Arrival at The Western Territory

Ang lamig. Sobrang lamig. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan ako o kung ilang oras na ako nakatulog dito sa may tabi ng ilog, but the sun was already setting. The cold air made me shiver once more and not to mention sobrnag sakit oa ng buong katawan ko. Well for someone who has been pulled by the harsh waters, I sure did great.

My muscles are aching and my legs feel numb. Para bang wala akong enerhiya tumayo o itaas manlang ang nga kamay ko. Once more, I noticed that I am surrounded by trees. Wait, the last time I remember is that I escaped from the Forbidden Library, ibig sabihin tumakas ako sa Academy. And I remember it was afternoon back then, ay ngayon ay palubod na ang araw.

Tinignan ko ang communication bracelet na binigay sa akin mi Headmistress noon, and there were hologram light that's getting blurry. The bracelet was destroyed, dahil siguro sa impact ng tubig at sa mga natamaan ko habang nawalan ako ng malay. Even my back hurts, ang there is actually a trace of blood falling from my forehead. Ang sakit ng ulo ko, and I can feel my eyes drifting back to sleep dahil sa lamig. Just where the hell am I?

Sinubukan konb bumangon pero madali din naman akong sumuko at hinayaan nalang muna magpahinga ang katawan ko. Basa parin ang buong katawan ko, and thus I need to dry up soon o magkakasakit talaga ako. Pinilit ko ulit bumangon habang pinatong ko ang dala kong kamay sa maputik na lupa, as I pushed myself up. Soon, after few minutes, I managed to stand up but my legs are wobbly.

Nahihirapan akong maglakad dahul nga ang sakit ng mga muscles ko kaya may napulot akong mahabang stick at gubamit ito bilang paramg baston at napadali nadin sa wakas ang paglakad ko. Wala akong nararamdamang tao malapit sa akin, so I can easily assume that I'm alone. Kailangan kong malaman kung ilang oras na ako nakatulog o kung saan ako. I need to get that last info from that magic ball. Wala akong pakealam kung dinoble nila ang security, I'll just break rught through in again.

But the current problem is that I'm missing. I sighed, giving in. There's no point thinking about stuffs like that now kung hindi ako makakaalis sa ligar na ito. Sa ngayon ay kailangan ko ng matutuluyan at apoy para mainitan ang katawan ko. It's basically turning into a winter season now, kaya malamig talaga ang panahon ngayon.

I found a cave just few kilometers ahead kaya mabilis akong lumakad papunta dito. Nakapulot din ako ng mga maliliit na kahoy para sa apoy. When I reached the cave, I immediately set up the bonfire, at ginamit ang electricity ko to produce heat then finally, a fire. Lumubog na ang araw at ngayon ay nagugutom na naman ako. After several minutes of resting, I can handle myself now without the need of a stick.

My stomach then growled in hunger. It's almost impossible for me to be this hungry, did I actually pass out for days? Nagpalabas nalang ako ng malalim na hininga at sumandal sa mabatong pader ng kweba. It's uncomfortable, but it made me remember that time back in the cave in Arizole. Pinatong ko ang ulo ko sa hita niya, I was sick bt he didn't complain kahit na alam ko na hindi siya sanay dito. I knew he was a good person.

Pero nakita ko ulit siya sa isang 'parallel world' kung saan ang consciousness ko lang ang bumalik. He wasn't Hoy, iba siya. I refused to accept the fact that he has that kind of personality, a side that I wasn't aware. It hurts right in the chest every time I remember how he easily stabbed me and drowned me down.

The evening was getting deeper, and the sound of crickets were everywhere. Looking from here below, I can even see the half moon. Looking at that certain moon made me remember that one thing I could never forget. Nung mga panahon na nasa isang misyon kami at nakasama ko siya.

"One day that moon will turn into a full one with many stars beside it, it'll not be alone for long. And when it does, look at it again, you'll be happy."

Looking back, I probabaly didn't know what he meant by those words. Pero alam kong nakikita niya ang lungkot ko habang tumitinghala ako sa half moon na yun. And right now I'm still gazing at that same half moon. And I was feeling that same kind of loneliness I felt back then. Pero nagbago na ako. I wasn't naive like before and I have gotten stronger. And intend to keep things that way. Kaya ako mag-isa ngayon, because I don't want to depend on those people who helped me a lot, never again.

