Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 16

"You could've spend another day here. I would be happy to tour you around." sabi ni Ali noong tumigil na sila sa harap ng gate ng palasyo.

Zai shook her head, "We can't stay here any longer."

Ali sighed but he eventually smiled then glanced at Sinbad who is now wearing a cloak just like Zai and the others. He chuckled when he saw that Sinbad is wearing his usual stoic expression but as his father, he already know that he's still hesitant on going.

He walked to Sinbad and put his hand on his shoulder. Magkasing tangkad lamang ang dalawa at maski ang kanilang pangangatawan at postura ay halos magkapareho. "I'm counting on you as Westernia's general and also as my son. When you happen to meet Jebal, tell that brother of yours to at least visit us when the war's over."

Tinitigan ito ni Sinbad bago ito bumuntong hininga at muling tumitig sa mga mata ng hari na may determinasyon. "Yes, Father."

Ali frowned, "You were used to calling me 'Papa' back then. You two were so cute whenever you call me that--"

"I see no need in saying some unnecessary things at the moment, your highness." mabilis na pagsingit ni Sinbad sa mga sinasabi nito. Zai averted her gaze when she heard that familiar word. Yan's face immediately registered in her mind. But she eventually put it all aside.

Muli namang lumingon sa kanya si Ali at ngumiti. "Yan will surely be proud of you. When you meet again, tell him to come drink with me sometimes. He hasn't visited me since last year. What a great friend he is." sarkastikong sabi ng hari at tumawa.

Zai just stared at the king. The king actually look young, just like Yan. His black hair is short and a bit messy, hindi katulad ng dalawang anak nito na may mahabang buhok. Also just like Yan, he is fond of wearing robes that are quite loose at the upper part, revealing his chest. Yan is more formal or presentable than he is though. His skin is in between light and dark, it's their country's natural complexion. Naiiba lamang si Sinbad dahil may kaputian rin ito. He must've inherited it from his mother side.

Ali's face turned serious but there's a smile on his lips. Like he is just about to join an interesting game, "Then let's continue the hunt. But this time, Westernia's joining the quest."

Ali's expression changed once more and he pointed his finger at the group. "Guards! Seize them!"

Zai smirked and they began to run. "General Sinbad Horus has betrayed our country and is planning to escape with the other criminals! Don't let them get away! Capture them no matter what! A punishment must be made! Seize them!"

The guards immediately ran out of the palace gates. Ali watched as the guards run pass him to catch the four persons in cloaks. He sighed but then smiled afterwards. He began to walk back to the palace. "I guess I'll go finish my paperworks."

"Stop at once!" sumisigaw ang mga guwardiya habang sila ay hinahabol. Pinagtitinginan rin sila ng mga tao na nasa gilid ng daan. They just kept on running as their cloak dance along with the wind.

"Halt!"

Sinbad clicked his tongue and all of a sudden, a lightning struck down on the guards. Making them stop on chasing after them. Shane looked back and then shifted his gaze at Sinbad as he grimaced. He was the general just a moment ago but he mercilessly struck his subordinates with lightning just like that.

"You'd do good as a criminal."

"Shut it."

--

"What? Even the first prince of Westernia came along with Zai?!" hindi makapaniwalang basa ni Ace sa diyaryong hawak nito. Jebal's eyes widen when he heard what the red eyed boy said.

One day has passed since Zai and the others left the walls of Westernia. Mabilis namang inanunsyo ng mga publishing company ng Westernia ang hindi kapani-paniwalang balita.

"Zaivrin Haines, a wanted criminal, along with her accomplices, has infiltrated the walls of Westernia. She had contact with a smith named Garp Wault. However, the said smith was found dead inside his house with a hole in his chest. They were successfully captured by the Westernia's soldiers but they got out and General Sinbad Horus was already with them. The-- hoy! Teka! Binabasa ko pa!" hindi naman pinansin ni Jebal ang lalaki at tinitigan ang diyaryo. He gritted his teeth when he did saw Sinbad's picture in a cloak running with Zai and Trois and with another accomplice they don't know.

His grip on the paper got tighter, crumpling the newspaper. "What the heck is he thinking?" tila nanggigigil na saad nito.

"'Wag mong lukutin!" Ace snatched the paper away from Jebal and continued reading with the others.

"The king immediately sent pursuers to capture the criminals, especially the general who just betrayed his country and his first son who is the heir to the throne. With this, it could be possible that his second son, Jebal Horus might take his place as the next king of Westernia..." pabagal ng pabagal na basa ni Ace hanggang sa lahat na ng mata ay na kay Jebal na.

"Ha?!" hindi makapaniwalang sigaw ni Axen at muli nilang binasa ang nakasaad sa diyaryo. But Jebal's attention was on something else. He knows his brother and he isn't the type to do something like this. He wouldn't commit treason against his own country. Then why?! Did Zai bribed him? Threatened him? Damn it!

"Jebal! You?! The second prince?!"

"I already dropped that title. It doesn't matter to me anymore." sabi ni Jebal habang nakatuon pa rin ang atensyon sa palaisipang trinaydor ni Sinbad ang kanilang bansa.

Ace looked at him with an unbelievable expression, "It doesn't matt---dude! You don't know what you're losing!"

Jebal's eyebrows furrowed, "Being prince doesn't mean you can do everything you want because of your wealth and power. Your responsibilities are burdens and they're restraining you from doing whatever you want."

"There it is. The line of a saint. Dude, why do I feel like you dropped that title so you can just play around with women?"

"Well, that is one of the reasons."

Ace looked at him with wide eyes saying 'are you serious?' then he slightly raised his arms then dropped them again on his side as he avert his gaze, "Unbelievable."

Ermo crumpled the newspaper and slammed it on the table. The other teachers who are eating on the same table glanced at him but no one dared to say a word. Except when Sinner came with his tray of food.

"Get over it, Ermo. Keep it together, especially now that our country is in this state." Sinner said as he glance at the demons in human form who are surveilling the whole school in every corner.

Ermo sighed, "I know."

"We don't know what Zai is planning but I know that she isn't the one who killed him."

Ermo nodded, "I told her about my grandfather. She must've came to him to forge her a weapon. She's not the one who killed him, look." itinuro naman nito ang litrato ng apat na nasa artikulo. "Shane is with them. Grandfather adopted him when he was little and he wouldn't come along with somebody who just murdered the person who took him in. I know Shane more than anyone."

Sinner nodded like he's starting to get what he's trying to say, "Someone broke in and his intention might be to capture Zai and Trois for their bounties or.."

Ermo nodded and his expression got more serious, "Yeah. It could be them."

"Well, who else could it be? They're after that dumb book that gloomy girl have. It might be in our favor that she took the book with her. Shaera won't get what she want easily." Fobia rolled her eyes.

Sinner spoke again, "However, we can't fully trust Zai. Zai and Trois have been my most difficult students. They are skilled but they are also unpredictable. I don't know how they think. It might cause us more trouble now that they also have Westernia's general in their group."

Ermo sighed, "You really taught one heck of a student."

Sinner clenched his hand on top of the table, "I.. didn't even teach her anything.."