Reborn: The Awakening

Eight

My first class was History which, I thought, would be pretty boring. But today’s lesson piqued my full attention and interest.

“What if...” The professor gazed at the whole class with her big, dark, questioning eyes. “Just what if... we had six gods, or more?”

Nakarinig ako ng mahihinang hagikgik sa apat ng sulok ng lecture hall. Sino nga ba namang hindi matatawa sa tinuran ng propesor? Bata pa lamang ay tinuruan na ang lahat na sumamba sa kanya-kanya nilang diyos. At hindi lalagpas sa lima ang mga ’yon, dahil mayroon lamang limang teritoryo na ginawa mismo ng mga ito. Iyon ang patunay na mayroong diyos—at kung ano ang bilang nila.

The Five Great Territories and the Magi Island were created by the five bored gods who actually went down to this world they named Magus, for a reason, to just play. Because just like what I’ve said, the five ass brothers were bored and had nothing else to do.

I may be a bad-ass assassin, but I do read books. I had already read every single book at the old, abandoned-looking, library of Terra. It was my hobby and addiction, aside from my daily gambling at the Ace Tower. Ha, I missed my freedom! Pakiramdam ko ay nakakulong ako sa lugar na ito. Kailangan kong makisama at magkunwaring normal na magian sa harap ng mga pobreng rich kids dito sa Academia o sa isla man. This beautiful place suffocates me.

Going back to the ancient roots of Magus. Pinaghatian ng limang magkakapatid na diyos ang mundo. Hinampas ni Eldoris ang kanyang sagradong armas sa lupa dahilan upang magkabitak ang halos kalahating parte ng libu-libong hektaryo ng tuyong lupa at gumuho ito. Sa isang iglap, napuno ang malawak na espasyo ng malamig at malalim na tubig. Nasakop nito ang buong silangan at kaunting parte ng hilaga.

‘My territory,’ pag-angkin ni Eldoris sa katubigan. Doon din niya naisipan na bumuo ng isang kaharian. Dugo at buhay niya ang kanyang inalay upang buuin at protektahan ito. Doon nabuo ang Kingdom of the Waves na mayroong iba’t ibang nayon.

‘If that is the case, I’ll go live by the clouds,’ anunsyo ni Orion. Doon din siya nagtayo ng isang palasyo, ang tinatawag nating Wind Palace sa kasalukuyan.

‘I am not as selfish as those two. Kegan and Minth, you shall live on land,’ wika ng diyos ng lupa.

‘Thanks, Slate. I guess I will just take one small portion from the South,’ tugon ni Kegan. Sa madaling salita, nagtayo siya ng isang matayog na bundok—ang Mount Blaze. Pinalilibutan ito ng mga maliliit na pulo na ngayo’y tinungtungan na rin ng mga kabahayan.

‘Well, I do not care about territory. Just give me a small portion of your land—an underground must be nice,’ wika ni Minth. Kaunting parte sa bandang kanluran lamang ang kinuha ni Minth at doon nagtayo ng maliit na bayan. Sa ilalim noon ay isang underground na mayroong iba’t ibang pagawaan ng armas na kalauna’y tinawag na Zero Labyrinth.

Natira kay Slate ang lupa sa hilaga at ilang parte ng timog at kanluran. Nagtayo siya roon ng isang malaking siyudad sa hilaga na kilala ngayon bilang Terra City. Ang ibang lupang hindi nagalaw ay tinayuan ni Slate ng mga puno na nagsilbing mga kagubatan.

Walang umangkin sa gitnang parte ng mundo. Napagkasunduan ng lima na ito ang magiging lugar kung saan pupwedeng magkita-kita ang kanilang mga lilikhain. The Capital of Magus. Ang lugar kung saan pantay ang lahat.

Sama-sama nilang binuo ang isang isla roon na tinawag nilang Magi Island. Sa paligid nito ay mayroong mabababang mga kabundukan at maliit na kagubatan. Pinapalibutan din ng katubigan ang buong isla. Lahat ng diyos ay may layang gamitin ang lugar.

Sa ibabaw ng Magi Island, matatagpuan ang isang nakalutang na paaralan na tinawag nilang Magi Academia na itinayo ng mga tao makalipas ang marami pang taon. Pinalibutan nila ito ng isang enerhiya na sanib pwersa nilang binuo bilang pag-protekta sa lugar kung sakaling atakihin ito.

