Tale 23
Separation
"Finally!!" masayang saad ni Lauren matapos isara ang hawak na grimoire.
"You finally mastered the third chapter?" tanong ni Unbearable
"Yes." Lauren
The third and final chapter of the Resurrection Chapters is the most crucial chapter. The first chapter would make you indestructible. The second would make you invincible.. The third would grant you six extra lives. Even if someone extremely powerful manage to kill her, she would just revive on the spot unless she was killed seven times! The third chapter is the reason why it is called Resurrection Chapters.
"She finally mastered what?" curious na tanong ni Aurio habang may hawak na medicinal book.
"If you want to become a proper Alchemist, focus on your book!!" saad ni Damnable na nakadapo sa ulo ni Aurio. Tinuka-tuka nya pa ito bilang parusa.
"Ouch! Sorry na! Huhu.." Aurio
Ngumiti si Lauren.. "If you're really curious, I can tell you the secret to my awesomeness."
"Really?" Aurio
"We're good brothers, so why not?" nakangiting tugon ni Lauren
"Hahaha of course! So what's your secret brother?" Aurio
"Would you believe me if I say that I remember my past lives as an alchemist?" Nakangiting tanong ni Lauren
Agad nagusot ang muka ni Aurio.
"I thought we're good brothers? Why do you keep making fun of me??" reklamo ni Aurio
Natawa si Lauren..
"If you don't want to believe me, then it's your lost." Lauren
"This is not a fantasy novel! Who would believe you?!" Aurio
Natawa lang muli si Lauren.
Nagmukmok na lang si Aurio sa bundok ng mga medicinal books.
"Congratulations. Now you are capable of wielding the other four magic." Damnable
"I can finally spend my time with Lance.." nakangiting saad ni Lauren, yun talaga ang totoong concern nya.
"You look so excited.. Aren't you bored with him?? You would just stare at each other for hours everyday!" Aurio
"Why would I? I waited for thousands of years for him." Lauren
"Thousands of years?? Is it normal for love to make people very poetic??" Aurio
Wala syang natanggap na kasagutan. Nakaalis na si Lauren ng silid.
"Kid, you're just jealous." Pang-aasar ni Damnable
Sumimangot si Aurio... "Im just worried.. Doesn't she know that all men are wolves?! He might attack her when her guards were down! Arrrrgggg! Nakakatakot pa naman ang lalaking yun! He's a wolf in sheep's clothing!!" agad napatayo si Aurio.. "I should go! I should stop her! She might be in danger right now!"
"Pfffttt! Bwahahaha!" tawa ni Unbearable
"I knew it, kid! You're inlove with her!" Blabbermouth
"Inlove? I'm not out of my mind yet! I'm her brother! No! I'm a father! Who would look after her if Im not around? Im her dad, okay?" tugon ni Aurio
It was his honest feelings. To Aurio, Amara is already his family.
Samantala, isang lalaking nakasuot ng black from head to toe ang nagkukubli sa itaas ng isang mayabong na puno sa hardin, si LoneWolf.
Di kalayuan ay makikita na nakaupo sina Lauren at Lance sa marble na upuan sa hardin. Lance is busy peeling off the grapes for her.
Araw-araw ganito ang sitwasyon na natutunghayan ni LoneWolf. Kahit pa mahigit isang linggo nya na itong nasasaksihan ay hindi nya pa rin ito lubusang mapaniwalaan.
His master, his master that is comparable to a god, is out there, happily serving that woman!
They would never exchange words.
But despite that, the two of them look so contented. It's as if, just being with each other is already enough.
"My master looks so happy." Naiiyak na isip ni LoneWolf. Masaya sya para dito. He was picked up by his family when he was just seven, he was trained to be Lance's hidden guard. He vow to be loyal until death. His master is his only family, a friend and a brother. Although he is cold, ruthless towards his enemies, he is someone worthy of his loyalty.
The picture of peace and calm was interrupted when Dina rushed towards the two people with a letter on her hands.
"Young Miss! Young Miss! Urgent news!!"
"Why are you running?" Lauren
"Young Miss, the country's National Examination will commence next week! The President personally sent you an invitation to participate on the exam!" paliwanag ni Dina
From the original Lauren's memory, she instantly understand. Lauren Ashford is someone who aspires to be a civil servant. She wants to work on the government to help more people. She's eighteen this year so she's finally qualified to take the exam.
"This is good news Young Miss! The governor is very busy these days, but Im sure he is also happy for you!" Dina
Ngumiti si Lauren.. Pero deep inside, napapabuntong hininga sya.. She only have a week to study military and political books! What a headache!
"Lance, I guess I have no choice but to go study." Lauren
Lance gave her a small smile.. "It's okay. You can go ahead. I will stay here a little longer."
Tumango si Lauren at sabay silang bumalik ni Dina sa mansion.
Di kalaunan ay nagsalita si Lance.
"Report."
Agad lumitaw si LoneWolf mula sa kanyang hideout.
"Reporting to Master, a group of elite demons is on their way here. They knew that you are in this city." LoneWolf
Nagbuntong hininga si Lance.
"Master do you want to send me out to intercept them again?" tanong ni LoneWolf.. Alam nyang nalulungkot ang kanyang Master dahil hindi na ito maaaaring manatili pa dito. Maraming madadamay at masasaktan.
"You already did your best so no need to do so." Lance
Pumitas ng isang rosas si Lance.. "You are dismiss."
"Yes Master." At agad nang naglaho si LoneWolf
***
"You're back early." Komento ni Damnable pagkapasok ni Lauren sa pinto
"I have to study." Lauren
"You already mastered the three chapters, what are you going to study?" Unbearable
"Something else." Lauren
"Alchemy?? You're already a Grandmaster Alchemist!" nag-angat ng paningin si Aurio mula sa binabasang libro
"Not that either." Lauren
"If not that, then what?" Blabbermouth
"Military and War Tactics. And the current polical issues of the four States of Aralon." Lauren
"Why so sudden?" Damnable
"Lauren is meant to take this exam." Lauren
"Oh, okay." Damnable
"Please don't embarrass the original Lauren." Aurio
"Have I ever failed at something?" Lauren
"No.. But this might become the first time." Aurio
Natawa si Lauren.. Masyado nya na yatang nahahawanan ng pagiging sarcastic si Aurio.
"Don't worry. A week is enough for me to study and ace that exam." Lauren
As usual, hindi naniwala sa kanya si Aurio.
***
It was the middle of the night.
A shadow could be seen standing on the windowsill of a bedroom.
Like a ghost, he silently walk towards a bed where a maiden could be seen deep in slumber.
He place a rose beside her bed.
There is a storm of emotion within his eyes.
Pain.
Sadness.
Longing.
Love.
He planted a soft kiss on her full lips. It was as light as a feather but enough to send volts of electricity towards his entire body.
"I will come back for you." Bulong ng binata.
He vanished.
That night, she had a dream.
In the lands filled with trees everywhere, that's where they met.
A lone god and a lone girl.
Their fates interwoven with each other.
A sin.
Her death.
The curse.
The promise.
His sacrifice.
Her rebirth.
The pain.
The long years.
The sadness.
The torment.
The longing.
The struggles.
Beneath the stars, bathe by the moonlight. She ties up her long hair. She plays a familiar tune on her flute. The wind carries her tears as she listens for someone's voice that have already gone silent for a long long time.
"When will I ever see you again, Ember?"
~~~~~~~~~