"And cast off evil behind..."
AVERY
Sa isang kisap-mata, tuluyang naglaho ang mga mata ng demon fox sa paligid. Unti-unting bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko dahil maging si Zirrius ay naglaho sa paningin ko. Ang itim at makapal na hamog na dulot ng demon fox ang dahilan ng lahat ng ito. Tanging kadiliman lang ang lumulukob sa paningin ko. Sinubukan kong abutin ang kamay ni Zirrius mula sa kinaroroonan niya kanina pero wala na siya sa likod ko. Ang tanging gumagana lang sa oras na ito ay ang aking pandinig.
Isang malakas na pagsabog ang narinig ko sa 'di kalayuan na nagpaigtad sa 'kin. Agad akong lumingon sa kinaroroonan ng isang mahinang daing. Dahil nasa anyong tao ako, mas mahirap paganahin ang pandinig ko. My senses are a little dull. Kahit gamitin man ni Zirrius ang kanyang Devil Fire, hindi ko pa rin siya makikita sa makapal na hamog na ito. I doubted if that fire could even lighten this place up. And I felt like this fog was keeping us from seeing everything as if it was concealing some unknown truth.
Bago ko pa magamit ang Angel Fire upang paliwanagin ang paligid, isang malakas na puwersa na ang tumama sa kalamnan ko. Gumapang ang matinding sakit sa kalamnan patungo sa buo kong katawan. It was electrifying and excruciating. I couldn't tell what actually hit me. I almost spat blood. I was sent flying. My back hit the hard wall that made me gasp. I was lightheaded when I fell on the cold floor. I shivered in pain.
What the fuck was that?
My vision was a little blurry. Stars circled my head. I couldn't focus on this darkness. Namamanhid ang sikmura at ang mga pandama ko. Mariin kong ikinuyom ang kamao ko habang mariing kagat ang labi ko na halos dumugo na.
"Avery?" nahihirapang tawag ng isang tinig. I could tell that Zirrius was also in pain. Gusto kong sagutin ang pagtawag niya pero napaubo lang ako ng dugo.
"And another thing, if you plan to invade this castle, I have no choice but to fight even if I hate to do it. Kung hindi lang kayo ang nagtatangkang magpabagsak sa lugar na 'to, mapipilitan akong lumabas dito at harapin sila," seryosong wika ng isang malalim na tinig. His voice echoed across the walls. So this one will really become a problem. Kailangan talaga namin siyang kalabanin.
I gritted my teeth. I must stand up so I pushed myself to do so. I must find him as soon as possible and stop him from his attacks. If only I was in my elf form, I would be able to find him quickly. Kung hindi namin siya matatalo, isa siya sa mga hahadlang sa mga plano namin bukas. Muli akong nakarinig ng malakas na pagsabog sa kanang bahagi ng tunnel.
"I could feel movements outside this castle. I could feel your intentions," seryosong dagdag pa ng demon fox. "I know you'll attack the King tomorrow."
Nakahawak ang kanang kamay ko sa pader at nagawa ko na ring tumayo. "Kung alam mo ang binabalak namin, bakit hindi mo pa sinasabi sa Hari?" malakas kong tanong. I was hoping that Zirrius would find me through this. I hated the feeling that the demon fox was watching us like we were some lost rats, ready to be his prey. Tila pinaglalaruan niya lang kami.
"Hindi ko kailangang makipag-usap sa kanya. My binding to protect this place. Not just this passage but the whole castle," mariing sabi niya. He hated protecting this place. I could tell through his irritated tone.
I could feel faint movements approaching towards me. The demon fox was approaching. Even the dark fog thickened. I used my strength. Power burst from me. The Angel Fire spread like a wildfire within the tunnel that even the bones and skulls are melting.
The foxes surrounding the demon fox growled at me. They can't come near me because they are afraid of my fire.
White blazing fire invaded the whole place. The demon fox was taken aback but smirked at me. He didn't expect that I can do this.
