CHAPTER 7- VEDALIA

Y U M I Σ

I woke up the next morning to shouting and the sound of loud thuds. I freak out when someone almost step on me .. I somersaulted and unsheathed my sword. I didn't move a muscle because his not actually attacking me but punching himself. Like his out of control

"Sino ka anong nangyayari bat ako naging ganito?!!" I safely put back my sword to the sheaths. Before I spoke and confronted the man. I flinched as he began slapping his own face. "Ahhh! sino kang nang gugulo sa isip ko!--sino ka din!! Gwaaaa"Sigaw nya ng paulit ulit at pinagsasabunot ang kanyang buhok. Kinuha ko dahan dahan ang spada at tinutok ito sa lalake

"Gwapo sino ka!"

"Yumie ako to!"-he said and I was shocked; wrinkling my eyebrows in confusion. Everything went silent. I tried to process my poor brain na kakagising lang "Ako to"-he point himself again. His crazy "No its m--- its me!"

" W-WHAT? 𝑀𝑎 𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑒𝑙?!"-inis kong sambit. I saw everyone was gone " Where is friend!!" I draw my sword at him. I don't know this person then why did he knew my name? [Do i know you?!]

"Ako to si yan---its me mark

and could you put down that sword!"

Huh what? Seriously what's goin on?

Nabitawan ko yung bawak kong spada. What a weird morning. Kumati nalang ako sa batok ko at tulala.

"You ate them! Oh my gosh you ate them what the...."-leo shouts in panic and the and draw his sword too. Napailing nalang ako ng wala sa oras what going on?

A J Σ N Ƭ Λ

I tied my hair and smoothing away the wrinkles in my clothes. Fresh na ako di na ako amoy basura. Babae ako dapat lang di dugyot. Di naman ako tanga para maglalakbay na dala ang putok. Right before I leave I look back.. Its gone.. It's nothing but bushes now.

Lumalakad na ako at pansin kong ang mga ibon nagsiliparan paalis na para may gulo kaya tumakbo ako tungo kina yumie at sa di kalayuan dinig ko ang mga sigaw nila hanggang sa pamasigaw rin ako sa aking nakita.

"AAAAHHHHH!!!"

"Tama na!!! Kanina pa kayong nagsisigawan"-inis na inis na sigaw ni yumie na naguguluhan. Isang lalake ang nakita ko na nakatalikod sakin at humarap ito. OH MY FREAK EYES GOT WIDER! Whatta creature! tao pa kaya to?

"Wow? man your handsome!"-I chuckles like a maniac woman looking at a man and trying to seduce him. "Who are you by the way!"-I change my mood at tinutukan sya ng palaso na nadampot ko sa'king tabi.

"Who did this! What is going on!! Ajenta i got curse.."-galit na wika nito at napakunot nalang ako ng noo. How did he even know my name e di ko naman sya kilala. Stalker ata to pero okay lang naman kase gwapo

Sinindot ako ni yumie at lumingon akong tulala "Ajenta siya daw si yano at Mark..?"-di pa siguro si yumie sa sinabi nya kaya tulala rin ako. What the hell happen here? Sya si yano at si Mark no daw? Binaba ko na ang hawak kong palaso at binalingan ng tingin si yumie upang magtanong

"Bat mo nasabi?"

"Di ko naman alam e biglaan lang"

Nakaangat ang kilay ko ng balingan ko ng tingin yung lalake. Sinasaktan nya lang ang sarili nya by punching his face again and again

"Gagu kaba? pano ka naging si Mark ee mukhang unggoy yun"

"Walang hiya ka talaga ajenta!"-sigaw nya. Sya nga talaga to boses niya narinig ko pero dinig ko na parang may echo sa boses niya

" Pano to nangyari what's going on?!"-maguguluhan tanong nya. Yeah that voice its yano. "Mark is that yo---darn it !!"

Oh god! I did this. I did this! Gosh i'm a dead meat. Bilis wish granted agad e di naman yun ang ni wish ko eh.. He's body melted and he fell down after hurting his own body. I looked around and those two are missing. Then this man here is them?! Hahaha oh no patay nako nito. He fall asleep and yumie heal some of the bruises he got after hurting his own..

Nako po mas lalong syang nakakabreath taking. Ang gwapo at cute in the same time. Incredible combination. I flinched when he open his eyes. Nakadungaw ako sa kanya "What an ugly morning--" he mumbled and I sat down beside him. He got up and look at his body in confused..

