The Key

CHAPTER 2- THE EIGHT ZONES

II - THE EIGHT ZONES

“Paano ba ‘yan, talo kayo?” dinig kong sabi ng isang lalaki. Kausap nito ang nakalaban sa laro kanina.

Nandito ako ngayon sa isang bench habang nanonood ng katatapos lang na soccer game ng ilang estudyante sa field. Wala na masyadong pinagkakaabalahan ang mga estudyante matapos ang last examination nakaraang linggo lang. Halos payapa ang lahat ng nangyayari sa paligid. Mukhang hindi alintana ng karamihan ang paparating na selection sa susunod na linggo.

Dumiretso ako sa library upang magbasa ng maaari ko pang malaman tungkol sa city. Halos limitado lang din ang itinuturo sa amin. Iyon lamang mga mahahalagang bagay na dapat ko pang malaman. Out of my curiosity, I want to know more about our existence in this city. Kahit kailan ay hindi natatalakay ang mga malilit na bagay sa klase, lalong-lalo na ang pinagmulan ng bawat zone. Tanging si Maestro Khein lang ang nakapag-kuwento sa akin ng ibang impormasyon tungkol sa mundong aming ginagalawan.

“Excuse me, ma’am, maaari ko bang malaman kung mayroon kayong libro ng ‘La Historia de la ciudad de Mhaffon’?”

Tiningnan ako ng seryoso ng librarian. Hindi ko alam kung may mali ba akong nasabi.“Ano naman ang pakay mo sa libro, iha?” walang-tono niyang tanong.

“M-may nais lang po akong malaman. P-pwede ko bang hiramin iyon saglit?”

Tiningnan niya ulit ako ng deretso. “Walang problema, iha,” sagot niya.

Napabuntong-hininga ako sa naging sagot niya sa’kin. Akala ko hindi niya ipahihiram ang libro. Nakahinga rin ako nang maluwag.

“Just fill out the form first, iha. Hahanapin ko lang ang hinahanap mo dahil matagal ng walang humiram ng libro ‘yon,” utos nito bago umalis.

Malawak ang library ng university. Parang tatlong pinagdugtong na classroom kung susukatin. Ngayon lang talaga ako nagawi rito dahil wala naman akong pakialam sa lugar na ito. Kung hindi lang dahil sa kuryosidad ni Opal, baka hindi ako makakarating dito. Ngayon lang din ako nagkaroon ng interes na malaman ang lahat ng tungkol sa city. Simula nang manalo ang zone 8 nakaraang taon.

Napapansin ko rin na ito lang ang library na sobrang ingay. Dinaig pa nito ang namamalengke sa bayan. Naghintay pa ako ng ilang minuto sa librarian. Ilang sandali naman ay dumating siya bitbit ang makapal na libro. Iniabot niya ang libro sa akin. Pagkakuha ko ay agad akong nagpasalamat at dumeretso sa bintanang bahagi ng library.

Mabigat ang libro. Mukhang pinaglumaan na rin ang hitsura. Parang marupok na rin ang papel ng libro kung titingnan. Kailangan kong ingatan ito dahil baka mapunit ko pa ng wala sa oras ang mga pahina.

“Hi, Ms. Retoda!” bati sa’kin ni Jom.

Si Jom Smath ay isa sa may pinakadelikadong potentials dito sa aming zone. He can poison anyone by just simply touching his enemy. O di kaya’y madikit lang ang butil ng tubig na nanggagaling sa kaniyang katawan sa iyong balat. May kung anong kemikal siyang ginagawa rito.

“Bakit ka nandito?” walang gana kong tanong.

“Tsk. tsk. tsk. Hindi ba’t ako ang dapat magtanong niyan sa iyo? Anong mayro’n at naparito ka sa library?”

“Masama bang pumunta ako rito?”

Humalakhak siya. Nakuha naman nito ang atensiyon ng ilang estudyante sa library. “I-Im sorry,” paumanhin niya sa mga ito.

Agad namang bumalik ang tingin niya sa akin. “Nagpapatawa ka talaga, Ms. Retoda. Syempre, hindi naman sa ganoon. Nakakapanibago lang kasi na ang kagaya mo ay nandito sa library at hindi sa training area. Mukha kasing tuta ka ni Maestro kaya alam naming nando’n ka.”

