Alen clutched the hem of his shirt as he stands stiff beside the known criminal. Nilalamig ang buong katawan niya habang pinapanatili ang mga mata sa sahig ng pasilyo. Hesitantly, he stole a few glances at the unconscious school nurse lying on the floor. Kahit na hindi ito eksperto sa larangan ng paglaban, every staff member of the academy is still an experienced fighter; they were trained to protect the students no matter their role. Yet the supposedly reliable adult is presently out cold by one hit to his abdomen. What can a weak-bodied boy like him do against Trois Oxen then?
Hinigpitan ni Alen ang pagkapit niya sa kaniyang damit habang pasimpleng sumusulyap sa dulo ng pasilyo. Ilang minuto na lamang ay maglalabasan na rin ang mga estudyante but he cannot rely on that mere fact alone, somehow, he has to do something. Yell maybe? Hoping a teacher would hear him and come to him in a matter of seconds? No, paniguradong bago pa may makarating ay wala na siyang hininga.
Alen never felt more frustrated about his helplessness. So frustrated that he didn't even notice the eerie stare of his source of anxiety.
"I hunted various kinds of birds for some years," kaagad na ibinalik ni Alen ang kaniyang mga mata sa sahig nang marinig ang boses ng kasama. Trois continued. "They're loud; chirping so annoyingly so I shot them, plucked their feathers, and sold them to the market. They were worth a few." Alen felt like he swallowed a pebble upon hearing those threatening words. Humigpit ang hawak niya sa dulo ng kaniyang damit but he paused with the next words. "But I guess a hatchling who can't even walk on its own can be spared, correct?" Alen's eyes widened in expectation.
Mabilis na tinango-tango ni Alen ang kaniyang ulo habang madiin na nakapikit ang kaniyang mga mata. Trois looked away. "Go."
Alen hesitated but eventually, he took a small step and another after a few seconds passed. Nang wala siyang maramdamang kahit na anong galaw mula sa kaniyang likuran, he swallowed and immediately ran. Pinakinggan lamang ni Trois ang papalayong mga yapak nito at nanatiling nakapako ang mga mata sa kaniyang harapan. "Been a while since I met a normal brat." he mutters.
Zai remained standing beside his bed. Tahimik lamang niyang pinagmamasdan ang nakabendaheng katawan nito. Before knocking the nurse out, he was forced to report Clay's condition. Dinala raw ito ng nasa disenteng kondisyon ang balat ngunit pagkalipas ng ilang oras ng pagkakaroon ng mataas na lagnat ay bigla na lamang nagsimulang masunog ang balat nito, particularly on his arms, chest, legs, and on his neck.
Kasalukuyan pa raw na pinag-aaralan ang kondisyon nito at ang drug na sanhi nito. Zai doesn't particularly care about the drug's components, what's more important is how to relieve its effects. "What a troublesome thing."
She was about to exit the door ngunit tumigil siya nang makita ang isang hairpin sa ibabaw ng drawer na katabi ng kama. If she remembers correctly, she gave it to him before the war began. Saglit itong tinitigan ni Zai bago niya ito tuluyang tinalikuran.
Trois glanced at Zai nang lumabas na ito. Inayos ni Zai ang suot na coat at naglakad palayo. "Trace Shane's location and drag himself to my presence." The hall's darkness slowly cast over Zai's figure as she walks. "Immediately."
Trois smiled wider and nodded his head before disappearing without a sound. Nang mawala na ito ay dumako ang mga mata ni Zai sa rooftop ng kabilang building habang patuloy siyang naglalakad. There she saw a man leaning on the barricade with a cigarette between his fingers. His green eyes bore into her habang iniipit nito sa labi ang sigarilyo.
Zai's eyes sharpened before she shifted her attention to her path. Should've killed that man when I got the chance.
The side of Wein's lips pulled up after her figure disappeared from his sight. "Same old, same old." He turned on his feet and leaned his elbows against the barricade. He tilted his head and looked at the man at his side who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. "New haircut?"
"Since when did you start smoking?" Vyann raised a brow, ignoring his question.
Tiningnan ni Wein ang sigarilyo. "Picked it up recently. I needed it."
