Kabanata 5
Leak

Celestia Rogue

THAT NIGHT, I am participating in night patrols. Night patrols are the jobs of villagers who didn't participate in the hunt. Our village hunters participates by shift, so if one didn't go hunt in the leak according to the schedule, they had to do patrols at night to inform everyone, incase something happened.

I didn't participate to the hunt earlier since I had to assist my mother. Inatake nanaman kasi ito ng sakit niya kaya kinailangan ko siyang asikasuhin.

Bumuti naman na ang pakiramdam niya ngayon at nagpresinta ang kapit bahay namin na bantayan si mama at tawagin nalamang ako sa pwesto ko kapag kailangan ako sa bahay.

"I wish I could see the glowing birds here like the forest near our house in the past."

I mumbled.

"If it weren't for that leak, the mountain and the forest here will probably have them."

I added.

Those glowing birds only lives on peaceful places that no beasts or monsters. They glow like flying lanterns in the forest. The village chief told me that this place used to have lots of them before the leak appeared, years ago.

It used to be the most peaceful village that fortunately, no guardians or nobles are interested in since the place doesn't have any mana or something that could be useful to them.

"You always have such a loud thoughts."

Sambit ng isang malamig na boses, nanlaki ang mata ko roon at dali daling itinutok ang dagger sa lalaki. I didn't even sense him like I usually do.

The ash gray haired man stared at me coldly with his Ice blue eyes.

"Draco..."

I said the moment I saw his irritating face.

"What are you doing here? what are you planning? kung ano man iyon ay wala kang mapapala sa lugar na ito."

Malamig na sabi ko habang nakatutok padin sakaniya ang dagger ko. But then he suddenly used some cold breeze that smoothly took back my dagger into my pocket.

"My prey ran off here, I was just passing by. I don't plan to waste my time here either."

He said then showed me a person's bloody head.

"If that head doesn't belong to a noble or a guardian, I don't give a fuck."

I shrugged then ate the sandwich from my bag while still looking at him blankly.

"It's a noble, traitor of the kingdom."

He said while casually showing it to me.

"Well make sure to also dispose the body, I don't want to the villagers to get scared tommorow if they see it."

Sambit ko.

"I already did, do you have a plastic bag?"

Tanong niya.

"One silver."

I said then grinned.

'I don't want this man here, he should just leave or die somewhere for all I care, why does he have to talk to me.'

I said in the back of my mind.

"I can hear your thoughts."

He said.

"Alam ko."

Ngising sabi ko.

"I can kill you right now, do you know that?"

Malamig na sabi niya.

"Edi patayin mo, pakielam ko."

Sabi ko habang pasimpleng ginuguhitan ng tite ang muka ng pugot ulong hawak niya gamit ang dugo nitong tumutulo pa.

"You should value your life more."

He hissed while glaring at me.

"You threatened me and now you're telling me to value my life? you're quite strange."

I shrugged, he just sighed.

"You're the strange one here, why do you keep acting like no one's ever been nice to you."

He said while looking at me blankly.

"There are few, the rest are trash, most theians are cruel."

I hissed, seryoso lang siyang tumingin saakin saka hinawakan ang kamay ko't naglapag ng pera doon.

"Now give me the plastic bag, this thing is disgusting."

He hissed, nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita isang gold coin iyon!

"Keep the change."

He said then took the plastic from me making me smile genuinely while looking at the money.

"I love you."

I said sweetly while looking at it. Nangunot ang noo ni Draco habang nawiwirduhang nakatingin saakin saka itinago ang ulo sa isang maliit na pouch. I think it's a magic pouch that can store many things.

"Oh bakit? wala ng bawian."

Irap ko sabay tago non.

Kaloka din, gabi gabi ay ibinubuwis ko ang buhay ko para sa isang silver tapos babayaran niya ako ng isang gold para sa isang plastic bag?

Kung sabagay ay nakakadiri nga naman ang pagmumuka ng ulong hawak niya.

Malaki ang maidadag nito sa ipon ko para tuluyang maipagamot si mama at makakabili ako ng gamit para sa mga batang tinuturuan ko, bukod doon ay sobra sobra pa ito para makabili ng armas para sa mga nagbabantay sa village.

"I'm hungry, I'll pay you if you give me your food in there."

He said on a bossy manner.

"That's a nice offer pero ibibigay ko na ng libre dahil malaki ang ibinayad mo saakin. Baka sabihin mo pa, mukang pera ako---well yeah, muka nga."

