The Spawn of Winter [Tagalog]

Chapter 16: Reunion of Winter

The Mortal Realm

Freewoods City, General Hospital

"Bakit nandito ang babaeng 'yan?" maanghang na tanong ni Patch nang buksan niya ang pinto.

Hindi ko inakalang matapos kong sabihin kay Jared na may pag asang gumaling ang kanyang ina ay tatawagin niya si Patch. Nakasiksik ako sa isang sulok ngunit ang mga nanlilisik na mga mata ni Patch ay hindi ako pinalampas.

"I agreed to go with her," Jared lazily answered.

"Ano? Are you out of your mind? Akala ko ba hindi ka maniniwala sa babaeng 'to?" Tuluyang pumasok sa loob ng silid si Patch.

"She has something that I need," Jared's voice was low and determined while holding his mother's hand.

He is indeed going to do whatever it takes to save his mother. I would commend him for that.

"Paano si tita? Iiwan mo siya?"

Jared nodded but his friend was so furious about his decision. At bago pa ako makagalaw ay naramdaman ko na lang naitulak ako ni Patch sa pader.

"Patch. I need her for my mom's health. And while I'm away, keep an eye on her. Please."

Napangisi na ako ng inalis ni Patch ang pagkakahawak sa akin. But his face still held anger towards me. I became too familiar with their death glares and would just laugh about it in my head.

"Jared paano kung mapanganib ang pupuntahan mo? We can't trust her!"

"I can handle myself," ang tanging naging sagot ng demigod.

Handle myself, my face.

"Paano kung may ibang mangyari kay tita habang wala ka? At yung balanse mo rito sa hospital paano ang mga iyon?" dagdag na tanong ni Patch.

Umigting ang panga ni Jared kasabay ng pagkuyom ng kanyang kamao. "If that's the case, then I will f**k hard tonight. It's the quickest way to earn money."

"What do you mean by that?" I curiously asked.

"Hindi mo na kailangang malaman. Sasama ako sa 'yo pero siguraduhin mong tutupad ka sa mga sinabi mo kanina," matigas niyang sagot.

"Fine," I surrendered as I didn't want him to disregard our deal.

"Paano natin masisiguradong okay pa rin si tita pagbalik mo? We can't control her health," Patch argued again without a trace of backing down.

Mabilis na napatingin sa direksyon ko si Jared. Nababakas ang pagdadalawang isip sa kanyang mukha dahil sa sinabing iyon ni Patch. Halata ang pangamba sa kanyang mga mata.

I cursed under my breath. I almost got what I wanted after luring him with the health potion but as Patch kept on blabbing, Jared's decision might waver.

"Kailangang may gawin ako," bulong ko habang patuloy pa rin sa pag uusap ang dalawa.

I drew a deep breath and focused my power to shape a medium size needle made of frozen ice. It took me a few minutes to do it. I often use this method since everyone in our realm can almost heal themselves.

Nang maramdaman ko ang kanilang tingin sa akin ay nagkibit balikat ako bago lumakad patungo sa hinihigaan ng ina ni Jared. The slow beeping sound in the room made me conscious as I got closer to them.

Kahit hindi ko alam ang kalagayan ng kanyang ina ay mapapanatag ako na wala ng iba pang komplikasyon na mangyayari habang wala kami dahil sa gagawin ko.

"Ano 'yan?"

"I need to inject this to her and wait for it to dissolve. It will make the blood flow, heartbeats, everything inside her to slow down." I began and pulled out the needle for them to see.

"Will it hurt?" Jared questioned.

"No. This needle will help to secure your mother's health for a month. Hindi pa sigurado kung kailan ka makakabalik dito sa Mortal Realm dahil wala pang nabanggit ang iyong ama."

Mabilis na nagkatinginan ang dalawa sa aking sinabi. Itinaas ko ang palapulsuhan ng kanyang ina at hinipan iyon. Nag-frost ng bahagya ang palapulsuhan nito at mabilis kong itinusok doon ang karayom.

"Wala namang nagbago," puna ni Patch na inirapan ko na lang.

