A Shadow of an Illusion

Chapter 5

After the talk that we had, may ipinadala siyang tauhan para lang sabihin sa akin na hindi ako pwedeng lumabas ng palasyo at hanggang palace grounds lang ako. I almost went to his room just to complain but I stopped myself when I remembered that I have to ‘prove myself’ to him.

Though I did not know how the h*ck would I prove myself, I guess that not bothering him and not complaining about anything he wants was one of them, so I really stopped myself from doing anything like that.

Inis na lang akong nagpapadyak sa kinatatayuan ko. I know I looked like a kid throwing tantrums in the middle of the hallway but I could not care less. I need to let all my frustrations out of my system or I might go crazy if I won’t do it.

“Prove myself your face.” Bulong ko sa hangin at nagpatuloy na sa paglalakad.

The maids are looking at my direction wondering who am I and what the h*ck I am doing but I did not looked at their direction nor pay attention at them. Mas binilisan ko na lang ang lakad ko dahil balak ko na ring pumasok sa loob nang biglang pumasok sa isip ko na kailangan ko nga palang mag-imbestiga.

Just like what they said, the earlier, the better. Mas marami akong makukuhang impormasyon kung magsisimula na ako ngayon. At mas mapapaaga ang pagligtas ko sa mga taong naririto kung bibilisan ko ang pagkilos ko.

But... “How the h*ck will I do that?” Bulong ko ulit sa sarili ko.

I sat on the bench that was near me and look around. Narinig ko kaninang umaga habang nag-aagahan ako na wala si Erebus dito at nasa karatig bayan siya. And it looks like he will be gone until night at bukas na ang balik niya. Hindi ko alam ang buong detalye kung bakit siya umalis, pero pwede kong magamit ang araw na ito para makapagsimula na akong mag-imbestiga. With that thought in mind, I got an idea.

I casted a spell in my mind and an exact copy of myself appeared on my side at ako naman ay naging invisible. It is my magic, ang makagawa ng ilusyon at minsan, if I put a lot of effort on it, it can touch the things that is near it but right now, the illusion that I made can talk and walk but cannot touch things. Sapat na iyon sa mga oras na nangangalap ako ng impormasyon sa loob ng palasyo. I hope that I am right because if I’m not, then I will be doomed.

Para na rin mas makasigurado ako, I casted another magic spell for safety purposes. Kailangan maging maingat ako dahil kahit hindi sinabi ni Erebus, I know someone is watching my every move. Maybe because of his ‘prove yourself’ thing, he gave a task to his people that they needed to watch my every move. I casted another spell for the ‘watchers,’ and yes watchers dahil madami sila, for them to think that I am still that illusion Menrui.

Nagmamadali naman akong naghanap ng mga impormasyon sa palace grounds. I noticed a faint barrier outside the palace meaning, may nagpoprotekta rito kaya walang sinuman ang basta-basta nakakapasok sa loob. I did not dare to touch it because sometimes, a barrier like that have sensors that can detect a person. Mas risky ngayon dahil nagamit ako ng magic. Though I casted a spell, I cannot just move without thinking of all the possible outcome. May mga buhay na nakasalalay sa bawat galaw ko. Kagaya nga ng sabi ni Erebus, I have to prove myself. Not just for my own safety, but also for the people whom he considered as prisoners in the dungeon. And yes, eventhough I am so against with this 'prove yourself' thing, sinusunod ko pa rin iyon dahil na rin sa mga buhay na mawawala kung gagalitin ko si Erebus.

I looked at that barrier for the last time then I moved inside the palace. I made a mental note to myself about that barrier. Hindi ko rin minadali ang pagpasok sa loob dahil may barrier ulit doon. Though it is weaker than the one in the palace grounds, it is still risky. I had to cast another spell to make sure that I will be able to go inside the palace undetected. May nai-cast na akong spell dito dati no‘ng una akong napunta rito pero kagaya nga ng sinabi ko kanina, mas mabuti na kung mag-iingat ako.

All the lives of the people inside the dungeon, and the other prisoners, were all in my hands right now, and if I made any mistake, it might be the end for all of them and I could not bear to think that they will die because of my mistakes.

When I finally got inside, I was able to hear some of the maids’ conversation. Nasa corridor sila at naglilinis doon. Lumapit ako sa kanila dahil hindi rin naman nila ako nakikita, so it was safe to go near them.

“Alam mo bang ang pinuntahan daw ng Emperor ngayon ay isa sa mga dating may hawak ng trono ng Water Dimension!” Bulong ng isa sa kanila.

Kailangan ko pang lumapit ng kaunti sa kanila para marinig ko nang maayos ang sinasabi nila. They cannot see me anyways.

Water Dimension? Ang tagal na simula nang marinig ko ang pangalan ng lugar na iyon. Water DImension is the first kingdom that Erebus invaded. Eurybia was so frustrated so is the other gods and goddesses because after Erebus had invaded and managed to get the throne, the King and Queen just vanished without a trace.

