Chapter 34

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Chapter 34: Things are not right

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Meadow's P.O.V

After helping Sky escape, we didn't saw even a glimpse of his shadow in wherever we are. We are were once stuck in the hallway for almost 4 days but we finally found the exit and managed to get our butts out to the small cottage standing in front of the mountain.

As we walked away from the small cottage which clearly have a huge underground compartment where we were held captive I could smell the fresh air and the cold wind brushing against my skin. I smiled at the feeling, still not letting go of Sky's hands we walked on some edge of the cliff and there I saw that we really are in the top of the mountain.

Looking down at an unfamiliar city, my heart started pumping swiftly.

Sky and I were looking in the scenary, I didn't have any clue to where we are and how we are supposed to travel nor find the group to warn them about him. I am generally scared out for the first time in my own life in this damn helpless situation.

Even if we were to travel, I still have my normal clothes stripped out from me and every Emperius I own fell into the his hands and he would just smile at me, telling me that I wouldn't use it anyway amd everything I want he'd provide.

He's literally insane. What if I want an airplane? Will his tiny cottage turn into one? Ugh, talk about big words.

I then turned to Sky to ask her what our plan may be but looking at her, I couldn't start freaking out.

Her eyes bolted upon seeing the pretty city, I could almost tell that her pupils were dilated and her mouth was hanging wide open.

Pretty much, I'm concerned for her right now.

"Sky?"

She didn't responded.

"Sky?"

She still didn't respond.

"Sky? Are you okay? You're freaking me out--"

"Meads, Alam ko kung nasan tayo." Seriously?

"Then where are we?" I asked as my eyes fell back to the scenary of the city.

"We're In Ruslan. I'm home."

I looked at her stunned, a bit of hope flashed into me. This means that we might go bach home and we might find the way out of here. I scanned the scenary for the 3rd time and saw the huge castle, and bunch of cars moving around unlike in Cambridge.

"Do you know the way down?" I asked Sky while looking at her.

She just shooked her head.

"The mountains isn't really a common place to build a home, But I know my way around the city. So if we got down from here, I could start pointing out wherever we are." I then nodded at her response and we started off making our way into the misty forest.

I wasn't feeling the chilly vibe from the forest but all I know is that It's really scary.

It was dark and I couldn't seem to adjust the light in my eyes as I began looking around just to see if there was anyone tailing us.

Sadly, it was just my imagination. It was pretty much getting late as our tracks began getting dim making us impossible to get cautious every step we take.

I gabbed Sky's hands tightly as we began wandering around down as we heard strange noises. The feeling of the cold moist wind made me tremble as it made contact to my skin through the thin fabric that I was wearing.

Every step was like an hour and I could feel my breath weakening.

"Sky, are we there yet?"

She shooked her head while kept of leading the way.

I didn't ask anymore question but all I knew was that it began pouring and by the next minute we were still making our way even though we were drenched in cold water.

The path was all muddy and was pretty dangerous, we could slip any moment by the time that we lost track of where we were supposed to step. One wrong move and we will be falling in our deaths.

I shake my thoughts and began to worry about the guys. What if they were with him and they were in danger? I didn't quite recall the danger that he put me through cause he treated me very gently and he didn't threaten to cut my limbs or pull out my innards. Unlike Sky who he treated severely improper.

But that doesn't mean that he wouldn't dare to hurt the others.

Yes, he was clearly crazy.

I squinted my eyes as my senses came back to reality. I'm sure that Sky was telling me something but I couldn't hear her voice because of the pouring rain.

We were walking and leaping to one stone to another, we were both tired and famished. Sharp pain was over my feet and I could feel wounds and cuts opening. I knew that Sky was also feeling the same pain as me. We weren't wearing any footwear, since he took it away. He told me that I won't be needing it anymore and it's better for me not to walk.

We leaped rock to rock as even though pricky stones was embedding in our skin, we only had the conclusion to get away from this place no matter what.

In this point we cannot trust anyone but ourselves, Heck! I don't even know if I could trust Sky or not!

I knew that I was pretty much of a useless bum right now since I don't even know if I have an ability or not. But seeing as everyone was talking crazy about magic and then blasting something from their hands or feet, I'm convinced that they actually have the wrong person. Cause dear, I have no evidence of any ability right now. The only abnormality that I can find in myself is that I have two different species as parents.

Not much of a minute has passed when Sky twisted her ankle and she fell down. I got up to aid her as she was still on the ground sitting.

"Sky, are you okay?!" She then nodded. But then stood up.

"Sky, we can always resume our escape plan tommorow. It's essential to rest right now or maybe you won't end up recovering!"

Sky looked at me with a pained expression. I didn't get what she was saying but it was almost as if begging me to get us out of here.

Why the heck is she begging me to get us out of here?

She then stood up but I was still uneasy of what she was doing as she began limping her way in the pouring rain. I couldn't say anything but assist her.

Carrying her other arm slinging her my shoulder while trying to carry her weight. I couldn't help but grunt and stagger while sharp grasses was slicing my ankles.

