Chapter 44

Checkpoint

Ashley's POV

This is the most stressful day ever! Ever in my whole life!

"Oh? Hindi ko alam na ganito pala kahina ang mga estudyante ng SMA. Poor little thing, can't do anything about their situation," Shontelle smirked.

And that woman is the ugliest creature ever created in this world. Ever! Nakaka-stress!

Like OMG! I just want to teach her a lesson for scratching my oh-so perfect doll face! Alam niya ba kung how much money I spend for this?

Mahirap mag-maintain ng beauty! Ano na lang sasabihin ng Prince Eros ko kapag nakita niya akong ganito? Like OMG! Baka ayawan niya na ang Prince Eros Fansclub nang dahil sakin.

What if hindi niya na ako matanggap dahil sa scratch sa face ko? What if hindi niya na i-consider ang relationship status namin? What if ayaw niya na akong pakasalan in the near future?

O.M.G. That is a total disaster like ever in my whole life! Ever!

Pinunasan ko yung dugo na tumulo sa gilid ng labi ko. This woman is really testing my patience. When I get ahold of her hair, sasabunutan ko talaga siya ng bonggang-bongga. Like ever!

Hinawakan ko ng mahigpit ang mala-higante kong pamaypay na sobrang cute dahil sa kulay nito--pink! But even though it's cute like me, definitely its ability as a weapon can be deadly.

I took a huge jump backward and swung my weapon, creating a massive wind rushing towards the enemies. Kasabay nito ang hundreds of needles na handang tumusok sa flesh ng kalaban.

And I was like, OMG! Ang dami-daming blood na tumatalksik dahil sa damage na gawa ng needles ko. Ew!

One by one nagtumbahan ang mga enemies ko, yung ibang vampires na nandito. Ang kaso lang, nag-counter attack si Shontelle the witch ng isang sonic boom, and I'm too late to dodge it.

Para akong magandang mamahaling manika na inihagis lang ng basta-basta. I rolled on the ground and felt the hard crash of something onto my back.

OMG! This is so tragic for me. Kung siguro naging movie to, maraming fans ko ang umiiyak dahil nakakawawa ang pinakamamahal nilang bida.

Pero okay lang, I'll take anything. Even if it hurts me, even if it costs my life, I'll take it. For the sake of Prince Eros my beloved soon-to-be husband.

I wiped the few tears that escaped from my eyes. Nakakadala naman ang mga iniisip ko. I just can't help but cry about our tragic love story. Parang Romeo and Juliet lang.

Pero hindi ako papayag na magtatapos kami ni Prince Eros katulad nina Romeo at Juliet. I'll make sure ours will have a happy ending.

At makakamit ko iyon kapag I teach these two their lessons. Sisiguraduhin ko na mae-erase sa world ang ugly creature (Shontelle) at ang babaeng isda (Ayesha).

"This is getting boring, Shontelle. Ang mabuti pa, tapusin na natin siya so we can join the others inside the castle," Ayesha yawned and looked at the far right side, kung saan kalaban naman nina Nerd and Eusebio ang sister-president ko na si Sydney.

"Nerd! Let's finish 'em up!" sigaw pa nung babaeng isda. OMG! Nakaka-stress talaga tong dalawang to!

"Not so fast," dahan-dahan akong tumayo, wincing in every move I make. Sa halos ilang minuto namin pakikipaglaban, Sydney and I barely strike at them.

They are so madaya naman kasi! Cheaters, losers! Isipin mo nung una, four vs. two lang in favor of them. Tapos itong weird-looking geek guy na tinatawag nilang 'Nerd', nagtawag pa ng reinforcements na vampires! We're outnumbered!

I looked at Sydney and signaled her that it is about time. Tama na ang pang-aapi nila samin! This time, it is us who'll send them to their knees!

Kumuha ako ng needle at tinusok ito sa right thumb ko. As my blood started to come out, I positioned my thumb on the handle of my huge fan.

Gamit ang dugo ko, isinulat ko na sa pamaypay ang spell.

