ALIRA: The Lost Soul

Chapter 8: We Met Again

True to what the kid had said, the competition ended after a few minutes. An announcement roared all over the place and gave instructions on how we can go back to the arena. I immediately changed my clothes and disposed it away dahil baka napansin ito ng lalaking yon. I also tied my hair into a bun. Binaligtad ko din ang itim na supot na lalagyan ko ng natitirang damit at ginto kung sakaling napansin ito ng lalaki kanina. I prepared for times like this kaya tinahi ko iyon na magkaiba ang kulay ang loob at labas.
It's better to be safe than sorry they say.

Alam kong katangahan ang sinabi ko kanina but I can't undo it anymore that's why I'm taking countermeasures. I need more time. I don't want to die before I gave justice to myself and my parents.

Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago ginawa ang dapat kong gawin upang makabalik sa arena. I'll be a surprise participant when I go there dahil napasok lamang ako dito sa kalagitnaan ng kompetisyon. Let's just hope they're not monitoring this whole area where the participants are. Cause if they do, I'll look the most stupid one here trying to hide what I did in front of their faces.

Unti-unti kong naramdaman ang tila portal sa aking kinatatayuan at ang biglaang paghigop nito sa aking katawan. I want to vomit so bad but blinding lights and loud cheers welcomed me as I opened my eyes.

"Unto the finals! We have here Ms.-------- uhh."
Tiningnan ako nito ng mabuti at ang hawak nitong teknolohiya. He continued scrolling something on his gadget while giving me glances from time to time.

"Oh well, nevermind! We always love surprises, don't we? Will you please introduce yourself and the town you represent, young lady?"

Now, this is quite thrilling and nerve-wracking.

"Lyell Laineart. Ezdel."
I said briefly, pretending to be unbothered. Kahit ang totoo ay pumipintig na ang aking sintido sa sobrang kaba. I decided to use the name given to me in this life, dahil magiging kahina-hinala kung iibahin ko ito lalo pa't nandito si Blake.

Mistulang huminto ang oras ng bigkasin ko ang lugar na iyon. Ezdel, the land of the powerless. Ilang saglit pa ay narinig ko ang dismayadong reaksyon ng mga tao. Some even booed me. Too bad I don't care.

"Woah! Another representative for Ezdel! For the very first time, two participants represented the town for this year's beast hunting competition!"
Masigla at manghang sigaw ng lalaki.

Two? That's a good thing, I guess. Mabibigyang-pansin at magkakaroon ng dagdag na pondo na din ang lugar na iyon. It's actually the most underdeveloped part of Monlaz.

Bigla namang nawala ang nakatutok sa aking ilaw at bumaling ito sa isa pang bagong dating na kalahok. I sighed in relief but immediately held my breath when a voice echoed in my head.

"I made a clone of you, the same as the one the prince had seen a while ago. Tsk. Tsk. You're really careless."

Leon na mukhang ibon? Akala ko ba nakulong na ang usok na yun? And prince? Is she talking about Blake?

"Now, now, you finally showed up."

I felt goosebumps all over my body when I heard that voice from my back. Kahit di ko ito lingunin ay alam ko kung sino ang nagmamay-ari ng boses na yon. I calmed my nerves before facing the man who've seen through my ability awhile ago.

Gusto kong matawa nang makita ko ang sugat sa mukha nito. He deserved it. I know it'll be healed by his subordinates but it's quite satisfying to be the one inflicting it. Mine already healed so he'll not suspect me for the time being.

"And who are you?"
I asked uninterestingly. As much as I can, I don't want any connection with him for now. I barely knew them back then.

"Insolent, should I remind you who I am, little girl?"
Nakatiim-bagang nitong saad. Kulang nalang humiwalay ang isa nitong kilay sa pagtaas nito. I suppressed my laughter by biting off my inner check.

Kanina lang, kalmado ito nang atakehin ako. Bakit ang dali naman ata magbago ng timpla ang isang to? Do I rub him the wrong way?

Syempre, Ikaw ba naman kalimutan ng taong inaakala mong niligtas mo.
My mind responded which made me snicker.

"Are you laughing at me?"

Napalunok ako nang marinig ang tinig nitong may pagbabanta. Ito na, aayos na nga.

"No. Something just came to my mind. Why, who are you Mr.?"
Pagmamatigas ko.

Akmang lalapit ito nang biglang lumiwanag sa aming kinaroroonan kaya wala akong nagawa kundi pumikit.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Our winners for the most anticipated event this year, the Beast Hunting Competition!"

Naghiyawan ang mga taong naroon at sya namang pagdilat ko. He was still standing in front of me, looking at me intently which made me nervous. Did he recognized me from awhile ago? I hope not.

"Now! Aside from the prizes to be given to the winners, the top eight will automatically receive a spot in our kingdom's Grand Council of the Knights, to represent their respective regions. But of course, high positions comes with greater responsibilities, alright?"

Rinig ko ang bulungan ng mga tao. It might be because after how many years, ngayon lamang tatanggap muli ang konseho ng mga representante mula sa iba't-ibang rehiyon sa kaharian na hindi mismo galing sa akademya. And it piqued my interest.

Now they're starting to take actions, eh? Though being representatives doesn't entitle one with much power, especially in the Grand Council.

"Otherwise, they can also opt to hone themselves first at the prestigious Monlaz Academy of Knights, together with the rest of the winners! Isn't it amazing?"

The crowd again cheered for the news dahil alam kong malaking bagay ang muling pagbubukas ng akademya para sa mga bagong mag-aaral na makakapasok sa prestihiyosong paaralan.

And by that, Blake's brother suddenly popped on my mind. Malamang sa malamang ay mas pipiliin nitong makapasok sa akademya kesa makipaghalubilo sa mga matatandang miyembro ng konseho ng mga Knights. Though it's what Monlaz is really known for: the strength and loyalty of its knights that made Monlaz achieve its sovereignty hundreds of years ago. But for a mere child, that would be too burdensome.

And speaking of that kid, napansin kong wala sa arena ang isang yon. Oh yeah, his brother knocked him out before attacking me. Nagpapahinga siguro.

"We're not done yet, Lyell."

I was interrupted with my train of thoughts nang magbanta ang kaharap ko bago ito bumaba ng platform.

Okay? Should I say, get it on?