THE MASTERS

Extra Chapter

Rommel's POV

"Pakiusap, bumalik kayo mga apo ko. Maghihintay kami sa inyo."

My head hurts when something forced me to sleep. I want to fight it but I know that it is part of the ritual that Lola's doing. After she said those words, automatically, darkness enveloped my system.

I woke up because of the sweat that's dripping all over my body. I irritatedly got up when I feel how hot my surroundings are. My eyes a bit blurry but all I can see is red. I don't think it is only my hallucination but damn. Am I in hell?! There are lots of pits that are puffing a big amount of fire. Even the sky is colored red because of its reflection.

I covered my mouth and nose when I started to feel suffocated. Luckily there ain't so much smoke but still, I feel suffocated. I jumped onto the big rocks to avoid the fire that keeps on showing on my face. I roamed my eyes around only to see never-ending fire pits and holes. I can see the lava that's flowing underneath the holes and it burns my eyes by just staring at it.

My eyes are burning and I can't help but groan. I winced in pain when I accidentally place my hands on top of the pits when it puffs a blazing fire. "Darn it!"

When I looked at my hands, it is now burned. To my assumption, it is a second-degree burn! My heart's racing rapidly and my burning hand is so damn painful to the core!

I nervously groaned when I heard a roaring creature. It's sounded like an angry bird kaya I looked up at the sky and got surprised because of the big blazing bird! Every time it flaps its wings, fire is being scattered and it goes in my direction! I immediately jumped off the big rock and hide below it.

My eyes grew bigger when the rock melted when it touches the lava-like drops that come from the Phoenix. Kaagad akong napaalis sa ilalim ng rock when my clothes almost touch it. The blazing bird squeal when its blazing eyes landed on mine. I gulped when it soars the sky at tila rocket na bigla na lamang sumugod sa akin.

Because of adrenaline rush ay automatic na napatakbo ako. I don't know where did I find the courage to let me followed by the Phoenix. My mind went blank and all I did was to run and run and run. I can't feel my feet because of the rush. I heard the Phoenix roared like it's mad because I keep on running. I saw a cave and may kalapitan na lang siya. I tried to look back only to see the beak of it—opened like it's ready to bite me.

I gave my all and immediately jumped towards the cave's mouth. I readied myself for the possible hard surface that may welcome me. I heard the Phoenix's cry—"AHHHHH!!! PUTANGINAAAAA!!!"

I can feel how the flames touching my skin as I fall down the damn hole! It was not a f*****g cave but a f*****g damn hole! I keep on shouting habang nahuhulog and being burned by the flames who's puffing everywhere! I tried to look down only to see the lava who's bubbling. My mind went shut down by the sight of it.

All my memories from my childhood all the way to the present played like a movie in my mind. Is this how my life ends? Will this be my deathbed? I laugh in my thoughts. I didn't see this coming. Akala ko ay mabubuhay pa ako nang matagal, I see. Life is short and I didn't know that it would be this short. 18 damn years? Not bad though. I closed my eyes to wait for my end. Kung alam ko lang ay sa Phoenix na lang sana ako nagpa-lamon. That's a bit painless.

"Mapupunta kayo sa ibang dimension kaya mag-iingat kayo sa lahat ng kilos ninyo, lalo na't hindi kayo magkakasama dahil ihihiwalay kayo sa isa't-isa sa oras na makapasok na kayo doon. Hayaan ninyong mga Puso't-Isip ninyo ang magdikta kung ano ang gagawin ninyo upang makaalis at makapasa sa pagsubok na iyon. Iba-iba ang kahaharapin ninyong pagsubok at nakabatay ito sa inyong magiging kapangyarihan. At ang pinaka importante sa lahat......kailangan ninyong makabalik dito bago pa man maupos ang kandila dahil kung hindi......hindi na kayo makakaalis doon kailanman."

"Pakiusap, bumalik kayo mga apo ko. Maghihintay kami sa inyo."

My eyes went open when I heard Lola's words. They are all waiting for us—for me to come back. No. No. I can't die here just like this! My family is waiting for me and I can't let them wait for my lifeless body. Pagsubok lang ito at hindi ko hahayaang hanggang dito na lang ang buhay ko.

"Eeeeeekk!!" I look up only to see the Phoenix who's trying to reach me with its sharp claws.

Putangina naman oh! Narinig pa yata nito ang sinabi ko kanina!

