Against the God: End of the Gifteds (HIATUS)

64

[Lor]

My glasses is getting foggy. The rain kept pouring and in just few seconds outside, I'm already used to the cold. Malalim akong bumuntong-hininga, pilit na pinakakalma ang sarili at isipan ko.

But who am I kidding?

During moments like this, I always having a doubt to this stupid position of mine. I tried acting cool and calm in front of my son a while ago, but I'm really worried.

Para sa akin, para sa anak ko. Para sa mga nandito sa loob ng paaralan. Wala sana ako sa sitwasyon na 'to kung hindi ako pumasok sa academy at sumali sa pagpapatakbo nito.

I'm only fooling myself, I never wanted to be the next principal in line. I just wanted to be a good son and support my father, even though that position was never for me from the start.

It was for that older sibling of mine. Bora Portugal's favorite child.

I fixed my glasses. But I don't have a choice but to fill that position now. Because that person is already dead.

Kahit malakas ang ulan at kahit napupuno na ng hamog ang paligid, nakikita ko pa rin nang malinaw ang nasa harapan ko. Ang tapat ng gate ng paaralan na 'to na unti-unting bumubukas.

It pains me to know that a Portugal turned their back to the family, but it isn't first time that happened.

Now, I have to do my duty and fill up my position as the second option.

I felt their presences. Inside the academy... and in front of me.

I side glance the academy behind me. Marami-rami sila sa loob, kumpara sa nandito sa labas. It means that their objective is inside.

I know my son well, and I know that he can't beat them all inside. I'm thinking of at least 3-6 gifteds. Maybe a dozen at most, that boy is brutal after all. But he's not alone there, Ethan's child is there too. And there's a trustworthy one too, it will make me less worried.

And it will help me focus here.

Hindi ako nakaharap sa harap pero naririnig ko na ang mga yapak. Maraming yapak, kumpara sa 'kin na mag-isa lang dito. I'm glad that most of the students weren't here, at least I know that the damage won't be that huge.

Malakas ang ulan na gumagawa ng hamog, kaya unti-unti ko lang nasisilayan ang grupo na paparating. Benteng talampakan mula sa 'kin, nang humampas ang malakas na hangin at nawala ang makapal na hamog— sumalubong sa 'kin ilang dosenang tao na nakapalibot sa harapan ko.

As if seconds ago all I can see is the rain, now the field is filled with gifteds. And I know myself, I can't beat them all.

They're not just ordinary gifteds, at least they're on a master-level.

I, myself, is not unique or special. Hindi ako tumatak mula sa henerasyon ko, hindi hamak na maraming mas malakas sa 'kin sa henerasyon ngayon. My nieces and nephews, even my sons are going to be much stronger than me.

I'm aware of that. . .

Si gitna ng napakaraming gifted sa harapan ko, mabilis na natutok ang atensyon ko sa isa. A very, very familiar face.

He stepped out from the crowd, knowing that he got my attention.

"Oh, look what we have here," aniya gamit ang malalim na boses na sumasabay sa pag-ulan. "It's the next principal in line. How are you, the successor?"

Our eyes met, my expression is cold as the the weather. "Barabbas."

Parang kaming dalawa lang ang taong nandito, mabigat ang tensyon ang namamagitan sa 'min at matatalim ang tingin sa isa't isa.

A wanted criminal that I've faced countless of times, and got away from me all of the time. A criminal who tried to take my head every time, but failed constantly. 

My nemesis.

"It's been a long time, don't you think?" he scoffed. "Nawala ka sa frontline para maupo sa tapat ng lamesa at humarap sa mga bata," sarkastiko niyang sambit.

I took my glasses off. "I didn't think that you'll miss me that much."

He winced. "Hah. I really despite that fake expression of yours, always acting calm and mature." Binuka niya ang dalawa niyang kamay. "But hey, we're already here. Why won't we finish our last duel? We have all the time we need."

His expression darkened, he leaked his bloodlust. "It's time for me to gift your head to Andina."

Nilagay ko sa bulsa ang salamin ko, nanatiling mukhang kalmado. "Still a loyal dog, I see."

I can see him gritting his teeth, getting offended. I took a deep sigh, fixing my sleeves and taking off my watch.

"But I apologize, I can't go with your one on one battle," I answered him. I can see his forehead furrowing, confused. Natapos kong iangat ang sleeves ko.

Oh, my Goddess Pasithea...

"Because..." I felt my eyes changed. From dark brown to dark blue with light patterns, like a dream catcher. "I'm planning to face you all at once."

Barabbas didn't expect my words, he was taken aback for a second, before laughing himself. "YOU?" natatawang aniya, napahawak siya sa mukha niya kakatawa. "I know you're not this kind of fighter! You're a stealth! An assassin! You can't take us all!"

I remained calm. Indeed, I'm not that type of gifted. I'm not a fighter, I don't have a destructive gift. Compared to Barabbas, who's an heir of Ares. 

Alam ko 'yon sa sarili ko. Lugi ako sa rami nila at sa posisyon ko ngayon.

But still, I'm kind of lucky... because it's raining right now, and misty.

"You should've taken someone with you!" Kumurba ang labi ni Barabbas sa isang ngisi. "Like your son..."

Dumeretso ang talukap ng mga mata ko at mas lalong tumalim ang tingin ko sa kaniya, pakiramdam ko ay gumagaan ang katawan ko. Pasimple, isa-isa ng lumalabas sa 'kin ang kalaluluwa kong hati na.

My gift form my Goddess, Phantom stealth. The ability to clone myself not physically— but with my souls.

"My son is busy at the moment," I said with a monotone voice. "So I'll finish this quickly."

Parang narinig ni Barabbas ang gusto niyang marinig. His lips curved into a grin, that I admit, made me feel uneasy.

"You won't be able to do that. Kung magawa mong makatakas dito, bangkay na lang ng anak mo ang maabutan mo sa loob." He sound confident, I'm starting to waver. "I let out a monster inside."

He's trying to intimidate me, and it's effective. After all, it's my son.

"That monster will kill everyone in the right wing, including your son."

His words are starting to affect me, but the next sentence he said made it all fade away. Sa iglap nang marinig ko ang isang salitang nabanggit niya, nawala ang lahat ng kaba ko.

I chuckled, that made him, all of them confused. All of my souls are already out of my body, and I'm not worried for my son a little bit.

"Then you're right, we really do have all the time we need," I answered.

"You've already gave up for your son?" he teasingly said, trying to make me mad.

But instead, I calmly smiled with my eyes closed, making him the one pissed.

"I have no worries, because I too, let out a monster in the right wing." My eyes slowly opened.

"And that monster, is much, much stronger than my son."

CHAPTER 64
Nemesis