"She's gonna be okay. You already did your best."

"No, no, I can give more..."

"You'll drain yourself if you do that. Kailangan mong magpahinga."

"Hayaan mo siya. Siya naman ang makukutusan 'pag nagising si Ara at nalaman ang ginawa niya."

"Demi!"

"What?"

"Ang ingay niyo." Tumagilid ako at nagtalukbong ng kumot. Ano ba kasing ginagawa nila rito? I'm trying to sleep here.

"Told you. Magsusungit 'yan," muling nanuot sa tainga ko ang boses ni Demi. I buried my head under the pillow. Ugh. These loudmouths.

"Ara!" Naramdaman ko ang mahigpit na yakap mula sa likuran ko.

Wait...

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon na agad ko ring pinagsisihan. Nakangiwi kong hinawakan ang aking tagiliran. My eyes roamed around the place, mula sa pamilyar na apat na sulok ng silid hanggang sa corkboard na nakakabit sa pader. I'm at my room in Demi's cabin.

Demi grinned at me, making my forehead crease. Samantalang si Milka at Shaye ay naluluhang nakatitig sa 'kin.

Saglit na namayani ang katahimikan sa amin bago unti-unting tumaas ang kaliwa kong kilay. "Ginagawa niyo?"

"Ara! Okay ka na nga!" Muli akong dinambahan ng yakap ni Shaye. She sobbed on my shoulder like a fucking baby. "I missed you!"

Kumalas ako sa yakap niya. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be at the academy."

Nagkatinginan sila na mas lalong ikinakunot ng noo ko.

"You don't remember anything?" It was Milka. She forwarded and held my forehead as if checking my temperature. "Wala ka namang lagnat. Masakit ba ulo mo?"

Umiling ako. It's the complete opposite actually. I feel light. Maliban na lang sa tagiliran ko.

"It could be a side effect of this thing," may tinaas si Demi na isang maliit na bote, "just rest, it will probably come back to you."

"Babalik muna ako sa academy, I need to check Zale. I also have to send Mrs. Rovuille a letter," Milka stated na sinang-ayunan ni Demi at Shaye. Muli niya akong niyakap bago tuluyang lumabas sa silid.

"I'll go prepare food," paalam naman ni Demi bago kami iniwan.

Shaye smiled wholeheartedly and caressed my hair. "Magpahinga ka muna. I will be here when you wake up."

Bumalik ako sa pagkakahiga at nakipagtitigan sa kisame. Silence enveloped the room for a while as I tried to recall what happened before I got here. Kulang na lang ay sabunutan ko ang sarili ko sa inis.

Where did I get my injury? As far as I can remember, I was hunting then I sneaked to the palace...

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at mabilis na bumangon. I bit my lip to suppress the pain. Paika-ika akong lumabas ng kwarto habang hawak ang tagiliran. Pumuslit pa ako ng dalawang portal seeds.

I have to go to the academy as quickly as I can. I need to see them.

"Ara, where are you going?!" Shaye followed me. Sa sobrang lakas ng boses niya, kaagad nitong nakuha ang atensyon ni Demi.

Agad niyang hinarang ang pinto bago ko pa ito mahawakan. "You can't go anywhere, Ara. You have to rest first."

Napatiim bagang ako. "Let me go."

"Hindi pwede. Huwag ng matigas ang ulo. Utos ito ni Boris."

Dahan dahan akong lumapit sa kaniya. Sa bawat hakbang ko palapit ay ang paghakbang niya paatras. Until she had the door against her back. Demi's eyes widened while meeting my dead stare.

"A-Ara?"

"I don't like repeating myself, Demi."

"W-What?"

Sekreto kong in-unlock ang doorknob na nasa likuran niya at pinihit ito. The door banged open causing Demi to lose her balance. Hinigit ko ang braso niya bago pa man siya bumagsak sa sahig. Gulat niya akong tinignan ngunit ngumisi lang ako at nilagpasan siya.

I dropped the portal seed and quickly went inside. Tinahak kong muli ang kakahuyan sa gilid ng akademya but I was surprised when the old portal was nowhere to be found. Wala na rito ang portal na nakita ko noon.

