'Deception'
"How does she look so calm right now?" Tanong ni Wilder kay Ash habang nakatingin sila kay Zia na nakatingin lang sa malayo. Shinshi and the others started escorting the guests from outside, telling them that the party will be held inside at sinabi pang may announcement sa loob kahit wala naman.
The news about the upcoming attack was still unknown to them.
"Actually, she's not calm." Sambit ni Lucas habang nakatingin rin kay Zia.
"She's excited." Dagdag ni Reed habang nakahalukipkip at nakatingin rin kay Zia na tumingin na sa kamay niya. Once the guests were secured inside the Van Saint's mansion, agad na lumabas si Zia at hinawakan ang lupa.
"Anong ginagawa niya?" Tanong ni Archer nung makita nila ang ginagawa ni Zia.
"She's covering the whole mansion with an invisibility shield." Sagot ni Ash at tiningnan nila ang kamay ni Zia na nagliliwanag. "Zia can't create protection shields like Tita Xin and Tito Matthew. The only shield she can make is the invisibility shield. In short, she's playing safe right now. Hiding the while mansion from the Xions." Sagot ni Wilder.
Naningkit ang mga mata nila habang nakatingin lang sila kay Zia na parang tapos na sa ginagawa niya. She already covered the whole mansion in a shield at pumasok saglit dahil biglang naglakad si Xin papunta sa pinto.
"W-We should call your Uncles." Kinakabahang sabi ni Xin habang nakatingin kay Zia na kanina pa walang imik. Lumingo-lingo lang si Zia at tumingin sa team niya.
"Are you afraid, Mom?" Tanong ni Zia dahilan para saglit na matigilan si Xin.
"Hindi ako natatakot sa kung ano man ang paparating. Natatakot ako para sa 'yo. I can't bear seeing your fight, sweetie." Malambing na sabi ni Xin sa kanya kaya ngumiti lang si Zia at tiningnan siya sa mga mata. "I'll be fine." Tipid nitong sabi at tiningnan na si Jun.
Jun went closer to Xin at dahan-dahan na itong hinila papasok.
"Be careful." Alalang sabi nina Xin at Jun sa anak nila pero ngumiti lang si Zia sa kanila.
"Be safe." Zia said in return at tumingin na kay Blu na kalalabas lang ng mansion. He was amazed by how quickly Zia covered the whole mansion with a shield. To them, the mansion was a bit visible but to the Xions that are coming, they won't even hear the noise from inside the shield.
It has come to Zia's thoughts that even her shields were improving.
"Oi, Dimitri!" Agad na natigilan ang team dahil sa pagsigaw ni Deval mula sa bintana.
"Y-You're supposed to be with the crowd!" Kabadong sabi ni Blu sa kanya pero bumuntong-hininga lang si Deval. "Do you really think we won't know what's going on?" Tanong ni Dash kaya natigilan na si Blu at tsaka tumingin sa mga pinsan niya na nakatingin lang din sa kanila.
Agad na tumingin si Blu kay Dalton na nakatitig lang sa kanila.
He was right. Dalton was too risky to be close with. Dalton had read his mind.
"It's okay. We got your covered. Kami na ang bahala sa mga bisita." Agad na sabi ni Dior kaya saglit na nawala ang pag-aalala ni Blu. "Dawson is already entertaining everyone. So, fight to win, Dimitri!" Sigaw ni Deval kaya hinampas naman kaagad siya ni Dior para tumahimik. Napahawak nalang si Deval sa braso niya.
"We'll leave things to you." Sabi ni Dalton at tiningnan ang team na tumango lang sa sinabi niya. Shinshi and Reed didn't have to worry about the guest because the Van Saint cousins already got them covered. Now, they have more people to look after side attacks.
Nagkatinginan naman sina Blu at Zia na siyang nasa harap ng mansion.
"Let's do this fast." Tipid na sabi ni Zia at tumango lang si Blu tsaka tumingin sa team niya.
Audin was nervous even though he wasn't fighting with Zia and Blu. Everyone was nervous. Even Xin couldn't take her eyes off of Zia who was calmly stretching her body.
"Tsk! Bakit ba ako kinakabahan? Argh! How does Team Alpha get rid of their nerves?" Tanong ni Audin kay Wilder na siyang katabi niya. Saglit namang nag-isip si Wilder habang naghihintay ng sagot ang team.
