Deltha: Avenue of the Esoteric

Chapter 7

Free

Emotions can be someone's greatest adversary. The moment I stepped here in the city of Deltha, I never thought that I would go beyond my deepest fear. I'm afraid of the possibility that I'll fall down. I'm afraid to just disappear and die while behaving cowardly.

But then, as time passed by, I realized that we all live with the same fear. Some are afraid when they are just starting. And if you let this fear fill your entire system, it will bring total obliteration.

You will shrink. You will not be able to fight back.

"My family was my only weakness too... similar to him," pagkwekwento sa akin ni Garnet habang nandito kami ngayon sa elevator. Hindi maiwasang mapag usapan namin 'yong nangyari sa misyon kahapon.

Vlad was always acting like a sturdy lion and thinks that his capacities and strengths are above any other. But now, he turned into a flabby sheep for the sake of his family.

Takot siyang hindi na muling makita 'yong pamilya niya at ginamit ko 'yong pagkakataong 'yon para paamuhin siya.

"Being a high class is probably a good thing. We can protect our family in all circumstances. I was indeed afraid during the first time but I don't want to turn my life into a useless and boring one, Dasha. Walang thrill..."

"Ilang taon kana rito?"

Pinindot niya 'yong 20th floor button bago sumagot sa akin.

"It's been 2 years already. I almost died but here I am, still alive and kicking." Ngumiti siya sa akin na parang wala siyang pinagsisisihan na kahit ano sa lahat ng mga nangyari.

Pagkarating namin sa meeting area kung saan kami ipinatawag ni Headmistress Sonnata, muli na namang lumitaw ang isang malaking hologram. Hindi ko naman inaasahan kung ano 'yong makikita ko. 

I was in first place!

"Oh my god! You did great!" puri sa akin ni Garnet na nagawa pa akong yakapin dahil sa sobrang tuwa. I was 15 points ahead from the second spot which is Phaedra.

"Congrats, darling." Vlad was about to kiss the back of my hand just like what he did during the first time kung hindi lang tinabig ni Vesper ang kamay niya.

"Nakakarami kana..." Masama ang tinging sambit nito.

"You were the only one who successfully recruited a daeva to be part of us, Dasha. That's too impressive!"

Hindi ko inaasahan na ganito pala kasarap sa pakiramdam na makagawa ng tama gamit ang kakayahan ko. There was no exact word that could describe how much I am feeling right now.

"Since Cascade was easily replaced with the help of Dasha, the Battle of Strength will start early," anunsyo ni Headmistress Sonnata. Nabanggit na sa akin ni Garnet ang tungkol r'on noong isang araw.

The Battle of strength was conducted yearly and this will be the final test to assess if you really belong to each classes. Iyon din ang pagkakataon para patunayan ni Vlad ang sarili niya kung karapat dapat ba siya bilang kapalit Cascade.

"The groupings will be randomly picked by me..." dagdag pa ni Headmistress bago siya kumuha ng tatlong papel mula sa bowl na hawak ng isang officer.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong kinabahan sa mga posibleng mangyari.

"Garnet, Vesper, Coven...you were the first group." Pumalakpak ako para sa kaibigan ko. She will easily get along with her group. Hindi ko lang sigurado kay Vesper dahil madalas silang nagtatalong dalawa.