With The Spirit Keeper

Napatingin ang lahat ulit sa akin matapos nilang nilibot ang paningin nila. Base on their facial expressions, I could tell they all have the same question in mind like what I had just asked.

"Huh?! Kami pa talaga ang tinatanong mo?!" Galit na sigaw ni Caina.

"I'm asking myself, actually." I sighed.

"Hindi mo alam kung saan na ngayon pupunta?" Tanong ni Accel. "Paano kaya kung lumibot muna tayo, may mga masasarap daw na pagka—"

"Accel."

"Yeah I know Alv, hindi tayo nandito para mamasyal."

"Alam ko kung saan tayo pupunta pero hindi ko alam kung paano pumunta o kung saan ito. Kaya mas mabuti pang maglakad-lakad tayo at magtanong-tanong." I still remember what Julius said, hanapin ko daw ang Half Moon Inn. He was probably saying my spirits might be there or at least it could help me find them.

Nagsimula kaming maglakad-lakad, spirits weren't looking at us while some do, we can't help it dahil naglalakad kami sa grupo. Pero mukhang wala namang nakakahalata na mga tao talaga kami. There are spirits who were trying to invite us to go somewhere to advertise their businesses more,but we paid them no heed at nagpatuloy sapaghahanap ng inn. Maybe asking about it would help.

"Iha," may kumapit sa balikat mula sa likuran kaya agad akong napatingin dito.

Hindi ko alam kung sino siya pero nakasuot siya ng mahabang damit na abot hanggang paa, and her sleeve reached her elbows. Just like any other spirits, her clothing is a bit sophisticated than it looks. Base on the complexion of her face, she was rather old with signs of wrinkles. Malamig ang kamay niya nang hinawakan niya ako, but shelet go immediately when I faced her.

"Alam ko na may hinahanap ka." And what she said made my brows furrowed. She may be an old lady but I don't trust people easily, especially those who know me. "Ikaw, ikaw ang hinahanap niya." Ang matutulis niyang kuko ay nakatutok sa unahan lang ng mukha ko.

"Sino ka?" Derecha kong tanong, without formalities because I simply don't have time for it.

"Sumama ka sa akin, matutulungan kita." Since I can't use my own ability for the first time right now, I can't tell whether she's scamming me or not. And I really do feel uncomfortable without my ability, mahirap ito dahil buong buhay ko ginagamit ang ability ko. Just for it to disappear like that is really unpleasant.

"At bakit naman sa tingin mo pagkakatiwalaan kita?"

"Dahil kailangan mo ako, iha. Alam kong may pinagdadaanan ka. Halika at sumama ka sa akin, gawin mo at makikita mo ang hinahanap mo."

"Ano ang magagawa mo?" She showed me a smile which I didn't have any idea kung totoo ba o hindi, tapos nilapit niya ang mukha niya sa akin.

"Marami ang pwede kong magawa sayo, sumama ka lang." Bulong niya. She sounded so persuasive.

She was about to hold my shoulder again nang biglang sumulpot sa gitna namin si Silverrium. His glares penetrated through the old woman's eyes making the latter click her tongue at umalis na agad. Mukhang nainis yata. Just what is that?

"Are you stupid or what?! It may be peaceful here in Spirit Land but that doesn't mean all the spirits here are good! If you had fell for her traps siguro ngayon kung saang banda ka na ng mundo makikita!" So I was almost tricked huh? Pero paanp niya naman nalaman na may hinahanap ako?

"It's a common occurence around here. Most spirits will know if one's new in this town or not at susubukan ang kahit anong bagay para lang makuha ang tiwala ng targets nila." He explained as if answering my question.

"At ano ang gagawin nila?" Hindi ako ang nagtanong gamit ang mahinang boses na iyon, kundi si Iriel na kanina pa pala sa likuran ko. I didn't notice her presence dahil marami naman talaga ang tao sa paligid.

"What do you expect from spirits? Dahil sa mahina ang mga spiritual energy nila ay kinukuha nila ang enerhiya ng iba to survive. No one wants to disappear around here, for most of them life is the most valuable thing."

