Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 11

Third Person's Point of View

"Oi. Saan ba tayo pupunta?" tanong ni Shane sa dalawa. Ang dalawang kilay nito ay malapit ng magdikit at nakasimangot rin ang mga labi. "Dalawang oras na tayong naglalakad sa disyerto! Ewan ko lang sa inyo pero limitado ang stamina ko! Lintek na yan!"

"At sa'n mo naman plano magpahinga?" balik na tanong ni Trois sa nakababata na kanina pa nagrereklamo. "There's no shade in the middle of the dessert, idiot."

"Alam ko 'yun! P*ta. Lintek na mga araw 'to. Can someone explain to me why there are two suns shining at Archodonia?!"

"Well, that is because--"

"Heh! ALAM KO!"

"Then don't ask dumbass!"

"Ha?!! Anong---"

"Quiet," napatigil ang dalawa ng magsalita ang dalaga na nasa kanilang harapan. Tumigil rin ito sa paglalakad. "Let's take a break."

Magsasalita na sana si Shane ngunit itinaas ng babae ang kaniyang kamay at may tinuro. Tiningnan naman ito ng dalawa at nakita sa kalayuan ang hilera ng mga puno. Malapit na nilang marating ang gubat.

Napuno ng galak ang mukha ng binata at akmang tatakbo na ngunit tumingin sa kanya si Zai. "And Shane, watch your mouth. Your words are not very pleasing to my ears."

--

Bumuga ng hangin si Shane habang binababa ang kanyang bagahe sa ilalim ng puno. Ibinagsak niya ang kaniyang pang-upo sa lupa at pinunasan ang tumatagaktak na pawis sa kaniyang mukha. Kinuha nito ang inumin na kaniyang dala at inubos ito. Pagkatapos uminom ay bumuga ito ng hangin. "Wala na tayong inumin at pagkain. We also don't have much money left."

Katahimikan ang namayani pagkatapos niyang sabihin 'yon. They were too tired to even speak.

"We rest for a few minutes. We can't stay here for long." bigkas ng dalaga at isinandal ang likod sa isang puno. Masyado naman ng pagod si Shane para magreklamo pa dito.

"They should be here for a half an hour. We need to move before they do." sambit naman ni Trois habang nakatingin sa nilakaran nilang disyerto.

Nagtaka naman si Shane sa pinag-uusapan ng dalawa. "Ha? Sinong dadating?"

Laking gulat na lamang niya noong bigla siyang hinatak patayo ni Trois at tinapon sa likuran nito. Bumangon siya mula sa pagkakadapa at nakitang mayroon ng nakatarak na sibat sa punong sinasandalan niya kanina. Mabilis niyang naintindihan ang sitwasyon noong makita ang pamilyar na simbolo ng kaharian sa naturang sandata. He completely forgot that these two are still being chased for their chased. Hindi lang ng mga bounty hunters, maski ang palasyo ay hinahanap na rin ito. Paniguradong nakarating sa palasyo na kasalukuyang narito ang dalawa.

Sa pag-ihip ng hangin ay paglitaw din ng tatlong tao sa kanilang harapan. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Shane at mabilis na yumuko bilang pagbibigay galang. Kinakabahan ito habang ang mga kamay ay maayos na nasa kaniyang magkabilang tagiliran. He is also pursing his lips to vent the anxiousness he is feeling.

"Are you a citizen of this kingdom?" tanong ng lalaking may mahabang nakatirintas na buhok at may suot na magarang baluti. Halatang strikto ito sa paraan ng kaniyang pagtingin. Maski ang tindig nito ay nagpapakitang isa siyang marangal na tao.

"Y-Yes.." sagot rito ni Shane na halos nanginginig na sa kaniyang kinatatayuan.

"Then why are you with them?" the intimidating man squinted his eyes, "Did they took you by force? Are they framing you? Or.." Shane flinched when the man pulled out his sword from its sheath. "Are you betraying your kingdom?"

Hindi nakasagot ang binata dito. Pagkalipas ng ilang segundo ay hinawakan na nito ang espada ng isa pa niyang kamay at nanlaki na lamang ang mga mata ni Shane at tumayo ng maayos noong marinig na umatake na ito. Umatras siya ng isang beses ngunit masyado itong mabilis at tiyak niya na hindi niya ito maiilagan.

Ngunit laking gulat na lamang niya noong humarang sa kanyang harapan si Trois at pinigilan ang espada nito gamit ang mga kamay na nababalutan ng kuryente. But the man's expression didn't show any emotions of shock or startlement.

Zai immediately grabbed Shane and get him out of the way. Sa isang iglap ay tumalsik si Trois ng ilang metro. Causing for some trees to break because of his body. Zai glared at the man as she stand firm while Shane is behind her. Still confuse about what happened. It was too fast that he can't catch up.

"I can see that you're no ordinary man." saad ni Zai rito habang binubunot ang kaniyang espada mula sa lalagyanan.

Ipinikit ng lalaki ang kaniyang mga mata at tumayo na ng maayos. Hindi nito inihanda ang sariling armas, tumingin lamang siya sa dalaga. "Zaivrin Haines. I've heard that you are General Yan's daughter and you are a splendid student of the academy. Everyone knew your name yet look at how much you've fallen. A traitor of your own country. I hope that my stubborn little brother didn't learn any iniquity from you. That will only bring shame to our kingdom."

Zai squinted her eyes and was about to walk forward but she stopped when Shane held her wrist to stop her. She looked down on Shane and saw fear in the boy's eyes. "You can't win against him. He is the first prince of Westernia and he has also become a general leading thousands of men at a young age. His skills and strength are nothing like you've seen before. I'm telling you, Zai! Think about it. You're facing Sinbad Horus! He's the most terrifying man on this land!"

Pero walang epekto ang sinabi nito sa dalaga, ngumisi si Zai at muling ibinalik ang tingin sa lalaki. "So you're Jebal's brother."

Sinbad's lips turned into a sly smile, "I've heard that my brother enrolled in the academy using a false name. How come you knew his real family name?"

"Your family's crest is tattooed on his back," Zai chuckled, "How come a royalty like him was found stealing in the middle of Centrio's capital?"

"That is none of your concern. For now, we'll lock you up in the castle's dungeon. The Westernia's council will decide whether we will hand you over to your country or we'll kill you instead. Now surrender quietly and---"

Hindi na nagawang matapos ni Sinbad ang kaniyang sinasabi dahil mabilis niyang iniharang ang kaniyang espada noong maramdaman ang mabilis na pag-atake sa kaniya ni Trois. Trois' expression was more intense than before. His smile was wider and his eyes showed his excitement from the pressure. Sinbad is squinting his eyes and gritting his teeth because of Trois' strength. It was nothing like before.

Trois let out a small excited chuckle, "Let's play!"