After carrying Céline's lifeless body, Suman carefully laid her behind a large rock on the shore. With a heavy heart, he whispered, "Rest peacefully, my child. I must bid you farewell now." Suman gently kissed her forehead, his expression filled with sorrow as he gazed upon her frail form. He couldn't help but feel a deep sympathy and empathy for her. Standing up, he spoke softly, "Oh, humanity, will you ever change? Life is not about wealth or fame. The true purpose of our existence lies in passing the ultimate test, to return to heaven. Yet, some individuals choose the wrong path, leading to tragic consequences. They start families only to abandon them, leaving their children to suffer the consequences of their mistakes. How senseless and heartbreaking it is. I cannot fathom why they would do such a thing. Those poor children, including my own." Suman's voice trembled with sadness. Before leaving, he cast one last glance at Céline and whispered, "Forgive me, my child, but fear not. Quart and the others will come to your rescue soon. It won't be long before you find love and happiness." With those words, Suman teleported away, leaving Céline behind.
Inside the confines of the Wring Wrigh, Céline's mind was filled with questions and doubts. "Did I make the right choice? Is there even a right choice?" she pondered. Though her soul was trapped and unconscious, her thoughts continued to race. She reflected on her mother, who was unfairly judged by others, even her own siblings. Céline couldn't understand why people couldn't grasp the hardships of life. All they seemed capable of was passing judgment and labeling her as a bad person. But she knew her mother never wanted this life. She was merely a victim, trapped in the unfortunate circumstances that led to her demise. Society demanded explanations, yet when given the full story, they only listened to a fraction of it, clouded by doubt. Only a small percentage showed any sympathy. Céline couldn't help but feel frustrated by the foolishness of humanity, despite being hailed as the most intelligent beings on earth. "Perhaps not all of them," she mused, questioning the true extent of human intelligence.
Céline had resigned herself to her fate, sealed within the Wring Wrigh, prepared to meet her end. However, her salvation came unexpectedly, thanks to Nia'le and Tassa. It was Ayamani's plan to ensure Quart's safety from Nia'le's advances. Through this twist of fate, Céline found solace in her newfound surrogate parents. As they embraced their roles as her guardians, Ayamani couldn't help but feel a sense of failure. Yet, witnessing the bond between them, he couldn't deny the warmth it brought to his heart. Perhaps, just maybe, he had made the right decision after all.
***BACK TO THE PRESENT***
As Céline lay wounded, her vision blurred, and the world around her became a chaotic blur of noise and darkness. Amidst the chaos, she could make out Tassa's tear-streaked face, filled with anguish. Numbness washed over her, and in that moment, memories flooded her mind. She realized that this was what people meant by experiencing flashbacks in their final moments. Despite the pain, Céline managed a bittersweet smile through her tears. "I never wanted to see all this," she whispered. "I was so happy, if only for a brief moment. Perhaps the Filipino saying is true, that great happiness is often followed by great misfortune. It seems that fate has caught up with me."
Céline couldn't bear the thought of leaving behind Tassa and Nia'le. She refused to let go, refusing to accept her impending demise. "Why? Why can't happiness last forever? Why must it end like this?" she cried out in despair. "Now that I've found the two people who could change my life, who would treat me like family, why? Why is life so unfair to me? Before, when I wanted to die, I couldn't. But now, when I want to live, I can't. What have I done wrong to deserve this punishment?" In that moment, a realization washed over her, and she gazed up at the dark cloudy sky with a newfound understanding. "No, perhaps Heaven wanted to give me respite. Maybe it knows that something terrible awaits me in the future. That's why it chose to take me now, to grant me rest. After all, everything happens for a reason. My birth mother must be waiting for me. Goodbye, Tassa. Goodbye, Nia'le. And thank you, Ayamani. I am grateful to have met all of you. I am thankful for the chance to be born, just to cross paths with you." With those final words, Céline passed away in Tassa's arms.
