The Spawn of Winter [Tagalog]

Chapter 11: Uninvited

The Mortal Realm

Freewoods City, Zana's House

As far as I could remember... I left these three at that barren land after I made my way to punish those thieves. But why do I see their annoying faces before my slumber?

"Did I invite them over?" I muttered to myself.

Kumunot ang aking noo habang pinagmamasdan sila sa salas. Farran Nivlock with that guy Magnus and the moody werewolf are seated comfortably on the sofa.

I walked towards them. "How did you find me?"

Farran shrugged. "The wind told me."

"And how did you all get inside of my house?" I massaged my temple, still holding my patience.

How come I didn't catch their presence? Kung hindi pa ako bumaba para kumuha ng maiinom ay hindi ko malalaman na may ibang nilalang sa loob ng tinutuluyan ko.

I didn't bother to put charms or talismans in this house as other highly creatures can smell those. I might pick up their interest and I don't want that. I only concealed my power but not my presence. Maybe that's why Farran got a hold of me.

Farran giggled, interrupting my thoughts. "Magnus used his shadows to bring us all inside."

"Shadows?" I was now more suspicious about that guy beside her.

"Yes and he's a demigod," Farran sounded so proud.

Hindi ko akalaing magkakaroon siya ng interes sa uri ng mga demigod. I looked over at Magnus, his black eyes are distant and I could say that he is not interested in everything around him. There is this aura that somewhat separate him from everyone.

"Descendant of what deity?"

Farran coughed a little before she looked at the guy beside her. "Ah, he is..."

I guessed it's a secret since she finds it hard to answer that simple question.

"Hades," he answered in a flat tone.

Ah, that is why they were hesitant.

It was a sensitive topic for him. After all, not all demigods accepted their fates as a descendant of their parents. I had interacted with different races and a few with demigods. And yet most of them hated the woven fate they had to live with.

Since monsters always had the desire to gain more power through devouring them. It's also a way to despise the gods by killing their offsprings. But being a descendant of the god of the underworld is quite peculiar.

I turned my attention to the wolf. "How about you? Why are you here?"

"Gusto ko pang may malaman tungkol sa lahi namin."

Napabuntong hininga ako. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi ako magkakaroon ng tahimik na gabi.

"Can you bring us some food Zana? We are not here to fight."

My brow arched. "It felt like you wanted a fight by commanding me like that, Farran."

"That's how you treat your guests? What a shame. No wonder the Faucon's territory was the least visited castle in our realm," she reminded.

I gritted my teeth and I could feel my cheek burn. I had to talk back to her. "You—"

"I can cook, please let me use your kitchen," the demigod chimed in and before I could give an answer. He marched his way to the kitchen.

"Baka lagyan niya ng lason," mabilis na sumunod si Patch.

Hinayaan ko na lang sila sa dahil nawalan na ako ng gana makipagtalo. Naglakad ako sa kabilang upuan, malayo sa puwesto ni Farran.

"What?" mataray niyang tanong dahil nagtama ang aming mga mata.

"Why are you here exactly? And what's with that guy?" I questioned. "As far as I could remember, you hated guys."

She lifted her right hand and used it to slightly cover her lips as she chuckled. I couldn't help but to frown at her mocking courtesy.

"Oh, I did not expect that you would miss me that much, Zana," she said and pursed her lips.

"Vorzheit."

She chuckled again."You haven't changed a bit."

"Neither is my annoyance to you," I shot back.

"Precisely the same."

Natahimik kami sandali. Hindi ko matandaan kung kailan ko siya huling nakita. Siguro ay noong nagkaroon ng huling tournament sa academy, dalawang taon na ang nakakalipas.

"I have a mission with Magnus at Pzora City," she said after a while.

Ah, the neighborhood city.

"I would like to ask you too. What are you doing in this world you hate the most?"

"Mission," I answered shortly.

She pursed her lips and looked around. We fell silent after that. Farran and I are not friends. We bicker and insult one another all the time. I first met her at the Spirit Realm, the time when we have to find our familiars. I can't recall how or why I started to dislike her.

But maybe, it was because of her guts and big breasts. I get annoyed when I see that, especially when she just has to walk but it bounced slightly.

"Have you ever been in love, Zana?" she asked all of a sudden.

