The Sound Of Clashing Fates

The sight of fire, burning down everything in its way. The sound of people screaming, replaced the noise of the fireworks above. The dark skies turned into a massive colours of magic circles. Blood was littering everywhere, the livings were outnumbered by the bodies of the deads.

"More!" She yelled, as I slashed my dual swords to her direction, letting out a huge amount of energy around me. Yet for the hundredth time, she was able to block it with her weapons as if it was nothing.

And there it was again. That memory of monsters devouring every humans they see, and then the festival was turned into an utter chaos. All those anger, hatred, sorrow...how could I not forget them? How could I not...regret them?

"I told you to focus." She whispered, but even without my ability, I knew there was a hint of disappointment in her voice.

Tinulak niya ako tsaka mabilis na sinipa, dahil sa hindi ko inasahan ang biglang pagbilis niya ay napaatras ako sa may pader sa likuran. Pinawala ko ang mga weapons ko at nagpalabas ng malalim na hininga.

Ilang araw na ba kaming paulit-ulit na naglalaban ng ganito? Three? Four? Paano ko naman malalaman kung ilang araw nadin naman akong nakakulong sa lugar na ito. They say they're only isolating me, because I'm too dangerous, but I know how fabricated is that lie. They couldn't kill me even if they want to because of the fact that both the Council and the Saints knew I hold great information about their factions. And especially because I'm now under the Elites, they won't be able to touch me.

But after what I did, I can't believe they're letting me off lightly. Dahil ba ito sa may utang na loob din sila sa akin? Or is it because I've been involved too much in this game that I no longer could quit even if I want to? Exodus was right, I should have quitted a long time ago.

"What are you standing there for?" Tanong niya habang tinutok sa akin ang espada niya. I returned her gaze, my eyes no longer hold their motivation.

"I'm tired." I replied, she sighed.

"Aren't you going to bring her back?" My eyes widened.

Of course, how could I forget? Pero kailangan ko pa ba talagang ibalik siya? Hindi ba at desisyon niyang sumama sa Exodus? Who am I to even prevent her from doing what she wants? I thought of her as a friend after all these time, pero para sa kaniya isa lamang akong goal na kailangan niyang maabot, I'm just someone who she had to surpass and nothing more.

Somehow, that feeling of expectation hurts me whenever I think about it. I was stupid for thinking we could stay the same forever, I was so naive for hoping for it. Perhaps everything would have been better if I didn't meet any of them in the first place. Kung pwede lang bumalik ang oras, babaguhin ko ang lahat na ginawa ko.

"Do I have to?" She frowned.

If I had my ability right now, I would have already known the emotions behind that expression. But this entire white room is covered by anti-energy magic, ibig sabihin nito ay ang lahat na pumapasok dito ay normal lang na tao. Except that I can summon my weapons when an Elite is here. And how is it even possible that she's just too strong even without using her real strength?

"It's like every time I see you, your eyes grow dim and weak. Tell me Ke'ala, what purpose do you want to fulfill in that life of yours?"

"Purpose?" I let out a small laughter because of her words. "Why don't you tell me my purpose? Aren't I your apprentice?"

"It doesn't mean I'm you though." I was annoyed by her answer, at alam kong napapansin niya ito. "Have you become so weak that you've already lost sight of who you are?"

"I wonder." I'm not even that angry anymore when someone calls me weak. Perhaps it is indeed true that I've gotten so weak.

"Ke'ala, sumali ka sa Elites dahil gusto mong mabalik ang kaibigan mo. Sigurado ka bang hahayaan mo nalang siya sa kamay ng mga Exodus? Think about it, you're only wasting your time."

"If you're going to meddle with my own life, then don't talk about purpose to me. Kung ayaw mong sumama siya sa Exodus, sana sa una palang ay pinigilan mo na sila. If you're that persistent about me not wasting my time, then you shouldn't have had wasted everything and saved her!" Galit kong sigaw.

My knuckles were bleeding because of the way I clenched them. She looked away then, hindi ko alam kung ano ang iniisip niya, walang akong mabasa sa mukha niya dahil wala naman talaga itong lamang emosyon.

"I see." And with that, she made her dual swords disappear at lumakad palabas ng kwarto. She's walking out now huh? Did my words hit her? I watch her back as she headed for the door, the wall openeing up then finally closing in.

