"You lost your mind, Regalia!"
Kung inaakala niyong sigaw yun ng ibang tao, nagkakamali kayo. Sigaw ko iyon. Oo, t*ena nagagalit ako sa sarili ko. Masyado akong naging overconfident kanina. Paano na lang kapag nalaman nila Tita Calla? Or ni Mommy? Shems pa'no na 'to?
"At least you made it." Hinarap ko si Lia. She ran to me and hugged me tightly. "Nag-alala kami sa iyo."
I smiled. "Thank you, Lia."
Marina spoke. "Buti wala kang na-encounter na necromancer."
"Meron." Their eyes slightly dilated. "Every time I'm asking them to come out, they will just vanish. There are many ravens too. Anong ibig sabihin nun pala?"
"It means officials of Dreich are having a surveillance," Freesia answered. "Kapag may nakita kang uwak, ibig sabihin nagmamanman sa paligid ang mga taga-Dreich."
"Ginagawa b
Chamber of Light is the city government hall of Aurora. It is built exactly in the middle of the city. On the topmost floor, the Office of the City Governess or Mom's office is located. According to this maid, Mom's office offers a 180° view of the city. She also has a royal bedroom beside her office where she stays. They have an elevator here, which is a good thing, because Mom's office is on the 30th floor. Using the staircase wastes too much time and nakakapagod rin. The 30th floor is very quiet. There are lots of doors, maybe the offices of other higher city government officials and there are paintings too. We stopped as we reached the champagne double door located at the very end of the hallway. The maid knocked on the left door thrice and opened the right one. She stepped inside. "Governess Regalia, you have a visitor po." "I don't have an appointment for today.
When the Dining Hall opened, I felt the three going to the counter. I waited for several seconds before standing up. "Freesia and Lia, tayo kayo." "Why?" They all asked. "Basta." So they stood up. I tapped Lia and pointed the seat across Marina. She sat there and Freesia followed. I sat next to Marina. "Good." Marina faced me "Bakit nga?" "Mamaya, malalaman niyo kung bakit." Few seconds passed, those three stood at the table beside ours, causing students to look at all of us. Blake spoke. "Pa-usod naman, Tantan." "Bahala kayo dyan." So Thoreau ended up pulling the table and placed it right beside ours. When he was about to sit beside me, I spoke. "Nope. Dun ka sa tabi ni Freesia. Ayokong katabi kita." Blake teased him. "Ako daw kasi—"
The night is already deep, pero nakatunganga parin ako dito sa kama ko. Hindi na naman ako makatulog. Considering all those past memories na nakita ko, parang mas naguging complicated ang lahat eh. Lia is possibly older than her mother, Lilly. Ang tanong rito, paanong nangyari 'yon? If Celeste knew that winged witch who saved Mom, Tita Calla, and Tito Carob inside the South Woods, then how come na si Lia yun? Parang ang gulo naman yata ng family tree nila. Or Lia used witch's magic. Kailangan ko palang mag-research everything about witches and warlocks. Pati na rin sa mga sorcerer and sorceress. According kasi dun sa lesson namin, halos magkapareho lang ang mga witches and warlocks at sorcerers and sorceresses. Ang pinagkaiba lang nila, yung way ng pag-execute ng magic or what they call spell. Mas mastered din ng latter ang evil spells kaysa sa former. &n
Ilang oras lang ba tinulog ko? Parang four hours lang yata. But it's okay. Sanay naman ako na i-sleep deprive ang sarili ko. Pagkatapos kong magsuot ng uniform, agad akong lumabas ng kwarto. Those three are having a lazy time sa sala. "Hindi pa ba kayo papasok?" "Inaantok—" Marina opened her eyes and gazed at me. "Kayo? So, wala kang balak pumasok?" I shook my head. "May pupuntahan lang ako. Kita-kits na lang ng lunch sa mall." Before they could say anything, I immediately left the dorm. All by myself, I walked down the hallway and ignored another set of this students' gossips. Kung inaakala nilang maapektuhan ako, pwes tama sila. Nakakabingi kaya! Para silang mga langaw at bubuyog na nakapaligid sa akin. Since yung library ay nasa third floor pa, I have to go upstairs. Not to mention na napakataas ng Academy. Pero pagkarating sa third floo
