Flare

Mariin kong pinikit ang mga mata ko habang nililikom ang natitirang pagtitimpi na mayroon ako. My hands were tightly balled into fist. I can feel the power within me about to get berserk. I know my power to use my own element was back. However, this feeling is different.

Napatingin ako sa sealing bracelet na suot ko. I'm an S Class Fire Elemental Mage, and this sealing bracelet should supress my power and make it into an A Class. Sa hindi ko malamang dahilan ay pakiramdam ko walang nagbago sa lakas ko. It feels the same. Parang walang kahit ano mang pumipigil sa akin para ilabas ang totoo kong kapangyarihan.

Nararamdaman ko ang pagtaas ng temperatura sa paligid sa bawat segundong dumadaan at alam kong sa akin nagmumula 'yon. When I opened my eyes, I saw how Aerus and Reigna took a step back. Kung titingnan ang mukha ng mga ito'y tila ba nakaramdam ng kaba ang mga ito sa mga ikinikilos ko.

Napatingin ang mga ito sa paligid. The trees around us are already burning. I clenched my fist. Ang galit na nararamdaman ko ay sapat na upang tupukin ko ng apoy ang buong kontinente nila. What that bastard did is beyond forgiving.

"Flare..." Napalinga ako kay Icca. She was helplessly crying on the ground with eyes pleading. "Flare, h-huminahon ka. P-pakiusap..." utal-utal nitong wika. Ang paglandas ng mga luha sa kaniyang mga mata'y mas lalong dumagdag sa bigat ng nararamdaman ko.

"A-ayos lang ako. You don't have t-to..." I scoffed. Her kindness is making me even more angry! How can she say that she's fine? I knew what I saw and I'm sure those were her memories she'd been trying to burry in her conciousness.

Hindi ko siya pinansin. My hands started to flare with fire. Tinaliman ko lalo ng tingin si Aeurus. "I said bring me Valerian Ashworth." malamig kong wika habang nakatingin sa kanila. "..or I will burn the whole city down with no mercy." Ang pambabanta sa boses ko ay sapat na upang mataranta ang katabi nitong babae na kaagad umalis.

"Flare..." nanghihinang wika ni Icca. Inaalalayan siya ni Grachelle upang makatayo nang maayos. The rest of them are still lying on the ground looking so puffed red and exhausted. Namamawis ang mga ito at hinang-hina.

"I-it was all in the past." I remained silent. It was all in the past, but the scars are still there. It will never be forgotten. Once past is never settled it will haunt you down.

Napadako ang tingin ko kay Aerus. His eyes were fixed into mine. It was as if he was trying to figure out something while looking at me. I know he had an idea of what's happening.

"Y-your Highness, you should calm down." I heard Valir muttered. Hindi ako umimik. I maintained my poker face, and just as I was trying to calm myself down, the man I've been wanting to burn to death appeared before my eyes.

Umigting ang panga ko. As soon as he appeared so suddenly like a wind, I teleported in front of him. Parang magnet na lumapit ang sarili niyang katawan. His neck immediately landed on my left hand. Sa bilis ng pangyayari ay hindi ako nagawang awatin ng sino man sa kanila.

I saw how his eyes widened in fear and confusion. Nagtatanong ang mga mata niya kung ano ang kamaliang nagawa niya at bakit ako umaakto nang ganito.

My eyes were cold, but the burning desire to  choke him to death was evident. Val and I became enemies once when we fought for the Regent title. We became friends after that. However, I cannot believe he's capable of doing that.

Men indeed are animals.

"P-princess R-regent..." I saw fear in his eyes. His hands held my wrist as he tried to struggle from my grasp. Kitang-kita ko ang pagbalata ng kaba at paglukob ng takot sa mukha niya. He knows very well I'm much stronger than him.