Hawak naman ni Zirrius ang espada sa kamay niya habang napapaligidan din ng Devil Fire. May punit sa kasuotan niya at nabahidan na rin ito ng dugo. His face was a little bruised too. Nang makita niya ako, agad na bumaha ang pag-aalala sa mukha niya.
"Wala talaga kayong balak sumuko," seryosong saad ng demon fox. His red and blue eyes are gleaming with irritation.
"We mean no harm. We will save the King. He's under someone's control. We need to free him from a dark spell," paliwanag ko. "You have to trust us."
Masamang tingin ang ipinukol sa 'kin ng demon fox. "I can't trust the words of someone who I don't even know. You know what I am. I'm a deceiver. How can I trust you if I know that I can't even trust myself?"
Zirrius quietly inched towards the demon fox. Mariin kong nakagat ang labi. Naghahanap siya ng pagkakataon upang atakihin ang demon fox. Hindi ako makapagpasya sa dapat gawin. I can free him from his binding. There's a way. Pero hindi ko alam kung papayag siya.
Zirrius lifted his sword and run towards the demon fox. I used my Angel Fire to chase after the demon fox when it fled to the left side of the tunnel, away from Zirrius, away from me.
The foxes guarding the demon fox attacked Zirrius but he managed to get away from their sharp fangs. He jumped and incinerated the foxes but his Devil Fire is not working against the foxes as expected. I used my Angel Fire instead. The foxes growled and thrashed their bodies against the wall and the floor.
Mabilis na tumakbo si Zirrius patungo sa demon fox. He continuously attacked using his sword but the demon fox was faster. He managed to dodge and avoid every thrusts and slashes. I willed my Angel Fire to attack the demon fox from its behind. Nagulat ang demon fox at agad na tumalon sa kanan nito pero nag-aabang na roon si Zirrius. Nang akmang mahihiwa na ni Zirrius ang tagiliran ng demon fox, bigla itong nagpalit ng anyo kaya natigilan si Zirrius, maging ako.
The demon fox was a shape-shifter and I didn't expect for him to shift using Lianna's face and body. Lianna's face was wide-eyed and a little scared. As if she's pleading mercy from Zirrius. Zirrius was frozen for a moment. He can't attack her. He was taken aback and I little confused. Hindi ko mapigilan ang inis. Apektado pa rin siya at masakit para sa 'kin na malaman ito.
"That's not the real deal, Zirrius," mariing giit ko. Dahil sa inis ko, agad na pumalibot ang Angel Fire sa demon fox na nasa anyo ni Lianna kaya napaurong si Zirrius.
Bumalik sa dating anyo ang demon fox. He used his power to banish my Angel Fire. "Too bad, he's still affected by an ex-lover," sarkastikong wika ng demon fox. His statement is directed to me. "You're his mate but you don't fully own his heart and attention." He's adding salt to the wound. Zirrius looked guilty. He couldn't meet my gaze.
I silently gritted my teeth. Dirty tricks. I hate to deal with this. Humalukipkip ako. I have no choice but to offer him a deal. I will do this because it sucks to see Lianna's face and know that she can still affect Zirrius in some ways.
"Let's stop here," inis na wika ko. "I can free you if you want me to," mariing wika ko.
Umangat ang isang kilay ng demon fox. He looked at me with interest. Maging si Zirrius ay nagtataka na ring tumingin sa 'kin. Gusto ko siyang irapan pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko. I hate to admit it but this demon fox is using our weaknesses against each other. I'm weak against this kind of tricks. "How? Isa lang ang alam kong paraan pero hindi ko gusto ang paraang 'yon. A new master."
Marahan akong tumango. "Well, that's the only way. I'll override your binding. I will become your master. But it doesn't mean that you have to go wherever I go. You're not tied to me that way. I will only bind your life with me. If I die, you will also die. But I have a long life so you don't have to worry," seryosong sabi ko. "Malaya mong magagawa ang gusto mo. Hindi ako makikialam. Basta't hindi ka nakakasakit ng ibang tao."
"You can only override a binding if you're stronger than the previous one or else you'll die," saad niya. "Can you perform such a high level magic?"