Of course, we did our best to find them but Erebus was fast enough to invade another kingdom that get our attention. Iyon rin ang dahilan kung bakit naalarma kami sa bilis niyang manakop ng lugar. We do not have a chance to do something and we just watch them fall. It is so frustrating that you could see them suffering but you could not do anything about it.

Well, we had a chance right now because I think he is taking his time before he will invade the Sky Empire. If he could. Kaya nga ako nandito para pigilan ‘yon. I needed all of the information I can have so that we could be ready to attack him or make a war against him, any time from now. We cannot let him do the things he likes. We needed to move now. Dahil tama na ang lahat ng pasakit na ginawa niya sa mundong ito. Tama na ang lahat ng kasamaang ginawa niya sa mundong ito. He needed to be stopped, at all cost.

I kept on listening to their conversation thinking that I could get a little bit of information about the missing rulers of the kingdom. I lean a little closer so I can hear them clearly.

“Talaga? Ang alam ko ang tagal na niyang hinahanap ang hari at reyna ng Water DImension a? Sino ang nagsabi sa kaniya kung saan sila makikita?” tanong ng isa sa kaniya.

“Hindi ko din alam e. Narinig ko lang ‘yan noong mapadaan ako sa opisina niya dito sa loob ng palasyo. Pero ang narinig ko, nasa Water Dimension pa rin ang hari at reyna,” sagot nng naunang magsalita sa kanila.

Sumingit naman ang isa pa nilang kasama sa usapan nila. “Plano mangyayari ‘yon? Ilang beses nang nagpapabalik-balik ang Emperor sa lugar na 'yon pero wala siyang nakitang makapagturo sa kinaroroonan ng hari at reyna.”

“Baka naman niloloko lang nila ang Emperor? Tapos may nagpaplano na palang pumasok sa palasyo pero hindi natin alam,” sabi naman ulit ng isa sa kanila.

Tumingin naman ang pangalawang katulong sa kaniya na para bang hindi siya makapaniwala na naisip pa niya iyon. “Seryoso ka ba diyan? Sa tingin mo ba may maglalakas loob na pumasok sa loob ng palasyo habang wala ang Emperor? Baka naman may death wish ang gustong gumawa no‘n.”

Tumawa naman ang isa pa dahil sa sinabi niya na para bang isang biro iyon. “Tama ka diyan. At ikaw naman kung sasagap ka ng balita, siguraduhin mong kumpleto yung detalye ha? Hindi ‘yong puro tanong tayo nang tanong dito.”

“Kayo naman. Muntik na nga kong mahuli e. Teka may naalala ako nung narinig ko ang usapan na ‘yon,” sabi niya ulit nang makita niyang babalik na sana sa trabaho ang dalawang kausap niya. Ako din ay na-curious sa sasabihin niya kaya naman lumapit ulit ako sa kanila.

“Ano ‘yon?” tanong ng mga kasamahan niya.

“Parang sinabi ni Emperor na sa oras na makikita niya ang kahit isa sa hari at reyna ng Water Dimension, sisiguraduhin niya daw na i-e-execute ‘yon para magtanda raw ang mga taong tutulad sa kanila.” Bulong niya ulit sa mga kasama niya.

Ako naman ay sumama ang mukha dahil sa nalaman ko. Really? Is killing his only option for everything? Wala na ba talaga siyang maisip na ibang paraan at ang pagpatay na lang ang tanging nasa isip niya? Alam kong sinabi na niya iyon sa akin pero hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na ganito siya mamuno.

The other one snorted and as she stood straight. “Wala nang bago diyan. Hindi ba‘t mas ayos na ‘yon kaysa naman mahirapan pa sila dito. The Emperor is doing a favor on their side. They should be thankful. Hindi na nila kailangan pang i-sakripisyo ang buhay nila pero sa huli, si Emperor pa rin naman ang mananalo,” sabi pa niya at napanganga ako dahil sa mga sinabi niya.

I was so shock that they are just talking normally as if it is just a daily occurrence in their lives when in reality, they are talking about executing someone. Well not just someone. They are talking about executing a ruler. Are the people here inside the castle is as heartless as their what they call ‘Emperor?’ I am so shock alright. I know I may sound judgemental but those words like killing someone comes from them. Ano ‘to? Kung ano ang ugali ng hari nila, gano‘n na rin ang ugali ng mga tauhan niya? Unbelievable.

Akala ko kasi may natitirang konsensiya pa sa kanila dahil sa tingin ko, mga dating tauhan naman sila ng dating rulers ng mga kingdom. But it seems like I am wrong. They do not have any humanity left in them. It was like they have adapted the attitude of their so-called Emperor.

“Ay tama ka diyan kaya kung ayaw mong matulad sa kanila, kumilos ka na hindi ‘yong tsismis ka nang tsismis diyan. Ang dami pang gagawin o. Baka mamaya dumating ang head maid ng palasyo, siguradong malilintikan tayo n’an,”sabi ng isa sa kanila.

