The Lost Orb [Volume 2/4]

Chapter 20: Case Disclosure

MY CONVICTION of reality that everything before was nothing but a strife-free life, a carefree and quietude of thoughts, free from those questions, were all a facade - or perhaps a mere reckoning in avoidance of having to concede to what might be the reality or not, a build up of lies, and nothing but a denial of the worst situation.

Perhaps I understand now that his masked intentions were purely for good.

'You're the haunted one'

I've seen a long way heading to nowhere. And seemed to lead me to only one, distant route.

Nakaharang sa harapan ko ang isang babae roon. Tumitig ako sa matalas niyang tingin. The enigmatic woman before, who's been haunting me from the beginning, was standing in front of me, mirroring my position. Her eyes were a color of amethyst, a deep, velvety purple glinting in the darkness.

The place was all hazy and all, monochrome, and dull as it is. But her eyes remained vivid and steady.

Nakakatakot, nakakakilabot ang presensiya nito. Gusto kong umalis mula sa lugar na 'yon ngunit hindi ko rin naman magawang igalaw ang katawan ko. Tila naestatwa ito.

I've never wished to be greeted by danger itself once I regain my memories. But here it is. My old nightmare, a cunning companion in the darkness, the one who is accountable for inflicting suffering on me before.

She's here again.

Hindi ko alam kung anong gusto niyang makuha, but my gut is saying to not let her out of this realm, to restrain her, and not let her overpower my being.

Nanatili siyang nakatayo roon, na animo'y isang estatwa na walang buhay ngunit nakakasindak ng buong pagkatao sa oras na itanim mo ang iyong tingin dito. The sky was deprived of stars or even a moon that could lift the imminent danger sheathing us from reality. The profound darkness blanketed us with its obscurity, and nothing but elevated trunk of trees towering beyond us has accompanied the emptied surroundings.

Madalas ko siyang makita sa panaginip ko sa ganitong estado.

Harmless and immobilized. But it was mind-tormenting. As though she's consuming something off of me.

How come they were aware about this thing?

There is only one possible answer kung paano nalaman ng S-Class ang sitwasyon ko.

Tristan.

I would have died long ago if he hadn't been around at that time.

Perhaps.

ALLISA'S POV

I STOOD AT THE edge of Arozel's Castle, glazing at the lower chambers of the institution. The cobbled path below were drenched with water as the rain continued to descend from the sky, the rhythm caused by the falling droplets drummed on the objects below. To the roofs, paths, and street lanterns.