Warning! This chapter is not edited, so expect typos, misspelled words, and grammatical errors. Thanks and enjoy reading!
KABANATA XLIV
Third Person's POV
"You should eat Cimmerian," Luna Asherah once again said to her oldest daughter upon entering her door. She met the eyes of the servants who silently stood beside the lady's bed holding her already cold food.
"We're already scarce of food so I'll no longer tolerate this behavior." Bakas ang pagtitimpi sa boses ng Luna habang humahakbang palapit sa nakatalikod na bulto ng nakahigang dalaga.
Ilang araw ng ganito ang akto ng anak at nababahala na siya para sa kalusugan nito.
"Tumayo ka dyan Cimmerian." Buo ang boses na utos niya dito bago hinila ang kumot na tumatabon sa buo nitong katawan.
"Cimmerian." Muling tawag niya dito dahil nanatiling nakatalikod ang dalaga at hindi gumagalaw sa pwesto nito. Naningkit ang kanyang mata sa inis at tuluyan ng sumampa sa kama upang yugyugin ito sa balikat.
"Cimmerian!" She can no longer abstain from screaming because of her daughter's behavior. She continued to shook Cimmerian's shoulder and ended up harshly pulling her body to face her.
"Luna—" Kaagad na nanlaki ang kanilang mata ng makita ang pawisan at maputlang mukha ng dalaga. Mabilis na ginalugad ng Luna ang kabuuan ng katawan nito at natuod sa kanyang pagkaka-upo ng makita ang damit maging ang tagong parte ng kanyang kama na punong-puno ng dugo.
"Cimmerian!" She screamed in terror upon touching her child's cold hands, there's countless slit marks on her wrist and by the looks of the wound and the blood that's almost dried, she's probably been bleeding all night.
Nemya's lips parted in shock upon seeing Cimmerian's pale face, as if the lady was already dead. She's been outside the woman's bedroom all night and all she could notice is Cimmerian's unusual quietness inside just like how everything has been after the attack, little did she know the lady already plans to end her life.
"Anong nangyayari ina?!" Puno ng pagkatarantang usal ni Estrienne ng sandaling marinig ang kaguluhang nangyayari sa loob ng kwarto.
Maging ito ay napaatras na lamang sa kinatatayuan at sunod-sunod na iniling ang ulo habang nakatingin sa duguang kapatid.
"Tulong! Anong pang ginagawa niyo! Tumawag kayo ng tulong!" Tila baliw na sigaw ni Asherah habang pilit na tinatalian ng tela ang duguang pulso ng anak at mahigpit iyong niyakap.
Upon witnessing Cimmerian's condition, Nemya couldn't shake the pang of pain in her chest. After days of caring for the lady and witnessing her courageous and compassionate nature, reminiscent of Nemya's own youth, she had developed a genuine affection for her, viewing her as a younger sibling figure.
Now, as she observed Cimmerian's almost lifeless body being embraced by her weeping mother, feelings of guilt and regret flooded Nemya's chest. She had been so focused on spying on their family and mansion that she hadn't realized Cimmerian was suffering from depression and sadness deep enough to lead to such a drastic action.
What compounded her distress was her inability to use her magic to heal Cimmerian, as she had pledged loyalty to Greyson and her presence at the mansion was solely for that purpose.
"Cimmerian!" Beta Rafael finally came with their pack healers and Cimmerian was soon sent to the pack's infirmary.
Meanwhile, in the Dark palace where the Coven has now been called by Lord Casfir finally witnessed his wrath after long years of getting nothing but silence from him.
"Again." Malamig na usal nito kasabay ang muling pagbalatay ng latigo sa likod ng dalawang miyembro ng dark coven, walang iba kundi sina Lady Freda at Lord Helian.
Repeatedly demonstrating incompetence, they now face severe punishment. Stripped of their garments and belongings, they kneel in the center of the ground, encircled by fellow members who take turns wielding the whip upon their bodies.
This punishment is excruciating, particularly for creatures like them who lack the ability to heal themselves. The whip provided by Lord Casfir is imbued with magic, amplifying the pain inflicted upon their bodies a thousandfold.
"Forgive me, my lord... plea—agh!" Helian's screams of pain and pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears as Freda remained unmoved, enduring the punishment alone.