Tuta? Nanggaling pa talaga sa isang sipsip na kagaya niya. “Manibago ka na lang, Jom. Lahat naman tayo nagbabago diba? At hindi lahat ng tuta panay sunod sa ami nito, pwera na lang ang sipsip na kagaya mo,” sagot ko. “Gusto ko rin lang magbago na hindi magawa ng isang kagaya mo.”

Nakita ko ang pagseryoso ng kaniyang mukha. I heaved a deep sigh before starting to speak again. “Anyway, I need to read this book so can you give me the privacy?” Binalandra ko sa harap niya ang hawak kong libro.

“Okay. Walang problema, Ms. Retoda.”

Naramdaman ko naman kaagad ang maling ikinilos niya. Namalayan ko ang pagpitik ng kaniyang kamay dahilan para umiwas ako kaagad. Dumapo ang isang butil ng tubig sa pabalat ng libro na ginamit kong panangga.

“You can’t fool me, Jom,” I said, smirking. I was in an arm sideward position after using the book as a cover.

“Iba ka talaga, Rumi. Kahit kailan hindi talaga kita malamangan.”

“Kailangan mo pa magpraktis, Jom.”

“Sige. At sana sa susunod nating pagkikita ay magtuos tayo sa arena.”

“Deal!” mabilis kong pagsang-ayon.

“Aasahan ko ‘yan, Ms. Retoda.”

Kaagad siyang umalis hanggang sa mawala na siya sa aking paningin. I then cleared the drop of liquid in the book― it came from the extract of a fruit from Manchineel tree. It is known as the most toxic and dangerous tree in the zone. I know how to handle this certain situation. Pero hindi ko alam kung paano gagamutin ang lason lalo na kapag pumasok na ito sa loob ng katawan. I am still practicing my skill on that matter. Jom was an expert in using the poison of the tree.

I started to flip every page of the book until one picture caught my attention. It was the map of Mhaffon City. It looks like a human anatomy.

I- The Zone of Black Horse

The zone is located in the upper area of the city’s map. It is known as the ‘Head’ of the Mhaffon city. The people residing in the zone are called ‘Erudite’. The people’s potential is connected in any means of using their minds to kill their prey.

Everyone residing in the area is pure, honest, and loyal. But when someone dares them to get into war they are not afraid to kill their enemies. They are innocent in the outside but the real demons are hiding inside their body. They are also wise, tricky, and fraudulent. They can also see what others can’t. With their potentials, they have the advantage to win the game.

Last 2018, their representative, Jan Mach, was the first person in their zone who won the 114th RSK Festival. He used his ability to destroy the enemies mind. He showed impressive ability during the game. Maestro Jan is the current Maestro of Zone 1.

II - The Zone of White Owl

The zone is located in the left portion of the Mhaffon city’s map. The area is known as the ‘Left Hand’ of the city. The people residing in the area are called ‘Prime’. Their potentials are extraordinary than any of the zones. They can use their strength, agility, endurance, and senses in the battle. There asset was their strength, rank, and tactics in the game.

They have the most number of winning in the RSK Festival. The zone won 48 times in the game that made them to be the scariest enemy every feast. They are devils, powerful, and mysterious. They are one of the most dangerous types of enemy in the arena.

III - The Zone of Green Snake

The zone is located in the lower part of the Zone 1. The area is known as the ‘Neck’ of the city. They are called as ‘Subtle’.

The zone never wins any battle since before. They were never experience freedom as they hope for. Last year, their tribute, Megalene Catas, was selected to be part of the Royals.

The zone symbolizes growth, immortality, harmony, and fertility. The people have strong emotional correspondence. However, they are greedy, sensitive, and short-tempered. They are the Healing and Killing Capital of the City. They have the power of transmutation, life, death, and rebirth.

Until now, no one knows who can bring them the freedom they were longing for too long.

IV - The Zone of Silver Fish

The zone is located in the right portion of the Mhaffon City’s map. The area is known as the ‘Right Hand’ of the city. The people residing in the area are called ‘Manipulators’.

They can manipulate human body and emotions by just staring at their enemy’s eyes. They can kill their prey in just blowing in the air.