"Well, whatever." Vyann shrugged it off and pulled some papers out of his jacket. Binigay niya ito sa headmaster at ibinulsa ang mga kamay pagkatapos. "As you suspected, His Majesty did send the general for different reasons. For example, to confirm various suspicions."
"And those are...?" Wein flipped the front page.
"Bukod sa initial objective na pag-aasikaso ng mga illegal deeds of non-citizen and unauthorized traders, mukhang ipinadala rin ang heneral para kumpirmahin ang current target ng kabilang panig." sagot ni Vyann. "Levine Cross was the one who appeared on the site, not just some random pawn. They must've really wanted to take down the general as early as possible, considering he's one of our nation's anchor."
"Never changing Vyann Cross, indifferent even towards his father." Wein commented before going to their main discussion. "As for the king, I don't know if I should compliment him for his boldness. Sending off the suspected target as bait just for confirmation. Reckless, I must say."
Vyann added. "Aside from confirming there's been an information leakage— seeing how they knew the general was coming— and knowing the enemy's target, he also must've sent Mr. Haines to eliminate my father who's a huge nuisance." Vyann's eyes glided to Wein. "Although there's been some few mishaps, it's admirable how he could utilize one scenario to such extent."
"Sending a bait the fish wants to eat, knowing that the bait can also devour its predator. Well, that's a monarch for you. He could be hiding another objective he hoped to accomplish that we don't know about." Wein uttered. Inayos niya ang dokumento at inirolyo ito. "Thanks for doing me a favor. I'll make sure to send the payment. The haircut suits you by the way."
Walang ibinigay na reply dito si Vyann at hinayaan lamang itong umalis. Nanatili siyang nakatayo sa kaniyang pwesto habang pinagmamasdan ang paunti-unting pagpuno ng mga estudyante ng mga hallways. As his thoughts run deep, his expression only becomes more stiff.
"Your father was a mole since the beginning, how can we make sure you're different?"
"Sorry Mr. Cross, but we're currently not accepting new recruits."
"If you'll refer to different headquarters, maybe they would..."
Nagtangis ang panga ng binata bago siya bumuntong-hininga. He turned on his heels to leave the roof ngunit tumigil siya sa kaniyang kinatatayuan nang makita ang lalaking nakatayo ilang metro lamang ang layo sa kaniya. Vyann's eyes dreaded as he clench his fists inside the pocket of his jacket.
Heister smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you again, Mr. Cross."
"Seeing you here, this has something to do with His Majesty, true?" Vyann rolled his shoulder at itinapik-tapik ang kaniyang sapatos sa semento. No matter what he wants, it's probably up to no good. "Why come find me, Sir Heister?"
Noticed Vyann preparing himself, Heister chuckled. "Hindi ako nandito para sa isang away, nor am I here to arrest you for an unauthorized investigation of a royal order." Vyann went quiet upon hearing that the king already knew what he did. Tumayo siya ng maayos at pinagmasdan na lamang ang mukha ng kausap. Heister smiled. "His Majesty wishes to have a private talk with you, Mr. Cross. It involves the title of your household and your noble rights."
Nang marinig ito ng binata ay mas lalong napuno ang kaniyang mga mata ng suspisyon. Kahit na napansin ni Heister ang pagdududa nito ay nanatili siyang pormal na nakangiti rito. Pagkaraan ng ilang segundong katahimikan ay inalis ni Vyann ang kaniyang kamay mula sa bulsa ng kaniyang damit. "I refuse."
Still smiling, Heister calmly asked. "Even if it means you can have your title as heir to the Cross marquessate back?"
Bahagyang lumiit ang mga mata ni Vyann. "I seldom have opportunities to meet the king pero sigurado akong hindi siya simpleng tao, he won't return our properties in return for ordinary requests. I refuse to play under his fingertips." Nilagpasan ni Vyann si Heister at dumiretso sa hagdan. "Also, it's not like I can't live without a high rank and a gold spoon. You can keep those in the treasury."
As he descend the stairs, Heister still spoke. "The castle gates are open for you, marquess Cross. I will await your arrival."
"Don't waste your time."
