Paya directed me to a place where students of Cara Imperia gathered. Luckily, wala pa naman yung mga 'holy beast' na tinutukoy ni Syvphin kanina.
I'm glad I'm not late, maybe I could do something to save these students from those high beings.
Napatigil naman ako nang makita ko sina Arthur at Neron na kumikilos at siyang nagdi-direct ng mga gagawin ng mga estudyante.
As expected, that's why this place is secured and safe. I hope I could find Drean and Azure here. With Arthur and Neron around, I'm sure the students of Cara Imperia were all safe.
I then began my quick search in the new built camp for the presence of my two friends. I have to hurry because I need to pass the message to Neron or Arthur that a holy beast will come and attack us here. But while searching, a familiar voice suddenly spoke behind me.
"The famous prince charming." Bigla akong napatigil sa pwesto ko nang malaman ko kung sino yung nagsalita.
... It was Neron. My dear brother.
I clenched my fist because I feel uncomfortable. I wanted to hug him, I wanted to cry on his embrace, but I can't. I can't let them know I'm still alive.
"Oho, not going to face me?" Patuloy niyang wika kaya naman dahan dahan akong lumingon sa direksyon niya.
Kita ko ang lubhang pagkagulat niya nang makita niya ako. I've already casted a spell para matabunan yung identity ko as Adel, it is impossible for them to know that I'm Adel. Also, I've surrounded by an eerie and disgusting aura, it's not me anymore. My original color of aura is gold, now it's been tainted by blood and suffering that's why it became like this.
"I'm sorry I have to hurry and quickly find my friends," I said.
"What are their names?" Neron asked.
"Azure Cerulean and Drean Moreville"
"Hmmm.. Haven't checked about them, I'll ask my second master about it."
"Alright.." Tipid kong sagot.
"Then... Please come with me." The look in his eyes are still not changing. The eyes that longing for someone for a long time.
Should I refuse him? But I think they'll help me find my friends. Or... I just want to spend more time with them again?
"Sure, I also have an important thing to discuss with you," I answered. Nabigla rin ako nang pumayag ako but I also wanted it. I can't deny it that I wanted to talk with them. Maybe it's my last chance.
Neron began to smile.
"Alright, Mr. Rei. I gotcha!" Neron winked at me and pat my back.
"Let's go to the headquarters!" Sigaw pa niya at saka hinila na niya ako papunta sa kung saan man yung tinutukoy niyang lugar.
Maya maya'y nakarating na ako sa isang silid. Gawa ito sa earth magic at mukhang matibay ang pagkakagawa nito. So this is the headquarters... Impressive.
From afar, I saw my cousin Arthur and he was busy talking with someone. Tumigil nalang kami sa paglakakad at naghihintay na matapos yung usapan nina Arthur sa kausap niya. Nang makita kong naramdaman ni Arthur yung presensya namin, napatingin siya sa direksyon namin. Bigla siyang napatigil sa pagsasalita nang makita niya ako.
"... I'll deal with you later," Arthur then quickly walked in our direction and his companion left the room.
"Brother, I've brought Rei here. He needs help." Biglang sambit ni Neron
Like Neron, Arthur looked at me the same way as Neron does earlier and that makes my heart sting.
"I'm the second master of Royal Helix, Arthur Celion Lascena, it's my pleasure to meet you, Mr. Rei," Arthur said as he presented his hands for a handshake.
I then take his hands and softly held it as we shake hands.
"I'm Rei del Vough, please to mee you second master," I replied
"Haha! I forgot to tell you my name, I'm Neron Jamil Lacsena. I'm happy to finally meet you, Rei," masayang bati ni Neron
"I know your name, I've already met you in the first year ceremony," sagot ko
Napakamot sa ulo si Neron sabay sabing, "Oh I see, I must be so famous then."
"What do you mean 'must be'? You are one of the Lances, malamang alam na ng lahat ang pangalan mo," inis na wika ni Arthur.
"You're no fun at all, Arthur," naka pout na wika ni Neron.
"Look at you, pouting like a child in front of a gentleman," pananaway ni Arthur habang tinuturo niya si Neron
"H-Hahaha...ha," awkward kong tawa habang nagsasagutan parin silang dalawa.