Just in time, kasabay ng pag-upgrade ng pamaypay ko ang pagsuntok ni Sydney sa ground, letting our enemies lose their balance. Hindi pa natigil si Sydney doon, at sunod-sunod niyang sinuntok ang lupa, para bang nagkaroon ng instant earthquake sa area namin.

When I noticed na totally out of balance na talaga sila at hindi makatayo, I decided to perform my super-duper lakas na spell.

"Get 'em Ashley!"

Umikot ako ng dalawang beses para makabwelo, and swung my huge fan.

One.

Tumakbo naman ako sa kabilang dulo at katulad ng kanina, umikot ulit ako and swung my weapon.

Two.

Pumunta ulit ako sa isa pang sulok at ipinagpatuloy ang ginawa ko.

Three.

And to finish the square, I sprinted to the last corner and proceeded.

Four.

Now, their time is up. I ran towards the center of the square and jumped, doing a 720-flip along with my huge fan, creating a massive tornado around me. Na-activate ang square na ginawa ko and the next thing I knew, nakakulong na sila sa loob ng isang square tornado cage.

I can't help but smile. Kung binabalak nilang makatakas, well good luck na lang sa kanila. Once they touched my raging wind, magkakalasog-lasog ang katawan nila in no time.

Besides, hindi lang sa square tornado cage natatapos ang lahat. Kasabay ng pag-ikot ng tornado ang pagpapakawala nito ng deadly poisonous needles ko na kasing-laki ng pencil. Even if they try to dodge them, mapapagod lang sila and soon give up.

Siguro magpapalipas lang kami ng mga.. two hours, I think? And then makikita na lang namin ang lifeless body nila na naka-pin down sa ground dahil sa needles ko.

Capital OMG! I'm sooo great!

At para secure na secure sila at hindi na makatakas, nagtayo si Sydney ng walls gamit ang ground na pinagsusuntok niya. So parang may giant box na nakatayo sa harap namin.

Nag-high five kami ni Sydney.

"Nako girl, deserve talaga tayo ng mga prince charming natin. Bukod sa we're so strong na, we're so beautiful pa," Sydney told me.

I smiled at her, "I know right? Mas bagay tayo sakanila kesa sa Skye at Ayame na yun. Hmp!"

"OMG girl! What happened to your face?!" gulat na gulat niya pang sabi sakin habang ini-inspect ang scratch ko sa face.

"That Shontelle witch did this to me. I so want to make her suffer like hell. Ever!"

"Nako girl! Ipaayos natin yan. Prince Eros won't like that. Pati na rin ang mga scratches ko. OMG! We're so ugly na," she cried. Niyakap ko siya and we both cried.

"Girl, don't cry na. Hindi bagay sa beauty natin. Basta ang mahalaga, natalo natin sila and we're going to save our princes," I wiped Sydney's tears.

We were surprised when the ground suddenly rumbled. Para bang nagkaroon na naman ng instant earthquake. Nagkatinginan kami ni Shontelle.

What is happening? May balak ba ang mga yon na tumakas? Impossible! Wala nga akong kahit anong naririnig mula sa loob ng box.

Just as when we're about to walk near the box, nagkaroon ng malaking crack sa lupa na dinaraanan namin. Sydney and I jumped back and as we landed, the ground in front of us bursted into pieces.

The next thing we knew, nasa harap na namin ang apat na iyon.

Ang selfish nila, talagang mga sarili lang nila ang kanilang niligtas. Wala na kasi akong nakitang vampires, mukhang nakulong ito doon sa loob ng box.

"So that's it? Gosh! It is so lame," reklamo ni Shontelle.

"I told you we should've finish them earlier," Ayesha crossed her arms.

My eyes widen. No one can escape one of my masterpiece pero nagawa nila. I can't help but ask, "H-how?"

Nerd chuckled, "Underground, dear."

Underground? Automatic na napatingin ako kay Sydney. "I thought you took care of it?"

"I-I did! You saw me punched the ground to make it harder and impossible to create a hole!"

"Oh wag na kayong mag-away," natatawang sabi ni Nerd. "Just accept the fact that we're stronger than you."

