…
***
KACHINO
I put down my flute but my eyes still fixed on Cray when I felt Xiangli leaned closer to me and whispered, “It looks like you've gotten closer to the North, huh.”
“A little” I answered back, my sole focus still on Cray.
Lalong lumawak ang pagkakangisi ko ng makitang lalong nagliyab ang mga mata ng huli at pagkaraa’y tuluyan na itong nagpalamon sa dilim.
‘Hmm, it seems I done something that anger him again.’ With that thought, I can’t help but chuckle silently and then turn my attention back to Xiangli.
“It’s time.” Ako at the same time the door leading to the heart of the castle opened.
Immediately, the music halt and everyone stopped what they were doing at napatingin dito. The most dreaded part of this event has finally come.
From all of us, unang kumilos si Cairo. Lahat ng mata nakatuon dito. With such confident stride, tinungo nito ang pinto. Ngunit bago ito tuluyang makapasok, one of the Vultures emerge from the darkness making the former stopped on his track.
My lips curled upward when I smell the fear coming out from my colleagues nang makita nila ang Vulture.
‘Seems the Vultures no longer suppressing themselves, huh.’ My evil mind said.
I watched Cairo calmly pulled out his black invitation from his pocket at pinakita ito sa Vulture at pagkatapos tuluy-tuloy na itong pumasok.
The black invitation he showed is another invitation given only to the powerful Houses in Zyralkire.
Ilang saglit pa ay sumunod na rin ang iba.
“Time to go.” Wika ko kay Xiangli.
“Hmm, I was hoping this won’t come.” Kunwaring nalulumong balik nito but knowing the man it might be the opposite.
Pagkasabi’y tumungo na kami.
I didn’t bother presenting mine basta tuluy-tuloy lang kami ng humarang sa daraan namin si Lathan.
“He’s not allowed.” Malamig na wika nito habang nakatingin sa kasama ko.
Xiangli was about to say something but I gesture him to stopped. Instead, I fished out my invitation from my small black purse together with a pen and cross out my name and changed it into Xiangli bago binigay ito kay Lathan.
“Tss, are you kidding me?” Lathan said darkly. A threatening aura expelling from his body.
Lumapit ako dito, not bothered one bit to the dark aura coming out from him, and leaned closer to him “C’mon, Lathan.” Saad ko while fixing the collar of his tuxedo, “He’s harmless.” Pagkukumbinsi ko pa.
“Tsk, everyone who’s with or lurking around you is nothing but harmless, Ryker.” Balik nito tsaka tinanggal nito ang kamay ko na nakapatong sa dibdib nito.
Marahan akong natawa, “Well, can’t argue about that.” And then I stepped back.
After doing this, Xiangli immediately snaked his arm around my waist tugging me possessively towards him, “Move, Vulture or else…” seryosong usal ni Xiangli in a language that only the member and a few powerful warriors of royal Famiglia can understand. And there’s a promise of death on it.
Tila natigilan naman si Lathan. At bago pa ito makahuma, Xiangli immediately tugged me inside.
“Such irritating pests.” Iritang usal ni Xiangli nang tuluyang makapasok na kami.
“I wouldn’t underestimate them, if I were you.” Ako
“They’re just Vanguards.” Balewalang sagot naman nito.
Indeed, they are but they’re Vaguards that can almost par the Vulkan. Ngunit imbes na isatinig ito, I just shrugged. After that, wala ng nagsalita sa’min.
We are both silent the whole way 'til we stop beside a pair of double doors.
“Ready?” Xiangli
“Always” nakangising balik ko naman and at the same time he pushed the doors opened.
As he did, we are immediately greeted by powerful auras. Tulad ng dumating kami kanina ay mabilis na natuon na naman lahat ng mata sa’min particularly on the man beside me. But just like earlier, we just ignore them at tinungo ang bakanteng upuan. Mabilis na pinaghila ako ni Xiangli ng silya at nang tuluyan na akong maupo, umupo naman ito sa kanan ko.
