𝔖𝔬, ℑ 𝔊𝔬𝔱 ℜ𝔢𝔦𝔫𝔠𝔞𝔯𝔫𝔞𝔱𝔢𝔡

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 50 - 𝔄𝔩𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔞

"Have a seat, misery."
~※~

How should I avoid them? I was sweating profusely because of the stress of trying to hide from the members of the Black Wolves in the area. Kakarating lang namin ng Capitol. It took us earlier to arrive because of one good Samaritan that allowed us to ride on his cart.

"What's with your heavy cloak?" tanong nito sa akin.

Napapikit tuloy ako dahil sa kanya. Nasa liblib kaming eskinita at binabantayan ang kapaligiran. I was being mindful of the area. Making sure the place was clear of those Asmodians. Tsk, tapos antalas pa naman ng mga pandinig nila. Good thing the whole city is always festive.

Dala-dala ni Readhead ang sandata ngayon. I told him to keep it safe with him. My plan was to have the sword in his care. Kunin ko lang if wala na ang mga Black Wolves o kung hindi mahuhuli yung Informant. Other than that, I have no plans.

"We need to avoid the men in black uniform," I said. "Hindi ako pwedeng makita ng mga Asmodians."

"Why not?"

"Just because. And do remember what I told you," I reminded him, stress na stress. Sinabihan ko na siyang protektahan ng maayos ang sandata at hindi ipakita ito sa kahit sino.

"We won't have progress Ate Miss kung tatago lang tayo."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" inis na tanong ko habang nagmamasid sa nagsisiyahang mga tao. The crowd was larger than usual.

"Dun tayo sa taas," sabay turo niya sa itaas. It was the dark of the night so it didn't matter what method we used to climb. Basta nakarating nalamang kami sa itaas ng walang problema.

Napunta ang mga paningin namin sa malayong parte ng city at kita namin ang pagdating ng mga sundalo. Probably the soldiers from the battlefield. The city was welcoming them back.

"Ate Miss," simula niya. "Abala ang lahat sa pagbalik nila. Punta nalamang tayo sa inuupahan kong bahay."

I nodded. I agreed with his decision immediately and we jumped from roofs of clay houses just to get to where he was heading. The hot winds of Tasosir met my face as we swiftly moved from buildings. Tinitignan ko naman ang likuran ko baka may nakasunod sa amin o kung ano.

Redhead was right, everyone was occupied with the celebration. Parang fiesta nga ang nagaganap. Andaming ilaw. May own version of fireworks nga sila.

"Please don't mind the stench."

"I'm used to this kind of stench," I replied.

Nakarating kami sa parte ng syudad na malapit sa ilog. It's the slums of Tasosir. Andaming mga basura sa gilid at ambaho ng daanan. I can smell the stink just by walking this strange path towards some house. Some Altherians were lying on the ground like some beggars. Even in this country, there are still poor people, sufferring and dying.

"We're here."

Nakarating kami sa harapan ng isang establishment. Sumunod ako sa kanyang tinahak ang gilid na hagdan na gawa sa clay. As we arrive in front of his door, I felt someone's incoming presence.

Mabilis kong ini-activate ang abilidad ko at masamang tinignan ang tao sa likuran ko. Under the cover of my cloak, he saw the glint of aura in my eyes.