A lot of strange things has been happening around me lately. Thank Hiraya that I have no deep curiosities whatsoever, but it is seriously putting me off.

Kagaya na lang kanina. I didn't get to sleep dahil naaabala ako sa ingay na nagmumula sa labas. In my ears, the haunting shrieks were loud, but I knew they weren't audibly recognizable dahil humihilik pa rin sa tulog si Tamara. Unless na lang na sobrang tulog-mantika niya at kahit na mag-end of the world na'y wala siyang reaksiyon.

I was bothered by the noise, though, so I walked towards the window. Dahan-dahan ko itong binuksan dahil baka naman may magjump-scare sa aking ghost. I'm very much afraid of their ugly faces pa naman. If they have time to scare people, bakit hindi muna sila magsipilyo o manghilamos 'di ba? At least, it would make us entertain them, not run away in disgust or fear.

Thankfully, walang ghost na pinaskil ang itsura niya sa bintana kaya malaya kong natatanaw ang schoolgrounds. There was nothing different. Nando'n pa rin ang lights sa bawat hallway na dapat ay nakabukas dahil siguro'y mamamatay ang mga tao kapag nadapuan ng dilim. But what caught my attention the most was the figure running in one of the corridors.

I watched as the figure disappeared in the darkness only to appear a minute later at the other end of the corridor, once again running and leaving a trail of shadows in its wake. The lights flickered as it passes and the moon illuminated the running figure, following it until everything stopped.

As if it knew I was staring, tumigil ito at tumingin sa banda ko. O ramdam kong tumingin sa direksiyon ko since hindi ko naman nakikita ang mukha niya.

I noticed the shape of a hand pointing to the clear, night sky. I remained standing, refusing to avert my eyes away from the figure. Hindi ako tanga na sumunod kaya pagkatapos ng limang minuto ay umalis na ang pigura. That's when I let myself look upwards.

The moon beamed at the attention, glowing brighter under the darkest night sky I've ever seen. The beauty was so enchanting that my hands were almost tempted to open the windows. To feel the open air and live in the peak of darkness.

I had more self-control than I thought because I resorted to pulling the curtains close, fingers gripping the silk tightly as I closed my eyes, my heart running wild at the strange encounter.

Thursday morning came and I was out of sorts. Tamara excused herself first, running downstairs to find the book she left at the common room. Doon kasi kami nag-aral para sa Biology kagabi at nakaligtaan niya ang gamit. I spent thirty minutes inside the bathroom, the shower running over my soulless body. From there on, my body just moved automatically, taking a set of clothes from my bag and tying my hair in a crown braid before setting foot outside.

Strange glances were thrown my way. When their gazes fell on my boots, terror flashed in their eyes. Students actively avoided me, gasping as they took a step away, opting to pin themselves on the wall than be in a five meter distance than me.

I almost rolled my eyes, treating their avoidance as a reaction over the rumors about me, when I heard Beatrix' scandalous shout.

"This is outrageous already, Raven!" her scream made curious people flock. "Grabe! Wow! You really have outdone yourself! What a fucking rebel you are!"

"Ano ba ang problema mo?" pagod kong tanong.

Marami akong pinoproblema ngayon, Beatrix, huwag kang dumagdag at baka maisipan kong magandang punching bag ang mukha mo.

"Miss Tempest, you are..." Zara showed herself and I could see the surprised faces of my house members behind her. "Detention! Right now!"

Kumunot ang noo ko. Seriously? "Again?!"

"This is... Hindi ito mapapayagan ng kahit na sino, Miss Tempest! You are disrespecting the Palace! You are tainting the Academy's image! You are rebelling against Hiraya!"

Sinundan ko kung saan nakatuon ang atensiyon nila. I stared at the pair of black high-heeled boots that I accidentally wore. Sabayan pa na imbes ang military pants ay ang black cargo pants ko ang isinuot, while I had a white fitted top above. So that's why they were so angry with me.

"Hindi ko napansin..." bulong ko.

"Gusto mo ba talaga ng attention, ha?!" Beatrix added. "Hindi ka na man lang nahiya! Kung 'yan lang naman ang gagawin mo dito, sana hindi ka na sumali sa Selected program!"

