Chapter 17: Respite Is Overrated

Morgana's POV

In pursuit of exploring the world in the near future, I didn't say I have to cross different worlds in different dimensions.

I popped a pill into my mouth to ward off the inevitable headache. Glad, I always bring some extra with me. Being part of the scouting team really makes you career the "always ready" motto.

Lumabas na ako ng elevator pagbaba ng ground floor. I wasn't expecting there would be few people waiting for me downstairs.

Outside the cafeteria hall is a huge hallway of greek architectural design. There are benches on the side which my grandfather and the rest of his companion seated.

"Oh, ayan na pala si Morgana." sabi ni Tatay Manong. He's been very busy these days. Hindi ko na siya madalas nakikita kahit nasa iisang lugar lang kami.

"Tatay," pagmano ka sa kanya. "Saan ka ba nagpunta at di na kita masyadong nakakasalamuha?" magalang kong tanong.

"Pasensya na anak," ginulo nito ang buhok ko. "Naging busy lng ang tatay mo sa mga bagay-bagay. Importante rin ang trabaho ko dito." pilit na ngiti niya.

Alam ko naman madaming responsibilidad si Mang Simon. Kaya, hindi ko naman ipipilit ang sarili kong sumama o tawagin siya.

"Okay lang po yun tay, naiintindihan ko naman po kayo." nginitian ko siya pero bigla kong mag palit ng ekspresyon na nahihiya.

"Ano yun anak? May problema ba?" malumanay na sabi niya.

Tama bang sabihin na may utang ako sa cafeteria? May pa balot-balot pa naman ako pero di bayad.

"Ano kasi tay, m-may sasabihin ako." nahihiya at nakadungo kong tanong. Naghintay naman siya sa sasabihin ko kaya bumuntong hininga na muna ako. "M-ay utang ako."

"Ha? Anong ibig mong sabihin?" takang tanong niya.

"Eh kasi tay, yung kuya dun sa cafeteria nabigla kasi yung ekspresyon niya nung e scan yung pin ko. He said about the merits something. And, I'm a newbie so wala pa ako nun right? Tapos baka sisingilin ako kasi sabi niya libre daw muna. Ayoko namang may makalimutan akong utang." pahina na pahina kong sabi na agad din naman ikinatawa niya ng malakas.

"Wag mo nang isipin yun, bayad ka na." natatawa pa rin niya na tugon, habang ginulo ulit ang buhok ko.

Lahat ba ng tao dito may saltik? At dahil dun madalas na yata yung pagiging madaldal ko kaka-explain.

"Morgana, apo." pagtawag ni Mama Lorna sakin. Nagtatampo pa rin ako pero kailangan kong umitindi.

"Ma," niyakap ko naman siya pabalik. "Sabi mo may pupuntahan lang tapos asan na ako ngayon?" malungkot kong sabi.

"May dahilan rin ang lahat apo, mas mabuti na nandito ka at ligtas." pag ngiti niyang sabi.

"Safe? Why would I be safe here? Hindi ba ligtas sa mundo natin?" pagbitiw ko sa kanyang yakap at pagtataka kong tanong sa kanya.

"Maiintindihan mo rin ang lahat Morgana, nasa ayon ang lahat." makahulugang tugon nito.

Huh? Kailan pa naging makata o manghuhula yung lola ko?

"Halika nga dito. Na miss kita ng sobra." nagyakapan naman kaming muli. Okay na ako dahil kumpleto na kami dito. Mas mabuti kung asan si mama andun din ako. Sila na lang kasi ang natitira kong pamilya kaya ayokong mawala rin sila.

"Oh tahan na muna. Marami pa kayong oras para magsama. Morgana, halika dito. Ipapakilala kita sa mga kasama natin." sabi ni papa.

Nakatalikod kasi sila nung nag usap kami nila Mama at Tatay Manong. Nabigla naman ako ng mamukhaan ang ipinakilala ni papa.

