Marcus POV:
Lady Fire! Can we do it now?
If you're talking about the full form -- then it's not!
How can we take this in one shot?
You think.
Is a Head Fire enough to sweep them?
Not enough!
Then I guess I'll do it without you.
Better. Rather disturbing my beauty rest...do it alone.
Is that mood swings?
What is that? Swings?
Oh, shut up!
While having a conversation with this lady inside me, here I am the fights with these big insects we've just accidentally encountered while looking for something to eat. Yes, we just want to find food because we are hungry but then this bunch of hungry, humongous entities attacks us out of nowhere. Hitting them with this blade does work, but it's quite tiresome as the moment flies by.
A hefty grasshopper jumped over, a head above me. As it slowly descended, I arched my sword and performed my sword style; three-strike z-style. Slashed it below its thorax and abdomen in three strikes.
"Cleb! Doing good?" I uttered, jumped over a beetle, and stabbed between the head and thorax. A tinged yellowish fluid splashed all over my face and body.
"Anong good? Napakadami pala nila!" Cleb uttered, with his axes doing all the work. He throws his axe that hits the dragonfly, then, slides under the cricket's body and slices it smoothly from the thorax down to the abdomen. Almost bath from the crickets fluid.
"Pagkain lang naman hanap natin, eh! Tapos ito pa nahanap natin, Encuentro!"
"We can't take them all down! What should we do?" I uttered while stabbing and slashing this pest.
"So, ano gagawin natin? Tatakbo?" Cleb responded.
"Maybe?! Yes! This is their territory! We just illegally entered their colony!" I said.
"Paano ang pagkain natin?" Cleb said.
"Run!!!" The only word I uttered as I couldn't take them down, my stamina was getting low. It's fatiguing doing this thing continually, given that it's merely my raw strength because this Lady Fire inside will not support me, because she thinks that I could take them down with my raw strength that easily.
We run away from them, outside their territory. Some of them followed us but somehow they halted and got back to their territory. I turned around to look at them, they headed inside the woods at the west part of this valley. Then, I realized something...
"Cleb, it feels like this whole southwestern part of this valley was their territory. It's the woods. It's theirs!" I said.
We can't enter these woods. This western part of this woods was their colony.
"Alam ko! Kaya bago pa magising ang dalawang 'yon at hanapin nila tayo sa kanluran nito -- naku! mahirap na!" Cleb uttered.
"You're right! Let's tell them that we can't go west now, let's go North!" I said.
Cleb nodded.
"Teka! Sila ba 'yon?" Cleb uttered.
I looked and saw them about to set foot inside the woods. In the West.
"Shit! It's them!" I emitted.
"Teka? Ano 'yon?" Cleb uttered, sighted something inside the woods. My eyes were wide when I saw something coming out of the woods.
"Li! Amir! Alis kayo d'yan! Takbo!" Cleb screamed out of his lungs. Amir and Li heard it right away and turned their gazes at us. We signaled them to get away from the woods.
"Amir! Sa harapan niyo!" Cleb shouted while running towards us.
...
It's just a tarantula and we were able to slaughter that pest easily. The team decided to go north since theirs no way to south or west because of those monsters' territory.
Amir's POV:
But the X marked was on that west side!
"It's almost afternoon!" Li said, viewing the blue sky.
"At nagugutom na ako!" Cleb uttered, caressing his stomach.
"Eh, ikaw! Ang laki-laki mo bakit hindi ikaw maghanap ng makakain natin? Ikaw pinakamalaki satin dito, oh!" Li urged.
"Ako? Eh, halos mamatay na kami 'dun ni Marcus kanina sa kakahanap ng makakain natin! Bakit hindi ikaw?!" Cleb rebutted.
"Ba't ako? Eh, ikaw ang hunter dito! Mas may experience ka sa pangangaso at paghahanap ng pagkain --"
"Eh, ba't hindi ikaw?! Ikaw dito ay nagmula sa Osanyin, bakit hindi mo subukan maghanap --"
"So what's the connection of being an Osanian sa paghahanap nang --"
"Guys stop it!" I intervened. I can feel the tension rising between these two. They were hushed right after.
"We'll find something to eat," Marcus shortly added.
I glanced at Li and saw the irritation on his complexion, he was just walking beside me so I didn't hesitate to tap his shoulder and smiled at him to lighten up his mood after the tension between him and Cleb.
"It's okay! I understand, we'll find something to eat," I uttered.
