"Siyempre kinumbinsi ko sila na hindi nga totoo ang sinabi mo, Raven! Inamin kong lumabas nga ako ng house tapos nakita ko kayo sa hallway kaya sumunod ako! Pero hindi man lang sila nagreact! Hindi sila naniwala!"

Maybe I'm just overthinking things? I mean, talaga namang hindi pwedeng ako 'yon. Baka feelingera lang talaga ako. It was only my name in the book and Sarienne's whispers. Baka nga hindi pala si Sarienne iyong nakakausap ko at nagpapanggap lang! Saka Raia lang naman ang nakalagay, hindi Raia Venetia... Sa dami ng tao sa mundong 'to, talaga bang ako 'yon sa tingin ko?

"Kaya kinumbinsi ko din 'tong si Azriel na magsalita nga! Pero kahit siya hindi pinaniwalaan! Kahit nga si Tamara na hindi tumigil sa pagtatanggol sa'yo, hindi man lang pinakinggan. Pinabalik lang kami sa house kung saan doon naman nag-iingay si Beatrix."

I burrowed my face in my hands. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang pag-iinit ng pisngi dulot ng pagkahiya. Nakakapagpaka-baliw na ata ang Salière na 'yon dahil kung ano-ano na ang naiisip ko!

"Tapos... Nakikinig ba si Raven sa'kin?"

But then... I mean, without all those strange actions and words, I wouldn't arrive at such a conclusion. Bakit ba kasi ako tinatawag ng Tsukishima na 'yon ng little sister? Hindi ko naman siya kuya ah! Tsaka ano ba ang trip ng War at Ruin na 'yon at ako pinagdiskitahan?

"She's been like that ever since she got back from the Salière. Siguro ay napakasama ng nangyari sa kaniya do'n."

Don't tell me... they just found out the prophecy and because my name seems to be connected with all this shit, they were just desperate to capture me?

Hinampas ko ang mesa at narinig ang impit na sigaw ni Griffin. Itinaas ko ang masamang tingin sa kaniya kaya mas lalo siyang namutla. He was raising his fork, holding it against me as if it would protect him. Akala mo naman hindi siya malaking tao kumpara sa'kin.

Azriel narrowed his eyes at him before moving slightly away. Napaawang naman ang labi ni Tamara. She looked at Griffin as if she couldn't believe such an airhead exists.

"Okay ka lang?" tanong pa niya.

Griffin pointed the fork at me. "Ba't ako?! Siya 'yong biglang naghahampas ng mesa ah!"

"Hindi naman siya ang tumalon at sumigaw e. Ikaw." Giovanni, who was sitting beside me, inserted. Sinulyapan niya ako nang may ngisi sa labi. "Ba't mukhang bad mood ka, Raven? Are you finally done with all your detentions?"

"Sino ba hindi maba-bad mood kung kayong dalawa ni Griffin lagi kong nakikita." I grumbled, continuing my breakfast.

It was only seven in the morning. Limang oras lang ang naging tulog ko mula sa pagpapalabas sa'kin ni Ellis. They made me leave early, with Ellis muttering about how locking me in Salière won't do any good. I tried asking her about what happened in the forest that weekend but she dodged it with a lecture about my school behavior.

Sa lahat ng taong nakilala ko, si Ellis ang pinakaayaw kong pagtanungan. Maliban sa hindi maganda ang relasyon namin mula pagkabata, she also never breaks her promises. Kaya if she promised to keep her mouth shut, she will. Kahit na kunin mo pa ang dila niya at ipasagot sa ibang tao, she would never spill anything. She's as stubborn as I am, but replace fights with information.

Giovanni shrugged. "Just wondering. Parang mas marami ka na kasing attendance sa detention. I don't even remember when you last attended class!"

"That's just because your memory is shit."

Hinawakan niya ang dibdib na parang ininsulto ko ang buong angkan niya sa sinabi. "Oh my goodness!" he turned to the uninterested Damon. "Damon! Narinig mo ba ang sinabi ni Raven sa'kin? She just insulted me!"

I was then subjected to stern dark eyes, narrowing slightly with a threat. The warning in his eyes, which I've only experienced from Dad when I do something bad, was forcing me to behave. Half of my mind wanted to apologize while the other half was screaming for a reason why. Bakit nga ba kailangang maapektuhan ako sa striktong tingin ng damon-yong 'to?

