Tale 47
Demons

“I now have four of my most powerful magic.”

Amara look over the horizon, gazing at someone far away.

“Resurrection Chapters, Shadow Puppetry Magic, Infinite Cloning Spell, and Time and Space Scripture.”

“Will that be enough?” tanong ni Damnable na nakadapo sa kanyang balikat

Amara smiled, “To beat them? Yes. But to destroy them completely, not yet.”

“But your fifth magic is way too dangerous. Even for you.” Sabat ni Unbearable, ang puting pusa

“Your fifth magic can wipe out all existence not just on this world.” Paalala ni Blabbermouth sa dalaga

“Do you remember how I created that magic?” Amara

Natahimik ang kanyang mga Familiar.

That lifetime was one of the darkest.

She was powerless, weak, oppressed, young.

She witnessed Orion’s death.

Her family’s death.

She helplessly watched as those that she loved died.

She lost everything.

She lost herself.

When her memories as the Stillwater finally reawakened, she killed her way up. Bathing the world with blood.

She became the ruler of the world.

The Empress of Death.

The world was then filled with wars.

Sufferings.

There was only Chaos.

She was respected by some, cursed by most, hated by many. She became the common enemy of all races.

That was the time when she created her most powerful magic.

It’s the most dangerous magic to ever exist, it can destroy her, even the gods were alarmed.

Because of that, the gods sealed away her five most powerful magic.

She was always the one suffering through this endless cycle of reincarnation.

“I was filled with hatred back then.” Saad ni Amara habang nakatanaw sa malayo

“It felt like it was only yesterday. I still remember—”

“Let’s go back.” Sabat ni Amara upang pigilan si Blabbermouth magsimulang magmonologo na pusibleng umabot ng tatlong araw

They vanished from the edge of the cliff overlooking the vast ocean.

***

“It’s mine!” Gigil ni Desmond

“No! It’s mine!” Aurio

“No my friend, this last piece of cake is MINE!” Desmond

“Nu uh, this is my house! This is my cake!” Aurio

“Ohohoho! No way! Im a guest! Be more hospitable and just give me this last slice!” Desmond

“Is Aurio really okay?” tanong ni Nova habang pinagmamasdan sina Aurio at Desmond na magwrestling dahil sa cake

“He’s trying to be.” Tugon ni Amara

“Should I tell Desmond?” Nova

“Not now. Aurio needs to keep his mind away from the pain. Desmond is a good distraction.” Amara

“It’s good that you invited us over then.” Nova

Amara elegantly sipped her tea, “By the way, about the job.”

“Dont worry, my brother is working on it. No one will decline a request from the only Class SSS Assassin in the world.” Tugon ni Nova na abala din sa pag-inom ng tsaa

Amara simply smiled.

“But is it really okay for the two of us to be here?” Nova

“Dont worry, it’s fine. Grandmaster Vermillion wont mind.” Amara

Amara invited them over to look after Aurio. Although there’s still vacant rooms on her own mansion, Amara made them stay over at Aurio’s residence inside the guild.

“By the way, I heard you got engaged with the young king of Lux..” Nova

“It’s true.” Amara

“Sigurado ba sya? Aware ba sya na lalaki ka deep inside? Aware ba sya na masyado kang brutal? Aware ba sya na hindi ka tao?” sabat ni Desmond

Amara smiled sweetly, “Do you want to die so bad? Keep running your mouth.”

“I’ll shut up hehe.” Desmond

“But he do have a point. You have a poisonous tongue and a nasty personality.” Sang-ayon din ni Aurio habang ngumunguya ng cake, he won the argument.

“Im not a bakery. I dont sugarcoat things.” Amara

“Her personality is not nasty, just blunt.” Sabat muli ni Desmond

“No, it’s really nasty!” Aurio

“No, that’s wrong. How can you say that about our dear friend? It’s already very obvious, she’s the devil incarnate!” Desmond

Amara smiled, “Gusto nyo ba talagang isubsob ko yang mga muka nyo sa semento?”

“No thanks hehehe.” Sagot ng dalawa

***

Lumipas ng mapayapa ang mga araw.

Nagpatuloy si Amara sa pagiging isang mabuting guro sa kanyang mga apprentice.

Sa araw na ito, magaganap ang eksaminasyon para sa mga Level 5 Alchemists na nagnanais maging Master Alchemists.

Ginaganap ang eksaminasyon kada taon, at sa taong ito, napili ang guild na Thousand Crows bilang venue.

