I volunteered myself first. Hindi ako nagtaka sa pagkagulat nila nang malaman na ang sinalihan ko ay Zig-Zag Balance pa.

It was a wooden bar which is eighteen feet in length and 3 inches in width. Towards the end, the height of the bar gradually increases, going to four feet. We have to balance ourselves while crossing it, and it must be impossible to look at with my high heels.

It wasn't. The thing was easy.

Since there were ten groups and only five wooden bars, we were halved. Parte pa rin naman ng apat na nakalaban ko si Giovanni who handled the course with ease. I could have finished it earlier than Kaizen, who finished second, but I took my time admiring the sky as I balanced myself on the bar. Nang matapos ay mayabang pa akong ngumiti kay Andreas na dismayado ang mata.

Maghintay ka.

In the second course, we were bound for defeat. I pushed Tamara into trying the left-hand vault and her upper arm strength couldn't handle it. Well, maybe because I also told her to preserve her energy but make it look like she's giving her best. Since hindi pinalaking artista ang kaibigan ko, halos maiyak na siya sa pagkalito kung aayusin ba o hindi ang laro. Beatrix, her opponent for that round, smirked smugly.

The third and fourth one, kami ni Griffin ang sumali at hindi ulit kami nanalo. Namali ng talon si Griffin sa high wall at malapit pang masira ang ilong niya. Matangos kasi. Ako naman ay nakaharap ulit si Giovanni na pinatikim sa'kin ang pagkatalo sa race. We had to race kasi to get some weapons and I only got a paper and pen in the end. Some soul item where we can curse some names, perhaps?

"Sino naman kukulamin mo?" kunot-noong tanong ni Matteo nang ipaliwanag ko sa kanila ang nakuha.

"I would select you first but seeing how we're vibing right now, I have to pick another."

"Isulat na lang kaya natin ang mga pangalan dito? Tapos ilagay natin sa tent." Tamara suggested, beaming.

Ngumiti ako. "That's a good idea!"

Kinuha ko ang papel at isinulat una ang pangalan doon. Tamara wrote her name next, in that neat manner of hers contrasting my cursive one. Kay Azriel na sana ipapasa nang nagpakita si Andreas sa tabi namin.

I held a hand on my chest. "Heavens, Andreas! At least say something. Ano ka, some ghost, na mag-a-appear lang kahit hindi invited?"

"I've been calling your group for the last minute but you seem preoccupied, Raven." iritado niyang tugon at sinulyapan si Azriel na magsusulat na sana. "Let Azriel play next. I think you're just playing right now."

"This is a game, Andreas. It's meant to be played."

Pagod niya lang akong sinulyapan at sinenyasan si Azriel na magparticipate. The rope climb he joined on became a disaster when Giovanni said something that made Azriel go red. Napabitaw ito sa pagkakahawak sa rope kaya nahulog sa lupa, while Giovanni just laughed as he reached the top.

"Okay, that was cheating. He was distracting AA!" reklamo ko.

"May sinabi lang naman siya. Hindi namin kasalanan na nagpadistract si AA mo." depensa ni Beatrix.

I looked at her as if she was as stupid as my Math-hating self. "If I kissed you in the middle of a fight, wouldn't you be distracted?" nanlaki ang mata niya sabay ng paglaglag ng panga, so I turned to face Tamara. "'Di ba? You'd be distracted?"

There was a flush in Tamara's cheeks as she nodded, averting her eyes. "O-Oo naman."

Halos lahat naman ng ka-house ko ay hindi pa nakakarecover sa pagkabigla. "Oh, what now? Lahat na lang ba ng sasabihin ko parang may bomb effect sa inyo?"

"I think you just gave them ideas, Tempest." Matteo lazily drawled, pointing at Griffin who looked dazed. "Especially this boy."

I rolled my eyes. As if naman they can distract me by that. Simpleng paglapit nga lang ng mukha ko, natutulala na sila.

