The Spawn of Winter [Tagalog]

CHAPTER 8: DAGGER'S OF ANSWERS

The Mortal Realm

Freewoods City, Zana's House

"Dahil may paparating na digmaan at walang makakapigil dito sapagkat nakatadhanang dumanak ng dugo..."

A shiver ran down my spine as Dalikamata's warning echoed in my head like a haunting ghost. Even the delicate flavor and mildly sweet scent of rose tea on the table couldn't calm me, as it normally should.

"How can I possibly take everything knowing there's a prophecy of war bestowed in my race?" even my own voice betrayed me as it cracked while my chest throbbed cold.

Napahawak ako sa aking sentido. "I can even hear Moros' hollow's steps coming for me."

Kahit may pagdududa ako sa mga sinabi ni Dalikamata kahapon ay wala pa rin akong magagawa. After all, even if the gods' jokes around... it often should take gravely.

"Damn it. Kailangan ko ulit mag isip upang mapaghandaan ang mga natuklasan ko."

My gaze turned across the glass window. The sky was surrounded with gray clouds and based on the woman talking on the radio, a heavy rain might occur at noon. I wonder if the gods knew what happened with my conversation with Dalikamata.

"May alam kaya rito si Apollo?" wala sa sariling tanong ko at mabilis na napailing. "I shouldn't always seek help from others. I have to do my own salvation."

As I shook my head with disappointment for myself, a figure outside, suddenly caught my eye. Pinakatitigan ko ang konkretong bakuran na nakapaligid sa tinutuluyan kong bahay. Hindi nga ako nagkamali, may nakamasid sa akin.

"Hindi na ako tinantanan ng mga nilalang na naririto. Can't they spare me time to ease my mind?"

I was about to shrug off the peeping creature as my curiosity already died since my encounter with Dalikamata. But when I got to see most of his dark blonde hair just an inch above those walls. I was baffled by the turn of events.

"Anong ginagawa n'ya rito?"

Hindi pa man nasasagot ang katanungan ko ay mabilis siyang tumakbo palayo. Walang pagdadalawang isip na lumabas ako ng bahay at sinundan ang direksyon na kanyang tinungo.

I ran past a couple of houses but there was still no sight of him. The clouds almost turned black in the sky and it made the other mortals be wary of the sudden burst of rain. Kahit dumalang ang mga mortal sa paligid ay hindi ko pa rin mahagip kahit ang presensya ng demigod na iyon.

Despite growing up in the Mortal Realm, his instincts are quite sharp. He also ran fast as we almost reached the center plaza.

"This is utterly foolish! Bakit pa siya pumunta kung tatakbo lang din siya at magtatago sa akin?"

Abruptly, the wind gushed around me and I tucked the strands of my hair that danced on my face. The tempting smell from the food stalls nearby made me want to eat already. I fastened my phase along the sidewalk as my stomach grumbled in despair.

Sa kakaisip kung paano sisimulan ang dapat kong gawin ay hindi na ako nakakakain ng tama. Long walks couldn't change anything right now. The call of hunger might give me more trouble.

"That demigod might be damned but not my desire to eat!" I made up my mind. "No more shits today."

Lumiko ako at tinungo ang kabilang daan kung saan mas malapit ang parke. "Might as well treat myself better as I dwell deep in this hell pit life of mine."

Mabagal ang aking paglalakad habang pinapakalma ang sarili. I started to think far from my problems. Away from the weight of being the unrightful heir, to the sudden mission in another realm while learning the threats for my kingdom and to my parents... all the way to the prophecy of war.

"Maybe, death is the only answer?" I joked.

A little later, I finally reached the front of a rusty old red gate, the entrance of the park. The wind blew colder and the leaves fell from the narra tree nearby. I saw a couple of mortals striding along the place not minding the dark clouds above.

Habang naglalakad patungo sa puwesto ng mga pagkain ay pinakiramdaman ko ang paligid. Hindi ako nakakasigurado kung umalis ang mga drow sa lugar na ito o inaabangan nila akong muli.

A sigh escaped my lips as I walked through the cemented pathway. Ngunit habang palapit sa binibilhan ko ng pagkain ay napaawang ang aking labi.

