Napupuno ng tensyon ang buong paligid. Once again I feel the excitement. Hindi ko alam pero nabubuhay ang dugo ko sa tuwing may magaganap na labanan na involve ang demons.

"Helio, anong kailangan mo dito?" umalingawngaw ang boses ng headmaster mula sa taas ng coliseum. Pinapagitnaan naman siya ng Alpha na ngayo'y handang lumusob ano mang oras.

"Nakakalungkot sapagkat hindi niyo manlang naisip na imbitahin kami sa inyong kasiyahan. Nais sana naming makisalo." sa lalim ng boses niya ay halos manayo na ang lahat ng balahibo ko sa katawan. Ramdam ko rin ang panlalamig at takot ng mga estudyante dito.

"Alam naman nating lahat na hindi pwedeng tumungtong ang isang alagad ng kadiliman sa teritoryo ng liwanag, 'di ba? Ano talaga ang sadya niyo rito?" sagot ng headmaster na nananatiling kalmado.

Napansin kong tumalon papunta sa gilid ko si Paxton.

"N-nanghihina ako."

"Ako rin."

The two duelist coughed behind my back while they're inside my barrier. Oo nga pala, mga light specials sila. They will rot pag nagtagal pa sila dito.

"Paxton..." tawag ko. Tumingin naman siya sa 'kin.

"Ikaw muna ang bahala sa dalawang 'to. I'll handle this situation."

"Are you nuts? Malalaman ng lahat pag ginawa mo 'yun," he protested. Pareho kaming nagbubulungan dito.

"Can't you see? Thousands of lives here are at stake. Ano sa tingin mo ang gagawin ko?"

"Let them handle the situation. Don't underestimate them especially the headmaster. Papasok ka lang kapag hindi na kaya ang sitwasyon," sabi niya.

I heaved out a deep sigh at pinakinggan ang pag-uusap nila ng headmaster. This can't be. What's happening?

Ngumiti ang tinatawag nilang Helio ng kakila-kilabot.

"Gusto sana naming maglaro," sabi niya.

Biglang nawala ang headmaster and he appeared in the middle of the platform malapit sa 'kin. Kalmado pa rin siya at walang bakas ng takot sa kanyang mukha.

"Mukhang maganda ang iniisip mo. Pero pasensya na dahil hindi ka imbitado dito. Hindi ako makakapayag sa nais mong mangyari," he answered.

"Inaasahan ko na iyan nga ang sasagutin niyo. Kaya may inihanda akong sorpresa," he smiled and I know he has something up his sleeves.

A projection of images flashed before our eyes na mukhang gawa ng demonyong 'to. There was a castle all painted in black and looks dead. The trees and plants surrounding the castle are all lifeless and also covered with black. Mabilis na gumalaw ang image hanggang napunta sa underground dungeon nito.

And the next thing I saw sent my body into shivers as I clenched my fist to control my anger.

Napaka-hayop niya! Papatayin ko siya. I will make sure that not a bone nor his ashes will remain. I will kill-

"Shea, stop it."

Napatigil ako nang hinawakan ako ni Paxton sa aking bewang. Ramdam ko pa rin ang panginginig ng katawan ko sa galit.

"Kumalma ka muna. Baka mapahamak ang karamihan kapag nagkamali tayo ng galaw," bulong niya.

But I can't just stand here and watch as Eloiny suffered in the Underworld! Her body will rot if she stays too long. Pero pano nila siya nakuha?

Most of us were dumbfounded as we watch Eloiny sleep in her cell. Wala pa rin siyang malay habang may dalawang demon soldier ang nagbabantay sa kanya.

"Ano ba talaga ang gusto mo?" the headmaster asked calmly.

"Gusto kong isuko niyo ang reyna sa amin at papakawalan namin ang bihag. Aalis kami ng matiwasay at walang masasaktan," malalim ang boses na sabi nito.

I heave out a deep sigh as I'm trying to control my emotion. Mahirap na kapag ako sumabog. Ako nga ang hinahanap nila and I think they sensed it that I was here. Naramdaman kong humigpit ang kapit ni Paxton sa aking bewang.

"Wala kaming alam sa sinasabi mo. Wala ba siya sa kaharian niya?"

