Zaril Chronicles 1: A Villain's Daughter

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 30

“Sisimulan na nina Ginoong Huse ang pagsalakay mamaya, hindi nila kakayanin ang kapangyarihan ni Clara, mga ate...” Tita Perfecta prompted, worried. “Lalo na’t natuklasan na niyang gumagana pa rin ang kapangyarihan niya sa mga hindi Zarilino.” She paused. “Kakailanganin nila ang ating saklolo.”

The mattress of my bed squeaked as I took a seat on it with my shoulders fell. Nakakapanghina kasi ngayon ko lang nalaman na ang isang gabi pala rito ay katumbas ng isang buwan sa Zaril.

That only means that I already missed a lot. A lot had happened, and I am just here, doing nothing. I just wasted one freaking month!

“Batid naman ninyong bawal nating pakialaman ang mga Zarilino, ‘di ba?” Tita Carmina grunted as she covered herself with her thick comforter. “Labag iyon sa ating batas.” Her voice muffled.

My fingers curled in a tight fist of what she’d said. They already told me what really happened... and I couldn’t accept the result of all of this.

Maraming mga kawal ng Zaril at Suisra ang namatay... hindi ako makakapayag na pati ang mga inosenteng Zarilino ay madamay pa. Sa totoo lang, damay na naman sila sa gulong ito, but it shouldn’t end like this.

Bathala ang mga tiyahin ko... and I know they can do something for Zaril.

“K-Kahit ito lang...” I lisped nowhere. “Ito l-lang ang hihilingin ko sa inyo, pakiusap.” A single droplet of liquid fell down from my eye as I darted my desperate eyes to Tita Letitia. “Tulungan niyo ang Z-Zaril...”

An angelic silence blanketed our atmosphere... I could only hear the crunching sound of junk foods being cracked in between of Tita Paulita’s teeth.

Magiging desperada na ako... marami ang kaawa-awang Zarilino na lumalanghap ng kaguluhan na wala naman silang kinalaman. We know that they are still inside the Mt. Myona and being cared by Princess Claudia. At ngayon na susubukan nilang isalba ang Zaril laban kay ina at Clara... alam kong malaki ang posibilidad na hindi nila kakayaning matagumpay.

My chest knotted as my stomach churned, being frustrated internally. What could I do? What if... what if I couldn’t resolve this chaos? What would happen to the Zarilinos? What will happen to Hwan? I bit my bottom lip tightly, looking down at my comforter, my mind floating with my thoughts.

“Ang kaguluhang ito ay idinulot ni Clara,” Tita Letitia grunted out of the blue, taking me back to reality. “Walang kinalaman dito ang mga Zarilino.” She turned her head to me through her glimmering eyes, as if a bulb lightened up inside her head. “Ang pagdakip kay Clara ay hindi maituturing na pangingialam sa mga Zarilino...”

My heart wildly slammed my chest as a light of hope glistened inside me.

“Kakayanin ni Prinsesa Claudia na pamunuan ang mga Zarilino dahil sinanay siya sa pamumuno... siya muna ang bahala sa kanila pansamantala. Maaari din tayong makita ng prinsesa sapagkat hindi siya isang Zarilino...” My blood hysterically rushed along my veins up to my capillaries with the though that... “Maaari nating maisalba ang Zaril. Puwede tayong bumaba roon... ngunit kailangan pa rin nating mag-ingat.”

We didn't wasted time, even a second. I felt my pulse frantically hammering my throat as I held Tita Letitia’s right hand and Tita Paulita’s left hand tightly. Nakabilog kaming pito rito sa tuktok ng palasyo at nakaharap sa isa’t isa. We were holding each other’s hands tightly as a part of the ritual to travel from here down to Zaril.

The dark sky has glimmering crystals scattered on it. The clouds beneath the palace were even gracefully dancing in curls. A weightless silence was covering us and I could only hear the whispering wind out of nowhere. I felt my stomach sank when Tita Letitia’s grip on my hand tightened that made me dart a gaze on her.