Mabilis kong pinaglandas ang mata ko, all ten leaders were already here seated on their respective seats.
And finally, my eyes landed on them, the Elders. A sinister smile escape from my lips. Ngunit lalo pa itong lumawak nang mapako ang tingin ko sa hari ng South Kingdom. Hmm, I wonder if the Elders even knew that the man beside them is just Saeran’s persona.
Kahit sa pagtitipong ito ay di pa rin dadalo si Saeran. Well, madalang sa madalang naman ito talaga magpakita. Kung ako nga, isang beses ko palang nakakaharap ito simula ng nakawin ko ang katauhang ito, and that was when she found out about who I really am. Then the others were her persona na.
“Ah, I didn’t know that Ryker’s a gorgeous woman. And you also brought a guest.” Pagbabasag katahimikan ni Rowan Covington kaya napunta ang tingin ko dito.
“Why thank you, Mr. Covington. Ah, yes. Hope you don’t mind.” Kibit balikat na sagot ko.
Tila hindi naman nagustuhan ng karamihan ang tila pagsagot ko sa Elder na para isang normal na tao lang ito.
“Mind who are you talking to, Ryker.” Someone from the North angrily said.
“I just answered the old man.” Ako tapos tumingin kay Rowan, “Did I offend you or something?”
“You really pushing your luck.” Pagkaraa’y isang nagyeyelo’t nakakahindik balahibong tinig ang pumailanglang. Stopping Rowan from answering, kung sasagot man ito.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Xiangli or better to call him in his real name, Carson, clenched his jaws and his hand curled into a fist when the owner of the voice showed himself. But this only last for a couple of seconds bago ito bumalik sa pagiging kalmado.
Almost everyone in the room except the Elders, Hecate, Carson and me, immediately stood up from their seats at mabilis na nagbigay galang sa hari ng buong Zyralkire.
“I’m merely answering and asking your father.” Painosenteng sagot ko, “My king.” Pahabol ko pa at walang takot na sinalubong ang mata nito.
Halos gulat na napatingin sa’kin ang karamihan and then little by little changed it into deathly daggers. A look that want me ripped into pieces from answering back Paine.
“You mannerless dog.” Hindi na nakatiis na wika ni Cairo at the same time expelling some of his abilities.
Ngunit bago pa ito tuluyang tumama sa’kin ay I immediately controlled it. And of course, I wouldn’t just let him off the hook, so I sent it back to him taking him by surprise and so the others.
Some from the north, wanted to do the same to me, but I am faster than them. My invisible threads curled up around their body, immobilizing them, then the end point which is a sharp and poisonous needle, position on their chest where the heart exactly is.
“Okay, that’s is enough Ryker. So with you Cairo.” Pagkaraa’y malamig na utos ni Hecate sa’min.
Cairo’s already back on his feet and wiping the blood away from his mouth, but his eyes which are fixed on me, scream bloody murder.
I shrugged then release them bago tinuon ang atensyon ko sa limang pinakamatataas na tao sa Zyralkire. Samantalang igting panga lang na tumango si Cairo.
“Ahh , take it easy Sweetheart.” Bulong ni Carson sa’kin.
Nagkibit-balikat lang ako.
“Such arrogant dog.” It was Rychima.
The corner of my mouth curled upward and scoffed, “I wouldn’t call that arrogance.”
“You” Rychima said darkly.
What? What did I do? Then chuckled silently. But then I felt something crawling on me ‘til paralyzing my whole body and then something gripped my neck tightly.
I didn’t make any move to be from free from it, instead hinayaan ko lang ito.
Nagpatangay lang ako, that I even let it forcefully dragged me and made me on my toes. The gripped becoming tighter and finally cutting my air supply. And If it decided to squeeze some more, for sure my windpipe will finally crush.
