The Nobles

Chapter 8

ON THE NEXT DAY, ADELAIDE and Hera goes to school together. Tahimik lang ito nang maupo sila sa kaniya kaniyang upuan.

She saw how many times Hera's phone vibrated, but the girl just shrugged it off and focused herself on the discussion.

When it's time for their next class, hindi na ito sumabay sa kaniya para pumunta sa room na iyon. She wanted to go after her but maybe, the human needs time alone, but there's really something that is bothering her.

Hindi pumasok si Hera sa mga susunod pang klase, at nagkita na lang sila na cafeteria nang maglunch break.

Hera casually sat in front of her, on their usual spot. Nanginginig ang kamay nito habang sumusubo.

Hindi na siya nakapagpigil. She can't just shrug everything off.

"What it is? Tell me." Her soft voice filled their silent atmosphere.

Unti unti nitong binaba ang kutsara't tinidor na hawak at may takot sa matang tumingin sa kaniya.

She was shocked when her tears fell like bullets.

"I'm scared, Adelaide, I'm so scared." She mutter in the middle of her cries.

Hinintay niyang kumalma ito, at saka siya ulit nagtanong.

"What's happening?"

Hera bit her lower lip before roaming her eyes around.

"I-I have a stalker..." Panimula nito. "He kept sending me letters on the first week, and then, he became so aggressive the following days. Pakiramdam ko lagi siyang nakasunod sa akin, at minsan, may biglang kumakatok sa condo ko, pero tuwing bubuksan ko ang pinto, walang tao. Ilang beses iyong naulit, hanggang sa may nag-iiwan na ng mga bulaklak o pagkain sa harap ng unit ko." Huminga siya ng malalim, "I-I'm so scared when he began contacting me on my social media accounts, and he even knew about my number, he kept on sending me creepy messages, I'm... I'm really scared, Adelaide, I don't know what should I do. When I tried to seek help on the police station they said that I just need to be careful, they didn't do something about a case as small as this." She cried in front of her again.

She felt bothered the more Hera reveal the facts. How can the police ignore this case? Sometimes humans are fools.

Lumipat siya ng upuan at tumabi rito, kasabay nang pagtaas ng kamay niya at paglapat nito sa likod ni Hera. She's not saying anything until the girl calm down.

"I think you should stay in Claudius' mansion later, we'll take care of the stalker."

True to her word, when Guillaume came to pick her up, she told him she's bringing the nervous Hera with her. Walang pag-aalinlangang tumango ang kaniyang guard sa gusto niya.

"Of course, Master. You can bring whoever you want." Nagtaas baba ang dalawang kilay nito.

Sa sasakyan papunta sa mansion. Tahimik lamang ang kaniyang katabi, habang si Guillaume ay maingay na sumisipol sa harap habang nagmamaneho.

They arrived at the mansion quite late because they bought things Hera will need for her stay.

Sinalubong siya ni Devian na umiiyak, nagpapakarga na sa kaniya. Egon went after the crying kid, his eyes went to the girl she's with.

"Oh, we have a very beautiful visitor." Naglabas agad ito ng bulaklak at ibinigay ito kay Hera na seryoso lamang ang tingin sa kaniya.

Napasimangot si Egon nang hindi siya kinibo ng babae. Humarap naman ito sa kaniya at binigyan siya ng malugod na ngiti.

"My gorgeous Master! What a lovely view."

Nilagpasan niya na lang ito at pinatahan ang umiiyak na si Devian. Umupo sila sa sala, ganoon din ang kasama niya.

"This is a huge house." Sabi nito habang tumitingin tingin sa paligid.

She nod her head as a response. She was about to speak when Devian stretched both of his arms to let Hera carry him. Natutuwang kinuha ito ni Hera sa kaniya.

"Ang cute cute mo!" She pinched his cheeks. Namula agad ang maputing balat ng bata.

Lumapit si Claudius sa kanila at naglapag ng makakain. He bow to give respect to her.

"I heard from Alexander that we have a visitor, turns out it was you, Ms. Hera." Sambit nito.

He sat in a couch near them. Maya maya, dumating na rin ang dalawa sa four guards at nakisalo sa kanila.

"So you guys are living together." It was Hera, namamangha sa nakikita.

