Song of the Winter Solstice (Gauntlet Series 1)

Chapter 16 -Chasing Fire

Fire.

It slowly burns along the woods.

Like the rage and mystery, he brings when he uttered my name, I opt to chase him and know what's beneath the hot crimson fume that consumes every living and nonliving.

Who is he?

Namataan ko siyang paiga-iga habang binubuhat ang sugatang katawan palayo sa tore. The tower then shifted to its normal aquamarine color as he moves out of the territorial zone.

The man's back. He looks like someone from the seventh region. His broad shoulders, his height, and even his voice. Could it be possible? Or is it only because I have been missing Killan that's why my imagination keeps telling me the form to feed my longings?

Napailing ako.

He is not Killan.

Not him. Maybe.

I gather my fist as my insides debate if I should follow him or just stay safe in this tower of pax. Sumandal ako sa bricked foundation ng tore pero hindi nabawasan ang kaba sa dibdib ko.

Bakit may isang bahagi sa loob kong bumubulong na kailangan ko siyang sundan? Bakit parang nakokonsensya ako kapag naiisip kong malala ang tama nito sa katawan at kailangan nito ng tulong?

Idrish, he's an enemy in the first place. He needs to be executed and not to be saved. Mariing bulong ng utak ko. My mind would always suggest something practical; something real while my heart would whisper the other way around. Pakiramdam ko'y responsibilidad kong tulungan ang estrangherong 'yon.

Pinilit kong pakalmahin ang sarili. My head literally shakes vehemently. Why do I feel responsible? I hate myself for asking this question now.

'Stay hidden.' Muli ko na namang naalala ang sinabi ni Killan. He's like everywhere. Nasa utak ko siya at ang mga salita niya pero ramdam na ramdam ng puso ko na kailangan kong sundan ang sugatang lalaki. Ang rason? Hindi ako sigurado. My guts are always on the right path. That is what I believe in.

I close my eyes as my head and heart continue to debate. Every space is now covered in silence. The only sound I can hear is my heart constantly beating so fast.

Be still my beating heart... be still. Bulong ko sa sarili.

In a heartbeat, as my back heavily leans against the bricked foundation of the tower, a deafening scream from the forest muddle the roaring silence. Boses lalaki iyon.

Nagising ang buong sistema ko. Pakiramdam ko'y mas lumala ang pagtatalo ng utak at puso ko.

Isang malakas na sigaw ang muling sumakop sa 'di kalayuang bahagi ng kakahuyang nasa harapan ng toreng kinaroroonan ko. The masked guy grunts like his pain is blistering. Scorching like the fire he bears.

Naulit ang sigaw na 'yon hanggang sa tuluyan itong nawala at kusa na namang nabalot ng katahimikan ang paligid.

Kinabahan ako.

Dumoble ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. Sa 'di maipaliwanag na dahilan ay awtimatikong umangat ang katawan ko at walang alinlangang humakbang ako patungo sa kagubatan. Kabado ako. Pero sa kabila ng kaba ko'y tila nais ng sistema kong hanapin ang lalaking nakamaskara.

Ilang metro ang nahakbang ko bago ako tuluyang nakalabas sa teritorial zone ng pax tower. My system instantaneously smell danger like what it used to feel since the moment I arrived here. Hinagilap ko ang nakamaskarang lalaki.

Wala akong makita.

I look far off from where my feet are buried. A few meters from where I stand is a prairie that divides the battling camps: Meridio and Septen. He might have escaped and went back to the Septen territory or he is still hiding behind these bushes.