"Oh, believe me, I tried so hard not to join." I replied in a mocking tone. Sinulyapan ko si Zara na halos mahimatay na sa kakatitig sa boots ko. "I know, they look good right? I repainted them kaya. Anyway, nasaan ba ang detention? Same room lang ulit?"

I turned to start walking when Zara spoke, "Did you wear it by mistake, Miss Tempest?"

Tilting my head, I smiled. "Well, yes. But please don't convince me to change. Seeing your reactions is enough for me to wear this proudly."

Natagalan siya bago sumagot. "I see. Then yes, the same detention room as you used."

I shot them a winning smirk, pushing my hair back so they could wave so smoothly as I paraded the blasphemous black color in the blessed halls of the Academy. I cannot count by fingers the number of jaws that dropped. And I can't even list the amount of hate I will possibly get after this.

I was in that familiar corridor, the one I saw last night, when silence enveloped my surrounding. Ang dating ma-estudyanteng paligid ko ay nawala dahil tumunog na ang bell sa unang klase. Even the courtyard that sits in between the corridor and our dorm was deserted.

I slowly licked my lips, inhaling deeply through my nose. I closed my eyes for a brief second to gather my thoughts and flush the distractions away.

When I opened them, I found myself staring at a beautiful yet haunting face.

My lips parted as she took in my scent. Strands of the darkest hair I've ever seen fall in front of her face. Her eyes were black, like an empty void about to suck me whole. Her pale lips opened and a breath of shadows left her mouth. Atop her hair, a broken crown sat. Around her neck, a collar of thorns made my stomach roll in nausea. When she raised her hand, skin as black as coal, I almost recoiled in panic and fear.

"Raia."

Her whisper of my name was accompanied by a calm voice.

Suddenly, the palm that almost touched my face broke apart into embers. A flame appeared within her heart, bursting and making her disappear, the shadows suddenly going back to where they belonged.

I didn't show any reaction, but the way my shoulder relaxed and how I took the next breath so deep was enough evidence. I felt the heat before Helios appeared in front of me, brows furrowing. I met his eyes a little late, after burrowing the shaken nerves away.

"What are ya doin' here, Heli?" I asked, voice back to its playful manner.

He studied my face. I waited for him to point out what happened but instead he glanced away, a slight flush appearing in his cheeks.

"I went to the restroom..." his voice was quiet. "Then I saw you and you looked troubled so... Are you troubled?"

I blinked at him. Hindi niya ba nakita ang nangyari kanina? I didn't want to ask or hint anything because it would invite even more curious question.

Kaya tinaasan ko na lang siya ng kilay at ngumisi. "Do I look troubled?"

"You were standing here for a minute or two already. And you've been staring at the space since this morning. You look so blank, it's strange."

"Have you been watching me?"

Nanlaki ang mata niya at bumuka ang bibig para sumagot pero walang lumabas na salita. "I..." lumunok siya't sandaling iniwas ulit ang tingin. "Yes..."

Ang honest naman niya.

Since I wanted to avoid thinking about these strange situations, I poured my attention into this new interesting toy of mine. Pinagsalikop ko ang kamay sa likod. I leaned closer to him, making him step away, the flush in his cheeks moving to his neck and ears. I licked my lips in a slow manner, eyes staring straight at him.

"Why? You like watching me?"

"You are-" he stepped back. "-a curiosity."

I stepped forward. "So you want to know me more?"

Helios stopped moving. He watched my face closely before saying, "Selcouth."

Napamaang ako. Ano 'yon? Is that anotber language that either means yes or no? Bakit hindi niya na lang sabihin sa paraang naiintindihan ko dahil 'di pa naman ako palabasa ng libro.

"What?"

"You are like the word selcouth," he explained, trying to take a step away again when I got hold of his tie and I pulled him back. He stiffened, his breath hitching. "Unfamiliar and strange yet breathtaking. You are unusual. You break the rules that everyone is trying to please."

And I look so breathtaking when I do it, huh?

Binitawan ko ang necktie niya at agad niya 'yong inayos. I eyed the golden cape he wears so proudly. "Aren't you supposed to be strict and stiff, knowing you are part of the Elites who preaches the rules?"

I've always thought I would be worshipping the dominating power of the rising sun, but all I could see in front of me was a puppy, not a large lion.

