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CHAPTER EIGHT
Gone Involved
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YELENA TAYLOR
"Sigurado ba kayo dito?"
"We have no choice. We can't be caught."
As soon as I woke up, a series of voices were heard. I've also sensed movements and heard a horse' marches. I opened my eyes, only to find myself tied up in a rope and in a carriage surrounded by the high-ranked students doing their own thing.
"What the hell is going on?"
Napatingin silang lahat sa akin at napatigil sa kanilang ginagawa. Nagtinginan sila sa isa't-isa na para bang nag-uusap gamit ang mga mata nila.
"Pasensya na, Yelena," sabi ni Gray na nasa tabi ko. "Kailangan namin gawin 'to."
"That's why people shouldn't eavesdrop if they don't want to be involved," bulong ni Hunter.
He's whispering yet, he just made sure that I hear it. I don't know what's going on, but he's making me hate his guts.
"If you have something to say, say it louder."
"You heard me, right? Why do I have to say it louder?"
"That's enough, both of you," sabi ni North. Lumingon siya sa akin nang may seryosong mukha. "I'm sorry if we made you involved in this."
"Do I look like I care about that?" Tumingin ako sa rope na nakatali sa katawan ko. "I don't know what's going on, but, kidnapping a new student in her first day isn't one of your jobs."
Napakamot ng ulo si Cyclone. "Wala kaming choice. Baka ibuking mo kami sa pinaplano namin."
"Do I look like I care about other people's business?"
"No. But, it's better to be sure than get in trouble," sagot ni Claude.
Napabuntong-hininga ulit ako. Ang gusto ko lang mapag-isa, pero heto ako ngayon, nakatali at kailangang sabayan ang trip nila.
Out of the blue, the rope has been cut and I saw traces of dark smoke. Napatingin ang lahat kay Hunter na kalmadong nakaupo at nakatingin sa labas. Natahimik ang lahat ngunit walang makakuha ng lakas ng loob para tanungin siya kung bakit niya 'yon ginawa.
Tumabi si Cyclone sa akin at bumulong. "I applaud you for talking back earlier. Not everyone can do that against him. Well, except North."
Nagulat si Cyclone nang may lumipad na libro sa kanya. "Pwede ba, gawin mo sa ibang lugar ang pagiging babaero mo. 'Wag sa harapan namin."
Sinamaan siya ng tingin ni North. "Libro ko 'yong tinapon mo, Claude."
"Eww. Nakakadiri," komento ni Droy.
Tumingin sa langit si Gray at itinaas ang kamay na para bang nagdadasal. "May you open your eyes and change your ways."
Hinimas-himas ni Cyclone ang kanyang ilong. "Do I look easy to all of you?! I am innocent! I have done nothing wrong!"
"Huwag ka ngang magdrama diyan, Cy," sabi ni Flint.
Nagulat ako nang biglang may tumulong luha sa mga mata ni Cyclone. "Flint . . ." Bigla niyang dinaganan si Flint at niyakap ng mahigpit. "Pinagtutulungan nila ako, Flint! Ikaw lang talaga ang nagmamahal sa akin! Kaya kambal kita eh!"
"Lumayo ka nga sa 'kin, Cy! Nasasakal ako!"
Napatawa sila habang pinapanood si Flint na sumisigaw ng tulong at si Cyclone na mahigpit pa rin ang yakap sa kakambal. Napunta ang tingin ko kay Hunter at napansin ang palihim niyang ngiti, ngunit nang mapansin niyang nakatingin ako sa kanya, binalik niya ang tingin sa labas at ang kanyang seryosong mukha.
"Guys, may sasabihin ako!"
Napalingon ang lahat kay Droy, naghihintay sa kanyang sasabihin.
"Anong hayop ang wala lang?" Nagkaroon ng panandaliang katahimikan bago tumawa ng malakas si Droy. "Edi Lion!"
They all avoided looking at him while Droy is on the floor laughing on the joke he just made. Napailing ang iba sa kanila at napabuntong-hininga. That was the worst joke I've ever heard in my entire life.
Napasimangot si Cyclone. "Patayin ko kaya 'to?"
"Alam mo namang susuportahan kita sa lahat bilang kaibigan mo Droy, 'di ba?" sabi ni Gray sabay tapik-tapik sa likod ni Droy.
I didn't know they would be this loud. Do I have to endure all of this for today? Now, that sounds like hell. I don't think I can survive a day with these guys.
♔
Hours passed later and guess what? There's not even a second that these people remained quiet. Hindi matapos-tapos ang pag-uusap nila at minsan pa'y nagsisigawan sila. Ang mas masahol pa bumalik si Cyclone sa tabi ko at hindi matapos sa pagku-kwento niya sa kanyang talambuhay. Minsan pa'y bigla-bigla na lamang siyang umiiyak habang nagkukwento, tapos maya-maya tumatawa ng biglaan.
Lumapit sa akin si Cyclone at bumulong ulit. "Sabihin mo nga, sa aming pito, sino ang type mo?"
Bigla kaming nakarinig ng hiyaw ng kabayo at napatigil din sa paggalaw ang karwahe. Tinanong ni North ang kutsero kung anong problema ngunit hindi siya nakarinig ng sagot. Lumabas kaming lahat sa karwahe at nadatnan ang apoy na nakaharang sa daan. The coachman was also gone with no traces.
Before I knew it, something came towards me in fast motion. Hunter dragged me all the way to his back and we saw an arrow came on the ground to where I stood. Damn, I had let my guard down for a moment.
