*Note: Expect that there are typos and wrong grammars here*
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"Raiden, let's go home."
Napa-angat ng tingin si Raiden nang tawagin siya ng kaniyang nanay. Hindi kasi niya maalis ang kaniyang tingin sa bulaklak na lumulutang sa Baze Lake. It was a Chrysanthemum Bouquet that they offered for the death of their father, bag in my I'm Paul McPhall. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin sila makapaniwala na namatay na ang kanilang tatay, especially Raiden and Reiko. They were out for almost three weeks, and they didn't have the chance to visit their father, kaya mas lalong nalungkot sina Reiko at Raiden dahil hindi man lang nila nakita ang kanilang tatay bago ito mamatay.
Raiden and Reiko were just silent while heading home. Wala ni isa sa kanila ang nag-uusap, pero dahil dito mas mahihirapan naman si Viera. She knows that it is difficult to her children, nalulungkot man si Viera sa pagkawala ng kaniyang asawa ay pinipilit pa rin niyang maging matatag para sa kaniyang mga anak.
"Hindi pa ba kayo mag-aayos para sa mission ninyo? Susunduin na kayo mamaya."
Mamaya na kasi darating ang ship na maghahatid para sakanila papunta sa kanilang misyon.
"Mom, can't you see? That work will lasts for five years! We will not see you for five years. Is that what you want?"
Reiko can't help but to explode all of her frustrations to her mom. Hindi niya kasi maintindihan si Viera kung bakit pinapayagan sila na tumuloy sa misyong iyon. Reiko doesn't want her mother to be alone for five years, and she's not naive to notice that her mother was just pretending to be strong because she knows that deep inside, her mother was hurting.
"Mom, makinig na lang kayo kay Reiko. We'll stay here."
Viera immediately shook her head and headed towards Raiden's room. Nagtaka naman ang dalawa sa ginawa ng kanilang nanay kaya sinundan nila ito, pero pinigilan agad ni Raiden ang kaniyang nanay nang makita niya ito na inaayos ang kaniyang gamit sa bag.
"Mom, I'm not going!"
Pilit na hinahablot ni Raiden ang kamay ni Viera pero hindi niya iyon hinayaan.
"Both of you will go."
She said it with authority in her voice.
"Mom, please... don't do this." Halos magmaka-awa na si Raiden sa kaniyang nanay.
Viera's heart broke when he heard the pleading voice of her son. Agad niyang binitawan ang damit ni Raiden at pinikit ang kaniyang mga mata, stopping her tears to fall down. She was exhausted too.
"Hindi niyo kasi ako naiintindihan..." She started as she faced her children. "I want you to pursue your dreams. Diba? Ito naman yung pangarap ninyo. I don't want to be the person who will hold back you in having a good life. I'm not getting young, anymore. Sooner or later, I will die too like your dad. I want you to go so that if I die, you will have a better life than this. Please..."
Their mom was already sobbing, she bursted out all of her tears that she was holding back earlier.
Raiden shifted his eyes to his sister because he felt guilty with his mother's words. Reiko was already crying pero pinipigilan lang niya ang humagulgol. She slowly nodded to Raiden while covering her mouth, as if she was telling Raiden that they should go.
After and hour, dumating nga sa harapan ng kanilang bahay ang dalawang spaceships. One was from C.H.A.I.N and the other one was from the D.G.A.
Malungkot pa rin ngayon sina Raiden at Reiko dahil ayaw talaga nilang iwan ang kanilang nanay, pero ano ang magagawa nila kung si Viera na mismo ang tumutulak sakanila na umalis.
"Can you handle yourself alone?"
Reiko asked her mom because she's really worried for her.
"Yeah, puwede naman akong pumunta kayna Ciara if I want to."
"Please mom, take care of yourself. Wala kami rito para alagaan ka."
Raiden immediately hugged her mom tightly, parang ayaw na nga niyang bumitaw dahil alam niya sa sarili niya na mangungulila siya sa kaniyang ina.
"Ingat din kayo, mas lalo ka na Raiden. Pagbalik mo rito, you are already a grown up. I can't want for that to happen. And also Reiko, alagaan mo rin ang sarili mo." Viera hugged Reiko too with her free hand. Even if she doesn't want her children to go, she doesn't want to be selfish for them. Gusto lang niya ang makakabuti sa kaniyang mga anak.
"Go now. Hinihintay na kayo ng kasama ninyo."
Si Viera na mismo ang humiwalay sa pagkakayakap, dahil kung hindi niya iyon gagawin ay baka mas pipiliin na lang nila ang manatili.
