User blog:JeielYozama/Tale of The Mark Maker - Selycha

''Okay. I think... I owe peeps an apology. ''

''For one, the reveal of a new Mamono is still, not to happen in this chapter. (I'm sure, you peeps wanted to see a Shirohebi) The 8th, however, is the conclusion on the conflict between Marden and Zmey, and boy, did it take a lot to complete. Anyway, here it is in all its glory. Stay tuned to see the end reveal - you would've seen it coming. :D''

I used to believe I was the perfect tool.



Tool. Weapon. Someone of use to execute the whims of my master. That was my identity. My purpose. The single reason why I continue to live in the polarized world of man and monster.

And yet…. I am still flawed.



Within me, resides a weakness:

My fear.





It haunts me in my dreams. Bites through the emotional barrier that originally, prevents me from feeling. Gnaws its way through into my consciousness as it feeds me with nothing but agony, terror and despair.

And in my defense, I am left with nothing but to scream for it to end.



It had always been that way.

It had been that way when I was abandoned as a child, and the inescapable grip of loneliness gripped me akin to a disease.

It had been that way when I had nothing but the identities that lived in my head to keep me company.

When humans were frightened by the sight of me. When they cornered and scarred me over and over. When they planned to eliminate me.

<p class="MsoNormal">And, when Master came and saved my life.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">To me, that day was a miracle. A man, who had no connection to me at all, arrived to my aid. He snatched me from the hateful grasp of those men. He made me realize that my existence is not a mistake. He gave me something to live for. A raison d'<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ etre.

<p class="MsoNormal">To serve him.

<p class="MsoNormal">And to him, I understand that I will remain his servant. I am not obliged to refuse, nor shy away from any of his orders. He is my savior. Whatever he wishes, I must fulfill. Without feeling, or sympathizing, if I have to.

<p class="MsoNormal">But in the end, the image I had built up for Master<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s sake over the years has its defects.

<p class="MsoNormal">Even though every fiber of my body knew that they cannot truly harm me, their arms and blades cannot damage me nor will their words strike me down<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… .. I cannot endure the way they will stare at me.

<p class="MsoNormal">The harsh, hypocritical glowering of people who detest me, a spawn of the Maou: that is my one true fear. More than once, have I discovered they have gone past what I perceive as impenetrable. More than once, have I found myself cowering in my weakness.

<p class="MsoNormal">And for that, I struggled to ensure it would best me no longer.

<p class="MsoNormal">And since then, I loathed all humans save for Master.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">But something happened''. ''Something that caused me to doubt the rule I doted upon.

<p class="MsoNormal">And it involved the man named Marden Bale.

<p class="MsoNormal">When he fell into that forest in the advent of my carelessness, it was... the first time I fretted over a human<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s condition other than the master I serve.

<p class="MsoNormal">I do not even understand what came over me. Perhaps, it could be that my mission prompted me to preserve his life for he was of great importance to my master<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s goal. Perhaps, my Mamono self had seen him to be so much more fragile than I.

<p class="MsoNormal">But no. That cannot be it.

<p class="MsoNormal">The longer I stayed with Marden Bale, the more I saw that the way he treated me was not as a monster. He interacted with me as if I were anyone he could have met in a human town. He treated me<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… like a human girl.

<p class="MsoNormal">A human .. that I myself, had resolved never to face and run away from.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">For that, an emotion was born within me. It was warm and comforting, feeding me with a quiet comeuppance of joy. It was as if the mere words he spoke were delighting me. And somehow<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… I wanted more.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:Carlito;mso-hansi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family: "TimesNewRoman"">  

<p class="MsoNormal">More?

<p class="MsoNormal">No. No. What are you even discerning??

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Even worse, I was beginning to feel remorseful over words that before, I would waste no breathe in contemplating.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Whilst we were above the clouds, I had uttered  to Marden--

<p class="MsoNormal">You are attracted to me.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">H-How regrettable, saying that! It was not even a question, but a conclusion. Why am I to decide that for him?? He is merely acting the way a male does around a Mamono.