Kahit nassa ganito na akong sitwasyon, no one dare to move. They just watch me. Well, almost everyone enjoying watching me choke, and at the same time wishing that the terrifying Elder end me, well except for Carson. I know he was itching to help me but I did tell him earlier not to do unnecessary move to ruin my plan.
Samantalang, si Cray nama’y walang pakialam lang na tinungo ang upuan nito, the throne of King of Zyralkire. At nang makaupo, malamig lang na mga matang pinanuod ako.
My evil mind laugh at this. Damn, the son of a b*tch.
I can already see dots on my vision and that’s when I felt it gone. I’m no longer paralyze and air started rushing back on my lungs again. Who?
“Rowan.” Rychima thundered that some even flinched.
“What? It such a waste killing her.” I heard him said.
Meanwhile, after I finally nursed my lungs, “That was instense.” tapos tinuon ko ang paningin ko kay Rowan, “Thanks, Mr. Covington. I owe you this life.” I said insincerely while still massaging my neck.
But he didn’t answer, instead he was just watching me with amusement.
Nilipat ko ang tingin ko kay Rychima na masama pa rin ang tingin sa’kin then to Xander at marahang yumukod sa mga ito, “My apology for my rudeness and so for the mistakes that my House inflict to the empire.” Pagkaraa’y wika ko.
“You think you can fool us.” This time it was Xander Santorini.
‘It seems my insincerity didn’t go unnoticed.’ A small smirk grace my lips, bago inangat ang ulo ko, “What can I do, apologies really not in my book…my lord.”
I know I’m putting my life on doing this but I can’t help it. My blood screams in excitement when I am able to squeeze some anger from them.
“You really have no fear.” Xander Santorini
At bago pa ako makasagot, naunahan na ako ni Hecate, “Of course, that’s a given. Do you really think I will create someone that will cower in fear or succumb in front of an Elder or another king?”
Woah! I didn’t expect na tutulungan ako ni Hecate. Ngunit medyo napailing din ako. Well not exactly rin kasi If I analyzed it better, he’s defending Saeran not me, per se, kasi Ryker is one of her many creations, after all.
“No, definitely not. Knowing you.” Napalatak na sagot dito ni Rowan, “Anyways, I think we are getting away why we are all here.” Pag-iiba na nito ng usapan.
Knowing what he said was right, umayos naman na ang lahat.
“The Moirs already made a big move. And we all know they got quite the South.” Pag-uumpisa ni Henry, another from the North.
“Yes, they did.” Simpleng sagot ko naman, “But you’re also forgotten the Hretha barely survive.”
“But at least that House survive. How about yours?” Dargo
Ah, they trying to crush me down.
“Zithor might be no more, but it didn’t weaken the South.” Prenteng sagot ko.
“The South main backbone is Hades Gate right? And Zithor is one of the main pillar of this backbone. Everyone’s not a fool what that’s mean.” Cairo
Then isa isa na ring nagkomento ang iba. Enumerating all the ruckus I’d made so far.
Hearing all of this is really amusing.
“It seems all of this pointing into one direction…a punishment.” Singit ni Carson.
Kaya napunta ang atensyon dito.
“Ah, we almost forgot you.” Rowan tapos napatingin sa'kin, “Who is this guest you brought?”
But before I or Carson can answer him naunahan na kami ni Hecate.
“He’s Carson.” Hecate uttered coldly dahilan matigilan ang naruruon.
Meanwhile, Carson grin widely upon hearing this and then slowly remove his mask, intentionally showing the intricate ink swirling around each of his finger, bago tuluyang tinanggal ito.
“Good to know, you still recognize me…Searan.” And the way he mentioned Hecate’s real name is like he was mocking him.
With my keen eyes, I saw how Hecate stiffened from his seat. I silently smirked. Well, kung ito ang persona ni Saeran, si Carson nama’y si Xlade making the latter much much stronger. And then tinuon ni Carson ang atensyon nito sa mga Elders, “Good to see you again, you three.”
