Phoenix Academy

Chapter 2

I don't remember applying for this school. Heck, I didn't even know Phoenix Academy.

Kaya naman hindi ko matago sa mukha ko ang pagtataka. Nanatili namang malawak ang ngiti ng lalaking sumalubong sa'kin, ngunit kalauna'y napansin niya rin ang aking ekspresyon dahil sa sunod niyang wika.

"Your parents had you enroll here in the Academy. One of our phoenixes also guided you throughout your childhood. This time you turned nineteen, it was right that you join us."

Hindi naman no'n nagawang tanggalin ang kunot sa noo ko. Wala namang nabanggit sa'kin si Ma at Da, ni hindi rin ako nakapagpaalam papunta rito. I could have been informed beforehand.

But then, stories always go like that. It's about the unexpected.

I just nodded in response. Mukha namang wala na akong magagawa. Nilibot ko ang paningin ko. The students weren't exactly watching me. Ang iba ay hindi pinapahalata, o napatingin lang.

It seems like it's a normal occurrence here when someone arrives with the Phoenix.

Nang ibinalik ko naman ang tingin sa lalaki, sinenyasan niya akong sundan siya. I did, and we walked toward the wide castle. Mayroong lawang nakapaligid sa kastilyo kaya't dumaan muna kami sa kahoy na tulay.

Napasilip ako sa lawa at nagningning ang mga mata ko nagliliwanag na mga isda. The water's supposedly blue, but it became rainbow-like because of the creatures.

It's like witnessing all magic I have ever imagined.

Bukas sadya ang malaking pasukan ng kastilyo, and I gazed in awe the moment I entered the academy castle.

The marbled floor is polished and clean, and the walls are made of diamonds and crystals.

The chandeliers are not lit by light bulbs, but by blue fire that reflects through the walls making the place look brighter or blue-ish. I can even see some of my reflections in the walls.

May iba't ibang estatwa sa sentro: sirena, wolf, vampire, mga may hawak na wand, angels, isang tao na may pumalibot na parang tubig, and some Greek mythology Gods that are very popular these days.

I read those Gods in a story I have in our home, The Semideus by Lostmortals, so I'm familiar with those. Seeing that their statues are here is an indication that they are real.

Sa gitna naman ng mga estatwa, ay mayroong ding estatwa ng babaeng nakasakay sa malaking ibon, at may hawak din siyang sibat. Naikutan ang estatwa ng vines kaya't masasabing kong hindi ito nalilinis.

I looked closely, at namangha rin ako sa kulay ng kaniyang mata— ginto na parang may effect na umaapoy.

"Her name is Phoenicia, our hero and creator. The bird she's riding is a phoenix which is her sacred animal. Her eye color reflects the world's state. Oh, and mind you, she is no statue. She just—" he sighed loudly. Napataas-kilay naman ako. This isn't a statue? "—froze herself, and until now, she isn't coming out yet."

Napatingin naman ulit ako sa estatwa, este sa kaniya. My hand almost reached out to her statue, but I flinched backward when I remember that she is still alive.

"Why did she do this to herself?" tanong ko.

"You will know soon," he answered and he cocked his head sidewards, to where we are headed next. He also smiled and turned his back on me. Patuloy naman itong naglakad, pero tumingin ako huling beses kay Phoenicia. Something about her feels nostalgic.

I'm not sure how, but she reminds me of my dreams— or perhaps, she just reminds me of Phoenixes.

I looked forward to catch up with the guy. Bahagya ako napatakbo, ngunit natigilan ako nang may lumitaw na isang hagdan sa harap niya. Sigurado akong wala 'yon doon kanina!