•••••Maura's POV•••••

"H-Hey, Blade... D-Did she just use magic?" Halos hindi ko na kayang igalaw ang buong katawan ko.

Napalunok ako. Hindi ko na rin nabilang kung ilang beses ko nang nagawa iyon. Moreover, ang sobrang lakas na rin ng tibok ng puso ko.

"S-Sa pagkakaalam ko, mga royal bloods lang ang kayang gumamit ng m-mahika..." Hindi ko kayang ikalma ang sarili ko. It became hard for me to speak, pero kahit na gano'n, ginawa ko pa rin lahat ng makakaya ko para lang makasalita. "C-Could she be..."

Nagtaka ako nang hindi ko na naramdaman ang presensya ni Blade. Napatingin ako sa gilid ko, at nagulat ako nang makita siyang nakatulala. He was so pale, and I doubt he realized that I could not feel his presence anymore. Kumbaga, parang patay na siya.

"H-Hoy, Blade!" Hinawakan ko ang magkabilang balikat niya. He didn't even react to it, so I had no other choice but to slap him as hard as I could. "Snap out of it! Hoy, Blade, kailangan pa kita! We're still in the middle of a battle!"

"H-Huh?" Napakurap siya ng ilang beses. Mukha na siyang nabalik sa realidad. Napahawak siya sa kanyang kanang pisngi dahil sa pagsampal ko sa kaniya.

"Don't just 'Huh' me! May kalaban pa tayo!" tinaasan ko ang boses ko para tuloyan na talaga niyang ma-realize ang sitwasyon namin.

Blade took a deep breath, and eventually nodded. Parehas kaming napatingin ulit sa kalaban namin na nakatayo lang at nakatingin sa amin.

"Sorry, Maura," he said. "May naisip lang kasi akong bagay na hindi ko dapat iniisip."

"I understand, but we have to think things through now." Tumango lang siya sa sinabi ko.

However, to be honest, napakapamilyar ng presensya at boses ng kalaban. Parang narinig ko na iyon dati no'ng bata pa ako. On top of all that, naramdaman ko kung gaano kalakas ang aura niya. She can manipulate threads and use magic.

There's a huge possibility that she's a member of the royal bloods.

But that would be impossible. Why would they even participate in the Death's Party? Wala namang pakealam ang mga royal bloods sa isang bagay na hindi nakakapagbigay ng advantages sa kanila. They would never give a shit to cheap things such as this.

"So," I came back to reality when the enemy spoke again. "where's your friend? I was looking forward to meet her."

"Just what the hell do you want with Raven?" diretsong tanong ni Blade sa kanya.

She took a step towards us, so Blade and I immediately stepped back. Pinoprotektahan rin ako ni Blade kaya hindi ko maiwasang mag-alala kung sakaling masaktan siya.

"You're out of it. You shouldn't stick your noses to other people's businesses," she said.

I could not help but feel mad at her. Nagsasalita siya as if alam niya lahat ng bagay dito sa mundo.

"Who are you to say that, huh? Don't you dare say that to us dahil kaibigan namin si Raven!" Kinuyom ko ang mga kamao ko. "Of course, she's part of our business!"

"Kaibigan?" The way she spoke in Tagalog was even more familiar to me. I saw with my own two eyes how she clenched her fists. Hindi ko masyadong mabasa ang ekspresyon niya sa mukha dahil sa kanyang suot na maskara, ngunit nararamdaman ko ang tindi ng galit niya. "Fuck that goddamn word."

Nagulat kaming dalawa ni Blade nang marinig namin ang sinabi niya. Her voice was soft and low, but it indicated hatred at some point. Her aura has also changed completely. Mas lalo pa itong bumigat.

"Tell your friend that we'll fight at Blandon High's battle stadium in one hour. Your presence is essential. Pupunta kayo do'n with, or without your friend. Of course, if she'll be a scaredy cat and won't appear, victory will be mine. But that would be boring." sabi niya na mas lalo pang nakapagpabilis ng tibok ng puso ko. "I'm sure she'll show up, and let's all see how much she has changed these past few years."

Matapos niyang sabihin 'yon, bigla na lang siyang nawala sa pangingin namin ni Blade. Nakahinga naman ako nang maluwag nang hindi ko na maramdaman ang presensya niya.

