The Blood Empress

Bloody 41: She Who Bears the Crown

Bloody 41: She Who Bears the Crown

Roen Astrid.

Isang matinis na tunog ang bumalot sa aking tainga. Nakakarindi ito at pakiramdam ko ay mabibingi ako sa ingay. Sa aking pagkurap ay nadatnan ko ang pagtulo ng halong pawis at dugo sa damuhan kung saan ako nakaupo.

Inangat ko ang aking mukha at napatingin sa paligid. I saw the faces of crowds shouting, their fists were raised as if telling me to stand. I saw people laughing with contempt, and some who were staring at me sharply.

I breathed heavily when I felt my eyes burning. Puno ng talsik ng dugo ang paligid. The entire field of grasses were almost tainted red and for some reason, I knew it was my blood.

I paused, a sudden realization struck me.

Yeah it's definitely mine. All mine.

"Not standing, I see? Just give up now, Sangria. Before you lose every drop of blood in your body,"

Dumako ang aking mga mata sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Sa isang iglap ay naglaho ang nakaririnding tunog at naging malinaw muli ang aking pandinig.

Ashley was standing a few meters from where I was. She's smirking whilst looking down on me, her hands were playing with two daggers filled with blood.

"For that feisty attitude you had, I can't believe you're this weak,"

I gritted my teeth upon coming back to my senses. Every whisper felt like a buzz in my ear. The sudden enhancement of my vision caused my eyes to sting.

Binaba ko ang aking mata sa espadang nasa tabi ko. I wiped the blood trickling from the side of my lips as I grabbed my rusty sword. Tinukod ko ito sa lupa upang gamitin sa pagtayo.

"She stood up, ladies and gentlemen! What a delightful sight, indeed! This is too exciting...too exciting! My hands are itching to join the fun! What a lovely day it is!"

My mind cleared in an instant upon hearing the old geezer's voice. That's right. I'm in the middle of a game, a duel that I initiated.

"I can't wait to see who will win! Who do you think will wear the crown till the end, students? Let me hear it!"

Sumabog muli ang nakabibinging hiyawan. Halos pangalan ni Ashley ang narinig ko na isinisigaw nila. A scoff escaped my lips. Kahit hindi ako tumingin kay Mr. Davine ay alam kong puno ng panunuya ang kanyang ekspresyon. I directed my gaze at Ashley's head.

Under the light, the crown she's wearing glistened brightly. I briefly scanned the timer floating above us. 60 seconds remaining.

Time really passed by fast. I lowered my head as memories before my duel resurfaced my mind.

*******

"Greetings, my adorable students! This is your most charismatic professor serving you the most magnificent stage of all time! Shall we start with the first round? Let's open the game with a duel!"

Professor Davine Huntley's demonic laugh corroded the air, followed by cheers and shouts from the audience. He was standing steadily in the air, as if stepping above a solid surface, wearing his infamous masquerade mask.

A predator's gaze—I know exactly what it looks like. Iyon ang kinalakihan ko, kaya naman pagpasok namin sa mismong arena ay agad ko itong naramdaman. Hindi na ko nagulat sapagkat parte na ng buhay ko ang pagtatago mula sa mga mapagmasid na mata sa palasyo.

Inilibot ko ang aking mga mata sa paligid. Hindi ko akalaing ganito karami ang manonood. I think students from programs other than the trait and ability course were allowed to watch the battle. Halos mapupuno na kasi ang mga bleachers.