Even if it's difficult for the two them, they smiled at their mother one last time before turning around. Tuloy-tuloy lang ang kanilang paglakad papunta sa ship at hindi na sila lumingon pa dahil mahihirapan lang sila na umalis.
Raiden sighed heavily when he got inside the ship. He slowly lifted his head and he was confused when he saw the sad eyes of his members, except for Trovis who has a blank expression. But he realized that maybe Jackson told them about the news of his father.
"Raiden..." Elora was the one who called him but he just smiled a little.
"Now that we're complete, we will go to the deepest and hidden place of the Artix World. We will conduct our mission here to produce a strong shield for our world, it somewhat similar to our previous mission but here, it's not only Raiden who will work. All of you, with your mystiques. Understood?"
All of them nodded at what Professor Benedict instructed them to do.
"The flight will lasts for seven hours. If you, want you can take a nap." These was the last instruction of Professor Benedict before he went to his seat in front.
Dali-dali namang umupo si Raiden sa metal bench at binagsak ang kaniyang sarili roon. Nakita iyon nila Jackson at hindi nila mapigilang maawa para kay Raiden. They knew that his father just died a week ago at alam din nila na mahirap ito para sakaniya. Nagkatinginan lamang sila bago umupo para daluhan si Raiden pero hindi nila ito kinausap dahil alam nila na nahihirapan at nalulungkot pa rin si Raiden. So even if they are worried for him, they gave him space because he really needs it.
For the whole travel, the ship was really quiet. No one dared to talk, maybe they are also mourning for the death of Raiden's father and also for respect.
The two ships landed smoothly in a rocky place. They finally landed on their destination, the Arcave. The doors of two ships slowly opened and there were smoke again. The two heads of the organizations were the first to go outside of the ships and they were followed with their members.
Ngumiti sa isa't isa sina Professor Benedict at Sir Finland nang magkalapit na sila.
"Well, I guess this is probably our second mission." Nakangiting sabi ni Sir Finland. Tunango naman si Professor Benedict at ngumiti rin pabalik.
"Then let's make this successful."
And with that, they started to walk towards the huge building, it was the only building there.
"This place is called Arcave. It was built in the year 1898. Previous Kings established this to possess a strong shield that will protect the Artix World from any kinds of enemies. Years have passed but no one succeeded. But now, because of our successful mission in Dark Woods, the kings decided to continue their plan this year."
The building was really old, it was made out of red bricks and there were just torches in every meters of the room. Naglakad lamang sila ng diretso sa isang mahabang hallway hanggang sa nakarating sila sa isang open room, there were machines in the center that were organized in a concave shape. On the wall lies a big television. Meron naman ng ilaw na nanggagaling sa ceiling ng room.
"Sir Finland, I think you should do the honor to explain to my members about the context of the shield."
Tumango si Sir Finland sa sinabi ni Professor Benedict at naglakad palapit sa mga machines. He turned the on button and suddenly the television flashed the image of Artix World that was covered with a shield.
"This Project is called AP1070, wherein we will create a very strong force field for your world but that can only be done if we will extract the DNA of archimages who has strong mystiques. The foundation of this shield will be provided by Raiden's mystique but it will strengthen by the mystiques of others, especially the power of Prince Lyon. We, C.H.A.I.N will do all the work here but I had also an agreement with the kings and that is to conduct our study during this mission and it will be headed by my wife, Carolina Finland."
A petite and tall girl with a pale skin and short black hair came out from the members of the C.H.A.I.N at tumabi ito kay Sir Finland.
"The study and the mission will be held at the same time so that we will not consume for another five years. That's why we should cooperate in this so that we can finish this by 1950."
Carolina's voice was sweet and her eyes was alluring while looking at the archimages who are in front of her.
"We'll start the mission and study tomorrow at 6 am. For now, we can rest and C.H.A.I.N will organize the things that we'll be using." Ngumiti si Sir Finland bago siya naglakad paalis sa kuwartong iyon at sinundan naman siya ng kaniyang asawa at ang C.H.A.I.N
"Here is our room. Follow me." Professor Benedict instructed with his low voice. They walked in their left direction and actually there were two hallways that were connecting to the main room of the building.
It was just a narrow hallway and few meters away lies a wooden staircase. Kinuha nila iyon at tumaas para pumunta sa kanilang kuwarto. Pagkataas nila ay may limang pintuan ang bumungad sakanila. Professor Benedict immediately went to the first two doors of the hallway. He opened the first door and they were welcomed with a wide room with six single beds and three wooden cabinets.
