The Lost Prodigy

51. Parted

When I got a hold of my spiritus energy, I let a blazing and unyielding fire envelop my body. Mabilis na tinupok ng apoy ang mga baging na nakapit sa akin. I was about to help Zara with my flame but I heaved a sigh of relief instead when I saw that she already freed herself. Humakbang din ako palapit sa kakampi ko pagkatapos.

Napahinga ako ng malalim. I think I’ve consumed a lot of my reserve. Sa kapal ba naman ng mga nakapulupot sa akin.

“You’re really something, bitch,” komento sa akin ni Freyah habang nakapamaywang. I took her in and saw that she was wearing a battle armor. Pero hindi iyon kagaya ng baluti ng isang ordinaryong kabalyero ng Crimson Empire. Her armor looked regal, more sophisticated, and lightweight. Ganoon din ang suot ng lalaking nasa kanyang likuran. White fur was also encircling Freyah’s strong shoulders.

Who are they? Basing from what I was seeing, they looked like higher knights.

“What are the Imperial Mercenaries doing here?” Zara whispered but I heard her clearly. Nanlamig naman ang aking mga palad dahil sa narinig. They are assassins. If the Crimson Knights were already that bad, these two seemed to be worse than them.

Napaatras naman ako ng kaunti nang biglang gumalaw ang dalawang halimaw. The guy who was with Freyah raised his hand and the creatures seemed to recoil from the power he emitted.

Napadako naman ang tingin ko sa armas ng lalaki. He was holding a staff made of silver steel. A combination of black and green smoke was coming out of the obsidian diamond located on top of his weapon.

I remembered what Ella told me once. That a wand or staff changes form when the witch or wizard using it becomes stronger. I gulped down a lot of air to ease myself. Malayo na ang anyo ng staff ng lalaki noong una ko siyang nakita sa Forestia. And by the looks of it, his staff was on par with Chief Zero’s. He wouldn’t be an easy opponent.

I was continuously fending the creeping vines off with fire when I heard the wizard spoke.

“She’s a Channel. I was right back then, on that floating island. Siya ang matagal na nating hinahanap,” rinig kong malamig na sabi ng lalaki sa kanyang kasama. Freyah gave him a bewildered gaze afterwards.

Napatawa naman ang huli nang makabawi ito sa pagkagitla. Naramdaman ko naman ang paglapit ni Zara sa akin. Seryoso lang akong napatitig sa aming mga kalaban para itago ang aking kaba. Why were they looking for me? At ano ang pinaplano nila?

“If she’s what you think she is, I’ll test her first. The empress won’t mind if we deliver this bitch to her with lost body parts, right?”

Nanigas na ako sa aking kinatatayuan. Whatever the empire is planning, it won’t be good. At hindi ko hahayaang gamitin nila ako sa kung ano man ang binabalak nila.

The wizard just shrugged at what the girl with a ruby-colored hair said. “Just don’t kill her.”

Freyah licked her lips as she studied me and Zara who was now guarding my front. Danger and bloodlust was dancing in her eyes.

“Don’t worry, Maddox. I’m just going to hurt her a lot.”

Tumakbo na si Freyah papunta sa amin habang iwinasiwas ang kanyang latigo. Sa kanyang kabilang kamay ay may namuong malaking bola ng asido.

“If you had stayed in the Frontier, we won’t be faced with this situation,” panenermon sa akin ni Zara habang hawak na ang kanyang espada at panangga. Guilt was now consuming me. Gusto ko lang talagang tumulong kaya ako pumasok dito.

“Yes, it’s my fault. Pero kung wala ako rito, sino ang tutulong sa iyo para matalo ang dalawang iyon?”

Isang naghahamong tingin ang ibinigay sa akin ni Zara. “You’re underestimating me, bitch.” She answered. I can know see her performing a defensive stance.

“Hindi mo na kailangang itanggi. We need each other the most right now.”

Napabuga na lang ng hangin ang kausap ko. “This is awkard. I almost killed you one time and I’m now fighting by your side. I never expected this to happen. ”

“The feeling is mutual, bitch,” sagot ko kay Zara at nagulat ako nang suklian niya ako ng ngiti. It was almost like a shy grin but atleast Zara’s improving. Ngumiti rin ako sa kanya pabalik at naghanda na sa mangyayaring sagupaan.

Umusok ang panangga ni Zara nang iharang niya ito sa paparating na latigo ng aming kalaban. Hindi namin napansin na nababalutan iyon ng asido kaya natunaw ang shield na hawak ng kasama ko. I was surprised when a faint blue light appeared before Zara.