*quietly enters your wattpad notifications*
ㅡ
Natural lang ba na wala akong maintindihan sa pinagsasabi nila? Is this some kind of soulbearers talk?
Heavens naman kasi! Tinanong ko kung sino ang dadating tapos sinagot sa'kin gyera daw. May ruin pa na pahabol si Damon, e hindi naman mga pangalan 'yon.
Isa pang nakakapagtaka ay ang pagpanic ng ibang estudyante. Were they threatened by the flash of thunder or the man of shadows? Hindi naman gano'n kaganda ang entrance nila para magreact ng ganiyan. And even though that shadow man exudes this dangerous presence... it's not enough to get that terrified.
"Paano kayo nakapasok sa lugar na 'to?" malakas na tanong ni Andreas. He stood in front of all the students and Ellis, facing the intruders without any fear.
"Paham barred the skies, yes. But we have been locked in the ground for a decade. Leaving from the underworld is not a hard thing to do."
Hearing her voice again filled me with a sense of familiarity. At the same time, it seemed like her every tone were electric currents that blared warnings to my whole body.
"And why have you come here? If the Alondra wants a war, wouldn't you have go straight to the Palace? Mga bata lang ang nandito at wala kayong makukuha sa kanila."
The girl laughed. "Mga bata? You humor me, Andreas. Alam kong alam niyo na... hindi ordinaryong mga bata lang ang nandito. Lalo na sa mga sikretong tinatago ni Paham. This is no longer the academy of soulbearers that everyone knew. This is a safe haven for the key."
Nagulat na lang ako nang may isa pang tumabi sa'kin. Griffin stood behind me, slightly ducking his head to whisper.
"May naintindihan ka ba?"
"Unfortunately, while I can understand words fluently, ibang linggwahe na ata itong sinasabi nila." I crossed my arms. "I asked kung sino dadating, iba nga sinagot."
"Damon answered right, Raven." Azriel corrected. "Ang pangalan ng babae ay si War at ang lalaki si Ruin. Those two are the most known mercenaries of Alondra. Sila din ang pinaka-active."
Magkasabay naming tiningnan ni Griffin si Azriel. "Totoong pangalan talaga? Hindi na tawag lang?" tanong ng katabi ko.
Azriel nodded.
Griffin and I both gaped at the two mercenaries, jaw dropping and eyes wide. Mahina namang napahagikhik si Tamara sa tabi, kahit na mahigpit ang kapit niya sa bow. It seemed like she was trying to be prepared at any instance of attack but the conversation distracted her.
"Grabe. Sino kaya nagpangalan sa kanila at ganiyan?"
Siniko ko si Griffin. "Of course, it's their parents. It sounds a bit cool though."
Dapat pinangalan din ako niyan ni Mom or Dad. Hindi 'yong pangalan ng pispis ang binigay.
Inikot lang ng lalaki ang mata at may binulong sa sarili na hindi daw nakapagtatakang nagustuhan ko ang pangalan nila.
"I have to ask you to leave. Dark-magic users are not permitted in this area."
Halatang nagulat ang babae dahil nanlaki ang mata nito. But contrary to her expression, the laugh she let out was wicked. As if she was mocking Andreas' words.
"I don't believe that one bit." her smile lost all humor. "Isn't Paham housing dark soulbearers like us? You make me laugh, Andreas-"
"Those soulbearers were invited. They did not just barge in here like you."
Ellis' cold voice cut through the tense atmosphere, surprising the two mercenaries. The girl's eyes slightly narrowed when it landed on us. Hindi ko alam kung namamalikmata lang ako o tumagal sa'kin ang titig niya.
Well... I may not be imagining things dahil mukhang napatay ko ang buong angkan nila o may secret superpower ako kung makaasta sila.
"Hello again," War grinned sharply. "Bitch."
I could feel Tamara's light slap on my hand and Ellis' glare when I made a small, surprised gasp. Hindi ko mapigilan ang mamangha na natawag niya ng gano'n ang malditang kapatid ko. I can't even call her stingy and annoying if I don't want to be listed in the 'No Bread Punishment'.
