August's POV
I feel restless as we walk to this thick forest. Pakiramdam ko ay may parating. It's not bad, and it is not that good either. My gut is telling me to watch out. Pero wala naman akong maramdaman kaweirdohan sa paligid, maliban sa mga pasulpot sulpot na mga demon na nakakalaban namin.
"My sword is slimy." Reklamo naman ni Sephira habang nakangiwing nakatingin ito sa espada na may mga itim na manulasnulas na likido na tumutulo.
"Their blood?" Di ko siguradong sagot dito. This is not a freaking blood anymore. This black thing is like some unknown substance to me.
"It's poison." Sagot ni Sephira sa akin. "Their blood is already a poison that can kill a man once it touched an open wound or swallowed orally."
Parang gusto ko naman punasan ang espada ko dahil sa aking narinig. This is freaking dangerous walking around with a sword who's now full of poison.
"It feels like everywhere is a death zone. Even this thing protecting us, it can kill us anytime." Reklamo ko rito. Paano na lang kasi kung magkamali at ako ang mahampas ng kasama ko o di naman kaya ang naging tanga ng one second at nasugatan ko ang sarili ko sa espada ko? Anything can happen lalo na pagnagkagulo. It's lame to think na masusugatan ko ang sarili ko pero hindi yun maiiwasan na posibilidad. Nothing is impossible in this world.
"Kaya nga mag-ingat tayo, kasi mahirap na kung madali tayo sa sarili lang rin natin katangahan." Sagot naman nito at humampas na naman ito ng may parating na naman na kalaban.
Pakiramdam ko ay naglalaro ako ng plants vs zombies. Walang katapusan 'ata tong wave ng mga demons. Parami ng parami sila at palakas ng palakas din.
Napapansin ko rin na palaki ng palaki ang nakakalaban namin pero napapansin ko rin na tila nasasanay na kami sa pakikipaglaban sa kanila. Kaya mukhang patas lang din. Hindi tulad noon una na halos manlamig na ako sa kaba. If this is only criminals like serial killers or drug lords, hinding hindi ako matatakot. But these things, they fucking look like sadako from the grudge or those horrific horror pictures! Paanong hindi ako matatakot kung ganun ang mukha nila? Sino ang matutuwa kung ganitong klaseng mukha ang makakalaban mo?
"They are getting tougher." Puna ni Sephira.
Tumalon naman ako at mabilis na inihampas sa isang medyo malaking demon ang akong espada pero nakailag ito. Mabilis din akong kumilos at tumama ang espada ko sa leeg nito at naputol ang ulo nito kaya bumagsak itong walang buhay.
Lumapag naman ako at pinunasan ko ang aking pawis. Nakakapagod din itong ginagawa namin. Talo ko pa ang nag-eexercise nito sa gym.
"We are slowly penetrating their defense so the tier of these demons are getting higher as well." Para lang itong isang laro. Patagal ng patagal pahirap at palakas ang kalaban.
"I wonder how strong are the demons waiting for us in the middle." Napaisip na saad nito.
I am already expecting for the worst. Of course the one in the middle is the strongest. The final tier or what they call, the final boss. I wonder kung makakaabot ba ako dun. But I know for sure, Cayden and Luke and others will be able to reach the middle.
"Probably, beyond our ability." Sagot ko naman rito. Okay, I am just stating the reality. Let's admit that I am nothing against with these monsters. Perhaps I can do a thing or two but that's it.
"Watch out!" Sigaw naman ni Sephira at tumalon ito patungo sa likuran ko at biglang may bumagsak doon. "Oh shit, it almost got you! Ang bilis ng isang ito."
Napalingon kaagad ako at isang nakadapang demon na walang buhay ang aking nadatnan.
"Hey two of you be careful!" Sigaw naman sa amin ng isang knight.
Napalunok ako. Hindi ko kaagad ito naramdaman. Masyadong naging madaldal ba ako kaya hindi ko sila napansin? But I am sure that my sensitivity with them is not that weak, or maybe they are getting stronger kaya hindi ko na sila maramdaman.
"It's better na hindi na muna tayo mag-usap Raven. I don't want us to get killed dahil nagchichikahan tayo." Pabirong saad naman ni Sephira sa akin.
