The room became quiet after they heard the sudden rise of the blond's voice. Zai clenched her jaw and suddenly turned her back to walk away.

Wala naman ng sumunod dito at nagtangkang magsalita dito. Zai turned in the corner but she stopped when she almost bumped into someone. Sinbad's eyes landed on Zai. It was unusual, the girl didn't feel his presence at all.

"Move," said the girl but Sinbad just stared down at her. Tumingala naman si Zai rito, "I told you to move, didn't I?"

Sinbad immediately noticed the slight squint in her eyes. For the first time, he saw guilt in them. His eyes softened and he was about to reach out to her but the girl clicked her tongue and just walked pass him.

Sinbad sighed and put his hand down. Pagkabukas ng kaniyang mga mata ay bumalik na ang kaniyang madalas na ekspresyon. He continued walking to Trois' room. Papalapit pa lamang siya dito ay nakita na niyang lumalabas ang iba mula sa kwarto nito. Shane looked at his direction when he noticed him. Ito rin ang pinakahuling lumabas ng silid.

"Hoy! Bumalik ka sa kwarto mo!" sermon sa kaniya ng binata ngunit nagpatuloy lamang sa paglalakad ang lalaki. Akmang papasok ito sa kwarto ni Trois ngunit humarang naman si Shane. "Hayaan mo na muna siya. Nag-away sila ni Zai."

Mabilis naman itong naintindihan ni Sinbad at tumango na lamang. Dumako ang mga mata ni Shane sa mga paa nito at nakitang wala man lang itong suot na sapatos o tsinelas man lang. Ang mahabang buhok rin nito ay nakalugay at halata dito na kakabangon pa lamang ng lalaki mula sa kama.

Tumingin siya sa mukha nito, "Ano bang kailangan mo kay Trois?"

Sinbad looked down at him, "I heard from a nurse that there's a smith here that can make him an artificial leg. I'm about to ask him if he wants me to make an appointment."

Napuno naman ng galak ang mga mata ni Shane sa narinig. "Ako na ang gagawa!" saad nito at tumakbo na paalis, "Bumalik ka na sa kwarto mo! 'Pag nahuli ka ni Ero-tanda, malilintikan ka!"

Naging tahimik ang pasilyo noong mawala na ito. Sinbad squinted his eyes as he touch his side when it suddenly ached. Minabuti na lang niyang sundin ang sinabi nito at bumalik na siya sa kaniyang silid.

Asta sighed as she watch Zai's back from afar. Ilang saglit lamang ay nawala na ito sa kaniyang paningin dahil sa dami ng tao. She scratched the back of her head as she put her one hand on the side of he waist. "Kids these days are sometimes unreadable."

"Asta." tumingin naman ito sa kung saan nanggaling ang boses na tumawag sa kaniyang pangalan.

--

"Hmm.. this is quite odd. You look like a lion who got its fangs plucked out." Zai's stoic expression remained and acted as if Bonzo's presence is nothing.

Bonzo stood beside her as they watch the view from the cliff they are standing at. Ang mga kamay ng binata ay nasa loob ng bulsa ng kaniyang letterman jacket. "I've heard what happened from that mascular woman. I'm not here to scold you though."

"Then what are you doing here? You're gonna give me some advice or some life quotes?" Zai sarcastically smirked as he shook her head.

Bonzo faked a laugh, "I don't do advices and what the heck is life quotes? Do you think I'm an old man who's about to lay on his death bed?" he scoffed, "That ain't happening."

Muling namayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan ng dalawa. They can hear the sound of the leaves that are dancing along with the wind, the sounds of the cicadas, and the chirps of the birds. Maganda rin ang tanawin na nasa kanilang harapan at masarap rin sa pakiramdam ang sinag ng araw.

Bonzo pulled his collar as sweats continued coming out of his body, "This country is so damn hot. Especially in that room filled with stinking plants. Kaamoy nung gamot na palaging pinapainom sa amin dati. Ugh, I hate that smell. Dumikit na ata sa ilong ko."