Pamilyar ang malapad na balikat ng isang nilalang doon habang pumipili siya sa mga tinda ni manong—kung saan din ako malimit bumili. When I got to the stall, the mortal old man gave me a warm smile. I smiled as he immediately handed me a plastic cup.

Mukhang natandaan na rin ako ng nagtitinda. Habang ang lalaki sa aking gilid ay hindi pa rin ako nililingon. My eyes averted his face as I found the orange ball on the tray. I forgot the name of it but it picked up my taste. It was well partnered with vinegar sauce with lots of onion and cucumber.

"f**k!" the demigod almost yelled as he saw me.

Hindi ko siya pinansin dahil nawalan na ako ng gana makipag usap o makipagtalo ngayong araw. Ang ipinunta ko rito ay ang kumain at hindi siya. Kahit kanina lang ay hinahabol ko siya.

"Quit it," Jared warned in a low voice.

"Quit what?"

He scoffed. "Don't play dumb. Didn't I tell you to leave me alone? Bakit sumusunod ka pa rin sa akin?"

"Really?” I mumbled. "If I know that I will see your face here. I would not even dare to set foot in this place."

Dahil nakaramdam na naman ako ng pagkainis sa kanya ay sinalubong ko ang kanyang mga titig. Sa aking palagay ay magkatulad na kami ng nararamdaman.

We cannot stand each other.

"Bakit ako maniniwala? You've been tailing me for a while, have you forgotten it?"

I felt my lips twitched and a surging heat swirled inside my head. As if he didn't stalk me earlier at my house! Ah, this guy, I really want to teach him a lesson for always making my blood boil in annoyance.

"Oh, boy... I will surely get back at you with the coldest punishment." I mumbled.

"Ano?"

Hindi ako nakasagot dahil dumami ang mga mortal sa paligid para bumili. Huminga ako ng malalim at nagbayad na. Lumayo ako roon at nagsimulang kumain. Mabuti na lang at hindi na siya sumunod.

"He is a one prideful person, huh?"

Ayaw niyang makita o sundan ko siya ngunit kanina lang ay pumuslit siya sa bahay. At para hindi ko siya makompronta ay inunahan niya ako sa paraan kung saan siya magaling. Sa pakikipag away gamit ang mga salita.

"I wonder what will happen if I provoke him to the core?"

Hindi pa man nauubos ang aking kinakain ay ilang patak na ng ulan ang tumama sa aking ulo at braso. Tumingala ako sa langit at napangiti ng magtuloy-tuloy ang pagbagsak nito. Ang malamig na tubig ulan ay dinala ako sa aking alaala noong nagbibigay ako ng handog para sa mga river spirits.

It was a happy moment as it was also my first time to humble the spirits near our territory. There were different river spirits at that time, others in the form of animals, some almost looked like fairies but with tails. And others are humongous and scary but my brother assured me that they are good spirits that sworn loyalty to the Faucon Territory.

It was a small ceremony but I almost cursed the rain for coming that day. But it turned out it only made the spirits glowed in generous amounts of their glitter like mist. Hindi rin nagtagal ay nagkaroon ng bahaghari sa langit na lalong nagpaganda sa araw na iyon.

"I wish I could bring back those old yet ecstatic memories of my past."

My smile vanished when I felt a cold hand on my arm. And before I could even think, we were running! I wanted to yell at him but one of my weaknesses is the rain. I may be a lady of snow, but I love the rain.

The rain helped me to think that everything that I endured to act tough... it's fine to break down. And let my burdens and pain flow down through my eyes. It may have sounded like a child's thought, but it helped me every time I cried. That I should feel no guilt about it.

And even though my father may accuse me of being weak the moment a tear would fall from my eyes. I would gladly accept his beating. I can endure those physical pain, but the heavy emotions... I am afraid it would totally wreck me and no savior can even mend me.

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Freewoods City, Reardon's Residence

I should have pulled my arm the moment he dragged me to the familiar path of his house. And yet, I just let him with no fuss.

"Here have some coffee," he offered as he combed his wet hair with his fingers.

"Are you trying to poison me?" I accused while I shook off the rain that I turned frozen.