May naramdaman akong matigas na bagay sa ilalim ng cloak ko nang ginalaw ko ang katawan ko. When I pulled it out, narealise ko na ito ang yung libro na kinuha ko mula sa forbidden floor, sa forbidden section of books. D-did I just steal a book from the Academy's library?

No, there's no turning back now Ke'ala. Sinira mo nga alarm and even ran away from Knights, why am I feeling guilty all of the sudden? Wala ka namang ginagawang mali. Right, I did all those things dahil kailangan ko itong gawin para sa mga spirits ko. Napabuntong-hininga na naman ako after I calmed myself down. Calming down this way by talking to myself is more helpful.

Napatayo ako nang may naramdaman akong palapit sa range kong sampung metro. It's feeling angry and desperate, it's hungry. Hindi ko makita ang parte ng gubat dahil sa dilim, but I know that it's running towards my direction. Nang biglang tumalon ang kung anong hayop sa direksyon ko, coming from one of the trees. Bumagsak ang likuran ko sa matigas na lup and I can only groan when I back felt the pain.

Nabitawan ko ang libro na hinahawakan ko kanina and it fell just right beside the bonfire. When I looked back at the animal, malaking itim na lobo ito. It's saliva was falling from its sharp teeth, and it jumped above me once again. Ginamit ko ang kamay ko para pigilan ang malaking bunganga nito sa pagkagat sa ulo ko, and its breath is disgusting.

Sinipa ko ito gamit ang paa ko, pero dahil mas mabigat ito kumpara sa akin ay hindi ko ito umalis sa ibabaw ko. I had no choice but to let out my electricity and sent it through the wolf's body. The wolf jumped back in pain, and I could feel its emotions gradually turning into energy, flowing through my body. Hindi na ako nagulat dito pero hindi sapat ang kuryente sa pagpatay sa lobong ito, it only made him weaker. Mukhang kailangan ko pang masanay makontrol ang lebel ng kuryente na pinapalabas ko.

I sat back up and summoned one of my swords tsaka ito tinapon sa may direksyon ng lobo, my sword pierced through its chest and it howled one more time before fallimg to the ground. My sword disappeared just as then I sighed in relief. Tumayo ako at lumapit sa may patay na lobo. Kung may lobo dito ibig sabibin ay kung may anong hayop pa ang nandito, which would mean ay sa malalim akong parte ng gubat.

"Just where the hell am I...?" I asked myself, exasperated.

"You are currently in Hadehs." Nagulat ako nang may biglang nagsalita, it's not around me, but it's directly speaking in my mind. It's that magic ball!

"Bakit nandito ka?"

"Why? Should I not?" I frowned. "Your mana was the reason I was awaken after hundreds of centuries of shutting down. So it is only natural for me to be with you."

"Sino ka ba talaga? At kung kanina ka pa nandito why didn't you say so? Just how long was I unconscious exactly?" I am honestly annoyed.

"Again, I am a being that does no exist. I have no such form, however I have eyes and ears wherever in this world. As for your second question, I am only speaking to answer your questions. So I see no reason for me to speak before. And lastly, you were out for three days."

Three days?! Wait, wait, wait, does that mean ilang araw ako palutan-lutang sa ilog? And worse! I could have died without me knowing! Just what the hell Ke'ala... pero natapos nang nangyari yun, but this one talking right in my mind right now...

"But you coming with me, is it okay? At akala ko ba isang magic ball ka?"

"Again, I am a being that does not—"

"I get it. I get it. You don't have to repeat yourself. Kaya sinasabi mo bang magic ball lang ang physical appearance mo?"

"I can choose and alter my own physical appearance, but unless you find it incovenient, I would like to stay the same. And I do not know whether is it alright to come along with you, but the Forbidden Library is only called by such name because the books have no words, and that library is dead unless I am awake. But now that I am with you, the Forbidden Library shall disappear."

"Disappear?"

"Well let me rephrase it to something you can understand. That place is like my whole body, I can control every single thing. But now that I have moved here with you, that room will remain empty without anything in sight." I feel like I'll be in trouble once I get back, or worse, I'll be imprisoned. Pero hindi naman nila malalaman agad-agad na ako yun.