Napailing naman ako. That must be lame of that happens. Kaya mananahimik na lang ako. Mamaya na yung kuwentuhan. Pareho lang kaming nakikiramdam sa paligid ng biglang dumami naman ang demons pero biglang naglaho ang mga ito at naging abo.
Pero mas bigla akong nataranta ng may naaninag ako sa di kalayuan na isang bulto na pamilyar sa akin. Naningkit ang aking mga mata at mas lalong napaatras ako ng lumuhod ang mga knights sa harapan nito!
Hindi ako nagdalawang isip na agad nagtago sa isang malapit na malaking kahoy ng hindi napapansin. Marami kami kaya hindi ako nito basta-bastang mapapansin lalo na at sinusuppress ko rin ang aking kapangkayarihan.
Halos hindi na 'ata ako humihinga dahil kinakabahan ako na baka mahuli ako ni Cayden. I am so dead. I know he will try to drag me back to the Academy pero syempre hindi ako papayag. He cannot just drag me out of here dahil gusto niya.
But damn, that was just quick. Alam ko na agad ko rin naitago ang aura ko pero hindi talaga ito nakatakas kay Cayden. He's a monster! And how did he able to find me here? No, maybe he is just randomly stopping by every group to look for me.
"All hail your majesty." Sabay na saad nilang lahat.
Wala akong narinig na sagot mula kay Cayden. Kaya mas lalong kinabahan ako. This means, his angry! Pag hindi ito umiimik, galit ito!
Ilang minutong katahimikan ang nangyari at kahit malamig ang paligid ay pakiramdam ko ay pinagpapawisan ako. Nangyayari talaga ang mga kaweirdohan pag kinakabahan ka. Malamig na nga, pinagpapawisan ka pa.
"I'm looking for my kitten." Nagulat naman ako sa tinuran ni Cayden.
Huh? Nagtaka naman ako dahil sa sinabi nito. Anong sinasabi nitong hinahanap niya ang kanyang kuting? Kailan pa siya nagkaroon ng kuting? Wala naman akong naaalalang may alaga itong kuting o pusa man lang. He's not the type na mag-aalaga ng hayop. Pansin ko na hindi ito mahilig sa mga ganun.
Alam ko na nagtataka din ang mga kasama ko sa tinuran ni Cayden. Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi magtataka di ba?
"We haven't seen any kitten around your majesty." Sagot naman ng kung sino man sa kanila na hindi ko kilala at hindi ko man lang ma-imagine ang mukha basta lalaki ito.
"Have you seen a girl?" Tanong nito.
Fuck! Now, I am sure he's looking for me but I am still thinking about where the hell is that kitten? And what the hell is that doing in the middle of this war?
"We have few girls here, your majesty." Sagot naman ulit ng boses na yun. "All females, raise up." Utos nito,
I heard a rustle sound of the clothing kaya alam ko na tumayo ang iba. Mas lalo akong kinabahan dahil ngayon tumayo ang mga babae ay siguradong mapapansin nila ang aking pagkawala! Why do I have to be so unlucky?
"There are five of you just now. Where is the other one?" Tanong ng boses na yun.
Parang gusto ko na itong lapitan at busalan ang bibig sa daldal nito. Pwede naman siguro na wag na lang niyang pansinin ang mga taong nawawala. With his statement, that is already an elephant dart in front of Cayden's face. I wanted to be invisible right now but I cannot use my ability dahil mas lalong mahuhuli ako nito.
"Checkmate." Biglang saad ni Cayden at halos maisanib ko na ang katawan ko sa puno ng kahoy ng biglang lumitaw ito sa harapan ko na sobrang lapit at nakaharang ang bawat braso nito sa magkabilang gilid ko.
"Found you, my stubborn kitten." He said it with a very seductive voice na halos matunaw na yata ako.
"S-shit." Naisambit ko na lang dahil alam kong wala na akong kawala ngayon nacorner na ako ni Cayden.
"Don't try to escape. You know your ability won't work on me, love." Babala nito sa akin. Totoo yun. My ability won't work on him. Maybe dahil ibang klase din itong si Cayden. Maybe because of his bloodline. "One question, one answer. What is a beautiful woman doing in this fucking land filled with demons that I hate the most?"