"Apo, I would like you to personally meet your aunt. Quite a close family reunion right?. I bet you already know a bit of them." inilapit niya ako sa kanila at yumuko naman ako bilang respeto. "The Queen Aurelius from the Kingdom of Raskovux. And this handsome youngster here is Maynard. The next line in throne. Their only son." ngumiti naman ako at nginitian naman niya ako pabalik.

"Uncle, there's no need for formalities." I was taken aback when she said that. Are we relatives or something? "Right, you didn't know yet. I was adopted by your grandfather's brother and I'm not the real wife of the present King of Rascovux, which everyone always mistaken. I was just appointed to the throne since her wife passed away." I just nod in response.

I didn't know I had such a big family tree which I wouldn't know because I really don't pay much attention to family ancestors to be honest. I remembered it was one of my duties but since the accident I don't know, I don't care about it anymore.

"How was your stay here?"

"Okay lang naman po. Naninibago pa rin." I said calmly.

Something is telling me why I could feel pain and longing behind those eyes. Was it a facade to not truly show her emotions? Afterall, there's something bothering me since I saw her portrait on the gym hallways. I hope it's not serious at all.

I saw Maynard grab his mother's hand and reassure her. Is there something wrong?

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but let's continue to talk inside cause it's getting chilly here. Shall we?" Abuelo gesturing the way.

They said that the quarters of the queen she will be staying is not that far from here and it's also the same where abuela and abuelo are staying. Hinatid na muna namin sila and I saw from a distance that there are securities roaming around. Guess the school grounds were heavily guarded for reasonable reasons.

I respectfully declined their offer for dinner since I already ate. I just told them I need to rest also so they can rest too. Nagpaalam na kami ni Maynard matapos namin inihatid sila.

"Do you want to walk or fluxuate?" he opened up a topic once we set foot outside their room. Napangiwi naman ako sa pagsabi niya ng pag teleport na agad niyang tinawanan. Kakain ko lang kasi at baka masuka pa ako.

"Maglalakad na lang. I still have food to burned down plus exercise." tumawa na lang rin ako. Even though this is my first time talking to him this close I haven't really felt awkward at all. Like, I feel I've known him ever since.

"By the way, we really didn't properly introduce ourselves. Maynard btw." as he extended his hand.

"Morgana."

"How's the academy treating you?"

I sarcastically laughed. "Good, I think? I'm f-" we were cut off when a man in a hoodie appeared in front of us.

"Hello, my lady." he sarcastically smiled.

"Morgana, run!" Maynard pulled me on his back protecting me.

"Oh no you can't." He walked forward as we stepped back waiting for a chance to escape. "I have company." he maniacally smiled wider.

Nung tumalikod na ako dun ko napansin na may iba pa pala kaming kasama. Dalawa lng sila pero sigurado ako na hindi lang sila ordinaryo.

"Anong kailangan niyo? Paano kayo nakapasok?" galit na tanong ni Maynard sa kanila.

"We just want the girl, Mr. Prince." he comes closer as he loads a bullet into his gun.

"A Mateba Autorevolver. Also known as Vash that shoots iron stakes. Can immobilize an immortal for five minutes." Maynard silently whispered.

"What do we do?" I don't have my weapons. Tatay Manong confiscated all mine earlier. This is why I always carry one for emergencies.

"Morgana, on the count of three, I want you to run as fast as possible. Go to the hideout, it's near here and ask for help. These are vampires. They want only you. I can handle them." he calmly said.

"No, I'm not leaving!"

"We can hear you idiots! Kala niyo ba matatakasan niyo kami?" his eyes color turned red and veins on his face popped out as fangs grew out on his teeth.

"Now run!!" Maynard pushed me away but the guy that was holding a gun pointed at me and I got just shot on my shoulder. He received the attack of the two. My right shoulder is bleeding, I hold it for pressure as I squinted my eyes from the pain.

"Go!" he shouted. Lumaban si Maynard na para bang sanay na siya makipag laban. Ginamit niya ang kanyang ability laban sa dalawa.

