[3RD POV]
Malaking guild pero walang kalaman-laman, kung may papasok man ay mabilis ding lalabas. It's that time of the week again.
Paying rents.
Padabog na nagbukas ang pinto, at pumasok sa loob ang babaeng hindi nawawala ang pagkakunot ng noo. Magkasalubong ang kilay at matalim ang tingin. She's wearing her yellow uniform that is unbutton in the first 2 buttons.
Sumasabay sa paggalaw ng katawan niya ang mahaba at asul niyang buhok na nakatali sa isang ponytail. Iritado siya pumwesto sa harap ng mission board.
"Fuck, I'm 30k short." She said under her breath. Seryoso niyang tinignan ang mga misyon na pwede niyang makuha. Sa parehong pagkakataon, may lumabas sa isa sa mga silid na lalaki.
Isang lalaki na feel at home sa guild, at hindi na kailangang magbayad ng renta dahil dito na siya tumitira sa guild.
"A-Aqua!"
Rivan flinched as soon as he saw the girl inside the guild. Inakala niyang siya lang mag-isa rito dahil busy ang mga estudyante sa pagkuha ng pangrenta sa dorm. Magkasalubong na kilay ni Aqua nang humarap sa kaniya.
"Wow. It must good to be in your position, huh." Sarkastikong sambit ng babae. "Kinarir mo ang pag-stay rito ah, gusto mong singilin na kita?"
Hindi maipinta ang mukha ni Rivan at pilit na tumawa. "Haha... ikaw talaga, ang hilig mong magbiro."
Kahit kinakabahan, pilit na lumapit si Rivan sa pwesto ni Aqua. "M-Magkano ba kulang mo? Tulungan kita-"
Rivan blenched when Aqua raised her hand, about to hit him. Thankfully, he was saved by the phone ringing. They were both taken aback and stopped. Nothing new, they sometimes take missions through phone calls.
"Saved by the bell." May tonong pagbabantang sambit ni Aqua bago umalis sa pwesto niya para puntahan ang telepono.
"Hello, Deity Guild-"
Aqua stopped when she heard a familiar voice in the line. Nakuha niya rin ang atensyon ni Rivan na nakita ang biglaang pagbago ng ekspresyon ng kasama.
"Oh, I see." Maikling sagot ni Aqua.
Nagkaroon ng sandaling katahimikan sa guild habang pinapakinggan ni Aqua ang mga sinasabi ng taong nasa kabilang linya. After a couple of seconds, she clicked her tongue and has a surprised and angry look.
Just watching her, Rivan felt the chills.
Hindi makapaniwala si Aqua sa mga naririnig. At ang unang pumasok sa isip niya ay...
'Why now? When they're not here...'
"Understood." Seryoso at malamig ang boses ni Aqua. "I'll see you there." Sunod na sambit niya bago ibaba ang telepono.
Rivan looked dumbfounded. Walang ekspresyon siyang dinaanan ng kasama habang natulala siya sa pwesto niya.
"A-Anong meron-"
"Gather everyone, Rivan. All of the guild's masters, or anyone who's in charge." Walang kabuhay-buhay ang mga mata ni Aqua. "We don't have to worry about the rent for now..."
"Things are going to get messy."
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In a middle of a busy city, a group of people are at the top of one of the buildings, looking down.
Isang babae ang may hawak-hawak na binoculars at tinitignan isa-isa ang mga tao sa ibaba, may hinahanap. She's wearing a red spaghetti strap and black leather jacket paired with denim shorts. May malaki rin siyang golden hoop earrings.
She has a long black hair and tan skin. Has a crown tattoo close to her chest.
Gale Flare. Strongest heiress of Hephaestus in her generation. 5th Crown.
"Gale! Found the target?" Masiglang sambit ng isang lalaki, patalon-talon sa dalawang building na magkadikit, tila ba parang naglalaro lang.
A guy with a neck length black hair that is in low ponytail. Wearing a white loose shirt and pants. Has a crown tattoo on his neck.
Lark Claro. A hunter type of gifted, was said to have the skill on par with the Puma from the S class guild. An heir of Artemis. 6th Crown.
