Discovering Summerland

Chapter 17

Name
Jerastus 13, 2196
________________

GEORGIA
Georgia Kaye Alas

Friday. After going back to the Celeste Kingdom, Lucifuge has decided for us to go somewhere at Friday night, though hindi lubos na lumubog ang araw. Hindi niya na raw kasi maaaring gamitin ang 'special powers' niya bilang Crown Prince para i-excuse kami ulit sa klase dahil maaaring magtaka na raw ang mga kataas-taasan kung ba't lagi kaming binibitbit ni Lucifuge.

I still had so many questions for the Phantoms, but I'm saving the list when I meet Lowell's father, Valdemior. Speaking of them, they didn't wait long outside the Adrius mansion since it seemed like the time inside the dreams was longer but short in reality. Ayaw na rin silang isama ni Lucifuge sa pupuntahan namin ngunit hindi pumayag ang tatlo, Jax, Lowell, and Aeryn.

Now, here we are, meeting up outside the Academy near the forests where the snow falls heavily. Napasinghap nalang din ako nang biglang may pumatong sa'kin na coat galing kay Lucifuge. He put it on my shoulder nonchalantly, so I just accepted it too without hesitations.

Hinayaan ko nalang din siyang ayusin ang pagkakalagay no'n sa balikat ko, at tanggalin ang ilang nyebe sa ulo ko. I'm certainly feeling the heat now. I'm actually surprised to how gentle he has become after visiting Merhey, but at the same time, I can feel a distance, a wall between us.

"We're just waiting for Aeryn, right?" He asked as he removed his hand from me.

Mukhang nag-aalala na rin si Jax at pabalik-balik ang tingin sa kaniyang relo, habang si Lowell ay nakatingin sa kawalan. Wala sa sarili rin akong napatingin sa direksyon ng tingin ni Lowell at napansin na mayroong pulang paru-parong umiikot sa isang puno. There are also golden flickers, like flames, around it.

Bumaba ang paru-paro kay Lowell at nang tuluyan 'yong dumapo sa kamay niya, naalintana kami. The butterfly turned to Aeryn— no, it's not really her but somehow her figure.

Lucifuge cleared his throat before stabbing the figure with his darkness, causing it to fade away and return back into a butterfly. "Those are the forest's illusions. They say the butterflies carry memories or perhaps even the soul of a person."

"Huh? Ano'ng sinasabi mong soul?" Natarantang tanong ni Jax habang halata sa boses ang kaba't taka. Sa palagay ko'y akala niyang naging kaluluwa na si Aeryn kung kaya't nagpakita siya bilang paru-paro. I'm sure that's not the case because Lucifuge wouldn't have acted like that.

"Chill, Jax. Hindi si Aeryn 'yon. That soul butterfly must have been a shapeshifter or an illusionist, then it used its power to scare us," Lucifuge assured.

Napalingon naman kami nang marinig ang boses ni Aeryn sa likod. She must have heard and witnessed what had happened, since she asked. "Sa'n mo naman napulot ang impormasyon na 'yan, Fuge? Aren't butterflies just butterflies?"

I was surprised to see her in a casual outfit. She wore a pastel pink velvet shirt that emphasized her pinkish eyes. Kulay puti rin ang jeans na kaniyang suot, kaya tila ba may diwata kaming nakasama. Despite the simplicity, she exuded an aura of royalty.

Mukha namang nabunutan ng tinik sa lalamunan si Jax at Lowell nang makita si Aeryn dahil pansin ang pagluwag ng hininga nila. Lucifuge chuckled and beckoned Aeryn to come closer. Napaatras naman ako nang ipulupot ni Aeryn ang kamay niya sa'kin, at ngumiti pa habang sinasagot ni Lucifuge ang tanong.