Tale 58
Dragon Words

“When you're against a stronger foe, be like water. Learn to bend and take the shape of your container. Your enemy will assume that you're weak and easy to take down. But no, just like water you will be ready for a chance to drown everyone.”
-WizardInTraining, a guide to Wizardry by Helena Fox

“Charm is it really okay that we didn’t use the relics of Elda to subdue the god Ean?” tanong ni Aliya habang nag-aalmusal sila sa inn na kanilang tinutuluyan sa Andorra

“Yes.” Charm

Nagtataka ang magkakaibigan. Isiniwalat sa kanila ni Charm ang mga nangyari subalit Hindi pa rin nila maunawaan. Dapat ba talaga silang magtiwala ng ganun na lang? Hindi ba magiging isang threat si Ean sa hinaharap? Isa syang diyos! At maaari syang lumitaw muli kung nanaisin nya!

Mukang seryoso si Charm kaya nagkibit-balikat na lamang ang magkakaibigan. She can fight a god so why worry?

“Today is the day. My powers.. Huhu..” saad ni Flay

“Dont worry too much. Charm is with us this time.” August

“Bibisitahin ba natin ang lugar nyo Javen after natin maitayo yung pillar?” Aliya

“Although I'm scared to face them, I want to be brave and face my people.” Javen

“Ngayon na isa ka nang totoong mage, for sure magiging proud sayo ang buong bayan mo.” Flay

“Sana nga.” Tugon ni Javen.. Malaki ang utang na loob nya sa mga kababayan nya para sa mga sakripisyo ng mga ito para sa tagumpay nila ng kanyang kakambal sa kanya-kanya nilang larangan.

“Hindi ba natin bibisitahin sina Louise? They are your loyal followers.” Tanong ni Flay

“I already checked on them yesterday. They were doing great. I left them letters.” Charm

“Hindi ka man lang nagpakita sa kanila?” Javen

“No need. Erigor entered military training. Yvonne went back to visit her family. Louise is currently busy in taking over her family's business. I don’t want them to be distracted. I don’t want to tie their lives with mine. I don’t want to take their freedom. When the time comes, I want them to follow me out of their own free will.” Tugon ni Charm kaya di na nakakontra pa sina Flay

“That applies to all of you too.” Dagdag ni Charm

Nagkatinginan ang magkakaibigan.

“We are together because we're friends. You're not tying us down Charm. We want to travel with you.” Saad ni Javen

Tumango si Flay. “She’s right. This is more like a road trip with friends. Except, there's no car or a proper road. Only portals. Heck, come to think of it, this is probably the weirdest road trip ever.”

Natawa na lang sila. Friendship means doing weird things together, right?

Sa gitna ng naglalagablab na disyerto ng Uddara, makikita ang pigura ng ilang kababaihan. Abala sila sa pagguhit ng larawan sa kulay gintong buhangin. Ang mga babae ay walang iba kung Hindi ang grupo nina Charm.

“Hindi pa naman perfect circle.” Reklamo ni Flay

“Oh edi ikaw na lang magdrawing.” Reklamo din ni Aliya

“Ikaw yung dating architecture student diba? Ikaw na magdrawing!” balik ni Flay Kay Aliya

“Nagshift ako sa business ad remember? Hindi ako magaling magdrawing.” Nakasimangot na tugon ni Aliya

“Architecture din ako dat—” Charm

“Shut up Charm! Di ka marunong magdrawing!” Flay and Aliya

“.........” -Charm

“Knock it off.. I think it's a perfect circle. Si Aliya din naman ang nagdrawing last time, so I think wala namang problema sa drawing nya ngayon.” Sabat ni Javen

“Tsk. Ang ingay nyo talaga Flay at Aliya... Just get into position. Para matapos na natin i-set up itong magic circle.” August

“Charm wag mo damdamin ang sinabi nila.” Natatawang saad ni Tanisha sabay pat sa balikat nito.