Seeing these two argue like this, reminds me of how silly they are since childhood. I was happy I was back then. This aura, this feeling, and this bonding... I've missed it all.
It's been many years pero ganun parin sila. They're still funny and silly. But... Are they still my brothers?
"I'm sorry Mr. Rei, it's been a while since we argue like that," nahihiyang wika ni Arthur.
Winasiwas ko lang yung kamay ko at umiling.
"I don't mind. And please, just call me Rei," sagot ko.
Did he just say 'it's been a while'?
"Eversince we have learned the tragedy of the Lacsena's, we've began to train ourselves so hard that we forget to bond anymore," nakangiting wika ni Neron habang nagkakamot ng ulo.
It must've been so hard for them to learn about what happened in the family. ...My mom's death, and also my death..
"To be frank, we really wanted to talk with you.." Arthur started to look at me again with those eyes.
"When we heard that you are a relative of aunt Leighny, we are so curious about you. And when we finally saw you in the academy's article, we're shock on how you're so much identical to our cousin, Adel." Arthur added.
"To be honest, I've never met my Aunt and cousin too." I hope they can't see through my lies. I just really hope they won't.
"How old are you Rei?" Tanong ni Neron.
"17"
They both looked at each other when they've heard my answer.
"You're the same age as our Adel," Neron blurted.
"Are you sure you're not some lost twin of our Adel?" wika ni Arthur habang nakataas ang isang kilay niya.
I softly laugh and said, "There's no way, I was born in Ravella Kingdom and my mom is still alive".
I shouldn't have answered my real name tho...
Sorry brothers, I have to tell a lie. Even you two cannot know my secrets right now.
They both looked gloomy after nila marinig yung sagot ko.
"You must be so sad..."
Napatingin sila sakin at nagulat ako nang maluha luha na si Neron.
"I-I don't know what to feel anymore. I'm having trouble to point which is sad and which is making me go mad," tugon ni Neron habang nakatikom ang mga kamao niya.
"W-We really didn't know what happened.." Medyo nanginginig na wika ni Arthur.
After that, there's a silence. But this silence is torture for me. Seeing my brothers in the state like this, seeing them still care for me even though they've learned that I died, seeing them still mourning for my death is making my heart warm. But it also gives me an incredible stinging pain.
Why do they still care for me?
Without thinking anything, I just spread my arms and smiled to them. Surprised, yet they still rushed towards me and hugged me so tight while starting to wail.
"I'm sorry, I'm not there for you, our little Adel. I'm so sorry..."
"I'm so sorry... You've suffered too much.."
"If we're only there beside you"
"Why did you go without farewell? That's so unfair!"
I know those words aren't for me as Rei, but those words still makes my heart weak. Little did I know, I also started to cry.
No matter what I do, I'm still hurting the people I love. But am I selfish to still accept their love for me? Isn't it wrong to recieve these kind of love?
Ilang minuto pa'y nagsimula na silang mahismasmasan. I cannot believe these two grown gentlemen still cry like a child! Ako na nahihiya para sa kanila.
"Pardon our childishness, Rei. We're usually not like this," tugon ni Arthur sabay 'ehem'.
"I'm usually like that!" Masayang wika ni Neron.
"Papansin ka nanaman"
"You're just jealous..fufu.."
"Neron!" Sigaw ni Arthur samantalang inaasar asar lang siya ni Neron.
Really... These two.
"Anyways, I have information about this place."
Sumeryoso bigla ang mga mukha nila at nagsimulang makinig ng mabuti sa sinasabi ko.
"This place is called Valheim, the dwellers of this place are the highest beings, or what we know as gods.."
"Just as I thought," Arthur mumbled while confidently formed a smirk on his lips.
I just remembered that Arthur was so obsessed with empire legends and history.
"Didn't the gods forbid humans to came to this place 900 years ago? As far as I know, only Amara and the saintess came back alive from Valheim." Nagtatakang wika ni Neron.
Saintess? Haven't heard about her.
