Another Wizard's Tale : Chapter 9

:Chapter 9:

(The Mortal)

Hinihintay na namin ang plano ni Zelsha. Nagpaalam siya sandali na may kukunin lang daw pero pagbalik niya, may buhat na siyang isang upuan na yari sa iron metal.

It looks really heavy but I can see no trace of panting from her sweet and now smiling face.

“Sugar-butt!” Excited pa siya na tinawag ang kapatid, “Come here. I need you to sit here for while.”

“Sure, Sugar-baby!” At nauna munang umupo si Sylfer bago niya naitanong kung anong meron sa upuan na ‘yun. “Is this a part of your brilliant plan?”

“Oh yeah!” May pinindot na button sa upuan si Zelsha at biglang may lumabas na metal straps na nag-posas sa mga paa, kamay at baywang ni Sylfer. “But I will need a moment of silence to think. So if you try to bug me or make any sound, you’ll be electrocuted.”

“You’ve got to be kid—”

Nope. Zelsha’s not kidding. Na-kuryente talaga si Sylfer at napasigaw na lang ito sa sakit.

“Lil’ Zel!” At kinailangan talagang makuryente siya for the second time para maniwalang hindi nga biro ang lahat.

Ang tindi ni Zelsha! Sinilya-elektrika talaga ang kapatid! Mayamaya, sa amin naman siya tumingin. “Kayo ba, maidadaan ko sa mabuting pakiusap?”

Nagkatinginan kami ni Sage. Hindi na kami sumagot. Sa halip ay tumango na lang kami pareho. Takot lang naming ma-silya-elektrika rin! Pero bago siya umalis, may isang utos pa muna siya.

“You! Sylfer’s friend. Talk. What’s your name?”

“S—Sage Morseth po.”

“Why stammer, boy?”

“K—kinakabahan lang po. Idol… k—ko po kayo ni Master Syl. At… magkasing edad lang po tayo, Miss Zelsha.”

“Tinatanong ko ba?”

“H—hindi nga po. Sorry.”

“Timplahan mo kami ng Eismint tea. You can use my tea machine over there. Mag-ingat ka lang dahil nangangain ‘yan.”

“Ng buhay?”

“Ng tanga,” Zelsha said with a smug face. At umalis na talaga siya para magtungo na sa isang kwarto.

I saw Sage’s face turned a bright red. Excited siyang sundin ang utos sa kanya ni Zelsha but the moment he saw the tea machine, his face turned white. Mukhang natakot talaga siya at nagpasyang ‘wag na lang gamitin ito.

= = = = =

Five minutes pa lang ang nakakalipas, and I can already see Sylfer’s pain from keeping his mouth shut. Actually, hindi ko alam kung ano ang mas torture sa kanya, ‘yung electric chair ba o ang pananahimik niya?

“Honey bunny!” He screeched in pain. “Ang kati ng—” he screeched yet again. “Ilong,” and again. “Pakikamot naman,” and again. “Please!” and again.

Natawa ako na naawa na rin. Alam na kasing maku-kuryente siya, salita pa ng salita! At dahil mukhang kating-kati na talaga siya sa ilong niya, lumapit na ako sa kanya. “Kakamutin ko na. Manahimik ka na.”

“Thank you—ahh!”

“Sabi nang manahimik, ‘di ba?”

It wasn’t that long until Zelsha finally came out again and she was holding a huge black book.

“Finally, lil’ Zel—aww!”

Pinakawalan na ni Zelsha ang kanyang kapatid pero may kasama pa rin itong batok. “Hanggang doon sa loob, naririnig ko pa rin ang ingay mo. Wala ka na talagang pag-asa.”

“Ayaw ko kasing mapanis ang laway ko, Sugar-baby. Pero may nahanap ka na bang kahit ano na makakatulong sa atin?”

“I found this book. I once read this when I was nine—or maybe eight? Anyway, it’s about basic binding between an Otherworlder and a Mortal.”

No wonder she’s a genius. Bata pa lang siya nang mabasa niya ang ganoong kakapal na libro! Noong nasa ganoong edad ako, fairy tale books lang ang hawak ko! ‘Yung graphic version pa!

“Pero ayaw ni Lambey-pie na sumailalim sa isang Life Contract.”

“And that’s why pagbabaliktarin natin ang sitwasyon niyo. I remember you said na gusto mong ikaw ang maging alipin niya, ‘di ba? Then let’s make the mortal be the master.”

I blinked at her statement, “A—ako ang magiging Master?”

“Payag ka naman na siguro doon?”

“Pero pwede ba talaga ‘yun?”

“I believe so. You two will sign a Reversed Life Contract.”

“Is there such a thing?” nagtatakang tanong naman ni Sylfer.

