Lumina Academy: Light and Shadow (Realm Series #1)

Chapter 50: Summoner

Chapter 50: Summoner
 
Clara Odette White
 
“Hoy, Azriel! Pahinga muna tayo dito!” Wika ko at umupo sa ilalim ng puno na sinundan naman niya. Sumandal naman ako dito bago uminom ng tubig. “Isa na lang ang hahanapin natin pero hindi pa rin natin mahanap,” nakasimangot kong wika at bumuntong-hininga. Hapon na at ayaw ko namang gabihin kami dito. It’s a big no, no! Dapat na sa campsite na kami bago pa dumilim ngunit dahil sa pisting halaman na ‘yon, napatatagal pa kami!
 
“Tsk! Na sa harapan mo na nga, hindi mo pa makita,” bigla naman akong napalingon sa kaniya ng bigla siyang bumulong pero hindi ko naman narinig.
 
Minsan talaga, mas gugustuhin ko pa ang ability ni Gen kapag sa mga ganitong sitwasyon! Alam ko namang hindi niya sasabihin kung ano ang binulong niya kaya nakaka-curious! Kung susubukan ko namang tanungin, baka sabihin pa niya tsismosa ako! ‘Wag na lang! Mamatay na lang ako sa kuryosidad kaysa masabihan ng tsismosa na magmumula pa talaga sa kaniya!
 
“Sa tingin mo ba, tapos na yung iba?” Pag-iiba ko na lang bago tumingala.
 
This is the first time that I get close to him and talk to him like this. Kapag magkasasama kasi kaming Alphas, I barely talk to him and vice versa. We’re not that close that’s why I am starting to get jealous of Lara because they are friends and I can see how gentle Azriel is to her.
 
But don’t get me wrong, I was only jealous about their closeness and I can’t see Lara as someone who will fall to him because Lara only looks at him as her big brother while Azriel was looking at Lara as a little sister and besides, my best friend already have Aiden…
 
“Hmm… hindi pa, dahil kung tapos na sila, edi dapat may lumitaw na sa relo natin,” rinig kong sagot niya kaya sumang-ayon naman ako sa sinabi niya bago siya nilingon.
 
Wala naman akong nararamdamang awkwardness sa pagitan namin at that was a good thing. Magsasalita na sana ako ng bigla na lang kaming nakaramdam ng mga presensya kaya kaagad kaming napatayo at napatingin sa direksyon na pinagmumulan nito. But then, we just readied ourselves upon seeing the creatures that are standing in front of us.
 
“Damn…” Azriel and I said in unison. Ang tanong lang ay kung anong ginagawa nila dito? Ngunit na sagot lamang ‘yon ng biglang nagsalita ang na sa gitna nila na nasa harapan.
 
“Royalties… give us the plants, now,” the voice of the man was cold, so does his eyes—all of them are looking at us coldly that could give goosebumps to anyone who would dare to look at them in the eyes.
 
Hinawakan naman namin ng mahigpit ang mga bag namin kung saan nando’n ang mga halaman na nahanap namin. Now we know what’s their agenda here and that’s the plants that can heal—the plants that uses in healing. Dahil wala silang healers ay ang mga halamang gamot na lang ang kanilang pag-asa.
 
But it looks like they didn’t know the plants that are using in healing kaya naman nanakawin na lang nila ang mga nakuha namin, but we won’t let them. Kahit na makuha nila ang mga listahan ng mga ito ay hinding-hindi magpakikita ang mga ‘yon sa kanila dahil mayroong engkantasyon ang papel na tanging kami lamang ang makakikita ng nilalaman nito.
 
“We won't let you…” matigas na saad ni Azriel bago hinawakan ang kamay ko at syempre naman, kinilig ang lola mo dahil hinawakan lang naman ng lalaking napupusuan niya ang kamay ko!
 
Ang landi, Clara Odette!
 
“Then, we have no choice but to kill you.”
 
We ready ourselves for their attack, pero napatigil kami ng bigla na lang may usok na lumabas sa harapan namin at pinalibutan sila bago namin narinig ang pamilyar na boses na tinatawag kami.
 
“Clara! Azriel!”
 
Napalingon kami sa may ari ng boses at nakita na lang namin ang Alphas na magkakasama, ngunit napansin ko rin na wala sina Lara at Aiden and we have to look for them as soon as possible. “Faster!” Sabay kaming tumakbo ni Azriel palalapit sa kanila bago tumakbo papalayo sa mga rebelyon.
 
