Curse of the Fallen Deity (Zarsothian Tales #1 | Volume 1 & 2)

Chapter 34: A Bloody Encounter

Trigger Warning: This chapter contains graphic violence and too much blood. You are free to skip this part.

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THREE days have passed since the last time I talked to Carwell. Tatlong araw na ang nakalipas simula noong nalaman ko ang tungkol kay Milka. I still have questions, pero sa tingin ko'y wala nang isa sa kanila ang makakasagot no'n. They all think that she's dead. They saw her dead.

Sa loob ng tatlong araw, pilit akong iniiwasan ni Carwell. Sa tuwing nag-uumagahan, palagi siyang nauuna o kaya'y nagpapahuli. He can't even look at me, at least. Tanging sina Shaye lang ang pumapansin sa 'kin dahil palagi namang wala si Genesis at may galit sa 'kin ang dalawang Jiro at Snow. It made my days utterly peaceful.

And right now, we're on our way to the palace, together with Rhysan, Shaye, and Estelle. Ewan ko ba pero simula noong ipinagpalit ko ang kalayaan ko para sa antidote nila, do'n na rin nagsimulang dumikit ang mga 'to sa 'kin, lalong lalo na si Estelle.

They're too naive. They never even thought that I could use that against them.

Lumabas na kami ng gate dala ang envelope na pinapabigay ni Boris sa hari. He could've just ask his assistant to bring this to the palace but he insisted that we should do the honour. And yes, he called it an honour and I call it a nightmare.

Nahagip ng mata ko si Demi na nakatingin sa 'min. Ilang segundo kaming nagtitigan at ako na ang unang umiwas dahil sumakay na kami ng karwahe. And the giant gate closed as the chariot moved.

Katabi ko si Shaye at katapat namin sina Rhysan and Estelle. The initial plan was to stroll around the Central, however Boris interrupted. Kaya ngayon ay wala na kaming choice.

"Ang killjoy talaga ni Headmaster," pambasag ni Estelle sa katahimikan. "Alam niyang mag-gi-girls hangout tayo e'."

"Such a dick," komento ko. Napalingon silang lahat sa 'kin. I raised my left eyebrow. "What?"

Shaye clung her arms to mine and leaned her head on my shoulder. "Ang sweet mo talaga magsalita, Ara. Kaya love kita e!"

Napairap ako at nilayo ang ulo niya sa aking balikat gamit ang aking hintuturo. "Gross."

She pouted. Tinawanan na lamang siya ng iba at muli na naman silang nagkwentuhan. While me, I kept silent and start observing the surroundings.

Halos kalahating oras ang lumipas at sa wakas ay nasa harap na kami ng palasyo. The same exact spot where we stopped the very first time I stepped foot in this place.

"Come on," ani Rhysan at nauna nang maglakad. Sumunod kami sa kaniya.

We showed our badges to the guards, symbolizing our rank and our position as an Arcane. Agad naman kaming pinapasok ng mga ito.

Another guard accompanied us as we marched inside. We entered the Great Hall with its usual high engraved ceiling and lavish chandeliers. Sakto naman na pagpasok namin ay siya ring pagpasok ng hari mula sa kabilang dulo ng hall.

"Arcanes!" he greeted, his arms wide open in the air. "Good thing Boris granted my request."

Napairap na lamang ako sa kawalan. Hindi na ako nagulat na siya na naman ang may pakana nito. Boris might be a Supreme like me but he's powerless when against the king.

"Your highness." Yumuko ang tatlong kasama ko maliban sa 'kin.

The king signalled them to stand up, which they obliged. Binigay naman agad ni Rhysan ang envelope. "Hindi na rin po kami magtatagal, your highness. May ibang lakad pa ho kami," magalang niyang sabi.