Rinig na rinig kahit saang sulok ng paligid ang ingay na mula sa madilim na kalawakan. Pati na rin ang malakas na pag ungol ng nilalang na kasalukuyan nilang nilalabanan. Mabilis ang kilos nito kaya medyo nahihirapan silang humabol upang sabayan ang kaniyang pag galaw. Nakakakilabot ang tingin na ibina-bato nito sa akin. Ako talaga ang puntirya niya.
Subalit hindi nito magawang makalusot sa dami ba naman nilang nakapaligid dito. Kahit anong tangka nito ay hindi ito magawang makatakas.
How were they able to move so freely while dressed like that? Especially Quilya. She's unbelievably agile. I'm impressed. I can tell by looking at their backs that they had fought on the battlefield for a very long time. Without a shadow of doubt, they are powerful.
Patuloy na duma-dagundong ang kalangitan at ang walang tigil na pagtama ng kidlat sa bawat direksyon. Napansin kong palaki rin nang palaki ang itim na bola sa gitna ng namimilog na ulap. Kasabay nito ang mas lalong pagtindi ng ihip ng hangin na halos liparin lahat ng mga nakatayong puno. The enemy is using this ambiance to its advantage.
Kumapit ako sa hood ng karwahe sa tabi ko. Ramdam ko ang katamtamang pag alog nito dahil sa tindi ng hangin. Nagsi-liparan ang mga tuyong dahon at alikabok sa ere dahil dito. Nakakaramdam din ako ng pangha-hapdi galing sa daplis na nasa hita ko kaya napatingin ako roon. Wala itong tigil sa pagdugo hanggang sa tuluyan na itong maabot ang aking talampakan. Ginala ko ang paningin ko sa paligid, nagbabakasakaling may mahanap akong pamunas pero wala. Namamantsahan na rin ang damit ko. Sa sitwasyong ito ay mainam na pumasok nalang ako sa loob ng karwahe pero mas pinili kong manatili dito at pagmasdan ang mga nangyayari.
I've never seen them fight. Ito ang unang pagkakataon ko na masaksihan iyon. At hindi talaga maitatanggi ang husay nila habang pinapanood ko sila na nakikipaglaban. Pero pansin ko lang, kanina pa nila nilalabanan ang nilalang na iyon. Quilya is a realm guardian. She could've ended the fight quickly on her own. What are they doing?
In-obserbahan ko nang maigi ang galaw nila hanggang sa maintindihan ko kung bakit. Saying they were just holding back was an understatement. They're not even using any of their powers.
Napaisip ako. Kung tutuusin, kayang-kaya nilang tapusin ito nang walang kahirap-hirap. Bakit kaya? Its energy is significantly weaker than the energy I felt when Krein used his binding magic to temporarily negate the gate's weakening seal. Yung itim na bola sa ere ay nakakatakot talaga tignan, pero hindi pa rin ito kasing puro kumpara sa nasaksihan kong mahika ni Krein. Mas lalo kong diniin ang tingin ko sa kanilang ginagawa.
Kasing-bilis ng pag atake ng kalaban ang kanilang pag ilag. Hindi sila nalalamangan nito pagdating sa paliksihan ng galaw. Masasabi mo talagang mayroon silang karanasan sa larangan ng pakikipag-digma. Wala man lang ni katiting na takot sa kanilang mga mukha samantalang ako ay hindi na halos makapag-isip ng matino at maigalaw nang wasto ang aking katawan. Kung hindi ako sinagip ni Quilya doon ay malamang. . .
Umiling ako. Ayoko na isipin.
"We have a situation. An unfamiliar entity attacked one of our chariots. And it appears to be in possession of magic of an unusual kind,"
Unfamiliar entity.
Bigla kong naalala ang sinabi ni Calef kanina. Paulit-ulit iyong naglalaro sa aking isipan na para bang may isang bagay doon na maaaring konektado sa sitwasyon.
Hold on a second. . .
At meron nga! Dahil doon ay napagtanto ko kung ano ang intensyon nila sa kanilang ginagawa.
Dahil ito ay isang hindi pa nila matukoy na uri ng nilalang, pinag-aaralan nila ang bawat kilos nito nang sa gayon ay may maipon silang kaalaman ukol dito. But for what reason, though? I don't see the need to be so tactical when they are much stronger.
I have to see this through to the end.
Mas lalong lumakas ang ihip ng hangin at halos liparin na ako nito. Humigpit ang kapit ko sa gulong ng karwahe. Gulong-gulo na rin ang buhok ko sa walang tigil na paglipad nito sa ere.
"I'm becoming accustomed to its attack pattern, Krein. How's your observation going?" tanong ni Quilya.
"The energy of that dark object in the sky is incompatible with that of this creature. I, therefore, assume that he is not responsible for this," the latter responded to her query promptly. "but I do not sense any nearby casters capable of doing this," he added.
What? That thing hovering in the sky is not that monster's doing?