Gritting my teeth, I slapped the back of Giovanni's head, creating another ruckus at our oh-so-silent table. Kapag nandito kami sa Awanggan, konti lang na mga estudyante ang dumadaan sa banda namin. Lalo na sa side ko. The last time kasi, when I laughed so hard that I was slapping the life out of Griffin, I accidentally hit the person who was passing behind.

Fortunately, hindi naman isang araw ang ini-stay niya sa clinic.

Heavens! Kasi naman, kahit siguro kagat ng lamok lang ang maramdaman ng mga estudyanteng 'to, iiyak na sila na parang nabangga ng limang truck!

"Owwie! Masakit, Raven!" he childishly complained, building up my distaste.

"Gago ka ba?" dire-diretso kong reklamo at pinipigilan na lang ang sarili na pingutin ang tainga niya. "Ano naman pakialam ni Damon sa gagawin ko sa'yo? O sa sasabihin ko? Anak ka? Kapatid ka? Boyfriend ka?"

There was a slight hesitation before, "Kasi leader natin siya! 'Di ba siya commander natin?"

"So? Anong gagawin ni 'commander' sa shitty memory mo?"

"Maybe the House General," Beatrix cut in, correcting the title with her signature stinky eye. "can fix your shitty mouth, Raven. Kakagaling mo lang sa detention, mukhang gusto mo namang bumalik."

"Well, if not for shitty, hypocrite people like you, I would be living a peaceful life in a beautiful flower meadow. Kaso kapag nakikita kita, biglang lumalanta ang bulaklak, Beatrix."

"Why, you-!"

Akmang magbubuhat ng kamay si Beatrix nang pumagitna sa'min ang heroic na Giovanni. With an awkward smile, he gently pushed the girl away. At least he has the brains to realize he can't touch or stop me.

He can try. Men can try. But they will never win.

"Oh, oh, kalma, Beatrix. The cycle of life lang 'yan. Lalanta ang bulaklak pero bubukad ulit
."

"Can the two of you, for once, stop arguing and creating useless fights?" Damon finally shared his thoughts.

Suminghal si Beatrix at binawi ang kamay. I raised a brow at her sudden obedience at our head. Lalo na't sinulyapan niya pa si Damon at bahagyang lumapit sa lalaki. Sus-pi-cious.

"Speaking of meadow..." I was supposed to just ignore Griffin, kasi siya ang tipo ng taong dapat iwasan at 'di bigyang pansin, when he added, "Nakita ko sina Helios at Raven no'ng isang araw sa likod ng Academy, ah. Inutusan kasi ako ni Sir Andreas na ibalik ang mga training weapons sa storeroom tapos nakita ko sila papunta do'n. It was a bit far but I know it was them..." he gave a slow, affirmative nod. "Talagang sila 'yon. I can always recognize Raven anywhere."

The thing is... Griffin is a likable guy. He's funny and nice and sweet. He's very helpful. Bukod sa nakakainis niyang ngisi at pahabol na linya, mabuti siyang tao. Hinahangaan ko din ang lakas niya kahit na isang sipa lang siya sa'kin noon.

But he's dumb.

And his voice is too fucking loud.

Kaya naman halos lahat ng malapit sa'min, kasama na ang katabing table, ay nakarinig ng mga pinagrereport niya. As such, I have received a thousand glares in a second. Particularly from Beatrix, who seemed bashful a second ago, but has now turned into an avenging banshee.

Isama pa si Tamara who exclaimed, "Nagdate kayo, Raven?!"

"Helios and Raven dated?" sumulpot pa ang isang kaibigan nina Beatrix, the girl who irritated me back at the Rank Assessment. "Huh," she looked me up and down. "I never knew his type was the evil one."

Nilingon ni Beatrix ang bestfriend na si Dustine. "Did you know about this, Tin?!"

Even the girl looked surprised. "No... I- We don't really talk about these things, Bea."

"Si Helios? Talaga?" Giovanni looked away, in deep thought. "Hmm..." he just mulled for a second before having a telepathic conversation with the-

I inwardly flinched at how pissed Damon looked. Bakit naman parang pinatay ko ang alaga niyang manok sa harapan? He's clenching his jaw, glaring at me with so much anger.

