Blood Hunt : Project Zero

[2] 11. Akumajō

[Cyrene]

The sound of the wooden wheels spinning, paired with the small rocks crushing. The smell of leaves, flowers, and woods, the moonlight taking a peak in the leaves from the trees.

Marahan akong nakapikit, pinakikiramdaman ang lahat. Sitting inside the carriage with my comrades, we're on our way to where Tsubaki is right now. Hindi ko kasama sa karwahe si Kira, kasama niya sa kabila si Daizou. 

It's been more than quarter of an hour. Minulat ko ang mga mata ko, nanatiling nakatingin sa lapag. Our pace is slowing, seconds passed, I took a glance outside the window.

Nag-iba kaagad ang sumalubong sa pang-amoy ko. Halo-halong bulaklak, pulbura, alak. . . at dugo. They didn't even tried to hide the smell.

The carriage is going inside of a traditional Japanese castle. We passed through the gate, tall walls with brick roofs. Sumalubong sa amin ang mga lampara sa daan. Naningkit ang mga mata ko, mula sa ilaw, screen, pader. . . kulay pula.

Now I'm starting to hear voices, soft chuckles, glass toasts, moans.

It wasn't long before our ride stopped. Pagkabukas pa lang ng pinto ay tumambad na sa 'kin ang mataas at nakalululang kastilyo na nasilayan ko papunta pa lang. Daizou went in front and bowed like a prince with a grin on his face.

I slowly felt the chills down my spine as I have a flashback of district 76. How I felt like I'm going to lose for the first time— how I felt when I saw Crown.

Nervousness, anxiety, fear. But something added. . . it's excitement.

I would like to know how much changed since then. Since 3 days ago when I became a vampire. 

"Welcome to Akumajō." Daizou's eyes looks like they're glowing under the moonlight as the big castle behind him slowly lighten up. "Otherwise known as. . . the Devil's castle."

Lumakas ang amoy ng dugo. . . ang iba ay sariwa.

"Let's go inside, shall we?" pag-aya ni Daizou. He went inside first and we followed. 

A hallway greeted us. Wooden floors and ceilings, with sliding doors side by side, embroidered. Dim lights, orange, yellow, and red. As soon as we went inside, I can no longer hear the noises outside, nor smell blood. As if this whole castle, cancels every sensitive senses.

"Daizou, Lord Tsubaki's waiting for you."

I felt a spark. Kahit na walang nagbago sa ekspresyon ko, mariin namang nalipat ang tingin ko sa babaeng nagsalita. She's beside us. . . just beside us. And I didn't noticed her at all.

Long straight hair, wearing an all black kimono. Lips maroon red, eyes closed. Deretso ang tayo at magkadikit ang dalawang kamay na malapit sa sikmura. 

Hindi ako makapaniwalang napatingin sa kaniya. This woman. . . is definitely stronger than Daizou.

Humarap siya sa pwesto ni Kira na kahit nakapikit ang mga mata, alam niya kung saan ito banda. Marahan siyang yumuko. "Welcome to Akumajō, it's nice to see you again, Lady Kira. It's Narume again, at your service." She greeted. "The Lord wants to meet his Eve first, please come with me."

Tinignan lang siya ni Kira bago deretsong naglakad. That Narume woman followed her. Kaming 12 ang naiwan, kasama si Daizou. My eyes are following Kira, looking straight, until someone walked in front of me, blocking my way.

Hindi umangat ang tingin ko sa kaniya, bagkus ay hindi nagpatinag ang tingin ko, deretso pa rin akong tumingin sa harapan na parang wala siya rito. Siya ang yumuko mismo para magtapat kami.