"Hmm, Dad usually buries his face on my Mom's boobs to calm him down." Wala sa sariling sagot ni Wilder kaya agad siyang binatukan ni Ash. Agad namang tumingin si Audin kay Shinshi na pinandilatan lang siya.
Nanginig naman si Audin at tsaka tumingin kay Celise pero sinapak lang ni Archer ang balikat niya.
"Kung anu-ano kasi sinasabi mo, Wilder." Inis na sabi ni Atlas kay Wilder na nagkibit-balikat lang.
"I hope she's okay." Biglang sabi ni Chloe kaya tumingin na si Lucas sa kanya. Chloe's face was full of worry habang nakatingin siya kay Zia na tikom lang ang bibig at nakatingin sa malayo. "She'll be okay." Lucas assured her pero tumingin lang si Reed sa kanila.
Reed looked down and balled his fists.
Zia, on the other hand, was counting the stars even though it's not possible.
"Something else is going to happen tonight, huh?" Biglang tanong ni Blu kaya saglit na napatingin si Zia sa kanya. Hindi ito sumagot at ngumiti lang.
Just then, she heard the ground shook. It was the same sound every time the Xions are near. Claws digging on the ground, beastly pants and growls. Tumingin na siya kay Blu at tumango. Tumango narin si Blu habang nakatingin lang ang team sa kanila.
Everyone was nervous, cautious and worried.
They were a team but it seemed like they're just relying on Zia and Blu's strength. Dahil dun ay ikinuyom ni Wilder ang kamao niya. He did not want to be used as a defense, he wanted to fight alongside Zia. He wanted to prove himself.
Everyone in the team wants that.
"Make the best defense." Saglit silang natigilan dahil sa sinabi ni Zia na ngayo'y nakatingin na pala sa kanila.
"Don't worry about us and provide us the best shield you can. That way, we're all fighting tonight." Nakangiting sabi ni Zia kaya dahan-dahan naring umangat ang gilid ng labi nila at tsaka tumango.
Humarap na si Zia sa mga Xions na paparating at tsaka tinanggal ang jacket niya. The boys diverted their gaze from her when they saw how open her back was. Pinunit narin ni Zia ang laylayan ng dress niya para umikli ito at makagalaw siya ng maayos.
"Shame, those were designer clothes." Sabi ni Azura habang nakatingin lang sila kina Zia.
"She's hot." Sambit ni Dash mula sa bintana kaya agad siyang napapitlag nung biglang lumingon si Blu sa gawi nila at ngumiti nalang.
Zia let out her wings and everyone saw what color it was. It was black. The poison was working with her body while she was in control of it. Tumingin narin si Blu sa mga kuko ni Zia na bigla nalang umitim at humaba na ang buhok niya.
Xin gripped Jun's arm after seeing Zia's transformation. They feared the poison will devour her again and lose control. But all their fears were flushed out when Zia looked at them and gave them a smile. It was her.
"You might want to take off your jacket too, Van Saint." Sabi ni Zia kay Blu na agad namang hinubad ang tuxedo niya at tsaka nirolyo ang sleeves ng polo niya.
"Look at those veins in his arm. No wonder why Trinity and Kharis went crazy over him." Sabi ni Alice habang nakatingin sila kay Blu. Agad namang nirolyo ni Wilder ang sleeves niya at tsaka humarap kay Alice pero umirap lang ito.
"Hindi kita type." Agad na sabi ni Alice kaya nagtawanan agad ang team.
"For the second time, you're dumped, bro. Dumped." Panunukso ni Ash habang nakatingin kina Shinshi at Alice. Hindi nalang umimik si Wilder at tsaka tumingala kina Dior at Dorothy sabay kindat sa mga 'to.
"I guess he recovers rejection quickly." Sambit ni Lucas. Hindi nalang nila pinagtuonan pa ng pansin si Wilder at tumingin ulit kina Zia at Blu.
May sinabi si Zia kay Blu at tumango lang ito bilang sagot.
The ground started shaking as the Xions were getting closer to them. Hinanda na nila ang mga sarili habang nakatingin lang si Zia sa mga Xions. And in that very intense moment, a moment where they should all be alert, Zia yawned.
Agad na napatingin ang team sa kanya.
