Chunks of sharp rocks, distinct in sizes, came flying around from the force send forth by my strength, that I had to cover my eyes to shield them from the future injury to the most vulnerable part of my face. Feeling the rapid draining of my energy as to how my power has been continuously used. The scorching pain in my back made me bit my lower lip tightly as my eyes watered.
It isn't complete yet. Just a little more, Kaia Xiel.
Surpass your limits.
“We're not done! Ventus Spicae!” Another shout from a desperate guide, from the wind wizard guy which made me open my eyes.
Instantly, I panicked as I haven't recovered yet, and this little enemy I have within my skin keeps making me lost my focus.
Fuck being broken.
The ability is wind, how can I. . . a reflector skill, Kaia Xiel. That's it!
I closed my eyes tightly and calmed myself, feeling how the rhythm of air changes as they became sharp and piercing, moving in a fast manner, heading to my fragile skin.
Crossing my arms to shield my face, “Pondero,” I cast a reflector spell; a transparent barrier with some dark violet glint above its curve shone from the reflection of the sun, shielding myself from the opponent's attack, making the rhythm of the air changed and the direction that instead of going to me, it came back to them that their shouts of pain echoed in my hearing.
They didn't expect it, that's why they couldn't shield themselves.
While I suddenly felt guilty. Fuck. . .
Is war always like this?
Cruel. It's too cruel.
I froze, as coldness started to creep in my being, having me unable to move from my spot that if ever my opponents attack, I know I wouldn't be able to get away from it. My eyes locked to my trembling palms as I couldn't think of a purpose to continue. . . because why?
Why does war exist for the sole purpose of harming other people?
“Surrendering is the only choice,” I heard his voice, but I couldn't make myself lift my eyes and face him, nor everyone else as my attention was on my trembling hands, as overwhelming fear conquered me.
Feeling the shortness of my breath suffocates me, making me feel nauseous and a sudden chest pain made me hold onto it. Gasping for air as my tears started to form in my eyes.
“It's okay,” he hushed me, as I keep nodding my head. I felt his gentle hand brushed my back, trying to comfort me. “If you won't fight, you'll die. In the world we're living, you have to win to survive. To eliminate the harm, you need to be brave enough to conquer the evils.”
I sighed heavily, calming my body. “I'm okay.” Mabilis kong sabi kahit ramdam ko talaga ang paghihina ng aking katawan dulot sa takot na aking naramdaman.
“Don't say it when you're here, having a panic attack,” he affirmed, as I kept my mouth shut, focused on getting myself.
It's my first time to be out from the castle, and thinking how cruel the outside world is; wherein the castle, you're being protected. They're willing to sacrifice their lives for you. But in the world outside of it, you're the one who'll control your destiny. If you won't fight, you'll die. Just like what Kaellus said.
He didn't speak for a while but I could feel his gaze into me as I tried my best to stand firm even I'm losing balance. He helped me reach the same tree where we camped earlier, as he guided me to sit carefully as if I'm a fragile glass he's so scared to destroy.
As if a simple force is exerted and I'll be breaking down into pieces.
“You must rest for a while,” he commented after the long silence that passed between us. I just nodded weakly.
That's when I realized I've been hating him for no reason, and with that thought, I couldn't help but be guilty.
I judged him before I met him, and I think I made the worst decision by doing so. I closed my eyes tightly. Just. . . fuck.
“Stay here, I'll look for something to ease your feeling,” aniya na nakapagpaangat ng aking tingin sa kanya. He created something— a barrier that formed into this tree, just before he walked past from it and before I could ask something, he disappeared in my sight with his vampire speed.
Nanghihinang napasandal akong muli at hindi maiwasang napatingin sa bagay na umiilaw na nakasuot sa akin.
The hologram I'm wearing still shows Temporary Power floating above, as I've noticed the on-going term with a time on it. I don't know if I should click ‘finished’ because I have this hunch that this barrier that's protecting me will disappear if I do, so I just let it.
As expected. Hinding-hindi ako tatagal kapag kapangyarihan na ang gamit. If physical, I think I will last, but when using magic? Pakiramdam ko'y ako ang pinakaunang bibigay sa lahat.
And to think that my faith was shaken when I saw my opponents getting oppressed by something I did, knowing that I put a fright in their face and harmed them even though it's what I must do. I just. . . lost it. Hindi ako sanay.
They see me as strong-willed girl yet I'm some fragile weak girl that needs to be taken care of. That's why my best friends protect me, because I know I couldn't protect myself with this one.