"Une bouffée d'air frais." sagot niyang nagpatulala lang sa'kin hanggang sa idagdag niya na, "You're supposed to be in detention for wearing black, right?"

"Papunta na ako do'n nang maalala na wala pala akong breakfast." I lied naturally. "Pero ano 'yong sinabi mo kanina? That was French, right? Alam mo 'yon?"

There are only six languages in the world. English and Tagalog which are commonly used, especially here in Hiraya. The Japanese that originated from Gareth, and Spanish that came from their allied country, Neva. Ang kaibigang bansa naman ng Hiraya na Avalon ay French ang lenggwahe, ngunit hanggang sa ngayon ay tanging Royal Family lang ang nakaka-aral ng lenggwaheng 'yon sa kontinente namin. Then there's Chinese that the Santium, a neutral country, uses.

"It's better if you find it out yourself."

Inikot ko ang mata at dinaanan siya. I didn't hear him follow but I still replied, "Okay. Kapag may miracle na mangyari at maisipan ko ngang magbasa."

I didn't point out that the French is only offered to special ranks of people and there's no way I'll be fitting into those categories. Even if I was invited to fit in, I would also not choose to be.

I relaxed when I arrived at the detention room with no more strange, shadow appearances or eerie sounds. Ako lang mag-isa doon at walang kahit sinong tao sa hallway kaya nagtaka ako kung talaga bang inaasahan nila na papasok ako dito at magpapakabait kaya hindi nila ako babantayan? Or someone has the magic of invisibility and they are silently observing my next decision.

Well if they are, hm... I would just leave—

"Raven, bakit hindi ka pa pumasok?"

Nilingon ko si Azriel na nagsalita. I raised my brow, wondering why he's here instead of fighting the dirt in the field. Then, I saw the smudge of red and violet in his knuckles so I chuckled.

"Napaaway ka?" I asked, tilting my head. He nodded, hiding his fist. "That's a surprise, AA. You look too calm to start or join a fight."

"I never... lose my temper this easily too." sagot niya at sumulyap sa bukas na pintuan ng detention room. "But I guess some things cannot be avoided."

I followed him inside, now interested. First, why would the composed Azriel get into a fight? Kahit noong hinahamak siya sa pagkakaroon ng shadow magic ay hindi siya lumaban. Second, I wanna know what he meant by things that couldn't be avoided. Especially when he glanced at the room first before saying it.

"Palagi ka ba sa detentions like this?" tanong ko sa kaniya nang makaupo kami. He sat in the front chairs so I had to use the table in order to face him. Ngumisi ako. "Wow. Hindi ko aakalain na suki ka sa detentions na ganito, AA. I am familiar with it because I wear the forbidden colors almost every week to piss people off."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Why do you always like the fight, Raven?"

I pursed my lips, processing his question carefully. "I don't know... I just love the feeling of fighting. I want to create battles and find my way out of it as a victor. I love the way their skins bleed through my fist and how the effect of attacks vary by a person's strength and strategy. I want to know what they would do in order to beat me... I want to see how they'll answer my attacks. Will they punch me where I punched them too? And will their kicks be enough to make my vision blurry?"

As I continued to explain my hunger for fight, a smile has appeared in my face. I could feel my body getting excited, clenching and unclenching my fist as I jumped on my toes, remembering the first time I made my high kick. I licked my lips as my heart sped up in excitement at the taste of blood on my lips. A soft exhale left my mouth as the defeated looks of my opponents flashed in my mind.

It was the hunger for victory, the growth from loss, and the uncertainty of a fight that makes me desire for it.

"What about you, AA? What do you love about a fight?"

"I don't like it..." sagot niya habang hindi makatingin sa'kin. "I don't enjoy battles or war. They are cruel and filled with anger. I don't think anyone wins in it, but everyone is damaged by its consequences. It seems unfair."

I shrugged. "Well, war does not look at the life and death but the amount of loss and gain. We are not people but numbers, who will later be attached in their speech of victories and loss." I gestured my hands wildly before smiling. "But I wasn't asking you about the war, I wanted to know your thoughts about a fight too. Does it make your bones jump in thrill? Does it make you want to run away or punch someone else?"

"I never really thought of those, Raven. Whenever I'm in a fight, it's either I live or die. So I do my best to live and just... throw attacks."

