Georgia Kaye Alas' Point of View

The Blood Fest was successfully delayed and our plan worked. Isang taon na ang nakalilipas, at hindi pa muli nagpaparamdam nang ganoon si Phoenicia. If she would, it would be stealing some of our students, or just do a little harm. But it wasn't an all-out war, they're waiting for the next blood eclipse.

Sa isang buong taon na 'yon , simula nang magising si Phoenicia at mawala si Eris, mas naging matindi ang training naming mga Phoenicians. Various trainings, deeper learning, and situational combats. Everyone was put to the S class level. At kahit na mahirap para sa 'di kagalingan, naintindihan nila 'yon at nagpursigi. Even I had discovered more of my potential.

"Order!" Maawtoridad na sigaw ni Highness Althea sa'min. Siya ngayon ang isa sa mga head teachers of Phoenix Academy. Mas lalo siyang naging malakas matapos niyang magising mula sa pang-ko-kontrol sa kanya. Nagalit siya at nagpalakas. "I don't want to be a puppet again," sabi niya noon.

"Georgia! Focus!" Pasigaw na bulong sa'kin ni Lucifuge. I glared at him coldly at binalik ang aking paningin sa harap. He's one of the demon teachers now, but I don't know why he's here. He's even near me, forgetting everyone around us.

"Bakit hindi ikaw ang mag-focus, Fuge?" isip ko't alam kong maririnig niya 'yon. Hinayaan kong marinig niya 'yon kahit na maalam na akong isara ang utak ko. He only sent me a smirk while he didn't take his eyes off of mine.

"Oh, you know why, Angel," saad niya at kinindatan pa ako. Inirapan ko siya at nagpatuloy na sa pag-e-ensayo bagaman may demonyong nan-de-demonyo sa'kin.

Pati si Alpha o Michael Gaza ay narito rin. He's smirking at everyone with his black eyes as he brushes his light blue hair. Nabawasan na rin ang malimit niyang pag-camouflage. He's a student like me, but he can basically do anything easily. Training is easy for him.

"Huwag mo akong tingnan ng gan'yan, Kaye. Baka mamatay ako," aniya nang mapansing nakatingin ako sa kanya. Inakbayan niya ako't tiningnan si Lucifuge sabay bumelat. Napahiwalay lang siya sa'kin nang gumawa ako ng ice blades mula sa siko ko't tinusok siya.

Then, Highness Althea announced. "Tomorrow, aalis tayo ng academy. Pupunta tayo sa Semideus Island para mag-train with the Gods. Sa susunod namang araw ay sa Orphic Dimension, mundo ng pinakamalalakas na peculiars, dito naman natin ma-u-unlock ang iba pa nating kakayahan."

"Ayaw kong mapahiya tayong mga Phoenicians sa mga Semideus at Orpheus. So I'll tell you about the things you need to know about those places."

Semideus Island? Orphic Dimension? Ngayon ko lamang narinig ang mga lugar na iyon, ah. Pero bakit parang alam naman iyon ng iba? Nagbubulungan sila at mukhang tuwang-tuwa pa. Lucifuge seemed surprised, but Alpha wasn't. He's one of the few who looked happy. He turned to me with a grin in his face. "Good thing. Sawa na ako sa inyo, eh," he stated. Ah, 'yon naman pala. Hiniwalay ko nalang ang tingin sa kanya't napailing sa loob-loob.

"Semideus Island is the home for qualified mortals and demigods. Doon ako nanggaling 'pagkat isa akong demigod. Tandaan niyo lang na huwag kayong pumunta kung saan-saan dahil maaari kayong mawala. It's a high possibility if you aren't familiar with the place," she explained. "Some of them are mortals, pero hindi ibig sabihin noon ay mas magagaling na kayo. Semideus Island is not open for weaklings, and a series of tests is there before you enter, so call it a privilege that we're allowed there. Tandaan niyo rin na marami kayong makakasalamuhang mga diyos at diyosa."

"Next is the Orphic Dimension. It's a place that's created by human minds. It's actually powerful, at hindi mo aakalaing mga mortal lang or peculiars ang gumawa ng Dimension na iyon," pagpapatuloy niya. "Ang mag-te-train sa'tin ay ang mismong mga gumawa ng dimension na iyon. If you make them mad, baka i-trap ka na nila roon," natatawa niyang banggit.

Napatango naman ako. Akala ko nag-iisa lang kaming lugar na naghahawak ng mga may kapangyarihan, hindi pala. Phoenix Academy is just the place where people with different race or abilities gather. Unlike the places mentioned, there's no limitation to who can enter, as long as you have magic.

"Remember that you will train there, at hindi kayo maglalakwatsa. Now, pack your things and you are dismissed," iyan na ang huling sinabi ni Highness Althea.

Tumingin ako kay Lucifuge. I had a stoic face but it hid a frown underneath, but it seems like Lucifuge felt that. "Hm, what's bothering you?"