I couldn't even blame Tito Xander for adding that Temporary Power in this game. It was also to test myself, as I am thankful for him for doing so.
Before preliminary, I want to be able to learn how to control my powers, even just a little. Hopefully.
And to eliminate this fear because. . . if I kept being shaken by these, I won't be able to improve.
Kaellus is right. There are so many creatures who would bring harm to our most treasured ones, and if we won't fight, we will be the ones to be conquered.
Hindi nagtagal ay naramdaman ko ang presensya ni Kaellus na aking ikinaangat ng tingin, at nakitang may yakap-yakap itong sa tingin ko'y iyong mga prutas na makikita sa kahit saang sulok ng paligid.
Mabilis itong lumuhod sa aking harapan at ibinaba ang mga bitbit. A shape that's similar to dragon fruit, only that, it's glowing in gold and it's the seed that's edible.
“I've already recharged half of my mana,” I informed him, after all, he seemed to be the one who cares the most because I wasn't, after all, I'm so used to something like this.
Nag-angat ito ng tingin at tumaas ang kilay nito, bakas ang pagkabigla ang kanyang mukha. “That's fast,” he said with disbelief in his voice, as all I did was smile back at him.
“I'm too weird, right? But it's true,” ani ko at kumuha ng isang umiilaw na prutas at pinag-aralan. “I wonder if I can plant these fruits on the academy?” After all, gardening has been my hobby ever since.
It was supposed to be a whisper only, but hearing him chuckled, I tensed, as embarrassment overwhelmed me, feeling my cheeks heated as I slowly lifted my head to look at him, only to see him watching me with an amused face.
I averted my gaze. Nakakahiya, Kaia Asteria Xiel!
“Still, eat some,” aniya. At oo, sayang naman ang efforts nya kung hindi ko kakainin.
That's why I reached for one and bite from it. Kumalat kaagat ang katas nito sa aking bibig at dahil sa sarap ay pakiramdam ko'y mabilis na nagsisibalikan ang aking mana sa katawan. Napangiti ako at inalok sa kanya ang aking nakagatan, ngunit umiling lamang sya habang nakatingin sa akin, nakaangat ng kaunti ang gilid ng kanyang labi na dahilan upang palihim akong napapunas sa aking bibig.
Calixus once said I'm such a messy eater, that's why.
At nang mayari ako ay tumayo ako. “Let's bring these remaining ones along our journey, what do you think?” tanong ko sa kanya na tinignan nya lamang ako.
Sabi ko nga.
Mula sa bulsa ay inilabas ko ang bandana ko na sana'y gagawin kong headband mamaya. It's a big handkerchief that's enough to be used as a top, though I highly doubt it, that's why I'm not doing so. Undoing it first before placed flat on the grassy land and put the fruits on it. Once I'm done, I secured it with a ribbon lock, inserting my arms into the little hole to make it as a handbag. Then, I looked at him again and saw him watching me with his brow lifted and a proud smile on his face. I gave him a little shy smile.
“Let's start hunting?” I whispered, in which, he nodded and let me lead the way.
“Protect the Prince,” I read from what's written on the golden scroll with my handkerchief a.k.a handbag full of fruits on my right arm.
This is our first quest together because we decided to look for it instead of waiting again.
If I could remember it right, the more quest you finish, the more score you'll get, and of course, once you defeat a team, their score will be yours too. That's why we waited earlier since both of us know about its rule. But then, I realized that it somehow pointless to just sit there and wait because where will be the fun with that?
But. . . where's the Prince? For sure it isn't Kaellus because—
Nakaramdam ako ng kaluskos sa bandang likuran namin na dahilan upang maging alerto ako. Humarap ako dito at nakitang nakaharap na rito ang aking kasama. He felt it first before I do. I was thinking that it's another team again but then I was mistaken.
May lumitaw na batang lalaking nakasuot ng marangyang kasuotan ngunit madungis ito at puro putik. Punong-puno rin ng galos ang kasuotan nito at hirap na sa paghinga dulot ng patuloy na pagtakbo.
He looks scared based for his face is full of tears and his hasty movements to get away from something. I think he's the Prince we must protect based on his white and gold outfit despite it being unclean.
Nang makita nito kami ay napahinto ito sa pagtakbo. Fear intensifies at his fragile innocent face as he tried to step back, only for our attention to be focused on his back; as a loud growl from a beast thundered through my hearing, yet it wasn't only one, since from some other places, the same angry growl could be heard which shows this quest is for everyone who remained standing still.