I sighed. Ano ba ang pinagsasabi ko? I don't even understand these emotions anymore. Guilt was overflowing in my entire system, clouding my thoughs and judgement. Maraming buhay ang nawala dahil sa akin, marami ang napinsala...I did something unforgivable and probabaly only punishable by death.

Yet here I am, being treated like a proper human being despite being isolated. I'm even being trained, to what? They aren't really thinking of using me because of my ability, are they? Ah sa pagkakataong ito, wala na akong pakealam. I just want to find my purpose of existence...

"You really are stupid without your ability." Napatingin ako sa unahan kung saan tumatayo si Dane Wanders, isa sa mga Elites.

"Maybe." She clicked her tongue in annoyance, dahil siguro sa hindi ko nakuha ang punto niya, or I was probabaly pretending not to.

Kaya lumapit siya sa akin at biglang sinuntok ang sikmura ko, napaluhod tuloy ako dahil sa sakit. It wasn't just any punch, it came from an Elite who probably trained to punch a mountain. It was that kind of force which feels like its ripping my stomach apart. I looked up and glared at her. I couldn't help but see how mad she is as she clenched her fists, only preventing herself from actually killing me.

"If you weren't her apprentice, I could have killed you."

"I thought you don't sympathise? Ano ang tawag sa galit mo para sa kaniya ngayon?"

"Akala ko iba ka Ke'ala dahil pinili ka niya bilang isang apprentice when she doesn't usually take one. No one wanted to take you in because it was only a cover-up story, but she did. Do you even understand? You shouldn't have been here kung hindi dahil sa kaniya!"

"So what's your point? That I should just do as she says and muster up the courage to actually accept that I destroyed a whole city?! That I killed thousands?! Na hayaan ko nalang iyon dahil nangyari na?!" She never replied, as if letting me continue. I stood up and faced her, our eyes glaring against each other. "She's telling me to save someone that she didn't even bother saving in the first place!"

"That's because she couldn't." I was silenced by that reply. "Do you even know her name? You should ask her yourself, then perhaps you'll realise something. At the meantime, you should reflect back on everything you said and did. Then return to your usual self." It didn't even take a minute for her disappear after getting out of my sight.

I sighed as I slid myself down the ground. Bakit ko ba kailangang intindihin ang mga tao sa paligid ko? Bakit hindi nila muna intindihan ang nararamdaman ko? I'm tired of giving up myself for others without thinking about myself too, nasasaktan din ako katulad nila. Nahihirapan din ako katulad ng karamihan. Pero dahil lang sa ability na ito, I was forced to think and feel about what others feel without understanding mine. Can't someone just look at me for a moment and feel what I feel?

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Kahit ilang ulit pang patawad ang hingin ko, alam kong hindi na babalik ang lahat sa normal. Alam kong hindi na mababalik ang mga taong namatay dahil sa mga halimaw na pinakawalan ko, alam kong hindi na babalik ang mga nasira at nawasak ko, alam kong hindi na mawawala ang matinding galit ng mga buhay sa taong sumira ng buhay nila, ako. Higit sa lahat, alam ko ang katotohanang hindi na babalik si Andrea, na hindi na babalik ang dating pagkakaibigan namin, kasama si Iyana. Sinira ko ang lahat...lahat lahat.

I wasn't raised by my sibblings to be someone like this, if I hadn't left the island, I wouldn't have ruined everything around me. Ako ang may kasalanan din sa umpisa palang na mas tumindi ang negative emotions ni Andrea at naging Cursed Mark, everything was my fault. There I admit it all. Yet why do I feel like just simply admitting them isn't enough? What do I have to do to save myself from this torment of guilt and pain?

I want to save myself, but at the same time I also don't want to, because if it's a punishment from God, then I don't have to endure it, I just have to live with it. But I still want to be saved! Is that even wrong? Is it wrong for someone like me to hope everything will be fine?

Natatakot din ako katulad ng ibang tao, hindi ako ganoon kalakas katulad ng sinasabi ng iba. I'm not like Andrea who fan endure everything and not like Iyana who can always pretend like nothing's wrong. All these times, I just want someone to tell me they'll always have my back no matter what. But I couldn't even find someone to. Siguro una palang, nakasulat na sa kalangitan na ganito ang magiging buhay ko. I was doomed to be a curse from the start.