Ngisi ko sabay bigay sakaniya ng baon kong tinapay na tinanggap niya naman para kainin.

Ginawa ko iyon kaninang tanghali noong maaga akong matapos sa gawain.

Natigilan pa ito at napapikit, napangisi ako doon habang nang aasar na nakatingin.

"Not bad."

Nagiwas siya ng tingin na nagpatawa lang saakin.

"For someone who don't trust me, you're way too chill around me."

He said while still eating.

"Why do you want me to act afraid? I'd never show you that, guardian."

I hissed.

The only guardian I consider honorable and a true hero is my father.

"Your father is a guardian?"

Kunot noong tanong niya.

"Don't listen to my thoughts, or else!"

I hissed.

"Or else what?"

He said while leaning closer, hindi ako gumalaw sa kinatatayuan at inis na hinarap siya.

"I'm gonna think dirty thoughts, very very dirty thoughts about you."

I giggled making his eyes widened.

I imagined purposely Draco, rolling in the mud.

"Oh..that.."

He managed to compose himself then looked at me blankly.

"What? it's a very dirty thought, why? thinking of something else?"

I grinned then also leaned closer, Draco glared at me making me laugh.

"You're strange out of commoners---no, out of everyone I've met, you're the strangest one."

He said while looking at me.

"It's better to be strange than to be cruel."

I shrugged.

"You don't fear me when even high ranked guardians or even the emperor does. Seeing blood seems normal to you, you resent everyone except this village. You're not afraid of death at all, you embraced it while smiling. Why Celestia? just how life crushed you that you turned into this?"

He asked.

Well I don't think life is done crushing me.

"You were born with a golden spoon in your mouth, grew up with a strong mana, ofcourse you wouldn't know, that's why you would think I'm strange."

Malamig na sabi ko habang nakatingin ng deretso sakaniyang mga mata. Ang walang buhay niyang mga mata ay tila ba nagkaroon ng isang emosyong hindi ko mawari kung ano.

"Since you're done with your thing here, you should probably leave. Baka matakot ang mga kasamahan ko kapag nakita ka pa."

Dagdag ko pa nang hindi siya nakasagot.

"I still have to pay for the food."

He said calmly, nangunot ang noo ko roon.

"Hindi na kailangan, I don't trust a dangerous man like you roaming freely in our village."

Mariing sabi ko.

"I will close that leak for you."

He said, ignoring me, nanlaki ang mga mata ko roon.

"Don't joke around, why would you help me? Why would you help us? anong kailangan mo saamin kapalit ng tulong mo?"

Nagdududang tanong ko.

"I'm interested with a decade old leak, that's all. I don't care about you, I'm just curious about that thing."

He hissed, napairap ako doon.

"Then take me with you, Like what I've said, I don't trust you, Ice guardian. Hindi ko alam kung may motibo ka pa ba kaya sasama ako."

Plus I want to atleast kill those troublesome monsters for the last time if ever he really is telling the truth, that he is willing to close the leak.

"What if I really have? just what can you do?"

He asked looking pissed.

"You're all talk, but you can't even save yourself, yet you keep provoking people who is clearly stronger than you. Having no fear does not make you stronger, you will just become a fool who would end up dying."

Malamig na sabi niya habang diretsong nakatingin saakin.

"I do not wish to be saved, and I'd rather die a fool than not doing anything to protect them at all."

Sambit ko.

"It wouldn't hurt to selfish atleast once, if you die, it wouldn't help those people at all. This world will continue to crush them, either you live or die."

Sagot niyang nagpakuyom sa mga kamao ko.

"Do you think I have a choice? do you think someone out there cares for us? I can never be selfish, Mytheia is like hell for commoners and we do not have a choice but to fight for each other, we only have each other to depend on. We are not living Ice guardian, We are just surviving."

Mariing sambit ko saka nauna ng maglakad patungo sa leak.

"You should stay outside, ako na ang bahala rito."

Sabi niyang nang marating namin ang leak na nagpakunot noo saakin.

"I'm going in."

I said.

"I can do it myself, you're just gonna get hurt."

Mariing sabi niya.

"Concern?"

Taas kilay na sabi kong nagpamulagat sa mga mata niya.

"I don't want anyone slowing me down, why would I be concern to you?"

He hissed.

"Exactly! since you're not concern, I will come with you."

I shrugged, mukang galit na siya pero wala akong pakielam.

"I said no! why wouldn't you listen?"

Iritang sabi niya na nagpangisi saakin.

"Cause I don't want to listen."

