"Soon, I will remind you why this love is worth it..."

AVERY

I couldn't help but smile when I saw his face. Siya ang kauna-unahang nakita ko sa pagbalik ng paningin ko. Hindi ko rin maiwasan ang pagsilay ng ngiti sa labi ko dahil sa nakakatuwang reaksiyon niya. Laglag ang panga niya at hindi niya inaasahan ang pagbalik ng kulay ng mga mata ko.

"Cheater," tanging nasabi niya na mas lalong nagpalawak sa ngiti ko at nagpabilis sa tibok ng puso ko. Hindi ko mawari kung nakasimangot ba siya o masaya dahil sa kislap na tila dumaan sa kanyang mga mata. I saw relief and gladness in his sapphire blue eyes. He looked wasted though due to the wounds on his face and body. Bahagya akong nakaramdam ng pag-aalala.

Halatang matindi ang pinagdaanan nila bago nila nakuha ang lunas. Mabuti na lang nagtagumpay sila dahil hindi na namin matatakasan ang pagdagsa ng mga kawal sa lugar na ito. We can't hold the guards any longer. We need to get out of here as soon as possible. Tiyak na mas madami pa ang dadating.

Biglang nagbago ang ekspresiyon ng mukha ni Zirrius. Napansin ko ang sunud-sunod na paglunok niya dahil sa pagkalito at pag-aalinlangan. He was about to lift his hand to touch me but he stopped himself. Ikinuyom na lang niya ang sugatang kamao. He's still resisting the bond that why it's amusing to tease him more but later. Later. Wala sa sariling hinimas na lang niya ang batok niya. Yumuko siya para itago ang pamumula ng mukha niya pero napansin ko naman ang pag-iinit ng tainga niya.

We are still facing this dire situation. Napapaligiran pa rin kami ng mga kawal na. This is not the time to play. Now that I regained my sight, there's no time for self-pity anymore. It's time to go after what I want to. It's time to take action. Not the time to give up for the possibility that maybe, as we save our world, we can also save ourselves and our hearts.

"Let's talk, later," sabi ko nang maramdaman ko ang isang kawal, malapit sa likod ko. Nakaangat na ang dalawang kamay niya nang harapin ko siya. Handa na siyang ibaon ang espada sa likod ko. Nagngingitngit siya sa galit at madilim ang mukha nang subukan niya akong hiwain pero agad kong nasalag ang espada niya gamit ang Angel Fire sword ko.

Gumalaw na rin si Zirrius dahil agad kaming napalibutan. Kailangan naming tapusin ang mga kawal na ito upang hindi na sila makapagsumbong pa sa nakatataas. Nakikita ko ang ilang itim na mahika na pumapalibot sa mga kamay nila. They were under a dark spell. Binded. Someone's controlling them. It's fascinating how I could see the residues of dark magic in them.

The gift is finally working! Maybe I can now figure out who's Seth!

I suddenly regained my strength to fight. Somehow I could see the light. Malakas na sipa ang pinatama ko sa tiyan ng kawal. His stomach is armored though but he moved some steps back and almost fell on the ground. I managed to slash his chest and the residues of my Angel Fire burned his armor open. Blood flowed from his huge wound. His face turned pale before he breathe his final breath.

When I looked at Damon, he was also covered with wounds. He caught a glimpse of me and he looked relief when he noticed that I could finally see. He tilted his head and smiled to acknowledge me. He knocked down two of his opponents with spells and some needles.

Zirrius went to fight with Kendrick and Ayen on the other side. I moved and lung for another guard and I knocked them down with spells and sword. Isang tao na lang ang natitira. He was standing from afar, watching us and waiting. He was dressed as if he's a noble man, or maybe the captain of the guards. Masasabi ko na hindi siya natatakot sa kabila ng pagpapatumba namin sa mga kasama niya. His comrades are all dead now. This fact doesn't even bother him.

