Prios 6: Prios Extinction

22. Favorite Human

Inabot na ng alas-diyes bago nakauwi sa Winglov sina Edric at Zephy. Nauna na sa opisina ni Rorric si Edric habang dinaanan ni Zephy si Sigmund sa silid nito.

May kadiliman ang opisina ni Rorric nang maabutan ni Edric. Patay ang karamihan ng ilaw at ilang mga lampara lang na may malamlam na dilaw na ilaw ang nakabukas sa magkakalayong haligi.

Napakaraming nakatambak na papeles sa mesa ni Rorric na hindi pa kahit kailan naabutan ni Edric na naubos mula pa noong nakaraang isandaang taon.

"Father," bungad niya rito habang tutok pa rin ito sa binabasang dokumento.

"The Seers are on the way, son. The family is still deliberating about this."

"Are we going to locate the other gates in the north? Or are we going to wait until it opens?" naghahamon nang tanong ni Edric sa ama. "I already told them to do something about this, Father."

"They're still hoping for Sigmund's ability to save us from the incoming havoc, son." Saka lang naghubad ng madilim na salamin niya si Rorric at inilapag sa mesa ang ginagawa. "I am hoping for that kid as well."

"But Sigmund is just a little kid!" singhal niya sa ama. "How dare this family rely on an innocent child who knows nothing about that incoming disaster? We have been living in this land for more than a century, Father, and are we going to put our lives in the hands of a three-year-old child?"

"Edric . . ." may pagbabanta na sa tono ni Rorric.

"Father, I knew more than anyone else in this land, the feeling of having a responsibility I didn't even ask for. It's another destructive war! I was told I was going to die from that war!"

"Your death—"

"Father, I'm not talking about what will happen to me. I'm not scared of dying. What about my family, though? Zephania is just a powerless human. Sigmund couldn't even finish his sentence in a clear manner. Will I wait until everyone in this land dies in front of my eyes in the hopes of a little child's mercy?"

Buntonghininga lang ang naisagot ni Rorric sa hinanaing ni Edric. Maging siya ay hindi rin alam kung ano ba ang susunod na hakbang ang gagawin. Sinabihan na silang nalalapit na ang pagkawasak ng buong norte, at kung tutuusin ay hindi naman nila iyon nararamdaman sa ngayon. Ngunit hindi kahit kailan nagkamali ang mga mata ng Prios. Higit na ang pangitain ni Gaspar.

"This land won't be lost without a fight from the family, son. You should be aware that not everyone has the ability to prevent what is about to occur. We have no idea how much damage has been done. We don't know when or where it will begin. Edric, it hasn't happened yet. You can't put a halt to something that hasn't happened yet. It is impossible to kill someone who has not yet been born."

Lalo lang sumama ang loob ni Edric sa sinabi ng ama. Naiintindihan niya iyon, at alam niyang wala kahit sino sa kanila ang makakapatay ng wala pa naman doon. Wala sa kanilang makapipigil ng hindi pa naman nagaganap. Napaiwas na lang siya ng tingin at dismayadong tinanggap ang katotohanang tama rin naman si Rorric sa katwiran nito.

Wala silang ibang magagawa kundi maghintay.

"But what about Zephania . . . ?" nanlulumo niyang tanong sa kawalan.

"Son, you already heard Gaspar about her fate. The Seers predicted your death, but they never predicted how she dies."

"Does that mean I'll die before her? Who will save her once I leave this world?"

"Son . . ."

"Boss?"

Napalingon si Edric sa likuran at nakitang pasilip-silip doon si Zephy mula sa papasarang elevator ng Winglov.