I turned my back and ran as fast as I could. Hindi ko alintana ang sakit at dumudugong balikat ko. I look around for any sign of the hideout. It was hidden from plain sight, almost in the woods back of the dormitory. It was like a mansion that glows in the night. It's like it guided me here.

Something glows outside the gate of the mansion as soon as I step in, I feel a spark struck me but it didn't bother me. Malalakas na hampas ang pagkatok ko sa pintuan kasabay nang pag ring ng doorbell. I felt dizzy and I'm losing energy to shout.

As soon as the door flew open. "Whos th-" someone catches me as I collapse. "Shit! Morgana? What happened?" natataranta na sagot ni Akirra. His face was blurry but I recognized that voice.

"P-please, help! Maynard is in trouble! Vampires!" I took my last breath as I felt dizzy and collapsed into his arms.

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ༻✦༺ ｡☬————☬｡ ༻✦༺ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

I woke up with a slight pain in the head and winced as I felt heavy in my shoulder. Damn, what just happened? It was all too fast.

Where am I?

"This isn't my room." I whispered to myself. Tinignan ko ang sarili ko kung napuruhan na ba ako. Wala akong nararamdaman na nakabaon na bala at may bandage na ito. Pinagmasdan ko ang kwarto at napagtanto hindi rin ito mukhang clinic. Huling alaala ko si Akirra ang hiningan ko ng tulong. Baka siya rin ang gumamot sa akin.

I felt I was missing something. I gasped when I realized that I left Maynard. I left the room and ran to the corridors. Natagpuan ko ang aking sarili sa parang common room, I saw the back of a guy reading in the couch.

I don't know him but I gotta take courage to ask for Maynard. He's out there and he's in danger.

"Excuse me? Asan ako?" natataranta kong tanong.

He turned around as he put his book aside. He's wearing a plain white shirt and black joggers.

"You're fine." kaswal na sagot niya.

I confusedly looked at him as I felt pain against my shoulder and soothe the pain covering it by my left hand.

"I don't know who you are o asan man ako but I need you to tell me if you saw Akirra? I don't know if you knew Maynard but he's in trouble! Sinugod lang kami bigla ng mga bampira and he's in danger! Now could you please tell me or I should just go myself."

I couldn't believe it. I burst out all of my emotions out of desperation and frustration. Ever since I got here I've not been my usual self. It's like all my hold up emotions have been unleashed. I've not been in a good mood lately.

"Morgana?? Thank God you're fine!" Florence suddenly appeared, came rushing and hugged me. "Chief Sigismund said you can laylow here for awhile. You're in our hideout. So feel free to roam around."

"Asan si Maynard? Okay lang ba siya?" natataranta kong tanong. Hindi ko alam bat ganito ako ka concern sa isang tao na hindi ko ganun ka kilala at ngayon ko lng nakilala. I only care about myself and to everyone who's close to me.

"He's fine. Papunta pa lang si Harry dito ng ma abutan si Maynard fighting against two vampires. Akirra then rushed you inside and healed your wounds. Sit down, besty. It's only been two hours and you're still not healed enough." pag alala ni Florence at pina-upo ako sa sofa.

"Gab? Akala ko ayaw mo mag pa isturbo? We thought you were sleeping, why are you here?" pagka bigla na tanong ni Florence sa lalaking nakaupo sa harap ko. Kibit balikat lang ang sagot nito.

"Kukuha lang ako ng tubig, look out for Morgana."

I looked at the fireplace spacing out as I folded my arms. What do those guys want from me? And why is everyone protecting me? I'm on my edge figuring out why am I acting like this and these recent events just add fuel till I get burned.

Naalimpungatan lang ako nang dumating si Florence at binigay sa akin ang isang basong tubig.

"By the way, this is Gabriel. Gabriel, this is Morgana. I see that you don't have any intention para magpakilala ka sa sarili mo." tinignan ni Florence si Gabriel ng makahulugang tingin.

