Flame 14 - Portal of Power

Nanginginig na hawak ni Katherine ang note na nakasipit sa isang dagger. Kinilabutan siya at takot ang agad bumalot sa dalaga.

"W-What does he mean this is not the last massacre? You mean meron pang kasunod?!!" halos maiyak na tanong ni Katherine kay Opium.

"I-I have no idea—"

"What?! Why? Hindi mo ba siya naabutan? What happened? Sino siya? What was he like? Is he a witch? A phantom?! A shapeshifter?!"

Krauser grabbed Katherine's arms and pulled her. "Hey! Calm down. Hindi niya masasagot ang mga tanong mo all at once," he said which made Katherine come back to her senses.

"S-Sorry..."

"No worries. Kahit ako medyo natakot nang mabasa ko iyon. Hindi ko siya nahabol. He was too fast. I can't even tell what he is."

Ramdam pa rin ni Opium ang kaba kahit wala na ang misteryosong lalaki na nakasakay sa kabayo at napapaligiran ng maraming uwak. He was never threatened nor scared with anyone dahil alam niya sa sarili niya na malakas siya. But that mysterious man was different. Kahit sa malayo ay naramdaman ng binatang Scatterella ang malakas nitong aura.

"Well, you think he's responsible for the massacre?!" tanong ni Katherine.

"Hindi," pagsagot agad ni Opium.

"How can you tell for sure na hindi siya ang culprit? Nandoon siya noong nangyari ang massacre. As far as I can remember, nabanggit din ni Leeroy ang tungkol sa mga uwak and I'm pretty sure that mysterious crowman is there noong nangyari ang pagpatay," katwiran ng babaeng butler.

"I don't think so. Hindi siya ang pumatay," this time, Krauser defended Opium's answer.

Katherine was shocked at humarap naman sa kanya. "How can you say? This note tells that there's another massacre. How can that crowman tell what will happen? Paano niya nasabi toh, unless he's planning to do it all over again!"

"Katherine, I told you may lead na ako. The crowman might not be part of it. He's a different story."

"Pero—"

"Vaughaun, he controls the crows and he has a horse. Ang sabi saken ni Katherine yun daw ang mga nakita ng werewolf. Paanong hindi siya involved? How can you assure us that he's a different story?" tanong ni Opium.

"Ikaw? Bakit hindi mo masabi na siya ang killer? Why did you doubt the fact na siya ang killer noong tinanong ka ni Katherine?"

"He— He's strong. He's not the type of creature that will use symbols. He can kill a lot of people if he wants to pero hindi na niya kailangan ng mga simbolo at rituals."

Krauser smirked. The vampire obviously said the right answers. Ramdam niya ang kaba sa bampira. Hindi man niya mabasa ang isip nito, ramdam niya ang pisikal nitong emosyon. Hiningal ito, marahil ay dahil sa paghabol niya sa lalaking nakasakay sa kabayo. Mabilis din ang tibok ng kanyang puso. No one scares Opium Scatterella like that for years.

"Fair enough, but you have to show me this lead," turo ni Katherine sa Master niya sabay hinila niya ito hanggang sa makalabas sila sa Dorell Forest.

Mula sa di kalayuan, nakamasid ang isang lalaking nakasakay sa isang itim na kabayo. May ngising sumilay sa labi ng misteryosong lalaki habang patuloy ang pagsunod niya sa grupo ng bampirang nakaharap niya. Sumipol siya at bumaba mula sa puno ang isang malaking uwak at dumantay ito sa kanyang balikat.

"Nakakapanibago ang New Wellington, puno na ito ng hiwaga at misteryo. Hanggang sa susunod na pagkikita, Opium Scatterella." Pinatakbo niya ang kabayo at naglaho siya sa kadiliman.

Gabi na pero nagpasya sila Katherine na dumiretcho sa NWPD. Si Opium naman ay hindi mo makausap habang nakaupo lang sa likod ng kotse. Hindi niya maintindihan kung ano ang kaba na nararamdaman niya. That man was a big threat not only to him but for the whole coven.

"Do you want me to treat your wounds, Opium?" pagpresinta ni Katherine habang nakaupo sa shotgun seat.

"Katherine, he's a vampire for crying out loud. It'll heal in just a few minutes."

Umirap nalang si Katherine sa pagsingit ng kanyang Master. Nagawa pang umepal ni Krauser kahit nagdadrive ito.

