Charmed by the Unseen

Chapter 35: Clash of Feathers

"Ahh... o-ooh! N-nakita ko siya. B-binisita niya si Dalikamata" sa huli ay sabi ko. Tumango naman siya sa akin.

Malakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko. Hindi ako mapakali pero pinilit kong kumalma. Hindi ko na muna sasabihin sa kanya ang mga suspetsa ko. Hindi pa naman ako sigurado. Malakas ang kutob ko pero I have to make it sure first before telling Juan Carlos about it. Hindi ako pwedeng magpadalos-dalos. Kailangan ko lang mag-ingat sa mga bagay na sasabihin ko kay Sarayan. Sa mga panahong ito mukhang si Juan Carlos na lang ang dapat kong pagkatiwalaan at wala ng iba. Napabuntong hininga ako. Mabuti na lang at hindi napansin ni Juan Carlos na may bumabagabag sa akin.

"Kailangan na nating maghanda para sa paglalakbay" sabi niya at iginiya akong maglakad pabalik sa palasyo.

Dumiretso kami sa isang daraanang hindi pamilyar sa akin.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" Tanong ko ng mapansing iba ang dinadaanan namin. Hindi ito ang hallway na pabalik sa kwarto ko.

"Sa kwarto ko" sagot niya.

I came into a full stop. Napatagil din siya sa paglalakad dahil hawak ko ang kamay niya. Nilingon niya ako at  bumakas ang pagtataka sa mukha niya.

"Bakit?" Tanong niya.

"Wala naman p-pero bakit kailangan kong sumama? Ano'ng gagawin natin doon?" I said and greeted my teeth.

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo niya at tiningnan ako ng masama. Then he rolled his eyes at me and said. "Ang dumi ng isip mo Allysandra"

Then he continued walking and pulled me along. Tumahimik na lang ako at hindi nagsalita. Hinayaan ko na lang siya. Nakarating kami sa isang brown na pintuan. Binuksan niya 'yon at pumasok siya sa loob.

"Kung ayaw mong pumasok, hintayin mo na lang ako diyan" he said and got in, leaving me alone outside. He sound offended though. Ewan ko ba, kahit ano na lang kasi naiisip ko. Nahihiya pa rin kasi ako sa nangyari kaya hindi ako komportable sa ganito. Tiningnan ko siyang pumasok sa loob. Hinayaan niya rin namang nakabukas ang pintuan para sa akin.

Something was urging me to get in. Curious kasi ako kung ano ang nasa loob. Dahan-dahan kong tinulak ang pintuan at pumasok ako sa loob. Wow! Ang laki pala n'on. Kasinglaki siya ng kwarto ko pero iba ang desenyo. Where my room looked more like a summer paradise, his room looked more like an enchanted forest. Ooh may mga vines sa loob at mga malalaking halaman. Ang mga furniture ay gawa sa mga trunk ng mga magagandang klase ng puno. I could say that Alunsina gave him a nice spot to occupy.

Juan Carlos was standing beside the table near his kingsize bed. He was holding the sheath of his sword. May isinuot siyang sling bag at may mga nilagay doon na hindi ko nakita kasi nakatalikod siya sakin.

"Akala ko ba ayaw mong pumasok" he said without looking at me.

"Wala naman akong sinabing ganoon ah" Tanggi ko.

I heard him scoff.

Gusto ko pa sanang mag-deny pero humarap siya sa'kin at walang pasabing bumuka ang mga pakpak niya sa likod. They were so huge it almost took the space of the entire room.

"Wow..." I muttered, staring at him and not wanting to blink.

His wings still never fails to impress me. Those dark, brown and gold feathers of his wings complemented his black outfit and dark brown eyes. Now he looked like a dark angel. A very handsome dark angel.

He raised a brow at me. "Wow what?"

"Your wings...they're beautiful" I said and shrugged. I  was in awe.

A smirk formed in his lips. His wings curved infront of him and the left wing brushed my face, tickling me. The other curved around me, locking me so I didn't have much choice but to oblige with it as it pulled me closer to Carlos. I stepped and walked slowly towards him. His wings enveloped us, enshrouding us hanggang sa inches na lang ang pagitan ng mga mukha namin.

"But you are way more than just beautiful" he whispered, eyes locked on mine.

Hindi na ako nakapagreklamo ng halikan niya ako sa mga labi. It felt airy like the his feather's touch. Soft, soothing and gentle. I kissed him back, feeling the warmth of his love. He nibbled on my lower lip and I just let him. Wrapping my arms around his neck, our kiss grew deeper, tenser, bolder. I was running out of air when he finally let me go.

