DRAGON STONE

THE guard of third degree bowed when he saw him. He opened the door slightly and whispered something to the man on the other side. He informed everyone that he, their master, had arrived.

"Smile, master. Your face is getting pale," saad ng guwardiya nang makalapit siya.

Narinig niya na mula sa loob ang announcer. Matapos itong magsalita ay tinulak na nito pabukas ang pinto.

The sound of the creaking door made him stand straight. Composing himself, he stepped on the red carpet. He took a minute to glance at the guests and absorbed all their gasping smiles. They then, in unison, performed the Mythrian greeting. They raised their right hand and placed their index and middle finger on their chest. Their left hand remained on their side, showing their palm as respect to the next chief.

"Greetings, master."

Everyone in this house called him master.

He tilted his head, in return, enough to show their lineage's power and superiority.

Nagsimula na siyang maglakad papunta sa entablado. Males clothed themselves with robes of different designs. There was plain, some were full of embroideries, and some looked simple. The ladies, on the other hand, covered themselves with dresses, and as expected, most of them used pastel colors. It had been a trend for a while in Mythria after the daughter of the Pegasus Lineage designed a dress with pastel colors at last year's banquet.

Hindi lang ang mga dumalo ang nakakuha sa atensyon niya, pati na ang mga kolorete na nakakabit sa ceiling, poste, at sa mga bintana. Plants crowned with different flowers were placed in every corner of the room. And among the voices, it wasn't the people that were the loudest, but the Flora. They were just a portion that he could interact with. There were more in his district, and more that he would soon discover.

The greetings and compliments he received from the Flora boosted his confidence. He couldn't help but chuckle about how they couldn't stop fluttering his hair, saying that he was one of them, and that he should have been like them. But of course, not everyone was nice and there would always be an antagonist of the story.

Napatigil siya sa paglalakad at sinulyapan niya ang puting daisy na nanlait sa kaniyang mukha. How could they!

Hindi na lang niya iyon pinansin at nagpatuloy na. Just like what the guard told him, he smiled as he greeted everyone. Medyo nanginginig na nga ang labi niya, kaya 'di siya sigurado kung hindi ba pilit ang ngiti niya.

Everyone looked exquisite. Kumalma na rin siya nang magsimula na niyang yakapin ang ambiance ng kuwarto. Tinungo niya ang entablado kung saan nakaupo ang Chieftess. Sa tabi nito ay may upuan na bakante. Ang upuan ng chief, kung saan siya uupo mamaya.

"Greetings to the Mythria's guardian and Chieftess." He bowed his head and gestured his hand as the others did for him a while ago.

Nang maramdaman niya ang kamay nitong nakapatong sa kaniyang ulo, doon niya lang inangat ang tingin. Napunta ang kaniyang mga mata sa malaking pader na nasa likuran ng ina at kung saan din naroroon ang simbolo ng Mythria. Kaparehas ito ng family crest nila.

It was a dragon embracing a tree. And what tree could that be? He didn't know.

Nginitian niya ang ina pati na rin ang mga nakahilera sa entablado na mga kumakatawan sa iba't ibang lineage. He saw Aster besides his mother, representing the Wild Dragon Lineage.

He was also surprised when the queen of Mermaids came. Tinungo niya ang direksyon nito.

"Nativia, my queen. It's good to see you again." He kissed the back of her hand. Beside her was the king of Mermans. Pinagmasdan niya ang dalawa. Malayo yata ang mga ito sa isa't isa? Kadalasan kasi palaging nagdadaldalan ang dalawa pero sa pagkakataong ito, parang hindi sila magkakilala.

Did the two fight?

After the greetings, the representative of the Dwarf Lineage started the ceremony. Lis glanced at the crowd while standing at the right corner of his mother. He scanned his eyes to look for a person, and as expected, he didn't come. It looked like that guy had no plans of returning.

Nagkibit-balikat na lang siya. That guy fled after killing someone from his lineage. In Mythria, killing your own kind would result to a death sentence. Hindi na rin siya magtataka kung 'di na ito babalik pa.

"And now, for the giving of blessings."

Naglakad si Lis sa gitna ng entablado. Five representatives encircled him and removed his robe. The Phoenix, Salamander, Serpent, Merman, and Mermaid lineages were the backbones of Mythria.

"May our land prosper in your hands." Sabay nilang inilagay ang kanilang palad sa harap ng kaniyang dibdib. Pumikit siya at yumuko nang maglabas ng liwanag ang mga kamay nila.

As the light shone, an extreme pressure pressed his chest, emitting an emerald glow. They were going to remove his Dragon Stone for a while to store their blessings inside.

Dragon Stones were kept inside the heart of the dragons. It was their energy stabilizer. All S-genes used energy from the environment, but only the dragons couldn't handle the extreme amount of energy the environment produced because of all the different lineages, the dragons were the most blessed, disastrous, and powerful. And power always comes with a greater responsibility, a heavier burden. And so, the stone provided them control and enabled them to use extreme spells without worrying about their body being destroyed.