I didn't know spirits are capable of doing something like that, but then again they are spirits kaya hindi ko sila dapat maliitin. Dying might be normal in the Human World but it seemed to me that it isn't normal here, spirits disappear dahil nauubusan sila ng enerhiya, which makes it actually pretty common now.

But they can live thousands of centuries old with still the same physique as long as they have energy. Because spirits are originally born from our original world's extra energies na tumitipon-tipon bago ito tuluyang mawala. While there are some rare cases like Ziandra who died from a parallel world and reborn as a spirit.

"Anyway, where are the rest?" Nilibot ko ang paningin ko at nakitang si Iriel lang ang nandoon, at wala ang iba. I clenched my fists in annoyance, or was it anger?

"D-don't tell me they are lost..." takot na salita ni Iriel.

"Seems we have no choice but to leave them—"

"No!" I immediately shot back at Silverrium, interrupting his words. "Hindi natin sila iiwan, orherwise things will get more complicated."

"Pero paano kung naloko sila ng ibang spirits at sumama sa kung saan? Ano ang gagawin mo? Will you go waste time finding them and help rather than using that time to do those things for your spirits? In the first place, nandito ka para hanapin ang mga spirits mo at hindi mo ginusto na sumama sila, they came here ok their own." Paliwanag ni Silverrium. What he said made a lot of sense and I know that, but still...

I sighed.

"Pupunta tayo sa Half Moon Inn. Sinabi ni Julius na pumunta daw sa lugar na iyon. Though he didn't say why, I thought maybe it's a way for me to locate them."

"If that's what you have decided then fine."

"T-teka! Iiwan nalang ba natin sila?!" She may have said that with an obvious  anger base on her voice, pero mahiha parin talaga ang tono ng boses niya na para bang hindi talaga siya nagagalit.

"I didn't say that. Sinabi ko lang na pupunta tayo sa Half Moon Inn. We'll look for the inn sabay sa paghahanap ng mga kasamahan mo." She let out a sigh as if she was relieved.

Nawala siguro sila ahil sa dilim ng the lights all around us. Well I can't just leave them like that, otherwise my conscience will haunt me. Pero pwede ko din naman silang iwan dahil sigurado ako na kayang-kaya na nila ang mga sarili nila. They might be just normal people in this world but they are members of the Black Clan, one of the most dangerous organization together with Exodus.

We continued our way out of the gathering crowd. On the end of the street, there was an old streetlight laying bear under the starry skies, it kept on turning on and off. Sa ilalim ng streetlight na ito ay may isang sign na nakasulat sa isang hindi ko alam na lenguwahe. At base sa mga nakita ko kanina lang sa malaking libro ni Julius, ito siguro ang wika ng mga spirits. Although we speak the same, their writings are different.

"We found the inn." Wika ni Silverrium habang nakaharap kami ngayon dito. Of course he'd understand it.

Si Iriel naman ay mukhang hindi mapakali dahil kanina pa umiikot ang paningin niya. Ganoon ba talaga siya kaalala?

"Ang Half Moon Inn ay nasa unahan lang. We might just get to finish things quickly if we move faster." Dagdag niya, obviously trying to tell Iriel na huwag nang isipin muna ang iba na ngayon ay nawawala. Looking back, marami talaga ang spirits sa paligid at ang ingay pa ng lugar, so it's almost impossible for us to find them.

Sinundan namin ang sign na gawa lamang sa isang lumang kahoy. Isa na naman itong alleyway, pero hindi katulad nung kanina ay hindi ito madilim dahil sa mga umiilaw na lampara sa bawat gilid ng pader. It was a bit creepy looking at them blinking in lights.

Sa dulo ng alley na ito ay may isang pintuan, may mga embroideries ito na nakakapit sa handle at may mga kakaibang disenyo ng buwan sa itaas. Nang lumapit kami dito ay ako na ang kumatok, the sound of my fist against the wood echoed through the silence behind us.

Bigla na lamang bumukas ang pintuan event hough I knocked only once. The creaking door came into an open revealing darkness. Napatingin kaming dalawa ni Iriel sa isa't isa na may halong pagtataka at dahan-dahang pumasok. Nauna na si Silverrium sa unahan namin, he looked like he isn't startled at all.