O. M. G.

Nagseselos ba siya?

Does this guy secretly like me and is now jealous that I went on a date with Helios? I'm already aware of my charms but, huh, I never realized them to be this strong. Kaya siguro lagi siyang nakabantay sa'kin. He even protected me last time.

Unfortunately, though, brooding men are not my type.

Nawala sa isip ko ang bagay na 'yon nang biglang ituro ni Beatrix si Griffin. "Nagsisinungaling ka 'no?! There's no way that Helios would ask Raven out!"

"Hindi 'no! Nakita ng dalawang mata ko!" matigas na depensa ng isa. "Kung gusto mo, kunin mo pa ang mata at utak ko para malaman mong nagsasabi ako ng totoo!"

Napangiwi ako. I don't think there's actually any need for that, Griffin.

Tamara squealed, lightly hitting the amused Azriel beside her. Nagniningning ang mata niyang nakatingin sa'kin at binigyan pa ako ng thumbs-up. He gave me a small smile, taking Tamara's kilig slaps patiently.

"He asked you out?" tanong niya na, unexpectedly, nagpatahimik sa mga taong nakapaligid sa'kin.

Bahagya akong tumango. Tinanong naman talaga niya kung pwedeng sa labas kami kumain.

"Does-" Tamara tried to ignore the girls who were grumbling curses behind her. "Does he like you?"

I know what they're getting at. I've been raised with a pack of wolves and these rumors are nothing new to me. Lagi akong nakakarinig ng mga bagay na ganito. Either nilalandi ko ang mga lalaki o pinapahulog ang damdamin nila sa'kin. Most of the time, my fellow training soldiers comes to like me and courts. Kaya alam ko ang punto nila. Alam ko kung ano talaga ang tinatanong ni Tamara.

Ngunit, hindi ko alam kung tama nga ba ang sasabihin ko sa sagot ni Helios. The guy had to answer in fucking French when he can actually speak my language or English. Baka naman pala, 'feelingera ka, Raven' 'yong sinabi niya.

So I wanted to risk a white lie just for their reaction. A devilish smirk formed in my thoughts at the idea of tricking them into my beautiful storyline. Just how would they react kung talaga ngang nagustuhan ako ng araw na 'yon? It's not true, but seeing their reactions is fun!

I sighed dreamily, resting my chin on my hands. "I asked him that too and he agreed."

My vague answer, which is actually a lie dahil hindi ko naman maintindihan ang araw na 'yon, made some girls (or girl dahil si Tamara lang pero sinali ko na lang ang may babaeng puso na si Griffin) shriek and for the others (which is most girls) to give me a glare.

"Agreed na? Gusto ka niya?"

Tinitigan ko ng diretso sa mata si Giovanni.

"Yes," I answered with the confidence of a woman who knows nothing.

The embarrassment and shame I felt earlier became their anger, jealousy, and confusion. Siguro nga hindi na nakakapagtaka na may panibagong ruckus na naman sa Awanggan. Bumalik na kasi ang pinaka-behaved na student nilang si Raven. If they ever hear some noise and arguments, alam nang parte ako ng gulo na 'yon.

"Anong nangyari?" Eva asked, when she noticed how many glares I received at the corridor that day. "Parang wala ka naman sa academy nitong dalawang araw pero bakit may mga galit na sa'yo?"

"Because she's Raven, Eva. Kailangan pa ba ng detailed explanation para diyan?" nakangising komento ni Theus.

"The teacher assigned to the detention room is already close to giving up." dagdag ni Dawn. "According to her, she has exhausted all her efforts to make Raven behave but in the end, she was the only one getting crazy. Sa isang taon na pagtrabaho niya doon, ikaw lang ang lagi niyang nakikita."

"Honestly, though, Raven was the first student who got sent to the detention this year." Solana raised the candy stick to emphasize her point. "Maganda nga. Nagagawa na niya ang trabaho niya."

My face went blank. Are they just pointing out how perfectly behaved they were as students na hindi sila napapapunta sa detention? That means... ako lang talaga ang may taste dito?

Kaya naman pala parang uhaw sa rebelde iyong anak ng araw. Pinagkaitan pala ng masasamang tao na kagaya ko.

