"We are violating the school rules!" Tinapunan ko ng masamang tingin ang kasama kong si Victor. Kanina pa niya ako tinatanong kung ano ang ginagawa namin sa Mardith. Ang lugar kung saan nakatayo ang Ancient Palace.
Ang lugar kung saan nagsimula ang lahat. Nasa pinakahuling listahan ng barangay ang Mardith dito sa Parallel World.
The palace was abandoned only then, Rogue College Principal, King Ancient allowed his students to come and visit the place. "endormir les géants" I whispered and put the giants to sleep. "Seriously?" I shrugged my shoulders when Victor hit my arm.
Tinakbo namin ang entrance ng Palasyo at binuksan ang pinto. Sininyasan namin si Walter at Rick na sumunod sa amin at sabay kaming apat na pumasok sa loob.
There are no exact words to say when I stepped inside the palace. The chandelier is brighter than my life. Beautiful than me. We headed to the hallway of heaven while I was busy staring at the picture frames that were stuck on the wall.
And why did I say hallway of heaven? The hallway is so long that I can't see where the edge of this hallway leads.
"Here's the Ancient Family tree. It's not done yet according to Principal King." I stopped walking and stared into the frame. I honestly can't say anything because this is not what I came here for. But, I still stare at the frame, looking for one specific person. Hideux.
"I can't see his photo," I muttered. Napatingin sa akin si Walter at Victor pero hindi ko muna sila dinapuan ng tingin. Halos memorize ko na sa kakatingin ang family tree pero wala akong makita maliban sa isang sunog na parte ng frame. Kusa kong naiyukom ang mga kamao at huminga ng malalim. Hindi ma-aari. "He's that one." Lumingon ako ng saglit kay Rick na itinuturo ang nasunog na larawan. "Hazel?" Hindi ko muna binigyan ng pansin si Walter at nilapitan ang larawan para suriin ito ng mabuti.
"Okay ka lang, Hazel?"
"Yeah," I replied before I cleared my throat. I need to shrug this off. Nakita ni Rick ang struggle ko kaya tinuloy na namin ang paglalakad namin. Siniko ako ni Victor at kita kong nagtatanong ang mga mata niya pero ngumiti lang ako sa kanya. Natanong ko na sa kanila ang tungkol kay Hideux at yung usapan nila sa balon pero parang may gusto pa akong malaman. I want more.
Inakbayan ako ni Walter at ngumiti. "Axl Ancient used to live here until he aged 14." Rick shared. Napatingin ako sa kanya at tumingin ulit sa mga picture frame.
Why did he bring up the topic about Axl Ancient all of a sudden? Dahil ba nandito si Victor at Walter? Our conversation flashed in my mind. Is it true that he knows everything? How much did he know? Why is he keeping those? Who are you, Rick Mal?
"Yeah. Then they moved him to prison. I remember the times we used to play in this long-end hallway." Victor replied. I just listened attentively and nodded my head. Such a wonderful childhood memory. I can't relate.
Without further words, we continue walking in the hallway until we turn to the east wing of the palace. They stopped and turned their heads to me so I stopped walking also and smiled at them. "Why?" I asked confusedly. "Do you wish to see him?" I swallowed the lump on my throat.
Napatingin ako kay Victor at Walter and curious drawn visibly in their faces. "Sino? Sino, Haze?" Tinanggal ni Walter ang pagkaka-akbay sa akin bago kumunot ang noo. Hindi ko magawang makasagot kasi hindi ko pa naman ito nababangit sa kanila.
"Are you hiding something from us, Hazel?" And here goes again the chilling, intimidating voice of Victor Rough. I thought for a moment. Am I hiding something from them? I didn't tell them that I read Victor's name in the entry. I didn't tell them that I read the first and second entries of Axl's Journal. I didn't tell them that another entry opened earlier.
Maybe, I'm just occupied with the Dark Spirit issue plus the Spirit of the Witch hovering here in Parallel World that I can't bring myself to tell them everything. I am indeed hiding something from them. "But it's okay if you won't open up to us. We understand but remember always that we're just here beside you whatever happens."