Never in my life. Honestly, I have no time for that kind of thing.

I cleared my throat. "It never crossed my mind that of all the souls I know. You will be the first one who would ask me a question that is so pathetic, I want to throw out the food in my gut."

Farran huffed. "My mistake for asking you for something like that. I forgot that love does not exist in your territory. After your brother's death... no one will ever love you. And that reason alone explains your answer, for calling love pathetic."

My blood boiled in an instant. I can feel the familiar coldness in the room. I stood up and jumped into her but just landed on an empty sofa. I formed my magic into ice spikes and put it in every corner of the small room. I blocked the entrance of the kitchen too.

"Catch me," she taunted.

I turned right and saw her with a big smirk. She hovered in the air, a cute move to avoid the ice spikes on the wall and on the floor.

Huminga ako nang malalim bago gumawa ng mga bola na gawa sa yelo at mabilis iyong ibinato sa kanyang direksyon. Ang iba ay kanyang na iwasan habang ang iba ay nahihiwa niya gamit ang kapangyarihan niyang hangin.

"My turn."

Ikinumpas niya ang kanyang dalawang kamay at isang malakas na hangin ang tumama sa akin. Tumalsik ako sa malapit na upuan. Hindi ko ininda ang sakit na nararamdaman nang makita ko ulit ang pagkumpas ng kanyang kamay.

This time I locked myself in an ice box. I heard the crashing sound of furniture as Farran kept on throwing her air blades. I saw her frown when her attacks no longer hit me.

The next thing I did was push the ice box in her direction. She winced when it hit her in the shoulder. Her eyes immediately flicked with rage. In an instant, she has her black whip on her hand. It was made of magical leather with thorns on it.

She has her familiar, which is why she can summon her magical weapon. And as for me who couldn't find my familiar as of the moment, I cannot do the same. Our magical weapons contain both the spirit of its holder and its familiar.

"I will make sure to crush your pride!" sigaw niya bago iwinasiwas ang latigo papunta sa aking direksyon.

She was fast but I managed to dodge her attacks. Whenever her whip would hit me, I created an ice shield. But because of the force of her blows, the shields I created were easily destroyed.

Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang umatras nang umatras dahil sunod sunod ang kanyang atake. Hindi kalakihan ang silid dahilan kung bakit maraming na sira sa mga gamit. Kung mahahawakan ko ang kanyang latigo ay kaya ko itong ikulong sa aking kapangyarihan ng hindi niya na ito magamit.

"Stupid girl with big boobs! I will freeze you to death!"

I didn't realize that I was pushed hard next to the big bookshelf on the side. I fell on the floor and she took that opportunity to hit me! I got hit on my right leg and it stings!

"You really can't match me, can you?" nakangisi niyang tudyo bago tumawa.

Pinaglaruan niya ang dulo ng kanyang latigo habang nakangisi. Hindi ako makatayo dahil sa hampas ng kanyang latigo. Marahang itinaas ni Farran ang latigo at ibinuwelo niya itong ihahampas sa akin.

"Ay, gago. Anong nangyari rito?" takang tanong ni Patch nang maabutan kami.

Kinalampag niya ang yelong nakabara sa pintuan ng kusina. At dahil nanghihina ako ay mabilis niya iyong natibag. Mabilis akong pinuntahan ni Patch para alalayang tumayo. Mahigpit ang hawak niya sa aking kamay at baiwang. Nang makatayo ay lumayo ako kay Patch at sumandal sa pader habang nanginginig ang aking hita.

Napatingin ako kay Magnus na may kakaibang pinta ng emosyon sa mukha. Nakakunot ang noo niya habang nakatitig kay Farran. Samantalang ang nakakainis na babae ay nakayuko at hindi sinasalubong ang tingin ni Magnus.

"Sa susunod na gusto niyong magpatayan, sabihin niyo lang. I will make the shield to separate you from this world," Magnus said in a serious voice.

Seconds later his face became impassive. I could feel some weight in the air and the already dark night outside seemed to be doubled.

My lips parted when Farran lifted up her face and gazed at him. She looked like a puppy scolded by her master. I never saw her like this. She is boastful and her pride is so important to her. Hindi siya pumapayag na pinagsasalitaan siya o itinatama.

