The Zero Curse

Chapter 2

"The Phoenix is the cause, am I correct?" tanong ko.

The little girl nodded and sighed. "She is Phoenicia, a Full Phoenix who has the power to transform between the form of a woman and a phoenix."

"Who abducted our mother?" tanong sa'kin ni Exiquel.

Kunot-noo naman akong bumaling sa kaniya. "Bakit mo naman sa'kin tinatanong? Tanong mo kay Illeasalis."

Inirapan niya ako at siniko ako sa tagiliran. "Shy ako, eh. Ikaw na magtanong, mukhang ikaw rin naman malakas sa kaniya."

Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata. Anong sinasabi nitong babaeng 'to?

"What are you talking about?" Napalingon naman kami ni Exiquel sa kaniya. Then, I noticed that she was already healing Ezekiel's wound from her punch. Flame recovery magic?

Hindi naman kami nakasagot agad kaya't napalingon siya sa'min. She smiled as she waits for an answer. Nagpabalik-balik naman ang tingin niya sa'ming dalawa ni Exiquel.

"Who abducted Tita Ellen?"
"Who abducted my mother?"

Inis akong tumingin kay Exiquel nang magtatanong din pala siya. Tinaasan niya ako nang kilay, at pilit ko namang tinanggal ang inis sa mukha ko.

"Naiinis ka?" tanong niya. Kaagad naman akong umiling at pilit na ngumiti sa kaniya. Muli na naman siyang umirap bago tumingin kay  Illeasalis. Napatingin na rin ako at nagulat nang maging seryoso na naman ang hitsura niya. Her golden eyes were literally on fire.

"Your mother is known as the first witch made by Red," panimulang kuwento ni Illeasalis. Bahagyang nagkunot ang noo ko.

"Red… he's one of the creators too, right? Papa mentioned his name to me before. Ang kaniya raw realm ay sa sun."

Illeasalis nodded. "Yes. He also trained me for some time because of my fire abilities. Ah, and as I was saying, Ellen knows a lot of ancient magic. She was a threat for Phoenicia's plan because of certain spells. Malamang kaya rin siya kinidnap agad."

"But of course we already sent some people to bring your mother back. Hindi niyo naman kailangan mag-alala, besides Ellen herself is powerful enough—"

"Oh, eh ba't nakidnap pa siya kung kaya naman pala niya?"

"Exiquel," turan ko at sinamaan siya ng tingin. Inirapan naman niya ako at nagpatuloy pa sa pagtataray.

"I appreciate your help and concern, but can't we find our mother ourselves?" Ngayon, naging malumnay na ang boses niya. "Please don't expect us na tumunganga lang habang hinihintay pagbalik ng nanay ko."

"Who told you that you will not do anything?" Illeasalis chuckled. "In a few minutes, you will be given a mission by—"

Naputol naman ang sasabihin niya nang bigla siyang tumingin sa taas. A big shadow covered the ray of sun to shine upon us. She smiled and said, "They're here!"

Napatingin naman ako sa taas, at napakapit naman si Exiquel sa braso ko nang iangat din ang tingin. Above us was a fiery dragon with scales like lava. It emitted a golden and blue fire around it.

"Omg! Ano 'yan?"

"It's named Draco, the Dragon. It is Red's companio—" natigilan lang sa pagsagot si Illeasalis nang biglang tumili si Exiquel at tumago sa likod ko.

Draco was heading fastly towards us. Nagulat din ako dahil mukhang inaatake kami ng dragon. Mas lalong lumakas ang irit ni Exiquel nang maramdaman namin ang dragon. My eyes shined in fascination of what beholds before me.

When it got a meter away from us, it suddenly vanished to golden dusts. Then, biglang may lalaki at babae na tumalon. The man has red hair and red eyes, while the girl had golden eyes like Illeasalis.