Her Laughter Under The Calm Evening

It has always felt vexing whenever things I expect aren't always going according to the plan. I know it's bound to happen, but it doesn't happen for me at all. As a result, I'm currently experiencing a dilemma. Of course everything would probably be fine if I handle it myself, but that's exactly he major problem. I'm not the one handling it and thus, I could only sit by and watch.

"Just kill them, that would solve the problem, doesn't it?" I suggested as though it was the most obvious solution.

Upon saying that, everyone looked at me. I sighed. How could I forget? Zyrendel may be an outstandingly powerful Kingdom, but it doesn't change the fact that most officials are corrupted. It would have been better if Kion takes the seat from the King then we wouldn't have to worry about how to operate the minor part of the plan. 

"That would obviously just make everything worse." Celeztie retored which made me frown. Perhaps we aren't that much of an alike after all.

"Don't be naive, successor." I pointed out. "If you won't kill them now, time would be delayed further just by thinking of solutions how to make your currupted officials cooperae in this war."

Those said officials are greedy of power. When Celeztie mentioned about the upcoming war yesterday, they all roared into anger like condemned animals. Naturally, they'd be against it. But we all know the reason why they wouldn't allow such a thing. They say it isn't good for the Kingdom, many innocent will die, the economy will fall, and such. They aren't wrong in that part, they'd be at war so it's obvious.

But they wouldn't allow it because if we lose, all the money they've embezzled until now will be lost and so do the power they've built over the years. The real problem is that if they won't cooperate, then my plan of winning this war will fail. Even if they're so against it, there's nothing to be done because the other party is bound to attack.

Which part of it they don't understand? Peace negotiations won't work here. Leomer is an Empire, naturally they will conquer. In short, these damn officials don't want to take the risks. But risks? Is it consider as one when I'm confident I'll win?

"Why must killing be the only solution for you?" Naiinis na tanong ni Thane.

"Because it's efficient." They all sighed hearing my answer.

"I'll take care of them myself." Sabi ng successor.

"Anyway," pag-aagaw pansin ni Freya. "Isn't it time already for you to share your plan? What's this snake and ladder game?"

"It's either they're after the King or..." my gaze landed on Celeztie who already knew what I'm going to say. "It'd be no problem if the King die—" I noticed Claudious glared at me but I just shrugged. Well he is the son of the Duke of this Kingdom, saying the King's death so comfortably is an insult for him. "But if you don't want your Kingdom to fall into ruins then she has to live, so I'll have to protect her myself." I continued pointing at Celeztie.

"So you're deliberately planning on directing the attack on Kei—Celeztie." Claudious stated. Before I was even aware of it, Celeztie began telling them that name. "Pretty cold for someone whose cousin is involved." They all bought the story of this girl and me being cousins, well that should explain the reason why we look almost alike.

"Kailangan niyo lang masigurado na hindi makakarating ang kalaban sa hari o sa successor niyo." Simple kong sabi.

"The upcoming war hasn't been made public yet." Thane reminded. "They'd go making riots once they find out. Zyrendel people loves peace too much."

"I'll leave that matter to you. And as for those officials who can't cooperate, deal with them soon Celeztie or I will." Tumayo ako mula sa kinauupuan ko and stretched my arms upward. Kasabay ng pagtayo ko ay ganoon din ang ginawa nila at naghanda na sa mga gagawin nila. "George." Tawag ko sa kaniya sa likod ko na ikinagulat niya. He's still that same timid guy. If it weren't for my ability, hindi ko din siga mapapansin.

"B-bakit?"

"I want you to set traps everywhere in the Academy. Magagawa mo ba?" They somehow managed to disquise themselves as mages and entered the Academy.

"A-ako? Nan-nandiyan n-naman si F-Freya ah..." I sighed.

"I gave you the responsibilty because you're suited for the job. Can you do it or not?"

"I-I will." And after that converation, he left. He really has no presence, no one even noticed hik except for me.

"By the way," everyone looked at me nang tawagin ko ang atensyon nila. "Can someone tell me why I can't sense Silverrium's presence everywhere?"

I already covered almost all of Stereden but I can't find him. But it bothered me how their nervousness seemed to have gone out in sync with one another. This made me frown. All of the sudden, the whole room was covered with energy that I didn't realize I was already letting out.

