CHAPTER FORTY ONEBANG!BANG!BANG!Umalingawngaw sa buong Red Wood Forest ang sunod-sunod na mga putok ng baril. Habang si Gale naman ay kasing bilis ng Isang kidlat na tumakbo at humanap ng matataguan.Nang makapag-cover na sya sa isang malaking puno, agad nyang sinilip ang pinanggalingan ng mga putok ng baril. At napakunot ang kanyang noo nang makita at makilala ang dalawang lalaking nakasuot ng itim ang nakatayo sa maliit na daan palabas ng kakahuyan.Hindi sya makapaniwalang si Bran Davis at si Gin Lopez ang mga ito, inakala nyang isa ito sa mga taong galing sa Golden o Dark Circles na dati pang naghahanap sa kanya.May hawak na baril si Bran at nakatutok yun sa lugar kung saan sya nakatayo kanina. Bakit gusto syang patayin nito? Napatingin naman siya sa tuktok ng bulubundukin kung saan naka-pwesto ang dalawang lalaki kanina ay bumaril sa kanya. Naisip nyang baka mga kasama 'yon ni Bran.Kaya labis ang kanyang pagtataka kung bakit gusto sya nitong patayin? Alam na kaya nito na s
*CHAPTER FORTY TWO*"SO WHAT'S THE water armor?" Tanong ni Gale sa lalaking nakaupo parin sa lupa na kaharap nya.Matapos nakompirma na nagsasabi ito ng totoo ay hindi nya na pinakita rito ang kanyang killing intent. Kaya naman nakahinga na ito ng maluwang ngayon, subalit nandun parin sa mga mata nito ang takot."It's the instinctive manifestation of the Cultivator's Defensive Elemental powers when they are in danger. For us, it's called fire armor, earth armor for the cultivators from the Earth Faction and so on." Tugon naman ng lalaki. "But this ability will only activate when the cultivator is in a state where they can't do anything about the dangers coming into them. Just like what happened to you earlier. You were too pre-occupied that you have no enough time to dodge my attack. Thankfully your water armor activated in time." Dagdag pa nito."So it's the last defense of our body?" Tanong nya naman dito."Something like that." Tugon naman nito sabay tango."Anyways, are you workin
*CHAPTER FORTY THREE*In the far reaches of Santa Mesa City, nestled in the North, a colossal mountain stood tall and proud, casting an imposing shadow over the land. Much like the legendary Mount Serat and the Bronze Mountain Range in the east, this majestic peak boasted rugged summits that seemed to yearn for the heavens. Adorned in a vibrant tapestry of lush greens and earthy browns, it demanded the attention and reverence of all who beheld its awe-inspiring splendor.As the sun reached its zenith, its scorching rays bathed the mountain's craggy facade, illuminating every intricate detail etched into its weathered slopes. The dance of light and shadow across the rocky terrain created a captivating spectacle of contrasting hues, captivating the eyes of any beholder.At the mountain's base, a sprawling forest thrived, its emerald canopy serving as a sanctuary for a diverse array of flora and fauna. Nestled within this verdant embrace, was a small village lay hidden from prying eyes,
*CHAPTER FORTY FOUR*"Very well, I will tell everything I know about Grant." The Master said as his gaze shifted to a distant memory, his voice filled with a hint of nostalgia as he delved into the untold story of Grant Rushton, his long-lost companion. Seated upon his majestic throne, he seemed to transcend the present, lost in the depths of his recollections."Grant, my dear friend, hailed from distant lands unknown to us. Yet, even in our closest bond, he revealed little about his origins, shrouding himself in mystery," the Master began, his words weaving a tale of intrigue and wonder.As he continued, his eyes fixed upon the grand ceiling of the hall, as if transported to another realm, the Master's voice resonated with the weight of his memories."Curiosity was Grant's defining trait. It was evident that his previous surroundings lacked the wonders and marvels he encountered here, or perhaps he was forbidden from venturing beyond his confines. The truth eluded us all.""It was on
