The World Is Calling

It was as though everything stopped around me. The air suddenly halted, the sands beneath me stayed motionless, and all the rest of the spiritual energy refused to move. Two figures were seen, their feets sank deeper, imprinting footprints that won't ever linger. Their eyes were glued on mine, and I couldn't help but curve my lips. It wasn't a menacing smirk, it was a genuine one and I was so sure they were both aware of it.

Yet along with that smile, there was still that certain hint of excitement and anticipation. How strong have they become? How far have they gotten? Can I beat them? Or can they? Trains of thoughts all at once penetrated my head at the sight of them. Everything surrounding us were caught in silence, there were no noises, just the sound of our panting breaths and hearts racing.

"Keila..." their voices were in sync and I could tell they were taken aback by my sudden appearance.

"Hey." I was aware of how awkward that sounded, but I guess at that exact moment, it didn't really matter.

The surroundings lit up again, the sun beginning to shine through, and the waves are starting to reach our ears. The deprived noises of nature has been returned when I completely erased all traces of dark energy in the whole island. The cool wind swayed our cloaks, and the sands beneath rumbling as the ground slightly shook due to the sudden breeze.

The growing silence was interrupted by a laughter. Her voice still filled with the same determination as I once known her to have, only this time, it seems she's had much confidence along with it. Another one let out a smile, the corner of her eyes twitching, resulting an expression she rarely ever made. As though a painting drawn beautifully on a blank canvas, I could have sworn they were a sight to behold.

"I seriously don't know what to say." Andrea said with an exasperated tone.

"You just interrupted a great battle." Iyana then quickly added.

"As I always once have." It's true though. They would always fight in front of me and I'd always be there to witness or sometimes even break it over.

"I was never a fan of you doing so." Andrea then muttered.

"I know." I slowly replied.

"I've always hated how you never treated me like a rival, how you keep ignoring my feelings." I smiled, bitterly so.

"I know."

"Well if we're up for a confession, then I admit I've always felt so out of place compared to you both." We both looked at Iyana who was crossing her arms, her head looking up high.

With another smile, I answered, "...and why would you?"

"That should have been my line, Iyana. I looked up to you a lot, I've always been challenging you but you never really showed me your real power. Palagi kong iniisip kung kinakaawaan mo lang ba ako."

"Was that how it looked like?" Iyana chuckled lightly. "Pitying you never once crossed my mind, Andrea."

"Liar. Don't lie to me, Iyana."

"Tell me, Keila...was that a lie?" Both of their gazes somehow landed on mine but then we all averted away at some point. "

"Who knows." I shrugged.

"Always the middle one huh?" Andrea started laughing. "Truth to be told, I hate you both. I despise both of your existences. But I can never make myself regret our first meeting. Is that strange?"

"We all at the very least know that." Sabi ni Iyana.

We've all been secretly hating ourselves for feeling insecure, envious, from each other to the point that we began the hating game, then everything just went along from that. We all admired each other and wanted to be like another, but we couldn't...reason why we all drifted apart. Perhaps if one of us had indeed reached out from the very beginning, things wouldn't have became like this.

Yet it's strange indeed. I feel different emotions from them but none of them included remorse. We weren't particulary happy about our meetings as well, I'd say...it's like a bridge for ourselves to grow. But right at this moment, I knew I quite enjoy this situation. It makes me wonder what could have happened if I didn't go here.

"I felt out of place because...who wouldn't? Surrounded by two people, one who has a Cursed Mark and another a Cursed Blood. Then both of you just left...are my feelings always so laid back enough for you not to notice how I've been hurting all this time?" Iyana clenched her fists and closed her eyes. "Ah that was a wrong question." Opening them, her brown orbs reflected a golden light, making it seem like a bright yellow. "You never noticed for you weren't there."

"Now don't act like a victim here." Andrea immediately retorted. "Umalis ako dahil gusto kong magbago, hindi katulad mo na walang pakealam sa paligid—" hindi niya na natuloy ang sasabihin niya dahil sa isang iglap, may bala nang lumusot sa braso ni Andrea na siyang nagpaatras sa kaniya.

Kasabay nito ay ang pagturo ng dugo mula dito at ang masama niyang tingin na nakadirekta kay Iyana. Kahit ako manlang ay hindi ko naramdaman ang bala na iyon. Isang bagay lang ang pinapahiwatig niya sa ginawa niya, na pati siya ay nagbago narin.

