PROJECT: Demon Annihilation

6: Dawn at Mt. Safforon

Merill

Ilang minuto na ang nakalipas magmula ng makaalis sina Exia at maiwan akong nagbabantay kina Sierra at Ephraim. I badly wanted to be with Exia right now. I don't want to leave her side at a time like this. I know how strong she is better than anybody and I know that she can handle herself alone. But staying here and doing nothing makes me feel so useless.

Nanlamig ang buong katawan ko kasabay ng malakas na pag-ihip ng hangin. For some reason, I feel so terrified at walang ibang pumapasok sa isip ko kundi ang kalagayan ngayon ni Exia.

I have to follow her. Exia's in danger and she needs me right now!

Pero hindi ko pwedeng iwan sina Sierra lalo pa't hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin silang malay. Gayun pa man ay hindi na magbabago ang isip ko. Pupuntahan ko si Exia at tutulungan ko siya!

I created a magic circle around them before leaving if something happens. In that way, any attacks won't reach them.

I need to go higher. I've known Exia for a long time and I'm sure that she will be in a place with high altitude. It's easier for her to aim in that way.

As I go up, unti-unti akong nahihirapang huminga. The air in this mountain is thinner than I thought it would be. But it's okay! I just have to manipulate the wind and make it enough for me to breathe. I have to hurry! Protecting Exia is all I can do.

Matagal-tagal pa ang inabot ko sa paglalakad and now, it's starting to be so hard for me to take every steps. Ang bibigat ng bawat lakad ko and my head's starting to spin. I feel like I'm about to lose my consciousness and I can't catch my breath! This can't be happening. I need to reach Exia and assist her. I can't be a burden to her. I don't want to get in her way.

Mula sa malayo, tanaw ko na kung nasaan si Exia. Binalot ng pag-aalala ang dibdid ko ng makita siyang nakadapa sa lupa. Just a little longer, wait for me.

"Exia!" Hinabol ko ang aking hininga. Glad I came here.

Nanlilisik ang mga matang napalingon siya sa akin. Napaatras ako dahil doon. For the first time, I saw anger in her eyes. Ito ang unang beses na natakot ako sa mga mata niya. It seems like she's entirely a different person. She usually has those caring and cheerful eyes but now, I feel like I don't know her anymore.

"How about I start with her, huh?" Nangilabot ako ng may magsalita. Why didn't I noticed him? Napalunok ako ng maka-ilang ulit dahil sa sinabi niya. Kitang-kita ang mapupula niyang mga mata na nakatitig sa akin. Hindi na ako makapag-isip ng maayos sa sobrang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko.

A demon? H-his magic is too powerful. Ramdam ko ang tensiyon sa pagitan nila ni Exia kahit sa malayo. My legs are shaking! This is not the reason why I'm here! I need to be tough just like Exia.

"Don't you dare!" Biglang lumitaw si Exia sa harapan ko. So fast! I can't follow her with my eyes.

"Don't you ever lay a hand on her! You have to kill me first!" Even her voice is different now. Ramdam ko ang galit niya kahit pa nakatalikod siya sa'kin.

Exia....

Lamerexia

No one will take Merill away from me. I will not let anyone touch her!

"You became intense when your comrades are on the line, huh?" This guy pisses me off.

"Merill is not just a comrade! She's my sister!" And as her sister, I will protect her even if it cause my own life.

I swore to myself that I won't repeat the same mistake again. That I won't just stand still and do nothing while someone else is fighting.

Just seeing how exhausted Merill was from climbing this mountain gives a huge pang on my chest. Her expression tells me that even at this rate, she will fight alongside me. Her heavy breathings are taking a toll over her. I want her to stop and just descend the mountain but the scent of extreme determination coming from her is too powerful to be shattered despite her trembling body. This only proves that she will fight to the very end.