Still, this loneliness I'm feeling as if I'm the only one in this world who suffers, how life is unfair, how no one understands me, they all reminded me of what I once was before I was taken in by my sibblings. How I wish they were here...

My eyes closed, letting the silence around me dominate as I hugged my knees. Leaning my back against this subtle wall, naaalala ko ang mga bagay na hindi ko alam kung bakit ko inaalala.

Maliit lamang ang kwarto, halos walang mga gamt dito pero ang linis, na parang pinaghandaan talaga nila ang pagdating ko. Dahan-dahan akong lumapit sa may nakabukas na bintana, nakakasilaw ang liwanag at mula dito ay nakikita ko ang mga batang naglalaro sa malayo, mga tao nakikipaghalubilo sa iba na may mga ngiti sa mukha nila.

Agad ko itong isinara. Hindi ko alam kung bakit. Pero naiinis ako. Sinasabi nilang mapayapa ang Arizole, na lahat ng nandito ay masaya at walang pinoproblema hindi katulad ng outside world. Paano ngaba nila naiikumpara ang outside world sa islang ito? Lahat tayo ay tao, pinanganak na pare-pareho, pero bakit sinasabi nilang mas mapayap dito?

Hindi ko naiintindihan. Bakit sila nakangiti? Bakit ang saya-saya nila? Hindi ko magawang ngumiti o sumaya ng ganyan, hindi ako sanay lumapit sa mga tao, natatakot ako sa mga emosyon nila. Kailangan ko lamang intindihin ang sarili ko, bakit ko pa kailangang intindihin ang sa kanila?

Wala akong pakealam kung ano man ang mangyari basta ay mabuhay lamang ako ng normal at hindi nahihirapan. Kahit kailangan ko mang ilayo ang sarili sa mundo nila. Masama bang isipin lang ang sarili ko? Lumaki akong walang may pakealam sa kung ano ang nangyayari sa akin o kung ano ang nararamdaman ko, walang nakakaalam ng mga problema ko, ako lang. Kung pati ako mismo ay kinalimutang isipin ang sarili ko, ano nalang ang mangyayari sa akin?

"Ke'ala," napatingin bigla ako sa may pintuan dahil sa may kumatok.

Boses ito ni Alvar'ius. Siya ang kumuha sa akin mula sa mga magulang ko, pero bakit niya ngaba ginawa iyon? Walang magbabago kahit nandoon man ako o nandito, ganoon parin namang hindi ako makakalabas, ganoon parin namang walang may pakealam.

"Pwede ba akong pumasok?" Hindi ako sumagot.

Buong buhay ko minsan ko lang nakikita ang mga kapatid ko, sa iisang bahay nga kami noong nandoon kami sa ilalim ng mga magulang namin, pero hindi din naman kami nag-uusap o nagkaharapan manlang. Kaya hindi ko maintindihan kung bakt matapos ang ilang taon ngayon lang nila naisipang kausapin ako.

"Gusto ko lang sabihin na matapos mong mag-ayos bumaba ka na. Hindi ka kumain ng agahan hindi ba?" Wika niya.

Wala akong nararamdamang emosyon dahil may blocking system ang buong bahay na ito, dahil dito ay hindi ko alam ang totoong intensyon niya. Kahit magkadugo man kami, kahit magkapatid man kami, hindi ko sila pinagkakatiwalaan. Nanggaling ako sa pamilya kung saan bawat myembro nito ay hindi mapagkakatiwalaan. Sarili ko lamang ang mayroon ako.

Tumagal ang ilang araw na ganito kami. Kahit kinakausap man nila ako ay tumatango lamang ako, pero hindi ako nagsasalita. Hindi ako sanay dito. Ang ingay nila. Palagi silang nag-aaway pero tatawa din naman. Hindi ba nila alam na naiinis ako sa tuwing pinapakita nila ang mga ganoong bagay sa akin?

"O Al! Siguro ka bang kaya mo pa?" Birong tanong ni Ka'ela kay Alvar havang tinututok nito ang espada niya sa kaniya. Napangiti naman si Kuya. Ilang oras na sila naglalaban, o training ang tawag nila dito. Pero para sa akin, kung hindi ko lang sila kilala, masasabi kong nagpapatayan na sila.

"Heh. Bakit hindi mo tanungin ang sarili mo?"  At matapos ang sinabi niya, inatake na naman nila ulit ang isa't isa.