Bahagya niyang binuksan ang mga mata para sumilip. Nakita niya sa kaliwang bahagi ang isang lalaki na hawak ang cushion at ang crown.

The coronation ceremony was almost over.

Once the passing of blessings reached its completion, he would now be crowned as the chief.

"Huh?"

Napamulat si Lis nang marinig ang nagtatakang boses ng mga representante.

Nagkatinginan muna ang lima bago napunta ang tingin sa kaniya kaya napa, "Huh?" din tuloy siya.

"Let's try it again," the king of Mermans whispered so they did it again.

Yumuko at tumingin siya sa kaniyang dibdib, hinintay niyang lumabas ang Dragon Stone pero tatlong minuto na ang lumipas at wala pa ring lumabas.

"Again."

They tried for the third time. Fourth. Fifth, and for how many times, but to no avail, there was no stone coming out from his chest.

"What's happening?"

The guests were starting to wonder. They were taking so much time that even his mother stood and checked their situation.

Si Aster naman boryo lang na nakatingin pero alam naman niyang naiintriga na rin ito.

"What's taking you all so long?" Reora asked while her eyebrows arched.

"Ahm, C-Chieftess . . ." nauutal na sabi ni Nativia, nagdadalawang-isip kung sasabihin ba nito o hindi.

"What is it?" His mother crossed her arms, signaling to them that she was losing her patience.

Lumunok muna si Nativia. "I t-think the master doesn't have his Dragon Stone."

"What?!" sabay silang napasigaw ng kaniyang ina kaya mas lalong nagtaka ang mga tao.

Siya naman ay natarantang kinapa ang dibdib. What did she mean he didn't have his stone? How could he lose it when it was engraved inside his chest? His heart to be exact!

"Anong ibig mong sabihin, Nativia? That's impossible!"

"Oo nga! It's impossible!" he seconded.

"Try it again!" The Chieftess commanded. Mabilis naman nila itong sinunod pero kagaya kanina wala pa ring lumabas na Dragon Stone.

Biglang may tumikhim kaya napunta ang atensyon nila kay Yeyi, isa sa mga representate at galing sa Phoenix Lineage.

"Pardon but please allow me to examine his master's body."

Pumayag naman ang ina. "Okay—"

"Teka lang!" sabat niya at mabilis na niyakap ang sarili. "By examine, you mean—"

"Yes, master."

Kaagad na nabalot ng takot ang buo niyang mukha nang sumuot sa utak ang nangyari no'ng limang taon pa lang siya. When he got sick, Yeyi examined him to know the cause of his sickness. Okay lang sana kung wala siyang mararamdaman pero para siyang pinapatay sa sakit ng mahika nito. Daig niya pa ang pinarusahan at ayaw na niya itong maranasang muli.

"Yeyi, wala bang ibang paraan?" naiiyak niyang tanong.

"No, master." Hindi man lang ito nagdalawang-isip at mabilis na inilapat ang kamay sa kaniyang dibdib.

"Ultimate Spell: Omnipotent Eyes!" Nilibot ng malakas na hangin ang kinatatayuan ni Yeyi. Naging bughaw ang pula nitong mga mata. With speed, the sparks of electricity traveled down from his arm. It was painted like a calm ocean as if it was harmless. But as it reached through the tips of his fingers, it ignited a small light, releasing a grumbling sound and swallowing the energy around them. The small light grew bigger and bigger, turning into a raging fire.

Lis grimaced as he was reminded about his childhood. Napapikit na lang siya nang hindi nagdalawang-isip si Yeyi na ipasok ito sa kaniyang katawan.

His heartbeat raised in millions. Nahigit niya ang hininga nang maramdaman ang enerhiya sa kaniyang dibdib. Unti-unti na rin niyang nararamdaman ang pamamanhid ng kaniyang katawan. Ilang sandali na lang, mabubugbog na siya sa sakit. He was ready—not entirely—to feel the pain, but the numbness seemed unfading. Hindi nga rin siya sigurado kung namamanhid pa ba siya.

"You can open your eyes now," narinig niyang magsalita si Yeyi.

"Huh?" Dahan-dahan niyang iminulat ang mga mata. Yeyi's eyes was already back to normal, and he was staring at him like he was overreacting.

"Tapos na?"

Yeyi nodded.

"What? But I didn't feel anything though?" Lis touched his chest, questioning.

"You were a kid back then. Your body is still frail. Naturally, it will react and fight the unfamiliar strong power invading inside which is my ultimate spell," he explained while tightening the ribbon on his robe. "But you're no kid anymore. You have been training and serving the people for so long. You have already encountered a lot of spells to the point that your body will no longer feel foreign about it."

"In short, you have been used to it." The leader of Serpent Lineage butted in with a wide smile on her face.

Napahinga siya nang maluwag.

"But I don't think it's time for you to feel relieved." The Phoenix was looking at him directly. His red orbs were bullets piercing through him.

Muli siyang kinabahan. "W-Why? What did you see?"