"Where is he?" My cold voice dominated the sudden silence.

No one dared to meet my emotionless gaze but I knew they were hiding something about Silverrium. It may not be too obvious, but I'm sure he's aware I don't just see him as a 'monster' who almost killed me before. He had helped me a lot enough for me to know his true nature. I won't keep someone without a reason, that monster is hugely beneficial to me.

"Keila." Among all these people, only Claudious called out my name to warn me.

Later, I realized why. Almost as though my senses were in panic, I retracted my energy seeing Celeztie almost choking due to the thick layers of energy. If the rest of these people aren't normal, they would have felt the same. I sighed and poured myself a cup of vanilla tea. The aroma immediately calmed me down.

"You just threatened us." Freya said with a hint of contempt in her voice, I don't blame her though.

"Well, that part was my mistake." I admitted, sipping from the edge of the cup.

"Silverrium?" Celeztie asked, breaking the heavy atmosphere. With that question, Thane sighed.

"When you disappeared, Silverrium just...how can I say this?" Thane was scratching the back of his head. "Bigla nalang siyang nawala isang araw. Sinubukan siyang hanapin ng mga spirits mo at ni Andrei pero...hindi na talaga siya nakita."

"You should have killed him when you had the chance, Keila." Freya stated. "Ngayong walang nakakaalam kung nasaan siya, wala ding nakakaalam kung anong kasamaan ang ginagawa niya ngayon."

Not that I can deny her words. Ganoon naman talaga si Silv sa mga mata nila noong huli silang nagkita. After all, that guy and this girl's last meeting was where they confronted each other. Uminom ulit ako ng vanilla tea habang nag-iisip. This could be bad if I can't find him soon. Who knows what he's up to this time.

"In the first place, how can you have the idea of having a full-blooded monster be your subordinate?" Tanong niya na naiinis. Was she that frustrated she didn't win against him last time?

"It's Keila Willar we're talking about, what do you expect?" Pagmamakatuwiran ni Claudious. Just who and what do they see me as?

"Well I need to find him first."

"What? What about the preparations for the war?" Pahabol na tanong ni Celeztie.

"The dwarves asked us to delay the time dahil matagal pa ang refining ng mga items. And we need those officials to cooperate or do you expect us to do all the work? I need you to handle the public too and tell them exaggerated benefits if we were to win, that way, even the majority will help." I said, it was more of like an order.

"I don't need useless men in time for war, so make sure your soldiers are well-prepared. I want to direct the attack here in Stereden kaya dapat nandito din ang hari. Leak whatever information you have about Stereden's securities." Tuloy tuloy kong sabi na hindi tumitingin sa kanila habang nakatingin lang sa wala nang laman kong cup.

"You still haven't told us about what specific plan you have in mind. In the first place, koanti lang ang sinasabi mo sa amin."

"Freya, sometimes things are much better kept in silence." I said as a matter of fact. "I told you, ako na ang bahala sa iba. Just stick to what I want you to do and I'll lead you to victory."

I may have sounded arrogant but it's not because I'm confident, it's because I just know I'll win as long as things go accordingly to plan. In other words, it's not myself I trust but the events that will follow. Hanggang sa hindi pa nagu-umpisa ang lahat ay mukhang hahanapin ko muna si Silv. Hindi ako makakampante hanggang sa hindi ko siya nahahanap.

"Saan mo ba siya hahanapin?" Tanong ni Thane. "At kakabalik mo lang aalis ka na kaagad?"

"I have to and I'm going somewhere my premonitions feels like going." Nakita ko ang pagtaas ng kilay ni Celeztie sa sinabi ko.

"Sasama ako." Lahat tuloy ay napatingin sa kaniya.

"I'm going on a journey and who knows when I'll be back? You'd be dead before I could even return."

"And didn't you say you'd protect me? What if I'm dead even before you could return?" Ngayon ay kilay ko naman ang napataas.

Hindi ko siya pro-protektahan dahil gusto ko, gagawin ko ito para sa plano, and if that plan comes in successfully, magiging madali lang sa akin ang pagkuha ng Guardian. Sana naman hindi niya ma-misunderstood ang mga sinasabi ko, pero wala naman akong planong ipaintindi sa kaniya dahil may pakiramdam akong alam niya naman.