"Ikaw ba talaga yan? Sige nga anong unang mapansin mo sakin?" tanong ko

"Panget!" sigaw niya sakin at tumalsik laway niya

Leo burst into laughter. And I wipe my face he got up and he almost began to freak out but I hussed him putting my fingers on his lips. 𝐷𝑎𝑚𝑛 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑓𝑡 𝑢𝑤𝑢 " Next question maganda ba ako Yes or Yes??"

" Assumera Kang babae ka pange--"-pang iinsulto pa nito at kinagat niya ang sarili niyang dila

"Tsss. Kung ikaw man yan o hindi mas okay nayan para magkasundo kayo"- I confidently said and turn my gaze away, because of his looks. Gwapo!

HOURS LATER••

He's still out of his mind. He can't even stand on his own feet. He's like someone who have suffered from stroke. Pinagsusuntok nya rin ang sarili nya mula kanina umaga. If they hurt that body, both of em will suffer the same pain over and over.. mga tanga.

I look at leo and our eyes met. Even without speaking any word, We nodded. He fumbled on his bag and get the rope. Nagtugma ang iniisip namin dalawa. Lumapit kame at inambahan ko agad ng suntok yung lalake at tinali naman sila ni leo sa puno.

"Is this part of our journey? Baka isa satin mag isa ng katawan at maging ganyan tayo tulad nila"-yumie said impatiently

"Nice!"-napalingon agad ako kay leo. Iniipis na naman utak nya.

"If one of us combine with that man over there. It's war he wants then "-naiinis na wika ni yumie na nakatingin kay leo. "I'm gonna end his life right now"-pagbabanta nya in advance and this made leo's smiled disappeared. " But how did this happen?"

Fairy gave me a your dead look and I slowly raised my hand "I...i was the one"-

"What did you do?"-they both shout parang sinisisi ako.

"Its an accident really.." I felt such terror on those gaze. Like I've been surrounded with fire and burn to ashes

"Alam mo ajenta this is not a good idea na ipagsanib mo sila"- said leo, his anxious. We're just staring at him in his sleep.

"Yeah. They're fighter over for one body nagkakasakitan na nga sila e"- yumie grimaced

"I know, pero guys believe me. Before this happens may napulot akong magic stone and... di ba fairy.."-di ko natapos ang sinabi ko ng nagising na siya

"Kyaaa! Alisin nyong tali nato! Sira ulo ka! I know your behind this ajenta!"

"Oyy wag ka ngang basta bastang nagbibintang!" leo defend me but fairy flew and confronted him

"Actually his right, Ajenta cause these.."

He began to burst in anger. i flinched and beg Yumie to save my ass "Pwede nag uusapan pa kame wag kang sumigaw we'll figure something out to solve this problem manatili ka muna dyan its for your own good"-yumie said. Buti pa si yumie sinusunod nya. Ako kailan pa kaya. His still staring at my direction. I felt like a cornered prey.

"So how did it happen..?"

I continued " basta ang true wish ko Kase na sana safe Tayo sa paglalakbay then I didn't knew it turns out to be a disaster..then so on. I was mumbling and imagine if how handsome they was if they emerge as one.. But it was just a jok--"

He cut me off "What?! Tarantado ka pala e. Wal.. ajenta!!Blskshs"

Nainis ako at di ko sya pinatapos ng talian ko ang bunganga nya di nya kase ako pinapatapos magsalita. Ambastos e. I sat and continued again."Then I erase it in my mind and made an another wish. For real this time then.." I frowned and " I'm dead am I" I said and Yumie nodded. Fairy keeps on patting his head to soothe his temper.

" Pero bukod dun, yung joke mo nagkatotoo. And by that..."-nilingon nya yung lalake na nakangiting pilit sabay bumuntong hininga.

"You made it worst ajenta"

"Hindi ko naman alam na ganito pala ang mangyayari. I just made it wors--"

"You think?"-leo retorted

"This is not good in image.

Mahihirapan tayong ipagsundo ang dalawang yan sa isang katawan their like fire and water... ay oo nga pala san na yung stone na sinabi mo at mahihiwalay natin sila then problem solve"

That's the problem actually. Napangiti akong pilit "It disapperead together with the river"-napasampal sila ng batok nila.

"Your dead"-both of them shook their heads at the same time. I bit my nails oh no! I guess I totally mess up this time.

"Pero mas mabuti nato para di na sila mag away ng mag away gaya ng dati diba?"

"Oo nga, pero nag sasalita naman sya ng mag isa e parang nagmumukha syang loko loko. Lagot ka talaga ajenta pag naghiwalay na sila. Makakabalik ka talaga sa pinang galingan mo ng wala sa oras"-medyong paninisi ni yumie sakin.