"Sinabi mong nasa Hadehs ako ngayon, saan banda ito ng North?"

"North? You have misunderstood. Hadehs is just pass by the borders between the North and the West. Which would mean, that you are currently inside the Western Territory. And this forest is considered as one of its territoty, Hadehs Forest. It is a home for wild animals and it is not common for people to be in here unless when they go for hunting." That info was very helpful.

Sa tatalong araw kong palutang-lutang sa tubug ay narating ko na ang Western Territory, and me suddenly disappearing from the Academy might arise suspicion like they did when I summoned my weapons. At saktong nawala ako sa araw na may pumasok sa Forbidden Floor.

I just hooe they wouldn't suspect me for it dahil hindi lang naman siguro ako ang pumapasok sa library, but at that time, yes ako lang. But Andrea and Iyana should already know na umalis ako, hindi nga lang suguro nila inaasahan na ganoon kabilis. And anyway...!

"Do you really have to speak English so formally all the time?"

"Oh I can speak many different languages. If you wish, I—"

"Do as you wish. Bukas na bukas aalis ako dito. And tomorrow, tell me how can I find that certain person who is capable of transferring my consciouness to another world."

"Understood."

Napatingin ulit ako sa lobo sa unahan ko, it was bigger than the normal one. Pinawala ko na ang espada ko at bumalik sa sinasandalan ko kanina then sighed. Mabuti nalang ang nandito ang 'being that doesn't exist' na ito sa utak ko, otherwise I would have had to return back to square one kung paano ako makakapunta sa Spirit Land. Pero sa lahat ng lugar dito pa takaga sa West huh?

As the night went deeper, I soon laid my back on the cold and uncomfortable texture of the ground with my stomach still rumbling. Tomorrow I'll need to find something to eat otherwise I'd die in hunger before I could even complete my goal. Pinatong ko ang ulo ko sa braso ko as I curled up my body, letting my all-dried-up cloak to shelter me from the cold breeze.

Habang nakahiga ay kinuha ko ang libro na nagulog kanina malapit sa bonfire, it didn't burn kahit na ang lapit lapit na nito sa apoy, and I guessed I was relieved. Dahil kung masunog ito mas madadagdagan pa siguro ang punishment ko pagbalik ko sa Academy, that if they knew I was behind the person who infiltrated the Forbidden Floor. Hindi ko naman akalain na ganoon din ang gagawin ko.

In the end, ginamit ko nalang ang libro as a pillow but my position was far from comfortable. Pero kailangan kong magpahinga, dahil parang sobrang pagod ko ngayong araw, even thoughI was out for three days. I closed my eyes, letting my consciouness fade away.

The sunlight was beaming across the woods, touching my skin. From here, maririnig ko ang daloy ng ilog at mga huni ng mga ibong nagliliparan sa itaas. Naglalakad ako ngayon sa may mga kakahuyan. Base on the information I acquired, malapit lang dito ang bayan ng Hadehs. Kanina pa sumikat ang araw, and although I don't have the exact time, I knew very well that it's around seven. I can tell due to the sun's intensity of light and how high it currently is.

Hinihila ko ngayon sa likuran ko ang napatay kong lobo kahapon. I decided to sell the meat somewhere in the town, to earn money. Now that I think of it, pwede ko din naman itong hatiin at sunugin ito para may makain ako. But the problem is that I don't know how to dismantle the body and the thought itself it nasty.

I asked the 'being that doesn't exist' kung malapit lang ba takaga ang taong kailangan ko so that I can transfer to another world. The thought itselt is impossible if I think about it in another way, pero may pag-asa pa ako. Ang sagot niya ay sobrang lapit lang talaga ng taong ito. Mabuti naman para hindi na ako mahirapang maghanap.

"Lumiko ka sa kanan at hindi magtatagal makikita mo narin ang bayan." Sinunod ko ang direksyon ng nagsasalita sa isipan ko. Matapos ang sinabi ko kagabi, naging informal na ang speech niya at nagta-tagalog narin siya. It's better this way. But still, this wolf is heavy.

"Hey what should I call you? Nahihirapan akong tawagin ka." Wika ko, realising it.

