'Into the Fog'
"What is an engagement party without an engagement?" Naguguluhang tanong ng mga guest sa mga magulang ni Blu lalo na 'yung mga magulang ni Kharis na parang naiinip na kakahintay sa magaganap na engagement.
Tumingin naman si Dawson sa ina at ama ni Blu na saglit na tumingin sa bintana. Blu's mother sighed and looked at the guests.
"I apologize for whatever promises we gave you tonight, but we're gonna have to cancel the party for tonight." Saglit na naningkit ang mga mata ni Dawson dahil sa sinabi ng ina ni Blu. He noticed them looking out the window, hand clasped together as if they were nervous about something.
And that's when Dawson knew that Blu's parents know about what's going on outside.
"Pero, Tita. We prepared so much for this party." Sabi ni Kharis at hahawakan na sana ang ina ni Blu pero bigla nalang dumating si Dalton at pinalayo si Kharis nang hindi nahahalata ng mga bisita. Dalton gently pushed Kharis' hand and looked at it.
Dalton flicked his tongue at dahan-dahang tiningnan sa mga mata si Kharis.
"I'm warning you, Kharis. I can expose every bit of you if you don't stop." Bulong ni Dalton kay Kharis na tiningnan lang siya ng maigi. "What? What do you know, huh Van Saint?" Mapanghamon na tanong ni Kharis sa kanya at mahina lang natawa si Dalton.
"Just.. everything." Aniya at tsaka na tiningnan ang mga magulang ni Blu at dinala sila sa gilid para kausapin ito.
"Dimitri is fine. He's fighting well." Sabi ni Dalton at nakita niyang nakahinga naman ng maluwag ang mga magulang ni Blu. "A-And the princess?" Nauutal na tanong ng ina ni Blu at naningkit na naman ang mga mata ni Dawson na nakatingin lang sa kanila.
"She's fine too." Sagot ni Dalton at dun na ngumisi si Dawson at tsaka tiningnan si Kharis na tumingin na pala sa kanya.
"Wow, Kharis. Isn't it strange that Auntie and Uncle are suddenly concerned with the princess, again? They hate the Wens, right? Diba ikaw ang pinili nila para kay Dimitri?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ni Dawson at nag-iwas lang ng tingin si Kharis sa kanya dahilan para mas matawa si Dawson. "Well, isn't that interesting, huh?" Dawson asked and flicked his tongue.
"Dimitri Blu Van Saint will only kneel to Zia Muirgen Allison-Wen. Mark my words."
✥✥
Everyone was frozen after hearing about what happened. Agad na tumingin si Zia sa ina niya na nanginginig ang kamay habang nakahawak siya sa cellphone. Dahan-dahang ikinuyom ni Zia ang kamao niya dahilan para masugatan ang palad niya dahil sa haba ng kuko niya.
"W-We gotta go!" Tarantang sabi ni Wilder matapos niyang marinig ang nangyari kina Xy. Blu's cousins gave him a go-sign that he could leave with the team. Agad na kumilos ang Midnight Angels para puntahan si Xy.
Kumilos narin sina Jun at Xin at pumasok na sa limo. Hinintay nila si Zia pero kumunot ang noo nilang lahat nung makita nilang wala na pala si Zia sa kinatatayuan niya kanina.
"There she is." Mahinang sambit ni Reed at tinuro si Zia na lumilipad na palayo. Agad na pinaandar ng driver ang limo at pinuntahan na sina Xy. Hindi mapalagay si Xin sa byahe lalo na sina Wilder at Ash na parang puputok na sa galit.
"He tricked us. Uno had other plans. Damnit!" Inis na sambit ni Reed at sinapo ang mukha niya.
Binigyan naman ni Chloe ng wet wipes si Blu para punasan ang dugo ng Xions sa kamay at braso niya habang nakikinig lang sila kay Reed. "Pero si Zia naman ang nakakaalam ng plano ni Uno, diba?" Tanong ni Atlas.
"No, Zia probably had an informant." Sabi ni Shinshi na ikinakunot ng noo ng iba.
"She has a spy?" Kunot-noong tanong ni Audin at naningkit lang ang mga mata ni Shinshi at saglit na umiling. "I think so. Kasi kung wala, paano niya malalaman ang mga plano ni Uno, diba?" Tanong ni Archer sa kanila sa siyang nakahawak sa balikat niya.