"Your Dragon Stone had been stolen."

"WHAT is the meaning of this, Lisianthus?"

Napalunok siya at napahigpit ng hawak sa kaniyang robe. The coronation was put on-hold. Ang iba ay umuwi na habang ang ibang bisita pati na ang mga representante na malayo sa capital ay nanatili sa mansiyon. And now he was sitting on the sofa of the living room ready to accept his mother's anger.

"H-Hindi ko talaga alam," mahina niyang sagot.

According to Yeyi, his stone was stolen last night. Sinubukan niyang alalahanin ang lahat pero wala siyang maalala. Nagsisisi na tuloy siya dahil nagpaalipin siya sa alak.

"Wala akong maalala. Kung totoo nga na ninakaw 'yong Dragon Stone ko kagabi, sana may sinabi si Aster sa akin." Nilingon niya si Aster na nasa gilid niya na nakatayo.

"Yes," sagot nito. "Nothing unusual happened last night except that the master was losing himself. I also didn't find anything suspicious while we were at the bar."

"You were with him?" Napataas ang kilay ng Chieftess.

"Yes, Your Grace." Yumuko ito bilang paumanhin. "I apologize. The master told me to keep it from you."

Napalunok siya. Mabilis na napunta ang galit na tingin ng ina sa kaniya. Napakagat na lang siya sa ibabang labi nang makita ang nag-aapoy na kamao nito.

'Of all kinds, why my mom's a fire dragon?' He wouldn't be shocked if he would get toasted any minute from now.

"You reckless children!" Tumalikod ang Chieftess sa kanila para pakalmahin ang sarili.

Ginamit niya ang pagkakataong ito upang tawagin si Yeyi na prenteng nakaupo sa kabilang sofa habang umiinom ng tsaa.

"Sure ka na ba talaga? Baka mali lang 'yong nakita mo," sabi niya na mabilis niya ring pinagsisihan.

Napaligiran ng bughaw na apoy ang hawak nitong tsaa habang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa kaniya. "Are you doubting my ultimate spell?"

"Hindi po," mabilis na sagot niya at umiling.

Scary. He was surrounded by two fire users. No wonder the room was heating up.

"My ultimate spell will never be wrong. Not even once!" Inayos nito ang mahaba at nakatirintas na pulang buhok. "The Dragon Stones can only be taken away from their owners in three ways. First, the ceremonial blessings of the representatives. Second, the power of the same bloodline. And third, by a magician's magic. Wala ng iba. So even if you will believe me or not, you can't deny the fact that your stone is no longer with you and that it was taken away from you."

Lis sighed. He was right. He already knew about it. He knew how a Dragon Stone could be taken away; he just didn't want to believe that it was happening to him. Just when he was about to be crowned.

"How about we just proceed with the coronation without receiving the representative's blessing?"

Wala pang isang segundo ay nakatanggap kaagad siya ng nakamamatay na mga tingin. Even Aster looked his way.

"I'm sorry." Napayuko siya.

What was he thinking? The blessings of the representatives were the most important part of the coronation. It was where the backbones and the new chief would form a stronger link to enhance communication in protecting Mythria from the inside and outside dangers. The giving of blessings would also enhance the new chief of Mythria, allowing him to be the strongest protector of the place. And . . .

"Do you think you can reign without your Dragon Stone, huh? How can you protect your people when you are unstable? How can they follow someone who can't even wield extreme spells in fear that it will destroy their body?" sermon ng kaniyang ina.

Tumahimik na lang siya at hindi sumagot.

Sa lahat ba naman ng puwedeng mawala sa kaniya ang Dragon Stone pa. Gusto niyang suntukin ang sarili. He had been serving his land even before his father left, and he had been waiting for this day to come—to be the next dragon chief, but it might not happen anymore. And it was his fault.

Lahat ng mga ginawa niya sa loob ng tatlong daang taon ay mukhang mawawala lang pala.

"Don't be looking so down now, kid."

Napataas ang kaniyang tingin nang magsalita si Yeyi. "What do you mean?"

"Have you forgotten about my spell? It traces the causes; it means I also know what creature stole your stone."

Nabuhayan siya ng loob matapos marinig iyon kay Yeyi.

"What is it?" mabilis niyang sagot.

"A magician. A black magician to be exact."

"What?" sabay silang dalawa ng kaniyang ina na napasigaw.

"Yeyi, are you sure? There is no way a magician will dare to step in this land." The Chieftess sat on the sofa.

His mother was right. May treaty na napagkasunduan noon pa na nagbabawal sa mga nilalang na makihalubilo o tumapak sa teritoryo ng iba. The S-genes, A-genes, and H-genes weren't supposed to co-exist.

Pero siyempre may mga nilalang talagang matitigas ang ulo at handang baliin ang treaty.

"Why would a magician come here?" he asked, intrigued.

Yeyi shrugged. "Obviously, to steal your stone?"

"Sa anong dahilan?"

"'Yan anghindi ko alam."