“Pero come to think of it, originally Architecture ang course nyo before right? Bakit di kayo marunong magdrawing??” usisa ni Flay

“Nang-iinsulto ka talaga? Charm upakan na natin ang isang ito!” Aliya

“I'm just asking an innocent question.” Flay

“Pero seriously, why architecture? Mukang hindi naman yun ang passion nyo?” tanong pa ni Flay

“Gumaya lang ako kay Charm.” Aliya

“I just think it's cool.” Charm

“Come to think of it, namimiss ko na yung mga classmates nating linta.. Kumusta na kaya sina Catherine? Pati na sina Philip.. You girls taught them some unforgettable lessons two years ago.” Aliya

“Yeah I remember them. Sila yung may party right? Yung nag magic show?” Javen

“Yes. Palagi nilang inaaway si Charm. I hope they learned their lesson.” Aliya

“Whaaaaat? Inaaway nila si Charm?! Naghahanap ba sila ng gulo??!” React nina Flay at August

“Chill. I misspoke. Hindi nila directly inaaway si Charm. More like minamaliit.. They call her nerd, dork, manang. Yung ganun.” Aliya

“Loko ang mga yun ahh! Kung alam ko lang sana kinalbo ko silang lahat!” August

“Bad yung iniisip mo.” Alivia

“It’s not entirely their fault though. I dress up like a nerd to avoid too much attention.” Charm

“Pero it's still wrong to call you names.” Tanisha

“They are enemies. Nasa black list na natin ang mga taong yun from now on!” Flay

“Hindi pa ba sapat na naturuan na natin sila ng leksyon?” Javen

“Gods. Syempre hindi yun sapat! Do I have to explain this word by word? Remember, when you confront an enemy, slap the face, set fire to their house, loot it while it's  burning, and laugh the whole time you're doing it. No need to hold back! Bakit ka magiging mabait? They came for a beating, then you are obliged to give them one. Simple as that.” Saad ni Flay

“You sound like a villain. “ Javen

“Minsan talaga iniisip ko kung bakit kita naging kaibigan Flay.” Sabat ni August

“Minsan tinatanong ko ang sarili ko kung tamang mga tao ba ang nasamahan namin ni Samara.” Sabat ni Astrid

Natawa si Tanisha. “We are straying off from what we came here for. Let's get to position. Time is running.” Paalala nya sa mga kaibigan

“She's right. Get to position!” sigaw ni Flay

Isang pillar na liwanag ang umagaw ng atensyon ng lahat ng tao sa Uddara pati na sa iba pang sulok ng limang kaharian.

Napuno ng katanungan ang mga tao.. Unang nasilayan ang kakaibang pangyayari na ito sa Gorgona. Maraming balita ang kumalat ukol sa mga kayamanan, halimaw at kulto. Sa ikalawang pagkakataon ay muling lumitaw ang pillar ng liwanag. Sa pagkakataon ito ay sa Uddara naman ito nakita. Ano ang kahulugan nito? Ito ba ay senyales ng isang delubyo? Marami ang nabahala. Marami din ang na-excite sa pusibilidad ng kayamanan.

Di kalayuan mula sa pillar ng liwanag, isang grupo ng mga bandido ang tumatawid sa naglalagablab na disyerto ng Uddara. Mula sila sa Ventus at may mission silang tambangan ang isang caravan ng mga merchants patungo sa mga oasis ng Uddara. Sa una ay hindi nila matukoy ang dapat gawin. Maaaring may yaman sa lugar na pinagmumulan ng liwanag. Maaari din namang panganib ang matagpuan nila dito. Ano pa man ang sanhi ng liwanag, pinili nilang imbestigahan ito. Mas matimbang ang kayamanan kaysa sa panganib ng lugar. Wala silang kamalayan na pagsisisihan nila ang naging desisyon na ito.