"Maybe she dreamt about it. Ganun rin kasi si Tita Xin noon. She dreams about the future." Sagot ni Wilder at tiningnan si Xin na parang walang naririnig sa mga sinasabi nila dahil malalim ang iniisip nito. Her mind is probably on what's happening to Xy and Dolly right now.
"Having a spy or not, how Zia knew about Uno's plan is for her to explain. The concern right now is that if she had a spy, then her spy is either weak in gathering information or the spy is betraying her for telling her just one of Uno's plans. At kung wala naman siyang spy, this just means that Uno's becoming more unpredictable." Seryosong sabi ni Reed habang nakatingin lang sa baba.
Napalunok naman ang iba dahil sa mga narinig nila.
"Uno is not strong. But he can be unbeatable. Because he follows his plan, strictly. And believe it or not, Uno plans things better than me." Dagdag ni Reed.
"Malamang, parang mas may utak si Uno kesa sa 'yo." Bulong ni Audin kaya hinampas nalang siya ni Archer para tumahimik siya. Hindi nalang siya pinansin ni Reed.
"We'll drop you off at the village." Sabi ni Ash kina Azura, Alice, Chloe at Celise. Tumango naman sila at hindi na umangal pa dahil alam na nila na delikado ang sitwasyon. "Paano kapag may mangyaring masama kay Ate Dolly?" Kinakabahang tanong ni Celise.
Sabay na napabuga ng hangin sina Ash at Wilder.
"Then we'll probably see the demon that's been sleeping inside Xy." Sagot ni Wilder at tumingin sa labas.
"Xy is lowkey. But he'll go all out when it comes to his family and Dolly." Dagdag ni Ash.
They dropped off the girls excluding Shinshi at the village and went on their way. Minutes of travelling with nervousness and anger, they finally arrived at the cemetery kung saan sinalakay sina Xy. Mabilis silang bumaba sa limo pero saglit silang natigilan nung makita nila ang malaking ice wall sa paligid.
Hinawakan agad ni Lucas ang yelo at kumunot ang noo niya.
"It's Zia's ice wall. Nandito na siya." Pasimpleng sabi ni Lucas.
"How did you even know it's her ice wall?" Kunot-noong tanong ni Audin sa kanya.
"I just know." Tipid na sagot ni Lucas at tumingin na sa paligid pero agad silang hinila palayo ni Archer at ginawang harang ang pakpak niya para sa team. Just then, a big splash of blood splattered on Archer's wings at mabuti nalang ay naprotektahan niya ang team.
Archer just frowned after feeling the blood on his wings.
Sumilip agad si Atlas sa mga nangyayari at dun niya lang nalaman na isa-isa na palang tinatanggalan ni Zia ng puso ang mga Xions. Blu immediately went to help pero agad siyang napatigil nung bigla nalang may motor na huminto mismo sa harap niya.
Everyone looked at the guy who was driving it and as soon as he took off his helmet, a new aura filled the area.
Anger.
It was Hoshi. Dressed in a leather jacket and his face was full of fury. Walang pasabi siyang tumalon papunta sa mga Xions at sinuntok ang lupa dahilan para yumanig ang paligid at magsabog ng ilaw ang kamay niya.
Napatakip saglit ng mga mata ang iba at tiningnan kung ano ang nangyari. The Xions immediately vanished like ashes in thin air.
He eliminated the Xions without even taking their hearts out. Just the light from his hand was enough to evaporate their bodies. Walang imik siya habang tinutulungan si Zia sa pagpatumba ng mga Xions. Zia was even a bit confused seeing Hoshi, who probably shouldn't be here, fighting with fury.
He had a serious face while he was protecting Xy who was caging Dolly in his arms. Wala nang malay si Dolly at duguan pa ang noo nito.
May mga sugat narin si Xy at parang hinahangos na siya. Agad na tumakbo si Xin papunta kina Xy. Kinarga agad ni Jun si Dolly habang tinulungan naman ni Xin na makatayo si Xy. Xin almost cried after seeing the big wound on Xy's arms and legs.
Xions had bitten him multiple times because he was trying to protect Dolly.
"H-Hoshi.. s-stop." Sambit ni Xin nung makita niyang parang ayaw pang tumigil ni Hoshi. Everyone was now wondering if he got his abilities back but all their questions were turned down when Hoshi suddenly started coughing out blood and knelt on the ground.
Agad na lumapit si Blu sa kanya at inalalayan na siya palayo pero gusto niya paring lumaban.