Ngumisi lang siya sa 'min nang nakakaloko. Lumapit ako kina Damon. We will do our best to guard this house, Shin and our identities. We're all looking at him. He had a scar on his face and a dark look on it. Umangat ang sulok ng labi niya. His mustache moved along with his lips as he chanted a dark spell. Mas maraming itim na mahika ang nakapalibot sa kanya. Nakita ko rin ang itim na crescent moon sa leeg niya. He was controlling these guards but who controls him?

Natigilan kaming lahat nang biglang gumalaw ang mga bangkay at dahan-dahang bumangon. They moved their lifeless body, hold their swords and faced our direction. Handa silang sumugod anumang oras, kapag nagbigay na ng hudyat ang komokontrol sa kanila. This man is a necromancer! He grinned at us like he was a royal demon ready to conquer the living and the dead.

Dark threads made of dark magic connect these deads to their master. As if these deads are all his puppets. How heartless! To use his comrades as his toys, weapons and shields. I want to puke due to this scene. The deads are suffering.

Nang gumalaw ang mga kamay ng necromancer, nagsimula na silang gumalaw. Fresh blood still dripped from their open wounds. Their hands and swords are covered with scarlet blood. They swung their swords and lunged at us, mindlessly.

"We need to kill their master to stop the deads," seryosong sigaw ni Damon sa 'min nang maghiwa-hiwalay kami.

"Or better yet, cut their heads!" sigaw ni Kendrick.

"Siguro mas mabuti kung susunugin na lang natin sila!" sabi naman ni Zirrius.

"Cutting heads is so savage," komento ko. We are dodging the attacks of the dead guards. Kahit na nasusugatan namin ang mga patay na kawal, walang tigil pa rin sila sa paggalaw. Napapangiwi ako sa tuwing sinusugatan ko sila. They're already dead! They don't deserve this!

"Pero hindi na sila makokontrol pa kung pupugutan natin sila ng ulo. For a non-magic user like me, that's the most effective way," seryosong sabi ni Kendrick. He's right. All their suggestions can break the master's spell. Nakagat ko na lang ang labi ko. I choose to burn their dead bodies instead.

"Fire as pure as light,

Hear the cries of suffering,

Free the dead,

In peace, let them embrace the ground.

I call to Thee,

So mote it be."

Gumapang ang puting apoy mula sa kinaroroonan ko patungo sa kawal na sumusugod sa 'kin. He can't do anything against my fire but he was still trying to attack in spite of his body turning to ashes. Nang tingnan ko ang necromancer, halatang iritado siya sa nangyayari. One of the dark threads breaks and was cut from him. Masamang tingin ang ipinukol niya sa 'kin.

Inutusan niya ang isa lang kawal na sugudin ako pero mataas na tumalon ako upang iwasan ito. "I'll take care of the necromancer," sabi ko sa kanila. Hindi na sila nakaangal pa dahil abala sila sa pagsugpo sa mga patay na kalaban nila. Pero alam kong labag ito sa kalooban nila.

I ran towards the necromancer. He's infuriated. Mahigpit kong hawak ang espada ko. I aimed to his heart but he managed to pull a sword and dodge my attack. At least, he knows how to fight on his own. Sunud-sunod na unos ng espada ang sumalubong sa kanya. I'm so enraged at this disgusting necromancer. Napapaurong siya sa bawat hampas ko ng espada. Napapangiwi siya pero nagagawa pa rin niya akong tingnan ng masama.

Naramdaman ko ang paglapit ng isang patay na kawal sa direksiyon ko pero agad itong napigilan ni Zirrius. He burned the dead guard to ashes. He was backing me up. I felt a bit safer. Hindi ko na hinati ang atensiyon ko at mas pinagtuunan na lang ng pansin ang necromancer. I was able to cut him on the side.

He chanted another spell. A darker one. Napasinghap na lang ako nang may biglang humawak sa mga paa ko. Mula sa ilalim ng lupa, may iba pang patay na nagsilabasan.

"There are a lot of dead buried in this place," he grinned at me. I was stunned that's why he managed to cut my side. Malakas akong napadaing. This man is really heartless and disgusting! He's rotten to the core! Lalo akong napasinghap nang bunutin niya ang espada sa tagiliran ko.