Yes, it exists. Because for some reason, I enjoy eating breads.
Actually, it's just any food pero may special na kasamaan si Dad at paborito ko ang gustong i-ban. Revenge niya ata dahil naputol ko buhok niya no'ng naglalaro ako.
His hair looked hilarious after. He dodged just in time to not get murdered by the scissors, pero naputol naman buhok niya at nagmukha siyang bunot. Worth it maparusahan kapag may nakakatawa sa paningin.
Ellis gave a disappointed sigh before turning her piercing glare at War. "Leave now. Before you regret ever stepping here."
"Oh, come on. Ano bang gagawin mo? Control me so I will electrocute myself? Sadly... baka makuha na namin ang importanteng bagay mula sa'yo bago pa mangyari 'yon."
Importanteng bagay? Her soulstone?
"There's no need to be hostile." Andreas stepped in. "The rules are clear. Hindi kayo pwedeng tumapak dito 'gaya ng pagbabawal sa'min sa inyo. Let us not escalate the situation-"
"Are you dumb or an idiot? Andreas! This has already escalated when the prophecy was spoken!" Crackles of lightning erupted from her hands. Unti-unti ring tumataas ang tensiyon sa paligid. "We are merely protecting our kind!"
"That's not true." Ellis argued, her voice fighting with the rumbling clouds. "Ang gusto niyo ay makaalis sa kulungan niyo, hindi ang maprotektahan ito."
War's eyes became fully white when she raised her gaze at us. Pasimple niyang ipinilig ang ulo na parang inaaral ang bawat isa sa'min. The heavens expressed the calm anger in her hearts by the small thunders and flashes of lightning that surrounded the skies.
When War spoke, it was the last thing I heard.
"Of course. When you're shrouded in darkness, all you want to do is break free."
They attacked.
Kasabay ng huling salita niya ay ang napakalakas na kulog at kidlat na dumapo at nagpagalaw sa lupang kinatatayuan namin. Sa isang iglap ay dumilim ang paligid. I heard some shouting, as well as feets that shuffled around me. Oddly enough, the darkness... was not strange at all. In fact, even though I couldn't literally see anything, parang nakikita ko pa rin kung anong nangyayari. I can navigate the place as easily as I could in daylight.
A sharp movement in my right startled me. Bago ko pa madepensa ang sarili ay isang kamay ang tumulak sa'kin palikod. Ellis' hair danced in front of me before her silver dagger, one that she would hide in her hairpin, distracted me. Kaharap niya si War na ngumisi nang depensahan ako ng kapatid mula sa kaniyang atake.
"Predictable, dumbass." pang-iinis ni War.
"Pake ko, bobo." malamig na sagot ni Ellis.
Hindi ko alam kung tatawa ako dahil sa sumabatan nila o magseseryoso dahil nasa gitna ako ng labanan.
I took a deep breath, opting to find a way to break this darkness spell, when a cold hand grasped my wrist. Nang lumingon ako ay nakita ko si Ruin, ang lalaking anino. The way I can see his shadow form, even in the darkness, frightened me. Is it part of the spell to still be aware of your surroundings? Kung gano'n, ano ang silbi ng dilim na ito? Dagdag takot lang?
"Come home... Raia..."
Three words.
Those were just three words whispered to me but it punched the air out of my lungs. My lips parted, as I tried to search for words to answer but couldn't find an appropriate one. Litong-lito ang mukha ko sa sinabi niya, habang rumagasa sa isip ko lahat ng mga kakaibang pangyayari sa nakalipas na mga araw. The woman who appeared in the hallway, the voices at the restroom, and the frequent stalking of this shadow man.
I know I can be overconfident at times... at baka nga masyado na ang tingin ko sa sarili but all hints are pointing to my involvement in this matter. At mukhang hindi lang siya simpleng involvement. War has warned me before to answer the calls, and she insinuated that most of their attacks are for me. And Ruin has barged into most of my peaceful nights or mornings with his constant presence, even to the point of luring me to a deep and dangerous forest hole.