"Why is she yawning in the middle of a battle?!" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Celise pero mahina lang natawa sina Lucas.
"That's normal." Nakangiting sagot ni Lucas at tiningnan si Zia na hinawakan ang kamay ni Blu at tsaka ito tinapon. Nanlaki ang mga mata nila dahil sa ginawa ni Zia pero nung makita nila ang ginawa ni Blu, they understood.
Blu landed on one of the Xion's back at tsaka dinukot ang puso nito.
The Xions started attacking Blu pero agad na lumipad si Zia papunta sa kanya at itinaas lang ni Blu ang kamay niya at hinila na siya pataas ni Zia. Zia gently put Blu down the ground and created an ice barricade. Nagbungguan agad ang mga Xions doon at tsaka na sila binugahan ng apoy ni Zia gamit ang kanang kamay nito.
Blu moved in a flash, taking each Xions hearts out and throwing them into the fire that Zia was making.
Napatakip nalang ang team sa ilong nila dahil sa amoy. Nasa labas rin kasi sila ng shield at tanging ang nasa loob ng shield lang ang hindi nakakaamoy sa mga naamoy nila.
"Wilder, three o'clock!" Sambit ni Shinshi nung makita niyang may mga Xions na paparating sa kanila mula sa gilid. Kumunot pa ang noo ni Audin at vinisualize pa ang orasan para malaman kung saan ang three o'clock.
"It's this side, dumb kid!" Sigaw ni Wilder at tinapon si Audin papunta sa gilid at tsaka ginawang pain sa mga Xions. The Xions started chasing Audin pero tumakbo agad siya at tsaka sinalubong nina Wilder at Ash ng apoy ang mga Xions.
Dumating agad si Zia sa tabi nila at walang kahirap-hirap na dinukot ang puso ng mga Xions.
May tumalsik pa ng dugo sa pisngi ni Audin kaya hindi niya alam kung iiyak ba siya o sisigaw. Hinila nalang siya ni Archer palayo at binugahan ng hangin ang mga Xions gamit ang pakpak niya. The wind from Archer's wings blew Xions meters away.
It helped Zia get a clean attack away from the mansion.
Patuloy ang pag-atake ng mga Xions ay walang tigil naman sina Zia at Blu sa ginagawa nila. One Xion bit Zia's wings kaya napatakip agad sina Chloe at Celise sa bibig nila pero walang emosyong dinukot ni Zia ang puso ng Xion habang nakakagat parin ito sa pakpak niya.
Zia groped the Xions heart and pulled it out.
"Damn, brutal." Bulong ni Lucas habang nakatingin lang sila kay Zia.
Reed, on the other hand, couldn't stand still. Kanina pa hinahanap ng mga mata niya si Uno. Because they don't know Uno's exact plan, if he's going to show up tonight or not kaya patuloy si Reed sa pagmamasid sa paligid.
"Shit!" Blu suddenly grunted kaya agad na napatingin si Zia sa kanya. May mga Xions na palang nakadagan sa katawan niya habang pilit nilalayo ni Blu ang ulo ng isang Xion mula sa mukha niya. Zia immediately dashed towards Blu and tsaka dinambahan ang mga Xions na nakadagan sa kanya.
The Xions went flying out of the field habang nakatayo si Zia sa harap ni Blu.
"Don't touch my Van Saint." Bulong nito pero narinig naman siya ni Blu.
Blu didn't have time to react on that dahil tumingin na si Zia sa kanya. She gave him a sign that was familiar to both of them at tsaka na humanda si Zia.
"There it is, their combo." Sambit ni Ash nung makita nilang lumusob si Zia sa mga Xions na paparating sa kanya. Napatakip naman ng mga mata sina Celise at Chloe nung makita nilang walang takot na sinalubong ni Zia ang mga Xions.
After she was only a step further from them, agad niyang inilabas ang pakpak niya at tsaka hinawakan ang ulo ng dalawang Xions tsaka ito tinapon sa ere.
Blu then dashed and jumped towards the Xions that Zia tossed and easily took their hearts out.
"Remember when Dimitri used to be afraid of bugs? Look at him now, fighting bigger bugs." Wala sa sariling sabi ni Deval kaya natawa naman ang mga pinsan niya.
Archer was on the lookout for back attacks habang nasa ere siya.
