A Battle To Win

Chapter 3

The ride to the portal took so long that I didn't realize I fell asleep. Ginising nalang ako ni Jess pag dating namin.

"We're here,"

Lumabas kami ng train at nag tipon sa harap ng isang malaking portal.

The portal is covered in vines and gold. It releases an overwhelming energy. Kung hindi ka sanay sa gantong enerhiya, maaring mawalan ka ng malay. That's why the magical portal is only used by strong people.

But for students like us, who doesn't have much experience with strong energy, needs to go by group.

Because we might get lost.

The portal has an energy that sucks you in. Inside, kailangan ay hindi ka madistract, because if you stray away, the portal will direct you to a place where you can't go back anymore.

We are all grouped by our class, each class has 3 students. We must rely on each other.

Delikado ang daanan na ito pero wala kaming ibang choice. If we go there by land, it'll take us 2 months to get to the North. Once we get there, the Feral Shadow Monsters had probably taken over the world already.

I gritted my teeth when I felt the energy grew harsher. Lumapit kami at naghanda ng pumasok.

I feel lightheaded.

But I composed myself and used all my strength to stay concious. Hindi pa kami nakakadikit ay nahigop na kami nito paloob.

Giena.

My daughter... My pretty baby.

I'm here.

"Let her go! No!" tears fell from her bright yellow eyes. Her screams we're filled with unexplainable pain. Her body was limp and wounded, and yet... She's still trying to reach for something.

Something?

"Let go of my baby!" No.

It's me.

"Mom?"

I opened my eyes and gasped for air. "Giena!" Naramdaman ko ang yakap sa akin. I flinched as I felt my lungs burn. "T-teka, hindi a-ako makahinga." I gasped out.

Agad akong binitawan ni Chian. "Oh my god! You're finally awake!" Hinampas niya ako. "We were so worried!" She cried out.

I gave her a small smile.

"Dapat lang," She glared at me.

"Ms Leronzo," Napatingin ako sa tumawag. Agad kong inayos ang upo ko ng makita na si Professor Wen iyon.

"How are you feeling?" she asked. I noticed how she secretly examined my body for any injuries. Napangiti ako bago nagsalita, "I'm good."

She raised an eyebrow at me.

"You better not be lying again, Ms Leronzo." I chuckled and nodded. "Good, come out whenever you're ready. A carriage will take us to the Academy."

Academy?

Tinignan ko si Chian na naga-ayos ng uniporme niya. Magsasalita pa lang ako ay sinagot na niya ako, "Yes, we're already in North." Tinaas niya ang kamay niya at nagpalipad ng isang baso ng tubig papunta sa akin habang patuloy pa din na inaayos ang necktie niya na nagulo.

Nagpasalamat ako bago kinuha.

Doon ko lang napansin na may iba pang kasama sa kwarto maliban kay Chian. Students from different class are lying on their bed, asleep.

"So I'm not the only one..."

"Hindi ka special, noh!  Malamang hindi lang ikaw. Only Jess and her class manage to cross without passing out." Chian scoffed.

Assassins are truly a different breed.

"And ikaw?" Tinitigan ko siya.

"Naamoy ko kasi yung lugaw kaya nagising ako agad. I thought I was gonna die from starvation." Tumayo siya bago naglakad sa pinto. Napailing nalang ako.

"I gotta go now, kakain lang ako." paalam niya. Tumango ako ng natatawa.

I stared at the close door Chian closed and sighed.

The North, huh.

Mas ramdam ang lamig dito kumpara sa south. I can feel the cool breeze despite being inside a room.

Agad kong ginapang ang paningin ko sa kwarto. The room was made in wood and a few sticks.

Looks like we're in a hut.

Tumayo ako ng dahan-dahan at hinawi ang kurtina na tumatakip sa bintana. I saw Chian munching on some barbeque outside, right in front of the bonfire. Nakapalibot din ang ilang professors dun, Jess and her class are talking to them about tactics. I looked at the far right and saw the portal from the other mountain.

Yes, ganon kalaki ang portal.

I flinched when I felt a sharp pain in my left abdomen.

"Shit..." I hissed.

Sakto namang nag-ingay sa labas. Agad kong nilingon iyon ng naka-kunot ang noo at nanlaki ang mata sa nakita.

"The Night Academy's Carriage has arrived!"