Bonzo gave Zai a sideways glance when she didn't even react. She's staring into space at seryoso pa rin ang ekspresyon nito. He sighed and put his hands inside his pocket again, "So? What are you planning to do with him?"

Bonzo was relieved when the girl answered him, "I can't leave him here. He might do something reckless again. I'll still take him with me."

The side of Bonzo's lips raised, "You don't look like it but you're relying on him too, aren't you? Now ain't that another weak spot spotted?"

Zai sharpened her eyes at him. Bonzo just chuckled even though he can't see how Zai is glaring at him. "Oi, oi. Stop glaring at someone who's older than you. Respeto."

Zai looked back at the spectacular view, "You don't deserve respect." Bonzo just laughed at her words.

Hinayaan lamang ito ni Zai at ilang saglit lamang ay siya naman ang nagsalita, "You're still a demon. Why is that?"

Bonzo shrugged his shoulders, "It didn't work on me. They tried many times but all failed." hindi naman nagsalita ang dalaga at hinayaan na lamang ito. Bonzo's eyes softened then a small smile appeared on his lips, "It's fine though. I think I want to live this way a little longer."

Saglit na napuno ng katahimikan sa pagitan nila. Nararamdaman naman ni Zai ang saglit-saglit na pagsulyap nito sa kanya. Bonzo first cleared his throat before he talked. "I really have no place to go to right now so I wouldn't mind helping you guys--"

Zai smirked, "So that's the reason why you're so out of character right now. You have nowhere to go."

Bonzo shifted his weight to his toes then back to his heels as he pat his lap with his hands. "So..?"

Zai turned her back and walked away, "Do what you want. And stop that good boy act, it doesn't suit you. You look like a fool."

Bonzo chuckled as he stare at Zai's back. Naiwan namang mag-isa roon ang lalaki. Muling tumingin si Bonzo sa magandang senaryong nasa kaniyang harapan. His eyes became yellow again. He slightly pursed his lips.

"This is surprising. The herb isn't working on you."

"What do you mean?"

"It means that we can't clean your demonic genes. The Ladian is the only plant that is effective for this kind of cases and if it doesn't work, I'm sorry to say but.. nothing else can clean those genes off. I'm sorry but we can't help you."

Bonzo turned his back and walked away from his spot. He followed behind Zai.

"Is that so?"

"I'm very sorry, young man."

He stared at the girl's back. Bumalik naman sa kaniyang isipan ang kondisyon ni Trois noong ito'y kaniyang nakita. He couldn't believe his eyes but he really saw how much damage he received. He even cut off his own leg just to save her.

Someone like Zai can still be trusted despite her dark sides. Can someone who walked down the wrong path like him be worthy of trust too?

--

"Hoy! Anong ginagawa mo?! Bumalik ka sa kama mo!" sigaw ni Asta habang pinagmamasdan si Sinbad na suotin ang sapatos nito. Ngunit hindi siya pinakinggan ng binata. Nagpatuloy naman sa pagsasalita si Asta, "Your body needs to rest! Haynako! Para ka rin' si Zai eh! Ang titigas ng ulo niyo!" saad nito at saglit na hinilot ang kaniyang sentido.

Asta sighed when she saw how determined Sinbad is on ignoring her lectures. She gave up and decided to let him be. He's not a kid anymore after all. She just crossed her arms on her chest and leaned against the side of the door. Pinagmasdan na lamang niya itong ayusin ang kaniyang mga sapatos.

"If you're looking for Zai, she's at the cliff nearby. Bonzo also followed her there." saad ng babae rito.

Sinbad stood up and he fixed his collar and sleeves. "I didn't ask."

Asta sarcastically smirked with what she heard. Naglakad naman na ang binata patungo sa pinto. "Yeah, you didn't. But that's what you wanted to know, right? You can just ask." Asta looked at his usual stoic expression, "You're heading to her?"

"No, I'm not." sagot ng binata rito at tuluyan na siyang nilampasan.

Asta watched him as he walk down the hallway. She shook her head, "He's not very good at hiding it."