Sabi ko habang tinitignan ang kuko ko.

"You will get hurt, so don't be stubborn and just stay here."

Sambit nito habang seryosong nakatingin saakin.

"Eh ano naman kung masaktan ako? Akala ko ba wala kang pakielam saakin? crush mo ko noh?"

Pang aasar kong nagpasimangot sakaniyang.

"I would like to crush you instead if you keep this up."

Pagbabanta niyang madramang nagpasinghap saakin.

"You don't want me hurt but you're threatening me?"

Natawa ako doon.

"I am not some fragile porcelane doll, you Ice bastard. Kung hindi ka sanay na hindi ka sinusunod ay huwag mo akong kausapin."

Sabi ko sabay pasok sa leak.

When I got inside, I was welcomed by a forest. Naramdaman ko nalang na may humawak sa kamay ko na nagpatigil saakin.

"You idiotic stubborn woman!"

Inis na sabi ni Ice guardian, tinaasan ko lamang siya ng kilay saka tinignan ang kamay niyang nakahawak saakin.

Agad itong bumitaw na nagpailing saakin saka kinuha ang alcohol sa bag ko at hinugasan ang kamay na hinawakan niya.

Nangunot ang noo niya roon.

"Has anyone ever told you, how frustrating you are to be with?"

Inis na sabi niya na nagpangisi saakin.

"Everyone I know tells me that, bear with it until we finish our thing here, if you can't, you can just go burry yourself somewhere."

I shrugged.

"You're really arrogant, if I were like them, you'd be as good as dead by now."

He said menacingly.

"Do I look like I'm afraid of death? you're really annoying."

I hissed as I started walking, agad namang sumunod ito saakin.

"I really don't like you."

He hissed making me laugh.

"Diyan tayo magkakasundo, I don't like you either, sweetheart."

I said then winked at him.

"I hate it when I'm called by names."

Inis na sabi niya.

"I know, that's what I did."

I chuckled.

"This is the first time I had a long conversation with someone, and yet, we just keep arguing."

Kunot noong sabi niya.

"Because you keep opening your mouth, saying annoying things."

I shrugged.

"That's the same for you."

He hissed, I gasped.

"Since when did I say annoying things? Can't you see? I'm fragile and I'm as gentle as a flower."

Pang aasar kong ikinangiwi niya, kumurap kurap pa akong ngumiti.

"You're a thorny flower."

He said as we roam around the place, natawa ako doon.

"If I would be a flower, I'd like to be the most poisonus one."

I chuckled.

"You're like a Calliope then, a flower from the eastern mountains."

He uttered, nangisi ako roon. Calliope is a very beautiful flower, but also very poisonus.

"Calliope looks enchanting, it's fragrance calls the travellers, making them want to touch it."

Sambit ko.

"And then it will release a very poisonus pollen once touched, that will make that someone have a very painful slow death."

Dagdag ko pa saka nginisian siya, hindi siya sumagot at seryoso lamang habang naglalakad.

"May mga paparating."

Sambit ko nang may maramdaman gamit ang abilidad ko. It's a group of twenty and according to how they walk. their moves, their speed and breathing, they are wolves.

"How did you know that?"

Kunot noong tanong ni Draco habang naghahanda na, he probably heard my thoughts again.

"Stop listening to my thoughts, Drashit."

I hissed making him glare at me.

"Are you sure, you're just a commoner?"

He asked then used his power to create a black sword made of ice.

"Are you sure, hindi ka baliw?"

I said sarcastically, blangko lamang niya akong tinitigan.

"You said, you're father is a guardian."

He shrugged.

"He is, though I have no mana at all, I still inherited an unusual strong instincts and most of my senses are quite stronger than anyone here. But it's not something special to compare with the mages."

I said calmly then positioned myself to fight.

"Go hide in the tree nearby---"

"Wag mo akong utusan."

Mataray kong sabi saka pinana ang kararating lamang na wolves, nangisi ako nang matamaan ko sa noo ang tatlo. Taas noong sumulyap ako kay Draco na seryosong nakatingin saakin saka madaling pinagyelo ang mga lobo nang hindi man lang sila tinitignan.

"Sana all."

Kibit balikat na sabi ko nalang habang kinukuha ang monster cores.

Nang matapos ako ay nagpatuloy na kami sa paglalakad.

Tamang tama at may mga pinitas akong prutas kanina sa gubat malapit sa village, may dala din akong asukal at tasa, madalas kasi akong nagkakape kapag nagbabantay sa village.

Nandito itong si Drashit, makakagawa ako ng halo halo hihi.