The last game was three matches of arm-wrestling and the damned Andreas paired us with the strongest group. Matteo took the first two matches, losing against both Dayang and Damon. He was incapable of meeting my eye after so I tapped his shoulder as reassurance that I understand it. Alam ko namang hindi siya nagpatalo doon kahit sabihin niya man 'yon. Natalo lang talaga siya.

I prepared myself to have the last match against Dustine. It was the first time she'll participate here and she wanted to be up against me. I'm not complaining. It will be a good opportunity to study her.

"Where's your dominant hand?" she asked.

Dustine clenched and unclenched her left fist, which made me grin. Ah... she's letting me take the advantage ha. It's just a pity that...

Itinaas ko ang kanang kamay, dahilan para tumango siya, ang mukha niya'y maaliwalas na. "I'll use my left then."

Ngumiti ako at pumwesto. Tama nga 'yan. Use your dominant hand so I could feel your strength.

If she assumed she could take me down on one push, it showed on her face. Moderate lang ang amount of strength na ipinalabas niya, siguro to surprise me na rin. I was surprised, alright. She is befitting of the second strongest rank. But it's also not enough to make me go down.

I battled her strength for a few minutes until she stopped delaying and used all her force to bring my hand down. My fingers felt crushed under her hold when I weakened them, and I let a grimace touch my lips when she let me go, victorious.

"Aray." reklamo ko, flexing my wrist. "Are you trying to crush my hand or something?"

Isang nag-aalinlangang ngiti lang ang isinagot niya habang binibigyan ako ng naninimbang na tingin. I arched a brow at her, noticing how Beatrix quickly linked their arms with a smirk thrown at me.

"Ito na ba ang sinasabi mong threat kahapon, Raven?"

"Sadly." sinulyapan ko ang ibang kasama niya. Naniningkit ang mata sa'kin ni Damon. "Hindi ko inakala na ganito pala kayo kalakas."

I made a small frowning pout, showing them just how frustrated I am before leaving. I threw a wink at a frowning Andreas on the way. Agad akong tinanong ni Tamara kung ano daw ginawa ko at bakit mukhang nanalo na si Beatrix bago pa nagsimula ang laban. I only responded na that's what bobo people do.

When the warm-up games came to an end, our exemplary and highly-qualified gameplay gave us the worst tent in that course.

"Hindi ba 'to magigiba kung sinipa?" Griffin asked, inspecting the tent with curious eyes. "Kahit siguro hangin kaya na 'tong patumbahin."

The tent looked like it suffered a hundred tornados and a thousand floods. The color has long faded and the outside part had scratches and tears. I even saw a hole at the back of the tent. The inside could only fit one to two people and there wasn't much inside. No armor or defensive gears, just the paint gun that we needed to use.

Kinuha ko ang papel na nakuha at pinagmasdan ito. The differences in our penmanship were too cute. There was my haste, cursive name at the top, Tamara's clean one below, Azriel's name written in small and capitalized letters, si Griffin na maganda din ang sulat-kamay at may design pa ang 'i', then lastly Matteo who has the largest name on the paper.

"That's fine. That means no one will come here." inilagay ko ang papel sa may tent. "Our purpose for this three hours is to never let this paper get dirtied or stolen! Okay?"

Tamara and Griffin nodded enthusiastically, while Azriel gave his silent agreement. Si Matteo lang ang pairap na sumang-ayon. His temper is worse than a girl on her period.

Sa ibang tainga, my statement seemed hilarious. Of course, the purpose of these three hours is to stand strong and win. Either defend your land to the end or invade another. Hindi magprotect ng piece of paper.

But then... for us, this piece of paper signifies the life of our tent.

Kung tapos na daw kami sa pag-inspect ng tent, Andreas called us at the starting point. The first, winning group will go first and last na kami. So we chilled muna in the back, as we watched the first groups try to get past the obstacles. Sa alternate jumps pa lang ay may nahuhulog na. A lot of students became very muddy and dirty sa rope bridge. When it came to our turn, only about twenty students has passed the first section.

