Trigger Warning: This chapter contains graphic violence and too much blood. You are free to skip this part.

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THREE days have passed since the last time I talked to Carwell. Tatlong araw na ang nakalipas simula noong nalaman ko ang tungkol kay Milka. I still have questions, pero sa tingin ko'y wala nang isa sa kanila ang makakasagot no'n. They all think that she's dead. They saw her dead.

Sa loob ng tatlong araw, pilit akong iniiwasan ni Carwell. Sa tuwing nag-uumagahan, palagi siyang nauuna o kaya'y nagpapahuli. He can't even look at me, at least. Tanging sina Shaye lang ang pumapansin sa 'kin dahil palagi namang wala si Genesis at may galit sa 'kin ang dalawang Jiro at Snow. It made my days utterly peaceful.

And right now, we're on our way to the palace, together with Rhysan, Shaye, and Estelle. Ewan ko ba pero simula noong ipinagpalit ko ang kalayaan ko para sa antidote nila, do'n na rin nagsimulang dumikit ang mga 'to sa 'kin, lalong lalo na si Estelle.

They're too naive. They never even thought that I could use that against them.

Lumabas na kami ng gate dala ang envelope na pinapabigay ni Boris sa hari. He could've just ask his assistant to bring this to the palace but he insisted that we should do the honour. And yes, he called it an honour and I call it a nightmare.

Nahagip ng mata ko si Demi na nakatingin sa 'min. Ilang segundo kaming nagtitigan at ako na ang unang umiwas dahil sumakay na kami ng karwahe. And the giant gate closed as the chariot moved.

Katabi ko si Shaye at katapat namin sina Rhysan and Estelle. The initial plan was to stroll around the Central, however Boris interrupted. Kaya ngayon ay wala na kaming choice.

"Ang killjoy talaga ni Headmaster," pambasag ni Estelle sa katahimikan. "Alam niyang mag-gi-girls hangout tayo e'."

"Such a dick," komento ko. Napalingon silang lahat sa 'kin. I raised my left eyebrow. "What?"

Shaye clung her arms to mine and leaned her head on my shoulder. "Ang sweet mo talaga magsalita, Ara. Kaya love kita e!"

Napairap ako at nilayo ang ulo niya sa aking balikat gamit ang aking hintuturo. "Gross."

She pouted. Tinawanan na lamang siya ng iba at muli na naman silang nagkwentuhan. While me, I kept silent and start observing the surroundings.

Halos kalahating oras ang lumipas at sa wakas ay nasa harap na kami ng palasyo. The same exact spot where we stopped the very first time I stepped foot in this place.

"Come on," ani Rhysan at nauna nang maglakad. Sumunod kami sa kaniya.

We showed our badges to the guards, symbolizing our rank and our position as an Arcane. Agad naman kaming pinapasok ng mga ito.

Another guard accompanied us as we marched inside. We entered the Great Hall with its usual high engraved ceiling and lavish chandeliers. Sakto naman na pagpasok namin ay siya ring pagpasok ng hari mula sa kabilang dulo ng hall.

"Arcanes!" he greeted, his arms wide open in the air. "Good thing Boris granted my request."

Napairap na lamang ako sa kawalan. Hindi na ako nagulat na siya na naman ang may pakana nito. Boris might be a Supreme like me but he's powerless when against the king.

"Your highness." Yumuko ang tatlong kasama ko maliban sa 'kin.

The king signalled them to stand up, which they obliged. Binigay naman agad ni Rhysan ang envelope. "Hindi na rin po kami magtatagal, your highness. May ibang lakad pa ho kami," magalang niyang sabi.

Ngumiti ng napakalawak ang hari. "Yes, yes, but someone might want to come with you." Lumingon siya sa pintuan kung saan siya dumaan. "Atya, they're here!"

Atya rushed towards us. Her face was filled with so much excitement as she leaped and hugged me. "Ate!"