It felt like my throat went dry. He's freaking angry! I can see it in his eyes! And I am more nervous dahil nakatingin na sa amin ang mga kasama ko.
"Ahm... Can you move farther? I'm getting uncomfortable with this approximate distance." Saad ko rito at naitulak ko pa si Cayden pero para lang akong nagtulak ng pader. Ni hindi ito natinag.
"I am serving as your protective barrier from this chaotic place. Just imagining, you've been doing your stuff again, slaying demons and base with the miasma sticking around, you killed many already. It makes me want to burn down this place. You know exactly I don't want you to associate with demons—"
"Associating and killing demons are two different thing! Do you think I am making an acquaintance with demons?" Mahinag bulong ko rito. Ayoko rin naman na marinig yun ng ibang tao. Gaya din ni Cayden na bumubulong ito pero kahit bulong yun ay nararamdaman ko ang init ng ulo nito.
"Wether they are different, the fact that you are seeing and clashing with demons are still the same thing. I don't want to go to that nightmare again August. These demons are merciless." Galit na saad nito sa pabulong na paraan.
Nag-igting din ang aking mga baga. "Kaya nga hindi ko sinabi sayo na sasama ako. Dahil alam ko na hinding hindi mo ako isasama. You're treating me like I am a freaking baby! Remember who I am Cayden. I am August. I swallow bullets and blades. And I am no longer the same with my old self. So please, hayaan mo ako. Hayaan mo akong tumulong sa inyo."
"You know I cannot put the risk of your safety." Saad naman nito na ayaw talagang pumayag.
"Just let me this time. I promise, I will no longer break your rules. Just this time." I said it with puppy eyes at paawa effect. Alam ko na ayaw talaga nito pero ramdam ko na rin na papayag na ito.
His jaws is clenching like they are about to snap. Until he was forced to nod like he has no choice but to agree. "Fine. But you will have to stick to my side. And if things will go wrong, you have to save yourself and escape." Saad nito sa akin na parang naghahabalin na.
Napalunok ako bago tumango pero labas sa ilong lang ang sagot ko na yun. Does he really think I'm going to leave everything behind kung nagkagipitan? I am not that coward.
"But I want to stay here. I don't want to join your fleet." Saad ko naman dahil alam ko na aagaw lang doon ng atensyon. Mas marami ang mga kasama ni Cayden kesa dito sa amin.
Nag-igting muli ang bagang nito bago sumagot. "Fine. Then I will be the one who will joining your fleet. After all this shit, be ready. You can't get away with this stunt of your love without a punishment." Seryosong saad nito sa akin and I can't even hint if he is joking or not. So I am sure that he's freaking serious! I will be punished. Maybe he will ground me or put me on detention or worst I will be tortured! Heck, but I will only think about that if all of this are done.
Hinila na ako ni Cayden paalis doon sa pinagtataguan ko at sumalubong naman sa amin ang mga nagtatanong na mga mata at nakatingin yun sa kamay ni Cayden na nakahawak sa akin.
"Everyone, tightened your guard. I will be joining your group and we will finish this war as soon as possible." Saad naman ni Cayden na ngayon ay madilim na naman ang mukha.
"Yes." Kuro naman ng lahat na kahit halatang nagtataka ang mga ito sa aming dalawa ay hindi naglakas loob ang mga ito na magtanong.
Even Sephira doesn't have the gut to ask but throwing confused glances towards me. I don't want to answer their question. Alam ko naman na hindi pa kalat ang tungkol sa amin dalawa ni Cayden especially if it's outside the Academy.
I was walking side by side with Cayden at halos hindi na nga kami nakikipaglaban dahil nasa malayo pa lang ang mga demons ay para na itong mga nauupos na kandila. They are exterminated right away at alam ko na si Cayden ang may kagagawan nun. Ganyan siya kalakas at kagaling. Paano na lang kung lalaban na talaga ito with his full power? Baka parang nanonood na ako ng laban ni San Guko at Majinbu nito.
Masyadong marami na ang mga demon na umaatake and even Cayden could not kill them all kaya tumulong na ang mga knights para patayin ang mga nakakalusot sa depensa ni Cayden.