"Walang pakealam sa paligid?" Natawa siya ng kaonti sa sinabi niya. "I may seem like that pero alam kong alam mo na hindi ako ganoong tao! I always think about the wellbeing of you both at palagi kong iniisip...ako lang ba talaga sa grupong ito ang may pakealam?"

"We all think about each other, isn't that already given? The fact that through these veins run series of bloodshed for one another, the fact that we all we've been hating, hindi ba at ibig sabibin nito ay iniisip natin ang isa't isa?" Tanong ko at natahimik sila ng ilang sandali.

"That still doesn't change anything, Keila." Sabi ni Andrea. Tuluyan nang humilom ang sugat niya sa braso matapos magpakawala ng kaonting masamang enerhiya. "No matter what you say, unless we kill one another, these emotions will never change. This jealousy, hatred, anger...they won't change just because we think of all those happy memories."

"If I'm being honest," I started. "I don't think you can defeat me." Nakaramdam naman ako kaagad ng pinaghalong inis at galit sa kanilang dalawa.

The more intense the emotions are, the more energy it'll give me. I used to think it's rather twisted to feel so much energy when people around me are suffering, but now I realized how necessary it actually is. Well if I'm going to save every living things here I need to have energy, so much that it's enough to even overpower the Gods. I wonder if I'm too ambitious to think so.

"Were you always so conceited, Keila?" Iyana asked.

"And when did you learn how to provoke like that, Iyana?"

"Call of times."

"Either way, masyado mo naman yata akong minamaliit." May lumalabas nang masamang enerhiya na humuhugis sa isang bola sa ibabaw ng palad niya. "Marami pa akong magagawa, Keila."

"I have never put an end to both of your capabilities. I've always thought you'd always exceed yourselves as it is. Kaya gusto kong makita kung hanggang saan na ang narating niyo ngayon. Now," nagpalabas ako ng dalawang blades sa magkabila kong kamay. "Let's dance."

Upon saying that, countless of bullets came from all direction, surrounding both me and Andrea. Mas mabilis ngayon ang mga bala ni Iyana, sa punto na halos hindi ko na ito makita. Pero dahil narin sa makakaya kong maramdaman ang bawat enerhiya sa paligid, hindi ako nahihirapang ilagan ang mga ito. Lalong lumalakas ang tunog ng mga balang tumatama sa buhangin, at dahil sa walang tigil na pagpunta nito sa akin ay napapaatras ako.

The bullets didn't stop even when Andrea went forward, her hand sinking downward carrying a pointed dagger. It barely caught up to my face when I shifted my head and I was impressed by her quick movements, and she did that attack while still hardly doging Iyana's bullets. The latter isn't a fighter, she'd rather direct all her energy attacking from a certain range than close in. While Andrea has always been good at close quarter combats, always preventing her opponent to get away from her short range since she's using her daggers.

Knowing that, the next thing surprised me. Nagpalabas si Iyana ng dalawang dalawang gauntlet sa magkabilang kamay niya. The gauntlets were gold, they had both small circles at the front at may matalik din na kutsilyo sa dulo nito. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ginawa niya pero bigla niya na lang pinawala ang buong enerhiya niya and the next thing I knew, she was already behind me.

I bend my body backwards to avoid a clean slice from her but when I did just that, I didn't even realize she already strike a bullet. Mabilis kong pinaikot ang katawan ko sa hangin, at hindi pa nga ako nakalundag sa lupa ay nag-aabang na pala si Andrea sa likod. Nagpalipad siya ng maraming daggers sa kung saan ako. Nailagan ko ang iba at ginamit ang tuhod ko para hindi matumba.

But both didn't let me rest. Iyana kept her bullets at constant speed and so does Andrea's daggers. The smell of daggers and bullets were mixing up with the scent of waves hitting the rushing sands. I felt nauseous, I couldn't sense them because they made their energy disappear knowing I'm better than anyone else at accurately sensing them.

In other words, they're fighting me with their physical strength. As for how they manage to keep their weapons, it only means they're controling their energy flow at such a speed, probably equal to light, that they didn't reach up to my senses. One bullet penetrated my right thigh sending scourging pain throughout my leg. Because of it, my movement was relatively slowed due to the injury, enough for a dagger to scratch my cheek when I tried escaping from its trajectory.

Pero hindi lang doon natapos ang ginagawa nila sa akin, may isa pang dagger ang nakatama sa akin sa dibdib. It was too fast that my vision couldn't catch up. Napaubo ako ng dugo nang walang pagpipigil na hinugot ko ito mula dito. I watch them stood meters in front of me, their weapons were finally halted.

