The Missing Phantom Of The Graveyard

[2]

   ༺𓆩Veshniu𓆪༻

The warm wind envelopes my whole body.

I smiled when finally, I reached the top of my favorite tree. I sat on one of the big branches and watched the scenery unfold.

Mula sa kinaroroonan ko, kitang-kita ko ang kulay kahel na araw na binabalot ang buong kalangitan.

Kinapa ko ang pocket sa damit ko at nilabas ang paborito kong pagkain.

A steamed sweet potato.

"Veshniu! Veshniu!"

Punong-puno ng kamote ang bibig ko nang tumungo ang paningin ko sa ibaba ng puno. I rolled my eyes when I saw Avel at the bottom of the tree. Hingal na hingal siya habang nakatingala sa akin.

Nakangisi siya at para bang nababaliw na sumigaw.

"Let's scam stupid people! The moronic trainees of Rayum have money from their missions!" He shouted.

His jet black hair was reflecting the rays of the sunset. His clear blue eyes widened as he saw me suddenly jump from the tree.

Ngumunguya pa rin ako ng kamote habang nagsalita.

"Bastard." Malutong ang pagkakasabi ko na ikinataas ng dalawang kilay niya, nagulat.

His face was protesting, his mouth was about to say something insulting but I cut him off,

"You think your Natti will let us? She will definitely kill us this time."

But he clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes.

"Her punishment is not that scary Veshniu. Come on, stop being a loser."

I was taken back by his remarks, but at the end I just smirked when I noticed someone's presence moving toward us.

"But aren't you scared of Natti? Your own mother? You know she's stressed and here we are...trying to scam our...you know...our comrades." My acting was extreme...

But who cares?

"Hey? Are you in your right mind? Mas maitim pa nga sa budhi ko yang budhi mo tapos ngayon nagmamalinis ka? Wag ka na mag-inart—--AHHHHHHH"

In just a second, hawak na ni Natti ang taenga ni Avel. Halos maiyak si Avel habang dinadarag siya.

"You're such a bastard son...Come on. I'll discipline you.." Nakangiti si Natti na sinabi 'yon kay Avel pero parang demonyo ang mata niya.

Bumaling sa akin si Natti habang darag-darag pa rin si Avel. "Veshniu, come with me also."

Natti smiled at me and I felt all my fur suddenly stand...

"O-okay..."

what the heck???? Kasali pa rin ba ako?!

Habang naglalakad kami papunta sa office ni Natti ay hindi ko mapigilan mapansin ang mga batang naglalaro sa field. I can't help but smile before covering my face with my shawl to hide my eyes from the sun.

The Egyptian branch of Mythos has a secret facility for kids and teen demigods. It is called Yumin.

It looks like an orphanage on the outside where children could grow up in a simple place in Cairo, Egypt.

But inside the facades, the childrens are called Almutadarib—-a trainees who will be trained to either slay Disastre, catch or eliminate evil demigods, or lastly, solve mysteries and stuff regarding mythos related works.

They can also freely choose what they want after they learn everything in Yumin.

Clack.

The sound of the door echoes in the hallway of the establishment.

Pumasok kami sa opisina ni Natti. As usual, ginawa na naman nila ang daily ritual nila ni Avel.

Matapos noon ay umupo si Natti sa office chair niya at pinaupo niya ako sa may sofa na katapat ng mesa niya.

"Ayusin mo ang kamay mo!" Binato ni Natti si Avel na nakaluhod sa gilid habang nakataas ang dalawang kamay.

Thank God, hindi ako kasali sa ritwal ngayon...

Avel make-face and murmured weird stuff while repenting and did the daily ritual there.

"I called you here because both of you have new missions."

We are trainees of Natti with her husband named Adom. They are both part of DEMI and so we are.

The mythos agency has two departments. The DEMI or Department of Mythologies Investigation and Interrogations and lastly, MHAF or Mythical Heritage Alliance Force.

The DEMI focuses on gathering vital information for ongoing investigations. They are also a specialized unit that solves mysteries related to mythical creatures, ancient artifacts, legendary stories and the causes of environmental crises.

Meanwhile, MHAF focuses on protecting humanity from dangerous mythical creatures. They work quietly and secretly to stop these mythical threats. Their main goal is to make sure that ordinary life can go on without being disturbed by the dangers of mythical creatures.

"There's gossip that there's a living creature disrupting the flow of life and energy in western desert of the Sahara. Many people evacuated from the place because of the disturbance—which they thought of as a simple sandstorm."

"Your only mission is to scout the area. If there's a disastre there, run immediately and report. Don't fight, make sure to quietly follow Rayum, who is with you on your mission."

I saw Avel in the side of my eyes. He rolled his eyes murmuring stupid stuff again.

I ready my dagger with chains in my hips habang nag-sesermon si Natti kay Avel.

Akmang papalabas na kami ni Avel sa opisina nang hawakan ni Natti ang balikat ko.

"Avel, mauna ka na may sasabihin lang ako kay Veshniu."

Nakatunog si Avel kung ano ba ang sasabihin ni Natti at tumango nalang at lumabas ng opisina.

"Veshniu..."

"I know Natti. I know." I assured her that I won't do something reckless again.

When I first did my mission, I acted stupidly and tried to run away from Yumin.

Adom, Rayum and Natti together with thirteen year old Avel had to find me for seven days in the Libyan desert.

"Veshniu, I know you have many questions, but I just asked you to have more patience."

I nodded even though deep inside me, I wanted to throw another tantrum just like before.

There's a missing part of me that I cannot find and forget no matter what I do.

And I know it will be only gone---unless nasagot na lahat ng tanong ko...

∆∆∆

It was dawn when Rayum, Avel and I met at the gate of Yumin.

All of us wait for Natti or Adom incase there's an additional instruction. Rayum, who's supposed to be our guide, was exchanging banters with Avel and now they're fighting.

I don't know the reason why, but suddenly, while staring into space... I felt chills as the spirits--which I saw in the graveyard three years ago who suddenly disappeared— 

Appeared in front of me again and gave me news.

"Hadha almakan la yumkinuh himayatuk baed alan, laqad wajadtk alalihat! (This place cannot protect you anymore, the gods have found you!)"

༺𓆩∆∆∆𓆪༻