“Huhu my magic.” reklamo  ni Aliya

“But this is much better than expected. Charm burdened half the required magic.” August

“She’s right. I still have about fifty percent of my original strength.. No, maybe about forty five..?” Flay

“Our magics didn’t drained down to zero, but that doesn’t mean we can be at ease. We have to get out of here, fast. People will swarm in here soon, we don’t want to risk being discovered.” Tanisha

“Charm is still not done casting protection and concealment spells.” Javen

“Hmmm?” react ni Tanisha sabay baling sa kaliwa

“May problema ba??” tanong ni Aliya

“I can hear the breathing of not just a few, but several people.” Tanisha

“I can sense the fluctuation of mana. Mages.” Samara

“Tsk. Let them come! I'll beat the hell out of them!” Astrid

“Stupid, we're weak right now.” August

“So? Do you want them to discover this place before Charm finish casting those ridiculously large scale spells?” Astrid

“Astrid have a point. We have to intercept, but we have to lay low. They can’t find out the truth.” Javen

“We are weaker than our normal state, but if we work as a team, I strongly believe that we have nothing to fear.” Samara

“Alivia can you predict the chances of us winning and losing..?” Flay

“My predictions are not 100% accurate. My rough estimate is 60,40” Alivia

“Sixty percent chance of winning? Or sixty percent chance of losing?” Aliya

“The latter.” Alivia

Natahimik ang magkakaibigan.

“Hindi na dapat tayo nagtanong.” Natatawang saad ni Flay.. “Forty percent is still a chance. We just have to be careful.”

“Just how powerful can our enemies be for them to have the upper hand?” Aliya

“A group of bandits with less than a hundred of people are nearby. A dark guild is also nearby. And an army of the royal family will arrive in a few minutes. That's the future that I foresaw.” Alivia

“Wow, no wonder we only have forty percent chance of winning.” Flay

“Aliya stay behind.” Flay

“Huh? Why?” Aliya

“You'll be Charm's eyes and ears while she's still busy. Protect her. And once she's done, explain things to her. And then please help us out.” Flay

“Okay.” Aliya

“Let’s get going.” Tanisha

Ngumiti ang magkakaibigan.


***

Maingat na kumikilos ang grupo ng mga bandido patungo sa lugar na pinagmulan mg liwanag. Malakas ang kanilang kutob na may lumitaw na kayamanan sa lugar.

Hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring nakakahanap sa lugar na pinagmulan ng pillar ng liwanag sa Gorgona. Pero sa kabila nun ay marami pa ring organisasyon ang patuloy na nag-iimbestiga. Hindi ba at tila isang biyaya ang pagkakataon na ito? Isa muling pillar ng liwanag ang lumitaw, at sakto na malapit lamang sila sa lugar! Kung totoo na may kayamanan na lumitaw, ito na ang sagot sa lahat ng problema nila!

Subalit sa Hindi maipaliwanag na dahilan, tila Hindi nais ng tadhana na mapasakamay nila ang kayamanan. Pero handa silang labanan kahit ang tadhana! Sunod-sunod na hindi magagandang pangyayari ang hinarap nila. Una ay isang malakas na buhawi ang humarang sa kanila. Kung saan nagmula ang buhawi, Hindi nila alam. Marami ang nasugatan, pero hindi sila susuko! Isang giant scorpion ang sunod nilang nakaharap. Isang madugong laban ang naganap. Hindi sila nagwagi, subalit nagawa nilang matakasan ang halimaw! Ngayon naman ay naipit sila sa isang magulong sitwasyon. For some reason ay mayroong mga kahinahinalang tao na nakikipaglaban sa isang grupo ng mga witch! Mga ordinaryong tao lamang ang mga bandido, paano sila naipit sa laban ng mga mage?! Nais na nilang tumakas, subalit sa kasamaang palad ay lumitaw ang royal army! Saan sila pupunta?!

Nais nang maiyak ng mga bandido! Oh tadhana bakit napakamapaglaro mo?!

“We are the royal army of Uddara, we command you to get out of the way, lest you will be considered an enemy of the kingdom!” sigaw ng leader ng royal army, si Horus, isa sa apat na heneral ni Pharaoh Rimma ng Uddara.

“Ohhh~ I’m scared!” react ng isa sa pitong mga babae.

“Why the f*ck are you pointing your swords at us f*ckers? Those are bandits over there! And these shits wearing cloaks are members of a dark guild! Point your swords at them too, morons!” sigaw ng babaeng may apoy sa kamay.