“We should look for Aiden and Lara!” Sumang-ayon naman kami sa sinabi ni Kuya Logan bago tinahak ang daan na walang kasiguraduhan kung na saan sila.
 
“Where we should find them?! Our watches are useless!” Gwen said and I can see that she is worried—all of us are worried. Lara and Aiden are both powerful but we still can’t help but feel worried about them. We were not sure where we should find them not until Lucas told us a direction.
 
“They are in the south wing!”
 
Tinahak namin ang daan na sinabi niya hanggang sa makita nga namin ang dalawa. We are curious on how Lucas learned where they are but it wasn’t important anymore. But while we’re running, naabutan nila kami that’s why we have no other choice but fight them.
 
***
 
Hope Lorelei Lara Sapphire Watson
 
Finally, nahanap na rin namin ang panghuling halaman kaya pabalik na kami ngayon. Pero hirap na hirap ako sa pagbalik dahil pababa ang karaniwan na nadadaanan namin at mabato pa. Malayo pa naman kami sa campsite and so far so good, maayos naman ang pagha-hunting hindi lamang kaming dalawa ni Aiden kung ‘di ang iba rin.
 
“Wait lang…” hinihingal kong pigil kay Aiden bago umupo sa isang malaking bato na nasa daan.
 
Hindi niya pa rin binibitawan ang pagkahahawak sa kamay ko at dahil sa nangyari kanina ay mas dumoble ang pagka-sweet niya ngayon—that’s because he’s not holding back anymore. Pero ng maalala ko naman ang usapan namin ni Mini ay hindi ko mapigilang kabahan—pero malapit naman na ang birthday ko! In-advance ko lang naman, eh! Pero kahit anong ikatwiran ko kay Mimi ay kukurutin pa rin naman ako no’n sa singit kapag nalaman na niya.
 
Inabutan naman niya ako ng isang pirasong strawberry at nagulat pa ako sa kaniya ng makita ko siyang kumain ng isa. I thought he will pale and feel weak again but he wasn’t! Nakagugulat and he just told me that it was because of his determination—he wanted to impress me kaya napailing na lamang ako. Hindi ko nagagalaw ang dala kong strawberries dahil mayroon siyang dala at ‘yon ang kinakain habang na sa daan kami.
 
“Is my strawberry tired again, hmmm?” Malambing ang kaniyang boses and the cold Aiden was gone. Now, ibang-iba ng Aiden ang nakikita ko ngayon. He looks happy now than before.
 
Ngumuso ako naman ako at tumango. Diniretso ko naman ang dalawang paa ko at pinindot-pindot ito gamit ang isang kamay dahil masakit na talaga siya. Kanina pa kasi kami naglalakad, eh. At saka, anong oras na rin—mag-a-alas tres na rin kasi.
 
Pero sa ilang oras naming paglalakad ay wala kaming nakasalubong na mga kasama naman, lalo naman ang Alphas. I just hope that they can find a lot of plants that are on the list, especially, the plants that Arang gave us because that’s the most important.
 
Maya-maya pa ay nagulat naman ako ng biglang linuhod ni Aiden ang isa niyang tuhod sa harapan ko bago binitawan ang kamay kong kanina pa niya hawak na kahit anong gawin ko ay ayaw niyang bitawan. Then he took my left foot and he suddenly massage it at bumuntong-hininga na lang ako dahil sa ginhawang nararamdaman.
 
Pinagkatitigan ko lamang siya hanggang sa lumipat ‘yon sa kabilang paa ko and I can’t help but stare at him. Everybody sees this man as a cold person and they even feared him when mad because if they made him mad, he will surely burn their asses—he is dangerous when mad.
 
I also thought that he is a cold person because of his cold stares and voice that will surely give chills to you. He doesn’t care about others but as time goes by, I knew better. The first impression doesn’t last, because look at him right now, behind his cold façade is the Aiden Axel Smith that has a very sweet and attractive personality.
 
And I am lucky to experience it.
 
“Baby, stop staring at me like that. I might kiss you again,” napatawa na lamang ako dahil sa sinabi niya, lalo na ng makita kong namumula ang batok at dalawang tenga niya, he can’t look into my eyes also.
 
Ah… my prince of fire is shy.
 
