The Key

CHAPTER 12- WEAK AND FRAGILE

CHAPTER 12- WEAK AND FRAGILE

It has been three weeks when I almost met my near death. Nagsimula na rin ang buwan ng 32nd RSK Festival ngunit sa hindi sinasadyang pagkakataon ay inurong ito ng Headmaster. May nangyaring gulo sa city kaya mas pinagtuunan muna nila ito ng pansin. Kaya hindi kami pinayagang makapunta sa city.

I am here isolated in the quitude place far away from the city. Giero was also counting the days being quarantined. We're not allowed to go outside the palace unless the royals permit us to go out.

Tumayo ako sa aking kinauupuan. Nagtungo ako sa balkonahe at dumungaw sa malawak na lupain ng lugar. Naramdaman ko ang masaya at sariwang hangin na dumampi sa aking pisngi.

I contemplated. I smiled and heaved.

Hindi rin pala masyadong pangit manirahan dito sa loob ng tahimik na palasyo. 'Yon nga lang, masyadong malungkot at nakababagot kapag nakakulong ka sa lawak nitong silid. Alam kong lahat ng kailangan namin ay natutugunan, subalit hindi ko na kaya ang manatili rito sa loob pa ng ilang linggo.

Simula nang magtungo kami rito noong nakaraang linggo ay agad kaming dinala sa aming mga silid. Animo'y preso na hindi pinapayagan makalabas ng walang kasamang alalay. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung paano kami nakatagal dito. Namalayan ko na lamang na nakahiga ako sa malambot na kama habang binabantayan ng isang babae. Alam kong malayo na kami sa aming zone.

The girl assitsting me is not an ordinary or a typical girl. Maitim ang kaniyang mga mata na halos ikamamatay mo kapag tumitig ka rito ng matagal. Seryoso ang kaniyang awra at tila pinagkaitan mamuhay ng tahimik.

I am now alone in this solemn place. Nagkikita lang kami ni Giero sa tuwing kakain na. Magkaiba rin kami ng oras sa pag-eesanyo. Sa palasyong ito ay pinayagan kaming magsanay ng aming lakas. At ngayon ang araw na makakaharap na namin ang Headmaster.

“Ms. Rumi, ipinapatawag na po kayo ng Headmaster sa kaniyang opisina,” saad ng babaeng nagbabantay sa akin pagpasok niya ng pinto.

Hindi na ako nagatubiling sumunod sa kaniya at agad na sumama patungo kung nasaan ang Headmaster. This is the first time that I am going to face the Headmaster personally. I am hoping to see the Headmistress, too. Namangha lang ako sa kabuuan ng palasyo habang patuloy lang kami sa paglalakad. Ngayon ko lang nakita ang parteng ito sapagka't mas madalas ako nagtutungo sa training area.

A promise from the past interrupts my amusement. The promise I had to myself that I'll not going to step nor enter this palace. But, fate just really played the game well. It wanted me to taste the curse of promises.

Natatanaw ko na sa aking pagbaba sa malawak na hagdan nitong palasyo ang nagkukumpulan na mga tao kabilang sina Maestro Khien at Giero. Nakita ko sila agad dahil sa unipormeng suot nila. Naka-imprinta sa kanilang likuran ang seal ng zone. Ang mga kasama nila ay may ganoon ding seal. Nakita ko na ito sa libro ng Mhaffon History.

Hindi kaya sila ang mga players ng ibang zones? (Italic)

"Giero." I called him.

Napalingon siya nang marinig ang pagtawag ko sa kaniyang pangalan. Hindi ko na napigilan ang mapayakap sa kaniya.

"I missed you, Giero."

“Rumi," he whispered. "They are staring at us. I told you that never let other saw your vulnerable side,” he added.

Napabitaw ako sa pagkakaakap sa kaniya. Ipinagpag ko kaagad ang aking damit. When I turn around, there I saw some unfamiliar faces staring at me when I hugged Giero.

“Here she is!” bungad ni Maestro Jan. “The brave yet weak girl. Let’s give her a disappointed clap!”

I straightly stared at him as if I want to throw a dagger to his direction. I couldn’t believe that the machete and boastful man has something inside. His true color to be exact.

Indeed, everyone can hide in their mask. If I haven’t witnessed how he had a landi-to-the-highest-level moves to the Maestro of Zone 8, I won’t know him at all. Now, I knew his real identity.

“Enough!” A man whose aura can crumple you in a second shouted.

Napayuko si Maestro Jan. “I'm sorry, Headmaster.”

I sarcastically smiled while staring at him. His glaring stare could actually kill me. And, I stopped for an instance after of what he had said. Did I hear correctly what he said? The man who entered the wide door in front of us is the Headmaster?

I am still in awe. He looks different last time I saw him during the 31st festival. Masyadong malayo talaga ang mukha niya sa mga pictures na nakakalat sa zones kaysa sa personal. Mas nararamdaman ko ang panganib pagdating niya.