“Calm down, let’s not get too excited. Stay calm.” Saad ng isang babae na mukang pinakakalmado at relax

“Let us calmly beat them up.”  saad nung babaeng sakay sa isang munting ipo-ipo

“What happened to the plan of staying low key?” buntong hininga ng isa sa mga babae

“F*ck that plan! We have to beat this guys!” saad nung babaeng may apoy sa kamay

“Cant we start? I wanna fight them now?!” excited na saad nung blonde

“We can’t afford losing here.” Paalala nung bata

“Forty percent is just a number. Let's win this!!” excited na saad nung blonde

Parang kidlat ang mga babae.

Ang isa ay tila isang death reaper.

Ang isa ay tumatayong healer.

Ang isa ay parang isang buhawi. No, she's literally a destructive whirlwind.

Ang isa ay parang isang nag-aalburutong bulkan.

Ang isa ay kalmado subalit nakalulunod na karagatan.

Ang isa pa ay isang napakalamig na patalim.

At ang batang babae ay isang bangungot.

Kahit isang heneral si Horus ay nagugulantang pa din sya. Sino ang mga babaeng ito?

Kahit ang mga myembro ng dark guild ay nagugulat.

“I-impusible!” sigaw ng isa sa mga bandido

“Kayo yun!” sigaw ng isa pa

“Hmm?? Do you know us?” tanong ng isa sa mga babae

“H-hindi ako maaaring magkamali! Kayo ang mga mage na yun!” sigaw ng bandido

“Ang mga mage na nakapasok sa top 25 ngayon taon!”

Napakunot ang noo ni Horus. Unti-unting nagsink in sa kanya ang sitwasyon. Ang mga babae ay pamilyar sa kanya dahil sa kaparehong dahilan na isiniwalat ng bandido!

Top 25!!

Kahit ang mga myembro ng dark guild ay naalarma.

“Ang Witch of Slaughter, Flay Walker!”

“Ang Witch of Froze!”

“Ang Witch of Oblivion, Tanisha Aenai!”

“P-pati ang Explosive Duo! Ang Witch of Arson at Witch of Alluvion!”

“Witch of Rebirth!”

“Wait don’t tell me na ang batang yun ang Witch of Devastation? Sya ba si Prinsesa Alivia ng Crystal Nation?!”

“Bakit sila nandito?”

“Should we escape?”

“Are they here for the treasures too?”

“State your business here, esteemed mages of the top 25.” Saad ni Horus, mas magalang na ang kanyang pananalita subalit hindi sya maaaring magpakita ng takot.

“Ahm we are here for the treasures!” sigaw ni Flay

“What the fudge is up with that obvious lie?” bulong ni Astrid

“It’s better than nothing.” Bulong pabalik ni Flay

“So there are treasures?” tanong ni Horus

“Yes! And it's all for our leader to take, so back off b*tches!” Flay

“Forgive my insolence but if it's true that there are treasures, then you will have to surrender it to the kingdom!” Horus

“Get back to where you came from. There are no treasures here. Only danger.” Sabat ng isang malamig na tinig

Agad natigilan ang lahat sa paglitaw ng isang babaeng may mahabang itim na buhok. Sa likod nya ay isang magandang babaeng brunnete. Lumitaw sila mula sa isang portal.

“Charm!” excited na saad nina Flay

“S-sya yun diba?” kinakabahang bulong ng isang bandido sa kasamahan nya

“Ang pinakamalakas na mage, ang Witch of Apocalypse. Charmaine Artemis Clifford.”

Napalunok si Horus. Napakabata pa ng mga babae pero kakaibang pressure ang nagmumula sa kanila.

“Charmaine Artemis Cliffor---” Hindi naituloy ni Horus ang kanyang sasabihin noong ibaling ni Charm sa kanya ang atensyon nito

“Kneel.” Malamig na saad ng dalaga at sa Hindi malamang dahilan ay biglang napaluhod si Horus

Inilibot ni Charm ang kanyang paningin sa lahat ng mga taong naroroon. Agad nanghina ang kanilang mga tuhod sa lamig ng tingin ng dalaga.

