Everything was dark and the powerful creatures attacked me without mercy. Shoulders crashed, left leg lost, ice spikes stabbed all over my body and I was burnt to death. I felt an indescribable pain. My blood flooded the surface of the hunting ground.
I opened my eyes as I held my chest and caught my breath. The noise from the hunting ground still plays on my head.
"Haaah... aaah... haaah!" I was panting. "Where am I?", I asked myself.
"Goodmorning sir!", a nurse greeted me with a warm smile. I looked around and realized I was in the hospital. The nurse immediately called someone from outside of the room. Not long after, Uncle Fred rushed inside.
"It has been five days since we found you right at the gate of the Sphyral mountain. I am glad you came back safe, son.", I can see how worried Uncle Fred was even behind his smile.
"I thought I was dead for sure." I looked at my hands and tried to get up.
*boooogshh!!!**
He hit me in the forehead. "Ouch!! What was that for?" I exclaimed and touch the part where he hit me.
"Idiot! Do you think it was easy for me thinking of what might have happened to you out there? You're always making decisions on your own and you never ask permission from me whenever you take action." He was serious as he spoke loudly while his eyes were fixed on mine.
Here I am again, scolded by a man to whom I am not even related with by blood. But he cares for me and he promised not to leave since my father died. He treats me like his own son and he loves me like how my father used to. He gives me everything even without me asking for any. He gives advice, but most of the time, I just let it pass through my ears. And as he said, I always make decisions on my own. I was stubborn the whole time. Now, I feel guilty looking at his sad eyes.
"I'm sorry Uncle for being stubborn. Sorry if I didn't appreciate the sacrifices you did. Now, I promise I will listen to you." I bowed my head down.
"I'm also sorry for shouting at you. I just want you to be safe and let you fulfill your dreams.", he smiled warmly and hugged me tight.
"Thank you, uncle, for being so kind to me. Like you and my father, I want to do great things someday.", I said happily and tapped his back.
"Son, to accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." He held both my shoulders and look at me seriously then smiled.
I looked at him with awe. This old guy always amazes me; the way he delivers his words, the way he solved every problem I caused him. He is saving me from sinking. When my father left me, he was always there for me and he never left my side. He never let me feel that I am alone. He always comforts me and he loved me like his own son.
After comforting me, Uncle Fred opened the door and welcomed a visitor who was waiting for me since about an hour ago. A beautiful girl entered the room. Her face glowed as it was exposed to the sun rays shining through the window.
"Goodmorning Santius, are you okay? How are feeling now?" Ms. Twizon rushed towards me and held my forehead. She looked really worried.
I wondered why she's here so I took a glance at Uncle Fred before I could answer her. He only winked at me and grinned.
"Ahhh... Ahhmmm. Goodmorning Ms. Twizon. I'm fine but how did you know I am here?" I replied awkwardly. I knew I was blushing and I can't even look at her.
"Ms. Twizon is too formal. Please just call me Zylfa outside the school, okay?", she smiled as she replied.
"Bu..but..."
"Please don't insist. Just do what I say? Okay? And now I'll tell you everything.", she immediately replied. And the smile she had was replaced with a serious look. She took a chair, dragged it next to where I lay down and sat on it. She began telling what happened.
Five days have passed since they found me at the gate of the Sphyral mountain. She said she was there when the Candle Lightning Event had started. She saw me at the gate being blocked by a soldier with his Sphynx. She tried to stop me but all people blocked her way from and she lost sight of me when the strong gale of wind encircled us all. When the lightning streak hit the ground, she covered her face. When she looked back at where I was last, the Soldier and I have disappeared. She immediately called the head faculty and asked for the phone number of my guardian/parent. She called Uncle Fred immediately. Uncle arrived after four hours from Bohian. They waited at the front of the gate for almost 24 hours together with the police, the soldiers, and some media personnel.
Suddenly, a strong gale of wind encircled the plain for a second. Rain clouds gathered from the mountain. Huge lightning streaks hit the ground just in front of the gate. The Lightning was stronger than the one that hit before I entered the gate. They ran quickly to the area where the lightning hit. The ground shattered and they found me lying unconsciously inside the hole left by the lightning streaks.
"Did that really happened? The last thing I remembered is that I was attacked by a pack of Sphynx. I surely died there. How did I survive? Was I sucked out 'alone' from the mountain?", I asked each question one after another as they come up to my head. Undeniably, I am still in the state of trauma.
"We only found you. You were unconscious. But before we arrived at the area, some soldiers claimed that there was a Sphynx who escaped from the hole created by the lightning." she responded.
"Some nurses and doctors also said that they noticed a Sphynx without an owner somewhere in the hospital and it kept on hiding whenever it sees people. Maybe it's yours, buddy. You can talk to him in your mind but not now because your body is not yet in a good condition". Uncle inserted his thoughts and smiled.
"By the way Santius, there is somebody who also wanted to visit you. Mr. Cloffer please come in!" Ms. Twizon raised her voice as she called him.
I didn't expect that he would come and visit me. I saw Uncle Fred's face filled with joy and I am sure it is because he thinks I finally made a friend in the school... but I didn't, actually.
