"Looks like I've won that price." smiled Aviary.
Drago's POV
We were apprehended and thrown to a jail located at the upper floor of the dome. Five guards are on stand-by, back to back, with their quiver filled with arrows. And is it just me or those things are painted with poison?
"This is bad." I whispered to no one.
"Sinabi mo pa." pag-sang-ayon sa akin ni Kadaski.
"We need to find Albus Feles, so we can regroup and think of a new plan to not only recover C.B, but also save that young boy." I told Aski.
"You're really gonna keep calling her that? Regroup later, save the boy first, then the book." seryosong pahayag ng kaibigan ko.
"I acknowledge that you wanted to save a life, but the recovering the book would not save one innocent life, but many more. We shouldn't make the same mistake again. Let me think of a plan to free us from this cage." paliwanag ko kay Kadaski.
Naantala ang pag-iisip ko nang lapitan kami ni Aviary na may dala-dalang smoothie.
"Kumusta boys? Nilalamig ba kayo? May kumot ako rito." nakangiting pahayag ng lalake.
"No, thanks." sagot ko.
"Lumayo ka nga sa amin! Sunugin ko iyang ngiti sa mukha mo eh!" asar na saad ni Kadaski.
"Sir Aviary, inutusan kami ni Intruder na bawal silang kausapin ng kahit sinong guest." sabi ng guwardiya.
"Kalokohan. I basically won them as the price because I caught them. Kaya tumabi ka kung gusto mo pa ang trabaho mo." seryosong pahayag ni Aviary.
Mabilis na sumunod ang guwardiya, ngunit halata sa mukha nito ang pag-a-alinlangan.
"Hindi mo kami ma-a-angkin tanda. Magiging abo muna kamo bago mo kami mahawakan." maangas na sabi ni Kadaski habang nakangisi.
"That's a good idea." ngiti nito sa amin.
"Aski, kailangan mo talagang mag-practice kung kailan dapat manahimik." sabi ko rito.
Virdjana's POV
"Back off, Nix!" I said authoritatively.
"Ohhh, aggressive. I like that Albus Feles." laughed Nix as she picks her weapon up from the ground.
"Aura..." I almost choke my words out as my body is making it clear for me that I could not use it again without rest. This also means that I won't be able to scale her power level. I brushed the unruly strands of my hair to the side of my face as my vision starts showing me circles.
"Is this the part two of I'm going to get killed for real?" Ryoline ordered her Naga to slither around her as a defense stance.
"I like you more when you're asleep." I replied to her question while struggling to maintain the air barriers around us.
My headaches continued to throb, and when I finally had it, the barriers vanished like electricity powering down.
"Is that all of the juice you have left Albus Feles? I'm disappointed. I'm expecting that you're stronger now that you chose to return." Nix remarked while twirling the axe above her head.
"I knew it, I got this feeling that you're originally a Hazbin!" stated Ryoline while pointing a finger at me. "Wait, if she knows you then what's your relationship with each other?"
I glared at Ryoline, causing her to flinch, and look away.
"Interested? You gotta pay me for that information." laughed Nix Q'mei.
Ryoline huffed before saying, "Gladly. My father is B.S, so that's going to make this transaction legit."
"Sweet. Money from the Jester and money from the Schnider." cackled the axe-wielder as she walks towards Ryoline with her axe slung on her shoulder.
It looks like these two will be teaming up, I have to take this opportunity to get the Chronicle Book.
Realizing what I was planning to do, Nix grabbed her weapon tightly, "Oh no you don't!"
"Got you." Smirking, I tripped her successfully before catching the axe that went flying upwards. "What the- how many tons is this metal?" I almost stumbled backwards, but was lucky to have a post behind me.
My head continues to spin, and I shake my head to regain my senses.
"Still as tricky as ever. You're pretending to have headaches, so you can catch me off guard? How low!" Nix heavy footfalls left dents on the floorboards.
Ryoline watches us with a sardonic smile on her lips.
I flinched as a strong pang of pain hits me, my eyes half-open. I am not only fighting opponents, but also myself.
"What did you tell her?" I asked Nix who was able to finally close the gap between us, before landing a punch to my stomach that lifted me slightly off the floor.
I felt a sharp ache on my abdomen that. I hurt all over, however the headaches finally stopped. "F*ck you."
"From what I can see, she's never been punched this hard before." commented Ryoline laughingly.
"And you're going to get it next, if you don't shut your trap young one." Nix told Ryoline, and she receives an eye roll from Junior Nanami in return.
I tried getting up on one knee, while secretly creating an Aerial Blade behind my back.
"I understand now. I can see where Senior learned how to make threats from." retorted the Beast Tamer.
"I didn't learn anything from her." I said to Ryoline, "nothing."
Are they playing with me? I came here for one thing only.
"Do both of you think this is some kind of game?" I asked before batting a glare towards Ryoline, "I'm done babysitting your toxic ass."
"Was that a joke? Am I suppose to feel scared now?" cackled the younger Enchanted Elite.
Nix Q'mei smirked as she folds her arms in front of her chests. On the other hand, Ryoline fixates her eyes on her injuries before raising her left hand, her Mythical Serpent lifted a third of its body off the ground - obviously a sign of aggression.
"You can't expect to survive the backstage Albus Feles. The stronger ones are here." revealed Nix as footsteps from the entrances became louder.
Tch. Back up?
Kadaski's POV
"Tol, who would have known?"
