PROJECT: Demon Annihilation

7: Broken Bonds

Carlisle

Sabay-sabay kaming naglalakad nina Blaise at Everett patungo sa pinanggalingan namin kanina bago nagsimula ang labanan.

We managed to kill countless of demons but the remaining just suddenly disappeared.

This is one of a hell kind of war. I'm so exhausted. But despite that, I'm guilty. This guilt in my chest never leaves me whenever I'm in the battlefield.

"Did I passed out, too?" Dahan-dahang tumayo si Sierra mula sa pagkakahiga. Ephraim was awake when we arrived.

"I'm so sorry, Lady Carlisle, Lady Blaise, and Sir Eve. I might've been a burden to all of you." Nakaluhod na yumuko si Ephraim sa aming tatlo. Hindi ako naging komportable na makita siyang nasa paanan ko.

"No. If it weren't for you, we would've probably sustain a lot of casualties. You have our thanks." Si Everett saka napaupo sa ilalim ng puno. Napatango naman ako.

"Where's Merill?" Napatigil ako sa tanong ni Blaise. Saka ko lamang napansin na wala pala dito si Merill. I thought she was here?

"Lady Merill? She's not here when I woke up. I'm sorry." Bigla akong nakaramdam ng kung ano sa dibdib ko. Unti-unting nabubuhay ang kaba ko subalit pinigilan ko ito.

"What do you mean she's not here? She was supposed to stay with you! If I am not mistaken, Exia ordered her to stay out of the battlefield and now you're telling me that she's not here?!" Gulat akong napatingin sa galit na si Blaise. What was that for? I didn't expect her to be this way. Of all the people, she's the most distant with Merill.

"Calm down, hot head! If Merill followed Exia, I'm sure she's fine. Exia won't let anything happen to her sister." Kalmadong pahayag ni Eve saka tinapik ang balikat ni Blaise.

"Are you stupid? If she followed Exia, she will ascend the mountain! The air in this mountain is thinner than you think it is! Her body can't withstand it, do you understand?!" Nakukuha ko ang punto ni Blaise. It was really dangerous for Merill to be in this mountain but we don't have a choice but to pray for their safety. We just have to believe that they will be just fine.

"Let's just go back to the HQ." Pagtatapos ni Eve sa usapan saka walang sabi-sabing nag-umpisang lumakad pabalik ng headquarters. Naiwan naman kaming walang choice kundi sumunod na lang.

The location of the HQ is farther now and that is thanks to Sierra. Tsk!

Mataman kong tinatanaw ang papasikat na araw habang naglalakad pabalik ng HQ. The skies remind me of Merill. Her reddish hair looks like the sky now.

I sighed.

Exia...Merill...please be safe.

Narating na namin ang village at bumungad sa amin ang sira-sirang East Gate. Mabuti na lamang at hindi sila nakaabot sa Center Plaza kung nasaan ang mga kabahayan. Hindi ko na iyon pinansin at tumuloy na lamang sa HQ.

Nagkalat ang mga Arnima sa paligid na halata namang naghihintay sa pagbabalik namin. Nakahanda na ang mga panlinis ng sugat, mga halamang gamot, pagkain at mga inumin. Doon ko lang napansin sina Linus at ang iba pa na inaasikaso ng mga Arnima.

"Damn those bastards! Hindi pa nga magaling ang mga sugat ko, may bago na naman!" Pagmamaktol ni Thormund habang binibendahan.

"That's because you're weak, Conleth." Pang-aasar naman ni Deus.

Tatlo na lang ang wala pa dito sa HQ.

Merill, Exia, and Segrei. Where the heck are you?

"Lady Leinheart has arrived!" Nagulat ako sa pagsigaw ng isang Arnima na nakaposisyon sa entrance nitong HQ. Agad na napalingon ako doon. Hindi kalaunan ay natatanaw ko na siyang paika-ika kung maglakad.