<p class="MsoNormal">And when he was fidgeting as I was unclothed<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">''So your body finds me attractive as a mate, Marden? ''

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:Carlito;mso-hansi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family: "TimesNewRoman"">  

<p class="MsoNormal">W-W-Why am I saying these words? How embarrassing!! Inquiries such as those are too sensible for a normal conversation!

<p class="MsoNormal">Rather than having asked that<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… I should<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ ve asked myself on what I feel<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">No. Be still, Zmey Typhonas. You are being irrational. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">‘ Tis unhealthy. And unbefitting of your status.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Towards the end of the day, he was kind enough to hand me clothing. He gave an object that was nothing to me in truer sense, but the gesture stirred my heart restless. I could swear my face exploded in a faint red color as I wore it.

<p class="MsoNormal">Even after what I had done<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… taking him from the Mamonos who were more affectionate to him than I and breaking his arm<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… he showers me with this small act of kindness.

<p class="MsoNormal">What a strange man.

<p class="MsoNormal">It was then that I decided I must make things right for him.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">In the midst of Marden<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s slumber, I slipped out to find healing herbs. I was thankful for my knowledge of curative spells, for in no time I was able to gather a clump full of comfrey further up the mountain. Mashing them into a paste I plied them on the broken area and forced my Demonic Energy in to speed the healing process.

<p class="MsoNormal">But it was odd. 3 consecutive healing chants had passed, yet his arm wasn<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ t near complete repair. It was as if the restorative magic was being absorbed into him, rather than accomplishing its original purpose.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">It must be that, which he hosts within.

<p class="MsoNormal">There could be no other explanation.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Soon, the source of where I had obtained the herbs had run out after several more tries merited the same result. I had to seek the herb elsewhere. In that recourse, I moved to higher altitude - and happened upon them. Humans.

<p class="MsoNormal">Without warning, one of them had struck a flaming arrow onto my wing as I flew away. I was caught off guard. I fell in mid-flight and scraped my only means of escape to the air. The one thing I had left, my legs, failed me as I was cornered.

<p class="MsoNormal">I had nowhere to run.

<p class="MsoNormal">By the time a group of those individuals drew closer, their eyes pinned upon me.

<p class="MsoNormal">And the fear<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…… sank into me again. It came back, deep within my psyche. It placed an inexorable hold on my disheartened state. It was overwhelming me.

<p class="MsoNormal">I was muted. I could not ask them to stop staring<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…. they jeered in the sight of me filled with despair.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">It made me want to scream.

<p class="MsoNormal">It made me want to die.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">I wished for Master to save me.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">At that moment of prayer<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">…. someone, whom I had unwittingly implored to save me, appeared from out of the blue and aimed his blade at his own kind. <p class="MsoNormal" style="border-width:initial;border-style:none;padding:0in;">Marden Bale<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… had come for me. <p class="MsoNormal">****************************

<p class="MsoNormal">The ungodly couth who manhandled me with hatred in his eyes wobbled from the feet up and collapsed on the dusty ground. His energy had been completely sapped from him. There was a loss of consciousness from his eyes while a runic symbol blazed across his thin body.

<p class="MsoNormal">Marden had then appeared as his fallen figure met the earth.

<p class="MsoNormal">The crowd exchanged stunned looks and gasps of disbelief. They could not accept what was before them as true. A human Hero, siding with a Mamono.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Zmey<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… .<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">” Marden breathed slowly. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ A-Are you alright?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">Wiping the tears trickling down my cheeks I nodded in reply. He pulled my hand up and I was back to my feet. The area where the couth grabbed me stung, but nevertheless the pain was already beginning to fade.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Why are you<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">…. here..?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">I could see it. He is still unable to summon all of his original strength. What he was doing here, was pushing him to the precipice of wearing his body out again, leading to a worse injury. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ You.. should still be resting<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… .. that arm<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…. your strength<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… ..<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">He had the gall to snigger.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ So<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… .. where<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s the stoic-minded Chimaera who nabbed me a few days ago? I managed to save a crybaby who looks just like her, but I think I<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ ve got the wrong girl.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">Somehow, my snake tail lifted into the air and slammed at him from behind his head. Arching forward from the sudden blow, he yelped a forced <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">‘ OW!<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ You seem to have found confidence at this late hour.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">I grinned faintly.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">The villagers, not in line with Marden<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s thoughts, were gossiping.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ I-I-Is that the Mark Maker, Marden Bale?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ W-What is happening here??<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ T-The Hero has fallen!! ALAS, IT IS TRUE!<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ EVEN HE<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s BECOME AN ENEMY?? WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE HUMAN RACE?!!<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ AH, WILL YOU ALL PLEASE SHUT UP !!<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">Marden was just one person. However, his gristly voice aimed in hostility to the people had overpowered them into silence. He hid me behind his back. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">“ All your presumptuous, nonsensical crap<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… just because I was delegated to slay the Demon Lord doesn<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ t mean I<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ m supposed to condone you lot harassing a Mamono to DEATH!!<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">Marden<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s claymore never left his side. It was extended toward the other party, harboring his unrequited resentment. There was a murderous glint in the Mark Maker<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Now, how<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s about you guys set an example and walk away??<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">The crowd declined any sign on advancing. They had no plans on going against a Hero the Chief God herself had appointed to destroy the Lord of Monsters.

