Conquerors of the New World ✓

CNW 11: Adventure Starts Here

“Ang init naman dito!” Rinig kong reklamo ni Stanley habang inaalis ang coat nya gamit ang kanyang kanang kamay habang patuloy na pagpaypay ang kaliwa nito. “Bakit kasi dito? Ang dami-daming lugar! Pwede naman 'don sa nagssnow.” He said which I slightly agreed. Tama, mainit nga, mabuti nalang at sando at short lang ang suot ko na tinapalan ko lang ng coat na inalis ko kani-kanina lang dahil pakiramdam ko'y masusuffoscated ako sa init kahit wala n'on.

“Magtiis ka, ito ang pinakamalapit sa'tin.” Dustine replied with seriousness in his voice which is true.

Simula nung matalo namin ang boss na malapit sa'min (na lumabas ay 'yung anonymous group na 'yon) ay nagkaroon ng tapang ang mga adventurers (or conquerors dahil 'yon daw ang itatawag sa'min? Ah, basta!) na linisin ang kalapit na town namin na sinang-ayunan ng town officials namin kung kaya't medyo (dahil wala pang kasiguraduhan) safe na sa amin. Isa pa, wala naman ng nabalitang may boss nanaman ulit kaya't malalakas ang loob nilang lumaban.

Pero totoo ang sinabi ni Dustine. Ito ang pinakamalapit na lugar sa amin. If I remember it right, this place was called Chambers of the Infernal Desert in which I don't know the reason. Hindi naman 'to disyerto, at bukod sa pagiging mainit which is hindi naman sobra at OA lang kung makapagreact si Stanley, ay wala ng iba.

For me, normal lang sa'kin ang lahat. It was like we're inside a gameplay in which we will going to hunt chickens or pigs or what in a farm— yes. We're at the hills, actually at the top of it.

Bumaba kami sa kalesa (kung kalesa ba ang tawag dito, aish ewan!) at nang binayaran iyon ni Dustine ay bigla itong nawala na parang bula. Hindi na ako nagulat. There are more magical things in this world which are hardly to explain.

Nagsimula kaming maglakad at bilang protective brothers and gentlemen boys, pinalibutan nila kami ni Yvonne na naiwan sa gitna. Lahat ay attentive, kahit si Yvonne na ramdam na ramdam ko ang kaba. Kahit ako naman ay kinakabahan, sa totoo lang, pero sinusubukan ko itong itago.

“Sandali.” Red's voice echoed in the middle of our silent walk. Napahinto kaming lahat at bigla akong kinabahan. “I felt some presences.” I saw his forehead creases as he looks around our surroundings.

Dahil sa kaba ay wala akong maramdaman. “What it is?” I asked. Hindi ito sumagot. Napansin kong nakikiramdam rin ang mga kasama 'kong lalaki.

I bit my lowerlip. I'm the highest rank among them and yet… I closed my eyes as I tried my best to relax myself. Ramdam ko ang paunti-unting pagbalik ng aking normal na paghinga kasabay ng pagkaramdam ko ng presensyang sinasabi ni Red.

Hindi lang isa, kundi madami.

“Yvonne, ready your crossbow.” I whispered, as a cue, I saw the boys equipped their armors. “The creeps are here.” I added as I equipped mine, too— which was only a coat.

I saw Yvonne equipped into something in between green and brown armor— a sexy armor I mean. Nakaramdam ako ng inggit sa suot nito ngunit mabilis ko iyong ipinagsawalangbahala. I enhanced my senses as I closed my eyes while gripping a dagger that is on my thigh.

And when I opened my eyes, I threw it in one direction. Nabigla ang lahat sa aking ginawa, kasabay noon ay ang pagkahulog nito mula sa kalangitan na ikinanganga 'ko.

Did I accurately hit it?

But then, I felt more presence. It was like they're welcoming us with a big bunch of party— which I didn't wrong.

Some medium monstrous humanoid in appearance of red eagle are coming in our way.

“Aarakocra.” We heard Yvonne said. “They are found in places that are somehow warm and… they're as fast as Ferrari.” She whispered. As a cue, mabilis na nagsisuguran pababa ang mga ito kung nasaan kami. I quickly covered my coat in myself as I heard them struggling as they try to fight it. Shit.