Siguro'y nag-iisip na siya ng rason kung ano ang kamaliang nagawa niya. If he ever did something that could make me angry and offended. Subalit nakikita ko rin sa mukha niya ang kalituhan na para bang wala talaga siyang alam kung ano ang kapangahasang ginawa niya.

"Flare!" Rinig kong sigaw ni Aerus. His voice was warning me to let go of Val, but I didn't obliged. Reigna tried to approach me and attack me, but a single glare from me sent her flying away. She hit her back hard in a tree.

Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Val. He was already catching his breath. Namamawis na siya kakapiglas at kitang-kita ko ang pamumula ng mga mata niya. Ang kaniyang mga mata'y halos maluha na. "W-what did I d-do for you...t-to be offended like...this..." Napasinghap ito nang mas lalo kong idiin ang pagkakasal ko sa kaniya.

"What did you do to Icca?" diretso kong tanong. Dahan-dahan niyang binaling ang tingin kay Icca na ngayon ay akay ni Grachelle. Ilang segundo ang nagdaan ay umiling siya.

"H-hindi ko a-alam," He shook his head and continued,"H-hindi ko pa s-siya kailan man n-nakakausap..." Nangunot ang noo ko. Hindi niya pa kailan man nakakausap?

"Hindi mo pa kailan man nakakausap pero napagsamantalahan mo?" Kumurap-kurap siya na para bang natigilan sa sinabi ko. Nagsimulang lumikot ang mga mata niya na para bang mas lalo itong kinabahan sa hindi malamang dahilan.

"Lasing ka noong gabing 'yon." Sa sinabi ko'y para siyang binagsakan ng langit. Hindi maipinta ang mukha nito. Para itong kinakabahan na natataranta, may takot ang hitsura nito't nanginginig ang kamay niya kaya niluwagan ko nang konti ang pagkakasakal sa kaniya.

"He doesn't remember anything when drunk, Flare." wika ni Aerus. Binitawan ko ang leeg niya. Awtomatiko siyang napaatras habang habol hiningang nakahawak sa namumula niyang leeg. That explains why no matter how I rub it in his face, he really looks confuse.

If he can't remember, then I will make him remember.

"Look at me." Dahan-dahan siyang tumitig sa mga mata ko. Lahat ng mga pangyayaring nakita ko sa memorya ni Icca kanina ay ipinakita ko sa kaniya. Sa bawat imaheng nakikita niya sa nagdaang segundo ay nakita ko ang pagkagulat sa kaniyang mga mata.

His lips parted open. Nakita ko kung paano lumukob ang kakaibang emosyon sa mukha niya. He was shocked, and horrified for what he saw. Nanginginig ang mga daliri niya't nakita ko kung paano pumatak ang butil ng luha sa kaliwang mata niya.

"She was almost molested by men from your tribe but you saved her," panimula ko. I crossed my arms and stared at him with a glare.

"And yet after you saved her, you're the one who took advantage and raped her!" Nanghihina itong napaluhod. He had both knees on the ground, as his tears fell down from his eyes to his bare fists. 

"I'm sorry..." He sobbed. Napatingin naman ako kay Icca na tahimik na umiiyak habang inaalo ni Grachelle.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, please. Forgive me..." Inangat ko ang tingin ko't nakita ko ang hindi maipintang mukha ni Aerus. Samo't-saring emosyon ang nakikita ko sa kaniyang mga mata. Mayroong pagkahabag dito, pagtataka, galit at konsensya.

"Hindi ka dapat humingi sa'kin ng tawad, kun'di sa babaeng nawalan ng dignidad sa sarili dahil sa ginawa mo." I said using my cold voice. Nakatingin lang ako kay Aerus habang sinasabi 'yon. I was observing him as I keep an eye with the woman beside him who's responsible of this shit.

I don't know if I should be thankful or not. Her sixth sense helped me discover the truth about Icca, but it sent nightmares to her when the memories she tried to burry resurfaced once again, causing her so much pain and agony.