"Try me," seryosong sabi ko. "And this binding only applies to you. This won't affect the next generation or your reincarnations. You'll be free on your next lives. Ano sa palagay mo?" Ito lang ang tanging paraan para hindi siya maging hadlang sa mga plano namin. "It's better this way, right?"
Nanliit ang mga mata ng demon fox. He was eyeing me cautiously. Halatang pinag-iisipan niya kung tatanggapin ba ang alok ko o hindi.
"You won't call for me?" nang-aarok na tanong ng demon fox.
Umiling ako. "I won't but you can come whenever you want," sagot ko.
Ngumisi ang demon fox. "Then I will give it a try. If you die in the process then it will just be an easy kill for me."
Naglakad patungo sa 'kin si Zirrius. "Sigurado ka ba sa gagawin mo, Avery? You didn't know who binded their kind. You didn't know how strong he is." I want to say that it's his entire fault why I'm doing this but I kept my mouth shut. I hate this tight feeling inside my chest when I'm jealous. He's my mate but I don't own his heart. Damn that demon fox for reminding me the bitter truth.
"It will be fine," mahinang saad ko. "Wala ng ibang paraan. Mas mahihirapan tayo kung kakalabanin natin siya. We won't reach the King unless we defeat him."
Zirrius looks unsure. "I'm sorry." Hindi ko alam kung para saan ang paghingi niya ng tawad. Siguro dahil alam niyang nasaktan ako.
"It's alright. Pwede kang sumunod kapag namatay siya," seryosong sabi ng Demon Fox. Zirrius glares at him. The demon fox flicked his fingers in the air and his foxes vanished.
"Let's do this now," sabi ko. Walang takot na lumapit ako sa demon fox. Halatang namamangha siya sa inaasal ko. He let me touch his pulse.
"What's your name?" mahinang tanong ko sa kanya. Sumimangot siya. Halatang nagdadalawang-isip. Matiim niya akong pinag-aaralan. "I'm Avery," dagdag ko upang mabawasan ang pagdududa niya. "I need your name for this ritual."
"It's A," he answered.
"A?"
"Just A," inis na sabi niya.
I smiled. "Okay. Let's start, A." I'm not quite sure if he blushes. "I need to remove your binding from your original master first. I need to trace it using your blood." Pinagmasdan ko siya kung tututol siya pero hindi siya nagsalita. Inilabas ko ang hunter knife ko. Hiniwa ko ang pulsuhan niya hanggang sa lumabas ang dugo. My grip tightens when he tried to pull away. Itinago ang hunter knife at gamit ang dugo niya, gumawa ako ng magic circle. I must release him from his binding as soon as possible.
When I finished creating the magic circle, it grew bigger and bigger until it finally surrounded both of us. Ito na ang simula. Ngayon ko malalaman kung sino ang mas malakas sa 'min. If that someone can bind the demon fox, from generation to generation, then he is no doubt strong. This is a gamble.
"Knots of curse,
Before my eyes,
Bind be revealed,
I call to thee, A,
Show true form,
Heed me."
Flash of reds and blue lights are all over the place. Malakas na sigaw ang maririnig mula kay A. He was in so much pain that his screams echoed the tunnels.
When the lights went low, I could finally see his true form. His black tails are flowing like the wind and his black hair was long. His red and blue eyes glitter in the darkness. There are red strings tied in his body that reached even his soul. That's how he can be binded from generation to generation. I reached out a hand to touch one of the strings but I was electrified. Agad akong napaurong. My fingers almost burned. Kung ganoon, malakas talaga ang taong may hawak sa kanya.
"If you can't do this, just say so. I'll finish you quickly," mariing sabi ni A.
Umiling ako at nakangising tiningnan siya. "So impatient, A. Just stay put. It's not yet starting." He glares at me but I ignored it.
I cut my wrist and let my blood drop on the string connected to his soul. Steam came out from it like an acid burning. I closed my eyes. I chanted a new spell.
