The Lost Orb [PFS #1, The Bearer]

38 "Ripper's Edge"

SASKIA'S POV

MY BALLED-UP fist continued crashing against the brittle doors lining up here in the town of Millacre. Side by side, Tristan was doing the same, checking if any voice of surviving masses was inside their closely built and thatched homes.

But none. No one is answering.

When doors parted, no one was there.

My breath hitched, feet running along the uneven and dispersed cobblestones fixated below, driving me to the next door. Still nothing. I did it once more, and when it opened up with dusted air, my hands involuntarily stretched out to cover my face.

A foul, metallic scent pricked my nostrils as I retreated unsteadily, letting out a cough.

Masangsang. Bahagya akong napaatras. Tumambad sa 'kin ang nakahilata at walang buhay na katawan ng tatlong residente. Loosening my grip from the door's frame, my heavy footsteps demanded me to get away from there.

My gaze stiffened. ". . . Dead bodies."

Paanong nangyari 'to? Bakit walang proteksyon dito katulad ng sinabi ni Linzy!?

My teeth collided tightly in madness when something popped up in my mind.

There is only one possible culprit here, one who must have destroyed their supposed to be protection. The Clade Vector we saw earlier . . . she must be the reason for all of this. They're at it again.

I will never forgive them.

Sinubukan kong mataan ang buong kapaligiran ngunit wala. Wala na talaga. Hindi ko mapigilang manghina dahil doon.

Seeing another town . . . being annihilated right in front of my eyes again. I bit my lower lip, eyes tear-streaked from earlier.

Nakakalambot.

I felt Tristan's presence beside me. I turned around in haste. The young kid stayed in his arms. He volunteered earlier to carry her so we could move faster. Mukhang hindi naman siya nahihirapan. That sketchy physical attributes of him contributed to that, so her weight was just like carrying air in his hands.

He was addled by my rushed movement.

"Have you found anyone?" His eyes traversed there immediately as he got alarmed by what he witnessed. Instead of being held by fear, his eyes narrowed in disbelief. Still gripping his long weapon on his right arm, he tugged the kid's figure on his left one as he whispered, "Don't look."

Mabilis na tumalikod ang bata at isinuksok ang ulo sa balikat niya. Muli niya akong tinignan. "The others were empty as well. There are no signs of life, even if we turn this town upside down."

Nanigas ang tingin ko loob nito. "Do they completely turn into Fallen Souls?"

". . . Most likely."

I heavily shut my mouth as I withdrew from that scene, nakakuyom ang aking mga kamay. I feel an itch to find that ripper.