There's a moment of silence while walking around this valley. No one bothers to open their mouth to at least come up for a conversation. Marcus was walking ahead of us, with hands inside the pocket of his maroon-colored wool ankle banded pants. I Li who was a meter away from his back and Cleb who was behind us. We are just casually walking inside this valley under the heat of the sun, hungry.
"There!" Marcus uttered pointing at something.
We followed our gaze and saw a mango tree which is just near a riverbank. We walk towards it, and Marcus immediately climbs up the tree to get some well-riped mango. He throws some at us waiting under the tree.
"Thanks, Marcus!" Li said while eating the mango.
"Okay, na 'to! Kahit paano may laman na rin sikmura natin!" Cleb uttered.
"Bakit pa kasi natin nalimutan ang mga gamit na dadalhin natin! Nandoon pa naman mga gamot at ointment natin!" Li added.
"Eh, sino ba naantasan 'dun? Diba ika--"
"Guys, please! Not now! It already happened, it is what it is! Just moved on! Enjoy the mango!" I uttered and intervened before they started quarreling again.
We somehow enjoyed eating those mangoes that made our stomachs full and took some time to rest and take a bath at the riverbank before we moved forward.
Cleb burped.
"Guys, I think we need to move faster. We shouldn't stay here at night and we have to reach the mana boundary before the sun sets." I said.
"Amir's right! This place is unusual. It seems just an ordinary valley in our eyes but once we set foot inside, something peculiar is happening, we don't know what's and who's inside this valley aside from those heavy fog and those monstrous insects, I think there's more of it. There's more to this Death Valley," Marcus added.
"Guys!!!" Li screamed.
We turned around as soon as Li screamed out of nowhere and to our shock we saw Cleb lying on the ground, unconscious. Li was kneeling beside Cleb, so we ran toward them.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I don't know! I just heard something fall off the ground and then I turned around and saw Cleb in this situation!" Li replied.
"He was poisoned," Marcus uttered. I turned my head at Marcus and at that moment I turned... he also fell on the ground -- unconscious.
"Marcus!" We uttered in sync. Then suddenly, I felt something flicker inside me then everything turned dark.
Li's POV:
I was walking behind Amir and Marcus when I heard something drop behind me. I turned back and saw Cleb on the ground -- unconscious.
I walked towards the unconscious Cleb and called them for help. They both turned around. I can see on their face they were shocked and then walked towards me
"What happened?" Amir asked.
"I don't know! I just heard something fall off the ground and then I turned around and saw Cleb in this situation!" I replied.
"He was poisoned!" Marcus uttered. Then he suddenly dropped. Just like Cleb -- unconscious.
"Marcus!" We uttered in sync.
Then followed by Amir who also dropped on the ground. All of them became unconscious. It was probably the mango that we ate earlier. It probably has poison. I was stuck at the moment and I don't know what to do.
Li!
Bay! Ano gagawin ko?
Gawin mo ang nararapat na gawin, Li! Nagawa mo na 'yan noong ginamot mo ang mga sundalong sugatan at nalason.
Is it the mango that we eat earlier?
Yes! Nasa Death Valley kayo, ang lahat na nandito ay kamatayan! Magiging kamatayan ninyo ito kapag hindi kayo naging mapagmatyag at maingat.
Nalason din ba ako?
Oo, pero niligtas kita! Kaya sa inyong apat ikaw lang ang buhay ngayon.
Buhay? Ako lang ang nabuhay? So, this means that patay na silang tatlo?
Not yet!
What?!
Pero kaya mo pa silang buhayin!
Paano ko mabubuhay ang patay? Hindi ko 'yon kaya! Tanging may sugat, karamdaman, o mga nalason lang ang kaya kong pagalingin. How can I heal a dead person?
Hindi ko po alam!
Bay?! You're a water bearer and a healer! How can you say that na hindi mo alam!
Eh, Hindi ko naman po talaga alam! Hindi ko po masasagot ang ganyan klaseng tanong. Hindi mo mapapagaling ang patay na.
This can't be --
Kuya Li makinig ka! By this power, you can only heal a wound, toxin, illness, and emotions. Healing ain't for giving life to the dead, but rather healing to avoid death. Kaya nga sabi ko, not yet!
So, what do you mean? I still can heal them?
Opo!
Why?
Because you can only heal the causes. Pagkamatay ang epekto nito, at ang dahilan ay ang pagkalason.
So, I can heal the causes but not the effects of it.
Exactly. Remember this, Kuya Li! Every choice has a consequence, you have to make the right choice -- and the right choice is to heal them.