“Welcome to the Mhaffon Kingdom where everything will happen in a couple of days. I would like to congratulate all of you for fiercely facing the selection. I am hoping that you'll like our new challenges prepared for you. And, I just want to inform you all that you only have three weeks to prepare for the final battle. Everything you need from staying here and for the final battle will be accomodated. Good luck players, I am happy to welcome you in the upcoming 32nd RSK Annual Festival. You can now proceed to your respective practice arena,” he announced.

Hindi ko na rin naramdaman ang kaba nang magsimula na siyang magsalita. May kung anong enerhiya siyang ibinibigay upang hindi ako makaramdam ng takot sa kaniya. He's eyes are full of darkness yet his voice is mellifluous. As his shadow vanished, I heard various deep sighs.

Napalingon ako sa mga kasama ko. Ang ilan ay walang ekspresyon ngunit marami ang tila nakahinga ng maluwag. I feel the vibration of their heart as it beats faster. They are scared.

The three players on my right side caught my attention. They are familiar and as expected they're on the top of the crops. The three of them are well-known in the entire city. They were idolized and respected by many especially the youngsters.

The guy in red. He's Ury Iversonn. His presence truly gives everybody a frisson. Ury's tallness, wolly eyebrows, and handsome aura is a great nightmare. His messy hair fits his rounded face. He's too dangerously calm and festive. He can literally deceive a person with his gentle eyes.

As far as I observed other players, Giero is my only confidante in the game. The others are all trickers and observants perhaps. I don't need to fit in to their shoes. I need to be confident and strong in front of them.

When I'm about to follow the other players walking on the left side of the palace, a girl in braided hair suddenly approached me.

“Hi! I’m Gray Pawatee from Zone 4," she cheerfully said.

I looked at the girl’s presence standing in front of me. She’s lending her hand asking for a hand shake. She's too young to join in this game.

“Rumi Retoda," I replied.

"From?"

"From Zone 3. Can I now proceed?" I responded.

“Wait! I just want to say nice meeting you. Can we be friends, Ate... Rumi,” she sheepishly said.

“I don’t love making friends, kiddo. I'm sorry, mauuna na ako,” I said upon declining her offer.

I saw the disappointment in her charming face. She somehow reminded me of Opal. Then, I just felt the longing of Opal's presence because of her existence. Yet I kept telling myself not to get engage in the friendship things as long as possible. I don’t want someone dies because of me... again. What happened in the selection is enough to learn a lesson. I shouldn't be deceived by her expressions.

Tumalikod na ako sa kaniya at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad patungo sa aming training area. I saw Giero standing from afar waiting to me. He's in his poker face mode.

As I get to approach Giero, I heard someone loudly crying at my back. I just felt someone hugged me. I can feel her warm embrace.

I feel pity to her. Hinarap ko ulit siya. Bumungad sa akin ang maamo ngunit nagmamakaawa niyang mukha.

“Ate, sige na naman po. Natatakot po kasi ako baka wala akong maging kaibigan dito,” she begged.

“Grey, Am I right?" pagkaklaro ko ng kaniyang pangalan.

Tumango siya.

"I want to be friends with you but---“

“Gusto niyo rin po pala pinaiyak niyo pa ako,” she laughed.

Ang bilis ng pagbabago ng kaniyang emosyon. Ang kaninang maamo at nakakaawa niyang mukha ay napalitan ng nakakawindang na ekspresyon. Anong nangyayari sa kaniya? Did she played a trick on me? Exactly, I can’t hide that I am too fragile in terms of emotions.

Tumayo ako ng tuwid. “No. Mahirap magkaroon ng kaibigan kapag na sa loob na ng arena, Grey. You know what? Focus to your goals. Being friendly will kill you in the game. I'm sorry..”

I heaved a sigh before I walked away from her. It's truly broke me into pieces. I don’t want her to feel that I'm too selfish to her simple request. I am dissappointed to myself for refusing an innocent girl like her. Hindi ko na natiis ang sarili ko. Naunahan na naman ako ng aking emosyon. Binalikan ko siya ulit pagkatapos ko lumayo ng ilang metro.

“Okay. I’ll accept you as my new friend,” I smiled.

Tumingala ulit siya sa pagkakayuko kanina. “Ta-talaga po? Thank you, Ate Rumi!” masaya niyang tugon.

Sabay na kaming naglakad patungo sa arena. Nagkuwentuhan din kami habang wala naman sa modong naglalakad si Giero sa tabi ko. She’s funny and energetic.

Later I found out that she has the potential to manipulate emotions like what she possibly did to me. She fooled me and I was left dumb-founded. She’s indeed victorious in the game she played with me.

I loose that simple and tricky game.

She also introduced her twin brother White Pawatee. He’s serious yet agile. He walks like no one is with him. He's too focused and oriented. Kasabayan namin si Giero na nasa likuran lang habang nakapamulsa. Kahit kailan hindi mo siya mababasa kapag may ibang kasama. Giero is too great in hiding his emotions.

Giero and White have something in common. They are too serious to mention. They don't care about what's happening around them. Indeed, they are hiders.