"....Hayaan ninyong mga Puso't-Isip ninyo ang magdikta kung ano ang gagawin ninyo upang makaalis at makapasa sa pagsubok na iyon...."

How the heck could possibly I do that?! Let my heart and mind do the work to let myself out of here?! How the f**k can I possibly do that?! Can someone enlighten the hell out of me?!

"*sigh* How can you be so stupid? Try to concentrate and calm yourself idiot! Damn. I didn't expect that my Yang would act like this." Said by the voice and when I look up I saw the Phoenix who's looking at me like I am an idiotic asshole.

"WHAT THE f**k?!" I exclaimed and it just rolled its two damn eyes! What the f**k is happening?! That bird can talk?!

I screamed my lungs out when I was hit directly by the fire who's puffing out of nowhere! My chest part is burning and my clothes are torn already.

I'm still falling at paanong sobrang lalim naman nito na ilang minuto na akong nahuhulog but still I'm too far away from the bubbling lava?!

"Oh f**k! You're wasting your time here Yang! Come and reach my damn claws before something could ever happen to your family!" Sigaw muli ng Phoenix and let out a loud scream.

I got surprised when its big claws encircled around my body that made me stop from falling. Nahigit ko ang hininga ko nang walang pasabing sumibad ito ng lipad papa-akyat naman ngayon sa hole. It was so damn fast that I need to close my eyes because of the hot air that's hitting my burning face.

It screamed loud than ever before releasing me and stumbled upon the dead grass that's miles away from the land of fire and lava.

Lumipad-lipad pa ang Phoenix before landing few meters away from me. My body is aching because of burned skin and my head hurts!

"Idiot, stupid, brainless, moron, witless, and many more. That's you, Rommel, how can you be so damn shithead when you're on the brink of death?! Mas inuna mo pa ang takot kaysa ang mag-isip ng paraan para maka-alis doon! If only you don't need to go back there immediately, I would gladly look at you suffer in there for your whole life!"

"Shut up you damn bird! You know nothing so shut the f**k up!" Sigaw ko sa kaniya while closing my fist tightly.

"I know everything you booby! God! I'm losing my patience to my own Yang, goddamnit!" Sigaw rin nito sa akin and I can see how its eyes turned grim.

Something caught my attention and look at the bird suspiciously. "What did you say? I am your what?"

"Yang! Idiot! I am your f*****g Yin and I don't know why it should have been me! I don't want my Yang to be this brainless idiotic moron!" Sigaw nito na siyang ikina-init na naman ng ulo ko.

"Can you stop insulting me?!" I shouted and he just gave me a smug look.

"I am stating facts here!" Sagot nito sa akin na ikinairita ko lang lalo. "Just accept the fact that you are not good enough to be my Yang, Rommel. Go and ask for a petition to change your Yin, I won't mind."

"Puro ka dada noh? Gawin mo na lang ang dapat mong gawin before you disappear." Sagot ko sa kaniya na ikinatahimik nito.

"W-what are you talking about?" The Phoenix asked with a hint of surprise. I smirk and sat comfortably on the dead grass field.

"Lola said that Yin is our other half—literally. If I didn't finish my test here I will be stuck here forever. If I would be locked up here then what will happen to my Yin? Hmm? Easy, it will disappear since they will not be united to their Yang. You will disappear if I stop moving." Sagot ko while looking at the red-colored sky.

"Who told you that?" Tanong ulit nito kaya napatingin ako sa Phoenix. It is now looking at me suspiciously.

"My shithead told me that," I said and gave him a smug look too.

"You....you're not that stupid huh." May halong inis na sagot nito that made me smirk more. I pointed him.

"I got you!" Malakas na sambit ko and let out a victorious smile. The Phoenix gave me a 'what the f?' look. "You're the idiotic one here bird. I was just guessing but you're so clueless and now you fell on my trap! HAHAHAHA."

"W-what?! You jerk!" The bird squealed and I was taken aback when its body exploded and bolts of fire splattered everywhere. Luckily, no one reached me. After the explosion, a red glowing light appeared.

Umikot-ikot ito sa akin and when I tried to shoo it away ay bigla na lamang ako nitong binunggo sa mukha. I stood up irritated and tried to punch it but my hand just passed through it!

"You can't beat me, idiot, I'm just a damn light." Rinig kong salita nanaman ng Yin kong kasing init ng apoy ang ulo.