Halos hindi ko na mabilang ang pagtama ng mga espada nila, at halos hindi ko nadin sila makita sa bilis nila. Nandito ako ngayon sa kwarto, at nakikita ko sila dito mula pa kaninag umaga mula sa bintana. Ang lalakas talaga nila, masasabi kong ilang taon din ang inabot nila para makatungtong sa ganiyang lebel.

Nagulat ako nang natamaan ni Ka'ela si Alvar sa balikat, hindi niya yata ito inasahan. Napaatras ang dalawa sa isa't isa na para bang normal lang sa kanila ang masugatan. Hindi ba sila natatakot?

"Kuya," biglang tawag niya kay Alvar at napatigil naman sa kaniya ang isa. Kanina lang ay may dugo sa balikat niya, pero ngayon humilom na ito. "Wala ka ba talagang planong...kunin sa kanila ang pagiging Head ng Main Family?"

"Bakit mo naman natanong iyan?" Hindi sumagot ang isa, walang nakakaalam kung ano ang iniisip niya. "Labing-limang taong gulang palang ako ngayon Ka'ela, at labing-apat ka palang, hindi mo dapat muna iniisip ang mga bagay na—"

"Pero hindi ibig sabihing lumayo lang tayo sa kanila ay hindi na tayo parte ng Main Family. Alam mong kailangan mong harapin ang responsabilidad bilang pinakaunang anak."

"Ito ang isa sa mga rason kung bakit ko kayo nilayo mula sa kanila Ka'eala, naaapektohan narin ang pag-iisip mo ng mga bagay na hindi mo dapat iniisip. Alam ko ang responsabilidad ko bilang pinakamatandang lalakeng anak ng Main Family, pero hindi ito ang tamang oras."

"Tamang oras? Kuya Al...sabihin mo ang totoo, ayaw mo ang pagiging Head ng Main Family, hindi ba?"

"Tama ka. Hindi ko nga gusto ang posisyong iyon." Mahahalata ko ang gulat sa mukha ni Ka'ela sa narinig niya, pati ako din naman ay nagulat. Bakit ayaw niya naman ang pinakamataas na posisyon dito sa Arizole?

"Ibig sabihin...may pagkakataon pa ako, hindi ba?" Ngumiti ang nakakatanda kong kapatid na babae sa nalaman niya. "Kuya, kukunin ko ang posisyon komung ayaw mo."

"Huwag kang magbiro ng ganyan Ka'ela! Hindi mo alam kung ano sinasabi mo. Akala mo ba laro ang biro lang ang pagiging Head ng Main Family?! May rason ako kung bakit ayaw ko ito!"

Biglang lumamig ang simoy ng hangin, dumilim ang kalangitan, at isa-isang pumatak ang mga ulan. May nararamdaman akong enerhiya, malalakas ang mga ito, mas malakas pa sa ilang milyong emosyon na nararamdaman ko bago ko pa man sinuot ang singsing na ito. Nakakatakot. Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling ang mga enerhiyang ito, pero may dalawang tao lang sa buong islang ito ang kayang sirain ang isa't isa.

Napaatras ako dahil sa takot. Nakakatakot ang mga ekspresyon na nakalagay sa mga mukha nila. Tinitignan nila ang isa't isa na may haling galit na para bang papatayin talaga nila ang taong nasa harapan nila ngayon.

Sa sobrang pag-atras ko ay natamaan ng braso ko ang nakalagay na baso sa itaas ng maliit ng lamesa sa tabi. Pero hindi ko alam kung paano, bigla nalang tumigil ang paghulog ng baso na ito sa lupa, bigla nalang tumigil ang pagtakbo ng orasan sa pader. Na para bang lahat nalang ng nasa paligid ko ay tumigil, pati narin ang nga tunog na naririnig ko.

Mabilis akong tumakbo sa ibaba. Anong nangyayari? Naguguluhan ako at hindi ko maintindihan ang mga nangyayari. Kaya lumiko ako sa sala at lumabas sa may nakabukas na sliding door papunta sa likuran ng bahay. Napatigil ako nang nakita ko ang pagbagsak ni Ka'ela sa lupa mula sa itaas nang tinapon siya ni Alvar. Napaubo siya ng dugo dahil dito pero tumayo parin siya.