Okay! I got it Bay! Thanks! You played me with your words!
I put both my hands on Cleb's chest and uttered healing magic. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and felt the power flowing over my body going through Cleb's veins. I can hear his heart beating back to normal, systems start to function. As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw Cleb slowly back to his consciousness. I was delighted by it when he opened his eyes and uttered some words.
"A-anong...nangyari?" He said.
"Nalason at namatay ka! Pasalamat ka binuhay kita!" I uttered.
"Sila?" Cleb uttered, pointing at Marcus and Amir lying on the ground, unconscious.
"Same! They are not dead yet! But I can take away the poison inside. Nauna kitang pinagaling kasi nauna kang namatay!" I said.
"What?"
"Oo, bangon na diyan!" I said, tapping his buff chest.
After Cleb, I transferred Marcus and Amir to heal them both at the same time.
--- and they lived! thanks to my little sister, Bay!
Amir's POV:
We thanked Li for that! Without him by our side, we should be dead by now.
"Don't worry Li. I'll get back to you once this mission is done. I promise!" I uttered, pledged a reward for saving us from our death.
"Really?! Aba, dapat lang noh!" Li said.
Everything was silenced. Only the whistling of the wind can be heard.
"I mean... it's just a joke! Huwag niyo namang seryosohin!"
...
...
"Mukhang aabutan tayo ng takipsilim ah!" Cleb voiced out
"Amir, where are we?" Marcus asked.
"Well, supposed to be we will go west. It will probably take us much longer." I answered.
"So, I guess it is what it is!" Marcus responded.
After a short discussion, we continued to stroll in the valley going north.
"Amir! Bakit hindi ikaw naging hari ng Haiyan?" without second thoughts Cleb uttered. I was caught off guard when he directly asked that random question, that even I couldn't answer.
Li and Marcus were hushed.
"You caught me there, Cleb! ..."
"Honestly, I have no idea how Haiyan's monarchy system works! I just take the responsibility or task that was assigned to me by the higher ranks or the King, besides ..."
"I'm not interested in being a king soon. I just want to live normally -- just like you! I just want to be like you! Simple living has the freedom to do anything you desire, and can wander around the realm without being restricted," I ended. Felt a bit emotional about that.
Then, Marcus hemmed.
"Guys, I think we should avoid asking personal questions that are unrelated to our mission or us being an Offspring. Let's just avoid crossing boundaries. Let's be extra sensitive!" Marcus said.
"Sorry, Prince Amir!" Cleb apologizing.
Running approached me and bowed down. I was quite shocked by his action because I can't remember anything that Cleb bowed at me.
"No, it's okay Cleb! Stop with the honorifics! We're all equal here!" I said.
"Besides, I understand your curiosity about asking that question, don't mind it at all!" I added.
But then this big ginger man doesn't stop.
"Hoy! Cleb! Tama na 'yan! grabe ka naman sa--"
Awooo!!!
A sudden howling was heard.
"What is that?" I asked.
"A wolf!" Marcus answered.
"That's weird! Do they howl at this time? I thought they only howl at night?" Li curiously uttered.
"Hindi. Wolves howl anytime! Pero kadalasan gabi natin sila naririnig," Cleb uttered. Composing himself and becoming vigilant.
"What does that mean?" I asked.
"It's a call for a hunt," Cleb uttered.
"What?" We uttered in sync and gazed at Cleb.
"Ang alulong na 'yon...ay senyales ng kanilang paghahanap ng bibiktimahin. Maaari ding nakapasok na tayo sa kanilang teritoryo," Cleb responded.
"Magta-takipsilim na! Mas aktibo ang mga lobo kapag bukang liwayway at takipsilim, kailangan na natin kumilos at makaalis sa teritoryo nila," Cleb added.
Cleb's POV:
Patuloy pa rin kami sa paglalakbay patungo sa hilaga. Pinahintulutan ako ni Amir; ang aming pinuno, na manguna sa sitwasyong ito dahil mas may alam ako sa ganito kompara sa kanila. Mabilisang paglalakad ang ginawa namin dahil paniguradong aabutan kami ng takipsilim.
"Kaya niyo pa bang maglakad?" sambit ko.
Tumango naman sila.
"Kung ganun, bilisan niyo ang paglakad!" hiling ko.
"Eh, kung tumakbo na lang kaya tayo!?" pagsusumamo ni Li.
Napipikon talaga ako sa batang toh! Ang sarap ibalibag sa putikan na may mga tae.
"E'di takbo!" sambit ko, at walang pasintabing tumakbo.
