Against the God: End of the Gifteds (HIATUS)

36

[3RD POV]

Has a victory smile on her face, with a light expression. Sumasabay sa paggalaw ng katawan niya ang mahaba at kapansin-pansin niyang buhok.

Xilah just got back at Solar Academy, with good news. 

After a day of the Deities' mission, she received the good news. Parang isang patalim sa sikmura ang nawala nang malaman niya ang tagumpay na nagawa ng mga estudyante niya. Sa kabila ng hindi magandang kalagayan nila, masaya siya nang malamang... hindi sila nabawasan.

They needed treatment immediately. And the day after tomorrow, they will go to Solar Academy where the phoenix is, to treat their wounds completely.

Today, she will give the good news. Pero kabaliktaran ng pakiramdam niya, ibang-iba ang bumungad sa kaniya sa paaralan.

It's dull... quiet. The fact that it's a fortress made it more eerie. 

Which made her uneasy. Because today... is the day that the Solar and Lunar will undergo with their mission too.

Patuloy na naglakad si Xilah, hanggang sa marating ang pamilyar na opisina. Nandito siya noong nakaraang araw lang, pero hindi katulad no'n, dalawang tao lang ang sumalubong sa kaniya. Parehong nakaupo sa harap ng mahabang lamesa.

The principal, Bora Portugal.

And his grandson, the academy's number 1, Yadiel Portugal.

Xilah was slightly surprised to see them both in a one room, alone together. She chuckled.

"What's with the long faces," she scoffed.

The tension became heavier, the atmosphere became more suffocating. Three big names in a room, is really a breathtaking sight— literally.

"We managed to steal the ring," panimula ni Bora.

Nakuha nito ang atensyon ni Xilah na paupo sa isa sa mga bakanteng upuan.

"Oh, then that's great-"

"But one of the students..."

Hindi niya naituloy ang sasabihin niya nang may sunod na sinabi ang principal. Kahit hindi pa nito natutuloy ang sasabihin niya, alam na ni Xilah ang kasunod. Her expression changed, but her strong appearance didn't falter. 

"Then... are you going to hold a funeral or something like that," sarkastiko niyang sagot. 

Umangat ang malalamig na tingin sa kaniya ng dalawang kausap niya.

Hindi sa pagiging manhid, o pagiging walang respeto. Pero ganito na siya lumaki. Xilah knows, when and where to show and hide her feelings. Right now, she won't show weakness... like she always do.

Malalim na huminga si Yadiel. "If we had time," sarkastikong balik niya.

"But our hands are full." His expression darkened, became colder.

"Joker and the other student... didn't came back too."

Mabilis nitong naagaw ang tingin at atensyon ni Xilah. Sinundan ito ng pagkunot ng noo niya. "Joker? And a student?" she said, confused.

"Yeah, it's the kid Zeke, you met him during the conference" sagot ni Bora. 

Napaangat ang dalawang kilay ni Xilah. "Oh.... Are they still alive?"

"Most probably, " ani Yadiel. "It's still Joker after all."

"Then, how can we find them?" muling tanong ni Xilah. "Could they still be at the UA's HQ?"

Prenteng sumandal si Bora sa upuan. "No," malalim ang boses niyang sumagot. "The kid Zeke... he's a Coder."

Once again, without further explanation, Xilah already knows what he meant by that.