CRUX ‡ The Secret Light

Chapter 1‡ The Circle

Madaming bagay talaga ang hindi natin matanggap ng walang patunay. We don't believe what we don't see with our own eyes. Pero hanggang kailan? Hanggang kailan ba nila pagsasawalang bahala ang mga bagay na nasa harapan nila?

I pity them. Humans. I just stood there watching the couple who met a tragic end. It's a funny thing really, ang saya-saya pa nila kanina. Now, look at them, they met death in a blink of an eye.

"Eury, there's nothing we can do about it." Nilingon ko ang tumawag sa akin.

"Why can't we save them?" I asked.

"Because we can't interfere with human lives. How many times do I have to tell you that?" Sabi ng lolo ko ng mariin na parang gusto niyang tandaan ko ito.

My grandfather weaved his hand and in an instant, nagliyab ang lugar kung nasaan ang magkasintahan. He had to do this to cover up the fact that lycans exist to humans. Dahil delikado ito at maglalagay ng panganib sa lahat. We can't risk the humans finding out that their fantasies are true and are walking among them.

I nodded briefly at sumunod na sa kanya sa paglalakad. I looked at the couple one last time and I sighed. Hindi naman nila kasalanan na may lycans sa gubat na 'yon. If only they were careful, if only they knew that lycans exist. They wouldn't have died. But that's meaningless now.

Palalim na din ang gabi pero mukhang marami parin na mga tao ang gising at nagsasaya. I stifled a laugh when I saw the annoyance on my grandfather's face as we walked among the crowd of humans.

All the ladies that we passed by spared him a look and some even stopped to fawn at him. If only they know na 300 years old ang tanda nito sa kanila.

We are beings that are capable to live a lifespan of thousand of years. Because, we are born connected to the natural energy and we stop aging at some point. Kaya kung ibabase sa age ng mga tao, my grandfather looks like he's at his 30's.

"We're going to use this place." I nodded.

Pumasok kami sa isang madilim na eskinita. I glanced kung mayroon bang tao sa paligid. When there's seems to be no one close at the vicinity, lumapit na ako sa isang pader sa gilid at nagdrawing ng isang magic circle.

"This serves as your practice as well as a punishment for engaging a battle against the lycans." I didn't respond and continually draw the circle.

"Nakikinig ka ba, Eury?" Despite how calm, collected and kind my grandfather looks, napaka-strikto nito, lalo na yata sakin.

"Eury," Bakas sa boses nito ang pagkainis.

"I tried to save them. If you had only let me-"

"If I had let you, it would have risked the treaty we have with the lycans." He interrupted. I knew better than to speak against him again kaya tumahimik na lang ako.

Para saming mga casters, mahalaga ang treaty sa bawat lahi. Kung iisipin, para kaming napagigitnaan ng iba't ibang mga lahi, we balance the existence of different kinds at higit sa lahat, hindi kami nakikialam sa teritoryo ng iba.

There are rules to be followed. And as the granddaughter of the chief of the circle, I am expected to act accordingly.

Natapos ko na ang pag-drawing sa isang magic circle para sa pag-teleport at lumingon ako sa lolo ko na nakatayo lang sa gilid ko. I always travel with him, wherever he have business to, at paminsan-minsan ako ang pinagagawa niya ng mga magic circle. He was the one who taught me how to weave magic and it in return I'm at a level above my common peers.

"You still need practice." As always 'yan ang sasabihin niya. That's why I can never be arrogant about my level. Other casters might see me as a genius just because I'm his granddaughter. Nakakalungkot isipin na 'di sumagi sa mga isipan nila na mahirap ang naging training ko simula bata pa lang.