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Lethal Feast

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I STOOD in front of the tall, clear, glass window that overlooked the calm Pearl Orient Seas. Castillo de Luna sat on the cliff overlooking the pristine waters that reflected the moon's silvery light. Maaliwalas ang gabi, the stars were out and glowing as I stared back at the full moon that seemed to taunt me, making me purse my lips.

"Get me out of here," I whisper to the moon as if it would answer to my pleas. Inadvertently, nakita ko ang repleksyon ko sa salamin ng bintana. I turned my gaze and looked away.

Asan na ba si Delphine? Tanong ko sa sarili. Sabi ng maliit na diwata kanina na tutulong lang siyang mag-ayos sa kusina pero parang ilang minuto na ang lumipas.

Sa sandali ring iyon, may tatlong katok ang tumunog mula sa pinto. The door swung open, revealing no other than the so-called "mentor" Royce Sargon. As usual, he stood tall and regal; wearing a fancy, dark blue suit.

It seems as if the members of the royal palace are very particular with this shade of color.

"Dinner is ready," He said and I met his look with a cold gaze before haughtily walking towards him.

"Ipapakilala kita sa other members ng Luna Team," sabi nito, ignoring my demeanor. "Which brings me to ask, ano nga ulit pangalan mo, nene?"

"Una sa lahat, disi-otso na ako — hindi na ako nene. Pangalawa, never mo namang tinanong yung pangalan ko." I said haughtily, walking past him. "But I'd rather you call me Skylar than nene, asshole."

"Rami mong satsat 'ne." He said impatiently, rolling his eyes. "Bilis. This way to the dining chamber."

By the time he had escorted me down a series of winding hallways and corridors full of marble and glass statues, agad kaming napatigil sa isang malaking pintuan. The tall door touched until the ceiling and was painted with a navy blue color that had gold trimmings and curls that decorated its surface.

"It's time," He says and pushes the two gold doorknobs open.

Inside, the wide space was similar to the room I was brought in. Puno ng tawanan ito, as the sound of tinkling glass and utensils could be heard.

Walls were furnished with mirrors and old paintings, whereas the floor was covered by a soft, thick rug the color of the sky. Isang mahabang lamesa na punong-puno ng pagkain ang nasa gitna; laced with silver plates and glass goblets.

A variety of scrumptious-looking dishes filled the long, mahogany table, and at the other end of it was a fancy fireplace mantel that lit a roaring fire. This fireplace too, was embedded with golden carvings similar to the door of this chamber.

Agad na napatigil ang lahat ng tao sa loob ng kwarto nang binuksan ni Royce ang pinto. They all looked at me expectantly; curious and eye-piercing gazes that made me want to shrivel in size.

With a deep breath, I followed Royce inside the room, glancing to see that Chancellor Asteria, Rome Sargon, and Delphine were already there, also expecting of my presence.

"Everyone, meet Skylar. She will be the newest and final member of this year's Luna team." Royce says in a loud voice. Nanghihina ako. Please get me the hell out of here.

Napatingin ako sa mga nakaupo; three gentlemen and two ladies.

"Skylar, this is Hugo Flynn Florantez," Royce introduces, gesturing towards the nearest gentleman who was dark, raven-haired, and had one small, round earring in his right ear. Binigyan ako nito ng maliit na ngiti.

I tried to smile back.

"Haisley Ann Stone," Tuloy ni Royce, waving his hand towards the girl next Hugo Flynn Florantez who's dark hair was up in a bun. Maamo ang mukha nito. Her fringe covered half of her face and she too, quietly smiled at me.

"Damien Maximiliano," This guy on the other hand, had a playful smirk on his lips. His wispy hair was in the shade of brown. Kinindatan ako nito. Kadiri.

"Madison Faye Griffiths," This girl on the other hand, had a more icy aura. Like me, she was also wearing a tulle dress with a deeper shade of Victorian purple. She had long, slanted eyes, and brown wavy hair. Nakataas ang kilay nito sakin.

"Gabryle Lawrence Stanford," The guy seated next to the supposed seat of the king was looking at me with his mesmerizing blue orbs that matched his blue, wavy hair. He was wearing a white suit, and also had a large, blue ring on his left ring finger. Mariin akong tinitignan nito which made me look away.

"And of course you already meet Chancellor Asteria, the royale secretary of the royal family; and my brother Rome Sargon." He finalizes as soon as he stood beside his brother.

"Alright, I think that's enough formality for tonight. Shall we eat?" Chancellor Asteria says with a smile and all of them sat down on their seats.

"As part of the team you get to sit with the team, Skylar." She tells me as soon as everyone was busy trying out the different meals.

Napalingon ako sa limang tao na makakasama ko sa "team". There were no empty seats other than the one na nasa pagitan nung masungit na babae at nung lalaking kulay asul ang buhok.

The snobby-looking girl held her chin high as she looked at me from head to toe. Blue-haired guy on the other hand gazed at me uncomfortably, na para bang jinujudge na niya yung buong pagkatao ko. Shit.

"Come on, don't be shy!" sabi ni Chancellor at hinila ang kamay ko.

"Madison, Bryle." She acknowledges the two and I try to look as confident as possible. "Skylar will sit here for now on."

"My pleasure," I heard Madison murmur sarcastically in disgust before rolling her eyes as I sat in between them. Bryle on the other hand just ignored me and continued to eat the mermaid meat on his plate. 'Yun ata yung sirena na binili ni Royce kanina sa wet market.

I hesitantly sat down, feeling the soft cushion of the seat. Nagdadaldalan si Chancellor Asteria at yung dalawang ipinakilala as Hugo and Haisley.