"Goodmorning Maam and Sir. Good morning Santius! Ahhh ahhm, I just wanted to say tha... thank you again and passed by just to see your co.. condition.hehe" He stammered as soon as he spoke to me.
"Goodmorning Mr. Cloffer. Naaah, just don't think about it, 'kay? I'm fine now.", I responded and gave him a smile.
"Sorry, I haven't introduced myself properly to you. I am Kion Cloffer. Just call me Kion.", he said with an awkward smile.
"Ok Kion. But how did you know I was here in the hospital.". I asked him and looked at everyone in every with a questioning expression.
"Don't you know that almost everyone in Cebreu knows you? You're famous now Santius!", he said with much excitement.
Uncle fred, Zylfa and Kion continued sharing to me the details of what actually happened while I was asleep. They said when they found me in the hole left by the strong streak of lightning, they also found the 74 dog tags that were properly secured in my belt. The media took pictures of me, the police took the dog tags and informed the family of those soldiers who died in the mountain of a man who brought the dog tags for them through media. In about 24 hours, people gathered at the front of the gate of the Sphyral mountain where the police waits for them to pick up those dog tags. The place filled with sadness. People mourned holding the dog tags of the dead soldiers.
"...", I was not able to say a single word.
"You heard everything santius! Now, I have to go and I'll pick you up tomorrow.", Uncle smiled and rushed towards the door.
"Wait Uncle! Are you gonna leave me here?" I shouted with my eyebrows crossed.
"Don't worry Santius. I volunteered to watch you until tomorrow.", Zylfa smiled. She had the smile of a goddess and I can't even believe that she'd do that for me.
"Ahmm Mr. Fred, can I also volunteer to pick him up and Ms. Twizon tomorrow?", Kion asked Uncle Fred.
"Yes, of course, Kion! Now it has been settled Santius," uncles grinned. "see you at the house tomorrow." He winked and grabbed the doorknob.
"Thank you, Mr. Fred! See you tomorrow Ms. Twizon and Santius." Kion said.
"Hey.. wait...nahhh." I tried to stop them they had already made their way out of the door. I sighed.
I don't think I can sleep with her watching me all day and night. Though it will uncomfortable, I should be thankful as I am still lucky enough to have an angel by my side right at this moment.
----------------------
I woke up around five in the morning. I saw Zylfa sleeping on the small couch like a princess outside her castle. Her eye bags has gotten bigger as she cried again last night and told me everything about her boyfriend. She thanked me for bringing the dog tags including her boyfriend's. My heart felt heavy seeing her cry. I want to embrace her and say that everything will be alright but I couldn't even say a word to comfort her.
*knock..knock.knock..** I heard a knock from outside.
Kion entered the room together with a doctor assisted by a nurse. Zylfa woked up. They helped me stood up and checked my condition as I walk slowly. The doctor finally allowed me to go home and advised me to take my medicine regularly for the whole month. Hospital bills were already paid as according to what Uncle said.
I am too excited to see Heat and to summon my Sphynx because I can feel that he is just near.
It is eight in the morning, now I finally got out of the hospital assisted by Zylfa and Kion. The beautiful sunlight lightens our faces and the fresh air touched our spirits giving a good start for a beautiful day.
As we took a few steps from the hospital to get into the open spaced parking lot where Kion's car was parked, we have noticed some people looking at our direction.
After a few minutes, people have gathered around, and an old man around 50's then approached me, "You are Santius, right?" He held my hand and smile warmly.
"Ahhh.. .Yes, Sir, ahmm, how did you know me, Sir?" I confusedly replied.
The group of people has encircled us. I notice most of them were wearing dog tags.
"We have gathered here to thank you, Santius, for bringing justice to our soldiers. Please accept this as a token of our gratitude." The old man gave a pack of fruits to me and smiled.
"No, sir. I just picked up those dog tags while waiting for a Sphynx to hunt. No need to say thank you.", I'm trying not to be the good guy in front of the people because I am not used to it. My plan was to help and bring them justice, but I didn't wish to receive such attention. I've been hiding in shadows for almost my whole life. I am not used to talking with people. And now I am surrounded by them.
Zylfa and Kion looked at me while I'm trying to refuse the gifts from the people. They saw that I was hiding my true feelings to the people and they were trying to figure it out of what I am really thinking.
While people was still trying to convince me to receive their offers, a police car stopped in front of us.
"Santius Zehcnas! We bring you a Warrant of Arrest for breaking the law that was implemented with regard to the Sphyral mountain.", a policeman shouted seriously.
I was surprised to hear that.
"No! You cannot arrest Santius! He was the only one who brought justice for us!", The old man shouted and blocked the way of three police men who were trying to arrest me.
"You're trying to put Santius in jail? Then you should break us first.", another man shouted.
Everyone formed a line and held each others' hand to block the policemen.
"It's really my fault. Let them arrest me." I bowed my head down and felt ashamed for what I've done.
"No! You haven't done anything wrong!", the old man insisted.
They believed that I have done nothing wrong. I became a savior for them. And now they want to return the favor.
