Chapter 47: Spider

I should be hearing the sound of the rumbling noise of the approaching magma in front of me, the slow movement of the series of fall-like fires behind me, the continuous collapsing of the stoned pillars in every direction, and even the thunder and red lightning above us.

The whisper of chaos inside this place should be creeping down in every inch of my skin, draining me and sipping every strength that I have, but suddenly, I could hear music— a hymn in the middle of this pandemonium.

A musical instrument, a soft singing voice, like an orchestra behind me, telling me to own this battle. . .

"Tell me your command, Anna," Caleb said.

He jumped on the nearest black stoned pillar in front of me.

I am used to fighting with Howl, kung tutuusin ay hindi ako nahihirapan makipaglaban kasama siya. We have the same ability and our defenses and attacks were quite similar, but I haven't tried the extent of my ability when I'm with Caleb.

I shouldn't forget that Caleb has also the ability to control the element earth.

"This magma tsunami is just a distraction, Caleb," sabi ko habang nakatingala.

The spider-like black stone above us with its hinged legs is starting to create its small movement. Ramdam ko na rin ang maliliit na batong patuloy na bumabagsak mula sa itaas.

"This place is trying to trap us, Caleb."

Pinakikiramdaman ko ang galaw ng malaking batong gagamba sa itaas at natitiyak kong ang atensyon nito ay nasa amin ni Caleb.

"Allow me to try, Anna," ani ni Caleb.

He didn't even move an inch, bigla lang may tumaas na lupa sa harapan namin dalawa. It's a thick and tall wall made of black stone, similar to the pillars that we've been trying to cross.

Mariin ang titig ko sa pader na ginawa ni Caleb pero hindi rin nagtagal ay nabitak ito at gumuho. The magma continued to move slowly in front of us.

"Hindi mahaharang," umiiling na sabi ni Caleb.

When I looked behind us, nakakalayo na sina Tavion, Iris at Howl. Because the attention were diverted to me and Caleb, hindi na ganoong kahaba ang kailangang tulayin ng tatlo.

We should really have to be left behind to let them cross this path.

"It's moving, Caleb."

Tumango siya sa sinabi ko. Buong akala ko ay ang iniisip niyang patuloy na gumagalaw ay ang magma na nasa harapan namin, pero nang sandaling bigla nang humaba ang dalawa sa mga paa ng batong gagamba sa itaas, tulad ko ay agad rin nakailag si Caleb.

The black stoned pillar were Caleb was standing were crushed into pieces. He jumped to the nearest stone, as I looked down on him.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Hindi na ako nakasagot pa kay Caleb nang sunud-sunod nang umatake ang gagamba sa aming dalawa, gamit ang mahahaba nitong mga paa. Halos pareho kami ng ginagawang pag-atake at ilag ni Caleb.

We're trying to create or use the stoned pillar to throw it to the spider. At ang higit na nakakagulat ay ang bilis din nito sa paggalaw. Ngayon ay wala na nga ang atensyon namin sa paparating na magma sa likuran namin kundi sa gagambang kalaban namin.

And it's doing its job to distract us. At ang isa pa sa sinasadya nitong gawin ay ang pagsira sa posibleng daanan namin ni Caleb. Of course, we could create our own pillars to cross, or I could fly, pero sa sandaling maubos na naman ang mana ko sa katawan, mahihirapan na kaming sumunod ni Caleb sa kanila.

"Caleb, I have a plan. . . I know that this will not end this magma to approach us, but I am sure that this spider is the one responsible to make this place a long path towards those portals. Malayo na ang naabot nina Howl dahil nasa atin ang atensyon ng halimaw na ito."

"Oh. . ."

"I will throw you to it, Caleb. Do something about it, I'll make us fly with the highest speed. I could make our friends fly as well to reach the portals. Hindi natin mapipigilan ang magma at ang gagambang iyan nang sabay. If we can't stop it, at least we can surpass it with our speed."

"O-Okay—" hindi ko na pinatapos si Caleb ay ginamit ko na ang kapangyarihan ko sa kanya.

With my mana, I allowed Caleb's body to float towards the spider, I positioned myself where I could clearly see Caleb's movement. Itinigil ko ang pagpapalutang sa katawan niya para hayaan siyang gumalaw sa sarili niyang paraan. I helped him with the floating cylindrical stones directly attacking towards the spider, it also served us his landing, to make another attack on the spider.

"I need a steady landing pad, Anna!" sigaw ni Caleb.

"Alright!"

Ramdam ko ang paglandas ng pawis ko sa aking noo. Nang muli akong lumingon sa likuran ko, nakikita ko na ang mas lumalapit na magma sa amin.