"Dammit!" Napasabunot si Blade sa kanyang buhok. I understood him so much. He was frustrated, too. That girl was way more tenacious than we've ever imagined. Wala kaming laban sa kaniya. "I don't want Raven to fight her. She uses magic, who knows what she would do in the battle stadium."

"Alam ko 'yan, Blade. Pero sa tingin mo, papayag si Raven sa sinasabi mo?"

"But what else can we do, Maura?" Blade was too worried and frustrated. Other than that, I knew that he felt belittled.

Napayuko naman ako sa tanong niya. Tama siya. What else can we do? We knew Raven would never run away from this challenge. Based from what Blade told me when they were speaking over the phone, Raven accepted the challenge with an ecstatic mind and heart. Hindi siya nagdalawang-isip na tanggapin ang hamon sa kanya.

"I-I don't know. Kilala natin si Raven. Hinding-hindi siya tumatanggi sa laban," sabi ko at tiningnan si Blade diretso sa mga mata. "Isa lang ang alam ko, Blade. We have to believe in her. 'Yan lang ang tanging magagawa natin sa kanya."

We both diverted our attentions to each other's uniform pockets when something vibrated in it. Blade and I exchanged perplexed glances first bago namin kinuha 'yong bagay na nag-vibrate.

"Our badge..." Tumango si Blade sa akin, at siya na ang unang nagsalita.

"Sensei?"

"Hello, Blade? Maura? Are you two together?" Both Blade and I felt so happy when we heard our mentor's voice.

Buti dinala ko ang badge ko.

"Y-Yeah, we are," sagot ni Blade.

"Sensei, nasa'n ho ba kayo?" Hindi ko maiwasang mag-alala sa kanya. Of all the things I've encountered and seen today, mas lalo na akong nag-alala sa lahat ng mga kakilala ko. "Ayos lang ho ba kayo?"

"I'm fine, Maura. Walang masamang nangyari sa'kin," he said, and that made me calm down a bit. "Listen, wala na tayong masyadong oras. Pumunta na kayong dalawa dito sa underground prison kung saan nakakulong si Benedict."

Napakunot ang noo naming dalawa ni Blade, at nagkatinginan ulit kami sa isa't isa.

"Bakit ho, Sensei? Pwede naman dito n-"

"Save the questions for later, Blade. Alam kong nagugulohan kayo kaya for now, dito ko na lang sasabihin sa inyo lahat." We heard a sigh from the other line. "Also, be sure na walang makakakita sa inyo on your way. Walang dapat makakaalam na pupunta kayo dito. Understood?"

"Copy, Sensei." The line ended right after that.

Nilagay ulit namin ni Blade ang mga badges sa bulsa namin.

"That's weird. Parang problematic 'ata ang boses ni sensei," sabi ko.

"Oo nga, e," Blade said as he released a heavy sigh. "Let's keep going now. I'm sure marami pa tayong ma-e-encounter on the way. Ayos lang ba sa'yo?"

Dali-dali akong tumango sa tanong niya. I prepared my whole life solely for this. I trained so hard. Hindi man ako malakas kagaya ng mga kaibigan ko, but still, I will try my very best to lend them a hand in any way I can.

"Of course, Blade. I will get myself useful this time."

-----

"Are you both alright? Are you sure no one followed you?" tanong kaagad ni Sensei pagdating namin sa lugar kung saan nakakulong si Benedict.

"Oo, Sensei, pero," I roamed my eyes around the cell. While Blade and I were on our way to here, I felt something terrible. Hindi nga ako nagkamali. "nasa'n ho si Benedict?"

The jail was too quiet. Mukhang kami lang tatlo ang nandito ngayon sa underground. Napatingin ako sa upuan at mga kadena na nag-restrain sa kanya noon. The chains looked like it were being shot by something.

"Reo-sensei, don't tell me nakatakas siya?" Blade has started to lose his temper again.

Huminga nang malalim si Sensei bago magsimulang magsalita.

"That's why I wanted to talk to you. Hindi safe sa itaas para do'n tayo mag-u-" He stopped mid sentence. "Hindi, wala ng safe na lugar pa dito sa Blandon High."