Isa-isa ko silang tiningnan. Lima lang silang nandito kaya paniguradong lima rin sa kanila ang lumusob. Saglit kong ipinikit ang mga mata ko upang makiramdam. Sa pagbukas ko ng aking mga mata'y kaagad akong napalingon kay Caiz. As I look at him, his eyes were fixated in the sky. It was as if the presence of the constellations above bothers him so much.

None of them holds the medallion.

Mabilis na napatingin sa akin si Caiz. He nods his head and immediately sent Eich a signal, signalling him to execute the plan later on. Binaling kong muli ang aking tingin kay Valerian na patuloy pa ring nagtatangis at puno nang pagsisi sa kamaliang nagawa nang hindi niya sinasadya.

"Who holds the medallion?" Diretso kong tanong mula rito.

"It you're guilty as you plea, tell me who holds the Air Continent's Medallion." Matapos ko itong sabihin ay nakita ko ang pagtalima ni Aerus.

"Flare!" Yes, I'm using Val's emotions against himself. I'm using his guilt to tell us the truth even if it would defy Aerus' orders.

"If you're really sorry, and you regret what you did. Then prove it. Tell us who holds the medallion, Valerian." With his fresh tears flowing down his cheeks, he look up with so much confusion on his face as he diverted his gaze to Aerus.

"Don't you dare." May halong pambabatang wika ni Aerus dito. I smirk when I saw Valerian closed his eyes. Mariin itong nakapikit na para bang ginigising ang sarili mula sa kung ano mang bumabalot na emosyon na maaaring magdulot sa kaniya upang suwayin ang utos ng mas nakakataas sa kaniya.

Valir, secure an enhanced invisible magnetic field around us with Valerian.

Wika ko sa aking isipan, and since we're mind linked, he was able to hear my thoughts. Tumango ito't patagong ikinumpas ang kamay sa kaniyang likuran upang hindi nila ito mapansin.

"I thought you're guilty? You are an Air Kind, Valerian. I heard Air Kinds are responsible and pays a price when they are in debt and at fault with someone..." I trailled off as I stepped my foot and started to walk in circles around him.

"Don't listen to her!" rinig kon sigaw ni Reigna. My lips formed a loop sided smile.

"Can you live your life happily when you caused someone's life a living hell?" I crossed my arms as I continue to taunt him with my words. Tumigil ako saglit sa paglalakad saka yumuko upang makapantay at ang tainga niya.

"You tainted a woman, Valerian. You made her feel so dirty, lowly and useless. The pain, the agony, the fear, and trauma you left would never fade..." I whispered, and I felt him shiver with the coldness of my voice.

"Stop her before he says anything!" Utos ni Aerus sa tatlo nitong kasama. Akmang lalapit pa ang tatlong kasamahan ni Aerus upang pigilan ako nang mabundol at mapaso sila ng hindi nila makitang magnetic field. A spherical shield that prevents them from hindering us. Tumalima kaagad si Aerus nang mahinuha niyang naisahan ko siya.

"Icca and I stays here inside the magnetic field. The rest of you, go find the Air Continent's insignia." Hindi pa man sila nakakalabas ng magnetic field ay nakaramdam ako ng pagyanig saglit ng kalupaan.

Pagtingala ko'y nakita kong may marahas at mapaminsalang hangin na nakapalibot saamin na para bang sinusubukan nitong sirain ang nagsisilbing kalasag na pumoprotekta sa amin. Those whirling winds came from the four representatives of Air Tribe. May inerhiyang lumalabas sa kanilang kamay na nagdudulot ng malakas na hangin na 'to.

Kitang-kita ang pagsisiliparan ng mga dahon, sanga, bato, buhangin, at kung ano-anong bagay sa labas ng magnetic field. It's like we're inside a very huge and troublesome whirlwind, and they ain't stopping until they can breakthrough it.

"Support the magnetic field as much as you can." Mabilis na sumunod ang mga ito sa naging utos ko. Pumwesto ang mgan ito paikot sa magnetic field. They raise both of their hands as they released fire energies to support the shield.