Nauna ang apat sa'kin. I made some slow stretching pa, letting the muddy students first because I didn't want to get dirty. Nang ako na lang ang matira ay may mud na ring dumidikit sa ibang parte ng platform.

Some students who were at the second section glanced back when my heels clicked on the platform audibly. I went past the first hurdle like a breeze, wasting no more than five seconds at each platform before jumping again.

In the second obstacle, there were already gasps at the way my 7-inch heels walked through the narrow rope. Napairap ako sa mga ginawang reaksiyon nila. As if naman super nakakagulat ang magsuot ng heels dito. I may not have the same training experience as them, where they started as a child, but I have been practicing my balance with heels. Starting barefoot, I increased the difficulty by changing into a wedge until I could stand with stilettos.

Nang makaalis ako sa ice bath, na medyo nanginginig, five different students were waiting for me. I stared at their clenched fists and prepared stance.

"What a warm welcome. Hindi niyo man lang ba ako hahayaang makalapit sa grupo?"

Hindi sila sumagot at sa halip ay umatake. I flipped my hair, taking one step back to avoid an incoming punch. Hinatak ko ang kamay ng isang lalaki at umikot para sikuhin ang likod niya. Another boy appeared in front of me, aiming for an uppercut, but I was faster to give him a front kick on the chest. Napadaing siyang umatras, kasabay ng dalawa pang lalaki na sumugod sa'kin.

I ducked at an incoming punch, delivering an uppercut elbow to the attacker and a side-kick at his companion. May humatak sa buhok ko at sinipa ang likod, pero agad din akong umikot at ginamit ang tao na 'yon bilang shield sa sunod-sunod na suntok ng kaninang kaharap. I pushed him towards the boy, turning to my right as the fifth attacker aimed for a jab. Nahawakan ko ang kamay niya. I twisted it until he cried out from the pain, his knees buckling.

The boy I kicked in the chest earlier attacked me next, but I answered him with an elbow at the face first. His nose broke just as soon as I punched it.

Ang huling lalaki na may lakas pang makipaglaban ay pinaulanan ako ng sunod-sunod na suntok. I placed both my arms in front to block his attacks until I could find the perfect timing to slide a leg on his feet. He immediately fell on the ground and I rewarded him with a kick on the head. Hindi pa ako tumigil at tinapakan ang balikat niya, letting the tip of my heel dig into his skin. His loud groans and appeals at surrendering were unheard by me.

"Tempest! Let go of the boy or you'll crush his arm!"

Andreas' scream snapped me out of a trance. Halos maiyak na ang lalaki sa ilalim ko. His face was pushed deeply on the muddy ground. Binawi ko ang paa at nagpakawala ng malalim na hininga.

Nang igala ko ang tingin sa paligid ay napasinghap ang mga taong nakipagtitigan sa mata ko. Everyone took a step back, fear and terror coating their eyes. They were like life coiling away from the cold fingers of death.

"Don't surprise me kasi. Hindi naman kayo inaano." I coldly drawled, stepping away from them too.

No one dared to block my way after that. Nanlalaki ang mata nina Tamara nang makita ang ayos ko. I wasn't hurt really, pero halatang nakipag-away ako sa pagkagulo ng buhok at pasa sa kamao.

Our tent was really in a disadvantageous situation, in addition to its bad condition. The second section of the course was divided into three directions; beyond the army crawl had normal tents, the monkey bars had stronger ones at the end, and behind the high wall was our tent in the middle of a wide clearing. So parang open target kami for everyone.

That's what I wanted.

I want them to think that we're a troublesome group. Na hindi kami compatible due to our attitudes and principles.