"Ano ho bang nangyari, Reo-sensei?" I asked.

"Diretsuhin niyo na lang ho kami dahil alam namin na hindi na normal ang okasyong ito," sabi ni Blade na tinanguan lang ni Reo-sensei.

"Marami tayong problema. Wala tayong ibang malalapitan kundi tayo-tayo lang," he said. "One of our problems is Benedict."

I heard how Blade scoffed.

"I knew it. So, nakatakas nga siya?"

"Hindi siya nakataas. May tumulong sa kanyang makalabas." Nagulat kami ni Blade sa sinabi niya. Tinuro ni Reo-sensei ang mga kadena na nakahandusay lang sa sahig. "See that? It looked like it was being shot intentionally, most likely a gun."

"Gun? Sino naman ang gagamit ng ganyan dito?" Lumilipad na talaga utak ko. Hindi na nag-sink in lahat sa utak ko ang mga nangyari.

"The other problem is, walang ibang nakakaalam na dito natin nilagay si Benedict kundi ako, buong members ng Team 7-A, at ang headmaster."

"Sensei, don't you think it's too obvious? Malamang, ang headmaster lang ang may kayang gumawa no'n," sabi ni Blade, at napakuyom siya sa kanyang mga kamao. "Siya lang naman ang kontrabida dito, e. He's the cause of all this."

"Blade..." I could feel how angry he was.

I noticed how the headmaster changed the moment the Team 7-A entered his office. The moment he saw Raven, the way he thinks has changed. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pakay niya, pero may feeling ako na may gusto siyang makuha, and Raven's most likely the only one who can do that.

"To be honest, 'yan rin ang iniisip ko." Ipinikit ni Sensei ang kanyang mga mata na para bang may iniisip. Then, he eventually opened it. "Alam ko rin naman na hindi niyo kayang gawin 'yon. But..."

He eyeballed Blade and I, and I knew some speculations were formed in his mind. It was as if he was reluctant to say to us what he had in mind.

"Hindi rin naman kayang gawin ni Raven 'yon dahil nasa Japan siya." Blade was in deep thought. Nanlaki ang mga mata niya pagkatapos as if may na-realized siya. "Wait, 'wag niyong sabihin...."

Napatingin ako kay Blade, pagkatapos kay Reo-sensei ulit. Nakatingin lang siya sa aming dalawa na para bang may gusto siyang ipinahiwatig. My eyes widened when I slowly realized what they meant.

"No, it can't be. Reo-sensei, that would be impossible."

"Maura, makinig kayong dalawa ni Blade sa'kin. Hindi natin alam kung saan siya o kung ano ang ginagawa niya ngayon. We can't fully confirm his alibi. Bigla na lang siyang nag-AWOL," sabi ni Sensei.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang tubig na lumabas sa mga mata ko. It was weird. I didn't feel any sad at all and yet, tears fell from my eyes as if they had self-control.

"Hindi niya ho magagawa iyon, Sensei," sabi ni Blade na alam kong nagugulohan na rin sa mga nangyari. "Hades would never do such a reckless and irresponsible act. Besides, pressuming he did, what would be the reason?"

"Tama ka, wala maman sigurong motibo si Hades para gawin 'yon. Sana nga. But still," Even if he hid his face behind that mask, I knew biglang sumeryoso ang kanyang ekspresyon. "I trust you, my students, and I hope you trust me, too."

I rubbed my tears using the back of my hand. Why did I even cry, anyway? Alam ko naman na in the first place ay hinding-hindi talaga magagawa ni Hades 'yon. Baka may iba lang siyang ginagawa kaya wala siya dito kasama namin ngayon.

"I do, Reo-sensei. I trust you," I said, and I meant every word of it.

"Same here. You're our mentor, and despite this so-called party, you never gave off any perilous vibes. You're still the badass masked man we met a few months ago, Sensei," sabi ni Blade at bahagya pang tumawa. Napatawa na lang rin ako. Nakakawala ng kaba. "So, what's the plan?"

I did not know if it was just me, or I think I just saw Reo-sensei smiled behind his mask. I think he was flattered and elated.