"Again," Casfir ordered, maintaining his stoic demeanor as he observed his subordinate's dire condition. Both were teetering on the edge of death, yet Freda's expression remained impassive.
As Lady Ganesha prepared to administer the next lash, she couldn't help but notice Freda's blank stare directed towards her. In that moment, thoughts of her daughter's life flashed through her mind. She realized the importance of not provoking Freda's anger, fearing she might reveal her secret at any moment.
"I refuse to do this—"
"You refuse to obey?" Their lord's thunderous voice eloped the entire place. Shutting her eyes close and grasping the whips handle even tighter she bowed her head in respect.
"It will kill them if I continue to take my turn, my Lord." Subok na paliwanag niya ngunit mas dumilim lamang ang ekspresyong nakapaskil sa mukha nito.
"Do it," Freda finally uttered a word after remaining silent throughout the entire ordeal.
Her abnormally pale complexion, grievously wounded body, and the imminent sense of collapse made her appear on the verge of unconsciousness. Her lips were cracked and dry, blood dripping from the corners, her eyes exhausted, and her hair disheveled. Gone was her former composed and dignified appearance; now, she looked worse than a slave.
Their eyes met once more, and Ganesha still couldn't discern Freda's thoughts. However, one thing was certain: Freda couldn't bear the idea of Ganesha feeling pity for her. She would rather die than accept any form of assistance from the woman she despised most. The thought of Ganesha always acting superior to her was intolerable to Freda.
Kaya naman wala na siyang nagawa kundi sundin ang nais nito.
"Arghh!" Sa pangalawang beses na lumapat ang latigong hawak niya sa likod ni helian ay tuluyan na itong bumagsak sa sahig at nawalan ng malay. Nanatili namang matibay si Freda habang tinatanggap ang bawat hagupit niya dito, hindi nito inalis kahit isang segundo ang tingin paalis sa kanya.
Kusang huminto sa ere ang kamay ni Ganesha ng makita ang kakaibang ngisi na namuo sa labi ni Freda, tila biglang nawalan ng lakas ang kanyang kamay at bumagsak iyon sa kanyang magkabilang gilid.
Kasabay ng pagbagsak ng hawak niyang latigo sa sahig ay ang tuluyang pagbagsak ng katawan ni Freda sa sahig.
Finally, it was over. Ganesha couldn't help but to mutter those words in her head because of how fast her heartbeat had been since the time she saw Freda's unusual smirk on her face. As if giving her a fair warning of what's to come.
Samantala, sa Moonstone pack ay kasalukuyang abala ang buong Institute Medicine sa paggawa at pagpapadala ng gamot patungo sa Woodland pack, hanggang ngayon ay patuloy pa din sila sa pagsuporta at pagpapagaling sa mga sugatang miyembro ng mga ito.
Chief Doctor Fergus is handling the great demand very well thanks to his competent skills in creating medicines and preventive measures to victims.
"I heard the Alpha's daughter committed suicide and they are now demanding more skilled doctors from us," One of his trusted men uttered while they were travelling through the hallways to attend a sudden meeting called upon by the current Alpha.
"So that's what this sudden meeting is all about?" Bahagyang napataas ang kilay ni Fergus dahil sa mga sinabi ng kanyang kasama. Sa dami ng mga mas importanteng trabaho na kailangan niyang gawin sa kanyang laboratoryo at opisina ay biglaan siyang ipapatawag dahil lamang sa ganung kadahilanan.
"Chief Fergus," Kaagad na bati ni Greyson pagkapasok pa lamang ng matanda sa loob ng kanyang opisina.
Saglit na tinitigan ni Fergus ang mukha ni Greyson at kapansin-pansin ang pagod at kakulangan ng tulog doon.
The sudden thrust into the role of Alpha seems to have left Greyson grappling with its demands, struggling to balance his position with his own well-being. He has undergone a significant transformation from the vulnerable child who wept on the night Luna Camillia passed away. Much of this change can be traced back to his father's stern and distant demeanor towards him.
Since his mother's passing, Fergus has tried to fill the paternal void for Greyson, consistently providing support, particularly during challenging moments. However, Greyson has gradually absorbed his father's attitudes and guidance over the years.