“Well, great time to show yourself. You’d gone for ages, kid! I thought it was just me dreaming you actually exist, in the first place.” Rowan
Carson just chuckled about this and then turn his attention to Cray, “It’s been a while, Paine. By the way, congrats being the King. I thought it would be Saeran…but anyways congrats.”
A heavy tension blanketed us.
“You have finally showed yourself.” Crayton
I know the Santorini’s dying to hear what will he answer.
“Well, it’s about time. Besides, I’m here because of someone.”
“And who could that be?” nagyeyelong wika ni Crayton.
“Ryker.” Simpleng saad nito Carson at ngimisi ito ng malawak while I noticed how Crayton’s eyes darkened immensely.
“What do you mean?” sabad naman ni Rychima.
“After sending Bultari to kill her but failed miserably. I came to help her because I know you won’t stop ‘til you hold her life.”
Natitigalgal naman ang lahat sa narinig. Well, can’t blame them. The Bultari are Elders’ executioners. But how fool of them to think they can kill me with that.
“You sent a Bultari.” Gulat wika ni Rowan.
“A lesson must be taught.” Malamig lang na balik ni Xander tapos nakakakilabot na tumingin ito kay Carson, “You, of all in here, must know that.”
“Indeed, but if we are now talking about Ryker…” Carson and this time displaying his real self, “That’s a different story now. You will not touch what is mine or else…” a dark possessive and menacing aura leaking out of him.
“You seem to found a liking to Ryker.” Crayton said icily enough for the hair at the back of my neck to stood up.
"Do you have a problem with that?” Carson bite back.
I’m impressed to see Carson hold his ground perfectly and didn’t back down.
Because of this another tension enveloped us, but this time it's now suffocating due to Paine that few started to loosen their bow ties.
But for me it was nothing instead I just calmly watch the two when I heard the door burst open, momentarily distracting everyone. Well, except for Carson and Crayton who still seemingly having their silent battle.
And since I was in the mood of being a curious cat, I averted my gaze at the door where the newcomer making her way towards us, her face bare from any mask.
Aside from that, two Vultures, Orion and Jax, were accompanying her.
"Don't you think you're dwelling too much on one person." The woman said in an old language dahilan para kahit papano makuha na rin nito ang atensyon nina Carson at Crayton.
I silently and quickly assessed her. Her presence is eerily quiet. No threat or anything. But this kind is a terrifying one.
And seeing she can easily put the two fully awakened Vultures in her fingers is enough proof of that.
A cheshire grin immediately erupted from my lips. Oh, this is getting exciting.
Tahimik ko lang itong pinagmasdan hanggang sa makaupo ito.
"I hope you don't mind.” wika nito kay Crayton, gesturing to the two Vultures na sa wakas tila nakawala na dito.
Hindi naman kumibo si Crayton. While Orion and Jax immediately blend themselves to the dark corner of the room.
“Yliore.” pagkaraa'y anas naman ni Xander kaya napuntan ang tingin ko dito.
'Interesting.' I thought to myself. Even if the elder's face is covered with a mask and look indifferent, I can still able to read him.
He's certainly surprised to see the woman.
Nilipat ko ang tingin sa iba, even Rychima and Saeran's persona but Rowan on the other hand. He is quite calm like he is already anticipating this and so with Crayton.
"Good to see you again, Xander." sagot ni Yliore kay Xander in their old language but her eyes trained on one particular person. The King of Zyralkire.
This woman... the corner of my lips curled up.
"Yes, indeed." Tipid na balik ni Xander at di na muling nagsalita pa but his eyes still fixed on the woman.
Halos tahimik lang ang lahat. Compare to the other leaders who don't have any clue to what they were saying, I can perfectly understand their exchanges.