"Thank you..." I mouthed and nodded my head. They continue walking so I take a deep breath. Bahala na kung makita nila kung sino ang pinunta namin dito. "Rick. I wished to see him" Napalingon ulit sila sa akin and Rick smiled. "Okay. Noted that." He replied before turning his back from me.
I don't know where it is but this place looks like an office because of the decorations. The busy eyes of the boys are roaming around the said office. I guess they are familiarizing themselves with the place and thinking if they went here before, but reading their facial expression. It looks like they haven't been here.
"Opisina 'to ni Principal King 'no?" Tanong ni Walter. Napangiti naman ako.
"Yes." Rick roamed around the office with Walter. Hinawakan naman ni Victor ang braso ko at hinila ako sa tabi niya. "I want to ask you something. I am just bothered." Huminga ako ng malalim at tumango sa kanya. Ngumiti si Victor at hinawakan ang dalawang balikat ko.
"Did you read my name on Axl's entry?" I smiled. I guess I am cornered. Katulad na lang nung narinig ko ang pag-uusap ni Victor, Walter at Uncle Rico na napansin ni Victor na may tinatago ako sa kanya, kasi tama naman siya. Hindi ako magtatanong ng confidential na bagay sa kanya kung wala akong nabasa, kung wala akong nalaman.
I wouldn't pique interest in his father's death if he's not the one who shared it himself. I am not that kind of person who gets curious all of a sudden unless it's a doubtful situation.
"The master of equanimity," I answered. "Victor Rough," I added. He frowned his brows upon hearing me and crossed his arms. "That's what I read in the third entry."
"That's all?" I nodded. I actually waited for something to pop out aside from that but nothing more. Then after I read that entry, when we went home, remember the train part? The fourth entry appears and it's only one word, one name, the pen-name of the owner.
He takes a deep breath and nodded his head. "I read another entry earlier." Parang nabuhayan ng dugo si Victor dahil sa narinig niya at binalingan ako ng tingin. "What is it?" Ipinikit ko ang mga ko para alalahanin ang nabasa ko kaninang umaga. Binuksan ko ang mga mata ko at tumingin kay Victor. Nagdadalawang isip ako kung sasabihin ko ba 'to sa kanya o wag nalang muna.
"Tungkol sa pag-iba ng takbo ng kwento sa Ancient History book." He nodded his head. "I know that. Mr. Jielo revises the book." My lips parted in surprise and blinked my eyes. "I, Walter, Rick, Ethel, Franco, Emerita, Dalton, and Warren know the revision but not the reason behind it." He said.
Napatingin ako sa side ni Walter at Rick na nagbubukas ng drawers. "It was said that Uncle told him to revise it. I can't believe it, I don't have any idea why he chooses to publish a lie, Jielo Agapito is a pure-blooded mortal who wants to work under the Dark God." I recall and tilt my head to Victor.
"Sino sa tingin mo ang uncle na sinasabi ni Axl?" Takhang tanong ko kay Victor.
"I don't have any idea. It's either Principal King or Principal Spencer or Winston." My eyes widened. So he also has an idea that the Ancient Family adopted another male in the family? I thought Rick knew all of these.
Kaya naman pala hindi pwedeng maliitin si Victor. He knows everything just like Rick. Ngayon na leader na siya ng number one wand group, Alam ko sa kaloob-looban ko na mas marami alam si Victor kesa kay Rick.
I lean my back on the wooden wall and step back when I step to something.
"HAZEL!" Napasigaw ako nang muntikan akong mahulog sa butas. Humawak ako ng mahigpit sa dalawang braso ni Victor at dahan-dahang tumingin sa ilalim ng butas. There are bunch of pointed tree trunks there that skips my heart from beating. "Hang on there! Don't let go!" He growls.
Ipinikit ko ang dalawang mata ko at huminga ng malalim. Kumakarira sa Bilis ng tibok ang Puso ko. Binuksan ko ang dalawang mata ko at tumingala kay Victor. Beside him was the shirtless Rick. Tying his coat and polo. "Hazel, hang on there!" He shouted. I answered with a nod.
"Humawak ka sa akin, Haze!" I tried to reach Walter's hand but I couldn't do it. I was eaten up with fear. I can't even let go of gripping Victor's wrist. "Walter! Come here! You are too far!" Victor groans once again.