"No."

Kunot noong sabi ni Drashit na mukang narinig nanaman ang iniisip ko.

"Damot."

I frowned, nailing lamang siya habang wala pa ding emosyon ang kaniyang muka, now I understand why they call him a statue, his expression rarely changes.

"You should smile more, parang pasan mo ang mundo."

I said while cleaning my dagger using his cloak. Nauna na kasi siyang maglakad at mukang magandang panlinis ang cloak niya.

Inilayo niya iyon at sinamaan ako ng tingin, mukang kanina pa nagtitimpi.

I really have the talent, to annoy people.

"Same goes for you."

Sabi niya saka sumulyap saakin.

"I always smile though."

Sagot ko.

"Genuinely."

He added while looking at me, napawi ang ngiti kong inirapan lang siya.

"Goblins."

Sambit ko saka inihagis ang dagger sa papasugod sakaniya. Nasapul ko ang noo nito na nagpangisi saakin at lumapit doon at hinugot ang dagger ko.

"There are also orcs nearby."

I said then stabbed another goblin, sumirit ang dugo nito at tumalsik pa saakin.

"The monsters nearby must've detected us. You should hide if the orcs attacks us too."

Saad nito saka ginamit ang kaniyang espada upang patayin ang mga halimaw.

"Why hide?"

I chuckled.

"We just have to kill them, right?"

Ngisi kong nagpatigil sakaniya at diretsong tumingin saakin.

"Suit yourself, It's not like you'll listen to me even if I freeze you."

He hissed, natawa ako doon saka pinana ang mga halimaw na umaatake saamin.

OUR TRIP lasted for a day, madami na kaming hinarap na mga halimaw at mabuti nalamang ay may mga prutas na hindi nakakalason dito.

"You're quite knowledgeable in poisonus plants."

He said while we were eating, palubog na ang araw at kanina pa kami nakikipaglaban.

"There is a side of the mountain near our village that is full of poisonus plants. I like to roam around that place and find useful stuffs to fight the monsters, that's how I am able to identify which plant is poisonus and which is not."

I said then took some food beside him since he's not eating it, hinayaan niya lamang ako.

"Why don't you just stay into a safe place? that place could kill you."

He hissed.

"But going there could help us increase the chance to survive."

I shrugged.

"Why are you so concerned to me? type mo ako? ew di kita type."

Taas kilay kong dagdag, malamig lamang ang tinging ibinaling niya saakin.

"I don't like you and your stupidity, that's all."

He hissed, nangiwi ako roon.

"I don't like you either."

I frowned.

"It's been a whole day, baka nag aalala na si mama."

Turan ko, naglabas ito ng isang orasan saka umiling saakin.

"It's only been an hour outside."

Sabi niya, kunot noong napasulyap ako sa gawi niya.

"Mas mabilis lumipas ang oras dito."

Dagdag pa niyang nagpatango saakin.

"Is it because this is another world that only connects in mytheia through that leak?"

I asked.

"Yes, some worlds revolves faster or slower than ours."

He answered then stood up.

We continued our journey for another three hours untill we reached a lake.

"The main core is in a cave under this lake."

He said, umiling lamang ako.

"Sasama ako."

Nakahalukipkip kong sabi dahil tiyak na sasabihan nanaman ako nitong maghintay.

"What? naging pabigat ba ako sayo sa mga laban? hindi naman diba? I didn't even get injured and even if I don't have mana, I am still able to eliminate my oponents. If I know that I couldn't beat a monster, I wouldn't dare fight it."

I hissed, nakakaasar na lagi ako nitong iinuutusang huwag makielam.

"I know and I am not underestimating you. Even though I do not like your personality, I can say that you're quiet special for someone who has no magic and I admire you for that."

He said while looking at me straight.

"I know that you're not underestimating me Drashit, you doesn't seem like that kind of theian, I don't really care if you do, I'm used to it. But I want to fight, I am doing this for my family, this leak has been pestering us for a decade."

I sighed harshly.

"No one is willing to lend a hand but you unexpectedly did even if it is not your problem anymore, considering your rank and I appreciate that, I really do. But I wanted to help I want to close that leak too just like what I promised them, so don't stop me."

Mariin at determinadong sabi ko, this is not just about my pride or responsibility. Gusto kong makita mismo, gusto kong tumulong at mapanatag sa kaligtasan ng mga tao sa village.

"Fine."

He hissed then held my hand, nanlaki ang mata ko roon.

