TAMARA

Raven was nowhere to be seen after that.

Damon didn't need medical assistance but Raven did win their match. Unang nawala si Raven, nagpaalam na magbabanyo daw pero kalahating-oras na at 'di pa rin bumabalik, then Damon was the next to disappear.

Azriel glanced at Giovanni, who was stretching to get ready for his match with Kaizen. "What happened?"

"Anong what happened?"

"Where did Damon go?"

Giovanni sighed, making a small shake of his head. "Az, hindi dahil magpinsan kami ay lagi na kaming magkasama. Hindi din ibig sabihin no'n na alam ko kung saan 'yon pumupunta lagi."

He didn't let Azriel respond as he got up in small jumps. Isang nakakakilabot na ngisi ang bumisita sa labi niya bago siya nagpaalam na makikipaglaban na.

Watching him, and the rest of the top Selected fight, I could see why they're regarded as skilled fighters. Kahit na mukhang magkakaparehas ang lakas nila, except Damon, they have their fighting techniques. That makes them either advantageous or disadvantageous to others. Damon likes to use his brute strength, Raven dominates the battlefield with her strategies and speed, Dustine balances in both reaction and strength, Dayang can squash anyone, Azriel is an unexpected force in battle, and Giovanni is that cunning fox who aggravates anyone.

Naalala ko si Kaizen na nakalaban din ni Raven noon. This time, he couldn't handle Giovanni's strength as well. Within a minute, tumba na siya.

Sumunod si Azriel na kalaban si Dustine. Naaliw ako sa laban na nangyari sa kanila. They were both agile with a quick reaction time, with Azriel's only advantage being his silent presence and Dustine with her strength. But one misstep caused the conclusion of the match.

Azriel went for a surprise attack behind Dustine, ngunit lingid sa kaalaman niya ay napansin ito ng babae. Just as he appeared behind her, Dustine held the back of his shirt and slammed him to the ground, making her the winner.

The audience simultaneously let out the same awed reaction. Hindi lang sa hinahangaan nila si Dustine bilang isa sa mga top Selected na babae, it was also their deep dislike for dark magic that made them support the other.

And unlike their complete fear of Raven or disapproval of Azriel's presence, mine was disbelief and disregard. Disbelief that I was able to reach this match and disregard for my fighting skills.

Dahil ang kalaban ko ay si Beatrix.

As usual, whenever she's fighting, her red hair is tied up in a bun. Lagi, kapag nagkakaharap kami ay may kung anong nakakasakit na salita siyang bibitawan, ngunit ngayon... she just went into position while staring seriously at me.

And it was nice. When I stood there in the ring with an opponent, of higher skill than mine, staring at me as if I was a competition.

Tanging si Azriel lang at Raven ang tumitingin sa'kin na kapareho, na kaya at deserve ko ding tumayo sa kasing-lebel nila.

"C'mon." Beatrix mouthed once we heard the ring.

Umatake nga ako, ngunit hindi sa paraang gusto niya. Beatrix smiled as if she has completely convinced me to take the initiative, but it was all faked by me. Nang makalapit sa kaniya at nang ihanda ko ang kamay para sa isang suntok, her eyes followed my movement and I can see her preparing, so I changed positions. I switched to her back and landed one of the kicks that Raven taught me, making Beatrix move a few steps away.

Narinig ko ang mahina niyang halakhak bago matalim na tumingin sa'kin.

"Seriously..." she muttered. "Magkaibigan nga kayo."

Then she started raining punches.

Agad kong inangat ang braso nang makita ang gusto niyang gawin. For the next minute, all she did was attack while I did not stop defending. Nagpatuloy ito hanggang sa mawala siya sa harap ko. I stiffened when I felt this overwhelming presence behind me, and even though my mind and body were warning me not to turn around, I did not listen. Kaya naman nakasalubong ko ang suntok niya nang bahagyang lumingon.

I was thrown a couple of meters away, the metallic taste on my tongue familiar and annoying.

"C'mon, Tamara. Don't give up that yet."