My interest slowly died but I thought over his answer. Crossing my arms, I leaned back on the teacher's chair, humming.

"You're calm and composed, and you don't enjoy fights. You have a simple view, live to fight than run and die. You also preserve your honor judging from our past conversations. If that's so..." seryoso ko siyang tiningnan. "Bakit ka lagi sa mga detention rooms?"

"Who told you?"

"No one. I just observed it from your actions and words earlier. So? Siguro naman sasagutin mo na ang tanong ko dahil na-entertain na kita."

Nagtama ang tingin naming dalawa. He shifted in his seat, a little uncomfortable about my question. Hindi naman ako gano'n kasama para pilitin siya, lalo na kung makakapagpabalik pala ito ng masasamang alaala sa kaniya, but when I was just about to take back my question, he answered it.

"It's not detention rooms. I was usually locked in prisons where I needed to reflect myself. Magkasama kami lagi ni Giovanni doon noong bata pa lang, but when our soulstones manifested, he was set free while I remained. Hindi naman ako lagi doon pero... ilang oras din ang nilalagi ko sa mga madidilim na silid nang mag-isa."

The mellow tone of his voice and the deep emotion that laced through his answer made me silent. My gaze fell to the scars in his hand, neck and face. Our experiences in detentions were different. Mine was a consequence of my own actions while his was punishment. Unfair and cruel punishment.

Humalumbaba ako at bumuntong-hininga. Bumalik sa'kin ang mata niya nang mapansin na hindi ko siya kakaawaan. I wouldn't, of course, show him mindless pity, but I would show him gentleness and comfort. I would show him fairness and good. Even I wouldn't want someone pitying me, not when they don't know what I've suffered to comfort me with whispered lies.

"This world sucks." I muttered, watching the students outside. "I want to ruin it."

Hindi siya sumagot o tumango, pero hindi rin naman siya tumanggi. There is something this world that is so desiring to burn. There is something about the palace that I want to crush it down.

"Is this yours, Raven?" Azriel asked, showing me a book.

I frowned, accepting it. "That's odd. I never read books."

But when I saw the title, I almost rolled my eyes. Kailan naman kaya naipuslit ni Tsuki ito sa detention room? It was the book he recommended to me before — The Souls Within Us. The title page had my name written on it and I briefly wondered if the elites had the privilege to write in academic books like this.

Sinulyapan ko si Azriel na interesadong nakatitig sa libro. "You like this?"

Ibibigay ko na lang 'to sa'yo kung gano'n.

Pero umiling siya. "I saw it before in the Alderidge mansion. It explained the reason behind the Second War. Ngunit ang pagkakaalam ko ay banned na iyan sa Hiraya, Raven, because it has misleading information."

Oh. Now that's interesting.

Excited tuloy akong lumapit at tumabi sa kaniya, placing the book in his desk so we can read it together. The idea of a forbidden book being on my hands is triggering my evil mindset.

"Really? This is banned?"

A banned book in the walls of the Academy? It was also in the library before. Just what is Paham doing?

"Yes. It... explained how irrational the Second War began, and how it was the fault of the palace rather than Sarienne. Nandiyan din ang rason kung bakit magkaaway ang Gareth at Hiraya ngayon."

I have heard excerpts of the Second War, but it was a rare subject in the continent. Walang kahit anong written works o artifacts na nakalinked dito. It was almost like the Palace decided to erase the existence of that particular war, which is very strange since they use the First War, one between soulbearers and ordinary humans, as a national story.

My finger subconsciously swiped over the authors' names, my lips parting as I marveled over the beautiful disaster that this book may bring. Sarienne and Ryuu... Their names feels heavy on both my heart and soul.

"The authors." mahinang sambit ko. "Were they the one who started the war?"

"The Palace said they were, but the book says otherwise."

A smiled bloomed in my face at his answer and I quickly opened the pages, scanning its content. Azriel read the first few chapters with me, trying to push me awake at the sections of civil discussions that bore me to death, and trying to stop me from getting too excited when the details of war came.

Sarienne was one of the twins who Hiraya bore. She was the person who symbolized the darkness, while her twin Sorin represented the light. Hindi siya ang rason kung bakit nangyari ang Second War, ngunit siya ang may pinakamalaking impluwensiya dito. Her power of darkness cannot be contained and at the fear of having the cursed nights that once visited the divine rulers, they deceived her.