"This room is for the boys at yung katabing kuwarto naman ay para sa mga babae. Rest for now because tomorrow will be a long and tiring day. I'll just call you if dinner comes."
Sambit ni Professor Benedict at tumalikod na para bumaba sa second floor ng building. Pumasok na rin sina Jackson sa loob at papasok na rin sana si Raiden nang tawagin siya ni Elora.
"Raiden,"
Lumingon si Raiden para tignan si Elora.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm okay Elora. Don't worry about me. I'll need a rest and you too."
"Okay, if you need something else, andiyan lang ako sa tabing kuwarto."
Elora was hoping that Raiden would look at her eyes, dahil nakatingin lamang ito sa baba. Pero naiintindihan pa rin ni Elora si Raiden.
"Thank you, Elora."
Hindi pa sana aalis doon si Elora dahil gusto niyang samahan si Raiden pero tinawag na siya ni Aleah mula sa kanilang kuwarto kaya sumunod na rin siya para pumasok. Raiden just sighed and went inside of their room. Deretso lang siya sa paglalakad at pinili ang pangalawang kama na nasa tabi lang ni Lyon.
Sinulyapan ni Lyon si Raiden pero mukhang hindi niya iyon napansin dahil hindi siya tumingin pabalik.
"Raiden, if you want to have a talk, we're free."
Sambit ni Lyon mula sa likod ni Raiden. Tumango na lamang si Raiden habang nilalabas niya ang kaniyang mga gamit mula sa bag.
After an hour, nakatulog na ang mga kasama ni Raiden dahil sa pagod, maliban na lamang sakaniya dahil hanggang ngayon ay nangungulila pa rin siya sa kaniyang mga magulang. He can't sleep because his mind was filled with memories of his family, and he felt a sting in his chest while reminiscing those.
Bumangon siya mula sa pagkakahiga dahil hindi na talaga siya makatulog. He decided to go out of the room and he was walking like a cat para hindi niya magising sina Lyon. When he closed the door, he just walked straight of the hallway at napataas ang kaniyang kilay nang may makita na namang staircase sa dulo ng hallway. He didn't think twice anymore and he went upstairs.
Bumungad sakaniya ang isang malawak na rooftop. Hindi siya makapaniwala na may rooftop pala yung building dahil sobrang luma na ito. But his eyes squinted when he saw a man standing in the edge of the rooftop. Agad siyang naglakad papalapit sa taong iyon at doon lamang niya napagtanto na si Professor Benedict pala iyon.
"Can't sleep?"
Nahalata na kaagad ni Professor Benedict ang presensya ni Raiden kahit hindi siya lumingon. Tumabi naman sakaniya si Raiden at sabay nilang pinagmasdan ang imahe ng lugar. It was just a plain view.
"Yes, Professor Benedict. How about you?"
"I don't want to sleep." Matipid na sagot niya na pinagtaka naman ni Raiden.
"Condolence, Raiden. I know your father died prior to this mission. But why did you still come?"
Huminga ng malalim si Raiden, naramdaman na naman niya ang lungkot sa kaniyang puso.
"My mother wanted to and also I want to finish this mission. I know my father will be proud of me, us for this."
Tumango naman si Professor Benedict sa sagot ni Raiden. Silence ensued between them, no one dared to open a topic. They were just staring at the rocky image.
"Do you know my mystique, Raiden?"
It was Professor Benedict who broke the silence.
"No, Professor. You didn't show us your mystique during our trainings."
Ito rin ang pinagtataka ni Raiden, hindi niya pa kasing nakikitang magpalabas ng kapangyarihan si Professor Benedict sa tuwing may pagsasanay sila.
"It's because I lost it."
Raiden's forehead furrowed when he heard the answer from him. Naguguluhan siya sa sagot nito.
"My mystique was the four main elements. Fire, water, earth and air. But I lost it when there was a big war happened in our world. It was when many archimages died."
"War?"
Agad na tanong ni Raiden dahil wala naman siyang alam na nagkaroon ng kaguluhan dati sa Artix World.
"Yes. Soon you will know the history, if he comes back."
"He?"
Napangisi si Professor Benedict dahil sa daming tanong ni Raiden. Well, he can't blame him dahil hindi naman niya alam kung ano ang tungkol dito.
It was the history of Artix World that was never written in any context books.
"Aren't you confused with the heads of C.H.A.I.N?"
Professor Benedict suddenly changed the topic, dahil pakiramdam niya ay hindi siya ang tamang tao para sabihin ito.
