Chapter 2: Genesis, the Werewolf

"YOU'VE got a nice name! Tapos sasabihin mo pa na Foot ang pangalan mo."

I shoved the dry leaves that were scattered intentionally in the entrance of my cave. Almost every day, I get these pieces of rubbish from childish creatures living downtown, such as humans. Hindi naman talaga sila nakatira sa gubat pero sinasadya nilang umakyat para pagtripan ang nananahimik kong buhay.

Mga isip bata.

"Do you know what the name Aurora means?"

"Not interested," I plainly stated bago lumabas sa kweba.

I roamed my sight to the bushes hoping to see the odd wolf once more. I don't know but its presence felt so familiar. Especially its eyes... If I could just catch it without the annoying Milka freaking out.

"Alam mo, your name kinda sounds intimidating when mentioned, weird isn't it?" rinig kong sambit ni Milka mula sa likuran ko.

"Not really." Naglakad ako patungo sa pinakamalapit na puno mula sa kweba. Nothing's weird with my name, just the sound of it. It's in our nature, after all.

"Don't you wanna go home?" I asked in a not-so-friendly tone.

"Grabe ka, gusto mo na ba akong umuwi? Hindi ka ba nabo-bored mag-isa?" She clicked her tongue and walked towards me. She, then, clung her arms onto mine.

Hindi na ako nag-abalang sumagot at hinayaan nalang siya. Uupo sana ako sa may kalakihang bato nang mayro'n uli akong naramdaman kaya'y napahinto ako. That presence again. Bakit ba iba ang pakiramdam ko do'n? It feels like the wolf did not left — not yet. I bet my life that it's watching me from afar.

Tumuwid ako ng tayo at tinanggal ang braso ni Milka bago pumikit.

"Anong ginagawa mo, uy?" tanong nito na hindi ko na binigyan ng pansin.

Spotted. Good in hiding, but not good enough.

I open my eyes and a pair of brown eyeballs met my gaze. Holy shit! Hindi talaga marunong mahiya ang babaeng 'to. She freaking startled me!

"Get the hell away from me or I'll pull your eyeballs out."

"Ang brutal mo naman! I was just wondering if bakit ka pumikit. Masama bang tumitig?" Milka defended as she quickly distance herself from me.

I opened my mouth and was about to speak but decided not to when I caught a glance of the odd wolf. Nasa likuran ito ni Milka at malayo mula sa pwesto namin. Malayo pero malinaw na malinaw sa paningin ko. Bagay na alam ko na ako lang ang mayro'n. Let's say that I have a pretty sharp eyesight and it plays a vital role in my plan. Sharper than any human in this island.

"Ano'ng tinititigan mo?"

Mabilis kong hinila si Milka paalis sa harap ko bago pa man siya makalingon. I did not waste any time and immediately ran towards the direction of the wolf. It stared at me for a second before running away, too. It must have felt my presence and aggression. Given that it's a wolf and I'm human, of course I'm at a disadvantage, but why should I let that hinder me?

What Ara wants, Ara gets. All hell breaks loose.

Hindi na akong nagdalawang-isip at mabilis na tumalon. Kasabay ng aking pagtalon ay ang pagbabago ng katawan ko. The familiar urge and excitement rushed to my veins and I'm loving it. The wind went colder and my body felt lighter. I could not see my body nor others can see me. My eyes went from deep to metallic silver that emphasizes its golden flecks. Lucky no one can see it. Staring at my eyes would be the last thing you'd want to do in your life.

Dahil lahat ng tumitingin sa mata ko ay namamatay.

Well, that's what people say everytime they see me. Staring at my eyes means danger is coming. Ang daming sinasabi, malas lang naman talaga sila. Tsk.

"Aurora, where are you!?" Milka freaked out.

Of course, she would. I just vanished and she's too naive to understand that. Sino ba naman ang hindi magpa-panic kung ganoong klaseng utak ang mayro'n ka?

Muli kong itinuon ang atensyon sa tumatakbong lobo. Pabilis ng pabilis ang pagtakbo nito at gano'n din ang paglipad ko. I can't let it escape. Alam kong may dahilan kung bakit ito nagpakita, at sa tingin ko ay alam ko ang dahilan na 'yon. Kailangan ko lamang kumpirmahin.

It won't run if it's just a normal wolf. It can see me despite being in shadow form.

Tuluyan na kaming nakalayo sa kweba at natagpuan ko ang sarili sa isang dalampasigan. Huminto ako. Payapa ang hampas ng hangin at banayad ang alon ng asul na dagat. That familiar salty smell... Forthill is an island, after all.