As soon as we entered, the door suddenly shut closed, and we were once again engulfed in darkness. We are in the Spirit Land, so the thought of spirits should be normal, but it's a different case when it comes to ghosts and paranormal activities. Kahit na nakatira kami sa mundo kung saan normal lang ang nga ganyan.

"Welcome.." a voice echoed through the whole room.

Upon saying that, may isang kandila na umilaw sa gitna ng kwarto. It illuminated the surrounding items like tables and cabinets pero ang iba ay madilim parin. Boses ito ng lalaki and I'm not sure if the spirit behind this is purposely trying to scare us or is this a normal greeting.

"Um...ganito lang ba talaga ang lugar na'to?" Bulong ni Iriel sa tabi ko, as she tightly held my arm. I wasn't used to this kind of kinship because I feel weird, lalo na sa mga tao na hindi ko pa gaano kakilala. Kaya tinapik ko ang kamay niya at hinarap siya.

"How would I know?" Sagot ko pero mabilis niya paring kinuha ang kamay ko, she's crushing my hand! Shouldn't it be obvious na ayaw kong mahawakan nung tinapik ko ang kamay niya?! Is she dense or takot lang ba talaga siya?

Sinipa ni Silverrium ang isang transparent na circular table sa gilid kaya nahulog ang isang vase. The vase fell with its shattering sound and base on the designs, it was made on an actual gemstone. Medyo umiilaw ang vase na nahulog at may lumabas na maliit na usok.

"Hoy! Hoy! Hoy!!" Finally, the chandellier above us brightened, erasing all the darkness in the room. Sabay nun ay may lumabas nga na isang lalaki. Nakasuot siya ng long-sleeve na kulay puti at may pulang necktie, then paired with black pants and boots.

"You're the owner of this place?" Derechang tanong ni Silverrium.

"Wah!! Alam mo ba kung gaano kamahal ito?! Bakit mo naman ginawa yun? Hindi kita papakawalan kung hindi mo ito nababayaran!"

"I'm asking you."

"Oo—ah hindi, ang lolo ko ang may-ari nito pero tsaka na yan! Bayaran mo!"

"Wala kaming perang dala dito. Kaya sagutin mo nalang ang tanong ko. May pumunta bang dalawang spirits dito?" Mabilis na hinawakan ng spirit ang magkabilang balikat ni Silverrium as he then shake it.

"Bayaran mo! Papatayin ako nito ni lolo—" Silverrium cut him short with an uppercut and his fist hit the latter's chin laya napaatras siya na hawak hawak ang jawline niya. "Nababaliw ka ba?! Ah ang sakit! Tss.."

"I'm sorry about the vase, but you could have had avoided that if you weren't trying to scare us."

"I wasn't scaring you! Ah siguro nga pero ganoon lang talaga—basta. At ang tanong niyong mga spirits, minsan lang naman may pumupunta dito kaya yung lalaki at babae siguro ang tinutukoy niyo." Well no wonder about that, wala talagang pupunta sa lugar na ito dahil sa pinanggagawa niya.

"Nasaan sila pumunta?"

"Dito sila natulog ng ilang gabi tapos ay bigla nalang silang nawala kaninang umaga." Wherever they are they didn't disappear yet because this spirit can still remember them, or is he referring to another spirits? "Pero kung importante ito at kailangan niyo ng tulong, wouldn't it be better to go to the capital?"

"Bakit kailangan naming pumunta dun?" Tanong ni Iriel, exactly my question.

"Suggestion lang ito. Pero mas madali ang paghahanap niyo kung pupunta kayo sa Spirit Keeper. Pero hindi siya tumatanggap ng bisita. But if you'll pay for this vase, tutulongan ko kayong makita siya."

"We're not going to meet her." Silverrium suddenly said without a second thought.

Tama nga siya, magiging magulo lang ang lahat kung magkikita kami. After all, that Spirit Keeper can be hostile against us, especially me. But we can't stay here for long so we're bound to meet her or something sooner or later. But this time I might need her help para mapabilis ko. At the end of the day, it'll be up to me to get her to my side.

