again... But I know she doesn’t think of me that anymore, like the way Scholar Jung has turned his back against me. Talagang nagpapakita ang tunay na kulay ng iyong mga kaibigan kapag nasa puntong sirang-sira ka na. I did not let them bother me though and I focused on recreating the thing I was wearing.

Everyone watched my transformation, especially the others who seemed to be the ones Genesis has chosen to live in the island and also, with the men of Marshall, they must be behind the construction of the island. After that, I imagined a white-gold tiara that adorned my head, and its center had the nightingale crest.

They were all at awe, especially the people around us. “B-Buhay siya... Ang mahal na reyna, Zendaya Zandeyi Nightingale.” Masayang sabi ng mga tao sa paligid. Hope lingered in their eyes as well. “Totoo ang sinabi ni Sir Marshall!”

I smiled and afterward, I faced the island—Nightingale Empire, from now on, that’s what I’ll call it. “So, you had problems constructing the bridge.” I told Marshall.

“Yes. Mahirap na trabaho lalo’t kailangan pang maghukay sa ilalim ng tubig at ilagay ang pundasyon.” Aniya. “But Genesis told me, you’ll handle it. How?”

“Watch.”

I grinned and walked towards the sea. I held both my hands in front of me and thought of an ascending path and a bridge. Out of nowhere, my magic flowed out of me and to the waters, gradually creating a bridge at last that would be at least twenty meters higher than the sea and it was big enough for carriages and other things to pass in one go. The calm water of the sea created a rippling effect afterward as the pillars beneath the bridge rose from its depth and the sands.

Habang nalilikha ang tulay ay nilalakad ko iyon, sumunod naman ang lahat ng tao at ang aking Night Court. They were all mesmerized and amazed as they watched me create a bridge with my own magic. We were finally walking above the sea, with the bridge that I made. This is my creation magic. When I felt exhausted, I imagined my powers being replenished, and they did come back.

It’s all in the mind. I am infinite.

Habang palapit kami sa isla ay mas lalong lumalaki ito. We walked for a few minutes more as I created a bricked pathway for us under the heat of the sun.

“This is... Beyond imagination.” Marshall whispered as we walked across the sea, with the bridge that I just constructed. “How powerful have you become? This is like... God’s working.”

I simply smiled and continued doing the bridge until it was finally connected to the island, my empire. I saw an open spot that was big enough for a statue to be placed at... And I imagined my own statue being built from it... And from the ground, a silver statue started to materialize and form my exact figure, along with the dress I currently wore and the crown over my head. It faced the Mainland. It was perhaps fifty meters high—high enough for people to see from the other side.

I imagined hard as well and thought of loyal knights who would follow my command and guard the bridge. And from the vast nothingness of fields, they materialized. They looked like white statues, however they moved. There was at least twenty of them. “Scatter around the bridge and guard it from intruders. You will defend the empire from any enemies who walks the bridge.” They bowed down and with the robust movement they had, they walked and positioned themselves at the bridge. Normal people would think they were just statues, but they were golem knights.

I looked behind me and saw everyone who followed me through the bridge, their mouths ajar—especially my Night Court, and I can feel how much they were dumbfounded to what I just created. I only turned my fantasies to life.

I smiled at them once more. Oh, what a beautiful day it is. I exhausted my power, I just imagined it being replenished and it was. Magicians would say this is a cheat, but this is my magic... And it’s all in the mind.

“Spread the news... Zendaya Zandeyi Nightingale is back.”