Depression Plutus (Curse #4)

CHAPTER 68 Lost

THIRD PERSON POV

"W-What?'

Plutus was too stunned to react, habang pinipilit ni Ottilie na makawala sa pagkakayakap nito sa kan'ya. She pressed herself against the headboard, hugging her knees tightly while scanning the room with anxious eyes. The fear in her gaze felt like a dagger to Plutus’s heart.

"S-sino kayo? Bakit ako nandito?" Nahihintakutan na tanong nito.

Pain flashed across Plutus’s face. The woman he loved, who had once clung to him, who had once laughed beside him, now looked at him like he was a stranger. Nang mapansin ni Yophiel ang kakaibang ikinikilos ng dalaga, hindi na ito nagdalawang isip na magtanong.

"Ottilie," he said seriously, "what’s the last memory you have?"

Everyone fell silent, waiting anxiously for her response. Samantalang, nangunot naman ang noo ni Ottilie habang sinusubukan nitong alalahanin ang lahat.

"Sa pagkakatanda ko, sinubukan kong gumawa ng ritual para tawagin ang kaluluwa ng yumao kong ama..." hindi sigurado na paliwanag nito.

Then, suddenly, her eyes widened. Her hand flew to her mouth in shock. "Teka… 'yung ritwal, hindi ko pa natatapos!" Her breathing became uneven as she panicked.

Mabilis itong gumapang sa gitna ng kama at saka lumuhod sa harapan nila. "Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako nandito, pero kailangan ko nang umuwi, please!"

Plutus’s entire body tensed. His hands clenched into fists as he took a shaky breath. "What about me?" he asked in desperation. "Can’t you remember me?"

Umiling lamang ang dalaga at pinagkiskis ang mga palad nito, "Please... gusto ko ng umuwi..."

Nabalot ng isang mabigat na katahimikan ang buong silid. Hindi nila alam kung ano ang magiging reaksyon sa kakaibang inasta ng dalaga sa mga oras na ito.

Ngunit sa kanilang lahat, it was Plutus who looked shattered, his usual fiery rage absent, replaced by pure, helpless agony. He opened his mouth to say more, but before he could, Ottilie suddenly swayed.

Kusa na lang nanlambot ang buong katawan ng dalaga hanggang sa mawalan ito ng malay.

"Witch!" Plutus caught her just in time before she collapsed. His hands shook as he checked her pulse. She was breathing, but weakly.

"Fuck!" he grumbled. "Kuya, what’s going on? Did the potion do this to her?!"

"Let her rest. Her body is still recovering from the injuries," he explained, then inhaled sharply. "As for her memories… I’m afraid it’s beyond my comprehension."

"Damn it… I thought okay na ang lahat," Amirion whispered to Steele. But Steele remained silent, too deep in thought to respond.

Plutus’s grip on Ottilie’s hand tightened. His fury, one he had desperately tried to hold back, began to rise.

"I swear to fucking kill that Yadid for—" He suddenly clutched his chest, eyes widening in pain.

"PLUTUS! BOSS!"

Everyone rushed toward him as he dropped to his knees, struggling to breathe.

"ARGHHH!"

A massive wave of thick, black aura exploded from Plutus’s body. The force of it sent furniture flying and made the air feel suffocating.

His eyes glowed a violent crimson. His horns, once hidden, emerged in their magnificent form. His wings stretched out, radiating immense power. The dark ink patterns that covered his body pulsed, shifting like they had a life of their own.