CHAPTER 8- KOMORI

E L A R I E N

Unknowingly.. distraught upon a journey which unfamiliar to me. It chills me to the bone. Uneasy, Anxious, fear and happiness was taking over my emotion at the same time. I'm getting depressed and i dont know if matutuwa ba ako or not.  I was just nothing but a girl in Naruo whose planting vegetable and all, and now I just became a part of them. This feeling flickered and tells and yield at me that maybe I meet them on purposed. Maybe its fate that I wasn't just born to be a probinsyana. Kinapa ko sina ram na nag aalis ng mga nakaharang na sanga sa dinadaanan namin. "Yes?"

"May I ask, sino si komori?"

"Ask Captain Naea she is the one who made us walk this far. She's the boss. Marami siyang alam. Minsan masusopresa ka nalang talaga pag magplano siya minsan"

I was about to asked her, but she's swamped and I don't want to be a nuisance. Maya nalang siguro. Sumabay narin ako sa pag aalis ng mga branches. I look up and had a vision that the statue move and  gazing upon my wake and smirking till I loose my breath in fear. It gave a horrible feeling of oppressiveness. And I quiver.

I'm scaring myself and I almost flop by the roots that caught up on my foot. My heart rapidly beats-- disturbing the wind-swept in silent. A few miles. I see the emerald landscape and finally were out of this alcove space. Nakalabas na kame at couldn't believe my eyes to see.  They wouldn't call haeannon amazing for nothing! This place truly are indescribable.

"We must fin--"-Captain nyne stop as the arrow aligned in his nose and he slowly move back raising both of his arms. The girl is aiming her four arrows at once at us. She's fierce and about to release the arrow but not yet. She's all covered in dark clothes matches the color of her high heel booths.

"𝑀𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑦𝑒𝑠!!"-sigaw niya

Naea just nonchalantly glance on her arrow, kami lang nina spike ang nanginig sa takot, lumapit lang siya rito at inabot ang papel na hawak niya and the girl take it, then put back the arrow and glance with confusion on her face "Why?"-maikli niyang tanong [Who are you]

"Komori. We came in peace and were unarmed you see" said Cap, Naea

I was lost in oblivion. Dahil sa takot. She seems serious di siya yung tipong tao na madadala mo sa biro.

"Well, well Etherian came in to Haeannon for help. Unlikely alam nyo naman siguro na di kayo magtatagal dito. Pero--"-mukhang di siya natuwa sa pagdating namin. Mas natakot ako ng mga mga biglaang kawal na pumalibot samin. Tinutukan nila kami ng kanilang spears.

➖➖➖

Dinala nila kami sa isang tree house.

Sinindot ako sa likuran ng mga kawal kaya napaakyat ako ng wala sa oras. Hanggang sa makarating na kami sa harap ng isang pinto. Nagtinginan lang kame kung sino ang bubukas ng pinto pero bumukas lang ito nang mag isa na di naman namin nahawakan. Nyne was about to step and ay parang hangin na hinila kami paloob at nakaupo na kami na kaharap ang isang pagkain. Nakadilat lang ako dahil biglaan lang kami nakaupo. Nakatunganga ako dahil malapalasyo pala

"Mukhang masarap"-kumuha si ram ng isang cup cake at nilamon lang niya ito. Napasapo lang ng noo si naea at nyne sa ginawa niya

"Ram are you nuts! Spit it out! I think its poison!"-Naea shout but ram is truly hard headed

"Mmm delicious. Guys you should try one"

"Ugh, Aewa not you too?!"-dismayadong tugon ni nyne at masayang nilamon nilang dalawa ang pagkain sa lamesa habang kami napapailing sa ginagawa nila

"Please eat. I serve it to my wonderful guest. Kain na natalsikan pa ako ng pinirito kong isda!"-napalingon kami sa nagsalita at isang babae ang bumungad samin na may hawak na kuneho. "Etherian huh? You look bazar. I like your stylish clothes"

A woman in a shining red gown shows up that mades us lost in her presence,  her eyes makes me forget i'm straight. Her walk kills it. Who is she? And she's so beautiful.

