Fated Souls (Unveiling Dawn)

Unveiling Six

"Bakit ba kasi sumama pa ako sayo? I can handle myself."

"Ako rin naman, Rain. Kaya ko rin naman ang sarili ko. Bakit ba kasi sumama ka pa sakin?"

"Sira ulo ka ba? Sino kayang tangang mangungulit sa gitna ng gabi para hanapin si Sven. You told me the other day that he's old enough to get lost." Sagot ni Rainer kay Kaiden. Nasa may gubat sila ngayon dahil na trace nila ang telepono ni Sven. They were trying to look for him for the past 5 days. Humingi na sila ng tulong sa mga pulis ngunit wala pa rin silang nahahanap na kahit ano tungkol sa kanya kaya minabuti nilang sila na lang ang mag hanap.

"Kaiden, over there." Turo ni Rainer sa hindi kalayuan. "That's Sven's car."

They walked towards Sven's car at tinignan nila ang kondisyon nito. The window on the driver's side was broken and the door on the passenger's side is open. Sinubukan nilang halughugin ang sasakyan nito pero wala ng kahit anong bakas ni Sven.

"This is his car but his phone is not here. Baka nasa may malayong parte pa siya ng gubat." Kaiden said. "Hindi kaya nag hiking si tanga?"

"Bobo ka ba? Sinong mag h'hiking dito e hindi naman 'to bundok. Utak mo siguro kinain ng zombie nung past life mo gago." Sagot ni Rainer habang hinahalunhgkat ang gamit ni Sven sa sasakyan. Nang wala na silang mahanap na kahit ano pa para matunton nila si Sven ay minabuti nilang lakarin pa rin ang gubat.

"It's getting dark again. Bakit parang ang bilis naman yata ng oras simula nung pumasok tayo dito sa gubat." Kaiden said. "Rain, the signal is not that good anymore. Kanina pa tayo naglalakad but no signs of Sven."

"Let's just continue walking. Diba gusto mo naman 'to? E bakit parang gusto mo ng umuwi?"

"Wala akong sinasabi. Ang sabi ko lang dumidilim na naman." Pagmamaang-maangan ni Kaiden. Hindi na lang siya pinansin ni Rainer at patuloy lang sila sa paglalakad. They were just walking in the woods without any idea kung gaano na kalayo ang nararating nila. Mas bumilis ang pag dilim ng palagid sapagat mag gagabi na at medyo hindi maganda ang panahon. Rainer was about to say something when he stepped on something.

"It's Sven's phone." Sambit nito nang pulutin niya. "I think he's close. Subukan pa natin mag lakad."

Ilang oras din ang ginugol nila sa paghahanap kay Sven. But his phone was the last thing they saw that belongs to him. Tila walang hangganan ang tinatahak nilang gubat dahil parang wala silang patutunguhan.

"Rain, we're walking in this crazy ass huge forest for about 2 hours now. Mag pahinga muna kaya tayo tol?" Napapagod na sabi ni Kaiden habang kumakain ng kung ano.

"Ginusto mo naman 'to e. Atsaka ano pahinga? We're on the middle of the woods and a lot of wild animals are in here. Kapag tumigil tayo baka mas maging delikado. Wala tayong mapupuntahan. Subukan pa natin lakarin baka may kung sino ang naka tira dito." Rainer answered. "Hoy." Siko nito kay Kaiden na nakatoon ang pansin sa kinakain. "Hoy! Tignan mo. Sabi sayo e."

"I-Is that a gate? Is that even real? Para namang walang magtatagal sa lugar na 'to tapos may nag patayo pa ng bahay dito." Manghang tanong ni Kaiden. Nilapitan nila ito at pinagmasdan sa malapitan. Tumitingkayad pa silang dalawa at nagbabaka sakaling makita nila ang bahay na naka tayo sa likod ng mga bakal.

"Wanna come in?"

Kaiden and Rainer looked at the person who talked. Nang lingunin nila ito ay nakita nila ang isang babaeng naka puti na may pulang buhok.

"I thought forest fairies doesn't exist." Nakatulalang sambit ni Kaiden.

"I am no fairy." Sagot nito sa kanya. "What brings you here? Do you want to see what's inside?" Azrail asked, smirking.

