𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐓

"Scarlet! Scarlet!" I was chilling on a chair with my legs on top of the table when I heard Caius.

I rolled my eyes. Napapikit naman si Brio sa takot at taimtim na nagdasal sa gilid. I waited for him to see me in this position. Lalo kong sinandal ang aking ulo ko upuan. We walked for almost half an hour and I woke up early in the morning. Gusto kong magpahinga.

"Good grace! You weren't inside a jail!" Caius came. Halos lumuhod siya sa sahig para lang magpasalamat.

"The market master called me! He said that a young lady caused trouble!" Caius yelled. I wanted to cover my ears.

''Caused trouble? Una sa lahat ay siya ang mali sa amin at hindi ako. Winasto ko lang ang paraan niya upang makabenta ng madami.'' Walang gana kong sabi habang hindi inaalis sa tingin sa aming kisame.

''You may have your reasons but the people in the market told me a different story!'' Hindi ko man siya tingnan ay alam kong halos umusok na ang ilong niya dahil sa nerbyos. Napailing na lang ako't natawa.

''Let them think anything they want, I know the truth. I know what really happened. Ako ang saksi kung ano man ang nakita ko't hindi sila. Kung ano man ang narinig nila galing sa tsismis at kung ano man ang paniwalaan nila'y hindi ko na problema.'' Natatawa kong sambit.

''Scarlet!'' Caius called out for me for the second time. I rolled my eyes. When I glanced at him I saw a familiar person standing beside him. 

''Nandito ka pala! Ba't parang iba ang tindig mo ngayon?'' Brio said. Huminga siya nang malalim bago lumapit sa taong nakatayo na animo'y poste sa gilid ni Caius.

''You.'' I paused to make him look at me. ''What is he doing here? You know we are running out of meat.''

''Watch your mouth! He's a visitor!'' Nanahimik ako dahil alam kong hindi pa siya tapos magsalita, ''I was going to introduce him to you even thought I'm aware that you know this person. But I didn't think that he will be greeted by this.''

Hindi ko na tinuon ng pansin ang ibang parangal ni Caius. Hindi na bago sa akin ang pagiging bungangaro niya't kahit ano'ng paliwanag naman ang gawin ko ay hindi siya makikinig. I told him my side.

The vendor in the public market is using a black magic to attract and gain customers. I saw it with my two eyes. I'm not fool to make stories, that's it. I won't explain it anymore. Hindi ko na problema kung hindi nila ako papakinggan.

''I'm sorry you have to witness something like this in the morning, Mr. Egan.'' Caius calmly said.

''He's Blaze not Thunder,'' I told Brio. All of them went silent. Nagkibit balikat na lang ako dahil wala namang mali sa sinabi ko.

I have no energy to know why Blaze is here. Nanatili akong nakaupo sa kusina habang nakatingin sa kisame. Caius keeps on saying things. Kahit naman hindi ko pakinggan ay alam ko na kung ano'ng mga sinasabi niya. With just one glance at Brio's face, I knew Caius is mad.

"I volunteered him to explore in our area!" He exclaimed once again. Saglit ko lang siya tinapunan ng tingin at tinagilid ang aking ulo.

"It's weekend." Halos pabulong kong sabi.

"It's weekend yet you're making trouble!" Tumaas na ang boses niya. He breath out to calm himself. "Please tell us the truth. How did you know that the vendor was using black magic?"

I glanced at them. Hindi ko alam kung bakit naging tahimik ang paligid. Everyone is looking at me. I grinned at them. Hindi ako manhid para hindi maramdaman na may inaabangan silang sagot. I grinned at them.

"So what If I do?" Taas-noo kong sabi.

"It means that you used to practice black magic! Scarlet! Did you know that only people who use black magic will recognize one! Black magic is invisible and only recognizable by people who used it!" Kulang na lang ay pumutok ang ulo niya sa nerbyos. I shrugged my shoulders in response.

"Yeah. I know," walang gana kong tugon. Kulang na lang ay himatayin si Caius.

It turns out that Blaze is here because they received a report in their club about the incident this morning. I wasn't aware that it's their club's duty to mingle with other people's lives.

"Ano?" Blaze mouthed. I remained staring at him. Kasalukuyan siyang nakatayo sa tabi ni Caius habang isang malaki't makapal ng aklat ang nakabuklat sa kanilang harap. The book is a hard cover one and on top of a wooden stand.

