"Miss Tempest."

I tapped my pen on the desk. Napaka-bad omen naman kasi ng propesiya na 'yon. Either it's the third war that would cause the destruction or the continent itself will explode? A punishment from the gods or a result of human greed?

"Raven."

Ngunit kahit alin naman siguro sa dalawa, hindi pa rin talaga maiiwasan ang dadating na gyera. Hiraya is preparing the Selecteds to fight after all. Ganoon din sa palagay ko ang kaaway naming bansa. Naghahanda na rin sila sa paparating na gulo.

Now what makes me wonder is... what will trigger such an event to happen?

"Raven!"

"Oh, fuck you!" naisigaw ko sa gulat.

Dumaan ang nakakagimbal na katahimikan sa silid at naningkit ang mata ni Kiernan sa'kin. I could see Griffin trying to hold his laughter kaya nagmukha tuloy siyang constipated. On the other hand, Beatrix shot me her famous glare at sigurado akong may kagat-kagat na mansanas na ang lechong ako sa isip niya.

I gave our Soul Arts teacher an awkward smile. "Huwag ka kasing sumigaw, nagulat tuloy ako."

Solana shook her head and face-palmed. "Si Sir pa tuloy may kasalanan." she whispered under her breath but everyone still heard it anyways.

"We don't permit those kind of languages inside the classroom, Miss Tempest."

"So kapag nasa labas ba ako, okay lang-" Kiernan glowered at me. "Joke. Sorry."

Beatrix, the attention-seeker, tsked. "Kahit sorry 'di magawa ng maayos."

I pursed my lips, wondering if I should ignore the snide comment or not. Normally, I wouldn't but I did make someone a promise. Hmm...

Or I could make this pretty fun.

Tumayo ako't ipinakita kay Kiernan ang pinaka-regretful face ko. With puppy eyes, pouting lips and everything. I even summoned my inner actress to produce tears. Kumunot ang noo ng guro namin nang lumuhod ako sa harap niya. Hushed whispers travelled around the room, all of them wondering what I'm about to do next. Narinig ko pa ang mahinang pagtawag ni Tamara sa'kin pero yumuko na ako para maitago ang expresiyon sa kanila.

"Ano na naman ang gusto-"

Beatrix' complaint was cut short when I started my sniffles. Gumagalaw ang balikat ko sa bawat hikbi. When I saw Kiernan's shoe move, I quickly glanced up. Nagkaroon ng takot ang mukha niya nang makitang umiiyak na ako.

"I-I'm so s-sorry," my voice broke as I made my full apologetic performance. "I didn't mean to curse at you. I-I just, I was just s-surprised." I took a deep breath, calming myself down. "I'm really, really sorry. P-Please forgive me... or, or do you want me to beg-"

Nanlaki ang mata ni Kiernan nang sinubukan ko pang ibaba ang ulo sa sahig. Along the screeching of a chair, implying someone suddenly stood up, was Kiernan's hand on my shoulders. Tinulungan niya akong tumayo habang umiiling.

"What are you doing? I never said you should-"

"Eh." tumayo ako't sumimangot. "I thought my sorry earlier wasn't enough? Baka naman ganito pala kayo dito maghingi ng pasensya at hindi ko alam."

I swear I could hear the relieved sigh from others when I dropped the drama. Parang hindi naman makapaniwala si Kiernan sa kaharap niyang umiiyak lang kanina at ngayo'y walang pake na. I rose a brow at him, wiping off the crocodile tears away.

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "Hindi pala dapat gano'n?" I dragged my emotionless gaze to Beatrix. "Can you demonstrate how the proper 'sorry' should be? Itry mo sa'kin. Humingi ka ng pasensya."

"What-"

"Bilis na. Humingi ka ng tawad."

"Sir! Narinig niyo 'yon-!"

Beatrix looked seriously offended when she complained to Kiernan. The teacher, on the other hand, seemed like he wants to kick me out too.

"Miss Tempest," kontrolado ang emosyon sa boses niya. "Please go to the detention room."

I made a pout. "Aw. Para ba 'to sa 'fuck you'-" someone heavily sighed. "-o sa bad acting ko?"

"For the profanity, Miss Tempest. Hindi pwede ang mga ganiyan dito." he sighed. "You were doing well last week."

"Mabait naman ako, Kiernan."

Some classmates gave me a double-take. May mga nagpipigil pa ng tawa. Even Beatrix rolled her eyes in disbelief, probably.

I smirked and added. "Unless maunahan."