"I think meeting her is our only choice at this point." Agad na napatingin sa akin ang dalawa aa sinabi ko. They both know the danger with this idea.

"Sasama din lang naman ako sa iyo, kaya kung iyan ang desisyon mo ay wala akong magagawa. Pero kung dumating ang oras na kailangan nating lumaban, hindi ako magdadalawang-isip na gamitin ang ability ko." Iriel said, kahit na alam niya namang mahona talaga ang enerhiya sa paligid. Force using of energy even though it's low can be a threat to her life. But she said that because of the possibility that we might be killed.

"Tsk. Ang kulit mo talaga no? What would be the point of even concealing your ability in the first?!" I think his sudden outburst surprised the other spirit dahil bigla na lamang siyang napaatras, wala siyang naiintindihan sa mga pinagsasabi namin. And Silverrium did notice this bracelet after all, alam niya kung para saan ito.

"I'm endangering my life here the most by meeting her! And I've been telling you for how many times that I'm not stupid! Alam ko ang ginagawa ko."

"Ako parin ang masusunof dahil kailangan mo ako para bumalik, at kapag sinabi kong hindi, hindi pwede! That Spirit Keeper is more dangerous than what you've heard'l

"Oh, so you're scared aren't you?"

"Scared?! Nawala na ang ability mo pero akala mo parin talaga nararamdmaan mo parin ang emosyon ko?! Hindi mo kasi naiintindihan dahil mo kilala ang Keeper na iyon!"

"You say ilaw ang masusunod but do you really think I haven't noticed? You said you're bound to me, that simply means we're connected dahil ginagamit at kinakailangan mo ang sarili kong enerhiya para ma-maintain ang form mo na iyan and you need to get more to retrieve your original body. So wherever I go you follow, kaya ako ang masusunof sa ating dalawa."

"Did your blood enhanced your mind too? O sadyang ganoon kalang katalino?" Did he know he just complimented me?

He rolled his eyes at nilayo ang tingin niya sa akin. From the others' point of view, we may just be like sibblings arguing with each other. Pero hindi nila alam na sinisigawan ko ang isang halimaw na muntik na patayin kaming lahat.

"Argh! Nakakainis talaga ang mga tao. Kung sakaling maphamak ka man ay ikaw na ang bahala sa sarili mo! This will be the last time I'll ever concern myself with your business!" Nagagalit na ba siya? Because for me he just looked like a kid throwing tantrums.

"Um...ano ngaba ang nangyayari dito?" Nagtatakang tanong ng spirit tapos ay mabilis na lumuhod sa lupa malapit sa nabasag ng vase. "Ang mamahaling vase ni lolo...wala na.." paulit-ulit niyang bulong. Now how do we get this spirit tp help us without money? What would spirits need? Simple.

"Would giving you energy considered as payment?" Nabigla yata siya sa tanong ko at mabilis na inangat ang paningin niya sa akin.

"E-energy? You mean..mana?" Ah mana nga pala ang tawag dito sa kanila. "Nagbibiro ka ba?!" In this world, mana is more valuable than money so his reaction is quite predictable.

"I never joke."

"Bakit ko naman tatangihan ang libreng mana? At ngayon lang ako nakakita ng totong tao!" His worried expression from earlier suddenly changed into that of excitement. Pero ganoon ngaba talaga ang nararamdaman niya? I never thought it'll be this hard knowing and understanding someone without my ability. It's like my whole mind is full of uncertainity.

"Tandaan mo na kung ibibigay mo na naman ang enerhiya mo ay baka masira ang bracelet. That thing will only keep its job if you keep your energy from going out of your body." Silverrium said with his arms both cross while still looking away. And there he said he would't concern himself with me anymore.

"It's hardly a problem. Kailangan ko lang siguraduhin na tama lang ang enerhiyang malalabas ko."

Sinabi ko nga iyan pero mahirap kontrolin ang enerhiyang dumadaloy sa buong katawan ko dahil pinipigilan nga ng bracelet na ito na malabas ko ang enerhiya ko. That means I have to control it better than I usually do, and as little and slowly as possible otherwise it'll go all out of control and this item will break. What's worse, this spirit might just disappear if that'd happen.