"Bahala na. Gawan ko daw ng pangalan ang dalawang to no?" As I approached him he began to growl " Mark + yano... teka lang ano ba yamark. Manok? Maroky yanok. Noyamak hahaha i'm not good at this. I stink at this!" Di ako makapag isip ng maayos dahil kay leo na tawang tawa sa ginawa kong pangalan. I snapped my fingers and touch his face "Marko!!"-sigaw ko

"WHAT!" he tried to break free. Talagang atakihin niya Ako. My bones are rattling but still have the courage to apologized. Inalis ko ang takip sa kanyang bibig napaatras ako ng balak nyang kagatin ang ilong ko buti mabilis akong umatras hahaha.

"Your dead. I swear!"-pagbabanta nya "Lapit kanga pandak!"

Even his in range. His still good looking. I can't help but to stare at him and it made him more furious. " Cute doggy!" Nginitian kolang sya yung hitsurang pang iinsulto "Now your name will be marko"

" How dare yo..! Ikaw kung di lang ako nasa katawan nato tekopseuy... yano let me talk. Shit mouth! Ipapakain na kikite buer.. damn it! I'll kill y-eyo!"-parang nabubulol pa sya. Hahaha

"Guys before you take my head, first and foremost the medicine were running out of time.. lets take care of this later okay? kung tapos na ang mission natin" His face became calm and heave a deep sighed"Good dog"-I was glad and pat his head his snarling like a wild animals.

Kinuha na ang mga gamit. Bigla nya akong hinawakan sa kwelyo kaya napamulat ako at balak pa akong luksuhan niya at napapikit ako. Pero parang Wala akong naramdaman kaya binuksan ko Ang mga mata ko.

"Don't touch her!!.....wag mokong mautos-ustusan ah! Ikaw ajenta lapit kanga para sikmuhin ko yang pagmumukha mo!"-Aktong tatamaan na ako ng siko nya pero sya lang ang pumigil sa sarili nya at binitawan ako sabay sampal nya kanyang kaliwang mukha.

Nakakatawa kase nagsasalita sya ng mag isa. Ang gwapo ng combination nilang dalawa. Promise! Nakakalaway. Pwede na ikama haha joke. Uy joke lang. Napailing din ako dahil parang di na nila alam pano lumalakad. Mas magaling pa ata ang bagong sisiw na kakalabas lang sa itlog nito. Sabagay two bodies, two different minds, two different personality, merged into one is like a fire mixed with cold water..

Yumie wrinkled her lip and cross her arms; sighing heavily and clucked her tongue "Dilemma, I think this would not end well magkaaway sila then bigla silang naging isa. They didn't know how to control that body as one. They're fighting to it. Tingnan mo nga parang nabalian ng buto"-She's got a point

"How can I make this right? Kung di lang sa batong yun di tayo malalagay sa ganitong sitwasyon. Yan kase ajenta wish pa more!"-Pagsisisi ko sa sarili ko. napapout ako sabay rin kaming bumuga ng malakas.

➖➖➖

Morning changed into Midday, And I roll my sleeves up as the warmth of the afternoon penetrate the gloom beneath the trees.

Ano nga ba gagawin ko para ipaghiwalay sila pero tama naman ang ginawa ko diba? para pagsunduin sila pero...its getting worsier than I thought.

"Ajenta pagbabayaran mo ang ginawa mo!....Ajenta, BAKIT! bat sa dami pa ng pwedeng mangyari bat naging ganito pa! Bat sa unggoy pa!"

That voice it's Yano. I puff my cheek, Grimaced after.. "I think kame nalang ang papasok sa kweba at maghintay ka nalang dito kase nahihirapan kapang magkontrol ng katawang yan"

"What?! Sino ka para gumawa ng plano! I lead us to the right way and ajenta! From this day di kita kilala!"-He cursed me and he meant it.

Napanod lang ako at sinundan sya sa likuran inakbayan lang ako ni yumie sabay sapo sakin sa balikat. Natatawa parin ako. He walks like a stroke person hanggang sa gumapang nalang sya. Parang mas mahina pa sy~sila sa pagong.

"Come on stupid feet!"-pinalo nya ang paa nya "Wag mo nga akong igaya sayo mark!"-he talks like parang nandyan lang sila dalawa na hiwalay. Ano kaya ang pakiramdam kapag may naka fusion ka?

Lumakad kame pakanan then pakaliwa. Then again and again. Parang kanina pa kaming liko ng liko. Seriously wala bang straight way sa gubat nato? naiinis na ako sa mga trunks na inaaway ako.