Pinangalanan nilang Magus ang mundong iyon, sapagkat ito ay kanilang ginugol na ayusin at bigyan ng buhay gamit ang kanilang hininga—ang mundong ito ay punong-puno ng mahika.

Isa na lamang ang kulang dito—mga mortal na tao na titira at bubuo sa kani-kanilang kaharian. Gamit ang kanilang kapangyarihan, gumawa sila ng tig-iisang pares ng mortal na tao na sa paglipas ng panahon ay dumami nang dumami. Pinagkalooban nila ang mga ito ng kaunting mahika na sa kasalukuyang panahon ay tinatawag nilang magaè, habang ang tawag naman sa mga tao na mayroong magaè ay magians.

Nang dahil sa talino ng mga magians, nagawa nilang maka-imbento ng iba pang mga bagay. Nagsilitawan na rin ang mga kakaibang hayop, halimaw at iba pang mga nilalang sa Magus na hindi ikinatuwa ng mga diyos, ngunit kanila na lamang isinawalang bahala sapagkat limitado na rin ang kanilang mahika.

Dahil doon, nagpasya ang mga diyos na magpahinga na at gabayan na lamang ang mga magians kung kinakailangan. Sa pagbuo ng Magus, ang kanilang lakas at kapangyarihan ay tila naglaho sapagkat ibinuhos nila ito lahat sa pundasyon ng kanilang mga kaharian.

At sa oras na mawasak ang kaharian at magians na kanilang itinayo at binigyang buhay, sila ay tuluyan nang maglalaho. Tulad ni Eldoris.

Nahinto ang isip ko sa paglalakbay nang isang estudyante ang tumayo sa kanyang upuan upang magbigay ng pahayag. “We were supposed to study History, Professor Hannah, not some sort of a myth... or novels created by some unknown authors.”

The hall was once again filled with laughter and murmurs. This must be the Magi Academia students’ other hobby—ridiculing their professors. The young ones, I think.

Professor Hannah forced a full smile, disappointment faintly written on her face. “You’re right. It’s just a pile of theories, so maybe we could skip it.” She was about to move on to our next lesson, when someone suddenly popped up at the entrance door.

“It’s interesting,” the man said as he walked towards a vacant seat on the first row of which only a few students occupy. “The theories about having more than five gods, I meant.”

“Pizselior, what are you doing here?” The professor was obviously struck in awe by his presence which I find a little fishy… and amusing. But I was just as surprised when his name and face has finally sank to me.

“Pizselior, the rebel?” I muttered. He is a student here? I used to see him at the Ace Tower. He was quite infamous in Terra!

I flinched when someone poked my arm. “Aren’t you one of the new kids?” Nang lingunin ko ito, napansin ko kaagad ang maotoridad na tindig niya at ang hindi pangkaraniwang enerhiya na bumabalot sa kanya.

“I thought I’m the only new kid.” I shrugged. The committee even tied me into a ridiculous condition, but there were other late enrolees? “But… sure, consider me one.”

She smiled. “Well, we actually have two… but everyone already knows her.”

Matapos ang klaseng iyon, lumabas muna ako ng gusali upang magpahangin. Nandito kami sa Lecture Hall, fortunately it was not in the extension of the Academia above the clouds. Dito kasi sa baba ginaganap ang simpleng lectures at activities na hindi naman nangangailangan ng malaking espasyo. Nandito rin ang laboratory kung saan ginaganap ang klase namin sa Potion and Herbal Making.

Habang naglalakad sa hallway, napansin ko na mayroong kumpulan ng mga estudyante sa lobby kung saan matatagpuan ang bulletin board na pinapaskilan ng announcements at events. Akmang lalagpasan ko na ang ingay at kaguluhan, nang marinig ko ang bulungan ng isang grupo ng mga estudyante.

“I heard he was the most knuckle-headed in the Ministry. But what can we say? He's from the city of thieves and swindlers.”

“That's right! Why would someone like him sit in the Ministry, let alone set foot in this island?”

“I know right! But who did that to him? I thought he's the strongest in the Ministry, the reason they couldn't kick him out?”

The strongest man in the Capital? From Terra City? Who might that be? I kept my face straight when I saw a familiar man walking towards me.

