JESSA
Sumasakit na ang mga binti ko at halos hindi na rin ako makahinga nang ayos dahil pakiramdam ko ilang minuto na kaming tumatakbo at sinundan ang matanda. Pero rinig ko pa rin ang ingay ng mga tao sa syudad na iniwan namin, ibig sabihin lamang ay hindi pa talaga kami nakakalayo.
I can't help but to look back to see my comrades. Ngayong nasa mas ligtas na kami na lugar, ngayon ko lang napansin ang mga sugat na napala nila mula sa laban kanina. I can see the scratches on their arms and legs and the slight flowing of blood on their skin.
Stefan is still passed out on Christopher's back, while Jonah is still trying to soothe Castillo who's still panicking. There is also blood coming from Liam's head, and I really want to ask him if he is okay if we are not in a hurry to follow the old lady.
Naramdaman ko rin ang ilang dugo na pumatak sa mukha ko dahil sa mga naharap kong dragon kanina. I raise my shaking hand to wipe it off, only to see the blood covering my fingertips.
What the fuck just happened? I asked myself. I didn't even notice that my eyes were stinging. My own fingernails dig so deeply into the palms of my hands that my knuckles almost turn white. My throat is sore from suppressing angry sobbing I didn't even realize I was doing.
"THIS IS YOUR FAULT! KUNG HINDI MO INANGKIN ANG LIBRO NA IYON, EDI SANA HINDI ITO MANGYAYARI!" Castillo's angry voice fills my brain. I shake my head to get it out of my thoughts, but it remains there. I am so fucked up.
We are so fucked up. Kailan ba ito matatapos?
Kailan ba kami makakauwi?
Pero pinilit ko munang sinantabi ko ang mga naiisip ko at sinundan lamang ang matanda. Unti-unti rin namang humina ang ingay sa syudad na iniwan namin.. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung dahil ba lumalayo na kami o talagang tumigil na ang gulo.
Patagal nang patagal ay nababalutan ng anino ng mga puno ang paligid namin dahil halos matakpan na nito ang maliwanag na araw. Ilang mga ibon ang lumilipad sa langit sa itaas. Unti-unti na ring tumatahimik ang paligid namin hanggang sa hakbang at paghinga nalang ng mga kasama ko ang tanging naririnig.
"Christopher." I called out. "Okay ka pa dyan kay Stefan?"
"I'm fine." Sagot niya. Hindi niya man lang ako tinignan at nakatingin lang sa matanda. "Stop worrying about me you shithead, I can handle my own. Follow the old lady."
My own sweat drips down from my brow to my neck. My lungs feel tight inside me, and I'm having trouble breathing. Then the path became rough and steep, and we had no choice but to walk our exhausted asses up to someplace.
Hanggang sa wakas, sa wakas, tumigil na ang matanda at umupo na lamang sa baba.
"God." Bulalas ko bigla at sumandal sa isang malaking bato. Ganun din ang ginawa ng mga kasama ko habang kumukuha ng malalalim na hininga. Sa tulong ni Liam, dahan dahan na rin na binaba ni Christopher si Stefan mula sa balikat niya at dahan dahan siyang sinandal sa isang puno.
Si Jonah naman ay wagas pa rin na nakahawak kay Castillo. Si Castillo ay tinatakpan pa rin ang kanyang mga tenga habang hinihingal nang malakas. Dilat na dilat din ang mga mata niya na para 'bang isang malaking bomba ang sumabog kanina lang.
"Ate naman.." Jonah is about to cry as she rubs her hand on Castillo's back. "Kumalma ka na please.. Malayo na tayo sa mga dragon, wala nang aatake sa atin."
"His heartbeat," bulong ni Castillo. "It's barely there...."
Kahit na nanginginig pa rin ang mga binti ko, kahit na halos umiikot na ang mundo ko sa pagod, tumayo ako tinawag ang matanda. "You said you can help me," tugon ko. "They are hurt, please help us."
Tinitigan muna kami ng matanda. Isa isa niya kaming tinignan, na para 'bang kaya niya rin makita kahit ang pinaka-kaluluwa namin. Bago siya tumango muli at naglakad papalapit sa amin.
I was expecting na si Stefan ang una niyang harapin, dahil siya lang ang walang malay sa amin. Pero naglakad siya dirediretsyo kay Castillo.
"Hija," tawag pa niya. "Hingang malalim."