"How are you suppose to do your successor job if you were to come with me?"

"Isn't it better that I'm away? Because in that casse, the Leos wouldn't attack lalo na at wala ako dito. Kung matalino nga sila, hindi sila aatake knowing that their possible target, which is me, and the King, aren't together. They'd be wasting manpower at that point."

"I was actually planning on using myself as a bait since we look alike, para ako nalang ang habulin nila habang naghahanda ang Kaharian."

"Alone?"

"Otherwise, having a company would be a burden."

"I'm still coming." She insisted. I gritted my teeth in annoyance at tumungo na sa pintuan na hindi tumitingin sa likod.

"Suit yourself." With that, I could sense her excitement and joy for whatever reason, that—I don't know.

And thus, here we are, riding a ship setting sail towards Magnus. Claudious somehow managed to have contacts with fee influencial people from the Black Market reason why we're aboard this ship setting out of the Kingdom. It's actually not allowed to travel outside the Kingdom without official documents which takes up a lot of time to work on to so Claudious being the adopted son of the Duke, quickly provided us with fake identities.

Marami ang tao sa barko na ito, ang iba ay mga kriminal na tumatakas palabas ng bansa, ang iba naman mga mahihirap na tao na walang pera para magkaroon ng tamang dokumento para makaalis ng bansa and so, they're here. I don't know if it's fortunate or not, but the Black Market is apparently very active in Zyrendel, enoigh to provide people with illegal immigration to other countries without the government ever knowing.

Suprisingly though, Claudious doesn't seem to mind this despite being a child from a high-ranking government official. Perhaps he's aware how these sorts of things keep the balance of the country. If it comes down to it, I wonder why the King just didn't make him a candidate, but looking clearly upon the matter, siguro dahil hindi isang mage si Claudious at isa siyang ability user kaya hindi pwede. No wonder he's been schooling in Magnus.

Celeztie and I were provided white cloaks and masks to hide our faces, it'll freak people out once they knew their successor is escaping the country with anther girl who almost completely look like her. Not that we ever plan on letting anyone know. Pero sa ilang oras na biyahe namin, ay hindi ko ba alam kung maiinis ako dahil daldal siya ng daldal sa tabi ko o matutuwa dahil maraming bagay ang nalalaman ko tungkol sa kaniya.

Like how she always acts mature and in front of something she deeply loves, her tough facade crumbles and act like someone in her proper age. Like how she's serious and one second after, she becomes stupid and naive. Matalino siya, at kung anak ko ngaba talaga siya mula sa hinaharap ay tiyak sa akin nga siya nagmana.

"...then there's this small transparent screen in the future called cellphone. Maliit itong itim na bilog na kung pipindutin mo sa gitna ay may lumabas na holograms kung saan maraming applications. Cars have evolved a lot too, you don't see people use horses that often..." habang nagsasalita siya ay hindi ko mapigilang hindi mapansin ang pagkinang ng mga mata niya habang nagsasabi nito.

"You always talk about how the world became, why not talk about your childhood?" Biglang umiba ang timpla ng mukha niya pero agad niya rin naman itong pinalitan ng ngiti. I know how much of a fake that smile is.

"Well...it's fun. Everyday, I get to play outside under the sun, feeling the warm breeze againt my skin...and not to mention the food tastes great too. Marami din akong mga kaibigan at araw-araw ang ganda ng buhay ko—"

"You should try harder if you plan to lie in front of my face." She just smiled at what I said, it was bitter of course.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"You didn't deny it."

"It's true that all of those were lies anyway."

"I see..." I wanted her to tell me more about herself though.

"It wasn't fun at all." She clenched her fists looking away. "I don't get to play outside, I'm always concealed inside a room, training and training until my body can no longer handle the exhaustion. I don't get to taste great foods for they always serve me the same set of meals every single day. I don't have a lot of friends for I never had time to make one. My life isn't beautiful, it's actually very far from it...it's dull and boring."

I closed my eyes, somehow regretting to hear that. "Seems I didn't do a good job raising a kid." She chuckled, one filled with sarcasm.

"You never really raised me and I hated you for that." In short, she's telling me that I more or less abandoned her. My chest tightened hearing her say that. Perhaps it was better if she continued on with her lies after all.

