STRICTLY NO TO SILENT READERS; gusto kong sagutan nyo 'rin yung mga riddles na mababasa nyo bago kayo dumeretso sa sagot na nasa susunod na chapter. Okay? HAHAHAHAHA para enjoy 😂 PLS PLS PLS PLS PLS PLS PLS PLS PLS
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That brunch was the most awkward brunch I had in my entire life. Would you ever imagine yourself in a situation in which, you are sitting with strangers— not to mention, dangerous strangers whom you can't even distinguished if you should trust them or not.
Tahimik kaming lahat, at halos kalampag lamang ng kubyertos at ang panaka-nakang tahol ni Wolfy sa aking gilid ang naririnig. Sinulyapan ko si Stanley na nasa harap ko na parang kanina pa lutang, si Yvonne na nasa kanan ko at nakikiramdam katulad ni Archangel na nasa kaliwa ko naman. Sa pinakadulo, sa gitna ay nandoon nakaupo si Alpha na sa kanang banda naman, sa pinakadulo at gitnang upuan rin ay nakaupo si Dustine na nakikiramdam rin.
I sighed. Bakit ba umabot sa ganito? Hindi ko rin alam.
Nauna akong matapos kumain dahil medyo busog pa ako— o hindi lang ako makakain ng maayos dahil sa tensyon na nakapaligid sa amin. Kahit gayon ay hindi ako tumayo lalo na't nakakabastos 'yon. Muli ay nakiramdam ako hanggang sa isa-isa silang natapos kumain. Akala ko'y aalis na kami ngunit nagsalita si Alpha.
“Let's discuss about my plan.”
Kahit kailam ay halos mapalundag pa rin ako kapag naririnig ko ang kanyang boses. Huminga ako ng malalim at pilit ikinalma ang nanginginig kong kamay. Inilagay ko iyon sa aking binti at doon ay palihim na kinuyom. No, I'm not mad— angry nalang. I mean, hindi na gan'on sa kanina ang inis ko sa kanya lalo na't nalaman kong sya pala ang sumagip sa akin. Well, sige pinapatawad ko na sya.
“Let's help each others.” Simpleng sabo nito na may pinalidad, na syang napakahirap paniwalaan.
“Tutal isa lang naman 'yung pinunta natin dito, 'di ba? At iyon ay ang maghanap ng scrolls.” Prince seriously said— who's beside Alpha as his right hand. Seryoso sya ngayon dahil mahalaga ang aming pinag uusapan ngunit tuwing magagawi ang tingin nya sa akin ay ngumingiti ito na siyang aking sinusuklian naman.
“You'll help us?” Dustine said like that was the most impossible thing that will happen. Tumingin ako sa kanya at sa unang pagkakataon ay nag uuyam na tumingin ito kay Alpha. “You're not planning something under your sleeves? Am I wrong?”
“Captain.” Mariing pagkakasabi ni Red sa kanya ngunit hindi lamang nito inalis ang tingin kay Alpha. Instead, Dustine crossed his arms as he leaned on his seat like he's the king of this area. Nabaling ang tingin ko kay Alpha nang marinig ko itong bumuntong hininga.
Then, he look at my side. “No. I won't let that happen again.” Which just made my chix heated as I averted my gaze on him. Grabe, ayoko talaga iyong ganito!
“How can you be so sure?” I heard Dustine asked again. I don't know but I anticipated his answer that's why I look at him again. But this time, he's the one who averted his gaze on our staring contest.
“I'll bet under my rank and guild. Once I did something against the plan we will create, you can have them all.” I heard gasp, even I saw myself looking at Alpha with wide eyes. What the heck!
“Are you serious?” Red asked, disbelief was visible on his voice. Nakita kong tumingin lamang dito sandali si Alpha bago tumingin muli kay Dustine.
“Are you in?” I saw him raised his eyebrow in manly way. Nakakunot rin ang noo nito habang nakatingin kay Dustine.
“But Alpha—”
“Shut it, Priestess. I don't want to hear it.” Mariing pagkakasabi nito. I even saw him threw a glare on the poor girl that caused her to pale— fear was visible on her face. I saw Archangel bit his lowerlip like she doesn't want something like this to happen.
Nagulat ako nang makarinig ng kalampag— mula kay Demon na ngayo'y parang inis na inis na. “How dare you bet your own rank and guild to this kind of…” Hindi nito tinapos ang kanyang sinasabi habang umiiling-iling. “I can't believe it. Just for a—”
“Are you against of my decision?” Alpha asked with his low and cold voice, but it seems like it doesn't have any effect on Demon— or maybe she's just good at hiding it.