As Tassa felt Céline's breathing fade away, she checked for a pulse, only to find none. Overwhelmed with grief, she called out to Nia'le, her voice trembling. "N-Nia'le, Céline... Céline is gone. She's... she's dead." The news struck Nia'le like a bolt of lightning. He collapsed to the ground, screaming in anguish, blaming himself for what had transpired. In his despair, he pounded the ground with his fists, fracturing the bones in his hands. "Damn it! It's all my fault. This is happening because of me. Céline died because of me. I dragged Tassa and Céline into this mess. It's all my fault." Tassa wept uncontrollably, her sorrow unleashing a powerful storm. Thunder roared and rain poured down, as if the heavens themselves mourned Céline's passing. The intensity of Tassa's emotions caused a catastrophe that threatened the entire country. Ayamani, aware of the impending disaster, shielded them from harm and mobilized the military to protect themselves.
As tension filled the air, the authorities seized the opportunity when Nia'le let his guard down. They moved swiftly, aiming to apprehend him while he remained motionless on the ground, consumed by guilt over losing Céline and the chaos that ensued.
"Tassa, I understand the immense pain you both feel, witnessing Céline's loss right before your eyes. But Tassa, the military is advancing, and they intend to capture Nia'le," Ayamani warned, his voice laced with concern.
"No, Ayamani. Let them take me. Go and save Tassa on my behalf. I am the one who deserves to be captured," Nia'le declared, his voice filled with resignation.
The military approached Nia'le, firmly securing handcuffs around his wrists. Ayamani stood by, his gaze fixed upon Nia'le, a silent display of defiance.
"I do not take orders from you. You are not my superior. However, I will protect her because it is my duty, not because you commanded me to do so," Ayamani retorted, his words sharp and resolute.
Nia'le couldn't help but chuckle at Ayamani's words, causing the military to pause for a moment, taken aback by his unexpected reaction.
"This is the first time I've heard your voice in this world, Ayamani. And I must admit, I'm glad I hadn't heard it before," Nia'le remarked with a hint of amusement.
Ayamani responded calmly, "My voice can only be heard by someone who believes in me or when I choose to make it heard."
"Like I care. Just take care of her, Ayamani. Promise me that you will," Nia'le pleaded, his voice tinged with urgency.
"Why should I prove myself to you?" Ayamani questioned, his tone tinged with defiance.
As the military prepared to take Nia'le away, he complied peacefully. However, when they attempted to restrain Tassa and take her into custody, Ayamani took decisive action. He shattered Nia'le's handcuffs, urging him to save Tassa, as the military's touch would bring harm upon them. Without hesitation, Nia'le sprinted towards Tassa, enveloping her in a tight embrace. The military persisted in their attempts to separate them, but their grip remained unyielding. Eventually, the military overpowered Nia'le, locking both of his arms and forcing him down to his knees. Handcuffs were fastened around his wrists, and they callously pressed their boots against his head. Despite the muddy ground beneath him, Nia'le defiantly maintained eye contact with Tassa. As the military clutched Tassa's arm, he spoke to them calmly, pleading, "Do not harm her or my daughter. I implore you to cease this this torment."
One of the military personnel, his demeanor filled with contempt, brushed Tassa's hair behind her ear and scrutinized her face. "So she's your wife, huh?" he sneered. With a cruel tug, he forced her to face him. "You deceitful woman! We all believed you were his hostage, but of course, you're his accomplice," he spat. However, as the military officer examined her closely, he couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty, momentarily entranced by her presence. "She may be blind, but she possesses a certain allure. Now, tell me, can she truly satisfy you?" Nia'le's anger surged within him, fueling a swift and forceful kick to the officer's head, toppling him to the ground. In one swift motion, he incapacitated the other soldier standing nearby. "Do not dare speak to her in such a derogatory manner, you despicable coward," Nia'le seethed, his voice filled with righteous fury.
As the three military personnel apprehended Nia'le, they quickly recognized the formidable strength he possessed, evident in his ability to overcome three armed soldiers even while restrained with handcuffs. In response, they swiftly aimed their guns at him, their fingers tense on the triggers. One of the soldiers signaled to his companion, and the two men advanced towards Nia'le, prepared to unleash their fury upon him. Blow after blow rained down upon him, unrelenting and merciless. The assault continued relentlessly, their intent clear - they would not cease until Nia'le surrendered, until his spirit was broken.