"Precisely, that's why we're currently in danger..." As soon as I said that, they start think hard.
Should I tell them I've encountered a god? No, they might think that I'm suspicious. Good thing they can't see and hear Paya right now.
"I'm going to plan some countermeasures. Neron go and announce this to warn the students about the sudden attacks," Arthur commanded.
"Alright, I'm also going to help Rei find his friends," replied Neron and we proceed together outside the room.
I just really hope that Azure and Drean are in a safe place. That's what important to me right now. I need to find the others too. Achlys and that white haired guy, and... Killes...
I'm still not done with that guy.
Kinausap ni Neron yung namamahala sa listahan ng mga estudyanteng nasa camp. Napansin ko ring busy ang ilan sa mga students dahil nabalita na sa lahat na may aatake sa lugar na 'to. Ngunit nag-aalala ako nang halos lahat na ng mga taong incharge sa listahan ng mga estudyante ay di parin nila alam kung nasaan sina Drean at Azure. Maging sina Achlys, Asher at Killes ay wala rin dito. Pati sina ate Shanris.
"Don't lose hope, Rei. They're your roommates right? They're strong, have faith in them," sabi ni Neron para palakasin ang loob ko.
"You're right. When we finally met them, I'll need to ask for forgiveness for not believing in them."I tried to smile as I calm myself. But the ground starts to shake and that made everyone alert.
"A giant rock holy beast is approaching!"
"Prepare yourselves!"
"All spellcasters, gather here---"
"It's running towards here really fast!---"
Many of the students began to panic but Neron handled all of them.
"Do not fear. We can handle them. Holy beast or not, we are the proud students of Cara Imperia!" Neron shouted.
Neron's persuation gave the students a boost or morale. Thanks to Neron they really wanted to fight a beast.
"Go now, Rei. Find your friends. We can handle this beast," Neron winked at me as he placed his fist to his chest.
I smiled to him. He's really as caring as before.
"Thank you, brother.."
I ran as quickly as I can after I replied that words to him. It was not intentional---- it was a slip of tongue. I wonder what did he feel when I said it him??
Buti nalang habang naghahanap kami ni Neron, ginamit din ni Paya ang tracking skills niya. Dahil palagi niya ring halos kasama sina Drean, alam niya na rin ang scent ng mga ito. Yun lang ay di niya mavisualize sila pero alam niya kung saan yung exact location nila.
"Malapit na tayo sa kanila, Master," sambit ni Paya.
"Roger that"
Mas lalo naming binilisan ang pagpunta sa lugar nayun pero habang papalapit kami ng papalapit ay kinukutuban ako. Dagdag mo pa yung malakas na pressure na nararamdaman ko.
"M-Master... It's---dangerous!" Nanginginig na wika ni Paya at tumigil sa pagkilos.
She's trembling in fear. Mas naramdaman ko rin na lalong lumakas yung aura na nararamdaman namin kanina. Para bang nasusunog ang balat ko.
"Paya, it's alright. I can handle it," sagot ko.
"N-No Master... We must fall back.."
Seeing Paya in that state is new to me. Baka sobrang lakas nga talaga ng kung sino man yun. But it also means that Azure and Drean are in danger!
"I still need to go, my friends are in danger,"
Paya began to gulped and now she's nodding her head.
"Let's go," utos ko at saka pinagpatulog na namin ang pagtakbo.
Nang makarating na kami sa lugar ay bigla akong naestatwa.
The place we're ruined and there's blood everywhere. But what caught my attention is the lifeless bodies lying on the ground. And the bodies were from the familiar people I know, the people who welcomed me in this academy warmly... My beloved dorm mates, Azure and Drean.
There was also a strong beaming light in front of the bodies. A glowing red light enough to lighten a whole city. I was looking down so I didn't know what was that.
"Amara?" It spoked.
"M-Master .. We should go," umiiyak na wika ni Paya.
No.
No.... NO!!
I don't care who the h*ll is that being but one thing is for sure....
"Enemy..."
I glared on that being with a killing intent. I don't care if I'm going to be blinded by the light but the bright light cannot overpower the shadows it made in my back.
"You are my enemy...."