IT'S absurd to think that Genesis could be Paris. I know it is beyond impossible. After all, he's a Mortis and looks like a male version of me, while Genesis is the headmaster's nephew. Have you gone mad, Ara? Genesis is Genesis. And Paris is Paris, the ruthless and selfish twin brother I never asked for. Magkaiba sila kaya gumising ka, Ara. Besides, what happens if my hunch is right? It still doesn't matter."Ang babaeng malalim ang iniisip, in love 'yan," rinig kong panunukso ni Estelle sa tabi ko habang bini-braid niya ang buhok ni Rhysan. Nakasalampak kaming lahat sa sahig habang nanonood ng palabas. Hindi ko nga alam kung paano nila ako napapayag na lumabas sa kwarto ko, pero pinagbigyan ko na lang since balik sa training na kami bukas. As usual. "Puyat kamo," singit naman ni Shaye. "Mukha ka ng panda, Ara." At sabay silang humalakhak. Sinamaan ko sila ng tingin isa-isa. "Baka gusto mo rin na gawin kitang panda, hmm?"Mas lalong natawa ang tatlo, nangunguna na roon si Este
"WHERE are we going?" Carwell asked. I looked at his bruised palm before looking in his eyes. "To Boris." "For what?""Well, Mr. Carwell, you need help," sambit ko at binigyan siya ng sarkastikong ngiti. "Kailangan mong magamit ng maayos ang kapangyarihan mo sa lalong madaling panahon dahil makakapatay ka niyan ng wala sa oras, or worst, baka ikamatay mo pa."He grunted. "That's unnecessary. I can train alone."Huminto ako sa paglakad at humarap sa kaniya. "Training alone is useless if you always believe that you're already great, Carwell. Hindi ka mag-i-improve kung sa tingin mo ay magaling ka na. Hindi ka maliligtas ng kayabangan mo."His face darkened. Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin pero hindi siya umalma. At dapat lang. Alam niya naman na tama ako kaya wala siyang magagawa.Hindi na ako nagsalita pa at muling naglakad. Tinahak namin ang daan papunta sa opisina ni Boris at hindi maiwasang magsitinginan ang mga estudyante sa gawi namin. But I couldn't care less. Ilang minuto lang ay
I let out an exasperated sigh and sat down on my bed. Kakatapos lamang ng training namin ng grupo ko at hindi naman ako masyadong nahirapan sa kanila. They're already well aware of their capabilities. The only thing that they lack is practice and mastery.Ingangat ko ang tingin sa orasan na nakasabit sa pader. It's almost time. Time when the two moons meet. Napapikit na lamang ako sa inis. I kind of regret that I accepted too much responsibilities in this school. Kung tutuusin, walang wala ito sa plano ko.I opened my eyes when there was a sudden knock. Probably Shaye.Kahit hinihila na ako ng higaan ko, pinilit ko na lang tumayo at binuksan ang pintuan. My eyebrows raised when it wasn't Shaye's face who greeted me. "Why are you here?" masungit kong tanong kay Carwell."Everyone's still asleep. It's almost dinner time," tipid niyang sagot.Kinunutan ko siya ng noo. "And?"Binuka niya ang bibig niya at nagsalit
PAHIGPIT ng pahigpit ang hawak ko sa litratong nasa aking kamay habang tinatahak ang daan patungo sa infirmary. My breathing was as heavy as my footsteps. Kahit anong ulit ko na titigan ang litrato at suriin ito, hindi ako nagkakamali na si Milka nga ang babaeng kasama ni Demi. That khaki dress that she wore the day we first met at that forest. I cannot be wrong.Hindi na ako kumatok nang makarating ako sa infirmary. I immediately came in and saw Demi lying on her back at the third bed. Her eyes went on me while I walked towards her. Her hair was a mess and her leg, which I believe was the one I twisted, was wrapped in bandage."Doesn't it seem strange for the Supreme Student to visit me in this stupid place?" she asked, rolling her eyes on me. "What? Nandito ka ba para pagtawanan ako?"Umiling ako. "No. I have something in my hand that I believe is yours." Her forehead creased. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa kamay ko. Bu
