CHAPTER 66 #4
Maging ang mga hayop sa buong Vlymir ay tila nakaramdam ng kakaibang presensya. Ang ilan ay tumigil sa pagtakbo, habang ang iba naman ay napatingala sa kalangitan.
At sa mga kagubatan, ang mga bulaklak na kanina ay nakasara dahil sa malamig at maulang panahon ay unti-unting bumuka. Isa-isa silang namukadkad, parang sinasalubong ang pagbabalik ng init.
Maging ang mga bundok ng Vlymir ay nagsimulang yumanig. Ilang sandali lamang ay biglang sumabog ang mga bulkan, nagbuga ng makapal na usok at nagpakawala ng nagliliyab na lava pababa sa kanilang mga gilid.
The entire world of Vlymir seemed to come alive.
As if nature itself knew that something powerful had awakened.
Hindi lamang sa mundo ng Vlymir naramdaman ang pagbabago.
Sa Arcadeya, ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan ay napahinto nang biglang tumigil ang malakas na ulan.
Ang madilim na kalangitan ay unti-unting lumiwanag habang sumisilip ang araw, na para bang biglang nagbago ang panahon sa loob lamang ng ilang segundo.
Napatingala ang mga tao, hindi maunawaan kung bakit biglang nawala ang ulan at napalitan ito ng mainit na sikat ng araw.
Maging ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan sa hilagang teritoryo ng Wintergard ay nakaramdam ng biglaang pagbabago. Ang malamig na hangin na kanina ay halos tumatagos sa kanilang mga damit ay unti-unting humina, at ang temperatura ay nagsimulang tumaas.
Sa kanilang paligid, nagsimulang matunaw ang makapal na niyebe. Ang mga nagyeyelong daan ay unti-unting nabasag at naging tubig, habang ang mga bubong at puno ay nagsimulang malaglagan ng yelo.
Napatingala ang mga tao sa kalangitan, hindi maunawaan ang nangyayari.
For the first time in years, the people of Wintergard could feel warmth in the middle of the cold.
"Mabuti naman at nagbabago na ang panahon," ani ng isang street vendor habang naghahain ng mainit na dessert sa kanyang customer.
"Ramdam ko nga," sagot ng customer habang nakatingin sa kalangitan. "Pero at least nabawasan na rin ang lamig. Nakakamatay din ang sobrang lamig dito..."
Napangiti ang vendor habang pinagmamasdan ang unti-unting pagkatunaw ng niyebe sa gilid ng kalsada.
"Buti naman. At least hindi na tayo nanginginig habang nagtatrabaho, nay..." ani ng anak ng street vendor.
Even Fenrath, the Alpha of the Wild, felt the sudden change in temperature. Dominique had just removed his thick fur coat because of the unexpected warmth when Fenrath suddenly appeared beside him.
"Master."
Dominique glanced at him. "What is it?"
"The Eternal Phoenix... he has awakened..."
Back in Vlymir, the Erenhals were still stunned by the sudden change surrounding them. The rain had stopped, the warmth had spread throughout the castle, and even the land itself seemed to be reacting to something.
Slowly, their stunned expressions turned into knowing smirks.
Drakkon looked toward Raquim, who was still sitting at the table.
"Raquim... your mother is returning soon. Prepare yourself."
In Imperial Palace
Inside the emperor's chamber, Lurtheron slept peacefully. Kitang-kita ang pagiging anghel ng kanyang mukha habang mahimbing siyang natutulog, completely unaware of the strange presence that had entered his dream.
Sa gitna ng kanyang panaginip, isang lalaki ang nakatayo sa malayo. Hindi malinaw ang mukha nito. Tanging ang mahaba nitong anino at malamlam na liwanag sa paligid ang kaniyang nakikita.
"Lurtheron... prepare for the coming threat. Strengthen your army. The Holy Knights. Everyone. Make them stronger while you still have time. Something ancient has awakened..."
Saglit na natahimik ang tinig bago bahagyang naging mapanukso.
"Still sleeping so peacefully... even after everything you've done..."
Mabilis na napabangon si Lurtheron mula sa kanyang pagkakatulog. Mabilis siyang lumingon sa kanyang marangyang silid at napagtanto niyang panaginip lamang ang lahat.
Napayuko siya at napahawak sa kanyang noo, pilit na inaayos ang kanyang paghinga.
What kind of a dream was that? was that a warning? could it have been a message from the Great Goddess?
Perhaps she was trying to warn me about something that is about to happen...
The Eternal Phoenix... Anastacio has awakened after centuries of silence... could it be him?
I have already heard the reports. The sudden change in temperature. The rain stopping without warning. The sun appearing over places that had been covered by clouds. Even the snow in the northern territories has begun to melt.
This cannot simply be a natural change in weather.
Something powerful must have caused it. But who awakened the Eternal Phoenix?
Only a being with an extraordinary amount of mana could possibly summon a Sovereign Spirit of that level.
Could it be one of the ancient bloodlines?
No... If the Great Goddess truly sent that dream to me, then there must be a reason she chose to warn me...
That voice...
Why did it feel so familiar? why did the stranger speak as though he knew everything about me? and why did I feel as if I had heard that voice before?