"But how?" Mahinang anas ni Rychima dahilan para mapatingin dito si Yliore at pinakatitigan ito tapos medyo ipinilig nito ang ulo, "Impressive." Tapos tumingin kay Xander, "She might not be a kryton but..." pagkaraa'y napangisi bago binalik ulit ang tingin kay Rychima.
"To answer you...Rowan was able to save my body and patched it up."
She must be referring to the time where the Great Arnos Talitha hunt her children and killed them and after that she end herself.
According to what I've researched, Talitha's children were a force to be reckoned with. They were more powerful than Draco's and Garmantor's, meaning Yliore is much powerful than Xander and Rowan.
I saw how little by little anger rolled in waves on Xander. I was anticipating for him to lash out his anger pero hindi ito nangyari...
"I believe you already learned about Zyralkire and everyone." instead Xander calmly said but there is something terrifying in it.
"Yes and I'm willing to lend a hand in destroying the Moirs." Yliore pero napahinto ako sa sunod pang sinabi nito, "But don't you think it is time to abolish this foolish division of this empire." Tapos tumingin ito kay Hecate, "It's time for the South to succumb to the North, after all there's only one true king." She give an emphasize to the last one.
Saglit na dumaan ang katahimikan. A different tension enveloped us. Both Famiglia need to tread carefully or else...
"Well, that's true." Pagkaraa'y nagyeyelong sabi ni Hecate.
"But Rogue is not yet fully familiar with the South." Rychima
"I don't think so." Yliore
Well, she's right. Cray knew a lot of things na hindi alam ng lahat.
"And even if that's the case, I can help him." Dagdag pa nito.
"You only woke up recently." Xander
"But it is enough to dig and know everything. You know very well what am I capable of." balik dito ni Yliore.
"Then do whatever you want." Hecate.
"Saeran." Mariin sabi dito ni Xander but Hecate ignore him.
Hmmm, it was impossible na papayag na lang si Saeran. What is she planning to do? Natigil lang ako sa pag-iisip ng possibleng plano nito nang magsalita ulit si Yliore.
"Ah, aside from lending you a hand, I also want to propose a union to you, Rogue Crayton Covington."
Pagkarinig dito, the corner of my lips twitched. Habang halos manlaki naman ang mga mata ng karamihan. Meanwhile, Carson silently chuckle beside me and grumble something pero hindi ko masyadong narinig.
"Well, that's unexpected." Rowan but he was clearly overjoyed about it.
"I do not need a union right now. Look for someone else." Walang emosyong sagot naman dito ni Cray.
"My kind do not settle with something less, I can wait." Nakangising balik dito ni Yliore tsaka binalik ang tingin sa lahat, "So... let settle the final arrangement of this empire."
At sa sumunod na sandali nga ay ito ang naging agenda hanggang sa ako na naman ang naging sentro ng usapan.
"I want Ryker be under my wing." Yliore
"Ryker is indispensable right now. She will remain under Hades Gate." walang kaemo-emosyong sabi naman ni Hecate dahilan para mapangisi ako.
"Now, that Carson is back. It would be a waste if he'll just stay on the sideline. He is Xlade's which makes him perfect" Yliore.
The wench just laid out a perfect card. Tumingin ako kay Carson and silently told him to do something.
"Sorry, sweetheart. But what they were suggesting favors mine." He whispered bago nilipat nito ang tingin kay Hecate, "Let me handle the House." Seryosong sabi nito.
That bastard! They're trying to clipped my black wings.
Sumandal sa kinauupuan nito si Hecate tila nag-iisip but what he said next made me curled my hand into fist, "Then, go ahead."
Damn! Pagkasabi nito'y dumako ang tingin ni Yliore sa'kin, and I didn't miss the evilness that cross her eyes.
She is really a force to be reckoned with, because she was able to forcefully push me in her trap.
I let out a dark smile.
Or did she really?
...
***
THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION
PLAGIARISM IS A CRIME