"Tamara, come on. Kick me as hard as you can. Iyong magpapalipad sa'kin pabalik sa bahay. Whenever you're in a fight, gamitin mo lahat ng alam mo na makakapagpanalo sa'yo. Don't worry about a ruined dress or if your heels will break, happened to me once pero 'di ka naman naghi-heels kaya, pfft. I'm rambling again, aren't I?"

I don't know why but Raven's training popped up in my head. Bumigat ang puso ko nang maalala ang relaxed na mukha niya noon. When she was so free that no curiosities and revelations have pushed her into this current cold shell. Ngayon kasi, hindi ko mapigilan ang mag-alala, na baka ito pa lang ang simula ng pagkawala niya mula sa'min.

Tumayo ako. I summoned the strength that Raven usually has when facing her adversities, or the courage that Azriel has to walk in a place that criticizes him. Ikinuyom ko ang kamao at tinitigan si Beatrix nang diretso sa mata.

Pagkatapos ay tumakbo ako papunta sa kaniya.

I aimed a hefty kick on the right side of her head, one that she was quick to notice and defend. I used that raised feet to jump and twist myself mid-air, attempting another kick in the process. Beatrix got hold of my ankle, pushing and slamming me to the ground, ngunit agad ko ring nahawakan ang collar niya at iniba ang posisyon namin. As my vision blurred a bit, I still had half a mind to place my elbow on her neck.

Ngunit kinagat niya ito.

Napaatras ako dahil hindi ko inaasahan 'yon. She got her feet free and kicked me on the chest kaya tuluyan siyang nakawala. Then she dragged me back to the ground and punched my face without rest.

My whole body was screaming in pain, lalo na ang mukha ko na hindi ko na masyadong maramdaman. It was almost impossible to see Beatrix with my slowly swelling eye. Ngunit ginawa ko ang lahat ng makakaya para i-angat ang kamay at hatakin ang buhok niya.

She cursed out loud when I tested the strength of her scalp, and in a move of utter desperation, I headbutted her.

Without taking my hand off her hair, I positioned myself behind her. I placed her in a chokehold, after giving a merciless jab in her stomach to restrict her movement. In the dirty and slightly bloodied ground of the Hantei Hall, we fought with a hunger for victory.

Then, to my complete surprise, Beatrix relaxed. A soft sigh escaped her and she slightly sagged against me.

"I'm glad to have fought you." panimula niyang nagpatigil sa'kin. "Hindi ko kasi alam kung paano maghingi ng pasensya dahil... well, alam mo naman na parang ang hirap na i-approach ni Raven ngayon."

"Bakit mo ba nagawa 'yon?"

"I don't know. Dislike and jealousy that grew into deep hatred? I disliked how she had complete ignorance of the rules I've grown up and followed. Naiinis akong makita siya na naglalakad na walang respeto sa batas natin. And I hated how she always looked so good doing it."

"Wh-What?" I sputtered.

"'Di ba? Bakit kapag nagiging arogante siya't hambog, ang ganda pa ring tingnan? 'Yong ngingisi siya sa'yo pagkatapos inisin ang buong pagkatao, bakit ang hot niya tingnan?!"

Hindi ko na alam kung paano maisara ang bibig.

"Pero nakakainis pa rin! Those rules that she's attractively stepping on, iyon ang nakagawian na natin, Tamara! Iyon ang paulit-ulit na sinasabi sa'tin habang lumalaki. Kaya bakit siya may exemption? 'Saka nakakainis din 'tong mga lalaki na dikit ng dikit sa kaniya!"

I still didn't know what to say or react. Is she jealous of Raven having all the boys or is she jealous of the boys around Raven? Hindi ko tuloy alam kung naiinis ba siya o nahuhulog ang loob.

"Pero... why did you attack her in the training hall?"

"I wasn't planning to. But I was so pissed at her for embarrassing our group in the Obstacle War and for disappearing with Helios that I listened to my friend's suggestion to prank her. I only placed the illusion on the training hall, na para kung sino ang pumasok ay may makikita. I didn't put anything terrifying in there! Kaya nga hindi ko maintindihan bakit bigla siyang naging gano'n!"

"Masama pa rin na gawin mo 'yon sa kapwa."