"Avery!" sigaw ni Zirrius. He used his Devil Fire to kill the dead holding my feet and ankles. I was thankful for what he did. Masamang tingin ang ipinukol ko sa necromancer.

"You'll join them soon," seyrosong sabi ko. The Angel Fire started to burn from his feet. He was stunned. "It will hurt. This is your judgement," seryosong dagdag ko pa. He can't counter the fire with any spells he chanted. Even his water or earth spells had no use. Hindi ganu'n kalawak ang kaalaman niya sa mga spells.

Naglalabasan pa rin ang mga patay na tahimik na nahihimlay mula sa ilalim ng lupa. I willed the fire to grow further, larger, hotter. Malakas na sigaw ang umalingawngaw sa paligid habang unti-unti siyang nagiging abo. I walked away. He's done for.

Sapo ng isang kamay ko ang tagiliran ko dahil sa dugo na patuloy na dumadanak mula roon. Zirrius started to burn all the deads that resurfaced from the ground.

"Kailangan mong magamot," seryosong sabi ni Zirrius. Lumapit din sa 'kin sina Damon. "You're human. You can't heal faster."

"I'm fine. You got more wounds than me," sabi ko. It hurt a bit but it's nothing compared to their wounds.

Inalalayan ako ni Damon na may halong pag-aalala. "Pumasok muna tayo sa loob pero kailangan nating magmadali. Kapag maayos na si Shin, kailangan na nating lisanin ang lugar na ito." Marahan akong tumango. Sa oras na ito, si Shin din ang iniisip ko. Sana napagaling na siya.

"Sino nga pala ang babaeng kasama ninyo kanina? Siya na ba ang anak ni Manong Theo? Si Savanna?" tanong ko sa kanya. Nakapasok na kami sa loob. Tumango si Damon. I don't think reinforcements will come soon. Zirrius fell behind us.

Ilang saglit lang ay lumabas na si Savanna. She's sweating. Her bloodshot eyes caught my attention as if she just cried. Tears glistened in her eyes.

"The child's safe now," she announced. we all looked at her with relief and gratefulness in our eyes. But she looks tired to even stretch a smile. We noticed that there's something wrong.

"Kamusta si Manong Theo?" nag-aalangang tanong ko sa kanya.

Umiling si Savanna na tila nahihirapang huminga at magsalita.

"He's gone," matigas na sabi niya na tila pinatatatag ang loob. A lump formed in my throat. Suddenly, everything was a blur. Silence came in our midst. We don't have words for the damage we caused Savanna. A life was still lost despite everything we've done.

"I'm sorry," tanging nasabi ko na lang. Nanginig ang tinig ko kaya marahang tinapik ni Damon ang balikat ko. Maging sina Zirrius ay hindi makapagsalita. Natigilan kami nang sumandal si Shin sa pintuan. He's all well now! Hindi ko alam na ganu'n kabilis ang epekto ng gamot sa kanya. His messy hair and red eyes are an indicator that he just woke up.

"I drained his energy. It's my fault," mahinang sabi ni Shin. He looks really sorry. The regret was written all over his face. Pain and regret and guilt.

Hawak niya ang laylayan ng damit niya at nakatungo. Hindi niya magawang iangat ang paningin niya upang tingnan kami. He's ashamed of the damaged he'd caused.

"No, it's not your fault, Master Shin. Kami ang nagdala sa 'yo rito at wala kang kaalam-alam. 'Wag mong sisihin ang sarili mo," nahihirapang sabi ni Ayen.

"I don't need your apologies and regrets or even guilt. These can't bring the dead back. These can't bring back what is already lost," nagngingitngit na sabi ni Savanna na ikinatahimik namin. We understand. She lost someone precious. She lost her father.

Naiinis na ikinuyom ni Savanna ang kamao. She bit her teeth with anger and frustration. Pinagtaasan niya kami ng boses. "Ah! Safe-blame is so annoying, isn't it? You don't have to emotionally abuse yourself. He saved the child knowing that he might die in the process. He accepted his death with his whole heart. Don't put his efforts in vain. Stop blaming yourselves and do what you are here for. You said you want to save the people of Sumeria? Then do it. That's what he wants! Self-pity or self-blame will get your asses nowhere, freaks!" inis na sabi niya. "You have to do everything to save Sumeria so he can rest in peace!"