Luminga-linga ako sa paligid at nagtama ang paningin namin ng kulay abong lobo na ilang metro lamang ang layo mula sa 'kin. My eyebrows narrowed when it blinked thrice and run towards me, but before I could even react, a blinding light surrounded it and swirled across its body. Mistulang kumikinang ang puting liwanag na nakabalibot dito habang pataas ng pataas. The light went on and did not faded until it was an inches taller than me. And just that... I no longer see the odd gray wolf I was chasing ealier, but a tall masculine man with a grayish hair, long pointy nose, thin lips, and a fringe hairstyle. His eyes were as silver as mine and he is as white as I am, too.

I went back on my human form without breaking the silence. Matiim itong nakatitig sa akin at gano'n din ako sa kanya. Tama nga ako. Hindi siya normal na lobo. He's just like me. Pero anong ginagawa ng katulad niya dito? There are no mage other than me living in this island. Lugar ito ng mga mahihina at normal na tao.

"I was lost," the man started. Malumanay at kalmado ang boses nito. "But lucky I found you."

Otomatiko akong napaismid. "Are you flirting with me?"

A sly grin formed on his lips. "You're not my type."

"Likewise."

Mahina itong natawa pero hindi nagbago ang ekspresiyon ko. He walked towards me and extended his hand.

"Genesis, from the city of Rovuille," anito.

Muling kumunot ang noo ko. What the hell is Rovuille? Walang Rovuille sa islang ito. Halos nalibot ko na ang islang 'to at wala akong kilalang lugar na gano'n ang pangalan. I hate this. Nagmumukha akong bobo.

Tinitigan ko lamang ang kamay niya at hindi nag-abalang tanggapin 'yon. Napakibit-balikat siya bago muling nagsalita.

"As expected from you, Aurora."

Tumalim ang titig ko sa kanya. "Who are you? Why do you know me?"

"I am Genesis, from the city of Rovuille. I have known you since the day I was thrown here," he said in a casual tone. He, then, whispered to himself, "Fuck that headmaster."

Tinitigan ko ito mula ulo hanggang paa bago lumapit sa kanya. Isang nagdududang tingin naman ang pinukol nito sa 'kin.

So, he was thrown, huh? Basura talaga ang paningin ng ibang kaharian sa islang 'to. Lugar kung saan pinapatapon ang mga walang silbi. Pero ang lalaking 'to, pakiramdam ko ay hindi siya tinapon dahil sa ganoong dahilan.

"Call me Ara," tanging sagot ko. "Tell me why you were thrown here."

Mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti nito. "Suddenly interested in me? I like that. Hindi na ako nagtaka kung bakit mo 'ko hinabol."

Napataas ang kilay ko. "I won't chase you if you haven't ran away."

"My fault, then?"

"What d'you think?"

"Don't you think this is so much for our first impression?" he playfully asked, still having the annoying grin on his face.

"Who cares about first impressions? I want you to tell me why you were thrown, so stop beating around the bush."

Naglakad ito papalapit sa akin at mahinang natawa. "Since when have you been this bossy?"

"Since hell was made."

He chuckled and attempted to hold my arm but I immediately drew back. This man can't be real. Geez. Ang landi.

"I have an offer for you, Ara. Special 'to dahil galing mismo sa gwapong katulad ko," mayabang nitong sabi.

"Hindi ako interesado sa kahit anong offer ng malanding katulad mo."

Napahawak ito sa dibdib at umarteng nasasaktan. "You hurt my feelings."

"My pleasure." Tumalikod ako at naglakad na palayo. Walang silbi kung sasayangin ko ang oras ko sa kanya. Nag-aaksaya lang ako ng laway. Nakailang hakbang pa lamang ako nang muli itong nagsalita.

"I can get you out of here."

Napahinto ako at napalingon sa kanya. So, this is his offer, huh? Ano bang alam niya sa pagkatao ko? Sino ba talaga ang lalaking 'to? Walang kahit isang nabubuhay na nilalang ang pinagsabihan ko sa kung sino at ano ako.

"I know you've been dying to leave this island. I can take you with me." He extended his hand as though trying to persuade me.

How can I know if this is not a bait? This man might be a creep, and I can't stand a single day with him. Baka mapatay ko siya ng wala sa oras.

"You don't need to doubt. Ako mismo ang papatay sa sarili ko kung ta-traydorin kita," aniya.

I did not react nor show any form of response. I'm weighing the possibilities and chances I may get if I'll take his offer — including the worst case scenarios. It's better than setting your hopes too high and eventually disappointing yourself, isn't it?

Mas mabuting mag-isip ng negatibo at maging handa kaysa umasa.

Seryoso kong tinitigan ang pilak nitong mga mata. Nangungusap ang mga ito at kumikinang sa sinag ng araw.

"How far can you take me?"

"WE just met! Iiwan mo na agad ako?"

"Huwag kang OA, Milka," sambit ko sa babaeng panay ang reklamo sa likuran ko.