"Cleo my dear and thank you"-bigla niyang sagot. I think she can read my minds. Is she had an ability of telepathy? Why did the guards led us here. And who is this woman does naea knows her? Cleo gazing at me, smilling for unknown reason. I thought maybe she's looking at something from behind my back and I look back to check but then she really looked at me.

"No miss ela. Right before you came. I have seen you in my  orb. Your ram, nyne, spike and Aewa. That's your name isn't it?" Pageguess niya. Tumango lang kaming lahat at napahanga

"Lady cleo there's no sign of any spies wala ring silang kasama pumunta rito. "-sabi nung babae na humuli samin.

Mahaba ang buhok niya at nakatali ito nagandahan ako sa suot niyang sana may ganyan rin akong damit parang astig. Napakaastog naman ng mga babar dito parang nilunok ang dating namin sa kanya. Maraming kawal sa labas they totally keeping their place safe away from possible threats from the outside. Looks like she's a captain or a general perhaps.

"Thank you kira"- said cleo at nagbow ito at umalis

Kira pala ang pangalan nung babae. Umalis narin ang mga kawal at biglang tumayo si spike na kinabigla ko at balak niyang tinali ang kamay ni cleo pero siya yung natali sa huli. Cleo chuckles at inayos ang damit niya. And snap her fingers and done her hair.

"Poor kids. You can't possibly capture a sorcerer. As a matter of fact. You make me think not to trust you. Alam nyo I want to you to put this one in mind. I know you can't understand. 𝐶𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑡- back in jaffa. Im worried. Hopefully tomorrow are brighter than 𝑆𝑢𝑖𝑟 "-kumunot noo ko sa sinabi ni cleo sakin

"Anong sinasabi mo samin cleo? Di ka namin naiintindihan your inarticulate its convolent"

"I'm not suppose to intervene. This is your fight but i'm telling you, you're facing danger in the near future" parang nagbabanta siya samin

"That's why were here to solve this"-said nyne

Nagpumiglas si spike na makawala sa mga nakakapit na vines sa kanyang mga braso. Tumingin siya samin and sat gracefully. Her lips is so bloody red and her gems makes her more elegant "Very well, you're here for the gem to komori am i right?"

"I deeply apologies of spikes actions. Kanina"-Nyne bowed at her and she gave a sign not to and Nyne paused.

"Okay. I'll help you"-Inabutan siya ng gold ni naea " No gold walang kabayaran to, but when you go back to etheria you'll be the key to bring back the bond of our kingdom. Alam ko na alam nyo ang nangyari sa reyna ng valda dun mismo sa etheria na pinatay at nasabi na ang haeannon ang may pakana diba? The neightboring kingdom sees us now as a man slaughter and they feared us. I deeply apologize because--"

"Hindi mo naman kasalanan. It happens long ago. If you are a monster you'll killed us in the first place. But we are here to seek for your help. Our kingdom is in trouble"-nahinahong wika ni aewa. I raise in Valda and yet never heard of it. Grabe pala ang tutok ko sa trabaho dati.

"Will you help us lady cleo?"-tugon naman ni nyne

"Of course--"

"Auntie cleo!!"-dinig naming sigaw ng dalawang batang babae na kambal at niyakap siya sa bewang

"𝑊ℎ𝑢𝑖 are 𝑐𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑖? Where 𝑛𝑎-𝑐𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑑𝑎𝑟?"

[Why are you here? Where is your father?]

"𝐴𝑑𝑎 𝑛𝑎-𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑢𝑖 even mom preparing for our birthday celebration. Mama invited you to our birthday party on mermadia"-they gave her an invitation card and it levitate and open by its own. Binasa niya ang nakasulat and after that it burst like a bubble.

[Dad is busy even mom]

Tulala kaming lahat sa mga lengguahe nila.

"Sure i'll be there-- san si noah bat kayo lang nandito? Lagot na talaga sakin batang iyon para di kaya samahan dito!"