"Vaughaun, you can drop me off here. Siguro naman kaya niyo na nang wala ako, right?"

Krauser nodded. Katherine looked at him with worried eyes. "Are you sure you're fine?" she asked.

Opium smiled and ruffled her hair. "Yes I am. Thanks, Katherine. Good luck on your investigation. If you need help, just call me."

She nodded. "I will also update you as soon as we have new information. Thanks for your help, Opium."

"Anything for you, Silver Flame." Opium turned to Krauser, "Thanks for the ride, Vaughaun. Keep your butler safe." Lumabas siya at agad ding pinatakbo ni Krauser ang sasakyan.

"He's bothered." Katherine said as she looked straight on the dark freeway.

"I've never seen him so bothered, that crowman must be something. Nakita mo ba?" Krauser asked.

"Nope. But based on Opium's reactions, I'm guessing he's something we should look out."

"Yeah."

"Hey, about the lead you were saying?" pag iiba ni Katherine sa topic.

Krauser bit his lips as he continues driving the car. "Kung tama ang hinala ko, baka mahanap na natin ang killer ngayon."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ng babaeng butler sa kanyang narinig. "How? Paano mo—"

"Just wait and see." Krauser shrugged and continue to drive until they reached NWPD.

Again, they went inside the back door and sneaked in to the visitor's lounge para makausap si Leeroy. Nakausap din nila si Officer Dawson at kakuntsaba nila ito sa pagpasok. Madami na kasing pulis ang nasa loob ng station dahil gabi na.

"Iiwan ko muna kayo. But you have to promise me na hindi kayo gagawa ng kalokohan," Officer Dawson said.

"We will try our best to behave. Thank you Officer," sabi ni Krauser.

Nasa kabilang side ng lounge si Leeroy. Parang bagong gising ito. Sabagay, malapit nang maghatinggabi.

Krauser stood up and went to the door. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Katherine dahil ang pinto na balak pasukin ni Krauser ay ang pinto papunta sa kabilang side ng visitor's lounge.

"H-Hey! Krauser! You can't—"

Krauser glared at her. "Shut up. We need to finish this investigation now. May gusto lang akong patunayan."

Katherine didn't know what to do, pumasok si Krauser sa loob ng jail area kung saan nakaupo si Leeroy.

"B-Bawal yan Vaughaun! Kapag nahuli tayo ng Warden—" angal ng werewolf.

"Asan yung satanic symbol?" seryosong tanong ni Krauser.

"H-Huh?"

"Just show me the symbol!" he impatiently said.

Agad namang tinaas ng wereboy ang t-shirt niya at tumalikod. Nakaukit nga sa likod ang satanic symbol. Krauser breathe in before placing his palm on the symbol.

"Krauser Vaughaun!!! Stop—"

Krauser's consciousness left his body. Nanigas si Leeroy at Katherine sa kanilang kinatatayuan ng makitang naging itim ang mata ng binatang Vaughaun habang nakatayo ito at nakahawak pa rin sa simbolo. Unti-unti ding binalot ng itim na mga marka ang katawan niya.

"K-Krauser!"

Nagising si Krauser na nakatayo sa isang napakalawak na espasyo na tanging puti lamang ang makikita. The space is huge at hindi niya maalala kung bakit siya nandoon.

"Krauser Vaughaun," nagulat siya ng may magsalita. "The self proclaimed detective of New Wellington," dagdag pa ng misteryosong boses.

"Who are you?! Show yourself!"

Agad lumitaw ang isang lalaki na may itim na kapa at nakalutang sa ere. Kakaunti nalang ang buhok niya pero hindi naman ito mukhang matanda. Kumunot ang noo ni Krauser dahil inaalala niya kung saan niya ba nakita ang lalaking iyon dahil parang pamilyar ito.

Umikot ang mata ng lalaki. "Oh for Pete's sake Mr. Vaughaun! Professor mo ako sa Calculus!" inis nitong sabi.

Nagliwanag ang mukha ng binata. "Oh! I remember now. Oo nga. Ikaw nga yung boring na prof ko sa Calculus. Wait, what's your name again? Uh—"

Nagpigil ng galit ang professor dahil sa mga sinabi ni Krauser. "Mr. Davis! I am Mr. Duke Davis!" he said, obviously irritated na hindi siya maalala ng kanyang estudyante.