He even smiled and waved at me when he noticed me among the crowd. “Lierre, you going for breakfast?” tanong niya kaagad nang makalapit.

I shrugged. “Can we do that?”

Nangunot ang noo niya. “Of course, we can!” Sa kalagitnaan ng pagsasalita niya ay natigilan siya at napakamot sa batok na tila ba may naalala. “Oh. I haven't had the chance to discuss our house rules to you last night, so I'll try to fill you in before your next class.”

Tumango ako at sumulyap muli sa bulletin board bago nagpahila kay Elijah. Sa pagsulyap ko, nagsialisan na ang iilang mga estudyante kung kaya't malinaw na nakita ko ang pinagkakaguluhan nila roon. Isang dyaryo ang nakapaskil doon. Kitang-kita sa pahina ang isang malaking imahe ng lalaking pamilyar sa akin. Sa ibabaw noon ay ang headline na naka-imprinta sa malalaking mga letra: NOTORIOUS WINDAV DIED THIS MORNING; CASE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

“The news was really shocking, wasn't it?” Napalingon ako kay Elijah nang magsalita siya. “I could tell it was the MBO's doing.”

“MBO? What's that?”

“Magus Black Operations. They do dirty works for the benefit of Magus. That man, Windav, was a threat to the future of the Ministry.” Elijah spoke about the man's death as if he was used to the killings. He may really look innocent, but he wasn't chosen as a member of the Mortal Seven for nothing. I could sense a massive amount of energy within him.

“I see,” naitugon ko. “He was really familiar to me.”

“He's from Terra. You must have seen him around for a few times.” I just shrugged. That's not it, Eli. My face was the last thing that this man has seen before dying. I assassinated him.

That night, when I went to the woods to open Master Acius' box, I finally found the reason why I was sent here.

Akmang ibabalik ko na ang scroll sa loob ng kahon nang mapansing gumagalaw ang mga letra na nakasulat, tila ba hinahanap ang nararapat na puwesto para sa kanila. Huminto lamang sa paggalaw ang mga ito nang mayroon nang panibagong mensahe na nakasulat sa lumang papel.

I need you to exterminate Peeter Windav of Terra City this morning.

Ilang minuto pa lamang ang nakalilipas nang mabasa ko ang mensahe, kusang nasunog ang papel na hawak ko at naging abo.

Palihim akong napangiti nang maalala iyon. Hindi na ako isang ligaw na tuta na hindi alam kung bakit kailangan itong itapon ng amo sa malayo. I finally found my purpose.

Matapos ang lahat ng klase ko ngayong araw, which were mostly boring ones because they were all about research and paperworks about Magus, magians, magaès, spiritual weapons, territories, and etc. I went straight to the Underground Detention. Malapit din ito sa Forest of Life and Death at ilang gusali lamang ang layo nito sa Krymmenos.

Sinamahan ako nina Elijah at Frician sa pagpunta rito dahil iisa lang naman ang daan nito at ng Krymmenos.

"Will you be okay?" awkward na tanong ni Frician. Ni hindi siya makatingin nang diretso sa akin.

I cleared my throat. "If you're that worried, why won't you give me some pointers?"

"Haven't been there," mabilis na tugon ni Frician. "Elijah is a regular there."

"Well... ang O.A. ng regular, Cian!" Eli rolled his eyes. "Been there twice. It's horrible, Lierre! Imagine going to the Underworld twice, then come out alive with an emptied body?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Are you being serious?"

"He's not lying. Ilang araw siyang tulala at hindi makakain every time na lumalabas siya galing doon," pagpapatotoo ni Frician. I guess I should really prepare for the worst.

Nagpaalam na sa akin ang dalawa nang marating ang tapat ng isang abandonadong gusali. The walls were really old, covered with dry leaves, while the door seemed like it was made of rust. The building has no windows and roof, it looked empty.

Lumapit ako sa kinalawang nang pinto at kumatok ng tatlong beses. "Hello? Anyone there?"

Ilang sandali lang, bumukas na ang pinto at bumungad sa akin ang isang matandang babae. Nakababa ang salamin nito sa kanyang ilong at kunot ang noong pinagmamasdan ako—o ang kaluluwa ko. I could almost read her think: Is it a bad or a good soul? Or a delicious one? A soul I can feed to my monsters? I literally felt chills down my spine!

"Name?" Her voice was a little rusty, but it claims full authority.