She was struggling to take another step in the muddy way but as she was to take one, it didn't grant us the opportunity to ready ourselves as she slipped got me rolling with her until we were almost sent flying down the mountain.

The darkness was too vivid and I couldn't help but hug Sky as we both lost conciousness while rolling down.

....

Emerald's P.O.V

It has been 5 Days after Arcane even made sound. It has been so long that I almost forgot that we were travelling in the forest for nearly a month and a week. I am actually pretty scared for the timespan.    Thoughts filled up my head, what if we were too late to save Emperia?

What if Sky and Meadow are dead? What if we were already too late?

Not to be dramatic, ha? But I am really concerned.

I kept on walking and walking. Nasanay na ang mga paa ko. It has been a daily routine to walk and I can say that I think it's safe to say that my routine is healthy.

But ang nakakasawa? Our meal rotates on potatoes and corn. And feeling ko my tongue can no longer differentiate the different variety of flavors.

Help me, Dearest Emperia.

Napadapo ang mga tingin ko sa mga kasama kong naglalakbay. I looked at him--Alpha. My eyes focused on his hands holding Chummy's.

I knew there was something going on between them but my stupid self just wouldn't accept the fact that he was standing there side by side with someone with a 50 percent of chance they'd end up together in the future.

Looking at them gave me anxiety. Parang sobrang bigat ng loob ko kapag nakikita ko silang masaya.

Don't get me wrong--I don't dislike Chummy. She is great, really. But I don't like her that much cause she's too pretty, too kind, too lovable and she's a female. She's amazing and she got everything, including Alpha.

Napababa naman ang tingin ko sa mga pinagsasabi ko. Napapahiya ako. No one know how I feel about these things. Including my family. I looked down to my feet as I kept walking on the same pace with Leo.

But soon I realized na kausap niya sila Hushy at bigla naman nauuna ang paglakad nila kaysa sa akin.

And I was left there walking ny own pace. I didn't say anything. The sounds of our fottsteps is the only thing we could hear this very moment.

I was walking slowly hangga't nakasalubong ko si Bluve na naglalakad. Napatingin naman ako sa kanya at binigyan niya ako ng matamis na ngiti.

He smiled. Wow.

"You alright?" Napatanong niya.

Umiling naman ako sa tanong niya. No, I'm not alright.

Hindi naman siya nagsalita ngunit matapos ng ilang segundo ay bumaling ulit ang tingin siya sa akin.

"It's fine. You'll soon get over it, eventually." Ani neto at di na siya nagsalita.

Ganun rin naman ang ginawa ko, Naglakad nalang ako kasabay si Bluve at hindi gumawa ng tunog.

Naglalakad naman kami ng walang distorbo ng bigla namang napahinto si Hushy.

"Ano meron?" Biglang napatanong ni Phoebe.

Napataas rin naman ang kilay ko sa ginawang paghinto ni Hushy.

Hindi sumagot si Hushy pero binaling niya parin ang tingin niya sa may mga puno.

"Meron bang nangyayari? Meron bang mali, Hush?" Naalertong tanong ni Chloe.

Dumapo naman ang tingin ni Hushy kay Chloe.

"I can sense the dead. May nga patay sa bandang doon." Sabi niya habang tinuturo ang direksyon kung saan kami patungo.

Bigla namang tumayo lahat ng balahibo sa katawan ko. Patay? Paano kaya nagkaroon ng patay?

"Unfortunately, Master. I can sense they are alive." Pagsingit ni Sergio.

"Alive huh?" Pagtango si Hushy.

Seriously? Patay na Alive daw? Ano yun? Zombie?

I looked at Alpha to ask some questions ngunit nakita ko naman na linapit niya si Chummy sa kanya at nakapwesto ang ulo ni Chummy sa kanyang balikat.

I restrained myself so tumingin naman ako kay Bluve. Napahiya naman ako nung nakita ko na nakatingin naman siya sa akin buong oras na yon.

"Ah--I...I thought na-"

"You don't need to explain." He said kaya nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag

"And about thoses dead--alive people? Look."

Napatingin naman ako at nakikita kong may pinagkalaruan siya sa kamay niya. Berde ang kulay neto at lumulutang.

"Remember that I can imitate abilities right?"

"Teka, ibig mong sabihin na?"

"Yes, In that short distance. I could feel a new ability nearby and I decided to imitate it. And here it is in my hands."

Di naman ako nakapag salita. Napatingin naman ako sa harapan namin at nakikita na nag-uusap parin sila Hushy, Chloe, Phoebe, Sergio, Chippy at Hakun.

I worriedly cast my attention back to Bluve.

"What does it do?" He then looked at me cluelessly as well.

"I don't know, what I know is that whatever they are--they aren't normal." He stated. Tapos ay tinapon niya ang ability na yun sa baba namin.

Bigla naman akong kinabahan nung nakita ko na biglang natunaw ang gitna ng bato.

Acid. Delikado yan.