Castillo takes in a shaky and shallow breath, before the old lady puts her entire palm on her forehead. At first, nothing happened, until Castillo's eyes slowly shut down. She also gives up on her body weight and stumbles on Jonah.
"You put her to sleep?!" Jonah panics as she struggles with Castillo's body. Buti nalang ay mabilis na kumilos si Christopher at inalalayan agad si Castillo na maka-upo at maka-sandal sa isang puno.
"Your friend was having sensory overload," sabi ng matanda. "That what happens when you can see too much, when you can hear too much... When you can feel too much."
"I can hear them. I can feel them,"
"They're coming, I can sense them from the next street. Susunod na sila dito."
"His heartbeat." Biglang sabi sa akin ni Castillo. Napa-upo din siya sa tabi ko habang nanginginig. "Rosales I am barely hearing his heartbeat."
That makes so much sense. Kaya ba para 'bang may nakikita at nararamdaman si Castillo na hindi naman namin nakikita?
Is it because she has Enhanced Senses?
Tumungo naman ang matanda kay Stefan na ngayon ay hiniga na nila. Nilagay ng matanda ang kanyang kamay sa bahagi ng ulo ni Stefan. Pumikit ito at kumuha nang malalim na hininga at nagsimulang bumulong ng ilang katagang hindi ko marinig nang maayos.
"It feels like she's calling out to someone," bulong sa akin ni Liam. Parehas namin na pinagmamasdan ang matanda. "Like.. to a god, maybe?"
All of a sudden, on the sides of my head, I feel a little jab of pain. My hands are both tightly clasped, and strange lines of warmth flow from my palms to the curve of my shoulder. Surprisingly, for some reason, the warmth comforts me. It's strange, of course, to experience such sensitivity, but I don't think there's any need to be concerned. It's just warm, soothing, and somehow familiar.
The old lady finishes her prayer. Nothing happened at first, and the four of us remained still as a rock and waited for something to happen.
Until, Stefan takes a deep breath, and opens his eyes.
Agad akong lumuhod sa tabi niya. I place my hand on his cheek and call out to him. "Hey, Stefan.."
Stefan's eyes slowly flutter open. Relief washes over me as I place my other hand on his cheek. "Stefan..We're here. And you're okay."
Stefan blinks again, leaning towards my palm, which is stroking his cheeks. His brows furrow like he's fighting a nasty headache before finally opening his eyes to greet mine.
"Jessa," he calls out. I let out a soft laugh and finally grabbed his hand to squeeze it. I saw the small curve on his lips, he's attempting to smile back.
"I thought I'm losing you," I said. Tears once again fill my eyes. Sobs of relief attempts to break free from my throat. "I thought I'm losing you."
Stefan didn't respond, instead staring at me with his dark eyes. However, the slight smile on his face did not fade as he continued to lean into my hand across his cheeks. His reaction to my physical touch caused an eruption of butterflies in my stomach, causing my cheeks and ears to heat
"You were never losing me, Jessa." Stefan says, voice hoarse and dry. "What are you on?"
"Siraulo ka ba?" Ayaw ko man siya murahin dahil ngayon lang siya nagkamalay, hindi ko pa rin napigilan ang bibig ko. "You were bleeding and we could barely hear your heartbeat!" My hands shake. "Do not ever do that again. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin kung.. Kung..."
"Hey hey, Jessa. I'm okay, see?" Stefan removes his hand from my grip. He presses his fingers under my chin and raises my head to face him. "You're not losing me. I will not let that happen."
I let my gaze drift over his features. Blood is splattered all over his face, most likely from the dragons he spared earlier, and the black circles under his eyes have grown deeper. My heart falls as I see the obvious distress on his face, but I also feel a sense of relief that he is still here and alive.
I slowly nodded at him. "You're not losing me. I will not let that happen." I let the words repeat in my head, to sink into my bones, to wash my consciousness.
"Ehem," I heard Liam behind me say. Nagulat naman ako kaya agad kong inalis ang aking mga kamay mula kay Stefan. Binigyan ko ang mga kasama ko ng espasyo para kamustahin din siya.
Sabay sabay nang niligiran ni Jonah at Liam si Stefan. Si Christopher naman ay nanatali ilang hakbang mula sa amin habang nakatingin sa kawalan. Habang si Castillo ay natutulog pa rin na nakasandal sa isang puno.
