⪼ S A P P H I R E
People's greatest mistake is limiting themselves because fear told them to do so.
It's finally time wherein every student must gather together to witness and participate the last monthly evaluation that we experience every month to determine who would be given a chance to be play on the final battle—the Infernio Battle.
Enclosed in a large room with high ceiling, I sat on the right side of the sparring ground with my chin help up high and straightened back, sitting like a lady; prim and proper. The red lights were casting my features and turning my vision into a monochromatic one, just all shades of red.
I used to hate these red lights and everything red, but now I'm used to it. However, I like seeing that red fluid dropping from the contender's forehead—blood.
"Is she loosing?" Bulong ni Ford at bahagya pang umusad palapit sa akin. I just shrugged my shoulders and continued watching. I squinted my eyes while reading her movements, she's all about defenses, she never attack. Gano'n pa lang ang ginagawa niya pero kitang-kita ko na agad ang pagod. Paano siya mananalo niyan?
"What if tayo ang next pair?" This guy has so many questions like can he just shut his mouth and watch? If kami ang next pair, so what? I could easily beat his annoying ass right now if I want to. "Red days mo, girl?" He kidded when he saw me mentally throwing daggers at him. I said I hate his playful attitude because it might grow in me. Ayaw kong nasasanay ako sa mga bagay bagay.
Muli ko na lang tiningnan ang dalawang naglalaban sa loob ng ring.
A round for every pair only lasts for five minutes, within the given time one of the contenders must win in order to gain an additional grade to be added on the final grade.
The first 20 students na makatatanggap ng pinakamataas na cumulative points sa bawat monthly evaluation, sila ang mapipiling isabak sa Infernio Battle.
I'm confident to be a part of the line-up. I never fail a class here whether it's mental or physical test, I'm always above everyone.
Well, except for one.
When the two pair was done, Ford's instincts were right dahil kami na ang sunod na tinawag ng judge. We're the third pair to be called and there's still twenty-three pairs left. The other twenty-five, sila ang batch one, therefore tapos na sila kahapon at nakakahinga na ng maluwag ngayon.
Ford Hendrix is one of the boldest student in this institution. He's very famous for his merciless attacks. He's the type of fighter that would like to take the lead, unlike the girl earlier, Ford is about taking offenses.
He's fixing his bandana right now. Iyon yung bigay ko sa kaniya. No, actually kinuha niya lang pala 'yon sa akin and I left with no choice, mapilit 'yang si Ford.
While me, I was busy tying my hair. And the woman beside me was busy cheering for both parties and she's holding two bottled waters. She looks crazy and sounds funny. That's one of my... friend? I guess? The name's Hadley Farell. Tapos na siya sumabak kahapon at nandito lang siya para panuorin kami ni Ford.
We heard the bass drum being hit thrice, it was the signal for us to get ready. Pumaloob na kami ni Ford sa ring at napansin kong lahat ng tingin ng mga students ay nasa aming dalawa. Ni isa sa kanila ay walang nagsasalita.
"3..."
I took a deep breath and positioned myself.
"2..."
I leveled my hand on my face while staring directly at my opponent. He's wearing a smug look that really irritates me.
"1..."
He mouthed some words na wala na akong balak intindihin. What I like about Ford is he's not all talk. He'll just say some random crap to distract you. A smirk formed in my lips when he pointed at me and placed his index finger on his lips, as if he's telling me to just shut it.
I scoffed. I should be doing that to him.
"Fight!" The referee announced and a loud air horn honked in the air.
Ford stepped forward after the signal was given to us. I just stayed in my place while waiting for him to attack me. Kada galaw niya ay binabasa ko at masasabi kong base sa postura niya ngayon ay alam ko na ang susunod niyang atake. I know him really well, I've memorized his moves before. Ford is the type of fighter that would attack first, would throw countless kicks and grips without skipping a beat.
Sometimes I wonder, does he even breathe? His stamina is no joke.
"Don't really wanna hurt you, my friend," he said before throwing a punch and I just simply dodge.
"We're friends?" Natatawang tanong ko sa kaniya. Mabilis kong nahawakan ang braso niya at agad na pinilipit iyon dahilan para mapangiwi siya sa sakit. I was about to kick his stomach, but he suddenly gripped my arm and was about to give me a neck slice, however my reflex was fast enough to dodge it.
He's too open so I took the opportunity and started throwing punches at him. Ilang suntok ang hindi niya agad na-depensahan kaya naman agad na pumutok ang gilid ng kaniyang labi. I crossed my arms in the air when he's about to attack me. Nang dahil sa lakas ng pwersa naming dalawa ay napaatras kami parehas. Pinunasan ko ang pawis ko sa noo na malapit ng tumulo sa mga mata ko habang siya naman ay pinunasan ang dugong nasa gilid ng labi niya.
The eye blinks. I moved forward and attacked him, my fist snapped up and Ford's nose exploded, blood erupting. He's approaching for another grip, I quickly took a step back, waited for the wasted attack to pass before I execute him.
My techinique? Nothing. I just for the perfect timing then I'll show them how it's done.
Napatingin ako sa malaking timer na nagdidikta kung ilang minuto na lang ang natitira sa sparring namin. Ten seconds remaining. I know it's almost a tie, but I could win this, I just need one more powerful blow to prove my abilities. Ford, surprisingly, put up a defense and since I'm faster than him, I gave him my final blow by kicking his stomach really hard. He fell on the ground as the timer rang.