The three nodded their head while busy eating.

Nang matapos ang lahat saka niya inumpisahan ang gustong sabihin.

"We need to investigate something." She said after wiping the sides of her lips.

Naging seryoso ang lahat nang marinig ang sinabi niya. Claudius sit straightly, like a soldier ready for everything she will command.

"Hera has a stalker. We need to know who that is, and turn it in to the care of humans after unveiling that person, make sure that person stays away from her."

Ipinaliwanag pa ni Hera ng mabuti ang mga detalye sa tatlo, habang siya ay nakikinig na lang. After her explanation, they all nodded like they know what to do.

"I have an idea!" Guillaume raise his hand like he's about to answer in a recitation.

"You said, the stalker goes to your unit usually an hour after class. We need to monitor the proximity of that place at that hour. It will be easy to locate him."

It is a not so heavy case for them, but she's sure it is a traumatizing experience for a human like Hera. Ramdam niyang napapanatag na ito, at nakakahinga na ng maluwag nang may malapitan.

That night, the four guys including the little human, Devian, went to sleep early, it's the same for Hera who is in the guess room.

Tahimik siyang nasa balcony ng kaniyang kwarto. Nakatukod ang dalawang siko sa railings habang pinagmamasdan ang mga bituwin at ang natatakpang buwan.

She slightly comb her long wavy hair. He lights of the stars reflected to her shiny hair, with strips of violet, just like the color of her eyes. She isn't wearing any contact lense that Claudius gave him when she's at home.

When the wind blew towards her, her dress and hair synchronized its rhythm.

Unti unting nawala ang tumatakip na kaunting ulap sa buwan, at sa ngayo'y maliwanag nang matatanaw.

"I knew I would find you here."

Hindi na siya nagulat nang biglang sumulpot ang King sa tabi niya, nakatingala rin sa mga bituwing tinitingala niya.

"You're here again." She whispered.

Silent filled the spaces between them. Nilingon niya ito at tiningnang mabuti. Wondering why is he here again.

"Some Leaders are just roaming around."

That was quite a news. Gulat siyang tumingin dito. Lumipat din ang seryosong mata nito sa kaniya.

Kahit walang ekspresyon, kinakabahan siya nang maglapat ang mga mata nila.

"My King, Leaders should stay there." She find courage to tell him.

"I know, but some are young, still hardheaded." He shake his head slightly.

She chuckle a bit. She remembered some hardheaded Leaders back then when she's still in Nobilis, it was hundred of years ago.

"Nobilis is our natural home, but they wanted to try life outside that place. Some wants to investigate something, some wanted revenge"

She understands their sentiment. It was also her first time staying with a lot of humans and it's fulfilling. Humans are easy to be with.

Sumeryoso siya, "I'm sure you knew about the recent activities of half bloods."

The atmosphere suddenly turned serious.

"Yes. I'm doing something about it." He look into her eyes, umangat ang kamay nito at unti unting hinawakan ang pisngi niya, "Lady Adelaide, later on, they will find out about you, are you ready for that?"

She revert her gazes away from his. Hinuli nito ang mga mata niya kaya wala rin siyang magawa.

"If not, I'm going to do something." He suggested.

She immediately shake her head as a "no."

"If they figured out about me, that's meant to happen."

His forehead crease, not liking what she said. She held his arm to calm him down. Licking his lips, he tried to talk again.

"What if they take you away-"

"I won't go anywhere, you have my word."

Still licking his lips, he nod his head. Accepting her promise. That was the end of their conversation, she went inside when he decided to go.

EGON GEORGE is busy doing his job watching the hallway where Hera's unit is in. Si Claudius ay nagbabantay sa vicinity ng building, habang si Guillaume naman ay nakadisguise bilang isang staff ng condominium, nasa malapit lang ito mula sa unit ng bagong kasa-kasama ng kaniyang Master na pinaglilingkuran.

Naiinip na siya kakatayo sa building katapat ng condominium na iyon. Nobles have a natural enhanced sense of sight so without any help of human technology, but his are more powerful because it was one of her power not just a mere ability. He was able to see clearly beyond the walls of the building in front of him. And his ability to see through things helped him big time.

