Written by the Moon

1~ MANODESTRA

The trumpets echoed throughout my whole being making my adrenaline soar. The crowd-filled stadium roared with so many cheers for their representative. The four enormous mountains circled in a shape of a huge stadium has never been this filled before. The Manodestra Olympic is held only every 100 years in the world of Grande Paredes where Angels and the Moon Goddess lives.

Today, I will make history. As the first Acadian, bridge of destiny, a writer, will be the first ever Manodestra of the Moon Goddess. I smirked as my fellow Acadian Angels cheered for me. The finish line is just near and I am just a step to reaching my dream. My destiny.

For the second time, the trumpets echoed in the stadium as a signal to get ready. On the next blow of the trumpet, my opponents and I ran and the Manodestra Olympic has begun.

Only five horses await us on the first station. A 20-meter run to the first station and Phairro, a Morian, angel of birth and death, came first on the lead and was able to get the sturdiest horse on the line. One horse down, four more to go.

I looked at my sides and I just found out I am in second lead. I smirked. So, there’s only one angel here who is competent and that is Phairro. Well, he won’t be that hard to beat, right?

I got up to a brown horse, not as sturdy looking just like Phairro but at least, I know this one of a kind is faster than that old horse of his.

“Giddy up! Yah!” my fellow Acadians shouted my name several times.

I proudly rode my horse to get to the next station. My heart couldn’t stop from banging loudly. I know. Deep inside, this is what I am born for. I smiled when I realized I am just behind Phairro.

On the next station was two horses. Well, they’re not for me, technically. Seven contestants for the seven branches of Angels. Sadly, on the first station was only five horses. The remaining two who couldn’t make it to the five horses will have to run another 20 meters to get the next horses.

Passing through the second station, I glanced at the third stop. Phairro is already at the third station. I looked intently at my stupid outfit for this Olympic. For heaven’s sake, an Olympic yet I am here wearing a long white dress just because I’m an Acadian!

I glanced at Phairros direction and I saw how he was wearing his armor suit. I twitched my face bitterly. Shaking my head in so much disapproval to my regard.

I got off quickly as wind on my horse and pulled my bow and arrow just behind me. Now, this is where the real challenge begins.

This third station is awfully grassy. I looked at the tall grass. Probably twice as tall as I am. Phairro on the other hand went straight to the tall grass. And here I am, patiently waiting for my target to come.

I smirked knowing how Phairro would be having a hard time striking a deer. I shook my head sarcastically. Stupid Morian. Tsk!

An Emersin passed by me, popularly known as the guardian angels, all so hurried up. I looked at her shaking and gripping her bow and arrow. She looks good on her armor suit but unfortunately, she didn’t look dashing in it. Rather, frightened.

“Is she scared of killing a deer?” it was supposed to be a whisper. But well, yeah, she heard it anyway.

She immediately looked at my way and accusingly looked at me on her own dismay, I smiled teasingly. She caught that I was mocking her so she got the guts to go into the tall grass without a second of hesitation.

I wanted to laugh out her stupidity but oh, well. I smiled at the two who just arrived looking so curious at me. A Caldine and Grinthin. I stretched my lips widely at them. Obviously, greeting them so they could help me catch a deer.

A Caldine, angel of light. A Grinthin, angel of judgement. Now, I wonder how these two can be of good help. I wonder how Shemaine, a Caldine, light me up some way. She smirked at me.

“Chickening out now, Acadian?” of course, pure as light, there was no mockery in her tone. How innocent.

I shook my head.

“Oh, no. Just having some fresh air. The tall grass seems pleasing to the eyes.”

They laughed together thinking I must be the dumb one here for not moving and just, at least, try winning. They both went together to the tall grass.

And all I could do is furrow my brows. How airheaded.

Oh, only if they could realize. I looked at the audience sitting, looking at me, wondering why I’m still here not trying at all. I gave them a wave and all they could do was nod. I pouted. Tsk, tsk, tsk.

The other two angels have come. Finally! Has it been a year or what?

Panting like they were the ones who ran through here rather than their horses. They didn’t even noticed me. The angel of Valdon, angel of war went ahead without a thought. Oh, how sure and brave can he look?

On the other hand, a Ragaron, angel of knowledge went to my opposite side. And I already know, were simply smart!

Who in the world think they can hunt a deer in a tall grass field? And not just some ordinary deer but a Slincan deer! A mythical creature in the world or Athanatoss. Known for it having the mind just like the humans. Simply talking, may be weak but it is smart and above all, sensitive in scent and hearing!