Nagulat naman sila at kaagad din tumakbo sunod sa akin. Mas lalo ko pang binilisan ang takbo ko para bilisan din nila.
"Wait! You're fast!" pag-iinarte ni Li.
Ang arte naman nito.
"Bilisan niyo kaya ---"
Nang bigla na lang may tumalon sa harapan ko at bumalibag at pagulong-gulong kaming dalawa pababa sa isang talampas na hindi naman gaanong kalalim.
"Cleb!!!" rinig kong sigaw nila.
Pagkatapos, hindi ako nag-atubiling bumangon at harapin siya. Nagulantang ako sa aking nakita, hindi siya basta-bastang ordinaryong lobo lang, kundi isang pitong-talampakan laki at kulay pula ang mga balat nito at naglalaway pa.
"Aba! Ang laki nito!" ang nasabi ko.
"Cleb!!!" rinig kong sigaw nilang tatlo, kaagad ko silang nilingon.
"Nag-iisa lang siya!!! Kaya mo na 'yan!!!" sigaw ni Li.
"It's your time to shine!" idinagdag pa ni Marcus.
Hinarap ko ang higanteng lobo na nanlilisik ang mga mata nito at naglalaway, kinuha ko naman ang mga palakol at hindi nag atubiling inihagis ng buong pwersa sa kanya. Sa bilis ng paghagis ko ay hindi niya ito naiwasan at natamaan ang kaliwang mata nito, umungol at umigtag-igtad siya. Sumugod siya papunta sakin at hinanda ko sarili ko sa kanyang atake.
Hoy! Tor! Meron ka ba d'yan?!
Aba, syempre boss! Kayang-kaya 'yan!
Anong pantapat mo dito?
Mas malakas pa sa sampung katao at kasing-tibay ng isang bato. Pantapat na sa pulang lobong 'yan!
Ayos!
Oh, bahala ka na d'yan sa paggamit, boss!
Ganun?! Sige, Salamat!
Oks lang boss!
Argh!!!!
Nakatusok pa rin sa kanyang mata ang isang palakol ko at hawak ko naman ang isa, akmang malapit na siya sakin at handang angkabin ako ng kanyang naglalaway at matutulis na pangil, nang bigla lumihis siya ng takbo paikot sa aking likuran, sinunod ko naman ito ng aking tingin.
"Anong --"
At biglang tumalon sa ibabaw ko, tumingala naman ako.
Awooooo!!!
Alulong nito.
Humarap siya sakin, nagmamatyag sa mga galaw ko. Segundo na ang nakalipas at hindi pa rin siya gumagalaw sa kinatatayuan niya.
Mukhang mapapasabak ka dito, Boss Cleb!
Mukha nga!
Huwag kang mag-alala, nandito lang ako pag kailangan mo ako!
Awooooo!!!
Alulong ulit. At biglang tumakbo patungo sa akin. Tumakbo din ako para salubungin siya at mas binilisan ko pa ang takbo nito para maunahan ko siya ng atake. Ibinato ko sa kanya ang palakol ko at iniwasan niya ito sa pamamagitan ng pagtalon...
"Huli ka!"
Tumalon din ako para abutin ang kanyang leeg. Sa taas ng talon ko ay naabutan ko ito at ibinalibag siya. Napahandusay ito sa lupa at nanghina bigla. Lumapit ako dito at binali ang kaliwang paa nito sa harap para mahirapan siyang lumakad. Hindi ko pinaslang kasi nakaramdam ako ng awa, kinuha ko na lang ang palakol na nakadikit sa mata niya.
"Good dog! Pasalamat ka hindi kita kinatay! Magpagaling ka!" sambit ko, umalis sa pinangyarihan at iniwan siya dun.
Nakaakyat na ako sa dalisdis nito, kaagad naman akong pinalakpakan ng tatlong mokong ito.
"Wow! That was an easy win for you!" sambit ni Marcus na tinapik-tapik ang balikat ko.
"Mukhang hindi ka naman pinawisan 'dun! May konting galos lang pero ako na bahala d'yan -- I'll heal you!" sabi ni Li.
"Good job for not killing that wolf! You have that sympathy inside your soul!" dagdag naman ni Amir.
"See! Ayos diba!" pagmamayabang ko.
"Tara na, baka gumanti pa uli 'yan" dagdag ko.
Kaagad naman kaming umalis sa pinangyarihan at hindi na nag-aksaya ng oras pa. Mukhang malayo-layo pa kami sa Mana Boundary.
- END.