"Thank you." Nagkatinginan kami ni Blade. That statement was very sincere. First time namin narinig 'yon galing sa kanya. Tumikhim muna ito bago sinabing, "As for the plan, malapit na matapos ang isang oras na binigay ng babaeng 'yon."

"A-Alam niyo po? Paano?"

"Lahat kaming mga mentors ay sinabihan ng headmaster tungkol sa mangyayaring labanan sa pagitan ni Raven at 'yong transferee." Nakita ko kung paano niya kinuyom ang kanyang mga kamao. "The headmaster's obviously up to no good. Gusto niyang makita ang full potential ni Raven sa pakikipaglaban. That's why pumayag siya na maglaban silang dalawa ng transferee na 'yon hanggang kamatayan."

"Do you know who that girl is, Sensei?" Umiling lang siya sa tanong ni Blade.

"However, parang ang close nila ng headmaster." He took a step away from us. "Diyan lang kayo. Don't come any closer."

We did what we were told. Tiningnan lang namin si Sensei na para bang hinahanda ang sarili. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng malakas na enerhiya na pumapaligid sa katawan ng mentor namin.

"Summoning Art: Heaven's Blade!" Blade and I were flabbergasted when we saw a light in a sword's figure appeared in our mentor's hand.

Nang mawala ang ilaw na pumapalibot dito at nakita na namin ng maayos ang espada, hindi ako makapaniwala sa nakita ko. It looked like a legendary sword na may kulay violet na parang orb sa handle nito. You could say it was very sharp even just by looking.

"T-Teka, alam niyo rin kung paano gumamit ng mahika, Reo-sensei?!" Tumango naman siya. "T-Then, ibig sabihin isa kay-"

"No, I'm not. I wasn't supposed to learn it, but my previous Sensei taught me because he believed in me," he said. He walked towards Blade and handed the sword over to him. "Use this. You will need this."

"Y-You sure, Sensei?" Nakatulala lang kaming dalawa ni Blade sa espada. "I don't know how to use a sword. I've never wield one before."

Reo-sensei was not convinced of his answer and gave the both of us a meaningful look.

"You don't know how o ayaw mo lang talagang tanggapin?" Blade flinched.

Sa totoo lang, Blade knows how. However, because of what happened ten years ago, binura na namin sa aming isipan ang lahat ng mga kakayahan namin.

"And you, Maura," I also flinched when Reo-sensei turned his gaze on me. "you have such phenomenal healing powers. Ba't 'di mo gamitin ang kakayahan mo to help the wounded?"

I felt my body went cold and numb. My hands started to tremble. Hindi ko kayang gamitin ang mahika ko dahil naaalala ko lahat ng mga nangyari noon kapag ginagawa ko 'yon.

"Listen, you two," I heard our mentor spoke, but I could not look at him in the eye. "You can't survive on this day if you won't use what you've hidden in your sleeves all these years."

Napakuyom ako ng mga kamao ko. I can not imagine myself helping the wounded anymore. Pero if hindi ako kikilos, mamamatay sila, at hindi ko alam kung kakayanin ba ng konsensya ko kung sakaling mangyari man 'yon.

"It's very obvious something happened in the past that drove you so scared to use magic, and that new girl is part of your past without a doubt." I could feel the stern gaze of Sensei at us. "Tell me, how can you overcome your past, your worst nightmare, if you can't even deal with the present?"

Napatingin ako sa kanya. Nakayuko lang si Blade, but alam ko na nakikinig rin siya ng maigi.

"That girl is the present, and a few more minutes from now, Raven will face her," he said, and he tigtened his grip on the sword. "Hahayaan niyo lang ba siya na harapin ang misteryosong babaeng 'yon mag-isa? Now's the time to overcome your nightmare together."

Kahit wala pa kami sa battle stadium ng Blandon High, I could see a glimpse of Raven and that girl fighting in my head. Alam kong magiging madugo ang labanan nila.

Can I really do something to help her?

"Fine, I will use it." Napalingon ako kay Blade nang bigla siyang magsalita. He was already looking at Reo-sensei. "For Raven, I will risk my life."

He accepted the sword from our mentor's hand, and I saw the smile of relief on Sensei's face.