"Kakasabi mo nga lang sa 'kin kanina na ayaw mong umalis dito, 'e!" muling reklamo nito na ikinasama ng timpla ng mukha ko. Ang ingay talaga ng babaeng 'to. Nakakarindi ang boses.

"Can you shut up? This is my life and I get to decide what I want to do. So stay out of it" I said out of annoyance.

I might sound a bit harsh but hell! This girl is getting on my nerves! Hindi matahimik at feeling importante. Kakakilala pa nga lang namin at ganiyan na siya. I've been in the worst, don't expect me to act like a saint because I am not.

"I know it's your life. Pero bakit ka ba kasi aalis? Can I come with you nalang?" sagot nito na tila hindi man lang nasaktan sa sinabi ko. Ibang klaseng babae.

Kinuha ko ang huling pera mula sa alkansya ko at iniligay ito sa aking bulsa. Humarap ako kay Milka at seryoso siyang tinitigan.

"You can't come with me."

"But—"

"No buts. I want you to do as I say," I cut her off.

"You can't just tell me what to do!"

I smirked and tapped her left shoulder. "I can, and you must follow me. You've chosen to be with me in a short period of time, would you be loyal for the rest of your life?"

Kumunot ang noo nito sa tanong ko. "What are you talking about? I want to be your friend. Of course, I'll be loyal!"

"Alright." Hinawakan ko siya sa magkabilang balikat at tinitigan ng diretso sa mata. "I shall proclaim you as my right hand. From this day forth, your life depends on me. You shall do my command for disobedience means death."

My eyes gleamed in solid silver as I stared at her. Unti-unting nabubuo ang itim na guhit sa mga mata niya na humahalo sa natural na kulay nito na kayumanggi. I felt an immense aura coming from her and a light glow appeared on her right shoulder. Her face showed no expression, not even shock or confusion. Not a minute had passed, her eyes glowed in silver — just like mine.

"Go now, Mikaela. I shall be back before you know."

I gestured my hand and she nodded in silence. Seryoso ang mga mata nito nang naglakad palabas ng kweba. Her presence felt so different from when I first met her and now.

I hope you will not disappoint me, Milka.

"READY?" Genesis asked and showed me a navy blue seed that's about a size of a penny.

"I was born ready."

Ngumiti ito at tinapik ang balikat ko. "That's my girl."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "I'm no one's girl. Don't be so full of yourself."

Tanging tawa lang ang ibinigay nito sa 'kin at naglakad papalapit sa dalampasigan. Itinaas niya ang kanang kamay na siyang nay hawak ng asul na buto at mabilis na ibinagsak sa tubig. Segundo lamang ang lumipas nang magliwanag ang buto. Kulay asul ito at kumikinang — katulad ng liwanag na pumalibot sa katawan ni Genesis noong siya'y nagpalit anyo. A strong force enveloped the light as it swirled like a manipulated fog in front of us. Genesis whispered something and the light vanished. And there it is... Just the thing I expected to see — a portal.

It doesn't look like a solid portal but rather a fog. A fog shimmering in blue. It formed into an oval shape just enough for one person to pass through. I had never seen an actual portal  before. I never expected it would be this... enchanting.

Did I really say that?

"You go first," said Genesis. Tumango ako bago humakbang papasok sa portal. Hindi pa man ako tuluyang nakapasok ay isang malakas na enerhiya ang humigop sa katawan ko. Kasabay niyon ay ang pag-itim ng paligid. Wala akong kahit anong bagay na nakikita at ang tanging nararamdaman ko lang ay ang pag-ikot ng ulo at sikmura ko. I think I want to throw up. Fuck that portal!

Ilang minuto lamang ang lumipas at muli na akong nakaaninag ng liwanag hanggang sa bumagsak na ako sa matigas lupa. Ipinilig ko ang ulo at mariin na pumikit upang bumawi sa pagkahilo. Geez. I hate that thing.

Nang pakiramdam ko'y maayos na ay tumingala ako at tumambad sa 'kin ang magulong lugar. Napakaraming tao at matataas na gusali. May malawak na parke sa kaliwang bahagi na puno ng mga tao. There are also a lot of boutiques — looking ancient, modern, or neutral.

There's a tower in the middle and it's the tallest among all buildings. A flock of doves were circling on top of it where an emblem is located. It's a golden shield divided into four sides, all engraved with dragons with four different colors, which I think is the symbol of the four elements — the fire, water, air, and earth. It also has a capital Z in the middle and two ancient swords crossed on its back. Beneath it is a metal banner engraved with the words "Supra Omnia; Fortitudo".

Such a fancy emblem.

Samu't-saring tawanan, bangayan, at kung anu-ano pa ang maririnig na talagang masakit sa tainga. If I were to live with these kind of people, I'd rather have my ears ripped off. 

Ito pala ang buhay sa labas.

"Welcome to Forthmore Kingdom, Ara!"