"H-Hindi pa ako tapos! S-Sinaktan nila si Xy!" Galit na sigaw ni Hoshi at pilit paring lumalaban kaya lumapit na si Lucas sa kanila at pinatulog na ito. Blu easily carried him back to the limo at pinatabi na kina Xy at Dolly.
Zia finished the Xions quickly habang nakabantay na naman si Reed sa paligid kung nandito ba si Uno o wala.
"Wala si Uno." Aniya at tiningnan si Zia na nakayuko lang at nanginginig pa ang kamay nito.
"Let's.. let's go home." Mahinahong sabi ni Lucas kay Zia na nakayuko parin at randam parin nila ang galit nito. Lumapit na si Blu sa kanya at may binulong rito dahilan para tumingin agad si Zia sa kanya. Blu just smiled at her and nodded for assurance.
"Kaya uuwi muna tayo." Nakangiting sabi ni Blu kay Zia at kumunot naman ang noo ng iba dahil naguguluhan sila kung anong sinabi ni Blu kay Zia dahilan para makuha nito ang atensiyon nito.
Dahan-dahan nang tumango si Zia at naglakad na pero bigla nalang napahawak si Reed sa braso niya. His crystal covered arm was hurting as if it was going to break.
Agad na nanlaki ang mga mata ni Reed nung malaman niya kung bakit ito sumasakit.
"U-Uno!" 'Yun lang ang naisigaw niya dahil sa sakit ng braso niya at biglang umalerto ang team. Ash immediately transformed into a dragon at tsaka binugahan ng apoy ang paligid para masigurong hindi na muna aatake si Uno.
Agad na pinapasok ni Wilder sina Audin at Shinshi sa limo at pinaandar na ito.
"Ano ba?! Lalaban ako!" Sigaw ni Audin mula sa loob ng limo.
"You're drained." Tipid na sabi ni Wilder at tiningnan si Shinshi na nakatingin lang sa kanya.
"And we should've dropped you off with along with the girls." Sabi ni Wilder at nakita niya mismo ang pagtiim ng bagang ni Shinshi at nag-iwas nalang ng tingin sa kanya. "We're not leaving you!" Sigaw ni Xin sa kanila pero tumingin na si Zia sa kanila.
"Save Ate Dolly." Aniya at nagtama ang paningin nila ni Xy. Xy clenched his jaw at magsasalita pa sana pero itinaas na ni Zia ang kamay niya at kusang sinara ang pinto ng limo. "I'm sorry." Zia mouthed before the limo started moving away.
Sumisigaw parin si Audin mula sa loob ng limo pero tumingin lang sina Wilder at Atlas sa kanila at tsaka na binaling ang tingin kay Reed na nakahawak parin sa braso niya.
"Zia, wala sa plano natin 'to. We're supposed to attack the Xions only." Sabi ni Archer kay Zia na nakatingin lang sa mga puno na nasusunog.
"If we don't end it here, then when?" Pasimpleng tanong ni Zia at tsaka na pinalabas ang pakpak niya. Lilipad na sana siya pero sabay siyang pinigilan nina Lucas at Blu.
"This is too risky." Mariing sabi ni Lucas sa kanya pero tinanggal lang ni Zia ang kamay nilang dalawa at tsaka tumingin sa apoy sa paligid. "Everything is risky." Aniya at tsaka tumingin kay Reed.
Reed looked away and clenched his jaw.
"The future doesn't change, Reed." Kumunot agad ang noo ng lahat dahil sa sinabi ni Zia pero hindi na sila nakapagsalita pa dahil bigla nalang may sinalo si Zia. It was an arrow. Archer immediately let out his wings and protected Lucas and Atlas from the arrow.
Umilag lang sina Wilder at Blu habang hindi naman tinatamaan si Reed.
Zia just flicked the arrows with her wings habang patuloy parin si Ash sa pagbuga ng apoy sa paligid. At habang nakatingin siya sa apoy ay ikinuyom niya ang kamao niya dahil sa sumagi sa kanyang isip.
"An arrow will pierce through your heart. Blood will flow, but the chaos will end." Time said. Zia just looked at her and nodded as if she had already accepted her fate. "Aren't you afraid, child?" Time asked.
Ngumiti lang si Zia at tsaka lumingo-lingo.
