Sinbad stared at the lights from afar. It was night but the town that they're heading to is bright as day. Tumalon siya pababa ng puno at naglakad patungo sa apoy na nagsisilbing liwanag para sa kanila.
"After four days, we've finally reached this far. We're almost there but don't put your guards down. We're near that city after all." he said and sat down.
Tumingin naman sa kanya si Shane na kasalukuyang nag-iihaw ng mga isda na nakuha nila sa malapit na ilog. "Hm? Bakit?"
"I've heard that it is a dangerous city to be. Especially for criminals." saad ng kakarating lamang na si Asta. She and Trois was scouting the area in case there was an enemy nearby.
Sinbad nodded, "Rotrine City is full of casinos, clubs, restaurants, hotels, and many more. It is mostly known as the Entertainment City. It is a private property and even the government have no influence in it. That's why criminals are free to go in and out."
"Kung ganon naman pala edi wala tayong problema!" saad ni Shane at nagsimula ng kumain.
"Idiot. Can't you understand?" tanong ni Trois habang tumatayo na may hawak na tatlong isdang nakatuhog sa iba't ibang stick. "Where there's a walking money, there's always bounty hunters to collect it." he walked to where Zai is and gave her a fish, so as Rui who was watching Zai looking at her sword.
Sinbad also started to eat, "Criminals that were caught by bounty hunters are mostly brought there. They sell them and the buyers will pay them more than the amount of bounties they deserve. They're using criminals as entertainments for their shows and other performances. When you use criminals, no one will care even if they die as part of the entertainment."
Napalunok naman si Shane dito at tumingin na lamang kay Zai, "Zai! Let's---"
"No, we're going in that pleasure town," Zai smirked as she slide her hand along the blade of her sword, making herself bleed. "We might find something interesting."
"Shemay.. bakit ba nagtanong pa 'ko?"
--
They casually walked through the town's gate. Zai looked at the shops and noticed that they seem normal. Except for other shops that are closed. Medyo kakaunti lamang din ang mga naglalakad sa maluwag na kalsada. Mukhang mas aktibo ang syudad sa gabi.
Rui looked up to Zai's face and saw her usual plain expression. He smiled and looked forward again but he immediately raised his hand and the kunai that was supposed to hit Zai was deflected. Sinbad noticed some strings in front of Zai then he gaze at Rui who is most likely the reason why the kunai didn't reach the girl.
He's sure that Zai noticed the weapon and she could easily avoid it but she didn't. She knew what Rui was going to do. What's more impressive is that the kid sensed the weapon as well. He could even control his excelium in just four days. He could remember that Zai is teaching him along the way but he kept on cutting all the trees that they pass by. Sinbad squinted his eyes at the young boy. Zai just picked up a diamond along the way.
Someone snickered in front of them, which is most likely the person who threw the kunai at Zai. May kasama itong mga iba pa at sa unang tingin pa lang ay mapaghahalataan na kung ano sila. Bounty hunters.
"Hm? Mukhang magaling 'yang bata niyo ah? Want to trade? I'll give you--" ngunit bigla itong nanahimik at kasabay non ay ang paglitaw ni Trois sa likuran ng grupo nila. After a mere second, they all fell unconscious on the ground.
Trois glared at them with disgust. "They're weak."
Asta sighed as they continued walking, ignoring the hunters that is laying on the dusty road. "Hindi lahat ng hunters ay malakas, Trois. You're expecting too much."
"Then why did they become one?" Trois clicked his tongue and walked along with them.
"Welcome." saad ng isang babae na nasa likod ng counter noong pumasok sila sa kanilang inn. Lumapit naman dito si Asta na mukhang mas interesadong pumili ng malaking kwarto at si Shane na magbabayad para dito. Zai looked around. The place looks like a traditional japanese inn. They also have a small restaurant inside.
"Oh Ero! Pakidala na nga rin ito!"
"Sige, 'Tang!"
A man wearing traditional japanese clothes, the ones men workers usually wear, came out of the door from the side that seemed to be connected to the kitchen. Nakarolyo ang mga sleeves nito hanggang sa kaniyang siko at may bitbit rin itong dalawang kahon. Nakatali ang buhok nito at mukhang nasa trenta na ang edad. May maikling balbas rin ito.
He walked to the door and Zai didn't separate her gaze from the man. She could feel his presence and it's overwhelming. He was no ordinary man that you could see anywhere.
When they got their room, the staff assisted them and even opened the sliding door for them. The room was big enough for them to fit. There are futon at the side, along with kimonos that they can use. The staff bowed her head before leaving.
Asta frowned as they go in with their bags, "I thought we're having our own rooms."
Shane shook his head, "Gastos lang. Mas makakatipid 'pag nasa isang kwarto lang tayo. Si Zai nga na babae hindi nagrereklamo. Ikaw 'tong binabae, ikaw nagrereklamo."
Asta smiled at him sarcastically, "Ha-ha. Laos na 'yang joke mo, wala bang iba? Lintek ka."
The others just ignored the two who started arguing again. Zai is just sitting on the window, staring outside. Lumapit naman dito si Sinbad at isinandal ang likod sa pader na katabi ng bintana. "What are you planning to do?" he started.
"We'll do some scouting tonight. If you find something suspicious, tell me." saad ni Zai ng hindi ito tinitingnan. Zai squinted her eyes when she felt the familiar presence she sensed when they were still about to pass through the gates. It's been a long time since she felt it but there's no mistaking it, especially now that she sensed it for the second time. She knows who it is and she could bet that that presence also sensed her own.
Sinbad glanced at the girl's face then back to Shane and Asta who are still arguing. Trois walked to them and stopped them with one blow on their solar plexus. He grimaced but just eventually continued their conversation, "Why did you even want to go here? We just have to go around in order to reach the port you know."
Zai shrugged her shoulders, "Instincts." she said and closed her eyes.
Sinbad sighed with her unreasonable answer. He acknowledges the girl's fighting skills and wits but he's worried whenever she does things on a whim. She's unpredictable and for some reason, only Trois can understand her.
She also has that certain darkness that he can't fathom. He then glanced at Rui who is staring at the three. However, she also has that side in her. A soft side.
"Zai---" but he stopped when he saw the girl. She was already asleep. He sighed. He also noticed how often she sleeps the last few days. Mabilis itong nakakatulog na tila ba pagod na pagod kahit wala naman itong ginagawa. Whenever she sleeps, Trois will carry her if they need to move as fast as possible. They can't just wait until the guards catch them. But no matter how big is Trois' movements, she just won't wake up. She sleeps to deep nowadays.
Sinbad put his arms behind Zai's head and knees then carried her. He was about to bring her to the futon laying on the floor but he stopped when Rui held on the hem of his shirt. He looked down and saw Rui's big eyes looking at him.
"Asta and Shane. They're not breathing." kaswal na saad nito at tinuro ang dalawa. Sinbad clenched his jaw and first put Zai on the futon.
He stood up and walked to where the two are. Trois was nowhere to be found. "Where's the culprit?"
"Trois said he'll go out for a bit."
"That son of a--"
YOU ARE READING
Excelium II: Hunting Season
Fantasy[Book 2 of Excelium] There's no such thing as pure white in someone's soul. Such purity does not exist in a world full of living beings who seeks for almost everything, even a child desires plenty. Greed would grow from within even without you notic...