Napatitig kami sa kanya. She's a strong woman but I'm sure she's broken inside. I'm she's fucking crazy sad and she wants to cry her heart out. Nanikip ang dibdib ko dahil sa ipinapakita niya. Mas masakit pa ang pagkawala ng ama niya kaysa sa sugat na iniinda ko ngayon.

"We need to bury him and get out of here immediately," she added with a strain and tired voice.

"We'll do it," sabi ni Zirrius.

Tumayo ako at lumapit sa kanya. I hugged her instinctively. She didn't resist but she's stunned for a while. Wala sa sariling napayakap na rin siya sa 'kin. The wound hurts a little. She cried her heart out. I just want her to feel better and this is they only thing I can do for her. She doesn't need our apologies. Silence and prayers are the only things we can offer now. She cried a little longer until everything she kept was already out.

Nang makahuma siya, saka niya kumalas ng yakap mula sa 'kin. "I know a safe place to go," sabi ni Savanna. "There are rebels who secretly plans to stop the King. Tiyak na makakatulong sila. Noon, hinihikayat nila akong sumapi sa kanilang samahan pero tinanggihan ko sila. Alam ko kung saan sila matatagpuan," sabi niya.

I kindly smiled at her. "Maraming salamat sa tulong mo. Hindi ko alam kung paano ka namin pasasalamatan. Your father has been good to us. He's a wonderful person."

"You don't need to thank me now. Sa totoo lang, nakasalalay rin ang buhay ninyo sa gulong papasukin ninyo. You are aiming for the impossible. From here on, everything's a matter of life and death and courage."

"Make sense," I said with a smile. She bit back a small smile. Shin held Savanna's smile as sign of gratitude and condolence. Savanna nodded with understanding.

Zirrius and Damon went out of the room. Nakabalot na sa puting tela ang bangkay ni Manong Theo. Savanna told us to follow her. Nagdala si Kendrick ng ilang pala. Mula sa likod ng bahay, makikita ang naglalakihang puno. Sa gitna ng kagubatan, makikita ang pinakamalaking oak tree. Savanna pointed the spot near it.

"There," she said. "He wished to be buried here," she added.

Nagsimula na silang maghukay hanggang sa tuluyan ng mailagak ang bangkay ni Manong Theo sa ilalim. One by one, we covered his grave with soil and a promise. A promise that his efforts will not be put in vain. A promise to save Sumeria and its people. A promise to make this world a better one.

Bago namin lisanin ang lugar, ginamot muna namin ang aming sarili at nagpalit ng maayos na damit. Zirrius and Kendrick need to cover their faces with cloaks.

Pumasok kami sa loob ng isang bar. Dahil umaga na, wala ng tao sa loob.

"Sarado na kami!" sigaw ng isang lalaki. "Mamayang gabi na kayo bumalik!"

"Roj, ako 'to, si Savanna," bungad ni Savanna. Dumiretso siya sa counter kung saan naglilinis ng mga baso at plato ang isang lalaki. Umangat ang kilay ni Roj. He looks like he was already in his late twenties. He was rough looking because of the unshaved beard. Hindi pa ganoon kahaba ang balbas niya at halatang tumutubo pa lang.

Napanganga si Roj nang makita si Savanna. Muntik na niyang mabitawan ang basong pinupunasan. Nanlaki ang itim at malalim niyang mata. Matangos ang ilong niya at medyo mahaba ang buhok. Nakapusod ito kaya medyo malinis siyang tingnan.

"Ano'ng ginagawa mo rito? Hindi ba't wala ka ng balak bumalik dito?" kunot-noong tanong ni Roj na tila nakakita ng multo. "At sino naman ang mga kasama mo? Ngayon ko lang sila nakita. Hindi ko sila namumukhaan." Puno ng pagtataka ang tinig niya.