Biglang nanlisik ang mga mata ni Helio, "MGA INUTIL!"

The ground began to shake as the debris started to fall down. Nagsisigawan na ang mga tao dito sa loob as they panic to get out of the building. Palihim kong ginagawang alikabok ang mga malalaking semento at bakal na tatama sa mga inosenteng tao. Even in this simple way I can protect them secretly.

I blink several times to control my eyes in changing color.

"ALAM NAMING TINATAGO NIYO SIYA RITO! ILABAS NIYO SIYA KUNG AYAW NIYONG MAPUNTA SA IMPYERNO!" muling sigaw ni Helio.

Biglang nabalot ng nakakasilaw na liwanag ang buong paligid. I can hear the scream of some demons as they disappeared from the light who surrounded the area.

Ramdam ko ang panghihina at panginginig ng katawan ko. I'm catching my breath as the light struck me. Kapag magtatagal pa to, manghihina ako ng tuluyan.

All of a sudden, I feel the warmth of something as it enveloped my body. Mukhang hindi na ako natatamaan ng liwanag kaya unti-unting bumabalik sa normal ang nararamdam ko. I opened my eyes only to see Paxton in front of me blocking the light that might kill me. The size of his tail is enough to protect me from the light.

"Ayos ka lang?" tanong niya.

Tumango ako as I stared at him. The light faded and more than half of the demons are gone. May iilan paring natira pero nanghihina na. Kabilang na dun si Helio.

"We don't know what you're talking about. Go back to hell if you still want to live."

Goosebumps was all over me as I heard that chilling voice again. I knew it. He's the one who can only create a light as strong as that and can make me fall unto my knees.

Kiyan Hayashi.

Nandito narin siya sa platform kasama ang headmaster.

"S-sino ka?" the demon asked while regaining his strength from that massive attack of light struck on us.

Kiyan boredly stared at him while his hands are in his pocket.

"I will be the one to kill you if you insist stay here. This is the God's territory. Who knows that his disciple might be around as well."

Muling nanlisik ang mga mapupulang mata ni Helio habang nakatitig sa amin. Pero bigla siyang tumigil nang mapadpad ang tingin niya sa 'kin.

"HAHAHAHA! Papatayin niyo ako? Sige! At isasama ko ang munting estudyante niyo." he grinned. He's planning to kill the hostage.

"Is she you're talking about?" Fire suddenly appeared beside Kiyan while carrying Eloiny who's still unconscious.

Napahinga naman ako ng maluwag nang makita kong ligtas siya. Thank goodness!

Nanlaki ang mata niya habang nakatingin sa kanyang bihag na ngayon ay hawak ni Fire.

"P-paano nyo-"

"Hell is empty. All the demons are here." walang emosyong sabi ni Kiyan.

"PAPATAYIN KO KAYONG LAHAAATTT!"

Na-alerto ako sa pagsigaw niya na dumagundong sa buong paaralan at nayanig ang lupa. I prepared myself to stop him but Paxton suddenly hugged me from the back. Napatigil ako sa ginawa niya.

"Don't. Let the Master handle it."

Unti-unting gumuho ang buong lugar. The ground cracked and the people scream in fear trying to get out while defending themselves.

"Let go, familiar," malamig kong utos sa kanya but he didn't obey me.

All these years of hiding and running away from the people I love will go in vain if I can't protect them. Ayos lang kung ako lang mag-isang masaktan at mapahamak. 'Wag lang ang mga inosenteng 'to na walang ginawa kundi mabuhay at magpakasaya.

This power bestowed upon me was cursed. But I had learned to accept it because from the very beginning, I am in darkness.

"Let go. That's an order from your Mistress, follow it." nanginginig ang katawan ko because I don't want to be overpowered by my emotions.

"Watch, my lady," bulong niya sa 'kin.

Napunta ang tingin ko kay Kiyan na kalmado pa rin despite of the chaos. He slowly raises his right hand as he uttered something. He snaps his fingers at muling nabalot ng nakakasilaw na liwanag ang buong paligid.

Muling pumunta si Paxton sa harapan ko at niyakap ako. His tail grew 5 times from its original size as it shielded us away from the light.

