The three were quiet as they wait for Lin to come back. Walang nagsasalita sa mga ito at nanatiling nakaupo. Tumingin lamang sila sa pintuan noong makarinig ng mga papalapit na yapak. The door opened and revealed an elf who is panting.

"Uncle! Hindi mo kailangang magmadali!" sumunod naman na dumating ay si Lin na mukhang kanina pa sinusubukang humabol rito.

The king composed himself before he gently smiled at their guests. Tiningnan naman ito ni Bonzo mula ulo hanggang paa. He expected that the king is already old because Lin kept on calling him 'uncle' and one thing will come in mind if you call someone by that name, the person might be an old dude who loves telling fishing stories pero ibang iba ang itsura ng hari sa kaniyang inaasahan.

Naglalaro ang edad nito sa trenta at batang bata pa ang kaniyang itsura. May katangkaran rin ito at may magandang pangangatawan. Ang kulay mais nitong buhok ay umaabot sa kaniyang likod at mayroon ring manipis na gintong korona na bahagyang tumatakip sa kaniyang noo, hindi ito isang pangkaraniwang korona na may mga diyamante at tinatakpan ang kaniyang ulo. Tila isa lamang itong malaking singsing na gawa sa ginto. Matutulis rin ang kaniyang mga tenga. Maputi rin ang kaniyang balat at maamo ang kaniyang mukha. Ang pinakanakakaagaw pansin ay ang mga mata nito. They have these natural lonely look that reflects his kindness.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting." he apologized. Maski ang boses nito ay maamo.

Bonzo stood up, he has no business with the king. Ang kailangan niya ay ang Ladian na sinasabi ng dalaga. Mabilis naman itong napansin ni Lin at tumango rito, "Uncle, I'll leave you three here. Dadalhin ko lang si Bonzo sa mga herbalists."

Nagtaka naman ang hari sa kaniyang sinabi, "What? Is he injured? Then you must take him to the--"

"He needs the Ladian." sa sinabi pa lamang ng dalaga ay mabilis itong naintindihan ng hari.

Lumingon naman ito kay Bonzo na suot ang madalas at natural nitong pikon na ekspresyon, "Is that so?" he then smiled, "I wish you good luck, young lad."

Nag-iwas lamang ng tingin si Bonzo at nagsimulang maglakad patungo sa pinto, "I don't need it."

Noong dinaanan niya si Lin ay mabilis naman siyang binatukan ng dalaga at sinimulang sermunan dahil sa pinakitang ugali nito sa hari. Nagtuloy-tuloy iyon hanggang sa sila'y nakalabas na ng silid. Muli namang ibinalik ng hari ang tingin sa dalawang natitirang panauhin at pinakita ang kaniyang malumanay na ngiti.

"Do you want some cup of tea?"

Zai just crossed her arms on her chest, "No need."

Tumango naman ang hari at umupo na rin. Ngunit pagkatapos nitong umupo ay nanatili itong nakatitig sa dalaga ng hindi nagsasalita. Lumipas ang ilang minuto ay nanatili lamang itong nakatitig sa kaniya. Zai got irritated then she glanced sharply at him, "If you're going to say something, say it."

Phrim sadly smiled, "I just can't believe Avis really passed away. I thought she will always be here in this world."

Sinbad can't help but to assume things when he heard what the king just said at mukhang ganoon din ang iniisip ni Zai habang siya'y nakatingin sa hari. Iniwas na lamang ni Zai ang kaniyang tingin at ipinikit ang kaniyang mga mata. Hinayaan na lamang niya itong magsalita.

Phrim wiped his solemn expression away and smiled brightly, "Do you want me to tour you around? Ignis Festival will soon begin--"

"Remove this power that Avis planted," mabilis na pagputol ni Zai sa mga salita nito. She opened her eyes and glanced sharply at him again, "You know how, don't you?"

Noong marinig ito ng hari ay biglang nagbago ang atmospera na pumapalibot dito. Isinandal nito ang likod sa backrest ng kaniyang silya at sumeryoso rin ang kaniyang ekspresyon, "I won't."

Zai clenched her jaw, "And why?"

"Avis risked her life just to protect that power that you hold and now you are telling me to do the opposite? The gods won't be pleased." Phrim said with a tone of a king.

Zai's eyes showed how much she resent what he just said, "I didn't exist to please those cowards. Don't lump me in with dependent organisms who relies too much on their miracles like yourself and the citizens of this kingdom."

Phrim squinted his eyes at the young girl, "Are you insulting my people and the gods?"

"Why? Are you worthy of my praise?"

Sinbad looked at Zai, "Zai, that's enough. We're not here to have an argument," lumingon naman ito sa hari. "I apologize for--"

"Aren't you ashamed? To believe and rely too much on people who barely answers your calls," Zai smirked, "You even let the Livia get taken away from you yet you are doing nothing to regain it."

Phrim's serious expression only intensified, "How did you know that classified information--"

"Is it really important to know how I got that information? I think not. Shouldn't you be more concerned about your security's current situation?" Zai mockingly scoffed, "If a war occurs, I could guarantee that your kingdom will be the first to sink."

Phrim suddenly stood up, "How dare you--"

Ngunit natigilan ito noong matalim na tumingin sa kanya ang dalaga, "Then prove me wrong. I could tell you the reasons one by one why this country will be the first to fall," she then clenched her jaw, "And with your downfall, are you confident that your so-called 'Gods' will come to your rescue? No. They'll just watch you burn yourselves into ashes." she then confidently glared at the king, "Not all gods are good, and Shaera along with Avis are the undeniable proofs."