<p class="MsoNormal">One man from the crowd took a chance. He tossed a rock that sailed to Marden<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s cheek. It bounced off, and a sound was heard as it clattered down the precipice behind us.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ FAILURE OF A HERO!! <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">Instead of retaliating in anger, Marden leaked out a chuckle. He rubbed at the spot where the rock hit. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">“ I think I<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ ve had enough of people telling me that.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">He stepped forward.

<p class="MsoNormal">In great unison, the orderly group tottered back. Marden sneered in disgust while retracting his weapon. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">“ Cowards.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">” He turned to me. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">” Let<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s go, Zmey.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ But<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… .. your arm..?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ This? It<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s good enough.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">” He flexed the arm several times to prove his point. Afterwhich, he smiled at me. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ You healed it good. The only thing I have to do now is to keep it from breaking. Which<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… .<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">” He scratches his cheek a bit. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“… ..I don<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ t think can be avoided any time soon.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Y-You lie! I know you are --<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ No, I<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ m serious.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">” He tilted his head slightly. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ It<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s alright. Now<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… shall we, my lady?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">Saying those words in that manner<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">…. he was serious.

<p class="MsoNormal">I could not see fit to argue.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“…… .. as you say so.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">Still hosting his grin, he returned his attention to the villagers <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">– who were kind enough to part in the middle to let us pass. He walked ahead, pulling my paw and motioning me to stay close. We went past a wall of angered faces before reaching the back of the crowd.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Once more<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… I could feel their stares boring into me<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">……

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…… ..until a light chop upon my head drew me to look at Marden Bale.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Wh-what was<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">…… ?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Keep it cool, Zmey. Whatever<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s egging you<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…. it won<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ t deal a thing anymore.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">” He mentions smugly.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Just think I<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ m here for you. They won<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ t a hide nor hair of you, as long as I<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ m here.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">The way his eyes and lips twinkled, coupled with what he had just spoken in elegance, made my heart skip a beat in unknown motivation.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">''Wh-what is this feeling? ''I asked myself. At the moment<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">…. the personas, the ones who share my thoughts and body, are unresponsive. None of them replied to my query.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">As we were leaving, a great number of the townsfolk-mob veered to us. Their maddened glares shifted from me, the Mamono, to the Hero Marden.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Why.. you<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">…… .. INGRATE!<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Just wait UNTIL THE ORDER HEARS<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">“ DISGRACE!!! <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Carlito;mso-hansi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"">

<p class="MsoNormal"> I looked at Marden. He wasn<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ t reacting to what they called him.

<p class="MsoNormal">Instead, he glanced at them<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… ..

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… and raising his right, flicked two of his hands in an air circle.