"Pasensya na, naging pabigat pa ako." Nilagay ni Stefan ang kanyang kamay sa ulo niya habang pilit na nakangiti. Unti unti din niya inangat ang kanyang ulo at pinilit bumangon.
Liam immediately places his hand on Stefan's back and guides him to raise up. "Dahan dahan lang," he even said. "Christopher carried you like nothing the whole time." He gestures at Christopher, who is still standing far from us as if we're giving off rabies.
"Talaga ba?" Sabi ni Stefan at tinignan din si Christopher. "Salamat, 'pre!"
Christopher rolls his eyes and scoffs. "Whatever, you weighed like nothing anyways. It feels like I am carrying a fucking grape."
Napakuha na naman ng malalim na hininga si Jonah. "Kuya naman, pwede namang 'welcome' nalang, hindi ba?"
"Nah, I can understand your brother, Jonah," Stefan said. "He said he is welcome and no pressure at all!"
"I fuckin' did not say that-"
"Ang iingay niyo." Castillo suddenly blurts out. She's still sleeping, but she shakes her head in annoyance. "Ang ingay niyoooo..." Then she snores again.
"Bakit siya tulog?" Stefan asks.
"She had sensory overload," Jonah answers.
"Her senses overwhelmed her, the old lady puts her back to sleep to reboot." Liam adds.
Nanahimik lang ako habang pinagmamasdan si Stefan. Mukha 'nga namang okay na siya at nakatulong 'nga talaga ang ginawa ng matanda. The rest of them seem to have calmed down too, despite the visible proof of the fight we had on our bodies. My lips lifted into a small smile at that. Until I noticed the mermaid-like scales pushing at Allvais' skin beneath the shredded sleeves again.
It's clearer like the bright sun today. The marks are deeper and easier to see. What are those? At bakit parang mas malala iyon ngayon?
"Kayong mga bata talaga, kung ano ano ang naiisipang gawin. Hinding hindi ko kayo maiintindihan."
Isa isa niyang nilapitan. Una niyang hinawakan sa ulo si Liam, at nagliwanag ang mga pagitan ng kanyang mga daliri. She did the same with Jonah and Christopher. When she came to me, she pressed her palm on my racing heart, and the golden light intensified in her fingers. I can't do anything but stand and feel it in, it feels like she had put a blazing sun inside my chest, easing out the tensions in my muscles and decreasing the lines of pain in my head.
I am speechless when she finishes her healing. Before, she just seemed to be a typical frail old woman, but now, I have seen how the golden glow seems to wash over her, like a diamond.
"Castillo!" Jonah exclaims. Gising na pala si Castillo, at kahit na saglit lang siya nakatulog, ay mukhang nakatulong iyon sa kanya dahil bumalik na ang kulay sa kanyang mukha. The awareness in her eyes came back and she's now standing up.
"I'm fine now.. Woah!" She exclaims. "That was the worst experience of my damn life!"
I return my attention to the old lady. "You told me that you know us," I said.
"Tama ka, bata. Alam kong hindi kayo dito nabibilang." Her eyes again finds mine. "Galing kayong malayong malayong lugar. Sa lugar na hindi ko maabot."
"Edi paano kami makakaalis dito? Paano namin makukuha ulit ang mga katawan namin?" Christopher asks without any pause. Annoyance fills his voice that his sister holds him the arm to calm him down.
The question is wrong.
"Know your story, Jessa." Nalaala ko bigla ang sinabi ng matanda sa bookstore sa aking panaginip kaninang umaga. "You entered in The Blood of the Dragon's realm. Understand your role in the plot. Be aware of the events that are about to take place in front of you. Know how your storyline will finish."
"I want.. I want to know about something." Everyone's attention shifts to mine. "Can you tell me about The Blood of the Dragon?"
"Ate Jessa I believe we have other priorities right now," Jonah said. "We have to know how to get out of here immediately. Hindi ko na ata kakayanin pa kapag inatake ulit tayo ng mga lalaki kanina."
"There was a dragon age," the old lady starts, "it is the time where people would worship the Mother Dragon, who named herself as Mater Fana."
Walang nagsalita sa aming anim. The air hangs still between us. "Naalala ko ang kwento sa akin ng lola ko nung bata pa ako. Napakaraming selebrasyon daw na nagaganap sa kahariang ito bilang pagsamba at pagpuri sa kanya. Mater Fana is said to have the ability to transform into any form that she desires, but she chose to always appear as a woman as a way to be more easily approached by the people. She was also said to have great senses, the ability to call fire, and the most incredible battling abilities, all while remaining a kind but invincible force of nature.