"We can do it, Caleb."

Bago ko sinunod ang gusto ni Caleb ay gumawa na ako ng tali na gawa sa aking mana. I tied it around my waist. I allowed a loose rope tied against me and Caleb to let him move freely for his next attack.

This time I stomped my foot as I forcefully lifted both of my hands in the air to create a huge floor, slowly floating towards Caleb. At nanatiling nakaangat ang dalawa kong kamay habang patuloy ko iyong pinalulutang pataas.

"Do it, Caleb!"

Kung kanina ay mabagal lang ang pagpapalutang ko sa lupang tatapakan ni Caleb, ngayon ay mas mabilis at marahas ko iyong pina-angat patungo sa kanya. And right after, Caleb's feet landed on the floating ground, he quickly bent his legs, took a deep breath, and allowed more force to flow into his body. Saka lang siya mataas na tumalon dahilan kung bakit naabot niya ang tuktok ng lugar na ito at higit pa siyang umangat sa gagamba.

With Caleb's strength, he gave the huge spider a powerful blow that made it collapsed on the land that I've been trying to float. Agad sumunod si Caleb sa gagamba at hinawakan na niya ang dalawa sa mga paa nito. This time, with Caleb's vampire's speed, he made an endless circular movement while holding the roaring spider, struggling against him.

"Three. . ."

Nanatiling nakaangat ang mga kamay ko habang nakatingala sa lupang lumulutang at kay Caleb na ngayon ay tinatamaan na ng atake ng ibang paa ng gagamba.

Higit na naglalabasan ang mga ugat mula sa dulo ng aking mga mata hanggang sa aking sentido. I could feel the intense flow of my mana from my hands towards the land floating above me, trying to make it steady as possible for Caleb to move freely.

"Two. . ." bilang ko.

Kaunting tiis na lang, Caleb. Huminga akong muli nang malalim.

"One! Let go!" mas malakas na sigaw ko.

Dahil sa puwersa at bigat ng gagamba patungo sa paparating na magma sa amin ay kusang tumilapon ang katawan ni Caleb papalayo sa akin. But I already calculated the situation, dahil kasabay nang pagtilapon ng katawan ni Caleb papalayo sa akin ay ang paghila ng sarili kong katawan patungo sa kanya dahil sa manang itinali ko sa katawan namin dalawa.

Caleb's body was now filled with his own blood from the attack of the spider, but his warm smile stood out as he spread his arms to welcome me. Our speed was too quick that I couldn't even see everything around us but Caleb's tired yet handsome face.

This situation might kill us, but to die in his arms is still something that would make me happy in the end.

I tried to reach his hand but the speed and the distance of the rope made of mana made it impossible for us. And because of the impact made by the huge spider, the streaks of the magma were now chasing me— burning my back.

"Anna!"

Caleb's hand tried to extend more as I tried to reach him, but I could see him faltering.

"The spider's legs are poisonous. . ." nausal ko na lamang.

Because of the streak of the magma and the possible fire falling down, with Caleb that could no longer control our movement, I didn't have any choice but to use another batch of my mana inside my body.

I only learned this from the old legends of Attero and I've read that some Attero died trying to do it. But Caleb and I couldn't just die because of a magma or some poison! They say mana is commonly controlled through our brains and hands, but letting the mana flow to your heart first— like a heart and blood oath is something that would definitely risk your life.

Ngumiti ako kay Caleb at sa pagkakataong iyon ay dalawang kamay ko na ang ibinuka ko sa harapan niya upang salubungin ang pilit niyang pag-abot sa akin.

Caleb's already desperate to reach me, because he's already holding the rope of mana to pull me towards him with all his strength and force that has been pushing him.

I know that he could see the changes of my appearance. It's not just the root-like veins from the edge of my gray eyes, but the scales that are starting to crawl down my arms, legs, and even the feather-like scales that were now extending from the connecting point of my ears and head.

As an Earth mage, I can say that I am also a descendant of the Earth dragon. And we can borrow its power with our own mana.

"A-Anna. . ." tuluyan nang nabitawan ni Caleb ang taling nagdudugtong sa aming dalawa. Kahit sa malayo na nakikita ko na rin na natutulala sina Tavion, Iris, at maging si Howl na nanlalaki na ang mga mata.

And before the mouth of the giant spider opened with its blasting fire with the forceful magma chasing us, and continuous stone, crushing from the impact on Caleb's body, I spread more my arms to accept Caleb's waiting arms for me.

And the moment I felt Caleb's warm body against mine, I allowed the mana from my heart to flow and explode on my back, creating a huge gray wings made of mana— a dragon wings. Like sudden fireworks that ignited in the darkness and lined lights all over the place.