"Being my flesh and blood...being my daughter, it's hard, isn't it?"

"You asked me the same thing before. How nostalgic."

"And?"

"My answer was yes."

"Of course."

"But I don't regret it. Perhaps I once did, but I don't think I'd ever regret it."

"Why did you return back in time? Were you hoping to change your life?" I smirked. "I'll tell you this, but things don't always happen even if they were meant to."

She laughed, and I knew how bitter that sounded. For a moment there, I actually thought I said something I shouldn't have had. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan ang iniisip ng babaeng ito. She's fourteen and I'm currently seventeen, kyng iisipin ay hindi ganoon kalayo ang taon naming dalawa.

"I never cared about my own future." I frowned at her answer.

"That didn't really answer my question."

"Well like you said, sometimes things are much better kept in silence." Rolling my eyes, I leaned over the railing. How bothersome.

"It'll be night time soon. I heard there are quite a few monsters rolling around the oceans lately." Napunta kaagad ang tingin ko sa lalaki na may bigote sa ilalim ng ilong na kinakausap ang isa pang lalaki. Nag-iinuman ang dalawa ng alak. In a legal passener ship, people can't usually drink alcohol but it doesn't count here it seems.

"Ya'll believe that?" Said the other older man in a different accent. "Been goin' back and forth 'ere, nothin' happenin'."

"Rumours are just rumours, I guess." Their laughters made me stood straight and walked away. They were too noisy.

Sumunod naman sa likuran ko si Celeztie at tama nga sila, paggabi na ilang minuto nalang. Lumakas na ang takbo ng hangin kay medyo lumalamig na dito sa itaas. It only takes hours to reach Magnus, but we're boarding an illegal passenger ship filled with people who have fake documents. So we have to take another route kung saan hindi kami makikita ng mga sundalo na nagbabantay ng teritoryo malapit sa Zyrendel.

Once we cross the border seas, it'll be easier to sail at that point, pero magiging mahirap naman ang pagpasok sa Magnus. I heard they toughened the security over this year that pirates even began sailing away from that country. Well this ship should know its own route without meeting any sort of trouble, but I still couldn't help myself but think otherwise.

Other dangerous thing about boarding an illegal ship is that no one will help people boarding in here in times of need, and even if soldiers do, everybody would be imprisoned.

Sighing, we both entered an empty cabin. Cabins are free for anyone randomly, so we had to make sure we lock our own para walang makapasok. Illegal passenger ship nga ang sinakyan namin, kaya hindi ganoon ka-komportable ang mga higaan. Walang unan o kumot at pakiramdam ko tuloy nakahiga ako sa sahig.

Sinarado ni Celeztie ang maliit na bintana sa gitna ng dalawang kama kung saan ay nakaupo siya sa kabila habang ako naman dito ay nakahiga. Pinatong ko ang ulo ko sa mga braso ko at pinikit ang mga mata. Since we're on a different route, bukas pa kami makakarating sa destinasyon namin. I only hope walang mangyayari otherwise it'd annoy the hell lot of me. Moving around just to board this ship took a lot of trouble for us, especially when we had to find the owner. In short, I'm tired.

"Seems to me you're just bored." Tumingin ako kay Celeztie sa sinabi niya. Was I that readable? "Somehow, I've already gotten a grip of your gestures and personality."

"Enough for you to know even what I don't?" I tested.

"Perhaps so." She answered, shrugging. I looked above the ceiling and once again closed my eyes.

"Perhaps I am indeed bored. Several things always happen around me for as long as I remember. I'm already at the point where I got too used dealing with complicated matters that it..." I trailed, not finding the right words.

"That it feels new and you don't know what to do?" She giggled. "You really could be childish at times."

"Nakakatuwa?" Pero mas tumawa lang siya.

I groaned softly, it's like she's underestimating me, yet I don't really get annoyed...I do but in a different way, it's a strange feeling that even I can't decipher. Her presence both bring me worries but satisfaction at the same time. Did I really think of killing this girl? Ganoon na ba ako kasmang tao para pagdesisyunan nalang ng ganoon kasimple ang buhay niya?

People call me a monster, apparently. Now I see why. If it was this easy for me decide between life and death then I am indeed one, not that I have ever denied that in the first place.

