Guardians | Self-Published under Taralikha

Chapter 29 : Holt

Hindi ko siya sinagot at lumingon ako sa likuran namin. That's when I saw the predator chasing us. A hyena, almost the size of Carlos, which is huge when compared to a normal hyena since they are usually small. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nung nakita kong medyo malayo na ang agwat namin sa kanya.

"Isn't that a hyena?" tanong ni Lycus at nagtaka ako dahil biglang naging seryoso ang expression niya.

"Yes. Why?"

"This is bad. We're in his territory."

Magtatanong pa sana ako pero nung nakita ko si Bob at ang itim na oso kanina ay agad kong pinahinto si Carlos at ganun din ang ginawa ni Lycus. They are still battling each other and that's when Ryleigh decided to jump off Kon. He landed just in front of us.

"Aeternum dankana," he chanted and Bob started launching his claw attacks. The black bear roared but it can only defend itself from Bob's continuous attacks.

"Aeternum dankana."

Nagulat kaming tatlo nung makarinig kami ng boses at dahil doon ay nagsimula na ring umatake ang itim na oso. He started using his claws against Bob and they both launched their offense. Pero napatigil ako sa paggalaw nung narinig ko ang magkakasunod na kaluskos sa paligid. Pagtingin ko ay halos nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil unti-unti na kaming pinaliligiran ng hyenas at lumabas mula sa gubat ang pinakamalaking hyena, ang humabol sa amin kanina, habang nakasakay sa likod niya ang isang lalaki. Huminto siya sa likuran ng itim na oso at tumingin sa amin. Kinilabutan ako nung ngumiti siya.

"Welcome to my turf, Divians," he said in a low voice. Suddenly, the black bear retreated to give way to him while the hyenas bared their sharp teeth as they glared at us.

"You're Holt, aren't you?" biglang tanong ni Lycus.

"Am I?" Another sickening smile.

"We need to get out of here," mahinang sabi ni Lycus sa amin ni Ryleigh.

"Can't we just fight him? He's alone and there are three of us," sagot ni Ryleigh.

"He's not that easy. Besides, this is his territory. He has an extreme advantage. Plus, do you know the rumors about this village?"

"What do you mean?" tanong ko naman.

"Kaya unti-unting nauubos ang mga tao rito ay dahil sa hyenas na naninirahan sa gubat na nakapaligid sa village."

"Are you done chatting, kids?" biglang tanong ni Holt at lumalapit na sa amin ang hyenas sa paligid, maging ang malaking hyena kung saan siya nakasakay.

"First, let's get out of here," bulong ni Lycus.

Nagpakiramdaman kami at nagulat ako nung biglang tumawa nang malakas si Holt. He looks like a mad guy and the way he laughs sickened me.

"You'll have a nice meal today, Hector," he said while carressing the hyena's head.

"Now!"

Pagkasigaw nun ni Lycus ay agad tumakbo si Carlos at hinatak ko si Ryleigh. He was getting dragged by Carlos' pace but he managed to get into Carlos' back while Lycus is trailing behind us.

"S-sorry! I had to do that," sabi ko dahil mukhang nabigla siya sa ginawa ko. He doesn't have any guardian who can run quickly so I had no choice.

"It's okay. I would've jumped to either Lycus or you anyway if they started chasing us."

I felt his movement behind me and when I looked back, he's already holding his sword and its sheath on his both hands. Then I realized that the pack of hyenas were still trying to surround us even though their speed cannot match Argentus' or Carlos'.