"Nagbago na ang lahat ng balak ko, Roj," seryosong sabi ni Savanna. "Mga dayo sila kaya hindi mo sila kilala." Sinenyasan kami ni Savanna na lumapit sa kanila. We took a seat in front of the counter.

"Sino sila? Ano'ng ginagawa nila rito?" naguguluhan pa ring tanong ni Roj.

"Maybe they're the heroes you're looking and wishing for," kibit-balikat na sagot ni Savanna. "Water, please," she asked coolly. Napailing naman si Roj pero kumuha rin ng tubig. Hindi muna niya pinansin ang unang sinabi ni Savanna. Bumalik siya na may dalang pitsel ng tubig. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng uhaw. Isa-isa kaming binigyan ni Roj ng baso ng tubig.

"We don't accept outsiders, Savanna," mariing sabi ni Roj kapagkuwan. Itinuon niya ang dalawang kamay sa mesa at tiningnan kami isa-isa. Sinusuri niya kaming maigi. Napakunot-noo pa siya at napasimangot sa kasama naming bata. Maging sa 'min ni Ayen ay napailing siya.

"Even if you're fighting for the same cause?" naghahamong tanong ni Savanna. "Your enemy is their enemy. You should become friends."

Masamang tingin ang ipinukol ni Roj kay Savanna pero wala siyang sinabi. Nilingon lang niya sina Zirrius at Kendrick. "You both, lower your hoods!" utos niya. Ininom ko ang tubig ko nang ibaba nina Zirrius ang hoods nila. Kitang-kita ang lalong pagkunot ng noo ni Roj.

"You brought criminals," pag-aakusa ni Roj kay Savanna.

Ngumisi lang si Savanna na tila alam na alam niya ang kanyang ginagawa. "I brought the Prince of Alveria to this filthy bar, Roj. He's your royal guest now," she said without hesitation. Muntik na akong masamid dahil sa sinabi niya. Namutla si Roj at napanganga dahil sa nalaman. Paano pa kaya kung malaman niya na mga hari at isang emperatris ang kasama ni Zirrius?

"Nagbibiro ka lang, hindi ba?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Roj. "Galing ang mga wanted posters sa Alveria. Bakit naman nila gagawing kriminal ang isang prinsipe?" Pagak na tumawa si Roj. He was still denying everything.

"Bakit nga ba, Roj? He was chased out of his own kingdom for what reason? King Sean went to Alveria sane but he came back different and heartless. What do you think is the reason?" Savanna has this playful smirk on her face. She was playing with this man, Roj. Mas lalong namutla ang mukha ni Roj dahil sa reyalisasyon.

"Unless he's against the King," pagsagot ko sa katanungan ni Savanna. "Unless he's a threat to the King's plans." Seryoso lang si Zirrius. He didn't dare to explain himself.

"Interesting, isn't it, Roj?" Savanna smiled knowingly. I just realized that Savanna is playing her own games to win Roj's trust.

Umiling si Roj. His face was distorted with utter anger. "What if he's a spy? Paano kung itinaboy lang siya ng Hari ng Alveria para mag-espiya sa ibang kaharian?" He was still full of doubts. I can't blame him. What we're asking was crucial and confidential. Kapag nagkamali siya, patay siya maging ang mga tao sa samahan nila.

"I don't think so. He even brought his elf friends to help us. Not just to help us but for their dying kingdom as well," Savanna said. She's really up to negotiating. "We help each other and we will benefit mutually."

"Elves? What are you talking about? They won't dare to meddle in our affairs. I can't trust them, Savanna! Just get out!" naiinis na sigaw ni Roj. "I can't put my comrade's lives on the line."

Bumuntong-hininga si Savanna at umiling. "Fine. I'll be around the town. Find us if you need help," she said. Hindi ko akalaing ganu'n na lang 'yon. Sinenyasan niya kami kaya sumunod kami sa kanya. We rented a room in an inn near that bar.

"So, what's the plan now?" kunot-noong tanong ni Savanna sa 'min. Nakahalukipkip siya habang nakaupo sa kama. She was impatiently looking at us so we explained our initial plans.

***