Blood: A Shadow's Game (Volume VII)

Chapter 14 - ANGEL

Pagkarating namin sa lugar ay naabutan namin ang mga organisasyon na kalaban sila haring Hiro.

Nakita ko naman ang mga magulang nila Lauren kaya uminit agad ang aking ulo.

They've promised me they will protect my family. But what happened?!

Tama nga ang sinabi ng prinsipe. Wala siyang pagkakamali sa mga sinabi niya. Pag wala na nga silang kailangan sayo'y iiwanan o pababayaan ka na lang nila.

God! I really hate it when he's right.

"Ahh!"

"Mom!"

Bigla akong nabalik sa kasalukuyan at nakita ang magulang nila Ken na umaapoy. Gumulong sila sa sahig hanggang sa mawala ang mga apoy sakanila.

Nakaramdam naman ako ng paginit saaking mga mata. Para nanaman itong nasusunog at para nanamang pinipilit alisin saakin ang mga mata ko.

Nasaan na ang prinsipe? Nasaan na si mister Nikko?

Habang walang nakakapansin saakin ay umatras ako atsaka umalis. Naglakad-takbo ako hanggang sa makapunta ako sa kastilyo ng prinsipe.

Pagpasok ko dito ay wala akong makita sakanila Mrs. Estella.

Naglakad pa ako ng naglakad hanggang sa makarating ako sa likod. Dito ko nakita ang prinsipe at si mister Nikko na naglalaban. Sila Ray at Roy naman ay nakatali sa taas ng puno gamit ang itim na tali na animo'y isang anino.

Hinanap ko naman si Mrs. Estella ngunit hindi ko sila makita.

"Who are you?! What do you really want from me?!" Tanong ng prinsipe ngunit binato lang siya ni mister Nikko ng kulay asul na apoy.

Tumalon ang prinsipe atsaka siya gumawa ng apoy at ibinato. Gumawa ulit siya ng isa pa atsaka nawala at napunta sa likuran ni mister Nikko.

Hala!

Mabilis na nakalipad si mister Nikko bago magtama ang dalawang apoy na ginawa ng prinsipe. Galing sa itaas ay sumugod sila papunta sa prinsipe kaya naman siya naghanda.

Sa hindi ko inaasahang pangyayari ay biglang nasa likuran na ng prinsipe si mister Nikko at nagawa niyang matamaan ang prinsipe dahilan ng pagtilapon niya. Mabilis namang nakaayos ang prinsipe kaya't hindi siya natuluyang tumama sa pader ng kaniyang kastilyo.

Paano nangyari iyon?

Ahh... his abilities are linked to shadows.

Yung anino niya kasi habang nasa itaas siya ng prinsipe ay nasa likuran ng prinsipe. Nagawa niyang makapunta doon dahil anino niya naman ito.

His ability is awesome, but such a pain in the neck.

Napahawak ang prinsipe sakaniyang tuhod at parang may pilit na iwinawaksi sakaniyang isip.

"Don't try to stop it." Sabi ni mister Nikko at mabilis na lumapit sa prinsipe atsaka nanaman siya sinuntok ng napakalakas.

Hindi pa nakakahinto ang prinsipe ay mabilis ulit siyang nilapitan ni mister Nikko atsaka yumuko at sinipa sa baba ang prinsipe kaya siya tumilapon paitaas.

"I said don't try to stop it!" Madiing sambit ni mister Nikko atsaka hinawakan ang damit ng prinsipe at sinuntok ulit paibaba. Sa pagtama ng katawan ng prinsipe sa lupa ay nagkaroon ito ng pagtalsik ng mga lupa at alikabok na mabilis bumalot saamin.

"Don't try to stop it." Madiin nanamang wika ni mister Nikko at nakarinig ako ng ingay. Napatingin ako sa itaas at nakita dito ang prinsipe na pinagsusuntok nanaman ni mister Nikko.

Napansin ko naman ang pagtingin nila sa paligid na animo'y may nanonood sakanila.

Nang masalubong ko ang kanilang mga mata ay para akong hinila ng kanilang mga mata papunta sa ibang dimensyon. Pagkakita ko'y nandito kami sa sobrang pamilyar na lugar.... ang purgatoryo.

"I said don't try to stop it." Sabi nila atsaka buong lakas na sinuntok ang prinsipe. Tumilapon ng sobrang layo ang prinsipe. Hindi naman na siya nilapitan ni mister Nikko at parang inantay siyang makatayo ng maayos.

