Sinister Nun (Part 4)

"S-sir Samuel," Taki muttered in sheer horror still not getting over our unexpected guess' impromptu visit.

The devilish grin on his cracked lips grew wider. "It's Azazel."

All of us stepped aback when he advanced once again. His laughter reverberated in the room upon seeing our scared expressions.

"Scared now?" He teased but nobody among us dare to answer.

"Don't worry girls. Hindi ko muna kayo tatapusin. I still want to play."

"Ano bang gusto? Bakit mo ginagawa lahat ng to?" Winona courageously asked and the latter looked at her without removing his grin.

"Where's the fun in there if I tell you? I'd like to see you try."

"Now girls, want me to tell you a story?"

Muli siyang naglakad palapit sa amin. He stopped when he made sure that he's contented enough with the proximity between us. However, he's still too close for our own intact comfort.

"Alam niyo bang may nangyayari ring away at inggitan sa langit? Ironic right? But it's true. Walang perpektong ginawa ang Diyos but I didn't believed that because I want to exceed that expectation. I tried everything to be perfect until it reached to the extent where I want to be a god myself. When He found out about it, He talked and warned me on where pride and desire could possibly take me. Just like what happened to His highest ranking angel before, Lucifer. But look at him right now? Mayroon na siyang sariling pinamumunuang mundo. However, it's not God that casted me out of heaven. It's the one who dislikes me most, Metatron, who serves as God's voice."

"I was thrown to earth but then I thought that I could rule here. I could make my own throne and be worshipped by mortals. But I have to win their hearts and trusts first so I taught them in making and using weapons and ornaments. I have even taught some of them the secrets of witchcraft. Doon nagsimula ang lahat. Unfortunately, after everything I have done for them, they still betrayed and left me and created their own separate world using what I taught them and now they called it Abseiles!" He continued with a fang of anger on his tone.

His revelation got Winona by surprise so I glanced at her when I felt her stiffened.

"Hindi totoo yan! Nagsisinungaling ka! Our world is separated from here since the very beginning!" She insisted but Azazel just laughed mockingly at her.

"That's what they taught everyone of your kind to believe! Ang mga hunghang na walang utang na loob! Matapos ko silang turuang gumamit ng mahika ay ayaw parin nilang maniwala at galangin ako bilang kanilang diyos!" He gritted his teeth with great intensity because of his rage.

"Ngayon alam mo na ang pakiramdam ng Diyos sa ginawa mo sa Kanya," Despite the uncertainty on where I get the courage to talk back to him, I threw a snarky comeback.

I was about to smile, feeling a little proud of myself for doing what I thought was a brave thing.

"Knivvas!" He furiously shouted a stabbing spell and I suddenly winced in pain after.

Hinawakan ko ang tagiliran kong kumikirot gamit kanang palad ko at yumuko para tignan iyon. Dinig ko ang agarang pangsinghap ng mga kasama ko dahil sa malaking sugat na natamo ko na nagdurugo nang todo.

"Coco," Taki asked looking so concerned about my condition. The three of them immediately rushed to my rescue.

"Masyado ka kasing pakialamera," Azazel, the proven choleric, commented now with an evil grin.

"Ano ba talagang gusto mo ha?!" Singhal ni Winona kay sa kanya.

"I want to return to my home."

"You mean in the darkness?" Bulong kong pumawi ng ngiti niya.

"My home is in heaven." Now, it's my turn to mock him through my laughter.

"Are you dumb or something? God thrown you to the darkness because of what you did to mankind."

"Tinuruan ko sila at ngayon ako pa ang masama? Itinapon Niya ako sa kadiliman halatang mas pinapaboran ang mga tangang mortal kaysa sa anghel na gaya ko! Mabuti na lang at may tumulong sa akin para makalabas doon."

I looked straight at him when something slipped from his mouth pricked my interest.

"Sino? Sabihin mo sakin kung sino ang tumulong sayo? Si Eve ba?" I asked as I struggle to stand up but he calmed down and just grinned once again.

"Hindi pero malapit mo na rin siyang makilala."

"Anong kailangan mo kay Sister Rita? Pakawalan mo na siya."

"I'm just repaying my debts to Rita for sheltering me in here. Pinatay ko siya at binigyan ng panibagong buhay." Kumuyom ang mga kamao ko nang humalakhak siya.

"Tutulungan niya ako sa plano ko at ngayon sa tingin ko'y pinupuntahan na niya ang pinagtataguan ng mga duwag na mortal. Saan nga ulit iyon?Sa chapel niyo hindi ba?"

"Ikaw ang kumuha ng bangkay niya tama? Saan mo itinago iyon?" Matapang na tanong ni Winona.

