Star Camp: The Fifth Element

Chapter 8 - Another Purpose

Bryce Kraus Gregory

Bryce is running to the hallway because he woke up late, again. Hindi niya magamit ang ability niya sa ganitong sitwasyon dahil pinagbawalan siya ni Silvermist para malaman kung sino ang late, eh siya lang naman ang laging late sakanila.

Nang lumiko siya papunta sa training room ay nakabanggaan niya ang isang babaeng halos kasing-tangkad lang niya. Una siyang tumayo at tinulungang tumayo ang babae pagkatapos. Bryce looked into her eyes and couldn't help but stare at them.

It's his first time seeing someone with brilliant dark blue eyes.

Are they even real?

"Sorry."

"I'm sorry."

He looked at her eyes again, but this time with her clear whole appearance. Her black, short wavy hair slightly covers her left ear and the color of her eyes really suits her white delicate skin.

"Miss Brina."

They both looked at Azura who just came. "Please come with me. The Headmistress requests your presence," She added then faced Bryce.

She greeted him and asked if he can do her a favor of telling Liliana to come to the Headmistress' office. Bryce just nodded and glanced at the girl again before he left.

When he reached the training room, he expected Sid glaring at him pero hindi iyon ang nadatnan niya. Bryce saw Silvermist training Sid but when she noticed him, she told Sid to train with Bryce and Sid walked towards him with a pout.

"I really appreciate you for being late, Bryce. Keep it up," Said Sid with sincerity. Natawa lang si Bryce dito at tumungo kung saan si Liliana na umiinom ng tubig. Pinatapos muna niya itong uminom bago magsalita.

"Pinapatawag ka sa Headmistress office."

Tinignan lang siya ni Liliana at tumango.

Wow. I can really feel Terrence's vibe on her. Sila yata ang magkapatid.

Liliana Vivian Salvatore

Liliana let Silvermist know na pinapapunta siya sa office ng Headmistress at pumayag naman ito agad. She didn't expect them to call her in the middle of her training. She hates it when someone interrupts her doing some important things. They can at least wait for her to finish.

She just hopes that what they'll or what her Mother will say is more important than this.

"Let me accompany you," Yael offered her but she shook her head.

"Silvermist will train with you for now," She said and left. Hindi niya mapigilang maasar kaya pinalibutan niya ng makakapal na ulap ang buong star camp, dahilan para mawala ang maganda at preskong liwanag ng araw sa kapaligiran.

Nang maabutan niya ang opisina sa silangang bahagi ng star camp, binuksan ni Azura ang pintuan para sakaniya. Pumasok siya sa loob at agad na nakita ang kaniyang ina na kinakausap ang isang babae. The unfamiliar girl bowed to her and she just responded with a nod before facing her Mother.

"You called me?"

"Ah, yes. Liliana, this is Brina Reed," Hera started. "She's a time traveler who can go and see what happened in the past and what will happen in the future. Other than her incredible ability, her skills are also on point. She mastered all the weapons and can use them accurately."

Liliana took a glance at Brina, then back to her Mother. "And you're telling me this because?"

Hera stared at her with a serious face. "Brina met the standard and all the requirements to be a star member. She is the perfect replacement for you."

Liliana didn't flinch and looked at Hera straight in the eye, hoping to see she's not really that serious about what she said but Hera's expression remained the same. She told Brina and Azura to leave so that they can talk privately.

The thick clouds she made earlier became darker as she continued to talk to her Mother.

"I don't remember agreeing to find someone to replace me... and I never intend to do it," She said calmly.

Hera stood up and faced the window. "You can stop doing your training starting tomorrow."

"Mother, didn't you hear me?"

"It's time for you to settle down, young lady. Continue your study and duties as the next in line, and I know you wanted to become a star member to prove your worth, but you don't have to prove anything to me, Lili."

Liliana bit her lower lip, doing her very best to control her emotions. Hindi siya makapaniwala sa ginagawa at sinasabi ng kaniyang ina. This is the first time she asked for something she truly wants and yet, Hera can't give it to her.

"I'll continue my duties after the official mission," She insisted.

Hera turned around and faced her. "It's dangerous out there, don't you understand?! What if you won't be able to come back?!"

"I will," A tear rolled down her eyes and she wiped it furiously. The rain started to fall at the same time. A strike of lightning came right above the star camp, and a loud thunder growled after. "The fact you're saying that shows that you don't believe in me."

"Liliana, the enemies are stronger than you think! They have the fifth element! I can't just risk my one and only daughter!"

"All my life..." Her voice cracked. "I've been obeying your rules and did whatever you want me to do to properly follow your steps as the Headmistress. I accepted it as if it's my only purpose in life as what you always told me. I keep telling to myself that I am strong and wise enough to deal with everything you're dealing with. To be honest, I dealt and still dealing with all the pressures, thinking and expecting that one day all the people will depend on me when I don't even know how to fully rely on myself."

She watched how Hera turned around and faced the window again as the rain outside became heavy.

"Did it ever cross your mind that maybe I have another purpose? Not just as the Headmistress' daughter, but only me as a person. It is true that I wanted to be a star member and a team captain to prove myself that I'm worthy of the position you have now, but that's not the only reason," She sighed and paused a bit.

"I joined because I want to challenge and know myself better. I want to expand my knowledge and know how others view the Headmistress so that I'm aware of the dos and don'ts when I became their next Headmistress. I want to learn how to rely on myself completely and also rely on the members by trusting them before all the people here inside and outside the star camp rely on me. I wanna build relationships I never got to do before just because a pile of duties and classes were waiting for me."

Liliana saw from Hera's back how she wiped her tears, still looking outside.

"Mother, I believe that experience is the best teacher. I have another purpose in life and that is where I am and what I'm doing now. Trust me... babalik ako."

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Author's Note:

The photo is not mine. Check the external link.