"Why would I?" Tanong niya dahilan para saglit na matigilan si Time. No one had really asked her this question before. Xin was different. Xin wanted to live. But Zia, she was also different. She wanted everyone to live, except her.
Time huffed out a breath and looked at her.
"If you die, those around you will mourn. Your parents will be sad. Your family, your brother and everyone else will be sad." Time said.
"I know." Tipid na sabi ni Zia dahilan para mas lalong maguluhan si Time.
"It's natural for them to be sad. They will be sad for a while and then will probably get back on their feet. It's not like they can't live without me, right?" Tanong ni Zia. Time looked at her with pity and flashed an image to her.
An image of Blu.
"He.. he can't live without you. You are aware of that, right?" Tanong ni Time sa kanya. Zia looked at Blu's portrait for a while and then looked away. "I'm toxic for him." Kumunot ulit ang noo ni Time dahil sa sinabi ni Zia.
Zia was very unpredictable, especially for someone like Time who usually knows what someone wants and thinks.
"I shouldn't let someone feel like they can't live without me. They shouldn't make me as a foundation for their life. It is their life, not mine. They should rule it and live it as it is. Ayokong may umasa na palagi nila akong nakikita at nakakasama. Given my situation and my entire being, I can't promise anyone to be by their side until the end. Especially to my parents and my family." Napayuko na si Zia at hinawakan ang kwintas na suot niya.
"A-Ayokong iwan sina Mommy. Gusto ko pa silang makasama pero wala akong magagawa. It's either I go, or them. And you know what I will choose, right?" Tanong ni Zia kaya saglit na napapikit si Time at mahinang tumango.
"I am just a fraction of this realm. My loss is not that important. I'll just be another soul who passed. But if I pass, I'll make sure to make it worth the life I lived in this realm. I'll eliminate the threat first." Huminga na ng malalim si Time dahil sa sinabi ni Zia at tsaka tiningnan to.
"But child, death is not the end." Sabi niya rito dahilan para iangat ni Zia ang tingin niya rito at parang sandali pa siyang naguluhan. Time gave her a smile and moved closer.
Time slowly pointed at her heart and smiled at her.
"Remember, you're rare. A living poison. You're not just a fraction of this realm. You.. you are the protector of this realm." Time calmly said and held Zia's cheeks.
"Death is not the end. You shall rise again."
"Ilayo niyo si Reed." Sambit ni Zia at agad namang kumilos sina Archer at Wilder at tsaka hinila palayo si Reed. Reed was still fighting with the pain in his arm habang nakamasid lang si Zia sa paligid. The arrows stopped coming kaya umayos na ng tayo sina Lucas.
Zia was covering her heart with her hand the whole time habang nakatingin parin siya sa paligid.
"Alis na tayo." Sabi ni Lucas kay Zia pero tumingin lang ito sa kanya.
"And what? Let Uno get away and then plan another attack?" Tanong ni Zia dahilan para magtiim-bagang agad si Lucas.
"Bakit ba ang tapang-tapang mo?! We could die out here or worse, you could die out here! And damn I'm not gonna let that happen kaya aalis na tayo!" Galit na sigaw ni Lucas sa kanya kaya lumapit na si Blu sa kanila pero yumuko lang si Zia at mahinang natawa.
"Kahit na umalis tayo rito at magtago ako sa pinakasulok ng mundong 'to, mamamatay parin ako." Agad na natigilan ang lahat dahil sa sinabi ni Zia. Even Ash who had his head above the ground heard what Zia said at tumingin narin sa baba.
"A-Anong sinabi mo?!" Galit na tanong ni Wilder at lumapit na kay Zia.
"This secret.. t-this secret that you and Reed have been keeping, ito ba 'yun?! Did you dream of something or did someone tell you that you're going to die?!" Galit na tanong ni Wilder kay Zia at hinawakan na ang balikat nito para ipaharap ito sa kanya.
Walang emosyong tumango si Zia dahilan para mapaawang ang bibig ni Wilder.
"Naniniwala ka dun?! You're supposed to be the one handling your fate, not some creature! Buhay mo 'yan kaya ikaw ang magdedesisyon kung mamamatay ka o hindi. The future doesn't always go with how it's supposed to go, Zia. Akala ko ba alam mo na 'yun?" Tanong ni Wilder sa pinsan niya na ngayo'y nakayuko na.
Dahan-dahang sinapo ni Zia ang mukha niya at nagpalit na ng anyo si Ash at tsaka nilapitan si Zia.
