Katulad nang napag-usapan kahapon. Nakasabayan namin sa tren si Auntie at Uncle but they headed to a different path. Dumiretso kaming tatlo sa dorm namin. Nakatulog ako ng ilang oras sa biyahe habang ang isip ko ay tumatakbo tungkol doon sa pangalang nabasa namin kanina sa journal ni Axl.
Nakaupo ako sa kama ko ngayon. Since umaga na naman, dumiretso ako sa banyo pagkatapos magpahinga para maligo. I wore our uniform and the SS coat. Inilagay ko ang wand ko sa loob ng coat at inayos ang aking gulo-gulong kwarto. Lumabas na ako pagkatapos at nginitian ang mga estudyanteng nakasalubong ko.
Bago ako dumiretso sa classroom, pumunta muna ako sa office para konsultahin si Rick. Pero wala siya 'nung dumating ako. Tanging si Keith lamang ang nandoon. "Looking for the president?" Tanong nito habang nag-aayos ng mga libro. How did he know? I maintain my composure at umayos ng tayo. Nanginginig ang mga binti ko tuwing nakikita ko si Keith. Dahil takot ako sa kanya, Takot ako sa awrang pumapalibot sa kanya. Nakakatakot ang isang katulad niya.
Tumalikod nalang ako at hinawakan ang doorknob ng opisina. "He went to downtown, he'll be back sooner. Just come back if you had an important matter to discuss with him." Tumango ako bago ko binuksan ang pinto at umalis na doon sa opisina. I headed to the hallway to led to my room and I noticed something.
My pearl and Rolex are not responding earlier. Could it be? No. It can't be. He'll never be a good one. He's a wolf! A bad werewolf! He hates humans and he'll never like one. Maybe he's just in the mood to annoy me but I believe he'll never be a good wolf.
"Kanina ka pa namin hinihintay! Late na tayo!" Napa-angat ako ng tingin kay Walter at Victor. They held my arm and we rushed to our classroom. Mabuti nalang pala at si Ms. Fiona ang nagtuturo ngayon. Nasaan na kaya si Sir Jielo? Mahigit isang linggo ko na rin siyang hindi nakikita.
My eyes roam around the classroom and my eyes landed on the new arrive student. The werewolf. Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanyang mga mata at nakinig nalang sa lesson ni Ms. Fiona. She tackled about types of mortals. Hindi na bago sa akin 'yang klaseng iyan. What do you expect in the immortal world though? It's always about immortal stuff. For them, humans/mortals are nemesis.
After our morning class with Ms. Fiona, we're about to head out from our room to head straight to the cafeteria but the doors slam closed. "Anong nangyayari?" I gasped when the long window started to dim as the curtains started to close on their own.
"Victor!" I called him out. He just headed to the door though and scanned it. "Everyone calms down. It's just Mr. Jielo." He said calmly. "What do you think of my proper welcome?" I scanned my eyes to our spacious room and held, Walter's coat when I saw Mr. Jielo in front.
Rolex vibrated so I hid my arm on my back. "Not proper at all. It causes disturbance to our mentality." Victor replied. Mr. Jielo smirked and pointed his wand to Victor. "I kinda agree with Victor. What can you read from our facial expression though?" Keith inserted in the conversation.
Mr. Jielo pointed his wand too, to Keith. "Precisely. To what I had expected." He replied. He murmured a spell so we hurriedly fished out our wands and pointed it in his direction. Mr. Jielo once again smirked because of our quick movement. I know it's not relevant to point our wands at our instruction but if worse comes to worst. I already have a spell to cast in my mind.
"So quick. Indeed a 1-A" He complimented. He put down his wand and place it on the table. We slowly did the same with our eyes locked on our smirking instructor. Umupo ito sa kanyang upuan at inihipan ang isang piraso ng chalk bago ito inilagay sa pisara. Sinundan namin ng tingin ang chalk hanggang sa makabuo ito ng salita.
"The Thief of the Golden Scheme?" One of our class muttered. Victor, Walter, and Keith just cross their arms. "If you guys had no idea what the golden scheme is. It's a precious gem that got stolen last month and the thief is her." My eyes widened when he pointed his wand in my direction.
"I.... no!" I decline. Mr. Jielo stood up and headed in my direction. I frowned when the door creaked open and Mr. Arson came in. How did I know? Rolex vibrates once again.
Napatingin ako sa pearl ko and it turns white. I swallowed the lump on my throat when the two figures stood ahead of me. Why suddenly pointing my wands at me? What did I do? "Spill the tea. Who told you to steal the scheme?" Mr. Arson asked with his husky tone of voice.
"I don't know what you are talking about-"
"LIAR!"
I stepped back when he pulled out his wand and pointed it to my chin. "Tell the truth or you'll die here, right now." Mr. Arson said.
"She didn't do anything!" Napatingin ako kay Walter and I saw the worries in their eyes. They are turning their hands into fists but Mr. Arson and Mr. Jielo didn't bother to listen to them. I frowned. "I seriously didn't do anything!" I said in my defense.
"Then explain this!" Once again, the room turned dim, a white curtain covered our chalkboard and footage started playing. I squinted my eyes to watch the footage closely and my eyes widened when I saw my face entering the Ancestry Palace. The last time I remembered it's a veiled man who trespasses the palace. Not me!
Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko na hindi mapatawa when I noticed something off in the footage. "Who did this? I mean who edit this stuff?" I shook my head and clicked my tongue.
"I can't believe this. Ako pa talaga ang lolokohin nyo? This footage is nonsense. It is obviously edited!" I blurted out. Everyone turned their face to me, excluding Mr. Arson, Mr. Jielo, and the son Keith Arson.
"You are just defending yourself because the truth lies on your hand now." I humped. "Shrug that off, Mr. Jielo. I am the finest student of Blanche, College of Computer Science Wizard. Do you really think I can't point out the errors in that footage?" They turned their hands into fists. I guess that's because something didn't go well according to their plan.
"Blanche, chebla," I whispered and pointed the tip of my wand on the white curtain. I cross my arms as the footage draws backward and error has been pointed ceaselessly from the footage.
"With all the respect sir, I didn't mean to embarrass any of you from this footage but it's actually nonsense. So who did this?" I asked in a serious tone after I recovered from an outrageous state. "That person needs some tutorial from me." I added. Tumingin sa direksyon ko si Mr. Jielo at Mr. Arson. "What a shame. I forgot that you are from Blanche's computer department." Tumabi sa akin si Walter at Victor.
"and that's the saddest part." Walter mocked.
Mr. Arson glared into my eyes deeply. When will I be given a chance to escape from their deadly stares? First, Keith and now his beloved father. Who's next? His mother? He heads to the door and slams it close. I clutch my chest after our intense exchange of stares.
Mr. Jielo turns back our classroom, from dim into bright before he left the room. I swallowed the lump on my throat when I got a chance to digest what just happened within the past 1 hour of this morning. Intense, Cold, Dangerous
"Okay, ka lang?" Tanong ni Walter sa akin. Tumango naman ako. They didn't ask further questions and just guided me on our way to the cafeteria. They volunteered to buy my lunch while I am still spacing out.
Hindi ko lang kasi malaman ang dahilan kung bakit nila 'yun ginawa sa akin. Wala naman akong kasalanan sa kanila. Wala din akong ginawa. Did they really despise me that much? that they are eager to do something unbelievable just to kick me out from this school?
I was waiting for my lunch when a familiar figure appeared in front. The world is so big, with billions of people, yet humanity seems to be cut off. "Alone? I just wanna ask for an apology." Keith said. I just tilt my head to him without saying anything. "I know what he did is inappropriate." He added. Good thing he knows that.
Huminga ito ng malalim bago naglagay ng isang pirasong burger sa harapan ko. "My peace offering. Not for me but for my dad." He state before he left my table. My eyes followed him until he vanished into the woods.
"That jerk. Did he really think that one piece of a burger is acceptable? He should've made it three!" Pagdadabog ni Victor bago nilagay sa mesa namin ang dala-dala niyang pagkain. "Gusto mo bang kainin 'yan, Haz? Kung ayaw mo akin nalang ah!" I smiled at Walter as I nod my head.
Wala naman itong nilagpas na oras at nilantakan ang burger na ibinigay ni Keith sa akin. "can I ask something?" Both Walter and Victor turns their head at me. "Hmm," Victor replied. "What is it?" He added.
"What's the bond between Mr. Jielo and Mr. Arson?" I didn't have any second thoughts regarding that question. Walter took a pause from eating before he turned to face me. "Wala naman silang background story. Tama ba?" I turn my head to Victor for his response to Walter's question.
"Yes." Victor took a pause from eating to wipe his lips. "Sir Jielo arrived first and then Mr. Arson with Keith." He added. Napatango naman ako at nagsimula nang kumain. I paused afterward before tilting my head to them.
"I see..."
"Can I ask something again?" They turned their heads to me before slightly nodding.
"Yesterday, when Mayhem pushes me to the deep well. I dive back to decades before. I saw you and Walter with Emerita...." I can't keep something to these two. Kahit malabo na sagutin nila ang tanong ko. At least tinanong ko pa rin. Tsaka kating-kati na akong malaman kung ano ang nangyari pagkatapos non. "....Confronting. And, a man appears." Napatigil sila sa pagkain atsaka tumingin sa akin. I smile forcibly.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Tanong ni Victor sa akin. I smiled and shook my head. "Kung ayaw niyong pag-usapan, okay lang naman. Gusto ko lang din sanang itanong yung kay Hideux. What does he look like?"
"Walang Mukha, " Sagot ni Walter sa akin. "Like literal na walang mukha. Yung nakita mo sa deep well, yun siya." I frowned at him and swallowed the lump on my throat. "You gotta be kidding me."
"Ha? Ako pa talaga magbibiro sa iyo? Totoo nga. Dati nakikita namin si Emerita na kausap siya, parati naman nakayuko, kaya paano namin makikita ang mukha niya?" He has a point there. "Bakit mo ba natanong?" Dagdag ni Walter at kumain na ulit.
"Just curious," I answered. "Curiosity kills a cat," Victor added. I just return him with a smile before I continue eating.
After we took our lunch, we headed to the forest to our training ground. I turn my head to the other side when my eyes glance to Kieth and just summon my bow and arrow. "Today, I'll be teaching you how to aim your quarry or so as we called it, an enemy in a blink of an eye using the bow and arrow," Rick said. Pumunta siya sa Harapan ko at nag-summon ng bow and arrow. Nginitian niya ako bago umasinta sa target.
Umayos ako ng Tayo atsaka itinaas ang kamay ko. I blink my right eye to aim at my target before I let go the bow. I don't know what happened next because Walter pulls his bow to aim at his target so does Keith.
"Can I have a talk with you later?" Napalingon ako kay Rick atsaka tumingin sa mga mata niya. "Right. I also had some important matter to discuss with you." I replied before I compose myself to start practicing again. So far, I'm loving this practice than the previous training last week.
Our training ended up at exactly 3 pm in the afternoon. Victor was here too, taking Keith's bow and arrow so he can train himsel. Keith didn't bother to interfere since it's Victor. He's afraid of Victor. He can't even look directly into his eyes. It happens so quickly. Keith is a proud man. Himala at hindi niya ako inaasar dahil sa pagiging pure-blooded ko. Ano kayang meron? Nakakabigla naman ang pinagbago niya.
"Hazel!" I snapped back into reality when Walter screamed in front of my face. I scrunch my nose and looked around. "Kanina ka pa tinitingnan ni Rick. Mukhang may kailangan sa iyo." Ah tama! May pag-uusapan pala kaming dalawa. Humikab ako bago ako tumayo sa inuupuan ko at inaayos ang gulo kong buhok.
"May pag-uusapan lang kami. Dito lang muna kayo." Nakangiting bilin ko sa kanya. Tumango naman si Walter at lumapit sa nagta-training na si Victor at sinabayan ito. Tumango ako ni Rick at tumalikod na papunta doon sa tatlong bato kung saan ako parating pupunta pagkatapos kong malaman na doon sa lugar na 'yon ay umiiyak ako.
I sat on the center stone and tilted my head to the gray sky. "What's the important matter you wanted to discuss?" I turned my head down when I heard his voice. "Let's get into yours first. What do you want to talk about?" I replied to his question.
I'm not avoiding his question though. I just need a counterattack to his question and besides, he's the first one who asked me to tackle something. "It's about the notebook. Have you read what's written inside of it?" I thought it'll be something more important. Just that stupid notebook who shows nothing after it shows the first-third entry and only left with-
"Mari. Who is Mari?" without a second thought. I directly asked him that question. His eyes grew wide but it'd come back to normal after he moved on from the shock. "Mari is the son of Lloyd Caballina and Joy Ancient." He walked in my direction and sat beside me. It doesn't make sense. "So, It's Axl's pen name?" Rick nodded his head.
"Precisely." I frowned my brows and tilted my head to the gray sky once again. It indeed doesn't make sense. If Mari is Axl's nickname then why is it written there? Could it be? Is Axl alive? "Did the name show up there?" Rick asked. I nodded my head.
"All the entries are gone and only that pen name is left." I stared into the sky blankly. I can hear Mayhem's voice echoing in my head. "He's around. We can't identify him but he can identify us." Could it be? No. It can't be.
Rick heaved a sigh so I turned my face to him. "What do you want to talk about something important?" I blink my eyes and click my tongue. "As a SS president. I just want to ask if you have a photo of Hideux? The great wizard in Parallel World?" I turned down my voice so it's only us who can hear about this confidential conversation.
"Principal King had. But it's beyond my reach." He replied. I felt disappointed a little so I ended up knowing nothing. Akala ko ay meron siyang kopya nito. "Did you know?" Napalingon ako kay Rick nang magsalita na naman siya. "Winston Hideux is the adopted son of the Ancient? In other words, he's Axl Ancient uncle." He said with his bitter facial expression.
"He is the reason why Axl Ancient was brought up in prison. He's the first person who accused the young lad regarding the poisoning." Nakatingin lang ako kay Rick. He looks so serious. I guess he's remembering the past. I had no idea in the past so I listened attentively. "Innocent Axl Ancient ended up in prison after two-three trials. Winston Hideux bashed his parents for not letting him rule the school." He stated.
"And then, The greats Rowena Mansinades, Robert Gamalo, Mark, Ferdinand Ferdinand, Rico U Jamora and Diane Jamora interdependent to put an end to Winston Hideux. Rowena Mansinades did." I know this story already. Uncle Rico already told me this story when I went to Roscoe and I am proud of my mother. "But something happens. Black magic helped the wizard, Winston Hideux, to live again." He continued.
Nakatingin lang ako kay Rick habang busy ito sa pagsasalaysay. "And he cast an end to my parents." I continued. Napatingin sa akin si Rick at tumango. Ngumiti ako sa kanya atsaka niyakap ang mga binti ko. "I didn't know that Ancient Family has an adopted son. It wasn't written on the history book." I stated. Ayaw ko nang pag-usapan ang nangyari sa pamilya ko. Masyadong masakit.
Rick laughed at my question and beams smiles. "He's the reason why Lloyd Cabanilla accidentally killed The wall of the family." My lips parted a bit. So this is the whole truth. I am hearing it right now! "The Ancient Family hates the fact that their only daughter falls in love with a student. But, as months went on, they started to like Mr. Cabanilla."
"Especially when they figure out that their daughter is pregnant with a baby boy. They jumped out in joy." I frowned. "But the book...." Tumingin sa gawi ko si Rick atsaka bumuntong hininga. "Mr. Jielo revised the book. The old book was in the Ancient Palace." I frowned once again. "So, Mr. Jielo is spreading rumors about the Ancient and Cabanilla couple? And their son? And to the Ancient Family?" My mind can't digest these. It's aching. My head is aching.
"Yes." Nakatingin lang ako kay Rick at pilit na inalis ang sakit na pumaibabaw sa ulo ko. "So all this time, The Ancient Family loved The late Axl Ancient? They didn't hate him?" I asked once again. Tumango si Rick at lumapit ng konti sa akin. I guess he sees my struggle so he helped me massaging my head.
"You could've done something to unleash the truth. " Mahinang bulong ko pagkatapos makapag-adjust ng utak ko. "What else do you know?" Rick turned to meet my eyes before he answered, "Everything." My jaw literally drops when I heard those words from him.
Does he know literally everything? how... "I've been in this school for so long. I guess I know enough?"
Rick stood up from sitting beside me and started walking away. "Wait!" I stood up to follow him and grab his coat. He turns to face me and beams a smile. "Hmm?"
"I need your help. I need to see what he looks like." Umiwas ng tingin sa Rick at tumingin sa paligid. He places both hands on his waist before he squints his eyes. "Saturday, Meet me at the train station. 13 pm sharp." He said before turning away from me again.
"Can I bring along--" He cut me off and his chuckle echoed on the stones.
"Yes."
--
It's been two days since the Life VS Death competition happened and I am here in the classroom again listening attentively to Principal King. "The school is not a safe place anymore." Principal King said. He keeps on telling us to stay in our respective dorms and only go out if we have important things to do.
He also told us if ever someone approached us. We shouldn't entertain them. "Why sir?" One of my classmates asked. Tumingin si Principal King sa kanya at tumalikod para may ipakita sa amin. The class turned dim and the white curtain again hovers our green board.
Nakita ko ang pag-flash ng pangalan ng school sa kurtina at muntikan akong mapatayo dahil sa nakita ko. Ang Blanche. Ang village namin. At ang park kung saan ako parati nakatambay. Nagkakagulo.
"There's a dark spirit roaming in the mortal world. And soon it'll be here. Someone already opened the portal." Principal King said. I swallowed the lump on my throat. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko gusto kong umalis muna sa Parallel para puntahan si Aunt Jane. "Who is that someone?" We turned our heads to Walter when he popped a question.
"That's the mystery we are trying to solve. Our purple wizards are trying their best to close the portal but for now, I hope you stay alert and distant from each other. We can't trust anyone right now. Nobody knows what will happen the next day." Principal King answered before everything went back to normal.
I glance at Walter and Victor. They were talking to each other so I had left with no choice but to think about Aunt's safety. I look down into my necklace, the time traveler necklace, and sigh before I close my eyes. I hope. I hope she uses my invention to stay away from danger.
After the class, I and Walter headed to the SS office. Rick presented a meeting for us. I guess it's because of the dark spirits roaming around. I wonder what they look like.
I sat on the tree branch inside the office and leaned my back on the wall. "Good afternoon, everyone. Sorry to keep you waiting." We nodded our head to the president and stood up to follow his lead. He places a Map on the table and massages his temples. "This is the whole map of Parallel World." I can turn my eyes to the map and tilt my head to Rick.
"We discuss that probably the first attack of the Black Spirits starts in Homan." Parallel World has Four places including the school. Roscoe was not on the list. I wonder why.
The first place is Homan. The place where the first station was located. The place where I came from. The second is Downtown. I haven't been there so I had no idea what it looks like. Third is the Rogue College and the last one is Madith. A bit away from Rogue College.
Rick places a rock on Homan and places his hands on his waist. "Principal King spoke to me earlier before he warned all of the students. He wants us to secure Downtown thus it'll be the next after Homan." I nodded my head and crossed my arms.
The skies are moving on the map, the ocean too. I squinted my eyes when I saw black shadows circling above the Homan. Could they be? "The dark spirits." I tilt my head to Keith and look down at the map again. "They can possess mortals." He added.
I frowned. Why is he telling that to me? Did he suddenly reflect on his action? Not-so cool for a Keith Arson. "Brace yourself. We'll be going downtown later."
"How about classes?"
"All the classes are suspended until the end of the month Ms. Gamalo. To secure and maintain the peacefulness of Parallel World and Rogue College." Rick deeply stares into my eyes and I can feel shivers down my spine. He has this sort-of Victor manipulating feelings when he tones that way. He sounded like, not the Rick Mal I used to know.
Rick excused himself before he paved his way out of the office. I am with Keith and Walter. Nakakabingi ang katahimikan pero wala naman akong magagawa nito. After a few minutes, Rick comes back with a black bag.
I pick up the map on the table and hold it while the president places the bag on the table. Pulling out our weapons?
"Para saan ang mga ito? Hindi ba mga wizard tayo? We don't need these." Walter had a point. "Self Defense." My eyes followed Rick's hands when he had an Axe. "Here's your domain, Mr. Arson."
"Thanks."
"For you, Mr. Jamora." I smiled when Rick gave Walter a Bow and Arrow. "Here's yours, milady." I smiled when he gave me a bow and arrow. "Salamat."
"And for you. " I frowned when he gave a sword to me? "As expect. You always spare one for me." Napatingin ako sa likuran ko at hindi ko napigilang mapangiti nang makilala ko ang boses na iyon.
He's coming with us! Victor Rough is coming with us!