Takipsilim

Chapter 15: The New Guy

One Sunday morning, Yael, Regan, and Maia, as well as all the Ahrens living near Malaya University, are having a meeting in the Romualdez's home. Sam is in the province, where he was tasked to meet with the Ahrens in the region.

"More than a month had passed since Carlos Yap's death and the attack on Mang Julian. Mahigit isang buwan na rin halos ang nakalipas nang makaharap namin ni Regan ang ilang mga Kataha." Panimula ni Yael sa mga kasama. "It's quite unusual na muli silang nanahimik. I feel that they are planning something. Let us be more cautious about them. "

"Sabi niyo Yael, may nakausap kayong isang Kataha na hindi ninyo napatay." Said Maia. "Hindi ba siya ang sugo?"

"Hindi, Maia." Yael answered. "I am certain that he is not the chosen demon, but I cannot deny that he is undeniably stronger than an average Kataha. I cut his arm, but it regenerated."

Napasinghap ang mga Ahren. Ang mga armas na gamit nila ay may basbas mula sa langit, at bilang mga taong may lahing anghel, may kakayahan silang gawing abo ang mga Kataha sa tuwing gagamitin nila ang mga armas na iyon laban sa mga ito.

Kakaiba ang nangyari sa paghaharap nina Yael at ng hindi pa nakikilalang Kataha. Sa halip na maging abo ang braso nito ay bumalik ito sa katawan ng kalaban.

"But we noticed he has a small arrow tattoo in his right arm, the one which was cut." Yael explained.

"We observed the MU population and so far, wala pang estudyante, guro, or empleyado ang may ganung tattoo." Regain said. "Inisa-isa namin bawat colleges. Nagmanman kami at dalawa na lamang ang hindi namin napupuntahan - ang Fine Arts at Architecture building."

"Maia, please observe within your building." Yael said to Maia, a third year Architecture student. "Report to us any male with that tattoo. Black wavy hair and brown, sharp eyes."

"Yes, Yael." Maia answered. May personal mang pinagdadaanan ang dalaga ay maaasahan namang seryoso ito pagdating sa tungkulin bilang isang Ahren.

"I will be the one to observe in the Fine Arts building." Yael said. Maia and Regan already knew why.

"Let us be observant and cautious always. Nasa paligid lang sila, and we must all be careful." He said further.

Magtatapos na sana ang kanilang paguusap when Yael's phone rang.

"Hello? Sam?" The chosen Ahren said.

"Yael! There was an attack last night here in Bontoc. Isang pamilya ng mga Ahren ang pinaslang ng mga Kataha." Sam said. His voice was full of despair.

"What? Bakit hindi ninyo namalayan?" Yael asked. He was shocked. Grief and anger flooded his veins. "Ano ba naman yan, Sam!"

"I'm sorry, Yael." Sam pleaded. "I was scheduled to go here today, and we did not see it coming."

Yael realized that he should not be blaming Sam for what happened. "Pasensya na pre, I was just shocked. Pupunta ako diyan ngayon din."

"Okay lang, Yael. I understand." Sam answered. "Let us ensure that every Ahren in the country will be ready anytime for the Katahas."

"Please expect me there tonight." Yael said. The travel to Bontoc will take almost 10 hours at agad na siyang pupunta doon para daluhan ang mga naulila ng pamilyang pinaslang, at para tipunin na rin ang mga Ahren doon by himself.

Ipinaliwanag niya ang nangyari sa mga kasama na ikinalungkot ng mga ito.

"Regan, ikaw na muna ang bahala sa kanya." Yael asked his friend.