"Maaari mo akong tawagin sa kung ano man ang hiling mong tawagin ako. Ngunit may pangalan akong gustong ipangalan sa sarili ko." Hindi na ako nagsalita pa, at inasahan ang sususnod niyang sasabihin. "Laire."

"Laire?" Na kung babasahin ito ay lair.

"Iyan ang ipinangalan sa akin ng unang taong binuhay ako ilang-daang taon na ang nakalipas."

"Anong nangyari sa taong iyon?" Somehow, I couldn't help but ask.

"Sa unang panahon kasi ay puno ng digmaan ang daigdig. Marami ang nangangailangan sa akin dahil may kaalaman ako sa lahat ng nangyayari dito sa mundo. Ang taong iyon ay nangangalang Denaricus."

Denaricus? Bakit napakapamilyar ang pangalan? Isn't he one of the man na palaging nakasulat sa mga History books? Pero dahil hindi naman ako nakikinig sa mga lessons o nagbabasa ng libro ay hindi ko alam.

"So Denaricus was the first man you served?"

"Siya nga. Tinulungan ko siyang manalo sa digmaan laban sa mga Leos, o ang tinatawag ngayong Fallen Kingdom of Leomer. Siya ang tumigil mismo sa digmaan. Alam mo siguro ito dahil alam ito ng halos lahat."

"Wala akong ideya sa sinasabi mo."

"Ah oo nga pala, isa kang Cursed Blood sa isla ng Arizole. A country secluded from the rest of the world. Pero bakit ka ngaba umalis? Something might just happen if you don't return soon."

Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi niya at tumigil sa harap ng isang malaking sign sa itaas ng puno. Sa gilid ay may nakapalibot na malalaking pader gawa sa kahoy. At sa tabi ng gate ay may tatlong Knights na nakabantay. Napatigil sila sa pag-uusap nang makita ako. Nagulat yata sila. It is annoying because they were startled by my appearance. Ang ibang Knights at mga tao sa North ay parang nasasanay na pero sa ibang teritoryo ako ngayon.

Pinalabas nilang tatlo ang mga spears nila at tinutok ito sa akin. Hindi na ako nagulat, it's only natural for them to be cautious. Though I can feel their fears, their legs are even trembling.

"S-sino ka?!" Tanong ng isa. I rolled my eyes in annoyance. But then I slightly bowed my head. It's a common greeting for most people.

"Nandito lang ako para ibenta ang napatay kong hayop." Since hunting seems to be common in this place, hindi naman siguro masama kung ibenta ko ito. They looked behind me at mukhang nagukat sila nang makita ang lobo.

"P-pinatay mo ang lobong iyan ng mag-isa?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ng isa pang Knight. I nodded.

"May problema po ba?"

"Ah wala naman. Matapos kasi ang nangyaring pag-atake ng Black Clan sa North at East ay mas nagiging mapagmatyag kami. We even improved our security by locking the gates from the inside na noon ay palagi itong bukas. Malapit kasi ang bayang ito sa borders kaya delikadong mapasukan kami."

"Naiiintindihan ko."

"At halos walang tao na ang lumalabas ng bayan sa mga nakalipas na araw dahil sa tumataas na bilang ng mga hayop. Katulad lang ng lobong iyan, it has only been recently when they grew in such a size." Dagdag pa ng isang Knight. Kaya pala nasurpresa sila nang makita nila ang bitbit ko.

"Kung wala naman po palang problema, pwede na bang makapasok?"

"Wala namang problema pero tulad ng ng sinabi ko, halos wala ng tao ang lumalabas ng bayan. Isa pa, nagpalabas marin ng utos ang Saint na huwag muna magpapalabas ng mga tao sa borders kung wala namang importanteng rason noong nakaraang linggo lamang." They must be talking about the Eastern Saint. They didn't even lower down their weapons. "Kaya matanong lang namin kung sino ka at kung saan ka nagmula." Damn they are smarter than I thought! Buong akala ko makakapasok ako ng walang kahirap-hirap.