Napayakap ako sa kanya, scared that the moment would end. I burried my face on his chest as I felt his grip tightening around me. I didn't want him to go. I just want him to stay with me. Kahit ano pa ang mangyari. His back shimmered into gold and his wings disappeared, leaving golden dusts on the marble floor.

"Maghanda kana. Pupuntahan ko pa si Ribong Linti"

***

Wala akong masiyadong dala kasi in the first place ano namang dapat kong dalhin? Ginawa ko nalang kwintas ang bigay na kristal ni Alunsina para hindi ko ito mawala. Sinuot ko rin ang bag na bigay ni Aling Susan. Nakalagay na sa bewang ko ang maliit na belt at ang punyal ni Dalikamata. Nagdala rin ako ng ilang mga bulaklak na pang-gamot na marami sa loob ng kwarto. Bilin kasi ni Juan Carlos kasi baka kailanganin daw namin 'yon.

I slung the bow that he gave me behind my back along with a full quiver. Matapos ang matagal na debate, na kumbinse ko rin siya na pana ang dadalhin ko at hindi espada dahil masiyadong mabigat at nahihirapan ako sa paggamit. Mabuti na lang at pumayag din siya.

Inayos ko ang suot kong t-shirt at jeans. Tinali ko rin sa isang ponytail ang buhok ko. Tiningnan ko ang repleksiyon ko sa salamin. Hindi ko na nakita ang dating Allysandra. 'Yong Allysandrang tahimik lang, puro aral lang inaatupag, palaging nasa bahay at humihiling na sana balang araw makapaglibot ako sa mundo at bisitahin ang lahat ng magagandang bagay na nasa kalikasan. Siya ang Ally na masaya na kapag nakakasama ang mga kaibigan niya at minsan ginusto ng magrebelde dahil kinukulong palagi sa bahay.

Now looking at myself, I looked so different. I feel so different. I am no longer that college girl fighting my parents for freedom to go out and indulge in the perks of society. I am here fighting for something bigger, fighting for my family to gain freedom from an undeserved curse. I now have a bigger cause, a bigger purpose. I am now driven by the fire that wants to burn the evil lurking within this world and in my world. I am no longer that girl who simply wants to travel the world for my mere satisfaction. Today I will travel this world towards an unknown destiny to prove that I can control my own life, I can love whom I choose, and I can decide what goes with my own fate...

This is my life...no goddess could could dare mess with me...

***

Sinabi ni Juan Carlos sa akin na sa labas ng palasyo niya ako hihintayin. Palubog na ang araw ng makababa ako at naroon na nga sila. Gaya ko, kakarating lang din ni Sarayan kasama si Ribong Linti.

"Ribong Linti, sa tingin ko ay kailangan na naming magpaalam" Juan Carlos said na makalapit kami sa kanya.

"Mag-iingat kayo Aglawin. Alam mo kung paano ako tawagin. Hihintayin ko ang hudyat mo" Ribong Linti said.

"Ang hangin mismo ang magsasabi sa'yo sa takdang na oras na kakailanganin kita pinsan" Juan Carlos smiled.

"Ano pa bang hinihintay natin, tayo na!" Sarayan said. He looked really ready for this journey. He had his sword ready, backpack strapped on his back and he got his new haircut. But his glum presence did not change at all. Umasa ako na sana may mood swing lang siya kahapon pero nagkamali ako, he still gave me goosebumps which are not too comforting.

"Sarayan, hindi ka na samama sa amin. Kami lang ni Allysandra ang babalik sa Guindara" Juan Carlos said.

"Ano?" Gulat na tanong ni Sarayan. Kahit ako at si Ribong Linti nagulat rin. Biglaan naman yata ang desisyon ni Juan Carlos. "Ano'ng pinagsasabi mo?"

"Mananatili ka rito hanggat hindi pa nagigising si Dalikamata. Kailangan ka niya sa tabi niya lalo na ngayon." Paliwanag ni Carlos sa kambal. Sarayan did not look very happy with what he heard.

"Aglawin, hindi ka maaaring pumunta roon ng kayo lang. Hindi ako makakapayag" Sarayan insisted.

"Sarayan makinig kang mabuti. Kailangan ka ng kapatid natin sa mga panahong ito. Ako at si Allysandra ang babalik sa Guindara upang kunin ang Tungkod ng Dilim. Maaari kang sumama kay Ribong Linti kapag pinatawag ko na siya. 'Wag ka ng makulit" Carlos said, acting as the big brother kahit magkambal naman talaga sila.

Sarayan heaved a deep breath. Akala ko aangal pa siya pero tumango na lang siya sa kapatid. "Sige, maiiwan ako rito kasama si Dalikamata gaya ng sabi mo. Mag-iingat kayo" he said and hugged his brother. He just gave me a small, creepy nod.