"Rather than worrying about the things you don't usually do, just take your time and keep your own pace. You don't have to constantly remind yourself of things you're bound to do despite knowing now isn't the time."

"How amusing. Was that an advise?" Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti.

"Alam ko namang hindi ka naghahanap."

"You're sometimes mature for your age."

"At this age, I could only wonder what you were doing."

"Fourteen huh?" I wondered to myself. "Well I was busy playing family with my sibblings at that time."

Then a year later I left—left? Why did I leave again? Ever since I awoke from that hospital in another world before, I feel like a part of my memories doesn't make sense. Hindi ko din maalala kung bakit ngaba ako umalis. In the first place, leaving such a paradise would take a lot of insanity.

Alam kong may kasama ako nung mga panahong iyon, pero hindi ko manlang maalala ang mukha niya o boses. Every time I try to remember those times, it grows into foreign emotions, so unfamiliar that I fear it. Reason why I don't think deeply about it.

"...itsura nila?" I opened my eyes realizing she has been talking a lot while I was lost in my thoughts. Her eyebrow lifted finally noticing I wasn't really listening. "Tinatanong ko kung ano ang abilities ng mga kapatid mo, ano ang mga personalities nila at mga itsura nila." Tinaas ko ang isa kong kamay at pinaglaruan ang hangin.

"My elder sister...she's...she's a hardworker. She won't stop until she has what she wanted. Her mind isn't easily changed." I smiled remembering her.

"Ke'ala! Huling beses na 'to!" Napabuntong-hininga nalang ako dahil sa pagpupumilit ni Ate.

"Ate, ilang beses mo rin na iyang sinabi sa akin." Pagrereklamo ko. Pero patuloy niya parin akong hinihila patungo sa may ilog. "Pabayaan mo nalang kasi. Bibilhan nalang kita ng bago kung gusto mo. Dumadami na ang mga tao oh."

Gumigising narin ang araw at medyo may mga tao na sa paligid at ayaw ko pa namang makipaghalubilo sa iba. Sa tuwing kasama ko kasi si Ate o si Kuya ay hindi talaga maiwasan na hindi sila lalapitan sila ng mga tao. Ganoon talaga kasikat ang mga pangalan nila.

"Paano mo masasabi iyan? Imposible namang hayaan ko nalang ang binigay mo sa akin."

At kaninang umaga pa kami dito. Nawala niya raw kasi kagabi ang kwintas na binigay ko sa kaniya bilang regalo sa kaarawan niya nitong nkaraang buwan lang. Nagsasanay kasi siya kasama ang best frienf niyang babae hanggang magdamag at umuwi kaagad dahil sa pagod kaya hindi niya namalayan na nawala na pala.

Sa totoo lang, hindi naman ako nagagalit eh. Medyo nakakalungkot lang dahil nawala ito ng ganoon lang kasimple. Pero kung gusto niya talaga ang regalo na iyon ay pwede ko din naman siyang—

"See? You're making such a sad face again." Naka-pout niyang sabi.

Hindi ko namalayan na nasa tubig na pala siya. Mabuti nalang at hindi malalim ang ilog kaya madali lang maghanap. Napangiti nalang ako at nilagay narin ang mga paa ko sa malamig na daloy ng tubig.

"Huwag ka ng malungkot, okay? Hahanapin ko 'yun, huwag kang mag-alala."

Later after saying that, she made a lot of newly-developed technologies which caused an uproar in the whole village and I remember Father even sending someone a few days after just to scold her. Si Kuya naman ay tawa lang ng tawa sa ginawa ni Ate, pero ang mahalaga daw ang nahanap niya ang kwintas. Even though she could just remake the necklace with her ability to create objects.

"And my brother...he's strict and often acts tough when it comes to me. We always train together but he always hold back enough to just let me off with a few scratches, not even a bruise." Remembering that, I am reminded yet again how weak I actually was.

Always depending on my brother and sister because I was too sure things would always remain that way. Changing their emotions just for me have that thing most people have, "family". I was being naive, being stupid... it was—I don't really know.

"Ayusin mo ang paggalaw ng mga paa mo, Ke'ala." Mahigpit niyang wika sa akin. Kakasikat palang ng araw at puno ng ako ng pawis. Halos magda-dalawang oras na kami dito pero mukhang wala pang plano si Kuya na tumigil. "Ke'ala! Sa akin ang tingin."

