Notorious Nightingale

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

For the last time before we leave the inn and go to the Main Square of Encora City where the Magical Festival will be celebrated, I had my Night Court gather. Lahat kami ay nakaupo sa isang pahabang mesa sa silid kung saan ako ang nasa kabisera. Lahat ay seryoso ang kanilang mga mukha.

Wynonah and I were already wearing our performer’s costume, on the other hand, the rest were disguised so that no one will be able to identify them.

“Okay, so Shinigami will have his night creatures to walk in the shadows of the people and the darkness. Have them patrol the area in case of emergencies and unexpected events.” I started.

Tumango naman si Shinigami, “I’m on it.”

“Lilith will be with Shinigami. As you both have been together in Mt. Stardust, it’d be easier to cooperate with each other like what you’ve done at the Royal Capital’s Central Plaza when there was an uprising amongst the poor.”

Ngumiti naman si Lilith at tumango.

“Also, Enzo will be with Marayuka. You both will auction for the sirens. I made these to disguise yourselves.” Binigyan ko sila ng maskara na magtatago sa kanilang mga mukha. There was also a Nightingale symbol on the mask’s forehead and there were intricate designs in gold and maroon shades for them to look like real aristocrats. “As you already have a gold plate, you will no longer be questioned about your identity and if you are asked about who you are, just say that you want to retain your privacy. After bidding and winning, we will immediately leave the city with the sirens.”

“I just received a message from one of my night creatures who are still out there patrolling.” Biglang saad ni Shinigami dahilan upang mapatingin kami sa kaniya, “there are twenty sirens—and according to a man who seems to be the mastermind of this auction event, they will start the bidding for each siren at 10,000 diamond coins.”

“If we want to save them all, then we’ll need 200,000 diamond coins.” Lilith calculated, afterward, she looked at me. “How much do we have?”

“I only took 50,000 diamond coins so that the rest would be used by Marshall for the creation of the new empire at the Nightingale Island.” Bumuntonghininga ako. I did not see this coming. We were shorthanded with money.

“Also, since this is an auction and that is only the starting point, expect that the price may be higher as well. So, to say the least, we may need a million diamond coins.” Shinigami shrugged, “there are many aristocrats who have come to the city for the auction. They want to have sirens as pets—and they have the money.”

Nakita ko ang pagkuyom ng kamao ni Wynonah dahil sa kaniyang narinig. Sino nga namang hindi magagalit?

“Also, the tourist influx in the place is higher in comparison to the previous years. This has something to do with the presence of the sirens. Everyone is curious and they want to see these creatures.” Shinigami added. “Seems like we are at a disadvantage here.”

“Change of plans, then.” Tumingin ako sa kanilang lahat at halatang naghihintay sila sa mga susunod kong sasabihin, “has one of your night creatures seen where the sirens are kept captive?”

“Yes. Each one of them have their own tanks. That’s twenty aquariums. They’re at the underground, just beneath the Main Square where the festival will be celebrated. Also, my night creature has told me that there is a weird leash on the neck of the sirens.”

“Ah, that must be to contain their powers. Sirens are known to be powerful water mages and they also can manipulate you with their pretty voices. So, the leash is probably to keep them in-check and stop them from shifting to their human form.” Saad ni Lilith.

Given all this information that I got, something formed in my head.

“I will be the only one who will perform then. I’ll use my magic to put everyone asleep. While I am performing, I want everyone of you to go underground and release the sirens. Take their leashes off so that they’d be able to protect themselves as well and let them shapeshift so that can walk.”

“The sirens will be heavily guarded.” Enzo said. “Will you be able to put the guards asleep as well?”

“I can... As I said, I will use my magic to put everyone asleep. Those of you who wear my Nightingale crest will be excluded from my magic along with the sirens. So, everyone except us will be asleep. My performance will last for fifteen minutes, by that time, the sirens must have been freed and are walking with you aboveground. So that by the time everyone is awake, the sirens will also be in their human form and it’ll be easier to camouflage them with the humans. We’ll hide again in plain sight. Everyone will be clueless where the sirens went when the auction will start.”