I sighed and thought, "You know, Lucifuge, it's really not a good idea to leave the academy alone. Phoenicia might break the barriers, she'll take advantage of us not being around here. A year of silence is bothering me. Pakiramdam ko ay may mali."

Muntik ko nang makalimutang kasama nga pala namin si Alpha Gaza. "Hm," he muttered, then nodded at me at kaagad iyong nasundan ng ngisi. "Kaya tayo pinapaalis dito para mapalabas sa Phoenix Well ang mga phoenixes natin. The Phoenixes will strengthen our barrier, along with that, i-te-train na rin nila ang mga phoenix na 'yon for battle. It's been a long time since these Phoenixes were released."

Nagkunot-noo naman ako. "How did you know that information?" It's not like he's an admin, a teacher, or an official here. Ni hindi nga ata alam ni Lucifuge ang impormasyon na 'yan. Well, hindi na naman din nakakapagtaka. All Lucifuge does is make— ah, nevermind.

Nagkibit-balikat siya at muli na namang nawala sa paningin namin. Umiling si Lucifuge sa tabi ko't nilagay ang isang kamay niya sa ilalim ng baba niya. "Alam mo minsan iniisip ko sinisilipan na ako ni Alpha sa banyo, e. Hindi naman natin siya nakikita kaya't maaaring i-take advantage niya 'yon. Hm, what if he sees us too?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko at wala sa sariling napahawak sa katawan ko. Lucifuge's statement made sense, but I rolled my eyes at him. "Worry about it. You're weak against him if you don't feel his presence around," pabalang kong sagot sa kanya.

He laughed and pouted. "Come on, you know I'm joking."

Umiling nalang ako at iniwan siya upang dumiretso sa Ashes Castle. Naglakad ako papunta sa Ashes—12. Wala naman sa sariling napatingin ako sa kwarto ni Eris. Ashes—11. Lumapit ako roon at napansing unlocked ang kaniyang pinto. Huh? Kailan pa ito bukas? Ngayon lang ba, o isang taon na ang nakalipas at hindi ko lang napapansin?

I was not the kind of friend who'd barge in someone's room in their absence. Nakaawang ang mga bookshelves, na tila ba may pumasok doon. Is she back? With the hopes that it was the case, I entered the room. Hinawakan ko ang isang libro roon sa pinto, at awtomatiko namang mas lalong nagbukas ang bookshelf. Pumasok ako. The room looked normal, it looked clean na halos 'di kapani-paniwala. It should be reeking of dust.

Napatingin ako sa cabinet niyang bukas. Nagulat ako dahil puro damit ng prinsesa ang naroon. Long gowns, silks, cocktails and such. Bakit naman may ganito sa wardrobe niya? Tumingin din ako sa nakabukas niyang bintana. "Bakit bukas 'to?" isip ko.

I looked at the sight at nagulat sa nakita. It was a sight of a town, at sa 'di kalayuan ay mayroong mga kabundukan. Nagkunot-noo ako, hindi ganito ang dapat kong nakikita. It's supposed to be a forest. There are no towns here in Phoenix Academy. I looked down and saw knights in their armors. May mga flag din na nakasabit sa mga poste sa tabihan nila. The flag was red and had a golden Phoenix printed on it.

Base sa kasuotan at kapaligiran, it looked like I was on a castle, on a kingdom. Pero imposible iyon, nasa Phoenix Academy lang ako!

Our dorm's floor was plain and wooden, pero ang nakikita ko ngayon ay carpeted at sobrang linis. The walls too are well built. Did I just teleport? I closed the windows before the knights below see me. Bumigat ang paghinga ko. Sure there are magical things, but I can't seem to explain this happening.

I jolted when the door had opened, but I was relieved nang makitang si Headmaster Gaiael lang pala iyon. Nang silipin ko ang labas, the scenery had become a forest. Tila bumalik itong room na ito sa Phoenix Academy.

"Georgia, ano'ng ginagawa mo rito?" Tanong niya.

"Headmaster, ipagpaumanhin ninyo po ako. Nakita ko pong bukas ang pinto niya kaya't nagawi po ako rito. Pero, headmaster, bakit kanina po'y parang nag-iba ang kapaligaran?"

Ngumiti naman siya sa'kin bago sinagot ang aking tanong. "Hija, Eris, or Sinclair as she is called now, lives in two realms. Ito at ang mortal realm. It is said that if one lives in two realms, there is one place of hers that lives in both of those. It's more like a portal or a dimension between those two worlds," pagpapaliwanag niya.

"This room is that portal that connects Eris or Sinclair to the mortal realm and here. Pero hindi niya pa iyon nadidiskubre since she is not that aware of this world dahil nga sa pagkawala ng memorya niya. Once Eris gets aware of us, maaari na niyang gamitin itong portal na 'to to travel between realms," He added.

Oh, may gan'on palang sistema? Pero hindi ba parang masyadong convenient 'yon?