The mother dragon is a lovely deity, full of warmth and compassion for mankind. But one day, another dragon created from the depths of the underworld appeared out of wrath and anger and it named itself as Malum Duvris.
Mater Fana turns into a massive red dragon to confront the Malum Duvris, who also transforms into a big white dragon with two sets of wings. The battle lasted for a week, and it is now called the Great War of the Dragons.
However, using her divine abilities, Mater Fana reached out to six different mortal beings and gave them her blessing. A blessing of magic to be able to prevent evil from spreading to the world, to be her helping hand to defeat Malum Duvris."
Doon na tumaas ang mga balahibo ko dahil alam ko na kami ang anim na sinasabi sabi ng matanda. Sino pa ba?
The old lady shifts her eyes on me. "Blood of the Dragon ang tanong mo, ineng?" She said, "Mater Fana reached out to six mortal people, but only one of them saw her divine form. Mater Fana offered her own blood and ordered the one who received it to take it fully. In this way, the Magic of Mater Fana will become completely absorbed into the person's body. After that, the other five mortal beings had been conscious of the Magic that had suddenly taken possession of them.
The Legend of The Blood of Dragon showed how Magic is earned. The Blood of the Dragon and the Magic of the other six mortals chosen by the Mater Fana are said to be passed down through generations to keep mankind safe from the devil."
"Wait," Liam says. "So it means, The Blood of the Dragon, pati rin ang mga magic nung ibang napili ni Mater Fana, ay naipapasa? It is a Magic that is meant to be passed down from generation to generation?"
"Tama ka, hijo."
"It was being passed down to fight evil," Jonah assesses. "Kung hanggang ngayon, evil is there, then the Blood of the Dragon and the other Magic was also passed down until today?"
Tumango ang matanda.
Nagkatinginan naman kaming anim. All of us knew that the Magic is passed down on these bodies, but who could possibly be the carrier of The Blood of the Dragon?
"The Great War of the Dragons ended right?" I ask. "Then it only means that evil has won."
"Not yet, dear." Sagot ng matanda. "Both dragons are equally so powerful that both can't win over the other. Both of them had lost their best fighting strength, yet they refused to cease their fight. Instead, they both went asleep, slept, and crystallized themselves.
As the outcome, it is said that when the two Dragons woke up, restored their strength, and reached their primes once more, the dragon war would resume.
However, it is still unknown how to awaken both dragons to continue the battle."
The old lady points to the horizon, where the mountains are nearly completely hidden by the expanding clouds. "Legends said that the Great Dragons slumber in the west, where the sun sets."
"Then how the fuck that overwhelming information will get us out of here?" Christopher asks. Tumingin siya sa akin at halos napaabante naman ako sa galit niyang mga mata. "Rosales, are you playing with us?"
"No! Please let me process things." I said. Napahawak ako sa ulo ko. Kung pwede lang, bibiyakin ko na sana ulo ko para lang makuha ang sagot. "I actually had a dream earlier this morning." I look at Stefan, who is already looking at me. "'Yung bangungot ko kanina? Bago dumating si Liam?"
Tumango siya. "You were panicking," Stefan recalls.
"Nakausap ko ang matanda na nagbenta sa akin ng libro sa panaginip ko." Simula ko. "He talked about how the book chose us. He said we should know and understand our story. He even said to beware the events that are about to take place."
Napalingon ako kay Castillo. "He even said know how this story will finish."
Lumaki ang mga mata ni Jonah at halos namutla. Si Liam naman ay napakamot sa ulo. "'Yung tragic ending." He said. "Tragic 'yung ending. People died. The story must have ended with Malum Duvris winning the resumption of The Great War."
"Andito tayo ngayon sa mundo ng libro, The Blood of the Dragon." Pagtuloy ko. "Main characters itong mga katawan natin. Multiple protagonists tayo." I started pointing at myself, then to the rest " I am Princess Blaidrah, he's Allvais, Hoderlia, Hurawn, Aurixy and Hyran."
"Ang gusto ko malaman kung bakit tayo napunta dito? Anong rason? Paano tayo makakaalis dito?" Christopher asked.
"Wait." Biglang sabi ni Liam habang nakahawak pa rin sa ulo niya. "I think I'm getting it." Umalis siya sa pagkakasandal sa puno. "It's like... The book was given another chance of telling.. To change things."
