The Royal Knights (Completed)

Chapter 25

Lost Forest

I can't move. I can't even speak. All I can do is to blink and think.

I don't know what time it is. I'm surprised that I woke up not feeling any pain. I'm feeling better but I can't move.

I'm relieved though pissed off. I want some water for freakin' sake. Ilang araw na rin akong walang kain.

“Iris?” I saw Captain's shocked face. He's showing his sleepy face na parang ngayon lang nagkaroon ng maayos na tulog. “Iris! Mom! Mom!” nagmamadali siyang lumabas. Mom? Don't tell me—

Nilibot ko ang paningin ko kung hanggang saan lang makita ko. Limitado nga lang ang nakita ko pero sigurado akong hindi ko alam kung nasaan ako. Someone's beside me but I can't check who is it.

“Can you speak?” I saw a gorgeous woman standing beside me. “Oh, sorry. I'm Farnese, his mother.”

I just blinked. Yeah, you're resemblance was screaming so widely.

Funny how I respond to people— whether I can speak or not, I don't even bother talking. Pero iba pala talaga ang feeling na wala ka talagang magawa, na hindi ka makapagsalita.

“Pangalawang araw pa lang ngayon. She'll be able to speak if she have enough strenght. Maybe wait until tomorrow, son.” tinapik niya sa balikat si Captain. Even her voice was that pretty. “As for Elquiorra, he just drank a glass of water earlier this morning and refused to eat until she's awake. He's getting a lot of rest though I don't know if that's good or bad. He really needs to eat not just drink and sleep.” no wonder I'm smelling a familiar scent here. She's kind, huh. I felt a twinge of envy towards Captain now. The hell with you, Iris.

But I really need to tell them what did I just saw. We don't have enough time.

I was fucked up here. I can't do anything but to be swallowed drowsiness.

I'm in front of sign saying that no one is allowed inside. I looked up higher and saw a signboard, Lost Forest.

“We need to get inside faster before anyone could see us and prevent us on getting near on that fucking tree!”

“You can't just act on your own, Asbel. Did you even get a signal?”

I really am sure that I'm not on the same place but they did stare on my direction—glaring as if I'm someone they despise.

“Die, bitch! Follow your parents on hell!”

“Shit.” hingal na hingal akong napaupo. Same nightmare. Fuck, I really need to go to that fucking forest but wait.. I can move now.

Napatingin ako sa katawan kong puro balot ng papel. I even tried reading what's written on it but it looks like a code or something. Is it even a letter? Doesn't look like a number either.

I looked at Elquiorra sleeping beside me. At ang hangal ay nakapatong pa sa binti ko. Si Captain naman ay nakahiga sa couch at may libro sa mukha.

“Get off me, you lunatic.” I tried removing her thigh and legs on mine but I can't. Well, I'm certain that I'm strong enough. Is he that really heavy? “For heaven sake, Elquiorra. Do you think you're that light?” pinitik ko pa ang ilong nito. Pilit siyang nagmulat pero napatingin ako sa pintong biglang bumukas. Hindi ko nasuklian ang gulat sa mukha ni Ms. Farnese nang bigla na lang akong dambahin ni Elquiorra.

“Hey, loony!” bumaliktad pa kaming nabagsak sa sahig kaya hindi ako nasaktan dahil siya ang nasa ilalim. I look at him. Elated, that is. Freakin' hell! “Are you crying?!” mas hinigpitan niya ang pagkakayakap sa'kin.

“Iris!” I can't look at Captain obviously because I'm on top of Elquiorra who's now crying because of rejoice.

Binagsak ko na lang ang kaliwang pisngi sa dibdib niya dahil hindi ko siya kayang tignan na umiiyak. But I can't stop my eyes being teary, I can hear his sobs. Damn you, mate. You're a guy! I hate seeing guys crying for freakin' sake! It's so uncommon so it's making me weak, vulnerable.

“Okay, sorry for interrupting but I need to examine her.” I heard an unfamiliar voice.

Elquiorra's arms loosen from hugging me and someone carried me to lay me down on my bed. It's Captain.

“I'll check the sealing.” Ms. Farnese said.

“I''ll examine her body now while you do that.” I didn't know her. Her hands went to my forehead and she closed her eyes. My body felt light but it's feeling more lighter now that the papers are slowly removing.

“Excellent.” I saw a relief in their eyes. It's like they waited for me to get better and I can't take it so I just avoiding their stares. “No trace of distress but she's got more days to rest—”

“But I really need to get out of this freakin' bed!” nagulat silang lahat sa biglaang pagsigaw ko. I realized what did I just do so I hemmed. “I mean— I'm sorry.” nahihiyang kong sabi.

“You just underwent a life and death situation, darling. What are you talking about?” nagtatakang tanong ni Ms. Farnese. She really seems so worried and that's making me distraught. Did I ever think of finding my parents? Finding out something about them?

Fuck that nightmare. Ever since I dreamed about them talking in front of that forest, I started thinking about parents. Dang.

“I— I had a dream— nightmare. But I know it isn't just a nightmare.” inabutan ako ng tubig ng isang babae kaya ininom ko muna. Paos na 'ko. “I always dreaming on something, I'm seeing things from— from someone and I feel like I'm somewhat connected to him.” naging seryoso ang dalawang babae samantalang nalilito namang lalong lumapit ang dalawa pa.

“About that nightmare you are talking, is it that necessary that you even said you needed to leave?” walang alanganin akong tumango. “Can you tell us what did you see?” I sighed. But I need help. I don't know where's that forest plus I'm really not that strong enough to go in an adventure together only with Elquiorra.

“I— I need to go to the Lost Forest.” what I just said astounded them.

“How— I mean, is there someone in that forest?”

“There's these men talking about getting inside faster. They're in a hurry so that no one can be a nuisance. Inside that forest is the Resurrection Tree that they just needed to complete the resurgence.”

“We're going to talk to the King. Wait here. Iris, don't go on your own. Astharoshe.” Captain nodded and the two left.

“Connected to whom?” fucking hot seat.