"Paris... help me, please!" cried the girl with jet black hair and a pair of silver eyes. "You should understand why we're doing this, twin. It's for your own good," the seven-year-old boy replied. The girl stared at her twin in pure shock. Her eyebrows narrowed and her lips parted. Silently wishing that this wasn't real. Hindi siya makapaniwala sa sinabi nito. He was like stabbing her face to face, and there's no point in denying that it's hurting her. She felt betrayed. "Paris... bakit?" She felt a pang of pain as she fell to her knees. "Why?" the boy paused and gazed at his twin. His eyes were full of confusion, full of doubts. They were gleaming with tears that Paris was trying to hold back. "Because it's the right thing to do. Kakambal kita pero kailangan naming gawin ang tama," he continued. The girl clenched he
"HOY, babae! Bumalik ka rito!"I cussed and ran as fast as I could when I heard the annoying high-pitched voice behind me."Give me back my Dims!"I tilted my head and rolled my eyes. Ang ingay. Panting and gasping for air, I found myself hiding behind a bunch of stinky trash bags. And when I say stinky, really stinky. Bahong hindi bagay sa ganda ko.Napatingin ako sa Dims na nasa kamay ko. These will be enough, I think?"You thief! Nandito ka lang pala!"My eyes widened, not in horror, but in panic. I can't be seen! Come on, Ara! Isiniksik ko ang sarili sa malaking trash bag at naramdaman ang pagbabago ng katawan ko. I felt light as a feather. My skin turned ash gray. My vision became clearer and sharp. I was not panting anymore. I could feel my body joi
"YOU'VE got a nice name! Tapos sasabihin mo pa na Foot ang pangalan mo." I shoved the dry leaves that were scattered intentionally in the entrance of my cave. Almost every day, I get these pieces of rubbish from childish creatures living downtown, such as humans. Hindi naman talaga sila nakatira sa gubat pero sinasadya nilang umakyat para pagtripan ang nananahimik kong buhay. Mga isip bata. "Do you know what the name Aurora means?" "Not interested," I plainly stated bago lumabas sa kweba. I roamed my sight to the bushes hoping to see the odd wolf once more. I don't know but its presence felt so familiar. Especially its eyes... If I could just catch it without the annoying Milka freaking out. "Alam mo, your name kinda sounds intimidating when mentioned, weir
 THE noise of busy chariots and buzzing chitchats were breaking my eardrums as I passed through the crowd. Nasa unahan ko si Genesis na tila hindi naapektuhan sa ingay ng paligid. Pasipol-sipol lamang ito at tumatango pa sa mga taong lumilingon sa kanya. Minsan ay kumakaway rin siya sa mga babaeng panay ang pagpapa-cute. What a flirty man."Where are we heading to?" I asked. Yeah, that was stupid of me to go with him without any single idea where he's taking me or where I'll be staying. Masyado akong nagtitiwala sa lalaking 'to."At Gloysh Place. It's an inn not so far from here. I'll explain everything to you when we get there," Genesis replied and winked at me.I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. "Stop flirting."Natawa ito at hinila ako palayo sa maraming tao. "It's not flirting. I'm just being friendly."