"Well. I have no choice but to break you all so that I can make my way to Santius. ZORIT!!", one of the policemen said aggressively and called for someone.
A Hound type Sphynx with a Green Fur and black stripes on its tail appeared.
The people crumbled in fear as the Sphynx walk towards them. Some ran to escape before the Sphynx could reach them. The two-meter Sphynx faced the old man who is in front of the line and smelled him like it was ready to swallow the old man.
Some people broke out from the line in fear and made a way for the Sphynx but the old man was still standing firm. There was no trace of fear in him.
The Sphynx howled, raised his paw, revealing its sharp nails, and waited for his master's order.
"Throw him Zorit!", the policeman ordered.
"Noooohhhhh!!!" I shouted and pull the old man replacing him in his place. When suddenly,
*boommmm!**
A blistering attack came from the roof top of the hospital's building to the Sphynx that was about to hit me.
The attack was like that of a canon and it hit the Sphynx of the police man. We all stumbled down. The area is covered with smoke that was left by the impact.
When the smoke began to fade, we uncovered our faces. The opened our eyes, we were astonished at was standing in front of us.
A heavily built Lynx type Sphynx approximately three meters tall stood right next to the unconscious Hound type Sphynx. It has a bluish white body with a tufted tail and a shaggy gray mane. His right paw stepped and pierced the body of the beaten sphynx with his sharp nails.
The people crumbled with fear when they saw the Lynx type Sphynx slowly killing the unconscious hound type sphynx by his nails. Then, the ferocious Sphynx turned his head and looked straight at me with his blue eyes.
"Can I kill this Sphynx now, Santius?" a deep calm voice resonated inside my head.
After a few seconds of staring at the beast, my eyes shone and I can see even clearer. Now I can see a lava-like (L.E.) that were flowing to the both Sphynxs' inner body and the police man who owned the Sphynx. And there is something in their hearts; it is filled with L.E. like a source of their power. In other words, the Sphynxs' heart is the so-called L.E. Gauge which only the owners can see. This is what Uncle told me that only I can identify the class of the Sphynx once l become an owner.
If the heart filled up 1% - 25%, the L.E. is 5,000 - 10,000 so it indicates as 3rd Class Sphynx
25%-50% = 10,000-18,000 L.E. > 2nd Class
50%-75% = 18,000-30,000 L.E. > 1st Class
75%-100% = 30,000-60,000 L.E. > Legendary Class
So now I can identify the classes of the Sphynxs around me.
"Wait... That bluish-white Sphynx called my name... Is that really my Sphynx?", I talked to myself, still puzzled.
"Yes. I am your Sphynx Santius. I understand you're still adjusting your body with the flow of our L.E.", the Bluish white lynx type Sphynx responded. I was amazed that he spoke to me inside my head. He used telepathy since this is the best communication between the owner and his/her Sphynx. Now I tried to reply him with the use of the telepathy.
"So you are really my Sphynx.", I replied to him excitedly using telepathy.
But Before my Sphynx could respond, the policemen pulled out their guns and pointed it to my Sphynx nervously.
"Santius, can I kill them all?", my Sphynx asked, confident that he could kill them all with ease like he can kill them all easily.
"No! Please don't do it.", I responded quickly.
"But they are threatening our lives.", he insisted on attacking the policemen.
My Sphynx was still standing right next to the unconscious Sphynx. He is ready to attack the policemen anytime. He's just waiting for my order.
"Put your guns down!", another police car arrives at the scene.
The newly arrived police man is around his 40's. He has black hair and was wearing eyeglasses. He is Lieutenant Rulen Giovan. He is a tall man with a dark complexion.
"But Sir, this Sphynx attacked my Zorit!", the Sphynx owner insisted as he pointed his finger to my Sphynx.
"And Sir we have an order to arrest Mr. Zehcnas.", the other police man added.
"We will arrange that matter later! But not this time! Put your guns down and we will take our leave."
The three police men put their guns down and clenched their fist as their eyes gazed at me and my Sphynx. Two of them entered the car and leave the area immediately. The policeman who owned the Sphynx helped his sphynx to stand up. When the beaten Sphynx regained his consciousness, they walked slowly together and also left the area.
"wooooohhhhh!", everyone shouted as soon as the policemen left.
"SANTIUS! SANTIUS! SANTIUS! SANTIUS!", the people cheered and raised the dog tags.
Everybody encircled me and handed me their offerings again. I had no choice but to accept them and offer a warm smile in return.
"We have witnessed how Santius and his Sphynx saved my life. He is truly a kind young man. Thank you, HERO OF CEBREU!" The old man raised his voice happily and tapped my shoulder.
I faked a smile when I heard the "HERO OF CEBREU". It sounds a bit awkward and some way, it irritates me but what can I do except to accept it just like their gifts.
After receiving all of their offerings, Zylfa and Kion helped me place it all on to the latter's car. We, then, decided to go home. As car engine starts, somebody called my name again.
"Santius Zehcnas! The HERO OF CEBREU. We will forever be thankful for what you did!", Lieutenant Giovan shouted as he raised his right hand holding a dog tag.
Trivia #5:
An owner cannot use a skill if his Sphynx is not within the range of a hundred meters.