Prey of the Lion

Chapter 16: What the ever-changing future holds

Chapter 16: What the ever-changing future holds

Isang oras ata kaming nakatambay sa veranda ng inn nang naramdaman ko ang pagkabagot. We were already well rested, and the music that was being played across the city made me wanna go out and enjoy the festivities. I looked at Madame Phoebe who was busy reading a newspaper, and at Akane and Filo who were just looking at the horizon.

“I’m bored, are we not allowed to go out? Gusto kong pumasyal muna habang nagpapatay tayo ng oras.” Saad ko sa tatlong mga kasama ko. Bigla ko ring naisip si Pantaleon. He, for sure, would be enjoying if he were here. Bigla ko tuloy na-miss ang kaniyang ka-sweet-an.

“Let’s go, then.” Madame Phoebe replied, “since Filo is from this place, I guess you will be the guide?”

“Sure.” Sagot naman ni Filo, ang kaniyang mukha ay seryoso pa rin. Hindi ba siya marunong ngumiti? Napakalamig ng kaniyang itsura at ang kaniyang mga mata ay tila papatay. Anyway, he was still good-looking kahit ganoon, and his muscles that his body flaunted would make girls instantly go after him. I wonder if that is the case, and how is this man around ladies? Is he a ladies’ man? Or does he just focus on work as the General Knight? He holds the highest position and rank next to the emperor, and here he is—just casually guarding me. Habang nakatingin ako sa kaniya ay bigla rin siyang nagsuot ng hoodie na robe at saka tinakpan ang kaniyang mukha. He was also wearing his knight armor, and there was a sword hanging around on its hilt. The robe he wore somehow managed to cover it all.

Napangiti naman agad ako dahil pumayag din sila. Nagligpit na si Akane ng mga pinagkainan namin at nagtawag ng isang babaeng nagtatrabaho sa inn upang kunin na ang mga bandehang nasa mesa. Pagkatapos ay umalis na kami sa veranda at lumabas sa inn. Nang nasa labas kami ay sinalubong agad ako ng ingay na galing sa musika at mga taong nasa paligid. There were many tourists and merchants around, there were also entertainers and performers. The vintage city was colorful as well with all the lanterns that were hanging around, and while it is still daytime, they were glowing. They were painted with different colors, and what caught my attention is the costume that people wore—some of the women had their fingers and their bodies covered in jewelry, and their hair were also braided intricately, their dresses were colorful, on the other hand, the men also had the same thing. Everything was grand in this place.

Naunang maglakad si Filo at nakasunod lang kaming lahat sa kaniya. “This is the Central Plaza,” aniya at saka niya tinuro ang malaking plaza na puno rin ng mga tao. Sa gitna nito ay isang fountain na may statue ng tila isang kabalyero roon na nakasakay sa kabayo. Pabilog ang itsura ng plaza at may mga booths din sa mga gilid. Sa isang bahagi ay puro mga pagkain, sa kabilang banda naman ay mga hilera ng mga lanterns na tinitinda, mga damit, at may iba pang mga booths din sa mga magkakabilang dulo.

“Where do you wanna go?” Tanong ni Akane sa akin.

“I don’t know, let’s check everything here.” Sagot ko naman, “anyway, do we have money?”

“We have.” Sagot naman ni Akane at saka niya nilabas ang purse mula sa kaniyang bestida, “the emperor has given us in advance, just in case you might wanna explore the city.”

Ngumiti naman ako, parang kilala na ako ni Leo ah. Of course, rather than waiting at the inn, since we are here, mas magandang mag-enjoy na lang. At saka isa pa, we are here for me to be immersed with the culture of the empire, especially of this city which belongs to Liondale Empire. Doing this is like hitting two birds with one stone, and I know Madame Phoebe would also agree.

Ang unang pinuntahan namin ay ang booth kung saan naroon ang mga pagkain. “What’s this?” I asked while looking at the man who was using his magic to freeze the colorful liquids. It is rare for me to see magicians since magicians are rare in itself, and I never thought magic could be modified or used in order to do something like this.

“This is called ice cream.” Sagot naman ng lalake, I watched as he used his magic to freeze this milk-like liquid, “you should try it out!” Aniya. Maraming mga bata ang nakapila rin at halatang tuwang-tuwa sila sa ‘ice cream’ na ito. “This is simply a frozen cream, with sweetened milk, and has various flavors—strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, and many more.” He advertised.

“Please make one for me and my friends.” I asked, “Akane, prepare the payment.”

“Noted, Prince—err, I mean, Lark.” Aniya.

Ngumiti naman ako at saka pinanood ang magician sa kaniyang ginagawa, “I never thought magic could be used like this.” I said out of the blue while watching the man. I am guessing that he is around my age, and his hair was color blue. He looked pale as well, and he emitted this powerful aura. I don’t know how, but I can sense magic. I know a magician when I see one, even if I don’t see them use their magic. There is always this weird aura that is shrouded among magicians, which normal human beings do not have. I wonder why someone like him, a magician, ended up like this.