In an attempt to comprehend what was going on, Quilya ran her hand quickly up to her chin after leaping away from the scene. "Strange," she murmured. Nasa likod niya lang ako kaya medyo naririnig ko kahit ang mahina niyang sinasabi. "I thought only that woman could do this?"
Woman?
May iba pang kilala si Quilya? At ano ang ibig niyang sabihin doon?
"But this spell is not hers either," retorted Krein.
I'll just have to listen since, as usual, I have no idea what they are discussing. Though it's evident it doesn't really help, I do comprehend a few things. There's definitely something wrong with me, though.
"My confusion stems directly from that information."
While on their momentarily retreat, the remaining combatants kept going. There are no signs that the conflict will end as it continues. The battle rages on, but this time, they are no longer merely avoiding attacks; instead, they are now trading blows, retaliating against each strike with equal vigor in an effort to delay the enemy's quick demise.
"What's your take on this, Quilya?" with seriousness, he questioned, "you seem to have something in mind."
He no longer received a response from her; instead, she called the others. "Everyone, fall back!" she voiced out, appearing to have thought of something. Without hesitation, everyone complied with the order and instantly gathered around her. Allowing the unknown entity to have a wider area to unleash its attacks.
"I'll solve this myself, you guys look after Aeriah for me." However, just as she was about to proceed, someone interrupted her.
"No, we will settle this." A voice of a woman jolted us out of our reverie. Two people were behind us, and I could feel their imposing presence. I recognize this voice. We turned around to see who was there and saw Scarlette and Alec who had just gotten off their horse.
"What are you guys doing here?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Marreanne.
"We knew something like this would happen so we followed you, and we were right," nagsalita si Alec. Ganun pa rin ang suot niya. Ang tanging pinagkaiba ay hawak na niya ngayon ang espada na kanina ay nasa sword-rack lang na nakapatong sa ibabaw ng stool doon sa kaniyang silid.
"What is the point of this, Larvagnne?"
He gave Quilya a teasing chuckle. "Miss Neinfraud, come on. Don't be so impolite. We're fighting together as allies, as I made clear. We also need to take care of some business at Maurgriann."
"Business?"
His facial expression dimmed, leading to a change in his demeanor. "They have started showing up lately outside my village, as you can see," he expressed, all while tightening his grip on the lengthy sheath where the blade rests. "They lurk just outside the borders of Lashevierr, preying on unsuspecting people. If this keeps happening, not only will my town suffer greatly, but so would other neighboring cities."
"And you're requesting aid from the Maurgriann kingdom? You are a realm guardian, though," puna ni Quilya na siya namang ikina-tahimik ng huli.
"What?!" I exclaimed in utter shock. "He's a what?"
"A, hehe, realm guardian," Quilya answered me with an awkward smile, and collectively, they were all nodding in agreement.
What the hell, people? Seriously?
"Scarlette as well," sabi pa ni Alec.
These two are realm guardians? My gosh! No way! That makes three of them, then?
"Enough small talk. I didn't come here for that. Moreover, don't we have an enemy to get rid of?" as soon as Alec said that, we turned to stare at the growling creature who's now giving off a menacing glare. "What's that thing in the sky?" he asked. But then he never expected for an answer. Or rather, it was such an unanswerable question. He already knows what it is.
"Alright. Quilya, I take it that you've had your fill of this thing's prowess now? If so, you may leave this to us."
The latter just took the man's words and stood back. "Understood," she uttered.
Lumingon siya sa kinaroroonan ko at lumapit. Yumuko siya upang tignan ang sugat na natamo ko sa hita.
"You're bleeding nonstop. How are you feeling?"
"I-I'm fine. I'm all right. It's only a slight scratch."
Thought she would be convinced by what I said, but her face suggests otherwise. Bagkus ay tinawag niya si Marreanne at kaagad rin namang lumapit ito sa amin. Pinunasan niya ang kaniyang pawis gamit ang likod ng kaniyang palad.
"What's the matter? You two all right?"
"I'm fine," sagot ni Quilya sa mahinang boses. "but I think Riah needs a little treatment," sabi niya tsaka tinuro ang sugat sa hita ko.
"You can count on me."
Tinapat niya ang dalawang palad sa harap ng sugat ko at nagliwanag iyon. Bahagya kong tinakpan ang paningin ko nang hindi ako masilaw. Tinaas niya ang damit kong may mantsa at pinahawak ito sa akin. Pagkatapos ay diniin niya ang mga palad sa sugat ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ginagawa niya, basta namamangha lang ako dahil unang beses kong nasaksihan si Marreanne na ginagamit ang kaniyang mahika.
Nakatutok lamang ako sa ginagawa niya. Maya-maya ay tumayo siya pero nanatili pa rin akong nakatingin doon sa sugat na ngayon ay unti-unti nang hinihilom ng liwanag na iyon. Pinagmasdan ko lang hanggang sa tuluyan na itong sumara at ang tanging natira na lang ay ang natuyong dugo na dumaloy mula hita hanggang sa talampakan ko.
"What was that?"
"Pinagaling ko lang ang sugat mo," sagot niya. "may nararamdaman ka pa ba?" Umiling ako sa kaniya.
