By: Balderic
Quezon City
Abala si Karen sa pagbili ng mga grocery nya. Habang hawak nya ang malaking kart, nasa kabilang kamay naman ang stroller ni Angela. Nakareceive sya ng text mula kay Gabriel, inaalala kung kamusta na silang mag ina. Maligayang napangiti si Karen at nagreply na maayos naman silang dalawa. Sumagot naman si Gabriel na bilisan na ni Karen umuwi dahil nagluluto na ito ng makakain nila.
Sa diapers isle nadaan si Karen at inabot ang isang malaking diaper pack. Nahulog ito sa sahig at may pumulot. Nagulat si Karen kung sino ito.
“Hi Karen.” Bati ng lalake. Naka maong ito, dark blue jacket at leather shoes.
“Troy?”
“Yup. Kamusta ka na?”
“Ha? Ah eh, o.. okay naman.” Napalingon pa si Karen sa paligid. Silang dalawa lang ang nasa isle. Napalingon rin si Troy. Kasing kisig at kasing gwapo parin ito tulad ng dati.
“Mukhang nanay ka na talaga ah. Congrats nga pala.” Sabay titig sa sanggol.
“Salamat. Anong ginagawa mo rito? ”
“Actually bibili lang sana ako ng wine sa kabila kaso nakita kita mula sa malayo.”
“Ah ganun ba.”
“Saan ka na pala naka assign?” tanong ni Troy.
“Same parin, naka leave lang ako. Ikaw, kamusta ka naman dun sa Mandaluyong? Di ba dun ka na naassign?”
“Ayos naman. Same stress, same duty parin. Eh yung… asawa mo.. asan?” medyo nag alangan pa ang lalake.
“Nasa bahay sya, actually hinihintay na nga nya ako. Ah.. anyway, mauuna na ako Troy ha.”
“Wait, tulungan na kita. Mukhang marami kang dadalhin eh.”
“Naku wag na. Kaya ko naman.”
“Come on, for old times sake lang. Tsaka ang tagal rin natin di nagkita.”
“Um.. okay sige… “
Kinuha ni Troy ang kart habang si Karen naman ang nagtulak ng stroller. Binayaran ni Karen ang mga pinamili at sinamahan pa ito ni Troy papunta sa parking lot kung saan nakaparke ang kotse na nabili nila ni Gabriel. Tinulungan ni Troy ang ex sa pagpasok ng mga pinamili sa kotse.
“Salamat Troy ha. Nice meeting you.” Inabot ni Karen ang kamay nya.
“Nice meeting you again too.” Nakipagkamay si Troy kay Karen at titig na titig ito sa babae. Medyo nailang naman si Karen kaya sumakay na ito kaagad sa kotse nya at umalis na.
“See you.. “ bulong ni Troy at nakangiti ito.
———-
SAMAEL CASTLE
Sa likod ng malaking kastilyo ay may isang dome. Dito idinadaos ang mga pagtitipon at mga marangyang kasiyahan. Subalit nang makontrol ni SAMAEL ang buong kastilyo, ginamit na nya itong isang battle dome. Malawak ito at bilog ang hugis. Sa mga dingding ay may malalaking pinintang mga sining. May mga nakasabit na mga sandata na simula pa sa medieval times at may mga maliliit na mga bintana sa bandang itaas. Ang bubong ay isang bilogang hugis at may gothic design ang mga salamin na panels na nagbibigay ng kulay sa liwanag ng araw. Ang sahig ay may kulay pulang carpet at may mga upuan na nakapalibot sa buong lugar. Tatlo ang mga pinto sa paligid, ang dalawa ay double door at ang isa naman ay nasa gilid kung saan kumokonekta ito sa Great Aviary at Castle Garden sa labas.
Pumasok sa loob si SAMAEL kasama si Yumiko na nakafull armor na matapos ang one on one nila ni Siegfried. Sa gitna ng malaking silid, huminto si SAMAEL.
