Laros/Lara.

"Papunta na si Luna kasama ang iba pa nitong kasapi na mga duwende sa bansa ng Roha, kasama din ang tatlo sa grupo ng mga taong lobo na pinangungunahan ni Nyctimus. Habang patuloy na ginagawa ng mga kababaihan ang kani-kanilang mga trabaho sa paggawa ng ibat ibang damit, pagluluto at pagpapakain sa mga kahayupan sa ating sakahan. Iyon lang po, Master Lara." I nodded about Medusa's daily report. I checked all the papers na bitbit niya and all of them are in good situations. Since she is the one I assigned of being observant and secretary, she has to observe individual's work and report it to me everytime.

"How about the expanding of our village? At tiyaka, ilang buwan bago makarating sila Luna sa Roha?" I asked.

"Ang pagpapalawak ng lupain ay nasa tama ng proseso, pinagpapatuloy narin ang paggawa ng karagdagang tahanan at malalaking pader malapit sa tahanan ninyo Master Lara. At sa tantiya ko, tatlong linggo lamang ang itatagal at agad na makakarating sila sa kanilang destinasyon. Ang mga taong lobo ay siyang mabilis tumakbo, hindi po kayo mabibigo. Agad-agad din natin mas mapapalawak ang buong lugar na ito." Perfect! We have to build something new, something concrete, something that we can be proud of! A building na magiging trademark mismo sa lugar na ito at siyang magiging dahilan para bumango ang pangalan ng lugar.

"May naisip na po ba kayong pangalan para sa ating lugar, Master Lara?" Yes, I told her that I will be naming this place so that hindi kami mahihirapan sabihin sa kung sino man ang magtatanong sa amin kung taga saan kami. And I told her that I will be giving this place a name right at this moment.

Dalawang buwan na ang nakalipas bago ako makarating sa mundong 'to and within that two months, I learned a lot from here, sa Elves, Werewolves and even from Medusa who gave so much informations. Nakakaloka nga dahil hindi parin talaga ako makapaniwala na nandito ako, buhay na buhay at nasa loob ng estrangherong katawan pero mukha ko parin ang nakaukit. Totoo pala talaga ang parallel universe! But this is just so fantastic, magic do exist! But yet dangerous.

Napaisip ako ng pangalan, at agad ding napangiti when I found one.

"Mystic Emerald." Sambit ko. Medusa's eyes lighten up nang marinig ang pangalan na sinabi ko. I smiled, I just love green and Emerald's color is green. Symbolizes nature, purity and being united. She jot down the name I've said and smiled, she bowed her head and disappeared.

I roam my eyes around and all I can say is this place, is getting bigger and bigger. Getting prettier and prettier. And all creatures here are all beautiful, walang panget! Huwag ka!

********

"Hindi naman kita pipilitin kung ayaw mong sabihin kung saan ka nanggaling. Knowing you have your name, meaning you have powerful magic within you. I can sense it." He doesn't want to talk about his life, he is just Ruthven and a Vampire. Naalerto lahat kaming mga taga dito when he told me who he is, Vampires sucks blood and it's dangerous at ayokong mawalan ng dugo no! But he told me that he is harmless, and he is not a pure Vampire. He is half human, at doon lang ang alam kong impormasiyon sa kaniya. Nandito lang siya sa bahay ko, kung hindi kumakain ay natutulog lang.

He stared at me like I am already served to be eaten, but I counter his stares. Hello! Kahit marupok ako ay kaya ko ring makipagtigasan no! Geez! Kahit gwapo siya, hinding-hindi ako magdadalawang-isip na itapon siya mula rito hanggang sa pinanggalingan niya kapag may ginawa siyang masama! Sa akin o sa iba pang nandidito.

"Are you insane? You want to make this place a nation? A country? And I don't have magic, I am not a wizard that casts fucking spells." Hindi na ako nagsalita. I know it's hard to make this place a country lalo na kung walang sapat na pagkukuhanan ng materyales para lumago ang bayan na'to. To make a country, we have to make ten towns at least. Pero iisa palang ang nakaya namin that's why I am expanding! And why so sudden changing the topic you Vampire!

Nandito siya sa dining area, sitting like a boss. Nasa harapan niya ang tatlong klaseng putahe na pagkain, they even gave him a wine of blood from the boar and a wine of alcohol to make him ease everytime. Pero ayaw pa rin niya magsalita, we are making him comfortable here pero mas pinipili niya talagang manahimik. We are trustworthy and I know na alam niya! Pakakainin ko ba 'yan dito kung hindi ako trustworthy? Ina neto ah!

