Chapter 14: The Argument

The Mortal Realm

Freewoods City, Zana's House

I couldn't even sleep a blink after my conversation with Apollo. My heart kept racing as my anxiety started to run in my veins as if it owned it. Mga katanungang dapat nasagot kagabi ngunit nadagdagan lang nito ang aking mga isipin.

Hindi ko maialis ang aking mga mata sa kalangitan mula sa bakuran ng bahay habang nakaupo sa isang bangkong kahoy. I understand why Apollo couldn't help me but could he at least make sure the safety of my parents?

"Patience and determination, I need it for my own sanity," pagpapakalma ko sa sarili.

Itinaas ko ang hawak kong maliit na botelya na naglalaman ng kumikinang na likidong kulay asul. Maganda ito sa paningin kahit wala itong dinadalang amoy. It was the size of my thumb but Apollo said it contains a lot, but not endless.

He gave it to me as a gift. It's not a simple medicine because even though I am a half immortal being, there are still creatures with deadly poisons and curses that my blood cannot handle. 

"Use this to repel those unwanted situations."

"Regardless of all his rules and secrets. A gift from him would grace me enough to survive... the unknown." Napabuntong hininga ako at kasabay no'n ay ang pagbukas ng pinto ng bahay.

"Morning." Patch greeted and took a seat next to me.

I did not want to be rude and just gave him a nod to acknowledge his presence. I could not hide my irk when he shamelessly yawned too loud.

Nilingon ko siya. "Could you stop that?"

"Ha? Ang alin?" tanong niya habang nagkukusot ng mata.

I must admit that he has the looks. But I grew up in a world where everyone is too good looking, it was almost tiring. And this werewolf's face is a waste since he has an annoying personality.

"Stop yawning too much," maybe I was too snappy but it can't help it.

Natawa lang si Patch at sumandal sa upuan. Hindi niya pinansin ang pagsusungit ko. A sudden gleam of sunlight bounced on his brown eyes. I saw it sparkled in different shades of brown while his golden iris shined brightly.

"Werewolves eyes are quite dazzling huh?" I commented.

Nilingon niya ako habang nakangisi. "Hindi pwedeng mainlab sa akin. Nakakamatay."

Kaagad na nadismaya ako sa kanyang sinabi. Kahit anong ganda ng kanyang mga mata ay kabaligtaran naman ng kanyang ugali. 

"Have shame, will you?"

Patch just laughed. "Okay seryoso na. Ang aga pero nang aaway ka na naman."

"I'm not starting a fight," pagtanggi ko.

"Hindi mo lang pansinin pero sa pamamaraan mo kasi ng pakikipag usap, humahantong sa mainit na pagtatalo. Tingnan mo yung sa inyo ni Farran, pwede mo naman siyang deretsuhin pero pinapahaba mo muna ang diskusyon."

Napakuyom ang kamay ko. "Wala kang alam."

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "Hindi ko naman sinasabing alam ko lahat. Sinasabi ko lang, minsan magulo kang kausap."

"Listen, wolf... your lectures are not really appreciated right now. I might punch you in the face if you won't stop."

Itinaas niya ang magkabila niyang kamay. "Ah. Ang hirap mo pakiusapan nang maayos, 'no?"

My lips twitched. "What the hell do you want?"

"Wala. Tsaka nakikipag usap lang naman ako sa'yo bakit parang laging gusto mo ng away?"

My jaw clenched as I bit my tongue to stop myself from talking harshly at him. I'm at my limit, but he's quite right. 

"Fine. I get your point," 

"Ayaw talaga mag-sorry eh," mahina niyang sabi bago tumawa.

I made a face as I still questioned everything in the back of my head. I was introverted since I was a kid and nobody seemed to approach me first, to the point I get used to it. But this guy, he was careless around me.

He's quite nice and gullible yet he would shift into his serious and threatening side if I pushed the wrong button of his mood. 

"Hindi pa rin gumigising si Jared," panimula niya makalipas ang ilang minutong katahimikan.

"I'm not asking."

Napapalatak siya. "Ayan na naman, nanghahamon na naman siya ng away oh!"

Kumibot ang labi ko ngunit pinigilan ko ang aking sarili na sumagot sa sinabi niyang iyon. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit hinahayaan ko siyang maging kumportable sa aking presensya.

I sighed as I looked outside. The cold gale and the brimming sunlight was calming but despite the fine moment. I cannot help but think that I wasted too much of my time and opportunities in this realm. 

