The Cursed One

5 | An Unexpected Reunion

The night was still early and she was inside her rented room, counting the steals she made for the day.

"Forty thousand," she mused, staring at the bundle of money on her hands. "Not bad, thief." Agad niyang itinago ang pera sa sa kanyang damit at napahiga sa kama. The bed groaned under her weight dahilan para mapangiwi siya. She's underweight and having a bed groaning at her weight is somehow disturbing. Kaya naman bumaba siya sa kung nasaan ang may-ari at saka nagreklamo. The owner of the tavern gave her a blank look as usual and just waved his hand and a key appeared floating on top of his palm. Kinuha nalang niya iyon at inilipat ang kanyang mga gamit sa kabilang kwarto. 

The celebration would last for a week so she has a lot of time to take everything she needs that would make her survive for the next few months. Tomorrow, the celebration will continue and she has already marked the spots she planned on going, kung saan maraming tao. The more people there are, the better.

That night, she went out but she made a mental note that there would be no stealing for the night. She just needed to enjoy the celebration. She ignored the drunk men in the tavern as she walked past them and inhaled the city air the moment she was out. 

The tavern was quite far from the city center. She savored the cold bite of the air as it touched the skin showed from her quite revealing dress. The concrete path was wet from the splash of rain earlier. Kahit na naglalakad siya ay ramdam niya ang maliliit na patak ng ulan but that did not stop her from doing what she was planning to do tonight. 

The cold weather did not stop the people from continuing the celebration, either. Kahit malayo pa siya ay rinig na rinig na niya ang musika na tumutugtog sa syudad. She could also hear the laughter of the people from in and out of the taverns, shops, and other establisments bordering the bustling road. Street stalls and stood on the sidewalk where the people are crowding, choosing the goods they wish to buy. 

Napagpasyahan niyang lumapit sa kung saan maraming tao. She could hear the people chattering and she listened. Iyong ang madalas niyang ginagawa. There are other information that one could get just by listening. 

So she listened. 

She pretended to be checking out the some items ngunit ang totoo ay nakikinig na siya sa usapan ng iba. 

"There was a dead body found near the sewage last night," said one girl. 

Napangiwi naman siya. A dead body. Isang malaking selebrasyon ang nagaganap ngayon sa Finnore kaya naman hindi na surpresa para sa kanya ang mga krimen. She made use of the crowd as her opportunity to steal. So there are others out there too who was also using this opportunity to kill someone. 

She went to another stall and listened ngunit wala na siyang nakuhang ibang impormasyon maliban sa pagpupuri ng mga turista sa selebrasyon. Nagpatuloy siya sa paglalakad. The street noise somehow calmed her down so she went deeper into the crowd. 

She has been living in the streets for four years and she managed to survive. May mga pagkakataon na nalagay sa panganib ang buhay niya ngunit sa pagdaan ng panahon, natutunan niyang umiwas sa gulo. Natutunan niyang makisama at magnakaw. Iyon na ang bumubuhay sa kanya. May mga pagkakataon na naiisip niya minsan kung ano ang magiging buhay niya kapag nasa bahay ampunan pa rin siya. Naisip niya kung magiging masaya ba siya. She doesn't have any magical power like the other kids. She doesn't have any special ability that would make her stand out. Sometimes, she wondered what would it be like to have a family. But her train of thoughts would stop midway as she remembered what she went through while she was at the orphanage. Hindi siya tinrato na katulad ng ibang bata. She was treated like an outcast. And when they can't seem to get rid of her, they burned her alive. 

Ni hindi siya binigyan ng mga ito ng pangalan. She calls herself thief. Kapag may magatatanong sa kanya ng pangalan niya, hindi niya ito sinasagot. Anong isasagot niya? 

She marveled at the sight of floating lanterns floating up, up, up and when it was high enough, it exploded with a loud sound. The children giggled at the sight of the sprays of colors as it exploded mid-air. When she looked on the other side, she saw a man maneuvering the waters in his will. The water danced, and splashed, and rose and exploded sending droplets of water nearby. Napangiti siya habang pinagmamasdan ang mga iyon. If she had any power, she couldn't help but wonder what would it be. 

Sighing, she continued walking hanggang sa makarating siya harap ng palasyo.

The palace stood proud and tall at the end of the road. Its marble walls glinted against the night sky. Kahit walang buwan ay maliwanag ang paligid. There were lights floating around--enough to illuminate the whole palace. She marveled at the sight. The topiaries, the neatly cut grass, the spires--all of it seemed to call her. They seemed to seduce her to come. 

However, she knew better than to be near the palace. She has heard rumors about what's inside—true or not. Kaya naman bago pa siya makalapit nang husto ay huminto na siya ay naglaka papalayo. Saka naman niya nakita ang isang pigura ng lalaki sa 'di kalayuan.

She narrowed her eyes. Sigurado siyang lalaki iyon. Ngunit hindi niya makita ang mukha nito. The man was wearing a long trench coat and a hat, covering his face when he looked down.