And... come home?
Saan ako uuwi? Si Daddy ba nagutos sa kanila? Pero kung si Dad, e'di hindi na tututol si Ellis.
What in the heavens is happening?
"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" matapang kong tanong. "Ano ba ang kailangan mo- niyo sa'kin?"
"Home."
"Ha. Bobo ka ba? Tirahan ba 'ko sa paningin mo?"
Umiling siya. "We need you home."
"Inutusan ka ni Daddy?"
He was quiet for a minute. Bago siya nagsalita sa malamig na boses, "Matagal nang patay ang ama mo."
I blinked, scoffed a laugh, and blinked again before falling into a maniacal laughter. Halos nakipagsabayan ang halakhak ko sa pagkulog ng langit at ingay ng pakikipaglaban sa paligid.
I turned around to search for Ellis. Habang nakikipagsabayan sa mga kidlat ni War ay abala din siya sa paghahanap sa'kin. When she saw me with Ruin, nanlaki ang mata niya. Suddenly, she was on her feet, running towards me.
Napawi ang ngiti ko nang isigaw niya ng pagkalakas-lakas ang pangalan ni Andreas at Damon. The two males who were busy fighting snapped their head towards us... and I have no idea if I'm imagining the pure terror that passed their face.
Bakit sila natatakot? Natatawa ako kanina pero kinabahan na tuloy ako ngayon.
A tap in my hand made me looked back at Ruin again, but the next tap urged me to gaze down. Doon ko nakita ang batang may full bangs at halos sa may bewang ko lang. Her eyes were deep but at the same hollow, the black and grey reminding me of the times Theus went into his seeker mode. Ngunit nang talagang magtama ang mata namin ay nawala na ako sa realidad.
All of a sudden I saw a woman with a baby in her hand. The images shifted to her running in the dark woods, desperate to escape the sunlight chasing her. Sunod kong nakita ang sarili na nasa gitna ng gyera, kung saan dumadaloy ang dugo na parang ilog at naging mala-laruan na lamang ang buhay ng tao. I thought it would change again but it didn't. And all I could do was feel and feel.
Nararamdaman ko lahat. Ang galit nila, ang pagkadesperado at ang pighati sa mga buhay na nawala. Higit na narinig ko ang puso ng isang babae na umiiyak para sa mga taong nasa paligid niya.
I could hear her voice so clearly. Kaya sinubukan kong lumingon.
But when I turned around, what I saw was a dark city with minimal lights. There were lanterns that lined up the street, and small candles that lit up in the houses. But even though their world was dark, the children that passed by me had wide grins on their faces. Even though it looked like they were caged in darkness, I could feel their joy.
"Fuck, Raven!"
Biglang nabasag ang lahat.
The cold grip on my wrists disappeared and Tsukishima pushed me towards Damon, who was quick to tuck me behind him. They were on a defensive stance against about fifty men in dark clothing, led by Ruin, War, and the child who was probably the culprit for the illusion.
Seryoso pa rin si Ruin ngunit wala na ang irirasyon sa mukha ni War at napakalaki ng ngisi niya.
"Such a pity. Malapit na sana." aniya.
Doon ko lang napansin na wala na kami sa lugar na pinag-aawayan kanina. Rather, we were near the spot of the sinkhole.
"But it's not too late," she grinned. "Dalawa lang naman kayo."
"Numbers doesn't matter." Damon answered before glancing at me. "Umalis ka na."
Kumunot ang noo ko. "Why? I'm one ally more. Ayaw mo ba akong tumulong?"
Umiling siya. Tsuki nodded at me to leave too.
Makapaalis 'tong mga 'to! I'm the bitch who will save you, not the other way around.
"Excuse me. I won against you in that obstacle war, so I can stand here and defend myself. Hindi ko kailangang umalis at magtago."
"If you were tricked by an illusion earlier, then you can't fight against a dozen or more soulbearers."
Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Tsuki. "Sinasabi mo bang mahina ako?"
"Of course not, Imuoto." he ignored the glare Damon sent his way. "But them, having a soulstone, means they're at an advantage over you, right?"
I narrowed my eyes at him. Alam niya ba na wala akong soulstone?
"For now, maybe." War answered for me. "Enough chitchat. If she doesn't want to go, then our pleasureㅡ"
Hindi na niya pinatapos ang sarili at agad na nawala. I felt the air pressure around me, before stepping to the side to avoid her attempt at capture. Agad na gumalaw sina Damon at Tsuki but Ruin stopped them both.
War was quick. If her lightning soulstone helped her, mas lalo siyang bumibilis na hindi mo na makikita. She managed to deal four cuts on my arm, whenever I was too slow to react and perceive her next move.
Biglang dumagundong ang lupa at halos magsiputulan ang mga kahoy nang umatake si Andreas. I have no idea where he came from but he went through the trees in a strong speed, almost cutting one in half before landing a punch towards War. Mukhang na-expect na ng babae ang galaw niya dahil mabilis siyang dumepensa.
I have seen Andreas fight before, on practice, but it was never this bloodthirsty. He became a starving predator trying to take a fast prey down.
"Let's go, Raven!"
I was surprised when Ellis suddenly dragged me out of the forest. Nakita ko pang sana'y hahabol sila sa'min, but Tsukishima has entrapped the majority of them inside a water world, Damon had Ruin in a tight grip, and Andreas wasn't letting the quick War to get closer to us.
Lalo na't halos naging kasingbilis niya na rin si War ngayon.
"Ellis, what's happening?" tanong ko habang tumatakbo. "Anong kailangan nila?"
Hindi siya sumagot. Panay lang ang pagsuri niya sa paligid, kaya kahit ako'y napapatingin din kung may sumusunod sa'min.
"Ellis," I tugged on her hand. "Hoy! What do they want?"
She glanced at me, irritated. "It's nothing important."
Halos gusto kong sipain pa-ibang planeta ang ulo niya dahil sa sinagot.
"Nothing important but they attacked this well-guarded school? At hello lang ha, malapit na din pala akong makidnapㅡ"
"Paham."
Naputol ang pagrereklamo ko nang dumating ang pinuno ng problemadong eskwelahan na ito kasama ang ibang miyembro siguro ng Academy. I knew because of the way they stood, proud and condescending, with an intimidating aura like Ellis. Some of them looked far too young, parang bata, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're ten years older than me.
I roamed my eyes around the place and saw that there were only a small amount of students left. Ni hindi ko napansin dahil sa nangyari kanina. The darkness probably locked a few people inside, either ang mga taong gusto nilang makuha at ang mga taong masyadong malakas para makapasok sa entrapment.
A prick of heat made me turn sideways. Nahagip ng mata ko si Helios na kasama ang ibang mga elites, who were busy ushering the students outside. His eyes were trained on the forest where the fight was currently happening. And I don't know if I was the only one who noticed his eyes glowing...
"Nandoon na ba si Andreas?"
I heard Paham asked, returning my attention to them. It's weird to see him all serious, with no ounce of his previous carefree attitude.
"Damon and Tsukishima are there too."
"Mm," hinimas niya ang baba. "Nandoon na rin sina Jamir at Montana para tumulong. Matagal ko nang napansin ang madalas na pagbisita ni Ruin, ngunit akala ko'y 'gaya lang ito ng dati. Mukhang hindi dapat natin binalewala ang naunang babala ni War."
"It doesn't matter. She's always been impulsive and reckless. Kahit na umayon tayo sa gusto nila, she'll still want to attack."
"Why would they want to attack?" putol ko sa usapan nila. "Ano ba kasi ang kailangan nila mula dito?"
Nasa akin ang mata ni Paham ngunit parang nasa ibang mundo ang isip niya. He was looking at me as if I was someone else. Si Ellis naman ay bumuntong-hininga lang at bahagya akong itinulak papasok sa academy.