"I know it's insane but I am perfectly sane. It's may sound so impossible but I'll make it possible, I'll make it happen. For the people who I love, and for the others na nagni-need ng matitirhan, makakain at matutulugan. Just like you, we don't know you but we let you came in. My people save you, they fed you and they gave you comfortable bed kahit alam namin na puwede mo kaming atakihin. How come you still don't trust us?" Hindi ko magawang magtaas ng boses, he is just looking at my eyes with those serious stares! I know maganda ako, pero hindi niya na kailangan ipahalata! Eme!

"And Mystic Emerald, this newly born town, will be forever and ever expanding for those who are in needs. We will welcome those who are neglected, weak or strong wild creatures." I finally said. That's my mission! Ayokong matulad ang mga nilalang dito sa akin noon sa mundo ng Earth na always rejected, discriminated and criticized. I want to be loved and I found it in here and I want them to be love also. I know that there is comforting prospect each side of our dark moments!

"You're unbelievable." He just shortly said.

"I don't care, as long as I love to protect my people then I will always continue taking this path. Even if it puts my life to death. Life before death, strength before weakness, journey before destination. I will protect those who cannot protect themselves. I will protect even those I hate so long as it is right. That's love, Ruthven." Hindi siya nakapagsalita dahil sa litaniya ko, he just looked at me seriously the way he used to be. Ganiyan! Diyan magaling ang mga lalaki! Kaming mga babae ay laging nag-e-explain kung ano ang mali sa kanila, kung ano ang mali sa mga ginagawa nila at kung ano dapat ang tamang gawin to give them right paths! But at the end of the day, they are just listening and still do the same thing!

Lalaki nga naman! Eme. Well, as a trans talaga ay ganoon ang mga minsang nae-engkuwentro ko sa mundong Earth. Girls explains, boys listen pero pinapalabas lang sa kabilang tenga and still do the same way. Wala naman akong problema sa mga lalaki, I think vice versa din naman pero hayst! Hindi ko pa nararanasan magka-boyfriend so I don't know what's the feeling being loved by your special someone.

Hindi ko na natiis at lumabas na, wala rin naman akong makukuhang impormasiyon sa kaniya. He doesn't want to talk so that's alright, ayoko siyang i-force dahil hindi ako magaling do'n.

********

Three weeks after, Luna and Nyctimus already arrived and brought cements and sands. Agad kong pinatrabaho sa mga lalaki ang mga 'yon to build a big kingdom! Yes a kingdom! I know it is so impossible but I also know that we can make it happen. Marami silang dala na semento at buhangin to make an adorable fully cement. Mabenta daw ang mga damit na dala nina Luna kaya labis ko iyon ikinatuwa, and made all the girls sew more clothes. At nagamit din sa wakas sa tama ang mga ginto. Luna gave me the papers saying that the country of Roha needs more clothes for trading and I approved it as soon as possible. Medusa already knew about it and she is also happy with it.

Natapos narin ang kuweba kung saan naitanim ko pabalik ang mga Rubies and Diamonds. Sinisimulan na rin ng mga kalalakihan ang paggawa ng malaking kaharian sa likuran ng tahanan ko. If it's already done, papagiba ko ang tahanan namin ni Medusa para mas lumuwag ang espasyo. Ang kaharian siyang magsisilbing lugar kung saan lahat ay magpupulong, kung saan kokoronahan ang Hari at Reyna.

And that Vampire's reaction about my new plans? It's ridiculous daw! Psh, hindi niya talaga ako support pero I am still confused dahil bakit nandito parin siya.

Kanina ay pinagpahinga ko ang lahat from work, ayaw nga nila pero nagpumilit ako at hindi na sila pa kumontra. Ngayon, I'm here outside and watching the night sky with full of stars, kahit dito ay nandoon parin ang mga constellations at iba pang mga stars na naghuhugis bagay, tao o hayop.

I just suddenly miss my family, especially my sister and my little brother. Sila naging kakampi ko at sandalan whenever I'm sad because of being discriminated and insulted by my own parents. Kesyo ganito, kesyo ganiyan. That feeling being compared to other people's success? So sucks! For them I am incapacitated sa lahat ng bagay, I am weak and just a faggot that wandering around. When all the times that they always like that, I just smile and walked out. It's so tedious, arguing all the time and everyday because they don't want to have a child like me. For them, I am just a foreign.

