Surira Academy: Game Of Ruins (ON-GOING)

36

Floating Laterns

"You will never be like Vincent and you will never replace his position."

Nagmadali akong lumabas sa dining hall at tumakbo papalayo. Hindi ko napigilan ang aking mga luha matapos marinig ang mga sinabi ni Kairo. Wala na akong pakialam kung mapansin ako ng mga estudyante sa aking dinaraanan. Hinayaan ko ang aking mga paa upang dalhin ako kung saan. Halos nadapa ako sa aking pag takbo hanggang sa hindi ko namalayan na may nabubungo na pala akong mga tao.

The whispers of some students echoed through my ears. Until I bumped into someone and we both fell to the ground. I was quick to stand up and stared on the floor hoping to cover my face. I panicked and was about to turn back when someone pulled my wrist. Slowly, I glanced to see who it was and found out my brother seemed to be worried about me there. He slowly grabbed my wrist and started walking to the west wing.

Hinayaan ko si kuya na hilahin ako dahil wala na ako sa wisyo. Para bang wala akong maramdaman bigla at tumigil ang pagtulo ng aking mga luha. Tahimik kaming naglalakad sa hallway hanggang sa makarating kami sa isang kulay itim na pintuan sa ikatlong palapag. May nakabantay na isang guwardiya na lubos kung pinagtaka dahil dati wala naman nagbabantay sa mga training hall.

"Anong sadya niyo bakit kayo papasok? Hindi na pwedeng pumasok sa training halls ng walang pahintulot. This is an order by the principal to ensure the safety of the students." paliwanag niya at hinarangan kami.

Hindi ko alam na bawal na palang pumasok sa mga training halls ng academy ng walang pahintulot at ngayon ay may mga nagbabantay na. Magsasalita na sana ako pero naunahan ako ni kuya.

"We may not have the permission of the principal but can you please just let us?" malumanay na tanong ni Kuya Kauis sa gwardyang nakabantay.

"I'm sorry but training halls are now strictly being guarded," tugon muli ng gwardiya.

Nadismaya si kuya at buntong hininga na may kinuha mula sa bulsa ng kanyang slacks. Ngayon ko lang napansin na ang kanyang suot ay ang uniporme ng kanyang pinasukan na unibersidad. Halos pareho ng uniporme ng mga suot ng lalaki dito sa academy ang kaibahan lang ay ang kanilang jacket na parang may kulay berde na itsura ng necktie.

My eyes widened when he pulled out something familiar. It was our family's golden crest that had the shape of a familiar bird. It was a gold plated badge that has a blue gem in the middle and the eyes are also made of blue gem. My jaw dropped because I knew it was passed down to generations and that means before dad left he already gave my brother the family's badge . He slowly showed it to the guard.

Nanlaki ang mata ng guwardiya at napalunok napara bang nakakatakot ang hawak ng aking kapatid dahilan para manginig siya.

"T-that is the Collins legendary badge," nauutal na sabi ng guwardiya at napaatras.

"Now, would you let us use one of the training halls or not?" seryosong wika ni Kuya. Tahimik na tumabi ang guwardiya at binuksan ang pintuan.

We silently went inside and my eyes were mesmerized. It was a training ground that had a huge octagon-shaped platform placed in the middle of the hall. The walls were painted in black and the lights were dim. The temperature inside was a bit cold and it seemed that it was air conditioned. I stared at the ceiling wondering why my brother brought me to this place. The smell was a mixture of sweat and peppermint like it was being used each day by the students.

"Hindi mo man sabihin pero alam kong may sinabi sila sayo. Are they accusing you for being involved in the death of that guy?" nanlaki ang mga mata ko at lumingon ako kanya.

'How did my brother know?' I thought to myself.

"T-they did not accuse me, don't worry. Nagulat lang sila sa mga nangyari kaya nagtanong sila sa akin," paliwanag ko sa kanya.