Beatrix rolled her eyes. "I know. Kaya nga nagi-guilty ako. I disliked her so much for nonchalantly breaking the rules that I also broke one. Naiinis din ako sa sarili at..." iniwas niya ang tingin. "Basta sabihin mo lang na gusto kong magsorry! Ayoko namang magsorry sa'yo kasi 'di naman ikaw nagawan ko ng kasalanan, duh."

My lips lifted in a small smile. Hindi ko namalayan na nagsurrender na pala si Beatrix kung hindi sinabi ng referee na bitawan ko siya. She got up, furrowing her brows at me while touching her slight-bruised neck.

"Grabe. Plano yata ng babaeng 'to na takpan airways ko." sumbong niya dito bago naunang umalis.

Sir Andreas tapped me, helping me up. "Are you alright?" nakangiti niyang tanong na tinanguan ko naman. He inspected my face. "You should go see the physician, Tamara. Hindi maganda ang lagay ng mukha mo."

"Okay lang po. Hindi naman talaga 'yan maganda."

"What are you talking about? I know Raven usually takes people's interest but you are as equally gorgeous as her. Kaya ingatan mo 'yang mukha mo 'gaya niya."

I ducked my head, offering Sir Andreas a small nod as a response. Namumula ang pisngi kong pumunta sa clinic para ipagamot ang mukha. Hindi ko na din naman kailangan maghintay hanggang sa huli dahil... sigurado namang nakapasok na ako sa final winners na makikipaglaban sa Selection war bukas.

Kailanman, hindi ko inakala na magiging parte ako ng kaganapan na 'yon. I have lived in Ukiyo for years so I have seen those events passed by. Isa ako noon sa mga umuupo sa audience at nanonood sa iba't ibang pagpapakita ng soulstones nila, at sa lagi kong pagnood, hindi nawawala ang mangha ko sa angking lakas nila. I would ask Kuya after kung paano ako magiging kasinggaling nila, pero tatawanan niya lang ako at sasabihing bumalik na kami sa trabaho ㅡ ang protektahan ang Academy at Ukiyo.

But here I am... waiting for the next dawn to arrive so I can finally participate in a competition I have admired afar for years.

Sino nga ba ang mag-aakala na ang babaeng halos mamatay na kapag nakatayo sa harap ng lahat ay maaaring makalaban ang mga kilalang Elites?

I know I will never win against them but... the thought of standing on the same stage is enough for me to be proud of.

Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog pala ako. A soft touch on my cheek made my eyes flutter open. Una kong nakita si Raven na nakaupo sa gilid ng kama ko at ang papalubog na araw sa likod niya. For some reason, that disturbed me.

"Tamara," she called out, chuckling. "Mukhang maganda ang laban mo, ah."

I blinked, a dazed smile visiting my lips. "'Di ako nagpatalo, Raven..."

"Of course. You should never."

Mahina akong tumango. "Kasi 'di ka rin nagpapatalo..."

Her hand on my face stiffened. "Oo..." bulong niya.

I frowned at the lack of confidence in her words. Magtatanong na sana ako nang maramdaman ang kamay niya sa mata ko, tinatakpan ito.

"Shh. Rest, Tamara. You have a big day ahead of you."

Iyon lang ang natatandaan ko sa gabing 'yon. The next day, I didn't see Raven at all.

"Baka kasama si Helios? 'Di ba close na sila ngayon?" Giovanni suggested to a worrying Damon.

"No. These past few days, Helios has locked himself in his room. He's also busy dealing with the King. 'Saka..." kumunot ang noo niya. "Ngayong alam na ni Raven ang ginagampanan niya, lalayuan na niya si Helios."

I bit my lower lip upon hearing that. I like them together. It was strange to see Helios submit to another. Sa ilang taon niyang pagkukulong dito sa Academy, kay Raven ko lang siya nakitang gano'n.

But he is rule and she is war, they're inevitable to meet in the middle of stained blades and dead bodies.

I hate that very thought. Dahil isa lang ang ibig sabihin no'n... magiging kalaban namin si Raven.