Napa-isip naman si Raiden sa tanong ni Professor Benedict. Hindi rin niya kasi alam ang isasagot dahil hindi naman niya masyadong pinapansin ang heads ng C.H.A.I.N.
"I don't know, Professor..."
Ngumisi ulit si Professor Benedict.
"They don't have mystiques, Raiden. Can't you notice that they always use those machines and technologies? But the difference is that, they never had any mystiques."
Mas lalong naging interisado si Raiden sa pinag-uusapan nila ngayon ni Professor Benedict. Ngayon lang kasi siya nakarinig ng archimage na wala talagang mystique. It was bizarre for him.
"They are not archimages, Raiden. They are different from us. Do you know why? Because they are humans."
Naguluhan si Raiden dahil sa mga sinasabi ni Professor Benedict. Hindi niya alam kung maniniwala siya sakaniya o hindi.
"Surprising right? Our world is invisible from the mortals, from humans. But because of technology, they figured a way for our world to be seen."
"Does that mean they're bad?"
"I don't know, Raiden. Let's just go with the flow and end this mission. You should now sleep. It will be a tiring day tomorrow."
Seryosong sabi ni Professor Benedict. Tumango na lamang si Raiden kahit ayaw pa niyang bumaba para matulog. Gusto pa niya kasing makipag-usap kay Professor Benedict tungkol sa C.H.A.I.N pero siya na mismo ang nag-utos kaya naglakad na siya pababa sa rooftop.
He headed towards their room, pero hindi niya inaasahan na makita si Trovis na nakasandal sa pader na malapit sa kuwarto nila. Nag-angat ng tingin si Trovis at nagkatinginan sila.
Hindi na lang siya pinansin ni Raiden dahil alam naman niya na magka-away silang dalawa. He continued walking and was about to open the door, but he suddenly stopped when Trovis spoke.
"It's difficult, right? Losing someone you love."
Nanatili lamang si Raiden na nakatayo habang nakahawak sa doorknob ng pinto. Hindi niya alam ang isasagot dahil ngayon lang sila nag-usap ni Trovis.
"But eventually, you'll move forward and start again a happy life." Napakunot ang noo ni Raiden nang marinig niya iyon. Narinig naman niya ang malakas na buntong hininga mula sakaniya. "I know we're enemies but we can be friends, right?"
Raiden promptly raised his head to see Trovis. Hindi siya makapaniwala sa narinig niya pero agad ding gumuhit ang ngisi sa labi ni Raiden at dahan-dahan itong tumango.
Next day, maagang gumising ang lahat ng tao na nasa loob ng building. The members of D.G.A immediately went down after they prepared themselves.
"Raiden, are you okay already?"
Puno pa rin ng pag-aalala ang tono ng boses ni Elora.
"Yeah. I'm already fine, Elora. You don't need to worry about me anymore. We need to focus here in our mission."
Napangiti si Elora nang makita niya rin ang ngiti ni Raiden. She felt immediately happy when she read his thoughts, and she was convinced that Raiden was truly fine.
"Naks naman, si Elora lang talaga ang solusyon eh!" Napalingon sila kay Jackson nang sabihin niya iyon. Umirap naman si Elora at hindi na lamang siya pinansin.
"Okay, we will start with the foundation. Raiden get inside the room."
Tumango agad si Raiden nang inutusan siya ni Sir Finland at papasok na sana siya sa loob ng harangan siya ni Reiko.
"You can do this, right?"
Reiko was concerned to her brother dahil baka hindi niya ito makayanan.
"I'm fine, Reiko. I'm not grieving anymore about our dad." Ngumiti si Reiko sakaniya at tumango.
"Right. Let's end this mission, Raiden."
He entered the wide room and he immediately saw the machine that was placed in the center. Lumapit siya rito at nakita niya ang dalawang transparent tube na naka-attach sa machine.
"Raiden, I need you to hold those tubes when the button beside you turns green. Okay? It will sting a little and you'll only stop if we say so. Understood?"
Tumingin siya sa mga C.H.A.I.N members na nasa harapan niya ngayon. It was the monitoring room, nakikita niya sila dahil gawa sa glass ang bintana. Tumango ito sa sinabi ni Sir Finland.
May kinalikot mula sa labas si Sir Finland at kasabay 'yun ng pabago ng kulay ng button, it turned into green. Kaya agad din niyang hinawakan ang two tubes, but he instantly groaned in pain dahil nakaramdam siya ng hapdi. But it was bearable. Seconds later, Raiden saw that the tube was slowly filled with blue smoke. He thought that it was his mystique since the color of his force field was blue.