"We didn't even use our real powers yet, Keila. Is it just me or did you become weaker?" Andrea provoked, her usual smirk visible across her face.

"Ganging up against me huh? Didn't know you had a small talk." Even if they didn't, that would just mean they've read each other's intention enough for me not to notice they were actually teaming up.

"Was that all?" Wika ni Iyana, bumabalik na ang bored niyang ekspresyon.

"You really are strong." I muttered with a sigh. I could even barely stand up straight on my feet. "I'm afraid I'd lose even if it were one on one."

"Enough playing games, Keila." Andrea's serious voice was enough to let me know she's going to go all out.

Iyana motioned her left hand through the air, at the same time huge pure spiritual energy was released, it was on par with how she was battling Andrea before I came here. Raising both of my swords, I blocked another batch of her invinsible bullets. But I was caught off guard when my weapons were cut in halves in a mere second. I didn't even realize she opened up a space.

Suddenly, I was thrown away after another wave of dark energy spiritual energy got loose. I tried controling my weight to gain my balance but due to my injuries, that was proven to be impossible. My body hit a boulder of rock protruding from the sands. It came crashing down because of the immediate impact.

Only then I noticed Andrea's eyes glowing in dark, they were so black that even her pupils couldn't be seen. Her Cursed Mark throbbing in dark red just below her left eye, crawling down her neck, her chest, until the whole mark was seen all over the left side of her body.

When I was about to get into position, a sharp pain spread across my shoulder as I fell right back into the ground, my knees sinking and my right hand supporting my body. Naramdaman ko ang pagtulo ng dugo mula sa balikat ko at ngayon ko lang napansin na wala na ang kaliwa kong braso. My whole body felt numb and painful at the same time. Patuloy lang sa pagtulo ang dugo at pakiramdam ko ay umiikot ang mundo. Dumidilim narin ang paningin ko, dahil siguro sa sobrang dugo na nawala na sa katawan ko.

They were really holding back all this time. To think they've become this strong. Both of their energy were so massive that anyone weaker would suffocate to death in an instant, pure and dark energy is mixing in the air after all. Hindi ko aakalain na magiging ganito ang hantungan naming tatlo, at mas lalong hindi ko inaasahan na magiging ganito ang laban namin.

Two versus one huh? They always think too highly of me, perhaps that was the reason why they were unknowingly teaming up at first only realizing it the next second later and probably thought it was the best idea for now. But just how strong are they? They aren't even holding back now.

Even my head was dripping blood, blocking my right eyesight, and through these pale eyes...I could see their shadows forming on the ground, but their faces were a bit blurred. This is bad. I'm getting dizzy.

Habang imiisip ko 'yun ay sa isang iglap ay nasa unahan ko na si Andrea at ang hawak niyang dagger, walang pagdadalawang-isip niyang sinaksak sa akin ang weapon niya. Hindi naman ako makailag dahil sa nakapaligid na spaces ni Iyana. Everything felt like they were in slow motion, every movement around me was slow, and that included mine.

Andrea's gazes were deeply fixed on mine, it makes me wonder what's behind those dark orbs. Behind was Iyana closing in, the sharp knife from her gauntlet touching my skin along with Andrea's in mere seconds.

"Keila..." for some reason, I knew Andrea's voice when she said that sounded like a plead.

"Please just die." Iyana continued, she didn't even bother hiding that sadness in her tone.

Closing my eyes, I was prepared when Iyana's knife stabbed right through my back, the edge of it growing in front of me as Andrea's dagger penetrated right to my neck. At that moment on, I finallt realized how much they really wanted to kill me, I didn't even notice they held this much bloodshed for me because I thought...I thought it could somehow change.

But I wonder why...why they hated me this much. Why were they envious, why were they feeling inferior, why were they that desperate to exceed. Because who wouldn't notice? The hatred in their eyes and the deep emotions that come after.

I couldn't breathe.

It's painful.

It was similar to the feeling of swallowing something sharp, hitting the throat, blocking the airway. And there's itchy feeling like I wanted to wash it away to stop the pain.

Then I immediately thought about death.

How inviting...it makes me just want to rest forever. All this exhaustion...if I could only take death's offer—I sighed. Well I'd definitely get there someday.

Just not now.

I smirked.

Opening my eyes, I wasted no time and grabbed Andrea's arm. The sudden movement caught her off guard and so does Iyana. I twisted the arm enough to build the momentum and threw her behind me where Iyana was. Their weapons came off from my body, but pain is irrelevant in this situation.