I exited the room after that, uninterested about their other comments. Hindi naman ako nanghingi ng feedback para magsalita sila. Why don't they just save their breath and use it when necessary? E'di nakatulong pa sila sa pagprevent ng pollution sa mundo.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. I clicked my neck and stared at the ceiling while walking. Hindi ko naman kailangang tumingin talaga sa daan dahil wala ng ibang estudyante sa hall. Everyone are good and behaved and inside the classrooms. Minsa'y nasasalubong ko na lang ang tingin nila kapag dadaan sa classroom. Siguro'y super inggit na sila at malaya lang akong naglalakad dito.

I made a right turn, smiling to myself. This may be a loss for others but it sure is a win to me. The line that divides win and defeat is really thin.

Medyo malapit na ako sa detention room nang mamataan ko si Ellis sa kabilang corridor. Mabilis akong nagtago at pinaningkitan siya ng mata. I have no idea why she's talking to Andreas. Mas lalong hindi ko naiintindihan kung bakit naglaho ang pagkaseryoso at pagkastrict sa mata niya. Is it because Ellis has a higher position? But when he talked to Paham that other time, he still looked serious.

Suspicious.

"Why don't you follow them?"

I swallowed down my scream when a hauntingly hoarse voice whispered right at my ear. I still couldn't help my flinching in surprise, though. Sinamaan ko ng tingin ang babaeng gawa sa dilim at anino.

"Follow?"

Her head moved in a nod before gesturing at the talking pair. "Follow them."

I frowned, watching as the two did walk away. Nagdadalawang-isip ako kung susunod nga ba o hindi nang magpalabas ng itim na usok ang babae sa'kin. I waved my hand to clear the smoke, giving her a quick glare before following the suggestion.

Ayoko naman kasi talagang sumunod at baka naman magda-date pala ang dalawang 'to. I don't want to barge into whatever things they might do after.

"Did you read the book?"

"Ikaw ba nagbigay no'n sa'kin?" I asked back to which she answered with a smile. "Ano ba ang kailangan mo sa'kin? You're even framing me for theft now."

"I just want you to read it."

"Why?"

"It's linked to your favorite book." tumawa siya nang malukot ang mukha ko sa sinabing 'favorite'. "The Souls Within Us."

Iniisip ko pa mula kagabi na baka may kinalaman siya sa dalawang libro. The two books had the same authors, although Ryuu was replaced by Lionel in the other one. Isa din 'yon sa nagpawala ng antok ko kagabi. I heard the name Lionel from Paham's conversation with that new guy but I don't know what his role is in this play.

"Why do you want me to read it so much?"

We came to a stop when the other two did. Mabagal na binuksan ni Andreas ang pintuan. They even checked their surroundings before going in, making me guess that it might be some crucially confidential place.

Nauna ang babae sa'kin kaya sumunod na lang din ako. I tried to fit myself within the small gap of the doorway to avoid any noise. Isang hagdan ang sumalubong sa'kin kaya napaisip tuloy ako kung ang Archives lang naman ba 'to ulit. Who knows if it has a lot of entrances, right?

Just like the archives, the place was completely dark. Pinagpatuloy ko lang ang pagbaba nang magpakita ulit sa harap ko ang babae. She stretched her hand towards my cheeks, the cold touch of her fingers seeping to my skin.

"Because you want answers, love."

My brows knitted. "An-"

"Sinong nandiyan?"

My eyes widened. On instinct, I made a small step to the side just as a torch light was pointed my way. The girl who kept on annoying completly vanished while I was secretly hidden in the darkness. Nagpapasalamat na lang ako na hindi narrow ang mga stairs at 'di ako agad nahulog.

"What is it, El?" I heard Andreas ask.

Tumaas ang kilay ko. El?

"I heard someone." sagot ng kapatid ko na masama pa rin ang tingin sa dati kong kinatatayuan.

"Walang makakapasok dito na kung sino. Nobody' allowed outside during these hours."

"I know but... It must have been the wind."

Andreas hummed his agreement before calling my sister again. "Ito na ata ang pinto."

Ellis gave one final look at the stairs before approaching Andreas. Tahimik kong pinagpatuloy ang pagbaba at pinosisyon ang sarili malapit sa pader.

Ngayong mas malapit na ako sa kanila ay mas nagiging klaro ang paligid. It rejected my assumption that we are in the archives. This room is quite similar to storerooms dahil maraming boxes na nakalatag at halos limang pintuan ang naaaninag ko. One of the doors, the largest one, is standing before the pair.

"Nakita mo na ba ang susi?"

