City of Blinds Series 1: Cross Fire

Chapter 14

"In her weakness, I have seen her strength. Because it was only when she was weak would she have the courage to show what was inside her heart. Kaya may mga pagkakataon na kabaliktaran ng mga lumalabas sa bibig niya ang gusto niyang sabihin. Her every 'I hate you' could mean 'I love you.' Her every 'go away' could mean 'come closer.' Her every 'goodbye' could mean 'I want to see you again.' That's why yes, I would like to hear an 'I hate you' if it would mean the opposite. I would like to hear a 'go away' to have an excuse to hold onto her more." –NC

PLEASE meet me after your duty at six tonight. I have something very important to tell you. I will be waiting for you at the garden. –NC

Matapos mabasa ang sulat na ipinadala ni Nickolai sa kanang-kamay nito ay nagpatuloy si Cinaris sa paggamit ng pana na ibinigay sa kanya ni Aden noong nakaraang linggo kasabay ng pagbabalik nito ng halos one-eighth ng kanyang mahika. Bihasa siya sa paggamit ng iba't ibang uri ng armas mula pa noong bata siya. But the bow that Aden gave her was new to her. Para magamit iyon ay mangangailangan ng mahika na mabuti na lang at kahit paano ay mayroon na siya ngayon.

"This is a special kind of bow. Since it's made of ice, once you hit your target, the arrow would melt in an instant, leaving no evidence to the body. In all of the realms, there are only two of these bows. At hawak na natin ang dalawang iyon ngayon. Ibibigay ko sa 'yo ang isa. This could be your last resort to save yourself against the enemies once your illness strikes again. Keep it with you at all times." Naalala ni Cinaris na bilin pa ni Aden matapos iabot sa kanya ang armas.

Pero hindi niya iyon kaagad tinanggap. "Sa 'yo na rin nanggaling. Dalawa lang na ganito ang meron sa buong mundo. If that's the case, then why are you giving the other one to me?"

"Dahil aalis ka uli, hindi ba? The moment our contract expires, sigurado akong hindi ka na magpapapigil. You would leave this castle as fast as you could. When that time comes, it would be impossible for anyone to catch up on you. Ibinibigay ko ito sa 'yo dahil gusto kong magkaroon ng assurance na magagawa mo pa ring protektahan ang sarili mo sa oras na umatake uli ang sakit mo." Si Aden na mismo ang umabot sa kamay ni Cinaris at inilagay doon ang armas. "Alam kong ayaw mong nagkakaroon ng utang na loob sa iba. Pero kung gusto mo talaga akong bayaran, magagawa mo naman. Just always remember to be safe wherever you will be. Sa gano'ng paraan, magiging amanos na tayo. Dahil ako ngayon ang mentor mo. People know that I'm training you. At ayokong mapahiya."

Naguguluhan man ay tuluyan na iyong tinanggap ni Cinaris at namamanghang pinagmasdan. Sandali pa siyang nanginig dahil sa taglay na lamig ng pana. "How do I use this?"

"First, you have to give it a name. You have to put a drop of your blood on its handle so it would be able to recognize you as its owner. Sa ganoong paraan ay ikaw lang ang makakagamit sa kanya. And since it works in a mystical way, sa oras na kailanganin mo siya, all you need to do is just to say its name. At magpapakita na ang pana. Habang nabubuhay ka, habang hawak mo siya, hindi ito mauubusan ng arrow."

"Wow, I've never seen anything like this before." Ngumiti si Cinaris. "What's your bow's name?"

"Cedany."

Nabura ang ngiti sa mga labi niya. Cinaris couldn't believe the contempt that she felt all of a sudden over Cedany, the lucky woman who had captured Aden's heart. "I see."

"Gusto mo bang pangalanan na ngayon ang pana mo?"

Tumango si Cinaris. Inabot ni Aden ang isa niya pang kamay at marahang hinipan. Nagkaroon ng maliit na hiwa sa gitna ang kanyang hintuturo. Sa pagkagulat niya ay hindi iyon mahapdi. And in her heart, she knew that he would never hurt her in any way possible. Dahil bukod kay Nickolai ay natutunan niya na ring pagkatiwalaan si Aden. She had learned how to trust the mystery and the story that lies within his eyes. Ipinatak ng binata ang kanyang dugo sa handle ng pana.