I had the urge to push her away but my body couldn't. Sinuklian ko na lang ito ng naiilang na yakap. After the achingly long exchange of fake smiles, Rhysan and Estelle finally bid farewell to the king.

As we headed outside, my eyes darted on Shaye. Like the usual, the king didn't even glance at her. Lumingon siya sa 'kin at nahuli niya akong nakatingin sa kaniya.

"Ang lalim naman ng iniisip natin, Ara. Hindi ako marunong lumangoy ha," biro niya pa.

I didn't respond. Sa halip ay binaling ko na lang ang tingin sa daan at hinigpitan ang paghawak sa kamay ni Atya na nasa kaliwa ko.

We went back on the chariot and it didn't take us an hour before we reached the Central. Pagkapasok na pagkapasok pa lamang namin ay natukoy ko na agad na malaki ang pinagkaiba nito simula noong nangyari ang panglalason.

The food stalls that used to be on the corners are no longer to be found. Lahat ng boutiques ay may mga kaniya kaniyang gwardiyang nagbabantay. A lot of posters and warnings can be seen in almost every part of the hallways too. Mukhang natuto na sila sa kanilang kapabayaan.

"Oo nga pala, Rhysan. Kumusta na 'yung investigation na inatas sa 'yo ni Headmaster?" biglaang tanong ni Estelle nang makapasok kami sa isang boutique na puno ng mga damit.

"May lead na ako. I just need to confirm it before I report to Headmaster Boris," Rhysan replied, touching the dresses hanging on the long gowns corner. Kinuha niya ito at itinapat sa katawan ko. "I think this looks good on you."

It was a white, long, bodycon dress made of silk. Simple lang ang harapan, plain white na long sleeve but the back was open from nape down to the waist. Kung yuyuko ka ay siguradong makikita na ang pisngi ng pwet mo.

I looked at Rhysan with piercing eyes. Ano 'to? Dress up game? Hindi ako na-inform na ito ang pupuntahan namin dito. I thought we would be shopping weapons or something more interesting.

"Aanhin ko iyan?"

"Nguyain mo, sige," agad namang bara ni Estelle. Kinuha niya 'yung gown at hinagis sa 'kin. "Malamang, susuotin mo, Ara! Ano bang ginagawa sa dress?"

Shaye, Atya, and Rhysan let out a hysterical laugh. Maging ang sales lady na nakatingin sa 'min ay natawa rin. So, I'm a laughing stock now.

"I'll have this po," rinig kong wika ni Shaye nang matapos siyang tumawa. She handed a rose gold, off-shoulder dress to the lady.

"Para saan ba ang mga 'yan? We have school uniforms," I stated in a matter of fact tone. I may not seem like a proper school girl but I know dress codes and uniforms.

"I heard the king talking to your headmaster, ate. They were discussing about a party," sambit ni Atya na nakakapit pa rin sa kamay ko.

Rhysan and Estelle nodded as if saying that I should be ashamed as an adult because a kid like Atya knows better than me. Ang sarap itumba ng mga 'to.

Ibinalik ko sa sampayan ang gown na inihagis nila sa 'kin. "Kailan? Bakit hindi ko alam?"

Rhysan shrugged. "In two months. Actually, kasunod lang 'ata ng wedding mo."

"Ikakasal ka na, ate?" Atya jumped in front of me. Disapproval and disappointment was written on her face as she stared at me with teary eyes. "Paano na si kuya Caelum?"

I almost choked at Atya's question. What the heck?

"Paano na nga ba?" Sabay pukol ni Shaye ng malisyosong tingin sa 'kin. Itong babaeng 'to, ibang klase rin ang tainga kapag chismis ang pag-uusapan.

I was about to be sarcastic when a loud, glass-breaking yell echoed in my ears. Sabay kaming lahat na tumakbo sa labas at naabutan naming sira-sira ang malaking parte ng tindihan ng mga sandata na katapat lang ng boutique na pinanggalingan namin.