"Molly? Anong ginagawa mo dito? Dapat nag-papahinga ka." gulat na bungad ni Harry habang sinusuri ako. He heaved a sigh. "How are you?"

"Okay na ako, hermano. Si Maynard?"

"He's fine. Padating na rin yun." tumabi siya ng upo sakin. Nadinig namin ang pagbukas at sarado ng pintuan at mga yabag papasok sa sala

"It was an outbreak from our old friends. Someone tipped them in para makalikom ng impormasyon tungkol kay Morgana-" sabi ng lalaki na bagong pasok at nabigla nang makita ako.

"Hi." I smiled bitterly.

"H-hey." bitin na sagot niya.

Huminto naman ang iba sa likod niya. Yung iba nagkunwari walang nakita o dadinig. Lahat sila umiiwas sa gusto nilang sabihin. I'm in a whole room with bunch of guys and only me and Florence are the women. Sounds interesting. Familiar ang mga mukha nila, sila yung mga kaklase ko and clearly this is their meeting place and clearly I wasn't invited.

"Simula nung dumating si Simmons wala na rin tayong pahinga." malakas na boses ang nadinig namin papasok sa sala na parang nagmamaktol.

"Shit. Lorenz." I heard someone whispering behind me.

"Guys? Anong meron-" he stopped on his feet when he saw me sitting in the couch. His friends grab him.

"Gather around everyone!" I heard Tatay Manong voice walking in our direction together with Kim & Maynard. "Young Lady, good to see you're fine." he said when he saw me. I just nod in response. "They're on their move. Kailangan natin sila mapigilan. And we need your help." he said to me while making eye contact.

I know that tone. Mang Simon isn't playing around when he's serious, means this mess I'm involved is massive.

"Alright." I said while standing up facing him. This guy really won't stop if I don't agree.

He handed me out a bulk folder that has "ASSEA FILES CLASSIFIED" with big bold red letters in the front. I opened and scan the folder. This folders contains informations of people, places and evidences. Technically a files of mission report. He just watch me scanned through pages and stop mid at a certain page. It hit me like a bullet when I saw my dead father face and informations that I haven't heard in my entire life on a peice of paper.

I look him dead in the eye. I still can't process everything but whining doesn't help either. "What will I gain?" I said in serious tone.

"Justice." he simply said.

"Casualties?" I replied. This is how we communicate when things go haywire.

"Trillions."

I gritted my teeth inside. HIndi ko alam na ganito ka dami ang madadamay. Hindi lang ito basta-basta na misyon para puksain ang mga kalaban. How am I supposed to protect everyone?

"Together." he smiled with confidence. He must have read my thoughts.

"I'm not a hero, Tatay. Unlike everyone else in this room, I only got skills. I'm not immortal."

"We know. But we couldn't do this without you. You're the one in the prophecy." 

Tumawa ako ng payak. "You're betting this stand for some myth? Hindi natin alam kung totoo nga yan. I don't even know what prophecy you're talking about. Hindi ko nga alam kung ako nga ba talaga? We don't know how many of them out there."

"You're afraid and in verge. I understand but we need to do this. With or without you."

"Sa tingin mo ba tatay hindi?" lumapit ako sakanya. "I couldn't lose anybody while both protecting me and saving the world. I don't need protection and I don't think I deserve it at all. I've done so much worst than that." I turned around and tried to walk away.

"Molly.." Harry grab my hand stopping me.

"Let her be, Harold. I think we all wrong of her." he said without hesitation. "She's not ready for this."

Harry let go of my hand but as soon he stepped away, Tatay Manong threw something at me behind my back as I gladly catch it with my free left hand without looking him. I headed back to the room I rest in. I hold tightly the folder as it crumpled on my right fist while walking away. I know he's smirking while saying those words. He really knows how to pissed me off.

"Same old, Sigismund." I silently said while opening the door of the room and closed it behind me. "So I'm staying here for awhile huh."