"Sigurado ba kayong lalayuan niya?" tanong ni Griffin.

"Hindi mo ba lalayuan ang taong alam mong maghahatid sa'yo sa kamatayan?"

"Stop listening to them, Tamara."

Napaayos ako ng tayo nang hatakin ako ni Azriel palapit sa kaniya. He glanced at the boys who were still discussing Raven's whereabouts and plans, before sighing and staring at me.

"Have faith in Raven."

"Hindi naman sa gano'n. Nagtataka lang din ako kung bakit wala pa siya."

I couldn't see his face with the mask on but I know he was smiling by the way his eyes lit up. He softly patted me on the head.

"Don't worry. She won't leave you behind."

Alam ko. Pero may pakiramdam din akong hindi malayong mangyari 'yon.

Hinintay muna naming matapos ang Selection exam. There are only selected students from each house who fought. They're either part of the elites or the students who had the best grades this past term. Then, ten winners from each house will proceed to the last round, where they will also face the thirteen finalists of the House of Blades.

As expected, the current Elites were unbeatable. Habang nakaupo at naghihintay, mas namangha ako sa pinakita nilang galing ngayon. They've grown as Soulbearers. Kung dati, masyadong emosyonal si Eva sa mga hayop niya, ngayon kontrolado niya na ito pati ang sariling puso. Theus, who once had a setback because of his inexperience in fights, can now hold a candle in a physical match.

The last match was between Dawn and a student from the House of Wind. It was evident that her matches always consisted of her psychological war with the opponent. Her soulstone of healing and restoration does not help much, and she isn't physically strong as well, iyon nga lang she can make her opponent doubt their strength.

It ended with a windstorm in the center of Hantei Hall, only kept inside by the magic barriers in place. Once the wind died down, only an uninjured Dawn remained standing.

"Hindi niyo pa rin ba nakikita si Raven?" Dustine asked, a small frown on her face. "It's about time the House of Blades will appear."

"She will come." tanging sagot ni Damon.

"Make sure of that."

I pushed down a shiver at their cold exchange. Azriel snapped me out of my curiosity again, dragging me down to the ring. Nakita ko si Theus mula sa House of Psych na kumaway at itinuro si Eva na mukhang malalim ang pakikipag-usap kay Solana.

"She's worried her animals will be affected by Solana's poisonous plants."

Halos mapatalon ako nang marinig ang boses ni Dawn sa tabi. She looked at me, amused. "Is Raven your pair?"

"H-Ha? Anong pair?"

She tilted her head to the side. "For the competition. We're fighting by pair, didn't you know?"

Hala! Hindi ko 'yon narinig kanina ah!

Azriel made a small nudge, lowering his mouth to my ear. "You were too distracted to listen."

Marahan ko siyang tinulak 'saka sinamaan ng tingin. Alam naman pala niya, ba't 'di niya sinabi?!

"So... I guess that means, you and Raven aren't partners?"

"We are."

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang marinig ang boses ni Raven. Sabay kaming tatlo na napalingon sa likod ni Dawn. I was expecting to see her usual teasing face, but all I saw was quiet calm. She was back in her all-black attire. Her hair was tied up by a red ribbon. Unlike yesterday, she now wore a black, turtleneck dress, paired with stilettos of the same color. Parang ang pupuntahan ni Raven ay lamay at hindi away.

Nang ibaba ang nakahalukipkip niyang kamay ay napansin kong suot-suot niya ang metal claws na bigay ni Paham. She met my gaze, a ghost of a smile passing by her face.

"Weapons are permitted, Tamara." she drawled, showing her claws. "Ano ba talaga ang ginagawa mo kanina, ha? You're not listening?"

"She was looking for you."

Azriel's quiet answer was regarded with Raven's intimidating gaze. Their staredown did not break, even after seconds have passed. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung nagaaway ba sila sa isip o may pinag-uusapan. While Raven feels the most comfortable with me, it's with Azriel that she feels understood the most.

To my relief, the cold atmosphere between them broke. Nakangiting lumapit si Raven sa'kin at inakbayan ako. She made her annoying, pouting gesture, kaya pilit kong tinutulak ang mukha niya palayo.