Phrim balled his hands into fists, "Don't mention Avis' name as an--"

Ngunit muli itong pinutol ng dalaga, "You know, right? That this power is a poison. I am certain that you are aware of what I am and what Avis did to me," Zai smirked, "Avis would tell everything to her beloved right?"

Nakumpirma naman ni Sinbad ang kaniyang iniisip kanina noong makita ang biglang paglungkot ng ekspresyon ng hari. He couldn't believe it. Avis had a relationship with Easternia's king.

Phrim slightly pursed his lips at lalong humigpit ang pagkakayukom ng kaniyang mga kamay. "Avis.. just had no choice."

Zai just sarcastically scoffed at muli nitong inalis ang tingin sa hari. "It doesn't matter any longer."

Tila ba naging matamlay ang hari at sumunod na lamang dito. His expression is solemn because of the memory of his late love one. Sinbad sighed. Now she's intimidating a king?

"Fire those two idiots who are serving as guards at the gate of your barrier." she said as her eyes sharpen.

"What? Why? Was there any problem?"

"None. None at all, that's the problem. Nothing actually happened. They let us through just because they saw the grass haired girl on board. They're too naïve. What do you think will happen if the leaf headed girl we are with was just an impostor?" Zai smirked, "You might've welcomed a spy or an inside man."

"Zai, her name is Lin." paliwanag naman rito ni Sinbad ngunit siya'y hindi pinansin ng dalaga.

"You should also punish that niece of yours. She just let us in this kingdom without considering our criminal records. Innocence can kill your country along with you. Tell that to Ling."

"Zai, it's Lin."

The king sighed "Alright. I'll hear all you have to say. I apologize for how I acted earlier."

Sinbad sighed when he witnessed how the king lost to Zai's dominating presence.

--

"Doon naman tayo." turo ni Shane sa tindahan ng mga tinapay sa di-kalayuan. Claysen groaned as he follows him along with Trois. Sila ang nagbibitbit ng mga pinapamili nito at sa totoo lang ay mas gugustuhin na lamang nilang takasan ito. But Trois can't leave these two alone. Especially in a crowded place like this where he can't easily find them if they separate from him.

Nagsimula na ang festival at mas maraming tao na ang nasa kalsada. Napapalibutan ng kulay pula at dilaw na mga ilaw ang mga kalye. Napupuno rin ng mga ingay mula sa mga tindahan at mamimili ang lugar. Shane can even see a beautiful dancing woman that is dancing on a beautiful and fierce song. Puno ng musika at sa plaza ay may nakikita rin silang malaking bonfire. It is a joyful evening because of the Ignis Festival.

Shane and Claysen stared in awe at the phoenix that just flew above them. May ilan ring mga sacred beasts ang nasa lugar at nakikihalubilo ang mga ito sa tao. Shane smiled as he look around before he walked to the bread shop.

Pumasok si Shane sa bakery at ngumiti siya sa kahera. Pumili na siya ng ma tinapay na tatagal sa kanilang biyahe at ihinanda naman na ito ng babae. Shane fetched his wallet to get the money. Habang tinititigan niya ang pera ay hindi niya mapigilang maalala ang sinabi sa kaniya ni Zai noon sa barko.

"I'll give you all of my money."

Shane clenched the wallet with his hand. It isn't easy to just accept what she's giving. We are talking about Zai's money. It isn't just some normal amount with only a few zeros. Zai is the person who created that miracle-like potion before and she surely received some large amount of money from the health department. Naging mabenta rin ang produkto na kaniyang ginawa at sa kaniyang pagkakaalam ay malaking porsyento ang nakukuha ni Zai rito. Tumagal iyon ng ilang buwan bago nito ipinatigil ang produksyon ng produkto. It is an enough time to earn millions of golds. Golds. Not silver or copper. And she easily said she'll give it to him? Zai is still not telling him her reasons.

Shane could feel the nervousness. Is this a trap?! No, no, no. Zai wouldn't do that. Wala siyang dahilan para gawin 'yon. Then why is she giving me that large amount of money?! Well.. wala rin naman akong reklamo pero.. nakakapagtaka lang!

Nabalik lamang ang atensyon ni Shane sa counter noong inilapag na ng babae ang dalawang supot sa kaniyang harapan. Ngumiti naman siya at binayaran na ito. "Salamat."

Humarap naman si Shane kay Claysen at makahulugang ngumiti. Sumimangot naman ang batang lalaki na may mga bitbit na rin ang mga kamay, "Kung ikaw kaya ang magdala niyan?"

"Sige na~"

"Ayoko."

Trois just watched them as they argue with who's carrying the breads. But Trois slightly lifted his head when he felt the familiar odd presence.

Nag-a-argumento pa ang dalawa noong bigla na lamang silang binuhat ni Trois at itinapon sa kabilang side ng counter. Trois also jumped at noong makalapag ay narinig nila ang bigla na lamang na pagbasag ng salamin ng bakery dahil sa sobrang lakas na hangin. Napatili naman ang kahera dahil dito. The shelves, where there are some breads displayed, fell on the floor at nahulog din ang maliit na chandelier mula sa kisame. Nawalan ng ilaw at dahil doon ay naging madilim. Wala na rin ang araw dahil gabi na. At mukhang pati ang mga malalapit na tindahan sa labas ay kapareho lamang ang sinapit.

Dumungaw naman si Trois at tiningnan ang labas. May mga kakaunting ilaw pa naman na hindi natanggal sa pagkakasabit at dahil doon ay nakikita pa niya ang daan. He can see some bodies on the road. Hindi niya alam kung buhay pa ba ang mga ito o sila'y hindi na humihinga. The wind was really strong. Trois glanced at the wall of the bakery and saw a big and deep scratch. The wind seems sharp as well.

The suspect have a wind element and it is stronger than Jebal. Trois giggled, "I really love festivals."