CRUX ‡ The Secret Light

Chapter 33‡ The Stone

Margaux Eurydice Kentra POV

Why is Grandpa keeping this big secret from me? I can't help but ask myself. Nakahiga ako habang nakatitig lang sa canopy ng higaan ko. And it doesn't seem like anyone knows either.

I abruptly stood up and reached for the book I had snucked out from the library. Nasa restricted shelf na kasi 'to dahil sa kalumaan nito. I opened it again and read the same line over and over. Yun lang naman kasi ang nakalagay dito.

†The Crux†

Weaved through air;
Flowed in water;
Singed with fire;
Buried beneath the earth.

He who became one,
Lost his own vessel;
Enchained and gyved;
Invisible to thy naked eyes.
His blood is the key.

It's the same old excerpt from the famous story of Crux, written by Ern Clayne. Bigla na lang nawala si Ryker Reed, nobody knows what happened to him. Sinulat ni Ern Clyne ang librong 'to, sa simulang mga chapters ay kinukwento nito ang buhay ni Ryker Reed. It told of how he suddenly disappears ng walang nakakaalam kung bakit. At sa huli nga nito ay ang Crux. Madaming nagsabi na ginawa lang ni Ern Clyne ng sariling ending niya ang kwento ni Ryker Reed, ang dating hari ng mga casters.

I sighed and closed the book. I have no choice. Even if I don't believe the ending on the book.. It's just that it's  the only thing that tells of Ryker Reed and how he lived.

Madami ang nagalit sa biglaang  pagkawala ni Ryker Reed. His absence caused a civil war among casters. That's the war where many had lost their lives. Kaya naman bihira na lang mabanggit ang pangalan niya. Wala na ding mga records patungkol sa kanya.

I glanced at the door when I heard footsteps. Kinuha ko ang libro at tinago sa ilalim ng unan ko.

Bumaba ako ng higaan at pumunta sa pinto para buksa ito.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as soon as I saw his face. Tiningnan lang niya 'ko at dirediretso ang pasok sa kwarto ko. This guy, really..

"Clyde, anong ginagawa mo dito?" He glanced at me and sat on my bed comfortably.

"I'm just checking on you." He said out of the blue. I frowned at him. Why would he do that?

"Sasabihin mo na ba sakin ang mga sinasabi ni lolo?" Hindi ko napigilan ang inis na tono ng boses ko. It's just that I'm annoyed at him for not telling me.

Hindi ko na din alam, basta nagtatampo ako pag nakikita ko siya.  I don't what this feeling is, this is a first for me. Now that I think about it, I haven't seen him at all these past few days. Kahit nga siguro ang iba ay hindi ko na nakakasama. I've been cooped up in my own research that I've lost track of time. My curiosity would really kill me.

Iniwasan ko ang tumingin ng matagal sa mga mata niya. I hate how I feel like he could see right through me.

"Eury, I can't." I smirked at him at tinulak siya siya palabas ng kwarto ko.

"Then we're still not talking." Hindi ako tumingin sa kanya. I'm afraid that if I do, then I wouldn't be able to say that. I know that it's childish of me pero nahihirapan na din ako. Nagugulahan na ako sa lahat ng nangyayari. I wanted to focus on the tournament, but I can't.