I looked at Jared who kept on cressing his mother's hair. I looked away as I saw the concern and care he had for her. The stoic face of my father flashed in my mind. It weighed my chest as thorns suddenly embraced my heart in a slow painful pace.

A tender care. How I missed those days.

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The Senoas Realm

Winter Kingdom, Winter Palace

For some reason, I am verily nervous. Jared had been quiet for a while now and never asked a single thing. He didn't even seem interested to know who his father was. Or even asked about the dazzling hallway of the place.

He was utterly quiet when we entered and exited the portal and it was quite annoying. Wasn't he at least amazed by what he saw here? Hindi ko talaga mabasa ang lalaking ito.

My thoughts were flipped in an instant as we got closer to the big door of the throne room. I was quite relieved that there was no one around when we exited the portal in the left corridor.

"Aren't you going to ask anything before we get inside?" I couldn't help but ask and took a peek at him.

"I'm not interested in anything but the potion. I'll stay here for a week," he coldly reminded me of the deal we had agreed on.

My hand balled into fist when he said that. Sa kanyang pagkakaalam ay makakabalik pa siya sa mundo ng mga mortal kapag nanatili siya rito ng isang linggo. Ngunit mangyayari lang iyon kapag ang kanyang ama mismo ang nagpaalis sa kanya.

I lied but I have to do whatever it takes to bring him here. But I can still bring myself to his mother and give her the potion.

"Fine but please, keep that rudeness to yourself. A proper etiquette and courtesy are a divine law in this kingdom. If you don't want to be punished, put aside your rotten attitude."

I counted one to ten before pushing the big double door. It made a noise and my eyes immediately went to the center. Jack Frost is elegantly seated on his throne chair and despite the distance, his power did not fail to warn me.

The night sky that can be seen from the window at the back of his throne made his aura look too intimidating for my own good.

"Why am I here again?" I murmured.

He was having a conversation with someone but he immediately dismissed it when his gaze landed upon us. I took that sign to proceed.

My every step on the marbled floor was heavy as the air inside was also thick from a sudden surge of tension. Our footsteps echoed through the room and I found it scary. As if someone from behind would attack us.

Napataas ang aking kilay nang makita na may mga kawal sa tabi ng mga marbol na haligi na wala noong nagpunta ako rito. A sigh of relief escaped my lips when my foot finally stepped on the navy blue carpet. But then, the carpet meant that we are getting closer to the throne.

"Calm down, Zana. You are finally at the end of your mission," pagpapakalma ko sa aking sarili.

Nang makalapit kami sa ilang baitang na hagdanan paakyat sa trono ay mabilis akong lumuhod bilang paggalang. Hinila ko ang laylayan ng damit ni Jared nang mapansing nakatayo pa rin siya. Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin bago padabog na lumuhod sa aking tabi.

"Vermoon dei, Your Majesty. I am Seraphia Zana Faucon and I am hereby present to you the favorable outcome of my mission," my lips trembled in every word.

I took a peek and saw Jack Frost remained expressionless, stoic, and no glint of delight in his crystal blue eyes. He just kept his eyes on his son who was quite brave to meet his gaze. I couldn't find any words to describe the situation.

I blinked and fought the urge to create an embarrassing way to sway off the thick air around us. Why do I feel that none of them are delighted and relieved to see each other?

A few minutes passed but still no one spoke. Was I wrong? Could he feel that Jared is not his son? But then, Apollo confirmed it that night. And the resemblance of Jack Frost was evident on his Jared’s eyes, nose, and face structure. Even his stance and aura.

"Leave us," Jack Frost suddenly announced in a chilly unwelcoming voice.

Napalunok ako sa maikling salitang binitiwan ng aking hari. Ngunit nakahinga rin nang maluwag sa kanyang naging utos. Mas gugustuhin ko rin na makalayo sa kanilang dalawa.

"Yes, Your Majesty." I bowed again.

The eerie silence was cut off by the footsteps of the knights as they exited the throne room. I guessed they also felt that the conversation between the two would be private.