Time's up.
Nagpalakpakan ang mga estudyanteng nanunuod kaya naman nilingon ko sila at nag-bow na para bang nagtanghal ako sa isang contest. I'm confident with this one, ako ang natitirang nakatayo kaya alam kong sa akin nila ibibigay ang puntos.
"You guys did an amazing job as usual. Walang masyadong gap sa abilities niyong dalawa, however Ms. Quinn remained standing so we're giving this round to her." Professor Lee clapped his hand. I thanked him with a confident smile.
"Ford, you should have not put up a defense on the last few seconds, if you execute your deadliest technique, you could have won. But, still, good job." Another judge spoke up and that's his prof on self defense class. Medyo close silang dalawa kaya mukhang disappointed ito.
After wrapping up, nakita kong bumubunot na sila ng susunod na tatawagin. Agad kong pinuntahan si Ford at napangisi ako nang makitang naka-upo pa rin siya. "Hey loser, get up," I offered a hand. Even though the lights are dim and saturated, I could tell he's sweating a lot. He held my hand. Infernio Academy also teaches us the value of sportmanship. If you don't practice it, you're nothing but a boastful thug.
"It hurts!" He whined like a child. Mukhang may mali yata akong natamaan. Ilang beses ko na siyang nasisipa sa tiyan pero ngayon lang siya nakitang umakto ng ganito.
"That's your fault. You're weak," sanay si Ford na pinagsasalitaan ko siya ng ganito pero alam niya na kabaliktaran ng mga sinasabi ko ang tingin ko sa kaniya.
"Pinagbigyan lang kita."
"Whatever." Matapos ko siyang itayo ay nauna na akong lumabas sa ring at umakyat sa bleachers kung saan nakaupo si Hadley. I sat beside her and she quickly offered a bottled water to me and Ford. I took it and drank.
That was a fierce battle, a close match. Ford Hendrix is not easy to deal with kaya pinagpawisan rin ako. To be honest, I think Ford is one of the best here. Malakas din siyang kalaban.
"Next pair," the judge spoke. "Denise Mendez and Angelo Guevarra," napasinghap ang ilan. Nagulat ako pero wala akong nagawa kundi mapangisi.
"This is the most interesting fight so far," I couldn't help but agree at Hadley's statement. Come on, how are they going to break each other's bones if there's love standing in between?
"Buti pala hindi ako naghanap ng pwedeng maging girlfriend rito noon," sabi ni Ford saka tumawa. He almost got one though, I caught him making out at the field, but I guess hanggang doon lang 'yon. Loko-loko rin kasi 'tong si Ford, walang nagtatyaga diyan bukod kay Hadley, siguro kahit ako na rin.
"Fight!" Nang sumigaw ang referee ay umandar na ang timer. In just a blink of an eye, Angelo's expression completely changed. Kung kanina ay parang gusto niyang umatras pero ngayon ay para bang hindi na niya kilala ang babaeng nakatayo sa harapan niya. His girlfriend is literally shaking, as if she's standing in front of a monster.
Everyone's really loud, everyone's got their own reactions. Sobrang kabaliktaran ng kung ano sila kanina sa amin ni Ford. My eyes grew wide, the battle's almost over dahil muntik nang lumagpas si Denise sa ring na maaari niyang ikatalo.
"Damn! Gelo's scary!" Hadley acted like she got some chills. Her nose was scrunched.
"Mas nakakatakot mukha mo," pagpaparinig ni Ford. But when Hadley looked at his direction, he smiled, lips forming a teasing grin.
"Ah talaga? Hindi naman ako salamin."
Napairap ako kasi hayan na naman sila. Kailan ba matatahimik ang mundo ko sa kanilang dalawa? Whenever we're together, those two would bicker nonstop, but I'm the one who'll end up pissed kahit hindi naman ako nadadamay. I just couldn't handle their mouths.
Nagsigawan ang mga tao nang sipain ni Gelo si Denise na hindi man lang nagtatangkang lumaban. Is she stupid?! Bakit hindi siya lumalaban? Iintindihin pa ba niya ang relasyon na 'yan kaysa sa sarili niyang buhay?
I will never understand the concept of love.
Nang matapos na ang oras nila ay tumigil na si Gelo sa pagsipa sa duguan na si Denise at halos mawalan na ito ng malay. Damn, Gelo just reached the demonic stage. Hell trained him well.
"Bet they're gonna break up after this," Hadley wiped her fake tears, as if her emotions was moved by Denise's poor body lying on the cold floor. All covered with blood pero ni katiting na awa ay wala akong maramdaman. Bakit ako maaawa? Nilagay niya ang sarili niya sa ganyang sitwasyon kaya hindi siya dapat kaawaan. She have a brain for a reason.
My eyes shifted away from the chaos and unintentionally focused on the silver-haired man accross my seat who was staring icily at the ring. However, for some reason—possibly because he felt a pair of eyes coming his way—his gaze shot up and met mine.
Infernio Academy teaches us the importance of being humane, however you should know when to choose and protect yourself.
Remember that hell isn't just a place.
Hell could be other people too.
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