The Key

CHAPTER 17- URY IVERSONN

          CHAPTER 17- URY IVERSONN

"Wala ka nang kawala sa akin!”

"No!!!"

Pinalibutan ko si Mars ng matataas na apoy upang hindi na siya makatakas pa. Nakikita ko naman kung paano niya sinusubukan apulain ang nakakasilaw na apoy na ginawa ko. Ginagamit niya ang kaniyang potential para matalo ang ginawa kong barrier.

“I need to win this battle!” sigaw ko sa kaniya.

He continues to destroy the fire barrier however, he failed. I can feel that my hands are slowly numb from using my potential too much. I need to kill him as soon as possible before he takes an advantage.

“AHHHHH!!!” napasigaw ko ng tila may kumuryente sa akin.

I saw Mars escaped from my barrier and it’s too late for me to notice. He hits me with 250v of electricity coming from his potential. The Headmaster’s son is not that easily to defeat. I know he was being injected with something in order to stand long from this bloody battle. It is my last chance, so I can be able to give freedom for my zone.

Nanghihina na rin ako.

“Damn!” I cussed.

Sinubukan kong ibuhos ang lahat ng makakaya ko para matalo siya. I created a fire balls and released my fire dragon. It creates a huge fire balls and hit Mars’ direction. Hindi na siya nakailag kaagad kaya minabuti kong kunin ang pagkakataon. Nagmadali akong pumwesto sa kaniyang likuran habang nakaluhod siya at iniinda ang sakit ng pagtama ng aking potential.

“You failed to impress me Mars!” I said.

Binuhos ko ang lakas ko nang ipatama ang potential ko mula sa likuran niya. Hindi na siya nakailag pa hanggang sa humandusay na siya sa lupa.

“I won,” napaluhod kong tugon.

Nag dodoble na rin ang aking paningin mula sa ginawa ko hanggang sa unti-unti na rin akong natumba.

***

“Congrats!” bungad sa akin ni Maestro Lhoff.

Alam kong mananalo naman ako kaya hindi na ako nagtaka pa. I’m here lying in this weird bed that irritates me. I prefer to go home and rest.

“Uuwi na ako,” walang tugon kong saad.

“You have to rest here unless the medical team will allow you to go home. Masyadong delikado ang ginawa mo at maaari mo iyong ikamatay.”

“I know!”

“I’ll be back here. Take a rest! We don't need to argue for now!"

Umalis lang si Maestro Lhoff at iniwan akong mag-isa mula sa walang buhay na kwartong ito. Maya-maya naman ay bumalik si Maestro Lhoff at walang pakundangan na binuksan ang tv.

“Watch this,” he said.

“It is my honor to introduce our greatest Top 10 in this year,” bungad ng reporter.

The awarding of Top 10 in the city is happening right now. I don’t even have any point of interest to watch the televised.

“10th Asro Casuse from Red Butterfly.”

The monitor started to flash his name.

“9th Ury Iversonn from Rainbow Squirrel.”

I don’t expected it to happen as if it would be my great pleasure to be included on the lists. Until, every name is being flashed on the screen.

Maestro Lhoff is still on the 2nd rank. After six years in their place they are never been replaced by someone.

“Congratulations again, Ury. I know you can make this far. Welcome to the club,” maligayang bati niya sa akin.

“It’s not my pleasure,” I monotonously replied.

“Think of this Ury. You have the power to live your freedom you are longing for. That is one of your rewards to be included in this rank,” he explained.

“But, I lost her! Should I be thankful for that?”

“Hindi mo na mababalik ang dati Ury. Tanggapin mo na lang na ito ay parte ng laro!”

“This is not a game. This is part of this unequal system we had here! Bakit? Kaya niya bang ibalik si Crizsha?!”

“Admit the fact that Crizsha is dead, Ury!"

“She’s not dahil nandito pa rin siya sa puso ko!” hindi ko na mapigilan ang nararamdaman ko. “With all due respect Maestro, I want to be alone for a moment, can you give me that favor?”

Hindi na sumagot si Maestro Lhoff at tuluyan nang lumabas sa kwartong ito.

I kept blaming myself for what happened to Crizsha during the selection. Mas pinili niyang iligtas ako kaysa sa sarili niya. I hope napatawad niya ako.

“DAMN!!! I hate this system! Hindi ako papayag na magpapatuloy pa ito!” I started to release my potential in any direction of this room.

Wala na akong pakialam kung parusahan man ako ng council. They are devils. They need to pay for this.

Bumalik ang lahat ng ala-alang iyon ng makita ko ang isang babae na pababa ng hagdan. The Headmaster gathered us here for a very important announcement. The rule of the game changed a lot.