"Sa likod!" Sigaw ni Archer mula sa taas kaya agad na kumilos sina Reed at Lucas. Reed handled the Xions easily at nabigla pa si Lucas sa ginawa niya.
"Teka nga, ikaw ang may gawa ng mga 'to. You should be the one stopping them!" Sigaw ni Lucas sa kanya pero nagkibit-balikat lang si Reed. "That's not in the plan." Pasimple niyang sabi kaya kumunot naman ang noo ni Lucas.
"Bakit nga ba hindi natin naisip na ipalaban narin si Reed? He's familiar with Xions. He can take them down easily." Sabi ni Shinshi pero nanatiling nakatingin si Ash kina Zia at Blu at tsaka siya lumingo-lingo.
"Reed has another thing to focus on. Looking out for Uno. Siya lang naman ang makakaalam kung nandito na ba si Uno o wala. Zia and Blu are just buying us to time to spot their leader." Pagpapaliwanag ni Ash at tiningnan si Reed na nakatingin parin sa paligid.
"Left!" Sigaw ulit ni Archer kaya sabay na kumilos sina Atlas at Wilder dahilan para magkabungguan sila kaya sina Ash at Shinshi nalang ang kumilos.
"Hmm, their teamwork sucks, huh?" Tanong ni Dash habang nakatingin kina Atlas at Wilder na nag-aaway dahil sa pagbungguan nila kanina. Dalton just huffed. "What did you expect from a new team?" Tanong ni Dalton dahilan para tumingin ang mga pinsan niya sa kanya.
"They've only known each other for months and I'm pretty sure their telepathy and movements don't match yet. They didn't grow up together like how Team Alpha did. They're not in synch like Team Alpha and they're not strong like Team Alpha. They also don't shine individually like Team Alpha. But.." Dalton paused for a bit and looked at every single member of the team.
"..but I think there's a good reason why they're chosen for this team." Dagdag niya at tiningnan si Zia.
Natahimik sila dahil sa sinabi ni Dalton. They knew or they have heard about the Midnight Angels being compared to Team Alpha every single time. And as much as they hated to admit it, they did think this new team doesn't have any impact at all.
But because of what Dalton said, they might try looking at other perspectives.
"I think this is one of the reasons." Mahinang sabi ni Dior at pinatingin ang mga pinsan niya sa gawi nina Audin. Audin transformed into his fully-grown form which had them shook. Audin moved so fast towards a Xion charging them from the left.
Sinalubong ito ni Audin but he immediately glided underneath the Xion, garnering its attention at hindi nito napansin ang apoy na binubuga ni Ash.
They took down one Xion on their own because of Audin's dash. Matapos kumilos ni Audin ay bumalik siya sa dating anyo niya at saktong nakatingin naman si Zia sa kanya.
"Audin's about to collapse." Pasimpleng sabi ni Zia kaya tumingin agad sina Reed kay Audin na parang matutumba na nga. Agad na tinakbo nina Atlas at Wilder si Audin at sinalo ito bago pa man ito matumba.
"So, it's true? He does faint after using his abilities." Tanong ni Alice habang nakatingin kay Audin na karga-karga na ni Wilder.
"He's a Terantias. His body is still adjusting in this realm." Sagot ni Lucas at hinawakan na ang noo ni Audin na ngayo'y wala nang malay. "He's brave." Biglang sambit ni Damien na kanina pa binabantayan ang mga kilos ni Audin.
"His attack had no techniques on it, but he was fast. Faster than Dimitri." Deval said.
"I wanna be like him." Sabi ni Damien kaya ngumiti na ang mga pinsan niya sa kanya at tsaka nila tiningnan si Blu na puno na ng dugo ng Xions ang sleeves ng polo niya.
"Zia's exhausted." Sambit ni Lucas habang nakatingin siya kay Zia na hinahangos na. Lalapit na sana siya rito pero pinigilan siya ni Ash. "Stay with the plan." Mariing sabi ni Ash kaya nagtiim-bagang na si Lucas at tiningnan nalang si Zia na ngayo'y dumudugo na ang pakpak.
"I-I.. I can't watch this." Xin said and turned around. Ikinuyom nalang ni Jun ang kamao niya dahil wala silang nagagawa kundi ang tumingin lang habang lumalaban si Xin.
