Truce (Erityian Tribes Novella, #1)

12 - Victory

Nakatulala lang ako habang tinitignan ang nangyayari sa paligid. Everything was in ruins. The Shinigami rebels and three of the Great Seven dominated the battle. I've seen them fight during the war a year ago but I'm still dumbfounded by their strength.

As I was looking at my father taking down the building, I felt a sense of relief and sadness. Seeing his actions, I know that he wanted to do this after all this time. He wanted to erase this place where my mother suffered.

"Rainie." Napatingin naman ako nung tinawag ako ni Darwin at bigla niya sa aking inabot ang isang memory chip. "I need to get back to my parents so I'll give this to you. After all, it's yours."

Ngumiti siya sa akin at kinuha ko ang chip sa kamay niya. This chip contains information about my mother and the eye projects of the Shinigamis. Binuksan ni Darwin ang Black Dimension at sa isang iglap ay nawala na siya sa tabi ko.

Nakatingin lang ako sa chip. Natatakot ako sa maaari kong malaman base sa data na nakalap namin ni Darwin pero gusto kong makilala si Mama.

"Are you scared?" tanong ni Hiro na tahimik lang rin na nakatingin sa paligid.

"Yeah. I'm scared to know the truth."

Tumahimik ulit siya habang ako ay tinabi ang chip sa bulsa ng damit ko at tumingin ulit sa nangyayari sa Shinigami base.

I guess Rin's death really had a drastic effect on the Shinigami tribe. From what I've heard, she has no family and there's no rightful heir that she can consider...except me. After all, I'm her sister's daughter and I'm considered as one of the Royals. I think that's the reason why she keeps her eye on me for the last few years. Kaya naman ngayon, walang leader ang tribe nila at pinamumunuan lang sila ng natitirang Elites.

Bigla ko namang naramdaman ang pagbukas ng Black Dimension sa likuran namin kaya napatigil ako sa pag-iisip. Akala ko nung una ay si Darwin pero nagulat ako nung lumabas ang isang Shinigami at binato niya ang spear na hawak niya papunta sa amin. Sinubukan kong umatras pero hindi ko na maramdaman ang binti ko. But I was surprised when Hiro pulled me towards him and he deflected the spear with his arm. His blood gushed out of the cut and my hand involuntarily reached for his gun on his waist. In just a split second, I fired a bullet at the Shinigami and he collapsed on the ground.

"Y-your arm!" sigaw ko at halos isigaw ko ang pangalan ni Riye pero narealize kong kaming dalawa lang ang nandito ngayon.

"I'm fine. It's just a cut," sabi niya pero nakita ko ang pagpapawis niya. I'm sure he's already wounded before receiving that additional injury.

Ganito na naman. Ako na naman ang dahilan. I'm always dragging them into my own mess. I thought I'm strong enough to defend myself and it's my turn to protect them but it all comes back to me being the one to be protected. I hate it. I hate this feeling.

"It's not your fault," bigla niyang sabi. He's reading my mind again.

"But..."

"People decide for themselves. And it's my decision...our decision...to protect someone we want to protect." Napatigil naman ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Habang nakatingin ako sa mga mata niya, kita ko ang lungkot at bigat ng mga salitang sinabi niya. It feels like he's carrying a lot of burden by himself.

Decision to protect someone...

She threw her life to protect me. That's what I'm sure of. That's why I want to protect the people I love, too. I want to show her that she didn't wast her life on me. I want her to be proud of me.