Tale 19
In the Still of the Night
"Why are we here?" tanong ni Aurio.. Lumitaw sila sa isang dalampasigan. Kung paano nakakapagteleport si Amara, hindi na importante ang detalye kay Aurio. She can do weird things. Period.
"I'm looking for something." Amara
"I thought you want to teach me alchemy?" Aurio
"When I have the time." Amara
"I should have just stayed at the guild huhu.." Aurio
"Don't be silly. Even if I don't spend much time teaching you, you will learn better things from me compared to what the guild can provide ." Amara
"You are too overconfident.." Aurio
"Why not? Im the goddess of alchemy and healing magic." Amara
"Yeah right. Then Im the god of thunder." Tugon ni Aurio na halatang di naniniwala.
Napailing na lang si Amara.
"Anyway, saan tayo magsisimulang maghanap? Ano ba yung hinahanap mo?" Tanong ni Aurio
"Im not sure where it is exactly. But Im looking for a grimoire. I can feel that it's somewhere nearby." Amara
Isang sigaw ang umagaw sa atensyon ng dalawa.
"Narinig mo ba yun? May humihingi ng tulong." Aurio
"Really? I didn't hear anything." Amara
"I know you heard it too." Saad ni Aurio saka hinila si Amara sa direksyon ng pinagmulan ng sigaw
"Arrgg.. This is going to be too troublesome." Reklamo ni Amara
May nakita silang isang kweba di kalayuan.. May maririnig na mga boses mula dito.
"It's... dark." Aurio
"Now you're scared?" Amara
"O-of course not!" Aurio
"May tao sa labas." Narinig nilang panic na saad ng isang tinig
"Someone! Please help!!" sigaw ng isang babae
May dalawang lalaki na lumabas mula sa kweba..
"Sino kayo?" tanong nito matapos makita sina Amara
"Your worst nightmare." Nakangiting tugon ni Amara.. Mula sa hangin ay lumitaw ang isang espada. Sa pagkumpas nito, tinamaan ng kidlat ang dalawang lalaki.
"Now who's the god of thunder??" Amara
"Of course YOU are! So cool!~" manghang sagot ni Aurio
Ang espada ay ang Lightning Controlling Sword na ibinigay sa kanya ng guild noon.
Agad na pumasok sa kweba ang dalawa..
Isang krimen ang inabutan nila sa loob ng kweba.
Isang babaeng duguan.
Tatlong armadong lalaki.
"What the---" Aurio
"Assassins." Amara
Agad silang sinugod ng tatlong lalaki.
But they didn't even last for a second.
"You can still save her right?" tanong ni Aurio
"If it was just external injuries, then healing her is not a problem. But she's poisoned. And it already spread in her entire body. Even the gods wont be able ro save her." Amara
"P-please..." rinig nilang bulong ng babae
"Im sorry.. W-we cant save you anymore." Malungkot na saad ni Aurio
Marahang umiling ang babae.. "P-please... avenge.. me."
Lumuhod si Amara sa tabi ng babae... Pinagmasdan nya ang emerald green nitong mga mata.. "You're an Ashford."
"Kilala mo sya??" tanong ni Aurio
Umiling si Amara... "But she's related to what Im searching for."
"Please... avenge... me." Bulong ng babae
Hinawakan ni Amara ang kamay nito... "Lets do Memory Sharing."
"Memory sharing??" gulat na tanong ni Aurio.. Isnt that a psychic ability?? Or is it a magic spell?
"P-please.." pagmamakaawa ng babae.. She was a righteous person. But she had one regret. Trusting that person. She doesn't want to die in vain. She wants justice.
"Don't worry.. I will avenge your death, Lauren." Saad ni Amara
"T-thank you." Puno ng luha ang mga mata ng dalaga, pero pinilit nyang ngumiti.
She lost her life.
"Let us bury her body." Saad ni Amara
"O-okay." Tugon ni Aurio
Naglapag ng isang bungkos ng bulaklak si Amara sa harap ng isang puntod di kalayuan mula sa kweba kung saan ito pumanaw.
In the still of the night, two people offered prayers for the dead. It was carried by the wind. And sent into the depths of the Underworld.
"Sino sya Amara?" Tanong ni Aurio di kalaunan
"She's Lauren, daughter of Bronei's governor." Amara
Napanganga si Aurio sa kanyang narinig..
"W-will you really avenge her death?" tanong ni Aurio sa dalaga
"Yes.. Her ancestor is a friend of mine. I wont let off those who touch my friends and my friends descendants." Amara
Descendants? Hindi sya maunawaan ni Aurio.
Sa isang kisap mata, isang babaeng may kulay brunette na buhok at emerald green na mga mata ang nakatayo sa harapan ni Aurio.
It was the face of the dead girl.
Aurio was horrified. Who wouldn't??
"Stupid, it's me.." saad ni Amara.
"Amara?" gulat na tanong ni Aurio
"From now on, call me Lauren. Lauren Ashford." Tugon ng dalaga
A storm is slowly brewing.
And it's destination? Bronei.
~~~~~~~~~