The child tensed, as my eyes widened when he ran towards my place and suddenly hugged my feet tightly, burying his face on my thighs as they slowly soak in his tears.
“I don't want to be eaten. Mommy, Daddy, save me.” Mas lalong humigpit ang yakap nya sa akin. It was followed by the poor child's frustrated cries. Both fear and tiredness is the reason why he couldn't properly breath. Unconscious, placing my hand on his back as I gently calm him down, even though I'm clueless as fuck.
I've never held a child before, nor carry one. But I love looking at them because they are cute!
But. . . how to calm a crying baby?
And above the child's head, a floating hologram appeared, showing the term: Nexus Allistair Lockéhart, firstborn of the Demon Queen, Kaia Asteria Xiel von Sy'yski, and the Vampire King, Nixon Kaellus Vail Lockéhart.
“What the freak?” Naibulalas ko dahil sa gulat sa aking nabasa.
“Where did you learn that word, Asteria?” From my back, Kaellus' presence headed to me, as I quickly closed the hologram and look at him and smile nervously.
“What, freak?” I quizzically looked at him.
He stares at me for a while before his gaze transferred to the child who kept hugging me.
“What's his name?” aniya at yumuko. Hinaplos nya ang buhok ng bata nang marahan na ikinaangat ng tingin nito.
“Nexus Allistair,” sagot ko.
Kaellus brushed the child's face with his thumb finger gently before I heard him speak.
“I'll face that monster. You hide with Allistair. You couldn't fight, right?” He lifted his head as his brow raised to me, saying I shouldn't be stubborn and just let him decide on this quest.
Doon ko napansin ang similarities nila, masyadong kahawig. From messy midnight black hair, sharp silver eyes that almost transparent, their proud pointed nose and perfect jawline, and the authority that both of them have. Lahat maliban sa labi.
Another loud and angry growl echoed in my hearing, made my eyes widened, and quickly remove my gaze from them. Right. . . this quest is playing with us, having to protect the Prince— our illusion child, and I don't know why Tito Xander thought of something like this.
Sighed heavily, I just nodded my head as my answer.
“Mommy.” Nabalik ang atensyon ko sa bata nang magsalita ito. Basang basa ng luha ang kanyang pisngi at kitang kita 'rin ang takot sa kanyang mukha. Pinunasan kong muli ang kanyang pisngi bago sya binuhat.
“Hush baby. Mommy's here,” Marahan kong sabi habang hinihimas ang likod nya. I looked at Kaellus and he's really seriously looking at us now! Pakiramdam ko'y nagkakaroon na ito ng ideya sa nangyayari na aking tinago!
I felt my cheeks heated as I averted my gaze.
“We better hide right now,” untag ko kaagad at walang salitang tumakbo palayo doon.
Nexus tightened his hug on me before I heard his whisper.
“Mommy. . . Daddy. . .” Naiiyak nitong pahayag at hindi maituloy sa takot. Nakatitig ang takot nitong mga mata sa lalaking inaabangan ang kailangan naming kalabanin upang matapos ito.
“He can do it, he's the strongest among all,” ani ko rito at hinaplos ang kanyang buhok. “Trust Daddy.” Ngumiti ako rito ngunit sa aking kaloob-looban ay gusto kong magpakain sa lupa.
Wow, Kaia Xiel, kina-career ang pagtawag na Daddy kay Kael?
But holding Nexus in my arms, it felt as if he's really some kind of real person. It's just too weird that I don't want to let go of this child.
I decided to hide in a big tree where I saw some ladders on it. Umakyat ako don habang maingat na hawak si Nexus. Nang makaakyat at naalala ko ang mga prutas na aking nasa kamay, saktong-sakto at mukhang pagod ang bata.
Sumandal ako sa puno at pinaupo ang bata sa aking binti, bago kinuha ang nakasabit na bandana na may kaunting prutas na nandoon. Kumuha ako ng isa at inabot sakanya.
“Do you want some?” Hindi ito nagdalawang isip at mabilis na kinuha ang aking ibinibigay.
Muli kong ibinalik ang tingin kung nasaan si Nixon Kaellus, at halos manlaki ang aking mata nang makita ang kanyang kakalabanin!
I gasped when I saw how tall his enemies are, and there are two of them! The size is thrice as big as him yet he's standing there as if his opponents are just kitten!
