Heshiena's Point of View

I was overwhelmed the moment we entered the dome. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako sanay sa crowd places katulad ng ganito. Nakaupo na kami ngayon sa higher part ng benches. Medyo malapit kami sa upuan ng mga Anosteros.

Pinagigitnaan naman ako nina Nkri at Blei. Ang katabing upuan ni Nkri ay available dahil kay Violeta 'yon. Tumingin ako sa gitna ng dome. Nagbago ito. Ang ring na ginamit namin noong fight examination ay naging oval na siya.

Gagamitin ito mamaya para sa racing.

Sabi nila walo ang manlalaro. Nahahati kasi raw ang Mesi Magna sa dalawa dahil na rin siguro sa dami nila. And the class of Chamilos Magna were divided into five. One were representing the seers, healers, or guardians of the temples. The other four represents their city.

Chamilos Magna have a ten representatives.

The reason why there are two representatives in each team is because one is the driver of the chariot, and the other one is the fighter.

"Where the hell have you been, Violeta?" bungad kaagad ni Chry nang dumating ito.

She made a peace sign to everyone before responding. "May pinag-usapan lang kami ni Mario tungkol sa schedule ng events," she apologetically said.

Chry crossed her arms. She glance at Violeta with her suspicious look. Tila ba'y hindi siya convince sa sagot nito.

"You didn't sabotage our class, are you?" Hindi kami makapaniwalang napatingin kay Chry. Hindi namin inasahan ang klase ng tanong niya lalo na't palagi naman silang magkasama. "We all knew that Mario is the set A representative of Mesi Magna," she added.

"Of course not! Why would I?" Hindi na napigilang tumaas ang boses ni Violeta.

Napakagat si Violeta sa kaniyang ibabang labi nang magsilingunan ang mga estudyante sa kinaroroonan namin. She then looked at Chry who is still crossing her arms with no expression upon her face.

"Then we don't have a problem," Chry ended the conversation.

An awkward silence took over.

It only ended when the crowd suddenly cheered. Napatingin ako sa field. Nakahanda na pala ang lahat ng representatives. Since we're on the right wing of the dome, Mavros and Dash were on the left edge of the starting line.

A smile quickly plastered upon my lips when I realized Fuego was able to create the chariot based on what Mavros' want. The chariot was made of special ore from the underworld. The color is black and the three heads of a dog were carved in front of the cart.

Sa bawat side naman ng cart ay nandoon ang bungo. Their two-wheeled conveyance is drawn by four black horses that were hitched side by side, and was little more than a floor with a waist-high guard at the front and sides.

"Damn, our chariot looks sick!" I heard Blaze commented. It was then followed with Chry's proud scoff. "Idagdag na ang aura ni Mavros. Ewan ko na lang," pahabol niyang komento.

I couldn't disagree with that comment. Napunta naman ang tingin ko sa katabi nina Mavros at Dash. It was Mario's chariot. Halos lahat ng kulay ng chariot niya ay puti. From the cart to the horses. Sa katabi niya naman ay kulay sea-blue. Disenyo naman ng cart nito ay alon ng dagat.

Babae naman ang nakahawak ng lubid. At lalaki naman ay kasama niya. Next on the line was Chamilos Magna's chariot. Their cart was white, and was covered with eyes. Ang mga sumunod na apat na chariots ay ang mga galing sa apat na syudad. The color of their carts signifies their cities.

Natahimik ang lahat nang sumipol si Chiron. Sa hindi kalayuan ng mga contestants ay nakatayo ang isang satyr na may hawak na flag.

"Today is the start of the academy's anniversary." Nahinto sa pagsasalita si Chiron nang maghiyawan ang mga estudyante. He only decided to proceed when the noise subsided. "Here are the rules: weapons are allowed, dirty tricks are also allowed, and you can use your abilities, but!" he shouted, emphasizing the last word. "Killing your fellow contestants will result in harsh punishments," he warned.

Namayani ang katahimikan nang banggitin niya 'yon.

"Complete two laps, and you win," he said in a calm tone. "Charioteers!" He then yelled in excitement as he raised his arm, holding a gun. "On your mark! Get set!" A single gunshot echoed. "Go!"

The chariots roared to life. Hooves thundered against the ground. The crowd once again cheered for their teams. Mario's chariot is on the lead. Kasunod naman ang chariot nina Mavros at Dash. Sa sobrang bilis ng pangyayari, ang kasunod na chariot ni Mavros ay biglang bumaliktad.