Screams and cries of terror and agony filled the whole place. Hindi magkamayaw ang mga ito sa pagtakbo sa iba't ibang direksyon makalayo lamang sa pinanggalingan ng gulo. But the shop was still unrecognizable. Kung hindi ko nakita ang mga sandata ay hindi ko rin ito makikilala. I believe this is the shop that import weapons directly from the kingdom of Creiston, which is a potential target of robbery.

Humarap ako sa mga kasama ko. "Rhysan, gather as much people as you can and take them away from here." I rounded on Estelle. "Estelle, be our look out. Stop whoever wants to enter at huwag mo ring palampasin ang kalaban kung sakaling may makatakas sa amin."

Huli akong lumingon kay Atya. "You will stay here. Shaye and I will be going inside," nagtagpo ang tingin namin ni Shaye, "support who needs your power."

Agad silang tumango. I hurried to our position according to plan. Shaye and I effortlessly went inside, kahit may mga bakal at sementong nakaharang sa harap namin. All thanks to my shadow strings.

"Ilabas mo rito ang mga walang kalaban laban. I will clear the way for you but I can only hold it for five minutes. Got it?"

Shaye nodded and quickly, as fast as she can, healed the injured. Saka niya inalalayan ang mga ito para makalabas. Sinamantala ko ang pagkakataon para obserbahan ang paligid. Tila pinasabog nila ang harapan ng shop para walang makalabas masok ng basta basta.

Napukaw ng atensyon ko ang mga lalaking nakatayo at tila may hinahanap. They wore the same clothes as the ones I saw on the Onusersum Woods. May bitbit silang mga sandata na tingin ko'y galing sa nakaw.

"Hey, asshole!" tawag ko sa isa sa kanila.

The man averted his gaze on me. Napangisi siya nang tila makilala ako. I don't remember his face though, but I am sure he's a fucking Dygaian.

Nilingon ko si Shaye na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin tapos sa paglipat ng nga injured. But a sudden force attacked me even before I could speak. A raging sand tornado appeared in front of me. Its sharp, harsh, blade-like particles pierced through my skin and it felt like I'm being skinned alive. I flinched in pain but hid it quickly when the man smirked.

"Akala ko ay isang Supreme ang leader ng mga Arcanes. Ang dali mo lang palang saktan," pang-iinsulto niya. Hinugot niya ang espadang nakasabit sa kaniyang gilid. He stared at me lusciously as his tongue touches the blade. Dinilaan niya ito habang hindi kumukurap.

"I'm gonna have to let go, Shaye!" I shouted. Without any second words, I stopped supporting the falling debris and lunged towards the man.

His tornado crushed to the floor, making a large crack on the ground. I couldn't waste the time to react and immediately used my shadow strings to bind the sand manipulator. I took all his weapons with one wave of my finger. Pumiglas siya sa kapangyarihan ko pero mas lalo ko lang hinigpitan ang pagkakagapos sa kaniya.

I sprinted towards the other side of the area and high kicked the man who was about to attack Shaye. "Use the combat skills that I taught you, Shaye. You will lose your energy if you use too much power."

She nodded and proceeded to elbow another man.

Bumalik ako sa kabilang bahagi para muling harapin ang lalaking nangahas sa 'kin kanina. Binawi ko ang espadang dala niya at tinutok iyon sa sarili niyang leeg.

I grinned. "We were just getting started." I even tilted my head trying to look innocent.

Pinakawalan ko siya mula sa kapangyarihan ko upang hayaang lumaban. Mukhang hindi niya inaasahan ang ginawa ko kaya'y napangisi siya.

He ran towards me, punching and kicking every second. I did nothing but dodge all his attacks until he groped an axe from the floor. Umatras ako at sinubukang kontrolin ang anino niya but it was too late. He lifted his axe even before I could swift my fingers.