I watched how he positioned himself, laying on the floor, and trying to reach my wrist from Victor's wrist.
Hindi na napigilan ng mga luha ko ang pagpatak ng makarinig kami ng mahinang timer at kasabay nun ay ang pagyanig ng butas sa ilalim.
"Damnit! Matagal pa ba yan, Rick!?" I heard no response from Rick while my tears were falling continuously down to my cheeks.
Trumiple ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko ngayon. Napakabilis na kahit anong pagpa-pakalma ang gawin ko ay wala ding mangyayari. "Use your goddamn wand, Rick!" Said Victor.
"The power of our wand can't be cast inside the palace." I opened my eyes to look up to them and look below. The trunks and going up and any moment now, I might get hit by it. The president tied my wrists with his coat and shirt as he tried to pull me up. It didn't work at all but they come up with an idea about working together.
They pulled me up with all their strengths. The click of the time starts to become loud and fast. Rolex vibrated and my pearl turned white. "Pull!" Sigaw ni Walter nang makaluhod na sila galing sa pagkakadapa, they are working so hard that I burst into tears once again.
"Hold tight!" They said synchronized and I can feel myself getting pulled up.
We all groaned when they successfully lifted me up from a near-death experience. The hole closed after I escaped and we are laying on the floor. A bucket of tears starts to stream down my cheeks as I start crying heavily.
"Damn..." They catch their breath while panting.
"Are you okay?" Inabot ni Rick ang braso ko before he gave me a hug.
--
"We need to hurry up. The giants are awake." I reminded them after I recovered from what happened. They parted the hug and even checked my whole body. "I found the photo but just like in the family tree, someone erased his face. Someone burned the photo excluding his body." Rick said before giving me the photo.
"Winston Hideux?" I tilt my head to Victor and Walter then nodded my head. Tinupi ko ang larawan at ipinasok sa bulsa ng hoodie ko. "Bakit mo naman kailangan ang picture niya?" Tanong ni Walter sa akin habang hinihimas ang likod ko. Napadungo na lang at bumuntong hininga.
"He killed my parents." They didn't ask follow-up questions, maybe because they thought that I don't wanna share what exactly happened and why did I accuse this man of the one who killed my parents.
We get startled when we hear big footsteps roaming the palace. "Tara na! Gising na sila." I whispered and they nodded. Kinuha ko ang wand ko and so are they. Rick headed out first and we followed him on our way out. Tumingin ako sa paligid when the footsteps are going closer. We started to run out and headed to the forest.
Walter held my hand as we ran further to the trees. "The giants saw us!" Sabi ni Victor.
I groaned when I felt metal hit my arm. Napahawak ako sa braso ni Walter kasabay non ang pagluhod ko sa Lupa. Today is not my day indeed. "Hazel!" To stop the blood from flowing, I use my free hand to cover my wound. I hissed when the pain started to sink into my body.
Inalalayan ako ni Walter atsaka kami nagtago sa likod ng malaking puno. Tinulungan niya akong takpan ang mga sugat ko at nag murmur ng spell para tumigil ang pagdurugo pero wala pa ring nangyayari. Napadaing ako nang biglang namanhid ang braso ko at nahihirapan na akong igalaw ito.
"Walter, Anong nangyari?" Asked Victor and held my numb arm. I bit my tongue to prevent myself from making a sound. The giant looks like it is hunting us down and we need to be careful to not create a sound so it won't see us hiding behind the tree.
"May pumana sa kanya. Could it be-- pero hindi pwede. Hindi ba sinigurado ni Ms. Joy na hindi na ulit tayo papasukan ng hunters pagkatapos nong nangyari sa tatay mo?" Sagot ni Walter.
Hindi ko na naman napigilang hindi mapadaing dahil sumasakit ang sugat ko.
It feels like a bug digging deeper into my wound. "Ahhh!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. "I'll carry her. Mauna na kayong dalawa. Troll the giant." Tumango si Walter at Rick at tumakbo palayo sa aming dalawa.
Victor gave me a lift as he ran to the different side of the forest. I keep on whining, groaning, and howling because of the pain. I tried to lift my head up and saw a lot of manyeo flying into the sky. "Victor...."
