Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 48

It's quiet. It's dark. Yet unlike what normal people do, Zai didn't look around. She's not dumb to not realize where she is. She continued staring forward with her neutral expression.

"It's boring isn't it?" said one familiar and hoarse voice. Zai listened as he let out a low maniacal laughter. His laughter is short and quiet as if he's laughing after he breathed out some air. It was creepy and Zai could easily tell that Ephraim is truly a lunatic person. "I've been staying here for the past 18 years since you were born."

Zai temporarily closed her eyes and when she opened them, a pair of red dry eyes was only a few inches away from hers. Ephraim's smile got wider, causing for his dry eyes to smile as well. Yet Zai didn't even flinched nor blinked even if the creepy and scary man suddenly appeared in front of her.

Payat ang katawan nito at kaunti lamang ang itinangkad nito sa kanya. Magulo ang buhok nito at may dugo pa sa magkabilang gilid ng ulo na tila ba may dumaan na isang espada rito. Dumudugo rin ang leeg nito at may tahi. Pula ang mga mata nito at tuyo. Namumula ang mga sulok ng kaniyang mga mata at mulat na mulat rin ang mga ito habang nakatitig ng direkta sa kaniyang mga mata. Malaki ang ngiti nito. His expression is far more bone-chilling than Trois'.

"Hey, Zai.." Ephraim whispered as his hand slowly make its way to Zai's neck, "You'll give it to me right? Right?" he said as his eyes smile again and he let out an expectant sound.

Zai stared directly at his eyes, "I have nothing to give to you."

Ephraim's gaze turned cold and sharp, "Then what are you doing here? There's no such thing as taming a--"

"Who's taming who?" Zai continued staring at his eyes, "Don't get me wrong. I have no intention of keeping you as a pet."

Ephraim let out a creepy chuckle, "Then you're planning to kill me? To vanish me permanently?"

Zai smiled, obviously suspicious. "No. I want to offer you a deal."

Ephraim raised a brow, "What is it you want?"

Zai smirked, "Avis' power is currently locked inside somewhere here. You can at least manage to keep it at bay right? Because there is no guarantee that it'd stay locked up in here forever."

Ephraim smiled, "So in other words, you want me to keep you alive?" lalo nitong nilapit ang mukha sa dalaga. Zai can smell the familiar scent of blood. Ephraim stared wide-eyed at the girl, "Then what do I get in return? I'm not asking for renting your body ten minutes a day. That ain't happening. You better offer me a great deal or this won't work out."

Zai's eyes became sharp as she smile. Inilapit rin niya lalo ang mukha sa lalaki. Zai's eyes stared directly at his dry ones.

"I'll give you entertainment."

--

"You think she's fine now?" asked Rui as he hold onto Asta's hand. They're walking down the stairs to the basement. Nangunguna naman si Mother Lilia sa mga ito.

Isang araw na ang lumipas at patungo na sila sa silid para tingnan ang kalagayan ng dalaga. Lilia wore a worried expression. Ephraim isn't a normal Hevrion. He's a stubborn man as well. The girl might even be struggling 'til now.

Pagkarating sa dulo ay humarap sila sa isang makapal na pintong gawa sa metal. Mother Lilia faced her palm on the door and a magic circle appeared with different layers. Gumalaw ang mga ito sa magkaiba-ibang direksyon. They heard the sound of an unlocked door at dahan-dahan na ngang bumukas ang pinto.

They looked inside at hindi nila nakita sa gitna ang dalaga. There are bloods on the floor but the girl wasn't there. Dumako naman ang kanilang paningin sa isang direksyon noong marinig ang pagkalansing ng mga kadena. And there they saw Zai sitting on a one-seater sofa as she drink tea that she must've made from the small kitchen in the corner. She put the cup down on the saucer that is on the small table beside her. She stood up.

Mother Lilia squinted her eyes, "Ephraim?"

