Leelan

5: AWAKEN

***

Silence envelops our journey as danger continues to lurk in the umbra. And fear-fear is an understatement. The gloomy appearance of Liv perdures. He's been guarded with his unyielding menace, almost bowing to no one. He appears more stout and peril.

"Are you okay?" I murmur questioningly.

"I am okay." He answered placidly.

He doesn't sound okay. He's chary so am I.

But fear overpowers my subtle courage.

"What am I?" I dastardly asked.

It was shameful to be in continuous question of one's existence. It's as if I no longer know myself and the continuous pursuit of truth hunts me more than I allow.

Am I human?

Or am I dead?

For I believe I am neither. Neither alive nor dead.

Something inside of me churns in an uneven course of fate.

"It is far better to say nothing at all." Argus remarked.

Then it is no longer safe to say I am human.

"You're not human." He then murmured that I surprisingly hear.

"She is human." Astrea argued.

"Well-I guess, unless she partakes in the rites of slain." Argus nonchalantly stated.

Rites of Slain.

Sounds disdainful yet pernicious.

And throughout this ordeal, Liv is mum. I don't know if he is silently observing his surrounding or discreetly cautious.

"Do you think they'll welcome us warmly?" Rinig kong tanong ni Argus.

Lumingon si Astrea sa likod sa amin bago ito nagsalita.

"It's been centuries Argus. The throne acknowledges its rightful heir but a monarch don't." She answered with hatred I couldn't fathom the extent.

Walang ano-ano'y naging mabilis ang paggpapatakbo ng kabayo ni Liv. Tuluyan naming iniwan sina Astrea at Argus. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba iyon sa sinabi ng dalawa ngunit ramdam kong iyon ang sanhi kung bakit mas mahigpit na ang hawak ni Liv sa akin.

Maraming oras ang ginugol namin sa paglalakbay at nang sandaling marating namin ang isang patag na lugar ay tuluyan akong binalot ng kakaibang pakiramdam.