CHAPTER 5: OBLIVION

The Mortal Realm

Freewoods City, Park

The morning wind caressed my skin as I indulged myself in the calm weather. I decided to take a stroll outside to clear my thoughts about the two gods as we didn't have a proper talk at the mall.

Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit sa tagal naming nagkakasama ay ngayon ako nakaramdam ng pagdududa mula sa kanilang dalawa. Ngunit hindi ko rin naman maramdaman na nais nila akong ipahamak.

"Maybe, I was thinking too much?" my tongue clicked. "If that werewolf didn't interrupt us..."

Hindi ko naituloy ang dapat na pagrereklamo ng tumama sa akin ang sinag ng araw. Iniharang ko ang aking kamay ng mas uminit ang dampi nito sa aking balat. Mabilis akong nagtungo sa lilom ng isang mayabong na puno at naupo.

Malayo ang aking kinaroroonan sa mga mortal na nasa pinaka gitna ng parke. Ang karamihan sa kanila ay may mga kumot na nakalatag sa berdeng damuhan habang sila ay kumakain.

"Why am I feeling jealous?"

An irritating feeling crept into my chest and my heart ached whenever I saw a happy family. I shook my head before I could taste my own drama.

"I wonder why gods and goddesses like to be in the Mortal Realm, to have fun and such. When there is nothing quite interesting in this world."

Kung ako ang papipiliin ay mas nanaisin ko pa ang magtrabaho sa Underworld. Mas kaya kong makasalamuha ang mga naroon kasya sa mga naninirahan sa ika apat na mundo.

"If Owbee's here, he'll probably complain about everything he see in this place."

Owbee Monalter is my only friend from the other kingdom. He despite the Mortal Realm and the living creatures who live in this world too.

"That brat," I muttered with a sly smile.

I suddenly miss our horseback riding competition at their territory. I lost my chance to say goodbye because of the sudden mission from my king.

It will take five days to reach the Fire Kingdom in a normal travel. And knowing him... he prefer to see me in the flesh. Face to face when I bid him goodbye, than to write it on a piece of paper.

Inilibot ko ulit ang aking paningin. Mahangin ngunit mainit na ang haplos nito sa aking balat. Napatuon ang aking atensyon sa mga bata na nakatingala habang may hawak na mahahabang pisi. Sa kabilang dulo nito ay may lumilipad na bagay na ngayon ay sumasabay sa lipad ng mga ibon.

"Lucky kids."

I was still looking at the kids but I sensed someone's stare. My gaze turned to my right and his curious eyes almost knocked the air out of my lungs.

The guy with dark blonde hair stood just a few meters away from me. He wore a navy blue shirt but I can still manage to see his well defined built under the fabrics of his shirt. For a mortal man he's really quite a sight.

The guy with the werewolf from yesterday. Kahit sa malapit o malayo ay nandoon pa rin ang aura na nagsasabi na siya ay isang magandang lalaki.

"What's his problem? Bakit nakatingin siya rito?"

But another sense of calculating gaze alerted me more than those sapphire blue eyes of that guy. Lumingon ako sa kaliwa, sa lugar kung saan madilim ang anino ng mayayabong na puno kahit na tirik na tirik pa ang araw.

Nagtataasan ang damo at puno sa bahaging iyon ng parke. Halatang hindi puntahan ng mga mortal. My heart almost jump when I saw a pair of eyes lurking behind the trees.

Mabilis akong napatayo at kasabay no'n ay ang pag ihip bigla ng malamig na hangin. Halos ilang metro ang layo ng nilalang na iyon sa akin ngunit ramdam ko ang kakaibang enerhiya mula sa kanya.

I didn't think twice and ran towards the eerie part of the park. My jaw clenched as the creature ran too!

"Styx! Why does it have to be fast?"

I sharpened my senses to track down the weird creature. I leaped and dashed. It's a good thing that the trees do not have big roots and rocks, it made me run faster.

I followed the silhouette of that creature. And after a few turns and twists, it led me into a small field with dry grass and trees. There are no flowers nor insects around. The place seemed dead but I can still sense life forces around.