"Mag-iingat kayo Aglawin" Ribong Linti said.

Tumango-tango lang si Juan Carlos. Ribong Linti called out to Ynariss who was his general and the latter brought forth a black stallion.

"Maraming salamat sa lahat ng tulong mo Ribong Linti. Aasahan kita sa paparating na labanan" Juan Carlos whispered at his cousin. Tinapik naman ng pinsan niya ang balikat niya.

"Tara na Ally" Carlos said and mounted the black stallion. Inabot niya ang kamay ko at sumakay rin ako roon. 

"Mag-iingat kayo" Sarayan said. It sounded more like a threat or whatever. The horse started moving away. I caught a glimpse at the smirk that formed on his lips as he turned around and headed back to the palace.

We traveled through the night. I did not know why Carlos preffered traveling on horseback when he can actually fly. Then I remembered. He mentioned something about Maguayen's minions spread all over the place. These minions could easily spot us flying and could get us in trouble any minute kaya mas prefer niyang magkabayo na lang.

We traveled beside the lake and on a wide valley of purple lilies. Tahimik lang kaming dalawa. The night breeze was chilly and it was a bad idea not carrying a jacket with me. I should've thought of that.

The moon was a lovely crescent complementing the lovely valley of sweet-smelling flowers. It was a perfect evening. Only if we weren't actually heading towards a place that could also be our death bed. It was kind of funny. I could consider this as a romantic ride under the night moon. Two lovers heading to their ultimate demise. What a perfect romance movie. We could be great stars. Char! Ang dami ko talagang alam. Sinasabi ko lang naman 'to para hindi ako masiyadong ma-tense sa maaari naming harapin bukas.

"Screeeeeeeeeeeee!" a loud earsplitting noise echoed in a distance.

"Ano 'yon?" Tanong ko kay Juan Carlos. It was like a screeching sound of a bird.

"Screeeeeeeee!"

It was coming from somewhere behind us. Pero hindi ko maaninag kung ano kasi kahit maliwanag ang buwan, hindi iyon sapat para mapagtanto ko kung saan galing ang tunog. Binilisan ni Juan Carlos ang pagpapatakbo sa kabayo.

"Carlos ano 'yon?" Tanong ko sa kanya. Noticing his reaction, I know that whatever it is that is tailing us is not good. "Carlos!"

"Haribanog, isang uri ng agila pero mas mabagsik at mas mabangis. Hindi sila gaya ng mga ordinaryong agila. Malalaki sila at sa sobrang laki ay kaya nilang lumapa ng tao" he replied.

"Ano?"

"Screeeeeeee!"

Oh my god! Mukhang hindi na talaga ito nalalayo amin. I can already hear it's wings flapping.

"Kumapit kang mabuti!" He yelled and made the horse run even more faster. I did not need to be told twice. I grabbed harder on his back even if his quiver was hitting and pinching my nostrils.  I can feel the air accelerating around me.

"Screeeeeee!"

It glided just behind me. I just had enough time to turn around and see the glistening golden eyes of the Haribanog. It's sharp and hard beak revealed dozens of deadly pointy teeth. It's wings, strong and metallic, were spread out wide and even larger than what it really seems. It's talons, hard and scaly are ready to tore us into pieces.  Kasinglaki ito ng isang kabayo.

It swooped down on us. Ngunit dahil sa bilis din ng takbo ng kabayo hindi kami natamaan. These type horses have really remarkable speed.

"Ally, gamitin mo ang pana mo!" Sigaw niya akin.

"What?" Sigaw ko rin sa kanya.

"Gamitin mo ang pana mo! Sa ulo mo patamaan! 'Yun lang ang tangin paraan na mamatay ang Haribanog!"

What he was asking me to do was nearly impossible. How am I supposed to shoot at it sa ganitong kalagayan? Nahihibang na ba siya?

"Gawin mo na!" Utos niya ulit.

Kahit hindi sigurado, pinulot ko ang isang palaso. Nahirapan din akong abotin sa likod ko ang pana dahil malikot nga ang takbo ng kabayo.

"Screeeeeeeee!"

"Ally bilisan mo!"

"Sandali lang!" My bow had stuck on my bag. Punyeta. Sa ganitong pagkakataon pa talaga ako magkakaproblima ng ganito. After several mental rants, nakuha ko rin ang pana. I grabbed the one arrow I had on my hand and nocked it, then I lifted the bow upwards.

The Haribanog had flewn somewhere higher up above us. Natabonan na rin ng ulap ang buwan kaya biglang nagdilim ang mundo. It screeched in a direction to my left. With a grunt, I released the string and the arrow flew in the air.

"Screeeeeeeee!"

It was still there so clearly hindi ko ito natamaan. I grabbed another arrow and managed to nock it.