PROLOGUE"Head Master, a well known archeologist has found an ancient codex inside a tomb somewhere in the Mediterranean Region." A man donning in long red cloak said as he kneeled with only one knee on the floor, his left elbow was resting in his other knee while his right fist is touching the floor. He bowed his head low as a sign of deep respect towards the old man in front of him. His head was covered by the red hood of his cloak making his facial features unrecognizable. "The said ancient codex carried an unknown seal, but our scout identified that it belongs to the Giles." He added with looking at the man that he's talking to."The Giles?" Kaagad namang napaharap dito ang Head Master matapos marinig ang salitang 'Giles'. Kita sa kanyang nag-aalab na mga mata ang kakaibang emosyong nabuhay matapos marinig ang huling sinabi ng lalaki.Pananabik. Pananabik dahil sa nadiskobreng codex na maaaring konektado sa matagal nang naglahong tribo ng mga Giles? O pananabik dahil sa may kaakiba
*CHAPTER ONE*"Gale, kunin mo sa labas ng gate ang package delivery para sa akin." Pasigaw na sabi ni Danny sa akin sabay kuha ng perang papel sa bulsa nya at ibinato sa akin. "Sayo na ang sukli, kung meron." Dagdag nya pa sabay hubad ng hooded jacket nya. Naglalaro sila ng basketball dito sa court ng dormitory namin."Tingnan mo muna baka sira o baka kulang, kundi ikaw ang magbabayad." Pahabol na sabi niya sabay shoot ng bola na kakasalo nya palang."Kunin mo narin yung tubig na pina-refill ko dun sa labas ng gate, bayad na yun." Sabi naman ni Jeric sabay bato ng bente pesos na perang papel sa akin."Sobra naman yata kayo. Bakit ba si Gale nalang ang palagi nyong pinag-uutusan?" Isang magandang babae na nakaupo sa bench ang nagtanong."Sanay na yan sa ganyang trabaho si Gale. Kung di namin yan inuutusan baka walang makain yan." Patawang tugon ni Jeric sa babae."Hindi mo ba alam ang kasabihan na 'When money talks, Gale will dance'? Which means kahit na anong iutos mo dyan kay Gale, b
*CHAPTER TWO*When we are in danger, something hidden inside our body will activate in order to save us. It was the flight or fight response, though temporary, it will give significant boost to our senses, strength and reflexes.I guess it was what happened to me right at this moment.I was in the brink of death, out of breath and strength. However, I guess this isn't my time yet to meet my creator. I feel a warm sensation all over my body while I was struggling for my last breath.The moment I moved my feet I was able to swim in an unbelievable speed upward. As a result, I was sent meters above from the lake water. When my feet touches the lake water again, I was already in the shallow part of the lake. I heave a huge sigh of relief as I sit in the lakeside.I can't believe I just escaped death.Iniisip siguro nina Gin na makakalangoy pa ako kaya nila ako hinagis sa lake. Or they really intends to kill me? Nang maisip ko ang ginawa nilang pambubogbog sa akin, parang mas uminit ang b
CHAPTER THREEDahil sa kakaisip na baka hindi na ako makakalabas ng selda dahil pamilyang Lopez ang kinalaban ko, tuluyan akong bumigay sa tukso na tumakas.Lumabas agad ako ng selda pagkatapos ay binalik ko sa dating ayos yung rehas na binaluktot ko. Medyo baluktot parin yun pero hindi na sya madadaanan ng tao.Pagkatapos ay humanap agad ako ng bintana na maaring daanan ko palabas nang di ako maririnig. Pero wala akong mahanap dahil lahat nang bintana ng Police Station ay gawa ng salamin at may iron grills. Maririnig nila ako kapag binasag ko ang salamin at bago ko pa mabaluktot yung iron grills, baka mababaril na ako.Kaya ang ginawa ko, naghanap nalang ako ng ventilation opening sa ceiling ng building. Nang makahanap ako, tinalon ko ito upang abutin. At laking gulat ko nang naabot ko ito. Gumamit ako ng lakas at sinira ito, nagulat ulit ako nang parang ang dali lang nitong sirain. Pagkatapos nito ay pumasok agad ako doon at humanap ng iba pang ventilation opening na nasa labas ng bu