"Hindi importante kung ilang beses na-detention si Raven!" Eva pushed Solana's face aside to look at me closely. Halos nakikita ko na ang bawat pimple niya. "Ano 'tong narinig ko na nagdate kayo ni Helios? He got you out of Salière and had lunch with you?!"

Theus, who was peacefully enjoying his milk carton, choked and almost spilled his drink. Halos kainin na rin ni Solana ang stick kahit na wala ng candy, at kahit hindi halata na nagulat si Dawn, sapat na ang pag-akala niyang tinidor ang kutsara habang humihigop ng sabaw.

Is it really such a big deal to hang out with that sun? Hindi ba dapat mas big deal na pinagamit sa'kin ang Salière, their highest form of prison, when they don't even get detentions?

"Dito naman ba sila sa table natin maglu-lunch?"

Mahinang tanong ni Tamara na umupo sa tabi ko. Azriel followed suit and I narrowed my eyes at the two of them. Saan nanggaling ang dalawang 'to at bakit lagi ko na silang nakikita na magkasama at magkalapit?

When I caught Azriel's eye, he quickly avoided his gaze and placed his whole focus on the food.

Sus-pi-cious.

"Raven, Raven!"

I swallowed down my groan when Griffin started shaking my shoulders. Nakatayo lang siya sa likod ko dahil may nakaupo na sa magkabilang tabi. He crouched to whisper near my ear.

"Ipakilala mo naman ako sa magaganda mong kaibigan."

I gave him a sideway glance. "Seryoso ka?"

"Eh," ngumuso siya. "Wala na kasi akong chance sa'yo! Ikaw lang naman gusto ko pero ano bang laban ko kay Helios? Kaya pakilala mo na 'ko sa kanila."

I pushed his face away, rolling my eyes. "Bilis mo namang magmove-on."

"Kung gusto mo palang maghihintay, e'di gagawin ko." he continued, grinning.

"Maghintay ka kung gusto mo. Pero walang sisihan kung wala kang next generation of bobo Griffins."

"Ouch, ha. Masakit."

"Sige na, sige na. Tama na 'yan. Kapag ikaw nakita ni Helios, lechon ang katabi ko sa kwarto mamaya."

Giovanni appeared behind Griffin, slightly pushing him away. Nang magtama ang tingin namin, tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.

"Very popular, Raven. Puputi ng maaga ang buhok ni Damon dahil sa'yo."

Sinamaan ko lang siya ng tingin at 'di na sila pinansin pa. Aba! Bakit ako pa ang masisisi sa pagtatanda ng Damon na 'yon? Pakialam naman namin sa isa't-isa, 'di ba?

"It's amazing though." patuloy ni Eva sa kaninang subject namin. "Helios visited Raven at the Salière, kagaya lang noong unang nagamit ang silid na 'yon para ikulong sina King Lionel at Sarienne."

The lightness of my heart disappeared at the reminder of those two. I have already forgotten the shame of overthinking things, but I had to hear their names again.

"Hala, oo nga 'no." Tamara pitched in. "Ang alam ko din mula sa mga kuwento ni Mama, nagawa daw ang silid na 'yon para kay Sarienne. The Salière blocks every soul magic, but especially the darkness. Kahit na sobrang dilim daw no'n. At si Raven ang unang babae, bukod kay Sarienne, na pinapunta do'n!"

"I don't think that's an achievement but..." Dawn smiled at me in that bored way of hers. "Congrats. Amazing. Wow."

I sneered at her in return. Hindi na niya ako pinansin pa at bumalik sa pagbabasa ng libro. If ever Griffin asks me to introduce one of them again, pipiliin ko 'tong si Dawn para makapaghiganti.

"Ah!" Theus suddenly exclaimed, taking all of our attention. "Kung inaya ni Helios si Raven magdate, ibig sabihin ikaw ang partner niya sa Moonstone Gala!"

If I remember correctly, 'yan ang pinag-usapang event nina Paham at no'ng Erebus sa archives. Ngunit hindi ko naman alam kung ano talaga 'yon. They discussed the king's presence in there as well.

"Moonstone Gala?"