"Nasaan ka na ba" I whispered to myself. Hindi ko kasi masigurado ang target ko. I can hear it's flapping pero hindi ko matiyak kung saang banda ito lumilipad.

"Juan Carlos wala akong makita! Masiyadong madilim!" I yelled.

Still holding the reigns, Carlos lifted one arm in the air. His han glowed, summoning enough strength of the wind to the unviel the moon from the clouds. Pero ng bumalik ang liwanag it was too late to shoot.

"Screeeeeeeeee!"

The valley went into a deep ascent and the horse continued to move swiftly as the giant beast glided on us from our right. Juan Carlos tried to make a hard  curve kaya nahulog ako.

"Ally!" Sigaw niya.

My butt felt numb from my fall. Napahawang ako sa balakang ko dahil sa sakit.

"Screeeeeeeeeee!"

Napatingin ako sa taas. The Haribanog was zooming right on me.  Agad kong pinulot ang pana ko. In a few seconds I was able to nock and fire one arrow. The arrow zoomed into the bird but  I missed. It glided inches from me. Mabuti na lang nakayuko ako kaya hindi ako nadagit.

Hinanap ko si Juan Carlos. Hinahabol pa rin siya ng Haribanog. Pero nandito 'yon ngayon lang at ako ang pinupuntirya. He was just circling around para hindi siya malayo sa akin.

"Screeeeeeee"

Napadapa ako bigla ng may lumipad sa may ulo ko. Nag lingonin ko ito nakita kong may ibang Haribanog na nakaabang sa akin. Iba ang humahabol kay Juan Carlos. I grabbed my bow and nocked. Tumayo ako at inayos ang lalagyan ng mga palaso. I prepared myself. The bird screeched loudly above me. With my bow ready, I aimed directly at the bird zooming down on me like a bullet. Nang lumitaw ito mula sa mga ulap, I fired my shot.

The arrow flew rapidly upwards straight into the bird and hit it directly in the head. It gave off a loud screech before exploding into dusts.

"Allysandra!" Carlos called. He was managing to dodge the other Haribanog pecks on him. Hindi siya nagkaroon ng pagkakataong magamit ang espada niya dahil paulit-ulit at sunod-sunod ang pag-atake ng ibon sa kanya.

"Hang on!" I yelled.

I nocked another arrow and aimed it at the bird. I was determined to do it right this time. My shot went into the beast hitting it left wing. It staggered and flew up, disappearing into the clouds. Napatigil si Juan Carlos. Ganoon din ako. The flapping grew even louder and the screeches sounded more furious. Ginalit ko 'ata. Nagpalibot-libot ako para hanapin ang pinagmulan ng tunog.

In a surprise attack, the bird pounced on me, hitting me hard kaya natumba ako at natapon and pana ko.

"Ally!" Carlos yelled. Malayo siya sa akin kaya binilisan niya ang takbo ng kabayo palapit sa akin.

"Screeeeeeeeeeee!"

I tried to grab my bow pero masiyado itong malayo sa akin. Sumakit rin ang balikat ko dahil natamaan ng talon ng Haribanog. Nanhina ang katawam ko lakas ng impact.

Napaupo ako sa damohan at wala ng nagawa ng makita ko papalapit na naman ang higanteng ibon sa akin. Napatingin ako kay Carlos na papalapit rin sa akin.

Ilang metro na lang ang layo sa akin ng  ibon. Mukhang hindi na ako aabotan ni Carlos.

"Ally, dapa!" He screamed and pulled off his sword. He just had enough time to jump from the horse with his sword ready to strike. His wings exploded from his back.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

"Screeeeeeeeeeeee!"

Napayuko ako. Tumama ang espada ni Juan Carlos sa mismong ulo ng ibon. It exploded into a brilliant blinding light. Tumilapon ako dahil sa lakas ng impact. Feathers rained on me kaya agad akong napatayo.

"Juan Carlos! Juan Carlos!" I called out in panic. I ran into the pile of feathers and remove everything on top. Then I saw his face. Oh no! Is he unconcious?

"Carlos? Carlos! Hey! "Huwag kang magbibiro ng ganyan! Gumising ka!" I shook his body several times. His wings glowed and disappeared. He didn't move.

"Carlos!"

Gusto ko ng maiyak kasi hindi siya gumigising. Mabuti na lang at pagkalipas ng ilang minuto, dahan-dahan din siyang dumilat.

"Ally" he said then closed his eyes again.

Hinampas ko siya sa mukha ng mahina. "Tinakot mo ako walang hiya ka!"

He laughed and grabbed me for a hug. "Okay lang ako"

I stared at him. "Don't you ever do that again" I said and hugged him tighter.