Heister smiled. "I assure you. We'll meet in the front gates."
--
Nanatiling nakatayo si Zai sa harap ng isang lumang pinto. Ang numerong nakadikit dito ay kinakalawang na rin at sa pag-akyat niya sa palapag ng establisyemento ay panay ang paglangitngit ng floorboards. She glanced at the end of the hallway and saw some residents giving her a cold gaze as they murmur among each other.
"Our hands are full! Just open the damn door at pumasok ka na!"
Ibinalik ni Zai ang tingin sa pinto at binuksan na ito katulad ng sinabi ng nagmamay-ari ng silid. Sumara ang pinto sa kaniyang likuran habang bumungad naman sa kaniya ang isang magulong sala. Nakahiga sa sopa si Bonzo habang nakaupo naman si Ero sa kabila at may hawak na lata ng alak. Asta's preparing something in the kitchen.
"Sit wherever you want, just make sure we can hear you." Ero sipped on his can of beer.
Hinubad ni Zai ang suot na coat at umupo sa single-seater. Accepting the can of beer from Bonzo, Zai's eyes wandered to the rope tied to the ceiling. Binuksan niya ang lata at inilapit ito sa kaniyang labi. "Nice decor."
"At least you have good taste. Some people just don't understand." sarkastikong reply ni Ero na hindi na lamang pinansin ni Asta. The atmosphere quickly became awkward yet eerily calm.
Napuno ng katahimikan ang buong silid ng halos kinse minutos. Pare-parehas na nakapokus ang kanilang mga mata sa kanilang harapan at tila ba'y malalim ang sari-sariling pag-iisip. Only the sizzling noises from the kitchen can be heard.
Bonzo's mellow gaze is directed at the low ceiling as his forearm rests on his forehead. He was the first to break the silence. "So we're doing this all over again?" he softly spoke. There was no reaction from the three. As if lost in his own thoughts, Bonzo kept on speaking in that tone. "I heard from Heister... Aida got married."
Ero sipped on his beer, knowing where it's heading. Bonzo softly chuckled. "Just like the fantasy she used to tell me when we were kids, she really wore that white dress. I feel happy for her, truly." Bonzo kept smiling as he cover his eyes. "Ah... it sucks. She could've at least sent me an invitation, that damn hag."
Walang narinig na salita si Bonzo mula kina Asta. Zai gave him a sideglance before she stood and placed the half-full can of beer on his chest. Humakbang si Zai papalapit sa nakataling lubid at saglit itong tiningala. She then glanced at Ero and Asta who both have an indifferent atmosphere between them.
Nang magsalita siya'y, nanatili pa rin ang paningin ng tatlo sa kawalan. "I assume Sinbad's a king now." they didn't respond. Zai continued, "Shane's probably meddling with the black market as of this moment, Rui's doing paperwork, Bonzo was locked up... then how about you two?" Hindi siya tiningnan nina Ero at Asta, regardless, Zai still speaks. "From what I see, you no longer want to be involve in the medical field while Asta also prohibits you from doing the only thing you want."
Bumuntong-hininga si Asta. "'Wag na nating pag-usapa--"
"Yet you agreed on lending us your skills one last time. Ero, if you wanted to die in battle so you can receive no complaints from Asta, just tell me. I can slit your throat right now, ah right, the spell will activate." Inangat ni Ero ang kaniyang mga mata sa nakatayong dalaga habang sinusuklian rin nito ang kaniyang tingin. "That mark on your neck, it's linked with Asta, right?" Zai's eyes sharpened. "If you wish to die freely, I can slit her neck for you instead. What do you say?"
"I say you shut your trap, kid." Ero warned. Binigyan niya ng masamang tingin si Zai. "'Wag kang makialam."
"The witch who bound you to her can remove the spell but Ero, you're probably aware but that spell requires the soul of the contractor; Asta. Nullify the spell, she dies either way." Nagtangis ang panga ng doktor sa narinig. Zai mumbled. "You two are both idiots, so fucking stupid."
Ibinaba ni Asta ang mga plato sa lamesa at hinubad ang apron. She muttered. "Sit down and let's eat."
The meal was depressing.
***
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