Tinaas niya ang hawak niyang wooden sword at binaba ito para tamaan ako mula sa itaas. Nakailag naman ako pero hindi pa masyadong mabilis ang paggalaw ng mga paa ko kaya natamaan ako sa balikat. Alam kong malakas ang tama na iyon kung hindi niya ito hininaan.

Ilag at ilag lang ang ginagawa ko dahil sa sobrang bilis ng pag-atake niya. Kung hindi naman ako makailag ay sinasangga ko ito pero mahina ang pangangatawan ko kaya madaling bumaba ng mga braso ko kapag sumasangga ako. Dahil dito ay napahiga ako sa lupa, ramdam ko ang sakit ng pagtama ng likod ko dito.

"Pa-pasensya na." Nag-aalala niyang sabi at tinulungan akong tumayo. "Nasobrahan yata. Hindi na 'to mauulit."

Alam ko namang sobrang nag-aalala siya sa akin, pero hindi ako lalakas sa ganitong lagay kung palagi nalang niya akong hahayaang maging ganito kahina. Gusto ko man sabihin sa kaniya 'yan pero hindi ko magawa. Naiisip ko na baka marami ang magbabago kung hindi na sila mag-aalala sa akin.

"Bakt hindi ka nagsasalita? Masakit ba?" Natatarantang tanong ni Kuya.

Sobra siyang mahigpit kapag nagsasanay pero kapag matumba ako ng ganito ay masisira kaagad ang pagiging mahigpit niya. Iba talaga kung sila ni Ate ang magkaharap sa paglalaban, ibang lebel talaga kasi ang lakas ng dalawa na pakiramdam ko tuloy nagpapatayan talaga sila.

"Kuya! Dahan-dahan naman sa susunod." Lumapit narin si Ate na kanina pa tumatayo sa tabi at nagmamasid. Napakamot nalang tuloy si Kuya sa ulo nito.

"Pasensya na talaga Ke'ala ha? Masakit ba?" Agad akong natawa sa mga reaksyon ng dalawa sa isipan ko.

"Medyo masakit lang po." Nakangiti kong sabi.

And that was another lie. It didn't really hurt, but I wanted to see them worry, I wanted to see them care about me, I wanted their lives to continue revolving just around me. I was manipulating them, I wanted them to be a perfect family, kung saan ako lang uunahin nila at hindi ang iba, kung saan palagi silang nandiyan kapag may kailangan ako, at kung saan pro-protektahan nila ako kahit kapalit pa nito ang mga buhay nila.

I truly am a monster.

"They sounded like great sibblings." I sat back up seeing Celeztie smiling at me.

I averted my gaze out of guilt. Perhaps they weren't such great sibblings if I didn't really manipulate them. How regretful. But deep inside I just knew I didn't want to regret it, that even all of them were fake...I somehow managed to create great memories with them. Even if it meant they might hate me for it.

That part of me is selfish too.

"Don't you have sibblings yourself?" I asked her a question which made her laugh.

"I don't want to be alone so I'd want that." There it goes again, that bitter sound coming from her words. It always tightens my chest for whatever reason when she does that. "Ke'ala..."

"What?" I waited for a reply but when I got none, I stared back at her.

She was already standing near the window, equipped with a complicated expression while looking straigt into my eyes. From hers, I could see emotions and her looks told me a lot, they were sadness, joy, excitement, a hint of anticipation...ang regret.

"Why do you sometimes look at me like that?" A face, a body, a heart, and even the deepest of her sould is screaming anguish caused by too much sorrow and anger. I could only wonder why.

"A soul is always bound for another." I anticipated her next words with a frown. "And I can't live long enough to find out which mine is bound to. So I could only offer mine to you..." My mind completely blanked out. I couldn't figure out what she meant.

"What—" my thoughts were suddenly interrupted sensing a wave of spiritual energy coming our way.

Mabilis kong tinaas ang kamay ko at gumawa ng barrier sa paligid namin. Ilang segundo matapos kong ginawa 'yun ay ramdam ko ang gulat ni Celeztie nang bigla na lamang natilapon ang pintuan sa kung saan na pati ang mga pader at gamit sa loob ay nawasak.