Of course, it was Snow all along. She left that portal open. She's the one behind the attacks.

I clenched my fist. Siya itong traydor pero ako ang parati niyang ginagawang masama sa harap ng iba.

Wala akong nagawa kundi gamitin ang huling portal seed sa bulsa. This is supposed to be for my way back to the cabin pero bahala na. Pumasok na ako at tumambad sa akin ang nagkakagulong akademya.

Nagtagpo ang kilay ko habang pinagmamasdan ang mga estudyanteng hindi magkamayaw sa harap ng main building. They're pleading in front, as if protesting. Ang iba naman ay nag-aaway na sa gilid pero hindi gamit ang kapangyarihan. But most of the students were busy trying to break the gate open.

Nanliit ang mga mata ko at sinubukang hanapin ang Arcanes but not one is here. No one's even trying to stop the students. I don't recognize one single person in the crowd.

What is Boris doing with all of these? Ba't niya ito hinahayaan?

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. I transformed into my shadow form before making my way to Boris's office. Pero mas lalo lamang akong naguluhan nang makarating ako ro'n. The office was still in wreck. Nandoon pa rin ang butas sa pader sanhi ng mga atake. Kaya naman pala hindi na makontrol ang ibang estudyante, he is letting them see this rubbish.

Walang emosyon akong lumihis ng daan. The infirmary. For sure they're in there. They have to be there.

Nadaanan ko ang mga estudyanteng nagtatakbuhan. May iilan din na mugto ang mga mata at walang habas na umiiyak habang pinapakalma ng kasama nila. The once carefree smiles of the students became a cry of fear. 'Yung dating yabangan at asaran na pumuno sa tainga ko noong unang tapak ko rito ay napalitan ng sigawan at iyak.

Mas lalong napayukom ang kamao ko. Where the fuck is the council? The professors? Ba't wala silang ginagawa rito?

Tahimik ang labas nang infirmary nang makarating ako. Unlike the mess outside, walang ni isang estudyanteng makikita sa hallway. I didn't bother to knock. Marahas ko itong binuksan at tumambad sa 'kin ang mga Arcanes.

"Bitches." Nilibot ko ang tingin sa paligid. "Where is he?"

Hindi pa rin sila umimik. Their eyes were stuck on me. Hindi ko na lang ito tinuunan ng pansin. Naglakad ako patungo sa gilid, sa pinakadulong higaan.

My chest tightened the moment I opened the curtains. Genesis's unconscious body was lying flat with several wires attached on his arms. He's all naked, revealing the bloodstained bandage wrapped around his abdomen. Payapa ang mukha niya. He doesn't seem in pain at all. But it was something else that caught my attention.

His chest... May pamilyar na tattoo sa kaniyang dibdib. No, it doesn't look like a tattoo at all. It seemed like an old scar or a birthmark. The birthmark tickles a memory in me but I can't pinpoint where I saw it or if it was a memory in the first place.

"He's asleep. Mabuti na lang at hindi gaanong napuruhan ang organs niya. Your power also helped to suppress the bleeding."

Nabaling ang atensyon ko kay Boris na taimtim na pinagmamasdan ang pamangkin niya. He must've felt my gaze because he looked back at me. His eyes didn't show any hint of confusion at all. Tila alam niya kung anong nangyari kay Genesis.

"I'm sure by now you already know, Ara."

No, I don't. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit palagi na lang may nasasaktan dahil sa 'kin. First, Shaye, then Carwell, and now it's Genesis. I don't understand why they keep on protecting me when my only wish is to avenge.

"Headmaster, I think we should head back outside." Kuha ni Rhysan sa atensyon namin. Nasa tabi niya si Estelle na pilit iniiwasan ang tingin ko. Samantalang nasa kabilang bed naman si Milka na inaalalayan si Zale sa pag-upo. Si Jiro ay nakatulala lang sa sahig habang sina Sin at Carwell ay naghihintay sa sagot ni Boris.

"It's all chaos outside. They're trying to break down the gate," wika ko. "Let them go, Boris, and see who's wise enough to stay."