The other members had the same test too, it was for the shield that they are creating. Pagkatapos naman ay dumeretso sila sa right side para ganapin ang study ng C.H.A.I.N. Isa-isa silang kinuhanan ni Carolina ng dugo at pagkatapos 'yun ay humiga sila sa single beds na nakahanda rin sa isang testing room na kagaya kanina. There were wires that were glued in their forehead, at sa labas naman ng testing room ay doon nila tinitignan ang kanilang mga DNA.
"After you graduate, you can also work to C.H.A.I.N." Sir Finland said while having their dinner. He was pertaining to the members of the D.G.A.
Napa-isip naman sila sa sinabi ni Sir Finland dahil parang nagustuhan din nila ang trabaho ng mga C.H.A.I.N. They felt cool while watching them work dahil para bang ang dami nilang alam, mas lalo na ang head ng C.H.A.I.N.
"Are you going to work for C.H.A.I.N after this?" Tanong ni Raiden kay Elora pagkatapos nilang kumain ng dinner. They were heading back towards their room.
Napangiti naman ng malungkot si Elora at umiling.
"I'm not. I'm going back to my kingdom after this."
Biglang napatigil si Raiden sa sinabi niya at para bang nabingi siya. Because of it, Elora stopped from walking too.
Raiden felt like his dreams crashed down when he heard it from Elora. Ayaw kasi niya magkahiwalay sila. But hearing Elora that she will leave after this, parang mas gusto niya na bumagal ang takbo ng oras.
"Don't worry. I'll come back to see you. Ako naman ang maghahanap sayo."
"Really? You'll that? You will come back for me?"
"Of course, I will."
Biglang napangiti si Raiden dahil sa narinig niya. Kinuha niya tuloy ang kamay ni Elora at hinalikan iyon.
"I like you, Raiden."
One year had passed, and they are now having a progress to their mission. Mas lalo silang naging busy sa paggawa ng shield at pagkumpleto ng study ng C.H.A.I.N. But now, they are tying a different way.
"Here." Abot ni Trovis ng helmet kay Raiden nang hindi niya makita ang helmet nito.
"Thanks." Sabi ni Raiden at sinuot ang helmet na iyon.
Their friendship had bloomed also for the past months, at pati na rin sa lahat ng members ng D.G.A. Even Aleah who was just new to their group.
"Get inside now." Sir Finland instructed them. They are again in the testing room but now there were eight big cylindrical glass tubes that were placed in the center. They needed to go inside individually since there were eight tubes that were prepared for them.
Pumasok na sila sa loob nang bumukas ang glass door nito, at agad din namang nagsara nang pumasok na sila.
"Increase to level 50. Check their vital signs, okay?"
"Yes sir."
"Go."
And suddenly, a blinding light was projected to each cylindrical glass tubes. That's why the members of the C.H.A.I.N were wearing protective glasses so that they will not be blinded by it. The light got bigger and bigger as the intensity level rise up, until the whole testing room were covered with white light.
A F T E R F I V E Y E A R S
Year 1950.
"Congratulations D.G.A and C.H.A.I.N for completing this very important mission. For D.G.A, may I say you are all graduated!"
Barry Crow congratulated all the members who participated the mission. They were still in the Arcave and the Kings of the different kingdoms went there when they heard that the barrier was already created.
The members of D.G.A are all grown-ups now. They are in their twenty and twenty-one years of age. The bodies of Jackson, Raiden, Lyon, and Trovis became lean and their height also increased. Also with the girls, they have now developed their body, having those curves in right places. Lumaki nga sila sa Arcave.
Raiden immediately hugged Elora after the ceremony, which was followed by Jackson, Aleah, Harem, Lorie, Lyon and Trovis. They did a group hug and was really happy with the success they did.
Humiwalay agad si Lyon sa yakap at tumingin kay Barry. Pero ang pinagtataka ni Lyon ay hindi niya nakita ang kaniyang ama. He just saw Barry Crow, the king's court of his father.
Nang matapos ang ceremony ay dali-dali siyang lumapit kay Barry.
"Barry, where's my dad?"
Nagtaka siya nang mapansin na naging malungkot ang mga mata nito. He didn't heard about his father for five years and he was excited earlier to see him pero nabigo siya nang makita na si Barry Crow ang dumalo.
"Prince..." He started and sighed. "Your father is dying."
-:-
Thank you for reading!
ecyela