Mallory (ON-GOING)

Ika Dalawampu't Isang Kabanata

Nasha's POV

"All Clear."

Narinig ko ang boses ni Kyle sa isip ko.

"Okay. Come back here." Sagot ko sa kanya.

Nilabas ko ang ilang tinapay at cup noodles na nasa bag ko.

"Ugh.. Argh.."

Napatayo ako nang marinig ko ang ungol ni Kyle.

Napalingon ako sa paligid.

"What? What is it?" I felt a loud thumb in my chest na naging dahilan upang mapaupo ako hawak ang naninikip na dibdib ko.

Kuya held my hand.

"What is it Nash?" Tanong niya.

"Si Kyle.. Kuya.." I manage to answer kahit na nahihirapan akong huminga.

Something is wrong with Kyle. I close my eyes trying to ease the pain.

"Come to your senses. This is an illusion Nasha. Wake up. Wake up and get Kyle. They are everywhere. I need to stay asleep for you to be safe. But I'm always here. Listening and watching you.."

Napamulat ako nang marinig ko ang boses ni Asha. She's here. She's still here.

But, what did she mean by we are under an illusion?

Napatayo ako at muling lumingon sa paligid.

"What happen? Are you okay?" Tanong ni Anya sa akin.

Lumapit silang lahat sa akin.

"Anong hinahanap mo?" Tanong ni Jack.

"Yung may gawa nito." Sagot ko.

I smirk when I saw that person doing an illusion not far from where we are.

Asha is right. But who are they?

"Release." Pinakawalan ko ang ilan sa kapangyarihan ko upang mapawalang bisa ang ilusyon.

"What is happening?" Rinig kong tanong ni Zeo.

"We are surrounded." Bulong ko.

Nang sabihin ko iyon ay napatingin din sila sa paligid.

"Lower your guard. They can't harm us. They are outnumbered. But, they are witches who can manipulate your minds." Sabi ko.

"Contrarium."

Nang sabihin ko iyon nakarinig kami ng pagbasag ng kung ano.

I looked around.

There are no trees or anything in the area.

"The mountain, is gone." Narinig kong sinabi ni Anya.

She's right. The mountain is gone. Wala ng nakatayong puno at tuyo na ang mga lupa.

Kung ganon bago pa kami makapasok sa gubat ay napasailalim na kami sa ilusyon?

How stupid of me? Hindi ko man lang napansin.

Lalapit na sana ako nang makita kong naka lambat si Kyle but Kuya hold my hand.

"Take it easy. They are the Igor." Sabi niya.

"Igor?" Kunot noong tanong ni Jack.

"I've met them multiple times. They are bandits who steal goods and antiques." Mahinang sabi ni Kuya.

"Look who we have here. They are from the Etheria Academy." One man walk towards us.

May patch ang kaliwang mata niya at medyo weird ang suot niyang damit.