"Mr. Dick Davis, whatever," Krauser said then rolled his eyes and glared at him, still floating in thin air. At naaalala na ni Krauser kung bakit niya kaharap ang matandang ito. "You're the killer. You killed 72 civilians in Dorell Forest and you should turn yourself over to the NWPD."

Davis chuckled. "Says who? Eh kung ayaw ko?"

Krauser rolled his eyes. "Well then I'll call the cops."

Davis laughed hard with what Krauser just said. "Call the cops? How can you do that? You're inside the werewolf's body. You're inside my world now. There's no going back."

Naalala ni Krauser ang ginawa niyang paghawak sa simbolo. Noong nasa Dorell Forest siya at nahawakan niya ang simbolo sa lupa, nagkaroon siya ng idea na baka pupwede din siyang makakuha ng mga putol-putol na alaala kapag hinawakan niya ang simbolo sa likod ng shapeshifter.

"Ginamit ko ang katawan ng binatang werewolf na iyon para magtago. Napakadaling utuin ng mga pulis! Gullible human beings!" umalingawngaw ang tawa niya sa lugar.

Napakunot ng noo si Krauser dahil hindi niya aakalain na makikita niya ang pinagtataguan ng may pakana ng massacre na iyon. And if he's getting this right, isang mapanganib at masamang klase ng mage ang isang ito. Mages are ancient spell casters and most of the mage in New Wellington are practicing black magic and harnessing power from their God, Satan.

Nasa loob ngayon ng control spell si Leeroy. Nagsisilbing host body ito ng isang mage upang mamuhay. Maihahambing ito sa pagiging parasite. Manghihina ang katawan ng host body habang tumatagal ang isang mage sa kanyang katawan.

"You better get out of his body and rot in jail, Davis!"

The mage did not hesitate and smiled at him. "That's only gonna happen when you beat me... in my own world! Nyahahaha!" lumutang paakyat sa ere si Duke Davis at lumabas sa gilid nito ang maraming daggers.

Naalerto si Krauser at inilagan ang mga daggers. Minsan pang dumaplis ito sa kanyang braso at mukha pero hindi ito natinag.

"Run, little helpless Vaughaun! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!" nakangising sabi ng mage habang patuloy ang pagpapakawala niya ng daggers.

Samantala, hindi na malaman ni Katherine ang gagawin habang unti unting nagkakaroon ng mga galos ang kanyang Master kahit pa nakatayo lang ito at nakahawak sa likod ng werewolf. Nagiging itim na din ang balat nito. There's no sign of consciousness in him right now.

"Krauser! Krauser!!!" niyugyog pang muli ng butler ang katawan niya pero wala itong epekto.

"Is he being possessed again, gaya nung nangyari kanina?!" takot na tanong ng werewolf.

"Hindi... iba toh." Lumayo siya saglit at pinalabas sa kanyang mga kamay ang silver caliber. Kinasa niya ito at naging shotgun na naman iyon. Marahas niyang itinutok sa katawan ang shotgun at tsaka kinalabit ang trigger. Pero nakakapagtaka na hinigop lang ng katawan ng Master niya ang puting apoy at walang nagbago sa lagay niya.

"It did not work!" aniya ng werewolf.

"The spell binding him is powerful that I cannot purify it. I think Krauser's inside that symbol... inside your body."

"Isn't that a little disgusting? A guy inside my body?!" nagawa pang maging curious ni Leeroy na nagpaikot sa mata ni Katherine.

She bit her lower lip and thought of having a plan. "I need someone who can take me inside."

"I can help!" out of nowhere lumabas si Cohen. Ang kaibigang officer ng kanyang Auntie Judith. Matatandaang isa siyang crawler.

"C-Cohen?!" gulat na sigaw ni Katherine. "How did you--"

"Well I overheard it. I think I can take you inside, just grab my hand," nakangiting sabi ng batang pulis sa kanya.

Katherine nodded and held his hands at agad silang naglaho na parang bula habang naiwan ang walang malay na katawan ni Krauser at si Leeroy na medyo hindi pa makapaniwala sa mga pangyayari.

Duke Davis impailed Krauser's left leg after a critical hit. He pulled one of the daggers stuck in his leg and an agonizing scream filled the huge space. Hindi maipaliwanag ni Krauser ang nararamdaman niya. He felt weak and he can't even fight back. He can't even protect himself. Napakawalang kwenta ng tingin niya sa kanyang sarili.

