THIRD PERSON

The tension inside the Hantei Hall was nothing they'd ever seen. The academy has witnessed legendary battles before, from Helios who fought Tsukishima, and from the top students of the House of Blades. As the year passed, each competition got fiercer. As if the heat of the sun itself was carved into their very bones, urging them to stand up and continue to defeat their obstacles.

But this was different. Like the sudden shift of day and night that occurred before, the atmosphere between Helios and Raven was heavy.

It was both bright and dark, with the heat tickling their toes and the cold brushing along their necks.

At hindi makapaniwala ang lahat nang maunang umatake si Helios.

In a blink, he was behind Raven, the small upturned sword in his hand glowing. He attempted to hit her back with the hilt, but he found himself being thrown away. Sa gulat ay hindi niya pa naramdaman ang sakit sa tiyan, hanggang sa nakita ang nakakuyom na kamao ni Raven.

She smirked. His eyes fell on her lips, distracted.

Raven used that chance to open up her claws and jumped forward, aiming to slash at Helios' chest. A barrier of sunlight instantly formed around him. Napaatras si Raven sa nakakapasong init na mayro'n 'yon.

"C'mon, hellboy. Don't be too rash. You're gonna burn me alive."

The barrier slowly dissipated, showing an unamused Helios. "You were planning to skin me alive."

Humalakhak si Raven. She pressed the tip of her claws on her skin, the blade digging into her cheeks.

"Liars deserved to be skinned."

"Tu es une femme incroyablement têtue." tila iritadong saad nito.

Kumunot ang noo ni Raven. "Ano? Tangina mo rin."

Nagkatinginan si Tamara at Kamiel sa bangayan ng dalawa. They haven't moved from the sides since the two has started to fight. Parang nanonood lang tuloy sila ng away mag-asawa.

Tamara is glad, though. After the last few days of cold silence, Raven's expressions finally returned. Mas marami nga lang iyong galit at naiinis siya pero hindi na ang walang-pakialam niyang mukha. It's better to have her curse you than walk around the campus with no idea what's in her head.

"Raven, calm down..."

Hindi pa natatapos ni Helios ang sasabihin nang agad na umatake si Raven. She zigzagged across the ring, making an illusion of some sort about her direction. Helios was immediately on guard, slightly lifting his sword in a defensive position. Hindi inaasahan ng lahat na magpapakita si Raven sa likod niya, ang paa nito'y nakataas para sa isang sipa. The attack landed on his arm, slightly shifting his stance as he was pushed off. Kahit na mukhang magaan at mabilis lang ang palitan nila ng atake, ramdam ni Helios kung gaano kalakas si Raven.

He was quick, yes, and at one glance, it's as if he could match Raven's speed but... he could tell their difference. If it wasn't for the increased strength of his soulstone from the sun, he wouldn't be able to defend, let alone charge an attack.

There was an advantage on his part. Raven, however, is just a menace on the battlefield.

And this is already without her soulstone. Paano na lang kung mahanap niya na ito?

"Tamara," Raven slowly glanced at her trembling partner. "Do you plan on moving soon?"

As if shot, Tamara flinched and braced her bow. Si Kamiel naman na nasa kabilang gilid ay naalerto din. His soulstone is under the psyche element, at kahit na may ibubuga siya sa pakikipaglaban, mas madali kung imi-misguide na lamang niya ang babae.

There was a miscalculation on his part, though. He never accounted that Tamara releases arrows at an untraceable speed.

Sunod na lang nilang nakita ang pagtama ng palaso sa braso ni Helios.

And with a sly smirk, Raven's kick with the stilettos added further damage.

A hard curse left his lips at the excruciating pain. He summoned another barrier when Raven lunged continuous attacks. Pulling the arrow out was his top priority. An ordinary man would find it more unbearable, but his regeneration is faster with the sun at its highest peak. Once fully healed, he pulled the barrier down, only to receive a hard blow on his face a second later.