"I--i think its beyater.... I mean b...better kapag mahiwa-hiwalay toyo--tayong lahat"-aniya na parang nabubulunan. I tried to hold my laughter dahil mananagot ako sa kanya. His voice is awesome too.

"Ah, no I think its a bad idea. I didn't even know kung saan at ano ang hitsura ng bulaklak"

"I didn't ask you!"-bulyaw nito. I know this attitude. Edi sino pa ba. Mark-unggoy

"Tssss. Whatever !"-i rolled my eyes at umalis sa harap nya. Nandito naman si fairy e. Nagliliwanag naman kase sya sa dilim kaya di ko na poproblemahin ang dilim. I never thought of anything basta nainis lang ako sa kanya. Pressure utak ko kakaligo kolang nalosyang na. I was just joking e. Gago kasing stone nayun di naman yun ang true wish ko!

"Ajenta I think you need to focus inaaway mo kase sarili mo para ka ngang sira"

"I know yumie. B--but that Mark his a.. his a naku sarap nyang umugin at hampasin ng back to back.."

"Stop it already"

"Okay sorry"-I said and yumie glance at my back and I look back too. Napahinto ako ng makita ko na may apat na dark tunnel. Saan ako dadaan? saan Ang safe. Which way that could lead me in a right way or in danger. I don't trust caves specially kung di ko alam o kabisado ang daan.

"A..ajenta. I think its this way"-turo nya sa pangatlong daanan "Amph no maybe this way? no here hehehe..no its..Oh no!"

"Hindi ka sure? Fairy masama yan takot ako sa dilim. Baka kase mahulog tayo sa isang bangin"-tumatawa na akong halatang takot

"Well if it is not the right way then dito nalang"

"Nalang?!! Fairy naman! Yung sure ka dapat! Hihihi alam mo namang takot ako sa madilim"-I said with a bit humor. The place is so dark I couldnt see my hands the total absence of light created silence and perilous way ahead.

Y U M I Σ

I can feel the energy of this cave. It alive. I heard a sound of a beating heart. the cave is breathing. I kneel down at dinikit ko ang aking tenga sa lupa. Di nga ako nagkakamali this cave is alive. as I rose up. I was teleported somewhere. Standing in front of me, The four royal throne of Vedalia.

May liwanag na nakatutok dun at may mga sirang statwa sa bawat sulok at ang lawak nito kung tutuusin. Di pa ako nakakalapit ng magbago ang anyo ng mga sirang bato at naging magandang ginto. Ang kaninang madilim na paligid umaliwalas nalang bigla. Nakakabulag ang sobrang liwanag na mula sa mga gintong kumikislap kislap kaya napakurap din ako. Bumungad sakin paningin ang apat na tao sa trono at tumayo sila kaya napaluhod ako.

"Ano ang ninanais mo dito"-aniya at inangat ko ang aking mukha sabay ng pagkamangha

Nasa harap ko ang pinaniniwalaang pano nagsimula ang legend ng nawawalang hari at agawan ng ginto. Sabi nga sakin ni lola noon. Inagaw kay king jhunwol ang kanyang kayamaan na ipinagkatiwala sa kanya ng kanyang mga ninuno. Ito ay ang isa sa mayamang kaharian noon at mas kilala na may ginto na nanganganak. But even these gold could loose many lives.

Ang golden flower ang sinasabi ang puso. Kapag mahiwalay ay masusubukan ang sindak nito. Ang alamat na narinig ko noon ay heto nakita ko na at kaharap ko ang mga maharlika.

Ang nagnakaw ay isa ring haring manlalayag at nanakop ng ibang kaharian upang nakawan.

"Ano ang iyong pakay ?"

Napaangat ako ng mukha. Ang reyna ang nagtanong sakin at bumalik ako sa realidad at nabigla naman ako dahil hindi sila mukhang tao. Hindi man sa kakaiba ang kanilang itsura pati rin ang kanilang pananalita ay nakakatindig balahibo. Di ko muna pinansin yun at maamo akong nagsalita. Maraming mga tao sa paligid ko. Amg iba ngay wala pang itsura

"Wag nyo pong mamasamain naparito po ako isang bulaklak"

"Ang bulaklak ay di kailanman ipinagkakatiwala sa ibang nilalang"- aniya kaya napasigh nalang ako. Yes I knew that enemies can disguise allies too

"I know.. your highnesses"

"Ibibigay namin ang yari'ng bulaklak sa taong karapat dapat lang na makuha nito ang kayamanan nato ay sagrado at kailangang di mapasakamay ng may masamang motibo"-ani ng pangalawa sa tabi ng reyna. Batid kong anak nya yun. Sya ang taong ginto na may mahabang talampakang buhok na puno ng mga kumukinang na dyamante.