“THIS PLACE HELD THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS BALLS IN THE PAST. ITS WALLS WERE FILLED WITH JOYOUS LAUGHTERS AND ENJOYMENT. NOW WHAT WAS LEFT WERE ECHOS FROM THE DEAD. I CALL THIS PLACE THE MOLDING. THIS IS WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO TRAIN AND HONE YOUR SKILLS IN OPEN COMBAT. MY ZEHN SCHWERTER TRAINED HERE AND NOW THAT YOU ARE ONE OF THEM, YOU SHALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY ASWELL. NOW TAKE UP YOUR WEAPON. ATTACK ME IN ANY WAY YOU CAN POSSIBLY DO. IN RETURN, I WILL TELL YOU THE SECRETS OF YOUR FAMILY THAT WAS LOCKED AND HIDDEN FROM YOU FOR GENERATIONS.”
Hinugot ni Yumiko ang kanyang HFSB Katana. Kumukuryente pa ito habang hawak ni Yumiko. Inangat nya ang sandata at nag fighting stance sya.
“KKSSHOOMM KSSHOOMM KSHOOMM!!!” Tatlong beses nag dash si Yumiko at sa bilis neto gumalaw ay tila dumami sya nang tatlong beses at sabay sabay umatake kay SAMAEL. Dalawa sa harap at isa sa gitna.
“BRAM!” Sinuntok ni SAMAEL ang ibabaw ng ulo nya at dito lumitaw si Yumiko na tinamaan ng kamao pero nasalag nya ito ng kanyang sandata sabay naglaho.
“Kkzztt.. Kzztt.. kzztt.. “ ilang beses pang naglaho si Yumiko. Kung saan-saan ito lumilitaw. Sa bilis neto ay hinde mabasa kung saan ito lalabas.
“KRANGGGG!!” Sinalag ni SAMAEL ang blade gamit ang iron bracer nya nang lumitaw sa likod nya si Yumiko. Hinablot ni SAMAEL si Yumiko pero naglaho itong muli. Lumitaw si Yumiko sa harapan ni SAMAEL.
“GOOD!”
“SSLAAAAASSHHH!!! KRAANGGGGG!!! “ Sinalag ni SAMAEL ng bracer ang atake ni Yumiko. Nag crack ang bracer ni SAMAEL at muntik itong masira pero hinawi ni SAMAEL ang katana palayo.
“YOU’RE WONDERING WHY MY ARMOR CANNOT BE CUT THAT EASILY, IT IS SIMPLE MY CHILD… YOUR WEAPONS CANNOT DESTROY ME. HOWEVER, WHAT IS VERY APPARENT HERE IS THAT I CAN TOTALLY READ ALL YOUR MOVES LIKE AN OPEN BOOK. GABRIEL HAS NOT TAUGHT YOU WELL. BUT I WILL AND I WILL NOT FAIL.” Tumigil si Yumiko at ipinasok muli ang katana nya.
“COME… “
Lumapit si Yumiko kay SAMAEL. Ipinatong ni SAMAEL ang kamay sa balikat ni Yumiko at tinignan ang maamo netong mukha.
“DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE HISTORY OF YOUR CLAN?”
“Yes MASTER. My grandfather told me about it. It began when my ancestor has overthrown a warlord, and in the remains of his riches, my ancestor took over and thus began his own rule. He was the strongest warrior in the land and no clan was able to defeat him in battle until his death from old age.”
“THAT WAS JUST HALF OF IT. THERE WAS MORE TO IT THAN THAT MY CHILD.”
“I.. I do not know the rest MASTER.”