I saw that girl from my peripheral view. She’s from Zone 3 if I am not mistaken.

Matapang siya tignan pero may sayad din ang babaeng ito. She reminds me of Crizsha. She’s like her reincarnation but I never believe on that.

I didn’t expect that she will be my enemy in the training arena. I observe her but she’s too fragile and weak. Kabaliktaran ng inaakala ko.

“You are too fragile!” saad ko.

Nagpalinga-linga siya para hanapin ako.

She saw me here standing at the front door.

“Hinahanap mo siya? Nakalipat na sa ibang arena. He didn’t tell you? Well, you will be going to face one of the players from the other zone?” I smilingly said. “Pathetic girl! Get up at harapin mo ako!”

Hindi ko inasahan ang sunod na mga nangyari ng patamaan ko siya ng aking fire balls. Hindi siya umilag kaya nasapol siya ng mga ito. Mabuti na lamang at hindi ganun karami ang na release ko.

“Damn!”

Mabilis akong lumapit sa walang malay niyang katawan at binuhat patungo sa labas ng arena. Agad naman ako inalalayan ng mga medical team at dinala siya sa clinic para suriin. Marami siyang galos na natamo sa ginawa ko.

Hindi ko masisisi ang sarili ko kapag may isang babae ulit na napahamak dahil sa akin.

Binantayan ko siya buong araw dito sa clinic at hinihintay na magising muli siya. Hindi naman siya masyadong naapektuhan kaya lahat ay dala lang siguro ng pagod na rin niya.

However, she looks like a crazy girl when she woke up. Parang baliw.

Ngunit, hindi ko ipinakita na natawa ako sa reaksyon niya ng magsalita ako.

She’s freak.

Her voice is like an angel but weirdo.

She’s really gifted.

Nakita ko kung paano siya lamunin ng takot ng ilabas ko ang aking potential. That simple thank you from her can ease my worries that she's definitely fine.

I leave the room after she shouted on me.

But, I forget to tell her about his partner in the zone that she will be accompanied by that stupid guy.

And, I heard how she makes fun with my name and created a nickname out of it.

“Aha!” she laughed like happily think for something. “From now on, I won’t call you Ury Iversonn of Zone 8 instead ‘Dragon Ury’ akala mo ha!” she chuckled.

“Did I heard it correct? You are going to call me ‘Dragon Ury’?” usal ko.

Napabalikwas siya ng makitang akong nakatayo sa harap ng pinto.

Her reaction makes her funnier. It was priceless. I hid a smile.

“Well, if that so, I’ll call you Fledgling Fragile, isn’t good?”

“What?!”

“You said earlier, we have the right to create nicknames to someone if we like,” tugon ko.

Hanggang sa naudlot ang lahat ng dumating ang walang kwenta niyang kasama. After all, I leave them.

On the next day, she cheerfully greeted a childish girl from Zone 4. I also saw how she bravely survived from the selection. I know that we are not watching the real scene happening inside the room. We are being tricked with this too old ways.

After an hour, they went out from the room full of sweat.

I stared at her and when her eyes glance at me I look for something.

Sa loob ng ilang araw na tinipon kaming lahat mukhang ang iba ay nagkakamabutihan na. Iyon ang tatalo sa kanila pagdating sa arena especially that Fledging Fragile.

She’s too sensitive and emotional.

Tumanggi rin kami ng mag-alok siya tungkol sa plano niyang sirain ang festival. Baguhin ang sistema nito. I want to deal with her dahil iyon naman ang dahilan kung bakit ako sumali ulit. Kung tutuusin maaari na akong mapahinga and enjoy my freedom until someone replaced my rank. Or, I can be promoted to be a Maestro of Zone 8. But, I prefer not to agree with her plans.

I refused to it even my conscience tickles me to say yes.

On the day of our selection, I and Elaine talked to represent our Zone for the upcoming festival. Ayaw na namin na may mapahamak pa. I know hindi madali ang pinasok namin dahil magsisimula na naman ako sa pinakauna. Mabuti at pinayagan ng council ang alok namin kaya walang naganap na selection sa zone. This is somehow a good news for the whole Zone 8 since no one objected.

Elaine Wat is Crizsha’s best friend. And, she accepted my deal because she wants to give justice for her best friend. Crizsha’s is very special to me and I regret that I never confessed my feeling for her.

Yes, I admit I have my downsides and weakness. But, no one should know about it. After all, it will mess everything. So, I promised not to be attached with someone.

I ranked one on the two consecutive trainings we had. This is my advantage to everyone. They don't know how it can be used as an advantage. I am also impressed to that Fledgling Fragile for ranking 3rd.

She’s great.

“I will be your greatest enemy, Rumi!” I smiled.

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