Hindi ako nagsalita at inilibot na lang paningin sa lugar kung na saan kami ngunit maya-maya pa ay may naramdaman akong pararating at kasunod no’n ay ang mahinang pagtunog ng relo namin na ibig sabihin lamang nito ay may malapit sa aming mga kasamahan namin.
 
I looked into my watched and saw the blue dots that moving towards our direction. Binilang ko naman ito at nakitang sampu ito at dahil malakas ang pakiramdam namin ay nakilala namin sila kaagad.
 
“They’re here,” I said as Aiden helped me to stand up and wait for the Alphas.
 
Hanggang sa makita namin na sama-sama sila habang nagmamadali silang tumakbo papunta sa amin. Ngingiti na nasa ako ng matamis ng mapansin ko na lang na mga pawisan sila at mga mukhang kinakabahan. They are in hurry, and panic and I am starting to worry now because I think, I already know what’s happening.
 
“Lara! Aiden!” Pagtawag ni Gwen at mabilis silang lumapit sa amin.
 
“A-Anong nangyayari…?” Kinakabahan kong tanong sa kanila. Lumapit sa amin ang mga babae habang sina Lucas naman ay hinanda ang sarili at tumingin sa paligid kaya mas lalo akong nagtaka.
 
“Rebellions are here!” The princesses answered in unison. Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko dahil sa sinabi nil at saka ko lang din napansin na napalaban sila.
 
How come we didn’t feel them?
 
“Damn…” rinig kong bulong ni Aiden and we are all vigilant in our surroundings.
 
Hindi namin alam kung ano na naman ang dahilan upang sumugod sila dito dahil pagkatapos ng mission namin ay nanahimik rin sila ng ilang araw and now, they are here again. But the thing is, why we didn’t felt them if they are here…?
 
“Let’s go while they’re still not here,” rinig naming wika ni Kuya Logan bago tumakbo paalis kaya sinundan namin siya kaagad.
 
Lahat ay alerto at nakalimutan ko na rin yata ang pagod ko. Kailangan na naming makabalik sa campsite sa lalong madaling panahon upang masigurong ligtas ang lahat. I am worried but I believe in them…
 
“I already gave a warning to Sir Ali, baka gumalaw na rin sila upang hanapin ang iba. Move faster, Alphas!” We heard Lucas say as we run as fast as we can while not letting our guards down because anytime, rebellions can attack us.
 
“Stop running, royalties. You know that we can catch you no matter what.”
 
 
Napatigil kami sa pagtakbo dahil bigla na lang kaming pinalibutan ng mga rebelyon at napansin kong ang dami nila. They surrounded us—trapping us in the middle which preventing us to run. Hindi man namin gustong tumakbo ay kinakailangan. Mayroon kaming mga kasama at kailangang masigurado naming ligtas sila.
 
“They are here to take the plants that we have,” bulong sa akin ni Oddie habang nakatingin kami sa harapan. We formed a circle and faced the rebellions that at any moment, they will attack.
 
“Be alert…” rining naming wika ni Kuya Logan na nasa kaliwa ko.
 
Kinakabahan ako para sa labanan na ito dahil mas madami sila kaysa sa amin. I just hope that Sir Ali will find us as soon as possible or else, there’s a possibility that we might get hurt—lahat kami na kasama sa camping na ‘to. Sana lang ay na sa mabuting kalagayan ang mga kasamahan namin.
 
Rebellions will really do their best just to have what they want but we won’t let them get these plants. Kahit may healers kami ay hindi pwedeng sila na lang ang asahan namin pagdating sa panggagamot dahil napapagod rin sila.
 
They are like us too, nawawalan din sila ng stamina and we should avoid that to happen. Kaya nga mayroong mga healing plants to help them. Hindi sila nagtagumpay sa una nilang balak, pwes, ngayon ay hindi na naman sila magtatagumpay dahil lalaban kami. We can’t hand them these plants because this is important.
 
“Ah… always brave, huh? If you really don’t want to give the plants right away, then we must kill you,” saad ng na sa gitna bago siya sumenyas sa mga kasamahan niyang sugudin kami.
 
“Be careful, misis ko.”
 
I looked at Aiden flatly that just made him smile charmingly before kissing me on my forehead and then he attacks the rebellion that is near him. Napailing na lamang ako at sumugod na rin. I summoned my weapon as I attack the enemy that went on my way.
 