I took one more glance at Jared and noticed that his jaw was clenched tightly. My lips were pursed and hoped that he wouldn't do anything that may lead him to stay in the dungeons.

I immediately shrugged off my concern since it will never be my fault if he couldn't tame his arrogance. There is no way I would worry that he might be thrown into a damp and filthy place for his actions.

"I did warn him though."

Ang dapat kong pagtuunan ng pansin ay ang makukuha kong gantimpala dahil natapos ko ang aking misyon. Kung maaari ay nais kong hilingin ang kaligtasan ng aking mga magulang at ang aming teritoryo.

"For now, I have to gather information about the sudden prophecy," the need to know everything about it might lower my fear of it.

I began to walk with cautious steps and was about to reach the middle of the room when I felt something. My eyes went down and I saw my feet were rooted into the white floor! Ice crawled up from it and hiked up to my tights.

"She's not going anywhere but here," Jared demanded, yet I can hear it as a challenge to his father.

I put my hand on my mouth to prevent a gasp. Did that demigod take my warning as a joke? I did tell him to watch his words! A pang of disbelief and discomfort clicked in my chest as the tension crawled in my skin.

Napalingon ako sa kanilang puwesto at ganoon pa rin ang titigan nilang dalawa. I assumed there was an invisible battle between their eyes. The coldness doubled and even if I am used to the cold, the power and the tension between them is bone chilling.

"I see, you inherit her stubbornness," Jack Frost replied with a smug expression on his lips.

Jared clicked his tongue. "You don't know her."

A conceited smirk appeared on my king's face. "I know every fiber and heartbeat of her."

"f**k off."

I couldn't help my gasp as the vulgar word came out of the demigod's lips. My knees trembled and prayed that no one would get hurt.

"Cheeky bastard," Jack Frost responded as his face hardened.

Their tones, their words, I get it. They dislike each other.

"I don't need to hear that from you. The fact that you abandoned us made you worse than a bastard."

"What's the point of having a sharp tongue when you can only utter empty retorts?" Jack Frost leaned back on his throne chair.

Oh styx.

"I nearly commend you for trying to push back your fear of me as you try to be brusque. However, you still appeared as a pathetic kid," he emphasized the last word with his sharp gaze at his son.

Maaaring sumabog ang damdamin ni Jared at hindi magiging maganda ang kalalabasan no'n. Ngunit hindi ko maigalaw ang aking sarili. Pakiramdam ko kapag pumagitan at nanghimasok ako sa usapan nila ay may sasaksak sa akin.

The king snickered as he looked down at his son without remorse. "What's the matter, cat got your tongue?"

I couldn't look at Jared's side because even if I couldn't see him or his reaction. I know it hurts and frustrating to hear all of it from his own father. I wanted to pity him, but he didn't deserve it. I wanted to console him, but I know he wouldn't like it either.

"Aren't you going to bark like the way you did a moment ago?"

Mocking. I have no idea that Jack Frost could be this savage by his words. He is known to be a king who would rather leave an argument without a word but his intense glare. He would rather dump a nonsense matter than to prove his point.

"Shut up," a tiny yet firm voice was heard from the demigod and I smiled a little.

At least he was still there. If it was me, I would just lower my head and avoid my father gazes and let him torture me with his words.

"Hmm," a playful light sparked at Jack Frost's eyes.

I watched him as he examined Jared and my heart trembled when he finally stood up from his seat. His intimidating gaze was enough to make me bow my head.

"Enough playing kid. I want to know where your mother is."

Umawang ang labi ko sa tanong na iyon ni Jack Frost. After the talk with Dalikamata I do understand why he couldn't find his son. Maybe that's the reason why he is asking Jared.

"Why don't you find her yourself?" Jared answered.

"Your mother kept you away from me and she should be punished for what she did," Jack Frost hissed and I could feel the change of air.

The air is burning cold to the point it made it hard to breathe. I clutched my chest as everything in here was too much.

Jared faked a laugh. "Wala akong balak sabihin sa 'yo."