The guests of the party were still unaware of what was happening outside. It made Wilder boil with anger pero wala naman siyang magagawa. Bigla nalang may kumatok sa pinto ng kwartong kinaruruunan ng mga pinsan ni Blu.
"It's Kharis. She's looking for Blu." Sambit ni Dalton habang nakasandal lang sa railings ng terrace.
"Sabihin mo 'wag siyang isturbo kundi ipapakain ko siya sa mga 'to." Inis na sabi ni Dior habang nakatingin sa mga Xions na nilalabanan nina Zia at Blu. Agad namang lumabas si Dorothy para kausapin si Kharis.
"Y-Your wing.." Sabi ni Blu kay Zia na saglit lang na tumingin sa pakpak niya. Hindi ito umimik at tumingin lang sa mga Xions na natitira. They unexpectedly finished the front line without major injuries and rather quicker than they imagined.
"I'll take care of this." Mariing sabi ni Blu at sumugod na sa mga Xions. Tumango nalang si Zia at bahagyang napaupo tsaka hinawakan ang beywang niya. Dun niya lang din naramdamang mahapdi ito.
Bigla namang kumunot ang noo nina Shinshi at Atlas habang nakatingin sila sa direksiyon ni Zia.
"Strawberry wine.." Sabay na sambit nina Shinshi at Atlas kaya umalerto kaagad ang team. Zia was bleeding. Not just from her wing, but she had a wound on her waist. Saglit na napapikit si Zia at agad na lumabas ang mga pangil niya.
She bit her arm, trying to heal herself while Blu was taking down the remaining Xions.
Zia was too focused on healing herself na hindi na niya napansin ang paligid hanggang sa bigla nalang tumakbo si Reed papunta sa kanya.
"Zia!" Sigaw nito dahilan para maguluhan ang lahat. Zia took a glance at Reed pero bigla nalang siyang dumating sa harap ni Zia at bigla nalang may pumatak sa pisngi ni Zia.
Gold. Golden blood. It was Reed's blood.
Napatakip agad ang sina Celise sa bibig nila dahil sa nakita nila. The team was in shock and couldn't move for a second habang nakatingin sila sa mga nangyayari sa paligid ni Zia. Bigla namang may pumatak sa braso ni Zia.
Another blood. Dark red.
It was Lucas' blood.
Reed caught an arrow heading towards Zia at tinamaan si Reed sa kamay dahil lumagpas ang pana sa palad niya.
Lucas caught a spear heading towards Zia's direction. And instead of hitting Zia, the spear was buried on Lucas' shoulder.
Due to shock, Blu forgot that he was fighting Xions dahilan para dambahan siya ng isa sa mga 'to at tumilapon siya sa isang puno dahilan para mapaubo siya ng dugo. There was blood everywhere.
The four of them were bleeding.
"Uno's here." Pasimpleng sambit ni Reed habang tinatanggal ang pana sa palad niya.
"A-Andrei.." Mangiyak-ngiyak na sabi ni Chloe habang nakatingin kay Lucas na napaluhod habang nakahawak sa braso niya. The spear was huge. Huge enough to spear through the bone in his shoulder.
Napapikit na si Lucas habang nakatingin si Zia sa kanya at nanginginig ang labi nito.
"L-Look out for Uno. I'll heal him." Zia said and cursed between her breath when their only healer, Audin, is unconscious. Tumingin muna si Zia kay Blu na dahan-dahan nang tumayo at tsaka tinapos ang mga Xions na natitira.
When she confirmed that Blu was okay, tinuon na niya ang atensiyon niya kay Lucas na nakahiga na sa hita niya.
"Y-You didn't even see that coming, huh bobong pusa?" Tanong ni Lucas sa kanya pero hindi na pinansin ni Zia ang sinabi nito. Agad na tumingin si Zia sa gawi ng mga magulang niya na nakatingin lang sa kanya. Jun gave him a nod habang nakatingin lang si Xin sa kanya.
Zia looked at how Lucas coughed out a bit a blood at tsaka tiningnan ang braso niya na patuloy ang pag-ayos ng dugo.
"Why did you even catch the spear, you idiot?" Inis na tanong ni Zia kay Lucas na nakapikit dahil sa sakit sa braso niya. "And what? Let it hit you?" Tanong ni Lucas sa kanya kaya saglit na natahimik si Zia at tiningnan lang ito.
