"May plano ka na ba para sa bukas, Raven?"
I stood up straight after stretching my sides. Inilagay ko ang magkabilang kamay sa bewang at nagsimula sa waist exercises, staring at Tamara who was busy with her leg warm-ups.
"I don't know. We'll know it once tomorrow comes."
The afternoon sun and our Physical Education subject caused my sweat to glisten. Sandali akong tumigil at itinali ang buhok, tipping my head back to calm my breath. Before coming here, I had to endure double of the Physical Training class because I skipped yesterday. After lunch, I ran around the field for a hundred laps while listing possible strategies for tomorrow, so here in PE, I am already a little spent.
When I opened my eyes again, letting my hair sway as I adjusted my shirt and pants, I found every eye on me.
"Grabe!" Theus exclaimed on my side, his voice filled with glee. "Ang ganda mo, Raven!"
I shot him a sweet smile. "Thanks."
Sinulyapan ko si Zara at nakitang busy pa naman siya sa pakikipag-usap kay Diana, the medical head, who stopped by kanina. She just told us to warm our bodies up and form a group of ten. Since we're already six, kami ni Tam and the four elites, we just had to look for four more. Solana dragged Kamiel Josiah, ang lagi niyang kadebate sa klase, to join us. Meanwhile, Dawn has already dragged one of the girls I saw with them back at the Rank Assessment. Her red-orange hair was eye-catching, however, my eyes had already settled on the two boys behind her.
"I have a feeling I'd get bashed after this," I announced playfully, watching as Tsukishima and Helios completed our little group. "Kasama ko ba naman halos lahat ng elites."
I wasn't overreacting when I said that. Hindi pa nga tapos, nararamdaman ko na ang mga masasamang tingin sa likod ko. If I wasn't used to it, I'd probably be bothered by now.
Nagkibit-balikat si Dawn. "Sila lagi ang grupo ko."
"Hi! You're the famous Raven, huh." the new girl beamed at me. "I'm Fei Gwynette Grimes. Isa din sa mga elites na under sa House of Golden Sun."
I accepted the hand she held out, a little confused that it was just warm. Just warm, unlike Helios' soulstone that burns through you. Baka naman weaker at different ang magic na mayroon siyaㅡ
"I am the living Phoenix Fire."
Her words were like a bomb dropped on me. The living Phoenix Fire. While I may be ignorant at most basic Hiraya things, I have read and heard about the Phoenix more than I could say 'sorry'. She appeared in the tales of the First War and supported Silas in building this country. Although, of course, I know Fei isn't exactly that firebird. Maybe a descendant of one and still held on to their magic.
The briefest spark of jealousy happened to me, but I quickly buried it with my curiosity for a living Phoenix fire not bothering me as much as the sun. Ang init nila ay dapat magkaparehos lang naman.
Binitawan niya ang kamay ko para balingan si Tamara. She shook hands with my shy friend too. Hindi ko na alam kung gustong tumawa, kiligin, o umiyak ni Tam nang makipagkamayan.
"Hi, Raven! Magkagrupo tayo!"
I gave Tsukishima a bored look. Para lang siyang si Griffin kahapon. I think I have enough brain cells naman to understand that we're groupmates. No need to slap it in my face.
"Yeah? Hindi halata."
My sarcastic statement did not even bother him. "Although, mas maganda sana kung hindi natin kasama ang anak ng araw. Mas magiging happy ako."
If Helios heard that, he didn't show any reaction. He's just sitting on the ground, flexing his wrist and clicking his neck. The white PE uniform fits him handsomely.
"Mabuti naman at hindi umaayon ang araw na maging masaya ka."
He chuckled. "Why are you so irritated today, Rave? May nangyari ba?"
May nangyari ba? Since I've entered this school, wala nang hindi nangyari. The presence of these soulbearers bothers me, just as much as I'm already frustrated at that attention-seeking shadow figure. Or the whispers of the darkness in our room whenever I try to take a rest. I hated how the moon I've always admired is causing me nightmares now.
Hindi pa nga ako nakaka-isang linggo, pinagti-tripan na ako ng eskwelahang ito.
Umirap ako. "Nangyari ka sa harap ko."
"You're hurting me real bad right now," he responded with a hand clutching his chest. "May ginawa ba akong masama sa'yo at naiinis ka sa'kin?"
Pinikit ko ang mata para kalmahin ang sarili. Naalala ko ang librong binabasa ko ngayon. Tsukishima was the first person to recommend it to me, and if he's an elite... Dapat alam niyang forbidden ang librong 'yon, 'di ba?
"What do you know about the book, The Souls Within Us? Alam mo bang pinagbabawal 'yon sa Hiraya?"
