The Legacy (COMPLETED)

XXXIV. The Rescue Mission

My mom was walking back and forth in front of me. Nasapo din niya yung noo niya dahil sa kanyang iniisip. What happened earlier was unforgettable.

Nung sinabi ko kay Mama yung nangyari para siyang sasabog sa galit. Tita Scarlet was worried sick when I told her that they got Cato. But all of them stopped when I told them about the guild.

"He said what?!"

"Long live the King. Yun yung sabi niya."

"This is madness!" Nagulat ako nang biglang sumigaw si Tita Ace. "How did the Ahedres found this island?!"

"Wala pa tayong August. No one can lead the Reapers but the August." sambit ni Tita Scarlet.

"Tita..." I called out to her. "For the mean time— kahit wala pang August— hindi ba pwedeng ang kataas-taasan ang mamumuno sa mga reapers? Hindi ba pwedeng kayo muna?"

"Hindi pwede." Napalingon ako kay Mama. "The reapers pledged to only follow the August, wala ng iba. Kaming mga kataas-taasan ay walang kapangyarihan na gawin yun. We were only allowed to give orders but not take the power of the August."

Kung ganun kinailangan na pala ng August as soon as possible. I am a candidate pero hindi pa ko pa napatunayan na kaya ko. But we need to do something. As soon as possible.

"Maybe I should do it." I blurted out.

"Do what?"

"I can go to the third mountain and meet them"

Agad nanlaki ang mga mata nila.

"Are you crazy?!" Sabay nilang sigaw sa akin kaya napatakip ako sa tenga ko.

"Alam mo ba na you're like digging your own grave?!"

"Diba sabi ko naman sa'yo na hindi ka dapat nagdedesisyon nang hindi ginagamit ang utak mo?!"

"Ahedres Mafia is very dangerous  and you don't want to mess with them!"

"That plan is stupidity!"

Isa-isa nila akong sinigawan na para bang ang bobo ko dahil sa sinabi ko.

What?

It's the best thing to do. If I'm going to be the August then I would be willing to take the risk for my reapers. Kinailangan kong patunayan sa kanila na malakas ako! No one should be left behind.

Napalingon ako kay Tita Scarlet na nakatingin sa akin habang sumisinghot pa rin. Her eyes told me to do it and I don't see why not?

"That person—the one who got Cato—  told me to meet him at the third mountain." I started. "I'm not a coward anymore! Kung gusto kong maging isang August dapat paninindigan ko. I want to prove to all of you that I deserve that title."

"Anak..." Lumapit sa akin si Papa at inilagay yung kamay niya sa balikat ko. "We are not forcing you to be the August. It's okay. Okay lang sa amin na hindi ka magiging August. We just want you safe. Away from this cruel world."

"Pa, I want to be part of this cruel world." Sagot ko na siyang ikinagulat ng lahat. "And it is my decision whether I want it or not to be the August. Please. Kahit ito lang." I plead.

Nagkatinginan muna sila ni Mama bago siya yumuko.

"We raised you not to be harmed." Sabi ni Mama. "But looks like we can't keep you away from it because you wanted to take a step closer to it." Bumuntong-hininga siya. "Akala ko mapo-protektahan kita sa pamamagitan ng paglihim sa'yo ang tungkol sa mundong ito. Pero gumawa pa rin talaga ng paraan ang tadhana para ipakilala sa'yo ang mundong kinagisnan ko." She smiled bitterly and looked away. "Can't believe I passed this legacy to you without me knowing."