I halted and jumped on a big rock in the corner as I scanned the area. The touch of wind was thick and cold compared to the wind at the main park. It felt like I just entered a new dimension.

"Show yourself!" my voice seemed to bounce back at me.

Tumalim ang aking mga mata ng may lumitaw na itim na usok sa unahan, ilang dipa ang layo sa akin. Hindi nagtagal ay nagkaroon ito ng korte. Ilang sandali pa ay nalaman ko rin kung anong uri ng nilalang ang aking hinabol.

It's a female drow, a dark elf.

"Vgreetings vto vha vreignian vblood lady," she greeted me in her language with a strange tone.

Drows are shorter than any other types of elves but they are still handy in combat. The drow in front of me is a silver-eyed female with white hair that reached her waist. Ang kulay ng kanyang balat ay pinaghalong abo at ube.

The metallic pins on her hair and tattered black dress are quite luxurious. Ngunit ang mayabang na ngisi sa kanyang mukha ay may nais ipahiwatig.

"What are you doing in this place? You are too close to the mortals," I questioned and she just chuckled.

"Seeking for power and blood of course. And I assumed that this is our lucky day... to capture and kill a half-immortal being," she snapped her fingers.

Ikinubli ko ang aking pagkabigla ng may dalawang babaeng drow na lumitaw sa kanyang tabi. Ang mga ito ay may mga pana at palaso sa kanilang mga likuran. Masama ang tingin ng mga ito sa akin.

"Draada princess, vleave vthis vto vtus," sabi ng nasa kanan bago ito humakbang pauna at mukhang handa na para atakihin ako.

Tumango ang drow na nasa gitna hanggang sa nawala ito sa aking paningin. Ilang segundo lang ay nagpa ulan ang dalawang drow ng mga pana sa aking direksyon!

I blocked it with my ice shield and leaped on a tree branch. I did not expect that I would face creatures of the dark this early.

"I hope that their station is far from here. I cannot take them all with one blow."

I jumped in the air cutting the distance between the drows and threw them my ice daggers. But they immediately dodged it. My eyes caught their next move, they aimed at my lower body.

I was about to solidify the sweats on my legs to protect myself. When out of nowhere, an arrow pierced my arm and it came from behind. Napadaing ako nang nasundan ang pagtama ng ilang pana sa ibabang bahagi ng aking katawan.

Bumagsak ako sa lupa at ilang pagtalon ang aking tiniis para makalayo. My wounds immediately healed but my crimson blood tainted my long sleeve and pants. I took a deep breath and removed the arrows that punctured my skin. The pain still stings but I disregard it and just double my guard.

They are fighting me in a long rage battle, well then, might as well do it too. Ikinumpas ko ang aking kamay, umulan ng ice spears sa kanilang direksyon. Sinubukan nilang iwasan iyon ngunit may ilang tumama sa kanila.

A smirk appeared on my lips and doubled the rain of ice spears from their direction. Dahil sugatan ay nahirapan silang iwasan ang pangalawa kong atake. Mas mabibigat at mahahaba ang spears na bumuhos sa kanila.

Wala akong sinayang na segundo at mabilis na lumapit sa kanilang kinaroroonan habang sila ay nakaluhod pa sa lupa, iniinda ang natamong mga sugat.

Hindi kaagad maghihilom ang kanilang mga sugat mula sa aking ice spears dahil binulungan ko ang mga iyon ng inkantasyon mula sa mahika ng mga white elves.

"Tell me, where is your station?" I asked but they just hissed at me.

I need to find their station and report it to our Vertres and let them take action about this. We cannot let other races—especially the evil ones to just feed on mortals, nor even let them be the reason for our exposure. And risk the life of every mythical being.

I was about to ask them again but I felt a raging force behind me. I let my reflexes block the gold dagger from the drow they called princess. I was bewildered because it almost hit my neck!

I pulled back to regain my composure despite the rapid beating of my heart.

"Virdos ve vardina!" the drow princess cursed me as she aimed for my neck again.

She wanted me dead!

