Dedicated to: Prinzel (Thank you so much for attending our TOS meet and greet event! )
Chapter 38: The Duel
"The Holy Land will never be found because it is the one that will find you."
Ito ang siyang paulit-ulit na tumakbo sa isipan ko nang sandaling magising ako sa panaginip na iyon dalawang araw na ang nakalilipas— kung matatawag nga ba iyong panaginip.
I wasn't new to riddles. I had been exposed to it since I was young, because most of the ancient readings, not just from the blue fire—were often in riddles. When listening to whispers of fate from different rituals, most of the messages were not received straight to the point; rather, they came in riddles that would make anyone think and decipher.
I grew up with my father's riddles. Even if he was already gone when I was young, he made sure that I was exposed enough to the wonders of weaving words that he knew would play with me once I had my own adventure.
And I wasn't wrong about it since I was facing this kind of riddle right now.
I couldn't help but remember how Evan, Caleb, and Finn would leave a room after they practiced ancient readings with father. Mas mukha pang pagod sina Caleb at Finn sa paglabas sa silid na iyon kumpara nang lumalabas sila sa kagubatan dahil sa pisikal na ensayo ni ama. They hated riddles. Caleb and Finn were lucky to have brilliant mates— Kalla and Anna could save them from this headache.
Napabuntonghininga na ako. Dapat ay sabihin ko na rin kay Kreios ang siyang nakita ko.
I put the white feather back in my pocket before I held the tray with the beer bottle and a few glasses and proceeded to the nearest table where customers were waiting. I tried to be as obedient as possible as I continued my façade of serving drinks, plastering a sweet smile, and being as accommodating as possible—way better than receiving visitors in the castle.
In my few days here, I have grown accustomed to the way these creatures live in this place—the reek of alcohol, the clatter of glasses, the harsh shouting, the voices of whispers, the smell of smoke, and the endless noise from different music originating from other houses of pleasure. As someone sensitive to music, I couldn't help but get frustrated with these noises. That's why as much as I wanted to avoid using my power, I didn't have a choice but to use it to myself— toning down the noise.
"My Lord, we ran out of liquor, allow me to get another bottle for you," sabi ko sa katabi kong lalaki na dikit na dikit na sa akin.
Halos nakasubsob na siya sa lamesa dahil sa dami ng nainom niya. He looked really drunk, and even with his thick beard that covered almost half of his face, I could see the flush on his cheeks.
Sinubukan niya pa akong hawakan ngunit agad kong naiwasan ang kamay niya at mabilis akong nakatayo para kunin ang bote ng alak sa lamesa. I knew that the man could have complained or even created a scene if he was in his right strength, but before I started assisting him, I purposely poured a powder from one of those servants to his liquor.
Tuluyan na sana akong makalalayo at makalalapit na ako sa may-ari na siya na ang bahalang sumingil sa lalaking iyon, nang bigla na lang may sumagi sa akin.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang hindi ko man lang napansin iyon at nawalan ako ng panimbang. Ang siyang huli ko na lang natandaan ay ang kasuotang itim, ang mahaba nitong buhok bago niya tuluyang itinaas sa kanyang ulo ang talukbong upang takpan ang kanyang kaanyuan.
I knew that it was a woman as she looked over her shoulder and the only thing, I saw was the shadow of her face. "Shit!"
Hindi pa man ako nakatatayo nang maayos ay may marahas nang humawak sa braso ko. At nang pilit ako nitong ipinaharap sa kanya ay tuluyan nang lumantad sa akin ang isa pang lalaki.
