Dawn broke, unveiling a realm of possibilities, and I rose from slumber with a sense of urgency. Today, I sought to elude an impending encounter, to keep my tranquil soul untouched by the turmoil that awaited.
Last night's altercation still echoed within me, an unresolved enigma that threatened to rupture. If I let my emotions get the best of me again, I could face the same scornful dismissal from him. It was a dance of silence and strained words, a cacophony of frustration and unfinished conversations.
Could it be that he truly knew nothing about my identity? Or perhaps he was shrouding secrets beneath his enigmatic façade, a guardian whose lips were sealed by some cryptic pact? The pillar of strength, a man I'd shared my life with for thirteen years, was now a fortress of mystery, concealing truths and uncertainties alike.
Doubt flooded my senses, casting a shadow over all I'd known, including Friedan. Thirteen years woven into a tapestry of companionship, trust built upon layers of assurances, all now seemed like a mirage—a mere illusion of security.
How naïve had I been? I dared to question myself as panic stirred within. If he'd considered me a sister for these countless years, why the persistent silence? Why not speak the truth or provide a mere hint to quell the tempest I battled inside?
Restless and tormented, I contemplated my options as the night waned. I weighed the path forward in the dim light of introspection, a journey that demanded a panoramic view, a 360-degree perspective free from preconceptions.
Stealthily, I made my escape from the sanctum of my room, my heart racing in anticipation. Inconspicuously dressed, I donned the ebony sneakers Ara had gifted me—a symbol of the world I concealed beneath the surface. With bated breath, I inched forward, the air tense with a quiet thrill.
At the staircase's threshold, I sensed a presence—a shadowy figure sprawled upon the sofa. Cursing my carelessness, my gaze met his, and for a fleeting second, disbelief surged. Had he eluded my senses? I stood frozen, my heart pounding against the walls of my chest.
He sat regally, the embodiment of refined elegance, his fingers dancing upon his phone's screen. A chuckle, like the resonance of a secret melody, escaped him as his eyes met mine. Dressed in an immaculate dark suit, he was a vision of allure, a sight to bewitch.
"Good morning," he greeted, his voice carrying an air of cheer that seemed oblivious to the storm brewing inside me. His gaze swept over me, analyzing every nuance, each crevice of my existence.
"G'morning. Someone's fetching me, hence the early start," I responded, hastening to justify my presence. This tendency to seek his approval, a desire for his acknowledgment, gnawed at me, like a moth fluttering towards a flame.
With a nonchalant grace, I settled onto the solitary sofa nearby, my fingers nimbly securing the ebony sneakers. His eyes remained fixed upon me, an intensity that felt both probing and intimate, unlocking my secrets and laying them bare.
His throaty chuckle reverberated, filling the room with warmth as he watched me. "Well, isn't that an interesting approach? Addressing me as 'kuya' after all these years. You've never called me that before."
The word lingered on his lips, an enigmatic blend of amusement and something more profound. Lost in the reverie of his laughter, I navigated the labyrinthine corridors of my thoughts. The unspoken plea for validation, the temptation to earn his smile, wove an invisible thread between us.
As he retreated to the kitchen, a spark ignited within me, an ember of audacity that couldn't be extinguished. The opportunity was too tantalizing to ignore—I dialed Phelan's number, my heartbeat echoing in my ears. Placing the earpiece, I glanced at Friedan, my adversary, my accomplice.
In the ensuing silence, my gaze remained fixed on him, a wry smile forming on his lips. Had he sensed the trap? Did my gambit to confine myself lead to a more intricate web of deceit?
Phelan's ringtone, an upbeat melody, chimed from the earpiece. With each unanswered call, a hint of panic began to consume me. Would he forsake me in this critical hour? My heart raced, emotions colliding like waves upon the shore.
"Hello! Who's this?" A voice—Senina Wespie's voice—answered, dripping with a tinge of arrogance. "All I know is that a geek is calling Phelan based on the phone register. So sinong istorbong weirdo ito?"
Defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, my façade crumbling amidst her scorn. The tempestuous dance of gazes resumed, his eyes ignited with inquiry, silently demanding answers.
"Okay," his voice carried a sense of resignation as he reclaimed his throne, "you have the right to refuse any babysitting from me. Yes, we have agreed upon this. You're eighteen and you have your freedom. Just—" His voice faltered, eyebrows knitted in contemplation, as if grappling with emotions concealed beneath his polished exterior. "Just don't let your newfound freedom slip through your fingers."
