The Merchant's Heavenly Contract

3

Oh, my. This is a first.

A man taller than me, enough for me to look up on him. His ruby earrings caught my attention first. It looks expensive.

He's probably 6'7 up. Eyes, dark red. His slicked-back long hair—almost long as mine, with some strands in front is dark purple, almost black, in a low ponytail as well. Underneath his long black coat is a black turtle neck, seeing his arms, and hands with black gloves, it's probably sleeveless.

May sumisilip na itim na tinta sa turtle neck niya. I can't stare at it for too long, but it's definitely a symbol I don't know. Another symbol on his forehead that I don't know as well, it's in red ink. But at least, the red birthmark under his eyes is something I know.

That symbol . . . means . . .

This guy . . . I didn't feel his presence, maybe because he wasn't a threat?

"My, what happened to hello?" I scoffed, still looking at him. He still has his fake mask on.

"Oh, should I wave my hand as well?" sagot niya sa 'kin.

Binalikan ko siya ng ngiti. "That's nice, but I prefer introductions."

He paused for a moment, there was a slight delay in his voice when he opened his mouth. "Izel."

Not a familiar name.

"Son of?"

"Son of a farmer in the east."

I smirked. Oh, he's that kind of guy.

"I see, you don't like introductions very much," natatawang sagot ko. Inilahad ko ang kamay ko. "Yes, Quetzalli. Daughter of a farmer as well. I'll be your captain for this mission."

He just looked at my hand, before looking back again at me. He smiled again, with his eyes. "Didn't you hear what I said? I want you to step down."

"Hey, boy!" biglang ani ng babaeng nasa likod ko. Sinulyapan ko si Laonya na nanlilisik ang mga mata sa lalaking kaharap namin. Tuminis ang boses niya, pero dumiin, parang ilang tao ang nagsasalita. Her iris split. "Quetzalli is still your senior, know your place!"

Hinarang ko ang kamay ko. "cálmate, muchacha. (calm down.)"

Umangat muli ang mata ko kay Izel. "Now, now. Even though I would like to step down as a captain, there are rules we should follow, you know?"

Humakbang ako papalapit sa kaniya. "You need to be qualified as a captain. Hawak ko ang buhay niyo, kaya malaki ang responsibilidad ko."

I met his eyes, and his smile disappeared. "But I can step down . . . if you think you're more qualified."

Let's see . . . I don't think he's just cocky, maybe he just really thinks that he's stronger than me.

It took seconds before he showed his smile again. In the most nonchalant and casual way, he answered me.

"I'll kill you."

I smiled back. "I would love to see you try, chico."

𓆚𓆚𓆚

An open field, like a desert, but we're still on Mythos. With enough distance, at least 20 ft. I'm in front of Izel, the chico who wanted to fight me for the position of captain.

I couldn't care less.

But I'm intrigued with his background as well, like what Laonya said. Gusto kong malaman kung kaninong anak siya, at ano ang rason kung bakit niya 'to tinatago.