"Mararanasan din natin 'yung ending na iyon?" Jonah asked. " Will we die?"
"That's the reason why we need to change things." Sagot ni Liam. "Para hindi na tayo mapunta sa parehas na tragic ending."
"Paano natin gagawin 'yon?" Tanong ni Stefan.
"We will change the book's ending." Sa wakas, nagsalita na rin si Castillo. "Since we are the main characters, we are the ones who have the capability to move the story forward and bring it to a happy ending."
"How are we supposed to do that?" Jonah asked.
"By saving this world," Liam announced. "If we defeated this story's villain while being alive, I think we can actually exit this world and go back to our normal selves."
"Yes.. A happy ending." I nodded. "It's a happily ever after," I concluded. "We have to bring this story to a happily ever after."
"Hold on a damn minute." Christopher raises a hand to get all of our attention. "You're forgetting one important detail." He eyes every single one of us, as if expecting an answer to come out of our mouths. "The villain! Our enemy! The reason why everyone will die!"
"Bukod sa Malum Duvris, I believe we already met them.." Liam said.
"It's Eadar and Sadian, the two guys earlier." I said. "They are also the villains of this story."
"Sila 'yung sinasabing 'anak ng diablo' sa may palengke kanina," Stefan adds.
Lumingon ako sa matanda at nagtanong. "Is it true? Ang dalawang lalaki kanina, si Eadar at Sadian ang kalaban dito, kasama ng Malum Duvris?"
"Pinaniniwalaan din na kagaya ng ginawa ni Mater Fana, pumili din ang Malum Duvris ng mga taong maaring makapagmana ng kanyang kadiliman," sagot niya. "Kaya sila ang posibleng may-ari ngayon ng kapangyarihan ng Malum Duvris."
"Kung matalo namin ang Malum Duvris, sigurado pong magiging maayos ang lahat, hindi ba?" Tanong ko.
"Hindi niyo maaring matalo ang Malum Duvris," sagot niya. "Siya ay isang Dragon, kaya tanging Dragon na kasing lakas niya ang tanging makakaharap sa kanya, walang iba kundi si Mater Fana."
"Pero," dagdag niya. "Kung gusto niyong makasigurado sa tuluyang pagkapanalo ni Mater Fana... ang intindihin niyo ang mga taong nagmana ng mahika ng Malum Duvris. Ang dalawang anak ng diablo." Nilibot niya ang tingin sa aming anim. "Dragon laban sa dragon, at tao laban sa tao."
Muling kaming tumahimik. I couldn't feel anything but my racing heartbeat inside my ribs. Para 'bang sasabak ako sa isang extreme ride sa nararamdaman ko ngayon. I never prepared myself for this kind of situation.
"We barely survived the chaos out there." Biglang sabi ni Christopher. Tinuro niya ang lugar kung saan kami nanggaling kanina. "Tignan mo 'nga tayo! Kung hindi dahil sa mahika ng matanda, ewan ko nalang kung humihinga pa tayo. Now tell me, how can we save this goddamn fantasy world?" He takes in a deep and intense shaky breath. "We're not fucking capable of saving this story!"
"We're just teenagers. We're just.. Clueless kids," Jonah said. Her eyes are now slowly filling up with tears. "We are not supposed to be heroes."
"Maybe we actually can," Castillo said. Tumayo na siya mula sa pagkaka-upo at tinapik tapik si Jonah. "Maybe we'll be able to see more of what we are capable of."
"What the fuck," Christopher snickers. "We realized there are more ways for us to die."
Castillo turns around to give an offended look to Christopher. "Why can't you be a positive person today?"
"Tell me, broom head, how can we stay positive in this situation?"
"Tumigil 'nga kayo, please lang po." Jonah holds up her hands between the two. "Papasakitin niyo lalo mga ulo namin."
Castillo rolls her eyes, her hands are still tapping Jonah's shoulder. "What I mean sa sinabi ko, maybe we can actually use the characters we invaded to get the ending we want."
I slam my both hands together and point at Castillo. "Exactly! The passing down of magic.. It probably had passed down to these bodies we invaded."
Lumingon ako kay Liam. "'Yung sinabi mo kanina. The superpower thingy? It's making more sense now." Nilibot ko ang tingin sa kanila. "If fantasy 'eto, hindi na bago sa aasahan natin na magkaroon ng superpowers. Maybe if we can learn how to make use of the powers these bodies have, we can stand a big chance against any enemies we'll come across. And even defeat the villain! Since those are magic that are really meant to face the evil!"