"No aunt its our decision to come here. Tsaka safe naman e. Nag aasikaso sina mama kaarawan namin and even queen crystille and her son prince Crystilleon is coming too. Pupunta kaba sa party auntie?last time you didnt shows up--"

"Pupunta na ako syempre. I won't miss it and i'm sorry nabusy lang ako that time. Di ko iyon palalagpasin. Si kira na ang bahala sa inyo maghatid ah.  Muaah muuah muna"-hinalikan siya ng mga bata at nasa labas si maoe para maghatid sa kanila pauwi. "Kira paki sabi kay captain mao to sent a letter to Emperor marko from his voyage. Di naman pwedeng siya na lang lagi ang wala. His long gone"

"Yes your lady"-sabay bow nito

Bumuntong hininga naman si cleo na nakatingin sa labas ng pinto at bumalik samin "Amph saan na nga ba tayo ulit?"

"You're about--"

"Ah yes. Dadalhin ko kayo sa pitong sagradong espada ng haeannon. And I wish you all a good luck because--"-she wave her hands on the air and a smoke came out and we seen alot of unknown chaos. Cause of human undoing on our kingdom. Is what will happen on the future? "Your future seems no clear fate. But your time is running out. You knew exactly what your looking for. I'll help as soon as you come back"

A snapped of her finger led us to that place. The seven sword is standing tall. Napakagitna kami nito at may isang diwata ang nagpakita samin na may dalang kumikinang na harp.

"Etherian"-she called us and plays her harp in a melodic tone  "Entering the world of dreams is might putting yourselves in danger. With this thy melody lead and protect you to that place. I assure you'll be safe even the dieties itself."-may liwanag na pumasok saming palad at nakita ko ang tatak na dyamante na suminag at nawala na ito.

Tahimik lang kaming nakatingin sa kanya na nakalutang sa ere. May nagsilabasang tela at bumalot sa ming katawan na parang isang tela ewan kolang pero gumaan ang pakiramdam ko.

Maladyosa ang kanyang suot at napakaganda niyang nilalang. May mga paro parong pumapalibot sa kanya at napakahalimuyak ng kanyang amoy. May lumitaw na isang gem sa harap niya habang nagpapatugtog at lumapit lang ang gem samin.

"Sit in front of the gem and relax yourselves until it leads you to your destiny"-wala akong kaide ideya sa mga sinabi nung babae. Sumabay lang ako kina ram na umupo na pang indian seat.

We sat and hold each others hands, Felt the moment of the nature's voice ringing through our ears. Circling at the gem it levitate at our centre  and slowly spinning  hanggang sa bigla nalang itong bumilis at naglagas ang mga dahon at umikot sa paligiran namin. Others are calm at nakapikit lang ang kamay nila. Spike hold my hands kaya nawala ang kaunti kong pangamba. Ginaya ko narin sila at pumikit.

N A E A

A music played until it slowly disappeared. Nakasara parin ang mga mata ko. May kumapa sakin at napadilat na ako. Isang desyerto kami napadpad at lanta rin ang mga punong kahoy may mga ibon na nahuhulog nalang sa lupa. Medyo maalikabok at napakaluwag ng lugar. Pero aside from it I saw a pyramid medyo malapit lang ito kumpara sa iba. Anim ang nabilang ko at napakalayo ng mga ito at nakapalibot sa pyramid na malapit samin, napakataas talaga parang abot langit ito. From there i saw a shank

"What are we waiting for lets g--"

"Wait!"

Mabuting naging alisto si nyne at agad niyang nasalo si spike sa pagkahulog. Nigla nalang nagkaroon ng malaking bitak na lupa. Kinabahan din ako at kinapa ang dibdib ko sa nangyari "Why didnt you notice!"-bulyaw ni nyne sa kaniya

"Di ko alam e"

Sumilip ako sa bitak na lupa at napalunok ako. Halatang walang makakakyat nito pag may nahulog. Its impossible unless nalang kung may abilidad kang makalipad. It'll be peace of cake.

"May bridge kaya dito?"

"This place is dead. Desserted place and not for human habitat"

I looked around at siningkitan ko ang isang stick na nakatayo ng sampung na metro samin. Gagi walang puno pero may nakatarak na stick dun. Natameme lang ako at tumingin sa buong paligid. Nakakapuwing din dito "Naea your eyes its green"-takang tugon nila sakin at it turns to normal again. My eyes is brown but when i use my ability it lits green.