Mukhang magkakagulo pa dahil sa tigas ng ulo ni Jared. Alam kong seryoso siya sa kanyang sinabi. Ramdam ko ang pagmamahal niya sa kanyang ina at malabong sasabihin niya kung nasaan ito dahil may kaparusahan pa lang nag aabang dito.

"Hard headed like Euphemia Reardon," he paused. "I am Jack Frost, the god of winter and your father. I do not tolerate that kind of attitude." Jack Frost descended from his throne and walked towards his son.

Jack Frost paved his left hand as a cold feeling crawled into my spine. "You will be the next in line prince of this kingdom and as I could see, you are incompetent for that title as you lack knowledge, strength, and discipline."

Jared's jaw clenched more and I could see the veins popping out of his neck. I hope he will not let his emotions speak up first.

"Your existence doesn't matter to me. You are a worthless piece of s**t! You addressed yourself as a god but why didn't you find us? Oh... is that because you can't? Are your powers weak? Are you the lowest of the lows? Sad," Jared's voice is full of pain and mocking.

Napapikit ako sa kanyang mga sinabi. Hindi ko kayang panoorin silang dalawa. Noong unang beses kong sinagot ang aking ama ay ikinulong niya ako sa dungeon at nilatigo dahil sa ipinakita kong masamang asal.

Dahil ako ay nakapikit ay hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyayari ngunit ramdam ko ang pagkawala ng yelo sa aking binti. Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas bago ko narinig na nagsalita si Jack Frost.

"Lady Zana, I would like to give you a task and that is to discipline this stubborn kid in front of me. You will stay in this palace too, but don't let him ruin everything."

Napamulat ako ngunit wala na si Jack Frost sa loob ng silid. Hindi na ako nakapagtanong pa dahil sa bilis ng pangyayari.

"Ibalik mo ako at ibigay mo ang napagkasunduan natin," Jared demanded and it almost echoed in the empty room.

"I thought you would stay for a week?"

Humarap siya sa aking direksyon na madilim ang mukha. "Are you nuts? Why would I stay still in this f*****g place with that f*****g father of mine?"

Kumunot ang aking noo. "Can you stop using that foul word?"

"Give me the key. I need to open the portal."

"Inuutusan mo ba ako?" ang pagtataka sa lahat ng nangyayari ay napalitan ng inis dahil sa ipinapakita niyang ugali.

He gave me a smirk. "You heard it, right?"

"Heard what?"

"I am the next in line prince, you are below me. You should obey me like a submissive whore."

In a split second, everything in me snapped. I took several steps forward to give his hard face a slap that turned his face to the side.

"You may be our next king but as I could see, your father doesn't really like you. I could still turn down every request from you," I hissed at his face.

Inangat niya ang kanyang kamay para siguro gantihan ako ngunit hindi niya itinuloy. But I could still see rage and pain in his sapphire blue eyes. His beautiful eyes seemed like an ocean with tidal waves.

I wonder what it looks like if he is calm.

"Bring me back," he said, almost pleading.

"I can't. Your father gave me a task, I need to teach you."

His dark face turned stoic but the rage is still there, "I don't want everything in here. That fucker will never be my father! I hate him. I hate everything in this f*****g world."

"Don't bad mouth the world we live in. You have no idea how this world was made!"

Nagkatitigan kami ni Jared. Hindi ko alam kung gaano katagal ngunit ramdam ko ang galit namin sa isa't isa. Nahinto lang ang aming pagtititigan nang bumukas ang malaking pinto.

"Sorry to disturb you Lady Zana but the rooms that are assigned for the both of you are now ready. You can take your rest there. We also provided a warm bath, please follow me," sabi ng tagapagsilbi habang ito ay nakayuko.

"I will not let you leave, unless my task is done. Follow me or let that stubbornness of yours control you. Your choice, but I will make sure you will regret it if you choose the latter."

Humakbang ako paalis. "Pasalamat ka dahil binigyan ka ng prebilehiyo na sa palasyo tumuloy pagkatapos mong sagutin ang iyong ama."

I never thought that I would hate someone to this extent. I know he saved me from a harpy and I appreciated that but his attitude, I will never tolerate it.

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