"Eat," sita sakin ni Royce who sat opposite of me on the table. Nakakunot ang noo nito sakin.

Napabuntong-hininga ako and silently gazed at the dishes in front of me. Nagugutom na ako pero parang wala akong ganang kumain kasama ang mga taong ito. I know nothing about them and they know nothing about me. Besides, wasn't this my punishment? To feel the lowest I can be amidst the rich. Hesitantly, I tried though, awkwardly cutting a piece of the roasted chicken before me.

"Sooo Skylar, where are you from?" Madison who was then speaking with Rome Sargon, suddenly asks me in a nonchalant tone, daintily taking a bite from the steak on her plate. "Because I think I got a waft of wet socks in the chamber as soon as you stepped in."

Napatigil ako sa paghiwa ng manok.

"Madison," Royce warned, pausing to look sternly at the lady that sat beside me. I could feel my fingers trembling.

"Oh, but isn't it true?" Madison asked in a singsong tone. Parang gusto ko nang magpalamon sa lupa kada segundong itinatagal ko dito kasama sila. "She smells just like a pathetic drift."

The whole room felt silent and I felt my face go red in embarrassment.

"Isn't she?" She taunted, turning to look at me with a feisty smirk. Fucking bitch.

"Hindi ko alam kung anong sinasabi mo—" Before Royce could finish, agad na napatayo ang dalaga, banging her fists on the table.

"I HEARD YOU AT THE CORRIDORS WHEN YOU ARRIVED!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. "She's a thief, a drift, a fucking piece of shit! And you expect her to join the team as her punishment for stealing your precious watch?!"

"Huy!" Kunot-noong sita ng katabi niyang si Damien na hinawakan ang kamay nito. Madison pulled her hand away.

"Madison, that's enough." Chancellor Asteria said icily pero patuloy pa rin si Madison.

I dropped the knife on the table and subconsciously balled my hands into fists. Don't you dare fight back, Skylar Eloise – don't you dare. I warned myself, digging my nails further into my own palm.

"Ba't di mo nalang siya ipapatay? Unless you're scared to do it yourself." She huffed. "I don't understand why you didn't just kill her with your own two hands, she's nothing but a lowly, weak, drif—"

And before she could say anymore, I stood up and punched her in the face.

"SKYLAR!" Chancellor Asteria cried in surprised as everyone gasped and stood from their chairs. Hindi ko sila pinansin at nakatutok lang ako sa mukha ng bwisit na babaeng 'to whose pretty face was seared with a cut on her cheek.

"You have no right to call me a piece of shit." I gritted, my hands still angry balled into fists.

"You don't even know half of who I am and the shit I've been through." I spat at her as she wiped the blood that dripped down her cheek.

"Bitch," she mutters. "I don't need to know you or your life to know na isa kang basagulerang bruha!"

With a sudden swift motion, agad na tumayo ito, punching me back. As I held onto my sore face, agad akong lumingon para suntukin ulit ito nang napansin kong biglang umitim ang mga mata niya.

The room suddenly became pitch black, with everyone disappearing one by one through the darkness.

Soon enough, wala nang natira sa kwarto kundi ako at ang kadilimang bumabalot sa paligid ko.

"Skylar may naaalala ka na ba?" A familiar voice asked and my head quickly spinned to the left.

"Lola Rosalina?!" I asked in horror, scrambling around the place for the voice but there was no one there but me.

"Anak, kailangan mong alalahanin." There again, the voice of Lola that seemed to be coming from somewhere.

Agad akong napatakbo.

"Madison?!" I yelled, my voice echoing throughout the darkness that engulfed me. "I don't want to play with your stupid games, you bitch!"

"DRIFT!" A loud voice shouted this time, making me stop on my tracks and kneel down. "Because we are drifts. Mahihirap lang tayo, El. 'Di tayo katulad nila."

"W-What...?!" I shouted in confusion, cowering over the voices that seemed to now be shouting all at once.

"MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS, DRIFTS!"

"Drifts!"

"She's a thief, a drift, a fucking piece of shit!"

Mas lalong pang lumalakas ng lumalakas ang mga boses until it rang through my ears and my temple throbbed achingly. "STOP! MAKE IT STOP!" I yelled in pain, tears rolling down my cheeks as I relentlessly tried to cover my ears with my two hands.

Gusto ko nang punitin yung tenga ko.

Pero hindi tumigil ang mga boses na ito at unti-unti na akong nanghihina. I could slowly feel blood dripping from my left nostril.

"You're nothing but a lowly, weak, drift.

"Stop..." I said weakly, the words slurring out of my tongue. I was on the verge of fainting when light faintly seeped into the room and the overwhelming voices soon died down.

"MADISON FAYE GRIFFITHS!" I heard someone shout. Agad na napaubo ako, coughing out blood. Nanghihina ang buong katawan ko when I felt someone carry me.

I tried to open my eyes but dots splattered my vision and I could feel the world spinning.

"Madison, you are under penalized!" Another voice said sternly as I felt the person who was carrying me bring me out of the room, the angry voices turning faint. "That means you are in no circumstances to use your powers and to leave this castl—"

"I know what under penalized means." Narinig kong madiin na sabi ni Madison and I shut my eyes even tighter.

"W-Where are you taking-g me-e...?" Nanghihina kong tanong. I don't even know who was carrying me, sobrang nahihilo ako.

Hindi ito sumagot and sooner or later, hindi na kinaya ng katawan ko and I felt myself slip away from reality.

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note: Dedicated to lovely placated for being the first loud reader of this story! 💜