I finally released the spiritual energy that has been dying to let loose for some time now. The energy quickly regenerated the broken bones, replaced the skin, rebuilt the torn arm, and returned the blood flow to normal. My palm subconsciously touched my chest, it's still there. My heart's still racing in excitement, and I'm still looking forward if they could indeed bring me death themselves.

For some reason, my face flushed in sligh red sensing their surprised emotions, seeing their glaring faces, and the determination in their eyes. I wonder how much energy I could get if I could make them suffer a little. All our clothes were a mess. My cloak was almost shredded due to their earlier attacks and my body is emitting the smell of blood.

I returned my gaze towards them. They were high on their guards. Mukhang hindi nila inaasahan na makakatakas pa ako sa ganoong sitwasyon. Nawala ang mga spaces ni Iyana dahil sa enerhiyang pinakawala ko. Napangiti ulit ako maalala ang mga pinagsamang atake nila, hindi siguro sila halos makapaniwala na mabubuhay pa ako.

"For you to tell me to die easily like that," my hand was raised hust above my forehead to block the sun. It's way above the horizon now, which means we've been at this for hours and we failed to notice that die to the intensity of the battle. "Seems I've been too lenient."

"It was a boring fight." Iyana admitted.

"You were weak." Andrea seconded. "Minamaliit mo ba kami, Keila? Kanina pa nagsisimula ang laban pero kahit ni isa ay wala kang ginawang atake."

"Your defences were too weak, you've never even released an energy to drive us off. We're coming at you properly but you just usually stay in one place to make it easier for us to come in contact with your movement."

"I've hated you from the very beginning, you know?" She clenched her fists. "You were always like that. Even back when we did our entrance exam for Magnus, you let me take all the credits, then our first battle came. Nagulat ako na kapareho tayo ng ability, I was prepared to face defeat when you were about to land the final hit, hindi ako natatakot matalo nun, but you admitted defeat instead. You have an ability to sense emotions but you were good at ignoring mine."

"Is that so?" To be honest, deep down I've long realized that complex she was having towards me, but perhaps I was too preoccupied with my own problems that I ignored her.

"Then there's Iyana. I've always wanted to stand on the same level as you, I wanted to surpass you even more than what I felt for Keila. You were the person who always readily accepted my challenges, always spar with me, on a constant fight with each other...pero ikaw din 'yung taong pinaglalaruan lang ang nararamdaman ko." She continued. "Alam mong mahina ako sa mga panahong iyon kaya mo hindi pinapakita sa akin ang totoo mong lakas. Did you think you're being considerate? You just...made me hate myself."

"I knew you thought you were a burden, that you were the reason why I always hold back, but I guess it was my fault for not clearing things up, it was my fault for staying quiet, my fault for reaching out when I figured you needed that the most. So I understand why you want to kill me, kill us...because if you won't...you won't stop hating yourself as well the way you despise us and this kind of friendship." Iyana sighed. "I was scared." Napatingin bigla si Andrea sa kaniya.

"Scared? Huwag mo na akong lokohin—"

"It's true. I hold back not just because I knew you wouldn't be able to handle my real strength, it was because I fear you would drift away just like anyone else when you'd realized I was on another level. Deep down I was thinking, paano kung layuan mo na ako? Paano kung ayaw mo nang kasama ako? Nasanay na akong mag-isa, Andrea. Pero simula nung dumating kayo sa buhay ko ay nagbago 'yun. Others may think it's cliché, but for me...that's nust how it is when you want to protect someone important."

"Do you really...see me as that kind of person, Iyana?" Nagagalit na tanong ni Andrea. "May pakealam din ako! Hindi lang ikaw ang nag-iisip ng ganoong bagay. Iniisip ko din noon na kung hindi kita matatalo kahit ni isang beses ay ikaw ang lalayo, iisipin mo na hindi mo ako kailangan..."

"Are you not going to say anything, Keila?" Tanong ni Iyana. "Or are you going to ignore our feelings again? I blamed myself for not reaching out before when I had the chance, kaya hindi ko sasayangin ang pagkakataong ito."

"Sabihin mo na amg gusto mong sabibin, para mapatay na kita." May ilang daggers na ang nakalipad sa likuran ni Andrea habang sinasabi niya 'yun. I chuckled at the sight of them.

"Really...may mga sarili tayong problema, pero akala niyo ba talaga wala din akong iniisip? Na kayo lang ang dapat kong problemahin?" A cold sense of rising anger was heaving out from my chest. "I admit I was ignoring your feelings, but I had no right to accept those, why?" I glared at them. "Because you never really treated my as a friend. Andrea, you've always been seeing me as a goal, a finish line for you to surpass, a mere rival. Then Iyana, you never really cared, you've only seen me as a subject of interest to divert yourself from that boredom."

