Prey of the Lion

Chapter 17: Deciphering the Hidden Meaning of the Poetry

Chapter 17: Deciphering the Hidden Meaning of the Poetry

Pagkatapos kong basahin ang kasulatan ay biglang naging abo ang papel at tila tinangay ito ng hanging nahulog sa ladrilyong palapag. “The paper is gone.” I said as I looked at the speck of dusts that were now lying on the cold bricks.

“Ganoon talaga.” Sagot naman ng matandang babae na manghuhula, “once you read it, the paper will burn itself and turn itself into ashes. You must not tell anyone about it, and you must be the one to interpret it yourself. You will be confused, but do not let the words get to you. Still, do live your life as if you have no idea what the future holds, if ever you do decipher the meaning behind the words that were carved by fire.” Tugon nito.

Tumango naman ako at ngumiti, “how much for the fortunetelling?”

“It’s for free.” Sagot naman ng matanda.

“Thank you, then.” Ngumiti ako. Umalis na kaming lahat sa booth, pero hanggang ngayon ay naglalaro pa rin sa aking isipan ang mga nabasa ko. Hindi ko alam pero nababahala ako dahil sa mga kataga sa mga taludtod at saknong. I don’t know. We decided to walk towards the opposite side of the plaza to finally buy lanterns. While we were walking, my mind replayed the poetry, which was my future—but like what the Seer has stated, the future is still yet to be lived. So, it is also subject to change.

In destiny, unpredicted and yet to be done

in oblivion & ignorance, it is too late to run

the dark and the light must never be mixed

or fate, itself, be broken, unfixed.

Destiny? Is it about me and Leo being fated together? Because of Anima and Mortem? Because of the Twin Moons, Aurum and Ostrum? Naguluhan ako sa ikalawang saknong na sinasabi ‘in oblivion & ignorance, it is too late to run’. May hindi ba ako alam? May hindi ba kami alam ni Leo? I do not know, but the next line as well seems to be connected to the first two, which insisted that the dark and the light must never be mixed.

Does it draw a reference towards me and Leo? Nag-isip ako nang malalim, then I finally got it. But I am still not sure. In my own theory, the dark refers to me, as I have black hair and my magic is dark... On the other hand, Leo is the ‘light’ in the poem, as he has snow and silver hair and his magic gives life... Naguluhan ako sa parteng kasunod nito, what does it mean that the dark and the light must never be mixed?

Leo and I have to be together at all cost... Right? I mean, because that is the only way for the magic that is sealed inside me to be contained.

Or fate, itself, be broken unfixed.

Kumunot ang aking noo dahil sa linyang ito. Hindi ko maintindihan ang nais iparating o ipahayag ng mga linyang ito. But something is telling me, that there is something wrong... I just cannot figure out what is.

The seal, Mortem, locked within thy soul

the blazing fire shall gradually burn Anima, & all

away—and deceptions, you live by

like fools and puppets, in strings, you’re fated to die.

I got the first line of this stanza, but the second one has confused me once more. The blazing fire... I remember always constantly feeling this flame within every time Leo is around or close to me. Does it have something to do with that?

The third line says something about deception... Me living in lies? What does that mean? The fourth one also furthers it, saying I am fated to die.

Hindi ko alam pero nakaramdam ako ng bigat at tensyon sa katawan, I had a hunch already—what if it was the opposite? What if Leo and I cannot be together, after all? No... It isn’t that. There has to be another meaning behind these poems, right? My heart ached at the idea, and I was saddened because of what I was thinking as well. Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako.

Another soul, awakening, after you have fallen

from here, Terra Forma, the world will be stricken

and the Twin Moons, together, just watching over

in this pandemonium and harmony, you’ll find forever.

The third stanza’s first line tells something about someone reincarnating, and the second line is about Terra Forma being enveloped in darkness, and the third line tells about the Twin Moons who are just watching the flow of events, as stated by the fourth line. Hindi ko na maintindihan kung ano ba ang nais iparating ng nakita ng manghuhula. Pero nagkaroon ako ng kutob, at masamang pakiramdam.

“Lark, you seem bothered by what you’ve read. You can share to us if you want...” Akane approached, halata ang concern sa kaniyang mukha.

I smiled, “it is okay.” Sagot ko naman. I cannot tell anyone about this, especially to Leo. He must not know... Not until I am sure of myself, and of the theories that I have formulated in my head. Kailangang siguraduhin ko muna... Pero si Leo na kasi mismo ang nagsabi, na kinausap siya ni Ostrum, at kailangan naging magsamang dalawa upang ang mahika sa aking loob ay manatiling naka-seal.

Bumalik na ako sa huwisyo nang marinig ko si Madame Phoebe na magsalita at sinabing bilisan ko ang maglakad dahil nahuhuli na ako. Sumunod naman ako. Nang nasa harap na kami ng booths ng mga nagtitinda ng lantern ay kumuha na kami ng lima at si Akane naman ay nagbayad. Si Filo na ang nagbuhat sa mga lantern. Pagkatapos ay napagpasyaan na naming bumalik sa inn upang magpahinga sa wakas.

“Where is the room of the emperor?” I asked.

“At the third floor, Prince Lark. It is the only room there.” Ngumiti naman si Akane sa akin. She finally decided to call me with my title since it was just us now who are at the inn.

“Alright, I will be off to keep his company. You guys can now rest.” I told them.

“I’ll just go visit my family.” Sagot naman ni Filo pagkatapos, “I will be back in a few hours.” Aniya.

“Alright, then. How about you, Akane?”

“I will sleep.” Sagot nito.

“And I will go and check the Grand Library, do some readings of my own.” Singit ni Madame Phoebe.

We went on our separate ways at last. I climbed the stairs and walked towards the third floor, kumatok ako sa nag-iisang pinto roon, “come in.” Sagot naman ni Leo.

Binuksan ko iyon at saka pumasok, then I closed the door after. I looked at him, and he was busy reading some papers and affixing his signature on some of it.

“You are still working.”

“Yes. Emperor duties.” Aniya.

Naglakad ako palapit sa kaniya, nakaupo siya sa isang silya at nakaharap sa isang study table kung saan naroroon ang mga papeles. His back was facing me, and I put my hands on his shoulders, then started massaging him.

“Ah, nice.” He moaned in delight, and I felt butterflies in my tummy. “Deeper, please.” He asked.

And I did as he wished. Mas lalo siyang umungol habang minamasahe ko siya.

“You’re good with your fingers.” Aniya habang nagbabasa sa mga dokumento.

I grinned, “really?”

Tinaas niya ang kaniyang ulo at nagtama ang aming mga mata, nakita ko rin ang paghulog ng ilang hibla ng kaniyang puting buhok. His smooth and silky hair seems to be suspended in the air, and my eyes admired his golden eyes. Binaba ko rin ang aking ulo at bahagyang yumuko, lumapit ang distansya ng aking ulo sa kaniya, at walang sabing nagtama ang aming mga labi.

“Thank god I am done with my duties.” Halos pabulong nang saad ni Leo habang nakatitig pa rin sa akin, “otherwise, I will be too distracted by your beauty to be able to continue.”

“Bolero.” I chuckled.

“I’m not.” Aniya, “you really are beautiful, Lark.”