But I was caught off guard when he suddenly summoned his air eagle and suddenly showered me air spikes. Hindi ako nakagalaw kaagad at huli na dahil palalapit na sa akin ito, but before it can even touch me, a force field suddenly showed up and protects me from his air spikes.
 
“Be careful, my lady.”
 
Napangiti na lamang ako ng marinig ko ang boses ni Nixie sa isipan ko. My guardians tend to be like that when they felt I am in danger. Swerte ko na lang dahil nagawa niya ‘yon kaagad. I thanked her before releasing an ice bombs toward my enemy but he effortlessly avoids it.
 
Napailing na lamang ako at ng makita kong susugod sa akin ang air eagle niya ay gumawa rin ako ng ice phoenix. They are fighting in the air while making a loud noise. Hindi ko na sila pinagtuunan pa ng pansin at tinignan ang kaharap ko. Then he suddenly attacked me and pushed me but because my reflexes are fast, I flipped and landed gracefully.
 
Bago pa ako makatayo ng maayos ay nagpakawala ako ng ice arrows sa direksyon niya at hindi niya ‘yon naiwasan kaya natamaan siya nito. It pierced his body that’s why I have a chance to make him an ice statue. Napangisi ako ng mabilis siyang naging yelo at gano’n din ang air eagle niya.
 
Tapos na ang laban ko sa kaniya kaya nawala na rin ang ice phoenix ko bago bumaling sa iba. I looked at them and they are still fighting. Nang ilipat ko naman ang paningin ko sa mga rebelyon ay nakita ang iba sa kanila ay nanonood lamang. Bumutong-hininga ako dahil sa tuwing nkatatalo kami ng isa ay mayroon na namang susugod na panibago.
 
“Why do they have to be this many?!” Rielle groaned as she showered her opponent her water blades before she released a water wave kaya nadamay ang ibang kalaban.
 
Napansin ko namang may palalapit sa akin kaya naghanda na ako and when I’m about to attack him, bigla na lamang may tumamang kidlat dito kaya napatigil ako before looking at the person who did that.
 
“You have no right to get near on my woman, asshole,” the prince of fire said and I can see how dark his face is.
 
Nang magtama naman ang mga mata namin ay bigla siyang ngumiti at nakuha pang kumindat. Ngingiti na sana ako ng may bigla na lang tumamang water spikes sa kaniyang balikat na ikinangiwi niya. Oh, ayan, ang landi kasi! Napailing na lamang ako ng bigla niya itong pinalibutan ng apoy at walang awang sinunog.
 
May napansin na naman akong palalapit sa kaniya at dahil busy siya ay ako na ang sumugod dito. Pinalibutan ko ng yelo ang paa ng kalaban kaya natigil siya sa pagtakbo bago ito tinapos ni Aiden. After he did that, he went on my side and hold my hand tightly as we run towards the others.
 
“They are with their generals,” Kuya Logan observed.
 
“At ang dami nila,” hinihingal na wika ni Jake habang nakatingin sa mga kalaban na patuloy na dumadami.
 
“They really want to take these plants,” segunda naman ni Kaizer at napansin kong may tama siya kagaya ni Aiden. I looked at Aiden’s arm and saw it bleeding but it’s not bothering him.
 
“Don’t worry, I will be fine,” I looked into his eyes and smiled at him. He then kissed my forehead before we heard Chris’ voice.
 
“Fuck! They are going to attack now!” Tarantang wika niya kaya napatingin kami sa mga rebelyong pinalilibutan kami.
 
We may be killed some of them but if this will continue and rebellions are still coming to get what they want, we are going to lose or worst, die because I can see that they are ready to declare war just to get these plants. While looking at the rebellions, I just froze in my spot my I heard Aslan’s voice in my head.
 
“Summon us, my lady… let us finish them. Let them know that you are the summoner of all supreme guardians…”
 
Natigilan ako dahil sa kaniyang sinabi at napansin ‘yon ni Aiden. And when I saw that the rebellions are going to attack, I did what Aslan wants me to do—to summon them and I know, after this, I should explain why I’m their summoner and why I kept it from them but for now, I should summon them like what Aslan said.
 
Except for Ajax.
 
