The Zero Curse

Chapter 4

The air eagle dived deep into the forest, cutting every tree that it passes by. Illeasalis stood in the eagle, still maintaining her balance despite the speed of the eagle. She looked up, and opened her hands in the air to burst a flameshot.

"Bobita, para s'an 'yon! E'di naka-attract tayo ng atensyon?" singhal ni Exiquel kay Illea habang hinihila pababa ang damit niya.

"That's a sign for reinforcements. Emergency. The Phoenix that was approaching us is Phoenicia, the main enemy who made all other Phoenixes. Hindi natin siya matatalo. The attention is on us already, so there's no holding back." Illeasalis looked at me. Napataas-kilay naman ako dahil sa tingin niya. Is she saying me not to hold back?

"Anong tinitingin-tingin mo?" mataray na tanong na naman ni Exiquel.

"I'm not looking at you. I'm looking at Zero."

"Ay, okay. Sorry, akala ko sa'kin hehe," nahihiyang bawi ni Exiquel. "Pero bakit ka naman natingin kay Zero?"

"Stop being so protective." Illea scoffed and huffed in annoyance. "And hindi naman kita dapat sagutin all the time. I'm sure Zero knows what I mean."

I do?

Oh, maybe.

Kininditan ko si Exiquel before I launched myself into the air, jumping out into the misty void above. Narinig ko pang tawagin ako ni Zeke at Xiquel, ngunit ginawa ko na agad na ice skating ring ang sahig. After years, I can finally use my powers without worrying at all.

I smirked, as I felt the cold mists of enemies approaching from afar. Through this ice floor I made, I can detect and feel the enemies. How come? Because of the ice mists.

I raised my hands up in the air, and swirling particles of water formed around my arms, then down and up my whole body. This will be considered as my defense, and attack at the same time. Sa t'wing tatamaan nila ang katawan ko, babalik ang atake sa kanila nang doble ang kapangyarihan— but in the form of ice and water.

I glided through the floor, moving faster than the winds. I don't train my powers, but because of my wisdom and skills that I've inherited from my father, it just comes out natural and powerful.

The only thing I'm struggling at is keeping it less powerful.

Natanaw ko naman mula sa malayo ang mga pulang mata. They moved so fast, at hindi ko alam ang tawag sa kanila. Are they new kind of creatures?

Napasinghap ako nang mabilis na dumaan sa'kin ang isang kalaban na nilalang. I couldn't even catch a clear sight of where and how close it was to me. Naramdaman ko lang na may mainit na hanging dumaan sa tabi ko.

Then, another one.

They are not even attacking me. They're just looking at me, like I'm some prey. Hindi lang basta pula ang kulay ng mata nila, parang dugo. Sumulyap ako sa itaas ng isang puno, at laking gulat ko nalang nang may pasugod sa'king nakakadiring nilalang. It had fangs, at mukhang kakagatin ako!

Kay Exiquel lang po ako nagpapakagat.

Holding my breath, I moved to the side, ngunit mas mabagal pa rin ako kumpara sa kanila. Napansin ko pang natutunaw ang yelo. Their screeching and seething teeth made me shut my eyes.

How fast are they? I have never seen any creature this fast! Ano 'to, tikbalang? Pero wala naman silang katawan ng kabayo, luh.

In the fastest way possible, I formed a water arbalest— a crossbow, but more powerful, and which requires greater strength. My best weapon since strength is never a problem to me.

The arrows I created are mists that are only to be seen by my eye. I guess. Sana gumana. Wala akong ideya kung pa'no tatalunin ang mga 'to. Lack of knowledge may lead to defeat.