Bakit nagkakaganito? Akala ko sobrnag lapit nila sa isa't isa na hindi nila kayang saktan ang isa't isa? O ako lang ba ang nag-iisip ng ganoon? O baka naman nagpapanggap lang sila na may maayos na relasyon sa unahan ko?

"Kahit itigil mo man ang oras, alam mong wala parin itong epekto sa akin." Wika ni Ka'ela.

"Ano din ang magagawa ng ability mo kung makokontrol ko ang lahat?"

"Hindi lahat." Tinaas ni Ka'ela ang kamay niya at may naging ilang daang malalaking espada sa harapn niya ngayon, lahat ay nakatutok lamang kay Alvar. Tinaas naman ni Alvar ang dalawang espada niya, hinahanda ang sarili niya sa pagdating ng atake.

"Tumigil na kayo." Bulong ko. Pero hindi nila ito narinig.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko sila pinapakealaman, pero...siguro ito ay dahil buong buhay ko wala akong maituring na pamilya. Ayaw ko silang magpatayan sa harapan ko dahil wala nang matitira sa akin kung ganoon.

"Ate! Kuya!" Sigaw ko sa kanila.

Naramdaman ko bigla ang pagkagulat nila nang makita ako. Hindi siguro nila inaasahan na makakagalaw ako kahit pinatigil na ni Alvar ang lahat. Ito din ang unang beses na tinawag ko silang ganoon. Tinaas ko ang dalawang kamay ko at pinatigil ang mga espada at sa isang iglap bigla nalang silang nawala.

"Gusto ko ng maayos na pamilya...gusto kong palagi tayong masaya." Wika ko, umaabot ang boses ko sa kalayuan, dala ng malamig na simoy ng hangin.

Napatigil lamang sila at napatingin sa akin. Ilang segundo ang nakalipas ay bumalik sa dati ang lahat, wala ni isang sira sa paligid, tumuloy na ang daloy ng oras at narinig ko ang malakas na pagbagsak ng baso mula kwarto ko sa itaas.

At nang binalik ko ang tingin ko kina kuya at ate, nakita kong nagtre-training lang sila katulad nang kanina bago pa man naging seryoso ang pinag-uusapan nila. Nakangiti lang sila habang kinakausap ang isa't isa na para bang walang nangyari.

"Oh Ke'ala, ano kaya kung sumali ka sa pag-eensayo namin? Tuturuan kita." Masayang sabi ni Kuya.

"Ako na ang tutulong sa kaniya Kuya Al, hindi ka kaya marunong magturo." Dagdag pa ni Ate. Nagkakatuwaan lang sila, at ang masasamang emosyon na nararamdaman ko sa kanila kanina ay nawala na at napalitan ng kasayahan.

At ito yung araw na nalaman kong may mali sa akin.

"Wake up. Ke'ala wake up!" I suddenly opened my eyes in hurry at napunta ang tingin ko sa pinuan.

Patay na ang mga ilaw, ibig sabihin nito ay gabi na. Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog pala ako, hindi ko din alam kung ilang oras. But that dream sure brought some memoriee. I smiled bitterly while remembering it.

Lumakad ako sa pintuan, hindi ito bumukas nang lumapit ako. Well it was as expected, I was being isolated after all. Nanggagling ang boses na ito sa lider ng mga Elites. It's funny how she's my mentor when I don't even know the first letter of her name. What happened this afternoon between us is still fresh on my mind. I think I said something I shouldn't have.

"Did something happen?" Tanong ko.

"We're moving out." Narinig kong wika niya. There's urgency in her tone that I couldn't ignore.

"In the middle of the night? Ano ang binabalak mong gawin?"

"Have you heard of Rogues? They are a small organization of assassins under the Western Saint. They are a special unit working directly for that guy. And right now they are tasked to get you. Alam mo na ang ibig kong sabihin." My eyes widened.

Riyadh was a big city in the Western Territoty, dahil sa naging away namin ni Andrea ang nasira ang lahat lahat, marami din ang namatay dahil sa mga pinakawalan kong mga monsters. Especially due to my barrier surrounding the whole city, practically everyone's dead. Kung hindi dahil sa pagdating ng mga Elites, tuluyan na talagang nawala sa mapa ang lugar and not even one could have survived.

