Harbinger of Death

Chapter 5: Mother

A massive silver wall blocks the whole academy from plain sight. It must have been made in order to sever the connection of the students to the outside world. Or probably to protect the civilians outside from the possible ruckus that these students will create.

Three days have passed at hanggang ngayon, hindi pa gumigising si Sylvia. Matanda na siya kaya matagal siguro bago maghilom ang mga sugat niya. Bagay lang 'yon para sa demonyitang gaya niya.

Hindi ko matanggap na sinubukan niya akong pahiyain sa mga estudyanteng 'yon. Tinawag nila akong magnanakaw at kampon ng demonyo. I guess the latter is true. I have become a demon the moment I mastered my magic. A demon who just want everything to go back as it was. A demon who lost all of her sense of kindness and generosity.

Ngayon, hindi na ako malapitan ng mga estudyanteng 'yon. Takot lang nila na baka tuluyan ko sila.

Maliban sa isa.

"Hoy, kampon ka ba talaga ng demonyo?!" singhal ng pesteng 'to. "Hindi ba nagsasalita ang mga gaya mo?!" dagdag niya nang hindi ako sumagot.

"If you don't have anything nice to say, you may leave," I murmured, enough for him to hear it. That was the first time that I replied to him. Dalawang araw na akong binibisita dito ni Zariel. Mukhang hindi niya alam ang konsepto ng personal space.

"You're b-" Naputol ang sasabihin niya nang bigyan ko siya ng matalim na tingin. Dali-dali naman siyang tumayo at tumakbo palabas ng kwarto ko. Duwag.

I looked at the ceiling and contemplated for a moment.

I'm wasting my time here. I should be doing my job to inform them about the incoming catastrophe. Pero, paano ko gagawin 'yon kung takot sila sa 'kin?

"You," someone said behind me. I shivered as I recognized that voice.

Sylvia. The young Sylvia.

I stood up and faced her. She's standing at the door of my room without someone behind her. She went here probably with the help of her illusions. She seems to be healthy again but I know that she is merely hiding under the mask of her magic. She can't accept the inevitable reality of aging.

"It's nice to see you back, Sylvia," I muttered, emphasizing the word 'back'.

She sneered. "Erase their memories. I know that you can do it, manipulator. I'll hear you out afterwards."

"You don't want them to know the truth?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'll explain everything later." She rolled her eyes. "Just do it."

I crossed my arms. "Erasing memories is not my forte, Headmistress Sylvia. I can easily manipulate minds but I can't manipulate the very existence of a memory. You should see someone who can alter memories, not someone who can manipulate minds," I replied.

Her expression changed into something sinister. Mukhang handa na siyang atakihin ako. "You -"

"Hush." I walked towards her. Tama naman ang sinabi ko. Mahirap para sa akin na magbura ng memorya. At ayokong gawin 'yon kahit na kaya ko.

"Fine. In one condition," I said. Her eyes lit up.

"What is it?" she hastily asked.

"You will say yes to everything that I will request of you."

"But-"

"No buts," I smiled. She swallowed. I can sense her nervousness. "I will not ask you to kill yourself. Don't worry." I winked.

"You impertinent witch," she gritted her teeth. "Fine. For the sake of my students, do it. Please," she begged. An indescribable feeling tugged inside of me. Mercy?