The Protectors

Chapter 38: Prophecy from the Waldvogel Tribe

Chapter 38: Prophecy from the Waldvogel Tribe

"Leave the road,

Stay on the road.

No matter which track you go

Destiny will forever follow."

—

"Legends?"

My question was left hanging. We're all just running.

We halted as the newcomers barricaded in our way. Nagwasiwas ng kamay ang babaeng nasa gitna nila.

Lumakas ang hangin. Sumimoy ang lavender. Kumirot ang ulo ko. It felt like somebody hit me with a bat from behind.

One by one, my comrades fell.

My eyes shuttered, trying to fight back the drowsiness. But I am still beaten. Bumagsak din ako sa lupa. The last thing I saw before blacking out was the tribe people walking towards us.

Masakit ang ulo ko nang magmulat. Naghahalo ang dilim sa loob ng tent.

Infirmary.

Sunod-sunod ang hilera ng mga anghel na sugatan sa mga higaan sa mga gilid ko. The tribe people were treating them—conjuring some kind of power. I watched one put her hands a few inches above an injured Guardian's chest, a green floating light came out of her hands, and the wounds vanished.

I had to stay unconscious for days to let myself heal.

Clearly, they have a lot to offer. And they just sat in their homes while all of us were walking straight to death?

Pinilit kong bumangon saka lumabas na ng infirmary.

"What the..." Kinusot ko pa ang mga mata ko.

Real humans are everywhere and with creatures of Heaven. Sugatan ang karamihan sa kanila at ginagamot ng mga Protector.

Sa dinami-rami ng mga bagay na nakita ko na, ito na yata ang pinaka humanga ako. The humans see what I'm seeing, right? The tattoos. The swords and other weapons. The topless physical creatures. The unnatural silver and golden eyes.

...the wings?

Why aren't they shocked?

Is this even for real? Am I dead?

"The people kept on telling us that an angel guided them to safety. Straight to our shop."

I know that voice.

I smiled before my eyes found its owner. "Ben!"

Niyakap ko siya. He was laughing like a dear father.

"Nick," natatawang sabi niya. Mahigpit ang balik niya ng yakap sa akin.

Nauna akong bumitaw. "Where's Matthew?"

"Helping in the battery." Pumamewang siya habang iniikot rin ng tingin ang paligid.

"An angel saved these humans?"

"Possible. Someone saved them and guided them. Brought them to us. We made our way through the tunnels, safe from the demons."

"Who could it be?"

"No idea. Itim daw ang armour, may pakpak, at mahaba ang buhok. Walang nakakatanda ng eksaktong itsura."

"Some kind of spell?"

"Maybe."

"Or maybe what?"

Ben sighed. "Or it is a higher-form angel. They are the only angels that could make humans forget their faces," he explained. "These humans have seen worse. There are demons lurking in the city, trying to kill all first borns. Niligtas sila ng isang nilalang na may pakpak, kaya lahat siguro ng kawangis ng nilalang na 'yon, may tiwala sila."