I dodged her and made sure the divine dagger would not harm me. I then summoned two ice daggers at once to fight her. I must admit, she has the strength to make this hard for me. But I will not falter. It's still a mystery to me as to why she has that weapon.

Habang pinoprotektahan ang aking sarili ay hindi ko maiwasang kabahan. Dahil sa oras na matamaan ako sa kritikal na bahagi ng aking katawan—ng sandatang iyon ay katapusan ko na. Hindi ko inakalang magkakaroon ako ng pagkakataon na makakita at mapalaban sa isang sagradong sandata kagaya ng hawak niya.

"Ah!" I hissed as the tip of the divine dagger pierced my left arm in one swift.

I suppressed the urge to scream with the sudden shot of pain. Parang pinupunit ang aking laman habang ito ay sinisilaban. Hinawakan ko ang aking sugat na may umaagos na sariwang dugo. Umigting ang aking panga ng hindi ko maikilos ang aking kaliwang braso pati na rin ang aking mga daliri. Napanghinaan ako ng loob dahil sa nangyari.

It was just a small s***h but it almost brought me down to my knees.

"Bow down to me and your death will be quick! Vor zen!" the drow princess laughed as she playfully swirled the dagger on her hand.

Ang mahapding sugat ay hindi naghihilom dahilan para mapaluhod ako. The wound is not too deep but it can paralyzed almost half of my body.

Hinihingal at pinagpapawisan ako ng malamig kasabay ng pamamanhid ng aking labi. The drow princess took a step forward and bent down a little to lift up my chin with her dark grey yet slender fingers. I want to bite it but I stop myself, for I do not like to taste her black blood.

"How lucky can I be? The first order from the Oblivion is to kill your kinds and now... you are served right in front of me. You just fell into my trap for being so curious, vor zen," she said and smacked my head with her elbow.

Oblivion?

"W-what are you talking a-about?" I questioned as I pushed myself to stand up but failed.

"No, no... you do not have to know because you will be dead," she declared as she positioned her weapon on my neck.

I shuddered with fear, so scared to die but I needed to survive. Kung sana ay kasama ko ang aking familiar... hindi ako mapupunta sa ganitong sitwasyon. Ngunit itinago siya ng aking ama bilang parusa sa akin.

I need you Escape. Help me!

My jaw clenched desperately as the drow princess laughed that irritated me more than being scared. The tip of her cold blade grazed the skin on my neck but it felt like it's burning my skin.

"T-his is not t-the e-end you e-evil w-witch..."

Hindi maaaring matalo ako dahil hindi pa nagsisimula ang aking misyon! Kailangan ko pang iligtas ang aking mga magulang pati na rin ang maaaring mangyari sa Winter Kingdom.

I have to do something!

Suddenly, my nerves clicked in. I drew a deep breath as I pushed myself to do the idea from my mind. I put my right hand to the ground and let my magic flow into the dry grass.

I can feel the water from the soil moved as it finally solidifies. Seconds later, the ground shook and made the drow princess stumbled backwards and took her time to balance her body. I took that opportunity to leap backwards.

I need to move in haste.

As soon as I landed, I put my hand once more on the dry ground and ice spikes started to grow from it. The drow tried to avoid my attack but she slipped on a slippery block of ice. It made the divine dagger fall from her grip.

I dismissed the fact that my left arm was immobilized and pulled all the strength I still have to finish the unexpected battle.

"Whose death is waiting for who?" I mocked and jumped high despite the throbbing pain.

Lumapag ako sa tabi ng natumbang prinsesa at mabilis na kinuha ang divine dagger mula sa lupa. Without remorse, I stuck it to her chest. She screamed violently but it did not last long as her breath of life came to an end.

Napaupo ako sa lupa bago tinapunan ng tingin ang dalawang natitirang drow na nanlalaki ang mga mata ng masaksihan ang pagiging abo ng kanilang pangalawang prinsesa. Bakas ang takot at pagkabahala sa kanilang mga mukha.

I sighed. "I will not kill the both of you if you tell me where your station is. Your cooperation with me wi—"

My brow furrowed in confusion when the two drows pulled out their arrows from its quiver and use it to slit their necks! They soon became ashes like their princess.