Kinagabihan after ng training namin ni Crimson, sabay na rin kaming nagpunta ng Dining Hall. Of course, nakapagpalit na kami ng damit since I created another chaos sa Training Chamber kanina. I broke all of the glass walls lang naman as well as the floor. Napagalitan na rin ulit kami and binigyan ng mild punishment which we achieved afterwards. Academy's maintenance division na lang daw ang mag-aayos ulit ng Training Chamber and Tita Calla will strengthen those along with Tito Carob. Para daw next time na gumamit ako—yes ako lang mag-isa, hindi na daw ulit masisira. Especially when I'm competing with someone. As we arrived at the Dining Hall, a chair flew in our direction and Crimson caught it effortlessly. Blake smirked and waved his hand. "Yow! Welcome aboard!" Our circle of friends laughed as I punched Blake's face while he landed on the floor. "Oops, napalakas." I mocked and lend my hand. "Tay
The whole travel going to the Central Market is very quiet yet akward. Kahit anong pilit ko na i-divert ang attention ko outside the car window, wa-epek eh. Parang there's something that my gut wants to do kaso hindi ko malaman kung ano. This is extremely . . . embarrassing. The car stopped after few minutes of traveling. My heart jumped when Crimson spoke, "We're here." Then he got down. Teka lang ah. Aaminin kong nabigla ako sa compliment niya kanina and 5% kinilig ako pero sh*t, parang wala lang sa kanya ah! Bumaba na lang ako at lumapit sa kanila. Ate Scarlet faced me. "So, Tantiana, welcome to the Demetrian Central Market or simply, Central Market. This is where trading and selling of all of the products are occurring. This is also the heart of Antheia." Then Merlot held my hand and smiled. "Tara, Ate Tanny! Let's go!" It was
Pagkadating ng Academy, nagpaalam na kaming apat kina Ate Scarlet at Merlot at pumasok na sa loob. Hindi naman na sumunod sa akin ang mga butler ko dahil kasama ko naman sila Thoreau, Blake, at Ul*lens. "Grabe, Tantan. I really admire your strength!" Blake blurted out. "Ang fearless mo kanina." "Thanks, Blake. Sino ba namang hindi maiinis sa gano'ng attitude? Okay lang sana kung sa akin niya ginawa, hindi naman ako napatol sa isang utak-fetus pero sa isang kaibigan or any loved one? All hell will break lose." Thoreau chuckled and patted my shoulder. "You're really something, Ahrina. Keep it up. I'm starting to idolize you and your extraordinary will." "Aww, ba't ganon? Gusto kong ma-touch pero at the same time, natatawa ako sa kadramahan niyong dalawa?" Habang papunta sa dormitory ng girls, kung anu-anong kaechosan ang mga pinag-usapan nami
Patapos na kaming mag-almusal nang may humila ng upuan at naupo sa tabi ni Lia. Nang lumingon kami, si Thoreau iyon. "Himala, mag-isa ka yata?" Thoreau just nodded and smiled faintly. "Blake and Crimson aren't awake yet kaya naman nauna na ako dito. Besides, ayokong mag-skip ng classes dahil sa kanila." "Kaya crush na crush kita eh." I smirked at Freesia. When she caught me looking at her, nasamid siya bigla at muntik pang maibuga ang kinakain niya. "Are you okay? What happened?" I smirked wider when Thoreau asked those questions to her full of concerns. May nangyayari dito ah. May nangyayaring kakaiba. Matapos ang ma-issue naming almusalan, sabay-sabay na kaming lumabas ng Dining Hall at naglakad sa hallway. Silang tatlo, panay ang daldal dito kay Thoreau habang ako naman ay tahimik lang dito sa likuran nila. Wala lang, I don't feel like t