Umiling si Andreas sa tanong ni Ellis. "I asked Paham and he doesn't know too. Naibigay na niya ito noon kay Erebus at hindi niya alam kung saan na nagpunta."

"Erebus arrived here a day ago, right?" Ellis paused when Andreas gave her a nod. "I can ask him tonight in the Academia meeting but with all the other members, magiging mahirap 'yon. Kaya mo bang kausapin si Damon?"

"Do you think he knows?"

Even Damon's part of whatever this is?

Ellis turned her back on the door, a fierce look in her eyes. "He always does, doesn't he?" aniya at nagsimulang maglakad palabas.

Mas lalo kong inilapit ang sarili sa pader, na para bang kapag kinain nila ako ay hindi ko na poproblemahin ang mahuli.

"What about your father? Did he say or give something?" Andreas wondered. "Kung wala sa'min, siguradong maibibigay iyon sa inyo. Erebus can't risk it with his travels."

"I don't think so. I haven't seen Dad-" she stopped herself. "Actually, there was this one time but I'm not sure... kung anong binigay niya. The problem is I can't talk to her."

"Her? Why not?"

"She hates me even before. And recently... recently, I messed up our relationship even more."

I stared at Ellis as she said those with the heaviest tone and troubled sigh. Andreas sent her a worrying glance before closing the door once they're both gone. Ilang segundo ang lumipas na nakatitig lang ako sa likod ng pintuan. Pakiramdam ko ako ang rason sa malungkot at problemadong mukha ni Ellis.

I have always disliked her stoic expression, and how she follows every order like the good girl she is while I'm the rebellious daughter who is unworthy of love.

Laying my palm flat on the door, I checked the knob once more. I've already figured that they were discussing about the key to this door dahil super locked ito. The keyhole was pretty small too. I bet only a special type of key can open this door.

Ano kaya ang nasa loob ng pintuang 'to? It must have something to do with whatever Ellis is hiding from me. I'm tempted to open it pero hindi ko naman alam kung paano-

"You have the key."

"What in the Hiraya-!" halos mapasigaw ako nang muling lumitaw sa harap ko ang babae. "Can you please stop appearing from nowhere? Nagugulat ako sa'yo!"

She chuckled before disappearing into the darkness again.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin kanina na I have the key?"

"I saw him give it to you~" her voice echoed around the room while she's nowhere to be seen. "Ano nga ulit ang sinabi niya? Use it when... you ever get lost?"

May nagsabi ba sa'kin niyan? Heavens. My memory must be similar to an ancient man now with most of it forgotten.

She's referring to a male with the use of 'him' though. Pero sino bang lalaki ang nagbigay sa'kin ng susi? Sa academy na 'to, dalawang type lang naman ng lalaki ang mayroon. The boys who wants to give me flowers or those who wants to give me a punch. Kung hindi man diyan, si Paham naman na binibigyan ako ng kung ano-anong misteryo.

I tapped the metal claws on the desk rhythmically. The other claw dug into my cheeks softly. Iniisip ko pa rin ang nangyari kanina. Nasa detention room pa rin ako dahil nahuli akong hindi pumasok dito kanina. As another punishment, my detention was extended.

I would have enjoyed it if I wasn't with Tsukishima and Helios. Idagdag pa ang chismosong si Griffin na hindi mapakali sa tabi ko.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Kung ayaw mong ikuwento anong nangyari, lumipat ka ng upuan."

"Ehh, Raven naman. Maya ko na iku-kuwento kapag wala na sila dito. Baka maging victim number three ako." nakangusong sagot niya.

"Who's number one and two?"

"E'di sarili nila, ano ka ba!"

Aba't parang kasalanan ko pa.

I sighed, moving to the front of the room. Griffin expressed his quiet frustration about my decision but I paid him no mind. Instead, tiningnan ko ng maayos ang nakasimangot na mukha ng dalawang lalaki. Helios had his arms crossed as he watched the students outside, while Tsukishima decided to just lean on the seat while staring ag the ceiling. Kung pinapakita ni Helios ang kawalan niya ng emosyon sa nangyari, si Tsukishima naman ay ang kawalan niya ng pakialam.

Tinaasan ko ng kilay ang dalawa bago nag-utos, "Magsalita kayo."

"I just wanted to bring you food and he took the job away from me-" mabilis na sumbong ni Tsuki na agad ding pinutol ni Helios.

"I was the one asked to. Beside, I'm your tutor. I was planning to have another lesson today in your detention to save time."