Alone with the impudent demigod while still damped from the rain was unbearable. I was not able to dry myself completely since I am not a bearer of air or fire. But I am not complaining.

"I'm still debating if I would though," his retort made my nerves twitch.

"You know, you should write a book with the title, "How to offend the ladies". It might be a hit."

Hindi ko alam kung bakit napunta ako sa ganitong sitwasyon. Hindi ko inakalang dadalhin ako ng lalaking ito sa kanyang bahay kahit na tinakbuhan niya ako kanina sa hindi malamang dahilan.

He shamelessly smirked. "I would take that as a compliment."

I felt my knuckles turning white but I decided not to let his ill-mannered nature get the best of me. Instead, I sat on the couch and took the coffee. His smirk widened as he focused his eyes on me.

"What?"

He shrugged and took a towel and headed his way towards what I assumed was his bathroom. I sighed as he finally got out of my sight. I took a sip of the hot coffee and roamed my eyes around. And I am quite amazed at how neat and discreetly he kept his things and furniture in place.

"Sa tingin ko ay talagang mag isa lang siyang naninirahan dito," bulong ko habang nagmamasid pa rin sa paligid.

The realization of being in a prophecy lulled me back into despair. Kahit anong distraksyon ay tatanggapin ko 'wag lang akong malunod sa kakaisip sa mga problema kahit ilang araw lang!

I can endure every physical stress and tiring missions. But with that prophecy that needed too much caution and thinking? I would really want to just disappear.

"Curse that prophecy!" I facepalmed.

"What prophecy?"

Napalingon kaagad ako sa kanyang direksyon at napansin na nakapagpalit na siya ng itim na sando at pang ibaba. Tinutuyo pa rin niya ng tuwalya ang kanyang buhok habang nakatingin sa akin.

"It doesn't concern you."

Inilihis ko ang tingin ko ngunit bigla na lang may bumagsak sa aking ulo. Inis na hinablot ko iyon at kunot noo na tinitigan ulit siya.

"What do you want me to do with these?" I looked at the towel on my hand. I don't think a single bath towel can dry me enough.

"Maligo ka," tanging sagot niya at lumakad papunta sa kanyang kuwarto.

I did what he said without hesitation since I am not really comfortable with my damped clothes. And luckily when I got inside a pair of gray shirt and black shorts not really made for a girl was neatly sitting on the top of his bathroom counter.

I did my business in the shower, not really bothered that I am defenseless as I let the cold water run through my skin. That demigod might be rude and has a rotten attitude but I do not see malice in his eyes. He rather looked bored and uninterested whenever his gaze would land upon me.

Hindi ako nabahala kung may epekto ako o wala sa kanyang paningin. Ang mga ganoong bagay ay hindi ko pinagtutuunan ng pansin. The last thing I want from a guy is being intimate with them.

Hindi dahil lumaki ako sa isang maharlikang angkan sa Winter Kingdom ay puro pambabaeng gawain ang aking ginawa. Mas pinaghusay ko ang aking kakayahan sa espada kahit labis na taliwas iyon sa kagustuhan ng aking ama noong una.

"I made another coffee. Lumamig yung binigay ko sa 'yo kanina."

I did not expect him to be in his living room the moment I was done since he disliked the sight of me. But maybe, he decided to drop his brazen nature just this once. And when someone becomes nice all of a sudden… it only meant one thing, he needed something in return.

I decided to sit across from him. "What do you want?" I took the coffee.

Tumitig lang siya sa akin at tila may gustong sabihin. Bumukas ang bibig niya ngunit mabilis din niyang itinikom ito. Hindi ko pa rin masabi kung ano ang kailangan niya.

I watched him as he stood up and walked towards his bedroom. I was thinking if I should leave by now but as I could see, the rain was still pouring hard outside. The grey sky was intimidating too.

Kung ang balak niya ay sayangin ang aking oras, mas mabuting patulugin at sapilitan ko na lang siyang dalhin sa aming kaharian.

"Here." He suddenly handed out a black cloth.

I took it and when I realized that there is something in that cloth since it has weights. I unfolded it and saw the four inch slashing dagger. The gold handle and the purple linings made it look regal, yet deadly.

