Adria
"That's a tamed Lidèrc," saad ni Cyan.
"A tamed what?!"
The bird occasionally flaps its wings as it scratches and pecks on the ground. We had to cover our faces from the fluttering dust.
"It's a shapeshifting creature. You're lucky it showed up as a chicken." Cyan pointed out while on his way up a tree.
Kahit ano pa ang maging itsura nito, hindi ko maiisip na suwerte ako.
"I thought we're going to Elixir?" tanong ko dahil hindi ko talaga maisip kung para saan nga ba ang nakikitang manok.
"Elixir is located in a continent to the west. It'll take us days if we use normal means to get there." Pasigaw na ang sunod niyang sinabi. "Ano pang ginagawa mo d'yan?! Umakyat ka na rito!" Naguguluhan man, sinundan ko na lang din siya. "Once it opens its beak, jump."
Napapantastikuhan ko siyang nilingon. "Why would I deliberately get eaten alive?!"
Salubong na naman ang mga kilay niya. "There's a faster way to Elixir inside!"
My eyes widened. "Whoever thought of putting a detour in a monster's belly is insane!"
"Say your complaints to professor Malevolent once you meet her." He took out his wand and began mumbling words. "Bestow your tears to this land of drought. Cleanse the earth of its putrid filth, hear me, Mu'ye!"
As if on que, dark clouds immediately formed, eating up the sun. Soon after it began to drizzle, the creature tipped its head back catching bits of raindrop through its beak. The entrance is already wide open, but I can't get my shaking legs to move.
Narinig ko ang malalim na buntong-hininga ni Cyan bago ko naramdaman ang braso niya sa 'king binti at likod. Napakapit na lang ako sa leeg niya nang buhatin niya na naman ako patalon sa nakangangang bunganga ng higanteng manok. We slid on its slimy tongue down to its throat and before I could even scream in disgust, we were already in a meadow.
Agad akong napatayo nang mabistahan ang paligid. Nearby was a town much bigger than the last we've been. Within it's walls I saw a majestic castle. Napapalibutan ang buong bayan ng malawak na lawa at walang katapusang kagubatan.
"Is that Elixir?"
"Not, quite." Humakbang na siya patungo sa bayan. "That is Alquia, the city where Elixir resides." Sinipat niya 'ko mula ulo hanggang paa. "It's about time you get out of the trash you're wearing."
I couldn't argue with him, I'm fully aware that my supposed to be luxurious gown is already reduced to rags. Hindi tulad sa unang bayan, mga nilalang na kawangis ng tao lang ang halos nakakasalubong ko sa daan. Mapa-bata, matanda, babae at lalaki ay makikitang palakad-lakad. Pinuntahan namin ang parte ng bayan kung saan tabi-tabi ang mga establishemento at mga tindahan.