His smile froze. Iginala niya ang tingin sa paligid bago sumagot, "The Academy holds a lot of banned items and prohibited information. While the Academy circle may not allow it, proposing to have everything burned, Paham refused. Ayaw niyang pumanig ang Academy sa Gareth o Hiraya, so he accepts any students from both countries... and even from their allied lands."
"Paano kapag malaman ito ng Palasyo? O ng mga estudyanteng malapit sa Royal Family?"
"Raven, the sun is already here."
I frowned, hindi maintindihan ang ibig niyang sabihin. But I felt this burning presence behind me, so I guess he was talking about Helios.
Zara has returned and was continuing her instructions for the group activity. Turns out that we will have a short performance of magic in the coming Foundation Week. Para daw sa mga galing sa House of Blades, we just have to support our group members. It's up to us whether we want to use our soulstone or not, since there are Selected students who possess no magic.
I yawned, tapping on Helios' outstretched arm to play with the heat that appeared and vanished. He tried to sit away from me earlier. I pulled him to sit beside me, dragging his arm outwards. Pinaglaruan ko ang nakakatawang pagkawala at pagbalik ng init sa pagtapik sa kamay niya.
I received a few confused stares and an especially unimpressed look from Tsukishima. I didn't mind it one bit since I wasn't born to impress them naman.
"Gawin na lang kasi natin ang nirejected niyong idea ko last!" Eva exclaimed. "Let's go with the Animal Care Program!"
"Eva, we need to showcase our soulstones, not the talents of different animals. Isa pa, anong gagawin nina Fei at Helios sa mga manok mo, gagawing fried chicken?"
Kamiel Josiah, or Kam the brave soul, had to endure the birds that made his hair a nest for the next five minutes. The bestfriend, Solana, laughed at his misfortune.
"Bakit kaya hindi tayo magcheat ulit? Tingnan natin ano gagawin nila para mas makaplano ng mas bongga?" Fei suggested, glancing at Theus.
"So you're a bunch of cheater pala?" I whispered to Helios who was busy counting the grass.
He hummed, glancing at me. A small smile touched his lips. "They'll think of something nice after a while."
"Ano ba 'yang ginagawa mo? Ilang damo na ba ang tingin mong nandito sa field?"
"I'm not counting them. I'm..." he trailed off, lost in his thoughts. "I'm just thinking when it last rained."
Just like how the sun took most hours, leaving little time for the night, the rain has also sparingly visited the lands.
As the soulbearer who represents the sun's great power, does he feel guilty? Hindi niya rin ba gusto ang nangyayari ngayon sa Hiraya?
I was about to offer a response when Solana's loud voice stole my attention. "Anong ibig mong sabihin, Theus? You can't use your soulstone?"
"Oo, hindi ko nga alam kung bakit... It happened just before that bird thingy kahapon? I tried to use my soulstone but it didn't react. Hanggang ngayon, hindi siya gumagana. Tingnan niyo."
Theus demonstrated the malfunction in his soulstone. Pumikit siya't nagconcentrate, ngunit nang buksan ang mata ay bumalik agad ito sa natural na kulay nila. If he could easily summon his seer magic back then, ngayon ay tanging takot at pangamba na lang ang nakikita ko sa mata niya.
"Don't think of the worst-case scenario, Theus. May posibilidad na sandaling pinigilan ang seer abilities mo ng umatake din sa Academy. You might provide them clues... which will destroy whatever it is you're planning."
"Tama si Dawn." pagsang-ayon ni Tsuki na tatango-tango pa. "Nangyari 'yan bago ang insidente kahapon, so they must have capped your soulstone. I also heard some complaints from my classmates na mula sa House of Psyche."
Their words made Theus calm down, a long exhale leaving his lips as he tried to believe their theories. I think it's possible too... dahil kung hindi, then he must be more terrified. When you don't have a soulstone, you can't feel the magic flowing into your blood. As a previous soulbearer, Theus can feel deep inside him if he was slowly losing his magic.
They encouraged Theus to go talk to Kiernan when our Soul Arts came too. Hindi na ako nagpaiwan pa para marinig ang usapan nila, but a hand stopped me from leaving the room completely. Tamara, who went with me, also came to a halt, glancing at Tsukishima and proceeding to wait for me outside.
"What?" nagmamadali kong tanong sa kaniya. I need to go and meet with my group for tomorrow pa.
"Stay away from the sun if you don't want to get burned." his tone was warning and cold.
Kunot-noo kong pinagmasdan ang seryoso niyang itsura. I made a scoffing laugh, trying to take my hand away from his. His hold didn't budge, watching me with a grave expression.