“Tell your men to turn your backs and return home. There are no treasures here. And don’t make me repeat this over and over again, there is nothing but danger ahead.” Malamig na saad ni Charm

Naglaho ang mga babae at walang nakakaalam kung saan sila muling lilitaw. Subalit isang balita ang mabilis na kumalat. Walang kayamanan. Ibat-ibang klase ng halimaw ang nalikha ng imahinasyon ng mga tao. Subalit isang bagay lamang ang malinaw, ang babala mula sa Witch of Apocalypse ang naglagay ng tuldok sa pagnanais ng lahat na hanapin ang pinagmulan ng pillar ng liwanag.

Samantala, sa isang kagubatan na napalilibutan ng makapal na hamog, isang grupo ng mga babae ang lumitaw.

“Ventus kingdom.” Usal ni Tanisha

Hinawakan ni August ang balikat ni Tanisha. “It’s okay, stay calm.”

Sa Ventus matatagpuan ang Ouryuu Village na tahanan ni Tanisha. Subalit wala na ang kanyang tahanan ngayon.

Nais maghiganti ni Tanisha sa pagkasira ng kanyang tahanan at pagkamatay ng kanyang pamilya. Subalit sa nakalipas na dalawang taon ay nagbago ang lahat. Hindi na maibabalik ng paghihiganti ang mga nawala sa kanya. At Hindi nya nais tularan ang mga taong kinamumuhian nya, hindi nya gagawin sa iba ang ginawa nila sa kanya. Revenge is an endless cycle. Kung hindi pipiliin ng isa na tuldukan ang laban, Hindi nila mahahanap ang kapayapaan.

Ngumiti si Tanisha. “Dont worry, I'm fine. Ang mission natin bilang mga priestesses ang higit na mas mahalaga. I can’t be selfish. I will not be selfish. The princess is more important than revenge.”

Tumango si Charm. “I’m glad to know that you already found peace.”

“Yes Princes—” natigilan si Tanisha

Maging sina Flay.

Hindi sila makapaniwala. Agad sinalo nina August at Astrid si Charm noong bigla itong mawalan ng malay.

“Charm??” nag-aalalang tawag ni Aliya sa kaibigan..

“Is she okay?” Flay

“She's okay. Her vitals are normal. She just lost consciousness.” Saad ni Javen

Agad nakahinga ng maluwag ang lahat.

“Is it fatigue??” napapaisip na tanong ni Javen, Hindi nya maunawaan kung bakit nawalan ng malay ang kaibigan

“It's not fatigue.” Sabat ng isang tinig

“Sino ka?” tanong ng mga babae sa isang lalaking may kakaibang anyo. Ang buhok nito ay kalahating itim at kalahating puti. Ang tanging suot nito ay leather na pantalon at isang furred coat na gawa sa balat ng puting tigre.

“Hi! Name's Regis, her servant.” Nakangiting pakilala ng lalaki

“Regis?” napapaisip na Usal ni Aliya

“Charm onced mentioned him. The Celestial King!” Flay

“This fella is the Celestial King?” August

“I thought the Celestial King is some old man with white beard and a golden armor?” Aliya

“Well that's what everyone thought. He's such a disappointment right?” natatawang saad ng isang tinig.. Isang munting fae ang nakaupo sa balikat ni Charm ngayon.

“Eh? Could you be Euphie? Charm's Familiar, am I right?” tanong ni Flay na agad na-excite matapos makita ang Fae.

“You are correct.” Euphie

“Oh my gods, show some respect guys!” nag-aalalang saad ni Javen. Naikwento na ni Charm sa kanila na si Regis ang hari ng mundo ng Gantandi. Si Euphie naman ang reyna ng mundo ng mga familiars, ang Andina.

“It's okay. A friend of the princess is a friend of ours!” Regis

“Awesome!” Flay

“So what happened to the Princess?” nag-aalalang sabat ni Samara

Nagkatinginan sina Euphie at Regis.

“Backlash.” Sabat ng isang tinig

“Sino yung nagsalita?” tanong ni Aliya

“Heian, you can explain this better since you're a dragon too.” Saad ni Regis

Isang munting liwanag ang lumitaw.

Napapaisip sina Flay kung ano ito.

