Crimson Shadows: The Vampire's Tale

Chapter 14: The Transformation

CASSANDRA'S POV

Several days have passed since Draven confessed to me that he is the descendant of Lucian. The fight against one of them has not taken place yet due to the sudden extension given by the Headmaster.

Nauna na akong pumasok kina Selene dahil mamaya pa yung class nila, samantalang yung sa 'kin ay ngayon.

"Ako lang ba, or kayo rin ang nakapansin na mas lalo siyang gumaganda."

"Oy p're, magpapalahi kaya ako kay Cassandra, ganda kaya niya."

"Diyosa siya p're, ta's ikaw lamang lupa lang- kaya hindi pwede."

"Ulol mo."

Napailing nalang ako sa mga pinagsasabi nila. Ang ganda ng araw ko tapos 'yan na agad yung pagchichismisan nila? Argh.

I quickly arrived at our classroom and sat down on my seat. I picked up the book that I haven't read yet, deciding to read it since the Professor hadn't arrived yet.

"Get ready, Cassandra... they are on their way and preparing." I heard Aurelia speak in my mind. I took a deep breath before closing my eyes. I need to concentrate, I need to know what she will say.

"What should I do?" I asked.

"Be cautious of your surroundings... not everyone who loves you is on your side, because one of them will be your enemy." nagsitaasan yung mga balahibo ko dahil sa pagkasabi niya.

"Who are they?" I tried not to stutter. Aish! Does Draven already know that?

"I can't tell, it's part of your journey to find out." she said.

Then, I should.

Dumating na kaagad yung Propesor namin, hindi na 'ko nakinig at nag-isip nalang ng pwedeng gawin.

What if sumugod kaagad yung mga bampira? I need a vision to prove it! The queen should have given a clue for me to know who wants to kill me or us. But she said it's within the ones I love, so, it means I should investigate them.

I stood up for no reason. So my classmates and even the Professor immediately looked at me.

"Yes, Ms. Amora?" she asked.

"May I go out, Prof? There's an emergency," I explained. The Professor nodded before signaling that I could leave.

I quickly grabbed my bag and ran out. I heard Elysia calling me, but I didn't pay attention. I ran and didn't realize I had ended up on the rooftop. I quickly placed my bag on the side before looking down.

I took a deep breath before feeling the wind blow. I didn't know if I could do this, but I haven't tried yet so I'll do it now.

Agad kong inimulat yung mga mata ko at naramdaman ko nalang na nag-iba yung mga mata ko. Namalayan ko nalang yung sarili ko na lumilipad- The transformation was swift and mesmerizing, akin to a dark enchantment unfolding before the eyes of onlookers. I, once human, now embodied the essence of the crow with a haunting elegance. Their form, cloaked in midnight feathers that glistened with an otherworldly sheen, exuded a sense of enigmatic beauty. My eyes, once familiar, now blazed with a fiery red hue, holding a depth of wisdom and mystery that transcended the mortal realm. In this new guise, I radiated a presence that commanded attention, a symbol of transformation and power that left all who beheld them in awe.

Lumipad na 'ko papaalis sa Academy. Sa umpisa ay nahirapan akong lumipad, pero habang tumatagal ay nasasanay ako.

Tahimik akong lumisan sa Akademia, at dumiretso sa mansion ng mga Amora. Una kong binisita yung mga kapatid ni Papa na ngayo'y nagtutuwaan sa balcony- mukha namang walang problema sa kanila kaya dumiretso ako sa ibanv bahagi ng hacienda.

Hindi ko na binisita sina Grandma at Grandpa since hindi naman nila ata 'yon magagawa sa 'kin since matatanda na sila.

Kusa akong napatigil sa isang sanga at tinignan ang isang babaeng pumasok sa likod ng mansion namin. Ngayon ko lang ata siya nakita. . . may kamukha siya na lalaki, pero hindi ko alam kung sino.

Lumipat ako sa ibang sanga at tahimik siyang sinusundan. Hindi niya napansin na may nakasunod sa kaniya kaya nagpatuloy lang ito sa paglalakad at ganun din ako na patuloy sa pagsunod sa kaniya.

Wait! Sa'n naba kami? Ngayon ko lang ata nakita 'tong lugar na 'to, ngayon lang ako nakapunta dito. Nasa ilalim ba kami ng bahay?

We stopped at a door that seemed to have been there for a long time.

She opened it, and it made a loud creaking noise. The woman entered, and I quickly followed. She didn't close the door, so I was able to freely enter.

I hid in a dark place and looked at the direction she was heading. Huminto siya sa isang upuan na nakatalikod.

"Magandang araw, Pinunong Darrius." pag-uumpisa niya. Hindi lumingon yung lalaking tinawag niya kaya nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita yung babae.

"Maayos na po ang lahat at naiayos na rin ni Felar yung mga mangkukulam na sumasapi sa 'tin." malumanay na saad nito sa pinuno.

Felar? Pinunong Darius? Hindi ko sila kilala. Sinuri ko ng mabuti yung bawat bahagi ng silid at baka may makuha ako impormasyon.

"Kamusta yung dalaga?" nakakatakot yung boses niya. Mukha siyang kalmado kung magsalita pero yung tuno ng pananalita niya'y parang gusto nang pumatay.

"Wala pa rin ipinagbago, pinuno." sagot ng babae. Dalaga? At sino na naman 'yon?

Alam kaya 'to Mama? Alam kaya niya na may taong naninirahan dito sa ibaba?

Narinig kong tumawa yung Darius ang pangalan. "Mahina pa rin? Tsk. Kung sa gayo'y hindi na natin siya magagamit- maghanda ka't sabihin mo kay Felar na ihanda yung mga bampirang papatay sa kaniya kung saan sasalakay tayo sa araw na 'yon." seryosong saad ng lalaki, nakita kong napalunok yung babae bago sumagot.

"M-Masusunod po, Pinuno." agad na umalis yung babae kaya ganun na din yung ginawa ko.

Kahit papaano ay uuwi ako sa Akademia na may nalalaman. Pumasok na 'ko sa bahagi ng Akademia at dumiretso sa rooftop since andun yung mga gamit ko. Babalik ako doon- pero sa ibang araw nalang. Kailangan kong sabihan si Draven sa nakita ko.

"Tss." napabalik ako sa dati kong anyo at agad na dumiretso sa bag ko.

Dinampot ko iyon pero bigla nalang akong napatigil nang mapansin yung grupo ng mga estudyanteng nakatingin sa 'kin. Napalunok ako at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

Lumapit ako sa isa sa kanila. ". . . I saw something. That person is planning something- I didn't see their face, but their voice was scary," I started.

"Where did you come from?" I turned to Seraphina as she spoke.

"I was just walking around outside," I answered.

"What did you hear?" Draven asked. I took a deep breath before speaking. "I don't know them, but their leader mentioned a name. His name is Darius, but his servant is prepared to call him Leader Darius. One of his aides told him that Felar had already arranged the witches who joined them."

"Then?"

"Uh, he also mentioned a girl. He asked his servant about her wellbeing, and she answered that nothing had changed. So, it seems that their leader got angry because of what his aide said. He said he would kill the girl, and he even mentioned something about a battle. He didn't mention when... but according to A, they're getting ready," I explained at length.

"Kilala mo ba yung dalaga? Wala siyang sinabing pangalan, pero feeling ko'y malapit sa kaniya."