She had lived too long in the streets. Long enough to know what the man was doing. Sinusundan siya nito. Agad siyang naglakad papalapit sa lalaki at tama nga ang hinala niya nang agad din itong naglakad papalayo sa kanya.

She knew better than to follow the man. Kaya naman nagmadali siyang naglakad papalayo doon. She figured she had already oamed enough kaya naman napagpasyahan niyang bumalik nalang sa tutulugan niya. Walking through the crowd, she remained vigilant of the surroundings, listening and watching carefully. She noted every sound of footsteps coming and leaving. She watched every face of the people around her. 

Nagmamadali siyang naglakad kaya. Rinig din niya ang reklamo ng mga taong nakabanggaan niya habang nagmamadali siyang naglakad. Hindi na siya nag-abala pang humingi ng paumanhin. 

Nang makalabas siya doon ay agad niyang tinahak ang daan papunta sa bahay na tinutulugan niya. She wrapped her shawl tighter around her as she felt the air getting colder than earlier. 

It was when she passed the dark alleyway that she was frozen on her feet. Hindi siya makagalaw mula sa kinatatayuan niya at nakatingin lang siya sa lalaking nakatayo doon. He was far from her but the stranger's presence is strong. Naramdaman niya ang pagtayo ng balahibo niya habang nakatingin sa lalaki. 

It was then that she realized it wasn't because of sheer shock that she wasn't able to move. The stranger was doing something to make her freeze. And then she felt it. 

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya habang nakatingin sa estranghero. Hindi niya maipaliwanag pero may naramdaman siyang parang kamay na humahaplos sa isip niya. As if luring her to reveal everything she knows. The man's power--whoever he is--is dangerous dahil alam niyang kapangyarihan iyon ng lalaki ang humahaplos sa kanyang isipan ngayon. She stood there, unable to move and scream as if the man had removed her ability to do so. 

At first his power felt like hands. Later on, it became talons. The sharpness of it grazing her mind that made her wince. Doon siya nakaramdamn ng takot. Hindi niya alam kung bakit pero pakiramdam niya ay may hinahanap ito sa kanyang isipan. And just feeling the sheer power of that talon made her think that it would be enough to melt her brain the man wills it to. 

Beads of sweat trickled down her temple as she saw the man move. He walked closer to her. Gusto niyang sigawan ito na layuan siya. Gusto niyang tumakbo. Whatever the man's magic is, it's insanely strong. 

Ngunit wala siyang magawa. Nanatili lang siyang nakatayo doon hanggang sa makarating ang lalaki sa harapan niya. Tahimik ang parte ng lugar na iyon kaya naman hindi na niya inaasahang may makakakita pa sa kanya doon. At kung mayroon mang makakita sa kanya, hindi rin siya makahingi ng tulong. The man completely held her mind and gained control of her. 

Alam niyang hindi naitago sa mga mata niya ang takot habang nakatingin siya sa lalaki. Hindi niya makita ang mukha nito dahil na rin sa dilim. The man's hand moves to his hat before he took it off. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to make out his face in the dark. 

Then the man said, "Totoo nga." Hinawi nito ang buhok na tumatakip sa kanyang noo at tumitig lang ito sa noo niya na para bang may hinahanap. Then his eyes met hers. "The seal I placed to contain your power was broken." 

Hindi niya maintindihan kung ano ang ibig nitong sabihin. Partly because she was scared shitless and another part because he's a stranger. Why would she believe him. 

The man looked like he's in his early fifties. He tilted his head and looked at me. "I will let you speak. Speak only," he said. "If you try to scream I won't let you talk ever again. Understood?" 

Tumango nalang siya nang paulit-ulit. Saka naman niya naramdaman na umaalis na ito sa kanyang isipan. The tendrils of power hissing as they exited her mind. At nang makalabas na nga ito sa isipan niya ay saka siya nakahinga nang maluwag. Ni hindi niya namalayan na hindi na pala siya humihinga kanina. She was panting for her and despite the cold air, she was sweating profusely. 

And fast as lightning, she took her dagger out and pointed at the man's neck. Nanatiling nakatingin lang ang lalaki sa kanya. He looked disturbingly calm. 

"Sino ka?" tanong niya rito. 

"Binalaan kita kanina," saad naman ng lalaki. 

"Binalaan mo akong huwag sumigaw. I am not shouting. I am about to slit your throat." 

"Put the knife down, girl. Or do you want me inside your mind again?" 

Napalunok naman siya ng laway sa sinabi ng lalaki. Hindi na ito gumalaw papalapit sa kanya kaya alam niya kung gaano ito kamakapangyarihan. Walang laban ang kutsilyo niya sa lalaki. Ibinaba niya ang hawak na kutsilyo.

Tiningnan niya ito. "What in the world was that? Sino ka ba? Why were you following me?" tanong niya rito.

Ngunit bahagyang ngumiti lang ang lalaki sa gawi niya at saka inilagay ang sombrero nito sa harap bago ito yumuko nang bahagya. He looks less scary without a hat. 

"Ako si Emil," saad nito, "at ako ang kapatid ng iyong ama." 