"Yung lalaki kagabi, hindi siya tao 'di ba?" panibagong tanong ni Patch.

I flicked my tongue. "He is the sun god."

A bitter taste stung on my tongue as I remembered Apollo's answers last night. But I still couldn't comprehend everything he said particularly about Jared.

"Yung araw mismo na nasa langit?" hindi makapaniwalang dagdag niya bago siya sumipol. 

"Oo."

"Bakit siya bumaba? Dahil ba gabi, kaya p'wede na?" tanong niya ulit habang marahang nag uunat sa kanyang pagkakaupo.

A grin plastered on my lips at his silly questions. "Your guesses are unbelievably crummy."

"Oh, kaya mo naman pala ngumiti. Hindi ka na tuloy mukhang nakakatakot." 

My grin automatically vanished. "You're asking for a fight, aren't you?"

"Chill ka lang d'yan. Walang away na magaganap," natatawa niyang sagot

Wala na akong balak dagdagan ang pag uusap namin ni Patch ngunit naalala ko na naman ang iba pa sa mga sinabi ni Apollo kagabi. Hindi ko masabing pinalad ako dahil hindi niya ako pinarusahan. Matapos ko siyang mapagsalitaan ng mga ganoon dahil nagpakain ako sa aking emosyon. 

And despite everything, he still informed me of something helpful. He provided me with the information of who's the most important person in Jared's life. His mother and I still cannot believe that she is still alive after she gave birth to a demigod.

At kung malalim talaga ang pagkakaibigan ng werewolf na ito at ni Jared. Siguro ay masasagot ni Patch ang mga katanungan ko.

Huminga ako nang malalim at nag ipon ng mahabang pasensya para kausapin ulit si Patch. Minsan matino siyang kausap ngunit madalas ay puro siya kalokohan. Kung tutuusin ay mas malaki ang posibilidad na sa kanya ako makakuha ng mga sagot kaysa kay Jared na napakamalihim.

"Patch?" pagkuha ko sa kanyang atensyon.

"Hmm?"

"Is it true that his mother is still... alive?"

Pagkatapos kong itanong iyon ay bigla na lang tumahimik ang paligid. Nawala ang ingay mula sa maliliit na mga insekto pati na rin ang ingay ng mga mortal na nasa labas. Hindi ko alam kung guniguni ko iyon. Pakiramdam ko ay may hindi magandang mangyayari.

A deafening silence is always something. 

"Bakit mo tinatanong?" balik tanong niya sa seryosong tono.

It was hard to figure out how the atmosphere suddenly changed. I could not even explain the strange aura that emanates from Patch's body. 

"Not the response I needed," I locked eyes with him. "Is his mother—"

I hadn't even finished what I was about to say when he suddenly got up violently as he looked at me in an obscure manner. The hair on my nape stood up and my instinct wanted me to be on guard.

"The f**k do you want with them?" I stilled when his voice changed to a low and dark one.

As of the moment, this guy emits danger.

Nakatingala ako sa kanya dahil sa naging pagtayo niya. "I want to know. You could have answered a simple yes or no."

Napalunok ako ng mas lalong lumakas ang madilim na aura sa hangin na nakapalibot sa kanya. Hindi ko maintindihan kung ano ang naging dahilan kung bakit nag iba ang pakikipag usap niya sa akin.

"Wait. Are you releasing your pheromones?" I asked.

It strangely gave off a suffocating scent as if he wanted me to fear him. As I could remember, a high ranked werewolf can emit that kind of aura. But considering him not being in a pack, meaning that he is a rogue.

Does it mean that his bloodline is conceivably a strong one?

"Paano at saan mo nalaman ang tungkol sa ina ni Jared?" tila nagtitimpi ang kanyang tono. 

"Why do you keep answering my question with another question?" 

Nakipagtitigan siya sa akin ng ilang sandali ngunit siya rin ang unang nagbawi. He brawled his fists as if he was resisting something. I could even hear his bones cracked. As observed his actions, he may snap any minute by now.

"Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin maintindihan ang pakay mo kay Jared pero hinayaan ko na lang. Pero ang malaman na may balak ka rin sa kanyang ina ay hindi ko na p'wedeng palampasin."

That answered my question.

I heaved a sigh as I stood up from my seat. "Stay out of this werewolf, this is between our bloodlines. Hindi mo kailangan mangialam."

I could hear his hard and sharp intake of air as if he was trying to calm himself. I can protect myself just fine if he do something to harm me.

"Mukhang nagkamali ako. Dapat hindi kita hinayaang makalapit sa kanya," mapait niyang sabi na tila ba dismayado.

