Chapter 39 Chapter 39
"Have you spoken to your uncle yet?" Aurora asked Leora. They were walking toward Rizal Park, also known as Luneta. To this point, she had no idea why they were at the park. Her friend had simply mentioned they needed to buy something from the oldest shop there, though she didn't know where such a shop could be located.
"Of course. I couldn't just ignore your dream," Leora replied. "Maybe you're a seer too, just like Ryuk. Perhaps your abilities haven't fully manifested because you're still young. How old are you again?"
"Twenty-two."
"You really are young. I was fifty-four when all my abilities surfaced. But my fighting skills? I learned those instinctively. I didn't grow up in the mountains, so my training started when I was only three."
"Why don't they teach the young wolves anyway?"
"Rules, Aurora. And I hope they change soon, because the youth in the mountains are the ones suffering."
"You're right about that." Aurora adjusted the large bag slung over her back. "Check my back—can you see the sword?" As she kept walking, Leora grabbed her arm. "What?"
"How am I supposed to check your back if you’re moving? You’re such a ditz sometimes." Leora scoffed at her friend and stopped walking. "Why did you bring this sword anyway? Here, hold this while I fix the sword on your back," she said, handing Aurora a birdcage. As Aurora took hold of it, she was amazed; even though she could see the bird’s true form, the cage felt incredibly light. "There, tie this strap around your waist." Leora handed her an extra strap after lifting her bag. "This bag is huge."
"Of course it is. I chose it specifically to hide the weapon on my back. It’s too risky if someone sees it. It’s a good thing we aren't going to a mall, or I’d definitely be arrested."
"Who told you to bring it in the first place?"
When Leora adjusted the strap, Aurora nearly toppled over. She heard a zipper open. "Ouch! Careful. What are you looking for in my bag?"
"Why don't we put the bird inside your bag?"
"Are you stupid? It’ll die in there..."
"This bag is mesh-style; the air flows right through."
"Why don't you just release your bird?" Aurora suggested, watching the young man’s reaction. He seemed full of joy, watching every person passing by, his eyes wandering over everything they could reach. She wasn't sure what kind of creature he was—his irises were pure white.
"Don't do that. I'll just carry it; we're close to the Rizal Monument anyway."
"You know him?"
"Personally? No. We weren't allowed to leave the mountains back then just for the sake of it. When Yfraim became king, we finally gained some semblance of a life out here. He's the best king, you know, despite his quirks." He patted her shoulder. "There, your sword is hidden. Give me my bird back." She handed it over, and they resumed walking. "When I first left the mountains, I was overjoyed. But when I got to the city, that joy vanished."
"Why?"
"It’s polluted. Though the air back then wasn't as dirty as it is now. I don't know what's wrong with mortals; they know air and water are their primary sources of life, yet they keep polluting them."
"Hey, that's harsh! I don't think everyone is like that," she said, defending the people she once thought were her own kind. "There are mortals who value nature."
"The ones who destroy it are just more numerous, don't you think? Even you used the term 'I don't think,' which means you aren't even sure," he said sarcastically. "You can see and smell the difference between things out here and inside the mountains. The Dilikanato even fought among themselves just to protect the mortals."
"What’s a Dilikanato?"
"An engkanto (enchanted being)."
"You mean they exist?" She turned to her friend, amazed. They were only a few steps away from the National Hero’s monument.
Leora laughed. "That’s like asking, 'Do we exist?' Of course they exist."
"What do they look like? Are they really beautiful?"
"Yeah. You'll encounter one of their kind soon because we need their help."
"I thought you didn't know where we were going? Now you’re saying we need their help?"
"We need to gather as many allies as possible, Aurora."
"Why? How powerful is Morgana, really?"
"Let's just say she's fifteen percent sorceress and eighty-five percent god..."
"What the fuck!" Aurora bit her nail at the revelation.
"Oh, come on! Please don't ask me if gods and goddesses exist. I’ll smack you." He walked on, and she hurried to keep pace.
"How many places do you know we need to visit?"
"Hmm." Leora’s eyes rolled upward as she tapped her chin with her index finger. She was thinking, and Aurora didn't trust whatever answer was coming. "One? Oh, no, wait—two."
"And where are these two places?"
"Tamsi Mountain and Safre..."
"Where are those?"
"Tamsi Mountain is in Biliran, and Safre is... somewhere in Rizal?" He answered tentatively, clearly unsure.
"Honestly, Leora, I don't trust you when you do that."
Leora giggled and ruffled Aurora's hair. "That’s why we’re here." He pointed at the statue of Rizal, and she tapped it.
"You're quite disrespectful, aren't you?"
"Did your school teach you that there was a woman involved in Dr. Jose Rizal’s capture?"
"What?"
"Hmm. Most famous men in world history have a woman behind their downfall. Samson is just the most famous one." He scanned the surroundings and hissed.
"Why?"
"Aswang..." he answered simply. Following her friend’s gaze, Aurora saw a man approaching them with rust-colored eyes.
"Puppy..." the man shot back. If there hadn't been people around, Aurora was sure the man’s head would have rolled; her friend looked livid at being mockingly called a puppy.
"Hey! Stop right there!" she warned him. The man raised both hands, still grinning.
"I was right. The famous model Aurora Montegracia is a wolf."
"You're wrong about that, Mister. I'm not just a wolf; I'm also a vampire."
"Oh, you're the hybrid written about in the Book of Tigo..."
"Yes!" Aurora didn't know where she found the arrogance to say it. "So, my name echoes in every corner of the non-human society?"
"Yes."
"Now that you’ve met me, you can go. We have important matters to attend to." She pulled Leora along, nearly bumping into him as a section of the monument’s base shifted, revealing a hidden staircase leading down.
Looking around, Aurora saw that the people nearby were acting normally. No one seemed to see what was happening.
"They can't see us anymore, Aurora, so don't worry," said the man, whose name they still didn't know. It was as if he could read her mind when he offered his hand. "Arnold."
She took it. "Aurora."