"Huh? May mga tao dito!" Sigaw nung isang lalaki. Upon saying that, tao more person came towards our direction.

"Huwag natin silang hayaang makatakas."

"Mukhang mayayaman nga eh."

Sabay sabay nilang tatlo tinutok ang baril na hawak nila sa amin at walang pagdadalawang-isip na pinutok ito. Pero hindi ako nangamba dito dahil sa invisible barrier na nakapaligid sa amin. Sunod sunod ang pagbabaril nila sa punto na nakikita ko na ang mga bala sa hangin papunta sa amin. Masyado nang nasanay ang mga mata ko sa mga mas mabilis na bala kaya kahit wala ang barrier ay tiyak na masasalo ko ang mga ito.

"They're weak." I muttered to myself much to my disappointment.

Pinalabas ko ang enerhiya ko at sa isang iglap ay natilapon silang tatlo at agad na nawalan ng malay dahil sa lakas ng impact. Sa lakas ng tunog ng pagtama nila sa mga bagay ay naagaw namin ang atensyon ng iba pa nilang kasamahan. It seems to me that the ship is currently being raided by a group of pirates.

"Stay here." Utos ko kay Celeztie sabay lakad palabas ng barrier.

"But I'm worried—"

"I told you, they're weak." I don't think I even needed to exert effort in this case.

Paglabas ko ay maraming mga pirata ang nakahanda na para umatake sa akin sa iba't ibang direksyon. Nakikita ko din na marami silang hostage na mga pasahero sa unahan. Hindi ko din namalayan na gabi na pala, puno na ng lampara ang barko na nagsisilbing ilaw para sa kadiliman.

"Tapos ka na ngayon!" Narinig kong sigaw nung isang tumalon sa akin.

Pasimple kong hinawakan siya sa leeg at kinuyom ito. Sinubukan naman ng isa na saksakin ako pero tinapon ko ang hawak kong lalaki sa direksuon niya. To make things quick,

I decided to use my energy to suffocate them. Any normal people coming in contact with hige spiritual energy would eventually die out of suffocation, that much is common sense. Seems they attacked not knowing how bad the consequences are. Napaatras ang iba nang maabutan na wala nang malay ang mga kasamahan nila.

"Don't kill them!" Narinig ko ang pamilyar na sigaw na iyon which made me subconsciously pull out my spiritual energy.

"I told you stay."

"I can handle myself." As if on cue, may dalawang lalaki sa likuran niya ang papunta sa kaniya na hindi manlang niya napapansin.

I sighed and raised my finger, sending fireballs on their way. Mabuti nalang at mabilis ako kaya bago pa man nila mahawakan si Celeztie ay natumba na sila. The successor just looked at me in panic. How naive can she be?

"You don't have worry." I finally figured out who she's worried to, nag-aalala siya para sa mga piratang ito na baka mapatay ko sila. "I didn't kill them." I was planning to, of course but I changed my mind thinking what kind of emotions would she show if I did.

"What's with the ruckus?!" May isang lalaki ang biglang nagtanong.

Hindi katulad ng iba ay mas magara ang suot niya at may sombrero pa sa ulo nito. I can tell he's the leader, I mean, leaders often have this certain kind of aura which people would immediately notice. Ngayong malapit na siya sa akin ay mas nakikita ko ang mukha nito. He's familiar—

"Captain Jack Holmes." I called out as though in reflex. Napako sa akin ang tingin nito na kumukunot ang noo.

"I know I'm famous, but I don't remember seeing you anywhere."

"Let's just say I almost got drowned before reaching Magnus almost three years ago because of your men shooting my small boat down." Mabilis kong sabi at lumiwanag bigla ang mukha niya.

"Aha! You're that girl!" Tumawa siya ng malakas at biglang umakbay sa akin na siyang ikinagulat ko. Nakita ko din ang pagdilim ng ekspresyon ni Celeztie sa hindi ko alam na kadhilanan.

"C-Captain?" Hindi maintindihang tanong ng isang crew niya.

"Don't touch this girl!" Nakangiti niya paring sabi. "She's the one who saved my mother haha! I finally found you." Masaya niyang sabi while shaking both of my shoulders. Was he always like this?