"I know." He replied softly. I close my eyes to take a deep breath so I won't lose my consciousness. "Your pearl is turning white, Hazel." I heard him mumble. "Hazel? Hazel hangs on there. Don't ever let go,"
He starts to pants between his breaths so I open my eyes to take a look at the sky. "Ang rami na nila, Victor...." I mumbled once again. "I know, I know." He said panting.
I heard a growl in the middle of the forest and turned my face to look around. "What's that?" I mumbled huskily. "Werewolves."
"Keith...."
"Yes."
---
I gasped for air when something tapped into my face.
Iminulat ko ang mga mata ko at iginala ito sa buong paligid para malaman kung nasaan ako. "Gising na s'ya." I blinked my eyes when a male stood up from sitting on the vacant chair beside me. It's Walter.
"Hazel, mabuti naman at gising ka na." Walter greeted. He helped me to sit up from laying in the bed and took the towel on the female's hand and pressed it on my face gently. "Where are we?" He smiled at my question and when he was about to answer, the wooden door opened and a woman in her 20s or 30's greeted me with a welcoming smile.
"Auntie," Walter greeted.
Kasunod na pumasok si Rick at Victor. Victor sat on my bed while Rick remained standing. "Thank God you're awake. Masakit pa ba ang sugat mo?" She asked. I shake my head slowly and smile softly.
"Good." She said and then headed in my direction. I was alarmed but Victor and Walter held my hand and their eyes were telling me to trust the woman in front of me. The woman placed her hand in my arm while my eyes followed her feminine movements
I close my eyes and bite my lower lip before I groan loud when she murmurs a spell. "Ahhh!" I screamed as the boys held my hand tightly so I couldn't move.
A tear of fear drops from my eye down to my cheeks. I keep on screaming, telling the woman to stop because it's killing me but she continues until I pass out once again.
When my consciousness came back, worries started to draw on the boy's face. The woman looks satisfied after what she did to me. I wanted to crush her face with my fist but I'm still weak to do so.
They throw nonstop questions to me like "what am I feeling", "why did I pass out", "is it painful".I guess commonsense left their brain after they saw me pass out for the second time.
Ibinaling ko ang aking tingin sa aking braso at laking gulat ko nang wala na itong benda at wala na rin ang sugat. Sinubukan kong igalaw ang nangangalay kong braso at ngayon ay parang walang nangyari sa akin dahil sa sobrang gaan ng pakiramdam ko.
"Better?" The woman asked. I answered her question with a nod. "Good, I forgot to introduce myself before I did the healing. My name is Mighty Rough, Victor's Mother." She continued.
My lips parted a bit. Nanay siya ni Victor? Kung hindi mo babasihan sa edad ay masasabi mong parang magkapatid lang silang dalawa.
Her intimidating voice plus lively smile, masasabing masasabi mo talaga na nanay siya ni, Victor. They had the same impact on strangers. Chilling and Intimidating.
She walks towards me and fixes my hair before she smiles. "So sorry pala for what I did. My son won't be coming here if it's not urgent." My eyes landed on Victor and he scratched his arm. I wonder if we bothered his mom for healing me. "No dear, you are not bothering me~ not at all. Mabuti nalang at kasama niyo si Rick. He knows me well and my skills." I frowned.
How...
We surprisingly turned our head to Rick and he shook his head denial. I guess he didn't expect this kind of expression from us. "No... No! It's written on Victor's-"
"I wrote nothing, Mr. Mal." I swallowed the lump on my throat. There's something suspicious with Rick and if there is, he is good at hiding those traces. "Walter said it to me though. Last year, didn't you?"
Walter pointed himself and puckered her lips. I even turn my head to Walter and wait for his answer. "Ahh, Oo! Ata!" Napakamot si Walter sa Batok niya atsaka ito lumapit sa akin at kinamusta ako. I answer his question pero bumabagabag pa rin sa akin Yung kay Rick.
Alam kong hindi lang ako ang nakaramdam nito.
But mysteries start to roam around Rick's background story. It looks like he hides a lot of important details from us and most especially, who he really is.