“Yes!” Buong tapang na sagot ng babae, kahit na nakita ko ang mariin na pagkakakuyom ng kanyang kamao na nanginginig na ngayon.
“Then lead the guild, would you?” Natahimik ito. “As your leader, this is my decision, and I want to partner up with the Anonymous. Is it clear?” Walang sumagot sa kanila. “Hellfire, I'm asking you.” Mas mariin at mas maauthoridad na sabi ni Alpha na dahilan upang mapilitan silang sumagot.
“Yes, captain.” Sabay-sabay nilang sagot. Napanganga ako dahil sa takot nila kay Alpha. Or maybe it's not the fear, but the loyalty?
Hindi ko tuloy alam kung anong mayroon kay Alpha kaya't hindi nila ito maiwan.
Tumingin ako kay Alpha. Hindi ko alam pero pakiramdam ko'y kahit mag isa lamang ito'y kayang kaya nya pa ring maging malakas. Pinag aralan ko syang mabuti. Aside from his handsome face and adonis-like body which I think, aren't the reason why they are so loyal to him, I wonder what are the reason to the point that they're willing to do anything for him even if it's against their will.
I felt Yvonne tugged me by my arm, that woke me up from staring at him. “Matunaw.” Bulong nito at mahinang tumawa. Bigla akong nasamid kahit walang iniinom kaya't mabilis kong inabot ang aking tubig. Oh my god. What am I even doing?!
“You okay?” Stanley who's in front of me, asked. Doon ko lang napansin na napatayo ito dahil sa pagkataranta. Tumango ako at ngumiti. Hindi ko alam pero sa gilid ng aking mata'y nakita ko ang muling pag upo ni Alpha. Oh, tumayo pala sya?
Nabaling ang tingin namin kay Dustine nang tumikhim ito. “Fine, we'll accept your partnership.” Seryoso itong tumingin sa harap nya at kahit hindi ako nakatingin kay Alpha ay alam kong seryoso rin ito.
“Good. Now let's discuss about it.” Hindi ko alam kung kailan pa ako naging conscious sa mga galaw nya, ngunit nakita ko syang inilagay ang dalawa nyang kamay sa lamesa pagkatapos nyang iusog ang kanyang pinagkainan at pinagsalikop iyon. Nakita kong sumulyap ito sa akin kaya't mabilis akong nag iwas ng tingin. Huminto iyon kay Stanley na seryoso at tahimik akong pinapanood. I awkwardly smiled at him.
***
“Okay ka na?” I look from where the voice coming from and saw Archangel with her outfit— green medieval armor— leather green croptop and gray armor on her top— her tummy was exposed, brown leather covered with armor short, brown coat on her back and high knee brown boots which suits her medics or let me say, mage look.
“Yeah.” Simpleng sagot ko dito kahit na ang suot ko lamang ay iyong parang school uniform at cloak sa aking likuran. Hindi naman na ito nagtanong pa at siguro'y iniisip nyang wala akong balak makipaglaban. Well, they won't let me. Hindi pa naman daw ako nakakarecover.
Sabay kaming bumaba, at doon ay nakita ko sila na nasa sala. Wolfy ran to where I am which I sat down to carry him. Nang tumayo ako ay nakatingin sila sa akin. Alpha turned his back when he saw me.
“Let's go.” Dustine said with his cold voice, hindi tulad kapag kami ang magkakasama na seryoso nga sya, pero hindi ganito na malamig ang kanyang boses.
I sighed. Hindi ito maiiwasan. Kahit nga ako'y hindi ko alam kung magtitiwala ba ako sa kanila. Kahit kay Archangel na mabait sa akin ay nahihirapan ako. You know, we're still strangers to everyone. Baka iniisip nilang may iniisip kami sa kanila, at gan'on din sila sa amin. Hindi iyon maiiwasan, 'di ba?
I sighed. Alpha opened the door but instead of going out, he remained where he was, standing, looking in front of him like something surprised him, big time.
“Alpha?” Archangel, who's beside me, asked. Nacurious din ako dahil napahinto rin silanat nakatingin sa labas. Bakit? May ano sa—
“What the heck?” Naibigkas ko nang makita ang nasa harapan. In front of us— no. It was like we are inside a portal. Halo-halong liwanag at paikot-ikot ang nasa buong paligid. Dark colors with some lights like stars. Nakakahilong tumingin dito ngunit ang kadahilanang—
“Anong ginagawa natin dito?” I asked Marky— who's just beside me but he has this look on his face like it surprised him too.
