CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
NAKATULALA pa ako nang bigla silang sumugod sa mga kalaban namin. Mula sa kanila ay nakita ko si Phoenix na siyang may pakana ng fireworks display. Nagdiwang ang mga kasamahan namin na buong araw naming nakasama sa pakikipaglaban. The night became so bright because of the fire and lightning that lits up the whole battlefield.
Natauhan lang ako nang lumapit sa akin si Warrin at niyakap ako. Phoenix also jumped to me and gave me a bear hug.
"Ayos ka lang ba, Aia? Sorry ha nahuli kami. Ito kasing mayabang na 'to andami pang seremonyang ginawa eh," sabi niya sabay sanggi kay Warrin.
"Ako na naman? Ako na lang palagi!" reklamo naman nang huli. I smiled widely at them. Little did they know that we almost gave up the fight. Kung nahuli sila kahit isang segundo ay malamang na-ideklara na namin ang pagsuko.
"We are glad you came," I muttered.
"Where did you get your troops?" Blaze asked his cousin. The latter gave a huge smile and looked upon the elementals who are now fighting what's left of our enemies. We already outnumbered them.
"Hindi sila mga sundalo o kung ano. They are your loyal subjects who want to fight beside their king," Warrin answered that gave me goosebumps. Napatitig ako sa nangyayaring labanan sa paligid namin. Napangiti ako habang iniisip kung gaano karaming Ipenian ang nagtitiwala sa hari nila at handang ialay ang buhay para sa kaharian. This is something incredible.
Natahimik kami sandali habang pinagmamasdan ang mga kaguluhan sa paligid namin. After some time, I held unto my sword tightly and looked back to our friends.
"Instead of just watching them do all the work, why not lend a hand?" alok ko. Naglingunan sila sa akin at tumango habang nakangiti. When we faced our enemies, our smiles vanished. Let's see how this war would end. I am dying to know who will have the last laugh.
Blaze and I went to the North and cleared the path to Frio. We fought side-by-side. Whenever someone's going to attack us, he would be the one to block it while I do the offensive. This technique is way quicker and effective.
"Woaw! Para kayong may iisang isip," komento ni Phoenix habang abala kami sa pakikipagbuno. May isang sundalo mula sa kalaban ang umamba kay Phoenix mula sa likod. My eyes widen in panic.
"Watch out!" I shrieked. But to my relief, Warrin shot the soldier with his arrow that is made of crystallised ice.
"Gusto mo bang mamatay? Ako na lang papatay sa'yo!" sigaw ni Warrin mula sa malayo. Agad naman akong napahalakhak at sinipa ang kalabang kanina pa ako inaatake.
"Ako naiinis na ako sa Warrin na 'yan," I heard Phoenix muttered. I'll admit it, they look cute.
Blaze stabbed the last guy from behind. He, then, deactivated his bloody sword and faced us.
"We already cleared the path to Frio. Let's rest for a while. Maraming kalaban ang naghihintay sa atin doon," anunsyo niya. Tumango naman ang lahat. Naupo na ang ilan sa damuhan. Naubos na namin ang tatlong batalyon ng mga kalaban kaya pwede na kaming mamahinga. Nagtulong-tulong kaming itambak sa iisang lugar ang mga bangkay na nagkalat sa paligid. We sat on the grassy ground. Some even laid there and tried to take a nap.
"It's already midnight. You should also rest, Aia," Phoenix told me as he hand me a bag of biscuits and a bottle of water. I smiled at her as I accept the food. Sasagot pa lang sana ako nang biglang sumabat si Blaze sa usapan namin.
"Aurora. You call her Aurora," he told Phoenix. Nagsalubong ang kilay namin ni Phoenix. "Only I am allowed to call her Aia."
Muli kaming nagkatinginan ni Phoenix. Both of us shrugged. Blaze is back to being unreasonable, eh?