"Matutulungan mo ba kaming makapunta sa Spirit Keeper?" Tanong ni Iriel sa lalaki sabay tayo ng isa with a smile plastered on his face.

"Siyempre naman! Isang advisor ang lolo ko sa palasyo ng Spirit Keeper, siguradong papasukin nila ako ng walang kahirap-hirap!" He answered with his fist on his chest, a sign of conviction perhaps.

Without a warning, ginamit ko ang dalawang kamay ko para ipatong ito sa mga balikat niya. Medyo napaatras siya dahil hindi niya ito inaasahan pero mahigpit ko siyang kinapitan para hindi siya matumba. Unti-unti kong sinara ang mga mata ko, blackness then came forth.

But amidst this darkness, may kaonting liwanag sa gitna, it was slowly getting brighter and brighter. My senses were overwhelmed by that brightness that my energy flow almost rushed forward. Mas mahigpit ko pang kinapitan ang mga balikat niya, and upon doing so may parang itim na kulungan ang lumitaw sa liwanag na iyon. All those brightness was sucked into that black cage I'm seeing in front of me.

It didn't take long for it to completely seal all of them, pero mas lumaki ang kulungan kumpara nung una itong lumitaw. It was so big that it even fit in the entire place. Ang kaninang maliwanag na lugar ay napalitan na naman ng kadiliman. I realised then that what inside that cage is my energy, and that cage served as the bracelet, completely sealing off my energy to prevent me from using my ability.

Pero kailangan ko ng kaonti lang. I need to open a little a little hole to allow a certain amount of energy out. Hinawakan ko ang itim na kulungang ito, it shook along eith the ground I was stepping. Hanggang sa may nabuo ditong maliit na space, a hole similar to Iyana's spatial ability. Hinihigop ng kamay ko ang enerhiyang ito palabas ng katawan ko papunta sa spirit.

Just a little. I'll only need a little.

I gritted my teeth when I realised the pain inside my body, it's as if it was reaping my chest open. Siguro nga ay natural lang ito dahil pinipilit kong lumabas ang enerhiya and preventing them to get out at the same time. To be able to control this much requires deep manifestation of strength. It hurts. It hurts but at the same time the pain is pleasant, like I crave for this kind of power despite the pain it'd caused me.

Is it wrong to crave for power even just a little? Is it wrong to let even a tiniest pain out rather than it killing me slowly inside?

"That's enough." I snapped out of my thoughts when someone suddenly held my hands.

Nang buksan ko na ang mga mata ko ay nakita ko si Solverrium na hinahawakan ang mga ito. His eyes were looking at me seriously. I sighed and immediately took my hands from his grip at binalik ang tingin ko sa spirit na ngayon ay tinitignan ang mga kamay niya, as if he's feeling the power of mana inside him.

"H-hindi ako halos makapaniwala... ang mana ko, tumaas ang mana ko! Mabuhuhay ako nito ng sampung taon."

Looking at my bracelet, hindi naman ito nawasak which is a good news, that would simply mean I succeeded in controling my own energy flow despite preventing it from going all out at the same time. It should be satisfying...but why do I feel disappointed? Na para bang gusto kong maipalabas ang kapangyarihang iyon...

"Ako nga pala si Millard, ang kasulukuyang nangangalaga sa inn na ito na pamamay-ari ng lolo ko." He introduced while sliding the borken shards of the vase to the corner with his foot. "At tulad nga ng sinabi ko kanina, isang advisor ang lolo ko sa palasyo. Aalis na ba tayo?"

He seemed confidence base sa boses niya, pero sigurado ba talaga siyang matutulungan niya kami? In the first place, I can't trust this spirit. But he's the only choice I have in the meantime.

Hindi nagtagal ay kasalukuyan kaming naglalakad ngayon sa isang mataas na tulay. Iba na ang tulay na ito, the bridge was made out of the combination of cobblestones and limestones kaya parang lumiliwanag ang kulay. On each sides there were blue fire lights and like before, it doesn't hurt when touch.