Ryuu was the leader of Gareth, and though his love for Sarienne cannot be answered by the woman, he fought for her too. Until today. They were treated as traitors so Sarienne had to flee to Gareth at some point, until the news of her eldest son being threatened by the regent of war made her come back. It was a lie... because the moment she stepped foot in the land, she was captured. Two hundred soulbearers waited at the foot of Alondra, the city of darkness located in Allysteria, and ambushed her.

Pigil ko ang hininga at handa nang ilipat sa kabilang chapter ang libro nang biglang bumukas ang detention room. I jumped at the sound, instinctively hiding the book and snapping my attention at the door. There, Eva stood with raised brows and suspicious smile. Halos sigawan ko na siya nang sumilip si Tamara sa loob at si Azriel pa ang kusang lumayo sa'kin.

I pursed my lips, stifling a smile and giving him a sideway glance that he badly tried to avoid.

"Eva, Tamara." pagbati ko sa kanila sabay tayo at lagay ng libro sa training bag. "What are you two doing here?"

"Lunch na, Raven. Hindi ka kakain?" tanong ni Tamara.

"Well, am I permitted to go out?"

Eva nodded, glancing at my boots. "Yes. Since lahat naman daw ng estudyante ay nasa Awanggan na ngayon, the teachers are ordering you to go change na. Bago pumasok sa Awanggan."

Chuckling, I raised both hands over my head in an attempt to stretch them. "This Academy is pretty similar to the outside. It's filled with stoic adults and screaming teens who is too sensitive to handle a flash of black."

Mahinang ntawa si Eva at hinampas ako nang makalapit na. Azriel followed us outside, closing the door behind him, as the two girls sandwiched me. Ikinuwento nila ang reaksiyon ng mga tao nang malaman na nagsuot ako ng itim.

"Alam mo bang balak na sana ni Dust na ireport ang ginawa mo kay Dean?" ani Tamara. "Some students also convinced the teachers to have a council meeting about your presence here in the SSA. Ang sabi nila e sobrang uncomfortable daw sila na makasama ka dito. Pero tinanggihan ang proposals nila nina Kiernan, 'yong head ng faculty, and ni Damon, ang head ng house natin."

"How lucky, Raven!" Eva exclaimed, bumping me slightly in the shoulder while smiling. "Ang benta mo sa mga heads at hindi nila pinapayagan. Beatrix also convinced Dust to raise the problem to us, pero siyempre, ilan ba naman kaming nasa elite ang kampi sa'yo? Hindi pa niya nasasabi, talo na siya!"

"Pero pangit din naman ata na hindi niyo ako papayagang maparusahan dahil sa kaibigan niyo ako. That would entice even more hate—"

"Hindi naman sa ayaw ka naming payagang maparusahan, but it's one violation pa lang naman. That and some people's complaint saying they're uncomfortable isn't enough to kick you out. Lalo na't marami rin ang ayaw na umalis ka."

Tch. Akala ko may free pass na ako without completing my three years in here.

As if realizing what I was getting at, Eva narrowed her eyes at me. Sumipol lang ako para makaalis sa suspisyon niya.

"Are you trying to get yourself kicked out?!"

"Hala, talaga, Raven?!" bigla ding sigaw ni Tamara sa tabi ko. "Bakit naman? Ayaw mo na sa akin?"

"I wasn't." tila naiinis kong tugon. "I told you, I really wore this by accident. Hindi ako nakatulog ng mabuti kagabi kaya medyo lutang pa ako-" I pushed Eva and Tamara towards the Awanggan's direction. "Pumasok na nga kayo diyan. I'll just change and go there later."

Tatawa-tawa naman silang dalawa na pumasok. Tamara was about to close the Awanggan's doors, where many eyes have settled on me upon it's opening, when she walked back to me.

"Oo nga pala, Raven. Kanina sa training namin, may sinabi si Andreas. We trained in an obstacle course kanina, and sa Saturday daw, magkakaroon tayo ng Obstacle War. He told us to make our own team of five before Strategical Assessment begins."

Umangat ang isang kilay ko kasabay ng pagsilay ng isang ngisi. "Alright. I'll think of two more people."