Umiwas ako at mabilis na umikot kasabay ng pagsipa ko sa tuhod niya. Natumba siya pero hindi ko napansing inihagis niya ang axe papunta sa 'kin. I took a backflip, attempting to dodge it, but I ended up gritting in pain as the blade plunged through my left shoulder.

"Ara!"

Napamura ako sa sakit at napaluhod. I reached my shoulder and pulled out the axe hastily as I tried to suppress its excruciating feeling. My blood dripped from my arm down to the floor. The pain was overwhelming me. My head started throbbing and my knees couldn't seem to support my weight no matter how hard I tried to get up.

Tumayo ang lalaki at itinutok ang kaniyang axe sa aking leeg. "What a beautiful sight."

I clenched my fist. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin habang nakahawak pa rin sa kaliwang balikat ko.

Ngumisi siya. "Alam mo, sayang ka. You could've become a great wife to the Ambergail king." Yumuko siya at inilapit ang mukha niya sa mukha ko. "And your eyes are so familiar..."

"Fuck you," I cussed through gritted teeth and spit on his face.

Lumayo siya. Nagsingkit ang dalawang mata niya sa galit. He was about to thrust his axe on my neck when my silver eyes twitched and went pure black. He froze, dropping his weapon to the cold and bloody floor.

Sinamantala ko ang pagkakataon upang bawiin ang sandata niya and without second thoughts, I slashed both of his legs with full force.

His body thudded against the floor, kasabay no'n ay ang pagtalsik ng dugo niya sa mukha ko. Umangat ang sulok ng aking labi habang pinupukol siya ng nandidiring tingin.

"Nagkamali ka ng kinalaban, Almer," sinigurado kong idiin ang pagbanggit ng bantot niyang pangalan. "At kung sakaling makabalik ka pa sa inyo, pakisabi sa Master Braul niyo na ulo niya ang isusunod ko."

Saka ako ngumisi ng napakalawak. My shoulder was still bleeding, still throbbing in so much pain, but I wore a victorious smile as I stared at Almer's eyes. Tulala lamang siyang nakatitig sa 'kin. Bakas ang takot at pangamba.

"A-ate?"

My grin instantly vanished when I heard Atya's voice. Bakit siya nandito?

Hindi ako sumagot, or even dared to move. It feels like my body is close to collapse. Hindi ako makatayo o kahit makalingon man lang sa likuran ko.

Agad akong nilapitan ni Shaye na kasalukuyang dumudugo ang ilong. She can't use her ability anymore. Hindi dapat. She could die.

"Shit, shit, shit," paulit-ulit niyang mura. Itinapat niya ang kaniyang noo sa noo ko gaya ng ginawa niya dati. "Please, please, make this work." But unlike before, there was no light nor a sensation of healing present.

For a moment, halos marinig ko na ang mabibigat naming paghinga, until Shaye's unconscious body fell on the floor. Nawalan siya ng malay sa sobrang dami ng ginamot niya kanina.

Napamura na lamang ako. Wala akong choice.

Hindi ko maaaring gamitin ang pinagbabawal kong kapangyarihan sa harap ng isang bata. At mas lalong walang dapat na makaalam na may iba pa akong kakayahan.

"Atya?" I called, almost whispering. "Are you still there?"

Ilang segundo kong hinintay ang sagot niya pero natigilan ako nang sa wakas ay nagsalita siya. "You're a monster..."

Hindi ko alam kung dapat kong maramdaman. Pinagdasahan ko ng tingin ang balikat ko na halos maputol na at ang dalawang binti ni Almer na nakahiwalay sa walang malay niyang katawan.

Yes, I am a monster. I made that very clear the very first day I got here. I show no mercy to people who don't deserve it. And I'm proud of that. Ginawa nila akong halimaw at binabalik ko lang ang itinapon nila sa 'kin.

But right now, I couldn't feel the honor, the pride of being who I am, because even when I go brutal, I can't stand the thought of Atya perceiving me as a monster.