Sa unahan namin ay may limang spirits na nakasuot ng mga armours, at kakaiba din ang mga ito. They have gems all over their suits and their weapons are made out of a certain gemstone. No, these gems are lacrimas. Ginagamit nila siguro ang lacrimas para madaling ma-absorb ang enehiya sa hangin, but doesn't that only lessen the energy in this world more?

I noticed from before too, halos lahat ng mga spirits dito ay may dalang nga lacrimas sa damit nila. They probabaly use it to ensure their own survivals. In other words, it's selfishness.

"Nandito ako para makita ang advisor, umalis ka sa daanan ko." Wika ni Millard sa kanila. But the spirit only looked at each other then shrugged. It didn't take long for them to draw out their blades from their belts and aimee all of it to our direction. In annoyance, I grabbed Millard's sleeve and pulled him closer.

"Tandaan mo, kukunin ko pabalik ang mana kung hindi mo nagawa ang pinapagawa sayo." Bulong ko sa tenga niya, he only let out a small smile, but that didn't reassure me at all.

"Relax, t-this is normal." Bulong niya pabalik, tapos ay humarap siya sa mga spirits. "Ahem! Ako si Millard Rome, grandson of the advisor Willard Rome! I demand you stay out of my way."

"Isa ka sa mga spirits na umaasa sa kapangyarihan ng pamilya nila huh? Pwes, inutusan kami mismo ng Keeper na huwag magpapasok ng kung sino! Kaya alis na bago pa namin kayo makulong!" Napatingin kaming tatlo kay Millard na sa ngayon ay hindi alam ang gagawin.

"Um...p-pero kailangan naming pumasok! Ah tignan niyo may malaking dragon!" Tinuro niya ang langit kaya sumunod din naman ang mga spirits. Just as then he grabbed my hand as slipped through their guards, entering the gates. Ito ba ang tinatawag niyang normal?!

Pero hindi din naman nagtagal ay may lumampas na spear sa tabi ko, almost hitting my face from the side. Dahil dun ay napatigil kami. We were surrounded by spirits mula sa itaas ng pader, all their weapons directed to us. With one move, we're dead. Great, just great.

This isn't the time to be using our abilities but, since magkikita din naman kami ng Spirit Keeper sa ganitong paraan, might as well go all out to attract her attention.

Tinaas ko ang isa kong kamay, hoping to force summon my own weapons. Defending ourseleves from them with my chains won't be a problem, I just have to be faster. Then I felt it, that immense energy trying to break free out of my left hand, glowing in bright red colour, almost dominating the entire room. This sensation of power, I want to hold it forever.

"You don't want to do that." May narinig akong malamig pero mataas na boses mula sa likuran ko, then a cold shiver ran down my spine when a single touch on shoulder occured.

My heart started beating rapidly, nasa likuran ko siya. Her hand grabbed my body and hugged me from behind. Her scent reminded me of the cold winter air mixed with the scent of spring. Hindi ko siya makita pero nararamdaman ko ang napakadelikadong aura na nakapalibot sa kaniya. She made it so obvious that my legs are barely even standing. I gritted my teeth in anger as I closed my palm and let it down, retreating all those immense energy from earlier.

"Good. Mabait ka naman palang bata." Bulong niya sa tenga ko.

"So you're the infamous one of the five Spirit Keeper huh?" Mas hinigpitan niya pa ang pagkayakap sa akin mula sa likuran at pinatong ang ulo niya sa balikat ko, preventing me from turning around, as if she's locking me in her arms.

"Hindi mo gustong makalaban ako."

"I never intended to, unless if I have to."

"You're smart, and I like you but there's one thing I hate from you that I would like to erase myself."

"I'm not just willing to do what you want me to." Hinawakan niya ang mukha ko, caressing every single corner of it. Sinubukan kong makawala pero mas hinigpitan niya lang ang pagyakap niya. It's creepy when I think about it.

"I don't expect you to from the beginning. However, our fates have met, and there's no way I'll let go of someone this special."

Then a sudden memory rushed from the back of my mind, the cold air around her, her voice, her intentions always so mysterious. I realised she reminded me of my own mother.

Makikita ko ang ngite niya, her red lips forming into a smirk that brought me so much unpleasantness.

Lunox, that was her name.