Napalingon ako kay Icca na ngauon ay nakaupo pa rin sa lupa habang tumatangis. Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Valerian na siya namang nakayuko pa rin na para bang nakikipagtalo sa tuntunin niya at sa konsensya niya. Napangisi ako. Napahawak ako sa magkabilang tuhod ko sabay upo upang makapantay siya.

He's still on the ground with his knees bent, hands balled into fist, and jaw tightly clenched. Inangat ko ang kanang kamay ko upang hawakan ang balikat niya. Dahilan upang umangat ang tingin niya't nagkasalubong ang aming mga mata.

"Tell me who holds the medallion..." Nakita ko ang sarili kong repleksyon sa mga mata niyang nakatitig sa akin. I saw how the pupil of my eye became big as it covers my iris. I saw how his eyes weakened. I tilt my head as I asked him the same question again. And this time, I'm sure I'd get an answer.

As an Omnilock, one of my abilities is to hypnotize someone. I can make him talk with just an eye contact, but everyone's watching us right now. Not just the students and the people of Elysian Empire, but also the kings and queens. I can't let them know and be suspicious about my Sixth Sense.

"Prince Aerus' sister holds it." Isang ngisi kaagad ang namutawi sa labi ko. Inalis ko ang pagkakahawak ng kamay ko sa balikat niya. I snapped my fingers in front of him and he turned back to normal. I stared at him for a while, observing him.

Ang alam nila ay Telekinesis ang Sixth Sense ko. Letting them witnessed how I use another ability will only complicate things, and I hate complicated situations. So I decided to play along and let them think, Valerian would confess because he was guilty for his sins and he wanted to make it up.

That's how you take advantage of the situation and outsmart someone.

"Your Highness!" Napalingon ako nang marinig ang sigaw ni Grachelle.

"Fire contains the element of air. They are minimizing the air around us. Nagiging dahilan ito upang mahirapan kami magpalabas ng enerhiya ng apoy sa aming katawan." she explained.

Yes, Fire contains air. However, air can either distinguish or ignite it even more. It depends upon the person's control, will and purpose to defy it.

Inilibot ko ang tingin ko't nakita kong nahihirapan nga silang magpalabas ng enerhiya. Ito ay marahil sa kadahilanang panipis nang panipis ang hangin sa loob ng magnetic field. As I look at everyone's reaction, Caiz caught my eye. Siya ang bukod tanging tila ba hindi nahihirapan sa pagnipis ng hangin sa paligid.

He can still produce massive and raging amount of fire energy from his hands.

"Fichi..." tawag niya nang mapansing nakatingin ako sa kaniya. Imbis sa kaniya tumingin ay nakatuon ang pansin ko sa klase ng apoy na lumalabas sa kamay niya.

It was red, even more radiant than the sun.

Napasinghap ako nang maramdaman kong mas lalong numinipis ang hangin sa paligid ko. I heave a deep breath, trying to keep my breathing steady but I just can't. Unconsciously, I felt something inside me stirred up. Para bang nakaramdam ako ng panghihina. Nawala sa isip ko ang maaari kong gawin upang pakalmahin ang sarili ko.

Air. I need air.

"Fichi!"

The last thing I heard was Caiz calling my name desperately, and his eyes burning dark red like a real dragon's hell fire.

Aerus

I bit my lower lip. She tricked me. No, she outsmarted me. How can she be so quick witted to take advantage of the situation going on. Damn it.

"Lower the pressure. They can't hold the magnetic field that long if their flames would lack the presence of air." Mariin kong pinikit ang mga mata ko habang hinihilot-hilot ang sentido ko. I can't blame Valerian otherwise, I understood the guilt he felt. Kung sa akin mangyari 'yon ay paniguradong hindi ko rin alam kung ano ang gagawin ko.