“YOUR ANCESTOR WHO WAS NAMED IN THE PAST AS HAYATO. HE WAS A MASTER ASSASSIN AND SWORDSMAN WHOSE SKILLS WERE BEYOND LEGENDARY. HE WAS TRAINED IN THE WAY OF THE LOTUS SUTRA AND MASTERED ALL REALMS OF SAMSARA. AND IN SO DOING HE REACHED THE SIXTH REALM. THE ASURA. HE WAS THE FIRST ONE BEING DOCUMENTED TO DO SO. HIS POWERS WERE SO STRONG THAT HE WAS UNTOUCHABLE. NO ONE DARED TO CROSS HIS PATHS. THE SECRETS OF THE ASURA WERE PASSED DOWN THROUGH YOUR CLAN’S GENERATION. HOWEVER IT WAS LOST THROUGH TIME. I WANT YOU TO REACH THE SIXTH REALM AND BECOME THE ASURA OF MY ARMY.”
“Yes MASTER, I will do what I can.”
———-
By: Balderic
White House, Washington DC, USA
Pumasok sa Oval Office ang secretary ni US President Arthur Graham.
“Mr. President, the Defense Secretary is here.”
“Let him in.”
Pumasok ang isang matandang lalake na medyo mataba at mukhang heneral ang porma.
“Good morning Mr. President.”
“Good morning, any updates?”
“Sir, I have several news about our current events in the Ukraine invasion.”
“Okay, have a seat.”
“As of today, our military forces are on hold in Poland, the UN forces are on standby. Because of the failure of operation Freebird, the UN seems reluctant on doing the operation again.”
“I cannot let SAMAEL rule over Ukraine.”
“No sir, but their war capabilities is nothing we have encountered before. They are using unmanned robots that are so advanced, they can think on their own. They have reliable targeting systems that does not feel remorse, fatigue, pressure or the fear of death. The Black technology has become a big player in this conflict and I’m afraid it is just the beginning. Given ten to twenty years, we are looking for robots fighting our wars. ”
“Then what are you suggesting we do? We did have some of the Black Technology ourselves. We strengthened our digital networks that the Phantom Drive cannot hack anymore. We have strong tactical weapons that would make bullets and gun powder a thing of the past. We are top of the line.”
“And yet we were defeated by four members of SAMAEL’S elite warriors and a couple of soldiers. Sir, I suggest we have to take care of this in a different warfare.”
“What do you mean?”
“We need to assassinate SAMAEL in order to stop him.”
“How would you do that?”
“We have the best intelligence network in the world. I believe we can do this. It is for the benefit of our national interests sir. Afterall, we are the epitome of truth and justice.”
“Mr. President, we have a secured line from Archimond Schiffer aka Cifer Black sir. He requests to speak with you.” Sabat ng secretary ni President Graham.
“Cifer? Okay sure put him in.” nabigla ang presidente.
“Good day Mr President.” Pagbati naman ni Cifer.
“Cifer Black, what does the butcher of the world wants from me?”
“Did I catch you at a bad time Mr President?”
“No but since when have you been on a good time Cifer? Let me guess, in jail perhaps?”
“Sir, I am here but to talk. It is about the international crisis we are facing.”
“A crisis? You mean SAMAEL? Let me tell you young man, he is not an international threat. He is just one of the those madmen that sooner or later will die and justice will be served.”
“You sound like you already have a plan Mr President? Let me guess, do you mean to assassinate him? Clearly, after the war efforts you had given in the operation freebird, that lose gives a bad light to the UN and US forces. The world knows you cannot stop SAMAEL in an open battle. One of the safest route would be to kill him. But if you do, let me give you a warning Mr President, SAMAEL is not to be underestimated. He has deep connections that you yourself would be afraid to know realize. He lived in the shadow of this world and he governs the new world order. It is only a matter of time before his plans will come into fruition.”
“Listen here Mr Black, if you have nothing important to say then this conversation is over.”
“Mr. President, I am proposing an alliance.”
“An alliance with you?”
“Yes.”
“HAHAHAHAHAHA! ARE YOU CRAZY!? WHY WOULD I ALLY MYSELF TO A WAR CRIMINAL!?”