Kumunot namang ang noo niya sa narinig. "Kapatid ka ng ama ko? Paano mo naman nalaman na ako ang anak niya? And why are you here?" 

Hindi niya alam kung seryoso ba ang lalaki sa sinasabi. She couldn't help but feel curious at what he said. Bata pa lang siya ay namatay na ang mga magulang niya. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang dahilan ng pagkamatay. Basta ang alam niya ay iyon ang naging dahilan kung bakit siya napunta sa bahay-ampunan. At kung kapatid nga ito ng ama niya ay isa lang ibig sabihin noon--alam nito ang totoong nangyari. 

"I was following you because I need to," saad ng lalaki. 

Kumunot naman ang noo niya. "Why do you need to?" 

Naging mas seryoso naman ang mukha nito habang nakatingin sa kanya. "Dahil may kapangyarihan kang taglay at hindi iyon basta-basta. You have the power of the Shadowburn." 

Hindi niya maintindihan kung anong nais sabihin ng lalaki. She still couln't wrap her mind around what he said that he's her uncle. 

"Shadowburn...?" Iyon ang unang beses na narinig niya iyon. 

"I will explain everything to you but not here. We're too exposed. We can't be seen--" 

"How should I know that you're telling me the truth? That you are indeed my father's brother?" 

Napatingin ang lalaki sa kanya bago nagbuntong-hininga.

"Your mother and your father died when you were five years old. I was the one who took you to the orphanage--"

"You could be making that up." 

"I was the one who was there to help your mother when she was giving birth to you. I was the one who knew about you and how you are cursed. I was supposed to kill you because you are dangerous. But your father stopped me and promised me they'll live in isolation. Ngunit isang araw namatay silang dalawa ni Munira, your mother. Gusto mo pa bang ikwento ko sa iyo kung paano sila namatay?" 

Pakiramdam niya'y umikot ang mundo niya dahil sa mga nalaman. Munira was her mother's name. Hindi niya alam kung anong mararamdaman. She never knew her parent's name. And now malalaman nalang niya ito sa lalaking nagpapakilalang kapatid ng ama niya. 

TIningnan niya ang lalaki. She admits she is quite curious about what he just said but she doesn't know if she should trust the man. 

"What do you want? Why are you here?" tanong niya rito. Tingin niya ay nauubusan na ito ng pasensya sa kanya ngunit wala na siyang pakialam. Kailangan niyang malaman kung bakit. 

"Like I said before, you have the power of the Shadowburn--" 

"You keep saying Shadowburn when I don't even know what the hell that means." 

"It means you have the power to take someone's life," the man said while looking straight into her eyes. "It means you are dangerous. I placed a seal on you before I took you to the orphanage to hide your curse." 

Napagtagpi-tagpi niya ang mga impormasyong narinig niya. This man placed a seal on her to hide some dangerous power she possess. 

"Kaya pala noong bata ako ay wala akong kapangyarihan," sabi niya. "Lahat ng ibang batang naroon ay may mga kakayahan. Ako lang ang wala. Ikaw pala ang may dahilan?" 

She could see panic rising through his eyes as he tries to calm her down. 

"If I didn't put that seal on you you have killed everyone in that orphanage." 

"Bakit hindi mo nalang ako kinuha? You said you were my father's brother. Why did you leave me in the orphanage?" 

Natahimik naman saglit ang lalaki habang nakatingin sa kanya. 

"Dahil hindi ka dapat ipinanganak. Pinagbubuntis ka pa lang ng ina mo, alam na naming lahat na may sumpa ang magiging anak nila."

Hindi niya alam ang nais niyang sabihin. AKmang ibubuka na niya ang kanyang bibig nang maapansin niya ang mga aninong gumagalaw sa paligid nila. Nakita din iyon ni Emil ay mahinang napamura ang lalaki. 

She could tell it's definitely bad news. 

Tumingin si Emil sa kanya at kinuha ang kamay niya. 

"We've stayed out here for too long and now they have found us." 

"Who...?" 

"Something we don't want to deal with," saad ng lalaki. Bago pa man siya makapagtanong ay bigla silang nawala. At first, she could see the bustling streets and the lights decorating the trees. Ngayon, para silang nasa tuktok ng isang gusali. They just transported. 

She staggered on her feet as she felt dizzy. She was inclined to ask the man what just happened but she was more interested to the shadows she saw earlier. 

"What in the world are they?" tanong niya sa lalaki. She peered thorugh the building at kitang-kita niya ang mga anino na nagpalaboy-laboy sa mga gusali kung saan madilim. 

"Shadows," Emil said, peering with her. 

"What do they want?" Hinarap niya ang lalaki. 

"Iyon nga ang dahilan ko kung bakit kita sinusundan," sabi ng lalaki. "Since my seal on you had broken for whatever reason, your power is very much exposed now." 

Napalunok siya ng laway habang nakatingin sa lalaki. "And that means?" 

"Hinahanap ka ng mga anino na iyan para patayin. Iyan ang ibig kong sabihin." 

Tila nanghina naman ang tuhod niya dahil sa narinig. 

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