"Ilang linggo na ako naliligaw sa gubat na ito, dahil tulad nga ng sinabi niyo ay tumaas na ang bilang ng mga hayop na ito. Kagabi lamang ako nakakita ng daan pabalik sa bayan, at dahil sa rasong iyon ay imposibleng narinig ko ang utos na pinalabas ng Saint." What they said didn't seem to be a lie, so I made up a short story para hindi na nila ako paghinalaan. Nagtinginan ang tatlo sa isa't isa na hindi parin naniniwala.

"May mga tao ngang naliligaw sa gubat simula nung nakaraang mga linggo na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa nakikita." Sabi ni isa sa dalawa. "Matanong ko lang kung may nakita ka bang iba pang tao sa gubat."

"Marami akong narinig na sigaw sa ilang linggo ko sa gubat. Pero naalala ko ang sabi ni tatay noon na kung may marinig akong mga ganoon ay dapat lumayo na agad ako dahil baka mapahamak pa ako."

"Tama nga siya." They all nodded, realising my point. I feel stupid making such a lie pero hindi naman nila ito nahahalata. Because I was looking straight at them while stating those things. "Pasensya na kung pinaghinalaan ka namin."

May kinuha ang isang knight na flare gun mula sa lalagyan nito sa hita niya. It shot blue flame above the gates. Ilang minuto ang nakalipas ay bumukas narin ng unti-unti ang gate. I walked passed by the Knights whose suspicion was completely erased by my made-up story.

As I entered an unknown place, the gate behind me was once again lowered. Knights didn't bother greeting me at umakto na para bang wala silang nakita. I understand because they would only feel startled if they talk to me. Siguro iniisip nila na ang weird ko.

I was met with many people the moment I laid my eyes on the town before me. Maraming nakatayong nga buildings at marami din ang mga tao. May nakikita akong iba na naghihila ng karwahe at meron ding iba ang nakikipaglaro ng mga baraha sa bawat gilid ng daanan.

I was walking through the busy street at dahil sa sobrang dami ng tao, I suddenly felt nauseous, especially that my range has improved. May mga ibang tao din na napunta ang atensyon sa akin dahil sa unusual appearance ko lalo na at may dala pa akong malaking lobo na hinihila ko mula sa likuran.

Unknowingly why, more people started noticing me at nagbibigay daan sa akin habang lumalakad ako sa gitna. I understand, yeah for the third, fourth, I don't know, time, na tinitignan nila ako dahil sa appearance ko. But I already put my hair behind my ears like I always do so it should be normal now! Or are they staring at me for a different reason?

"Miss! Pwede bang—" Napunta ang atensyon ko sa isang lalaki na hinawakan ang balikat ko. I didn't notice just now dahil sa dami ng tao sa paligid, so it's hard to notice one single emotion coming directly to me. Humarap ako sa direksyon ng lalaking ito, and he seemed startled for a moment. Nakasuot siya ng sombrero na halos ang mukha niya ay hindi ko makita.

"What?"

"Adrianna?" My brows furrowed. "Adrianna Claies?" There's only a total of two people who I told that name to. Don't tell me...

Bago pa man ako makasalita ng kung ano ay bigla niya nalang binuhat sa isa niyang balikat ang lobo ng dalawang beses ang laki nito sa kaniya, at agad din namang kinuha ang isa kong kamay at hinila ako sa kung saan man. I couldn't say anything at the moment because I was too overwhelmed by this sudden situation!

Hanggang sa tumigil kaming dalawa sa may isang medyo madilim na alleyway, and it was narrow. May isa nga lang pintuan sa may pinakadulo mg alley na ito, but I was too out of breath dahil sa bilis ng takbo niya. Napatingin kami sa isa't isa agad and frowned at each other. His black hair was blending in very well with the dimness of the place, as some of his strands fell sideways on his forehead. He dropped the dead wolf on the ground.

"Wala kang sinabihan ng iba tungkol sa akin, diba?!" Sabay naming tanong sa isa't isa. But things didn't stop there, sabay din naming sinummon ang weapons namin.

I only summoned one sword and aimed it on his neck, just right through his adam's apple at kasabay ng galaw na iyon ay nakaposisyon din ang battle axe niya gilid ng leeg ko. Tsk.

"Of course I didn't. I'm not that low of a person, and I expect you did the same, Alvin." Sagot ko sa tanong niya. And yes, he's that guy I met at nakasama nang nasa loob ako ng Sigillum.