PAHIGPIT ng pahigpit ang hawak ko sa litratong nasa aking kamay habang tinatahak ang daan patungo sa infirmary. My breathing was as heavy as my footsteps. Kahit anong ulit ko na titigan ang litrato at suriin ito, hindi ako nagkakamali na si Milka nga ang babaeng kasama ni Demi. That khaki dress that she wore the day we first met at that forest. I cannot be wrong.Hindi na ako kumatok nang makarating ako sa infirmary. I immediately came in and saw Demi lying on her back at the third bed. Her eyes went on me while I walked towards her. Her hair was a mess and her leg, which I believe was the one I twisted, was wrapped in bandage."Doesn't it seem strange for the Supreme Student to visit me in this stupid place?" she asked, rolling her eyes on me. "What? Nandito ka ba para pagtawanan ako?"Umiling ako. "No. I have something in my hand that I believe is yours." Her forehead creased. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa kamay ko. Bu
I let out an exasperated sigh and sat down on my bed. Kakatapos lamang ng training namin ng grupo ko at hindi naman ako masyadong nahirapan sa kanila. They're already well aware of their capabilities. The only thing that they lack is practice and mastery.Ingangat ko ang tingin sa orasan na nakasabit sa pader. It's almost time. Time when the two moons meet. Napapikit na lamang ako sa inis. I kind of regret that I accepted too much responsibilities in this school. Kung tutuusin, walang wala ito sa plano ko.I opened my eyes when there was a sudden knock. Probably Shaye.Kahit hinihila na ako ng higaan ko, pinilit ko na lang tumayo at binuksan ang pintuan. My eyebrows raised when it wasn't Shaye's face who greeted me. "Why are you here?" masungit kong tanong kay Carwell."Everyone's still asleep. It's almost dinner time," tipid niyang sagot.Kinunutan ko siya ng noo. "And?"Binuka niya ang bibig niya at nagsalit
"WHERE are we going?" Carwell asked. I looked at his bruised palm before looking in his eyes. "To Boris." "For what?""Well, Mr. Carwell, you need help," sambit ko at binigyan siya ng sarkastikong ngiti. "Kailangan mong magamit ng maayos ang kapangyarihan mo sa lalong madaling panahon dahil makakapatay ka niyan ng wala sa oras, or worst, baka ikamatay mo pa."He grunted. "That's unnecessary. I can train alone."Huminto ako sa paglakad at humarap sa kaniya. "Training alone is useless if you always believe that you're already great, Carwell. Hindi ka mag-i-improve kung sa tingin mo ay magaling ka na. Hindi ka maliligtas ng kayabangan mo."His face darkened. Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin pero hindi siya umalma. At dapat lang. Alam niya naman na tama ako kaya wala siyang magagawa.Hindi na ako nagsalita pa at muling naglakad. Tinahak namin ang daan papunta sa opisina ni Boris at hindi maiwasang magsitinginan ang mga estudyante sa gawi namin. But I couldn't care less. Ilang minuto lang ay
IT'S absurd to think that Genesis could be Paris. I know it is beyond impossible. After all, he's a Mortis and looks like a male version of me, while Genesis is the headmaster's nephew. Have you gone mad, Ara? Genesis is Genesis. And Paris is Paris, the ruthless and selfish twin brother I never asked for. Magkaiba sila kaya gumising ka, Ara. Besides, what happens if my hunch is right? It still doesn't matter."Ang babaeng malalim ang iniisip, in love 'yan," rinig kong panunukso ni Estelle sa tabi ko habang bini-braid niya ang buhok ni Rhysan. Nakasalampak kaming lahat sa sahig habang nanonood ng palabas. Hindi ko nga alam kung paano nila ako napapayag na lumabas sa kwarto ko, pero pinagbigyan ko na lang since balik sa training na kami bukas. As usual. "Puyat kamo," singit naman ni Shaye. "Mukha ka ng panda, Ara." At sabay silang humalakhak. Sinamaan ko sila ng tingin isa-isa. "Baka gusto mo rin na gawin kitang panda, hmm?"Mas lalong natawa ang tatlo, nangunguna na roon si Este
DAYS passed like it normally does in the academy. It has been a week after our unexpected mission and everything is back to normal now. The majority of the poisoned people were saved, thanks to Mallá. But I'm pretty sure the massive amount of antidotes affected her body, not just her power. For seven days, the academy was silent and all peaceful. Wala akong narinig na kahit anong salita tungkol sa mga nangyari noong nakaraan lang. I supposed the students and faculty staffs were all oriented to not mention even a tiny detail about the incident, which I understand. Mahirap mag-imbestiga kung maraming bibig ang nakikisawsaw.And finally, for the first time, I received my Dim card, where my earnings from my past missions were transferred in to. Boris gave it to me kasi baka raw ay naiinip na ako. If I know, ayaw niya lang na mawalan ako ng interes sa mga gano'ng bagay. Alam ko namang dadating ang araw at aalis na ako sa akademyang 'to. Iyon ay kapag may sapat na akong naipon para suport