"Lierre Kingsley." Napataas ang kilay niya nang marinig ang pangalan ko. "Freshman."

"Come in," she said in a strictly tone.

I carefully moved my feet and entered the building while the old lady went on her desk. Kung ano ang hitsura ng labas, ganoon din dito sa loob. I looked around to see rooms or students, but there were none! It was just a four-walled room with a wooden desk and an old woman.

"Your right hand on the plate," she said, while scribbling on a piece of paper, without looking at me. "So I could access your student profile. It's to fully accomplish your bad record."

Sa desk niya ay mayroong isang pilak na hugis plato na mayroong mga simbolo ng limang teritoryo, tulad no'ng nasa main gate ng Magi Academia. As what the old woman instructed, I placed my right palm on the silver plate until a gleam of light burst from it.

"Lierre Kingsley. Seventeen. Kingdom of the Waves. Precariat House," she murmured as she wrote them on a black-covered ledger. I was amused to notice that she was writing with a stick, not a pen. "What did you do?"

"Uh... I had a fight." I admitted.

"A late enrolee. Caused trouble on her first day," sarkastikong sambit nito bago inilapag ang panulat sa kanyang mesa, umupo nang maayos, at pinagmasdan ako habang nangingiti. "You must think this is your playground, new kid."

I let out an awkward laugh, but I couldn't hide my annoyance. "This is not funny at all, Missus."

Binato niya muna ako ng matatalim na tingin bago inilapag sa mesa niya ang isang gintong susi. Sunod dito ay isang maliit na tasa na binuhusan niya ng mainit na tubig na galing sa maliit na takure. "Drink the tea and go receive your punishment." She motioned her hand to the old rusty door that I also used earlier to get in. Nangunot ang noo ko. Was she letting me go without any punishment?

Nag-aalangan man ay kinuha ko ang tasa at ininom ang likido roon. It was strangely warm. I felt the fluid burnt my throat down to my empty stomach. Nakakaramdam man ng kaunting pagkaantok, dinampot ko ang susi at tumalikod na sa matandang babae. I hurried to the door and slid the golden key into the knob. When I heard it clicked, I pushed the door and saw a long stair going down.

As I walked downstairs, every step feels like walking with a metal slippers and a sack of rock on my back. Unti-unting bumibigat ang talukap ng mga mata ko—hanggang sa tuluyang mandilim ang paningin ko.

Pagmulat ko ng mga mata, naglalakad ako sa dagat ng dugo na patuloy sa pag-agos na nagmumula sa patung-patong na mga bangkay ilang dipa lamang ang layo mula sa akin. Then I suddenly felt my chest thumping like a small bomb in a verge of explosion.

Ngunit biglang pumatak ang papalakas na ulan. The sound of the rain flakes hitting the ground was like a melody to my ears, not until I saw my ten-year-old self in front of me. Eyes were as cold as an iceberg floating on a dark, deep sea. Even her sincerest smile from slightly arching her bloody lips screamed danger.

"Lierre," I muttered my name and she looked up at me. For a second, I could see a flash of images of our past in her glinting eyes. "I'm sorry."

I may be sincere, but there was no hint of emotions homing within my words. Maybe because they all escaped from me after all the tragedies even I couldn't look back.

"I will destroy them all," said the child, now covered with fresh blood and debris and surrounded with corpses.

Itinaas niya ang isang kamay niya at inabot sa akin. Gusto kong umatras at tumakbo palayo sa kanya, but I couldn't feel my feet! Ngumiti siya sa akin nang tuluyang dumampi ang mga daliri niya sa balat ko hanggang sa manlabo ang aking paningin at tuluyan akong lamunin ng kadiliman.

But then I saw them again. An old, tall man staring and beaming at me while holding two small hands of two children standing from his both sides. He seemed glad to see me, but the kids were glaring at me with hatred and disgust.

A loud screech escaped my lips when I noticed my young self appeared at their back, and unhesitatingly swung a long, bronze metal sword across the three. I kept running and running towards them, but it felt like I wasn't moving from my place. I screamed and wailed my lungs out, desiring to touch and embrace their corpses one last time, but my feet were glued on the floor no matter how much I struggle to move.

I felt the young Lierre held both my hands, looked up at me with her sad eyes while blood dripped on her face,  and happily announced, "We have finally victored, Lierre. It has finally ended."