Magtatanong parin sana ako nang biglang meron kaming narinig na tunog sa harapan namin na papalapit ng papalapit.

Doon ko nakita ang pamilyar na mga itim na hood. Marami-rami sila, mga nasa 30 sila na papalapit sa akin at mabuti na hindi lang naman ako ang nakapansin.

Napadapo rin ang tingin ng iba naming kasamahan sa kanila.

Nang nakita ko ng papalapit sila ay malalaki silang mga Animalia. Like matatangkad. Hindi ko naalala ang mga pangyayari pero parang mga ilang segundo, naaalala ko na may humahawak sa kamay ko at tinutulungan akong tumakbo papalayo sa mga Dark Wizards.

Tumakbo naman ako, tinignan ko kung sino yung humahawak sa kamay ko.

Napangiti naman ako nung nakita ko na si Leo yun.

I ran as fast as I can, avoiding the trees. Hindi ko alam kung saan man kaming direction na tatakbo. O saan pa kami babalik.

Pero ang alam ko ay tatakbo nga kami.

Bigla namang may malaking naitapon sa tabi ko at di ko napihilang magulat nang biglang natunaw ang mga puno.

"Emerald, You okay?! Di ka natamaan?!" Rinig kong pasigaw na tanong ni Alpha sa akin.

As much as I hate myself for getting flustered this time, I shouted back.

"I'm fine!" I shouted between ragged breaths.

Tumakbo naman kami ng papalayo nang parang biglang umuulan ng mga Acid na berde.

Bigla naman akong nanghina ng nakita kong pwede ako matamaan nun.

Napapikit ko ang mga mata ko nang napansin ko na may inilalabas na coat si Leo at isinaling sa balikat ko.

Ah, the invisibilty cloak.

Isinuot ko naman yun at ipinagpatuloy ang pagtakbo namin. Bigla namang bumaling ang direksyon ni Chummy at gumawa ng Yelong barrier para hindi makadaan yung Wizard at nagpatulong kami sa pagtakbo.

Bigla namang natamaan sa balikat si Chloe ng acid at kahit dumudugo iyon ay ipinagpatuloy niya ang pagtakbo.

Matapos nun ay meron kaming nakitang ilog matapos sa kakatakbo. Bigla naman akong nanigas nung nakita ko na sa nandon sa likod sumusugod ang Dark wizards tapos sa harapan namin ay isang malalim na ilog.

My eyes bolted at the sight, the terrifying situation made my eyes look at the guys chasing behind us.

I then breathe in and out.

"Guys, jump!" I shouted.

Napatingin naman silang lahat sa akin. Asking me if I am serious.

I took a deep breath and placed my hands in between my chest and made a small gesturing circle.

I then jumped in the water and eventually they followed. I could then feel the coldness touch my skin as I could clearly breathe normally underwater.

I looked at the others and they seemed to breathe normally, which calmed me. Napatingin ako sa kanilang lahat para masigurado na nandito na kami lahat.

Wait, Hold up.

Napatingin ako sa kay Chloe. Gesturing, where is Phoebe?

She looked shocked as I am. As we were about to rise in the water to check, we all could feel the water pulling us under one direction.

I looked at it at bigla naman akong kinabahan.

A whirlpool underwater. I tried to conrol the bodice of water when eventually I was sucked inside and the next thing we could see is darkness.

...

"Emerald! Emerald! Wake up!" I heard a worried voice and I immediately could say that it belongs to Alpha.

Napaubo naman ako, as I could feel water in my throat. And I adjusted my sight and there I could see them dripping wet and surrounding me.

"Anong nangyari?" I weakly asked.

Chloe looked at me like she was about to cry but she didn't.

"Phoebe, kinuha nila si Phoebe. And we woke up here after we were sucked into that whirlpool." She explained.

I looked at everyone and they all had worried glances.

"And we might not be able to take our normal route and plan." Singit ni Arcane.

I shot them worried glances and then Hakun finally stood up.

"There's no harm in finding us a way out of here then." Sabi niya at bigla kami nangsintayo.

There I saw where we are. There are leaves on both side and it looks like we're on a  maze.

"A maze?" Napatanong ko.

Hakun shook his head.

"A labyrinth." He answered.

I stood up with Leo's help. We began walking with a slow pace.

I looked at everyone and they look so cold, I also noticed there was a patch on Chloe's shoulder where she had been targeted with acid.

We walked and walked as the time revealed our sharp beaths.

It has been a minute and it looks like we are in some sort of entrance. The walls were stones and reached up the sky there was dried up blood in the ground and it was building up some fungi.

I couldn't help but squint my eyes at the sight.

We we're all quiet for a minute but when Hakun began walkinv we all tailed him.

I knew he was worried for Phoebe, so worried that he could drop dead and leave us.

As expected, we were walking into some kind of maze like labyrinth. I turn to see the others who was disturbingly calm but did not bother to mind them.

I turned to walk in the same direction not bothering to distrupt their thoughts anymore cause I knew that I wasn't the only one worried about our current situation.

Let us just relax for this moment, only for this momen