"What—" I interrupted them by raising my hand.

"Enough of this." Dark energy engulfed the whole area as abruptly as my words ended.

"D-dark...Keila! How in the world did you acquire—" I flinched my finger sending waves of the dark energy towards Andrea. She was able to block it with her own energy but I was more superior, making her own energy break apart sending her meters away.

"I'm angry." The air became dense, making it harder for anyone to breathe, it was accompanied by the cold symphony of my aura as everything began to pass coldly.

There was no stopping this anger. Why was I angry in the first place? Ah I'm angry because they kept talking about the past, talking only about how they feel, thinking only about themselves, their selfishness, jealousy, all directed to me thinking like I was some kind of a God considerate and kind enough to accept their irrational reasonings.

Hindi ako ganoon kabait, nagagalit din ako, hindi ako ganoon kalakas para tumango lang at hayaan silang sabihin kung gaano ako kasamang tao para ipawalang bahala ang mga nararamdaman nila. What do they see me as anyway?

"Pure and dark energies are mixing inside your body. I'm amazed how you can manipulate them at will withot you dying." Wika ni Iyana. "Dinagdagan mo lang ang rason kung bakit kita kailangang patayin."

Tinaas ko ang isa kong kamay sa likod para masalo ang dagger na hawak hawak ni Andrea. Hinayaan ko nalang tumulo ang dugo kapalit sa enerhiyang binibigay ni Andrea sa matinding galit niya.

"Why are you glaring at me that intensely, Andrea?" I asked with a playful tone. "Is it because you're already aware of our gap in power?" Hindi na siya nakasagot pa dahil tumalon na siya palayo. Sunod naman na nagpakawala si Iyana ng mga bala niya. Napabuntong-hininga nalang ako. "Your attacks are getting boring. I've seen every patterns. Wala na bang bago?"

Both of them bit my provocation attacking at me directly. Andrea's fist was heading for me but I simply dodged but Iyana filled the opening as quickly as possible. She turned herself around to make a kick and I admit they're both getting quicker and quicker, but I was just too fast for them.

Ilang ulit na sila nagpalitan ng atake pero kahit isa ay hindi nila ako nagawang tamaan. May mga punto naman na natatamaan nila ako pero binabalik ko din naman ito kaagad sa kanila. Hanggang sa lumayo silang dalawa ng sabay at tinaas ang mga kamay nila. A huge ball of pure energy was created from Iyana's palms habang masamang enerhiya naman ang sa ibabaw ng mga kamay ni Andrea.

"You really are trying to kill me huh?" I whispered.

Alam ko naman na kahit anong klaseng barrier pa ang gagawin ko ay tiyak na matatamaan ako sa laki ng enerhiay nila. To block it, I simply have to do my own. Kaya bumuo din ako ng sarili kong bola ng enerhiya. Well that was the plan pero nagulat ako nang makaramdam ako ng isa pang klase ng masamang enerhiya.

"Ke'ala!" I suddenly saw Celeztie falling from the skies. I clenched my fists seeing two figure chasinf her around with weapons in hand.

"Damn it. I told her to stay away."  I clenched my fist before letting out another sigh.

If I were to create another energy ball, then the whole island itself will explode in the collision and knowing that kid, she won't be able to survive. There was no time to think at all, the dark energy and the pure one merged with each other and surely one hit from that and I won't even have time to bid farewell to this world.

"You're not escaping!" Sigaw ni Andrea nang lumipad ako pataas.

Hindi ko muna siya pinansin at mabilis na hinablot si Celeztie. We landed on the ground just as the vibrations were getting stronger. Pati ang mga buhangin ay tumatalon-talon, ang mga hangin sa paligid ay umiiba ang direksyon, at mas lalong yumayanig ang lupa. I was so sure then that the huge energy were just few inches away.

"Barrier!" Nagpa-panic na sigaw ni Celeztie.

But there was no time for that. I pulled her closer to my body as though hugging her, my eyes were set on the merged energy in front of me. Tinaas ko ang isa kong kamay as it touched the energy itself, it's warm until it was getting hotter and hotter. Napapaatras narin ako. I can't even release a dark energy or Celeztie will surely die, pure energy is no use as well, against the dark, it's useless at this point.

Ginamit ko nalang ang enerhiya ko para itapon sa malayo ang atake nila. I didn't fail in that part since it got thrown away hitting a hige space in one area of the island, but that costed me my wrist, now the earlier pain went back as the sight of my torn wrist made Celeztie shriek.

