Discovering Summerland

Chapter 6

The Mirror in the Fortress
June 18, 2196
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LUCIFUGE
Lucifuge Rofocale Gwydion

"Sasabay ka ba sa'kin?" tanong ni Imogen habang nag-aayos ng kaniyang mga gamit sa eskwela. Dahil tinagurian siyang royal knight ko, pinaaral na rin siya upang mas lalo siyang lumakas.

Umiling naman ako habang nakatanaw pa rin sa paligid. Napansin kong paunti nang paunti ang mga paru-paro sa paligid- that only means more people are vanishing. I remember reading an ancient book about butterflies, and how they represent a life of a Celestine. Some excerpts also say that these butterflies are our source of power. Hindi ko nga lang sigurado, ngunit ang alam ko lang, may ibig sabihin ang mga paru-parong ito.

"You're staring at the butterflies again, Lord Lucifuge."

Hindi ko siya tiningnan ngunit bumagsak ang paningin ko sa'king kamay. "Mauna ka na at huwag mong sasabihin na darating ako."

She didn't respond anymore but I heard the click of the door. Naghintay naman ako nang ilang oras o minuto bago tumalon at bumaba mula sa balcony. Sumulyap ako sa paligid upang masiguro na walang nakahuli o nakatingin sa'kin sapagkat hindi nila maaaring malaman ang pinupuntahan ko.

Mahina akong sumipol para muling i-summon si Wechuge. His form this time was a lion. Sakto lang ang laki n'on kaya't makakasakay ako sa likod.

"Wala namang nasa paligid, hindi ba?"

Wechuge shook his head, so I patted it to commend him. Through the years that we've been together, he has gone familiar with my actions too. Sumakay na ako sa likod niya at hindi na kinailangan siyang tapikin 'pagkag alam na niya agad kung s'an pupunta- kung saan kami madalas.

We headed in the farthest that we could be in the forest. The sun moved through the sky and started to fall- but it was only an illusion sent by the enormous trees. It sent slanted light through the surrounding, the rays diffused by the lush greenery, casting a golden glow on my skin.

Bumulong naman ako nang maramdaman kong nakarating na kami sa paroroonan namin.

"Medeis Regno. Stellae de caelo, oculus universum, ostende castellum aestivum."

Hindi ko alam ang ibig sabihin n'yan, ngunit sabi sa isang librong nabasa ko, isa 'yang ancient spell at ginagamit 'to upang makarating sa fortress ng Summer.

And it just so happens that I was the chosen one to witness the fortress. It happened several years ago, and I still had no idea then. I remember reaching this part of the forest, and the fortress opened up to me on its own. D'on ko rin nabasa ang mga libro na hindi ko kailanman nabasa sa library sa kastilyo.

I know I was chosen for a reason.

Finally, the fortress showed up again. Bumaba ako at nawala na si Wechuge. I stepped lightly through the trees, barely able to make way in the dim light for the thick forest canopy closed in. The trees were ancient, tangled creatures, and crowded close together. They were fighting for the scattered rays of sunlight that filtered through the tallest trees.

The air was reeking of damp. Somewhere, I could hear the tinkle of flowing water, a hidden sound amidst the cries and buzz of the forest creatures. I'm sure the sound of the water came from the fall behind.

Hinawi ko ang malaking mga vines at dahon. Finally, I saw the runes. It glowed softly, the colors arranging themselves in a pattern. The rest of the vines moved for me, and it opened up to a cave-like place.