It is a single-edged dagger and its curved blade has a prominent forward spike and is surely sharp and lethal. And the thick blade of steel made it quite heavy. But as I looked closely, the handle is not made of any material that may usually be found in this world or in any realm.

It was made from a stone, an ancient meteorite.

"I wonder if all divine weapons are made from this." Mabilis na hinanap ng aking mga mata si Jared at naabutan ko itong nakaupo at nakatitig sa akin.

"What's your deal?" I asked.

"I just want answers."

Napabuntong hininga ako at ibinaba ang punyal. Nakipagtitigan ako sa kanya at nang mahimigan ko na seryoso siya ay tumango ako bilang pagsang ayon sa hinihingi niya. Siguro ay nagpatalo na siya sa kuryosidad at isinantabi ang pagiging matigas ang ulo.

"Answers to what, impudent guy." I smirked when his brow twitched but he decided to let it pass.

"What are you?" he asked in a cold serious voice.

"What am I? I assumed that you have no skills in starting a conversation." I mocked.

"Says the girl who said that too yesterday," he said in a taunting voice.

"I wa—"

"Makapal ang apog mo. You kept throwing accusations at me about my behavior but never addressed yours?"

"What?—"

Tumaas ang kilay niya. "You stalked me when you didn't want to see my face. You're too rude when I just saved your sorry ass. Your nicknames don't seem nice, don't you think?"

He is talking too much now.

"Fine, drop the exchanges of names." I rolled my eyes since he has a point and I hate it.

"I am a demititan," panimula ko.

Pansin ko ang pagtaas baba ng kanyang dibdib marahil dahil sa kanyang mga sinabi kanina. Ngunit ng sabihin ko kung ano ako ay bumalik na ulit siya sa pagiging kalkulado sa kanyang galaw. Tikom na tikom ulit ang kanyang labi at seryosong nakatingin sa akin.

"A demititan... you're not cursed? " he trailed off.

My brow shot upwards. "Last time I checked, I did not do anything awful to any witch living or dead. Why would you accuse me of that?"

"You possess the same power like mine. I assumed you're under a cursed too."

"Just because you have powers does not mean you are cursed. Who put that idea into your head?"

"Alleeya," he said, almost a whisper.

The way that name slipped from his lips tells something... I think loneliness, pain, or sadness?

"I am a demititan and you are a demigod. You possess the power of ice because of your father. Stop spouting nonsense, you have no idea what a curse really is."

We fell silent after that, his eyes could not even hold mine as if he was troubled or something because of the sudden revelation.

"Do you know what a demigod is?" I questioned after a while when I couldn't take the silence.

He absently nodded without looking at me. "Demigods are the decendant of whatever myth gods who recklessly f****d mortals."

I gasped loudly. "Insolent boy! You have no rights to talk like that!"

Nilingon niya ako habang may namumuong galit sa kanyang mga mata. "Tama naman ako. Why f*****g fuss about it?"

"It is unformidable to talk lowly of them by someone like you. Have your tongue checked and abstain yourself from disgracing the gods!"

He shrugged. "Wala akong pakialam sa kanila."

He talked as if he lost his faith in them. I pushed back my displeasure and took a deep breath.

"Feels like you have lost your faith? May I know why?" mahinahon kong tanong.

After all, pain kills whatever happiness a creature once have.

Sinubukan kong maging mahinahon sa mga narinig kong hindi kaaya ayang salita mula sa kanya patungkol sa mga diyos. Kailangan kong lawakan ang aking pang unawa dahil siya na itong lumapit. Kung maiintindihan niya ang kanyang pinagmulan, mas mapapadali ang pagdala ko sa kanya sa aming kaharian.

Nakita ko ang pagkuyom ng kanyang kamao at ang pag igting ng kanyang panga. Ang lalaking ito ay mahirap tukuyin kung kailan kalmado o kung kailan sasabog ang init ng kanyang ulo. Kailangan ko ng mahabang pasensya.

"Mind your own f*****g business," his voice was stern, cold, and hollow.

Exidia! Patience is not what I need right now. What I need is something that will shut his mouth for talking too much in an impolite manner!

"But you are my business! You have to come with me considering it was your father's request!" I blurted out.

And from where I am, I saw a flicker or rage sparked through his eyes.

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