Guardians | Self-Published under Taralikha

Chapter 20 : Prodigy

Sobrang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko dahil sa kaba nung nasa harapan na namin si Henric. Lumapit sa akin si Ryleigh pati na ang guardians namin. Nung sinabi niyang magsisimula na ang training namin ay lalo lang akong kinabahan.

"Felina," Henric said and his cat guardian dissolved into spirit particles, enveloping his whole body. After a few seconds, his blonde hair grew longer and cat-like ears emerged from his head whie his round eyes became vertical slits.

"The Prodigy," bulong ni Ryleigh kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.

"What?"

"It's him. There are rumors about a kid tactician who led many Exorcists to their deaths. They don't really know him but they said he has long blonde hair and piercing gaze."

Pagkasabi niya nun ay napatingin ako kay Henric at parang nagbago ang aura niya. Ngumiti siya sa amin at kinilabutan ako dahil parang pinag-aaralan niya kami.

"Scared? I can hear your shallow breathing," he said with a sly smile. "I can smell your fears."

"He's coming," Ryleigh whispered and he positioned himself in a defensive stance. I followed him.

Then all of a sudden, Henric lunged at us with an outstanding speed to the point that I can't even see his movements. I called Carlos' name and he tossed me onto his back.

"Jerry, infremo!" I shouted and Jerry growled loudly at Henric's direction but he moved so fast and his agility is second to none.

"Bob, dankana!" Ryleigh yelled and a claw-like shape made with spirit particles attacked Henric but he easily avoided it.

"Your attacks won't touch me if you guys aren't even in the same form as me. Or is it because you can't transform yourselves yet into the half-animal form? Is this really the extent of your abilities?"

If he said those things to rile us up, then it's very effective. Napakunot ang noo ko dahil may halong pagmamaliit ang tono niya at kahit hindi ko tignan ay alam kong mas nainis si Ryleigh lalo pa't binanggit ang hangganan ng lakas namin.

"Are you done attacking?" tanong niya at biglang naging seryoso ang expression niya. "Then it's my turn." Pagkasabi niya nun ay lalo akong kinilabutan at hindi ko nakita ang pagkilos niya. The next thing I knew, he was already in front of me with his sharp claws pointed at my neck. "Your reflex is too slow."

My instinct is telling me to choose flight over fight but my pride decided to fight back. I immediately moved forward and felt the stinging sensation of his claw on my neck but I ignored it and kneed his stomach. Dahil hindi niya inaasahan ang pag-atake ko ay hindi siya nakaiwas at nalaglag siya mula sa likuran ni Carlos. Ginamit ko ang pagkakataon na 'yun para makalayo kami sa kanya at doon ko lang narealize na hindi ako humihinga kanina.

"Shit!"

Nagulat naman ako nung bigla kong naramdaman na may humatak sa akin patalikod at pagtingin ko, nasa likuran na rin ako ni Bob habang hawak ako ni Ryleigh. Doon ko lang narealize na sumugod ulit si Henric at ngayon ay inaatake niya si Carlos.

"No! Carlos!"

Even though Carlos is a bigger and faster cat than Henric's form, he's still losing to him. Henric hissed while attacking Carlos and I've got no choice but to send him back to the spirit dimension. Pero parang biglang may kung anong sumagi sa isip ko. Hindi ko alam kung si Carlos ba 'yun o ako mismo pero gusto kong patunayan na kaya niya pang lumaban.

"Jerry!" I called and jumped into his back. Tumingin din ako kay Ryleigh at mukhang naintindihan niya kaagad ang gusto kong gawin.

Jerry ran towards him and he growled loudly. Nakita kong nawala ang concentration ni Henric sa pag-atake kay Carlos at napatingin siya sa amin ni Jerry. After all, cats and dogs are natural enemies.