“Maybe it was already the quest of each the door we entered.” Prince said seriously. Nakita kong tumango si Alpha bago sinarado ang pinto.
“What now?” Red asked. Iyon rin sana ang itatanong ko.
Alpha closed the door as he faced us. “Let's wait for whatever might happen.” He stated the obvious, nevertheless, all of us nodded.
Maya maya'y inilahad ni Prince ang living room— particular ay ang sofa at sa tingin ko'y gusto nyang umupo kami. His guild mates were the first ones to sit down while we stayed standing. Naramdaman ko ang paglapit nila sa aking kinatatayuan— at pati na rin sya na napakalakas ng kanyang presensya sa akin.
“Sit.” Alpha, who's beside me whispered. Nasa harapan ang kanyang paningin ngunit alam kong para iyon sa akin. I shook my head. I heard him sighed.
“We'll wait?” Yvonne asked.
“We'll wait.” Dustine answered.
Hindi nagtagal ay may lumabas na mga hologram na letra sa itaas namin. Kumunot ang noo ko nang mabasa kung ano-ano ang mga nakakagay d'on.
What will you add to 9 to make it 6?
It's best if you use me, but do keep me cool and especially don't lose me, because without me you're useless. What am I?
I never was, am always to be. No one ever saw me, nor ever will. And yet I am the confidence of all, to live and breath on this terrestrial ball. What am I?
I'm at the beginning of time and part of past, present and future. I'm part of history, but not of here and now. In a moment you'll find me, if you know what I am. What am I?
I am weightless, but you can see me. Put me in a bucket, and I'll make it lighter. What am I?
There are four siblings in this world, all born together. The first runs and never wearies. The second eats and is never full. The third drinks and is always thirsty. The fourth sings a song forever.
What is it that you will break even when you name it?
Whoever makes me can hear me, but nobody else can. What am I?
Voiceless it cries and wingless it flutters, toothless it bites and mouthless it mutters. What is it?
I'm easy to get into, but hard to get out of. What am I?
I can bring tears to your eyes and a smile to your face. I form in an instant and last for a lifetime, but I can be forgotten. What am I?
You heard me before, yet you hear me again, but then I die, until you call me again. What am I?
You can swallow me, but I can consume you too. What am I?
Die without me, never thank me. Always watching, never speaking. Always lurking, never seen. What am I?
It's been around for millions of years, but it's no more than a month old. What is it?
What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?
Light brings me to life, but darkness kills me. What am I?
What binds two people yet touches only one?
Napatingin kami sa isang batang babaeng biglang lumabas sa dingding na animo'y bigla itong tumagos. She smile at us, before she settled herself at the stair's handle with his foot crossed.
“Answer all of these riddle and this quest will be completed.” Sobrang bata ng boses nito ngunit may pagkamaarte dahil imbis na sa amin tumingin habang sinasabi iyon ay sa kuko nya sa kamay sya nakatingin at hinihipan-hipang pa iyon.
But wait. Riddles?
Sabay-sabay na nagtinginan sa akin ang mga kaguildmates ko. Tinaasan ko sila ng kilay. “What?”
Kayne smirked. “Riddle queen.” He even pointed me. I rolled my eyes.
Ako kasi ang laging mataas ang nakukuha sa riddle namin noon sa research. Yes, our subject teacher was so cool that she even gave us riddles to answer in our quizzes— and those can answer it right has plus points. Siguro ay masyado lang akong nag eenjoy sa mga riddles noon kaya't nasasagot ko ang iba. Oo, iba lang, hindi naman lahat, jusko lang 'di ko keri 'yon.
“Come on, Princess. Alam kong masasagutan mo ang mga 'to.” Stanley grinned. Sinimangutan ko sila.
“I'll try. But still, help me.” Sa dami-rami ba naman ng riddles na 'to eh! Hmp!
“Of course we will.” Sabay-sabay nilang sagot. Tumingin ako sa kabilang guild at nakita kong tumango naman ang iba. Okay, kahit hindi lahat ang tumango ay okay na rin.
Muli ay tumingin ako sa mga hologram na nasa itaas. I heaved sigh as I faced them again. “And I need a pen and paper.”
Bring it on, riddles.