<p class="MsoNormal">In an instant, the mob were pulled off their feet, as if an invisible noose rounded up and yanked the individual participants of the raving party one by one. A sign emerged underneath them. They were dragged towards the very center of the said symbol and pressed together as a massively-bound circle, their feet and legs tied from behind by the invisible force.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Realizing a spell was being cast upon them, some tried to run. The more bold ones even jumped off the precipice. It was futile. They were all jerked toward the bound circle of people no matter how far they treaded. And once they were there, they were rendered immobile. The symbol from beneath burned a deep green.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ TRANSLOCK SEAL <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">– [ BINDS OF THE NORDIC ONES ].<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Marden<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s lips slackened at the spell name. He was intentionally annoying them. He walked on a bit and poked at something planted on the ground. It was a small blade inscribed with runic letters. It, along with several other blades, encircled the bound villagers in faded-green radiance.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Unless someone happens to find you here and plucks all these blades off to sever the connection, nobody<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s going nowhere.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">He gives them one last leer, before wagging a hand back as he turned away.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Farewell.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Following after Marden, he and I soon disappeared into the forest underbrush, ignoring the quailing, yelling and frustrated shouts of the men and women he had trapped in his spell. <p class="MsoNormal" style="border-width:initial;border-style:none;padding:0in;"> <p class="MsoNormal">***********************

<p class="MsoNormal">I did not know what to say.

<p class="MsoNormal">Marden and I trudged down the mountain path. An hour had already passed since we set our sights in leaving this accursed place. The waxing crescent moon was traversing the pitch-black sky to give way to morning <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">– but other than that, there was nothing else to note except the fact only our breathing and the rustling of leaves where we placed our steps were the audible sound I could hear. Moonbeams shone past the boughs of the trees.

<p class="MsoNormal">On the back of my head, I was not enjoying this.

<p class="MsoNormal">I was torn.

<p class="MsoNormal">In one end, I wanted to express my gratitude to him. On another, l wanted to banter on how he had acted stupid, going against his people just to make this all possible.

<p class="MsoNormal">And again, my usual counsel, the personas, were not helping. Their way of saying 'this is your choice, not ours'.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">They wanted me to decide for myself. Fair enough.

<p class="MsoNormal">The only problem was that I hadn<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ t the faintest idea on how to start.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Why do I have to feel perplexed now, at a time of peace?

<p class="MsoNormal">I gulped faintly, collecting the courage that had gradually returned to me for this. Just as I had resolved to tell him whatever would cross my mind first, a high-pitched squawk slipped out of Marden Bale.

<p class="MsoNormal">"WOW! That was something, huh?" He exclaimed with an abrupt sigh. The signs of worry he hid behind his calm demeanor had already left. "Had to put up a front so I won't seem like a total embarrassment while throwing crappy lines. And about that wing.... "

<p class="MsoNormal">I quickly tucked my injured wing away.

<p class="MsoNormal">"It will heal. In time."

<p class="MsoNormal">"Alrighty, your Highness. Not going to prod." He looked off toward the distance still to be trekked. "Funny. The way you said stuff in defense.. you remind me of the time I met Ryla. She was just as stubborn --"

<p class="MsoNormal">He stopped. A split second occured before he darted to another direction, sputtering a sailor's word. He was hiding a reddened face.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Damnit, that Dragon girl's running loose on the bowels of my mind with that irksome Ada... why am I even using her as an example?"

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">It was obvious he was thinking of the Dragon. The Wurm, as well, except a chill hung about when he'd mention her name.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryla Van Winkelried and Nadredda Dolennych....

<p class="MsoNormal">...they are fortunate to have this man in their lives.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">"Hey, wait. "

<p class="MsoNormal">Marden fiddled his sling bag. "I got you something."

<p class="MsoNormal">Not long after saying this, he handed me a bottle of decompressed Slime gell. The liquid, somewhat incandescent in appearance, jiggled inside its container as I took it by paw."Put that on your wing and pop in your usual healing spell. You'll be good as new in no time." He instructed with a grin, folding the flap of his bag back in place.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">First he saves me... now this..

<p class="MsoNormal">I.. I had to say something.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">"T --"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Th-?"

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">"T-Thank you."

<p class="MsoNormal">I bowed my head profoundly. "Thank you .. so much."