I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. The tension that lingered between us spoke of unspoken fears, a concern as fierce as the currents of a hidden ocean. It was the plea of a guardian, a brother, reluctant to see the fledgling wander too far.
"Okay," I replied, a fleeting attempt to mask the layers of intensity beneath. The conversation's gravity lingered, casting an enchanting spell that resonated within the tapestry of our intertwining fates.
He rose from his seat, grasping the handle of his supple leather suitcase and casting a swift glance at his silver wristwatch. Without uttering another word, he embarked on his journey toward the door. Subsequent to that moment, an overwhelming silence enveloped the house, only to be broken by the fading rumble of his departing vehicle.
A rebellious part of me surged forth, dissenting against the decision I had just made. It was as if that part yearned so desperately for Friedan's solace, and letting him go felt akin to a heartrending separation. However, my rational mind persistently reminded me to maintain my distance, to create a space devoid of the distractions that had tethered me for the past thirteen years. It was only through this detachment that I could attain a clear vantage point to assess all facets of the situation.
This rationale lay at the core of my acceptance of Dr. Robert's initial offer—to join the ranks of the formidable crowned urions, wielding the power and access necessary for delving into the truth and uncovering the culprits behind my parents' tragic demise. Since childhood, I had held the conviction that someone within my proximity bore responsibility for their merciless deaths.
***
I lingered in the library that morning. I didn't bother disturbing Ara since I knew how important sleep was to her. The musical rehearsal was set for seven o'clock. I was merely an understudy, my presence hardly counted, but I had to be there to avoid the wrath of our musical director, Mrs. Pilorin, in case anything happened to Senina.
I was about to open Arthur Conan Doyle's book when Ara suddenly appeared by my side, surprisingly awake. Rumina and Kelvin trailed behind her, each clutching a stack of books. I scrutinized the titles one by one, furrowing my brow, until Rumina took it upon herself to offer an explanation.
"We're here not because we're concerned about you, but because it's our duty to be here," she dryly stated, taking a seat across from me.
"Rumina, don't be too harsh on Kiera!" Kelvin intervened, his disagreement with the girl's words evident. "Of course we care about your safety, Kiera. We're a team. Especially with the rumors circulating in the LOU circle about enrolled outcrosses in the university."
"I've already told you guys. I don't need any of your protection. Are you all mimicking Vega and the other hidden crowned urions who have suddenly appeared due to the outcrosses?" I muttered with a hint of irritation. I was growing suspicious of everything that emerged after my birthday. Something, unexplained yet significant, had also transpired on Phelan's birthday.
What is it that the LOU hasn't revealed to me? Why did I gain heightened abilities after the lunar eclipse? I have so many questions that remain unanswered, and it's clear that neither the pillars nor any urion will ever provide answers. They should have disclosed every detail about me. Everything remains concealed, and nobody dares to unveil the truth.
"Ara told me Friedan texted me. He mentioned that you were up early and might need company," Ara explained, pretending to return her attention to the book she was reading. She knew the implications of the crowned urions' watchful gaze on me. Ara understood me well; she's been my best friend since I was ten.
My thoughts drifted back to recent events. Based on my assessment, I suspected that someone knew more about the situation—Phelan Vargas. He had never shared what happened to him on his birthday night. He also mentioned something about the protection I required.
Could this be the reason behind the magnetic pull I felt whenever he's around?
Protection from whom? Suddenly, Vega, Polar, and Gorgos appeared at the university. I was quite certain there are other crowned urions around, lurking in silence, observing. It's possible.
I pushed myself up from my chair. I was about to leave when Ara, Rumina, and Kelvin exchanged glances and inquired in unison, "Where are you going?" Their presence weakened me. They seemed to have been briefed by someone. They couldn't deny the truth, yet I couldn't condemn them for following the orders of someone they couldn't disobey—a force more powerful than they were.
"I'm going to find Phelan. This is still about the musical, alright? So don't even think about following me," I warned the trio. I even raised my index finger to emphasize that this was an order to be strictly adhered to.
I was about to leave my spot when the sound of the school library's door opening caught my attention.
Then walked in a tall, striking red-haired guy, his headphones on. His dark, raven-like eyes met mine. I sensed the tension in his demeanor, heard him gulp for air as our gazes locked. He looked like a fallen angel, as handsome as Phelan or even Friedan. Yet, there was something about him that repelled me, something that triggered the dormant enigma within me—an aura that evoked hollow, lurking forces.
The guy was an outcross!