CHAPTER 27.4A Gruesome Discovery THIS IS TROUBLESOME. Napahinga nang marahas si Merlin nang ibalita sa kanya na hindi nila makakausap sina Prinsesa Selene at Prinsipe Lucas dahil mayroong dire na nangyari. Nag-aalala siya para sa kalagayan ni Prinsesa Selene lalo na’t bilang guardian niya, wala siya sa tabi nito ngayong mga oras na ito. Kaya niyang magpadala ng suporta tulad ng ginawa niya kina Prinsipe Lucas noon pero nasa harap na niya sina Haring Alexander, Chief Knight Lyte, at Chief Knight Fernandez. Kaya nag-mental note na lang siya na mamaya gumawa ng kilos para matulungan ang Prinsesa. “Anong nangyayari sa kampo nina Lucas?” nag-aalalang tanong ni Haring Alexander. Katatapos lamang nitong muling suyurin lahat ng mga kabalyerong nagboluntaryo na sumanib sa digmaan at bagamat mukha itong pagod, nagbigay oras pa rin ito para sa mabilis na pagpupulong. “Bakit hindi sinasagot nina Lucas at Selene ang comm

CHAPTER 28.1Moving Forward WHEN MERLIN heard what happened to Selene, he was neither angry nor agitated at Lucas. He didn’t even reprimand him for taking blood on the Princess, rather; he was relieved to know that nothing more serious happened to her – which is, in the first place, Lucas would never allow to happen. After all, he dedicated all of his training to Selene and he made sure that he’s stronger to protect her. Although of course, his weaknesses would show every now and then but... He’s getting there. He can still protect Selene. “Nalaman ko mula kina Jonas na tumatawag ka kanina at may pagpupulong. Pasensya na. Inatake kami ng mga kawal mula sa kaharian ng Westmount,” paliwanag niya. Gusto niyang banggitin ang tungkol kay Fausto at kung ilang beses na itong muntik makalusot sa kanila ni Sir Fernandez kanina’t mapaslang si Selene pero hindi na siya nagsabi. “We we

CHAPTER 28.3Perilous Condition MERLIN HAD NEVER expected for this black aura to be manifesting in the deeper part of the forest strongly. He didn’t expect it to be protective of its vessel to the point that it’d surround the woodlands with thick black fog. The mere fact that it grows stronger in every step they take and as near they are to the dark mage, Merlin could assume that this black fog has a mind of its own. It’s acting like a protective dog who’d bite their heads off if they proceed into the depths of the forest they are in. Halos wala nang makita sina Merlin at sa t’wing susubukan nilang huminga, parang mas lalo lamang silang kinakapos sa hangin. Lihim siyang napamura’t umismid. Hindi sila makakapagpatuloy kung ganito kakapal ang usok na hatid ng itim na mahika. Hindi lang siya ang apektado rito kung hindi maging ang mga kasama niyang pinaghihilakbutan sa t’wing ii-imply ni Merlin

CHAPTER 28.5Unforeseen Variable EVER SINCE THE deafening silence ensued, Selene just can't find it to herself to enjoy the peace and harmony. There were new soldiers sent to them and even after Sir Fernandez and Sir Theo came back from checking the entirety of their camp, they were told that the two found nothing suspicious. The day before yesterday was nothing but an ordinary day, and it's been going for three days now. She can't believe this solitude. It feels like something is lurking in the shadows and are just waiting for them to lower their guards down so that they'd be easier to take on. "Selene, why so tense?" Although mischief was hinted in Lucas' voice, she knew better— he was just trying to make her feel good but deep inside, he's probably way more bothered than him. "We've been resting for three days now, can't you at least enjoy days like this before we dive back to war?" "Pero 'di ka ba nawiwirduhan?

CHAPTER 29.2Plunging to Chaos THE AURA SCATTERED across the forest now and all of them are affected. Mahinang napamura si Lucas nang mapagtantong halos wala na silang makita sa loob ng ‘fog’ na nakabalot sa buong kampo ng mga kalaban. He hissed because they’ve been finding a way to get in but it seems like the chances are close to nothing. Ang iniisip niya ngayon e kung posible bang pasabugin ang mahikang ito nang makagawa sila ng mapapasukan. “Prinsipe Lucas, nakahanap kami ng note mula sa grupo nina Merlin tungkol sa itim na hamog na ‘to,” ani Jonas habang iwinawagayway ang papel na nakita nito. “Para ‘to sa grupo ni Chief Knight Fernandez pero kinuha na rin namin para makita mo nang maayos kung anong mga instruksyon ni Merlin.” Nginiwian niya ang binata. “Are you stupid? Bakit mo kinuha? Pwede mo naman akong dalhin na lang sa pinag-iwanan ng note na ‘y