[ Chapter 12: Uphold ]
Selene | Selvy
"Selene!"
"Wake up!"
"Selene!"
It was the worried voice of Admiral that woke me up. A sense of panic filtered in his voice as he tried his might, shaking me endlessly until he could sense movement. I opened my eyes, blinking rapidly to adjust to the sudden brightness. The surroundings were familiar— the trees, the leaves, and even my aching wound.
As my senses gradually came back to me, I realized that I was lying on the forest floor, surrounded by a dense canopy of trees. The scent of damp earth and foliage filled the air, mingling with the urgency in Admiral's voice.
"What happened?" I groaned, my head throbbing with pain as I struggled to sit up. Memories of the chaos at Jasmine Lake and the encounter with the deity of fate flooded back to my mind, reminding me of the weighty mission that lay ahead.
"We thought we'd lost you," Admiral explained, his voice filled with relief. "Lutch sensed that someone was following you, so I went to look. I found you unconscious on the forest floor."
Memories of the attack began to resurface, and my heart raced with a mix of fear and determination. "Where is the attacker now?" I asked, my voice filled with urgency.
"I fought with it, but it managed to escape," Admiral replied, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if expecting another threat to emerge. "I don't know where it went."
"Are you alright?" I asked, my concern evident in my voice. I quickly assessed Admiral for any signs of injury, relieved to find that he appeared physically unharmed.
"I'm fine," he reassured me, his grip on my arm tightening slightly. "But we can't stay here. Valan believes that we need to keep moving. He wants to ensure you're away from the endpoint of the barrier."
"The endpoint of the barrier?" I repeated, confusion lacing my words. I had no recollection of any barrier or its significance
Admiral sighed, his expression grave. "There is a powerful barrier surrounding this area. It was Valan's idea to limit the casualties if a rampage occurred. Valan believes that being near its endpoint puts you at risk."
My mind raced as I tried to comprehend the gravity of the situation. "Valan's barrier?" I asked another question that confused me.
Admiral parted his lips but he eventually shut up without answering my question, but instead, he let out an assurance. "Hindi ito ang tamang panahon para malaman mo kung ano talaga si Valan, kaya nais kong sumunod ka sa sasabihin ko," agad na sabi niya.
I nodded, pushing through the pain as I attempted to stand. With Admiral's support, I managed to regain my balance, albeit unsteadily. Hindi ko napansin ang gamit kong kabayo kanina, at hindi ko rin maalala kung kailan ako nahimatay. That deity must have pulled some tricks. Palaisipan pa din sa akin kung sino ang taong umatake sa akin kanina. It clearly displayed its intention, and that is to harm me.
We came to a sudden halt as a chilling gust of wind swept through, emanating from Jasmine Lake. Intrigued by the cool breeze, I turned around to face it, only to be greeted by a sight that filled me with terror.
Before my eyes, the tranquil surface of the lake transformed into a chaotic scene of devastation. It appeared as though a tremendous surge of nuclear energy had detonated right in the heart of the lake, unleashing an unimaginable force.
The once serene waters now churned with an otherworldly intensity, sending towering waves crashing against the shores. The sky above darkened, as if shrouded in a dense cloak of ominous clouds, while eerie ripples of energy emanated from the epicenter of the explosion.
The sheer power of the spectacle rendered me speechless, my mind struggling to comprehend the magnitude of what was unfolding before me. It was a cataclysmic event of such proportions that it defied all logic and reason.
Admiral stood beside me, his expression mirroring my own astonishment and alarm. We exchanged a glance, a silent acknowledgement of the grave danger that now loomed over Jasmine Lake and everything in its vicinity.
"What was that?" I whispered, my voice barely audible amidst the tumultuous chaos. There was a deep sense of foreboding within me, as if the very fabric of reality had been torn asunder.
Admiral shook his head. "I have nothing else to say than admit it could be Valan's," he admitted.