Sunod-sunod na pagsuntok ang iginawad sa kaniya at walang nagawa si Helios kun'di ang dumepensa lamang. One particular block against Raven's left kick rewarded him with a smirk and a straight uppercut. Nalasahan ni Helios ang metal sa bibig, lalo na nang sabayan ito ni Raven ng pagtuhod sa tiyan. She didn't stop, pulling his arm to make him duck down to knee his face.

Helios spit out the blood, his hair now tousled and shirt crumpled. Tumingala siya at nang muling tumingin kay Raven ay wala na ang mga pasa sa mukha.

The woman tsked. "C'mon, sun. Are you only going to heal and defend?"

Napapikit si Helios. Ayaw niyang makalaban si Raven. He played it cool earlier, suggesting a condition so he'd have motivation to win. Dahil kung wala lang din naman... matagal na siyang nagsurrender.

Winning this isn't a big deal. He doesn't care about the exam, but he does worry about the Moonstone Gala. With Raven being undefeated in matches, she'll eventually be one of the lucky students invited into the castle. And if she ever crosses paths with Sorin... that's what Helios is trying to avoid. Kaya kapag magkasama silang pupunta doon, Raven cannot explore her unstoppable curiosities and the worst-case scenario wouldn't happen.

Iyon nga lang, mukhang imposible din ang manalo kay Raven.

The sharp tip of a claw stopped just in front of Helios' eyes, the threat of having his eyes gouged out making his hair rise.

"Do fight me, prince. Do not quiver. Do not hesitate. Fight me as an equal. Fight me like an enemy."

Helios let out a stuttered breath, unable to answer.

"For I am one."

Ang mga salita niyang 'yon ay nagpatigil rin sa dalawang kasamahan nilang naglalaban. Walang kahit anong mababasa sa mukha ni Raven. Blanko pa rin ang kaniyang expresiyon habang nakatutok ang claws kay Helios. Siguro'y maiintindihan ng ibang nakakarinig na magkalaban nga sila sa match na 'to kaya dapat gamitin ni Helios ang buong lakas niya, ngunit... alam ni Tamara na hindi lang dito ang ibig sabihin ni Raven. Hindi lang sa laban na ito sila magka-away.

And just like Raven, Helios decided to let go of his worries. Maybe in this match, they could both let out their feelings. As his sword collides with her claws, maybe he could send the feelings across ㅡ guilt, shame, fear, as well as unyielding attraction.

Limang maliliit na bola ng liwanag ang lumitaw sa paligid ni Helios. Kamiel cursed after seeing it, looking for a place to hide while busily avoiding Tamara's arrows. May pagkakataong lima na ang pinapakawalang palaso nito at halos mapamura siya ng malakas dahil sobrang precise nito. Too accurate that it even targets his weak points. Even his attempt at confusing her mind holds to no avail.

Tamara froze when the temperature of the arena shot up, na halos sunugin na nito ang balat niya. It was only a second but it bites into the skin. Kaagad siyang naalerto. Alam niya ang atake na ito ni Helios. Nakita na niya ito noon kapag nakikipaglaban ang lalaki. And with this merciless attack, it'll leave no one in the ring unscathed.

Nilingon niya si Raven para pagsabihan ngunit huli na ang lahat.

The sun orbs, which rose to the open ceiling of the Hantei Hall, suddenly broke apart and fell... creating a meteor shower on the whole ring.

"Plano ba ni Helios na patayin sila?!" Griffin exclaimed.

"Kalma, 'di 'yon mangyayari." itinuro ni Giovanni ang ngayong umaasul na barrier sa ring. "Dahil may mga risks sa paggamit ng soulstone, kagaya na lang na baka biglang ma-out-of-control, the council has placed a minimizing barrier. It allows the soul attacks to have minimal damage, tipong makakasakit pero hindi nakakamatay."

"Ah..." kumurap si Griffin. "Ba't wala niyan sa'tin?"

"Gumagamit ba tayo ng soulstone, bobo?"

"E'di ikaw na matalino!"