"Why don't we play a game? Hanapin niyo ang bangkay ni Sister Rita sa mas lalong madaling panahon bago niya pa maubos lahat ng mortal na naririto. Adios." And with that, Azazel vanished leaving us no choice but to find Sister Rita's corpse and stop her from killing everyone in the school.

---

"Magiging maayos ba si Coco?" Dinig kong nag-aalalang tanong ni MaJoy kay Taki matapos akong gamutin ng huli.

"Maraming dugo na ang nawala sa kanya. First aid measure lang ang kaya kong maibigay sa kanya kaya hindi ako sigurado."

"We need to find the corpse," I said while slowly getting up using my remaining strength.

"You're still not fine," Taki and MaJoy remarked in chorus.

"It's nothing! Ano ba naman ako kompara sa iba pang buhay na naririto? Kailangan na nating kumilos at iligtas sila! Kumilos na tayo! Winona!" I hissed to catch the attention of the lady sitting absentmindedly near the study table. I wasn't anymore able to contain my emotions. I was sobbing because I'm feeling so stupidly helpless.

Tumango siya at tumayo saka kami seryosong tinapunan ng tingin.

"We need to separate ourselves into two groups. Pareho tayong witch kaya kailangan nating maghiwalay Coco dahil kung hindi ay imposibleng malabanan natin si Sister Rita o si Azazel. MaJoy you'll come with me. Ililigtas natin ang mga tao sa chapel. Taki be with Coco, assist her while you two search for the corpse."

---

"Coco, sigurado ka bang narito talaga ang bangkay ni Sister Rita?" Taki suddenly asked.

She stopped from searching the insides of the cabinets near her. I didn't looked at her but I know that's she's looking at me right now.

Kanina pa kami naghahanap sa buong sulok ng dormitory. Bawat classroom, ang mess hall at iba't iba pang silid ay napuntahan na namin subalit wala parin kaming natatagpuang kahit ano. Nandito kami ngayon sa Art room na siyang pinaglalagian ni Azazel. I'm still hoping that we could finally find the corpse or evidences that could lead us to where it really is.

"Oo, dahil nanatili at bumabalik ang mga kaluluwa sa lugar kung saan naroroon ang kanilang bangkay kaya sigurado akong naririto lang iyon."

I resumed searching the area and so as Taki. Minutes had passed but we still couldn't find anything. Maraming nag-aantay sa amin. Maraming mga buhay ang nakasalalay dito kaya hindi kami puwedeng tumigil at panghinaan ng loob. Hindi! Nasaan na ba kasi iyon?! Galit na hinawi ko ang mga art material na naroroon sa ibabaw ng lamesa. I silently winced in pain when my wound began aching again. Ramdam kong natigilan si Taki dahil doon.

"Coco, tama na. Alam kong makakaya natin to. Don't be too hard on yourself. Lalong dumudugo iyong sugat mo dahil pinapahirapan mo ang sarili mo. I can smell the fresh blood coming out from your wound from here," she remarked thoughtfully and I stiffened for a while before I turned to face her.

"Anong amoy ng dugo Taki?" I asked and the light from the flashlight she was holding elucidated the perplexity on her expression.

"Blood is made up of iron so medyo amoy bakal siya na malansa."

"Di ba sabi mo noon habang nasa may entrance tayo ng dorm building nakaamoy ka rin ng ganoon?" Tanong kong tinanguan naman niya.

"Tsaka may naamoy din akong sunog. Siguro maraming mga multo lang talaga roon pero...kasi para kasi talagang gaya yon ng amoy ng nasunog na kung ano," dagdag niya pa.

I started to pace back and forth putting every detail together to become a whole idea. Azazel stole the corpse of Sister Rita but we couldn't find anything around here. He's an artist and have been teaching art in this institution for a few years now and Taki smelled something like blood and burnt stuffs when we were near the portraits. I groaned as I pulled my hair in frustration when I finally realized everything.

"Coco, bakit?"

"Taki, it's the portrait of Sister Rita! Naaalala mo yong mga amoy na sinabi mo? Nasusunog na kung ano at malansa? Malapit tayo sa mga portrait noon! And come to think of it, artist si Azazel na siyang gumawa nung portrait ni Sister Rita. Malamang sa katusuhan niya naisipan niyang itago ang bangkay sa paraang hindi kahina-hinala. Ginawa niya ang portrait ni Sister Rita gamit ang sariling dugo at abo ng bangkay nito. Kaya rin pala noong makita ko siya...doon siya tumagos."

Napapikit muna ako bago muling nagsalita. "We have to burn the portrait."