<p class="MsoNormal">Marden gave me a look of puzzlement. It later dawned on him that I was being grateful, and it made him scratch his head in embarrassment. He chuckled faintly at the gesture.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Aw shucks. It isn<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ t that much, Zmey. I mean, that gell is probably  <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">–“

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ No. That isn<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ t what I meant.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">Paws curled into a fist, I stared at Marden Bale.The Mark Maker<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s clueless gaze aligned itself with mine.There was a fitting silence between us in that single moment in time.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">I had to speak now.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Sighing gently so as not to disturb the tranquility of the night, I let all the words fall out of my mouth in a half-whisper:

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ I couldn<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ t begin to fathom on how to thank you for <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… .everything. Coming to my aid<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… .. worrying for my welfare<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">…… you<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ ve done so much for my sake when<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…. all I<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">‘ ve done for you is<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">……”

<p class="MsoNormal">An uneasy air made me force the last words shut. And stare at the floor.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… when all I'<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">‘ ve done for you is practically nothing .

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Is that what<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s been eating you?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">A reply I did not expect caused me to look up.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Marden was smiling <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">– but not in a way one would assume he was mocking me. There was a lopsided grin of contempt plastered on his face that made his presence warm. It was<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…. a form of joy I was yet to experience with anyone.

<p class="MsoNormal">His hands soon made its way to my head. He caressed it.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Acts are not measured by amount, Zmey.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">” He pulled back and kept his attention drawn to me. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ I helped you because I wanted to. Any normal person would<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ ve done the same in my stead. If not, well<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… .I<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ d suppose that person<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s no different than that tactless mob. Blinded by rage<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">…. hatred<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… .. it makes me want to rethink who are the monsters out there.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ On everything else<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">…. well<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…… I<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ m<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… not the sort of person who<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ d stand idiotically in a corner, ignoring a girl when she<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s got her own issues and trivialities. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">” He did a hasty excuse of a laugh.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ And you<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ re nowhere near scary. You<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ re just devoted. I<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ ve known people in a similar rut as you. Doing what they can just to make sure they<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ d get their master<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s praise<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">He narrowed his eyes heavenward.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Wait<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… I might be referring to Shoggoths and Kikimoras and not actual people<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… .<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">I stroked where he had caressed me. My paws tingled, as though the warmth from his hands had not left yet.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ You are such a strong person.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">Marden motioned in a way he were to perform a gag reflex.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Not really. Just<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…. motivated. I know myself as the person sent to knock some sense on the Demon Lord, and that won<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ t change.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">” He gazed back at me.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ You on the other hand<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… are just as motivated. You<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ re motivated in making sure that your master<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s wishes are fulfilled. But<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… ..that doesn<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ t mean you<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ d have to be ashamed of stuff you<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ re supposed to have. Like fear.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">I froze at the words he explained.

<p class="MsoNormal">I knew them to be true.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ We all have our fears. They<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ re part of our identity, and they remind us of things we are yet to surpass as we age.Still, that doesn<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ t mean we<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ d let them scare us silly. We show them they don<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ t hurt us at all. That <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">– is when the courage sets in.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">Marden walked further ahead, laying his joined hands behind his head while basking in the moon<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s afterglow. As he stretched, I heard him grunt, which I can assess was the pain from his barely-recovered arm.

<p class="MsoNormal">And still, he insists on hiding it.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Man<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… .. I<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ d kill for a pillow right now. My head hearts from all that processing<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…”

<p class="MsoNormal">Holding a paw over my mouth, I laughed.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ I cannot discern if you are truly a Hero or a guised philosopher.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ That was hurtful.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ I apologize. You must be both, or none of the above.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Okay, let<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s drop the Marden commentary.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">I snickered at his embarrassment.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Oh, about those guys<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ ?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">Marden hung his hands back. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">“ I meant<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… those villagers<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…. I lied. The seal was rigged to disable automatically after three hours. They won<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ t have to worry their pretty little heads on staying bound forever.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ I see<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">…” I said aloud. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ You had given them quite a scare.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Yeah<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… .. now I feel like hating myself. I never knew I had a talent for being heartless. Also<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…”