"This is disappointing, Farran. What if there are people who saw you? Aren't you aware of your actions?" Magnus couldn't stop scolding her.

And I must admit that this is quite a scene I would always remember.

Magnus sighed. "Do we have the time to search for the veil of forgetfulness? We can't just bring ourselves back to the Underworld and ask Lethe to lend us."

"I'm sorry," Farran apologized as she fidgeted her fingers

"Hindi niya tayo bibigyan ng walang hinihinging kapalit. Be mindful next time you do something like this," pagpapatuloy ni Magnus.

Wow, so this guy can talk. I thought he could only weave a small portion of words.

"Hindi mo kailangan magtaray sa kanya," biglang sabat ni Patch.

Napairap ako dahil sa pagmamadali nitong makalapit kay Farran. Ngunit bago pa nito mahawakan ang balikat ni Farran ay nakalapit na si Magnus. Madilim ang tingin nito kay Patch bago binaba ang kamay nito.

"You don't need to touch My Lady," Magnus said in a low voice.

"I'm just going to console her!" sagot ni Patch at pilit binabawi ang kanyang kamay kay Magnus.

"She doesn't need that. Stay away from her."

I rolled my eyes. I have no idea what the Styx is happening between them but they need to fix my entire house!

"Farran, you need to fix this place since it was your fault. You attacked me first through your insults!" I hissed.

Masakit pa rin ang aking binti. Tama lang na linisin niya ang nagawa niyang perwisyo rito.

"Okay," tipid niyang sagot na aking ikinabigla.

Hindi siya umangal? Ano ba ang nangyayari sa kanya? Kanina ay halos patayin niya ako tapos susundin lang niya ang sinabi ko ng wala man lang pagtutol sa kanyang boses?

"Really? This vixen, what happened to her?"

Binitiwan ni Magnus ang kamay ni Patch at tinulungan si Farran na maglinis. Dumiretso ako ng kusina para uminom ng tubig at makalayo sa kanila kahit pinipilit ko na lumakad ng tuwid. Naamoy ko ang nilutong hapunan na nakapatong sa kitchen counter.

Siguro ay hahayaan ko na lang silang kumain rito at dito matulog. Napagod na ako at wala na ring lakas para itaboy sila. As for the werewolf, I do hope he can read the mood and just leave. He is not welcome here. And for sure, Jared would blame me as he might think I have a plan to use his friend to get him.

He is quite right but I decided to drop that plan. I don't want Jared to despise me more. I need him to like me at least so I could bring him to the palace. And if he ever ascends to the throne, I don't want to forge a bad image to him.

"Everything is a pain in the neck."

Napabuntong hininga ako nang maalala iyong nangyari kanina. Ang hina ko, nakaasa lang ako sa aking kapangyarihan at naiinis ako sa natuklasan kong iyon.

Noong nasa akin pa si Escape ay lagi ko siyang ginagamit dahil napakatibay niyang espada at hindi iyon napuputol ng kahit ano. Kapag kailangan ko siya sa kanyang anyo ay mabilis akong nakakarating sa aking mga destinasyon. Malaking tulong si Escape sa aking mga naging misyon.

"Ang mga nakamit kong tagumpay noon ay dahil sa pagtulong niya," bulong ko.

"Nang iwan ka naman 'agad do'n."

"We are not even close, stop acting like we are," I said and took a sip of water.

Umupo siya sa isang upuan at humalumbaba sa lamesa. "Sungit."

Hindi ako nagsalita at itinuon lang ang tingin sa bintana. Madilim sa labas at kakaunti na lang ang may sinding ilaw sa mga poste sa tabing kalsada. Sa aking palagay ay wala ng mga mortal na gumagala sa labas.

"Anong nangyari sa salas? Bakit parang binagyo?" tanong niya.

"Can't you keep your nose to yourself? Ang dami mong tanong."

"Kasi nakakapagtaka na iniwan namin kayo roon nang maayos. Tapos biglang boom—parang sumabog yung salas."

Sana ay tantanan na lang niya ako. "Even if I tell you, you won't understand a thing."

"Try me napaka-understanding ko kaya," pagmamayabang niya at habang tumatawa.

Marami na akong iniisip na problema at mga paraan para magawa ang misyon ko. At habang nakatitig sa lalaking si Patch na mukhang kaswal lang sa akin ay may bigla akong naisip.