"Y-your—" Nilagay ko nalang ang isa kong kamay sa ibabaw ng ulo niya to reassure her. It's not like I'm not used to the pain, but it still hurts.

"Remember, you can't die right now." I coldly reminded her.

Pero kung inaakala ko ay 'yun na iyon, nagkakamali ako. Maraming bola ng pure and dark energy ang nagsiliparan sa direksyon ko. I casted a barrier around us but I guess they're energy is too massive that it's completely useless. I exchanged blows with them using fire magic, fire balls shot at them one by one.

But the two figure from before appeared and immediately blocked the attack. Hindi ako tumigil 'dun dahil nagsummon din ako ng malalaking rock golems mula sa Sigillum. Narealize ko na hindi normal ang dalawang taong ito. Ang isa ay batang babae, halos kapreho siguro ni Celeztie at ang isang lalaki naman ay nakapikit pa habang sinasangga ang mga atake ko.

Now it's four versus one. How bothersome. Napansin ko din ang mga Cursed Marks na bumabalot sa kalahati nilang katawan katulad nung kay Andrea, ibig sabihin ay parte sila ng Exodus. It was another development. They were compleely overwhelming me. Madali lang para kay Iyana na patumbahin ang mga golems ko at nagawang nabasag ni Andrea ang barrier ko sa simpleng hawak niya lang.

I jumped away still carrying Celeztie, this high level exchange of attacks are making her tremble, which means she isn't really used to this. I let out another wave of pure energy but of course, it wasn't enough to set them off. Nilayo ko ng kaonti si Celeztie sa akin at ginamit ang enerhiya ko to make my wrist return, it's as though it never came off in the first place.

"What happened?" I asked her. She stood straight, panting.

"Hindi ko din alam. Inatake lang nila ako bigla."

"I thought I told you not to interfere, Alaric. If you've already got Lyn then you should have left." Matalim na sabi ni Andrea sa lalaki.

"You've been here for hours and you still haven't taken care of them." Sagot naman ng lalaki. "And you're actually working with the enemy to defeat that girl. She doesn't seem strong to me." Napataas naman ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. 

"They look alike!" Gulat ni sigaw ng kasama niyang babae. "Magkapatid ba sila?"

"You heard her question, Keila. Who the hell is that girl."

"What makes you think I have the obligation to answer you, Andrea?"

"Then I'll force it out of you." Umatake siya sa akin at hindi katulad kanina ang bilis niya, mukhang mas bumilis na nga siya ngayon.

It was no problem for me to block and dodge her attacks, but I was pretty aware I wasn't really her target, but the girl behind me. Her dagger was just abou to catch up to her but as if I'd just let her. I summoned a piece of dagger in my hand and blocked hers. The friction it created was too strong that it created impacts around us.

Sensing Iyana's space behind me, I pushed Celeztie away so she couldn't get in contact with the space, since it'll surely cut her in half if she does. That Alaric guy came forward next, he didn't even hold back when he slashed his long sword to my direction. Naturally I had to jump away, little did I know that Lyn girl was exactly waiting there.

She swung her hammer around hitting exactly my stomach, as a result, my back was already on the ground when I came to my senses. I coughed some blood and I felt my ribs cracked, but they gave me no time to rest any further. Iyana's bullet came crashing down, blocking every escape path and since I'm laying, it's especially hard to dodge.

I created a barrier in front of me immediately, but a bullet was fast enough to pass through just before it completely shaped up. It grazed my cheek a little. Standing up, Andrea broke down the barrier without even touching it just by using her energy. I was pushed back unto my knees when I sense a bone broken inside. I didn'r know Andrea managed to learn how her ability worls without the need of touching. If only I could trace her energy—

Damn. They aren't even letting me think a little. They were giving me barrages of different attack patterns, and I forgot Celeztie on the corner. She was about to step in but stopped realizing the barrier I had placed around her. Now don't meddle.

Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa apat na kanina pa ako pinapahirapan. Iba't ibang mahika din ang tinatapon ko sa kanila pero hindi manlang sila nahihirapan. I summoned several fire phoenix shrieking through the air above, their fire breath ruthlessly firing everyone down.

Again though, Andrea had a hard time, but she managed to defeat all of them. The monsters I had summoned earlier swimming on the water let out an angry scream as they all resurfaced, blocking the sun.

"Take Celeztie." Utos ko sa isang halimaw na kumapit sa akin.