Nakasandal lang ako sa upuan sa kusina. I was looking outside, watching Brio. Every morning he does his garden with his dearest friends, specifically squirrels and birds. My mood is ruined to move inside the house.

"Why are you here?" Tumayo ako mula sa pagkaupo't nilapitan sila Caius.

"I wasn't aware that I can't stand anywhere inside this house," I sarcastically responded.

I looked around only to see the same tiny jars scattered on top of their table. Sigurado akong may binabalak gawin ang dalawang ito dahil sa binabasa nilang aklat.

"Don't walk around the house. We are trying to defuse the black magic around you." I rolled my eyes because of what Caius said.

"As if black magic is some sort of drugs?" I crossed my arms.

"Is black magic like drugs?" Pinasa ni Caius ang sinabi ko kay Blaze. He glanced at me twice before looking back at Caius.

"Hindi naman po. Delikado nga lang sa isip." I scoffed because he speaks politely. He acts different outside the Academy.

''Did you hear that?'' Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Caius. ''Now, you should cooperate with us, Scarlet. We don't want you to spend your time as a juvenile for the rest of your life.''

''You can't do that. I can prove that I wasn't involve in any malicious acts. It's true that I used to have an interest in black magic. But it doesn't mean that I'm a bad person.'' I didn't know why I wasted time to talk. Imbes na matakot ay hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi niya.

"Did you hear that? What's your opinion?" Agad na bulong ni Caius kay Blaze. I looked at him. Katulad ni Caius ay nakataas din ang isang kilay niya. Umiwas siya ng tingin na para bang pinag-iisipan pa kung ano'ng isasagot niya.

''Wala po ako sa posisyon para magsabi kung ano'ng parusa ang ipapataw sa kaniya.'' I scoffed of Blaze's response. Pinagkrus ko ang mga braso ko't sumandal sa pader upang panoorin kung ano'ng mga susunod niyang gagawin. He randomly picked a pink grain of salt. This guy's body language is so easy to read.

''I'm asking you a favor... I admit that it's my fault why she was always in trouble. I will do everything to defuse any black magic around her.'' Caius panics. Isang tango na lang ang ginawang ganti ni Blaze. Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ko dahil halata namang napipilitan lang siya.

''What's up?'' I stood beside Blaze. Nanlalaki ang mga mata ni Caius.

''Oh, grace! Don't tallk to her!'' He warned him. I rolled my eyes.

Nakakrus ang mga braso kong bumalik sa upuan at sumandal. I crossed my legs to let them know that I have the authority to this house. Nagtatakang pumasok bumalik si Brio sa loob. He was holding a woven basket full of tiny sparkling maroon flowers.

''You act as if I'm a deadly virus,'' pabulong kong sambit. Humiga ako sa mahabang upuan na kaharap ng mesa kung saan nakapatong ang aklat na kanilang binabasa. ''I'll be honest, okay? I used black magic decades ago. I have my reasons and it's a valid one, no lie.'' Lahat sila'y tumingin sa akin.

''Where and when did you use black magic? How come I didn't know?'' Lumipat ang tingin ni Caius. ''Brio? Did you know about this? Are you covering her actions again?'' Nangunot ang noo niya't hindi ko mapigilang matawa dahil mas lalo siyang naging mukhang matanda.

''Ha? Sinasabi mo! Hindi ko nga alam kung saan siya nagsususuot lagi!'' Pinatong ni Brio ang hawak niya sa mesa. I wanted to see what he got because it looks girly but I know Caius will tell me to remain seated.

''I did use magic long time ago.'' Nagkibit balikat ako. Huminga ako nang malalim at tumingin sa labas. Tila kumirot ng konti ang dibdib ko dahil isang mapait na alala ang muling pumasok sa isip ko.

''What happened? What made you do it?'' Caius sounded so invested to my story.

''Bakit? Buti hindi nalaman ng Akademya sa enrollment.'' I scoffed when it was Blaze who spoke. I grinned at him.  Of course, the Academy wouldn't know because I'm good enough to fool people.

''It was eight-years-old. I was alone and lonely when my first friend, minnie died.'' Panimula kong sambit.

''You had a friend?'' Tila tutol pa si Caius nang marinig niyang may kailangan ako. ''Isn't Brio your friend? You used to take a bath together in a—''

''Ang ingay mo!'' Agad na tumalikod si Brio sa amin. I didn't why taking a bath together when we were young is such a big deal? We live in the same house.