Lahat ng kalahok sa eksaminasyon ngayong taon ay pinili at sumailalim sa mahigpit na pagsusuri ng bawat guild na kanilang pinagmulan.

Hindi madali ang makapasa sa eksaminasyon.

Mayroong limang parte ang exam at tumatagal ito ng limang araw.

Hindi bumababa sa isang daan ang karaniwang bilang ng mga alchemist na sumasailalim sa exam subalit isa o dalawa lamang ang nakakapasa sa kada taon. May mga pagkakataon pa na lahat ay bumabagsak.

Tahimik na naglalakad si Amara patungo sa pagdadausan ng exam ngayong araw.

Ito ang unang araw ng exam at napili sya bilang judge sa unang parte ng eksaminasyon.

“Its Lady Amara!”
“Ohmy! She’s so pretty!”
“Lady Amara!”

Puno ng galak na binati sya ng lahat.

Nakangiting umakyat sa isang munting elavated platform si Amara.

“Grandmaster Amara.” Bati ng isang matandang babae

“Grandmaster Rhea.” Nakangiting tugon ni Amara

Mayroong limang Grandmaster Alchemists ang State of Aragon. Sina Grandmaster Vermillion, Grandmaster Lambert, Grandmaster Helia, Grandmaster Lala at Grandmaster Rhea. Si Amara ang ikaanim.

“Since Grandmaster Helia is not around, we have to bother you to take his place for the first part of the exam.” Grandmaster Rhea

“I dont mind.”

“How kind of you. I will accompany you for now, in case you have questions.” The old lady said kindly

Amara nod her head and smiled. She then shifted her gaze towards the examinees.

“Good day everyone.” Nakangiti nyang bati sa lahat

“I will only explain the rules once, so please pay attention.”

Everyone nod their head in unison.

“No killing, no stealing.”

Everyone blink their eyes, waiting for her to continue.

“.............”

“.........uhm... That’s it?” tanong ng isa

Amara raise an eyebrow.. “What? You want more?”

“.........”

Amara crossed her arms.. “Listen up people, I dont care if you stab someone in there. But make sure that the person will survive, keep in mind that killing is prohibited, it’s against all forms of morals. You will be sent inside the Forest of Peace to gather all the herbs that I will tell you, those who cannot complete the list will be expelled from the exam. Stealing is also against the rules. Those who will not abide will be punish.”

A long list of herbs was then distributed to everyone.

Everyone saw Amara sat comfortably on the stage, a plate of grapes beside her. By the looks of it, she seems to be in a picnic instead of an exam.

Amara took a glance at everyone... “Uh, ano pang hinihintay nyo? Gusto nyo pang yung mga herbs ang lalapit sa inyo?” iritable nyang tanong

Agad kumilos ang lahat.

“Grabe ang sungit ni Grandmaster Amara..”
“Oo nga eh.. Mabuti pa na hanapin na natin itong mga herbs.”
“Are you stupid? Alchemists tayo, hindi mga Herbalists. Why would a future Master Alchemist gather herbs?”
“Paano tayo papasa? Tara na kasi.”
“Stupido.. Maraming paraan para pumasa. Maghintay tayo, kapag may nakakumpleto ng mga herbs, pagtulungan natin.”
“Hindi ka ba nakikinig? No stealing!”
“Sus! Sa palagay mo ba mamomonitor nila tayo? Dito sa loob ng gubat? Nuh! Impusible!”
“Luh, mabuti na yung sigurado!”
“Tsk bahala ka.. Basta ako, maghihintay na lang ako dito.”

Ibat-ibang eksena ang naganap sa loob ng maghapon.

May mga kawawang examinees na nawalan ng herbs.

Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, chill na chill na nakaupo si Amara at kumakain.

Grandmaster Rhea is a bit worried with how she facilitates the exam, gayun pa man may tiwala sya sa dalaga kaya hindi sya nagkomento at nanatiling nakangiti na tila isang manonood lamang.

Lumipas ang mga oras.

Bago lumubog ang araw sa likod ng mga kabuntukan sa kanluran, bumalik ang lahat ng examinees mula sa kagubatan.

Nakangiting tumayo si Amara sa itaas ng platform.

“To those who broke the rules, move forward.” Anunsyo ni Amara

Napalunok ang lahat.

“Those who broke the rules will be banned to take the exam in the next ten years, but if you willingly confessed, you will be pardoned.” Amara

Katahimikan.

