Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 10

"Kasalanan niyo 'to! Namatay si tanda dahil sa inyo!" Trois and Zai remained quiet even though Shane is yelling at them, blaming them for Garp's death.

"Kung hindi niyo lang sana dinamay kami sa problema niyo, buhay pa sana siya! Kung hindi ko lang sana kayo dinala sa kanya, hindi 'to mangyayari!" puno ng poot ang mga mata ng binata at ramdam ang sakit nito sa bawat salita na kaniyang pinapakawalan. Ngunit walang pagbabago ang nangyari sa ekspresyon ng dalawa. Zai is just staring at him while Trois is looking out for pursuers.

"Narinig niyo 'ko?! Kayo ang dahilan kung bakit siya namatay!"

"Keep your voice down." utos rito ng dalaga ngunit mas tumindi lamang ang galit ng binata. Zai's face tilt to the side when Shane's fist touched her cheek. Trois kept quiet but he's gripping his hand too tightly to prevent himself from attacking the enrage boy.

Shane's eyes widen when he realized what he just did but he covered it up with his angry and pained expression again. "Ano ng gagawin ko ngayon? He's my only family. I have nowhere to go and I don't want to go anywhere. I won't leave." pababa ng pababa ang kaniyang tono.

"You have no choice but to come with us. They also saw your face, they might come looking for you."

"Hindi ako sasama sa inyo."

"You'll come even if you don't want to. At least stay alive for your grandfather's sake. Trois, let's go." Trois nodded and walked to the spot where they currently are.

"Don't give me that sh*t. For his sake? That's one heck of a cliché thing to say, coming from you. I hate it. Even the old gramps will hate those words that came out of your mouth! Your own life is not meant for somebody else!"

"Then live for yourself." Zai said, staring directly at his eyes. "We were at fault? We are to blame? Don't kid with me, brat. Don't underestimate the world you're living in. If there's a predator then there's a prey and mostly, the prey dies. That's what you call weak. Garp died because he was weak."

Shane gritted his teeth and more anger filled his eyes, "Anong sinabi mo--"

"You are weak. I hate to admit it but I was also weak. I can't do anything in that situation." Zai's hands clenched, "I despise weaknesses and I'm living to wash all of those away. So don't put all the blame on us. You were also weak. Those weaknesses caused your grandfather's life."

Pagkatapos sabihin ang mga salitang iyon, nilagpasan siya ng dalaga at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad kasunod si Trois na nanatiling tahimik. Shane clenched his fists and sniffed. Pinunasan niya ang kaniyang mga mata gamit ang mahabang manggas ng kaniyang damit.

"Bwisit..."

He turned his back and followed behind Trois. Trois just glanced at him while Zai's eyes remained focus on the road ahead. Shane kept on wiping the tears that are continuously falling from his eyes. Trois can even hear him sniffing and sobbing.

You lost something valuable but you have to move forward. You can't stop. The world won't stop spinning for you. The time won't stop ticking to wait for you. You have to stand up and stop staring at your feet. Lift your face and look forward then walk.

--

"Oi Dan! Your clone just died! Tch!" Cast came in, anger visible on her face. Dan lifted his gaze at her then continued on reading the book in his hands.

"Not surprising. Only 30% of the original's strength does the clones contain after all." Gon said, not even leaving his gaze to his big axe.

"Tch. Are you asking Mallows for another clone, kid?" tanong ni Cast, may himig ng pagkairita sa boses nito.

"Not needed." Dan smirked ngunit hindi nito inalis ang mga mata sa hawak na libro.

"You're one cocky kid." Garo commented, clicking his tongue because of irritation. "Don't get ahead of yourself, brat."

"I don't wanna hear that from someone who barged in the academy yet leaving after taking a beating."

Garo gritted his teeth and was about to attack the boy who shamelessly used his sharp tongue but he stopped when the door opened, revealing Xhen who just came back after reporting to Shaera. "Stop it Garo. Don't do such pointless things."

"Tch. I'm heading out." Garo said and suddenly disappeared, leaving a gust of wind.

Sunod namang tiningnan ni Xhen ay ang bata na nagpatuloy lamang sa pagbabasa. "Dan, if something like this happen again, I'll cut that tongue of yours."

Dan's forehead furrow as he make a frustrated pout and cover his face with the book.

"And what are you all doing here anyway? Aren't you suppose to be patrolling?"

"Alright, alright." they sighed and suddenly disappeared.

Wein's Point of View

"Captain, where should I put these?" I glanced at the papers he is holding. Damn, another set. I sighed, massaging the gap between my eyes and told him to put it on the side. After putting them down, he slightly bowed and left the office.

I leaned on the backrest of my chair and relaxed my body for a while. I've been stuck here in this office for 4 straight hours because of these paperworks.

I clicked my tongue and removed my glasses. Because of those demons, my workload increased. Headmaster Levine was removed from his position. Shaera treats him as a traitor after all. He was replaced by a demon as well. That certain demon pushed his damn work on us, the captains. Screw him.

I'm not going to just sit by and let this continue. I'd want to speak with Zai pero paano? Hindi ko rin alam kung ano ang tumatakbo sa utak no'n. She just left me a message regarding the book but she didn't wrote anything about her plan. She couldn't even trust me.

Tumayo ako at tinungo ang pinto. Because of my sudden movement, the captains and the demons who are assigned to watch over us looked at my direction. In an instant, a blade is one inch away from my neck. "Where are you headed?"

I clicked my tongue and looked at the demon with irritation written all over my face. "What? I can't even take a leak? Back off, sh*t."

The demon squinted his eyes at me but we stopped glaring at each other when we heard a laughter. "Haha! You're becoming more like Zai every single day, Wein! I can see your wrinkles."

"Shut it, Serene." I said and opened the door. I closed it behind me and walked to the direction where the comfort room is.

I looked around and witnessed the same scene every single damned day. The atmosphere is dull because of the silence. Every students are whispering whenever they talk. Demons are also everywhere, making sure that none of us make a weird action.

All of our actions are limited. Especially the teachers. All of us were forced to wear black thin collars around our right wrist but the senseis have them on their neck. In Shaera's command, these collars will explode. It is also a device that can help them locate us. I don't know what metal they used to make these, but hell, they sure are hard to break.

I clicked my tongue and kicked the trash bin nearby, making a loud noise inside the silent corridor. The students looked at me and also those pests. I just glared at them and continued walking. If only I can communicate with Zai... damn it.

What the hell is she doing now?!

***
Guys, I'm so sorry if this new chapter took too long to finish. I didn't know what kind of scene I should write next😅 sorry about that.

I'm also thankful for those who complimented my story. Truly appreciated.

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