It let out a sound as its answer and took her away by opening its mouth. The next thing they knew was Celeztie was compleyely swallowed up and the monster returned to the water. As for the rest of the monsters, they attacked them head-on, all their attacks were useless against these monsters. Their bodies are like made of steel, impenetrable.

Malaking problema ko si Andrea dahil sa simpleng hawak niya lang ay nawawala ang mga halimaw. But it's over now. I've been holding back because Celeztie was there, they've underestimated me enough.

"Let's end this already." I urged them.

My hand was already forming a dark energy spehere as I was saying that. They didn't back out and created their own spheres, only this time, I could sense they are far more stronger. Hanggang sa lumaki at lumaki ang tumitipong enerhiya sa bawat palad namin. Pinaghalo ko ang masamang enerhiya sa isa kong palad na may hawak na isang malaki ding bola ng pure energy.

Two energies clashed together, mixing and mixing until it formed something gray. Inside was a blend of different coloured hues, and could sense their surpriseness. They don't really think this all I've got, do they? It won't matter how many enemies I'm facing, for as long as I have a clear goal in mind...I won't lose.

As if we have some kind of a signal, we all released our energy spheres at the same time. The air around us kept dancing around, swaying our cloaks away, making our body shiver, or hearts racing at a fast pace. We were all prepared to see who wins in the end, and I was confident that I had it wrapped up.

Until a certain figure jumped right into the middle and all the sudden, all the enegies we've been building all this time suddenly vanished! The spheres that was creating an impact just earlier disappeared and on the middle, there's a girl standing, unscratched. Her long hair was up in a ponytail, her glowing blue eyes giving us all the threats but at the same time, assurance.

My heart pounded nervously under my chest. She was holding Celeztie on her shoulder, her eyes focused solely on mine.

"Why are you here?" My voice was tensed, and I'm sure she noticed it.

"My, my..." she chuckled. "You've changed a lot, Ke'ala."

"Let me go!" Pagpupumilt ni Celeztie. I was about to rush in when she threw her towards my direction. I imediately caught her in my arms and glared at the person who did it.

"What are you planning to do?" I hissed.

"Were you always that aggressive-looking, Ke'ala?"

"And I see you're still the same playful woman as before."

"Am I?" She grinned. "I'm here for you."

"Now that's amusing. Couldn't have chosen another time to pick me up, huh?"

"You've grown smarter with those lips of yours. I remember I used to pretty much sealed them with mine." She smirked after sending my a flying kiss.

Damn, she's even more childish than before. Now don't get me wrong, she'd kiss anyone she finds interesting in order to conpletely know their energy sources. That way, she could even seal a person's energy for a lifetime.

"I don't understand." Iyana interrupted. "Alam kong medyo magkahawig kayo pero, bakit niyo ngaba kilala ang isa't isa?"

"Ke'ala, huh? So she's the one you've been looking for." Andrea muttered. "How annoying, you've been using me as a bait all this time to find her."

"Exactly." And—she didn't even try to deny it which added to Andrea's annoyance. "As for who she is, she's my precious—"

"How bothersome this situation is." Pinatayo ko muna si Celeztie na kanina pa namumutla. "Quit playing games, Angela."

"You're the one who should stop playing games, precious cousin—"

"Cousin?!" Magkasabay na gulat na sigaw ni Andrea at ni Iyana.

"Teka nga lang, naguguluhan na ako." Inis na wika ni Lyn.

"Tumahimik ka nalang." Agad na sabi ng katabi nitong si Alaric.

"Many uncultured people here. Bakit ba palagi niyong pinuputol ang mga sinasabi ko?" She sighed. "Matagal ka ng hinahanap ng ama mo."

I stopped when I heard her say that. It's like every core of my body shook when I heard that certain word. Then there was a hint of anger. How dare him...after all those times he's been ignoring he had a third daughter...now! I laughed. I seriously laughed which surprised all of them. Nasisiraan na yata ako ng bait.

"That man does? Now that's...surprising." I coveree my face with my palm to prevent myself from laughing again. "I've longed cut ties with that man, what exactly does he want this time?"

"Know your place, Ke'ala." She warned. "Pay some respect."

"Or what?" Upon saying that, in a blink of an eye, she was already a few inches away from my face. But I didn't move. I coldly accepted her glares.

"Otherwise I'd have to break your limbs. It'd be bad if I actually touch a member of the Main Family, but if it's for discipline, then I would gladly do so."

"Test me, Angela." But she didn't take the provocation. She just smiled and moved away.

"I was worried before, even your brother and sister, we were all concerned of your wellbeing."