My curiosity showered even more. We stood there, rooted to the spot, as the cataclysmic aftermath of the explosion continued to unfold. The devastation spread, engulfing the surrounding landscape in a maelstrom of destructive energy.
How can a human do such a thing?
However, our gaze fixated on the sky, frozen in astonishment, when we heard a thunderous sound resonating from a colossal bird. Its immense size left us utterly stupefied, unable to tear our eyes away from the sight before us.
"What the— that's unfair!" Admiral suddenly exclaimed. "Why would Lutch get to experience being transformed into a colossal bird while I have to settle for a toad sometimes?!"
Nanlaki ang aking mga mata nang mapagtanto ko ang kanyang sinabi. Could it be that the colossal bird we were witnessing was none other than Lutch himself, in his transformed state? The thought sent shivers down my spine, and I turned to Admiral, seeking confirmation.
"Is that... Lutch?" I managed to utter, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and awe.
"Who else could it be," he said, tainted with injustice in his voice. He thinks it was unfair that Lutch could transform into massive birds and he couldn't.
As the colossal bird soared through the sky, its wings spanning wide and casting a shadow over the land, I couldn't help but marvel at the sheer power and majesty emanating from its presence. It was a sight that seemed otherworldly, as if we had stumbled upon a creature from ancient legends.
However, amidst the awe, a sense of urgency gnawed at the edges of my consciousness. The explosion at Jasmine Lake, the emergence of the colossal bird, and the impending danger they represented painted a bleak picture.
"Nasaan si Valan?" I asked, my voice tinged with worry. If Lutch had taken on such a colossal form, where could Valan, the Commander, be in all of this chaos?
Admiral's brows furrowed as he considered the question. He scanned the skies, searching for any sign of their missing master.
"I'm not sure," Admiral replied, his voice laced with concern. "Sigurado akong nasa paligid lang si Valan."
"Hindi ba peace talk ang pinunta niyo sa lalaking 'yon?" takang tanong ko sa kanya. I remembered Lutch said that was the case earlier. Who's lying?
"Peace talk is never an option if two parties propose oppositions," he replied. Suddenly, Admiral's expression lightened. "Oh, Lutch found him. We need to follow the trail. We had gained the upper hand!"
Hindi ko maintindihan ang pinapahiwatig niya pero sumunod ako. They already had something up their sleeves before I came along, so it's not new for me to witness miscommunication in this situation. One thing is for sure. Valan is not an ordinary human.
Admiral and I trailed closely behind Lutch who was still flying as we ventured deeper into the dense forest. The air crackled with tension, and the oppressive silence hung heavy around us, broken only by the rustle of leaves underfoot.
And then, through the thick foliage, we caught sight of Valan. He stood on a burned log, his imposing figure towering above us. His body emitted wisps of steam, as if he had been engulfed in intense heat. His face wore a stern expression, a testament to the gravity of the situation.
Approaching cautiously, we could feel the residual heat radiating from Valan's body. The intensity of the heat made the air around us shimmer, distorting our view. It was evident that Valan had been at the epicenter of a fierce battle.
"Valan!" I called out, a mixture of relief and concern flooding my voice. "What happened? Ayos ka lang ba?"
Valan turned towards us, his eyes reflecting exhaustion. His voice carried a weight that matched his demeanor. "Send a letter proposing the renovation for Jasmine Lake. Put it on the tabs of the Queen," he ordered to Admiral, ditching my question. "Inform the Court to issue a warrant of arrest and spread it to the entire Kingdom."
His words hung in the air, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Bakas ang pagod sa bawat paghinga niya pa lang kaya't agad akong nag-alala. Gusto kong lumapit at tingnan kung may pasa ba siya o wala pero hindi ko magawa.
"We must enter the center of Daer as soon as possible," Valan continued, his voice resonating with authority. "The enemy is relentless, and they will not rest until their objectives are fulfilled. We must find a way to protect not just the West Waters, but the people in lands."
