Mist and Moonlight

CHAPTER 18: Sword And Dagger

Artemis POV

Joan Of Arc Educationa Institute lives up to their name: Dark horse.

Hindi sila nakapunta sa opening ceremony but they try to dominate every sports and ground they step into.

Inayos ko ang uniform ko sa fencing. I wear my necklace for good luck. Tinali ko ang mahaba kong buhok. It's longer than before, baka dumaan ako sa salon pagkatapos ng nito.

Lumabas ako ng locker. A memory flashed in my mind. The threat. Someone thought I'd give in that easily.

My eyes lock with someone.

Si Daniel.

Kasama niya si Jared. Kailan pa sila naging close?

Ngumiti ako sa kanila bago pumasok sa venue.

Nakalinya ang mga players sa loob ng limang school. The white uniform looks clean for a sport like this.

"Let the duel begin."

The crowd cheered nang tinawag ang unang apat na school na maglalaban.

Joan of Arc Educational Institute
Green Field Academy
Beaumont Integrated School
St. Gabriel the Archangel School

All of them are not familiar except one...

....si Rafael—their team Captain.

Focus. Bulong ko sa hangin.

JAEI versus BIS

Ladies at Mens ang category.

Panalo ang school namin ladies category. Si Cindy ang pinanglaban—bihasa na siya dahil madalas siyang panglaban abroad. Nalalag kami sa mens—Si Dred Ramos ang nanalo (JAEI)

Sumunod ang SGAS at GFA

Natalo ng mga taga Green Fields. Nasungkit ng mga Archangels ladies at men's category.

We win at the losers category. BIS versus GFA. Natalo sa ladies ang JAEI.

Muntik pang magsisihan ang mga Dark horse dahil sa nangyari. Their prides soar higher in their name.

Ladies: Royal hounds vs Archangels.
Men's : Dark horse vs Archangels.

Thunder rumbles overhead.

The staring contest of has began. Pagkatapos iannounce kung sino ang maglalaban para sa championship ay tila may hanging pumalibot sa dalawang grupo.

This is sports people. What's with the heavy air?

We shake hands with each other bago ilagay ang head gear sa uko

"Position!"

I stand on defense while the person in front me is ready to attack.

Napaatras ako sa mat na tinatapakan ko. This girl is quick hindi tulad ng babaeng inilaban nila. Her steps are wide.

Defense is all I do until I can find an opening.

I attacked when I saw her left shoulder open. I almost got one in my abdomen kung hindi ako bumalik sa pagdepensa.

Her heavy breathing is the opposite of mine. Calm and slow. She's not gonna buy herself time to finish this. In short nagmamadali siyang tapusin ito.

What's with the rush? Nagsisimula pa lang ko magenjoy.

Mas binilisan ko ang kilos ko pagkatapos ko siyang matamaan ng pangalawang beses.

A victorious smile is plastered on my lips.

Siya ngayon ang umaatras sa mat.

Binagalan ko ng kaunti ang kilos ko. It is not about the speed, it's the accuracy of hits.

3rd strike to the vest she wears.

Suddenly there is a blackout. May emergency lights naman pero ayaw din magbukas.

Everyone hold their breath but not my opponent. She use her strength to put weight on her sword making mine fall to the floor.

I have to use my heightened vision.

Hawak niya ang dagger. Mabilis itong lumapit sa akin. Umiiwas ako sa kanya. Red eyes...

Tch.

Malayo ang épée na pagdepensa ko sana. She use the darkness to her advantage.

I flinched when the dagger gazed my palms. Hinawakan ko ang patalim, doubling may strength I throw it behind her. Napaupo ako sa sahig dahil  sa ginawa ko.

Tumayo ako sa kinauupuan ko. Tinakbo niya ang pwesto kung saan tumilapon ang patalim at hinagis ito sa akin.

A hard push made me face the floor. Making me wince because of the pain on my palm.

Sudden rain patter the roof with rumbling thunder.

May sumalo ng patalim.

Ang pagbagsak ko at ang sugat ang nagpasakit sa katawan ko.

The man infront of me help me stand. Tatanungin ko na sana kung okay lang siya ng mabilis siyang umalis sa harap ko.

His scent is covered by the bloodshed.

"Saan ka pupu—"

Naputol ang sasabihin ko ng biglang bumukas ang ilaw. I squint my eyes to adjust to the light around me.

My palms is almost healed.

Someone grabbed it and lead me to the medical team in the corner.

Just like his namesake—healing—Rafael sit me on the bench bago ako iwan.

Light dance in his eyes ng tignan niya ako. I saw blood on my pants and shoes.

Nilagyan ng medical team ng alcohol ang sugat ko bago bendahan. Aangal na sana akong sayang ang benda, I let her do it anyway.

Diretso ako sa locker pagkatapos.

The commotion made the event draw. No winners, no losers.

There are no casualties but injured.

I need to find him. Baka nagdudugo na ng sobra ang sugat niya. Where do I start?

Nagpalit na ako ng damit sa locker.

Hindi ko inaakala na ang regalong natanggap namin ay isa pa lang sumpa.