I want them to be blinded by that fact so they wouldn't see how our unevenness is the reason we fit together. Tamara is the observer that notices everything around us, and with her sharp eye and wit, she can warn us from impending danger. Azriel is the assassin that hides behind our presence. When they think they got past us, someone will show them just how wrong they are.

Matteo is the tank that will cover our intentions. His strong build can either make anyone avoid us or his temper will make them come here. Either way, it's a good thing. Because if they come, the fighters, Griffin, and I will take special care of them.

The first hour, we waited for the groups to come. Why wait? Even though we're in the middle of a clearing, the journey to arrive here is difficult. They have to get past the high wall after potentially meeting and fighting other groups. Kami? We have all the time to rest here and wait for them to come, exhausted and injured, just a mere punch away from being defeated completely.

Then after that, the hunt for the weak will happen.

"We'll start the bait?" Griffin asked when I stretched my legs, licking my lips as I looked at the high wall.

"Mm." sinulyapan ko si Azriel. "AA, you ready?"

He nodded. "Sina Tam maiiwan dito?"

"Babantayan namin ng maigi ang papel!" Tamara assured, swinging the stick in her hands. Nang makita ang nagtataka kong titig ay ngumiti siya. "For defense, Raven. Like sa Eskrima na tinuro ni Ma'am Zara!"

I nodded, throwing her a smile before linking my arms with Matteo. He grunted and glared at me. "Ano?"

"Anong ano? We'll start the drama na."

Umirap siya't pumosisyon na sa likod ng high wall. Inilagay niya ang magkapatong na palad sa harap. Hinanda ko ang sarili bago tumakbo at tinalon ang pader sa tulong ng pagpropel niya sa'kin pataas. I grinned as I saw the students stare up at me, throwing a guiding hand at the top to aid my fall. Ngunit nang makarating sa ilalim, I staggered.

My eyes went wide as my heels twisted and I fell on the ground with a sprain.

"Fuck." bulong ko sa hangin, at kagat-labing pinilit na tumayo.

Inangat ko ang tingin. Their eyes were looking at me, almost predatorily. Our previous dynamics were turned around, making me the prey of this hateful pack. Namataan ko rin ang pagnood nina Beatrix at Giovanni sa banda ko. The girl seemed to have formed some evil plan, while the boy looked concerned.

I tried to stand up, only to have my knees buckle when I couldn't handle the pain in my ankle. Mas lalong kuminang ang mata nila at halos lahat ng estudyanteng kaharap ko ay hinahanda na ang sarili para umatake.

Then, Matteo landed beside me.

"What the fuck?!" singhal niya at tinulungan akong tumayo. I gave him a grin that became a grimace. "Hindi ka ba nag-iisip, Tempest? Akala ko kaya mo. Tangina! Ba't ka ba kasi nagheels?"

I rolled my eyes. Sasagot na sana ako nang may umamba ng suntok sa'min. Matteo swiftly spun us around, protecting me as he blocked the attack. Tatlo pang estudyante ang sumugod sa kaniya kaya kinailangan niya akong bitawan para makapaglaban ng maayos.

I bent down to remove the heels when I noticed an incoming kick. Kaagad kong hinawakan ang ankle niya at hinila siya papunta sa lupa. Successfully taking my boots off, I stood up in one foot as I kneed another incoming attacker in the stomach. The man below me tried to stand up but I threw the shoes at his face. Sapul at nahimatay.

Ang lalaking tinuhod ko ay nasuntok pa ako sa may gilid. I got slightly dizzy, my swimming dancing as I gritted my teeth and turned to him. Hinawakan ko ang buhok niya para hilahin ang ulo niya pababa at tinuhod 'yon. His loud cry as he clasped his broken nose filled the air.

Anim na estudyante ang agad na lumingon at hinabol ako. I threw my other boot at the face of one, slowing him down. Dahil sa nasprain ang isang paa ko ay medyo bumagal ang pagtakbo kaya agad akong napigilan ng isang babae. I recognized her as the girl who came to talk to me at the Rank Assessment. Her palm quickly met my face in a slap, throwing my head to the side.