Tinuro ko si Castillo. "I think Hoderlia's ability is Enhanced Senses. Kaya ka nagka-sensory overload kanina, ano? It also explains how nakakarinig ka ng mga bagay na hindi namin marinig, at kung bakit mo nararamdaman ang tibok ng puso ni Stefan kanina."
Tinitigan lang muna ako ni Castillo. Akala ko nung una, hindi siya sasang-ayon sa mga sinabi ko. Pero tumango tango din siya. "Yes.... My senses are sharper in this body."
"Hindi pa ako sigurado sa ability niyong magkapatid." I turn to them. "But it probably has something to do with physical strength? Combat skills? I swear the way you fought the dragons and the knights earlier is something that no normal being can do."
Lumingon ulit ako kay Liam. "Hindi ko pa rin malaman kung ano ang maari mong superpower. Maybe your archery skills?" I want to say na it cannot be archery skills kasi para 'bang mahina ito kumpara sa kanila. But then I realized that godly archery skills can be a great attack during battles. "Sigurado din akong walang normal na tao na kayang gumamit ng archery kagaya ng ginagawa mo sa katawan ni Hurawn."
"You're right." Tumango tango siya. "Pero pakiramdam ko, may itinatago pa itong si Hurawn sa akin." TInuktok niya ang ulo niya. "I'll probably need more time to find out."
"Your ability is probably connected to those markings on your arm." I point at Stefan.
Sabay sabay namang napatingin ang lahat sa braso ni Stefan. He carefully rolls up the ends of his long sleeve to reveal the marks in all their grandeur. "I think you activated that, nung kaninang may kalaban kang dragon. Masyado akong malayo para makita kita, but it looked sharp and shiny." I added.
"I remember seeing scales here earlier." Stefan says as he traces the markings. "It was heavy, but hard. Like it was there to protect me."
Tumango tango ako habang tinititigan ang braso niya. "Hindi ba masakit?" Tanong ni Jonah. Umiling iling si Stefan.
"How about your ability?" Tanong sa akin balik ni Stefan.
Hindi agad ako nakasagot. Napatingin nalang ako sa mga kamay ko at inaral ang hindi pamilyar na linya nito. Naalala ko ang apoy sa tunnel na pinagtakasan namin ni Stefan sa kaharian. I remember how the fire rose up higher, I remember the screams of the soldiers.
"I'll still find out," sabi ko nalang at binaba ang aking mga kamay.
"Mukhang may isang linggo nalang kayo para baguhin ang kapalaran, ano?" Biglang nagsalita ang matanda sa likuran ko. Nakikinig pala siya at halos makalimutan ko na naman ang presensya niya. "Kailangan niyo nang matunton ang mga dragon, at malaman kung paano ba sila gigisingin muli." Tumingin siya sa kalangitan at ngumiti. "At siguraduhin na sa pagkakataong ito, magwawagi na tayo."
Tumahimik ang lahat, pinoproseso ang kanyang mga sinabi. I feel like passing out anytime soon.
"I think I'm going to be sick in the stomach." Hawak hawak ni Castillo ang kanyang tiyan. "This is all too much."
Tumalikod siya at tinakpan ang bibig. Tumalon si Christopher palayo sa kanya. "Pota ka, sumuka ka lang talaga mamapatay kita."
Para namang umurong ang suka ni Castillo dahil sinamaan niya agad ng tingin si Christopher. "Gago ka pala eh, ikaw pala papatay sa atin dito, hindi yung villain."
I know Jonah had said something to call out her brother's attitude, and I just know that Christopher had answered something full of curses, but I couldn't hear them well as I realized the place stretching out before us. We are in a higher place, like a cliff, and the sun has finally shown up to spread its glorious rays across the forest landscape below. Mountains outstretched and zigzag across the bright landscape.
I raise a hand to fully feel the gentle blow of the wind, to let it poke the skin of my hand.
So, to wrap things up: We only have one week from now, to go west, find the dragons, to learn how to wake them up, to make sure we'll have enough power to defeat the villain. And, to have a victorious end.
"Far across the land," I let my eyes nail at the horizon, "is our Happily Ever After."
--
Song:
Far Across the Land by Ryan Louder, Eurielle