Pagtayo niya ay nakita ko ang pag c***k ng kaniyang maskara.

Bumagal ang oras nang makita ko ang tuluyang pagbasag ng kaniyang maskara at nailantad ang kaniyang mukha. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang tuluyan kong nakita ang mukha niya.

"Oniisan" sambit niya.

Hindi ko naman maalis ang mga mata ko sakanilang dalawa.

They're brothers.

Prince Dio really resembles mister Nikko.

So it is more than just their same surname. Ang akala ko'y mag angkan lang sila, ngunit hindi ko akalain na magkapatid sila.

"Why me? Of all angels, why me?!"

"Why did you sent me there and let me be played by other creatures? Why did you let them played me and let me kill a hundredths of thousandths of innocent creatures? Of all angels, why me?"

"Why me?" He asked and a tear falls from his eye.

Hindi ako handa sa mga nasasaksihan ko ngayon. Ngunit mas hindi ako handa sa pagtulo ng luha ng prinsipe.

"It doesn't have to be like this when since the beginning I opened myself to you. Perhaps, you won't be like this or this won't happen to you."

"But I did not regret what I've done."

Angel? Ibig sabihin ay anghel sila? Pero bakit yung mga anghel ay sinusubukan siyang patayin, pati ako?

"I should tell you now. It doesn't need to be hidden anymore. Besides, my time is running out."

"I kept it all. Though, I regret keeping all the truth from you."

"I deliberately kept the truth from you but believe me, I always ask for your forgiveness even when you're far away."

"I thought by throwing you to hell and planting hate and resentment in you would make you abhor anything about me and our clan. It's the best I can do for you."

"It's the best place I can think of since that's the only place no one from different worlds and dimensions could ever go. I sold my soul to them and allow them to use me as a tool in return of accepting you and not harming you in any way and not do anything in their behalf, and for me to kill anyone who has the blood of Takashi, before surrendering to them."

"Our clan is the leader of all the leaders, and we are the one who possesses the Supreme Eye which can control life and death. And we are the only one who could manipulate all powers as well as being invulnerable if ever we train and study at hardest as possibly we can."

Kaya pala siya binansagang Nikko: The Ultimate Supreme User at ang Lord of the Death. Ngunit ano yung ibig sabihin ng Kagenokami na sinabi nila Ray at Roy dati?

"Many are hating, envious, and resenting our clan because they said we could surpass the God. Our clan was nicknamed after our eyes, The All-powerful Clan. They even describe as omnipotent, glorious and majestic. Although, the supremacy of our clan is not that unbreakable and indestructible as it seems because we are only a horde."

"Yes, indeed, we were that supreme, but comparing the number of the other clans if they all decided to unite versus to us is surely will bring defeat on us."

"I guess it's what the Universe's way to balance us. It grants us power, authority, and status in return of being the least member of all clans."

"Father, who is the leader, knew about the conspiracy agaisnt our clan and tried to end it by talk or in some other way to fix everything and make everything under control, but he didn't succeed."

"Other clans tried to get our eyes since it holds a great power but our clan anticipated it that's why they blinded themselves."

"But other clans is persistent to get the power and tried to drain our blood and mix with them so they can become hybrid."

Oh! So it makes sense now.

From the boy we fought when we were in the human world, to me and to miss Kate. So that means we all became hybrid.

"Father has no other choice because he don't want others use our power over someone or something. What they've been doing just proved us that they are not worthy of carrying a great power."

"Father doesn't see anyone among other clans who is worthy to take his place, and so, he decided to kill everyone who has the blood of Takashi."

"Father ordered me to do the task even if I'm not still in elite rank. He told me that I am the only one who can do the job since I still didn't awaken the supreme eye."

"I don't have a choice but to obey, because I also understand what he meant when once our power were scattered."

"All those agents whom I shared a great memories with and earned my trust turned their backs at me. I understand because it's between me -their comrade and their own family, their own clan."

"And so, I wiped out our entire clan and all who carries its blood."

"I didn't have the power to harm you that's why I did what I did."

"I don't care about anyone who sees me as a cold-blooded and merciless agent who turned out to be a renegade. What I care about is you, little brother. Your life is worth more than a weight of anything. I care about you who might sees me as a failure. But, perhaps you are, since I already failed you since the beginning."