Dalawampung taon na simula nang mamuno sila Crimson at Ahrina bilang Hari at Reyna ng kaharian ng Demetria. Dalawampung taon na ring payapa ang buong Magic World, malayo sa mga pangyayari noong nakahiwalay ang Dreich mula sa Demetria. Sa balkonahe ng kanilang kwarto nakatayo si Ahrina, tinatanaw ang makulay at payapang Demetria. Ilang segundo ang makalipas, yumakap mula sa kanyang likod si Crimson. "Penny for you thoughts?" tanong nito sa asawa at saka nagtanggal ng kanyang reading glasses. "Wala naman." Nanatili ang titig ni Crimson kay Ahrina. Sa huli, sumuko na ang kanyang asawa. "Oo na, namimilit ka na naman eh. I was just thinking if everything will stay like this. Yes, it's been twenty years but—"
A loud thud echoed in the whole Royal Palace, followed by a series of laughter. Eminence yelled, "Napakadaya ninyong lahat! Mga cheater!" Midnight, the Crown Prince of Demetria, just shook his head and smirked. "Lampa ka pa rin hanggang ngayon, Emy. Wala ka pa ring pinagbago. What happened to your Schiz-Torren blood?" "How dare you—" The fight was cut off as Ahrina threw the pink furry slipper to the four kids quarelling. "Hindi talaga kayo marunong makinig, ano? Eh kung kayong apat kaya ang sakalin ko isa-isa?" Twilight and Amethyst looked at each other and exclaimed, "Run!" "Oh anong nangyari rito?" agad na tanong ni Marina pagkarating sa Royal Garden kasama si Freesia at Thoreau. "In fairness, ang gulo ah. Royal Palace ba talaga ito?" "Tita Marina!" sigaw ni Amethyst at mabilis na isinumbong ang kanyang ina rito. "Inaaway kami ni
Things went very swift. I have gone so aggressive and that urge to kill this man I'm fighting against, I think, already controls my mind. I know this is bad because of the evil darkness gem but I don't have time for some self-control session. Gumawa ako ng isang wind tornado para sana itulak siya palayo. Kaso, nagulat ako nang biglang nasa unahan ko na siya kaya hindi ako nakagalaw agad. I felt a sharp blade cutted my skin on my neck. Biglang nanlabo ang paningin ko at nanlambot ang mga pakpak ko. Halos sumuka ako ng dugo pagkabagsak ko sa lupa. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong nanghina. Nanlalabo na ang mga paningin ko at pakiramdam ko ay isang sagi na lang ay patay na ako. "Baby, baby," I heard Crimson panicked. "Baby, can you hear me? Please respond." I felt his warm hands on my skin. "Damn!" "She and the Mystic Stone must not be separated," Lia stated, touching
Less than an hour before the Midnight Sun appears everyone remains silent and the only thing we can hear is our heavy breathings. I'm still watching the surroundings from above here, especially the Dreich. There was a bit of fight happening at the border of Hesperia and Dreich. I have launched one thousand student magicians there to help the citizens escape and only fight when desperately needed. And yeah, hanggang ngayon, may mga lumilikas pa rin. Few minutes later, a light slowly enlightes the dark environment. It is the Midnight Sun. "Everyone, prepare," I announced to all of them. The rescue is still ongoing. Kailangang madala sila sa shelters bago tuluyang magpakita ang Midnight Sun. "Tita Ruby, what's the status there po?" "Malapit nang madala sa shelters ang lahat ng mga lumikas." "Sige po." Sa dami ng mga gustong makaalis na sa Dreich, tila ba maliit pa ang but
Madilim pa, pero mulat na mulat na ang mga mata ko. Yep, today will be a day where the most excruciating event that magicians never wished for will happen for in this special day: the infamous Enchanted War. I wore my black warrior outfit, almost the same as to what I wore during the finals of the Wielders of Charms. However, it has more purple designs and leather gloves. After tying my black leather knee-high combat boots, nagteleport na ako papunta sa rooftop ng Academy building to have my early warm up. Ayoko sa Training Chamber magpunta dahil madali lang ang access doon. Not like here na walang daan papunta rito unless you can walk up to the top of one of the Academy towers tapos saka ka tumalon. I summoned my magic staff and stanced to start training all by myself. I have mastered all the stuffs so a trainor for me isn't recommended by now. Kaya ko nang mag-ensayo mag-isa. This is as simple a