As time has passed, Greyson's have increasingly mirrored Marcus more and more. The old man finds himself torn between feelings of satisfaction and sadness, witnessing how Greyson has forsaken his former life to conform to his father's expectations.
"You should sit." Suhestyon ni Greyson dito na tahimik naman nitong sinunod. Pagkatapos niyon ay tuluyan ng lumabas ang ibang mga nilalang na nasa loob hanggang sa sila na lamang dalawa ang natira.
"You badly need a break son," Kalmadong usal ni Fergus sa direksyon nito. Ngunit gaya ng dati ay hindi ito makikinig sa kanya.
"Does Katherine know you've been struggling this bad?" Muling usal niya sa lalaki na inilingan nito.
"My step-mother has nothing to do with this—"
"But she might be able to convince your father to help you—" Hindi pa niya natatapos ang sasabihin ay sunod-sunod na itong umiling habang paulit-ulit na inihilamos ang palad sa mukha, bagay na ginagawa nito sa tuwing naiinis at may hindi siya nagustuhang bagay.
Greyson has been silent about his struggles ever since he lost his mother, it seems like he had lost the only person he could run and talk to whenever he's struggling with something. Fergus had tried to be that kind of person to Greyson but it didn't happen.
Now he can't help but to reminisce about Greyson's childhood before his mother's death. He used to be a very happy and silly child, always making trouble with King Emillian's second born child, prince Yophiel whom he already treated as his brother.
But every relationship he had built with people and emotions he had learnt to experience growing up as a normal child under his mother's care vanished into thin air just like that.
"Kasalukuyang nag-aagaw buhay ang panganay na anak ni Alpha Douglas at nais nitong magpadala tayo ng pinakamagaling na manggagamot upang pagalingin ito." Paliwanag nito sa kanya bago muling ini-angat ang tingin pabalik sa kanyang direksyon.
"This will be the very first time I'll desperately ask for your help, old man." He called him just like the old days, which means he's in a serious desperate need of his help.
Isang buntong hininga ang pinawalan ni Fergus bago muling nagsalita. Sino ba siya upang hindi tulungan ang Alpha? Sa ayaw at gusto niya ay wala na siyang magagawa dahil ito na ngayon ang bagong Alpha ng pack at bilang isa sa mga miyembro ng kanyang council ay responsibilidad na niya na suportahan at magbigay tulong dito sa ano mang paraan na kaya niya.
"I can always send one of my highly skilled doctors to them, however the decision still lies with their agreement to accept help from creatures they so much loathe for their daughter's life." Usal niya dito bago tumayo.
He only has three highly trusted and skilled doctors, and all of them are neutral warlocks, they've been labeled that way because they have the ability to use magic and cast healing spells and save creatures life faster than any other doctors in the institute of medicine, well, aside from his rebellious student prince Yophiel, that child is a genius afterall.
Sa ngayon dahil na din sa maling pagtingin ng ibang nilalang sa mga uri ng warlocks ay hindi nila magawang makita ang magandang dulot ng kapangyarihang meron ang mga ito. Tanging si Fergus lamang ang malawak ang pag-iisip at sumubok na tanggapin ang katotohanang kailangan nila ng tulong ng mga neutral warlock.
Due to his position as the Chief doctor and the importance of their institute to the whole pack that has saved their life for years now, he was able to overpower people's criticism and improper way of thinking towards neutral warlocks.
Though he remained sensitive to people's belief and was cautious during times he needed to send his neutral warlock doctors only to those people who are open to accept help and healing from creatures like them for their own peace and safety.
Tuluyan na itong naglakad palabas ng pinto dahil marami pa siyang nakatokang gagawin sa opisina at laboratoryo ng mga oras na iyon. Idagdag pa ang mas dumaraming demand na kailangan nila galing sa mga produkto ng Crescent Moon upang makagawa ng medisina. Ngunit ng dahil sa nawawalang mga produktong iyon ay hindi sila kaagad makakuha ng suplay mula sa mga ito. Isa sa mga kasalukuyang balakid na hinaharap ngayon ni Fergus at kanyang mga tauhan.
Hindi nila alam kung saan pa sila hahanap ng mga sangkap sa paggawa ng medisina oras na maubos ang kasalukuyang imbak nila sa bodega.