"Isa pa 'yan!" bahagyang tumaas ang boses niya. "Bakit siya ang tutor mo? Sa dami-dami ng matatalino sa academy na 'to, kailangan bang siya pa?"

Griffin now had a dumb look on his face as he desperately try to find his snack. Inikot ko ang mata sa mala-batang isipan ng dalawang mas matangkad pa sa'kin.

"Dapat siguro-"

"You should talk to the math teacher about that, not me. I'm only doing what I'm told." Helios eyed him annoyingly. "Unlike you."

"Woo!" Griffin exclaimed noiselessly, pointing at Helios. Tumango-tango pa siya na parang approve na approve sa nangyari.

"So I'm telling you to stop and return because I can do your job better, ba't 'di ka sumusunod?" hirit pa ng isa.

"Who are you for me to follow?"

Mas lalong naging excited ang mukha ng bobong si Griffin. Kung kainin niya ang chips na dala ay akala mo iyon na ang pinakamasarap na pagkain sa mundo.

I only watched both of them exchange stupid lines because I'm not very keen on stopping fights. Gusto kong makita ang development nito, hindi ang pagtapos. Or else... it would be very boring.

Tsukishima gasped and turned to me. "Imuoto! Narinig mo 'yon?! He's being rude to me!"

Umiling-iling si Griffin dahil sa pagsumbong.

My brow rose. "At may pakialam ako dahil?"

"Because you're my imuoto!"

"Ni hindi ko nga alam ano ibig sabihin niyan!" I heavily sighed before calling Griffin. "Hoy, patay-gutom. Ano ibig sabihin no'n?"

"Sorry, Raven, hehe." napakamot siya sa ulo. "Bobo ako eh."

"Halata din naman." sabay na saad namin ni Tsukishima.

"Imuoto...?" Helios slowly said after seconds of staying silent. "Do you mean..."

Kumunot ang noo namin ni Griffin nang magseryoso ang mukha ng dalawa. Tsukishima clicked his tongue before making a nod, while Helios seemed to be in a deep thought. Mas lalo tuloy natrigger ang curiosity ko, hindi lang sa mga nangyayari ngayon, kun'di sa mga inaakto din ng mga tao sa paligid ko.

Dahil alam kong Tsukishima is not worthy to ask to, I chose the sun. "Why, Heli? Ano ba ibig sabihin no'n?"

Aside from either lying or denying the truth, he chose to keep silent. His silence prove to be no different from those who are hiding things from me though.

"What, is it another curse word?" hilaw ang ngisi kong tanong. "You all love cursing me in other languages, don't you?"

"It's not."

"Then sabihin mo sa'kin kung anong meaning niyan."

A cheshire grin appeared on Tsuki's face. "Tawagin mo 'kong niisama."

"Sa libing ba, gusto mo ding mapasama?"

Hindi ko alam kung imagination ko lang ba o sandaling tumawa si Helios. His expression quickly turned serious that I have no idea if it's real or not.

Umirap ako. Naiinis kong nilapitan si Helios at tinitigan siya diretso sa mata. "Sabihin mo na. Ano ibig sabihin no'n?"

"If you really want to know the meaning, you can find it in the library yourself. But... first, let's continue our lesson here." he paused, glancing at Tsukishima. "Is that alright with you?"

Sabay na nanlaki ang mata namin ni Griffin. We exchanged suspicious looks as the previous tension from both boys dissipated and Tsuki seemed to have more power now. Parang naging mabait na 'tong si Helios agad ah?

He scoffed. "Okay lang naman. Nandito naman ako eh."

"Bati na ba sila?"

"Ay!"

Malapit ko nang masuntok si Griffin nang bigla siyang bumulong sa tabi ko. Ano ba ang mayro'n ngayon at lagi akong ginugulat? Surprise day ba? Holiday ng unexpected conversations o events?

"Nando'n ka lang kanina ah!" sabay turo ko sa dating inupuan niya.

"Siyempre lumipat ako kung saan may tsismis, Raven!" paliwanag niya na parang bobo ako. "So ano bati na ba sil-" sinulyapan niya ang dalawa at biglang natigilan. "Hala."

I pushed Griffin's body away from me, because aside from shocking me to death, he was probably planning to suffocate me. Natagpuan ko ang matatalim na tingin ng dalawa pagkatapos no'n. The boy beside me, on the other hand, went so pale that he's comparable to a ghost.

"You two are like my father whenever a boy visits the house." saad ko. "Like guard dogs who has pledged to protect a treasure with their life. Ang pinagkaiba lang wala naman dapat tayong pakialam sa isa't-isa, kaya tigilan niyo ang pagakto ng ganiyan."