It was convenient that the entrance to the underground where the sirens are locked is beside the stage where I will perform—I guess so that when the auction event finally comes after the performances of the mages, it’ll be easier for the people behind this to carry the tanks to the stage. It works to our advantage. Mabuti na lang talaga at pumasyal muna kami kanina upang makita ang lugar kaya alam ko ito. Without prior knowledge, I would have not been able to device this plan.

“Hmm, parang masyadong maganda ang plano. Nakakakaba. What if things don’t turn out as planned?” They asked.

“In case that happens, we move on our own while not revealing ourselves to the enemy. By chance it is unavoidable to fight, then fight but do not let them know who you are. And silence them if needed. On the other hand, our priority is saving the sirens... And in case that we go our separate ways as the plan didn’t turn out as what we wanted it to be, our meeting place is Wynonah’s house, back at Margaux City.” Tumingin ako kay Wynonah, “the sirens must be with you onward after we free them. They’re your responsibility as their queen.”

She nodded.

“Kung magkakahiwalay tayong lahat, sa bahay ni Wynonah tayo maghihintayan.” Pag-ulit ko. I also had this weird feeling again inside me, twisting, as if warning me of the danger that we were about to face. The place was too serene, too calm. Muli kong naalala ang mga naramdaman ko noon bago nasira ang buhay ko. It was the calm before the storm again. This weird premonition has made me have my guards up. I feel like I am in control, and at the same time, something bigger than me is in control as well.

Maybe I am just paranoid.

But I still cannot shake this weird feeling off—I sense danger coming.

We waited the day out until it was finally dusk. Agad kaming umalis na at tumungo sa sentro ng siyudad kung saan nagtitipon na ang mga tao. Some were wearing their costumes depicting of magical creatures—some were fairies, demi-humans, and elves. The buildings around were also radiating with colorful fairy lights and there were many open booths selling foods and souvenirs.

When we were at the street, the parade of magicians from different academies commenced and they used their magic to bring fantasies out to life. It was beautiful and magical. The audiences who were common people clapped in joy. Who would have thought that magic can be this... beautiful? Hindi ko maiwasang matigil din. Everyone around were smiling, as if they had no problems. And they all lived in the moment, enjoying the performances. For a moment, I enjoyed the heavenly scenario. Muli akong naglakad kasama ang aking Night Court upang gawin ang plano.

Nakita namin ang entablado kung saan may mga salamangkero nang nagpapalabas. Most magicians who were doing their shows were using elemental magics to create things. There were also many fireworks casted unto the sky, must be the work of the fire mages. It was noisy, with the mixture of music and voices from the crowd. Nakipagsiksikan kami hangga’t sa nasa harap na kami ng entablado.

Tumango ako sa aking mga kasama. “When it is my turn to perform and everyone is asleep, commence the plan.” I relayed to them. They all nodded. Our nightingale crest that we wore proudly glistened with the burst of lights across the city. We waited until I was finally called by the host.

“Gentlemen and ladies, for the next performance, we’ll be having the Night Court.” The host announced after the previous magicians were done with their show.

“You used our group name when you registered?” Tanong ni Lilith sa akin.

“Yes... It’s time to let people be aware that the Night Court exists. We’ll start subtly, until everyone in the kingdom will be finally talking about us.” Kasabay ng palakpakan ay muli kong sinabi sa kanila na hintayin hangga’t lahat ay nakatulog na bago kumilos.

Umakyat ako papunta sa entablado. Tinaasan naman ako ng kilay ng tagapagsalita, “Night Court... Ngunit mag-isa?!”

Nagtawanan ang lahat ng tao dahil sa komento ng lalake.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya. “Maaari ko bang malaman ang iyong pangalan, magandang binibini?”

“Zena.”

“Oh, Zena. Mag-isa ka lang?”

Tumango ako.

“Maaari mo bang ipakita ang iyong mukha?” Tanong nito. Umiling lang ako. “She’s the shy type!” The host commented and his voice vibrated across the plaza, causing everyone to laugh. I remained still even if I was already irritated by him.