Who would willingly confess? Only an idiot would!

“This is the only chance I will give you. No one? Fine, once you get back to your own guilds, expect your punishments. Do you actually believed that I sent you all inside that forest without monitoring all your actions? I will personally send the list of names of those who broke the rules to your guild masters.” Saad ni Amara saka tumalikod

Whaaaaat?

Agad nagpanic ang lahat ng mga lumabag sa patakaran.

Heck! Lady Amara already have a list of names? That means they will be banned to take the exam for ten years! TEN YEARS!

“Wait! Lady Amara!”
“Lady Amara!”
“Grandmaster Amara! I confess!”
“Me too! Lady Amara! Please forgive me!”

Sunod-sunod na lumuhod sa lupa ang mga examinees. The people who robbed the other examinees were scared silly. How could they wait for another ten years? They would rather bow down and cry for Lady Amara’s forgiveness then retake the exam next year!

“I  just want to pass!”
“He’s right! Please forgive us!”
“Please forgive us Grandmaster Amara!”

Amara glance back at everyone. She stared at their faces and then nod her head, as if everything is within her expectation.

“Good. Everyone who confessed are pardoned, pack up your belongings and leave immediately, reflect on your actions and see you next year. The rest of you who completed the list, stay for tomorrow’s exam, you may continue to the next part of the examination.” She said calmly

“Thank you Lady Amara!” everyone said in unison

Grandmaster Rhea walk along with Amara with a smile.

“You did well.. But it’s my first time hearing about the 10 year punishment?” Grandmaster Rhea said after they walked far enough

“I just come up with that on the spot.” Amara answered nonchalant

“...........”

“Then how did you come up with that list?” Grandmaster Rhea inquired

“What list?” Amara

“The list of those who broke the rules.”

“Ah, that? I lied.” Amara

“..........”

Unbelievable.

***

Samantala, habang abala si Amara sa pagiging judge, may hindi inaasahang pangyayari ang naganap habang wala sya.

“Aurio!” nag-aalalang sigaw ni Nova noong tumilapon si Aurio dahil sa malakas na pwersa na tumama dito

“Sino kayo?!” tanong ni Desmond habang nakatutok ang hawak na patalim sa apat na itim na pigura na nanghimasok sa mansion

“You are not worthy of our names, human.” Tugon ng isa

“Whatever.” Roll eyes ni Desmond saka mabilis na umatake

Hawak ang dalawang patalim sa kanyang magkabilang kamay, umikot si Desmond sa ere at mabilis na umatake. Subalit nakaiwas ang apat na tila nakikipaglaro lamang sa isang musmos.

“Pathetic humans.” Komento ng isa

Mabilis na kumilos ang apat at sa isang kisapmata, nababalot na ng dugo si Desmond, walang malay.

Matapos makita ito, agad lumitaw ang isang dambuhalang axe sa mga kamay ni Nova, ang Cosmos.

Weapons created from the remnants of a divine artefact can be wield by anyone strong enough to use it. A divine weapon is not a magic weapon that can only be used by mages. A divine weapon can be used by people with the will and stamina to wield it.

Upon seeing the axe, the four beings was stunned.

“A divine weapon!”

“This is a surprise.. But it doesn’t matter. A divine weapon wielded by a mere mortal is not enough to threaten us..” dagdag pa ng isa

“How about a weapon wielded by a half phoenix, half dragon?” sabat ng isang bagong tinig

“It’s the Dragon Princess!” saad ng isa sa apat nang makita si Sapphire

“How dare these ugly creatures crawl here?! You’re asking for a beating!” galit na sabat ni Arya

“Tsk.. What are these two nosy dragons doing here?” saad ng isa sa apat

“Go back from where you came from, demons.” Malamig na saad ni Sapphire

“We are here for that mortal, give him to us and no one will be hurt.” Saad ng isa sa apat na demon saka itinuro si Aurio

“No way!” sabat ni Nova saka itinutok sa demon ang hawak na palakol

“You think you can take away Amara’s  favorite friend? You want to die so bad, aren’t you?” ngisi ni Arya

“Dont try to get in the way, dragon.” Tugon ng demon

“Sapphire, let’s pulverized these idiots!” excited na saad ni Arya

“Dont get so cocky dragons, you’re not our match!”