The gray light from my huge gray wings overwhelmed the whole place as if it wasn't a place existed that was originally illuminated with red burning fire.

Nanatiling nakayakap ang mga braso ko kay Caleb habang marahang nakaangat ang tingin ko sa kanya. He's quite fascinated with his parted lips while staring at my back behind huge gray wings.

"Wow. . . who says that Leticia and Seth can have those wings. . . my beautiful mate as well," mahinang usal niya.

Kusang yumakap ang aking mga pakpak sa katawan namin ni Caleb habang patuloy ang puwersa nito patungo sa unahan.

The darkness should envelope us, but the gray light allowed me to see Caleb's handsome face.

I slowly cupped his cold cheeks as I closed my eyes to give him my lightest kiss.

"Go on. Cross the portal, my love. . ."

Ang tanging ginawa lang namin ay saglit na titigan ang mga mata ng isa't isa bago ko muling ibinuka ang aking mga pakpak. At piniling tumigil sa ere.

Nagawa na naming abutan sina Iris, Tavion at Howl na kaunti na lang ang distansya sa lagusan. Bumaba na rin si Caleb at katulad nila'y nakaharap na sila sa paparating na gagamba at magna na mas mabilis na ang paglapit sa amin.

This obstacle might be easy if we'll choose to cross the portal without fighting the spider and the magma approaching us. But as we tried to pass this place, slowly I am starting to realize the real situation.

My huge gray wings moved slowly as my eyes stared in front of the aggressive spider, roaring crazily and running towards my position. My fists balled as I allowed my mana to flow.

I used my remaining talismans and let it fly freely in the air. The small rectangular pieces of paper with powerful inscriptions made a circle around me. And all those letters imprinted ignited as my eyes veered towards the spider.

I leveled one of my hands on my heart with its palm faced in front of the approaching spider, while my other arm was extended, mirror with my other hand's position.

I bit my lower lip as I focused on the spider. At habang patuloy ang paglapit nito sa akin ay ramdam ko ang tindi ng pagkirot ng dibdib ko, ang unti-unting pagbigat ng aking paghinga, ang kaba, at takot sa mga tumatakbo sa isip ko.

I could feel the burning of my throat and the tears that were starting to stream down my cheeks.

"Tama na. . ." bulong ko.

I pushed the entire talismans with all my mana in front of me, the circulated form of those powerful inscriptions surrounded the spider that made it stopped its movement.

And just like what I've expected, matitigil ang galaw ng lugar na ito kung mapapasakamay ko sa kapangyarihan ko ang gagamba. Dahil hindi na muling umusad ang magma nang makulong sa mga talisman ang gagamba.

The spider kept on roaring and struggling against the circulated talisman around it. And I stayed afloat as I stared down on it.

"Do you think I can't see you? Do you think that a female Attero will not notice you?"

Inilabas ko ang lamparang itinatago ko at unti-unti ko iyong inangat gamit ang isa kong kamay.

"I can see you. My lamp can see you. What really happened?"

When the spider roared louder as if it was motivated to kill our ears, I allowed my hand to slip the lantern on my hand, letting it slide directly on the spider's throat. The light of the lantern glistened as it moves inside the huge body of the spider.

Isa-isang nagliparan pabalik sa akin ang mga talisman at unti-unti iyong nagtungo sa kamay ko at gumawa nang isang mahabang puting espada na napapalibutan ng gumagalaw na mga letra.

With my huge wings, I pushed myself towards the spider with my eyes focused on the light of the lantern inside the spider.

At nang sandaling tumigil na ang lampara, dalawang kamay ko na ang inihawak ko sa espadang may orasyon.

Kusa nang tumulo ang mga luha sa aking mga mata. I sliced the huge part of the spider with the igniting light of my lantern.

Freeing the first sacrifice of this story filled with tragedy. . .

Ingay mula sa lumaglag na espada mula sa aking kamay ang umalingawngaw habang tumutulo ang luha ko sa harapan ng lalaking nasa harapan ko.

Nangangatal na boses ni Howl ang sunod kong narinig. "H-Head Wizard. . . why? Who?"

"Who was the traitor . . .?" tanong ko.

Ngunit ang tangi ko lang nakita ay ang matalim na titig niya kay Caleb bago siya tuluyang nawalan ng malay.

If the Head Wizard turned into a cursed spider, Raheem turned into a sacrificial deer, and the Earth wizard died a long time ago. . .

Nagtatanong ang mga mata kong lumingon kay Caleb.

Why is he here? Why was his father in Fevia Attero in the very first place?