LUNA: The Rebellion

31: Through the Mist

Alam kong kailangan ko ng tulog para sa sarili kong katawan ngunit sa mga ganitong sitwasyon, hindi ako mapakali. There were still a lot of work I needed to do, more organizing, more writting of letters, more planning, my head was about to explode from overusing it. Hindi lang si Midnight ang kailangan kong atupagin sa mga ganitong oras, may kaharian pa akong kailangang itindihin. If Ravi wasn't around to take control of Ladon in my place, hindi ko na lang alam kung ano ang gagawin ko sa sobrang stress.

Pinitik ko ang magaspang na pakpak ni Arius ng hindi pa ito tumigil sa kakakilos sa balikat ko. "Masyado kang galawgaw"

He turned on a whim and purred like a cat, the vibration on his chest reverberated onto my shoulder. Sinabi ko na kasing wag ng sumama pa saakin sa kulungan ni Eliseo.

Tinulak ko siya palayo sa balikat ko. Arius made a grunting sound, flapping his wings to push my hand back. Sinubukan niya pang kagatin ang kamay ko kaya pinitik ko uli siya palayo. To annoy the shit out of me, he began flying on top of my head in circles, making little growling sounds. My eyes rolled upwards.

"Tumahimik ka na. Sige na. Dito ka na. Kakatayin na talaga kita. Last na lang"

I wasn't sure if a dragon could giggle but what Arius produced sounded like one.

The walk to Eliseo's prison was filled with nothing but countless cursing and pushing of Arius out of complete annoyance. Either he wanted to play or he was bored, and wanted to play. Once I pulled his wings back when he kept on flapping around me. Once I kicked him and he slammed against the corridor's dark walls. Once he transformed back into his human form and conversed with a topic that was as shitty as it was as nonsensical. But all the while, it was fun. Even for a minute or so, I was out of my head and not thinking.

When Arius was satisfied, he went back into his dragon form, small version, and settled onto my shoulder.

Eliseo was busy eating a sandwich when I reached his prison. Unlike Scorch, this uncrowned king seemed to learn how to enjoy living in a secluded place. Sandali lang naman ako dito at isang katanungan lang naman ang kailangan kong itanong sakanya. Then, kung papalarin, makakuha ng mga impormasyon na siya na mismo ang magbibigay.

Nilingon niya ako sabay tinaas ang kamay para bumati. Suspicious for the Emperor not to kill him but I figured the Emperor didn't have ample time to do such a thing if he wanted to succeed in abducting Midnight.

Kung papipiliin nga naman ako kung sino sa dalawa ang uunahin ko, mas gugustuhin ko nga naman huliin si Midnight. That kind of chance could only come once in a lifetime.

Before he rose from his bed to approach me, he finished his food first. From this behavior, I wondered what kind of treatment Midnight was giving him--- them. This wasn't some gut-sickening torture the Sadist was known for. On my shoulder, Arius stayed quiet and cautious. Quite the difference from the way he moved and acted earlier.

Pinagpag ni Eliseo ang sarili at tumigil ng makalapit na ito ng tuluyan saakin. "Kamahalan"

Tumango ako sakanya. Walang dahilan para patagalin pa ang oras ko dito. "Did the Emperor promise he'd bring your dead wife back to life?"

He froze. As if the very air around him halted too. At that mere reaction, I got my answer.

Tumalikod na ako. Aakmang aalis na ng marinig ko siyang magsalita.

"He said you'd figure it out on your own" the scoffing followed after and I turned around out of pure curiosity. Arius's wings accidentally scratched my cheek from the sudden force I applied from turning, but it wasn't enough to wound me. Eliseo slyly grinned just as our eyes met. "Clever, mixed-blood"