Kita niya ang hallway, mula sa kinatatayuan niya, nasisilayan niya si Claudius na palakad lakad sa ibaba at natural na nakikihalubilo sa mga taong lumalapit dito.

Damn, he would enjoy to be in Claudius' shoes. He saw a lot of potential humans down there. Hindi niya mapigilang mapasimangot at mapailing.

His gorgeous master is inside that unit with that human girl, together with the little human, Devian. And he wanted to do better at this job, so maybe, he'll just play around later.

He click the ear piece to talk to Guillaume. Nakita niya kasi itong nasa hallway, halos mapabulwak siya ng tawa dahil nagmomop ito ng sahig.

"Bagay sa'yo, s**t, hindi ka na dapat naging isa sa Four Guards, pwede kitang maging alila." Asar niya sa lalaki.

Agad itong lumingon sa direksyon niya kahit hindi siya nakikita, he probably just sensed his presence from there. Guillaume raise his middle finger to cuss him, he laughed more at his action.

Napaseryoso naman sila nang may mga pumapasok na sa building. Dalawang lalaki, tatlong babae. For some reason, according to Guillaume who is inside the building, they were going to the same floor, where Hera's unit is located.

Napasipol siya nang makitang wala na si Claudius sa baba, malamang ay nasa loob na ng building. He jump off from the building to follow them inside.

Napangisi siya sa magandang bagsak, may ilang napatingin ngunit hindi na niya ito nilingon pa. Suot niya ang mask kung saan siya kinilala ng mga tao.

Sa loob, nakita niya ang kanang kamay ng kanilang Master na nag-aabang, umiinom ito ng kape at prenteng nakaupo sa isang couch.

"I'll go up." Sambit niya nang madaan niya ito, tuloy tuloy lamang ang lakad niya.

Tinanggal niya ang maskara nang nakarating sa elevator. When he reached the floor. He saw Guillaume trying to act based on his disguise. Nandoon ang limang nakita niyang umakyat kanina. Unang tapak niya pa lang sa malapit, he already knew...

Napatingin sa kaniya ang apat, at ang isang lalaki ay pinindot ang door bell sa unit na binabantayan nila.

But he's wondering why aren't they feeling the presence of Guillaume. Did this dude do something? Even him can't feel anything from Guillaume.

Hindi na niya natuloy ang pag-iisip nang sa isang iglap, nasa harap niya na ang isang babae.

He lick his lower lip when he felt her body near him.

Damn girls.

"A noble." The girl said. But he can't focus.

He knew that the four of them are half bloods, but the one that goes to the unit is a human boy.

Si Guillaume ang umasikaso roon. At siya naman ay hinarap ang apat.

Anak ng... hindi niya naman aakalaing mapapalaban siya rito.

"Why are you here?" The other girl half blood asked.

Naging seryoso siya nang paligiran siya ng mga ito.

"That's what I should ask you, half bloods. Why are you here." He made sure he emphasized the last question.

Mapang-asar na tumawa ang nag-iisang lalaki na kasama nila. Lumapit ito ng bahagya at saka siya tinutukan ng isang kasing haba ng braso na bakal. May bahid at amoy pa ito ng dugo.

"Ang yabang mo, ah?!"

Siya naman ngayon ang tumawa ng sarkastiko. "Don't point your nasty weapon on me. It might cause your sudden death."

Sa inis, sinugod siya ng lalaki hawak ang pangit nitong armas. Sinubukan siyang hampasin nito ngunit pinuluputan agad ng mga matinik na tangkay ng rosas ang braso nito. Ang mga tinik ng rosas niya ay mas matalim pa sa mga kutsilyo.

Napadaing ang lalaking half blood sa pagtusok ng mga tinik sa braso nito. Agad naman itong kinila ng isa sa kanila palayo sa kaniya.

"You're going to pay for that!" Isang babae at ang isa pa nilang kasama ang sabay na sumugod sa kaniya.

One of them released a very sticky material directed to his feet. He jump away from that direction. A thought of having that sticky material near, disgusts him.

Ang isang babae naman ay sinundan siya hawak ang matalim na mga blades sa pagitan ng mga daliri nito.

Masama ang tingin nito sa kaniya habang sunod sunod siyang binato ng mga ito. He can see that electric around each blade.

