Divine Saga

16 • Hippo Girl

GENESIS

"Titania?" sabi ko habang kumakatok sa pintuan niya. Nakatingin naman sa akin sina Yule, Yohan, at-- ang mga kakabalik lang na --sina Monty at Audra. Mayroon pa ngang arm sling sa kanang braso si Audra at kita ang bandages sa katawan ni Monty dahil naka-sando lang siya. "It's time for dinner. Kailangan mo ring kumain. We're still humans, remember?"

Simula nang makabalik kami nina Titania at Minnie dito sa dormitory building kanina, kaagad na tumakbo si Titania papunta sa dorm namin, at nagkulong sa loob ng kanyang kwarto. Naiwan naman si Minnie sa reception para mag-trabaho kaya pinaubaya niya sa akin ang pag-aalaga sa aming kaibigan.

As for Rosannah, she and Dorothy are sent to the student council's office. Clayton arrived just in time to stop the two of them from destroying the Mall after their confrontation caused a magnitude 2.8 earthquake. I guess, Dorothy was not lying when she said that her god was the 'Earthshaker.'

I placed my ear on Titania's door, and I can still hear her soft cries. "We arrived in Delos Academy almost at the same time, so I know she's hiding from someone," Audra said. "I just didn't imagine that it will be one of the pseudolympians."

Kumunot ang noo ko. Tinitigan ko si Audra habang nakalagay pa rin ang kanan kong tenga sa pintuan ni Titania. "Pseudolympians?" I asked her.

"Isa silang grupo ng mga Avatars ng mga Olympians mula sa Greek mythology. Ubod sila ng yabang porket mga sikat 'yung mga gods nila," Audra answered. If she can use both of her arms, I know that she'll probably cross them in front of her. "They're the Mean Girls of Delos Academy, but with guys, too."

"Bibigyan ko ng mahahapding sunburns ang kutis nila kapag nakita ko sila mamaya sa dining hall," Monty said, putting his fists together, but winced in pain right after. His body is still sore after his fight with Draugr. "They mess with one of us, they mess with us all."

Ibinaba ni Yohan ang mga kamao ni Monty, at tinapik ang balikat nito. "'Wag mong ipilit ang sarili mo, Monty. You look like a mummy with all of your bandages," sabi niya sabay ngumisi. Binukas niya ang kanyang palad, at umilaw ito ng kulay luntian. "Hayaan mong ako na lang ang gumanti para kay Titania. Kahit gaano sila kalakas, wala pa rin sila magagawa sa mga ilusyon ko."

Tumango ang mga dorm mates ko-- pati na rin si Yule --sa gustong iparating ni Yohan. "I know the number of their dorm unit," Audra said, and turned her gaze to Yohan. "Pwede mo sila baliwin mamaya sa loob ng kanilang kwarto."

"Pwede mong ipakita sa kanila ang mga pinaka-kinatatakutan nila," Monty suggested. Tumango ulit sina Yule, Titania, at Yohan sa sinabi niya. "It will be fun to see their faces embarrassed and scared instead of the students that they bully."

Tinanggal ko mula sa pintuan ang aking tenga, at hinarap sa kanila. Huminga akong malalim bago kong sabihin sa kanila ang kanina ko pang iniisip. "I think that what you're planning to do is not right. It's not justice. It's plain old revenge, and it's awful," I said, and I turned towards Yohan. "Pranking them with your illusions will make you just like them, a bully."

"So, anong gusto mong gawin natin? Tumunganga na lang at maghintay para sa karma nila?" sambit ni Audra. "Gaano katagal natin hihintayin 'yung karma na 'yon? Pwede mo ba masabi na makukuha nila 'yon sa lalong madaling panahon para hindi na sila makapang-bully ulit?"

Napa-buntong hininga ako. I'm never good at winning arguments. "That's... That's not what I'm saying, Audra," I replied.

Yohan crossed his arms in front of him. "Titania's not their only victim, Genesis. There are tons of students from first years to third years who are often at the butt of their jokes," he said. "Kung walang titindig, patuloy silang maghahari-harian."