<p class="MsoNormal">He looked back in my direction. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">“ I<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ m seeing that Master of yours, Zmey.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ You are?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">He nodded sideways.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ There might be a real reason why he sent for me, and why you had to keep the girls away. I<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ m sure, it<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s my power that he needs. If they came with, they<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ d be sure to interfere, and your Master wouldn<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ t like the idea of uninvited guests.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ So<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">…. I<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ ll hear him out. Whatever thing he wants me to do, I<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ ll make sure to have it done. And then, I<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ ll be on my way. That way, I won<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ t take up too much of your privy time with your boss.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">For some reason, that remark, coupled with a thumbs-up from him, caused me to fluster up in seconds.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ T-That is not for you to decide, Marden.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">” I huffed and turned away, arms folded.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ And stoic Zmey<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s returned. Hoo-ray.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">” He grumbled for a bit. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ When I get back, I have to set things straight with those two girls<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… Ada, in the most part<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… .<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Satisfied with his grumbling, he turned, but then his sleeve was tugged. He saw I was at that other end, about to throw him a query.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ A-After everything else<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">…. will  you<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… stay my friend?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">He sniggered.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Of course I will.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">” He tapped at my shoulder. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">“ Isn<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ t this proof enough we understand each other?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">I looked down at the human clothing called <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">‘ sweater<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ that he gave me. Felt its smoothened surface hugging my skin WhenMarden<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s presence left my side he was already a distance ahead, waiting for me to follow.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Yes. It<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… more than enough.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">I left the sweater as it were and went after him. <p class="MsoNormal" style="border-width:initial;border-style:none;padding:0in;"> <p class="MsoNormal">*************

<p class="MsoNormal">A few hours later, at the crack of dawn by the foot of the mountain, Marden had succumbed to weariness.

<p class="MsoNormal">I had known he was drained from the time he came to my aid. He was vying to cover more ground to reach our destination faster. I would not have it. He needs his rest, and as a Hero, he must regain his strength for later. I asked to use the healing salve he recommended beforehand. Thinking it to be other than my intended ploy, he agreed.

<p class="MsoNormal">Stopping by an aged oak tree, I plied the gel on my injury <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">– which I found, stirred a hot mood throughout my body the more I rubbed.

<p class="MsoNormal">''Is medicine supposed to arouse the senses to this degree? How peculiar.''

<p class="MsoNormal">I bore with the feeling. Waited.

<p class="MsoNormal">A minute later, there was a loud snore by the tree roots.

<p class="MsoNormal">As expected, he was already sound asleep. He had his back propped against the tree trunk, arms folded, one knee bent while the other leg was splayed down.The peaceful expression in his face was interrupted by a line of drool that hung down his chin.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">If he saw himself in this state, he would no doubt, feel like crawling into a Wererabbit hole.

<p class="MsoNormal">I patted his head. The silky feel of his hair passed my paws.

<p class="MsoNormal">To feel this secure around me<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… ..

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ If that is so, then<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… .. I as well.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">I settled beside him. Rested my head on the other side of the trunk, angling my back to support myself upon it. I listened to the faint hum of the forest at daybreak..

<p class="MsoNormal">.. before hearing them drowned out by the snores of the Mark Maker.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Out of kindness, I clipped his chin. The snoresceased at once.

<p class="MsoNormal">As the quietness of the environment seeped into me, sleep took over my entirety and I was swallowed by a comforting darkness<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">….

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…………………………………………………………………………

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">In the outside, I was asleep.

<p class="MsoNormal">But in the channels of my mind, that was not the case.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">There was a golden room where my unconscious mind was supposed to be drowned in black. From the very height of it to the endless expanse of the floor, veins of gilded light coursed in a stringed vestige. I was standing in the middle of that room. If, that truly was the middle of the room.

<p class="MsoNormal">Around me... were the counsel who didn<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ t show earlier. 4 beings of pure thought, sitting in a half-circle formation, hosting troubled looks and towering me in astonishing height.

<p class="MsoNormal">Snake.Goat.Lion.Dragon.

<p class="MsoNormal">The personas that make of me.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ To call for me in the midst of my slumber<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… .. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">‘ tis rare for the 4 of you.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">” I told them deftly. Snake, who takes form of a jet-black serpent with body marks of glowing violet, spoke first.

<p class="MsoNormal">You are slipping, Zmey.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Slipping?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">It is obvious, and you know what we are concerning to.The pale <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">– colored Goat, his bodily markings manifesting in blue, cantered back with hooves clicking noisily. You have sentiments for that boy.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ What? That is not true.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">” I denied. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Master is still the one I serve. He is my everything.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">The 4 exchanged looks of concerns on one another. Lion <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">– the dark-maned one and an animal with eyes redder than red <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">– laughed as if I had said the opening to a jest.

