The Orphic Secret

Chapter 39

MOON

I immediately moved towards her and launched a massive ball of energy.

"No! Four!" sigaw ni Adara. Natigilan naman ako at napatingin sa kaniya. She was lying on the floor, while her waist bled. Mabigat naman ang paghinga ko habang tinitingnan siyang umiiling sa'kin. She looked at me with such pleading eyes.

Hinawakan din ni Zero ang kamay ko para pigilan ako sa pang-aatake. "She's kept your brother hostage. One wrong move from us, she might kill him," he whispered.

Napamura naman ako sa loob ng isipan ko. Heartless monster. If I took her son as hostage, magiging walang kwenta dahil wala naman siya ng pakialam. I gritted my teeth in anger.

Her eyes drifted to the orb in my hand, then she smirked. "The orb in exchange of your brother's life," aniya. Natigilan naman ako dahil d'on.

If I give her the orb, then she won't be killed. Walang hiya, napakatalino. Pero mas matalino ako.

"How can I guarantee my brother's safety if I really give the orb?" tanong ko. "I can never trust you. Villains play dirty." Totoo naman ang sinabi ko, but can't heroes play dirty too?

She smiled sweetly, "I will return him to his lover, Adara." Lumingon siya kay Adara kaya't napalingon na rin ako. She crawled weakly towards us. Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata, at umiling. She must not go near us anymore. She's too weak, and one blast of power may knock her up more.

"I still don't trust you," sabi ko. "How about you give me my brother first before I hand you the orb?"

Natawa naman siya lalo, "I don't trust you too, Four."

"E'di walang mangyayari sa'tin kung gan'yan. Ayaw pa mo," singhal ko. "How about we make them go back to Haven? With the others? Mas makakampante ako r'on."

"What are you thinking, Four?" tanong ni Zero sa utak ko. Hindi ko naman siya tiningnan ngunit sumagot ako.

"I'm afraid na mas madadamay sila kapag nanatili sila rito. They're most safe if they have someone that can protect them. We both can't do that."

Callista nodded, "Then you teleport them back after giving me—"

"No, unless the telportation process is a close to complete, tsaka lang ibibigay ni Zero sa'yo ang orb," diretsong wika ko at pinaikot-ikot ang orb sa kamay ko.

Nawala naman ang ngiti sa labi niya. Nanliit pa ang mata niya na tila nagdududa sa sinabi ko. Ako naman ang ngumiti ngayon, "Is it a deal?"

"You don't seem anxious. If you plan anything wrong, your brother's neck will be slit ope—"

"Subukan mo lang," banta ko gamit ang pinakamalamig na boses na kaya ko. Her sword pressed into Nine's neck, and blood dripped from it. Pinigilan ko naman ang sarili ko sa pag-aatake sa kaniya.

Sinipa niya ang katawan ni Kuya sa sahig. Napasinghap naman ako, at tumingala ako para mai-kalma ang sarili ko. Napairap ako sa kawalan, at hinampas kay Zero ang orb.

"Give it to her when I say so," utos ko.

"Are you sure about this, Four?"

"My decisions may seem selfish, but trust me, it's always for the best."

Sa wakas ay tumango siya at lumapit kay Callista. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin, "A deal is a deal."

Tinapat ko ang kamay ko kay Kuya Nine, at ang isa'y kay Adara. I took my time moving their bodies back to the Haven. I just hope someone finds them immediately. Pinikit ko pa ang mata ko para mas ma-imagine ang Haven.