The Dissolving Flower

Kabanata 45

ALMOST BUT NOT TOO LATE

NAGISING si Lis na nakadena sa kuwarto kung saan naroroon ang kaniyang ama. Ginalaw niya ang kanyang mga kamay at laking gulat niya dahil sumunod ito sa nais niyang mangyari. Napayuko siya at tinignan ang situwasyon ng kaniyang katawan. Sunog na sunog ito.

He got back on his current timeline.

And now, he already remembered everything.

"Lis, my son," his father called out to him who was also chained beside him. "Goodness, you're awake. How are you feeling? Your wounds . . . does it hurts?"

Sunod-sunod ang mga tanong nito. He smiled to give him assurance. "I'm fine, Pa. I'm fine."

He had seen this scene coming, and so he didn't wait for his father to tell him about the chains and immediately cast his attack spell, Dagger. He freed himself from those chains. Pinakawalanan niya rin ang kaniyang ama. May bahid ng kalituhan ang mukha nito pero hindi ito nagsalita.

"Lis!"

"Shio," he muttered at the guy who is also chained on his left. He was caught on this timeline. Nilapitan niya ito at nilapat ang palad sa ulo ng lalaki. He glanced at the pink dot in the side of his hair. His eyes started to water as he realized what Shio did. "I'm sorry. It took a while for me to remember." Nanginig ang kaniyang mga labi habang sinasabi ang katagang iyon. "And . . . thank you. Thank you for coming here. You're from the future too, aren't you?"

Namuo ang mga luha sa mata ni Shio at isa-isa itong nagpatakan. "Yes. Yes." He nodded, repeatedly, thankful that he was able to remember everything. "I'm sorry, too. I'm sorry it took me a while to help you. I'm sorry I wasn't able to come with you in every timelines."

Pinakawalan niya ang lalaki at mabilis itong niyakap. Mahigpit ang yakap nila sa isa't isa, singhigpit ng sakit na naranasan nila sa iba't ibang timeline.

"We are not going to waste this. Let's end this here," sabi niya bago humiwalay sa yakap.

Tumango naman ito at tinanggal ang salamin upang punasan ang mga luha sa mga mata.

"What are you two crying about? We don't have time for that!"

Nilingon niya ang kaniyang ama na halata sa mga mata ang pag-aalala. "I know, Pa. I know." He patted his shoulder. "Where is Doctor Lucatha? Is he responsible for chaining us?"

"Yes. He's now searching for Aryl."

Kaagad na napatingin si Shio at Lis sa isa't isa at sabay na napatango. To prevent Sephtis from self-destruction, the first thing he needed to do is not to let Aryl be killed.

He looked at his fingers and activated his Dissemination Spell.

"Master."

A rush of hope and relief filled his system as he heard Sephtis on the line. They were not yet too late.

"Sephtis, listen. Doctor Lucatha is the one with handcuffs on his hands. If you see him, do not fight him and run. Do not stay on the Nebula and runaway together with Aryl and his sister."

"To where?

"Go back to where we found her sister and stay there until Shio and Papa finds you."

He closed his Dissemination Spell and looked at his father's confused face.

"Bakit mo sila pinabalik sa loob? What if they'll meet the doctor?"

"No. They will not see each other," singit ni Shio. "We are on the first floor. And there are three hallways on this floor. Nasa kanang hallway ang tinahak ni Doctor Lucatha kaya kung pupunta sila sa laboratory, nasa second floor iyon, they need to cross the stairs which is nasa center ng hallway. If they are going to move now, maiiwasan nilang makita ang isa't isa."