ZODIAC GATES-Beware of the 13th Sign

32'A FRIEND'S DEATH

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“Cronus . . .” I whispered for the second time, never thought I’d be seeing him again. Ang akala ko’y may sakit siya.

     Ang dating Bearer ng aming rehiyon, bakit . . . bakit?

     “So, you’re Racchina,” he blurted, nodding with rhythm, then he and the woman released Raya from his hand kaya agad na bumagsak si Raya sa sahig.

     I wanted to glance and help Raya but I couldn’t. I wanted to utter her name but I just couldn’t do so. My eyes were locked up on his’, on his fearful eyes.

     He slowly walked toward me at kahit na alam kong nagbabadya ang kapahamakan ay ‘di ko magawang humakbang paatras. I was scared. I was really scared.

     He stopped in front of me. His eyes were on mine. He touched my cheek and after that he talked, “Where is the Gate Key?” he asked but I couldn’t speak. “Give me my Gate Key.” And then his voice suddenly raised.

     “I-I―” he stopped me from speaking nang bigla niya akong sakalin. Napakapit naman ako sa kamay niya na nakahawak sa leeg ko. Hindi ako makahinga’t nagpupumilit akong pumiglas.

     “Tama na ‘yan. Cronus. We can’t afford seeing her die without the Capricorn Key,” the woman said kaya agad ko namang naramdaman ang pagbitaw ni Cronus sa leeg ko.

     I gasped for air. I breathed it in heavily. Akala ko’y mamamatay na ako.

     “Give me the Key!” he yelled as he placed his hand in front, warning me with his magic circle.

     A tear dropped from my eye. I always been wanting to see our region’s former Bearer more often. Hangang-hanga ako sa kan’ya. That’s why I wanted to study in the castle. Pero hindi ko akaalaing ang hinahangaan ko’y isa pa lang kalaban.

     “Pa’no mo nagawa ‘to?” I courageously asked. “You have forsaken your own people!”

     He looked at me and after sometime he laughed, removing his hand in front of me. Tumatawa siya na para bang aliw na aliw sa tanong ko.

     “Bakit mo ‘to ginagawa?” galit ko.

     “I’m doing this for us, young Capricorn. This is for our own sake!”

     My eyes widened. For our own sake? Halos hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinabi niya.

     “Now, give me the Key,” he commanded, putting a little patience on his face, trying to be nice.

     Fear somehow poisoned my body. Habang idinidiin niyang ibigay sa kan’ya ang Gate Key ay mas lalo akong nangangatog sa takot. “I won’t,” I answered.

     “Give me the Key,” he ordered again, calmed and tolerating my resistance.

     “Hindi ko sa ‘yo ibibigay ang Key.”

     He looked at me for a second, then talked, “Qada,” he called, looking over his shoulder to give a glance on the Sagittarius woman behind him. Nakita ko namang tinadyakan ng babae si Raya kaya labis na lang ang takot ko para sa kan’ya.

     “Raya!” I yelled.

     “Give the Key to Cronus or she will die,” she threatened kaya mas lalo akong naguluhan. ‘Di ko na alam ang gagawin. “Ibigay mo na!” Then she kicked her again kaya mas lalo pa akong napaluha.

     “Tama na. Tama na!” I yelled, then ran toward her and stooped down to help Raya. “Raya . . .” I called as I cupped her face. Naramdaman ko naman kaagad ang pagdapo ng mainit na pulang likido sa mga kamay ko. Kahit ang mukha niya’y may mga galos din.