Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 20

Rocio is being escorted by his men as he walk through the hallways. He clicked his tongue, "That damn Asta. She got a big head because of her skills. How dare she talk to me like that? Common people has no manners at all! Uneducated perks!"

They were about to turn to a corner but they stopped when someone was blocking their way. The man was tall and his body is being covered by his cloak. Rocio glared at the stranger, "Who the hell are you?" but the stranger just pulled his sword from its sheath. Rocio gritted his teeth, "Those useless scums are letting pesky rats inside!"

"Never thought that Zai's instincts are right," Rocio's eyes widen when he heard the stranger's familiar voice. "You really did slipped away."

Rocio began to step back as he begins to tremble, "S-Sinbad..!"

Sinbad glared at him, "Don't even think that you'll get away."

"Kill him! Kill him now!" kinakabahang utos ni Rocio at mabilis na tumakbo patungo sa kabilang direksyon kung saan sila nanggaling. Sumunod ang mga lalaki sa utos nito at tumakbo patungo kay Sinbad na nakahanda na ang mga armas sa kanilang kamay.

Sinbad disappeared and they all lost consciousness when a strong force just walked passed through them like a lightning. Rocio who was running also lost consciousness. Sinbad sheathed his sword and grabbed Rocio's cloth to carry him. Kasabay noon ay ang pagdating rin ni Zai. Zai just walked passed them na sinundan naman ni Sinbad habang hatak-hatak ang walang malay na katawan ng lalaki.

Shane sighed out of boredom. He was about to stand up to leave because he spent enough time here to not raise suspicions on him but he stopped when the host showed the next merchandise. He gritted his teeth as he see a kid being showed to the guests as part of the selling goods for tonight. He averted his gaze and was about to leave but he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. That hand that was coming from behind him forced him to sit down again.

He was about to make a move to attack the person behind him when that person suddenly spoke. "Make a distraction. A big one."

He sighed in relief when he heard Trois. Nawala na ang presensya ng lalaki pagkatapos niyang sabihin 'yon. Shane don't know what they're planning but he just did what he told him to. He grabbed the bomb, that he got from one of the guards earlier, from his pocket and threw it at the far corner. He stood up and walked away after that. He smiled when it exploded and the guests began to panic, "Darn. It feels good to crash a party."

Zai and Sinbad heard the explosion as Zai cut the man standing in front of the door with her sword. Sinbad looked at the ceiling when the facility shake, "He's overdoing it."

Zai opened the door, startling the slaves who serve as merchandises and the guards who are keeping watch. The guards immediately pointed their weapons at them, "Sino kayo?!"

But Zai suddenly disappeared from her place and in a blink of an eye, the guards are already down with their blood spilling on the fancy red carpet except for one. The guy trembled as Zai walk to his place. Staring at him with cold and sharp eyes. Her sword and clothes are stained with his comrades bloods. Zai pointed her sword at his neck. His sweats are cold and his throat began to run dry. Zai just remained staring at his eyes with her hawk-like ones. "Where's the exit?"

Wala itong nagawa kundi ituro ang pinto na nasa pinakadulo. After pointing at the exit, Zai hit his head, making him unconscious. Sunod na tiningnan ni Zai ay ang mga babae at bata na halatang natatakot rin sa kanya. She then glanced at the cages where she could see some various sacred beasts trapped inside. They are all staring at her. Zai averted her gaze and walked towards the slaves. "Sinbad, take care of the beasts."

Sinbad dropped Rocio's body on the floor, wounding his thigh first to make sure that he won't escape. Tumigil si Zai sa harap ng mga nanginginig na alipin. She looked down at them while they hold each other, trying to build up courage from feeling each others' presence.