Flame Academy

/40/

The night is darker tonight and no stars can be seen. It's even covering the moon, preventing the surroundings to be moonlighted.

When I reached the flame gate of the academy, my phoenix stopped because it was close. Napakagat labi ako dahil hindi ko alam kung paano kami makakapasok since we cannot go through the barrier.

I was about to knock on the gate when it suddenly opened. Napaatras kami at tuluyan na ngang bumukas ang gate. Then I saw Miss Liana, as if really waiting for me.

Miss Liana smirked at me as I went down from my phoenix. I didn't make her vanish and just made her stand behind me.

"I knew you would come," she said, still smirking.

Ngayon ko lang napansin na hindi siya nag-iisa. Two guys are standing only meters away from us and looking at me with smiles on their faces.

"Galen, Jerome," I said as they walked nearer.

"Welcome back?" Galen said, unsure if what he said was right.

Tumango na lang ako at muling tumingin kay Miss Liana. "Where are they?"

"You are late," she said and I gulped. "Kanina pa sila pumunta doon. The three of us are the only ones left while the other young flamers are in the Flame City."

That explains why I can't hear anything in the academy. Because even if night comes, some kids are still running and playing on the field. I cannot also see the lights coming  from the chandeliers and peering outside the white structure, giving light to the whole field.

"Will you fight? For real?"

Tumingin ako kay Jerome at walang pag-aalinlangang tumango. Their smiles showed once again.

"Then what are you waiting for? Go!" Miss Liana said.

Jerome and Galen summoned their flying flame animals. They rode it while I looked at Miss Liana when she did nothing and just stared at us.

"You are not coming with us?"

"Do you still need me there?" she asked.

I nodded. "We need you there. Alam mo pong hindi lang flamers ang kalaban namin."

"I'll help but you can go first," she said. "I'll just follow."

Saglit kong tinitigan si Miss Liana, judging if she's saying the truth or not. But I also looked away and rode my phoenix. Miss Liana can be mischievous and harsh but I know that her intention of helping us is true.

"Stay alive, kid," she said with a wink and I nodded.

Riding our own flying flame animals, Galen, Jerome, and I made our way to the Dark Academy. Nadaanan pa namin ang buong Flame Academy at wala talaga akong makitang kahit na sino. The whole academy is gloomy and empty.

Nauuna sa akin sila Galen at Jerome dahil sila ang nakakaalam kung saan kami papunta. Several minutes have passed and my nervousness is continuously building up.

"Over there!"

I looked at the direction Galen pointed and gulped when I saw the Dark Academy. I saw three tall buildings, two on the south part and one on the west. But what really caught my attention are the blood, burnt bodies, and the ashes scattered on the ground.

Napalunok na lang ako at iwinaglit ang mga nakita ko. I took a deep breath as different colors danced before my eyes.

Pinauna na nila ako nang malapit na kaming makarating doon. I was in the middle and that flatters me a bit. The three of us are not really that close but I know that we appreciate each other.