After Light: Journey To The Empyrean (Agnes, Book One)

Chapter 11

"Ang ganda niya."

Boses ni Ophelia ang nagpagising ng aking diwa but I still close my eyes though I am already wide awake. Hindi ko na alam kong paano at sino ang nakakita sa akin sa gubat.
All I remember is his golden eyes like a shimmering night sky and his cold lips press into mine. My heart pounded faster as I remember that scene, but why do I feel the same when I am with Larco?

Larco is a full-blooded human. I know it. I was already in my teens when his mother died after giving birth to him. I saw Larco grow up under the council's care, so whatever I am thinking about him being a vampire is pure nonsense.

Nang marinig ko ang ilang hakbang paalis ng kwarto ay naisipan ko na ring bumangon. Unang bumungad sa akin ang isang puting kwarto na sa tantya ko ay infirmary ng lugar na ito. I feel different waking up today na parang hindi ako dumaan sa isang nakakamatay na laban. I felt extra energized which is so unusual.

Cold wind blew in the open window of the room. Then it hit me, why I feel so different. Nakaturok sa aking braso ang isang karayom na nakasaksak sa isang bag ng dugo na ikinabit sa stand. I don't need to ask for tk anybody, I know what kind of blood this is. It is from a human, and it's bad omen. Kasabay nang pagbunot ko ng karayom ay pagpasok ng ilang naka unipormeng lalaki habang huling pumasok ang isang babae na may edad na base sa kanyang mukha at pangangatawan. Though age doesn't define how great this woman is in terms of  governance and combat.

"Orellis of Cohen."

I look at her hand as she extended them into mine. I didn't bother to accept it. I am not very good at trusting strangers. They can either use you, or hurt you or even kill you. Their choice.

"Agnes of Vilmore."

I said and went out of my bed. The open windows welcome me as the cold wind blew behind the huge curtains. I look at the walled city of Cohen. Mas maganda siya pag nasa mas malapitan. Hindi katulad nang sa syudad na aking nakagisnan, mas simple lang ang mga kabahayan ng Cohen. I still have doubts if those walls can defend them from any future attacks. Though knowing that it stood still throughout the years, maybe it will. Lumapit si Orellis sa aking gawi at tiningnan ang sariling syudad. She inhale deeply and look at me with her brownish eyes.

"Cohen has always been a peaceful place. Outcast lived here for years without them feeling isolated from the world." she said as she look at her creation.

"Paano mo nasisiguro ang kaligtasan ng nakararami kong hindi mo itinayo ang syudad na ito para sa kanilang kaligtasan kundi para lamang sa kanilang kalayaan sa kamay ng konseho." makabuluhan kong saad sa kanya. I don't understand why she created a place she called for the freedom of the people and not for the people's safety.

She just chuckle at my remark.

"Allow me to open your eyes in the wonders I see." saad niya bago pinitik ang kanyang kamay. Nang binuksan ko ang aking mga mata ay nasa harapan ko ang ilang nagkakasiyahang mga tao. Nasa gilid lamang si Orellis habang nakangiting nakatingin sa akin at sakanila. Bago ako makaalis ay may mga maliit na kamay ang humawak sa akin. I look at the young girl in her ponytail. With her puppy eyes and small red cape she look at me dearly.

"Gusto mong sumayaw ate?" saad niya na may mga inosenteng ngiti sa labi.

Sayaw?

Bago pa ako maka-hindi ay mabilis niya akong hinatak sa gitna ng nagkakasiyahang tao. Bahagyang natigilan ang iba ng makita ako pero walang kahit na anong galit ang makikita sa kanilang mga mata kahit alam nilang isa ako sa mga tao na hawak at galamay ng konseho na siyang tinakasan at iniwanan nila. Bumalik ang sigla ng lahat, may nagsasayawan, nagkakantahan at ang iba ay nakikipalakpak at tawa lamang. Kahit na wala akong alam sa kanilang ginagawa at pilit ko nalang sinunod ang kanilang mga galaw. They seem to enjoy looking at me than listening to the jolly tune of the guitars. The child look at me with pure amusement like she saw a moving doll in front of her eyes.

Nang may isang babae ang humawak sa aking mga kamay at iginaya ako sa pinakagitna. We both jump in place and wave our hands. She's maybe in her teens by the way she looks and dress. I couldn't help myself but laugh by the way she dance. Magkatulad na magkatulad kaming walang talento sa ganitong bagay.

Silent winds whisper in my ears. I turn around and saw a pair of eyes directly to mine. My heart pounded in so much anxiety. How much did he see? Dancing is not for a priestess trained for combat and I know I look terrible. Papaalis na sana ako nang may humapit bigla sa aking bewang. I was about to give this somebody a punch when I saw Angus in his grin.

"You look beautiful." Angus whisper.

Bahagyang napakunot ang aking noo. He chuckle and gesture his point finger directly to my dress. Nakakunot parin ang aking noo habang tiningnan ang aking sarili. I gasp when I realize I forgot to wear my usual priestess outfit. Naka puting damit na may spaghetti strap na bahagyang hapit sa aking katawan na abot hanggang talampakan. Habang nakalugay ang aking mahabang buhok na abot hanggang likod.

"Feast your eyes brother. This will be the first and the last time." I heard him chuckle and spin me gently in the rhythm of the music.

"You are not that beautiful to feast on sister but I see someone drooling." saad niya bago ako halikan sa noo at pinakawalan.

Drooling?

Hinanap ko sa aking mga mata ang tiningnan ni Angus bago siya umalis. I found the same pair of eyes watching me closely. For a moment, we created a world in slow motion. Na parang kami lang dalawa ang malayang gumagalaw sa mabagal na pagtakbo ng aming mundo. Everything was perfect until Ophelia went to Larco and give him a piece of bread she bought awhile ago. I never hated or like Ophelia. She was never my friend or my enemy but I know she existed and now I wish she didn't.

I heard someone laugh from behind. It was Angus who is looking at me while talking to Eulises whose laughing also. I raise my brows. Hindi ko alam kong sino ang tinatawanan niya, ako o ang mga sinasabi ni Eulises.

I inhale deeply and went away from the crowd towards Eulises and the others. Kapwa sila naka-damit ng pang syudad pero hindi sila kahit minsan ginawaran ng kakaibang tingin ng mga tao dito. Tanging kasiyahan at malasakit ang binibigay ng mga mamamayan ng Cohen.

"We need to stick to the plan." I immediately said without the flowery words.

Bahagyang silang natigilan at ginawaran ako ng tingin. Bahagyang yumuko sina Verleen, Jay at Demor kasabay bigay sa akin ng aking mga damit. I look at the suit and cape I always wear as the priestess of the city. Ngayon mas pumasok sa aking isipan ang katotohanang kailangan kong mabuhay ng naaayon sa aking nakagawian. The dresses, the people, the singing, the dancing, the care-free life, this feeling. This is not me. I may like it but Vilmore's waiting for me. The people's waiting for me to come back. I have served them all my life and I will never fail to protect them even if it costs my own happiness.

"Jay, call Larco and Ophelia. We need to see Orellis as soon as possible." I said with authority. Mabilis na yumuko si Jay at patakbong lumapit sa gawi nina Ophelia at Larco.

Sabay na kaming naglakad patungo sa pinto ng kastilyo ng Cohen. Now, I think I failed to acknowledge the wonders Orellis wanted me to see. Mas natabunan ito ng mga nakakatakot na imahe nang aking mga tao na naliligo sa sariling dugo dahil sa aking pagiging makasarili.