“There will be if you do it,” saka siya nagbasa ng ilang passage mula doon sa libro. Hindi pa namin masyadong na-gets pero ipinaliwanag niya ito at kasama na rin ang naisip niyang plano. “Sa isang regular Life Contract, only the Otherworlder makes the offer and the Mortal may either accept it or not by signing his or her name. Pero may nabasa rin ako about bilateral agreement sa contract in which both the Otherworlder and the Mortal make a promise to each other. So naisip ko, pwede nating palabasin na noong pumunta si Sylfer sa Mortal World, he badly needed help at ikaw lang ang nandoon para tulungan siya. Sylfer is now indebted to you and that’s why he offered to be of service—as an Otherworlder Slave. But, you also have to keep his identity a secret so the contract was made to ensure both of you will fulfill each other’s promise.”

After hearing Zelsha’s plan, Sylfer instinctively grabbed her hand and raised it to the air. ‘Yung parang ginagawa ng mga referee na itinataas ang kamay sa nanalong buksingero. “Glory be to you, my lil’ Zel! Gets na namin! Ang galing mo talaga! Pwede pala ‘yun! Bakit hindi ko naisip ‘yun?”

“Because you’re dumb, brother.”

“Pero wala pa talagang nakakagawa ng ganito?”

“Wala pa talaga dahil wala naman tangang Otherworlder na papayag na magpa-alipin sa isang mortal—well except for you.”

“That’s even great! I’ll be the first Otherworlder Slave! And you…” he looked at me with the corners of his lips turning up into a smirk. “You shall take care of me, schnoogly-bear!”

Ugh! Sige, pagpatuloy niya pa! Kapag natuloy ang pagiging master ko sa kanya, mamaltratuhin ko siya! “Pero teka, ano naman kayang posibleng dahilan kung bakit kinailangan ni Sylfer ang tulong ko?”

“Like I said, he’s dumb. And everyone knows it! So any petty reason will do.”

May point siya ‘dun and I couldn’t contain my laughter. Sa katangahan nga naman ng kapatid niya, katangap-tanggap na mapasubo siya sa ganitong klaseng agreement.

“But that’s not it. Tingin ko mas magiging safe kung sasailalim na rin kayo sa isang ritwal. A contract is written on a paper. For all we know, it can be easily destroyed. If you magically seal your connection and take a vow under a sacred circle, even the marshals can’t break it.”

“You mean to say, sasailalim pa rin kami sa Initiation Ritual?” tanong ko.

“Reversed Initiation Ritual. Meaning, my brother gets the black slave’s ring while you get white master’s ring. Parang katulad lang din sa contract na pipirmahan niyo.”

“Oh? Pwede rin pala ‘yun!”

“I’m not sure, though. But it’s worth a try.”

“You know I’m ready for anything!” he said in a proud carefree tone, “But is it okay with you, honeylips?”

“You will get to wear the slave’s ring. Sa nabasa ko noon, ikaw ang pwedeng malason kapag ginalit mo ako.”

“Wearing that ring would be a great honor. And besides, dahil ikaw ang master ko, kapag napasaya naman kita, I will get a wish!”

Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa timpla ng utak ng lalaking ito. Hindi man lang siya natatakot sa possible threat na maaari nga siyang malason.  Sandali kaming nagkatitigan ni Sylfer. Hinintay ko ‘yung moment na bigla siyang mag-backout but it never happened.

Zelsha, however, had to finally break our staring contest.

“Baka nakakalimutan niyo, pansamantala lang naman ‘to! Kapag nakabalik na ang mortal sa mundo niya, then that’s the end of it! End of the contract, end of the seal, end of everything!”

Of course, tama naman siya—ulit.  So I just took a big breath and said, “Fine. Let’s do this thing!”

= = = = =

May isinulat nang chant si Zelsha sa isang papel upang aralin sandali ni Sylfer. ‘Yun raw ang susundin niya kapag isinagawa na ang Reversed Initiation Ritual.

Sinunod na gawin ni Zelsha ang Reversed Life Contract na pipirmahan din namin. It was written in their language so while she was writing it, may kasama na ring translation for me.

Sakto naman na lumabas na rin si Sage dala ang tinimpla nitong inumin. Binigyan niya kami ng tig-iisang tasa and when we all took a sip, we were taken by surprise. Sobrang sarap!

“This doesn’t taste like the normal Eismint tea,” comment ni Zelsha. “What did you put in here?”

“Dinagdagan ko po ng Uva Ursi leaf na magandang iniinom kapag sasailalim sa kahit na anong magic work at Calamus ground root for binding, protection and wisdom. Para po kina Master Syl at sa Mortal.”

“So you knew a lot about herbs?”

“Potion making and brewing po kasi ang inaaral kong maigi sa camp.”

