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Chapter 40: Angry Warfare

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Angry Warfare

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AS AUREUS proceeded to spread his wings and soar through the stormy heavens, I let out a relieving squeal as we flew past the storm. Agad akong sumandal sa kaniyang ulo pagkatapos humiyaw dahil sa saya, wrapping my arms around his furry neck.

"Paano ka nakalabas sa castillo??" Mangiyak-ngiyak kong sabi, tears of relief pouring from my eyes and staining his soft, white fur as he seemed to struggle flying through the heavy rain.

Aureus merely let out a whimper. He then turned his head to reach and lick my hands around his neck using his tongue, before returning his gaze straight ahead our flying path.

"Thank you for coming to get me." I whispered, nozzling my cheek into his fur to keep me warm. "Papa would have been so proud of you."

In return, Aureus howled out a gentle reply which made me smile.

Hindi na ulit ako nag-salita pa kasi baka madistract ito sa pagpapalipad, kaya hinaayan ko lamang siya na dalhin ako palabas ng forest grounds kung saan naiwan ang mga manticores na ngayon ay nag-aaway-away.

The two of us finally shot out of the match's battleground area and headed towards Castillo de Solis, kung saan naririnig ko ang mahinang hiyaw ng mga Ethearians na siguradong nasa courtyard pa rin ng kastilyon.

As Aureus continued pursuing through the storm and flying past the whole of the kingdom of Castell, bigla naman akong nakaramdam na parang may mali.

The sense of relief I had just felt a few seconds ago was suddenly washed away with the ugly feeling of dread and and anxiety. Something was up and about — I just couldn't put my finger onto it.

Habang lumilipad ay napansin ko naman ang biglang pag-tayo ng dalawang magkabilang tenga ni Aureus, kaya mas inalerto ko ang aking mga senses.

"Something's... not right." I murmured as Aureus continued to fly over the kingdom of Castell.

At that point, bigla naman akong nakahagip ng kakaibang amoy. "Aureus, wait." I quickly said, scratching him gently on the neck.

Agad namang sumunod ito as we halted in one spot of the sky — nothing but the downpour of rain and the flutter of his wings could be heard.

Mariin kong tinignan ang aming paligid, readying my ability. So far sa ibaba, wala namang kakaibang nangyayari. In fact, it was actually quite silent down there in the kingdom's grounds. Halos walang tao na makikitang naglalakad sa mga kalsada ng Castell — siguro kasi nasa loob sila ng kanilang mga bahay at masyadong aligaga sa panonood para sa Ethearia Crown Match.

Too bad that we ruined their entertainment.

As my eyes slowly gazed up from the ground back into eye level, napatingin naman ako sa hangin at napansin ang mga maliliit at maiitim na pirasong lumilipad kasabay ng ulan.

I hesitantly stretched out my hand and felt the dark particle rest on my hand. "Ashes?" I whispered in confusion.

Saka ko lang na-realize ang amoy na kanina ko pa napapansin.

"There's something burning." I gasped in realization, turning my head quickly to discern where the fire was. Habang tumatagal ay mas tumatapang ang amoy ng kung anong nasusunog.