I tried to find my strength and stand up but failed. Masakit pa rin ang aking kaliwang braso, ni hindi ko pa rin ito maigalaw. Kahit ang aking mga binti ay namamanhid na rin dahil sa mga nangyari kanina. Ilang habol na hininga ang lumabas mula sa aking bibig bago ako napatitig sa kalangitan.

What is really happening? Why do I feel like the given mission of my king is not the only quest that I would have to do?

"Zaildu xer mil," I chanted a healing spell and let the ice cool down the pain on my arm.

My brow furrowed. "The healing spell is not working…"

Napapikit na lang ako. Ang tanging pag asa ko ay ang natira pang Nectar na ibinigay nina Apollo sa akin. The Nectar can ease the pain from the divine dagger.

"I'm still lucky." Napayuko ako at pinakatitigan ang aking hawak. "Paano at bakit hawak ito ng isang drow?"

Ang mga sagradong sandata na ginawa mismo ng mga Titans noong sinaunang panahon ay kayang pumaslang ng kahit na anong nilalang. Kahit ang mga immortal ay kaya nitong kitilin ang buhay. Kaya't napakamapanganib ng mga ito.

Even the gods in the Mt. Olympus didn't dare to use it since the sacred weapons are still unpredictable and loyal to the Titans. Ang mga ginawang sandata ni Hephaestus mula sa malinis niyang kalooban ang tanging ginagamit ng mga gods at ng ilang bayaning imortal.

Kung hahayaan ng mga Olympians na malayang makagamit ang sino mang nilalang ng mga sagradong sandata. Magiging malaki ang posibilidad na may magtangkang umagaw ng trono mula kay Zeus.

Therefore the Olympians decided to seal the sacred weapons to Hephaestus lair, under the most dangerous volcano. Ito ay nakaselyo gamit ang isang makapangyarihan mahika at mapanganib na labyrinth.

Ngunit may ilan pa ring sagradong sandata ang hindi pa natatagpuan. Dahil noong sumabog ang ibang Titan ay kasama rin ang mga sagradong sandata na tumalsik sa kung saan saang parte ng pitong mundo. Walang nakakalaam kung nasaan o nakaninong kamay ang mga ito.

"I should hand this to Hermes and let him bring it to Hephaestus,"

I heaved a sigh and stood up. I need to go back and take some rest. Everything in my body ached and it was too painful. I promised myself that I would never let pain consume me. Besides, it is more painful if I ever lose that battle and be killed by an evil elf. A contemptuous smile crossed my lips.

I was about to walk towards the park's exit when I caught another silhouette just a few meters from me.

I clicked my tongue. "I don't know if I can still fight."

Sinubukan kong tumayo nang tuwid, ayokong isipin ng nilalang na iyon na nahihirapan ako sa aking sitwasyon. Humigpit rin ang aking hawak sa sagradong patalim.

Inihanda ko ang aking natitira lakas para gumawa ng ice cage para sa nilalang na iyon kung sakaling lumapit ito sa akin. Ngunit damang dama ko ang pamamanhid ng aking buong katawan. Ilang minuto na lang ay maaari na akong bumagsak.

My body is at its limit. I am afraid that the little victory I had will be my last win. But I need to hold on. I need to stay still.

Ang bawat pagpatak ng dugo mula sa aking kaliwang braso ay aking naririnig kasabay ng mahinang kulog mula sa langit. Ang pag ihip ng malamig na hangin pati na rin ang mahinang t***k ng aking puso ko.

I can still hear from my surrounding but my eyes are blurry. But I need to fight it. I need to go home with this little victory I made.

"Show yourself—"

No! I'm losing it. I could barely hold my stand. My legs felt weak like I was standing in the water. It’s suddenly hard for me to open my eyes too.

The sound from the divine weapon's fall to the ground alerted me. I pushed myself to open my eyes once again and there, I caught a glimpse of that being that hid himself behind a tree a few seconds ago.

He ran towards me but he was not that fast to catch me from my fall. A big thud was heard as I lay flat on the ground unable to feel anything. But before darkness consumed me, I felt a warm touch on my back.

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