“Alitaptap?” nagtatakang tanong ni Aliya

Sa isang kisap mata ay isang nilalang ang lumitaw sa harap ng magkakaibigan.

Agad napaupo sa lupa ang mga babae.

“I-impusible.” Samara

“Holy mother of pizza.” Flay

“Is he what I think he is?” Tanisha

“A dinosaur?” Aliya

Agad napalingon ang lahat Kay Aliya.

“What?” Aliya

“I'm not a dinosaur little girl.” Saad ni Heian

Napalunok si Aliya noong ilapit ni Heian ang muka nya sa dalaga. Malinaw na napagmasdan ng dalaga ang matatalas nitong ngipin. Ang mga nanlilisik nitong mata. Malinaw na malinaw sa dalaga na kaya syang lunukin ng buo ng dragon dahil sa napakalaking size nito.

Agad nanliit ang lahat.

“Stop scaring them.” Nailing na saad ni Euphie

Nagsmirk ang dragon. “Their reactions are priceless. It's been a while since the last time I smelled fear from humans.”

“The princess will scold you once she heard about this.” Regis

Agad namutla ang dragon. “Forgive me little mortals.”

“Are you really a dragon?” tanong ni Astrid

“What do you think?” Heian

“But dragons are extinct?!” August

“Let's just say I got some circumstances that both tortured and help me survived.” Sagot ng Dragon

“Hey! Don’t forget the real issue! The princess!” Tanisha

“Yes! What happened to Charm??” Flay

“It’s a backlash.” Heian

“A backlash? You said that a while ago. Did she overused her magic?” August

“It's not as simple as the overuse of magic.” Regis

“Maybe it's better to explain things further.” Euphie

Tumango si Heian.

“There are four types of power that exists in the four worlds. The most common are Magic powers and psychic powers.” Saad ni Heian

“Magic power allows it's owner to impose false laws on the will of the world. It is believed to be the most powerful power that ever existed.” Paliwanag naman ni Regis

“Then there is psychic power. It is an innate ability to access the power of the mind. Every mind is a universe of their own, but humans could only access up to 10% of it's full potential. Psychics are the gifted few who can unlock the true powers of the mind.” Paliwanag ni Euphie

Agad naalala nina Flay si Avril, ang royal protector ni Roma na isang psychic.

“Everyone is already familiar with magic and psychic power. What are the other two?” tanong ni August

“Aura and divine powers.” Heian

“Aura??” Flay

“Divine power??” Javen

“Aura is the power of life. The ability to train the flesh into weapons. Martial artists often unlocks Aura without fully understanding what it actually was. The people of the dark continent uses Aura.” Paliwanag ni Regis

Realization dawn on everyone. Yun pala ang tawag sa taglay na kapangyarihan ng mga Tao sa dark continent..? Kahit wala silang magic, may pambihira silang lakas at mga kakaibang kakayanan.

“Yung divine power? Is it the power use by the gods??” tanong ni Aliya

“Yes. Believe it or not, gods don’t have magic. People misunderstood their divine powers as magic.” Tugon ni Euphie

“Whaaaaat??! So all my life mali ako ng pagkakaunawa sa powers ng mga gods?” react ni Flay

“Aha. But don’t worry, every mortals are the same as you.” Regis

“I know this might sound stupid but can mortals use divine powers too? Like for example, a demigod born from a human and a god? Like Hercules? Or Percy Jackson??” tanong ni Aliya

“Good question. Humans can use divine powers too. But not as a demigod or whatsoever. Gods never bore a human child before, or at least that's what I know. They only see you guys as ants. Will you bear children with ants? No way, right?” Regis

“You have a good point. Then how do humans use divine powers?” tanong ni Samara

“Faith.” Tugon ni Euphie

“Faith??” Flay

“Faith? Like praying to the gods?” Javen

“How would it work?” Aliya

“Yes? How would that work? There's a lot of church dedicated to the gods, but I never heard anyone displaying any divine powers?” Astrid

“It’s rare. And only a few clerics in history succeeded. It depends on the mutual connection of the cleric with his or her god. Faith will decide how powerful that cleric will become.” Euphie

“But how does magic differs from divine power??” Javen

“You've all seen and felt Elda's magic right? Well, that is technically not magic. Her suppression is actually her divine power.”  Sagot ni Heian

Napatango-tango sina Flay. Yun pala yun!

