Tears of Blade

Chapter 1

The Darklings. They are beings born out of darkness, they are often called the children of the dark. They command the darkness and shadow at their own will. They rule the night and brings despair and misery to humankind.

They are almost akin to an evil spirit - no, they are more closer to a demon. Few speculate that Darklings might actually be descendants of the ancient demons that was annihilated eons ago.

Though only a few records can be found now where demons run rampant in the past and isn't enough to prove this claim, however the characteristics and innate nature of Darklings are similar to that of an ancient demon written in one particular book.

The book was old even with a preservation magic casted on it. The ink were blurry and a few pages are already damaged. There was no author nor any information that can lead to the person who wrote the book.

Nawala ako sa konsentrasyon sa pagbabasa nang biglang dumilim ang paligid, namatay ang light crystal sa study table ko na siyang ginagamit ko sa loob ng ilang taon.

It was the first gift I've ever received from Yan when he took me under his wings. How many years has it been? 4 years? 5 years?

I sigh before finally closing the book I'm reading. Ipinikit ko ng ilang sandali ang mga mata ko bago ito buksan. Kusang dumapo ang paningin ko sa wall clock sa itaas ng kama ko. Mag-aalas-kwatro na ng umaga.

Just like usual, I couldn't sleep well that's why I decided to read and lost track of the time, I only realized the time when my light crystal turned off. Nag-ayos na lamang ako ng sarili bago lumabas to start my morning training.

I can't skip training even for a single day even though I'm supposed to rest for a week because of an unfortunate injury I've sustained during a mission last time.

How unfortunate. Really.

Ilang beses akong nagpabalik-balik sa mataas at matarik na bundok sa likurang bahagi ng mansion. Halos papasikat na ang araw nang makabalik ako. Gaya ng nakagawian, nakahanda na ang aking agahan at kahit ang pagliliguan ay handa na rin.

The servants silently and carefully tended to my needs. Almost as if they're afraid to make even the smallest noise, their breath are even and calculated, their hands were gentle, precise and fast. Their eyes tells me that they're scared of me.

They all watch attentively as I cut and chew my food. With a single flick of my finger and a subtle sway of my hand they head to my wordless command as if their life depends on it.

Matapos kumain at maligo ay dumiretso ako sa kalapit na farm sa estate na tinutuluyan ko. Hindi naman ito kalayuan ngunit hindi rin naman kalapitan.

I mounted on one of the horses from the stable to the farm. I can ride just fine. Hindi naman kasi malala ang sugat na natamo ko, in fact it already pretty much healed after three days.

Masyado lang talagang overacting si Yan at isang linggo ang binigay sa aking pahinga.

Pagkadating ko sa farm ay sinalubong ako ni mang Kondor, ang namamahala. I just did some minor inspection around while mang Kondor trailed beside me and reported the current situation of the farm while I strolled past the green and healthy vegetations.

In the center of the farm, a three storey manor loomed over. This is where mang Kondor and a few workers reside. Behind it is a warehouse and a storage where various things were stored and kept.

Habang papunta kami sa manor ay may iilang aso at pusa akong nakitang pakalat-kalat sa paligid, may mga naghahabulan at naglalaro at meron din namang nakahiga sa damuhan o kaya ay sa itaas ng punong kahoy.