"Yelena, ayos ka lang?" tanong ni Cyclone.
I nodded my head, with my eyes glued to where the arrow came from. Everyone raised their guards up. Suddenly, we heard growls all around the place, screaming for help. Masked people were dragged out from hiding by a dark mist that was formed like a hand, choking them.
I saw Hunter's hands with a tight grip on the air, motioning the dark mists to choke them further. Another arrow came towards his direction, but Hunter dodged it with ease and the dark mists disappeared after.
Then, we heard waves of laughter and found ourselves surrounded by a large number of criminals, wearing masks. One of them is holding the coachman, whose whole body is tied up and mouth covered.
"Ang swerte naman namin at nakahanap kami ng magandang mananakawan. Mga estudyante ba naman ng isang sikat na eskwelahan."
Flint smirked. "Finally, we can have some fun."
"Those uniforms. They're from the Bertha Prison." Seryoso silang tiningnan ni North at pagkatapos ng ilang segundo, may kakaibang ngiting nabuo sa kanyang mukha. "Looks like we have to force your asses to go back to where you belong."
"The youth is too cocky nowadays."
All the High-ranked members advanced forward and started the attack. Flint formed a large sword made with fire and swiped all the ones he could reach. Cyclone, then, gathered a huge amount of wind and few of the criminals flew all the way up. While they're on the mid-air, Droy stepped forward and motioned all the trees to change forms and trapped everyone there. On the other side, Claude, North, Hunter, and Gray were wiping out everyone.
"Tumigil kayo!" A man on my back pointed a sword on my neck. Napatigil sila sa pakikipaglaban at tumingin sa direksyon kung nasaan kami. "Subukan niyong gumalaw at puputulin ko ang ulo ng babaeng 'to."
I opened my palm and called for the Skyfall Blade. Seconds later, it came out. Summoning the blade is easier than I thought. But, since I can't use its abilities it, it's no different than any normal sword. I can trust that it'll manage to survive magic attacks though.
I pointed the Skyfall Blade on his direction, without even looking back to where he is.
"Let's see whose head will fly first."
I sliced it horizontally as I turned to his direction at the same time. Unfortunately, he managed to dodge it when he stepped backward. A series of clangs were soon heard as our sword clashes like fire and ice, both trying to attack and disarm each other.
"You're good than I thought, kid."
"Unlucky you, I ain't easy when it comes to weapons." I penetrated his sword and it flew away to the other side. Arrogance turned to fear as he stepped back with no weapon to protect himself.
"Pl-Please. . . you w-won."
He found himself trapped as his body touched the tree. I thrust the sword to the wood and his neck was almost hit. Then, he passed out from fear on the ground.
"Pathetic."
Gusto ko pa sanang makipaglaban, ngunit nang lumingon ako, tumba na ang mga kalaban. Lumapit sila sa akin habang pinapagpagan ang kanilang mga kamay. Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako at pinaglaho ang Skyfall Blade. At least I won't waste my remaining energy for useless people.
Lumiwanag ang mga mata ni Claude nang lumapit siya sa akin. "Whoa! I just saw the Skyfall Blade!"
"How did you get that, Yelena?" tanong ni Droy.
"Ms. Rina gave it to me," sagot ko.
Ngumiti sa akin si Gray. "You're good in swordfights!"
"She deserves it." Ngumiti si North. "Yelena defeated Reanah in the Weapon Assessment."
"You should've seen Reanah weeping when she lost!" sabi ni Cyclone.
"Serves her right. Never liked her in the first place," komento ni Flint.
Tumalikod si Droy at itinali ang mga kriminal gamit ang mga baging na pinalabas niya. Tinanggal din ni Hunter ang tali sa kutsero at ang panyong nakalagay sa bibig niya.
"How the hell did they escape?" tanong ni Droy.
"One thing is for sure, the prison in Bertha isn't available for now," sagot ni North, "I've asked one of the escapees and he replied that someone has let them out and ruined the whole prison to pieces."
"I see." Ibinaling ni Hunter ang tingin sa kutsero. "Please bring them to the nearest city and put them on prison temporarily. Tell them, it's an order from Prince Andre Hawthorne of Verania."
Tumango ang kutsero na may bahid ng takot dahil sa nangyari. "P-Pero m-may problema, sa rami nila, h-hindi sila magkakasiya sa—" Nang lumingon siya sa mga direksyon ng mga kriminal, napasigaw siya sa gulat nang makita itong lumiit na parang langgam.
Droy smiled at him. "I forced them to eat a weed that shrinks people temporarily. They'll be back once you reach the nearby city, don't worry."
"His knowledge for plants and nature are incomparable, but when it comes to other areas, he's an airhead," komento ni North, "But his knowledge is useful at times."
The coachman said his final goodbye and shows his thanks for saving his life. Then, he fled in the opposite direction with the shrunken criminals inside the carriage. We watched the carriage going further until it's gone in our sight.
Mahinang tinapik ni Claude ang aking balikat at nilingon ko naman siya. He gave me a genuine smile and held my hand. "Please take care of the Skyfall Blade. Its last owner is Princess Selena of Fantasia, my aunt. I've heard how much that sword means to her. I know you're worthy of it as a holder like her."
"Claude, Yelena! Anong hinihintay niyo pa diyan?" sigaw ni Flint.
We both hurried to catch up to the others and headed towards the never-ending path.