"Now that's a different name," Zai said then glanced at Trois. Trois grabbed the knife from Shane's thigh then threw it to her direction. Zai caught it and used it to cut through the shackles. Ero squinted his eyes. She just cut iron with ease with a small knife. He's certain that Zai is the one in front of them because of her familiar presence but he can't believe that her skills improved just like that. Is that what a Hevrion is?

Zai removed the shackle on her neck as she close her eyes. Binuksan niya ang mga ito noong tuluyan na niya itong natanggal. Zai walked to Mother Lilia. Hindi naman makapaniwalang tumitig rito ang babae. Hindi niya inakalang mabilis nitong mapapatahimik si Ephraim sa isang araw lamang.

The girl stared at her eyes, "Is there something I could do to repay you, Mother Lilia?"

Mother Lilia blinked a few times and opened her mouth but she was still too shock. She calmed herself first before smiling at Zai, "Pardon me. I was just surprised of how strong your will is, young lady. And no, you don't have to repay me."

Zai's usual emotionless eyes continued staring at hers, "I didn't do anything special. I just offered him a deal."

Nagtaka naman si Mother Lilia sa sinabi nito ngunit habang tinititigan ang dalaga ay bumuntong hininga na lamang siya. It's her decision, it's her body after all.

"Your blood has already awaken and it seems that you already settled some things with Ephraim. Where are you going now?" Mother Lilia asked.

Zai threw the knife on air. The knife rotated and Shane closed his eyes and guarded his head with his arms when the knife was going to his direction. The knife perfectly landed inside its container that is tied on Shane's thigh. Zai smirked, "What else? It's time to drag someone to fill the eighth seat."

--

"I wish you good luck in your journey." ngumiti si Mother Lilia noong nakalabas na sila sa barrier ng bayan. Zai simply nodded habang ang iba ay ngumiti at nagpasalamat rito. Mother Lilia stared at Zai but when the girl looked at her, she plastered a smile.

Lilia can't help but to worry. Is it really alright? Is the girl really fine? What is that deal she's talking about? Her mind was full with those questions.

"Then we'll take our leave." saad ni Asta. Tumango naman si Lilia sa mga ito.

Zai turned her back, "You better keep up with me."

The others glanced at her but she was no longer there. Tumingin sila sa malayo at nakita na ang dalagang tumatakbo. "Zai ang daya mo!" sigaw ni Asta at tumakbo na rin. Rui and Trois chuckled then followed behind. Ero and Sinbad sighed. Shane jumped on Sinbad's back then laughed.

"Shane! Damn it! I'm not a transporta--"

"Takbo na! Naiiwan na nila tayo oh! Bilis!" sigaw ni Shane habang nakaturo sa iba na tumatakbo na. Sinbad groaned and just ran.

Mother Lilia giggled. I guess I was worrying about nothing. She have them after all.

They kept on following her but for some reason, no matter how much they pick up their paces, they can't catch up. Zai glanced at her peripheral vision and saw Sinbad slowly catching up with her while Shane is on his back. However, Sinbad clicked his tongue when Zai ran faster, not letting him catch up with her.

Even though Zai's pace was fast. A blue light was seen from her side and when she glanced at it, she already saw Trois who's running while his gaze remained on the road ahead. His pace got faster, taking the first place from her. Zai smiled, quite amused.

"Oh right. Zai, what were those words that Trois told you before mean? The southwest and 10 kilometers thing?" tanong ni Asta.

"It was the direction and the distance of the factory where they're making their weaponry." Zai answered.

Nagtaka naman si Asta rito, "Para sa'n naman 'yon?"

"Just in case that Escenier won't listen to me, I'll destroy the factory in return." Zai smirked.

Ero grimaced, "So if he didn't agree on the alliance you'll just make the whole nation your enemy?"

"Yeah. If he wouldn't be my ally, he'll just become troublesome in the near future. So I'll destroy some things first if that happened."

Sinbad and the others sighed. "You'll drag us in jail for becoming world known criminals." saad ni Asta.

Zai smirked, "Ain't that great?"

"No, it's not!"