Lahat siguro ay natutulog na, it's already past midnight. Ako nalang isa ang gising. I want to drink alcohol now, pero mukhang wala silang alam kung paano gawin iyon. I'll ask Medusa for that tomorrow so that we can have it everytime we celebrate occasions.

In the middle of the starry night, I noticed something sparkling above. Is it a meteor? Pero parang kakaiba! It is glowing in different colors! Minsan nagiging pula, asul o di kaya ay nagiging berde! Agad akong nataranta at kinabahan, ibang iba pa naman ang mga bagay-bagay dito. Baka iba na ang umiilaw na 'yan!

At mas lalo akong kinabahan nang palapit ito ng palapit sa Mystic Emerald at hanggang sa malaking pagsabog ang aking narinig mula sa hindi gaano kalayo. Napalingon ako sa mga bahay ng mga kasapi ko but they are still sleeping. Teka wala silang narinig? Hindi naman ganoon kalakas ang pagsabog but I think it's enough para marinig namin ito lahat! Hindi ba ito dahil sa malakas na barrier? After I named this place kasi ay siyang paglitaw ng malakas na barrier na siyang ikinamangha naming lahat. It's additional protection for everybody.

I inhale so deeply and exhaled! I strengthen my heart and mind at tumakbo ng mabilis. Lumabas ako ng village pero bago pa ako makalayo ay siyang gulat ko dahil sa may humawak sa pulsuhan ko. It gave me so much goosebumps! Bakla! Ang kaluluwa ko talaga halos kumawala sa katawan ko!

"Jesus!" Sigaw ko and saw Nyctimus seriously looking at me. He bowed his head first before he get his right hand back from holding my hand.

"Why are you here? You are supposed to sleep, Nyctimus." Turan ko. He is just like a mushroom na biglang lilitaw sa kahit saan! Itong lalaking 'to talaga!

"Paumanhin kung nagulat ko kayo, nagising kasi ako dahil sa narinig kong pagsabog." So he heard it? But the others ay hindi? O baka dahil sa extra ability niya that he can sens—wait! So he sensed it? Meaning, he sensed danger? Agad akong kinabahan at lumingon sa kung saan nanggaling ang pagsabog. Shit!

"Nyctimus! Transform into a Werewolf! Now!" I shouted, he didn't hesitated and automatically transformed into a Werewolf. Agad akong pumasan sa likuran niya and sighed deeply.

"Now, go to the place where you sensed the danger. Hindi natin puwedeng hayaan na makarating sila dito sa village natin. We can't risk my people's lives!" I said with so much determination, even my heart is beating so fast like it's in a race still I have to control and relax myself!

His big head nodded, he suddenly run kaya kumapit talaga ako ng mahigpit. Hanggang sa nakikita na namin ang usok, we stopped nang makalapit kami. Bumaba ako at agad din nag-anyong tao si Nyctimus. We roamed our eyes in surroundings but we found nothing suspicious. Not until I noticed something, it's glowing. Unti-unting lumiliwanag hanggang sa makita na namin kung ano ito.

"Isang anghel." Dinig kong sambit ni Nyctimus habang nakatingin kami sa dalawang babae at isang lalaki na pinapagaspas ang kani-kanilang mga pakpak. While they are doing that, it causes so much pressure. Humahangin ng malakas na halos ang mga puno ay matutumba na. We remained standing at nakaya naman namin iyon, nagtatago lang kami nitong kasama ko sa malaking puno and waiting for their moves.

Pansin ko na may mga dugo ang bistida ng mga kababaihan. Girls are wearing linen dress abot sa lupa and girt with gold while the only man is wearing nothing in upper, only white taslan-like shorts. They looked like they are having a hard time to breath normally.

Napaatras kami ni Nyctimus nang lumipad sila ng sabay sa ere and my two eyes widen when their both hands ay nasa direksiyon kung nasaan ang village namin. Their hands are starting to glow, making light and I think they are going to attack our base!

Bago pa nila gawin ang binabalak nila ay agad akong nagpalabas ng tubig sa mga kamay ko and make it sharp at agad ibinato ng sabay sa kani-kanilang mga pakpak! Hindi nila 'yon inasahan dahil akala nila walang nandito, after that ay bumulusok silang tatlo paibaba kaya agad akong lumabas, with Nyctimus in my back na ngayon ay anyong taong lobo na ulit.

"Hindi ko kayo hahayaang sirain ang pinaghirapan naming lahat na buuin." I seriously said, after the smoke faded dahil sa pagkahulog nila ay agad akong binulaga ng mga seryosong ekspresiyon. They are now mad at me but I don't care, I'll protect my people from harm.