May abilidad akong makakita ng malayong lugar pero. Diko nagagamit dahil minsan nahihilo ako minsan. Di ko pa embrace ang abilidad kong ito. Napakaboring dahil di ko rin minsan magamit pero sinusubukan ko parin. Naglakad lakad lang kami para makahanao ng isang bagay para makatawid sa deep ravine. The place is all dull, deserted and dusty.

"So what now? Anong magagawa ng stick?"-nyne wrinkled his lips at me

"Magic wand"-aewa. Pumalakpak pa siya sa sinabi niyang walang sense

"Yan lang nakita ko ano ba wag nyo kong sisihin kung walang bridge duh"-problema nyo sakin.

"I always thiught dreams are just normal. Meron palang protector. Kaloka ang bobo ko kung tutuusin"-walang ganang bulong ni ela sa tabi ko.

"Di ka naman bobo sadyang nabaguhan kalang. Ganito kase. There are five elements of dreams. Komori she's the one who holds the dreamcatcher and theres a five string connect it. Which are. The normal dream, false awakening, day dream, lucid and nightmare"

"Kaya pala may panaginip ring maganda at masama"

"Yes. Some dreams are message too. Sila ang may kakagawan niyan kaya paiba iba minsan ang panaginip natin"

Natahimik siya ng ilang segundo at nakatingin ako sa deep ravine. Ano nalang gagawin namin tutunganga dito. Tiningnan ko ang anim na pyramid at naglakad lakad hanggang sa mapahinto naman dahil may bangin din pala at nilibot ko ang tingin dun ko napagtanto na napalagitna kami ng bangin. Dito siguro ang entrance ng lugar nato.

"Dream world diba? Pano kaya if-- teka lang parang may naisip ako"-kinuha ni ela yung stick sa kamay ni nyne. Ela standing at the cliff. Di naman ata gawin niyang magic wand yun gaya sa sinabi ni aewa alam naman naming medyo may pagkasira ulo niya minsan.

She began to whip the stick and murmuring under her breath. Ginawa nga talaga niya ang sinabi ni aewa.

I heard a shimmering sound at may dragonfly na nagliparan at nagdikit dikit ang mga ito hanggang sa naging isang bridge. What the heck. Pero mas napatunganga ako ng unti unti itong naging cementong daan.

"Ela how did you--"

"I had a thought kase dream diba? So nag isip lang ako sa itsura ng bridge then yun--"

Napahinto siya ng unti unting nawawala yung bridge at bilis kaming tumakbo. Pabilis itong nawawala kaya nataranta kami at mas binilisan pa lalo ang ang bawat hakbang hanggang sa mawala na ito bigla at mabuting umabot pa kami sa kabila at napagulong.Hingal na hingal ako sa nangyari pero mabuting nakatawid na kami and thankfully i didng shit my pants. I clenced my eyes for a brief moment.

"Wow what did you do?"-namanghang wika ni spike na nakatingin sa ravine, its echoed her voice and its pitch black down there no light reach its depth.

"I don't know pero sumagi lang sa isip ko ang itsura ng bridge kaya ayon bigla nalang nangyari"

"Ohhhh... sounds interesting, sige nga nasan yung stick ela come on"

"Nahulog"-nakangiting pilit niyang sambit

"Ay pucha"-napasampal nalang si spike sa noo niya

"Stop that crap were running out of time"-seryosong wika ni nyne at naglakad kami hanggang sa inakyat na namin ang tikal pyramid. Madali lang siyang akyatin dahil para lang siyang hagdan pero nakakapuling ang mga alikabok niya.

Not a moment to soon and we arrive. Like I said; a shank. Nakakapagtaka na bat may bahay dito sa itaas ng pyramid. Walang pag dalawang isip ng buksan ni nyne ang pinto at napadilat ako kase di ko maisip na ang luwag luwag pala sa loob.

Pumasok kami at napaupo ako sa kakatinghala sa buong paligid grabe di ko inexpect to ah. The place is incredibly huge its like a palatial. Pero sa labas parang isang tao lang ang kasya. I assure this is komori's. I clenched my hands tight to keep from shivering. I was unsure but we have gone this far to see her.