"Reach out your hand, Maura," He turned to face me, so I did what I was told. "When you see someone severely wounded, wear this ring. It'll help you replenish your strength when you use your energy healing yourself and the others. Pero hindi ibig sabihin na magiging kampante ka na. You also have to be careful."

Nilagay niya sa kamay ko ang isang simpleng singsing. It was just a simple silver ring with violet little stones as decorations.

Simple, pero ramdam na ramdam ko ang malakas na mahika galing dito.

"Understood!" Sinuot ko ang singsing sa middle right finger ko.

"Alright. Should we go now, Sensei?" tanong ni Blade na tinanguan lang ulit ni Sensei.

"Time to conquer your fears and face the devils."

-----

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita ko ang daming tao sa loob ng battle stadium ng Blandon High.

Maraming mga estudyante ang duguan, ngunit obvious sa mga ekspresyon nila na sabik na sabik na silang panoorin ang kung sino man ang maglalaban sa stadium.

"Dito tayo." Sumunod kaming dalawa ni Blade kay Reo-sensei sa isang bakanteng upuan kung saan napaka-clear ng buong stadium sa mga mata namin.

"They're all right over there." I followed where Blade was looking at.

The headmaster and The Black Diamonds were right across us. There were also waiting for the match to officially start.

Looking at them made me clench my fists. Sila ang rason kung bakit nagka-leche-leche ang buhay namin. We studied at Blandon High because we made a promise to Sheena, and we want to have our Assassin's License. I never really thought it would turn out badly this way.

"Blade, do you think Raven will show up?" I asked him.

It took him quite a few minutes before answering me.

"She will, Maura. She will, and when she shows up, we'll get ourselves ready to help her." Tumango ako sa kanya.

"It's about to start." Bumilis naman ang tibok ng puso ko nang sabihin 'yon ni Sensei.

Sa loob ng battle stadium, may dalawang magkatapat na entry points. Raven and her opponent will come out on opposite sides. Mas lalo pa akong kinabahan nang tumaas na ang metal bars na siyang naghaharang sa dalawang entry points.

A few seconds after that, the mysterious transferee girl showed up from the other side. No one from the crowd cheered. Everyone was either scared or just serious.

Huminto ito sa paglalakad at seryoso lang nakatingin sa katapat na entry point.

"She's not coming," I whispered to myself.

Not a single soul ever came out of the opposite way that made my heart pound even faster. Habang naghihintay kaming lumabas si Raven, hindi ko na alam kung saan pa lumilipad ang isipan ko. The possibilities that something bad might've happened to Raven kept on running wild in my mind.

"Really? She's not coming out?" I heard the transferee girl spoke. We could hear her very clearly, in fact. "How boring."

"S-Sensei..." I stole a quick glance on him, and I saw the sweat seeping at the side of his face.

"Guess she got scared and ran away."

"Who's this scaredy cat who ran away?" Napatingin kaming lahat sa kabilang entry point kung saan nakatingin yung kalaban ni Raven.

A spark of happiness despite my nervousness bloomed in my heart when I saw Raven coming out from the gate. Halos maiyak ako nang makita ko siya. Ilang araw ko na rin kasing hindi siya nakita.

"She came... Raven's finally here," Blade said, and Reo-sensei sighed in relief.

I smiled looking at their reactions, then back at Raven. She was walking towards her enemy with that very cold stare of hers. She stopped a few inches away from her enemy and placed her hand on her hip.

However... I feel something different from her.

My eyes widened when I saw how she threw a quick glance at us. It was not that long, it was very quick.

"So, you came, huh? This is exhilarating," the enemy said. "I hope you're ready to die."

"Shouldn't I be the one to tell you that?" Raven was too serious. I could see it in her eyes. Kahit na hindi pa nagbago ang mga kulay nito, alam kong may bahid na ito ng galit.

Nagsimula na namang tumindig ang mga balahibo ko nang marinig ko ang pagtawa ng kalaban. Despite wearing a mask, I could imagine the devilish grin on her face.

The next thing she said made me nervous even more, to the point that I could hear nothing else but the abnormal beating of my heart.

"Let me unleash the devil inside of you, okay? Show me the art that feared the royal bloods."