Echoes Of Vanth Academy

45

Euphrasia.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. They had curled my hair, transforming it into soft waves that cascaded down my shoulders.

The makeup they applied was flawless, accentuating my features perfectly. Bumagay sa suot kung dress at mas lalong bagay na bagay sa mukha ko.

The dress clung to every curve, hugging my body like a second skin. I couldn't deny it—I looked stunning, almost ethereal.

My eyes drifted to the bed kung saan nakalagay ang mask ko. A heavy sigh escaped my lips. What was the point of all this effort if I was just going to hide behind a mask?

"Planning to wear that damned mask again?" Delythena's voice cut through my thoughts.

I sighed at bumaling sa kanya. "Of course. You think I'll let them turn into statues because of me?"

She rolled her eyes in that infuriating way of hers. "Don't mind them."

I stared at her, disbelief and annoyance warring in my chest. My mouth hung open slightly—how was she so nonchalant about this? But then again, I shouldn't be surprised. She was Storm's sister, after all.

"You don't need that mask anymore," seryosong sabi niya. "Just control their emotions."

"Control?" I asked, my brows knitting together in confusion. "Are you hearing yourself, Delythena? I've never trained for that, and I'm not even sure I have that kind of power."

Umiling-iling siya. "You've spent your life hiding because you're scared of what you can do. It's time to stop running and start owning it."

Her words felt like a slap in the face, but there was an unsettling truth to them. I clenched my fists, feeling a surge of anger, frustration, and... fear? Natatakot ako? Yeah, natatakot ako na baka may masaktan na naman ako ulit at kamuhian na naman ako ng lahat.

But maybe she was right. Maybe it was time to stop hiding, to face whatever was inside me head-on.

"And what if I lose control? What if they turn into stone the moment I let my guard down? Do you really think I can just snap my fingers and suddenly everything will be fine? Alam mo yung abilities ko, Delythena. I can't turn them back kapag sila na mismo ang nagkusa na magpakalunod sa abilities ko."

"Because you're too beautiful. Your beauty isn't just ordinary—it's the kind that feels almost unreal, like the heavens themselves took their time to make you. It's so striking that it makes everything and everyone else fade."

"You've been running from this for so long, hiding behind that mask like a coward," aniya.

"But you know what? Power doesn't wait for you to be ready. It doesn't ask for permission. It's there, whether you like it or not, and it's about time you stopped being afraid of it," dagdag nito.

"You talk like it's so easy, like I can just flip a switch and control something I barely understand. You think wearing a mask is cowardice? Delythena, hindi mo ako naiintindihan. I don't want to hurt anyone!"

"You think I haven't tried? You think I don't want to control it? I've done everything I can to keep them safe, to keep myself safe. I won't apologize for not wanting to turn people into lifeless statues."

"You're stronger than you think, but you're too scared to see it. And that fear? That's what's going to keep you weak. You have that power inside you. Believe in yourself; you can control every person's emotion inside this mansion," nakangising sabi niya.

"Huh? Ba't parang siguradong-sigurado ka na?" Nakakunot ang noo na tanong ko. "You will be," dagdag niya.

"Because I said so."