"Aww! You miss me, Tams? You lookin' for me?" she then pinched my cheeks without mercy.

"Nagtaka lang ako ba't wala ka kanina..." I grabbed her hand, trying to stop it. "Sa'n ka ba nagpunta?"

Hindi siya sumagot at ngumiti lang.

"Well, then," Dawn cleared her throat. She was staring at Raven curiously. "See you in the field."

Kumaway ako sa kaniya habang ang dalawang tao sa bawat gilid ko ay tumango lang.

Nilingon ko si Raven. "So saan ka-"

"Upo na..." Azriel cut me off, pushing me to sit on one of the waiting chairs. "Maya 'di mo naman marinig instructions."

I glared at him. Ang bait nito kay Raven pero laging nanunukso sa'kin! Favoritism ka ring anino ka.

Sa limang minuto na pag-upo ko do'n, hindi ko mapigilang sulyapan si Raven lagi. She was just watching the first match with sharp focus, her previous judgment gone. O baka naman sa isipan na lang niya.

It was only until our names were called that I started shaking, hindi dahil sa lalaban na kami at ito ang unang beses na makakasama ko si Raven, pero dahil sa haharapin namin.

"From the House of Blades, Raven and Tamara, facing against two Elite members, Helios and Kamiel. Noong nakaraang araw lang na usap-usapang may relasyon ang dalawa ngunit ngayon maglalaban na sila!"

Nakaka-create naman ng misunderstanding 'yan, Miss Announcer! Baka akalain pa nilang kami ni Kamiel pala ang may relasyon.

Naunang lumabas si Raven at sumunod-sunod lang ako. Behind her confident walk, I was similar to a newborn deer learning to walk. On the other side, Helios and Kamiel graced the audience, both expressionless.

It was hotter today, with the sun at its full height and Helios' presence almost burning us. Hindi ko na nga gusto malaman kung anong nararamdaman ni Raven lalo na't hindi umaalis sa kaniya ang titig ng lalaki. Kung naapektuhan man siya sa init o hindi, wala siyang sinabi. Rather, she crossed her arms, the blade of her claws glinting under the sun and her heels echoing danger all over the hall.

"Well, hello, Heli-" pakanta niyang bati bago sinulyapan ang kasama ng prinsipe. "-and friend. How exciting. Makakaharap ko ang rumored boyfriend sa isang madugong match."

I gripped my bow tighter at Raven's mention of blood. Nako! Sana naman hindi talagang madugong match! Hindi pa fully healed ang mukha ko sa pagbugbog ng mga kalaban kahapon.

"Raia."

Even his mere mention of her name makes the ground lava.

"I have a condition."

"Who are you to ask for one?" dire-diretsong sagot ng katabi kong nagpatahimik sa buong lugar. She smirked at the reaction, adding, "But... do entertain me."

"If I win this match, you will accompany me to the gala. At the castle."

Kinagat ko ang labi para mapigilan ang pagtili. Kahit na nasa gitna na ng laban, 'di ko pa rin mapigilang ipag-partner 'tong dalawa!

Raven only gave him an unamused stare.

"If you do, I shall stay away from you."

Ay, ba't naman may ganiyan?

Nilingon ko si Raven para sana umiling nang ngumisi siya. She stretched her arms, then let her claws grind against each other, creating a small, screeching noise.

"Tempting." tanging sagot niya. "Well, that makes this match even more interesting. Will that apply to our partners as well?"

Ang pagsaya ko sa baka-sakaling pagpunta nila sa gala nang magkasabay ay nawala sa dinagdag ni Raven. Bumigat ang bawat tibok ng puso ko, lalo na nang tumango si Helios.

"Good idea."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Kamiel. Anong good sa ideya na 'yan?! Bakit pati kami damay?

Now I'm torn whether to help Raven win so I won't be forced with a partner or let Helios win so I can watch them attend the gala together.

Sinulyapan ko si Azriel para sana maghingi ng guidance pero masama ang tingin niya sa'kin. Hala! Ako na nga naperwisyo dito, ikaw pa galit?!