“Pero wait lang, kung walang magic ang mga gods, then paano nakagamit ng magic si Ean??” Sabat ni Flay

“Simple. His host is a mage.” Regis

“Oo nga naman.” Astrid

“This is too much to take in. Information overload nanaman.” Bulong ni August

“Wait lang. That didn’t answer our question. Bakit nawalan ng Malay si Charm?” sabat ni Flay

“Well, there is a legend passed down for millions of years now. A fated person who can use all powers together will someday be born in one of the four worlds.  If the four powers reached the ultimate stage, it will create a perfect harmony making that person the most powerful being in the universe. However, that was just an ideology. No one has ever used the four powers before. The reason is simple, the four powers resist each other instead of creating harmony.” Paliwanag ni Regis

Sa una ay Hindi maunawaan Nina Flay ang pakahulugan ng mga sinabi ni Regis. Then bigla silang natigilan.

“Are you saying that the princess is using not just one power?” tanong ni Astrid

“Yes. Mages can only use magic power. Psychics can only use the power of the mind. But dragons, celestials and gods are different. Dragons originally have the ability to use magic and aura. The princess' dragon instinct is actually the power of Aura. And the fact that she's using Elda's powers means that she's using magic, aura and divine power at the same time. Her mortal body is being burdened by that.” Paliwanag ni Heian

“She also uses dragon words that put on more burden on her.” Dagdag ni Euphie

“Dragon Words? Ano yun?” Aliya

“My gods. Andaming new information. Hindi ko na ma-absorb.” Reklamo ni August

“Hang in there August.” Natatawang saad ni Javen

“So ano po yung Dragon Words?” tanong ni Alivia

“Dragon uses words. Mages uses spells. Spells are formulated words. It uses the forces of nature and the power of words to bend the laws of the world. Spells originates from Dragon Words. The power that were once used by dragons were reassembled so that other species can use it.” Paliwanag ni Heian

“W-wait lang po. Hindi ko na-gets. So ano talaga yung Dragon Words??” Aliya

“Raw magic.” Tugon ni Heian

“Raw magic??” Flay

“Yes, raw magic. Compared to the magic that is used today that experienced dozens of refinement and alterations over the years, Dragon Words are more rugged and simple. It allows the users to manifest the mysteries of magics with mere words alone.” Heian

“Ibig nyo pong sabihin, ang Dragon Words ay pagcast ng magic gamit lamang ang mga salita? Kung sasabihin kong ‘APOY!’, may lilitaw na apoy? No need for spells??” tanong ni Flay

“Exactly.” Heian

“So when Charm said the word KNEEL earlier in Uddara, is that dragon words??” tanong ni Aliya

“Yes.” Heian

“So she can do anything?” Aliya

“Ang cool nun!” Tanisha

“The strength of a spell depends on the caster's magic power.. But Dragon Word is different. It contains your will and feelings. Even if two entities use the same words, depending on how strong the feelings contained in that word, the two of them will emit different forces. The stronger the will, the stronger the magic.” Paliwanag pa ni Heian

“Pero dragons lang ang nakakagamit nun? Like the dragon instinct of Charm?” Javen

“Sadly, yes. Human bloodline cannot adapt to the magic of the past. You evolved along with your magic. You are no longer compatible with Dragon Words. Mages can only casts magic through spells now.” Heian

“So Charm can use that?” Excited na tanong ni Aliya

“Yes. But as of now, she is still a novice.” Tugon ni Heian

“What about the priestesses? Can they use dragon words?” tanong ni Javen

“No. They can use dragon magic, but their bodies are still mortal, they cannot manifest magic with mere words alone. In order for them to use magic comparable to dragons, they must use spells.” Paliwanag ni Heian

“Di ko gets.” Aliya

“Ano ang pinagkaiba ng dragon magic sa dragon words?” August

“Ang slow nyo naman. Dragon magic is the actual magic! Yun yung magic na ginagamit nyo mismo August! Dragon Word is a method. Spell ang ginagamit nyo. Kaibigan ko ba talaga kayo? Bakit ang slow nyo? My gods.” Flay

