✓ | The Borrowed Identity (Fate's Transgression Series, #4)

TBI 12: Uphold

The sheer power of the spectacle rendered me speechless, my mind struggling to comprehend the magnitude of what was unfolding before me. It was a cataclysmic event of such proportions that it defied all logic and reason.

Admiral stood beside me, his expression mirroring my own astonishment and alarm. We exchanged a glance, a silent acknowledgement of the grave danger that now loomed over Jasmine Lake and everything in its vicinity.

"What was that?" I whispered, my voice barely audible amidst the tumultuous chaos. There was a deep sense of foreboding within me, as if the very fabric of reality had been torn asunder.

Admiral shook his head. "I have nothing else to say than admit it could be Valan's," he admitted.

My curiosity showered even more. We stood there, rooted to the spot, as the cataclysmic aftermath of the explosion continued to unfold. The devastation spread, engulfing the surrounding landscape in a maelstrom of destructive energy.

How can a human do such a thing?

However, our gaze fixated on the sky, frozen in astonishment, when we heard a thunderous sound resonating from a colossal bird. Its immense size left us utterly stupefied, unable to tear our eyes away from the sight before us.

"What the— that's unfair!" Admiral suddenly exclaimed. "Why would Lutch get to experience being transformed into a colossal bird while I have to settle for a toad sometimes?!"

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata nang mapagtanto ko ang kanyang sinabi. Could it be that the colossal bird we were witnessing was none other than Lutch himself, in his transformed state? The thought sent shivers down my spine, and I turned to Admiral, seeking confirmation.

"Is that... Lutch?" I managed to utter, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and awe.

"Who else could it be," he said, tainted with injustice in his voice. He thinks it was unfair that Lutch could transform into massive birds and he couldn't.

As the colossal bird soared through the sky, its wings spanning wide and casting a shadow over the land, I couldn't help but marvel at the sheer power and majesty emanating from its presence. It was a sight that seemed otherworldly, as if we had stumbled upon a creature from ancient legends.

However, amidst the awe, a sense of urgency gnawed at the edges of my consciousness. The explosion at Jasmine Lake, the emergence of the colossal bird, and the impending danger they represented painted a bleak picture.

"Nasaan si Valan?" I asked, my voice tinged with worry. If Lutch had taken on such a colossal form, where could Valan, the Commander, be in all of this chaos?

Admiral's brows furrowed as he considered the question. He scanned the skies, searching for any sign of their missing master.

"I'm not sure," Admiral replied, his voice laced with concern. "Sigurado akong nasa paligid lang si Valan."

"Hindi ba peace talk ang pinunta niyo sa lalaking 'yon?" takang tanong ko sa kanya. I remembered Lutch said that was the case earlier. Who's lying?

"Peace talk is never an option if two parties propose oppositions," he replied. Suddenly, Admiral's expression lightened. "Oh, Lutch found him. We need to follow the trail. We had gained the upper hand!"

Hindi ko maintindihan ang pinapahiwatig niya pero sumunod ako. They already had something up their sleeves before I came along, so it's not new for me to witness miscommunication in this situation. One thing is for sure. Valan is not an ordinary human.

Admiral and I trailed closely behind Lutch who was still flying as we ventured deeper into the dense forest. The air crackled with tension, and the oppressive silence hung heavy around us, broken only by the rustle of leaves underfoot.