Inangat ko ang dalawang kamay ko't naglabas ng malamig na simoy na hangin. Kitang-kita ko mula sa aking kinatatayuan ang napakalaking ipo-ipo na nabuo mula sa pinagsama naming enerhiya. Marahas ang bawat pag-ikot ng hangin at tila ba isa itong turompo na marahas na pinakawalan na sinusubukang sirain ang magnetic field.

Patagal nang patagal ay nararamdaman ko ang pagnipis ng hangin sa paligid. Habang tumatagal ay mas lalo akong nag-aala na baka sinabi na ni Valerian kung sino ang may hawak ng medalyon. I have no idea what's going on inside the magnetic field. Ni wala akong makita dahil natatakpan ito ng nagkakapalang alikabok mula sa marahas na hanging nakapalibot rito.

Napakunot ang noo ko. It's been ten minutes, and by now the air's getting thinner than usual. Nakakapagtakang nakakaya pa nilang suportahan ang magnetic field gamit ang fire energy nila. I tilted my head when I saw a familiar flame that lit up the magnetic field. Ang kulay ng apoy na iyon ay kakaiba, at nakita ko ito kanina.

"Lower the pressure even more." Nakita kong tumalima ang mga ito sa sinabi ko't tila ba nag aalinlangan ang mga ito.

"Your Highness, if we lowered the pressure even more it would be harder for them to breath." I know that. I'm very aware of that, but I just want to find out what they'll do. Will they take down the magnetic field and welcome the raging whirlwind or withstand the thinning of air that could lead them to death.

"Do as I say." Inangat ko ang isa ko pang kamay at naglabas din ng enerhiya mula rito. Habang tumatagal nang tumatagal ay umanhag ang pulang enerhiya sa kabuoan ng magnetic field. It's like a red spherical flame. Napakunot ang noo ko nang mapansin kong ang anhag ng enerhiyang 'yon ay animo'y ilaw na pumapatay sindi.

"Y-your Highness..." Naihakbang ko paatras ang kanang paa ko nang makitang may anino ng isang dambuhalang nilalang sa loob ng magnetic field. Naikurap ko ang mga mata ko nang maaninag ko rito ang dalawang pares ng pakpak na pumapagaspas.

"I-is that a d-dragon?" Kandautal-utal na wika ni Reigna.

Bago pa man ako makasagot ay sabay-sabay kaming nakarinig ng isang nakakabing ingay. It's a loud roar from a creature that only exists in myths and legends.

Biglang nabasag ang magnetic field na gawa ng mga ito. Animo'y para itong babasaging kristal na nagisitalsikan papunta sa gawi namin. On cue, we raised both of our hands to release air energy to shield us from those crystal like blades attempting to attack us.

Ang dambuhalang ipo-ipo kanina ay biglang nawala't napuno ng usok at alikabok ang paligid. Pinikit ko na lamang ang aking mga mata upang hindi mapuwing. Gusto kong makita kung ano ang nangyari subalit hindi umaayon ang sitwasyon sa gusto ko.

Matapos ng ilang minuto ay dahan-dahan kong minulat ang aking mga mata. Mula sa kinaroroonan ng magnetic field kanina ay nakita kong nakahandusay at walang malay ang mga kasamahan ni Flare kanina. Pito silang lahat subalit lima lamang ang naroon at walang malay.

Napakurap ako nang may makita akong anino mula sa lupa. Inangat ko ang tingin ko't nagulat ako sa nakita ko. Hindi lang ako kun'di pati na rin ang mga kasamahan ko. Ang ano mang nakikita namin ngayon ay hindi pa namin kailan man nakikita sa tanang buhay ko.

"What the..."

It was Caiz Perfecto. He's in mid air with his dark red eyes glaring at me. It's not his new pair of eyes that shocked us, but his dragon like wings, flapping in the air with burning flames around it, as he carry Flare within his arms.

Just like a loyal knight, protecting his beloved princess from danger.

To be continued...