Chapter 11: The depth of his feelings
"His duty is to ensure her safety always."
—
Dumadaing ang kalaban ni MIchael, gumugulong sa sahig. Nakakapit sa balat niya ang itim na apoy.
"Black flames..." bulong ko. Michael's nowhere.
"Flames from Hell. I-it cannot be extinguished unless with holy water."
Veronica is stuck on my side, eyes full of fear. "From Hell?" This is the Church. These are holy grounds. How could something from hell—
Hinatak ko ang espada sa holder sa bewang ni Gabriel. Tumakbo ako sa pwesto kung nasaan dapat si Michael.
A monstrous scream echoed. The ground trembled in fear. It grumbled once more when a dark creature fell from the sky.
Nanlambot ang tuhod ko habang tinitignan sa mata ang nilalang.
"Michael..."
He's covered in black flames. But unlike the pain his opponent had been tormented with, it didn't affect him at all. There are strange lines over his skin, traces of swirls that seem to be moving and beating.
"Nick, you need to get away!" Klaro ang pangangatog ng kamay ni Veronica. Tulala naman si Gabriel.
"Michael," tawag ko. Mabilis ang baling niya sa akin. Paunti-unti ang hakbang niya. His black marble eyes scan me with distrust. He tilted his head, like he's unideal with my being.
"Move or he will kill you." Alerto sa isang gilid si Annie. Katabi niya ang kaninang kalaban ni Michael. There were no more fire on him but he's still in a pretty bad shape.
"No. I will kill you, Annie," I gritted. "Are you happy now?"
I turned to Michael once more but quickly stepped back. Nasa harap ko na siya.
"Michael—"
His sword fell on me like a heavy rock. My arms shook with too much force. I jumped back to save myself. Nawalan ako ng balanse at bumagsak sa lupa.
I stood up with my failing knees. Mahapdi na ang hiwa sa tagiliran ko. My shirt is red already.
"Michael..."
No reaction. His eyes are nothing like the eyes I've always looked at.
He lunged to me. Sumiklab ang itim na apoy sa palibot naming dalawa bago pa man ako makatakbo ulit. Umatras ang mga tao sa paligid. The Guardians had their swords ready but they were statues.
"Don't come close," awat ko kay Veronica at Gabriel. "I-I'm the one he wants, I think." I gulped. The creature in front of me....
He's not Michael anymore.
Itinaas nito ang espadang hawak. Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko.
"NO!"
I lifted my eyes.
Nagpapalit-palit ang kulay ng mga mata ni Michael. Asul, kayumanggi, at ulit-ulit. He shut his eyes and roared a painful cry. Napaluhod siya. Kumalansing sa lupa ang espadang ibinagsak niya.
Tinangay ng malakas na hangin ang itim na apoy sa palibot namin.
"Michael?" I crawled towards him. Itinaas ko ang mukha niya. Nakasara pa din ang mga mata niya. Kagat niya ang labi niya. "You're trembling." His skin is on fire. "What's happening?"
He groaned as a reply. Humawak ang kanang kamay niya sa kamay ko. He gripped it like it's his last will to live.
Is he really back? "Please, look at me," I whispered to him.
YOU ARE READING
The Protectors
FantasyNick has been left to believe her life is common and boring just like any other teenager. She's not great at anything but to make sure her Mom's day is greeted with another your-daughter-is-in-the-guidance-office call. She can't make a simple decisi...