THE key to tame a dragon is to find its weakness, to learn from it and use it. That was what I thought I would stand with for the rest of my life. There was no room for sympathy in me, and perhaps that's because I never received any of that from everyone I tried to love. I lived for years and years thinking that nothing is ever good in life. And I believed that. But I cannot deny it from myself that this world is starting to prove that my belief was wrong. Nakahain na sa harap ko ang kahinaan ng isa sa aking mga kalaban, pero bakit hindi ko magawang gamitin? Bakit ako nagdadalawang-isip? This isn't me anymore. Para saan pa ang ilang taon kong pagsasanay kung sinasalungat na ng aking puso ang isip ko?"Baka malunod ka na sa sobrang lalim ng iniisip mo," Genesis' voice echoed in my ear. Dahil dito ay napalingon ako sa kaniya. Isa pa ang lalaking 'to. Sino ba talaga siya? Sa lahat ng Arcanes, siya lang ang tanging nakakabasa ng isip at galaw ko. Like he could see me behind the ve
"WHAT the fuck?" gulat kong bulalas.Tumawa lamang ang hari sa reaksyon ko. Naglakad siya at nilampasan ako saka lumabas na sa silid pero bago iyon ay may pahabol pa siya, "Think about it, my lady. Go back with nothing but disappointment or be my queen and save what needs to be saved." 'Tsaka siya kumindat at tuluyan na akong iniwan. Wala sa isip akong naglakad palabas at hinanap ang anino ni Carwell. Gaya noong iniwan ko siya, ganoon pa rin ang posisyon niya. Naramdaman niya siguro ang presensya ko dahil bigla siyang lumingon. "Failed, yes?"Mukhang inaasahan niya na talaga ang magiging sagot ng hari sa hiling namin. Sobrang misteryoso talaga ng lalaking ito. Wala silang pinagkaiba ni Genesis."It depends on my response," sagot ko. It seemed like he did not expect my answer. Masyado ba siyang kumbinsido na tatanggihan talaga ako ng tuluyan ng hari?"That's new," usal niya. Tumayo siya at kunot-noong tumingin sa 'kin. "What was the deal? Kung hindi ka niya tinanggihan, siguradong m
"ARE we already in Ambergail?" I asked Carwell beside me. His eyes were busy looking around but he nodded. "This is a part of Ambergail but the palace is in the south." He turned his gaze on me. "If you want to rest for the night, there's an inn nearby.""No," I immediately responded. "We promised to go back before the sun rises."Pinanliitan niya ako ng mata. "You promised."He, then, continued to look around. Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. Time is against us in this quest. Kailangan kong makuha agad ang amulet na tinutukoy ni Mallá para magising na sila. Gaya ni Carwell, umupo ako sa isang inukit na bato sa may gilid at nagmasid sa paligid. We've been walking for hours already. I hate to admit but I wouldn't get this far without this arrogant guy's help. Mukhang alam na alam niya ang pasikot-sikot dito. Especially the Great Bridge. I thought it was really invisible, I couldn't even use my power. It turned out I was under an illusion the moment I stepped foot on the bridge, ju
"DO you think she's awake?""Yeah, she's listening," boses ng isang lalaki. "Morning, Belacour."Napabalikwas ako ng bangon. What the hell? Anong ginagawa ng mayabang na 'to sa kwarto ko?!I glared at Carwell. He was smirking as he stroke Atya's hair. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa nakangising bata na nakahiga sa hita niya. Nakakadiring tingnan. "Wala ka bang sariling kwarto?""Mayro'n," sagot niya. "I'm only here to tell you that the healer arrived earlier. I've been waiting for you to wake up five minutes ago.""Bakit ba 'di niyo na lang ako ginising? At bakit kailangan mo pang mag-stay rito? Nakakadiri ka," naiinis kong sambit. Nagtinginan sila ni Atya at sabay na nailing. Ano bang trip ng mga 'to?Tumayo ako at mabilis na pumasok sa banyo. Kasing lawak ng isang normal na kwarto ang banyo nila. May bathtub, shower, at sa kabilang gilid ay ang toilet. May dalaw