"Anong ginagawa mo dito? I thought you're always just sailing around Magna Sea?"

"The oceans is a vast place for adventures, girl. Malaki nag pasasalamat ko sa'yo sa ginawa mo sa nanay ko. She meant the world to me, no treasures could possibly do justice to your healing." He sighed, leading me by walking ahead.

"I see—"

"Matapos niyang gumaling ay napagdesisyunan naming tumayo ng bahay sa maliit na isla sa gilid ng Magnus. You know, settling down for good. My pirat crew got to live their own lives after that, hindi ko narin sila nakita. My mother lived a peaceful life in those days, we were absolutely happy."

"Then why are you here—"

"My mother died a few months ago, it wasn't because of her health, more like due to her age. I got too worked up and started another pirate crew myself and here I am! She's always wanted to thank you from the bottom of her heart." I guess they are also people who's willing to thank me huh?

"I've changed, Captain Jack Holmes." I pulled myself away from him. "I wouldn't help anyone."

"I don't care. We're still very grateful. Thank you." His smile is genuine, it wasn't fake and is full of sincerity instead. Well I'm noot good with these stuffs, I'm usually hated or most people would probably be angry with me, not grateful. "I never got your name."

"You didn't?" I sighed and looked around, looking for Celeztie who suddenly disappeared. "Ke'ala Feyree." I finally gave him my namw so that he could stop staring so intensely.

"Ke'ala Feyree huh? I could finally tell my wife about your name! Haha!" Then he turned his gaze towards his men. "Dalhin niyo ang nga walang malay pabalik ng sarili nating barko! At bilisan niyo ang trabaho!" Sigaw niya.

"A wife? Alam niya ba ang ginagawa mo?"

"Being a pirate? Definitely! I'm set back home actually pero may nakita lang kaming target kaya kami nandito ngayon. Sumama ka kaya?"

What a bother.

"No. I'm heading somewhere else."

"What? Ihahatid kit—"

"I don't need your help, Captain. I can handle myself."

"I can see that."

"I don't care if you rob people off their money but leave me alone." Otherwise you'd regret it.

"I will! I will!" Lumakad na ako sa kabilang direksyon kung nasaan kanina si Celeztie nakatayo. "By the way, where's that boy?"

Stopping on my feet, I asked, "boy?"

"Yeah. That boy you were with? He caused me a lot of trouble way before we even met again on that ship. Saan na ba siya?"

"He's with me when you captured me?" Agad akong napatingin sa kaniya ulit.

"Nagka-amnesia ka ba? Bakit hindi mo siya maalala?" He laughed. "Well whatever lad, business comes first." Tapos ay nagsimula na siyang mag-utos ng gagawin sa mga tauhan niya. Napabuntong-hininga ulit ako at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

Finally turning around the corner, nakita ko si Celeztie na nakatayo sa gilid ng railing, wala ng tao dahil lahat ay na-held hostage. Not that I care abou them, so I let the Captain do whatever he wans as long as he won't actually bother me, that is.

"What are you doing here looking so annoyed?" I asked, breaking the sudden ice between us. One moment earlier, we were talking just fine.

"He was right."

"He?"

"My father." Her voice sounded like even she couldn't believe it.

"What's this about now?" I crossed my arms in front of me.

"He said you've got a lot of guys surrounding you and you somehow managed to seduced them all." My mouth was literally opened in awe seeing her pout.

S-seduce? Anong pinagsasabi ng babaeng ito? Wait, I don't even know what's happening anymore. It was never in my character to deal with romanced more especially with that seduce thing. Nagbibiro ba siya? Seryoso akong tao—

"That Captain is a married man—"

"And I'm annoyed how you don't even realize it yourself." She said irritatedly pointing her finger at me.

Before I could even speak, she was already running off like some kid seeing her mother cheat with another. Napahawak ako sa bridge ng ilong ko, processing my thoughts. I'm suddenly very conflicted.

"Daughter..." I say that with the corners of my lips twitching into a smile. "How amusing."

Then as though my emotions were one with the nature, the wind blew pleasantly, the cold temperature was replaced by warmth and the next thing that followed was my laughter echoing under the calm evening.

AN; Let's take a break from serious stuffs with this chapter and be prepared for the next, lols. Happy reading as always!