Two months have passed.
At first, I thought it was all a dream, a beautiful outcome of my wild imagination. But it occured to me, finally, that it isn't.
" Stand up," wika ni Zjin.
His name is Zjin. And he said he is the last remnant of Satan's soul.
Kahit na nahihirapan, tumayo ako.
Two months ago, he said he needs me by his side, as a swords woman. I said yes. Malay ko ba na kailangan pala doon ang pagkontrol ng breathing at pag memorize ng mga stance?
Kung maibabalik ko lang talaga ang oras, pagsisikapan kong hindi na kami magkikita ulit ni Master.
" Zjin, you're too hard on her. Give her a break," wika ni Bryan habang nagpapatuyo ng buhok. He bought a hair color from the black market and dyed his hair pink.
" Are you ordering me, slave?" masungit na tugon nito.
Si Master lang yata ang nakakabighaning nilalang kahit na nagsusungit.
" At baka nakakalimutan mong hindi namin ginustong maging slaves. Walang lumalapit sa'yo kaya nag recruit ka nalang," pabalang na sagot ni Bryan.
They said we're in Hell. Naniniwala ako dahil sa di maipapaliwanag na mga pangyayaring nagaganap. Kahit na replika lang naman ito sa normal na mundo ng mga tao. Taliwas sa imahinasyon ko sa nagliliyab na impyerno, Hell looks exactly like the world where I came from.
" Ingratus," ( ungrateful) Master said.
" Baka," ( stupid) Bryan replied while rolling his eyes.
" Please," awat ko sa kanila. " English and Filipino only."
Both shot me a disappointed look and sighed. Bakit parang kasalanan ko na dalawa lang ang alam kong wika?
" Remember this, slave. I'll take my Hell back and you'll be the first soul I'll punish." Napipikon na si Master pero ang gwapo niya pa rin.
" If being punished means getting away from you, I will die happy."
"Stop!" I stopped them for the second time. "Para kayong langaw at palaka."
" Ako ang palaka for sure. Kakainin kita!" Siningkitan ko ng mata si Bryan. Napaka war freak talaga nito.
" Hell no! I should be the predator!"
" Gusto mong maging palaka?" tanong ko.
" No! That's gross!"
" Kaya nga langaw ka na lang," Bryan insisted.
" No__Why are we even arguing this?!"
Natawa ako kay Master.
" Are you enjoying this?" tanong ni Master sa'kin.
I nodded.
" Ang cute mo kasing mapikon," I added.
" I know," aniya at umalis na nakasimangot. "Immatures," mahina nyang sambit pero narinig ko pa rin.
" He's being hard on you. Forgive him. Matagal na mula nung may bago syang slave. Sinubukan ka niyang patinuin."
Natawa ako sa sinabi ni Bryan.
" Posible ba?"
" Shang is 100% impossible to train," umiiling-iling nyang wika. " Pero isipin mo rin na iniisip ni Zjin ang kapakanan natin."
They quarelled a lot like children. But they understand each other's intentions, always.
Hell is ruled by Royals. They are the Masters. The great power they have left a mark on their nape, making it their identity. The clearer the mark, the more powerful the Royal would become. Halos lahat sila ay nakatira sa mga naglalakihang mansion at castles sa Hell.
Ang tinaguriang King of Royals ay kilala sa tawag na Bang - i, the Unrivaled Master.
He had an estimated number of 10 billion slaves. They lived in the grandest , biggest and tallest castle in Hell.
Master Zjin's goal is to defeat him and reclaim Hell. Bryan said it was his only dream since the first day of his existence. We believe in him half-heartedly. Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi magdoubt?
Balak niyang talunin si Bang - i na may 10 billion armies. He may be the soul of Satan but he's not the same Satan. He is weaker and powerless. There's no guarantee that he will be mighty again. Ilan lang ba ang slave ni Master? Si Bryan, ako, at yung lola na sinto - sinto. May alzheimers ata yun. Mamaya hahanapin na naman namin ni Bryan si Lola.
May tinatawag silang "Day of Selection" kung kailan tumatanggap ang mga Royals ng slaves. This is the time when the slaves chose their Master.
Sabi ni Bryan, si Lola lang ang lumapit kay Zjin 500 years ago. She was the first and last slave that chose him. It was sad. But for Zjin, it was the happiest moment that happened.
Kaya naiintindihan ko kung bakit inaalagaan niya ng mabuti si lola. He would sometimes comb her hair or clean her nails. Minsan ipinagluto niya rin si lola.
It's a reverse role. Si lola ang Master at si Master ang slave. It may sound hilarious but he's a real man, though he's a real devil.
Zjin was smart enough to realize that he can't have his slaves by waiting, so , he travelled around Hell, trying to find the right one. It was a long search. For a long time he became hopeless. Until he met Bryan. Years later, we met. He chose us and I am still asking if I'm doing the right thing or not.
I do believe in God. I fear Him. But I can't abandon my new master even if he's Satan.
Other Royals live in mansions and castles. Zjin lives in the cave. Madilim. Maginaw. Mahirap pasukin. He's not popular. Maybe that's one of the reasons why no one wants to be his slave.
"Bry, why don't you practice swords with me?" tanong ko sa kanya habang iniikot- ikot ko ang nilechon kong baboy. Ayaw kasi ni Bryan na madumihan. Maarte na nga, tamad pa. Ganito siguro ako sa paningin nina ate kaya pilit na iniintindi ko si Bryan.
" I don't like it."
" And that's okay?"
" Zjin don't mind."
"Why?"
Nginitian lang ako ni Bryan.
" Tell me!"
Still, he gave me a playful smile.
" Are you going to kill me with curiosity, Bryan?"
" Give me something and I'll tell you."
" Aaaah! Stop being like that. Lalo akong na curious."
"Pag sasabihin ko sa'yo, ma -iinsecure ka lang."
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. He laughed. Inaayos niya ang eyeglasses, making his squinted eyes meet mine.
" I have an innate talent. It doesn't require physical effort but mental strength."
" What is it?"
" Mind Magic."
" Huh?"
"I can't just read minds or memories. I can also manipulate them. An inborn and effortless talent, don't you think?" he said with a wink.
YOU ARE READING
Claves Series 1: The World Beneath My Blanket
Fanfiction" If fate will stop you from loving me, then I will find that damn fate and burn it mkyself "