With her saying these assassins after me, ibig sabihin inutusan silang patayin ako ng Western Saint. Of course, death was the usual punishment for what I did, pero napagdesisyunan nang hayaan na lamang akong mabuhay by being an apprentice all my life. Kaya hindi ko maintindihan kung ano ang nangyayari.

I sighed. So I'll die huh? I looked down with both of my hands pressing against the wall. I was already smirking before I even am aware of it. Kill me? I just destroyed a whole city! Did they really think I'm that easy to kill? Are they...mocking me? Sa tingin ba nila matatalo ako ng mga pinadala nilang asassins? What could they do if I can have all the energy I want?!

I shook my head immediately. No, Ke'ala. You must not let your own emotions get the better of you. Aren't I guilty of those charges? Didn't I rather just die than living with this guilt? Then why am I actually entertaining the thought of living? Where did I get this sudden motivation from—that dream. 

That sudden feeling of realization that I was special since I was a child. A twelve-year old me overpowering her sibblings by just changing their emotions...I already messed up a long time ago. I changed their emotions and made them my perfect brother and sister, even against their will. Their main functions were to be a perfect family to me. Now aren't I the worst?

Ganoon ko ba talaga kagusto magkaroon ng pamilya? Simula nung araw na iyon siguradong-sigurado ako na hindi ko na gagamitin ang ability ko. Will they hate me if they knew the truth? Looking back, I really did change so much huh?

"Do you think they could even put up a battle against me?" Seryoso kong tanong, asking for reassurance.

"You're underestimating them Ke'ala. Without your ability, you could only do a little protecting yourself. That's why we're moving out now."

"You mean you're taking me away from this place? It's like freeing a wanted criminal on a loose."

"You decide what direction you take. To the left where nothing is right, or to the right where nothing is left?" How cunning. She's asking me whether I should follow her knowing there's no redemption for what I did or to stay here knowing nothing's waiting for me, but perhaps death.

"Have you ever chosen one yourself?" There was a pause before I heard her sigh.

"I did."

"Did it turn out well or not?"

"Both. It turned out better for my sake but the consequences aren't."

"Then how are you going to make sure I'm going with the right decision?"

"I won't." I smiled. So much for being my mentor.

This wall was supposed to be a door which would automatically open when someone's going in or out, except that it won't do its job for me. And due to an Elite training with me, I'm allowed to summon my weapon as long as an Elite is inside. Since I couldn't do both, malakas kong sinipa ang puting pader. May nabuong mga cracks sa gilid nito hanggang sa isa-isa silang nagkonekta. Matapos ang ilang segundo ay nawasak din ito.

Nakita ko siyang nakatayo sa may unahan na para bang kanina pa ako hinintay. Agad siyang nay tinapon sa akin na kung aning bagay. Opening my palm, it was just another ring with a black crystal on the middle of the circle.

"It isn't as powerful as your previous ring, so it could only block billions of emotions coming in your body and energy when you get out of this fscility but it doesn't block those near to you. That ring is like a seal, masisira din ang epekto nito kung tatanggalin o magpapalabas ka ng sobrang enerhiya." Sabi niya habang nilalagay ko sa kanan kong daliri ang singsing.

"It isn't so bad."

"Isang witch ang gumawa niyan, she was saying you knew her from your past mission." A witch huh? I think I might know who. "Now let's hurry."

I watch her lead the way in these dark hallway, but I couldn't step out of this room. I keep looking down kung saan isang hakbang nalang mawawala na ang anti-magic sa loob ng kwarto. Even if I have this ring, paano kung hindi ito gumana? Paano kung marami na naman ang mamatay dahil sa akin? Paano kung masaktan ulit ako? I found myself wasting time by thinking all of those stuffs.

"You're afraid of pain." She stated not too far from where I stood after realising I wasn't moving. How is it possible she knows exactly what I'm thinking?

"Who isn't? Some are just too good at hiding it."

"So you mean to say you rather just stand there not facing your battles at all?"

"I wonder kung bakit palagi mo akong tinatanong at hindi binibigyan ng sagot na kailangan ko. Aren't you supposed to be my Elite?"

"Alam mo sa sarili mo ang tamang mga salita at sagot na hinahanap mo sa akin, ayaw mo lamang itong sabihin sa sarili mo dahil natatakot ka. Tell me Ke'ala, ano ba ang dapat mong ikatakot sa sakit na pwede mong naramdaman? You've been enduring all these time, so why stop now?"