"Now what are you trying to say?"

"I'm trying to tell you that I'm proud of your growth. How many years has it been now since you've left the island? Almost four years? And in that short period of time, you've become strong all by yourself in a sea of strangers."

"I don't feel obliged to thank you for the compliment."

"I'm not looking for one." Then her eyes landed on Celeztie behind me. "And you there girl, which future did you exactly come from?" Everyone went silent when Angela asked that.

"Future?" Tanong ni Iyana. "Ano ang ibig sabihin nito?"

"Exactly as what I mean, Iyana." Angela replied. "She came from the future and to add that, let's just say she's my niece."

"Niece? Then that means..." Andrea halted her words. They all realized it already.

"Fine, she's my so-called daugnter, now what?" I admitted so bluntly.

"Who's the father?" Magkasabay na tanong ni Andrea at ni Iyana.

"That's your first question?!" Naiinis kong tanong. Napabuntong-hininga nalang ako.

"Well, you aren't a romantic person." Sabi ni Iyana.

"You're not the type to play the loving game." Dagdag naman ni Andrea.

"You're also too much to handle."

"You aren't even that lovable."

"You're too rational."

"Logical."

"Uncharismatic."

"Always bothered."

"And you're—"

"Can you two stop the insults already?" Natawa na lamang ang iba sa aming tatlo. When did the serious atmosphere earlier went?

"Anyway," pagbabasag ni Angela. "You're coming back with me."

"I'm rather busy, so no." Umalis ako ng Zyrendel para mahanap si Silverrium at ito ang bumungad sa akin. Nakakapagod nga naman talaga.

"How funny. I didn't even give you a choice."

"Indeed. I never asked for you to do so."

"Ke'ala, I think you should go." Mahinang bulong sa akin ni Celeztie. I frowned seeing her state. I touched her forehead and just before I could do so, she fell right in front of my chest.

"She collapsed." I stated the obvious, angry. "What did you do—" hindi ako hinayaan pang magpatuloy ni Angela.

"Don't blame me, Ke'ala." She quiclt replied. "She just exhausted her body afteer releasing energy."

"Kailan niya ginawa 'yun?" This girl doesn't even have enough and yet she did a release. Angela shrugged and my glares landed on Alaric and Lyn.

"She's already that weak when we attacked her." Lyn defended like a child.

"Huwag kang masyadong mag-alala. Magigising din siya." Angela confidently said. "Like I said, sasama ka sa akin pabalik ng Arizole—"

"Arizole? According to the legend, it's a whole isand packed with Cursed Bloods!" Wika ni Lyn raising her arms in exaggeration.

"Again, don't interrupt me." Seryoso niyang wika. "There's something you need to know, so you have to return immediately."

"I doubt I'll like it." I sighed.

But I knew sooner or later I would have to return to the island at some point. I just didn't expect for it to happen this soon. If I can go back before the war, then I see no problem why not. Finding Silverrium would take a lot of time anyway, so it's vest to have something more clearer as my next objective.

"Fine." I finally agreed.

"Oh and they're coming with you." Wika niya sabay turo sa dalawa. And I mean Andrea and Iyana by that. Nanlaki ang mga mata nila nang sinabi niya 'yun, kahit ako din naman.

"What?!" Sabay-sabay naming tatlong tanong.

"Why, Angela?"

"Haven't you been oriented about this already? I thought that old hag from the West Mages Association already did." Napapikit ito ng mata at tsaka tumingin sa ibabaw.

"What are you talking about?"

"The world is calling, Ke'ala. It's calling for the best ones out there. The World's Battle." I frowned.

"Now that's familiar." Wika ni Alaric. "The battle for the twelve strongest people in this world, right? That's all I know." She nodded as a confirmation.

"Correct." Her gaze one again shifted to mine. "And this time, it has been decided who our candidate will be."

Now that she has mentioned it, Kana indeed something similar before. But I still don't understand. Things are gettimg more and more complicated that it's vexing.

"And you'll need every people you can get." Angela continued.

"Why are you doing this?"

"We have to."

"Why me?"

"You're the best option there is."

"And why do I need them?" I asked, almost desperately, pointing at Andrea and Iyana. I'm already exhausted from all of this. What exactly do they want me to do this time?

"So you could survive death." Then she pointed at Celeztie who's still unconscious. "And she'll be the key to it all.

AN; and.....another late update. Seriously, this is getting too frequent. I apologize for that and for any late updates I'll probably have in the future. But you can always trust that I won't ever skip a weekly update. So happy reading!