They are over-protective and agile. They have the ability to hide their emotions. Once they are in the arena they build their own identity that allures everyone. It is their way to start attacking and killing the enemy. They won 7th times in the game.

V - The Zone of Golden Hummingbird

The zone is located in the lower part of the Zone 3. They are called as the “Heart’ of the city. The people residing in Zone 5 are called ‘Illusionist’.

They love playing their enemies before attacking using illusion. They are known to be witty and nimble. They can freeze opponents by just a snap of their fingers. They just kill their enemies by trapping it into their own world. They are happy to see their prey suffers first before killing it heartlessly.

The Illusionists depend on the sound of nature. They are good in imitating someone and it is their advantage to win the game.

They received their freedom in 12th times after the late Hums Gord died by using its potential to the fullest. They honor their representative by bringing the freedom for their zone.

VI - The Zone of Blue Badger

The zone is the ’Left Foot’ of the city located in the lower part of the map. Everyone residing in the zone has similar potentials. They are called the ‘Controllers’ of everything.

They can control nature using their potential. But it is said that they have the weakest ability in the whole city following the Zone 3.

They easily lose focus when somebody distracts their attention. They can’t easily use their potential in an urgent situation. They also couldn’t extent their fullest potential for it may harm their own body.

Last 2015, Maestro Luise Grefford brought the second winning for their zone. He defeated his own father in the last battle. It was an emotional battle ever in the history of RSK Festival.

The controllers are independent and strong. They are not afraid to loss their loved one’s just to protect the people of their zone. They are totally dramatic yet insane.

VII- The Zone of Red Butterfly

The zone is the ‘Right Foot’ of the city. The people of the zone are called the ‘Shifters’. They are good in imitating and surveillance. They have wide transmitter of communication by nature. Their ability to prepare for the approaching enemy allows them to protect themselves. They trapped their opponent by using their potential.

They are shape shifters. They are adaptable in nature. They are the friendliest zone in the city.

Their advantage makes them wiser and commendable. However no trust the imitators. They are truly deceiving. They love to play bloody games and won’t stop to kill their enemy until it gets tortured. They also possess the one of the dangerous potentials. They won 10th times in the festival.

VIII- The House of Rainbow Squirrel

They are the second in the rank of the most powerful zones. They won 37th times in the RSK Festival. They are known as the ‘Elementals’.

They are the users of five elements namely: fire, earth, air, water, and light.

They have the most dangerous types of potential in the city. They are not afraid to take risks even exchanging their lives to death. They are hard-headed. They follow their own rules. It is located in the chest of the city.

The zone is the latest champion of the RSK Festival. It is when Lhoff Junes defeated the Headmaster’s eldest child, Mars Mhaffon.

His victory leads him to be the rank one of the most powerful potential users in the city, seconded by Jan Mach. They are naturally intelligent, elusive, and festive.

What zone do you think is the next winner of the 119th RSK Festival?

Nagulat ako dahil ang libro na hawak ko ay nababago taon-taon. Kaya kumpleto ang laman nito kung titingnan. Mabuti na lang at dito ako napadpad ng aking mga paa kanina. It was the brief explanation of each zone written on the book. Kahit papaano ay nabigyan ako ng ideya sa ibang zone ng city.

As I flipped the next page of the book, I saw the latest ranking of each zone, as well as, the best representative throughout the past years.

THE RANKING SYSTEM OF ZONES

1 Zone of White Owl

2 Zone of Rainbow Squirrel

3 Zone of Golden Hummingbird

4 Zone of Red Butterfly

5 Zone of Silver Fish

6 Zone of Blue Badger

7 Zone of Black Horse

8 Zone of Green Snake

“Hindi pa rin pala nakakaakyat sa rank ang zone namin,” nasabi ko. “Alam kong babawi kami ngayong taon,” dagdag ko pa.

The ranking system of the zone depends in its number of winning.

THE BEST TRIBUTES OF THE CITY

1 Jan Mach, 23 from Black Horse

2 Lhoff Junes, 19 from Rainbow Squirrel

3 Kitkay Hass, 21 from Silver Fish

4 Luise Grefford, 27 from Blue Badger

5 Krafer Ghedosu, 25 from Black Horse

6 Khein Alfonso, 29 from Green Snake

7 Zyn Sin, 23 from Golden Hummingbird

8 Paw Joshie Mashni, 26 from White Owl

9 Ury Iversonn, 20 from Blue Badger

10 Asro Casuse, 21 from Red Butterfly

*****

It’s seven in the evening when I finished reading the content of La Historia de la ciudad de Mhaffon. It’s good that the library is open 24/7 and it is welcome for the students of the university.

