Masked Glamour

Chapter Seven

Ferula

I spent the next days working in the shop. When weekends came, Mystia invited me to spent the days with them. She toured me in some popular shops in Rosewood too. I also got myself some new set of clothes and books to read.

I stood in front of my mirror and clipped my green butterfly clip on my hair. Matapos iayos ang aking buhok ay naupo ako sa gilid ng aking higaan para isuot ang aking sapatos.

A silver anklet with a half moon shape pendant dangled on my ankle. It was beautifu and look just like the one I lost. Though, it was different. It was just a replica I got myself from the jewelry shop we visited.

Tinungo ko ang aking maliit na salas saka kinuha sa ibabaw ng mesa ang listahan na ginawa ko kanina para sa mga bibilhin ko sa bayan. Isinuksok ko iyon sa bulsa ng suot kong  pantalon saka dumeritso na sa labas.

Agad akong napahinto matapos isara ang pintuan ng sumalubong sa akin ang pamilyar na asul na ibon. Paikot siyang lumipad sa akin bago tuluyang dumapo sa aking balikat. Kumunot ang aking noo sa muli niyang pagbalik dito. Ibinuka ko ang aking palad at agad namang lumipat siya roon.

“Sybil,” I muttered the bird's name.

It chirped and opened it's wings. My mouth hanged opened when I finally understood its words it made through chriping. I can understand and talk to birds.

“T-Totoo?” I asked in disbelief. I almost cried with so much happiness that is filling my heart. The bird chirped again. “Kung ganoon, samahan mo ako kung saan mo nakita ang anklet ko, Sybil.”

Lumipad siya paalis sa aking palad. Nakangiti ko siyang sinundan. Ang balak kong pagpunta sa bayan ay pinagpaliban ko na muna. Mamaya na lang kapag nakuha ko na ulit ang aking anklet.

“Hey! Slow down!” I laughed and stopped on my track. Sybil fly so fast. “I am just walking!” Bumalik naman ang ibon at dumapo sa aking balikat. Sybil's beak touched the side of my head. I smiled.

In no time, we reached the place. I froze when I realized that I am again standing infront of the beast's cave. Lumipad ang ibon papasok sa kweba. Dumapo ito sa lupa sa paanan ng kweba saka bumaling sa akin ang ulo. Gumalaw iyon na tila hinihikayat akong pumanta na roon. Muli siyang lumipad ng hindi ako gumalaw sa aking kinatatayuan.

The bird settled on top of my right shoulder and let out a series of chirping souds. “A-Are you sure? But the beast...”

My eyes opened wide when something crossed my mind. “Si Mr. Kryion!” I exclaimed. “He told me he lived inside that cave. Maybe he could help us find my necklace.”

Palaisipan pa rin sa akin kung bakit siya nakatira sa kweba. Pero hindi naman na ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na makapagtanong sa kanya noong huli naming pagkikita. I walked inside the cave without any second thoughts. Is it possible that he might knew the beast?

I rubbed my arms when I walked deeper inside the cave. It wasn't dark inside because of the torch attched on the cave's wall.

I stopped on my track and cleared my throat. “Mr. Kryion?” I tried to call the man's name. My voice echoed inside the cave. Funny how I can't feel any fear while I am inside the cave. “Mr. Kryion?” I called again but I was only answered by the echo of my own voice.

I spun around only to be forcefully shoved backwards. Lumagapak ako sa lupa at doon ko naramdaman ang pagtama ng aking likuran sa matigas na bagay.

I grunted in so much pain as tears started to form in both corners of my eyes. I gasped the moment I realized who did that to me. Its golden eyes looked at me with ferocity.

He released a threatening growl. I tried my best to crawl away from him. My back and bottom hurts so much.

“I... I...” I only stuttered when I tried to uttered a words shrieked when fire came out of his mouth. Oh god! I'm going to die!

Another dangerous growl erupted from his chest. Every steps he made towards me feels like sucking the air out of my system. I couldn't move. I couldn't even think. Too much fear and shock immobilized my mind. I just closed my eyes and wait for what will happen next.

“Azarious!”

My eyes automatically opened when I heard the familliar voice of Mr. Kryion. He stood in the entrace of the cave. He surveyed the whole place and when his eyes landed on me, I saw him gasped and immediately walked towards my direction.

Though, the beast in front of me growled at him which made him stopped on his track but just for a short time. I was bewildered when he did not seem to mind the beast and continued to come near me.

Mr. Kryion stood in front of me facing the beast like he wasn't afraid to the beast. Too many questions swirled inside my head. “What do you think are you doing?!” He snapped to the beast.

The beast growled again and took another step forward. Ngunit hindi man lang gumalaw si Mr. Kryion at nanatili pa rin sa pagkakatayo.

“Stay away, Kryion! I will kill that intruder!” The beast roared. I flinched in terror.

“Stop this nonsense, Aleron. I know this lady you are threatening!”

The beast growl harshly again. He gazed at me with his murderous golden eyes. Tears streamed down my face as the pain in my back getting worst. The beast did not withdraw his murderous look on me for a couple of seconds until his gazed turned to Mr. Kryion.

Mr. Kryion sighed and motioned his hand to the beast. “Get inside, Azarious,” he calmly told him. The beast grumbled before stepping backwards. He shot me another feral look before walking deeper inside the cave.

I watched his back while he's walking. I could see him harshly blowing out fire with every steps he made. Mr. Kryion finally faced me. He kneeled in front of me and watched me grunting in pain.

“You shouldn't be here, mademoiselle. Azarious can kill you.” I watched his eyes studied my state then he signed afterwards.

“I-I am just looking for something. I-I thought you were here so I could ask for your help,” I told him. His forehead creased.

“What is it that you have to risked your life here in the beast's territory?”

“My anklet. A trusted friend told me that it is here in the cave. I'd been looking for that for weeks. I did not notice I lost that the first time I was here.”

“Nagpunta ka na dito noon?” aniya na kunot pa rin ang noo. Tumango naman ako.

“Sumilong lang ako dahil naabutan ako ng ulan.” I whimpered in pain. I could feel my eyes drooping. “I met the beast that time too,” I told him with my faint voice. I heaved a heavy sigh. I tried to keep my eyes open but I failed.

The last thing I heard was Mr. Kryion's voice calling me before darkness completely embraced my whole system.