Margaux Eurydice Kentra POVWe're all just sitting still, listening to every word he said. Ito na sa wakas ang matagal na naming pinaghahandaan. I could faintly hear everyone's loud heartbeat, including mine.
"Tandaan niyo. Just focus on the tournament. 'Wag kayong masyadong kampante. Alam ko na nag-improve kayong lahat. Bilang training Meister niyo, wala na akong mahihiling pa sa inyo. Good luck! Use your magic the right way and it won't betray you." We all looked at each other and nodded.
"Yes, Meister." He looked at us seriously bago siya nag-teleport paalis.
I kept clenching my fist tightly. I guess you can never be really prepared for anything. Ito ang unang araw ng tournament. We're still down here, in our waiting room, but it feels like we're facing all our opponents just by sitting here.
Halo-halong presensya ang nasa iisang lugar lang, ang arena. All the chief of the factions, the circle, the students from each faction and us the participants.
"Guys! Relax lang." I peered over at Shiro who's clapping his hands loudly like a mad man. Sa palagay ko siya pa nga yata ang kinakabahan.
"Papasok na lang ako dahil hindi niyo pinapansin ang pagkatok ko." We all looked at Ziel who entered the room with his usual annoyed, indifferent look.
"Ziel- Nandyan ka pala?"
"Hindi, wala." Sumimangot sa kanya si Miri at umirap. Ziel drop the big box that he is holding sa harap naming lahat. We all peered inside, us the girls. Sa loob ng box ay ang mga naka-pack na uniform namin isa-isa.
"Matching uniforms. Sabi ni headmaster iabot ko daw. Suotin niyo para sa opening." Sabi pa niya. He looked at Clyde and then at Miri. Clyde nodded at him without a shred of reaction on his face. Walang sabi-sabi ay hinila niya palabas ng kwarto si Miri.
Miri was too preoccupied to even process what just happened. Sanay na kami sa kanilang dalawa. Baka may sasabihing importante si Ziel sa kaniya.
"Great. Uniform." Hana took her own uniform and marched into the dressing room. Nakatulala ito at mukhang may malalim na iniisip. Or then again, we are all nervous. I am nervous. But not entirely about the tournament. I bit my lower lip. One at a time.
Kinuha na din ni Shiro ang damit niya at pumasok sa isa pang dressing room. Naiwan kaming tatlo na tahimik lang. I glance at Clauss and then at Clyde. They're talking about the strategy that we might use. They're talking with their minds. Delikado kasing mag-usap verbally. I glanced at the walls and narrowed ny eyes as if there's a presence leaning behind it. These walls aren't enough to block an eavesdropping caster.
I took my own uniform and went into the dressing room after Hana. This time at least, it's not a skirt. Black and maroon ang kulay ng damit namin and then our cloaks are all black with maroon lining. I chose to wear my knee length boots with thick soles.
Pagkalabas ko ay ready na silang lahat. They all glanced at me and then kay Ziel ulit.
'Pinapasabi ni headmaster na mag-ingat kayo sa Phantom Academy. At isa pa Eury, 'wag ka daw hihiwalay kay Clyde kahit na anong mangyari.' He telepathically said to us. I furrowed my eyebrows and looked at him quizzically. Tumingin ako kay Clyde at seryoso lang itong nakatingin sakin.
"I'm not weak." I said.
"Sinabi ko lang ang pinapasabi ni headmaster. Bilang kaibigan mo, sumasangayon ako sayo." Sabi ni Ziel at nginisian ako.
"Aalis na 'ko. Galingan niyo. At ikaw Miria, yung sinabi ko tandaan mo." Sabi pa nito samin bago lumabas ng pinto.
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BINABASA MO ANG
CRUX ‡ The Secret Light
FantasyIn the time of the old there was a forgotten story, it was kept hidden and might be only known to few. There was a time, when all beings coexist to live in peace with each other. But, just like any dark history, the time that seems to be without end...