"Umalis ka na. Stay in your dorms and don't go out at night..." she paused. "Unless I come visit you."
"Bakit ba ayaw mo 'kong sagutin? Ano ang kailangan nila? Mahirap ba 'yon?"
"It's not the right time for the both of us to argue, Raven. Sundin mo na lang ang inuutos sa'yo-"
"Ayokong sumunod sa mga bagay na hindi ko naman alam kung ano. I'm not dumb, Ellis. I know you're hiding something kaya iniiwasan mo ang tanong ko. Why else would they use my name and take me away? You think keeping the information away from me is a good move? Kung nasa pahamak nga ako, e'di mas mapapahamak ako dahil wala akong alam sa nangyayari!"
Ngunit parang hangin lang ang huli kong sinabi sa kaniya. "Tinawag ka nila sa pangalan mo?"
"At sa totoong pangalan ko pa! Am I their target?"
Even without their answer, the quick silence and meeting of eyes were enough. Hindi subtle sina Paham at Ellis 'gaya ng inaakala nila.
"You are not." sagot ng nakakatandang kapatid. "Their target is the academy. Kaya kailangan mo ng pumasok dahil pupuntahan ko pa sila-"
"So why take me when their target is the academy? May miracle ba na nangyari at naging paaralan na ako?" I scoffed. "I always knew that you're a bad liar, Ellis, pero hindi ko alam na ganito kabobo mga excuses mo."
The rest of the Academy members judged me with their look. Ininsulto ko ba naman ang isang senior? As if naman hindi nakakainsulto ang harap-harapang pagsisinungaling niya.
Ellis doesn't look the little bit bothered though. Sanay na siya sa mga words of wisdom ko.
"Maybe they wanted to take a student hostage? I don't know, Raven. But I'm sure na wala kang kinalaman dito. You're just the unfortunate student who got dragged in this situation."
"Unfortunate? Unfortunate nga talaga na pipiliin pa ng mga taong nasa paligid ko ang magsinungaling. What a coincidence, e 'no? Sa dinami-dami ng estudyante, ako pa talaga ang napili ng mga taong biglang umatake dito. Ng mga taong alam ang pangalan ko at sinabihan akong umuwi sa kung saan mang bahay 'yan. At ng mga taong laging sumusunod sa'kin nitong mga nakaraang arawㅡ"
"You were being followed and you didn't tell me about it?" binalingan niya si Paham. "May alam po ba kayo dito, Dean?"
However, the old man just looked at me as if he was weighing things. I know, by the way he shuts his lips tight, that I won't be getting ajy information today too.
Ano pa nga ba ang bago? Parang pinauulanan lang ako ng mga impormasyon at hints pero hindi ko naman alam kung paano ito ico-connect. Lalo na't lahat ng mga nalalaman ko ay hindi sang-ayon sa buhay ko.
Bakit ba ako sinusundan ng anino na 'yon? Why did War warn me to answer their call? Why did they use an illusion to lure me? Why am I their target? How did Ruin know my name and why did he ask me to come home?
At anong sinabi niya na patay na ang ama ko? E may scolding nga ako no'ng last lang.
Akala ko no'ng una baka may kinalaman si Dad, but if Ellis has no idea, then that makes it a wrong conclusion. Could it be one of our family enemies? Mukhang may bad blood si War at Ellis kaya posibleng hindi talaga ako ang kailangan pero para lang may panakot sa pamilya namin-
And what the heavens is that assumption they made? Were they hoping to get me because I looked the weakest? Or alam nilang wala akong soulstone kaya ako ang target nila?
If these dumbasses were underestimating me, ipapatikim ko sa kanila ang kinakatukan ng Alora.
"Raven, answer me." Ellis snapped me out of my frustated thoughts. "How long were they following me? Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa'kin?"
"Answer me first, Ellis. Ano ang kailangan nila... sa akin?" I made a small smile. "If you can't answer that, then I won't say anything too."