"Don't overthink, we had to dive underwater, I'll use my mana on you so you'll stay dry and you'd be able to breath."

He said coldly.

"Alam ko, bakit ako mag iisip ng kung ano? it's disgusting to even imagin----"

"Ang daldal mo."

Pag putol niya sa sasabihin ko saka ako hinila papunta sa lake. Mabilis kaming bumaba habang hawak hawak niya ang kamay ko walang pakielam kung anong estado ko ngayon.

I frowned when we reached the cave while holding into my knees.

"Can't you be more gentle? you're too rough on this fragile, beautiful lady."

I said then glared at him.

"I see, you still have time for jokes."

Nakahalukipkip na sabi niyang nagpasimangot saakin.

"What? would you prefer if I carried you like a princess?"

Pamimilosopo niya, sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"Nevermind, I'd rather be dragged by you like earlier than you carrying me, you doofus."

Ngiwi ko saka tumayo na.

Hindi ko alam pero hindi ko gusto ang nararamdaman sa loob ng kwebang ito. Nilibot namin ang kweba at nakipaglaban sa mga halimaw roon.

"What the heck..."

Natigilan ako nang tuluyang mapagtanto kung ano ang kanina ko pa nararamdamn habang nasa kweba.

"It feels like a huge octopus"

Nangunot ang noo ko roon.

"Kraken, rank S."

Seryosong sabi niya saka sumulyap saakin.

"I will fight this monster, hindi mo siya kakayanin."

Kunot noong sabi ni Drashit.

"Okay, but I will search for the main core in this cave while you will distract it by fighting it."

Sabi ko, alam ko namang wala akong laban sa halimaw kaya bakit ako magpipilit na samahan siyang labanan iyon?

Ano ako tanga?

I will help him if I know that I wouldn't be a burden, kanina kasi ay ang mga karaniwang halimaw na nilalabanan ko ang mga nakaharap namin kaya nagpepresinta akong tumulong.

"It's near the Kraken's nest, I will still protect you while you search for the main core."

He instructed, I hate that I had to obey him this time, it's more fun to annoy him. Nailing nalamang akong mabilis na tumakbo, Draco filled my container with new arrows using his power, I don't like him helping me, but I can use this to fight and survive in this place so I'm still thankful.

Pinakiramdaman kong maigi ang paligid habang tumatakbo at tuloy tuloy na pinatamaan ng pana ang mga umaatake saaking anak ng kraken.

I found out their weak point as I target them so it's easier. Yun nga lang ay masyado silang madami. Mukang kalalabas lamang ng mga ito mula sa itlog.

They seem intelligent and even came with a plan to stop me from entering the place where the main core is.

Nangisi lamang akong nagtago at pinakiramdaman ang paligid. Binilang at kinabisado ang kanilang mga galaw, saka ako mabilis at patagong umatake.

"One hundred."

I frowned.

Nang maubos ang pana matapos kong mapatumba ang kalahati ay kinuha ko ang gas mask at ang poison gas ko at ibinato sa gawi nila.

The gas will last for ten minutes, enough to kill them and incase Drashit comes and inhales it, I have the antidote with me or I could just stop him from entering.

"Damn."

Sambit ko saka sinaksak ang mga umaatakeng nanghihinang mga halimaw na hindi masyadong naapektuhan ng gas.

Nangisi ako nang matapos sawakas saka nagtungo sa entrance para salubungin si Draco.

"Catch."

I said then threw him a gas mask.

"You had poison gas? what am I gonna do with this?"

Tanong niya.

"Kainin mo."

I rolled my eyes on him, Drashit hissed and figured out how to wear it as we both went inside to the deeper part of the cave.

"Woah..."

I mumbled, the cave had too much mana crystals on it!

"It's been over a decade since this leak between our worlds opened so of course there will be too much mana crystals."

He said as we both went into the middle where the main core is.

"Good thing we can close the leak now, if this stays for another year, the monsters inside will evolve and you wouldn't be able to stop them anymore."

Dagdag niya pang nagpabuntong hininga saakin at sinulyapan siya.

Draco used his mana to get the main core from the mana crystal. Napangiti ako doon, I felt relieved, I feel like something heavy has been lifted from my chest.

"For a guardian, you're quiet decent."

Ngiti ko habang nakatingin diretso sakaniyang mga mata. Sandali pa itong nakipagtitigan saakin bago naunang mag iwas tingin at tumango.

"Okay."

Sabi lang niya saka tinalikuran ako. Sumimangot lang akong sumabay sakaniya sa paglalakad.