The Tale of Aeryn Glaze (Tag-Lish Version)

Chapter 14

⊱∘──AERYN──∘⊰

I smell the stink of death again. The moment I opened my eyes, I found myself in the dark world of the shadow demons without anyone else by my side. Haven't I saved the children? Why did I come back here?

I clearly remember that I returned to Erether. So why...

I heard a shriek from behind and I flinched. When I turned around, I saw a shadow demon grinning at me while he was holding a familiar boy by his neck. My eyes widened when I realized it was the boy that I failed to save.

No! Sumigaw ako at sinubukang tumakbo palapit sa kanila upang iligtas ang bata ngunit hindi ako makagalaw sa kinatatayoan ko. Nang kagatin ng nilalang ang leeg ng bata at sipsipin lahat ng dugo nito ay wala na akong ibang nagawa kundi sumigaw at umiyak habang patuloy na tumutulo ang mga luha ko.

Pagkatapos nito'y napabangon ako na tagaktak ang pawis at malalim ang paghinga. Nanlalaki ang mga mata ko habang nililibot ko ang paningin ko. Nang mapagtanto ko naman na nakabalik na pala ako sa headquarters namin ay napahawak nalang ako sa aking ulo at napapikit sa sakit at takot na naramdaman ko.

I sighed deeply.

"Did you have another nightmare?"

Agad kong binuksan ang mga mata ko nang makarinig ako ng pamilyar na boses. Dahan-dahan kong inangat ang ulo ko at agad na nalito nang makita ko siyang nakatayo ilang pulgada sa kama ko.

"How did you..."

Inikot ko ang paningin ko upang masiguro na nasa kwarto nga talaga ako. Nandito naman ang mga gamit ko at nakaupo ako sa aking kama. Kaya bakit nandito ang lalaki na palaging nagpapakita sa panaginip ko?

He gave me a warm smile and bent slightly to touch my forehead. His hand was warm, and his touch immediately comforted me, like he was using some kind of sorcery. Only then did I realize that I was dreaming, and he made my nightmare go away.

"It's alright. You're okay now." He said softly and I looked up to his eyes that stared gently at me. "I will always chase away your nightmares."

Napangiti agad ako at dahan-dahan na hinawakan ang kamay niya na nakapatong sa noo ko. Ilang saglit lang ay bumibigat na ang talukap na aking mga mata hanggang sa naramdaman kong dahan-dahan niya akong inihiga sa aking kama at muling natulog.

⋆⋅⋅⋅⊱∘──────∘⊰⋅⋅⋅⋆

My eyes fluttered open with the morning light from my window greeting me. I carefully lift my body up and looked around the room. Wala na siya sa kwarto ko kaya alam ko na gising na ako sa totoong mundo. Kahit na saglit lang ang pagkikita namin ay ngumiti na lamang ako.

I went with Grim to Region 20 so that I could talk to Einna about Evy, using his portal. I decided I would deliver the news to her myself because I have been personally involved in their affairs. Although, I think it would be really hard for me to bear the news since I have come to care for that sweet child.

After we rescued the children from the shadow demon's world, they were immediately taken to Erethex. The mages and the team who were wounded were provided with necessary care and solace. All of us gathered in reverence as we gave proper burial for the heroes who risked their lives for the children, knowing their sacrifices will forever be honored. Though the loss weighed heavily on us, we know that their sacrifices were not in vain since we rescued about 22 children out of 34 children who were taken.

The children first received the medical attention they needed, before they would be mentally assessed by therapists and psychologists to ensure their well-being. Whatever the results are, I just hope they will recover and heal from their deepest traumas.