Dahil siguro sa takot na sila ang isunod ng kanilang Emperor, wala nang nagawa ang dalawa at bumalik na sila sa kani-kanilang gawain. Hindi na rin sila nag-usap pagkatpos no‘n kaya naman napabuntong hininga na lamang ako.

I was left alone in the middle of that corridor, thinking. Kailangan kong malaman kung sino ang nagsabi kay Erebus ng impormasyon na iyon. And if it really is true, that the ruler of Water Dimension is alive, we needed to save them at unahan si Erebus sa paghahanap niya. It might be a big help for us and for our plan.

Magiging malaking tulong para sa amin kung papayag silang sumama sa amin para matalo si Erebus, I just hope and pray that they are safe and unharmed wherever they are. But first, I needed to investigate who and where did Erebus heard that information. With that in mind, I immediately tried to find Erebus’ office.

I thought I would immediately find that certain office pero ilang minuto na kong palakad-lakad dito, hindi ko pa rin siya mahanap. Ang laki naman kasi ng palasyo ni Erebus kaya ang hirap maghanap. Napapagod na rin ako at nanakit na ang mga paa ko. Higit pa roon, sa tingin ko may tinatago si Erebus sa office niya kaya hindi ito madaling makita, o baka naman naliligaw na lang talaga ako ngayon.

Good thing I can sustain magic in a long period of time but who knows, my magic could run out any hour from now. Matagal na rin kasi noong huli akong gumamit ng magic nang matagal kaya hindi ko na ito masyadong gamay. Maybe I will train some other time. Maybe once I finished this ‘prove yourself’ thing, I will try to sneak out and try my magic.

I rolled my eyes when I remembered that I have to prove myself to Erebus. Dapat talaga di ko na inaalala ‘yon dahil alam kong masisira lang ang araw ko kapag naiisip ko iyon.

With that thought, I remove everything that could remind me of that ‘prove yourself’ thing so that it will not ruin my mood. Nag-indian sit muna ako sa gitna ng daanan dito and I do not care about the people around. They cannot see me anyways.

"Nakakapagod pala to." sabi ko habang nag-i-stretch-stretch pa.

I put my hand under my chin and think of the ways for me to find that d*mned office. I almost gave up and is about to go back to where my illusion was when a certain room caught my attention.

Tumayo ako at lumapit doon. It is not far from where I sat earlier. Nasa dulo ito ng hallway kaya naman hindi ko agad siya nakita or should I say I got tired of roaming around the whole palace and did not notice that I have not reached the end of this hallway.

I tried to come closer but I immediately back out when I notice a barrier in the door. It looks like it was stronger than the one outside his palace. Mukhang may tinatago nga siya sa loob ng opisina niya kaya mayroon rin itong barrier.

“He is so careful huh?” I muttered under my breath.

Sinubukan kong lumapit at tignan kung makakapasok ba ako sa loob ng opisina niya nang walang nakakapansin, nang bigla na lamang itong bumukas. I panicked and I did not know what to do but I stopped when I thought of something.

'That is right. No one could see you but yourself. Calm down or your cover will be blown.'

I tired to take a deep breath to calm myself down, at hinawakan ko pa ang dibdib ko para pakiramdaman kung bumalik na ba ito sa normal na pagtibok nito at patuloy lamang ako sa paghhinga nang malalim habang ginagawa ko iyon.

Pinaulit-ulit ko iyan sa isip ko para lang kumalma ako. And when I did calmed down, I looked at the opened door then at the person who just opened it but I did not get a chance to see his face because he was already walking in the hallway. Nakatalikod na siya sa akin kaya hindi ko man lang nakita ang mukha niya. Isa itong lalaki na kung ibabase ko sa paglalakad niya at sa postura niya na trained siya sa mga ginagawa niya.

“The Emperor will be back tomorrow morning. Be prepared,” sabi niya sa isang maid na nakasalubong niya.

And somehow, his voice, it sounds so familliar. Parang narinig ko na ito kung saan pero hindi ko maisip kung sino ang taong nagmamay-ari ng boses na iyon. I tried to wrack my brain to think of that person but then I failed.

Tinignan ko na lamang ang likod niyang nakaharap sa akin habang kausap ang katulong na nasa harapan niya ngayon. Mukhang naintindihan agad ng maid na iyon kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin dahil dali-dali itong tumango at pumunta sa kinaroroonan ko.

I moved on the side when she reached my place. Akala ko ay nabuking na ako pero laking pasasalamat ko nang ma-realize ko na isasara lang pala niya ang pinto. Matapos noon ay pinigilan ulit ng taong lumabas kanina sa opisina ni Erebus sa paglalakad ang isa pang maid na nandoon. May ibinulong siya doon pero hindi ko na narinig pa dahil mahina lang iyon. I did not pry on that matter anymore and just looked at the already closed door.

i clenched my fist as my eyes showed determination. “Next time,” I muttered in my breath. “Next time, I will open that door and get all the information I want to have.”