''Sino si Minnie? Paano siya namatay?'' Nakataas ang kilay ni Blaze. He even brought a small silver notebook.

''Minnie is a mice. She's my first friend. I used to sew her clothes and ribbons. She loves color pink. I bet foolishness is trait innate to ordinary people because they often eliminate odd things that they can see so they killed minnie without knowing that she isn't ordinary kitchen rat. She's a mice.'' I held my chin using my palm.

''What happened next?'' Caius commented.

''The fact that I was young and minnie was my friend, of course, it is predicted that I was heart broken for weeks. I didn't eat for one week yet you two didn't notice and just thought that I'm a stubborn child looking for attention,'' I said bitterly.

''Hoy! Niyayaya kitang umakyat ng puno ng mangga noon dahil namamayat ka! Ano'ng sinasabi mong wala kaming paki! Pinagluto pa nga kita ng corn soup!'' Pagsasabat ni Brio sa gilid. I just chuckled because he sounded sincere. Sadly, the only thing that I can remember that day was the pain that I felt.

''Where's the part that you used a black magic there?'' Caius commented.

''I used a certain type of black magic to revive minnie from death.'' Lalo akong humiga sa sofa.

''You used necromancy!'' Napahawak sa gilid ng mesa si Caius. Mabilis naman siyang inalalayan ni Blaze at Brio. ''You used necromancy, Scarlet! What are you thinking!'' Nanrindi ang mga tainga ko.

''Paulit-ulit?'' Reklamo ko.

''I'm begging!'' Mabilis niyang hinawakan ang mga kamay ni Blaze. ''Please let me defuse any unusual magic from her body. Please don't spread what you heard inside this house.'' Nanatiling nakatitig sa akin si Blaze. I met his gaze and that's when he looked away and nods slowly.

''Come here!'' Duro niya sa akin. Halos mamula na siya sa nerbyos. ''Come here, Scarlet! Didn't you hear me? Brio! Itayo mo siya!''

''I can stand by myself but I refused to do so,'' I said firmly. Brio started biting his fingernails when Caius walked to my direction. Brio mouthed me to stand up immediately but I raised my eyebrow in response.

''I told you to stand! I told you stand! Didn't you hear me? What if Blaze changed his mind and reported this to the Academy? You will be banished here in Nevarion! Stand up! Stand up!'' Tinupi ni Caius ang hawak niyang papel at pinalo ako. I rolled my eyes because he still thinks of me as a child who still needs spanking.

''It hurts!'' reklamo ko't nakasimangot na tumayo. Blaze looks away while covering his face. Mukhang tuwang-tuwa pa siya sa mga nakikita niya. Caius pulled me while walking. Kung kaladkarin niya ako ay para akong sirang basahan.

''You should drink this.'' He demanded. Hindi ako gumalaw sa tabi ni Caius. ''Wait for a while,'' he added. I bit the left side of my cheek.

Nilipat nila ang pahina ng hawak nilang aklat. Dalawang pirasong talulot ng puting bulaklak ang nilagay niya sa kaniyang lagayan. He proceeds on chanting some spell and sprinkling transparent salt from the tiny glass jar. Napangiwi ako dahil wala akong ideya kung ano man ang ginagawa niya. Even Blaze beside him feels cringy. Napapangiwi rin siya tuwing binubudburan ni Caius ang lagayan ng asin na hindi ko matukoy kung saan lupalop ng mundo galing.

''Here. It's done. You need to drink this.'' Napangiwi ako't lumayo nang ilapit sa akin ni Caius ang bagay na ginawa niya na hindi ko alam kung p'wede bang inumin.

''Are you trying to kill me?'' asik ko.

''Drink this,'' may pagtitimpi niyang sabi. ''Please help her, Mr. Egan.''

I stood in my position like a statue. Napabuntong hininga na lang ako dahil kahit ano'ng pagmamatigas na gawin ko ay hindi gagana sa kaniya.

I stared at Blaze with no emotions in my eyes. Tinitigan niya naman ako pabalik habang nanatili sa kamay niya ang bagay na hawak niya. He's holding the tiny glass jar in his left hand waiting for me to cooperate. Nanatiling nakatikom ang mga labi ko nang idampi niya ang inumin. The glass felt a little cold. Nagkatingin kaming dalawa.

''Ibuka mo,'' naiinip niyang sambit sa akin.

''Ano ba, sabing ibuka mo.'' I rolled my eyes at him. Right as I though, he has a thin patience.