"Kung magkukulong kasi kayo ng kalaban, make sure that they can never escape and they'll suffer inside. Mali kasi ang ginagawa niyo," bored na sabi ni Ayesha.

"And this time, we'll teach you how to do it the right way," Shontelle grinned. "Sebby, let's start this."

Bago ko pa man kuhain ang pamaypay ko, may pumulupot na sa kamay at paa ko. I struggled to break free but it's no use. Lalong dumadami at humihigpit lang ang mga halamang pumapalibot sakin.

I looked at Syndney for help pero pati siya, nakuha.

Naramdaman ko na lang ang paghiwalay ng feet ko sa ground. We are being lifted in the air by the vines. In just a second, I noticed the water circling below us.

I saw how Ayesha the babaeng isda controls it. Para siyang nagc-create ng water ball, trapping me and Sydney inside.

I took a deep breath as my whole body submerged in the water. I don't know how much long I can contain my breath. Wala akong magawa. Both of my hands are tied, along with my feet. Ngayon, nasa loob kami ni Sydney ng water ball, completely powerless.

I can't understand what they're saying outside dahil sa tubig. Pero napansin ko na ginalaw ni Eusebio ang kamay niya, which made the plants move too. Hinila kami ng halaman malapit sa dulo ng water ball. Naramdaman ko ang vines na pumulupot sa ulo ko at itinulak ito sa labas ng water ball.

I breathe in air. Mukhang they have some evil plan to do. Our heads peeked out from the water ball while our bodies are still submerged inside.

Nerd stepped forward and opened the book he's holding. He mumbled something that I can't understand.

My jaw dropped when I saw the black fire burning just right below our water ball. May balak ba silang i-boil kami ng buhay?!

"Toasted barbietches, anyone?" tumawa silang lahat sa joke ni Nerd. Well, except kay Eusebio na halatang napipilitan.

I began to panic when I felt the water started to become hot. Lalo pang nilakasan ni Nerd ang black fire.

Then I found myself screaming along with Sydney.

Ang sakit sakit! It's as if they're removing my skin with fire! Ang hapdi! I barely see things around me dahil sa sunod-sunod na tears na kumawala sa eyes ko.

All I know is that Sydney and I are both screaming in pain while those devils are laughing. Enjoy na enjoy sila sa pagtotorture nila sa amin!

They are heartless! Merciless ugly creatures!

Is this the end? Hindi na ba namin makikita ang beloved princes namin?

Is this how a heroine princess die? In those hands of ugly creatures? Akala ko ba may happy ending ang mga prinsesa?

Bakit kabaligtaran ito ng sa amin?

Akala ko, sa apoy na iyon magtatapos ang buhay namin. Hindi pa pala.

May mas malala pa.

Shivers were sent to my spine when I heard Shontelle sing. And when the Siren starts to sing, there's no turning back.

Pagkamulat ko, I found myself lying in green fields. I tried calling some names pero walang sumasagot. Para bang mag-isa na lang ako sa green fields na 'to. Naglakad-lakad ako hanggang sa makakita ako ng isang figure na lalaki.

Wait. Is that..

O.M.G. Si P-prince Eros!

Patakbo akong lumapit sakanya and I was about to hug him nang bigla siyang mawala. As in he is complete gone.

Then the green fields started to crumble until I found myself standing in the middle of nowhere. Nothing else surrounds me except for darkness.

That's when my nightmares came.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang hours na akong nakakulong doon but all I know is that I keep running. I need to. I have to. Or else, my nightmares will kill me.

I didn't dare to look back. Makikita ko lang ang mga scary faces nila. But this place seems endless. Unti-unti na rin akong nanghihina, like my power was suck out from me. Tears streamed down on my face. This is hopeless.

Kahit anong takbo ang gawin ko, mahahabol lang din nila ako.

I don't know what happened next. Naramdaman ko na lang ang pagsubsob ko sa sahig. I tried to stand up but it's no use. Parang hindi ko na maramdaman ang mga paa ko.

They're coming! I can already hear their footsteps! Malapit na sila! They will kill me!

Wala akong nagawa but to close my eyes and hug my knees. I just want my mommy and daddy right now. Natatakot ako. Natatakot ako sakanila! Ayoko na! I want to get out of this place!