“Because Mr President, in order to defeat SAMAEL, we need to unite our forces… “
” Look Mr. Black, do not forget what you did to american soil a couple of years ago. What? You think after you went to jail, everything is fine with us? Your attack got my wife and son killed in Vegas so don’t try to act like a friend to america because if it were me, I would keep you alive and torture you every single day to pay for all the sins that you have done to me and to my country!”
“Mr President, what I did is understandably unatonable but I am asking you to set it aside for now. Unite our forces for a common enemy.”
“And why would SAMAEL be your enemy? You want to eliminate a threat before your rise? Is that it?”
“No Mr. President, I have no such plans. Look, I want to give you a deal. If you agree to my terms, once SAMAEL is dead, I will personally surrender myself to you. Sounds fair?”
Sandaling napa isip si President Graham. Tumingin ito sa defense secretary nya. Tumango naman ito sa kanya.
“Okay Mr Black, you got yourself a deal. But the operation will be on my terms. You and your forces will join our military in the campaign against SAMAEL and my generals will be the one ordering your men. Also, any Black Technology you posses will be surrendered to american military and we will have full access to your communication and intelligence networks. Do we got ourselves a deal Mr Black?”
“….. pretty hard terms Mr President but sure you got yourself a deal.” Sabay disconnect ni Cifer.
“Shrewd move Mr President.”
“With this, we can finally have ourselves an ace in the hole. We will defeat SAMAEL and once he is done, I will deal of Cifer myself.” Nakangiti ang kompyansang presidente.
———-
By: Balderic
India Cerberus Vanguard Headquarters
Inipon ni Ben ang mga myembro ng Vanguard Cerberus Branch. Sa isang malaking silid, nag sama-sama ang lahat ng Valkyries, kasama na si John at Victoria. Nasa dulo ng lamesang pahaba nakatayo si Ben.
“As you may know, we lost a lot of our friends and families in the Leviathan attack. One of them is a fellow Valkyrie. But this is not the time to mourn. Our battle against SAMAEL is just beginning. Before I start our mission briefing, I would like to introduce to you our new sniper specialist that’s been recommended by Cerberus CEO Mr Kshatriya, please welcome Juno Jupiter.” Pumasok sa silid ang isang 5’7 na babae. Caucaisan ito at medyo petite. Maputi at semi mohawk ang style ng buhok na kulay pula ang dulo. May black lipstick at may kaunting dark eyeliners. May piercings rin ito sa magkabilang tenga, sa ilong at sa lower lip. Naka suot ito ng masikip na black sport shirt at may leather jacket. Naka hanging pants at kita ang fit na tiyan na halatang may tattoo, maging ang batok nya ay may tattoo rin. Tumabi ito kay Ben. Napataas ang kilay ni Yvonne at tila namangha si John sa mukhang goth girl na nasa harapan nila.
“Wow…” maikling reaksyon ni Yvonne.
“Hello, my name is Juno. I know you’ve been through tough times after one of your comrades died in battle. Trust me, I know the pain.”
“Yeah, no shit.” Sabat ni Yvonne na medyo sarcastic. Tumingin sa kanya si Cassandra habang napahagikhik naman si Barbara.
“Well, I am here not to replace her absence but just to replace her role as a team member.” Patuloy pa ni Juno.
“Um, do you have any background information to share with us?” tanong naman ni Victoria.
“Um okay… well… “ medyo napa isip si Juno at kinagat neto ang labi nya.
“Me and Athena go way back. We’ve trained together a couple of years ago. I was highly reactive to the Valkyria serum but I was assigned as Mr Kshatriya’s personal guardian. I like spicy food and I hate sweets. Um…. I think that’s about it.” Napatitig ang lahat kay Athena. Tumango naman si Athena at kinompirma ang kwento ni Juno.
“Okay Juno you may take your seat. Let’s continue with our mission briefing.” Tumabi si Juno kay John. Bahagyang napangiti si John sa bagong myembro ng Valkyrie.