"I've been enduring because I had a reason to."

"So you no longer have any reason to endure?" I didn't reply at inalis ang tingin ko sa mga malalamig niyang titig. "Then I'll give you one."

Lumakad siya papunta sa direksyon ko, at ang babaeng sinasabi nilang walang ekspresyon at malamig na leader ng mga Elites ngayo'y nakangiti sa direksyon ko. There was a deep longing and regret seen from her eyes, as if I she was reminded of someone by looking at me.

"Do you trust me?" Tanong niya.

"I don't have any reason to."

"Can you follow me?"

"I...don't have any reason to do that."

"Will you live on if I told you to?"

"I told you, wala akong rason para sun—"

"Will you take my hand as my apprentice?" Tinaas niya ang kanang kamay niya at inilahad ito sa akin. Why is she so persistent?

"Aren't I already one?" I asked back, accepting her hand.

"Then that's your reason for enduring." Tinulak niya ako palabas ng kwarto and suddenly, I was  already standing outside.

Walang dumating na emosyon sa akin maliban lang sa nararamdaman niya, dahil siguro sa singsing. She immediately let go of my hand at lumakad sa unahan, urging me to follow her. She gave me a reason to endure everything I feel, all these guilt, anger, pain...she's telling me to do so dahil isa akong apprentice niya. Dahil isa akong apprentice ng pinakamagaling na Elite.

She takes pride in being who she is that I'm actually a little envious of her. A single look from her and I knew our fates were intertwined, that I knew I was bound to meet a strong person like her. Anyone could tell kung gaano siya kalakas sa pagtayo niya palang ang pananalita. May nakapalibot sa kaniyang enerhiya na nagsasabing iba siya sa lahat. That she's been through something worse than the rest in her life.

As I watch this woman, her back reminded me of someone the same. Someone who'd look so strong yet no one knows what's hidden underneath. Hindi ko parin naiintindihan kung bakit ang taong tulad niya ay pinili ako bilang isang apprentice. Nagagalit ako sa mga taong ginagamit lamang ako, pero sa taong ito...I think being used by her isn't so bad at all, and I think following her might be my only redemption. I wonder if I'd regret it someday, being this woman's apprentice. Because I don't see myself doing so right now.

Mabilis ko siyang sinundan sa likod. Maraming hallways ang nilikuan namin at hindi ko alam kung alin ang alin dahil magkakapareho ang bawat sulok, at isa pa madilim ang lugar dahil pinapatay nila ang ilaw kung gabi. Hanggang sa bigla na lamang tumunog ang alarm sa buong lugar, the sound of the ringing alarm rang through the back of my mind, and the red lights glowing each of them place din the ciling was blinding.

"That came earlier than expected." Narinig kong wika niya, at hindi manlang siya nag-aalala. Paano kung maabutan siyang tinatakas ang isang tao na dapat nakakulong sa isang kwarto nila ngayon?

"Aren't you a little relax for someone being chased?" Tanong ko habang napatingin sa likuran ko.

May mga nararamdaman akong papalapit na emosyon, and surely she noticed them faster than I did. Lumiko kami sa isa pang hall at isa isa nang sumara ang mga steel walls mula sa ceiling, trying to block our way. This is a facility after all, kaya normal lang kung may mga ganoon.

"It's because I know I can handle it." Simpleng salita niya habang isa isang sinira ang mga sumasaang steel walls.

She didn't even touch them, she simply had to flick her finger and because of her ability to control the darkness and shadows, she could essily do it dahil madilim ang lugar. Paano niya nagaba natutunan ang mga matataas na lebel ng paggamit ng ability ng ganoon kasimple? And just how strong is she? Well she's not the only one who could do something like that.

Nagpalabas ako ng kuryente sa dalawang kamay ko at tinira ito sa mga Knights na nakasunod sa amin. Some were able to dodge it, pero hindi parin sila nakailag sa mga thorns na tumubo mula sa lupa dahil sa earth magic ko. It's alright, I've always been good at controlling my energy flow...they won't die. I won't let anyone die ever again.

"Sa exit na tayo." She warned me as I looked ahead.