“I’m impressed,” Zelsha reached over to tap Sage’s shoulder. Naging super red naman si Sage dahil sa wakas ay napuri siya ng idol niya. “Anyway, the contract is done! Time to sign it!”

Ipinakita na niya sa amin ang contract. Bilang si Sylfer ang slave, siya ang unang pumirma ng kanyang pangalan gamit ang sarili niyang dugo. When it was my turn, wala ring naging problema kahit pa malalim ang hinawang sugat sa aking palad.

Usually, dapat nagpa-panic na nga ako sa dami ng dugo pero kalmado pa rin ako. Napapaisip tuloy ako, may something ba ‘dun sa ininom kong tea?

Matapos ang pirmahan, kinuha na ni Zelsha ang contract para i-check ito. Huli na nga nang ma-realize kong mababasa na rin niya ang pangalang isinulat ko roon. Crap!

“For a mortal, your name is quite unique!” I can almost hear a silent laugh hidden in her words, then she looked at me, “But don’t worry. Safe ang pangalan mo sa akin. I’ll just call you M.”

Crap times two! I wish I can really trust her!

Inilagay na ni Zelsha sa isang garapon ang contract at ginamitan pa ito ng Shrinking Potion ni Sage. Matapos ay iniabot na niya ito sa akin at, “You keep it. At huwag mong iwawala habang nandito ka pa.”

Napatitig na ako sa miniature contract namin. Akalain mo bang ito na ang katibayan na may alipin akong isang Otherworlder! Although pansamantala lang naman!

Next thing to do is the Reversed Initiation Ritual. This time, we had to do it slowly and careful dahil ito pa lang ang unang beses na susubukang i-alter ang isang sagradong ritwal. A possible backlash could happen—or worse baka hindi ito mag-work.

Pero gustuhin man naming maging maingat, another problem occurred—or should I say, our problem is back!

Umalingawngaw ang alarm ni Zelsha. Nang i-check niya ang kanyang ang security cameras, nasa tapat na ng entrance ang dalawang MDM’s na naghahabol sa amin.

“Natunton na nila kayo.”

“Ang bilis naman! Paano nangyari ‘yun?”

“Paano niyo ba sila tinakasan doon sa camp?”

“Fart spell in a bubble. I promise you, it was effective.”

“And your brain is defective.” binalibag ni Zelsha ang kapatid sa sahig. “You’re the only wizard who uses that disgusting spell. Of course they know who to hunt and where to find you now.”

At sabay-sabay silang napatingin sa akin, “We must do the ritual quickly.”

I huffed trying my best to control myself as soon as Sylfer started the spell. Nakatayo na siya ngayon sa loob ng magic circle at inaaya ako na samahan na siya.

And as I step inside, the fire from the circle magically healed my wound. That’s when Sylfer and I held each other’s hands.

“Elements of Wind, Fire, Water and Earth.

Bless my magic, strong my will.

At this scared space, this hallowed circle,

I bring this mortal, standing before me.

I honor her to witness this rite,

And welcome her to become my master.”

Sylfer looked at me, clearly with no hesitation, “Will you accept me? Please answer, ‘I will’.”

“I will.”

And now his serious expression turned playful and excited once again.

“Harken all you guides and spirits.

Today, this girl owns me now. So mote it be!

Behold elements of Wind, Fire, Water and Earth.

Please grant us the rings to complete this vow.”

Lumabas na rin ang bagay na dati ay iniisip kong sa libro ko lang makikita. A white ring with black crystal formed around my ring finger and Sylfer got his own too. Narinig ko pa siyang bumulong habang nakatitig sa black slave’s ring niya, “Sweet!”

Pinandilatan ko naman siya, “Umayos ka! Baka mawala ka sa focus!” Pero nakuha niya lang akong ngitian.

“Blessed be this ring, for it shall signify this pledge.”

He took my hand to kiss my ring.

“And blessed be your lips, for your words shall be my command.”

Then he asked me to kiss his ring. Mukha pa nga siyang kinilig sa ginawa ko.

“Hear ye Mighty Ones, our circle has ended.

This spell draws to its end, but none will be forgotten.

For if ever I cause her pain, sorrow and ill,

Then let there be my death that only she can seal.

As I will, so mote it be.

I may now seal this with a kiss.”

A gentle smile now spread over his face. He leaned closer with his eyes lingered on me longer than usual, “May I kiss you?” he asked.

At wala akong choice. Para sa ikakukumpleto ng ritual, tumango ako.

I felt my heart almost stop for a moment. Pero sa ilong lang pala niya ako hahalikan. Buti naman.

The ritual went smooth as we hope it would be. And as it ended, tuluyan kong naging alipin si Sylfer habang ang itinawag naman niya sa akin ay, “Master.”

End of Chapter 9