Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 71

"Ugh.. ang sakit ng ulo ko." saad ni Asta habang siya'y papalabas ng nautical bridge. She looked around and saw that the boat is no longer moving. There's a small cliff beside the boat at mukhang dito muna nila iiwanan ang barko upang hindi ito masyadong makita.

"Ah Asta! Pwedeng patulong sa pagbitbit ng bigas? Kakain muna tayo bago tayo umalis." saad ni Shane habang may dala-dala itong mga rekado. Naglakad na ito paalis patungo sa kusina.

Asta sighed and scratched the back of her head as she close her eyes, "Ang aga-aga namang trabaho oh.."

But her eyes flew open when she suddenly heard a loud thud. As if something fell from above. Pagmulat ng kaniyang mga mata ay nakita niya ang isang taong may hawak na isang club. Ang kasuotan nito ay gawa sa balahibo ng hayop at may suot itong malaking ngisi. Asta immediately knew what the man is. She immediately shouted to warn the others, "There's a--!!" ngunit bigla na lamang may humampas ng malakas sa kaniyang ulo mula sa likod dahilan para siya'y mahilo at mawalan ng malay.

Shane screamed when some man suddenly grabbed him and put him on his shoulder. Nagpumiglas naman siya dahil sa gulat at takot. Mabilis niyang pinagsususuntok ang likod nito, "Bitawan mo 'ko! Hoy! Sino ka ba?! Isusumbong kita kay Zai! Tulong!"

The man clicked his tongue, "Lintek, ang ingay ng isang 'to."

Akmang sisigaw muli si Shane ngunit bigla na lamang siyang ibinaba at mabilis na sinikmuraan. Dahilan para siya'y mawalan din ng ulirat.

Trois and the others just raised their hands, indicating that they're willing to come with them. Itinali ng mga ito ang kanilang mga kamay at tinulak pababa ng barko. One even pushed Claysen again, causing for his body to land on the rocky surface. Ero clicked his tongue, "You don't have to be rough on the kid! Bata lang 'yan!"

The man only smirked, "Mga trespassers pa rin kayo. Lupa namin 'to at wala kayong magagawa kundi ang sumunod sa amin kung gusto niyo pang tumagal."

Claysen just gritted his teeth and stood up on his own, "Ayos lang ako."

Ganon ang kanilang sitwasyon noong bigla na lamang dumating si Zai. Nakatayo ang dalaga sa medyo may kataasang talampas. They all felt her big presence and when they looked up to her, their eyes widen when they saw two sharp pair of eyes looking down at them. Ang mga hindi kilalang tao ay saglit na natigilan sa malamig na presensya nito.

One man snapped back and gritted his teeth. He then pulled Rui and pointed a dagger at his neck, "Bumaba ka rito!"

The girl's expression didn't change. Nanlaki na lamang ang mga mata ng lalaki at siya'y bahagyang napaatras noong bigla na lamang lumitaw ang babae sa kaniyang harapan. Zai clicked her tongue, "You're gonna tie my hands or what?" she said and showed her closed hands.

They were confused pero tinali na rin nila ang kamay nito. They began to walk away as they point their weapons at Zai and the others. Pumasok sila sa gubat at naglakad patungo sa kapitolyo ng bansang ito.

As they walk in silence, Zai glanced at the men who's escorting them. She immediately knew that they're the type of fighters who relies on their animal instincts. She could feel their little beasty presence. She smirked. The citizens of Northernium and the citizens of Southernia are quite similar. Almost all of their citizens know how to fight but Southernia is different. They're natural beasts.

Sinbad and the others looked around. Malalaki ang mga puno at halatang ilang siglo na rin ang mga itong nakatayo. Ilang saglit lamang ay nakarinig na sila ng mga ingay. Bonzo toot a whistle when they saw a village. Unlike the other countries, their houses are built on the large trees. On the trunks or on the top. They're also organized. Patag din ang daan na kanilang nilalakaran.