"This is exhausting..." Someone said under his breath. Tahimik siyang nakaupo sa lapag at nakalagay ang dalawa niyang braso sa tuhod niya.
He has a black hair with white highlights. Has a piercing in his lips and tongue, Wearing a black long sleeves shirt. He has a crown tattoo on his nape.
Mint Xin. Said to be the next guild's master. A junior of Zail. An heir of Dolos. 4th Crown.
The girl next to Mint chuckled, hearing him. "Come on, we're not even starting yet." Natatawang sambit niya.
Kapwa ni Mint ay nakaupo rin siya sa lapag, may inaasikaso sa laptop niyang dala-dala. A familiar lady. She's wearing a blue cap, that enhances her long violet hair. She's wearing a black sleeveless turtleneck top paired with camouflage pants. She has a crown tattoo on her shoulder.
Seiko Lim. Became a crown even though she haven't awaken her gift yet. Has the great potential to be in the top three. Heiress of Pelios. 7th Crown.
The four remaining crowns are on an S class mission. Even though they're not from the S class guild, all of the crowns has the rights and can do an S class mission.
"Phew, ang daming tao naman kasi. Ang daling makihalo ng target." Kumento ni Lark na natapos sa pagtalon-talon. "How about I go down there and find him instead?-"
"No, idiot." Pagputol ni Gale. "Didn't you read the info? The target can mimic someone, and control people that they mimic. Even though you're a hunter, if you face the target there's a possibility you'll have to face an innocent person."
"A hunter never lets his prey-"
"Shut up. If we attack now, the target will know we're after him. We should wait for him to move in an area without people."
Napasimangot si Lark. Natatawa na lang na umiling si Seiko.
"Idiots." Bulong ni Mint.
"Pfttt. Yeah, we should-"
Nahinto si Seiko sa sasabihin niya nang biglang tumunog ang cellphone niya sa bulsa. Lahat ng tingin at atensyon ay napunta sa kaniya.
Kumunot ang noo ni Mint at nagkasalubong ang kilay. "Hey, we're on a mission."
"Yeah, I'm sorry. I forgot to turn it off-"
Seiko was about to turn her phone off when she saw a familiar number. Instead of turning it off, she answered the call.
"H-Hey!-"
"Hello."
Walang nagawa ang mga kasama niya nang sinagot na niya ang telepono. Her expression changed when a familiar voice greeted her.
Nakatingin lang sa kaniya ang mga kasama niya na walang kaide-ideya kung sino ang nasa kabila ng telepono, at ang dahilan kung bakit nag-iba bigla ang ekspresyon niya.
Humampas ang malamig na hangin na ramdam na ramdam nila sa tuktok ng building. Sa parehong pagkakataon, bumibigat ang tensyon na namumuo dahil sa sandaling katahimikan.
"Copy." There's a hint of mixed emotions in Seiko's voice.
Fear. Excitement. Worry. Anxiety.
"C-Can I ask a question?" Marahang tanong ni Seiko sa taong nasa kabilang linya. Nakuha ng sinabi niya ang atensyon ng mga kasama niya.
"Are they coming too?"
There's a sudden silence, before she took a deep breath.
"Copy. We're coming." Binaba niya ang cellphone.
"Anong meron?" Naguguluhang tanong ni Lark.
Tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo si Seiko at pinagpag ang sarili. "We need to go."
"Huh? How about the mission?" Kunot noong tanong ni Gale.
"Kailangan muna nating ipagpaliban 'to. Mas importante ang pinapagawa sa 'tin."
Seryosong tinapunan ng tingin ni Seiko ang mga kasama niya, kasunod ng pagkurba niya sa isang ngisi. Hindi niya maitatagong nakaramdam siya ng takot at kaba sa mga narinig at hindi niya pa rin ito napoproseso.
Pero dahil sa tinanong niya, nakakaramdam din siya ng saya ngayon.
The excitement is overflowing in her body, knowing that every one is coming too. At last, after a long time... they'll all see each other again.
"The academy is calling for us... and,"
"All of the Crowns are coming."
CHAPTER 11
The Calling 1/2: The Crowns