Tumikhim ako para alisin ang kakaibang pakiramdam sa aking dibdib. "Wala akong pakialam."

He tsked. "I thought you're something."

"As I have said werewolf, stay out of this mess. You would not even stand a chance against me if you were trying to pick up a fight."

A low growl ripped through him and I must admit that it was bone chilling. But I held my head high, not showing any chance of submission to him.

"Kung ano man ang binabalak mo, pipigilan kita."

"That is way too late. His destiny is now moving and I will fulfil it together with mine."

"Tang inang destiny 'yan? Naniniwala ka d'yan?" nanghahamak na sabi niya ngunit ang galit sa kanyang mga mata ay nandoon pa rin.

Napakunot ang aking noo sa kanyang naging tugon. Parang nandidiri siya sa ideya ng aking sinabi. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay ang lahi nila ay kilala bilang mga nilalang na naniniwala sa tadhana at sa mga itinakdang kapalaran.

Bakit ang lalaking ito ay mukhang nawalan na ng paggalang sa ideya at kahalagahan ng tinutukoy ko. 

"'Wag kang magpatawa Zana. Walang maniniwala sa 'yo at sa mga sinasabi mong tadhana."

I waved his thoughts off. I couldn't figure out why he disliked the idea of destiny but he is not that important after all. Patch is just a small puzzle piece for this mission. 

"I was only talking to you because you are his friend. Between you and that demigod, I can get more answers from you in return for responding to your curiosities. I badly wanted to bring Jared to my kingdom!"

I almost smacked my face when I said my intention. I should have ignored him but I cannot do it since I need to know more about Jared's mother.

"Ano? Saan mo balak dalhin ang kaibigan ko?!"

Napapikit ako sa pagtaas ng kanyang boses. Hindi ko inaasahan na sa simpleng tanong kong iyon ay ganito ang kahahantungan.

"Not knowing anything might save you. Stop putting your nose in someone else's business," I warned as frost started to appear beside me.

Mas mabuting ibagay niya ang kanyang sarili sa mundo ng kanyang mga ka uri. Hindi niya rin maiintindihan ang mga bagay at mga katotohanang sasabihin ko dahil magkaiba ang mundong ginagalawan namin.

He was oblivious of the vast truth of this world and of the other realms. He knew nothing.

Narinig ko ang pag igting ng kanyang panga. "May karapatan ako sa lahat ng may kaugnayan kay Jared. Ikaw ang walang karapatan para manghimasok sa buhay namin."

"I have all the rights! Jared is not for this realm after all. He must be in our kingdom with his father!" I hissed, not able to contain the sudden anger that rose inside me.

Pagak siyang natawa sa aking sinabi. "Walang pakialam si Jared sa mga sinasabi mo dahil para sa kanya patay na ang tatay niya."

I gasped in my head and I could feel a string snapped within me when he said that. There is no way I would let him–a lower being to distain the greatness of Jack Frost. 

"How dare you disrespect my king!" I shouted as I could feel the low temperature as it swirled around us.

He sneered. "A king? Yet he abandoned his son? He's better off dead because he could not even raise his family. What more of a kingdom?"

"Hold your tongue werewolf or I would gladly cut it off to refrain you from talking idly to my king," I will surely do it if he continue to ruin the king in front of me.

Tumayo ako at mabilis na naglakad papasok ng bahay. Hindi pa man ako nakakalayo sa salas ay hinigit niya ang aking braso. He snarled at me as his eyes flickered with rage. It changed color from brown to black. In a short span of seconds, I was pinned into the wall as his left arm choked me.

If I could tell what color his aura emits with his stance right now. I would guess that it was a mixture of red and black.

A vision and a smell of bloodlust.

Mabilis kong hinawakan ang kanyang braso at pinagapang ang yelo sa kanyang balat. Hindi rin nagtagal ay siya na ang nagtanggal ng kanyang sarili sa akin. Hindi pa man ako nakakapagsalita ay marahas niya akong itinulak na nakapagpaatras sa akin sa pader.

"Umalis ka ngayon din sa buhay ng kaibigan ko." Lumapit siya sa akin.

"You are not in the position to say that wolf."

I swear I could hear the seething of his teeth. And the heat coming from his towering body was too much, it sent disgust to my sight. 

"Wala kang karapatang kunin ang isang bagay o buhay sa lugar na hindi mo naman kinalakihan."

Pagak akong natawa sa kanyang sinabi ng may maalala. "I should have said that to someone else then."