"Although I failed you, my scheme divert you from them and you became powerful. If hatred and resentment on me is the way to save you from them, then I succeeded. That's what older brother for." He said while walking towards the prince.

"You don't have to forgive me. It is not your responsibility."

"Remember this. I am so proud of you." Sambit niya atsaka hinawakan ang tuktok ng ulo ng prinsipe.

Kung sabagay. Mas matangkad pa rin si mister Nikko kaysa kay prince Dio

He tap his hand gently on top of the prince's head five times.

One, two.... three... four.... five.

What does that mean?

"And you... what's your name again?" Pagharap nila saakin kaya ako napatalon ng bahagya. Napatingin naman ang prinsipe saakin na hindi ko alam kung nagagalit ba saakin o kung ano dahil sakaniyang tingin.

"Katharine."

"Katharine." Aniya.

"Thank you for guiding him to the right path."

"I guess you're our sister now. Well then, look out for him for me, little sister." Sabi nila na nagpatalon saaking puso.

"What do you mean your time is running out?" Tanong naman ng prinsipe kaya sila napalingon sakaniya.

"In order to keep the balance of the world, every time their's a life that meets its end, there will be life that will start."

"That's why there's a light and dark, right and wrong, up and down, good and evil."

"Tell me the real reason!" Madiing sabi ng prinsipe. Nilapitan naman siya ni mister Nikko atsaka hinawakan ulit ang tuktok ng kaniyang ulo.

"It's my choice, Daisuke."

Daisuke? Hindi ba't Dio ang pangalan niya? Or it's just some sort of stage name?

"What do you mean it's your choice?! After what you've done?!... after this you're gonna leave?! You're gonna leave me again?!"

"Ahh. I get it now." Pagtango ng prinsipe.

"Is it the contract?"

"Tell me, is it the contract?"

"You can choose a different choice. Stay here..... stay with me."

"I can't--"

"No! This is all their fault. They leave you no choice." Pagputol niya sa sasabihin ni mister Nikko.

"Yamero! It's my choice. It's all from me. I made that choice--"

"No. They didn't give you a choice that's why you've done those things."

"Listen here, Daisuke." Pagharap nila ng mukha ng prinsipe sakanilang mukha.

"You've got a lot of love and joyful life waiting for you. Seize that, Daisuke."

"Look around. Open your eyes. Can't you see that there are still people who truly cares for you?" Tanong nila. Napatingin naman ang prinsipe saakin atsaka ibinalik din kay mister Nikko.

"Build a bond. Build a connection in them. And when you did it, hold onto it. Treasure it. Because one day, when you face a hardships and difficulties in a way, they'll gonna be your source of strength. They'll become your power."

"If you have a strong grip, you'll become unbeatable, Daisuke."

"Keep this in your mind. You are the most precious gift I've ever had, Daisuke. And always remember this. I am... always with you." Pagtapik nila ng bahagya sa tuktok ng ulo ng prinsipe atsaka ngumiti ng maliit.

Tinignan ako ni mister Nikko at para nanaman akong hinihila papunta sa ibang dimensyon. Pagbukas ng aking mga mata ay nandito kami sa kakaibang lugar.

Napatingin ako saaking tabi at nakita dito ang prinsipe. Nandito kami sa may mataas na bahagi ng lugar.

Pagkakita ko sa tinitignan niya ay nandoon si mister Nikko sa gitna... parang tanghalan. Napalunok ako nang makita ko rin ang bagay na alam kong ginagamit upang parusa sa mga gumawa ng sobrang laki at bigat na kasalanan -ang malaking blade na pamputol ng ulo.

Ang itsura ng lugar dito ay sobrang laking bilog na nakalubog ng bahagya. Sa may ibaba ay nandoon sila mister Nikko at sobrang daming mga tao na parang manonood. Ang pwesto naman namin ay sa may mataas na lupa habang pinapanood sila sa ibaba.

Parang alam ko na ang mangyayari ngunit ayoko lang itong tanggapin.

"Ngayon, naririto tayong lahat upang masaksihan ang pagkamatay ni Takashi Nikko!" Sabi ng lalaking mukhang Hari ng lugar na ito. Nagsigawan naman ang mga tao na animo'y sabik na sabik makita ang mangyayari.

"No. Wag." Mabilis kong pigil sa prinsipe nang pasugod na siya.