Doon ko nakita ang actual na nangyayari. The falling debris returned from its original form as if it was rewinded in a film. Even the cracks disappeared as the ground returns from it original shape. Everything went back into normal like nothing happened.

So this is what Creation does.
The light once again faded at binitawan na ako ni Paxton. All the demons are gone. Only Helio was left which is lying on the middle of the platform.

Unti-unti siyang bumabangon. Marami na siyang sugat at hinang-hina na siya. From the looks of it, hindi nila pinaghandaan ang pagpunta dito sa Academy. Aren't they aware that they are stepping into the Light's territory? If they want to get me, they must plan something more accurate.

Nanayo ang balahibo ko ng titigan niya ako. Parang may pinapahiwatig ang tingin niya.

"Hindi pa tayo tapos," he said as he disappeared.


--


Matapos ang nangyaring yun ay na postpone muna ang mga upcoming activities sa event. All the officials and faculties are strengthening the securities of the campus. They even casted a holy spell in all campus grounds even in walls and gates.

They're after me. Eloiny already knew and that must be the reason why they kidnapped her. This is bad. I must do something. Should I go down there? Am I ready to face everyone as their queen? Am I ready?




"Ang saya ko dahil tinanggap mo na ang kalahati ng kapangyarihan mo. But I would be very much happy if you accept it all." sabi ni Seraphina. I'm in this dark dimension again where I often see her in my dreams.

"Please give me more time Seraphina. I'll decide during the festival."

"I know. Kung ibibigay ko 'to sayo ngayon, baka di kakayanin ng katawan mo. You need more experiences and trainings so I can give you your whole power. You are only human and your flesh needs more time to be fully prepared for the power bestowal."

"What do you mean that I'm only human?" I asked.

"You see, all the Mistress of all generations were all residents of the Underworld. Ngayon lang pumili ang Goddess ng isang tao. That's why you need this school to train you so you can fulfill your duty as a queen and mistress. Kahit nga ako nagtaka kung bakit isang tao ang pinili niya. Meron pa palang isa pero hindi ko alam ang buong detalye."

"So once I become a Mistress, I'll be immortal right?"

"Yes."

"May I ask, how old are you?"

Bigla siyang natawa sa tanong ko, "You know every Mistress who bacame my master asked me that same question. I'm just 640 yrs old."

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. That means they're immortal too?

"We're not immortal. We just live longer than humans do."





"Could you please settle down just for a sec? Sumasakit ulo ko sayo." naiiritang sabi ni Paxton.

Hindi ko siya pinansin. Si Eloiny, I wonder how is she. Pano siya nakuha ng mga demonyong 'yun eh doon pa siya kanina habang naglalaban ako? And why of all people, bakit siya pa ang nabiktima? Was it a coincidence?

There's something hidden in his eyes as Helio looked at me before he disappeared. May idea ba sila? Nahalata ba nila ang ginawa ko kanina?

"Stop pacing back and forth Shea. Just calm down!"

"Then don't look at me. Geez!" singhal ko sa kanya. Nandito ulit ako sa dorm ni Paxton. Ayokong umuwi dahil malakas pa ang light energy doon casted by the light users.

"Paano ako hindi titingin sayo eh nasa harapan kita?"

Napairap nalang ako at tumigil. I was about to sit down on the sofa when a hideous creature just barged in.

"RENDEEEEERRR!" sigaw ni Alzena at patakbong niyakap si Paxton na ngayon ay prenteng nakaupo sa kanyang paboritong sofa.

"M-ma'am sandali lang po! Bawal po talaga ang babae dito." habol sa kanya ng guard sa dorm.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" Paxton asked referring to Alzena.

She clinged to my familiar at kulang nalang ay gahasain niya ito, "I was so damn worried about you in the incident earlier that I thought you were hurt. So I came here to check if you're okay."

"M-ma'am-"

"Shut up!" sigaw ni Alzena sa guard.
"Ayos lang kuya. They're my cousins." sabi ni Paxton sa guard upang hindi kami paalisin.

The guard nodded doubtly then left.

"The next time you're coming, inform me first so that I can tell the guard."