It's getting boring. He wanted to end this soon.

He smirk and then motion his hand to release toxic petals of roses around them.

Umikot ikot ito ng mabilis sa paligid niya, at nang may balat na matamaan, narinig niya ang sunod sunod na hiyaw. This group are just C. He thought. A mere petals can wound them, it's not even one fourth of his power.

Nang mawala ang mga pulang petal ng roses sa paligid niya, nakita niyang mabuti ang kalagayan ng paligid. Maging ang pader na nadampian ng mga ito ay nagkabitak bitak ang mga parte, ang iba tipong nalusaw. Habang ang mga half bloods na lumayo sa kaniya ay may mga sugat sa iba't ibang parte ng katawan.

"W-who are you?" The guy who holds the long metal asked him nervously.

"He must be some high ranking Noble!" The girl who went near him awhile ago concluded.

"Aren't Nobles supposed to be as strong as him?" Tanong ng isang babae, ang may blade na weapon.

"Damn you stupid idiots, you didn't listen to lectures when you were a kid?"

Nagsimula nang mag-away away ang mga ito sa harap niya. He realized that these four haven't met a Noble like him in their entire lives. They are dumb as f*ck, he can't help but to mockingly laugh.

Pikon sanang lalapit sa kaniya ang isa ngunit sabay sabay nakuha ni Guillaume ang atensyon nila nang lumapit itong naglalabas ng init mula sa katawan. He looked around and glared at the C's.

GUILLAUME can't believe he'll use the not so effective potion one of the member of Four Guards made. It was given to him fifty years ago when he met him accidentally, he haven't perfected the potion yet but he still tried to persuade that one member of the four guards to give him two of those.

Nang gamitin niya ang isa, tumalab ito, hindi naramdaman ng kahit sinong half blood ang presensya niya, ngunit matapos ang tatlong oras, agad siyang nagtae. Halos mamutla siya kakabalik balik sa palikuran.

Ngayon ginamit niya ito para sa kaniyang disguise. Bago pa lamang bumukas ang elevator kung saan niya naramdaman ang presensya ng mga half bloods, nainom niya na ito. At nang lumabas, apat dito ang half blood, isang lalaki at tatlong babae. At ang huli ay isang lalaking tao. Kataka taka na nakasama niya ang mga iyon at buhay pa rin siya hanggang ngayon.

Nagpatuloy siya sa pagmomop ng sahig. Hanggang sa dumating din ang kaniyang kasaping si Egon sa palapag na iyon. Tumitingin sa paligid at nang-aasar na nakatingin sa kaniya. Napasimangot siya ng husto. Guguluhin niya talaga ito mamaya, matapos lang ang ginagawa nila.

Tumingin siya sa mga half bloods. Napansin niyang ang isang babae ay nakatingin sa tao, at itong lalaking tao naman ay nakatingin pabalik. He nod repeatedly when the half blood girl roll her eyes.

The boy click the doorbell beside the door of Hera's unit, his Masters newly found friend.

Samantala, kinuha niya ang pagkakataong nasa isang miyembro ng Four Guards ang atensyon ng mga half bloods.

Hinila niya ang lalaki sa fire exit. He grab his collar to threaten him to shut up when he was about to shout.

"Why are you stalking her?" Pranka niyang sambit.

Nanlaki ang mata nito, naiiyak at namumutla.

Nag-iwang tingin itong sumagot, "G-gusto ko siya."

His hand when to his neck, kaunting sinakal ito upang takutin.

"Is that really your answer? Don't you dare to lie or else..."

Or else lagot siya sa mga kasama niya kung maling impormasyon ang makuha niya. The thought of having them glaring at him can already made him shiver.

Pilit inalis nito ang kamay niya sa leeg nito. Tinanggal niya naman.

"B-biktima rin ako rito! Why are you all after my life... f**k. I know I was wrong when I fell on a modus online but f**k, I didn't know it will ruin my life!"

Kunot noo niya itong tiningnan, gulat sa mga sinabi ng lalaki. He thought he was a stalker, but why is he claiming he's the victim now?