<p class="MsoNormal">''Allegiance? Oh right. Now that you say it, we can see your mind is wrestling over two sides.''

<p class="MsoNormal">Snake saw fit to chip in. ''And as always, one must be chosen from either choices. How wretched.''

<p class="MsoNormal">''Loyalty.Love. Both cannot exist on two different people. ''Goat explained putting up an air of arrogance.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">It was useless. I could not say a word in my defense.

<p class="MsoNormal">They were wearing my patience thin.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">''Enough. You complicate matters for her.''

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">The 3 animals fell silent. The fourth persona raised her head.

<p class="MsoNormal">The ash-white Dragon, with blue lines running up and curving down his reptilian anatomy.

<p class="MsoNormal">With a claw, Dragon motioned them to withdraw. They did so. She lumbered forward and nuzzled her huge head against my chin.

<p class="MsoNormal">Our dear Owner''<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… .. <span id="cke_bm_53S" style="display:none;">     ''we are simply worried for you. Conflict beguiles your heart, and so'<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…. for the longest time, we had desired for you to be decide for yourself.''

<p class="MsoNormal">I moved her head down and scoffed.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ I very much understood that from the moment you lot weren<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ t voicing out.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">Snake, Goat and Lion stifled their own laughter.

<p class="MsoNormal">''You know that your decrees are at out behest, Owner. ''Dragon said with kind eyes. ''We are your counsel. We throw in the options, you piece that together for the final decision. It had been that way since you were a babe.''

<p class="MsoNormal"> 

<p class="MsoNormal">Lion echoed in after Dragon. ''But this time'<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… in a matter that concerned your feelings, we believe you'<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ ll make the right choice. Without us.''

<p class="MsoNormal">Snake and Goat muttered raspy yeses in agreement.

<p class="MsoNormal"> 

<p class="MsoNormal">After all'<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… 

<p class="MsoNormal">Dragon held the thin end of the sweater fabric for me to see.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… this is your heart that this rides upon.

<p class="MsoNormal"> 

<p class="MsoNormal"> 

<p class="MsoNormal">I had wished they would plan another time in cracking a practical joke. But the way they united in this effort - made it known they were being serious.

<p class="MsoNormal">I bowed in acknowledgement.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ I will do that. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">“ I rolled my eyes. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Although it would have helped if you hinted me from the start.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in">Goat and Snake shot angry glares at each other. They were always the quickest to bicker.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in">It was Snake'<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s idea.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in">Was not.

<p class="MsoNormal">Herbivore.

<p class="MsoNormal">Legless freak.

<p class="MsoNormal">As the two argued, Lion separated them laughing a great deal at their behavior. I watched in silence. Heavy footsteps sent tremors beneath my feet as Dragon ambled to my side.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Keep watch over them, will you?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">As you wish, Owner.

<p class="MsoNormal">I turned to her.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ And<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">…. keep watch over me.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">Dragon ruffled my hair with her claws. Her warm aura drowned the lonely chill out of me.

<p class="MsoNormal">''We always will. We are your personas. And you'<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… are the body that bind us together.''

<p class="MsoNormal"> 

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Thinking at how the personas went with this plan to piece my feelings together<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…. it left a permanent smile on my lips. <p class="MsoNormal" style="border-width:initial;border-style:none;padding:0in;"> <p class="MsoNormal">*******************

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ A tree.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ No.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ A shrub.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ That is not what I mentioned.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Ah crap, what are you even looking at? We can<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ t keep playing Eye Spy with these vague clues.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Noontime. Two days later.

<p class="MsoNormal">Marden Bale and I were on our way to Master. Our destination was the city of Ymenah<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">– a mere five miles away from the mountain where we restarted our travel. The journey was, for most of its part, a peaceful one.

<p class="MsoNormal">For four hours, we were soaring in the clouds and basking under the sun (actually, it was mostly me, for Marden was being held underneath and he couldn<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ t get a breadth of sunshine at all). Four hours of flight later, the man insisted on walking the next kilometer to stretch his legs. Not wanting to be the only one in the air, I alighted alongside him. He still couldn<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ t deduce why I had chosen not to fly ahead.

