Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 28

"Pre, mukhang nagsimula na si Sir." saad ng isang tauhan noong marinig ang ingay na nagmumula sa labas. Tumingin naman ito kay Shane na hanggang ngayon ay nakatali pa rin at may telang nakatakip sa bibig, "Anong gagawin natin sa batang 'to?"

"Hmm.. malay. Ang sabi ni Sir hindi naman na niya kailangan 'yan pagnakuha na niya 'yung babae."

"Edi pakawalan niyo." napatingin na lamang sila kung saan nanggaling ang boses na iyon. Nagtaka na lamang sila noong makita ang binata na nakatayo roon at may malaking sako sa tabi nito.

Muli silang tumingin sa binatang nasa silya at nagulat na lamang noong nagsimula itong matunaw. Shane chuckled, "Hindi madaling makuha ang magnanakaw na katulad ko." isinakbit nito ang malaking sako sa kaniyang balikat at ngumiti sa mga lalaki, "See ya!"

"Hoy bata--!" akmang hahabulin na ito ng mga lalaki ngunit bigla na lamang silang tumumba sa sahig. Nagtaka naman si Shane sa nangyari ngunit lumipat ang kaniyang tingin sa pinto kung saan nakatayo si Rui at nakataas ang kamay.

Ibinaba nito ang kamay at tumingin kay Shane, "It seems that there was no need to rescue you."

Shane chuckled and put the bag down, creating a loud sound. Rui smiled, "You really are skilled. No one noticed you huh."

"Yup. Pro 'to noh!" he said and proudly pointed at himself.

"Let's go."

Muling kinarga ni Shane ang sako na puno ng alahas at tumakbo na sila palabas. "Asan nga pala ang iba?"

"Stealing as much as they can. Zai just sent me here in case that you run into trouble. You being kidnapped wasn't in the plan but since Fedrino was kind enough to invite us here, we're taking the opportunity."

Shane pouted, "And here I thought I could do this alone and brag about it to you guys."

Rui just kept on running, "Your abduction turn out all right because it created an opportunity for us but Shane, when we already have a plan, stick to it. One simple change can cause something unexpected. Zai had to act as diversion. Although Fedrino might have noticed that we're gone, he could care less because what he wants is Zai, he wouldn't care for us if he has his hands on her."

Shane sighed, "Fine. I'm sorry."

The plan that they were talking about is what Sinbad discussed to them yesterday night, the night they have to scout the area. Before they scouted, Sinbad discussed what their plan is. First is they'll try to gather enough information so that they can break into Fedrino's mansion without being noticed. When they get in, they expose Fedrino's illegal businesses and steal from him then they'll be on their way. Simple as that. But Shane purposely let his clone be captured and be brought to the mansion. He broke in and stole as much as he can while his clone is acting as him. Thinking that Fedrino can kill Shane, Zai played along with his play and trusted Shane and the plan to the others. Which was supposed not to happen.

--

"Hmm.." the panther hummed as he walk around Zai but the girl remained looking straight ahead. Not sparing a glance from Fedrino who's smirking at her. Not glancing at the huge panther who is staring down at her. "A woman. 17 or 18 years of age." he sniffed and an amused expression showed in his face, "How amusing. A woman with the blood of the ancient demons has been bestowed with the creator's power? Avis made a desperate decision, I see."

But Zai continued ignoring him. The panther squinted his eyes and suddenly showed his claw and scratched Zai. Even though her dress was ripped and there's blood on her thigh, Zai still didn't glance at the sacred beast. The beast licked the blood on his claw and hummed again.