The Blood Empress

Bloody 36: Meeting a Gaia Elder

Bloody 36: Meeting a Gaia Elder

Roen Astrid.

The cool breeze blowing across my face awakens my mind, it was refreshing yet cold to the skin. Minulat ko ang aking mga mata at agad bumungad sa aking paningin ang isang lugar na ngayon ko lamang nakita.

I blinked my eyes slowly, trying to get rid of my blurry vision. Kumunot ang aking noo nang masilayan ang paligid. I am currently inside a room. The walls are painted in light shades of beige and tortilla brown. I gazed above and saw the ceiling adorned with intricate patterns and a chandelier was hanging in the middle.

Confusion filled my mind when I scanned the entire room. Where am I? Is this a hotel?

"Roen Astrid. You are finally awake, child."

Tila huminto ang oras nang marinig ko ang isang boses na tumawag sa aking pangalan. It was a gentle voice akin to the wind's whisper yet it made my body tense from the tremendous pressure it holds.

Who was that?

Dumako ang aking tingin sa bukas na bintana kung saan nanggaling ang boses. The floor length curtains flutter as the wind passes by. Maingat kong hinawi ang kumot na nakabalot sa aking katawan. Pagtayo ko ay tahimik akong naglakad patungo sa bintana.

Nang makalapit ay napagtanto kong isa itong sliding window na nakakonekta sa balcony. Behind it appears a figure of a man's back that I failed to recognize. Tila nakatayo lamang siya roon habang pinanonood ang paglubog ng araw sa kahel na kalangitan.

"We finally meet. Do you require more rest?" My lips descended into a frown upon hearing his voice.

It was already dusk and I am currently inside an unfamiliar place with a mysterious man who knows my real name. Moreover, I would have never sensed his presence if he didn't speak. How did he even know that I'm awake? It was as if he's watching me.

How annoying.

I despise being watched more than anything else. I'm so sick of scrutinizing eyes observing me against my will.

Napasinghal na lamang ako dahil sa mga bagay na tumatakbo sa aking isipan. I hate being watched but I do enjoy observing people. I adore finding their deepest fears and use that against them. Sounds fun, is it not? I think it's very entertaining to see parasites getting swallowed by the weaknesses they've kept hidden.

Ahh, maybe Captain is right. I am indeed full of hypocrisy. Oh well, I don't mind being a hypocrite.

At this moment, I couldn't think of anything else. There's nothing more unpleasant than waking up and finding myself being watched by someone who has his back facing me. I don't care if that guy is stronger than me, I simply want to wipe him out of my eyes.

The wind brushed past my face, causing my hair to dance along its movements. Tahimik kong kinuha ang espada ko mula sa aking inventory habang naglalakad palapit sa kanya. If he's truly watching my every move, he must also be able to evade my attack.

Walang emosyon ang aking mga mata habang isinasagawa ang aking plano. Without creating any sounds, I ran towards him with light yet fast footsteps.  I moved in a swift motion similar to an assassin hunting its desired target.

But as soon I neared him, a gust of wind suddenly enveloped my sword. Mahigpit man ang hawak ko sa aking espada ay nakawala pa rin ito sa aking kamay.

I guess I'm still in a weak state.

In a split second, my rusty sword ended up in his grasp. Nais ko sanang kumilos upang bawiin ang aking espada ngunit hindi ako agad nakagalaw. I witnessed how his trembling hand clasped around my sword. Ngayong medyo malapit na ako sa kanya ay napansin ko ang kulay abo niyang buhok. I can barely see his side profile but I am certain that he's an old man.