Nagpaalam na rin si Grey sa akin habang nagmamadaling hinahabol ang kaniyang kambal na nauna na. Sobrang madaldal din pala si Grey. Magkahalintulad sila ng ugali ni Opal. Hanggang sa maglaho sila sa aking paningin ay dinig ko pa rin ang maingay na boses ni Grey.

“Let’s get inside?" tanong ni Giero sa'kin na kanina pa pala naghihintay na pumasok sa designated area.

I was mesmerized in the wide training area as we entered the metal door. This practice arena is quit wide and peaceful. An open arena to be exact. Natatamaan ng sikat ng araw ang mga puno na nakakalat sa field.

It looks like a forest. Paglingon ko sa aking tabi wala na si Giero. Agad ko siyang hinanap sa malagong kagubatan.

“Too slow, Rumi. It can kill you!” I heard him shouted from afar.

Namalayan ko na lang na may papalapit na sa akin.

A black smoke!

Gumawa naman kaagad ako ng panangga. Tumama lang ito sa ginawa ko at pinukulan ang malaking puno kaya nagdulot ito nang maingay na pagsabog. Masyadong malakas ang potential na mayroon si Giero. Tila ibinuhos niya ang kalahati sa kaniyang pwersa.

“Nasaan ka?!” I loudly shouted.

“Hanapin mo 'ko, Rumi! Hindi ka tutulungan ng pagtatanong mo!” he replied.

Pumasok ako sa loob ng gubat. Exactly, this is like a real forest dahil maririnig mo ang ingay ng ibon. This is because of the real time simulator.

"Once you entered in the arena, you have to be observant at the same time quick!" he added.

Dumako ang aking tingin sa aking kaliwa nang makitang papalapit ang malaking bola ng usok. Umilag kaagad ako dahilan magkaroon ako ng galos nang tumama sa lupa.

“Ass! Madaya ka, Giero!”

“We only have an hour to practice, Rumi. Be attentive!”

Sinugod ako ng mga naglalakihang smoke balls. Gumawa naman ako ng panangga sa paligid ko. I used my potential to create bow and arrow. I used my self-cloning ability para mabilis kong maubos na patamaan ang mga smoke balls. We started to hit the smoke balls and ended tiredly.

Napaluhod ako sa lupa sa sobrang pagod. Mukhang inubos ko ang aking lakas sa mga walang-kuwentang itim na usok.

“Now! Face this one!” saad ni Giero nang makita kong nakatayo siya sa aking harapan.

Umilag ako sa usok na pinatama niya sa aking direksiyon. Muli na naman siyang lumikha ng malaking black crystal balls at binasag ko ito using my arrow and bow.

I spell a weaking spell. Kumalat ito sa paligid. Nakita ko kung paano niya iyon iniwasan.

“Assh*le, Giero!" I cussed. "You are too unfair. This is against the rules!”

"There is only one rule in this practice. Survive 'til the end of the given time,"he replied.

Nakita ko kung paano siya nalito kung paano iilagan ang kinalat kong spell. Natamaan ko siya.

Napaluhod siya sa lupa.

"You can't defeat me, Giero," I said. "Maybe, this is the end of our practice."

Lumapit na ako sa kaniyang direksiyon para sana pag-abutan siya ng kamay. Ngunit nabigla ako nang sinakal niya ako gamit ang kaniyang ginawang smoke arm niya.

Naramdaman ko ang unti-unting pag-angat ng aking mga paa sa lupa. Nahihirapan akong huminga sa kinalalagyan ko ngayon. Pinipilit ko iyong kalasin.

“S-stop it, Giero!" nauutal na tugon ko. "I can’t breathe!”

He smiled. “Now, tell me who is weaker between us?” he confidently asked.

Kahit kailan masyadong mayabang din itong si Giero. Seryoso siya sa tuwing practice namin.

Ngayon ay nahihirapan na akong makahinga at alam ko na sa loob ng ilang segundo ay maaari na akong mawalan ng malay.

“Time’s up!” someone announced.

“Ulk!”

Napasuka ako. Naghabol ako ng hangin dahil sa ginawa sa'kin ni Giero. Hindi ko nakit ang awa sa kaniyang mga mata kahit muntikan na akong mamatay dahil sa kaniya. Hindi ko alam kung kakampi ko ba talaga siya o hindi.

“You are too fragile!” rinig kong saad ng taong na nasa likuran ko.

I look at where the voice is coming from. Then, I saw a man standing at the front door.

Binaling ko ang tingin ko kung saan si Giero nakatayo kanina. Ngunit, hindi ko na siya nakita.

“Hinahanap mo ba 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?” he smilingly said. “And that is me. You silly girl! Get up at harapin mo ako!”

Hindi ko alam ang nangyayari. Bakit makakalaban namin sa practice ang isa sa mga players mula sa ibang zone?

Ang alam ko ay hindi puwede 'yon.

At bakit nga ba si Giero lang ang nakakaalam?

Naguguluhan ako.

Nakita ko ang pagbuga niya ng kaniyang potential sa aking direksiyon. Hindi na ako nakailag.

"Pathetic!”

-END OF CHAPTER 12-