Kumirot ang aking puso ngunit kailangan kong tatagan ang aking sarili. Hindi dapat ako magpakita ng kahit na anong kahinaan sa lalaking ito dahil hindi ko mapapatawad ang aking sarili.

"Jared doesn't belong in this world. He is a demigod and there are monsters out there that will hunt—chase him eventually. I need to protect him. Our kingdom will make him safe," I explained, still holding my patience. 

"Tang inang 'yan? Seryoso ka ba?" nangungutya niyang tugon. "Dahil kung totoo 'yan, 'edi sana sa una pa lang hindi na niya pinabayaan sina Jared."

"You do not understand—"

"Ikaw ang walang naiintindihan dito Zana. Sinong tanga ang basta sasama sa nang iwan sa kanila? Hindi ganoon kabobo ang kaibigan ko. Wala kang mapapala rito."

"I have no intention to be soft about this matter, Patch. Kahit ano pa ang iyong sabihin, hindi mo ako mapipigilan na kunin si Jared."

Napapikit ako nang hawakan niya ang aking magkabilang braso. Sa bawat pagtagal ng pagkakahawak niya sa akin ay nararamdaman ko ang pagbaon ng kanyang kuko sa aking balat. Ngunit ang mahapding pakiramdam ay mas lalo lang nagpadagdag ng aking tapang para salubungin ang nanlilisik na mga mata ni Patch. 

"Alam ko na may ideya ka kung ano ang kalagayan ng ina ni Jared. Pero gusto mo pa rin ilayo ang kaibigan ko? Wala ka bang puso?"

I could hear and feel his frustrations but he couldn't understand what I was trying to say. My mission is beyond his thinking because this is all new to him. But the least I wanted was him being a pain in the neck.

My nails dug deep into my palms. "Who needs a heart when its only goal is to break and render a person weak?"

Nakipagtitigan ako kay Patch nang hindi binababa ang aking kapangyarihan. Gusto kong maramdaman niya na may kapangyarihan rin ako ng yelo at lamig. Na mas malakas pa ang kakayahan ko kaysa kay Jared. 

Grrr.

A little growl was heard in the room full of deep breathing and seething. I thought it came from Patch but I was wrong when I sensed Escape's anger nearby. But there was also another presence beside my familiar. 

I gazed over and looked past Patch's shoulder. My familiar was still in his mini form. On his side was the demigod who looked displeased about the situation. 

I wonder if he heard anything. 

"Anong ginagawa n'yo?" malat ang boses ni Jared.

Halatang pagkagising niya ay bumangon siya kaagad para hanapin kami. Napapitlag si Patch at mabilis akong binitawan. Lumingon siya sa kanyang kaibigan bago tumingin ulit sa akin na may pagbabanta sa kanyang mga mata. 

"A-ah, wala." Mabilis siyang lumakad papalapit kay Jared. "Okay ka na ba pare?"

From where I stood I caught Jared's sapphire blue eyes as he looked at me intently. As if he was observing the situation.

"Am I interrupting something?" Jared answered instead while he ignored Patch's concern.

"Wala. Ano, gusto mo na bang uwi? Tara!" pinasigla ni Patch ang kanyang tono para ilayo sa kuryosidad ang kanyang kaibigan.

Hindi sumagot si Jared sa pagyaya na iyon ni Patch habang ang tingin na pinupukol niya sa akin ay may kasamang pagbabanta.

"Umalis na tayo para makapagpahinga ka ng mas maayos sa bahay. Hindi maganda ang hangin dito pare baka mas pumangit pa ang kalagayan mo." Umakbay si Patch bago ulit ako tinapunan ng kanyang masamang tingin.

Jared remained silent but his eyes were wary. I clicked my tongue as I marched towards them. Patch suddenly stood on guard while Escape ran towards me and leaped on my shoulder

"f**k off Zana," Patch barked as he remained guarded.

"You." I pointed at the demigod. "You are coming with me whether you like it or not."

"What?" Jared replied with brows furrowed.

"You know what I meant, stop acting like you are dumb." I responded.

I waited for a ghastly reply from him but what I got was a blow of ice magic. I missed to protect myself as my back reacted to the pain when I collided on the wall. The pain was not that serious it was somehow ticklish to my part.

But still I never expected it since I knew he was still recovering from his injuries. A few gruff and curses left my lips as I melted down the ice shards that were pierced on my skin. 

"Well, I take that as a no," bulong ko habang nakatanaw sa kinaroroonan nila kanina.

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