The fire was still burning around them when Ash pulled Zia towards him at cage her in his arms.
"You're just confused." Sabi ni Ash at hinaplos ang buhok ni Zia.
"Wala si Xy kaya ako na muna ang magiging Kuya mo." Dagdag niya at tiningnan ang paligid. Reed was no longer in pain kaya naisipan nilang wala na si Uno. Napapikit nalang si Zia at dinamba ang noo niya sa dibdib ni Ash.
Medyo napalakas yata ang pagkakabunggo nito at medyo napaubo si Ash. Mahina lang siyang tinawanan nina Wilder.
"At tsaka Zia, hindi ka mamamatay. May pogi kang tagabantay." Sabi ni Wilder kaya nung tiningnan siya ni Zia ay mahina itong natawa nung makita niyang nagpapapogi si Wilder sa kanya.
"You mean, mga tagabantay?" Tanong ni Lucas at ginulo pa ang buhok niya kaya umirap nalang sina Wilder. Mahinang natawa si Zia at tumingin na kay Blu na nakatingin lang sa kanya.
"I'll explain later." Aniya nung maisip niyang naguguluhan si Blu. Tipid na ngumiti si Blu at tumango nalang at tsaka na tiningnan ni Zia si Reed. Nilapitan na niya ito at tutulungan na sanang makatayo nang bigla nalang natigilan si Zia dahil sa narinig niya.
The sound of arrows being shot above was what she heard.
"Incoming!" Sigaw ni Atlas. Archer cursed under his breath when he saw the rain of arrows coming towards them. Agad na hinila ni Blu si Zia at tinakpan ito. Lumapit narin si Archer sa team at ginawang pangtakip ang pakpak niya.
"Ilang beses mo na bang ginawang shield 'yang pakpak mo?" Wala sa sariling tanong ni Wilder kay Archer.
"Gusto mo itulak kita palabas para matamaan ka?" Agad na sumbat ni Archer sa kanya kaya tumahimik nalang ito. Ash immediately transformed into his dragon form again at binugahan ng apoy ang mga pana na paparating sa kanila.
When the rain of arrows started coming, everyone was alert when arrows started coming from different directions.
But it has only one target, si Zia.
The team acted fast at sinalo ang mga pana na paparating kay Zia. Wilder blew rapid air using his hands towards the arrows on the left. Pasimple namang sinasalo ni Blu ang mga pana. Lucas was standing still, catching the arrows on the left.
Nakamasid lang si Reed sa paligid.
"Magpakita ka, duwag!" Sigaw ni Wilder habang patuloy parin sila sa pag-iwas ng mga pana. Reed stepped up and raised his hand at bigla nalang tumigil ang mga pana sa ere. Reed closed his fist and the arrows burned to the ground.
Gulat na tumingin sa kanya sina Wilder.
"What the hell? Nahirapan pa kami tapos ngayon ka lang kumilos?!" Inis na tanong nina Atlas at Wilder sa kanya. Reed glared at the two of them. "I was in pain!" Aniya at tiningnan na si Zia na nakatingin parin sa paligid.
Just then, a huge amount of fog started filling the cemetery.
Umalerto silang lahat at ilang segundo lang ay nabalot na sila ng makapal na fog.
"Wala akong makita!" Sigaw ni Wilder habang kinakapa niya ang paligid.
"Zia!" Sabay na sigaw nina Blu at Lucas habang nililibot nila ang tingin sa paligid. Zia was moving around, moving her hands. "Zia! Zia, follow my voice!" Rinig niyang sigaw ni Blu kaya binaling niya ang atensiyon niya sa boses ni Blu.
"Zia, nasan ka?!" Sigaw rin ni Reed.
Zia was also screaming out their names but she couldn't even feel any of them or detect where they are. There was something in the fog that was blocking their senses. Zia moved back when she heard a twig being crushed on the ground.
"Blu?" Mahina niyang tawag sa pangalan nito.
"I'm here! Where are you?" Naikuyom ni Zia ang kamao niya nung marinig niyang ang layo ng boses ni Blu mula sa kanya.
She then heard a sadistic laugh coming from behind her kaya agad siyang humarap dito at umatras. The laugh got louder as she heard footsteps coming towards her. Guarded with two mutated Xions side by side, Uno showed up.
Nakapamulsa ito habang nakangising nakatingin kay Zia.
"We meet again, little poison."
❅ Snow ❅