Maraming Knights ang naghihintau sa may malaking pintuan at bawat isa sa kanila ay may mga dalang iba't ibang weapons. I was about to shot each of them my attacks pero naunahan ako. She raised her hand as a dark magic circle appeared beneath them. My eyes widened as I watch them scream in agony...these emotions...why are they feeling so much pain na wala namang nangyayari sa katawan nila?

Instead of asking questions, sinundan ko nalang siya habang tumakbo kami palabas ng building. There were barbed wires waiting for us in front at makukuryente ang kung sino mang hahawak o lalapit dito. There was even that warning sign to stay away. Nilapitan ko ito at inalis ang kuryenteng nakabalot sa mga wires tapos sinira ito.

Several minutes after that, the facility hundreds of meters behind us were still firing up their alarms. Mula dito sa kalayuan sa gitna ng gubat ay naririnig ko parin ang mga sigaw ng mga Knights kakahanap sa akin. We stopped at a clearing just near the river habang napaupo akong hinahabol ng hininga sa malaking bato. My clothes were soak in sweat, I suddenly felt thirst.

"Earlier...what was that?" Tanong ko habang siya ay nakatayo sa tabi ng ilog, as if she's observing something.

"You're not the only one who can use magic while having an ability, Ke'ala. Although people like us are very rare. My ability is to manipulate the darkness, and my magic allows me to use my ability however I want without any restrictions. We all know is is darkness which reminds us of the bad memories." So that's why they were screaming in pain and agony almost as if begging for mercy for it to stop.

"Matagal ko na 'tong gusto itanong...ano ba ang totoong pangalan mo?" Napatingin siya sa akin at sinummon ang matulis niyang espada. It's like glistening under the night with how sharp it is.

"Malalaman mo matapos kong patayin ang babaeng ito." Agad niyang tinapon sa direksyon ko ang espada, I didn't even have any time to dodge dahil sa sobrnag bilis, as if my eyes couldn't keep up with it. Before I even knew it, lumampas lang ito sa kaliwa kong mukha at ramdam ko ang pagtama nito sa isang punongkahoy sa likuran ko.

"How boring, I'm found already?" Sinundan ko ang direksyon kung saan nanggagaling ang boses na ito.

It was a young lady with an orange hair wearing a silver armour with a mixture of a purple clothing. May hawak siyang mahabang espada na ginamit niya para mabilis na isangga ang espadang tinapong ng Elite. She's actually really beautiful.

"As expected from the leader of the Elite herself." She said as she walked forward, grabbing the sword stuck unto the tree at tinapon ito ulit sa direksyon ko. Only this time I was able to shift my head at sinalo ang handle nito sa gilid.

Agad akong tumayo at binalik ang espada sa Elite at tinignan siya ng masama. Pero halos wlaa akong makirang ekspresyon sa mukha niya kundi nakakainis na ngiti lamang.

"You sure move fast." The Elite stated with a hint of amazement in her voice, or was it pity?

"Isa ako sa mga assassins ng Rogue. I'm Ellise. Pinadala ako para patayin ang babaeng iyan. Kaya kung sana lang huwag kang mangealam. This clearly isn't your business. Elites don't meddle, do they?"

"We don't. Except that you're after my apprentice." The enemy laughed with a light chuckle.

"An apprentice? You? Now that's a news, at siya pa talaga ang pinili mo. Well the target can wait after I kill you." Bigla niyang tinutok ang hawak niyang espada sa Elite without fear. She's very bold for young lady.

"She'd have to wait forever then. I can't have that now, can I? Kaya tatapusin kita ng mas maaga." Pinalabas niya narin ang isa niyang espada at hinanda ang sarili niya sa magiging galaw ni Ellise.

I stepped forward with my hand on the side. May lumabas na scythe sa magkabilang kamay ko, connecting them were chains wrapped around my hands, nagliliwanag ang mga ito sa kulay ng pula. They looked heavy, pero magaan lang sila sa mga kamay ko, and I can move my body more freely now dahil sa buhok kong hanggang sa balikat nalang ang haba.

"It annoys me how you talk about killing me as if I'm not here." I said walking towards her, she smirked.

"So gusto mong mamatay ng una?"

"Ten seconds." She frowned. "Ten seconds and I'll make sure you won't be able to stand up."

Then, the sound of our weapons clashing dominated the night. But it wasn't our weapons which filled my ears with sound, it was the realization that starting right now, my fate is already being set in motion.