Marahil ay dahil sa biglaang malfunction ng kanilang chariot. Mesi Magna set B representative's chariot rammed into it. Ang mga sakay ay napatilapon, at ang kanilang mga kabayong nataranta ay hinila pahilis ang kanlang mga nasirang cart sa kabila ng riles.

Mavros gained speed. My eyes grew wider when the mist gathered under Mario's chariot. In an instant, their chariot was transported few inches away from Mavros'. Dahil dito ay siya na ang nangunguna sa karera. Pero hanggang hindi pa tapos ang laban, p'wede pang magbago ang lahat.

Fotia City's team were laughing at Nero City's good luck, but not for long. Dahil bumangga ang mga kabayo ng Gi City team sa chariot nila. At ang karwahe ng Fotia ay bumaliktad nang dalawang beses, throwing them free out of their chariot. At ang apat pang kabayo papunta sa lupa. Tatlong karwahe na ang hindi na qualified sa kompetisyon sa unang dalawampung talampakan.

But Mario is way ahead of all of them. Nakaliko na rin ito sa unang post. The Aeras team started to gain speed with Mavros and Dash. Napahigit ako ng aking hininga nang maglabas ang fighter nila ng pana.

Before the fighter could release the arrow, a plant vine sprouted from the ground and wrapped his wrist. Dash made a gesture and the vines dragged him out of the chariot, causing them to crash into the wall.

Gi's team and Chamilos Magna were fighting behind our class's chariot. The Gi fighter were throwing them rocks, aiming their wheels. Mabilis na napaliko ang team ng Chamilos Magna nang mapansin nila ang paparating na alon ng buhangin.

Dahil sa ginawa nila ay sila mismo ang nasaktan sa sariling atake. The driver couldn't focus because of the mote in his eyes. Hanggang sa nabitawan niya ang lubid upang kusutin ang kaniyang mata. Until him and his fighter were thrown out in the chariot while the horses kept on running.

Lalong lumakas ang sigawan. Dahil tanging tatlong chariot na lamang ang natitirang matibay. Mario were still way ahead of them. But Mavros is able to gain speed. The face of Mario's partner turned into sour.

"Go Mavros!" umalingawngaw ang malakas na sigaw nina Blei at Erin. "Go Dash!" sigaw nila nang sabay.

A smile impetuously plastered upon my lips.

Pero mas lalong lumapad ito nang maabutan nina Mavros at Dash ang chariot ni Mario. They are now both the same level of speed. Mavros made a quick gesture of his hand. A moment or two, two souls became visible in my eyes. They are now pulling Mario's chariot to slowed them down.

Napasigaw ako nang wala sa oras dahil sa tuwa. Sa pagkakataong 'to, our chariot is leading. The Chamilos Magna were able to catch up with Mario's. Nawala na sa paningin ko ang mga kaluluwang itinawag ni Mavros.

My shoulders was quick to dropped when Mario and Chamilos Magna's team were able to gain a speed. Tatlong chariots ang parehong bilis. Natakot kaagad ako para sa kaligtasan nina Mavros at Dash nang pareho silang banggain ng Mesi Magna set A team at Chamilos Magna.

Bali nasa gitna sila at talagang inipit sila ng dalawang kalaban. Both Mario and the driver of Chamilos Magna's team both signal themselves with a nod. Sabay silang humiwalay sa pagkakadikit sa chariot nina Mavros at Dash.

Saka naman sila sabay na tangkaing banggain ulit ito.

I clicked my tongue.

To my surprise, Mavros slowed down and pulled the chariot before they could crash into them. Ang resulta ay parehong sumalpok ang kanilang chariot. Lumipad pa ang isang gulong ng chariot ni Mario sa ibabaw ng ulo nina Dash at Mavros.

A triumphant smile instantaneously plastered upon Mavros' lips. Nag-apir pa ang dalawa. Dash looked at us when they made a turn for the second time. He then spread his both arms when they reached the finish line without intervention.

The Anostatos yelled victoriously. Tumatalon-talon pa nga si Ace dahil sa tuwa. Sinabayan naman siya ni Violeta. In my peripheral vision, I saw Chry smiling. Pero kasing-bilis din sa kabayo niya itong binawi.

"Congratulations!" ako na ang naunang bumati nang matapos na ang laro. "You did well, Mavros," sabi ko sa kaniya. He sweetly smiled back. Nailang kaagad ako nang mapansin ko ang mapanuksong tingin ni Dash. "And Dash, too!" pahabol ko.

"Thank you," pasasalamat niya.