<p class="MsoNormal">And to alleviate boredom, we have resolved to playing the human game known as <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">‘ Eye-Spy<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ I have told you.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">” I explained, my tongue as sharp as he had remembered. It was relaxing to be my usual self around him: a stiff-minded, slightly-apathetic Chimaera. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ It is green. Solid.Branches to more than one. What is it?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Marden was polishing his blade with a piece of cloth. Rubbing it a few times by its edge, the weapon soon gleamed neatly in the daylight. He sheathed it and swerved to me, an eyebrow raised.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ A<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… .. bean sprout?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ That is obviously, a far-fetched answer.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Ah crud<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">… can you please tell me what it is now, and forever let me hold my peace?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">I grinned modestly. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">“ A Tentacle plant.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">There was a blank stare that crossed his face at the reveal.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ That<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…… seriously lacking major clues. Where did you see a plant like that?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ An hour ago.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ OH come on! That has to be illegal! We already passed that!!<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">It was an amusing sight, considering that Marden didn<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ t seem to enjoy Eye Spy as much as I would when traveling with Master. They are supposed to be connected by blood..but still<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">…… he was terrible at it. The only response he could garner from me was a hapless giggle.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">The two days went without quarrels or conflict. We traveled in a safer route, far from human settlements, far from the usual gathering places for Mamonos. Marden was playing it safe. He didn<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ t want us to encounter any more problems along the way. At times, Marden would question me on the identity of my Master. I had given him the assurance that he would meet him soon.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">And it was sooner than he thought.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Dead wind billowed its way into our faces, clouds of dust and debris flying at random. Shielding his eyes, Marden strained to check his surroundings. I moved past the restless air and pointed afar.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ We are here.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">Marden cleared his path of vision <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">– and his eyes widened at what was before him.

<p class="MsoNormal">At the very edge of a clearing where we stood, was the massive city Ymenah. A gleaming metropolis of jeweled towers and buildings..under the pinkish sky of a grand-scale Demon Realm. Flecks of Demonic Energy streamed out of the afflicted earth and into the heavens above.

<p class="MsoNormal">I trotted forward. Marden hustled after me, still in awe at what he was seeing.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Z-Zmey! WAIT! Wh-what<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s with this town<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… ?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Leading Marden to the entrance, it was becoming clearer to him. The city, although grand, hosted no Mamono or incubus by its walls. There was no signs of life, emanating of joy and rapture from the inside.

<p class="MsoNormal">It was as if<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… .. the city Ymenah was dead.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Zmey<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">…. where is everybody?<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">I was too much in a hurry to respond.

<p class="MsoNormal">At the gates of the city, where twin watchtowers had an equal view of what was ahead and within Ymenah, I stopped. I kneeled in full, and Marden was but behind me, watching.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Master. I have returned.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">A voice magnanimous enough to be mistaken as a noble<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s own boomed from the one of the towers.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ FINALLY!AFTER ALL THAT WAITING<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">……“

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Marden<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s ears flicked, having realized the voice was of a familiar timbre. He searched for its origin, its source <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">– and his mouth fell open at the arrival of an individual.

<p class="MsoNormal">An individual, sauntering his way to the open window of the empty tower. A toothed necklace hanging by his exposed collarbone. A fur-coat, fluttering by his shoulders under the influence of the Demon Realms<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ wind.

<p class="MsoNormal">My master.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Welcome home Zmey.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">Master<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">’ s eyes traveled from me<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… to the person I had bought before him. <span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ And welcome home<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… dearest Brother.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Still kneeling, I glanced at Marden. Instead of elation<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… what beset him<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">… was rage.

<p class="MsoNormal">A rage he brought with the utterance of Master<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri">’ s name.

<p class="MsoNormal"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border-width:initial;border-style:none;padding:0in;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">“ Hilas.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri">”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-width:initial;border-style:none;padding:0in;"> <p class="MsoNormal">TO BE CONTINUED...

<p class="MsoNormal">(Next up - another past blast..... for the Mark Maker....)