Azriel tuned the both of them. Hindi niya alam kung bakit sa dami ng bakanteng upuan ay sa tabi pa niya sila pumwesto. Mabuti sana kung kasing-tahimik sila ng nanonood na Damon, pero halos bawat galaw ng mga naglalaban ay may komento. Hindi na siya makapagpokus sa laban. Nag-aalala pa naman siya sa dalawang tao na tinuring na niyang kaibigan.

Tamara's grip on her bow tightened. She knows the barrier would minimize the damage, but still, that's a magic attack from a royal-blooded soulbearer! Tipong nasa taas pa nga lang ang mga orbs, ramdam na ang napapasong init, paano pa kaya kapag tinamaan sila nito?! And with the barrier around the ring, they wouldn't be able to get out unless they surrender.

Habang nasa gitna ng crisis ang mga manonood ay siya namang pagkalma ni Raven. Her body feels like it's on fire. Napakainit ng paligid niya na parang nilelechon siya ng buhay. Ngunit... mas nanalo ang lamig sa puso niya. Even if she could feel Helios' heat tickling her neck, it was the ice inside of her that controlled everything.

Kaya naman nagawa niya ang tumalon para salubungin ang isa sa mga sun orbs.

Nagulat ang lahat sa ginawa niya. Even Helios couldn't help a gasp in surprise, raising his hand in an attempt to stop the shower of fire and lava. But Raven was faster. Twirling mid-air, she kicked one of the sun orbs down, the stilettos and her heel burning at the direct contact. Nagtaka ang lahat sa balak niyang gawin... hanggang sa sumabog ang sahig ng ring.

Tamara squeaked when the rocks flew all around after the orb's impact. The previous sun orbs that hit the floor didn't do the same damage, kaya may hinala siyang dahil rin ito sa lakas ni Raven. It smashed the ground, making them lose footing, and for dust and debris to fill the air.

"Tamara!"

Isang tawag lang iyon na walang context, but Tamara's body knew what to do. Nakita na lang niya ang sarili na nagpakawala ng limang palaso patungo sa direksiyon ni Raven. She was in between the rocks, running and catching the arrows with ease. Then she spun around and threw them in a circle.

Unang narinig ni Tamara ang daing ni Kamiel. She turned around and found him holding the arrow on his stomach.

Then as the rocks fell, with the meteor shower disappearing, the after-effect of the whole fight appeared. Napasinghap ang manonood nang makita ang dalawang tao sa sentro. Ang isa'y nakaluhod habang ang isa'y nakatayo pa rin.

Chills ran down Tamara's spine at the sight of them. It was a sign... a warning... a vision.

Raven towered over a kneeling Helios, her claws stabbing into his heart. Maliban doon ay natamo din ng lalaki ang dalawang palaso na inihagis ni Raven kanina ㅡ isa sa kaniyang braso at isa sa hita.

They were unmoving as if statues or characters in a long-forgotten painting. It was exactly what Tamara was afraid of when she saw the setting sun behind Raven. Not the sun's death, but the end of their eclipse.

For the moon shall leave the sun, fearing it will burn. And the sun shall disappear, fearing it will drown.

"Quick! The prince! The prince!"

Immediately, the barrier disappeared and the medics rushed in, with the teachers shouting at them to hurry up. Kasabay sa mga nagmamadaling guro ay ang dalawang lalaki na agad nasalo ang naiwang si Raven... because unbeknownst to everyone else, she also lost consciousness.

"Anong nangyari sa kaniya?" Andreas asked, concern swimming in his eyes at the unflinching Raven.

"Shit!" Tsukishima cursed. "Get another physician to come and take her too!"

"Bakit? Bakit, anong nangyari?" hindi na rin mapigilan ni Tamara ang lumapit para magcheck.

Raven was slumped over Damon who was carefully supporting her weight. Halatang iniiwasan ng dalawa na mahawakan ang kaliwang bahagi ng katawan ni Raven. It was only when Tamara peeked that she saw the horror of their match.

The prince was stabbed... and the rebel was burned.