Inangat ko ang aking mukha at mahinahong sumagot. " Malubha po ang kalagayan ng cloud queen at pag di naagapan agad maaaring magwakas ang kanyang kaharian at pag nangyari yun pati ang mga kulay sa mundo mawawala rin po at mamayani ang kadiliman sa mundo at kapag nangyari ito ang mga kalaban ay makakalaya ulit.... Sana po ipagkatiwala nyo sakin ang bulaklak wala po akong masamang intensyon dito"

They slightly smiled "Alam namin. Sa mata mo nakikita naming Wala Kang masamang pakay "-sabi ng pangatlo. Ito ay may mababa at mahinong tono na pananalita. His a prince and have the body of a silver.

They looked at each other and raise their hands in the air. And I was astonished as the flower revealed itself. They gave it to me and I bowed my head as I take it with me. The flower is glowing.

Watching it Glowed. I witnessed one of my favorite legendary story. This was an ineffable experience. I can feel it's nutrients running and it's connecting to my veins.

"Maraming salamat mahal na..."-napahinto rin ako sabay ng pagyuko ko sa kanila ng magsalita sila

"Once you leave fullfil our last wish... Go west and seek some answer. The seeds of truth is calling you.. Your far more enchanted than what you are now. Seek cam wethrin and find the truth about the mistakes that takes place... "

"W...wait.. di ko maintindiha.."- there this energy pull me back and I rolled outside the tunnel.

𝑀𝑖𝑟 𝑛' 𝑎𝑟𝑑ℎ𝑜𝑛

The wind whispered in my ears and all of my body shivered. Ano nga ba ang ibig nilang sabihin? Ano yun? At anong kamalian? Umalis nalang ako at tinakbo ko na palabas ng magbangaan naman kaming lahat. Putek! Tumakbo pala din sila

"Yumie!!" Inalalayan ako ni ajenta nantumayo

"Grabe namang ulo yan" reklamo ko at may bukol sa noo ko

"Nakuha mona Wow!that was fast"-cheer nilang lahat sakin "W--where did you find it?"-hingal na saad nilang lahat. I was so shocked and confused of what happen to them. They look terrible!

"What happen to all of you?!"-shit yung itsura nila my gosh.They looked at each other and chuckles in disbelief and start bickering and mocked each other

"Wala yumie exciting nga e diba guys hahaha"-nagtawanan lang sila

"It was easy its not harder that i thought. I found it right thie way--"-pagkaturo ko sa likuran ko yung saan ako lumabas pero nawala na. Pano yun? Agh never mind atleast nandito na sakin ang bulaklak "what just happen you guys? you look sick! Did you fell on the mud..?"

"Don't talk about it. This cave is crazy. Guys part two"-ajenta. Para siyang tinapang isda si leo parang hinabol ng masamang hayop si marko naman parang nilangoy ang putikan..

After getting this first medicine this easy. It gave me a courage to find more of em.. Pero ano naman kaya ang pinapahiwatig nila? Nakalabas din kame agad pati si fairy namangha. Oo sinabi nya na matatagalan daw kame sa loob pero di naman din pala more than half hours lang kame sa loob at heto nakuha na namin ang unang gamot

Fairy applause us pero natawa pa sya sa iba kong kasama "Grabe pano nyo nakuha agad ang sangkap?! Galing mo alam mo ba na di pinagkakatiwala ng kwebang yan ang bulaklak"

Yeah sinabi din nila yun sakin "Sinabi kolang kase yung tungkol sa reyn.. at may iniwan silang salita sakin. And also they said we should go north for seek some answer and sinabi rin nila ang tungkol sa seeds of truth"

"Answer. On what?!"-sabay nilang tanong

"Yun nga e!"-tinanong pa ako e di ko rin naman alam.

Fairy thought about something. Her ears twitch at paikot ikot na limipad sa min "Aha! Finally! Were going to cleo! The good sorcerer of the west jeka. Makakakuha tayo ng impormasyon sakanya"

"Pano mo nasabi sa good sorcerer tayo pupunta?"-tanong ko

"You'll see"-bitin nyang sagot while grinning "now were off to our second mission!! Salamat 𝑀𝑒𝑘𝑑𝑎 𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑖and you highnesses! "-wave goodbye ni fairy sa kweba at nilingon ko. Wala namang tao dun.

𝐷𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑚

𝑆𝑜𝑜𝑛 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑜𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟...