"Good morning, Principal King." Rick greeted formally. Principal King turned his back to face us and led us to his Ancient sofa. Irony. His last name is Ancient and so does his office. "Take a seat," He spoke with a smile. We all nodded and took a seat on his Ancient sofa.
Si Walter, Victor, Rick, at Keith ay naging pormal sa harapan ng aming punong guro. Tumalikod si Princial King sa amin at inayos ang kanyang coat at pagkatapos 'tsaka ito may kinuha sa kanyang hunos. Isa itong maitim na folder, makapal siya. "Ang huling pagsalakay ng mga dark spirit ay noong taong 1990 pa. Mahigit Tatlumpung taon na rin ang nakalipas" 1990? Ang taon kung kelan itinatag ang Rogue College? Suspish.
"Ang tanging nakapagpigil ng pagsalakay ay walang nakakaalam." Dag-dag ni Principal King. I frowned my brows. "Hanggang ngayon po?" Tanong ni Walter. Dinapuan ng tingin ni Principal King si Walter bago tumango.
Keith cleared his throat so we turned our heads in his place. "And the reason you called us out is?" I almost forgot the matter of why we're here. Good thing the werewolf is here to remind us of our purpose. "To talk about yesterday. What happened yesterday?" Rick raised his hands and gave us a stare saying 'it'll be an honor for me to tell everything' We just nod to him before I lean my back on the backrest.
Nadako ang tingin ko kay Rolex at tiningnan kung gumagalaw pa ba ito. Mabuti naman at gumagalaw na siya ngayon. Hindi katulad kahapon. Sinimulan ng e-kwento ni Rick ang nangyari kahapon at katulad ng sinabi niya kanina, sinabi niya kay Principal King kung ano ang nagawa ng aking pearl.
Nanatili akong tahimik habang tinitingnan ng mabuti ang pearl na binigay ni Headmistress Pearl. Pakiramdam ko naman ay walang tinatagong sekreto ang aking bracelet. Naalala ko na naman kasi 'yung sinabi ni Headmistress Pearl, Ang sabi niya ay nakakasense din ng panganib ang pearl na ito katulad ni Rolex.
But, it does sound so magical that it gleams a bright light after I fainted. "Ms. Gamalo?" Napaayos ako ng upo sa upuan at ini-angat ang aking tingin kay Principal King. "Bakit po?" He looked deeply into my eyes to read what my mind says but so far. I am not thinking about anything, just the mystery of my pearl.
"Can I take a look at your pearl?" I turned my head to the boys and nodded my head and tried to take off the pearl from my wrist. It took a while before I took it off as I gave it to Principal King.
Kaagad namang sinuri ni Principal King ang aking bracelet at kulang na lang ay kumuha siya ng magnifying glass para masuri ito ng maayos. Hinawakan ni Victor ang braso ko atsaka ngumiti ng tipid. Nakakapanibago. Hindi ako sanay na hindi ko suot ang bracelet na 'yon tuwing sinisilayan ko ng tingin ang aking kamay ay pakiramdam ko talaga na may kulang. Siguro dahil suot suot ko ang bracelet na 'yon sa loob ng ilang buwan.
It took one hour before Principal King gave me back my bracelet. I rub my eyes before I take it from him and put it on my wrist. Now my wrist feels so good. Perfect as it seems. Kidding. "Pearl. From Headmistress Pearl?" He asked. Well, I wouldn't be surprised if he figures out who gave me this bracelet. Blanche is under his twin brother though.
Speaking of Blanche. I don't have any news about what happened to the mortal world and if the alumni already closed the portal. Principal King is walking around his office I guess looking for something. "Principal King. What's the news about the portal?" He accidentally dropped one book from his grip so I stood up to pick it up. 'The Enigma of La Perle' I frowned when I read the book cover. "Hazel?" I smiled at Principal King before I handed the book to him.
"The portal?" I nodded my head and turned my head to the boys. They are roaming the office separately.
"opo." Ibinalik ni Principal King ang libro sa bookshelf at nagsimulang maglakad papunta sa kanyang mesa. Nadako ang tingin ko sa libro at mabilis na kinuha ito at ipinasok sa bulsa ng aking sweater bago sumunod kay Principal King. Kung bakit ko kinuha ang libro ay hindi ko din alam.
Umupo si Principal King sa kanyang upuan at tumingin sa aking mga mata. "It's not finished yet." I nodded my head. So distant from the answer, I wanted to hear. "But I know the reason why you asked about that. Do you crave to visit your world?" My eyes twinkled at what I heard and hurriedly tilt my head. "Yes! Yes, Principal King." I swallowed the lump on my throat and smiled.
He chuckled softly and shook his head leaning his back on the backrest.
Tumabi sa akin ang boys at tiningnan ako ng makahulugang tingin. Hindi ko muna sila pinansin kasi nag-aantay ako sa magiging salaysay ni Principal King. Kung sakali mang papayag siya, gagawin ko ang lahat para iligtas ang Blanche. "In one condition." Nararamdaman ko ang boys na nasa likuran ko. They are crossing their arms listening attentively.
"What condition?" Now Victor's intimidating voice echoed in the office. God! When it gives me goosebumps. "Make sure that you'll only take a day there. No one should know where you came from. Aside from Hazel's relatives."
"What about the dark spirits?" I, Walter, and Rick turned our heads to Keith and gave him a death glare but he just ignored us. "You can't easily tell us that we're allowed to cross the mortal world. There are a lot of Dark Spirits there. Remember. It started in Blanche!" The Dark Spirits started in Blanche? How...
"I am totally aware of that, Mr. Arson. That's also the reason why I sent you off. Ms. Gamalo's pearl is a big help and Blanche needed assistance too." Well, I totally agree with Principal King's response. Yes, my pearl helped us yesterday from the spirits, then it's also needed in Blanche. "And besides, Principal Spencer from Blanche University allowed your group to cross there. It'll be a big help to them." Roast that werewolf, Principal King.
Hindi ko na napigilang mapangiti at kaagad na niyakap si Walter na nakatayo sa tabi ko. "CAN I COME TOO, PRINCIPAL?"
--
"Are we seriously riding your griffin?" Today is Friday and I am with Walter, Victor, Keith, Rick, and of course the last on the list. My uncle. "Why not?" Walter smiled. Well, Destiny and a well-grown griffin. Destiny is long and so do its wings.
"Kaya ba niya tayong anim?" Nagdadalawang isip na tanong ni Oishi. Napangiti naman ako atsaka hinawakan ang braso niya para mapalapit sa akin. "First time mo bang sumakay sa griffin, uncle ni Hazel?" I rolled my eyes. Instead of calling my uncle by name he keeps on calling him 'uncle ni Hazel'. "Oo po," Kita niyo? Kahit hindi siya tinawag ni Walter sa kanyang pangalan makikita mo pa rin ang pagiging mabuting tao niya.
He reminds me of my dad. My dad teaches me how to be polite, generous, respectful and all the good traits that you'll think of. Then, I changed myself. Anyways. Oishi is a bit taller than me at his young age. He is afraid of heights. How can I say so? In his face. It's visible there.
Victor helped me to ride on Destiny's back and he escorted my uncle to ride too. "You should be here, " I told Oishi and changed our place. He is sitting in front of me and I am behind him.
"Natatakot ako, insan" Nakangusong sabi nito sa akin. Napangiti ako sa kanya at hinawakan ang kanyang balikat. "Huwag kang matakot. We're just here behind you." I assured him. Mga ilang minuto pa bago nakasakay ang lahat.
It's Oishi, Me, Walter, Victor, Keith, and Rick.
This ride is not like our normal ride on the train. We were flying in the sky and we almost touched the clouds. Though this is my second time, I still find it amazing how I dip the tip of my finger on the cloud beside me. It feels so great. Now I know the feeling of flying to the sky, a logic that I didn't know I would experience.
Someone pokes my waist while I am holding Oishi so I turn my head to where it came from. "We're now in the mortal world. Prepare your bow and arrow. We might encounter some spirits here in the sky." Mahinang bulong ni Victor. Tumingin ako kay Walter and I saw him already summoning his bow and arrow.
Sunod kong tiningnan si Rick at Keith. He did the same too with their sword and ax. Ako nalang at si Victor ang hindi pa nakaka summon sa amin. Huminga ako ng malalim at ipinikit ang aking mga mata. I fished out my wand and start murmuring 'abarakadabra' to summon my bow and arrow. Nang nararamdaman ko na ang pana ibinuka ko na ang mga mata ko at nilagay ang lalagayan ng palaso sa aking likuran.
We glided our body to the side when destiny headed down from the sky. I held Oishi close to me when a spirit met our way. "Close your eyes and whatever happens. Don't open them"
"Pero insan...." I shook my head and leveled my face down to him. "It's fine. Trust me. It's dangerous when you keep your eyes open. They might attack you, so better close them. Are we clear?" Oishi pouted before he nodded his head. What a good boy. He followed what I said and he also bent his body down and hugged destiny's neck.
The boys also positioned themselves. Walter taps destiny's side that makes the griffin flapped its wings hard and start moving in a straight direction. Our body collided with the movement of destiny. I heard some whispers in my ear that made me startled a bit. "Focus, Hazel." Damn, Rick. Do I look like I'm not focusing?
The bright clouds start to dim. We're here. We're here in Blanche. "Destiny, turn to the left side." And destiny obeys his master's words. "May sumusunod sa 'tin." Sabi ni Walter. Napatingin kami sa kanya at sa likuran namin. He's right. Someone is tailing us. "Ako na ang bahala." The werewolf said. Nag-usap ang kanilang mga mata bago tumango.
Kaagad naman na pumosisyon si Walter para tamaan ng kanyang pana ang mga Espiritu na sumusunod sa amin. Nakakakilabot. Hindi ko naman tinitingnan ang mga mata nila pero parang may humihila sa akin para tumingin doon. Ayoko. "Hazel!" Tinakpan ni Walter ang mga mata ko at doon lang ako napa-isip. Muntik na. Muntik na talaga.
"Insan?" Tinanggal ko ang kamay ni Walter sa mga mata ko pero mas hinigpitan pa niya ito. "Oishi is calling me, take this off, Walter," I said full of authority. "Nobody's calling you, Hazel. You are getting tempted. Victor, let's exchange." Inialis ni Walter ang kamay niya sa mga mata ko kaya kaagad ko itong binuksan pero wala pang isang segundo ay natakpan na naman ito. I place my hand above someone's hand. Slender fingers. It's Victor.
He keeps his hands on my eyes. Someone is still murmuring in my ear but in the other ear, I can hear Victor's voice motivating me to fight over the temptation. "Hazel." I frowned and held Victor's wrist. "Dad?"
"Too much power up here, Walter. We need to go down. Now!" I tried to take Victor's hand from my eyes but he tightened it more. "What happened?" Dad. I am hearing my dad's voice. I want to see them! I want to hear more from them. I miss them. "Dad!"
"Walter!" I heard Victor's loud shout.
I exclaimed when a strong brush of air held my skin. He wrapped his arm around my waist and I can feel his sword in my side. Victor slowly held his hand down from covering my eyes while I adjusted my sight.
Oishi with his sleepy state held my shoulder and helped me go down from destiny. Sinalo naman ako kaagad ni Rick at Keith. For the first time, I can visualize sincerity in the werewolf's eyes. "Are you okay?" Rick asked. I nodded my head slowly before I heaved a sigh. "Ito. Baka, you need this. I found this there." Keith pointed out the road and took the black shades that he found there and handed me a black shade.
"Thanks." I smiled at him and wore the shades. "Ganda ahh! Bagay sa'yo." I just keep quiet even though Walter's complimenting me. "Okay ka lang insan?" Tanong ni Oishi sa akin. Tumingin ako sa gawi niya atsaka bumuntong hininga.
"I heard my dad calling me-- Ms. Gamalo." I hurriedly turn to find where did that voice come from. "Headmistress!" Umayos ako ng tayo at tinakbo ang kinaroroonan ni Headmistress, Pearl. She got surrounded by dark spirits but they can't get into her because of...the pearl she's holding. "Hazel!" Narinig kong sigaw ng boys. Hindi ko sila magawang pansinin dahil nag fo-focus ako sa pag-asinta sa mga anino.
The spirits are turning their heads in my direction. I can't see their figures but I can see their bright eyes. Thanks to the black shades, I can't be hypnotized by those eyes again. I brace myself and start shooting the shadows, with the help of the boys, we are able to help, Headmistress. "Tara na! Hazel!" I got back to my senses when Keith held my shoulder. Rick, Walter, and with the help of Oishi, got Headmistress Pearl on destiny's back.
"Bring her to, Rogue. Meet us at Blanche University." This intimidating voice again. "Noted. Mag-ingat kayo." We nodded to Rick. Hinawakan ako ni Oishi at tumingin sa mga mata ko. I gave him a hug and left a kiss on his forehead. "Insan...." I sighed and shakes my head.
"I want you to stay in Rogue. And in case you meet a dark spirit. Close your eyes and don't look into their eyes." Wow, Hazel. Coming from you, who look at the eye of an enemy. Amazing indeed. "Pero...." I cupped his cheeks and took off my shade to look into his eyes. "Listen to me, Oishi. You'll be safe there." Niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit and I can't do anything but hug him back.
"I'll be safe here. Victor and Keith are with me. Sige na,"
--
"Where is your dorm?" Tanong ni Victor sa akin. It's been months since I last went here. Something indeed changed. Just like what I saw in the footage that Principal King presented. The Blanche now looks like an entire mess. The trees are down, the covered court is covered with leaves, The lights are off. "I don't stay in the dorm. I prefer to go home than stay a night here." I replied to Victor's question.
"Why?" Keith blends in. "My house is just 20-30 minutes away from here. No need to go to the dorm." I replied. Hinawakan ko ng mahigpit ang bow ko. We are walking to the second floor of Blanche University. The school is like the letter L and A.
The letter L is half for Blanche Elementary School and Blanche Junior School. A is for Blanche SHS and Blanche College. We are walking to the hallway heading to the principal's office. When we reached there, I turned the doorknob and was surprised when it opened kahit hindi ko pa yon binuksan.
"Someone went inside before us," Victor whispered. I turn my head to them and they are holding their sword and ax.
Keith gave me a signal to open the door wide in which I did. Kinapa ko ang ilaw ng office and I almost jump out in surprise when Principal Spencer turned his body to us, holding a book and he also looked surprised. "Oh... nandito pala kayo! Akala ko bukas pa kayo makakarating." Nakangiting bati niya sa amin at hinipan ang librong hawak niya. Katulad na katulad sa librong nakita ko kanina sa office ni Principal King.
I squinted my eyes. 'The Enigma of La Perle' "I heard that the spirits open the portal to Rogue. I'm so sorry about that. Don't worry, I and Pearl are already experimenting to bring back the light in Blanche. " Principal Spencer added. "So sorry for the trouble we've caused." Victor crossed his arms and nodded his head.
"It's alright, Mr. Spencer. It's no worries. Do you need our help perhaps? We'll be here until tomorrow only." Tomorrow... Lumayo muna ako sa kanilang tatlo at hinayaan sila na mag-usap. Walang calendar sa office ni Principal Spencer. Only my previous classroom last year.
Pumunta ako sa west side at hinanap ang classroom ko last year. Nakasara ang pintuan kaya wala na akong nagawa kundi ang isingit ang ulo ko sa bintana para tingnan kung anong araw ngayon. Biyernes. Bukas ay sabado. Napa-isip tuloy ako kung matutuloy ba ang plano namin ni Rick bukas. Masyadong delikado.
Inayos ko ang aking suot na damit at tinali ang buhok ko. Hindi ko pa nakikitang lumabas si Victor at ang werewolf sa office kaya pumunta muna ako sa library. To avoid attracting the spirits, I use my wand as a flashlight while I am heading to the library. Each floor has a library and it's located every corner of the floors.
Nang makarating ako sa library, I roamed my eyes around and I smiled when I saw Emerita checking books. "Hi." She turned her head to me as the book she's holding dropped.
"Hazel!" She screams before she runs at me and gave me a tight hug. "Long time no see!" I greeted to her. "Oo nga! Jusko. Parang ilang taon na kitang hindi nakita ah! Nakakabighani kasi gumanda ka!~ Ganyan ba ang naidudulot ng Rogue sa'yo?" Napa-iling ako sa kanyang tanong at tumawa ng bahagya. "Hindi naman. Kamusta ka na? Bakit ang dilim?"
Kumuha ako ng librong nililinis niya at binasa ang mga title nito. "Alam mo naman, Rumarami ang dark spirits. Ayaw ko namang pumasok sila sa loob kasi na-attract sila sa liwanag." Na-attract ang dark spirits sa liwanag? "You mean... They love lights?" Tanong ko para masigurado kung tama ang narinig ko.
"Oo? Hindi mo ba alam?" I shook my head confusedly. "Ganito kasi 'yun." Pinatay ko ang ilaw na ginawa ng wand ko at nakinig sa kanya.
"Nung ginawa ni Ma'am Pearl at Sir Spencer ang experiment. Hindi nila namalayan na nalagyan nila 'yon ng likido para sa ilaw. Nahalo sa experiments na ginawa nila. Imbes na matakot ang mga Espiritu sa ilaw, na-attract sila nito. Dapat, Yung experiment na 'yon ay hanggang dito lang. Pero may gumalaw sa kulungan ng mga ito kaya nakawala. Within 6 hours, they are already throughout Blanche, then I heard Sir. Spencer got a call from Rogue Principal that their experiment opened the portal and some transmitted there causing trouble." Emerita explained.
"So that's the reason, Blanche looks like a ghost town." I joked. "Yep!" I just smiled and nodded my head. It's been a while since I had a proper conversation with her. The last time was when I enrolled myself in Blanche, College of Computer Science Wizards. She's the one who assigned me to what classroom and who are my future classmates. That's totally useless because I didn't get to know any since I got transferred to Rogue.
We talked about how the experiment started and according to her. It's all Principal Spencer's idea. There's this one moment in my senior year, actually, The idea of Principal Spencer experimenting with stuff is not new to me. I can clearly remember when he experiments on a dead animal and brings it back to life is surprising though it is a big help at all. Aside from that experiment, he created a griffin. It's like a Hippogriff but its feet are horse feet.
Other students call him out as a total weirdo. On every side is true but Principal Spencer is cute. He likes to do everything that keeps him happy. He doesn't please all of his students, if they get amazed by his experiments then he'll be glad, if they don't, he won't force them.
I can also recall. I was still in Grade 11 when Principal Spencer kept on bragging to me about Rogue. He gave me a bunch of photos of the said school and then talked to me again about how wonderful it is. He said that school will be perfect for me but I keep on declining it.
And now that I am studying in Parallel World, Rogue College. All the photos that he gave to me, all the learning experiences that he shared with me are all true. Excluding one thing. He didn't share with me that he is the First Head of Rogue and he also forgot to elaborate the history of it which gave me an enigmatic feeling about the School.
But overall, Rogue College is far from what I had expected. I didn't even realize that I could make friends there and be able to change myself for good. I just felt at home when I arrived there.
I and Emerita stopped talking when someone opened the door. A figurine of 4 tall men headed inside. "Hazel, You here?" It's Victor's voice. "Yes. Here" I fished out my wand to create a small light so they can see us since we are on the dark side of the library.
"Geez. We've been looking for you. We roamed the entire school just to look for you. We thought something bad happened to you." This is so new. Never in my life, I heard a werewolf talking this way. As if he cared for me. Did someone poison him to be kind towards me? I will give them a round of applause. I just laughed and hid my wand when they got closer. "Mabuti naman at nandito ka lang! Pinakaba mo kami."
"You guys arrive already? that fast?" I asked then squint my eyes at Rick and Walter. "Anong that fast, Haze? Tatlong oras ka namin hinanap no! Kaya hindi fast, okay?" Siniko ko si Walter kaya ngumiti siya sa akin at nag-peace sign.
"O'yeah. Before I forgot. I would like you guys to meet, the only friend I had here in Blanche," Tumingin ako sa gawi ni Emerita. Ngumiti siya akin nang may pag-aalinlangan pa kaya hinawakan ko ang kanyang mga kamay. Siguro ay first time niya ito. 'Yong may magpapakilala sa kanya. Isipin niyo nga naman. Apat na lalaki ang nandito at dalawa lang kaming babae. Siguro ay nahihiya pa siya.
"Rick, Victor, Keith, and Walter, This is Emerita. The one and only librarian at Blanche University"