Bless the Deserter

Prologue

Devaaton ka Devaalay

"Kahit ano pang pag-mamakaawa ang iyong gawin, hinding hindi patatawarin ng Bathala ang nag-taksil sa atin."

Ang pagdagundong ng langit ay hudyat ng pagsimula sa kaparusahan ng isang sinumpa. Ang poot at galit ng kataas-taasang nanlikha ay dama ng mga diwata at diwani na umaasa na lamang na maligtas sa kapahamakan ang minamahal nilang diyos na nawala sa tamang landas.

"Marapat lamang na siya ay mag-dusa, upang kaniyang mawari ang kaniyang kamalian. Subalit, ang sumpa ng kamatayan ay labis na kaparusahan para sa kaniyang sala!" Ani nang diwata ng gabi, habang nakatitig sa dulo ng bahaghari. Kung tutuusin, ang kamalian ng diwata ng kadalisayan ay hindi dapat tinuturing na matinding pagkakamali. Umibig lamang si Lakambini, ngunit ang kinahantungan nito ay ang kaniyang pagsakit.

"Mag-mula sa araw na ito, tanging paghihirap na lamang ang iyong matatamasa sa kamay ng mga dayo na iyong sinasamba! Sinusumpa ko sa aking ngalan; tanging pagdurusa ang mag-hihintay sa iyo sa mundo ng mga talipandas!"

RING! RING! RING!

A man in his mid twenties jerked awake, his face furrowed in displeasure as his body trembled with trepidation. The scene of being struck with lightning was far too vivid for him to ignore. That nightmare seems to have invaded his life once more.

"Get yourself together, Asil! First day natin ngayon sa dream company natin-hindi pwedeng sirain ng isang panaginip ang araw na 'to!" He cheered himself loudly, but the gnawing in his stomach didn't stopped. Asil Madeis Madrigal first had these nightmares as a child. It was a reoccuring thing in the past, but it miraculously stopped coming from him when he turned sixteen. But now, as dreadful as it sounds, they're back again to haunt him. However, he will not allow those things to bring him down when good things are just starting to enter his life.

"I am your new secretary today, Mr. Manansala." He said cheerfully, while extending his hand for a handshake. However, the man in expensive suit before him just stared at him as if he did something unnecessary. He forgot. Dimitri Manansala absolutely hated skin ship. How could he be so stupid at day one?!