"Ibig sabihin po ba noon, ang nakita ko kanina ay mundong tinitirhan ni Sinclair ngayon? Pero bakit naman po nangyayari ang gan'on bukod sa nakatira sa dalawang mundo. I mean, I guess we all are like that, Headmaster. I once lived in the mortal world, but it didn't happen at my place," I argued.

"Sinclair's imagination manifest between worlds," aniya. Napatango naman ako at nang akmang magsasalita na siya ulit ay nagulat kami sa muling pagbukas ng pinto. My eyes met with a pair of golden eyes.

"Eris!" I greeted out of surprise.

Nagtaas ng kilay si Eris sa'min at tila ba hindi kami nakikilala, takang-taka sa presensya namin dito. "Who are you, trespassers?"

Sa isang iglap ay nakapagteleport agad kami ni Headmaster Gaiael. Hinawakan ko naman ang dibdib ko sa kaba. Hindi niya ako nakilala. It seems like she lost her memory. Nilibot ko naman ang aking paningin upang makita kung saan kami nagteleport. Sa sapientae room pala— the room of wisdom. Bakit naman kaya dito kami dinala ng teleportation?

"Georgia, huwag ka nang bumalik sa kwarto ulit ni Eris. I'm going to put a barrier to prevent others from entering too. Hindi pa tayo maaaring makilala ni Sinclair," wika ni Headmaster sa'kin at mukhang naalintana rin. "I'll let Red and Lucifer handle her."

Nakita na pala nila si Eris, at nagkita na rin sila. I sighed in relief. At least, she's coming back anytime soon. Tumungo naman ako at sumagot kay Headmaster. "Masusunod po.

"May ipapahabilin ako sa'yong napakahalagang bagay, Alas, kaya kita dinala rito sa Sapientae room. Naglibot naman si Headmaster sa mga bookshelves hanggang sa natunton niya ang isang aklat. Mataas ang kinalalagyan no'n kaya't ginamit niya ang levitation skills niya upang makuha 'yon.

The Legend of Phoenixes. Basa ko roon sa title ng aklat na nakita niya habang nasa ere ito. Binuklat niya ito hanggang sa tumigil siya sa isang pahina. Habang lumalapit siya sa'kin, nahuli ng mga mata ko ang larawan doon. It's a pin. The pin of Phoenix Academy.

Nanliit naman ang mga mata ko nang biglang isinabuhay ng mahika ni Headmaster Gaiael ang pin. It emerged from the picture, and then it materialized to a real-life pin. Binigay niya ito sa'kin, and I held it carefully. Aw, hindi ko akalaing ganito kabigat ang maliit na pin na ito. There, I realized that it's unlike the pins we have in our uniforms.

"It's the first and original pin of our academy, made by all kinds of creatures. It is aimed to protect the holder. At kaya ko ito binigay sa iyo upang bigyan kang proteksyon. And with that, I want you to protect them, at all cost. Hindi pwedeng mamatay ang mga taong nasa paligid mo, Lucifuge, Lucifer, Alpha, and Sinclair. Please protect them. They were our creators in their first life, and they died protecting the realms. We do not wish for history to repeat itself," wika niya sa akin.

I nodded. Kahit hindi pa sabihin ni Headmaster, gagawin ko 'yon. "That is a given, Headmaster. Thank you for this, and I will surely uphold the Phoenician magic." Then, I replaced the pin on my collar with the one given to me. Nagulat naman ako nang may kakaibang kapangyarihan na dumaloy sa'king katawan. Namawis ako sa init na nararamdaman ko, at napahawak ako sa tiyan ko sa pag-aalala.

Headmaster smiled upon my reaction. "You are now blessed by the power of the Phoenixes. If ever you are in danger, a Phoenix will lend you his power." The hand that was touching my stomach suddenly warmed in a right temperature, and then, I felt okay. "But, Georgia, if you meet a full Phoenix aside from Phoenicia, give him or her the pin."

Nagtaka naman ako. "May iba pa pong full phoenix?"

Headmaster nodded. "Eris' father had revealed a prophecy to us in a dream. A full Phoenix can only be killed by another full Phoenix, who's born under the constellation of Phoenix, blessed by the waterfalls of Phoenix, and molded by the fire of Phoenix."

Naningkit ang mga mata ko sa narinig. But if Phoenixes can only be reborn through a demon-angel creature... then it must be Eris Sinclair, right?

"Hindi parin naman namin alam kung sino. Kaya kayo rin ay pinapapunta ko sa Orphic at Semideus Island upang hanapin ang full Phoenix doon. Still, we cannot fully rely on a prophecy. Phoenicians are the new phoenixes honed for the serenity of the universe. Phoenix Academy is not here for nothing," dagdag niya at humukod sa harap ko, na simbolo ng respeto.

I did the same. "Hindi ko po kayo bibiguin, Headmaster," I said one last time and dashed away like lightning.

Now it's time to see the other worlds.

Phoenix Academy
By lostmortals
Plagiarism is a crime.

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