"Malamang, utang ko sayo ang buhay ko."

"Saying something like your indebted to me habang nakatuon sa akin ang weapon mo didn't sound so realistic." Nagkatinginan kami ng ilang segundo bago niya pinawala ang weapon niya at ganoon din ang ginawa ko.

"Alvin?" Both of us were surprised by that sudden voice hindi malayo sa amin.

Mabilis nalang na sinuot ni Alvin ang hood ko and stepped beside me while looking in front of him, which is behind me. At ako naman ay patuloy na nakatingin sa unahan ko, which is behind him. Right now, we're side by side each other. I felt another person enter my range at tumatakbo papunta dito.

"Alvin! Nandito ka pala—ah sino yan?"

"Someone from the clan. Nakita ko lang siya dito."

"Ah isa siguro siya sa mga movers natin." Movers? Is the Black Clan plotting something again? "Magsisimula na ang meeting kaya pinapatawag ka na pabalik sa base." So they're setting another base here matapos nilang matalo sa nangyaring labanan sa Eastern borders?

"Papunta na ako, may ibibigay lang akong instruction one last time."

"Ahh kaya pala. By the way, bakit may lobo diyan?"

"Sinabihan kita kanina that I was going to go hunting, right?"

"Ah oo nga! Sige mauna na ako kailangan ko pang tawagin ang iba." I felt that person ran away, gradually fading from my range. I sighed in relief at binaba ang hood ko, staring at Alvin who's still beside, as he also stared down at my direction, dahil mas matangkad siya.

"I didn't even feel a slightest suspicion from him."

"He's my cousin, at imposibleng hindi niya ako paniwalaan sa kung ano man ang sasabihin ko. That guy...I'm the only family he has, so he always trusts me in everything." Binuhat niya ulit ang lobo at lumakad sa unahan ko. "I'm taking this wolf, magkano ang kailangan mo?"

"Just give me three small silver coins." If I remembered correctly,

Coin Currency
50 Coppers = 1 Small Bronze
100 Coppers = 1 Big Bronze
10 Big Bronze ( 1,000 Coppers) = 1 Small Silver
10 Small Silver ( 10,000 Coppers) = 1 Big Silver
10 Big Silver (100,000 Coppers) = 1 Small Gold
10 Small Gold ( 1 million Coppers) = 1 Big Gold

So three small silver coins should be 3,000 copper coins. Hindi niya yata inaasahan ang hinihiling kong pera pero may kinuha siya sa pantalon niyang isang card. Bigla niya itong tinapon sa direksyon ko at mabilis ko naman itong sinalo. Just like our cards back from the Academy, normal lang sa lahat ng tao ang magkaroon ng card.

"That Money Card has exactly three thousand coppers, and with that let's forget we met each other." Did I just take all his money?

"Deal." Sagot ko at nilagay ito bulsa sa ilalim ng cloak ko.

"You really different." Narinig kong bulong niya, and looked at his direction once again, he let out a smirk. "A normal Academy student won't agree that easily. May pinaplano ka ba?"

"Mukha ba akong may plano? Well unfortunately may iba pa akong mas importanteng gagawin."

Dahil kung hindi lang ngayon nawawala ang mga spirits ko ay iimbestigahan ko talaga ang mga ginagawa ng Black Clan ngayon, even though it shouldn't be my problem anymore. But there is one black who knew my real name and my real existence, that fact bothered me kaya technically problema ko narin sila.

"Is there something more important than checking the one of the most wanted criminal on the country's list, the Black Clan?"

"At the moment there is kaya kakalimutan ko munang nakita kita ngayon."

"Nasa isang misyon ka ba?"

"A mission? If you call stealing something from the Forbidden Library and escaping from the Academy and finally ended up here in the West after I ran away from the Knights, a mission, then sure, sa isang misyon ako." And why am I even telling him any of this? Mas nagulat pa siya sa sinabi ko at hindi makapaniwala. His eyes were so wide as he stared at me with confusion and curiosity.

"Nagbibiro ka ba?! Ginawa mo yun?!"