"Hihi! Nakakainis kasi ayaw nila akong papasukin kaya tumakbo nalang ako. Nga pala-what is she doing here?!" nanlalaki ang mata niyang nakatingin sa 'kin. I was sitting next to them but she just noticed me.

"Shea's my friend so-"

"At nakapasok siya dito without the guard chasing her?!"

This girl surely swallowed a megaphone.

"She passed by the window."

Nagulat siya sa sinabi ni Paxton, "What? Teka, ano ba kayo?" she asked habang nanlilisik ang mata.

I yawned at napatayo. Sa iba nalang muna ako tatambay at baka masira ko pa ang dorm na 'to pag nagtagal pa ako dito.

"Aalis muna ako." sabi ko at tumungo sa may bintana kung saan may malaking puno. Doon ako dumadaan at umaalis pag pumupunta ako dito.

I was about to jump when someone tapped my back. Lumingon ako only to see Alzena staring at me as if she's going to kill me.

"Back off, he's mine." bulong niya.
Napailing nalang ako at tumalon. Silly girl, he's mine.

"Hi Shea!"

Nagulat ako nang biglang may bumati sa 'kin pagkalabas ng dorm. He's the confession guy. I forgot his name.

Umiwas nalang ako at nagsimulang maglakad pero bigla siyang sumabay sa 'kin.

"Hinihintay talaga kita para ihatid ka sa laban mo. Good luck! I'll be cheering for you." nakangiting sabi niya sa 'kin.

"Thanks Christopher." sagot ko.

"Hehe it's Christian. Hanggang ngayon ba nakakalimutan mo parin ang pangalan ko?"

Hindi ko siya sinagot at nagpatuloy lamang ako sa paglalakad patungong coliseum. I don't get it why he suddenly said that he likes me. Maybe it was my hell fire who did this which he replicated. Ito siguro ang epekto ng kapangyarihan ko sa isang light special pag ginaya niya. Guess I should bear with this.

"Nga pala, hindi ka ba nasugatan kahapon? Nagulat kasi ako nang bigla kang tumakbo papunta sa battle platform. I tried to go with you pero bigla akong nanghina. Hindi ko alam kung bakit." He said scratching his head.

"I'm fine." sagot ko.

Epekto siguro ng barrier ni Paxton 'yun. He's a dark creature that's why nanghihina ang mga light specials kapag naapektuhan sila ng kapangyarihan ng kadiliman. Familiars have also multiple powers and abilities specializing in protecting their Master and Mistress.

Patuloy parin siyang nagke-kwento at sumasagot naman ako paminsan-minsan hanggang nakaabot kami sa coliseum. Hinatid niya ako hanggang sa duelists section.

"Nandito ka na pala? Akala ko di ka na pupunta." Nakasimangot na bungad sa 'kin ni Paxton.

Hindi ko siya sinagot at umupo nalang ako.

"See you later Shea. Good luck!" he gave me a genuine smile which could melt a girl's heart before he left. Walang epekto sa 'kin ang mga ganoong paporma.

"Akalain mo 'yun, may pumapatol din pala sayo? Hahaha!" Alzena laugh mockingly. She clings her arms to Paxton as she looks at me.

"Welcome to another round of the Festival Duel! Konti nalang ang natitirang duelists ngayon so who knows, baka ang ka-section niyo ngayon ay makakalaban niyo!" panimula ng emcee.

"Huwag na nating patagalin pa! Let the match, begin!"

Naghiyawan ang mga manonood habang nagsimula nang gumalaw ang screen kung saan magpapasya kung sino ang maglalaban. I waited for about 5 seconds and the results made me grin. This is exciting.

"At sa unang maglalaban: Alzena Alors vs. Shea Alysia Valdemore!"

Tumingin ako sa kanya at nakatayo na siya at nag-uunat. Mukhang pareho kami ng naramdaman sa isa't-isa.

Tumingin din siya sa 'kin as she put up an evil grin, "Prepare to die, bitch."

Nauna na siyang umakyat sa platform kaya tumayo na rin ako.

"Shea..." Paxton called.

"Just go easy on her okay?" sabi niya sa 'kin.

Napakunot ang noo ko. Ganon ba niya kinaiingatan ang babaeng 'to that he reminded even me? Geez.

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