"The foundation week will begin this Sunday, Raven. It's to commemorate the establishment of Ukiyo and, especially, of this academy. Sa linggo ay gaganapin ang Selection War, which will be a competition between soulbearers. Kagaya siya ng Rank Assessment niyo. Doon din kasi tinitingnan ang capability ng each student at kung sino ulit ang makakapasok sa Elites." paliwanag ni Solana.

"Which means, even the Elites from our house can be replaced, Raven." dagdag ni Tamara. "Kagaya ng soulbearers, magkakaroon din tayo ng sariling competition. But it will be on Saturday."

"Ah..." I blinked. "Ba't 'di ko alam 'to?"

"Kasi, Miss Tempest, kung hindi kayo suki sa detention at laging pumapasok sa klase, alam niyo 'to." Theus teasingly answered.

I huffed, crossing my arms. At ang anak ng araw na 'yon! Inaya na akong kumain at lahat-lahat, nagkatanungan na kami ng paboritong pagkain, pero 'di man lang sinabi ang tungkol dito?

"And the Moonstone Gala," Dawn continued. "happens at the end of every competition. Supposedly, parents are expected to come and celebrate the achievements and results of their children, but their presence is more invited during the Selection Ball which will happen at the end of the week. Dahil doon na ang Summoning of Elites at pagbigay reward sa best students ng academy."

"In short, ang Selection ball ay para sa lahat, habang ang Moonstone Gala ay para sa mga mayayaman." Eva crossed her arms. "Dawn failed to point out that the gala prioritized the higher families. Lalo na at binago nila ngayon ang lokasyon."

"I think the change of locations was also influenced by the upcoming coronation. Narinig ko 'yon mula kay Kam." ani Solana.

Hindi na ako makapagsalita mula kanina dahil parang information overload na ang utak ko. A day ago, I found out some very strange information. Now, I'm also being fed a lot more. Gusto ko nga ng sagot, pero para naman sa mga tanong ko at hindi sa sosyal na kaganapan nitong academy!

Tamara nudged me so I had to turn and stare at her excited face. Napakalaki ng ngiti niya at parang sasabog na siya sa saya.

"Raven!" halos isigaw niya ang pangalan sa mukha ko.

"Oo, ako 'yon. Bakit? Anong maitutulong ko sa'yo?"

Her quiet squeal made me smile a little, the excitement in her body transferring to me until she said her next words,

"Sa palasyo na ang Moonstone Gala! Makakapasok na tayo sa palasyo!"

"Ha?"

Tila binuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig doon. Just when I was planning to completely abandon this dangerous seeking of information... I'm pushed closer and closer to the hints I've found.

I was preoccupied the whole lunch. Hindi ko maiwasang isipin ang maaaring mangyari sa pagpasok ko do'n. Maybe my curious mind will finally get its answer? Or will it encounter danger instead?

My heavy heart is telling me to stay put and behave, while my hunger for truth is pushing me to see the furthest I can go. I've already started this, so maybe I should just see it to the end? Kung wala din naman akong kinalaman dito 'gaya ng iniisip ko, then both my heart and mind will finally be at ease.

I sighed. Pumasok ako dito dahil pinilit ni Dad at para maging parte ng Imperial Army, hindi na maging detective.

Pinili ko na lang na makinig sa kuwentuhan nila. Paminsan-minsan ay nagbibigay din ako ng mga sarkastikong komento dahil doon ako magaling. Eva, Solana, Theus and Tamara were the noisiest. Si Griffin na nakaupo sa tabi ni Solana ay sumasabay din, hindi sa sadyang maingay siya pero dahil sa kakapalan ng mukha.

I was just mulling over the information I gathered, when two people took my attention. Unang tinitigan ko ang matangkad na si Damon, because he was truly eye-catching even in this sea of people, hanggang sa dumapo ang mata ko sa taong nilapitan niya.

Natigilan ako nang makitang si Ellis 'yon.

The two of them talked for a minute by the doorway of Awanggan and then Damon ushered her out. Agad akong tumayo at sumunod sa kanila, hindi pinapansin ang tanong ng mga kasamahan. I ignored the heat that I passed by, making my steps quicker to avoid anyone chasing me. I tried hard to follow them silently, thankful that my heeled boots are not as noisy as my normal ones. Sinundan ko ang dalawa hanggang sa huminto sila sa tahimik at bakanteng corridor.