“Juno..” inalay nito ang kamay kay John.
“John… ” Nakipagkamay naman sya at ramdam ang payat at manipis na kamay ni Juno.
“You must be the housemaster.”
“Uh yeah, that I am.” Ngumiti lang si Juno kay John at itinuon na neto ang pansin kay Ben.
“In northern Russia, we have received an intel from Cifer Black that SAMAEL has a weapons depot there. We believe this is where they are developing their main weapon codenamed Black Sun. Cifer double checked the info and it seems legit this time. I want you to form a two cell team to infiltrate the camp and destroy any weapons development programs existing.” Tumango naman ang mga Valkyrie members.
“Bossman, I would like to volunteer in this mission along with our new member Juno Jupiter.” Wika naman ni Athena. Napatingin sa kanya ang lahat.
“Okay then, Juno, how’s your field experience?” tanong ni Ben.
“I’ve served in a few skirmishes back in the day and some mop up missions here and there. I’m good Bossman.”
“Okay, now our second mission needs another two cell team. Cerberus intel told us a colleague of Dr. Arkhan is in London. A fellow scientist named Dr. Tamir will be staying in London for a nuclear physics convention. I want you to take him out as soon as possible.”
“Bossman, don’t we need some information from this guy?” tanong ni Yvonne.
“No, I will not risk another incident. We don’t know if SAMAEL has planted bugs in the target. So eliminating him will highly hinder their weapons development.” Ipinakita ni Ben ang itsura ng matandang scientist.
“Me and Cassandra will take care of him Bossman.” Wika naman ni Yvonne.
“I want you girls to be careful and watch your backs at all times. Any questions? If there are none, then you’re dismissed.”
Kanya kanyang nagsilabasan sa conference room ang mga myembro. Lumapit naman si John kah Yvonne.
“How do we deploy our troops if we don’t have the Leviathan?”
“Oh John, you didn’t know?” napangiti si Yvonne.
“Um know what?”
“We got the Albatros dummy!” sabat naman ni Barbara na dumaan sa dalawa.
Kinagabihan, tahimik ang paligid ng Quarters at nagpapahinga na ang mga myembro ng Vanguard. Si Ben naman ay nag aayos ng kanyang mga gamit dahil babalik na ito sa kanyang secret office. Sa tabi nya ay si Victoria.
“This has been the longest time we’ve been together since the good old days.” Wika ni Victoria at nakahiga lang ito sa kama at balot ng kumot ang katawan maliban sa balikat at ulo nya.
“Yeah, it’s been a while I guess.” Maikling sagot ni Ben habang nilalagay ang ilang gamit sa isang maleta.
“You know, when a soldier goes back to his mission, he would always make love to his girl before he leaves.” Paramdam naman ni Victoria. Napatingin si Ben sa kanya.
“Well, you’re not my girl Victoria.” Ngiti naman ni Ben.
“Haha! Of course not. I’m just teasing you Ben. So…how was your visit to that grave lately?”
“…..peaceful….”
“That ring sure was a significant thing…you never let it go until now.”
“It was time to move on. I am the bossman now, and I have lots of responsibility.”
“That’s what I like about you Ben, no matter what the circumstances is, you never failed to see what you truly have to do in a situation. But, this time…let me show you what you’re supposed to do half an hour ago.” Tumayo si Victoria at umiwas ng tingin si Ben dahil hubo’t hubad ito. Tumabi ito kay Ben at hinimas ang dibdib neto. Hinawakan ni Ben ang kamay ni Victoria at nilayo ito sa kanya.
“I have to go.”
“Not ’till I say so.” Tinulak ni Victoria si Ben pabalik sa kama. Nang matihaya ito ay kaagad sumunod ang babae at dumapa sa harapan ng pantalon nya saka hinimas ang kinaroroonan ng sandata neto.