Walang sumagot sa 'kin. Yumuko lamang sila, maging si Boris. I couldn't conceal how perplexed I am so I faked a cough to stop the awkward atmosphere.

"What are you all doing?" malamig kong tanong.

"You stole the prophecy scroll and read it which is against the rules, but... no one else can read the prophecy besides the chosen one." Rhysan faced me with an apologetic look. "Panaliwanag ni Shaye sa amin ang lahat ng nangyari noong gabing namatay si Atya, and I'm very sorry, Ara. I deeply apologize for doubting you."

So they think I'm the chosen one? Geez. That doesn't make sense to me.

Magsasalita na sana ako pero laking gulat ko nang biglang lumuhod si Estelle sa aking harapan. Third tried to stop her pero pinagsiklop niya ang dalawang kamay at pumikit.

"I-I'm sorry, Ara. Among all of us, ako 'yung unang tumalikod sa 'yo. I was too quick to judge you. I'm sorry... I'm really really sorry. N-Nabigla lang ako sa nangyari at hindi na ako nag-isip ng maayos..."

"Stand up," I commanded. Bahagya pa siyang nagulat sa lamig ng boses ko. "Wala nang magagawa ang sorry mo ngayon."

Naiinis ako sa paluhod-luhod niyang nalalaman. No matter how I try to tell them not to beg, they always do the opposite. Ano'ng utak ba ang mayroon sila at handa silang lumunok ng dignidad?

My eyes landed on Carwell. Hindi ko mabasa ang mukha niya. Kahit kayabangan hindi ko na mahagilap.

"Aren't you going to reclaim your throne?"

It was a normal question for me but not for the Arcanes. Tila hindi nila inaasahan na itatanong ko 'to.

"I don't want the throne."

"Really?" I let out a sarcastic laugh. "O hindi mo lang talaga kayang saktan ang magaling mong hari? Aren't you even curious why the throne was passed to him instead of the late king's son? Instead of you?"

Mas lalo akong nabingi sa katahimikan ng paligid. Walang may balak na bumasag sa katahimikan. Carwell didn't respond but he stared at me intently, almost like a glare, which I returned to him with fucking pleasure.

"You can do so much more if you have it, Carwell. It belongs to you."

I get it. I can see it in his eyes, despite his arrogance about his position in the academy, he doesn't want to claim the throne. But I also bet that deep down, it was the fear that's taking him up.

Hindi gano'ng Carwell ang kilala ko. The Carwell I know was fearless.

Our eye contact broke when Boris faked a cough, trying to lessen the tension. "Caelum needs time to think, Ara. For now, we have to focus on the welfare of the students. Rhysan, tell Miss Elleri to gather the students at the gymnasium at once. Sin and Jiro, secure the whole campus and wait for my command. The rest, come with me." Sabay-sabay na tumango ang mga Arcanes sa tinuran ni Boris. He took an envelope and hastily tore it apart. "Someone has to stop him."

"H-Headmaster, that's the..."

"Yes, Ms. Flowel, I refuse to accept his offer."

Offer? What offer?

"B-But King Zuri would never let us go, Headmaster... that would mean war," sambit naman ni Third.

It suddenly occurred to me. That paper Boris tore was an agreement maybe. Ibang klase. He was already caught in the act and he's still fucking trying to manipulate us like puppets.

"Then war it is." Lahat kami, maging ako, ay napalingon kay Boris. "I almost lost Genesis because I have been blind. If I let him do what he wants, what face do I show the world when it starts to crumble due to my poor judgement?"

Muli niyang hinaplos ang ulo ni Genesis. The look on the Arcanes' faces couldn't be discerned. Pero ramdam ko sa reaksyon nila na hindi nila gusto ang desisyon ni Boris. I hate to admit pero kahit ako, may parte sa akin na hindi sumasang-ayon.

War means death, blood, and tragedy. There is no guarantee that we will ride to victory, especially that this is a rebellion. Zuri's forces and men are much stronger and larger in number. Mahihirapan kami, that's the only certain thing I know.

But Boris has a point. We cannot let Zuri fulfil all his sinister plans.