Nasa harap ang dalawang ogres na sa tingin ko ay Class S+ Ogre, ngunit nakatingin lamang si Kaellus sa mga ito na para bang walang balak gawin. The Ogres saw Kaellus as they growled loudly thay made the child tensed, as to I covered his ears while my eyes are locked to them.
I watched how the hell he fought those Ogres as if they aren't that tall and S+ monsters, and I just couldn't believe what I'm seeing.
Unlike my fight earlier, there aren't any dragon egg appeared around him that granting him some temporary power, that's why I'm kind of nervous of what might happen to him. After all, that quest was finished, which is why its rules dissipated and now, it's another quest we're facing, but of course, with no temporary power as its bonus!
The Ogre made the first move. He strike the land with its opened palm in which Kaellus was standing earlier, the reason why he jumped to avoid that attack. My heart is beating so fast as I watch their fights, and because he couldn't turn into a vampire right now and he could only fight with his physical skills only.
But I was shocked to see him standing on the Ogre's arm, before he started running towards the face of the Ogre; with its arm he used as his bridge to get in his enemy's face. And once he's there, he made a spinning quick at the Ogre's eyes, the reason why the Ogre's dark-green blood came raining that I quickly averted my gaze, focusing on the sleeping child instead.
That was some gruesome view, and I'm not a fan of looking at something like that. Sumandal ako sa puno at tsaka inayos ang pagkakayakap sa akin ni Nexus, siniguradong hindi nya makikita ang labanan sa oras na siya'y magising. Kahit na ayoko, ay hindi ko mapigilang bumaling kung saan nangyayari ang labanan at sa huli'y napapangiwi din, hindi kinakaya ang panonood kaya't pinagkaruan ko na lamang ang buhok ng batang natutulog sa akin.
He really is a cutie and softie and such a handsome kid! But then, remembering that he's my child with Kaellus. . . my cheeks heated but my eyes are locked to his face. Would our child be like him if ever—
Napapikit ako ng mariin at tumingala na lamang. “Kaia Xiel, you're crazy,” I whispered as I opened my eyes, looking at the thick leaves from this tree where we are resting at, and at my back, the painful groans and growl of beasts keeps echoing in my ears, yet I didn't bother watching his fight as my attention is focused on the child on my lap.
It didn't take a while when the fighting ended, and that's when Nexus slowly became transparent until he disappeared. He was just sleeping when he's slowly fading away, the reason why my heart is kind of heavy, after all, we haven't even bid some goodbyes to him.
“He disappeared?” ani ng boses mula sa ibaba na dahilan upang ako'y mapatingin at mapangiwi nang makita ang kanyang itsura.
“I'm sorry but. . .” I covered my nose from how foul the smell is. “Is there a reward? A wish? Anything from the quest? Please ask for some clothes. . .” Natawa ito sa aking sinabi at may kinalikot, bago unti-unting napalitan ang kanyang damit na aking ikina-nganga ng kaunti.
It looks like a video game where the enemy has been defeated and dissipating to the air! However, in Kaellus' state, his appearance is changing until now, he's wearing a royalty outfit!
“The council is really tricky,” He just suddenly commented once he was done, that when I looked at him, seeing him leaning on the tree below with his eyes closed tightly that I just let him.
Their fight lasted for almost an hour and fighting that long using your physical strength only is tiresome already. I know that if only he has powers right now, maybe their fight won't even last for five minutes especially from how powerful he is.
“About what?” What is he talking about thought?
He chuckled without humor before he tilted his head to look at me. Nagtama ang aming tingin, at hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong kinabahan sa klase ng tinging kanyang ibinabato sa akin.
“For making us think that we'll be having a child with our partner.” Nanlaki ang mata ko sa kanyang sinabi. What the. . .
He realized it while fighting those monsters? Oh my god!
“You told me he looks like me when the truth is, he got his face from you.” He chuckled without humor as he looked straight with his line of vision, while I was frozen in spot, and right now, I don't know what to act that he knows about it already! “Fuck council for playing with us.”
Nawalan ako ng kibo at hindi alam ang sasabihin, kahit sa aking kaloob-looban, kinakabahan ako at baka mapansin nyang kanina ko pa alam iyon!
Instead of saying something, I threw him a fruit that he quickly catch, before he lifted his face again. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at ramdam ang pamumula ng aking pisngi.
“You need to recharge,” tanging sagot ko na lamang mula sa nagtatanong nyang tingin. Hindi ito nagsalita at nang sulyapan ko ito ay tahimik syang kumakain. Napanguso ako at muling napaiwas ng tingin.