Ahh, miight as well get my reward from him being too curious.

"Listen up, werewolf," I started and looked directly in his eyes.

He gulped but didn't say anything.

"In every question you want to know... you will tell me something about your friend," I said without breaking our eye contact.

Napakamot siya ng kanyang batok at umiwas ng tingin. "Sobrang patay na patay ka ba sa kaibigan ko?"

"Huh?"

Huminga muna siya nang malalim. "Sige, payag ako pero kapag tinanong ni Jared kung bakit may alam ka. 'Wag mo akong isusumbong!"

Hindi ko napigilang ngumisi. "All right. You may ask anything. But if you oppose my statements, I have no time to push it."

"Hmm," sumeryoso si Patch at napahawak sa kanyang baba. "Sino ang mas malakas. Kaming mga werewolf o yung mga putlaing bampira?"

"I can tell it's your ego's talking." I shook my head. "It depends on the situation."

"Ang daya naman ng sagot mo!"

"Both creatures are strong. When it comes to physical attributes, the werewolf race is way much better. But at speed, vampires can outrun you."

"Weh?" hindi makapaniwala niyang tanong.

"Have you fought with a vampire?"

Napalunok siya bago umiling. "Hindi pa. Wala naman kasing napapadpad rito."

"Do you want to hunt one? To answer your doubt on who's the fastest?"

Mabilis siyang umiling. "'Wag na, tinatamad ako."

Pinigilan ko ang matawa dahil hindi naman pala siya nakakatamad kausap.

"Were you aware that there are gifted wolves and vampires?" I added since his reactions are funny.

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya habang nakaawang ang labi. "Huh?"

"Artemis and Selene hated each other since their creations are sometimes at par to each other. To defeat the other party, they boosted some wolves and vampires... they gifted them with magic. But in this present time, both races still cannot surpass themselves and remain equal."

Patch didn't say anything. I could see in his eyes that his mind might be elsewhere.

I cleared my throat as I took my turn "Can Jared control the full potential of his power?"

His eyes glowed with suspicion and he became guarded as his body tensed.

"Relax. I won't bring harm to him nor to you," I assured him.

"Kayang kontrolin ni Jared ang kapangyarihan niya pero hindi namin alam kung hanggang saan ang kaya ng kakayahang mayroon siya."

"Why not try it?"

"Ayaw niya. Natatakot siya na kapag pinakawalan niya ay hindi na niya makontrol."

Napatango ako at hindi na ulit pinilit ang tanong na iyon.

Tumikhim siya at biglang naging mailap ang kanyang mga mata. "May mga kapareha rin ba ang mga bampira?"

I squinted my eyes because he looked shy. I know the two races were distant. I haven't heard anything that a pack of werewolves and a coven of vampires forged an alliance or even friendship with one another. Hindi ko akalaing gusto ni Patch na maliwanagan tungkol sa karibal nilang lahi.

"Well, yes. They call their mates, their beloved. But when it comes to connections, your race has a strong bond to your other half."

"Paano mo nasabi?"

I arched my brow. "You are alive while vampires are barely. Their insides are rotten even their hearts. How can they feel a deep connection to their partners huh?" I shrugged. "I find them the artificials of life."

In one of the old books about vampires it was said that Selene granted them their other half to put a path to their poor imprisoned souls. Vampires might be dead inside but they are wise, wiser than the other supernatural creatures. But of course, the dragon race is on top of that when it comes to intelligence.

Selene wanted them to use their heads rather than their hearts. But after years of experimenting, vampires would have a sudden desire to end their lives. That is why Selene yielded and gave the red strings to the Fates. For the vampires to have their other halves—like what Artemis did to grant wolves their mates.

Dahil ang isang nilalang na walang patutunguhan sa buhay ay mawawalan ng pakialam para ipagpatuloy ang buhay na ipinagkaloob sa kanila.

"It's my turn. Does Jared want to see, perhaps know who his father is?"

Tanong lang naman iyon pero hindi ko inasahan ang aura na pumalibot kay Patch. Hindi ko maintindihan kung gaano katindi ang pagkakaibigan nila para makaramdam ako ng kilabot sa werewolf na ito sa simpleng tanong na iyon.

"Hindi. Jared doesn't need that prick after all."

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