Carwell suddenly pulled out and banged the door shut. Tahimik naming tinitigan ang pinto. Ilang segundo lang ay isa-isa na ring sumunod palabas ang mga Arcanes. Naiwan lamang si Milka upang bantayan si Zale.

Napapikit ako sabay hugot ng malalim na hininga. Hinarap ko si Boris.

"We will be outnumbered, you know that."

"That's why I'm giving you your third mission, Ara," seryoso niyang sabi. "Whoever among the Arcanes decides to join us, bring them with you. Kailangan niyong kumbinsihin ang iba na sumanib sa atin, lalo na 'yung mga magulang ng biktima ni Zuri. They will fight for them."

Nag-aalangan ko siyang tinanguan. It's strange for me to feel reluctant about this... Somehow, I don't want to see another blood of someone I learned to cherish. Not my friends. Not Milka and Demi. Not Shaye. And most definitely, not Carwell.

"Are you sure about this?"

He nodded. "I will try to talk with the officials. Kung maniniwala sila, we can use the law to dethrone him. We may not need war to revolt."

"But if the officials don't, to fight is our only choice," dugtong ko sa sinabi niya. Posibleng magkaroon nga ng digmaan pero posible rin namang hindi, only if the officials are wise to see the situation.

"I can testify about the prophecy." Ako lang naman talaga ang nakabasa no'n.

Binigyan ako ni Boris ng makahulugang ngiti. Like how a father looks at his daughter.

"You've changed so much," aniya. "Noong una tayong nagkita, sinungitan mo 'ko at wala kang pakialam sa paligid mo but look at you now. You could be the key to a new Forthmore."

Natahimik ako.

Indeed, I changed. It's bittersweet, knowing that I finally have people with me to treasure but I also have something to lose. Hindi ko na kontrolado ang lahat dahil may iniisip na akong ibang tao.

Lihim akong ngumiti. Somehow it isn't so bad though. It feels different, a good difference, to know that once in my life I learned to think of something else other than revenge. For once, I learned to feel love instead of hatred.

"Bakit mo ba ako dinala dito noong una pa lang?"

Umiwas siya ng tingin. Sinenyasan niyang lumabas muna si Milka na nagbabantay sa natutulog na si Zale. He then trailed his fingers on Genesis's head down to his shoulder, until he reached his chest where a familiar birthmark was vivid.

"Do you know what this is?"

Umiling ako.

"This is the reason why I wanted you here, Ara." Mas lalo akong naguluhan. Pansin niya rin 'yun kaya nagpatuloy siya. "Wala akong balak na baguhin ka at pilitin kang manatili dito, pero nagbago ang lahat ng iyon nang nalaman ko ang tunay na pagkatao ni Genesis."

Parang uod na kung bagal mag-sink in sa utak ko ang sinabi niya. I don't understand a thing. Alam kong misteryoso si Genesis pero hindi ko alam kung anong kinalaman nito sa akin.

"Genesis has been acting different when you're together. The moment when you step foot on this school, Genesis's true powers were unleashed," he continued. Hinaplos niya ang birthmark. "This is a symbol of a life link. This came to him when he turned seven, when he first showed his power."

Life link. Life link. Where did I hear that before?

"You are not the chosen one, you are more than that."

Natigilan ako. I felt my chest racing in so much anticipation. Ang ilang segundong paghihintay ko sa susunod niyang sabihin ay tila ilang oras na para sa 'kin.

He knows. He knows who I am.

"My nephew was born because of you, Ara. Your lives are connected."

Tila binuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig sa sinabi ni Boris. I held my breath as Mr. Quil and Rhysan's voice resounded in my mind.

Guardians are mortals who are bound to protect one deity forever.

When a deity dies, his or her guardian dies too.

Bumalik sa akin ang sinabi ni Demi. Genesis didn't show any sign of being a mage until he was seven... when I was seven.

Hindi ko maiwasang mapatakip ng bibig nang matagpi-tagpi ko ang lahat ng mga nangyari noon. That is why he can read my mind, why he's always the first to find me when no one can, why he never tried to stop my plans.

That's because he can feel what I feel. My pain is his pain, or even more than that. Because he was bound to me, for life and death.