"I release thee
from the curse of blood,
Uncast the tie once applied,
Through my blood,
I override the bind
that holds your soul and life."
The strings react violently. It thrashes and starts to attack me. The strong bind doesn't plan to let go of A. The strings started to prick and invade my veins. I screamed in pain and agony. My breathing becomes heavy. I fought back and continued chanting spells to bind the strings, I continued for them to obey my will. Maging si A ay naapektuhan. Nararamdaman din niya ang sakit na nararamdaman ko. We're both being punished.
Pinagpapawisan na ako nang malamig. Napansin ko na hindi na mapakali si Zirrius sa isang tabi. He wanted to help me but I shook my head at him. He can't intervene. I can't stop in the middle of a spell or else I'll die.
Blood bursts out from my veins. Mariin kong kinagat ang labi ko. Ininda ko ang sakit sa kabila ng panginginig ng mga kamay ko. I chant the part of our deal, my deal with the demon fox. I need to finish this before the strings can kill me. I created a new magic circle for our new binding. The strings continued to attack me. I managed to stop it before it strike straight to my heart.
"Now A, we are tied by blood.
My orders be heed all the time.
My life, the extension of your life.
The deal be void once breath is gone.
I now seal this charm."
The strings are renewed. My blood started to flow in it until it reached A. Colors burst out of the magic circle. I'm not sure if I succeed. My body is heavy. My vision is blurry. I'm almost fainting. The tunnel is dark once again. Someone caught me before I collapsed. It's Zirrius.
When I looked back at A, he was now kneeling in one knee. I bet it's a success. But I lost too much blood. I'm the one in critical condition. "You may now go wherever you want, A. But don't harm people. And also don't use that woman's face again when you shape-shift. It pisses me off," mahinang sabi ko.
A had the cocky smile on his face when he heard my last order. "Alright. I won't but you'll see her again. Be careful, Master. I don't want to die so soon," he teases before he disappears. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng binabalak niya. At least, one of the threats disappear. Ang tanging problema na lang ay ang hari. And Lianna. He's right that I'm going to see her again. Next time, the real deal.
"Kailangan kang gamutin," mahinang sabi ni Zirrius. He carried me. Wala na akong lakas pa upang gumalaw. Maging ang lalamunan ko ay nanunuyo na rin. Malalaki at nagmamadali ang mga hakbang niya habang tinutunton ang daan palabas. He choose the route where it leads near the forest. It was already nightfall. I was too tired and a little hungry. Isinandal ako ni Zirrius sa puno nang makalayo kami.
He starts to heal me. "I need to go to town to buy some food and water. Wait for me here," sabi niya. My wounds started to heal but all I could do is nod. I closed my eyes. I'm sleepy. Hindi ko alam kung anong oras umalis si Zirrius. Mahihinang tapik lang sa mukha ko ang gumising sa 'kin. Nakita kong hawak-hawak na niya ang pagkain at tubig na binili niya. He let me drink the water first. He also feeds me. I obeyed him quietly though I'm still piss that Lianna can still affect him.
Nang matapos kumain, nagsalita ako. Umupo si zirrius sa tabi ko. "Hindi mo pa siya nakakalimutan."
Katahimikan lang ang namayani sa pagitan namin. It was so awkward, I thought he will not say anything. "Nagulat lang ako. I haven't seen her for months or has it been a year? Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong maramdaman. Ang alam ko lang, hindi ko siya kayang saktan."
"Kahit hindi ikaw ang pinili niya. Kahit pumapanig siya sa kalaban?" mahinang tanong ko. I close my eyes. It hurts even more when the words come from him.
"I don't have the heart to hurt her," he answered softly.
"And you have the heart to hurt me?" I blurted out.
Naramdaman ko ang kamay niya sa ulo ko. He gently caressed my hair and pulled my down so I can sleep on his lap. "Pagod ka na, Avery. Just sleep for now. Patawad kung hindi kita natulungan ngayon."
That's not what I want to hear but he ran his fingers through my hair until I fall asleep. Oh no. He's not yet forgiven.
***