I opened my lips for a moment. Mabilis naman niyang pinainom sa akin kung ano man ang dapat niyang ipainom. Agad niyang kinuha ang pamunas at dinampi sa mga labi ko. Hindi ako umimik dahil kulang na lang ay ipakain niya ang pamunas sa akin kanina.

''Is it fine? What do you feel?'' Caius observed me. Hindi naman mawala sa akin ang titig ni Blaze.

''I feel like dying,'' I said frankly. Tinupi ni Caius ang mga makakapal na papel sa gilid at pinalo ako sa may puwetan. I rolled my eyes.

''Stop treating me like a child!'' asik ko't padabog na umupo sa upuan.

''Inform us if you feel something.'' Caius told me something. Hindi ko pinansin kung ano man ang sinabi niya. Tumayo ako sa upuan upang kumuha ng makakain at inumin sa kusina. I was getting bored for a sudden.

''Ayos ka lang?'' I raises a brow when Brio held my arm. 

''Of course. Mabuti na lang ay hindi ako namatay sa pinainom sa akin,'' sarkastiko kong sabi.

''Don't mood and just lay. The side effects will kick soon,'' Caius reminded me of something.

''What do you mean side effects?'' I asked. Humakbang ako't nanatili ang kapit sa akin ni Brio. Out of a sudden, my vision started getting funny. Pakiramdam ko'y lahat ng bagay ay lumalaki sa paningin ko.

''Hindi mo ba narinig? Sabing 'wag kang tayo nang tayo, tsk.'' Blaze appeared to my left side. He's holding my left arm while Brio is holding my right arm. Dalawa silang nakahawak sa akin.

''Cool! Your head is getting bigger!'' I chuckled and pointed Blaze's face.

''Please hold her! Lay her on the mattress gently!'' Caius started talking.

Naramdaman ko ang katawan kong tumama sa malambot na kama. Seconds later, I saw Blaze on top of me. Mukhang siya ang naghiga sa akin sa kama. Caius keeps on talking and Brio panics. May kung ano'ng bagay siyang kinuha sa mesa.

''Oh, no. It looks like her body can't take the diffusion. Brio, please get the glass jar that has a purple liquid. And please wipe her sweat.'' Caius started mumbling and mumbling.

It looks like he keeps on saying a lot of things but I can't hear what are those. Nanatili akong nakahiga sa kama sa hindi malaman na dahilan.

My body feels like a gelatin. Hindi ko ito magalaw at kahit pilit ko mang galawin ang mga daliri ko sa aking mga paa't kamay 'di ko magawa. I just scoffed because my instinct was right.

This is the reason why Caius keeps on practicing his craft day and night for countless weeks, his medicines have flaws and thus not perfect. Kung ano man ang pinainom niya sa akin ay wala na rin akong paki kung ano. If I'd die, then be it.

However when I opened my eyes, my naked body is floating in a different place. A place I've never went. All I can see is darkness and when I blink, I was surrounded by mirrors. I squinted because this happened to me a lot of times for this month. I always find myself floating in this place all over and over again. When I looked above, all I can see are ruined temples floating above my head. When I looked below, I saw a sparkling river.

''Who are you?'' Matapang kong sabi. I can feel a presence around me. I know that I'm not alone in this place. ''Reveal yourself,'' I demanded but I didnʼt get a response.

Huminga akong malalim. My body floats freely in this bizarre place. I can only see the reflection of my naked body in every angle. Sumabay ang galaw ng hanggang bewang kong buhok. This place doesn't even has air but it felt very cold. I looked around to observe again only to see two moons floating above the temple facing each other.

''Reveal yourself,'' I said once again. Kung sino man nagdalaw sa akin dito'y ibibigay ko kung ano man ang kailangan niya. I don't mind fighting someone naked.

Naningkit ang mga mata. From far away, I can see a silhouette of a tall man with a semi-bulk body. When my body went closer to him, I had a glimpse of his back. Thin smokes started floating around.

I tried to reach him but I only managed to see the side of his face. Our eyes met and I can't help but stare at his eyes because it was my first time seeing someone who has these colors. Paris green eyes. I was left dumbfounded when

I recognized who he was. All I wanted was answers on what this place is and why I find myself here a lot of times. But the questions inside my mind started to pile up when I recognized who this man was. Iʼm sure that I wasnʼt mistaken.

It's none other than the guy named Elio, one of the aspiring enrollees at the Academy.