Tumulong din ako sa pagpatay ng mga demons but Cayden is sticking like a gum to me. Hindi niya ako hinahayaan na makalayo sa kanya. Hinayaan ko na rin dahil naiintindihan ko naman siya.
I can already feel the numbness on my shoulders dahil kanina pa kami nakikipaglaban sa simula. Sa palagay ko ay tatlong oras na kaming nakikipaglaban or more than that. I already lost track of time. Agad na napansin yun ni Cayden kaya hinawakan ako nito and I was dragged towards his chest at naramdaman ko na lang ang kanyang kaliwang braso na pumalibot sa akin and he put my face buried to his chest and screaming was starting to flood the surrounding. Shrieking sounds that is obviously came from the demons. Alam ko na may ginawa na naman si Cayden but I could not see it because he did not let me.
"Ugh, that was gore." Dinig kong reaksyon ng isa sa mga kasama ko.
Agad na napatingin naman ako ang all the demons are now down at napatingin din ako kay Cayden and he is not even sweating at all. Like what is he? Normal pa ba ito?
"H-how can you fight all those demons without even sweating at all?" Takang tanong ko rito.
I know he is great but not to this extent na parang nakikipaglaro lang ito ng jack en poy na hindi man lang pinagpapawisan. Ako nga napapagod na. Hindi ko pa ginagamit ng tuluyan ang kapangyarihan ko pero pakiramdam ko ay parang nauubos na ako.
"It's a bloodline thing, August." Sagot nito sa akin. He's calling me by my name. Shit, galit pa rin ito. Pero mas nakakatakot kung tatawin niya akong love dahil malamang sarcastic yun. "There is no wave of demons coming. That is the final frontline defense. The next phase is the center." Saad naman ni Cayden na tila alam na alam ang geographical order ng Kimera.
"I'm so hungry." Naisaad ko na lang dahil naramdaman ko ang pagkulo ng aking tiyan. I did not even brought food dahil nakalimutan ko na dahil sa pag-iisip ko na hindi ako pwedeng mahuli ni Cayden.
"I-I have food!" Biglang naisigaw naman ni Sephira at lumapit kaagad ito at binigyan ako nito ng sandwich.
"T-thanks." Nahihiyang tinanggap ko yun pero hindi ko tinanggihan dahil nagugutom talaga ako.
"Eat mine." Saad naman ni Cayden.
"Huh?" Napatingin naman ako rito and I saw how he put his sandwich out and given to me.
"I know this is not enough for you but bear with it. We don't have the abundance of food during war." Saad naman nito sa akin.
Alam ko naman yun. Kahit din naman kung nasa isang mission ako ay nakakalimutan ko nga rin minsan ang kumain. Pero hindi ko naman kasi nararamdaman ang gutom. Unlike here na parang nauubos ang enerhiya ko at gutom na gutom na kaagad ako.
"I'm fine with this. I just need to refuel back." Sagot ko rito at tinanggap na ang sandwich ni Cayden.
I was the only one eating there and everyone else are busy with their own business. Walang nakatingin sa amin or they choose not to look at us.
"Next phase, I don't want you to come inside." Saad ni Cayden sa akin na ikinatigil ko sa pagkain.
"And why?" Takang tanong ko rito. Bakit niya pa ako pipigilan? We are already here tapos biglang may ganito na naman pauso si Cayden.
"Inside the wall are all S class demons, there are three super SS class demons and the king. That only means, behind that wall, everything will no longer be easy. Their frontline are just mere puppets to shake us." Paliwanag nito sa akin. I know he's telling the truth and at the same time I am wondering how did he able to know the inside defense of these demons.
Yeah right. The Bloodline thing. I don't know what's going on with their bloodline. O baka naman talagang, kalahi ito ni superman.
"Cayden, I know you feared about my safety. But I know you needed more forces right now than I need. I can handle myself. If I know it will endanger my life, I will be the one who will cease and escape. But please, we are all ready here......let me fight with you, let's both end this war together." Pakiusap ko rito.
Cayden was eyeing me like I am asking for something that is impossible to achieve.
To be continued...