"I-I like Hera, okay? And I wanted to befriend her, but I have no balls to approach her. So I created a dummy account expressing my thoughts, saying I like her. A-And then they came, they kept on sending me messages like we should meet and they will help me woo a girl." The human boy sighed, "f**k, I was so desperate, so I believed they will help. When I met them I first thought they are humans like me. Later on I realized that I made a deal with half bloods. I am damned and doomed, I know. They threatened me to stalk her, I felt so guilty when I saw how scared she was, but I have no choice! My life... my life is at stake. I don't understand why are they letting me do that, until yesterday night, when they came to threaten me again, I overheard them talking about their plans."

He sit in front of him, his butt not touching the floor. Sinabunutan nito ang sarili at takot na takot na natulala sa sahig.

"T-they are planning to kill her, or absord her life force or whatsoever, I don't understand, and frame me for murdering her! I cannot do that! I can't kill a person!"

He clenched his fist realizing this is a case of half bloods greediness again. Gumalaw ang panga niya sa irita at sa galit.

"Ikaw lang ang nabiktima?"

Umiling ito, "I-I heard that they are also victimizing others like me. At may pinatay na sila, mga tulad ni Hera at tulad ko. They are evils."

He sigh to calm himself down. He took his phone out to show a picture of Claudius.

"He's on the first floor. Tell him someone named Guillaume sent you to him."

Lumabas sila sa fire exit, nagtungo ang tao sa emergency stairs, samantalang siya ay dire-diretso kung na saan sila Egon.

Naramdaman ng mga ito ang init na nilalabas niya kahit na hindi nito ramdam ang presensya niya. The half bloods immediately knew he's a Noble.

"They killed humans, George. Have no mercy."

Kinakabahang tumawa ang isang babae, "A-ano naman? They are weak and killing them is just like killing an insect, their lives are nonsense if we wouldn't take advantage of their life force!"

Releasing the heat mostly on his right hand, he went to the girl to strangle her. Bago pa ito tuluyang masakal ay nauna itong napatay ng kaniyang init. Maging ang pader na malapit ay unti unting natunaw.

He saw Egon fighting the guy and the two girls went to him to avenge their member.

Ang may hawak na blade ay agad siyang nilapitan para saksakin, he didn't move and he let the heat prevent her from coming. While he focus himself dodging the disgusting sticky material the other girl uses. Buti na lang ay natunaw ito nang itaas niya ang temperatura.

Nakita niyang bumukas ang pinto ng unit ng kaibigan ng kaniyang Master, lumingon ito sa kanila, naiinip na nanood, at sa tabi nito ay ang may-ari ng unit na nanlalaki ang mata, gulat sa katauhan nila at sa labanang nagaganap.

Agad niyang tinapos ang dalawa, dahil sa totoo lang hindi naman dapat pinapatagal ang bagay na ito.

Nilingon niya ang dalawang babae na ngayon ay kausap na ni Egon.

"Master." He pouted.

"f*****g Alexander, you're not cute! Explain what you discovered."

He glared at Egon for saying that. Pero kinuwento niya naman ang mga nalaman niya, nakinig din ang taong kasama ng kaniyang Master. Natulala ito, sa maraming rebelasyon. At sa katotohanang, kung hindi naagapan, nasa listahan na siya ng mawawalan ng buhay.

He texted Claudius to come up when they decided to stay in this unit for a while to eat and rest a little.

Kasama nito ang lalaking kausap niya kanina pagdating. Hindi ito makatingin kay Hera na takot na nakaupo sa gilid ng kaniyang Master.

Umupo silang palibot sa mini sala set ni Hera.

"I'm really sorry of all the trouble I cost you, Miss Hera. I know this is not enough, I almost put your life on the line. It is my fault that you got involved with those... with those half bloods. I'm really sorry, I can't believe I'll get the chance to talk to you in this way. I feel so damned. I'm so ashamed. I was scared for my life but I didn't think about yours. Don't worry, I'll do my best not to go near you. I pray, I will pray so hard that this incident won't cause you trauma. I'm really really sorry."

It was silence that answered the poor human boy.

The atmosphere is heavy, but he to cut it off unintentionally when he fart, not once but thrice.

Fuck, the potion wear off and this is the start of his nightmare.

Fuck you, Duncan Emmanuel!