"Yes, Boss!" It was the first time I heard Admiral's voice felt inferior to the Commander, but he didn't pose insubordination.
I flinched as Valan's gaze locked with mine, a mixture of intensity and concern etched in his eyes. A shiver ran down my spine, rendering me speechless once again. There was an unspoken power in his stare that left me unable to find my voice.
"You are more famous than we know, Selene," Valan stated, his voice carrying a weight of revelation.
"What do you mean?" I questioned, my voice tinged with curiosity. "Paano mo nasabi 'yan?"
"A mermaid princess from Adelaide Kingdom has gone missing," Valan continued, his words dripping with significance. "They suspect she may have sought refuge on land, evading their search efforts in the depths of the ocean. Her presence has become a coveted prize, and Sigrid has emerged as the highest bidder."
His words hung in the air, the implications sinking in. I was no longer just an ordinary individual caught in a web of mystery; I was now entangled in a complex web of royal intrigue and high-stakes dealings. Questions raced through my mind. Why was I being pursued? Am I a lost mermaid princess?
"I am a mermaid princess?" I exclaimed, my voice filled with disbelief and confusion.
Valan nodded solemnly. "That is what the information suggests," he confirmed. "The missing heir of the mermaid princess from Adelaide Kingdom."
My mind raced, trying to process this new revelation. The weight of the title and the implications it carried hung heavy in the air. I had been living without any recollection of my past, unaware of the royal lineage that apparently connected me to a kingdom beneath the waves.
The gravity of the situation began to sink in. My mere existence had become entangled in a web of intrigue and danger. Valan's words, though shocking, held a ring of truth. I had no reason to doubt his sincerity or the veracity of the information he had received.
Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself. "So, what do we do now?" I asked, determination edging into my voice. "If I am the missing mermaid princess then it is not safe to return home."
Valan's expression hardened, his gaze focused and determined. "We must tread carefully, Selene. Your safety is of utmost importance. We cannot allow you to fall into the wrong hands."
"Wrong hands? Whoever this Sigrid is, does falling into their grasp only bring chaos and turmoil?" I questioned, my voice tinged with a mix of fear and frustration.
Valan's eyes glimmered with seriousness. "I cannot predict the exact intentions of Sigrid or what they seek by acquiring you," he replied. "But as the Commander of the Blue Steel, it is my duty to protect those who are under my care, including a missing princess with missing memories."
His words resonated with authority and determination, reaffirming his commitment to ensuring my safety. I felt a surge of gratitude for his unwavering dedication, even in the face of an unknown and dangerous adversary.
"I may not fully understand why I am here or the extent of the challenges that lie ahead," I admitted, a touch of vulnerability creeping into my voice. "But I trust that you will guide me and keep me safe."
He didn't respond to my statement and just slid his gaze to the side. Lutch transformed into a human again after flying like a bird, and Admiral went to his side. I haven't noticed but we formed an alliance from where we all first met.
With all these uncertainty, can I truly uphold the mission I was given? Ngayon at nalaman kong isa akong prinsesa, may mangyayari bang maganda sa landas na tatahakin ko o may panibago na naman akong tanong na haharapin?
"Valan!" Admiral's voice called out, breaking our conversation. We turned our attention to him, noticing the wide smile on his face. "The portal is ready!"
My curiosity piqued, I looked at Valan for an explanation. "Portal?" I questioned, my voice filled with intrigue.
Valan nodded, his expression serious. "It's a means of transportation," he explained. "A portal that allows us to travel quickly between different locations. Right now, we are on the outskirts, and I need to recharge my core."
Concern etched across my face as I tried to understand the urgency in his words. "Why? What's wrong? What core?" I inquired, a tinge of worry creeping into my voice.
Valan's gaze met mine, his eyes filled with determination. "You'll know soon enough," he replied cryptically, his tone hinting at a greater significance that was yet to be revealed.
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