“Gets na namin. Pero dapat bang iwasan ni Charm ang pag gamit sa Dragon Words? Anong dapat nating gawin para tulungan si Charm?” tanong ni Javen

“Nothing.” Heian

“Nothing?” August

“Only the princess can help herself.” Regis

“He's right. The princess need to master her dragon magic.” Heian

“So you're saying that she needs to train more?” tanong ni Samara

“Yes, she learned a lot from the Stillwater, but only a real dragon can help her master Dragon magic.” Heian

“And only a real god can help her master her divine power.” Saad ni Regis

Natahimik ang magkakaibigan.

“I guess we have to make some alterations to our plan.” Saad ni Flay

“Are we jumping to phase 3??” tanong ni Javen

“Yes.” Flay

“Kung sang-ayon ang lahat, raise your hand.” August

Nagkatinginan sina Regis noong magtaas ng kamay ang walong babae.

“You heard us, right Charm?” tanong ni Flay

Napalingon ang lahat Kay Charmaine na nakatingin sa kanila. May malay na ito.

“I’m sorry for being a burden.” Charm

“Whaaaaaat? You're the ace card. Keep getting stronger. Let's meet again when the time to set up the pillar comes.” Flay

“But we might need a year or two to accomplish phase 3.” Tanisha

“Yes. We will only get to meet when setting up the remaining pillars.” Astrid

“I don’t want to jump to phase three but I guess we have to do this.” Buntong hininga ni Aliya... “Ma-mimiss ko kayo.” Nakasimangot na saad ni Aliya

Nagkatinginan ang magkakaibigan.

“Waaaaahhhhhh. Mami-miss ko kayo!” -Flay na biglang ngumawa na parang bata

“This is where we are going to part ways.” Malamig na saad ni Charm.


***

Samantala, sa Aurum Magique University sa kaharian ng Ignis, isang munting batang babae ang makikitang nakaupo sa ere.

“Rumours of uprising were covered up by the nobles. I guess the war is nearing.” Saad ng batang babae

“It's none of my business.” Sagot ni Headmaster Fridd na abala sa pagpirma sa mga papeles sa kanyang lamesa.

“Don’t make me laugh, Sigmund Fridd Aurum. You are the queen's little brother. As a prince of your kingdom are you truly not concern?” tanong ng batang babae

“Yes. The kingdom is none of my concern.” Sagot ng lalaki at saka nagdilim ang kanyang ekspresyon. “But if they dare touch my students, then I will not think twice in taking them down.”

“Ohh~ Scary..”

“You are such a good man, Fridd. You drove little Charmaine away from this school after finding out who I really am, right?” nakangiting tanong ng batang babae

“I don’t know what you're talking about.” Fridd

“You are really adorable. It's a shame that little Cassiopeia fell in love with the wrong man. Do you regret not fighting for her love?” mapaglarong tanong ng batang babae

“I didn’t know that you are a nosy one, Professor Wanda, or should I call you by your real name? Ur?” -Fridd

“You are truly adorable little Fridd. Do you want to be mine? I can give you everything you want if you come with me in my kingdom?” mapaglarong tanong ng batang babae

“Don’t make me laugh, I have no plans to die yet.” Fridd

“Pffft. You are funny. It's a shame that you have little time left. I suggest you use it wisely.” Saad ng batang babae

Hindi tumugon ang lalaki.

“You are lucky that I made a promise not to meddle with you humans. I would have had taken you by force. You are truly adorable. Don’t worry, once you arrive in my kingdom, I will not mistreat you.”

“Are you finally leaving?” tanong ni Fridd

“Well since I already figured out what little Cassiopeia planned to do, I think it's time for me to leave. But I have to admit, she's one tricky dragon. She promised not to meddle but planned to make her daughter do everything... Hahaha let's see if she'll really succeed.”

“Do you think she'll succeed?” tanong ng lalaki

Ngumiti si Wanda.. “I don’t think so.. Her daughter will surely die.”

~~~~~~~~