So, why the heck would they go straight forward to the grass field when they know or maybe not that these Slincan deer can sense their every move!

And just like Mara, a Ragaron, I am also waiting for my chances.

“You.” I called her.

Immediately looked at my direction, her other brow raised. She smiled.

“Ah, an Acadian.” She nodded thoughtfully.

“Yes, and a Ragaron. Makes sense. The others are as dumb as I could imagine.”

Now, both of her brows raised in unison. I chuckled.

“Never have I ever heard an Angel talk like that.” Though, it was not as judgmental as it seems. I giggled.

“Then, you’ve seen the first.”

Mara, looking all so amused by me didn’t got the chance to notice the deer running out of the grass field. I smirked. Perfect timing. And with a swift of my bow just ready and set, the deer got shot. Falling down to its death and the crowd roared.

Who says Angels can’t kill?

Then there was Phairro, panting, chasing for the deer but all he could see was the poor little Slincan deer gasping for air. Wanting to live.

He huffed in exhaustion. He looked at me. Serious yet annoyed. I smiled sweetly as I could. I never knew this man would be the one of good help.

“Thank you for your hardwork, Phairro. I really appreciate it.” With a wink, I went to my horse and giddied it up.

Sometimes, it’s never the early bird who gets the worm nor the hardworking merchant gets the business done because sometimes, the wise gets the fruit. Who would want a worm for sake?!

Nobody would even know that it would be that easy! Just wait and be wise. Mara could have got it. She is wise. But she lacked on some skills.

Straight and fast to the next station. A hill is ahead. Maybe thirty or forty feet high. And just one rope for us to climb with. How cruel!

I sighed when I heard a gallop of horses at my back. I took a peek at my back and there, Phairro with Mara was just behind me. Well, they’re fast.

And there’s just one rope. I have to get there first.

“Yah! Yah!” faster!

Because I could feel it. I could sense it! Phairro was catching up! And before I knew it. We were neck and neck! Tried to make my horse faster. If only I could! But I can’t just use my powers for this!

Phairro is now on the lead. I gritted my teeth. His horse is fast for an old one. The moment he was able to reach the rope he was already climbing. Mara is just behind me. And I doubt if the others already passed the previous station.

I arrived and Phairro is already half way. I can’t wait. I know I just can’t. I have to do something. Looking at the hill, there were rocks on the sides of it. Perfect for climbing but it was small and it never looked sturdy.

I held on to one and it immediately fell. I looked for more and there were a couple of big ones but their gap was far. I looked up at Phairro. He’s not really that struggling.

I closed my eyes and didn’t hesitated. I gripped at a large rock and started climbing. With this long dress, I realized that it was harder for me to climb. I wanted to blame my professors but what can I do now? I’m already five feet up. I have started and I can’t just stop now.

I pulled myself together and climbed the best I can. Not too fast, not too slow.

I breathed heavily when I was able to got up to the hill. Finally! I looked around and I couldn’t see Phairro anymore.

I got up and a huge body of water welcomed me. I jumped to the water. Looking to the depth. It’s awfully dark. I couldn’t see anything other than water! And mind you, it’s deep!

I swam to the deepest. And I could see Phairro below. And there I saw a lettering of Acadian. I swam deeper. I could see Phairro struggle. He was losing air so he got to go back up. I looked at my lettering and tried to decipher what to do with it. I can’t stay here longer.

I saw Phairro earlier pulling something. I looked around. I couldn’t see anything to pull. Acadian. I touched the lettering on the rock and I noticed something. A button!

I was starting to loss air and consciousness so I pushed the button. The rock with the lettering opened and it revealed my pen! I immediately grabbed it.

I looked up and I was ready to swim back when I realized I couldn’t. Something was holding me. I confusingly looked at my feet but it was free. But then I saw my long dress tangled with some seaweeds! My heart thumped as hard as it could.

Panic and nervousness spread like wildfire. I have to go back up! I felt my chest tight and I know I can’t make it if my dress will still be tangled. I had no choice but to swim back to my long train,

Tried to pull my dress but then again it was hard! I tried pulling some seaweeds but later on I regretted touching it.

The seaweed wasn’t just ordinary ones! Of course! How dumb of me! The deer wasn’t even ordinary. How can these seaweeds be?!

Air came out of my mouth continuously. My vision became blurry. Until I couldn’t feel anything anymore. I lost.

To be continued…