Deltha: Avenue of the Esoteric

Chapter 10

Abandoned

Ramdam ko ang pares ng dalawang matang nakatingin sa akin magmula n'ong nangyari kahapon. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin malinaw sa akin kung ano 'yong nais iparating ni President Death. I felt like he was watching my every move. Hindi ko alam kung praning lang ba ako o sadyang sumusulyap siya sa akin.

"Hindi ba siya kasali?" I asked Garnet pertaining to him who's standing in the upper stage. All high classes are gathered here in a wide arena for the opening ceremony of the battle of strength that will happen later.

"He will join and as an advantage for being a supreme, he's free to choose the team he wants." Tumango tango ako sa sagot niya.

"But wait, why are you interested?" Nanunuksong siniko ako ni Garnet.

It was really a wrong move to ask her.

"I was just curious. Hindi ako interesado." I defended myself pero isang nakakalokong ngiti pa rin ang iginawad niya sa akin. 

"Hindi nga, Garnet."

"What did he tell you yesterday, ha? He even held your wrist and talked to you in private," pag papaalala niya pa sa nangyari kahapon. "Did he confess his feelings?"

Napailing na lang ako sa sinabi niya. She's indeed a good match to Vesper. Parehas silang mahilig magbigay malisya sa mga bagay bagay.

"You told me that he's dangerous. Hindi na ako ulit lalapit sa kanya."

She looks unsatisfied with what I've said.

"Fine. Just don't eat your own words, bff." 

Instead of minding her never ending smile, I just decided to ready myself for all the possible scenarios that will happen later. Habang nandito ako sa tabi ni Garnet, hindi maiwasang makarinig ako ng kung ano ano mula sa ibang high class lalo na patungkol kay Vlad. 

Most of them are searching for the basis why Cascade was easily replaced by him. Wala naman akong nakikitang kahit anong uri ng kaba sa mukha ni Vlad na para bang kayang kaya niyang patunayan ang sarili niya.

"Let's see each other later inside the arena. You can do it, Dasha," pagpapalakas ni Garnet sa loob ko.

"I'll be gentle to you later, don't worry." Kumindat sa akin si Vesper na siyang nginitian ko. 

Coven didn't say anything but I know he was wishing me luck too.

"Don't be a nuissance, Dasha, Kung gusto mong manalo tayo." Phaedra rolled her eyes for countless times na gaya ng nakasanayan ay hindi ko na lang pinansin.

The three of us are wearing black combat attire. Pinusod ko ang mahaba at kulot kong buhok bago nagpakawala nang isang malalim na buntong hininga. Bago ang hudyat ng pagsisimula ng pagpasok namin sa loob ng arena, I saw Vlad smiling at me as if he was rooting for me too. 

Aside from proving ourselves, the purpose of this battle is to prepare us also for the upcoming real life battle scenarios. Sa pamamagitan din nito, malalaman kung sino ang magiging kanang kamay ni President Death para sa mga susunod na mga mission.

Bago magsimula ang lahat, muli na namang lumabas ang malaking hologram. Phaedra was on the first spot together with Coven kaya't bakas sa mukha niya ngayon ang kagustuhang manalo sa labang ito. I was on the on the fifth place now dahil hindi naman gan'on kalaki ang improvement ko sa training at sa mga mission na nangyayari. 

Besides, similar to Vesper's mindset, I'm not aiming for any higher ranks. Sapat na sa akin 'yong magamit ko 'yong abilidad ko sa tama. 

Katulad nang kagustuhan nina Phaedra at Ashanti, sumusunod lang ako sa kanila nang opisyal nang magsimula ang laban. We are now inside a never ending maze and the only way to win is to find the way out. Pero sa pagkakataong ito, hindi 'yon magiging madali. Everyone is my enemy. I can only ask help from my team mates kung kaya't kailangan ko silang pakisamahan.