Lucky's POV

Jorvina and Linglie greeted us as soon as we returned to the neighborhood.

"What happened?" Tanong si Jorvina at nagpatawag ng manggagamot upang gamutin ang sugat ni Alas.

Nagmamadaling lumapit ang ibang Anthegwere para tulungan si Alas na makapasok sa bahay na tinutuluyan namin.

"A vengeful monster rushed at the Anthegwere." Zaphael said.

"A monster?"

"Yes, an Ogre." After I stated that, the two exchanged glances, their brows equally creased.

"Why is there an Ogre here? Malabong magkaro'n ng Ogre sa Catrus Land. Dystria is too far from this place—this is impossible."

"Dystria?" Zaphael and I asked at the same time.

"Dystria is an island populated by many types of Ogres. And I can't be wrong when I say that no one has the ability to release the Ogres on that island except Sierra—Sierra and Noah, the two of them gathered around the Ogres when they were wreaking havoc and then used their combined power to put a seal on the island that no one else has the ability to break except the two. But why is an Ogre here—" Jorvina's words were cut short as we heard a scream and spotted a young man running while injured.

We immediately ran towards it. "T-the L-leader..." The last thing he said then pointed to the way he came from before collapsing and losing consciousness.

Nagkatinginan kami, nanlaki ang mga mata namin nang mapagtantong nasa kabilang bundok ang pinuno ng lugar na ito, na siya namang tiyuhin ni Jorvina.

"Jun, you handle this first. Order everyone to stay at home initially and don't leave." After Jorvina ordered her cousin, we quickly went to the farm. Two mountains are at a distance from here.

"Jorvina, why don't we just use a portal to get us to the other mountain?" Napahinto sila dahil sa mungkahi ko. Tinapik ni Jorvina ang likod ng ulo niya at tumango. Dahil sa kanyang pag-aalala, hindi niya naisip na gamitin ang portal.

When we entered the portal that Jorvina made I was expecting a dizzying feeling but I frowned because we were able to use the portal normally.

"This portal can be used without feeling dizzy." Zaphael was whispering to me.

"Look!" I pulled them when I saw a tree flying towards our place.

"Uncle—" Agad na tinakpan ni Linglie ang bibig ni Jorvina dahil sisigaw na sana ito at kung nagkataon ay baka makuha namin ang atensyon ng dalawang Ogre.

Tumingin ako sa paligid at nanliit ang mga mata ko nang makitang hawak ng isang Ogre ang pinuno ng lupaing ito. Nakasabit ito sa kanyang baywang habang nakatali ang kaniyang katawan.

"Jorvina, Linglie, draws the attention of the two Ogres, and you, Zaphael, support me. Prepare your shield, and make me a vine as well. I'll take the lead." They nodded and started doing what I said.

While the two Ogres were occupied, I nodded to Zaphael, and he created a vine that I used to get close to an Ogre, much like before. I snatched the knife from my knee and hurled it towards the rope that was wrapped around Jorvina's uncle. I was astonished when it hit but it came back to me, so I jumped.

I can't be mistaken, I struck the rope, but what happened?

I tried again, but it came back to me, and I was just shocked since Ogre was gazing at me. It was too late to flee, so as his left hand struck me, I spluttered and was released from the rope

"Lucky!" Sigaw nilang lahat. Sinubukan kong bumangon, pero manhid ang buong katawan ko sa malakas na pagkakahampas sa mga puno.

When blood flowed from my forehead, I closed my eyes. "Damn it! Mukhang napuruhan ako..." Pahina nang pahina ang boses ko hanggang sa unti-unting pumikit ang talukap ng mga mata ko

Nagising ako dahil panginginig ng paligid. Kaya dahan-dahan kong iminulat ang mga mata ko, nakita ko na lang na nakagapos ang buong katawan ko at naka-sabit sa baywang ng halimaw. I closed my eyes briefly since I was still drowsy from what had happened before.

What happened? Why am I tied? Where are they—

My eyes widened as the Ogre and the other came to a halt. It extended its hands and tossed four lifeless bodies. My chest clenched as I blinked. Jorvina and Linglie were bloodied, and Zaphael's right arm was severed, as was Jorvina's uncle.

Muntik na akong masuka dahil sa nakita ko, pero hindi ko magawa dahil hindi ko ma-igalaw ang buong katawan ko maliban sa mga mata.