"Sino kayong mga pangahas para pigilan kami sa gusto naming gawin? Ang lupaing ito ay hindi para sa kung sino lamang, ito ay pagmamay-ari namin noong una palang." I smirked after what that Angel man said, hindi ako magpapatalo! So they are also after with this place? At anong kanila? Eh di sana ginawan na nila ng paraan bago pa kami nakapagsimula ng lahat.

"This is competition and you are failed to win it from the head start!" Turan ko na mas lalong ikinainis nilang tatlo. They flapped their wings again and fly not so far from the ground kaya agad akong naghanda. They are known as sacred, and forbidden in my world. They are blessed with something extraordinary so being complacent is not good this time.

"Heaven Wind Strike!" Sigaw ng lalaki at bigla nalang lumabas sa likuran niya ang mga visible air daggers, bago pa 'ko makagalaw ay umatake na ito but Nyctimus blocked it by controlling the water force from his body and made a strong shield.

"Isang taong lobo? At kailan pa naging ganiyan kalakas ang kanilang mahika sapagkat ay isang hamak lamang silang hayop sa gubat?" Turan ng isang babae na siyang ikinaigting talaga ng tenga ko, what? An animal? Hindi lang ganoon si Nyctimus and all the Werewolves! They are all creatures made by I do not know who but they are great creature and fighters! And I believe that they are already strong before I named them!

"Sino ka para sabihin 'yan sa harapan ko, anghel?" It is like my blood is boiling after what she said. Mukhang hindi mababait ang mga anghel sa mundong 'to, they have devil's personality!

Agad akong gumawa ng espada gawa sa tubig, and I also made a sword from my fire magic and seriously looked at them. I didn't let them spout insulting words again dahil agad akong lumitaw sa ere and attack them. They seem so shocked but I don't care, agad kong winasiwas ang dalawa kong espada sa kanila and they dodge it. They are almost hit by it.

"Nyctimus!" Mukhang naintindihan naman agad ni Nyctimus ang gusto kong sabihin, he transformed into a human form again and control his water magic. He made a sword from it and jumped so high and attack the Angel man's wings. He roared because of his smarting wings and he weakly fell to the ground. Sinenyasan ko si Nyctimus not to kill him dahil mukhang mahina na sila sa umpisa palang.

Humarap ako sa dalawang babae na ngayo'y nakatingin sa akin, they seems scared.

"How can you fight with that situation? You are already beaten from I don't know where." I smiled sweetly to them and transform my swords into whips. I feel like my eyes are burning, my heart is trembling and my mind is telling me to kill them both but I can't! Hindi naman ata lahat dinadaan sa pagpatay.

"Sino ka?" They both asked.

"I am the Master of the village you are trying to destroy. And soon to be the Queen." I proudly said.

"Isa kang lalaki, hindi ka babae." Turan ng isa, I know but I can make it happen. I am transwoman you shitheads!

"I am gay, I am a woman trapped in a wrong body." Sabi ko at agad iwinasiwas ang mga latigo and catch them both. My whips turned into metal after it touches their body, I don't want to hurt their precious body because of my hot surface water and fire magic, they are still Angels.

Sumigaw sila ng sumigaw pero I know no one can hear them from my village, they are all asleep. Bumaba ako sa lupa habang hawak ko ang dalawang anghel, tinulak ko sila sa puwesto ng lalaking anghel and they both fell. Pinakawalan naman ni Nyctimus ang lalaki na ngayo'y hinang-hina na dahil may nakatali din sa katawan niya that also made from water magic kanina.

"Isang taong lobo na ngayo'y kaya ng mag-anyong tao, at isang taong kayang kumontrol ng dalawang elemento? Sino kayo!" Sigaw ng lalaki, akmang magsasalita na sana ako but Nyctimus butt in.

"Nangyari 'yon pagkatapos niya kaming pangalanan, nakaya naming mag-anyong tao dahil sa lakas at mahikang binigay sa amin ng Master Lara. Kayo? Anghel ba talaga ka'yo?" He mockingly said. I almost laughed because of the way he said it. Napakaseryoso niya talaga!

"Isa kang Demon God? Nakakaya mong pangalanan ang mga nilalang dito!" Gulat na tanong ng lalaki, I just laughed. Mukhang malalakas talaga ang Demon God sa buong mundo ng Maria. Seems like they are just the only one that capable of naming wild creatures.

"No, I am not. But soon to be, if the creator will give me that opportunity."