Tumango si Taki at lumapit sa akin para tulungan akong makalakad palabas ng Art room. When we were outside, someone unexpected suddenly greeted us. The one whom we regarded the sinister nun is not the bad guy in this case at all. Hawak siya sa leeg ni Azazel na siyang may dahilan ng lahat ng kaguluhang ito ngayon.

She was angrily looking at us. However, I couldn't sense in her the same emotion that she was showing to us right now.

"Taki, umalis ka na at sunugin mo ang portrait niya," I said, not taking my eyes off the nun in front.

"Pero Co-"

"Wala ng pero-pero! Pareho tayong manganganib dito at alalahanin mong marami ang nangangailangan ng tulong natin ngayon. Maraming mga buhay ang dapat nating iligtas kaya sige na."

I looked at her pleadingly while feeling my eyes started to sting. She's torn between staying with me and running away to save more lives. I can feel it. Her tears began to streamed down to her cheeks.

"Please, do it. Iligtas mo sila lahat. Kailangan ka nila. I will be fine," I assured her. She gasped before nodding unwillingly and running away from me.

Nang makalayo na siya ay hinarap ko ang nananatili paring si Sister Rita na nakatayo roon habang mas diinan ang pagkakahawak sa nagdurugo kong sugat sa tagiliran.

"Alam kong ayaw mong gawin to Sister Rita. Tutulungan ka namin. Wag kang mag-alala." But she only shouted furiously before she rushed towards my direction.

I positioned myself immediately, muttered a summoning spell and without a second my wand appeared.

"Løvitúrá!"

Tumalsik si Sister Rita at biglang naglaho nang itutok ko sa kanya ang wand. I felt relieved after that but when I suddenly turned to face the other side to follow Taki, I was affrighted to see Sister Rita standing there. I wasn't able to hold my wand immediately and cast another spell on her because she quickly strangled me. Sakal-sakal niya ako hanggang sa masandal na niya ako sa pader. Ipinaglaho ko muna ang wand ko saka hinawakan ko ang mga pulso niya para subukang luwagan ang pagkakasakal niya sa akin.

"Sister Rita, wag mong gawin to. Tu-tutulungan ka na-min. Alam kong hindi mo gusto ang gi-nagawa mo. Nakikita at na-nararamdam ko iyon," I faltered but she still didn't let go of me. Ramdam ko ang pag-angat ng mga paa ko mula sa lupa.

Unti-unti na akong nawawalan ng hininga. Mas dumudugo narin ang sugat ko at hindi ako sigurado kung makakaya ko pang magtagal sa ganitong kondisyon. With all my remaining strength and might, I cupped her both cheeks and stared directly into her eyes. I don't exactly know what I am doing but something inside me was commanding me to do this.

Seconds later, I could feel myself sucking the pain, longing, regret, sadness and other emotions inside of her and my eyes are channeling those to let her see the truth.

"Sister Rita, tama na. Labanan mo ang kapangyarihan ni Azazel," I said as I tightened my grip on her both cheeks.

Nagliwanag bigla ang mga mata niyang itim na itim hanggang sa tuluyan na niya akong nabitawan para sapuhin ang ulo niya. Naguguluhan siya sa mga oras na ito dahil nilalabanan na ni Sister Rita ang kapangyarihan ni Azazel. I keep on gasping for air while holding my wounded side, hoping that it would somehow lessen the bleeding.

I saw it with my two eyes wide open on how Sister Rita was being swallowed by a light. Napapikit pa ako saglit dahil sa matinding ilaw na dala niyon. Unti-unti akong dumilat pagkatapos and was glad to see the smiling nun in front. The real Sister Rita. She smiled and nodded at me and I can sense that she's thanking us for saving her. I smiled also at her in contentment.

"Coco!"

She vanished even before Taki could approach me.

---

Taki was able to burn the portrait of Sister Rita when she returned. While Winona and MaJoy remained at the chapel to further keep the safety of the people in there.

Akay-akay ako ni Taki nang lumabas at pumunta kaming dalawa sa parke ng eskwelahan kung saan naabutan naming naroroon si Azazel na pinapagitnaan sa animo'y bilog ng labintatlong kababaihan na may hawak na patalim na halatang wala sa kanilang mga sarili. Sabay-sabay nilang sinugatan ang kanilang mga palad, kinuyom iyon upang ipatak ang kanilang dugo sa lupa.

Biglang kumulog nang napakalakas. Ang gabi ay mas nilamon ng kadiliman kasabay ng panaka-nakang pag-ilaw ng nag-aabang na kidlat sa kalangitan.