Zaphael! No! No! This is not true! Isn't this merely a dream? It's all a dream! Please wake me up!

I was even more startled when I looked around since everyone in this land had died. Their body's parts were piled up on the side, and I'm sure they died horribly because the ogres ate them.

"Please help me, Virgo, Capricorn, and Aquarius! Where have you gone?!" I yelled, but they were nowhere to be found; I couldn't feel them.

What is going on? Bakit humantong sa ganito ang lahat? Everything was okay a while ago, but now I feel like I'm in a nightmare.

I close my eyes and attempt to wake up, but this appears to be reality. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at ginamit ang huling lakas ko para subukang putulin ang lubid na nakatali sa katawan ko. Habang pinuputol ko ang lubid, isang malakas na daing ang aking pinakawalan dahil nagkaroon ako ng malaking hiwa sa aking palad. I dropped off the Ogre at the same time and found myself rolling till I reached Zaphael's body.

I crawled slowly and, despite the difficulty, I caressed his face as my tears fell.

"Please, Zaphael, wake up! Get up! You're strong, aren't you? You should not have died! Please get up! Zaphael!!!" I shouted full of regrets because I couldn't save them.

Many lives have been lost as a result of my negligence and rashness as a Guardian. I wouldn't have passed out if I hadn't done it earlier.

"I am worthless!" I was lured to the dagger embedded in Linglie's chest and crept over to take it. I closed my eyes and prepared to place it on my chest as soon as I got it. "I don't deserve this power, so I deserve to die—"

"I was surprised by how weak the chosen was."

Nagulat ako at agad na nagmulat ng mata. I saw a dazzling mass of a being, and I couldn't be mistaken since I could sense the great energy emanating from his presence.

"Zodiac Spirit." Sabi ko habang tumatayo at humarap sa kan'ya ng maayos.

His expression was solemn, and he seemed to underestimate me based on what he had seen I intended to do. Perhaps he is already wondering why, of all the individuals in the world, I was picked to be their guardian.

It's ridiculous since I, too, have a query about this matter. There are many more deserving people than me; who can perform this job well and consistently, but me? I am insecure and lack self-esteem. Why me, when I question my ability? Bakit kinakailangang ako pa?

"Why, indeed? You are right; there are many people who are better suited for your position, but you are the one chosen by God," it approached me and circled me, inspecting me from head to toe. I felt deflated as a result of the way he stared at me, and my legs seemed to be losing enough strength to stand properly. "But perhaps the gods have a reason why you stand out from the crowd. And if you take your own life, we will never know why you. I'm puzzled why you are, therefore I won't allow you to terminate your life just for the sake of those who have passed away."

My fists tightened because of the way he said it reeked of disdain.

"Just for those creatures? Talking about it with the use of JUST." I laughed. "You can't just say JUST, because ONLY the creatures you refer to, add color and meaning to this world. Because of those creatures, this world has been cherished, given respect, and, most importantly, called home." Tinignan ko siya ng masama pero nagulat ako ng bigla siyang pumalakpak at ngumiti.

I frowned. "I now understand half of the reason. Excellent work. As a result, if you speak my name, I'll offer you a chance to fix everything."

"What do you mean to fix everything?"

He grinned and took my place. "Find out. So, who am I among in the twelve Zodiac Spirits?"

His question caused me to reflect. I gazed at him, trying to figure out who he was. He was a guy with deer-like horns.

Who will be the most helpful to me this time? If a creature had the ability to change time and period? The Zodiac spirit beside me is none other than...

"Libra." My heart raced quicker after I said that, afraid that if I don't speak his name right, I'll lose hope of fixing everything. We were simply looking at each other and all I could hear was my heart thumping harder and faster.

Ngumiti siya at bumulong ng mga salitang hindi ko maintindihan hanggang sa napansin ko ang araw, buwan, at pati mga bituin na pumapalibot sa katawan ko. Faster and faster till the pace of their cycles causes dizziness. Natumba ako dahil lumala ang panghihilo na nararanasan ko hanggang sa unti-unting pumikit ang mga mata ko, but before they totally closed, I saw Libra's face with a broad and pleased smile on his lips, and the darkness entirely obscured my vision.

To be continued...