Naglakad na ako pauwi ng bahay nang maramdaman ko ang kakaibang ihip ng hangin. Binilisan ko na ang aking paglalakad para makarating sa bahay ng buhay. Pero―

“Bakit na sa labas ka pa, Rumi?” tanong ng isang boses, alam kong nasa likuran ko lang siya.

Hindi ko na siya nilingon pa dahil agad kong nakilala kung sino ang nagsalita.

“Wala ka ng pakialam doon, Heda,” sagot ko.

Nagkasalubong ulit kami ni Heda Way. Isa sa mga kaklase kong may galit sa akin. She was my opponent during our head-to-head with Maestro Khein.

She got mad at me after I told our pulot-gata (teacher) in her act of cheating. She was grounded for two weeks because of that. Doon nagsimula ang lahat ng galit niya sa akin.

“Matapang ka na pala?” tanong niya, crossed-arms.

“Ayaw kitang labanan, Heda, dahil alam naman nating labag iyon sa batas ng city.”

“Alam mo naman na legal ang laban tuwing gabi, diba? Ibig mo lang sigurong sabihin na duwag ka?”

Napakuyom ang aking kamay. Pinipigilan kong umatake kay Heda dahil alam kong lalabag ako sa rules ng city.

Tinalikuran ko na siya ngunit nakita ko ang paglutang ng mga dahon na nakakalat sa paligid. Nandito kaming dalawa nakatayo sa kalsada kung saan pinapalibutan ng mga puno. Ilang hakbang na lang bago ko marating ang bahay.

Nasa labas na ako ng campus at itong lugar ay isa sa hindi binabantayan ng mga kawal (tagabantay).

Napapikit na lang ako dahil alam ko na ang mangyayari. We can use our potential basta hindi kami mahuhuli. It is now legal to kill someone outside as the time stride to seven until the four in the morning.

Nagsimula na ngang lumapit ang mga dahon sa’kin kaya gumawa ako ng isang panangga. I started to use my ability to multiply para mabilis kong malinlang si Heda. Alam kong nalito siya na mahanap ang tunay na ako.

I discovered my potential to duplicate when I accidentally hit by the blade of poison thrown by Maestro Khein. I suffered the pain so I tried to trick him. Doon lumabas ang kakayahan kong mag-multiply. Even Maestro was amazed when I did it. He said it’s rare for someone to have an ability to multiply. Hindi ba nakakapanibago? Parang napanood ko na rin iyon noon sa RSK Festival. Hanggang sa unti-unti ko na itong nama-manipulate sa tulong ni Maestro Khein.

Sinimulan na ring patamaan ni Heda ang lahat ng kawangis ko. Ngunit bigo siya matamaan ang tunay na ako. Nakita ko ang inis sa kaniyang mukha.

“Hindi mo ako matatalo, Heda,” sabi ko.

“Tingnan natin,” matapang niyang sagot.

Bakas pa rin sa kaniyang reaksiyon ang inis, kaya kinuha ko na ang pagkakataong iyon.

“Ahhh!” I heard Heda shouted.

I then trapped all the leaves in my spell and it exploded.

“You will never win, Rumi!” dinig kong sigaw ni Heda ng makalayo ako.

I took the opportunity to run away when I hit her with my spear. Mababaw lang ang sugat na ginawa ko sa braso niya kanina. Alam kong gaganti ulit siya sa akin sa susunod na mga araw. Kailangan ko lang palaging mag-ingat. Ayaw ko siya kalabanin pero alam kong mamamatay ako kapag hindi ako lumaban.

Nakarating rin ako ng bahay na naghahabol ng hininga. Hindi ko na naabutan si mamang na gising. Nang bubuksan ko na ang pinto ng aking kwarto ay agad akong nakaramdam na may tao sa loob. Dahan-dahan ko itong binuksan. Laking gulat ko sa bumulaga sa akin.

“Ahhh! Bakit ka nandito ?!”

- END OF CHAPTER 2 -