Transmission Start
Night falls and Lawrence is fixing up shop. Hoster, Rez, and Laz had already clocked out and went home. Lawrence tries to call Sauren since he hasn't come to the cafe in a long time.
"Sorry, the number you have dialed is unavailable. Please try again later" This is the message Lawrence keeps on getting on and on. He can't shake off the feeling that something is wrong but tries to ignore it. He gives a heavy sigh before closing the door of the cafe.
Right as he closes the door, he hears heavy breathing and groaning somewhere near the door. He opens the doors and checks side to side. On his left side, he sees Sauren in a wounded mess. Lawrence looks at Sauren in shock and quickly lends him a hand and brings him in.
Sauren, struggling to move, is seated near the counter of the cafe. His blood dripped on the counter.
"Wait here," Lawrence says to him, in a concerned tone. He runs into the back room and grabs the first aid kit. Lawrence runs out of the back room and sits beside Sauren, treating his wounds. Groaning and moaning are the only sounds Sauren is making while Lawrence keeps on pulling Sauren near him to help him with his scars.
"What happened to you? Who did you get into a fight with? I know you promised me that you want to protect me in Junior High but what's the point if you are going to push yourself and kill yourself? Who is going to protect me in the future? Okay, in the future, at least send me a text or ring me a call if you are probably getting yourself in a fight or something bad is going to happen to you. I know how to punch and at least kick." Lawrence rambles
Sauren just looks at Lawrence in awe, causing them to have an impromptu staring contest. Breaking the eye contact, Lawrence looks somewhere else while covering his mouth, obviously hiding his blushing. "What? I was just worried for you."
Sauren holds his hand and just holds it. Lawrence is taken aback by the gesture and quickly grabs his hand back. "You can stay here for the night. I'm pretty sure you don't want to bloody your apartment." Sauren nods and looks at the top of the shelf. He looks intensely on the dusty silver card.
Lawrence looks at him, staring at the card. "So, why are you looking at that card? You gave it to me and it looks like you want it back." Sauren's eyes widen and shake his head vigorously before groaning in pain, holding the nape. Lawrence, concerned, looks back at him. "You can get it back tomorrow. You need to rest."
Sauren jumps out of his chair and heavily sighs. "Lawrence, you're a very nice guy and I am sorry for doing this." A high pitch voice comes out of Sauren. Lawrence, shocked by the voice, jumps out of his chair. "Since when did you practice voice acting? That's a really good female voice."
The person, presumably Sauren, runs towards the card and tries to grab it. Lawrence notices this and quickly grabs it. The person trips and moans in pain. Lawrence, on the other hand, successfully grabs the card and holds it tightly in his hand.
"And here in the future, We still fail to get the Bathala Card." Sauren? Says.
"Sauren, you're scaring me." Lawrence, gripping the card very tightly.
"Lawrence, what if I tell you that Sauren is in the future? What if I tell you the Philippines has gone into ruin and destruction? That this cafe you love and care for will be your last resting place?"
Lawrence looks at Sauren and just laughs. "I think the concussion hit your head. Do we need to go to the ER?"
The person who is disguised as Sauren brings out a card and the white particles surround and cover the face. The white particles transfer to the card and the card can be seen with an image of Managaway. The person who disguised as Sauren is now seen. A young girl, dressed in a distressed outfit wearing a jeweled hair clip and boots with roughly 2 inches.
"Younger Lawrence. I can sense your sincerity in helping Sauren and your care for people. What you and I hold is something called the "Tarheta". Cards that hold the essence of the gods and goddesses of this place. Yours seems not to be activated. It hurts me to do this but it must be done." The girl says.
The girl closes her eyes and starts speaking.
"Music, art, culture, myths, bonds all fade within due time, just like the gods and goddesses of this world. I call upon you, save the future. Save me, destroy me, kill me and set this world free."
The place starts to shake and the board games fall to the floors. The lights flicker on and off. Chairs, some tiles on the floor, and Lawrence are now floating on the ground. He grips the card as tight as he could while looking at the girl who is also now floating.
The girl, who just finished speaking, opens her eyes and a bright white light nearly blinds Lawrence.
Just in that instant, Lawrence is now teleported in the middle of a battle with the girl right beside him.
YOU ARE READING
Jack of All Trade
FantasyLawrence Bansagi has always grown an affinity for board games and card games that he opened his own cafe highlighting the beautiful games that he has collected over the years. His most prized possession is a dusty silver-colored card given to him by...
