Golden Dust of Tomorrow

Chapter I

I woke up late, as I expected. Lolo told me that I collapsed last night due to exhaustion. My head ached bearably.

Nagpaalam si Lolo na aalis muna ito at naiwan ako sa bahay kasama ang aming mga kasambahay na si Missy at Aling Myrna. Habang kumakain ay mariin kong inaalala ang mga pangyayari kagabi bago ako mawalan ng malay. I just remembered talking to Lolo. I took a deep breath after I finished my meal. Hindi ko na pinuwersa ang sarili na aalahanin ang lahat dahil sasakit lang ang aking ulo sa kakaisip nito.

Naisipan kong lumabas ng bahay at magpahangin. Kinuha ko ang aking lumang pana at isinukbit ito sa aking balikat. I felt excitement kick in when I saw the stable. Nagpaalam na rin ako sa mga kasambahay na aalis ako ngayon.

Iris neighed when I ran my fingers from her golden glaze mane. You're also excited to run, huh? I said it mentally.

"Run free, Iris," saad ko ng makasampa sa kaniya. I gently squeeze her body with my legs to urge her to go faster. Mabilis na tumakbo ang kabayo at pumunta sa magubat na parti. Napangiti ako nang humampas sa aking mukha ang malamig at sariwang hangin.

Nang makita ang sapa ay huminto ako sa pagpapatakbo at itinali ang kabayo malapit sa agos ng tubig. Naisipan kong hindi nalang dalhin si Iris sa kabilang bahagi ng gubat dahil baka pareho lang kami mahihirapan sa pagbalik dito. Protektado naman ang lugar na pinag-iwanan ko kay Iris dahil sakop ito ng lupain ni Lolo. Because if anyone dares to enter our private property, they will face heavy consequences from us.

I crossed the stream and went to the other side of the forest. Nalaman ko kasi kay Manong Jude, asawa ni Aling Myrna, na mas marami ang mga mababangis na hayop sa puso ng kagubatan kaya doon ko naisipan mangaso.

I was discreet the whole time while making a trail. I can hear birds chirping and crickets around me. How calm is it to be in this wild full of predators ready to rule the world? I mentally said.

Habang naglalakad ay nakakita ako ng mataas na puno. Inakyat ko ito at saka nagpahinga sa isang matibay na sanga. Napangiti ako ng humampas sa mukha ko ang sariwang hangin.

I was meditating for a minute when I saw a hind roaming ten meters away from me. I didn't touch my bow, as I don't have any plans to target that vulnerable prey. I came here to catch a bigger fish. To catch the ruler of this wild forest.

I was about to close my eyes when the hind writhed in agonizing pain. An arrow was pierced at one of her vital points. I was about to go down when I realized that someone had shot her. I compose myself and secretly observe the environment. I am not alone in this wild. Someone is also with me.

The hind tried to move, but she kept falling down. Paanong nangyari iyon? Isang palaso lang naman ang tumama sa kaniyang katawan.

"Nice shot, Emilia!" Sigaw ng isang matinis na boses.

"Shut up, Emerie."

Lumabas ang dalawang babae sa isang malaking puno na malapit lang sa akin. Sinikap kong maitago ang sarili dahil wala akong plano magpakita sa kanila.

Tumawa ang isang babae. Tiningnan ko ang kanilang kabuohan. They wear elegant dresses with corsets. Their weapon is also innovative compared to mine.

"What are you going to do with this?" The one who laughed asked. Hindi ito sinagot ng kaniyang kasamang babae. "Fine, it feels like I'm only talking with myself when we're together! I'll go back to Kino."