Meanwhile, in the middle of the camp where the five disciples are currently doing their main transactions, Dair along with Selke and Salem has been orchestrating another ritual to call upon an ancient creature that could help them find where the reincarnated body of the fifth disciple is located.
"Zuwes qi dufici her zu..." Dair muttered as her power's symbol appeared on the dry ground and black smoke eloped the area surrounding them.
"Fier tule xerti..." The twins then proceeded to add their own portion of magic into Dair's symbol, allowing her to connect to the underworld and summon the ancient creature they wanted to ask help with.
Sa kabila ng kapalit na kaakibat ng ritwal na kanilang ginagawa ay walang pagdadalawang isip na nagpatuloy ang tatlo sa pag-usal ng kinakailangang engkantasyon upang matapos ang ritwal.
"O' aming dakilang diyos ng kadiliman, iyong pakinggan ang aming pagsamo't hiling, ipakita ang nilalang na aming nais tawagin..." Panandaliang nawala sa kanyang katawan ang kaluluwa ni Dair upang tawirin ang mundong kanilang ginagalawan at ang mundong kanilang pinagmulan.
Ang mundo ng kadiliman, ang mundong pinagmulan ng mga nilalang na kagaya nila. Tanging mga nilalang lamang na may kakayahang magbukas ng portal ang nagagawang pumasok sa mundong iyon.
Ilang minutong nabalot ng dilim ang kanyang paligid hanggang sa nakakamanhid na lamig ang unti-unting gumapang paakyat sa kanyang katawan.
She then felt a hidden presence behind her. At that moment she already knew that it was the one they've been dying to summon. It didn't take seconds for her to be brought back to the real world, her dark wandering soul back to her own body.
"Our plea has been granted, welcome to our world, the great Aurea." Puno ng respetong pagbati ng kambal maging ni Dair sa direksyon ng nilalang na iyon.
Its form resembles that of a quadrupedal creature, yet its entire body is bathed in a translucent blue hue, emanating a radiant glow akin to luminescence. Adorned with a tail and head wreathed in flickering blue flames that sway with its movements.
At its center, a single massive golden iris adorns its head, devoid of a mouth and with only a nose situated beneath its eye. This ancient entity serves as a vessel for detecting the power of the fifth disciple by utilizing souls. Crafted by the gods and goddesses of the underworld for the purpose of easily tracking Weresfia's whereabouts, it was ultimately banished back to the depths of the underworld by Weresfia herself.
"Kneel and offer your souls to the great Aurea this instant!" Utos na sigaw ng kambal sa mga bihag na nabiktima nila mula sa mga pag-atakeng kanilang ginagawa.
Sa pamamagitan ng abilidad ng mga ito na kontrolin ang utak ng mga nilalang na mas mahina sa kanila ay tila mga aliping sinunod ng mga bihag ang bawat salitang lumalabas sa bibig ng kambal.
"Now, raise your hands. Put out your claws—and pierced it directly into your hearts!" Muling utos ng dalawa na walang atubaling sinunod ng mga ito. Dahilan kung bakit mabilis na dumanak ang dugo sa sahig maging ang malansang amoy nito ay kumalat sa buong paligid.
Kaagad namang tumindi ang liwanag na nagmumula sa nilalang na tinatawag nilang 'Aurea' na tila ba nadagdagan ng higit lalo ang kapangyarihang taglay nito.
There was no need for instruction; the creature was forged for a singular purpose—to locate Lady Weresfia's soul. Soon, they anticipated meeting the renowned fifth disciple, eager to witness her downfall at the hands of their own kind.
To be continued...
_________________________
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓'𝒔 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆: Thank you for reading, god bless シ︎
Please follow me on Facebook as I share some of my writing tips, advice and updates there! Link is on my bio : ) You can DM me your thoughts about the story there. If you are an aspiring writer like me, feel free to message me for any writing advice and tips there, I would be glad to share mine : ))
Credits to the rightful owner of all the videos and pictures that I included and used in this story.
©pribadongmanunulat1_2024
☞︎︎︎ Vote & Comment
#N̸o̸h̸a̸t̸e̸c̸o̸m̸m̸e̸n̸t̸s̸