Napatakip sa bibig si Tamara nang makita ang sunog na kamay at braso ni Raven. It was the hand she used to stab Helios. Her burns weren't only on her left arm, but also reached the lower part of her chin and her upper left chest. The stiletto on her left foot has been reduced to ashes, and her dress was slightly burned on the side. Pale smoke continued to leave the wounds. Despite that, her hands were freezing ㅡ lifeless.

"B-Bakit ang lamig-lamig ng kamay niya?" nanginginig na tanong ni Tamara.

Tsukishima's jaw clenched. "Because the war is associated with death. And dead bodies... are cold."

"The darkness and strategy have two children, war and strength. The darkness and the Moon Dragon bore the moon. Unlike ordinary soulbearers, our body temperature is lower... lalo na kay Raven." Damon explained.

Tamara remembered the first time Raven met Helios, kung saan nagreklamo ito na sobrang init kahit na wala namang naramdaman si Tamara. As the bearer of the sun, Helios always has his power in control. Lalo na kapag mataas na ang araw.

Doon niya din narealize ang mga pagkakataong tila nanginginig si Helios 'pag magkahawak sila ni Raven.

Her heart ached for both of them. They are two souls who are equal and well-suited, but their very nature disallows it.

Dalawang bakanteng silid ang ginawang medical room para sa dalawa. Helios' soulstone was unconsciously emitting heat waves to speed up his regeneration, and Raven's unstable condition is lowering the room temperature. Kapag ipinagsama ang dalawa, paniguradong may mamumuong khasma. Kapag iniwan naman ang isa sa general clinic, maaapektuhan nito ang normal na soulbearers.

Due to the prince's condition, the Moonstone Gala was moved to Monday evening. The Selection War has fortunately finished without any more accidents, but their match affected the other students. They became more cautious and their fights increasingly safe.

Nagising si Helios pagkagabi pa lang. The wound on his chest was shallow but it still damaged his body. Meanwhile, Raven woke up the next morning. Maingat ang paghintay ni Tamara sa reaksiyon nito. But Raven only took one look at the wounds and got out of the bed, telling Tamara that she needs to change her outfit for the day.

Umabot ang gabi, kung saan humahanda sila para pumunta sa palasyo, na wala pa ring sinasabi si Raven.

They will be using the Palace portal, located in the backroom of Paham's office. Diretso na sila nito sa ballroom ng palasyo, kung saan nagniningning ito sa mga dyamante at ginto. Crystal chandeliers hung from the arched golden ceiling, which held paintings of Hiraya's origin and the sun's gift, illuminating the high walls with crown moldings and the polished, marble floor. The spacious center was meant for dancing, while buffet tables lined the side. And there were the attendees in their beautiful dresses and handsome suits, the jewelry in their bodies glinting. At the far end of the room sat the throne, where the king sat overlooking them all. And behind him was the replica of a sun ㅡ the very symbol of the country and his son.

Sa gitna ng pakikipagkuwentuhan ng mga dumalo ay biglang bumukas ang pintuan. It banged on the wall at the force, making everyone turn in shock, only to find the prince storm inside, brows furrowed and eyes fixed in a certain direction.

"Ah..." Eva gasped. "Sino nga ulit nanalo do'n, Tamara? Magkasama ba dapat si Helios at Raven ngayon?"

Tamara stopped sipping her orange juice, glancing at the bored Azriel behind her, "Uh... it's a tie. Kaya nga magkasamang pumunta dito si Solana at Kamiel pero... Raven left earlier without telling me anything. Imi-meet niya lang daw partner niya kaya inakala kung si Helios 'yon."

"Eh? Pero dahil hindi sila magkasama..." Eva paused. "Tamara! Hala! I haven't seen Raven the whole day!"

"Anong ibig mong sabihin? Nandoon lang siya-"

Just as Tamara pointed at the place where Helios was also staring, there was a flurry of black. The last thing they saw was Raven in a glimmering black dress, with her burned arm and upsweep hair, standing in front of an opened window with the full moon behind her.

Then with a smirk, she was gone.