***
 
Third Person’s Point Of View
 
Sabay-sabay na sumugod ang mga rebelyon sa Alphas kaya humanda na ang mga ito. Nang malapit na sa kanila ang mga ito at akmang susugod na rin ng bigla na lamang silang napatigil ng may tumamang dalawa at napakalakas na kidlat sa harapan nila at lumabas ang hindi nila inaasahang mga nilalang.
 
“Damn you rebellions! You should all fucking die, assholes!” Said Master Zephyr and he suddenly turned into a double size cat while he has the symbol of lighting on his forehead.
 
“I really can’t tolerate the immortals who are trying to hurt our lady!” Master Sarafina said next and just like her brother, her size was double, and she also has the symbol of lightning on her forehead while their bodies have small lightning that is appearing.
 
Mas nagulat naman ang Alphas ng may sunod-sunod na boses ang narinig nila, lalo na ng maramdaman nila ang mga presensya nilang mga nakakikilabot dahil sa lakas.
 
“Ready to die, fuckers!”
 
Nang tignan nila kung sino ang nagsalita ay nakita na lang nila si Arang habang nakaharap sa mga kalaban.
 
“I’m excited to burn their asses off!”
 
Nakaramdam naman sila ng init at pagaspas sa itaas nila at mas lalo silang nagulat ng makita nila ang lumilipad na si Master Penelope.
 
“Oh, yeah! I agree with Penelope! I’m also excited to kill these, jerks!”
 
It was Master Nixie and like Master Penelope, she’s also flying beside Master Penelope. Hindi na alam ng Alphas ang nangyayari lalo na ng makita nila ang mga nilalang na matagal na nilang hinihintay. Napanganga na lang sila sa nakikita ngayon at nanigas na lang ng marinig nila ang boses ng isang nilalang na isa rin sa mga pinaka-hinihintay nila na dumating.
 
“It’s time to face and end you, rebellions…”
 
When they look where it was coming from, they saw Master Aslan before he made a terrifying sound which made the rebellions retreat but the supreme guardians did not let them. Hinabol nila ang mga ito at walang-awang pinatay. Napuno ng malalakas na kidlat, hiyawan, mura at pagmamakaawa ang lugar kung na saan sila habang ang mga Alphas ay nanatiling hindi makagalaw dahil na rin sa gulat.
 
“W-What’s… h-happening…?” Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Prince Kaizer habang nakatingin sa mga supreme guardians na lumalaban ngayon.
 
“F-Fuck! I-I’m literally seeing them…” sunod namang wika ni Prince Jacob habang gulat pa ring pinapanood ang mga ito.
 
Isa lamang ang namumuo na katanungan sa kanilang isipan… kung sino ang mga summoner nila… nakatayo lamang sila habang pinagmamasdan pa rin ang mga supreme guardians na hindi nila inaasahang lalabas ng sabay-sabay. They were watching them bewildered and they can’t even move a muscle because of what they are seeing right now. It was too sudden that it can’t even sink-in in their minds!
 
Until they saw Master Aslan approaching them as they continue to feel the supreme guardians’ overwhelming power—the deities of mythical guardians. Master Aslan looked at them and they can’t help but swallow because of the shock and nervousness. Until they noticed that he stared at Princess Lara that has a warm expression on his face.
 
“Princess, your teachers are now coming. We will end them now before they can even see us,” malalim ang boses nito habang kausap ang prinsesa na mas lalo nilang ikininagulat.
 
They know that the princess is the summoner of the electric sibling cats, and princes know that Princess Lara is also the summoner of Master Arang, but they didn’t know that she’s also the summoner of Master Aslan… but what they are seeing right now makes them think that it wasn’t just that. They are all shocked but Princess Ingrid and Princess Clara are only shocked because this is her first time seeing the supreme guardians in person.
 
Then they noticed that Master Aslan looked at Prince Aiden seriously. “You, young man, take care of our princess or else, we are the one who will end you,” Master Aslan’s voice was calm but threatening kaya hindi nila mapigilang makaramdam ng takot ngunit nagawa pang ngumiti ng prinsepe.
 
“I will take care of her even you will not tell me that,” the prince answered while still smiling genuinely.
 
The supreme guardians sound impressed before looking at the Watson brothers before saying, “Take care of your sister,” wika nito ng makahulugan before all the supreme guardians approached them.
 
“Take care, our lady.”
 
The last thing they said before they vanish into thin air and right and then, they realized one thing…
 
That Princess Lara was the summoner of all supreme guardians.
 
***