"Ano ba? We're not close friends for you to dictate to me who I can talk to or not, okay? Kahit nga pamilya ko ay hindi ako mautusan, ikaw pa?" muli kong sinubukan na hatakin ang kamay sa kaniya. "Let go of me!"
His jaw clenched and he clicked his tongue, leaning towards me. "This is a warning, imuoto. You don't know him like I do."
He let go of my hand harshly, leaving the room in a hasty pace. I followed his movements, my forehead knotting at the foreign word and strange warnings.
Does he know things that I don't? From the book to this boy, it feels like his every action held unknown motives. At bago pa man ako makapagtanong ay umaalis na siya. Like when he mentioned my brother and uncle, saying they were bothersome as if they've met him before. Hell, my last uncle has been deceased for years so sino ba ang tinutukoy niya?
Ano ba ang kailangan niya sa'kin?
Confusion was feasting my mind when I eventually met with my group later on. Sinantabi ko muna ang mga problema nang makita ang nakasimangot na Azriel at Matteo na pinagigitnaan ng nakangiting si Griffin. They tried to look normal in our eyes, but Griffin's trembling hand as he tried to push the two apart and his shaking smile made me realize the truth.
"Hindi pa Obstacle War, nag-away na kayo?" I asked with a grin. "Matteo, our loose cannon, is that why no one tried to take you as their member?"
"Kaya ko namang mag-isa. No need to fit me in your little group." he spat.
I tilted my head, eyes screaming with mirth. "What do you mean to fit you? We're all students here who didn't have a group last time, 'di ba?"
"I'm not damn blind, Raven. Alam ko namang magkakaibigan kayo."
Humalakhak ako.
"Matteo, Matteo." I chanted his name while snapping my fingers. "The four of us might be friends, but the truth is that we still had no group in the end. Hindi naman kami nagmeeting na kaming apat na. So, as Beatrix said, we're just a bunch of left-behinds who tried to fit with each other."
Marahas siyang bumuntong-hininga pero hindi na sumagot pa. I took it as a cue to continue, "But we're not here to discuss our differences or show grudges, we're here to plan for the Obstacle War tomorrow."
The cold evening breeze made the air around us heavy. We aren't exactly a weak group, but we're terribly unbalanced. Masasabing we're a bunch of students who always lets their temper or emotions hold them. Matteo has short patience, Griffin is unpredictable, Azriel is dangerous when angry, Tamara is easily eaten up by her nerves, and I have a weird obsession with making people angry. Kailangan may mas kalmadong maglead pero hindi naman papayag si Azriel na kumuha ng gano'ng responsibilidad.
So it's either I take the lead or Matteo fights me for it.
That's what the other group will think of us ㅡ the trouble that will explode just before the war. But then... Andreas never said that someone had to lead, right?
"May nagawa ka na, Raven?" muling tanong ni Tamara. "I think we can avoid Dustine and her group first. Let the others weaken them before we attack..."
Griffin showed his impressed agreement for that. "Oo, we can just hold our ground early. Look for some small groups to conquer and take them on at the final round."
"They could just employ the same tactic. Dayang and Damon are beasts so defeating them will be hard, lalo na't pwede silang ireserve ni Dustine as fighters for the last hours. Since the common strat against a strong group is to weaken them." Matteo offered his perspective.
Iyon naman ang sinang-ayunan ni Azriel. "They can use Giovanni, Dustine, and Beatrix at the first part of the war. Kaya nilang magalternate dahil grupo sila ng malalakas."
The group fell into silence until Azriel turned to me, which made the rest glance curiously. "Sa'yo, Raven?" tanong ni Griffin.
"Do we know what the war will be about?"
"Ay, oo nga pala, wala ka no'n." napakamot si Tamara sa ulo. "Hindi masyadong naexplain ni Ma'am Zara pero ang alam ko ay parang last man standing siya. The field will be filled with an obstacle course. Tapos the groups will be positioned randomly around the field. Kung sino ang matitira sa huli, they will win."
I hummed, creating a possible image of that game in my head. Ngumisi ako. "We can plan it tomorrow morning, kapag natapos na si Andreas sa pag-instruct. But right now... let's share and create different tactics we can employ tomorrow."
The five of us skipped dinner, opting to discuss the different tactics we can potentially use. Nanatili kami sa garden na nasa gilid ng Mayumi building, where a large oak tree was standing as a landmark. Natigil lamang ang diskusyon nang pumataas ang buwan sa makakapal na dahon at sanga ng puno, at nang makita na namin ang pagmamadali ng mga estudyante na makapasok sa houses bago ang curfew.