"P-Paano ba pumasok?" Tanong ni Kaiden at siniko naman siya ni Rainer. "What? Pwede naman yata e. Diba, Miss?" Baling niyang muli kay Azrail and she just responded with a nod. Kaiden was about to come closer to the gate nang hilain siya ni Rainer pa alis. "We're leaving." He said and started to walk, dragging Kaiden with him.

"You won't see what you are looking for if you won't come inside." Azrail said that made them stop and look at her. "You're looking for someone, right?"

Where is he?" Seryosong tanong ni Rainer sa kanya that made her slowly flashed a mischievous grin. "As I've said, entering will answer your question."

Rainer took a deep breath and nod. "Fine. Guide us inside." He said at nilapitan na ni Azrail ang gate. She opened it and let them come inside first bago siya sumunod sa kanila.

"I think I changed my mind." Seryosong sabi ni Azrail kaya napa tingin ang dalawa sa kanya. "We will have a change of setting. Look behind you." She said and smirked. When Kaiden and Rainer looked behind them, they were already inside a castle.

"W-What's happening?" Tanong ni Kaiden. "Is this real?"

"Authentic." Sagot ni Azrail. May sasabihin pa sana si Kaiden pero tumigil ito when they heard footsteps. Both of them looked at the staircase nang marinig nila ang tunog ng pag hakbang pababa ng kung sino. They are waiting for the person to appear at ilang sandali lang ay nakita na nila ang hinihintay nila. A woman wearing her red beautiful gown and a long black hair reached the the ground.

"Azrail, who are these?" Tanong ni Amara kay Azrail. "Meal?" Azrail answered with a shrug.

"How many times should I tell the both of you na wag na kayong lalabas ng portal? It is no loger safe outside, Azrail. You know that." Nauubos na pasensyang sambit ni Amara.

"We have never been safe in their world, Amara."

"Three. We have three humans inside this castle at ano sa tingin ninyo ni Achlys ang mangyayari kapag nalaman ng ibang angkan ang tungkol dito? These humans will never be safe here as we will never be safe in their world."

"These preys came here all by themselves. At anong gagawin natin kapag may pumasok na portal? They can't go back." Halos pa bulong na sambit ni Azrail sa kanyang huling sinabi na ikina taas ng balahibo ng dalawa. "That's the rule, Amara. And I'm just following it."

"I heard you said meal. Baka naman. Gutom na kasi kami e." Si Kaiden na bumasag sa tensyon. Rainer just then elbowed him again so he can shut his mouth.

"Choose who you want." Muling sabi ni Azrail kay Amara.

"Ano, kakain ba?" Pangungulit ni Kaiden na hindi maka sunod sa nangyayari. "Shut up, human." Amara said and started to walk towards him. "What are you being loud for?" Amara whispered on Kaiden's ear before sniffing his neck.

"Uhh... I-I can tell you my perfume if that's what you are sniffing for." Naiiliang na sagot ni Kaiden.

"I don't like any perfume. The smell of your blood will do." Sagot ni Amara sa kanya bago tumayo. "Bring them inside the room with that human guy." She said pertaining to Sven.

"As you wish." Sagot ni Azrail bago hawakan sa braso ang dalawa at isinama sa kanya sa pag lakad. Bumaba sila sa isang hagdan na ipinag taka ng dalawa. 

"Where are you taking us?" Tanong ni Rainer.

"You'll find out." Azrail responded as they reach the end of the hallway. Tumigil sila sa harapan ng isang malaking pintuan na animo'y kakailanganin ng tatlong tao upang mabuksan.  Azrail then opened the door and slightly pushed the two inside the huge and dark room. Without anything in it, not even a window. The only source of light of the dark room is the little hole of the door.

"Enjoy your mini reunion, humans." Azrail said before closing the door as fast as a strong wind upang hindi mapigilan ng dalawa at umalis na. She even heard them asking what's happening at nakiki usap na palabasin sila nito. 

"Kaiden? Rainer?" Tinig ng isang taong nasa sulok ng madilim na silid. Rainer and Kaiden looked at the direction where the voice came from. "Sven? Tol, ikaw ba yan?" Tanong ni Kaiden at nilapitan naman siya ni Rainer. Tinanong nila ito kung anong masakit sa kanya dahil hirap itong kumilos. 

