Lahat ng Kabanata ng Hellblades: Kabanata 141 - Kabanata 149

Manolya’s POV “Oh, I almost forgot… To find the moonbird and bring its journey to an end: I fly without wings, I cry without eyes. Wherever I go, darkness dies. What am I, can you surmise?” She giggled, that awful familiar sound “If you guess wrong…” she teased. “I will eat you two on the spot” she said and purred low. Pelin took a step forward and squeezed my hand. Then Pareia morphed into that stunning woman again, dressed in bronzed Armour, dark ebony skin and flowing hair. Pelin stepped forward, with her jaw tight. “If you pull one of your damned tricks again, I don’t know what I’ll do to you.” She hissed. Pareia paused, then let out a low laugh she didn’t bother hiding. “Always so fierce, Pelin,” she said, clearly amused. “It honestly suits you.” Pelin stiffened. Pareia’s eyes flicked over her with unusual interest. “You’re a lucky one. Someone will make very good use of that fire one day.” Pelin shot upright, heat rushing to her face. “W-what does that even mean?” Parei

Manolya’s POV She dropped her head instantly, reflexes snapping into place before her brain caught up. She froze, then slowly looked back at me. “Stop that! You almost gave me a heart attack!” I grinned, breathless. “Hey, I was doing you a favor. That thing could take your head clean off.” She smirked. “Good. I’d hate to survive demon trials just to lose to a chandelier, that my friend would have been even more tragic” We both burst out laughing, the sound wild and a little unregulated, like our bodies hadn’t realized yet that the fighting was over. After Pelin was finished I barely made it to the shower before peeling off my clothes on the floor. warm water washed the sweat and grime away. When I stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, steam curling around me, I finally felt human again. Pelin was sprawled across the bed like a corpse, staring up at the ceiling. “I forgot what bliss and silence felt like,” she exhaled. “I forgot what clean sheets felt like,” I repli

Manolya’s POV The second we stepped into the car, Adem turned toward Pelin, his expression was of frustration and concern. “Hey, sis, why didn’t you tell us you were out on a quest?” he asked, his voice visibly annoyed. “I’m sorry,” I interjected quickly, feeling the weight of his words. “It was me who wasn’t ready. I’m sorry, I couldn’t face anyone so I told Pelin not to tell.” Adem’s face softened for a moment. “It’s okay, Manolya. We understand. Right, Adlee?” he said, glancing at his twin brother. “Sure, sure!” Adlee grumbled, still half asleep after eating too much breakfast and the previous long car ride, his eyes barely open. “He wasn’t really paying attention, still a little sleep-drunk.” “Manolya,” Adem continued, his tone now gentler, “you know we really missed you. We never thought in a million years we’d spend our summer this way… it’s been weeks of suffering and torture.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “We’re just glad you’re okay. We love you, y

Manolya’s POV My heart raced as I stared at the four statues of virtues beautifully carved figures of women with smooth, polished skin and elegant, draped dresses. And then, just as the earth stopped trembling, their eyes snapped open, glowing with an eerie light. This was my fault. I had dragged everyone here, convinced that the Library of Celsus held the answer to finding the elusive Moonbird. I had been so sure and stubborn. “I didn’t mean to, I swear by Allah!” Adlee yelped. He grabbed my arm and hauled me backward down the stairs. We had just tried to sprint toward the entrance. Now we were retreating, step by step. “Oh great, Adlee. Always playing the hero. Now look what you’ve done!” Adem hissed at his twin, his eyes wide and furious. “I was just trying to help! Shut up!” Adlee shot back, stumbling as he dragged me another step down. One of the statues moved. Stone scraped against stone. Their heads tilted in unison, glowing eyes locking onto us. The

Manolya’s POV Arete laughed heartily. “If you drop it, you lose.” She circled around me and whispered into my ear, “It’s your fear. What do you think it does?” Her nail scraped lightly across my skin. “Whoops,” she added as she nudged me just enough to nearly make me lose my balance. “I am not as crazy as you think I am.” Her velvety voice cooed. I stood alone on the tiny platform above the void. My arms begged to fall. Every muscle trembled and screamed at me to let go. My balance wavered, threatening to tip me into the darkness below. “If you throw it away, you will also fail,” she taunted coldly. I gripped the sphere tighter. My muscles were already shaking uncontrollably. My palms began to blister, the skin hissing under the heat. She leaned closer, her voice so chillingly gentle. “And if you let it consume you, you fail as well, sweetheart as you will be engulfed in flames.” “Look deeper,” Arete said, smiling. “It’s hot, it hurts!” I groaned, the pain burning through