Zia breathed out and looked at the wound on her waist. It was already healed after she bit herself. At dahil dun ay tumingin siya sa mga mata ni Lucas.
"I have an idea, but you won't like it." Kinakabahang sabi ni Zia kay Lucas na napasapo lang sa noo niya.
"Just don't kill me and.. I-I'm fine with it." Nauutal na sabi ni Lucas kaya saglit na tumingin si Zia kay Blu na nakabantay rin sa paligid. Mahina lang tumango si Blu sa kanya kaya tumingin na ulit si Zia kay Lucas. She gently grabbed Lucas's hand and faced his wrist towards her lips.
Napalunok nalang si Lucas dahil parang alam na niya ang gagawin ni Zia at pumikit nalang.
Zia slowly brought Lucas' wrists towards her lips and tsaka na ibinuka ang bibig niya. Blu clearly saw how Zia's fangs buried on Lucas' flesh. How Lucas' blood dripped on the ground and how his blood spread throughout Zia's lips.
Lucas grunted when he felt the venom being inserted in his body pero hindi niya rin matanggal ang tingin niya sa labi ni Zia na nakatapat sa pulso niya.
"Ahh, her first bite to someone is Lucas, huh?" Tanong ni Deval habang nakasandal sa railings at nakatingin kina Zia.
"That must hurt Dimitri's pride. Seeing his lady biting someone else." Dash said.
"We vampires are weird, huh?" Tanong ni Dior at tumango lang ang mga pinsan niya dahil dito at tiningnan si Blu na inalis nalang ang tingin kina Zia at Lucas at nakita nila ang pagkuyom ng kamao nito but Blu relaxed immediately.
His cousins found it interesting.
"To think that Lucas is his rival and he's giving him all the chances. Too confident, huh Dimitri?" Tanong ni Dalton habang nakatingin kina Zia.
Zia removed her fangs from Lucas' pulse at tiningnan niya kung paano gumaling ang sugat nito. Lucas breathed out and closed his eyes, feeling his cheeks warming up.
"You have the guts to blush after that?!" Inis na tanong ni Reed kay Lucas na hindi naman siya pinansin. Zia brushed the blood away from her lips and looked up at Reed.
"Uno already left after seeing all the Xions die." Sabi ni Reed kaya napangiti nalang si Zia at tumayo na.
"The cleaning team will be here soon." Sambit ni Zia at niligpit na ang pakpak niya. Nakahinga naman ng maluwag ang team dahil sa narinig nila at nung tumayo na si Lucas at tsaka nag-inat. Tumingin naman si Zia kay Blu na nakatalikod lang sa kanila.
Dahan-dahan niya itong nilapitan at tumabi rito.
Blu was just staring at the moon. Tumingin narin si Zia rito at tsaka dahan-dahang tumingin sa mga mata ni Blu. It flashed blue again after looking at her. Ngumiti lang si Zia sa kanya at humarap na si Blu.
"We won." Nakangiting sabi ni Zia kaya ngumiti narin si Blu.
"I'm sorry, Lucas needed immediate healing. I had no choice." Agad na napangiti si Blu dahil sa sinabi ni Zia.
"It's no big deal. At isa pa, he's my teammate. His safety is also my concern even though he pisses me off most of the time." Mahinang natawa si Zia dahil sa sinabi ni Blu habang tumingin naman sina Lucas at Reed sa kanila. Naghalukipkip nalang si Reed at tiningnan si Lucas.
"Let's admit it. He's still the center of her attention." Sambit ni Reed at tumalikod na. Tumingin lang si Lucas sa dalawa at tipid na ngumiti at tumalikod narin.
Jun's phone suddenly buzzed kaya kunot-noo niya itong kinuha at tsaka sinagot ang tawag na nanggagaling kay Xy. "Hello—"
"D-Dad!" Agad na natigilan si Jun dahil sa tono ng boses ni Xy. Agad siyang napatingin kay Xin na parang narinig rin ang boses ni Xy at siya na mismo ang sumagot ng tawag "A-Anak, bakit?" Kinakabahang tanong ni Xin.
"M-Mom! We're under attack. Bigla nalang kaming inatake ng mga Xions. S-Si Dolly.. s-shit! W-We need help!"
❅ Snow ❅