I hid in a corner, a quite perfect spot to listen to their conversation while staying out of their sights.

"Are you sure, Damon? There's no way she'll get the key if it isn't you or someone from Alondra."

I frowned. A key?

"I'm not talking to her a lot, Ellis. And I do not possess any key. Kay Ryuu ang silid na 'yon at alam mo naman ang trato namin sa isa't-isa." his voice went cold. "The moment he did that to Mom, he lost all my respects. Despite my parents forgiving him."

"She opened it, Damon. Siguro ay nakita niya na rin ang katotohanan ng Second War. We've tried so hard to protect her from the prophecy, but there she is, walking straight to it!"

Masama ang kutob ko sa 'her' na 'yan.

"Hindi sapat ang nalalaman niya para makonekta niya ang totoo. Lalo na at magulong-magulo ito. She won't accept any of it, Ellis, especially that you've already build a happier and convincing truth."

"Lionel's book is missing. Helios got her out of the Salière." I heard Ellis sigh. "If this continues, Sorin will destroy everything again."

Napasinghap ako. Helios got her out of the Salière? Iisa lang naman ang pwedeng 'her' doon. Are they really talking about me?

Lalabas na sana ako para komprontahin silang dalawa nang marinig ang sunod na mga salita ni Damon.

"Tch. Those damn royals. Why couldn't they just leave her alone? From my mother to my sister! Is our family cursed by the Villareals?"

"There are two of you but you still can't keep an eye on Helios. I've already told Paham but he won't do anything. He thinks that Helios... that the continuation of the once-broken story is actually the answer to the prophecy."

"But love, that destroyed this country, cannot bring it back again, Ellis. Lalo na kung ang kalaban ay ang buong Alondra na kinalimutan ang pagmamahal nang mabaon sila sa lupa."

"I know that." she sighed again. "I need to go now, Damon. Gusto ko lang 'tong ibigay sa'yo. And remember, she must never get out of this Academy. Kahit na sa Moonstone Gala pa this Sunday."

I heard Ellis leave, the sudden silence of the corridor coming back at their finished conversation. They still talked in a vague and unclear way, pero bahagyang naiintindihan ko na ang ibig nilang sabihin. O ang mga tinutukoy nila.

At ayoko ang mga 'yon.

I leaned on the wall, listening to Damon's almost-silent steps. Nang dadaan na sana siya sa banda ko, ay hinatak ko siya sa uniform na suot at tinulak sa kaharap na pader. I crumpled his collar, urging him to look down and meet my eyes. Kahit na nakaheels na kasi ako't lahat-lahat, matangkad pa rin ang ibang lalaki dito sa'kin.

"Raven..." gulat na sambit niya.

"Raven. Si Raven nga." I mocked, a humorless smirk on my lips. "What did you talk to my sister?"

"Whatever I talk with your sister is not your business-"

"Oh, but it is when I'm the subject, 'di ba?" before he could talk, I added, "Kasi sino pa ba ang babaeng papalabasin ni Helios mula sa Salière? Kung kami ni Sarienne lang ang nakakapasok do'n? Don't tell me, Sarienne was resurrected and Helios decided to court her, 'no?"

"Maybe the soul magic research has gone far that such things are possible-"

Mas lalo ko siyang idiniin sa pader at hinigpitan ang pagkakahawak sa shirt.

"Sagutin mo 'ko ng totoo." I demanded, impatient and uncontrolled anger in my voice. "Huwag kang magsinungaling-"

I couldn't help the sudden, sharp intake of breath, my grip slowly loosening as my shoulders slumped. It was as if exhaustion from all their unnecessary avoidance was taking a toll on me.

"Please..." I whispered. "Tell me the truth. Who are you in my life?"

There was a flash of pain in his eyes and he opened his mouth. But before he could answer, someone pulled me away and slapped me hard on the cheeks. My lips parted in an unpleasant surprise when I was face-to-face with a furious Beatrix.

Fortunately, I'm pissed off too.

"Anong ginagawa mo?" she shouted. "After kang makipagdate kay Helios, si Damon naman ang nilalandi mo? Stay away, Raven! Akin na siya!"

The anger I felt was swept away by surprise. Damon and I stared at her, dumbfounded.

What the fuck?