“Ano ang iyong gagawin para sa mga madlang tao, Binibining Zena?”

I took my flute and showed it to them. “Ah, you’ll play the flute.” Halata ang pang-aasar ng tagapagsalita sa akin at mas lalong nagtawanan ang mga tao. “So, what is your magic?”

“I can do anything I want when I play the flute.” Everyone laughed when I answered, thinking I was joking only to match the mood that the host has created. Little do they know I wasn’t joking.

Tumaas muli ang kilay ng lalake. “Really? Show it to us, then!”

Everyone clapped after and I removed my ring that has suppressed my power. I let my power flow freely and I saw all magicians around the place to stop, as if feeling the sudden tension that vibrated from me. Right—if your magic is too powerful, any magician will be able to sense it. They must all be curious now as to who I really was.

Mula sa aking puwesto ay nakita ko ang aking mga kasama, tumango lang sila. I went to my initial position and put the mouthpiece of the flute in-between my lips that were slightly ajar, then I started to play my music. The Nightingale song.

Chapter 56

The world was suddenly calm and at peace, the noise that came from everyone toned down until it was just my flute and my music being heard. My music echoed across the city, lulling everyone. People became still as they listened to my music that seem to caress and warm their soul and heart. Their eyes were all at me, mesmerized by the beauty of the music that I was playing.

One by one, people fell to the ground, asleep. My Night Court remained standing and unaffected, when they saw the effect of my magic to everyone already, they started moving to the side of the stage to the underground in order to save the sirens that are locked there.

I continued playing, releasing vibrations of my magic along with the resonance of the notes that I blew. I watch everyone in the Main Square to be on the ground, asleep. Some magicians who were last to fall asleep seemed confused to what was happening, but eventually, they all succumbed to my magic.

Nanatili akong nakatayo sa entablado. I have successfully put everyone in the city asleep. Ang dating masiglang siyudad ay naging tahimik sa gitna ng gabi. Tumingala ako at nakita ko ang buwan na tila tinitingnan ako, pinapanood ang susunod na mga gagawin ko.

Dahil sa katahimikan, narinig ko ang apak ng mga paa mula sa baba. Naglakad ako upang tingnan iyon at mula sa hagdan ay nakita ko ang aking mga kasama na naglalakad pataas, they were already with the sirens who seemed confused and happy at the same time to have been freed.

The plan went well. Maybe I was just paranoid all along.

“Let’s go before my magic wears off and everyone wakes up.” Utos ko sa kanilang lahat at tumango naman sila.

Saktong iyon ay nakita ko ang karwahe namin, Abyss and Void were pulling the wagon and I saw the night creature who was seated on the spot of Enzo, the night creature was the one driving the carriage. Along with it were four more wagons manipulated Shinigami’s night creatures.

“Wow.” Lilith chuckled. “Stealing wagons?”

“Hindi tayo kasyang lahat sa iisa.” Sagot naman nito. Agad kaming sumakay sa mga karwahe pati ang ibang mga sirena na nasa anyong-tao na. We let Shinigami’s creatures to drive the carriages out of the city.

I feel my powers drained. Well, using it in widescale will definitely take a toll on your energy. I felt so tired.

“Everything went well.” I told my Night Court with a smile.

“Huwag muna magpakampante hangga’t hindi tayo nakakaalis sa lugar na ito.” Sabi ni Shinigami.

Kasabay nito ay nakarinig kami ng pagsigaw mula sa loob ng mga karwahe kung nasaan ang mga sirenang niligtas namin. It was Wynonah who screamed. She was with some of the sirens at one of the wagons.

“What happened?!” I asked. Agad akong tumalon kasabay ng pagtigil ng mga karwahe sa gitna ng kalye ng siyudad upang tingnan ang mga sirena.

Binuksan ko ang isa sa mga karwahe upang tingnan ang mga sirena sa loob, nakita ko lang doon si Wynonah na nanlalaki ang kaniyang mga mata kasabay ng pagtulo ng kaniyang mga luha.