“Deyja!” saad ni Arya at isang scythe ang lumitaw sa kanyang kamay

“Hebban.” Saad ni Sapphire at isang napakalaking hammer ang lumitaw sa kanyang kamay

Upon seeing these weapons, the four demon’s expressions turned sour.

Deyja and Hebban, the divine weapons used by the Witch of Slaughter and Witch of Devastation during their time.

“If only Lucas is here, then we’ll also have Gladius Lignea. Four divine weapons against these four demons.” Saad ni Arya

“Doesn’t matter, we’re more than enough to deal with these small fries.” Kibit balikat ni Sapphire

“Tsk.. Do not belittle us Dragon Princess! We will fight you with everything we got!”

“Should you summon Regis and Euphie?” tanong ni Arya kay Sapphire

“No need.” Sapphire

“Ah, what a shame. I want to eat Regis’ special sopas!” Arya

“Now that you mention it, I too, want that.” Sang-ayon ni Sapphire

“Damn Dragons! Dont ignore us!”

“Small fries.” Insulto ni Arya sa apat

The four demons suddenly emit a powerful, killing aura.

Napalunok si Nova. The killing aura is so intense all of a sudden. It’s so intense that she could hardly breath.

The wind started to howl strongly, the four demons suddenly felt oppressive, overbearing, their killing aura can frighten anyone.

Arya and Sapphire’s facial expression turned serious upon witnessing this.

These four demons are no ordinary lackeys. Arya and Sapphire wonders why the enemies would send four powerful demons just to kidnap Aurio..?

“Foolish humans.”

“Weaklings.”

“Ants.”

“Pathetic.”

Sunod-sunod na saad ng apat na demons.

“Arya, be careful. These four are stronger than we thought.” Sapphire

“Psh, let’s kick their asses.” Arya

Agad kumilos ang dalawa.

Blue fire dances along with ice as Sapphire wield her gigantic hammer in the air.

A giant lightning volt fell from the sky as Arya wield her scythe towards her enemies.

The four demons suddenly fell into a dangerous situation. But they are a prideful race, they will fight to the death!

Several explosions rocked the entire place, all the alchemists nearby fell into a panic state. Those are no ordinary explosions from making pills and potions! What the heck is happening?!

Nova was left with no choice but to lift both Aurio and Desmond and flee to safety.

Those two ladies are monstrous!

“Die!” sigaw ng isang demon

“No one can stop the demon race! We will rise and rule the world!”

“Just shut up!” angil ni Arya sabay wasiwas sa hawak na scythe, nahiwa nito ang braso ng isa sa apat na demon, tumalsik ang bughaw na dugo nito sa paligid

“Arrgg! You will pay for that Dragon!”

“Make me.” Hamon ni Arya

“You dragons are no longer the ruler of this world!”

“No one can stop us Demons! This will become our era! We will conquer the world!”

“Indeed! This is no longer the era of the gods, or the dragons! Not even mages! This will be the era of Demons!”

“You dragons better leave, less you will become our race’ slaves!”

“No dont leave, it’s been eons since I last tasted dragon meat! You dragons will be part of our feast as we take over Aralon!”

Just then, a dominating aura pushed back everyone, making them stumble and lost their balance.

“You dare show yourselves in my presence?” sabat ng isang malamig na tinig

All attention turns towards the voice.

“I was wondering who’s causing all these ruckus.” Dagdag pa ng tinig

A gentle smile. Eyes so deep and mysterious, so ancient. Golden hair that dances with the wind. A beautiful angel who came down to deliver the justice of heaven.

Upon realizing who it was, all the demons froze.

“S-stillwater?!”

“The one and only.” nakangiting tugon ni Amara

“Holy sh!t.”

In the blink of an eye, all the demons tacked their tails and run for dear life.

Everyone was dumbfounded after seeing this.

No sh!t.. Those powerful demons just fled and run as fast as they could!

What happened to those ridiculously arrogant demons?!

What happened to fighting to the death?! Where’s their pride gone to?

Tumakbo sila na parang isang batang nahuli ng nanay na nagchichinese garter sa kapitbahay matapos di bumalik after utusan na bumili ng mantika.

The demons wanted to cry. How unlucky! There is a rumour among the demons that meeting with the Stillwater would bring a hundred years of bad luck! Who would want to deal with her?

Don’t joke, even the gods were helpless against the antics of the Stillwater!

They don’t want to die a ridiculous and pathetic death!

No demon would dare mess with her!

No sh!t.

“.........”

Everyone was left dumbfounded

~~~~~~~~~~