“Victoria…”
“You’ve been driving me crazy since you showed up Benjamin. I just wanna say high to an old friend down here.” Sabay kindat at piniga neto ang burat ni Ben. Napasinghap ng hangin ang lalake sa sarap. Agad kumislot ang kanyang alaga.
“Hmmm oh my….I think Big Ben here misses me.”
“Stop calling it that…ummhh..” pinigang muli ni Victoria ang sandata ni Ben at kiniskis ito ng todo hanggang maramdaman netong tumitigas na ito.
“Ahh fuck..” hinde na napigilan pa ni Ben si Victoria nang buksan ang zipper ng pants nya. Binuka at inilabas ang sandata nyang ubod ng taba. Nakayuko pa ito pero ang gabraso netong size ay kamangha-mangha parin at napanganga si Victoria. Napadila ito sa labi nya.
“I miss this big fucker..umnnhhhh..shlurrpp..” dinilaan at sinipsip neto ang balat ng leeg. Pinatong ni Victoria ang sawa sa mukha nya at mula sa baba nya hanggang nuo nya ang halos kahabaan neto. Sa pagitang ng kanyang mga mata ang burat nakapatong at talagang mas lalo syang natakam. Mula sa bayag ay dinilaan nya ito paakyat sa ulo. Sinakal nya ang leeg at dinilaan ang ulo na parang lollipop.
“Haaahh..shit….Victoria…ummhh..”
“ooh you missed that huh…it’s been a long time since I had this inside me Ben….I know you’re a one woman kinda guy but seriously you need to let off some steam sometimes…” itinaas neto ang burat at sinapo ng labi nya ang magkabilang bayag. Dinilaan ang bawat isa at sinipsip. Unat ang balat matapos masipsip ang bawat isa.
Gising na gising na ang burat ni Ben at sinukat pa ito ni Victoria gamit ang braso nya. Mula siko hanggang dulo ng gitnang daliri nya ang kahabaan neto at napapa-iling sya.
“Fuck me it’s so biggggg…ahhh fuck…mmnnh…” di ito nakatiis at nilamon neto ang ulo ng tite ni Ben.
“Shluurp shluurpp shluurrrp!!!!” masibang chinupa ang ulo neto at jinajakol naman ang leeg habang ang isang kamay ay minamasahe ang bayag. Hinawakan ni Ben ang ulo ni Victoria at dito nya siniksik hanggang lalamunan ang burat nya.
“Uulkk!! Ggulllggk!! Gguuhhkk!!” tumirik ang mga mata ni Victoria nang kantotin ni Ben ng burat ang bibig neto. Halos di ito makahinga at bumabara ang burat neto sa lagusan ng hanging sa lalamunan ni Victoria. Napaluha ang babae sa tinde nang paraos.
“Hhuhhkk…fuck Ben you’re drowning me…mmhh I like that…fuck my mouth again please!” dalawang kamay na ang ginamit ni Ben at kinayod neto ang ulo ni Victoria sa burat nya nang todo.
“Gluhhk gluuhhkk gluugk gguugghh gguuhhgg!!!” pikit mata si Victoria habang nauubusan ng hanging sa sagad na pasok ng burat ni Ben. Humohulma sa leeg nya ang burat ni Ben na sumisiksik sa esophagus nya. Niluwa nya ito nang muntikan na syang masuka. Na ubo nang ilang beses si Victoria at tila nagkasipon. Nagpahinga ito sandali at puno na ng mucus at laway ang burat ni Ben.
“Are you done?” tanong ni Ben.
“Baby…you’re not gonna leave my room unless you fuck me hard right here.”
“Okay…if that’s what you want…that’s what you get.” Hinubad ni Ben ang pantalon nya.
Tumihaya sa kama si Victoria at pumwesto sa ibabaw nya si Ben. Nilawayan ni Victoria at kiniskis ang puke nya. Ibinaon naman ni Ben ang braso de tite nya sa masikip na hiwa ni Victoria. Agad…