I tasted the blood on my lips as I licked it, slowly turning to her.

"Brutal," I whispered before pushing her away with full force.

Before she could offer any response, I spun around and delivered a roundhouse kick on her face.

She fell to the ground, unconscious. Ang ibang aatake sana ay biglang napaatras, only to suffer at the hands of the strongest group who has appeared now. Giovanni has appeared with Dustine and Damon.

Someone kicked my uninjured leg, making me fall to the ground. Napatingin sa banda namin si Matteo na kakatapos lang bugbugin ang isang lalaki.

My head tipped back when someone pulled my hair, the beautiful blue sky is blocked by Beatrix's ugly scowl.

I grinned, still tasting blood in my teeth. "Is that what the face of a supposed winner looks like?"

"Nadidismaya lang ako sa'yo, Raven. It seems like you're just all talk."

"Sino ba sa'ting dalawa laging may sinasabi?"

I chuckled when she aimed to punch my face. Agad kong nahawakan ang paparating niyang kamay. Napangiwi siya't napasinghap nang higpitan ko ang kuko sa kaniyang balat, dragging them down in a slow and clawing manner.

"Don't hurt my face. That's the golden rule. Mag-iisang linggo na tayong housemates, 'di mo pa alam 'yon?"

"Fuck! Bitawan mo 'ko!"

When she took her hands from my hair, doon ko lang din binawi ang kamay. She had the guts to kick me on my back again before stepping away.

"It really is disappointing, Raven. Akala ko naman may gagawin ka na." Dustine said, walking closer. "Ni hindi ko man lang naramdaman ang ibang miyembro mo. Did they just defend the tent the whole game?"

I made a pouting face. "Hindi ba nasiyahan ang darling ng defense? Quite ironic how you're the daughter of such title, tapos you insult us for defending our land? Hm... medyo nabobohan din ako sa'yo sa part na 'yon."

Pure offense etched in her face as she recoiled from my words. A dove like you shouldn't be messing with hyenas like me. I wouldn't hesitate to bite you off the sky and feed you to my underlings, you know?

"Malapit na din matapos ang three hours. Giovanni will take care of your tent so we'll be declared winners."

"Sorry, Rave!" paalam nga ng lalaki at tinalon ang high wall.

"I never did see you as a threat before this game. Ano nga lang ba naman ang grupo niyo sa'min." saad ni Beatrix sa likod.

I gave a disappointing hum. "'Yon lang? You wouldn't even fight me? Nasaan na ang honor niyo kung sisirain niyo lang ang tent namin nang hindi naglalaban?"

Dustine gave me a once-over. "Can you even fight with that condition?"

"I mean..." I shrugged. "Hindi lang naman ako ang nandito, you know?"

Damon was busy watching me that he didn't register Matteo moving to kick him. He staggered a few steps to the side, grunting and stealing the attention of the two girls.

"Siya ba? Damon can handle him without sweat!" Beatrix proudly announced.

"Talaga? E paano ako? Who will handle me?"

Their eyes widened when I wasn't in my previous positionㅡsitting defeatedly on the groundㅡ but had already swung myself on the monkey bar. Pabalik-balik ang tingin nila sa'kin at sa dating puwesto.

"P-Paanong..."

"Oh! What if I take your tent first?!"

I laughed, swinging myself in between the bars excitedly. Narinig ko ang paghabol ng dalawang babae. I chanced a glance at them, observing how they were starting to get exhausted. Marami din siguro silang nakalaban na malalakas mula kanina at mahirap din ang lumabas at bumalik sa posisyon nila with the monkey bars. They are bound to get tired after two hours.

I made a quick side-turn, twisting myself to face the front just as soon as Beatrix arrived. Propelling myself towards her, I gave a sudden kick that made her fall and threw myself upwards, balancing atop the monkey bars.