"At ngayon, panahon na ng aking pagbabalik," Azazel declared while slowly lifting his head from being bowed up to the darkness. Along with it, a pair of wings in shadows appeared on his back.

An evil smile escaped from his lips for his so-called triumph.

"Zmiánà," nanghihina kong bulong upang palitawin ang wand ko. I need to fight and end his madness.

"Løvitúrá!"

He laughed thunderously when my spell did not work on him. The evil was still unscathed because he's countering it.

"Don't you even try to hinder my return to heaven."

I winced in absolute pain when my wounded side worsened after he muttered a damaging spell.

"Coco!"

Napaluhod ako hanggang sa unti-unti na akong napahiga sa lupa, namimilipit sa sobrang sakit. Dinaluhan ako kaagad ni Taki. Pinilit kong iangat ang ulo kong upang tignan ang nakangisi niyang mukha. Subalit maya-maya pa ay nagulat na lamang ako nang biglang may itim na itim na likido ang umagos mula sa kanyang bibig habang hawak-hawak niya ang kanyang puso.

Taki and I were both dumbstruck when Azazel with his blood relentlessly flowing from his mouth slowly fell onto the cold ground, revealing Professor Cameron at a distance aiming the colt at his direction.

"Sorry to tell you this, but you have to take a detour to darkness," he said while lowering the weapon that is capable of killing any creatures down.

Maging ang mga babaeng nakapalibot kay Azazel ay nawalan din ng mga malay. Wren and Tobbie immediately rushed towards us. Ganoon din sina Professor at ang mukhang dismayadong si Radicus.

"That was supposed to be my shot," he mumbled seemingly sulking in his most subtle way.

"You're just making everything overdramatic and I couldn't wait for the right timing you're talking about anymore," Professor retorted and I could only imagine if Radicus shot Azazel and it will be with no doubt done mercilessly. I've known him for just a short span of time but I could tell that he's very dangerous among all us here.

Professor Cameron's expression softened upon seeing me. He speedily went to me and quickly scooped me in his arms.

"Wren, Rad, search for Winona and MaJoy and the others. Tobbie, Taki, help these girls here."

Sabay na tumango sina Wren, Taki at Tobbie sa sinabi niya samantalang dire-diretso namang pumasok si Radicus sa loob ng dormitory building na animo'y alam na kung saan matatagpuan ang mga pinapahanap sa kanila. Wren quickly jogged to follow him.

"Ano na pong mangyayari kay Azazel?" Tanong ko kay Professor na siyang tumunghay upang tignan ako.

"He's gone for real and will never be resurrected. That's what colt is capable of doing if the creature was shot on any of his vital points." Palihim kong sinulyapan ang direksyon ni Azazel pero tanging abo na lamang na tinatangay ng hangin ang naabutan ko.

Inayos ni Professor ang pagkakakarga sa akin kaya yumapos narin ako sa leeg niya. I may not be able to sense his emotion but expressions and body language don't lie. As I get close to him, I could clearly detect how worry and anger were battling through his expression and I could feel the rhythmical organ inside his chest thumping at a fast rate that I could not even catch up. Tell me, is it because I exhausted my overall supply after what happened?

"Professor, galit po ba kayo sa akin?" Yumuko siya upang sulyapan ako saglit saka idiniretso na ang tingin sa daraanan namin.

"I'm mad but not at you."

"E saan po kung ganun?" He halted in his steps and stared down at me again before his expression softened.

"I'm mad at everything that hurts my sweet-" he stopped, bit his lip and sighed then planted a soft kiss on my forehead before he resumed walking.

Feeling like I had all the time to nurse my chimeras, I looked at him intently. With each one of his imposing features that equalled every ounce of his goodness and undisputable gentleness I still couldn't get myself to stop marveling at him up to this very day. I must have to admit this man really has his ways to access my chest and to set my heart into a series of unanticipated gallop. Can someone please tell me why is it happening? Is it because I had exhausted my overall supply fighting? If truth be told, I couldn't exactly point out my emotion right now even if I am a clairempath. All I know is that my feelings are like birds sweetly chirping, that no matter how beautiful their song could be, it is still inarticulate and only those who are listening through their heart would be able understand.

"Just rest, Coco. I'll just be here to keep you safe. Always." He drew me closer and tightened his hold of me.

I buried my face at the crook of his neck finding my comfort and safe haven at them in this perfect timing. The very statement which tatay told me that nanay had said before keep stinging in my mind.

May dalawang uri ng tao ang darating sa buhay natin. Iyong magtuturo sa ating magmahal at iyong magtuturo sa atin kung paano magmahal ng totoo...

...and I guess the latter is the kind where you can never recover from...

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