Author's Note (The Villain Series 1)

Kabanata 11

COCOONS started to digest the humans who fell victim to his threads. Adamas didn't let one of them live and took out the life of three people. But it wasn't as satisfactory as the first victim for the colors he had seen were different.

Asnael had a warm heart.

But what was the use of it if the damage had been done? If his Noa was still alive today, he might have forgiven him. Pero hindi na. Huli na ang lahat para humingi ito ng tawad.

His warm and regretful heart could no longer reach the person he wanted to convey his sincere apology.

Lumabas na si Adamas sa kotse. Ilang minuto muna siyang nanatiling nakatitig sa kotse at sa tahimik at madilim na kalsada. Ang malamig na hanging dumidikit sa kaniyang balat at ang ingay na nalilikha ng mga tangkay ng kahoy sa gilid ng daan ang nagsilbing awit sa nalilito niyang puso.

"Why was your last apology directed to me?"

As someone gifted with the ability to see the colors of emotion, Adamas saw clearly how the guy felt. When Asnael first saw him, his color became a subtle orange--a light one to represent surprise--which immediately turned into a dark green. A color of agony and regrets.

Why? He also once saw the subtle orange from Aivan.

Handa na siyang umalis ngunit napatigil siya nang may maramdamang aura. Napaangat ang kaniyang tingin dahil sa pigura na biglang nagpakita at tumuntong sa kotse.

Nagulat siya ngunit kaagad ding napangiti.

"Zaratras!" bati niya sa kaniyang kapatid. Balot na balot ang buo nitong katawan at ang tanging mata lang nito ang makikita.

"Adamas, what are you doing?" Hindi maganda ang tono ng boses nito. "I've heard from the villains that you're trying to avenge our author's death."

"It's true. What's wrong with that?"

"Stop what you're doing." Tumalikod ito sa kaniya. "It was never a part of your character to kill the people who pushed her to death. You might not be able to return to Fictosa if you continue doing that."

"I don't care. And I don't think I will allow myself to return without doing anything for her." He clenched his fist. "I can't live again in Fictosa without giving her any justice!"

"You're not giving her any justice. She's dead, Adam. And killing those people who hurt her won't change anything. Whether you avenge her or not, she will never know." Matapos nitong binitiwan ang mga salita ay nawala na si Zaratras.

Nagsimula na rin siyang maglakad paalis. It wasn't because he wanted Noa to know of his vengeance, but because he wanted to level the line of fairness. He wanted to extinguish the people who hurt her and never live this life anymore. He wanted them to be gone just like what they did to Noa. And that was what fairness meant to him.

What they did to her should be done to them as well.

And the strong urge to do that could never be forgotten easily just because of Zaratras' words. He would stand on what he believed.

Napagdesisyunan niya nang umuwi habang iniisip pa rin ang nangyari kanina. Ang mga nakita niyang emosyon ay nanatili sa kaniyang utak. Nais niyang mahanap ang rason kung bakit naging ganoon na lang ang emosyon nila nang makita siya.

Umakyat siya sa second floor ng apartment building at nagtungo sa room number ni Logan. Kakatok na sana siya subalit nakaawang ang pinto. Handa na siyang pumasok sa loob ngunit nakarinig siya ng boses.

"Magpapadala nga ako next week. Kakabigay ko lang sa inyo ng suweldo ko no'ng nakaraan tapos nang hihingi na naman kayo."

Narinig niya ang boses ni Logan sa loob. Sumilip siya sa pinto at may kausap ito sa phone. Hindi niya marinig ang boses sa kausap pero dahil sa emosyong pinapakita ni Logan, alam niyang hindi ito maganda.