Oh my god. His eyes.

Mabilis naman kumunot ang noo ni mister Nikko at parang may hinahanap hanggang sa mapatingin sila sa pwesto namin.

Sa palagay ko'y hindi si mister Nikko ang dahilan kung bakit kami nandito ngayon base sakanilang reaksyon. Sa tingin ko'y ang prinsipe ang nagdala saamin dito nang hindi nalalaman ni mister Nikko. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung paano niya ito nagawa.

"Nandito siya upang harapin ang kaniyang mga kasalanan; Ang pagpatay sa sarili niyang angkan, ang pagubos sa dalawamput apat na angkan, ang pag labag sa mga batas, ang pagiging espiya, at ang dahilan kung bakit nagkakagulo ang bawat kaharian dito sa mundong ito."

"The man who is nicknamed as Kagenokami, Lord of the Death, and Nikko: The Ultimate Supreme User, is now here in front of us ready to face his end. The man who never lost a battle, even just once. The man who was known to be unbeatable."

"At gaya ng napag usapan, ang kontrata, dito natin masasaksihan ang pagtatapos ng isa sa natitirang Takashi sa mundong ito."

"Don't. Please. Control your emotions." Pagpigil ko ulit sa prinsipe.

Nakita naman namin ang pagdala sakaniya sa mismong tapat ng bagay habang ang kaniyang kamay ay nakatali sakaniyang likuran.

I can't feel any fear in him, but rather, I can see visibly composed and serene while he's looking at the sky.

"And though I shall die, the former village that had fallen will rise again. The silver lining will still reach the face of the children. The frozen lips of the wronged will curve from the bliss. The tears they shed from pain will replaced by light that will overpower darkness."

"It will and always will." He said. Tumingin naman siya saakin na may itsurang "Look out for him. Scold him if he ever starts turning away from his path.".

Before they s***h his head, he looked at the prince and gave his last gentle yet meaningful smile.

I close my eyes as the sharp blade touches the back of his neck.... and open it.

Before my very eyes, my surroundings are covered with raging fire. People are screaming for help while some are burning into ashes.

Napatingin naman ako sa prinsipe na hindi man lang gumalaw sa pwesto niya dito sa aking tabi.

Kanina lang sila nakapag usap muli at nagkasundo na magkapatid, tapos ngayon ay papatayin nila sa mismong harapan niya ang kaniyang kaisa-isang pamilya na natitira.

If only I had the power to delay the time, I will.

How can I be mad and take revenge on him if that is the reason all along?

Bigla ko siyang nilapitan atsaka siya sinalo nang mawalan siya ng malay. Ang mga tao pa rin sa ibaba ay nagkakagulo at kitang kita ko ang nasa ibaba na nabalot na ng sobrang laking apoy galing sa prinsipe.

"Katharine." Rinig kong sabi ng kung sino kaya ako bigla kinabahan.

Shit.

"Katharine." Tawag niya ulit.

Nang mahanap ko ang pinanggalingan nito ay nanlaki ng bahagya ang aking mga mata. It's a grasshopper.... but not a typical grasshopper. Its color is kind of like a blue or something. It's also as big as my hands.

"Katharine."

"N-nagsasalita ka?"

"Of course. Ano sa tingin mo?"

"W-w-what do you want? Why did you know my name?" Tanong ko.

"I am the previous guardian of Nikko-sama. And now, he entrust you to me. I am now your guardian and I will forever be with your side, Katharine-san."

"Ano?!"

"I will tell the details soon. Right now, we should get out here and save Daisuke-san."

"P-paano?" Tanong ko.

"Come close." Aniya kaya ko naman ginawa kahit hindi ko halos naiintindihan ang nangyayari.

Paglapit ko'y hinawakan niya ang aking mga mata.

"There. As Nikko-sama's last order to me."

"What-what-what did you do?"

"I gave you his ability to go into different dimensions without using portals."

"You can't have that ability even if you may have the Supreme Eye because you are not actually Takashi. But by this, you can have now."

"Okay, now, let's get out of here. Just follow your body and guts." Sambit niya kaya ko rin ginawa.

Pumikit ako ng sobrang diin atsaka ibinukas ang aking mga mata. Bigla na lang kaming nasa kama... sa kastilyo ng prinsipe.

Naramdaman ko naman ang kapaligiran na ligtas bago ako mawalan ng malay.