“Magic is not only used as a tool for attacks and defenses,” aniya, “it can also be used for convenience.” Sagot naman nito habang pinapalamig niya ang cream, he put it in a cone afterwards and gave one to me and to Akane, Filo, and Madame Phoebe. The cream was four-colored, which I guess reflects the flavors of the ice cream. Tiningnan ko ang mga batang kasalukuyang kumakain nito, at saka sila ginaya. Dinilaan ko ang ice cream. The cold and sweet taste melted into my tongue and my eyes widened.

“Ang sarap!” I grinned and jumped like a child. “Damn! This is a masterpiece!” Saad ko at saka ko binigyan ng thumbs up ang lalakeng magician. He looked taken aback by my reaction and he chuckled in delight.

“I am glad that you liked it.” He replied, kasabay ng pagtalon-talon ko ay nahulog ang aking hoodie dahilan upang makita ang aking mukha. He stared at my eyes after, “beautiful purple eyes.” He smiled at me.

Yumuko naman ako agad at saka ko muling sinuot ang hoodie.

“I’m Frost.” Pagpapakilala ng lalake sa akin, “may I know your name, my beautiful lady?” He asked.

I laughed, “beautiful lady?”

“Is it funny?” He asked, confused.

I chuckled, “I am not a lady. I am a man. I’m Lark.”

“It is nice to meet you, Lark.” He said with a smile, “I am sorry—I thought you were a girl.”

“I get that a lot.” I replied, “it is okay, Frost.” I smiled once more, I looked at my group after, and it seems like they were waiting for me, they were also enjoying the ice cream that they were holding.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Frost.” Saad ko, “your ice cream is delicious... Are you from here?” I asked.

“No. I am a travelling merchant and magician.” Sagot naman nito, “I came hear because I heard there was a festival, and I thought I could use it to earn money.” Aniya.

We talked for a few minutes before Madame Phoebe decided we had to go and move to other booths. “I hope we meet again, Lark.” Iyon ang huling sinabi sa akin ni Frost.

“I hope so, too.” I smiled.

Tumingin ako saglit kay Akane at saka kay Frost, there was something weird that both of them seems to share. Hindi ko alam pero may kakaiba sa mga tingin nilang dalawa sa isa’t isa. Magkakilala ba sila? Now that I remember, Akane also emitted this magician aura, and guessing by the color of her hair, I know she is a fire mage. It must just be my imagination.

Umalis na kami sa booth ni Frost at saka tumungo muli sa ibang mga booths—we ate a variety of foods and bought a lot of souvenirs. I also decided to buy a glowing star toy for Pantaleon, not like the money is mine—so basically, it was Leo buying these things.

Habang naglalakad kami ay natigil ako sa harap ng isang itim na booth, sa loob nito ay isang matandang babae na may hawak na isang pabilog na crystal. The old lady emitted another aura of a magician. I felt drawn to her, and without a word from my crew, I walked inside.

“What booth is this?” I asked.

“I am a fortune teller.” Aniya.

“Uhm, Lark, I think we should go somewhere else.” Nakita ko si Akane, tila kinakabahan siya. It seems like she does not want this place.

“It is alright, Akane.” I smiled. A fortune teller, huh?

“I am gifted with Seer magic, my dear child.” Ngumiti ang matanda at saka siya tumingin sa akin, her eyes were white, and her hair was silver as well, kulubot na ang kaniyang balat din. I wonder, if she can see. Tumingin ako sa batang nasa tabi nito, it seems like the young lady was her granddaughter, and her guide too. “I can see what the future holds of anyone I touch.” Aniya. “Come closer, if you must. If you are curious... However, I must warn—the future is ever-changing, and by knowing the future, fate may change its course.”

“What do you mean?”

“The future is yet to be written, and thus, knowing what is yet to be written means you are able to change things... But you can only do that if you understand the meaning behind.” Sagot naman ni Madame Phoebe.

“Meaning behind?”

“Yes, dear child.” Sagot ng matanda. Naglakad ako palapit at nilahad ko ang aking kamay, pagkatapos ay hinawakan ako ng matanda. Naramdaman ko ang mainit niyang palad sa akin, at tila may kakaibang pwersa ang nagpalibot sa akin. Kasabay nito ay biglang kuminang ang mga mata ng matanda, habang ang isang kamay niya naman ay nakalagay sa isang papel, may liwanag din na tila sumusunog sa ilang parte ng papel, at napansin kong ang liwanag na iyon ay bumubuo ng mga salita. Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto ay binitawan ako ng matanda, at saka naman binigay sa akin ng batang kasama niya ang papel.

“This is your future.” Aniya.

Binasa ko naman ang kasulatan.

In destiny, unpredicted and yet to be done

in oblivion & ignorance, it is too late to run

the dark and the light must never be mixed

or fate, itself, be broken, unfixed.

The seal, Mortem, locked within thy soul

the blazing fire shall gradually burn Anima, & all

away—and deceptions, you live by

like fools and puppets, in strings, you’re fated to die.

Another soul, awakening, after you have fallen

from here, Terra Forma, the world will be stricken

and the Twin Moons, together, just watching over

in this pandemonium and harmony, you’ll find forever.