"I've never tried an actual joke before and never was I planning on trying one. Kaya pwede ba? Kailangan ko ng umalis." Lumakad ako lampas sa kung saan siya nakatayo and tried to ignore his shock expression. I just rolled my eyes in annoyance. Ang mahalaga ay hindi na ako mamamatay sa gutom dahil may pera na ako.

Just when I was about to turn right para makalabas na ako papunta sa main street, bigla nalang ako napakapit sa pader, as I tightened my grip on my chest. My heart was pounding like crazy, sobrang bilis at lakas ng tibok nito that it's actually scarry. Na para bang puputok na ang dibdib ko. It hurts, damn it hurts! Ang hirap huminga, why do I feel like I'm being drowned?

"Hey, anong nangyayari sayo—" hindi na ni Alvin natuloy ang sinabi niya dahil napaluhod nalang ako bigla sa lupa.

"I-it hurts.." bulong ko sa kaniya. Sinubukan niya akong lapitan habang hinulog niya na naman ulit sa lupa ang kawawang patay na lobo, pero bigla nalang siyang natilapon sa isa pang pader.

I feel my own body letting out powerful and odd energy. The waves of its strength and impact was the reason kung bakit natilapon bigla si Alvin. The ground beneath me was shaking, and the wall was slowly building up cracks. Argh...ang sakit...gusto ko ng matapos ito.

"Laire! Sabihin mo kung ano ang nangyayari!"

Sigaw ko sa kaniya after I forced every last breath out of my mouth just saying those words. Napakapit ako sa lupa, both my hands were clenching. Lumubog bigla ang lupa sa ilalim kl dahil sa sobrang lakas ng emerhiyang lumalabas mula sa katawan ko. I-I can't control it!

"I-it's...you've accumulated too much energy from the people around you na lumampas na ito sa energy capacity mo."

What?! I know my energy was building up again pero hindi naman ito ganito kalala noon! At lumampas na sa energy capacity ko?—argh! Damn it! My head started throbbing painfully and cold sweat ran down my forehead. I-I can't barely breathe!

"Your energy capacity is growing tremendously, and because of this the relic inside of you awakened due to the immense power, not even your resistors can stop it completely, kaya lang nilang pahinain ang epekto nito sa katawan mo." Resistors?! Anong pinagsasabi niya? Wala akonb maintindihan—I gritted my teeth in pain.

"Adrianna! What the hell is going on? Mawawasak ang mga buildings sa ginagawa mo!" Alvin who was barely standing up went towards where I was, pero pilit siyang tinataboy ng nagwawala kong enerhiya.

"Something inside you is trying to get out from the seal." Anong seal ang pinagsasabi nito?! "A relic. Sigillum is locked inside you, kaya may sumsusubok na lumabas dito dahil sa grabe ang enerhiya mo." Halos hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinabi niya.

Sigillum? That relic is inside me?! At ito ang rason kung bakit ako nasasaktan ngayon? Because the relic is too powerful that it awakenes because of my growing energy capacity. I closed my eyes in deep pain, hindi ko kaya ang sakit, I just want this to end! I-it reminded me of the first time I was in so much pain and anguish because of this ability—argh!

"W-who...is trying to break off the seal?" Mahina kong bulong sa sarili ko. "Who is it?!"

"Silverrium." My eyes immediately opened as I was facing the ground, my surrounding still continued to shake. What? Silverrium?

"Alvin!" Tawag ko sa kaniya. He immediately looked at me, his eyes filled with concern that I didn't need at the moment. "G-gawin mo ang lahat...just knock me out!" Sigaw ko sa kaniya and he nodded in agreement. I can't let that guy escape! Hindi ko parin maintindihan ang mga nangyari like how is he even still alive?!

Napahiga ako sa lupa dahil sa matinding pagod, my whole body is numb and painful at the same time, my chest felt like it's about to explode. Mabilis din na sinummon ni Alvin ang battle axe niya at dahil hindi siya makalapit sa akin, tinapon niya ang wepon niya papunta sa direksyon ko. I couldn't be bothered if he did kill me, I just want this pain to end already.

But at the corner of my narrowing eyes, a long silver hair was swaying due to the strong winds, suddenly appeared in front of me. The battle axe was quickly repelled like it was nothing. Then his silver glowing eyes went straight for mine, and because of that, my eyes closed.