Halata ang paghihirap na naipinta sa mukha ng mga sirenang kasama niya kasabay ng pagtulo ng dugo mula sa kanilang mga ilong at bunganga. What the hell is going on?! Why are the sirens bleeding?!

Sumunod si Marayuka at ang iba pang mga kasama namin upang tingnan ang nangyayari.

“It must be the collar that we removed... The collars must have been designed in such a way that if removed, the sirens will be poisoned and die a horrible death.” Saad ni Marayuka.

Kumuyom ang kamao ko at ramdam ko ang galit na biglang bumalot sa aking puso. Whoever is behind this—I will kill whoever he or she is. With that thought, bloodlust became visible in my magic and the moon that was once glowing a peaceful silver shade, now turned crimson.

“Zendaya... Your magic... It’s spinning out of control.” Saad ni Shinigami.

“Don’t worry, I can use my healing magic to save them.” Marayuka said and she started healing the sirens, one by one, with her magic.

I tried controlling my magic, but my magic overpowered me and spun out of control because of the overwhelming anger that I felt after seeing the state of the sirens, napaluhod ako sa ladrilyong daanan habang nahihirapan.

“Asan ang singsing mo?!” Tanong ni Enzo nang makitang hindi ko pa rin iyon suot.

I searched for the pocket of my cloak and my dress... Only to find none. “I lost it while we were on the move.” I gasped.

Biglang sumakit ang ulo ko, pakiramdam ko ay sinusunog ako ng aking kapangyarihan. I screamed and my voice echoed, cracking the glass of the windows around us and the trees were swayed away with the vibration. I sensed fear from my Night Court as they watched me slowly lose control and lose myself.

I continued to scream in pain and the bricked pathway cracked and an earthquake has shaken the city. Afterward, I heard the noise of other people from a distance who just woke up as well and they seemed confused and afraid to what was happening. They must have been awakened by the earthquake and they all looked afraid because of the crimson moon.

“Zendaya...” My Night Court seemed worried as they watched me succumb to my powers. I felt my tears streaming down my face as I struggled to find the calm within me, but I was overpowered with the waves that kept going on within. Lahat ng nasa paligid ay nasira dahil sa aking kapangyarihan. I ran away from my Night Court... And they were all too afraid to come after me. And they shouldn’t if they didn’t want to die.

“Go. Leave me behind.” Nahihirapang utos ko.

“No.” Shinigami replied. Naglakad siya palapit sa akin, ako naman ay lumayo.

“You don’t want to be near me... I might hurt you.” I told him as I struggled to contain the power that was swelling wildly.

Nanatili siyang nakatayo, ilang metro ang agwat namin pati ang iba pang mga kasama.

“Please, don’t make it harder for me. I don’t want to hurt you all.” I cried.

“I already had my night creatures to search for your ring.” Shinigami said, “calm down, Zendaya. It’s all in the mind.”

“I can’t control my magic!” I cried... And without me knowing, waves of my power vibrated towards Shinigami who suddenly coughed blood... And then he fell to the ground. Everyone looked shocked and afraid of me... I was afraid of myself too.

“S-Shinigami?” My voice seemed to be layered with other voices of mine. I feel more of my magic going out of control. The waves within my soul were now like a tsunami that is ready to wreak havoc with everything that stands its way.

My eyes remained rooted to Shinigami who was now unmoving.

Tears welled out of my eyes, then they fell. Tila nandilim ang mundo ko habang tinitingnan ko si Shinigami.

He was lying on the floor... Is he dead? Is it because of me? He wasn’t moving. He wasn’t breathing.

It’s my fault.

It’s my fault.

It’s my fault.

“No!!!” I screamed and the houses around were reduced to rubbles. I became the embodiment of destruction.

My magic... It was telling me to destroy everything... And I can’t control it anymore.

Destroy.

Destroy!

This was the danger that I felt all this time—I was the danger.

And just like that, I felt my magic explode.