Perhaps it was nothing more than a dream.
Or perhaps... someone is coming. Someone the Holy Cathedral is not prepared to face...
Whatever is coming, I cannot afford to ignore this warning... I need to strengthen the army. The Holy Knights. Everyone.
If the Eternal Phoenix has truly awakened, then this may only be the beginning.
In Vlymir
Tahimik na pinagmamasdan ni Anastacio ang kanyang master habang nagsasagawa ito ng meditation. Ngunit hindi simpleng pag-upo at pagpikit lamang ang ginagawa ni Rassia.
She was dancing with fire.
Mabilis ngunit kontrolado ang bawat galaw niya, habang ang Eternal Flame ay sumusunod sa bawat kilos ng kanyang katawan. Sa bawat pag-ikot niya, humahaba ang apoy sa paligid niya at bumubuo ng tila mga pakpak bago muling bumalik sa kanyang katawan.
Since Rassia had successfully summoned Anastacio, a new mark had appeared on her lower back, shaped like the wings of a phoenix.
It was the mark of their contract, a symbol that connected Rassia to the Eternal Phoenix. The phoenix wings rested against her skin like a permanent seal, glowing faintly whenever she channeled her Eternal Flame Mana.
Anastacio could not help but feel amazed by his new master.
Her burgundy-red hair had grown long again, flowing all the way down to the ground whenever she stood still. Her features had also become more mature, carrying a quiet confidence that had not been there when she first entered the cave.
But what caught Anastacio's attention most was her presence. Her mana felt deeper, steadier, and far more powerful. Even when she stood completely still, the Eternal Flame around her seemed to respond to her naturally, as if it recognized her as one of its own.
Mabilis na dumilat si Rassia at agad na uminom ng tubig. Marahan niyang ibinaba ang baso habang pinakikiramdaman ang unti-unting paghupa ng kanyang Eternal Flame.
"It's good to reminisce about the good old days while meditating. It helps calm my massive fire."
Tahimik na nakatingin si Anastacio sa kanya.
Rassia took a slow breath and glanced at the flames surrounding her.
"Sometimes, remembering the people and moments that made me happy reminds me why I keep moving forward..."
Ngumiti si Anastacio habang nakasandal sa mainit na pader ng kuweba. Nakasuot na siya ngayon ng isang eleganteng black suit, na may ruby brooch na nakakabit sa dibdib nito.
His broad and powerful build was emphasized by the fitted suit, while his strong and intimidating features gave him an imposing presence. His golden-tanned skin seemed to glow under the warm light of the Eternal Flame, contrasting beautifully with his long orange-red hair.
"Good thing the Erenhals are by your side, Master. One day, you can finally rest. You deserve peace after everything you've been through..."
His golden eyes softened then he paused for a moment.
"Don't forget, Master... even the strongest fire needs to rest before it can burn again."
Isang malamalim at mapanuyang tawa ang biglang umalingawngaw mula sa kung saan. Bahagyang napangiti si Rassia habang naliligo sa lawa ng mainit na tubig nang marinig niya ang kakaibang boses ng isang babaeng nilalang.
Narinig ni Rassia ang tunog ng stilettos na papalapit mula sa madilim na bahagi ng kuweba.
Sa pagitan ng mga anino, unti-unting lumitaw ang isang malaking sungay at malalaking pakpak na tila humahabol sa dilim.
"Finally... after centuries, I can finally set foot in this filthy world again."
Bahagyang napangisi si Rassia habang nakatingin sa kanya.
"Yeah, yeah... thanks to me, Lucy Pearl."
Napatingin si Lucy Pearl kay Rassia at ngumisi. She casually walked toward the huge rock beside Anastacio and sat down, crossing her legs as if she had been there countless times before.
Hindi maiwasang pagmasdan ni Rassia si Lucy Pearl. Sanay na siya sa presensya ng demonyo, ngunit alam niyang ibang usapan kung ordinaryong mamamayan lamang ng Vermeleyon ang makakakita rito.
Kung hindi ako sanay kay Lucy Pearl, baka matagal na akong nanginig sa presensya niya. Lucy Pearl is terrifyingly beautiful...
Nanatili ang kanyang maputing-abong balat, mahahabang itim na kuko, at ang mga mata niyang ganap na itim. Suot niya ang isang simpleng itim na dress at black stilettos, habang bumabagsak sa kanyang likuran ang mahaba niyang itim na buhok.
Maya-maya, unti-unting nawala ang malaking sungay at malalawak na pakpak ni Lucy Pearl.
Ngunit hindi nagbago ang iba niyang katangian.
Nanatili ang kanyang lubusang itim na mga mata, ang itim na crystal na nakakabit sa kanyang dibdib, at ang halos kulay-abong balat na malinaw na nagpapaalala na hindi siya isang ordinaryong nilalang.
Rassia smirked again.
She still looked like a being who had no place among ordinary mortals...
"Hmm... you are a fallen angel. No wonder you can change your appearance," komento ni Anastacio habang pinagmamasdan si Lucy Pearl.
Lucy Pearl rolled her eyes. "Oh, shut up."
Saglit niyang sinamaan ng tingin si Anastacio bago muling napatingin kay Rasia.