Shattered Souls

Chapter 33

Chapter 33: The Dagger

His tremendous presence was enough reason for us not to underestimate his ability. He was once the leader of Vienzara Clan, probably stronger than the current leader and father of Yngritt Vienzara.

"Lord Viero? So technically, kakampi natin siya?" asked by Albina. "Vienzara Clan is one of us now, Lord Viero! Come on. Pag-aawayan pa ba natin 'to? Join us, too!"

"Hush, Albina." Siniko ko ang babaeng katabi. "He's no longer part of Vienzara Clan. He is a retired leader and now an elder. That means... he's close to The Five Cloaks. He's our enemy."

"No. Hindi natin siya kakayanin kahit na magsama-sama tayong tatlo," bakas ang pagkabahala sa tinig ni Erikson. "Holy shit. He is just one of the many."

Lord Viero halted his horse just a few meters from us. Behind the shadow of the hood of his cape was two pair of flashing bloody eyes staring straight at us.

"Who among you is Astra?" Even his baritone voice was intimidating.

Humigpit ang kapit ko sa braso ni Erikson.

"Crush ka yata, Astra," bulong ni Albina.

Napasinghap ako nang dumiretso sa akin ang tingin ni Lord Viero. "You are outnumbered. My co-elders have arrived here, too and now fighting with your allies. It's not too late to give up now."

"No! Hindi ako makakapayag." Humakbang paabante si Albina. "Nag-umpisa na rin kami, kailangan na lang naming tapusin. Sayang ang free beauty treatment ko."

"Albina!" Napasigaw ako nang makitang lumutang sa ere si Albina at hindi makagalaw. Lumabas ang dalawang manggagamot sa likod ni Lord Viero. Sila ang may hawak kay Albina.

"Hindi kayo kailanman mananalo laban sa kanila," madiin na banggit ni Pinunong Viero. "Ngayon pa nga lang ay halos magapi na kayo. Give it up now before even The Cloaks have arrived here."

Albina might be suffocated but she managed to scream, "Not even in Mars!"

"Stop!" Erikson prepared to attack when the witches clutched their hands even more which caused Albina to vomit blood. "What the fuck, witches? As long as I remember you have no rights to interfere with vampires' business. Drop her now!"

"No," one of the two witches responsed. "We have united with them. Iisa lang naman ang layunin namin. Iyon ay ang mapabagsak ang nagpasiklab ng digmaan na ito."

"Walang kinalaman si Albina sa inyo!" Erikson tried to negotiate. "I am friend with Brixton!"

"Erikson!" I warned him but he ignored me.

"Kung may dapat man kayong pagbuntungan ng galit maliban kay Brix, ako 'yon." Dahan-dahan na inalis niya ang pagkakahawak ko sa kanyang balikat. "Take me instead."

"E-Erikson..."

"You are no hero, Mr. Nadija!" Muling nagsuka ng dugo si Albina. "Stop this bullshit. Itakas mo na lang si Astra!"

"Shut up, Miss Montereal. I can't just leave you here."

Nagawa pang tumawa ni Albina sa kabila ng paghihirap. "Crush mo ako 'no? Kaya hindi mo ako magawang iwan?"

"Bitiwan niyo na siya!" Humakbang pasulong si Erikson. "Ako ang kalabanin ninyo."

"Mr. Nadija! Are you out of your mind? Kapag napahamak ka, mapapahamak din si Astra!"

"Stop blubbering. I can take you both," said by the witch.

"Stop!" Napasigaw ako nang makitang maging si Erikson ay lumutang sa era. Mabilis kong kinuha ang aking mga palaso at tinutok ito sa mga manggagamot. "Bring them down."