As if on cue, para bang may kung anong bagay ang tumusok sa akin, which brought me back to reality.

Nagising na lang ako and found a largest butterfly I've ever seen in my whole life. Its fascinating multicolored wings glow and soon I realized this butterfly replenishes my power and strength.

"Ashley! You're awake!"

I looked at my right side and found Sydney. Ginagamot rin siya ng isa pang butterfly.

"A-anong nangyari?"

"We fell into a deep sleep when the Siren sang. Alam mo na kapag kumakanta sila, they lure their enemies into their dreams and slowly suck out their power and life. OMG! Mabuti na lang at dumating sila Xianna just in time."

"I thought I'm going to lose you for a second there. Ayaw mag-open ng eyes mo. Talagang nilakasan ni Shontelle ang epekto ng kanta niya sa'yo," she added.

Gosh, my head hurts like hell. Napasandal ako sa puno habang ginagamot ako ng butterfly na 'to. Wait, where did this come from?

Clearly, nandito pa rin kami sa sunken mini-arena. Doon ko lang na-notice ang mga tao sa gitna. Wait? Are those students from Monster Academy?

May babaeng kambal na nagsh-shape shift sa 6-foot tall serpent. Kalaban niya sina Nerd at Ayesha. Samantalang yung isa naman, she has wings of a butterfly.

T-Teka, hindi ba yan ang Queen ng Papilio Imperil? Kalaban niya si Shontelle and has this aura of revenge.

Just when I saw this cage-like made from large vines opened up. Lumabas dito si Xianna na hingal na hingal while looking intently at Eusebio na nakaluhod naman sa lupa.

I don't know what happened between those two. Bigla na lang tumakbo si Eusebio and before he left, pinat niya ang shoulder ni Xianna, which made her smile.

Narinig ko na lang na nagsisigaw sina Shontelle at Ayesha, while Nerd clenched his fists as they saw how Eusebio left them behind. Pagod na silang tatlo, an like anytime, magco-collapse na sila.

"Now, sino nga ba ang tuturuan natin ng leksyon?" Xianna smiled.

The next thing happened as if like I was watching a fantasy movie. Yung kambal na serpent, pinag-isa na lang nila ang sarili nila, at naging 12-foot tall serpent with a sword made up of snakes in their hands. Nagtransform din sa isang tigress si Xianna.

Anastasia gathered her butterflies and started their so-called lecture. In a matter of seconds, napapalibutan na sina Nerd, Shontelle at Ayesha ng mga butterflies. Sinusubukan nilang i-dodge ito, but no matter how hard they try, masyadong marami ang butterflies and they ended up being stung by its poison.

Hindi na nakapalag pa ang Sirenade rookies (mabuti nga sakanila!) Nagsalitan ang tigress and serpent sa pag-atake. The rookies barely kept up with their pace. Nanghihina sila and their magic almost run out, dahil na rin siguro sa poison na binigay ng butterflies. They fell to their knees, cursing them for what they've done.

"Remember me? This is what you'll get when you messed up with the Queen of Butterflies."

Anastasia didn't hold back. Her wings glowed as the ball of electricity grows bigger and bigger above her head. Her finishing touch sent those three to a deep slumber.

Nakahinga na ako ng maluwag. Finally, natalo na namin ang mga ugly creatures na yon!

Lumapit sila sa amin ni Sydney.

"OMG Xianna! I missed you girl!" Sydney exclaimed.

Binigyan kami ni Xianna ng beso-beso. "Okay lang ba kayo, girls?"

Tumango kami. Inintroduce kami ni Xianna sa kambal. Haylee and Kaylee ang pangalan. Then nagpasalamat kami kay Queen Anastasia for saving our lives.

"I believe we need to go back to Night Kingdom. They still need us there," Anastasia told us. We move as fast as we could para makabalik doon.

On our way back, I asked Xianna as to why Eusebio left the battle.

Xianna smiled. "Realization."

///

Kyamii: Ang hirap ng POV ni Ashley. Nakakaiyak T^T Anyway, thank you for reading.