The God's Last Servant

Chapter 23: The Ritual

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WALANG ibang ginawa sa buong araw kundi ang mag-practice humawak at gumamit ng sword. Paminsan-minsan kinakausap ni Jossa si Gabay sa pamamagitan no'n. Hindi pa rin dumarating si Genesis kaya si Exodus ang kasama niya sa buong maghapon. He is so strict to the point he wants her to deal with it. Walang pahinga o break man lang kahit na saglit.

Exodus always reasoned out that time is so precious. Hindi dapat sayangin. Mabuti pa ito nagsasalita lang habang siya gumagamit ng kaniyang lakas, makaya lang ang espada na mabuhat.

"Pwede pahinga muna tayo? We have been doing the stunts for over four hours straight, Exodus. I need some rest," she suggested as she sat on the grass, panting for her breath.

But Exodus only shook his head and motioned the sword he had. Joss stood up and wanted to wreck his neck that time, but she didn't have enough strength to argue with him. Mukhang pinagsisihan niya na yata ang pagpayag sa misyon na ito. Pero hindi na agad siya susuko. Her family who sacrificed are rooting for her, hindi niya dapat ang mga ito ma-disappoint.

Jossa hard headed sometimes, but she can value people who protect her. Especially, those people who left this world because of her.

"Get up, Jossa. Fight with me. I will test how aggressive you are to kill those evils.  When you win, I will give you free time to  rest.  If not, we will practice until Genesis will come back," Exodus challenged her as he was smirking like a proud man. 

Akala naman nito natutuwa siya sa challenge na iyon. Sigurado naman siya na ito ang mananalo sa sinabi. Nag-challenge pa talaga?

Ibang klase.

Pero wala nang magagawa si Jossa kundi patulin ang sinabi nitong iyon. Malay niya at baka nga maka-tyamba siya mamaya.  "Okay, then."

Nagsimula siyang umatake. Kaso naharang ng espada ni Exodus ang kaniyang espada na sana malapit nang humati sa balikat nito. But Exodus reflexes are fast. He had a sharp eye to see what was coming at him. Unless, he is using his ability.

"So slow, Jossa. Faster and hit me with your sword," he said with eagerness as he stared at her eyes desperately. 

Jossa don't know what she might have felt at that time. But she can see in his eyes, that he was so determined to make her strong enough to win in this battle. She admit, she was so weak, she is just fierce on the outside  but deep inside, she is afraid. She is lost. She is alone. She don't know why she need to fight with this.

May mga sagot na sa katanungan niya. Nakikita na ni Jossa na ang mga katotohanan, ang mga nangyari sa kaniya paligid. Pero pakiramdam niya hindi niya pa rin kaya, pakiramdam niya kulang pa rin ang lahat. May hinahanap pa siya, na hindi niya alam kung ano at saan matatagpuan. Maybe because she is doubting? She can't trust them fully, even if they have already shown her about the past?

Siguro ganoon nga. May agam-agam pa rin siys kung totoo ba ang lahat ng ito, o ginagawa lang siyang katatawanan sa huli. Pero kung anuman ang mangyari, wala na siyang pakialam. 

Nagpatuloy sila sa pag-ensayo hanggang sa dumating na nga si Genesis. Tuwang-tuwa pa ang lalaki nang makita silang naglalaban ni Exodus. Hindi man lang tumulong sa kaniya para makapag pahinga na siya. Pakiramdam ni Jossa lalabas na ang dila niya sa bunganga sa sobrang pagod.

"T-time is up!" she shouted as she sat on the grass while panting heavily. Shit! This is insane, she don't know if she can stand anymore.

Agad na kumaripas ng takbo si Genesis papunta sa kinaroroonan niya, at tinulungan siyang makatayo. Pero hindi niya na talaga kaya, at sukong-suko na ang mga paa. Hindi niya alam kung makakakilos pa siya nito mamaya.