It was twilight. The sky was in its darkest state. Without the stars, the crescent moon was the only source of light but a passing dark cloud concealed its luminescence completely.
The surroundings were dreadfully silent as if the world was waiting for something noxious to happen. Gone were the occasional whistling of the wind and usual chirping of crickets hidden in the shadows.
But the crunching sound of dried leaves being stepped on finally disrupted the eerie stillness.
Makikita ang paglabas ng isang babae mula sa likurang bahagi ng isang puno. Through her heightened senses, she carefully assessed her surroundings before slipping inside an open chamber.
Nakahinga ng maluwag ang babae nang ligtas siyang makapasok sa kastilyo. The hall she entered in was grand but she didn't let the sight distract her. She went to this place because of a gut feeling.
Nagmatyag muna siya bago niya napagpasyahang umakyat sa ikalawang palapag. Hindi niya alam kung bakit siya pumupuslit dito ngayon pero may tumulak sa kanya para gawin ito. May kutob siya na may mangyayaring masama sa hinaharap.
Sa kanyang paglalakad ay may naramdaman siyang hindi pangkaraniwan. Everything seemed so peaceful, but in a bad way. Just like the calm before a storm.
Napahinto ang babae sa paglalakad nang biglang may pumasok na malamig na hangin mula sa nakabukas na balkonahe. Tinangay nito ang kanyang kapa at buti na lang ay nahabol niya ito bago ito makalabas ng bintana. Pero natigilan siya nang makita niya kung ano ang nasa ibaba.
Four battalions composed of deadly knights cloaked in deep red, listening to the instructions of their High Commander.
"The Crimson Legion," she breathlessly whispered to herself as fear slowly found its way to her heart.
"The empress is brewing new plans. She's preparing for something big."
Napalingon ang babae sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Nagtaka siya kung bakit hindi niya naramdaman ang presensya nito kahit malakas ang kanyang pandama.
"Many had already perished in her reign, Callum. Bakit wala kayong ginagawa para pigilan ang karahasang ito? Bakit pinili niyo pa ring magbulag-bulagan at sumunod sa kanya?" Tanong ng babae nang makita niya sa kanyang likuran ang lalaking minsan niyang itinuring na kaibigan. Nakasandal ito habang nakapamulsa pa.
He looked tired with dark circles under both of his eyes. The man's shoulders were hunched as if he was bearing an invisible weight that had been wearing him down for a while.
"We cannot do anything right now. We are just puppets in this world, Avery."
"You're just afraid to fight for what you believe in."
Hindi na hinintay ng babae ang isasagot ng lalaki at mabilis na tumakbo paalis doon. Her strides were fast yet lithe. She wants to leave the castle as quickly she can because she felt so ashamed of herself. She's helpless.
Nang tuluyan na siyang makalabas sa kastilyo ay tumingala siya sa madilim na kalangitan. Kahit hindi niya alam kung may patutunguhan pa ba ang labang ito ay hindi niya hinayaang matibag ang kanyang pananalig. Dahil noong una pa lang ay naniniwala na siya. Na may pag-asa pa.
"Please guide me. Lux," bulong niya bago umapak sa loob ng kakahuyan kung saan siya nanggaling.
And as she blended once again with the shadows of the night, her eyes missed a flicker.
Of a flickering star emerging from the void.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Lost Prodigy
FantasyGrowing up in fear of the wicked empire overruling the entire continent, Blaire Everett endures hiding in the arctic southern region with her family. But when an ordinary hunting day ends with a bloody dusk, she knows that her nightmare has come to...