Nanlalaki ang mata nilang napatitig sa'kin, Beatrix on the muddy ground, and Dustine who just arrived.

"Paanong ayos lang ang tayo mo diyan? Hindi ba nasprain ka?" sigaw ni Beatrix at tinuro ako. "I saw you!"

I pursed my lips, frowning as I made circling motions with my ankle. "Wala naman akong sprain?"

"But you jumped that wall with heels and fell! You were injured! Umakto kang nasuga..." she trailed off as she realized the situation.

"Such a simple bait and all of you were tricked." nginisian ko si Dustine. "Thank you nga pala sa paglilinis ng ibang grupo. Nakapagpahinga tuloy kami for an hour."

Dustine's jaw clenched and she tossed herself towards me. Agad akong humakbang pagilid at hinawakan ang likod niya, in case na mahulog.

"Oops! Be careful. Medyo madulas." I warned her with a cheeky grin.

She shot me a glare, her hands reaching forward to fist my collar. "Kahit na umakto ka lang, it still won't make your group victorious. You are always the most dangerous out of them and with you, away from your team, means defeat."

"Defeat for you ba? Of course."

"She meant defeat for you, Raven." saad ni Beatrix mula sa ilalim na nakangisi na rin ngayon.

"How so? Alam niyo bang, ang pinaka-ayaw namin sa grupo niyo ay kung magkasama? That makes you a united and strong force, Dust." I called the girl by her nickname, slightly pulling at the back of her shirt. "And whenever you see a superior, united strength, either evade or separate them."

"You think you can win if you have us separated?"

"Against an exhausted and unaware group? Yes." I stepped closer, breathing on her ear. "I've already assured my victory before you could ask what my dominant hand is."

Her breathing hitched and she tried to push me downwards, where a Beatrix was waiting. Inunahan ko siya't siniko ang mukha, bago tinulak pailalim. Beatrix was there to support her fall but not quick enough to block against my strikes. There were two of them but they still fell short of my unused strength and energy, as I rained punches and kicks on them without rest.

I had enough breath and stretches kanina to play with their strengths for an hour, but would their exhausted body be able to match up?

I pulled Beatrix towards me to award a punch on her face, then turned to Dustine to kick her side of the head. They retaliated with a punch in my stomach or chest. If they were at the top of their game, I would be powerless and weak against them.

But no, they made a few calculations about us. They were arrogant to think we were weak. They were too short on temper that they were easily riled up and irritated.

When I was thirteen, I happened upon The Art of War by Sun Tzu. His words were deeply engraved on my mind.

All warfare is based on deception, he said. And deceived were these groups of students.

Their hatred and my riling up would cause them to find me a troublesome target. I will be the wildcard who will threaten them, shining so hard it will shadow the abilities of my members. And when I offer myself as bait, they would bite.

Matteo would be the partner who'll stay standing at the end, hot-headed enough to blindly take on Damon. Giovanni will be called out to destroy our tent, where the ready Tamara and Griffin are waiting with traps for him. And they so forgot the Azriel who was threatening enough for the Dayang that they wanted to stay behind.

The side of my temple was throbbing as I gave Dustine a final punch, a smile touching my lips as I staggered to stand up.

"Raven?"

Napalingon ako nang marinig ang boses ni Azriel. With cheeks and fists bloodied and body bruised, he also looked like he had a terrible fight.

I spit the blood off my mouth first before asking, "Alright?"

"Our fight caused everyone's tent to be destroyed."

Humalakhak ako at narinig ang tawag ni Andreas. We arrived back at the clearing where a severely wounded but still standing Matteo was being pushed away from Damon.

"There's a winner already," Andreas announced, staring at me. "Walang nakagalos sa tent nila at sa pagtatapos ng laro ay sila lang ang kompleto pa rin."

Damon wiped the blood on the side of his mouth. "How many of my members survived?"

"Ikaw na lang sa inyong grupo ang natitira, Damon."