"We're friends!" Tsuki complained with a pout.

I rolled my eyes. Friends daw. "Between you and Griffin po, mas close kami nitong baboon. Don't even get me started with Helios who's just close to me because he's good at math."

"Harsh mo naman," ani Griffin as if siya ang sinabihan ko ng masama. "Bakit baboon?"

Ay nasama nga din pala siya sa sinabihan ko ng masama. Pft.

Fortunately, the next hour ended without any further drama. Griffin sat close to me as we both listened to Helios' math lessons. Si Tsukishima naman ay parang nanonood ng pelikula kung makapwesto. He picked a seat where he could freely watch the three of us converse and argue. Tapos natutuwa pa ang hangal kapag nawawala sa mood ang araw dahil sa pagka-clingy ng katabi ko. Hindi ko alam pero inilihi ata sa pusit o pugita ang Griffin na 'to.

"So, ayun nga, Raven. Kasabay ng Magic Arts Competition na gaganapin ay tayo ang mago-opening event. Sabi ni Andreas ipapakita lang daw natin ang mga skills na alam natin. I guess that would be kind of like a martial arts and weaponry dance?"

I hummed as a response. Kanina pa ikinukuwento ni Tamara ang gagawin namin sa darating na fair dahil hindi ako nakadalo sa Strategical Assessment kanina. It seemed like the weekly assessments are postponed due to the upcoming fair so we have to practice for whatever opening shit we're doing.

"Sasali din tayo doon sa Selection Ball. If I remember it correctly, Friday siya gaganapin. We can invite our parents then or ask them to come during the Moonstone Gala. Sa event na 'yon na required ang presence nila."

Where is it? Naalala kong dito ko lang 'yon nalagay. I remember taking it off after the Obstacle War... o before ba 'yon? Basta inilagay ko siya sa isang jewelry box.

"I guess, we'll meet Zara na bukas sa morning 'no? Mukha kasing mayroon din tayong additional matches sa Selection ball?"

I'm not very tidy but I'm not completely messy too. Just the right amount of sense about where I put my things. Pero nakaligtaan ko ata ang bagay na 'to, lalo na sa nararamdaman ko rin sa nagbigay.

"Hoy, Raven! Nakikinig ka ba?"

I pushed close a cabinet before opening the final one. Maraming pouches akong nakikita sa loob kaya sana'y nandito ang hinahanap ko.

Narinig ko ang pagbaba ni Tamara sa kama niya at paglapit sa'kin, kaya minabuti ko na ring sagutin ang kaninang tanong.

"Hindi."

"Hmp." she quietly murmured before sitting next to me. "Ano hinahanap mo?"

"A necklace."

"Oh? Kuwintas?" tanong niya't bumaba ang tingin sa leeg ko.

I gave her a glare before taking out another box and opening it to see a piece of eraser inside. Anong ginagawa nito dito?

"Hindi. Bracelet na mukhang relo."

"Pilosopo." reklamo ng tangang katabi. "Oh! Ito ba 'yon? Hugis susi?"

Mabilis kong ibinaba ang pen case para tingnan iyon. True enough, Tamara was holding the necklace that my Dad gave when I first arrived here. I haven't really wore it for so long that I almost forgot it existed. Baka nga hindi ko rin maaalala kung hindi binanggit ng babae kanina.

Tamara gave the necklace to me. Tinitigan ko ang hugis ng susi no'n. Maliit na mukhang tama lang para sa pintuang natagpuan ko sa kwartong 'yon.

Dad said that if I ever feel lost, I can use this key to find my answers.

Hindi pa rin nagsi-sink-in ang bagay na 'to pero hindi din pwedeng iwasan ko na lang ang misteryong nakapaligid sa'kin. From the attacks that are unknowingly linked to me, the warnings, the visitors, the incomprehensible words, their strange actions, and to every mystery that I encounter in this academy. Napakaraming signs na pinlano kong hindi bigyang pansin para makaiwas sa gulo pero patuloy ako nitong hinahabol.

So whether it's connected to me or not, I want to find it out for myself. Kapag nasiguro kong okay lang, then I can sleep peacefully.

Right now... Right now, this key that I got from the man I've learned to hate and love the most, is the biggest chance I have to understanding these things.

"Raven?" Tamara snapped her fingers to bring my consciousness back. "Ano ba ang susi na 'yan at napakaseryoso mo?"

"It's..." I licked my lips. "Tamara."

"Oh?"

Ngumiti ako. "Do you want to have some adventure tonight?"