"Baby girl, wake up..." Though I feel like I'm sleep-deprived, kalmado akong bumangon at ngumiti kay Crimson na mukhang ewan. Oh man, he should be thankful dahil kung hindi lang talaga siya si Crimson, kanina pa bubog-sarado ang isang 'to sa akin. "Good morning, baby. Paano ka nakapunta rito?" "I sneaked in. Headmistress Mildred called them all except for me." "You asked her to do you a favor?" "Of course, no. Why would I do that? Everyone's busy for the second Enchanted War." Oo nga naman. Lahat kami ngayon ay pinoproblema ang mangyayari sa Enchanted War. Well, mas lalo naman ako kasi ako yung leader ng Academy para rito. "Okay. I'll go prepare now." "Sure. I'll wait for you." "Like how you waited for me to give you my yes." He frowned and shook his head. "Can't deny it, Torren. Tot
So people really thought that I betrayed them. Demetrians thought I betrayed Demetria. They really thought that I will join Dreich and not my own land. And those thoughts of them about me made them file a case against me. Dimwits. "And what happened to my cases?" "Upon hearing Dametreil Schiz's and Sorceress Halina's statements, Royal Family of Demetria announced those cases null and void. You were not guilty and fortunately as well, you weren't sentenced to three counts of death penalty." Mabuti na lang talaga. Three counts of death penalty ba naman ang kaparusahan sa tatlong batas na 'yun. I smiled at him. "I am really fortunate." Pagkatapos niya akong subuan, tumitig siya sa akin at ngumisi. "Ano?" "You're really fortunate?" "Hmm," I responded, nodding. "Hindi ba ako maswerte? I have all the useful connections in this world an
I slowly opened my eyes, seeing the familiar white ceiling and a warm thing cupping my left hand. I moved a bit and pushed myself to sit up without waking him. And I succeeded. Confirmed, nasa ospital nga ako ng Academy. What happened to me is still vivid in my mind and it still scares me until now, fearing that the same might happen not to me but to the others . . . especially Damaris and her family. However, nothing will happen if I let that nightmare control my mind and gone crazy. I have to develop new effective plans and execute actions for the better and to avoid what has to avoid. But then, as I gazed at Crimson who still sleeps soundly, I forgot about all the fears I have even just for a short span. I miss him. Sobrang na-miss ko siya. Alam kong mahirap paniwalaan pero siya ang pinakana-miss ko. I miss my Crimson. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko and faced him to caress his soft, black
Inabot ako nang dilim sa pagpapagaling kay Ahrina. Nawala na rin ang kanyang mga sugat at tanging mga marka ang naiwan. Mawawala rin ang mga iyon paglipas ng oras. Nagtagal ako sa pagpapagaling sa kanya dahil kailangan kong dahan-dahanin ang proseso. Maliban sa nag-iisa lamang ako, napakadami niyang sugat at mas lalong dadami at lalala ang kanyang sitwasyon kung ipipilit kong pabilisin ang paggaling niya. Nagpunta ako sa tabi niya at hinawakan ang kanyang kaliwang kamay. "Ahrina, malapit nang matapos ang lahat nang mga paghihirap na ito. Wag kang mag-alala, gagabayan kita. Kaya pakiusap, gumising ka na sa lalong madaling panahon." Pagkalabas ko ng silid, naroroon parin silang lahat at tahimik na lumingon sa akin. "Maayos na ang lagay ni Ahrina. Marka ng kanyang mga sugat ang naiwan pero mawawala din ang mga iyon. Natutulog parin siya nang mahimbing." "Magsabi ka nga ng totoo, Lia." Tumayo mula sa