Yumuyuko ang mga katulong at kawal tuwing dumadaan ang hari sa kanilang harapan. Ngumingiti naman si Phrim sa mga ito at bumabati na rin. Nakarating siya sa hardin ng palasyo at sa gitna ay nakita niya roon ang estatwa ni Avis.

He stood in front of it as he sadly smile. "It's been a while since I last visited you." he said as his soft eyes gaze at the statue's face.

Inilagay naman niya ang mga bulaklak sa paanan ng estatwa at muli itong tinitigan. He chuckled when he remembered what Zai said. She said he is Avis' beloved. She might've thought that Avis broke the golden rule. A rule that was established a very long time ago. A god cannot have an intimate relationship with beings on the surface of the land. He wasn't in a relationship with Avis. Even though he wished they were. The rule isn't the only problem, Avis has no affection towards him as well. They're merely friends.

"Your majesty, you have a guest." tumingin naman sa kaniyang likuran si Phrim at nakita ang kaniyang butler na si Ron. Sa tabi nito ay naroon ang lalaking kasa-kasama ni Zai noon. If he remembers correctly, his name is Sinbad. The first son of King Ali.

Ron bowed his head before he took his leave. Ngumiti naman si Phrim sa lalaki. "Would you like a cup of coffee?"

Ilang saglit lamang ay natagpuan na lamang ni Sinbad ang kaniyang sarili na nakaupo sa harap ng hari at mayroong kape na rin ang nakahanda sa kaniyang harapan na ibinigay ng isang katulong. They're in a gazebo that is near the statue of Avis.

"Do you need anything, young lad?" Phrim asked as he took a sip of coffee from his cup.

Sinbad nodded, "I want to know the answer to Zai's question back then." Sinbad bring the cup to his lips, "She shouldn't hear the answer right now because of her mental condition that was affected by what happened to Trois. I'll hear the answer and tell her afterwards after I see that her mind becomes clear."

Mukhang naalala naman ito ng hari. He did forget to answer Zai's question. About how she can remove the sacred power from her body. The side of Phrim's lips raised as he stare at Sinbad's eyes. And still, he came all the way here to get the answer that he, himself, doesn't need? Ain't that interesting?

Ngunit hindi ito sinagot agad ng hari. Sa halip ay ngumiti siya kay Sinbad, "How considerate of you to come here by yourself for the answer that she seek. You are one thoughtful subordinate."

Sinbad knew there was something behind his words but he pretty much ignored it, "Is there really a way?"

Hindi nakawala sa pandinig ni Phrim ang saglit na pag-amo ng boses nito ngunit siya'y nagpanggap na tila ba hindi niya ito narinig. Muling humigop ng kape mula sa tasa ang hari bago ito sumagot, "Yes, there is. But I don't have the answer."

"What do you mean?"

"It is written in the book of mortality, the Mortalia. Unlike the other books, humans can touch it without fear of any punishments. But it is different to gods. They cannot lay a finger on it except for those who are chosen. Those who bears the creator's power," nagpatuloy naman sa pagpapaliwanag ang hari noong makitang nakikinig lamang ang lalaki, "If a god touches it, they'll lose their superior abilities. They'll just become mortals like any other human beings."

Sinbad stared directly at his eyes, "So the enchantments for removing that power inside her is in that book?"

Phrim nodded. "She can't remove it just by touching the book like the other gods. She needs the enchantments inside."

Tumayo naman na si Sinbad pagkatapos nitong saglit na manahimik, "Thank you for your time, your highness."

Phrim also stood up and smiled. "Don't mention it. I also would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your great help to this kingdom. I'm sorry for asking you but could you please tell Zai to come meet me if she have time? I have to tell her something."

Sinbad nodded, "Of course, your highness. Then I shall take my leave."

Ngumiti at tumango naman ang hari at hinayaan na itong maglakad papalayo. His eyes softened as he look at his back. He can't help but to speak out what's in his head, "Good luck, young man," Sinbad stopped from walking. Ngunit nagpatuloy rin ito agad sa pag-alis.

Phrim chuckled, "He's not very good at hiding it."