With that, I muttered a heartfelt, "thank you."
Sabay kaming lumingon sa dalawa at pinagmasdan silang nakikipaglaban. Tumingala ako sa ere at nakita ko si Scarlette. She appears to be hovering in thin air while casually standing still. Then, she proceeded to go forward, which astounded me. It seems like she's moving on a transparent platform. Every step she takes leaves traces of flower petals that gradually vanishes once it hits the ground.
Alec, on the other hand, made a fighting stance. He held the sword in both hands above the head with wrists close to the scalp. Now he extends the wrists and adjusts the hands so that they are centered above the head and above the level of his left eye.
I heard Scarlette murmur an incantation. After that, Alec's blade emanated a purple hue. Turns out the spell was meant to strengthen his attack.
Without remorse, he dashed. Leaving glints of light as he leaps forward. He slashed his blade from left to right, aiming for the head. With that one powerful swing, his blade leaves a dazzling purple afterglow. Unfortunately, the enemy is agile enough to evade the lethal hit. Instead, the blade landed on its neck and made a shallow cut. Without waiting for his opponent to retaliate, he swung his sword once again. And he succeeded this time in severing its head.
Its dead body dropped to the ground with a loud thud. The severed head, though, is still making a fading scream. Seemingly enduring the agony behind its suffering. He spoke in a cold voice, "let me put you out of your misery." And he plunged the sword into the monster's severed head.
Nang tuluyan na itong mawalan ng buhay ay unti-unting naglalaho sa ere ang katawan nito na parang usok. Kasabay rin ng paglaho nito ang pagkawala ng itim na bola sa kalangitan. The hollow cloud is also disintegrating into nothingness. Everything is slowly going back to normal.
The surrounding turns vibrant as the skies clear, and the sun once again emerges. Sabay kaming lumingon sa araw habang sinasangga ng aming palad ang nakakasilaw na liwanag. Tiyaka lang namin napagtanto na malapit na palang mag takipsilim.
"I guess, let's call it a day," ani Miss Kreziana na kanina pa hindi nagsasalita. Pansin ko ang pagka bad-trip sa mga mata nito. Siguro dahil nasayang lang ang niluto niyang pagkain kasi naabala kami ng nilalang na iyon. I understand her. Lahat naman tayo maiinis kapag nasayang yung bagay na pinagsikapan nating gawin.
"Kailangan nating ibahagi ang insidenteng ito sa Maurgriann," tumikhim muna si Quilya bago pinatuloy ang sasabihin. "Larvagnne," tawag niya kay Alec na kakabalik lang ng espada sa kaluban. "hindi ba't iyon din ang pakay mo?"
Tumango ito.
Wait, did she just call him by the name? What was that again? Laban? Wow. Laban Alec.
"We should get going," stated Krein which everyone agreed. Nagsibalikan kami sa loob ng karwahe. Thankfully, walang nasira ni isang parte doon. Subali't yung chariot na nasabing inatake raw ng nilalang na iyon kanina ay sira na talaga at hindi na ma-ayos. Kaya iniwan nalang namin iyon sa gilid ng daan at tsaka na lang po-problemahin pag nakarating na kami sa Maurgriann. Pumalit doon sa pwesto sina Alec at Scarlette habang nakasakay sa kanilang kabayo.
"Quilya," I called her.
"What? Need something?"
"Ah, no. I just. . ."
"Hmm?"
I heaved a deep sigh. Napansin niya iyon kaya nagtaka siya. Kunot-noo niya akong tinitigan sa mata.
"I just want to say sorry," nahihiya kong sambit.
"For what, exactly?"
"Dapat kasi hindi na ako lumabas kanina," nakayuko kong saad.
"It's fine, Riah. Pero nagtataka lang ako, bakit kaya ikaw lang yung puntirya non?"
"Ewan ko rin. Siguro dahil wala akong kapangyarihan?" Natahimik siya sa sinabi ko at napaisip. Bahagya itong umiling.
"Let's just not talk about that. But promise me, Aeriah. From now on, you have to be careful. We no longer live in the same world as before. The darkness that permeates this world lies behind its charm. So don't be fooled by the illusion of beauty. Do you understand?"
I'm not sure how to respond to her because I'm still uncertain of what's happening. Even so, based on what I've seen, there are some things in this world that I must stay away from. None of us know what lies ahead or what the future holds. As Alec mentioned earlier, I was among those who have chosen to forget.
Although it seemed reasonable in some way. I'm ignorant of what happened in the past because I forgot about it, thus I can't recall anything. I still don't think that's a compelling enough argument, though. If it is true that I have lived here previously, that contradicts the sense that I spent my early years in a separate world. Did I somehow die during the war and got reincarnated somewhere else?
I'm sure that every mystery has a solution. Which I will eventually find out in due time.
"Aeriah, do you promise?"
"I promise."
Things are different here. There's danger, warfare, bloodshed, violence, and magic. Given the numerous threats that lay ahead, how will I find my missing pieces?
Quilya, you said this is home. But what kind of world is this?