"I'm okay. I just need some rest." Sagot nito. "Ano bang ginagawa niyo rito? Paano kayo naka pasok?"

"Hinahanap ka namin. Bakit ka naman kasi mawawala ng limang araw kung walang nangyaring masama sayo. You? How did you get here?" Tanong ni Kaiden. 

"My car broke. Kagagawan ng sira ulong Ronald na yon. I was trying to get out of the woods pero hindi ko alam kung paano at hinabol ako ng isang usa. I was running not knowng where I'm heading hanggang sa napagod ako at bumagal ang takbo ko. I was about to lose hope but someone on the big talked at nang tignan ko ang usa nanghihina na siya." Paliwanag ni Sven sa dalawa. "She brought me here without me knowing where this castle is built. Basta nagising na lang ako na nasa isang silid na mas maganda rito."

"Then why are you here?"

"Achlys got mad and choked me to death hanggang sa mawalan ako ng malay."

"Who's Achlys?" Tanong ni Rainer.

"I don't know. The Middle Princess they said."

"Bakit hindi mo siya pinigilan nang sakalin ka niya? Ganon kana ba kahina, dude?" Pang aasar ni Kaiden kay Sven. "I can do that if I want to die on the spot. She's strong. They all are. Kung akala niyo nasa isang lugar tayo ng kung sinu-sinong prinsesa at prinsipe lang, then you guys are wrong. This place is enchanted as well as the people here." Pagpapaliwanag ni Sven.

"Witches? I don't think they still exist." Nalilitong sabi ni Rainer. 

"Witch? Rain, really?" Tanong ni Kaiden. "They look mysterious, yes. The way they communicate with each other and they way they dress. But witch? For those faces? Parang malayo."

"Looks could be deceiving, Kaiden." Sven answered again. "For days that I've been here, I've never seen what's outside. Not even a glimpse of it. Sa unang kwarto kung saan nila ako dinala ay may bintana pero sa tuwing titingin ako para makita ang nasa labas tanging dilim lang ang nakikita ko."

"It's like they're using some spells. We entered a gate pero nang pinaharap ulit kami nasa loob na kami ng kastilyo." Kaiden said as he was trying to connect the dots. Ilang minuto silang binalot ng katahimikan bago mabilis na bumukas ang pinto at may pumasok nang hindi man nila ito napapansin.

"Have you learn you lessons huma-" Achlys stopped midway as she smirked while looking at the two other guys with her human. "Luǵe. So we have a little friendship going on here." She said and walked toward Rainer. She reached for his shoulders as she walks around him, trying to examine him. "Are you here to visit your old little friend?" Tanong nito ng may mapanuyang ngiti sa mga labi. "Sorry, but he's mine now. Hindi ba sinabi sa inyo ni Azrail ang tungkol doon?" Achlys asked as she came closer to Rainer before flashing a sly smile. She then started to open her mouth, ready for her fangs to bite her victim. Hindi ito napapansin ng dalawa sapagkat ang ilaw lang na nagmumula sa pintuang naka bukas ang nagsisilbing ilaw ng malaki at madilim na silid. 

"Glupav!" Ma otoridad na bigkas ni Azrail habang hawak ang braso ni Achlys palayo kay Rainer. "He's my kill." 

Achlys let out chuckle that turned into a mocking laugh. "I know. I just want you to come." Sagot nito bago umupo sa tabi ni Sven. "Why don't you tell them what kind of consequences they have to face."

"I don't have to tell them. Seems like your human knows a lot about us. Masyado mo naman kaming pinag aaralan, Sven." Sagot ni Azrail. She then came closer to Rainer and grab his arms to pull him closer to her. "Are you ready to face death?" Tanong nito sa kanya. Azrail let her fangs to grow and didn't care if they can see her because of the light that is from the hallway. Azrail was ready for her first human victim but some shadow blocked the source of light that made Achlys smirk. 

"Seems like someone doesn't like what's happening." Nakakalokong sabi ni Achlys na hindi pinansin ng dalawa. "What brings you here, Prince Achates?" Tanong ni Achlys dito. Achates was just looking intently at Azrail and Rainer before shifting his gaze to Achlys and answered. 

"The crimson crescent moon has come."