The next day, at the field that has become an obstacle course, we looked the most unprepared.
Nakasuot kami ng standard uniform na cargo pants and brown shirt. Tamara and I have tied our hair up. She was busy wearing her kneecaps, while I was adjusting my 7-inch heeled boots. The boys were standing menacingly behind us, watching as everybody gaped at my shoes.
"Miss Tempest."
I looked up when I heard Andreas' strict voice. Napangiti ako sa simangot na nasa mukha niya at mas ipinakita pa ang ganda ng heels ko. Inggit ka ba, Andreas?
"You'll be playing inside an obstacle course." paliwanag niya na parang bobo ang kausap.
I rolled my eyes. "I can perfectly see the monkey bars and ropes, Andreas. Hindi pa naman ako nabulag sa mga nagdaang araw."
"Then why are you wearing heels?"
"Why is my wearing of heels your problem ba, Andreas? I wore heels because I want to. Because I can. Because no one can tell me no. And because I look so good when wearing it."
"Maybe because you're also an attention-seeker?" Beatrix asked, raising an arched brow.
I gave her a critical once-over, grimacing when I saw her standard military boots that are so lame. Hinigpitan ko ang pagtali, my arms raising to show how the tight clothes hugged my curvy body. Mas lalong tumagal ang titig ng mga lalaki, at napansin ni Beatrix ang intensiyon ko kaya mas lalong lumukot ang mukha niya. Yeah, that's right. You look so not pretty right now.
"Ah, I am not denying that fact. I thrive under the attention." nginisian ko siya. "I think we're quite similar in that aspect. Iyon nga lang, your way of getting attention is weak. Kailangan mo pang mang-away ng ibang tao for that."
Mapakla siyang natawa. "Don't misunderstand me, Raven. Naiinis at galit lang ako sa'yo dahil sa isang bagay, at 'yon ay isa kang masamang ehemplo sa iba. You break the rules. That's one thing I hate the most."
"Okay."
My answer was so abrupt and short that it startled her.
"Okay?"
"Mm. Okay. Hate mo 'ko, e'di okay. I'm not living in this world naman to make you like me."
Nagkibit-balikat ako sa kanilang dalawa ni Andreas, making a statement by standing straight and raising my chin. Umirap lang sa'kin si Beatrix at padabog na bumalik sa kaniyang grupo. Andreas sighed, as if he's giving up on me for the thousandth time na, and clapped his hands for everyone to pay attention to.
Alas syete na ng umaga kaya mainit na ang sikat ng araw. Some students who woke up early also stood in the halls, participating as our audience. Their eyes widened and their jaw dropped as they saw the detailed obstacle course that was laid just for the Selected. Never in their magical life pa siguro sila nakakita ng ganito ka physically exhausting na course.
The first section consisted of platforms that are arranged alternately. Kailangan naming tumalon at ibalanse ang sarili sa bawat platforms at iwasan ang mahulog sa mud so that we can reach the second section. Pagkarating doon, we have to use the ropes to get to the other side. Then we'll slide down into an ice bath. After that, nasa middle clearing na kami where the obstacle course is then divided into three directions.
Pwedeng sa may army crawl ka where there's mud, start on the monkey bars sa gitna, or jump or climb on the inverted wall na nasa left. A few sets of obstacle course pa ang naghihintay sa'yo, as well as stationed tents kung saan ilalagay ang bawat groups.
"Destroying the tents or killing every member of a group using this paint gun will eliminate them. You have three hours to play this game and whoever's tent stays standing or has the most surviving members win. Pero kagaya nga ng sabi ko sa inyo, for physical training, I will take note of the physical skills you've shown here. For your Strat, I will observe the tactics you'll make."
"So what's the use of winning?" Giovanni asked.
"Paham will give the winners a special set of weapons."
The name of the dean and the potentiality of getting a badass weapon increased the students' will to win the fight. Napangiti din si Andreas nang makita ang pananabik ng kaniyang estudyante sa laro.
"Your tents will be assigned based on your performance for our warm-up games. The group with the most wins gets the strongest tent, and the lowest, the disadvantaged one. So ready yourselves and we'll use the other section of the obstacle course for the mini-games."
Andreas pointed at a smaller obstacle course beside the main one. It was just a bunch of logs and ropes that are either used as a bar or vault.
Tinapik ako ni Tamara kaya nilingon ko sila. "Should we play for real o hindi?"
"Play to lose." tanging nasagot ko. "Let them find us none of a threat."
Matteo's eyes fell to my boots and he smirked. "The art of deception, huh."
I smiled. The Art of Deception, it is.