"Sweet dreams, Vaughaun!" itinaas ng mage ang dagger at isasaksak na sana sa nanghihinang binata ng biglang tumalsik ang hawak niyang patalim. "What the?!"

Lumingon siya kung saan nanggaling ang pag atake at nakatayo sa di kalayuan ang Silver Flame gamit ang kanyang shotgun purifier. She smirked at the evil mage and was glad that she made it just in time to save his Master.

"I can't believe a mage like you can do something as sickening as killing a lot of people! You need to rot in jail forever!" she said as she gritted her teeth.

"I thought for once Silver Flames are just myths. But I guess they're real." Amused with her existence, lumapit siya sa dalaga at hinarap ito. Iniwan niya ang nakabulagtang Vaughaun.

"We're real alright. Now tell me what made you kill them all? Huh!"

Davis let out a chuckle. "I read a book about the Portal of Power. I needed a few civilians for my spell. But it did not work," he said not even feeling guilty of what he did.

"How could you do that? You're ruthless! You sacrificed all those civilians for your stupid portal of power?! You're a monster!" she was about to punch him pero napigilan niya ito at hinawakan niya ang kamay nito.

Her arms felt numb at unti-unting nagkakaroon ng itim na marka. Davis was whispering another satanic spell. She began to feel weak and her knees were wobbly. Nabitawan niya ang baril niya at pumikit na dahil sa panghihina.

"You're inside my territory so I can do whatever I want to you!" natatawang sabi ng mage. Hinihigop na ngayon ng kanyang katawan ang puting apoy ni Katherine.

"You forgot about me, old fart!" sabi ni Krauser tsaka sinipa ng malakas ang mage mula sa likod. Tumilapon ito palayo at natigil ang spell na kanyang ginagawa. Nakahiga at walang malay ang kanyang butler.

"VAUGHAUN!" he growled, habang dinadaing niya ang kanyang likod.

He smirked at agad binuhat si Katherine palayo bago umilag sa umaatakeng mage. "Wake up, dumb butler!!!" sigaw nito sa kanya habang natakbo.

Nagising naman agad si Katherine at nagulat na buhat siya ni Krauser. "Huh? Wait bakit—" bago pa man matapos ang tanong niya ay natamaan na si Krauser sa likod at nabitawan siya.

"I've had enough of your stupid games, Krauser Vaughaun! Playtime is over!" Davis angrily said and lit up his hands with a ball of fire.

"Sh it!" Krauser said at ininda ang kanyang likod.

Katherine stood up at hinarap niya ang nakalutang na mage na namumula sa galit. Sa pagkakaalala niya sa mga Mage, especially those who harness their power through Satan, ay gumagamit ng isang symbol. Ang symbol na nakaukit sa katawan ni Leeroy Nixon at sa lupa doon sa Dorell Forest. Doon manggagaling ang lahat ng atake nila dahil doon sila kumukuha ng kapangyarihan. Sigurado siyang nasa katawan ito ng mage at maaaring yun ang kahinaan niya.

"KATHERINE!" sigaw ni Krauser dahil may papalapit na bola ng apoy sa kanya. Umilag siya at tumingin ng maigi sa mage.

"Bingo!" ngisi nito at agad nilabas ang silver caliber. She rolled over at inasinta ang palad ng mage na ngayon ay gumagawa ng panibagong bola ng apoy na ititira.

"YOU WILL NEVER BEAT ME IN MY OWN TERRITORY!!!"

"Shut up and get the hell out of his body," she said and pulled the trigger.

Krauser covered his eyes as the blinding white light covered the empty space. Katherine ran towards her and grabbed his arms. Nagulat siya ng biglang lumitaw ang police officer na si Cohen sa harapan nila.

"Let's get out of here, Cohen!" Katherine said and with a blink of an eye, they were back in the visitor's lounge.

Cohen walked towards the side and handcuffed Duke Davis na halatang nagulat sa pagkakatalo.

"How did you—"

Katherine raised his gun at hinipan ito. "I'm a silver flame. You hurt my Master and I will beat the crap out of you!" she giggled bago maglaho ang hawak niyang baril.

* * * *

A/N: K. Ang kerni nito swear. Naubusan ako ng action scenes. Sarreh. Babawi ako sa next update lol. K.

At kung hindi mo nabasa ang pinost ko sa MB ko, uulitin ko nalang. Once a week ang update ng Silver Butler at Aleli’s Rewind. Semi-active na ako. Yey. Kunwari masaya kayo. XD Okay.

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