Kasalukuyan kaming tumatakbo ni Drago papalayo sa ilang guwardiya. Salamat sa mga healing potion na dala ni Drago ay naka-recover na kami in terms ng mana at mga injury. Pakiramdam ko ay dumadaloy sa katawan ko ang ilang pumps ng adrenaline.
"Parang ang gaan ng katawan ko!" Madali kong na-i-ilagan ang mga palaso na ibinabato sa amin ng mga alipores ni Intruder.
"I thought we were goners." sabi ni Drago bago latiguhin ang hilera ng mga archers sa kanan namin.
Nahinto kami sa pagtakbo ng lumanding sa harapan namin si Aviary. "You need to run quicker than that. My agents told me that a certain Vice-Captain of a territory here in Retromalus is against Albus Feles."
"Sir Aviary, thank you for helping us." pagpapasalamat ng best friend ko.
"Save it. You are never safe as long as you're still in the Town of Hazbins." Aviary remarks as he draws his feather sword to take care of the remaining pursuers. "These enemies are chipmunks to me."
We finally made it to the backstage.
"You can't expect to survive the backstage Albus Feles. The stronger ones are here." said an unfamiliar voice.
"Phantom!" I gritted my teeth, summoning my Fire Salamanders, and ordered them to take down the bulky woman.
"Quick reaction Albus Canis. I'll save Ryoline." said Drago before conjuring his whip in attempt to grab Ryoline.
"You don't need to. They're working together now." Phantom told Drago.
Anong nangyari kay Phantom? She looked alright before, but right now she appears to be haggard, and weak.
"Who are these people? They have unfamiliar auras." grumbled the buff woman, as she easily thwarted my summons by slicing them in half with her axe.
Anong nangyayari? Paanong nahahati ng palakol ang elemental summons ko?
"Mukhang gulat na gulat ka bata. Don't you know that High Tier Spells can be countered by High Tier Legendary magic items?" nakangising pahayag ng babae bago pina-ikot-ikot ang kaniyang sandata.
"Legendary?!" sabay naming bulalas ni Drago.
"Tilemetafora."
That cold voice. I looked behind me where Phantom reappeared after her teleportation, a small thud followed as she kneels on the floorboards.
"She escaped! What are you doing Schnider offspring?" glared the buff woman to Junior Nanami.
"Aww, d-did you call me Schnider offspring? That basically translates to me, being his daughter! Oh joy!" says Ryoline while hugging herself.
"Ugh, weirdo." grumbled the axe wielder.
Drago looks at Phantom worriedly before stepping forward and handling her a mana recovery potion. "Here, drink this."
"Why are you here? I don't need you here. Get away from her, she's dangerous." she coldly states, smacking the bottle away causing it to shatter, and be wasted.
"Oh?" was only Aviary's reaction towards the scenario.
On the other hand, the buff woman began laughing in hysterics. "HA!HA!HA!"
What is she laughing at? Is she mocking Phantom? Or is she laughing at our team? I gave Ryoline a quick glance, and it seems to me that she got her confidence back despite the injuries she sustained.
"Anong nakakatawa gago ka?" tanong ko sa matipunong babae. ngunit inignora lamang ako nito at nagpatuloy sa pagtawa.
"Virdjana? Tell us what happened." said Drago to the Eumythymn.
"Resonance. That's what happened." Phantom stated.
"Young woman, did I hear you right? You know of the Resonance?" singit ni Aviary sa pag-uusap ng mga kaklase ko.
"I'm the Leader of Resonance, and I know all our members. That large woman is not part of ours esteemed organization." Aviary proudly states.
"Organization?" pag-uulit ko.
"Yes, we are a group of people that aims to end slavery. My subordinates are all excellent in their jobs." answered the man.
Tumayo na si Virdjana bagaman nakahawak pa rin ito sa kaniyang ulo. "End slavery? What kind of bullshit are you talking about? The Resonance is a group of chaotic mercenaries." stated Phantom in a matter-of-fact tone.
Agad akong na-alarma sa impormasyong iyon, at mabilis na lumayo kay Aviary. Maging si Drago ay agad na pumunta sa harap ni Phantom bilang akto nang pag-depensa sa nanghihinang Wind Enchant.
"Lies. Don't speak dirty of my employees." frowned Aviary. "Bakit naman ako magsisinungaling sainyo, Kadaski, at Drago? Tinulungan ko kayong makatakas mula sa mga guwardiya ni Intruder. Ipinangako ko ring ang aking mga kasamahan ang magliligtas sa batang Restovakian na iyon." depensa ni Aviary.
"HA!HA!HA! I can vouch for what Albus Feles said. The Resonance is not about righteousness, and saving. It's about killing, thieving, and also parties." said the Legendary Axe user as she slams her weapon's top on the floor.
Lumapit ako kay Drago, saka bumulong, "sino bang paniniwalaan natin?"
Tumingin rin ako kay Phantom, pero mas abala ito sa pag-inda ng kaniyang mga nakuhang tama sa hula ko ay nangyaring labanan dito sa backstage.
"I'm not sure. Aviary seemed like a good guy, he helped us escaped. Meanwhile, this woman who claims to be a part of Resonance literally just teamed up with Ryoline who was the one who stole the C.B" Drago remarks.
"Well? Who would you believe, and what will you do next?" baling sa amin ni Aviary. "Either way, I won't break the promise about saving the boy. We might just go our separate ways then."
"Sa akin lang, hindi ko pa alam, perong isang bagay ang sigurado ako. Ayoko sa mga traydor, kaya patutumbahin ko yung may palakol pati si Ryoline."