"Ikaw na 'yan? Ha! Shame on you." Iritado pa ring sagot ko sa kaniya.

"Natalo mo lang ako ng isang beses kung maka-asta ka na parang nanalo na ka na ng sampung beses." Sagot nito at tumigil na sa kakaikot sa akin.

"Asar talo." Tanging nasabi ko na lamang and then I crossed my arms. "You said something earlier about my family, what do you mean by that?" Kalmadong tanong ko na sa kaniya.

"It's for you to find out." Balewalang sagot nito, I heavily sigh.

"Come on, sabihin mo na." Ungot ko pa rin.

"No. Papasok na lang ako sa 'yo para maka-alis ka na dito. Baka ako pa sisihin mo 'pag wala ka nang naabutang pamilya sa labas." Pinal na sagot nito and with no words, the red light insert my body.

I felt a tingling sensation inside me because of the warm feeling that enveloped my whole system. I feel my blood get energize. This feeling feels odd but for some reason, it's kinda comforting and relaxing.

"Be dangerous like the fire." I heard my Yin's voice said inside my mind.

"Whatever," I answered and when I finally open my eyes, a familiar ceiling welcomes me.

I'm back? I immediately got up only to see my sister, cousins, Lola, and my mother. Damn. I did it!

Catherine's POV

I felt a cold breeze touching my skin and I can't help but shiver. I rub my palm on my bare shoulder and bent my knees upwards to my chest to make a fetus pose. Gosh! Why is it so cold here?! As far as I know I don't have an aircon in my room since I can't stand the cold it gives kahit pa nasa low-level lang! I felt my bed swayed that made me open my eyes. A gray sky appeared, I roamed my eyes around only to see never-ending water. I hysterically got up that I almost fall down. I'm not laying on my bed but instead, I was laying on a piece of board!

"Where the heck am I?!" I shrieked. I tried to balance myself from the board when it swayed again when I moved. "Mama?! Papa?! Rommel?! Where are you guys?!" I screamed again but no one answered me.

My chest throbbed because of what I was thinking. When else have I been in the middle of these waters? By the smell of the water, It looks like I'm in the middle of the ocean. I don't see any terrain. What am I doing here?! I love to bathe on the beaches but if this kind of ocean meets me just don't. I would rather just soak in the swimming pool.

I shouted when suddenly there was a rumble of loud thunder and also a little light when the lightning struck. The board I was on was also rocking when the sea started to wavy. My tears were welling up and something was blocking my throat. Damn it. Why is this happening to me? I still can't forget why I'm here, I know I'm on trial and I need to get out of this and claim my Yin. Pero bakit ganito?

Why am I here in the midst of emptiness with only violent water included? Is this my test? To face the big wave that is already forming in front of me? My grip on the board tightened slowly as the wave approached where I was. With its size, it can upset a yacht. How else can I just stick to the board? Walang panama ang board na ito sa malaking alon na iyan!

"Oh my God," I mumbled when the huge wave approached me. "AHHHHH!!!" I shouted my lungs out when the wave swallowed me whole that I loose my grip onto the board.

Hindi ko na mai-kampay ang mga kamay ko because of the strength of the sea current. My throat and eyes also hurt from soaking under the sea. Nakaka-inom na rin ako ng seawater and it has entered my ear. I pinched my nose to prevent the water entered it also. I was also losing my breath so I looked up and tried to swim. The water current is giving me a hard time swimming up to the surface. When I let out the last air I had I felt something slippery pushing my feet toward the surface of the water. I took a deep breath when I was able to raise my head and cough up the seawater I drank.

"Tulong..." I mumbled as tears streamed down my face. God, I don't want to die yet. I still have plans for me and my family. I still want to live.

"....Hayaan ninyong mga Puso't-Isip ninyo ang magdikta kung ano ang gagawin ninyo upang makaalis at makapasa sa pagsubok na iyon...."

I heard Lola's words flashed on my mind. How can I do that Lola? How can I calm myself when I am on the bridge of death? How?! I couldn't calm myself down because of the fear that was simmering inside me. I'm discouraged when it comes to things like this and I don't know if I'll last here. I was even more depressed when I saw another big wave coming toward me. I also saw the board I was riding before and it was too far away from me, even if I swim it now the waves will still take me.

Bakit sa lahat nang pwede kong maging pagsubok, why it has to be this pa?

"Oh God----" The last thing I said when I was swallowed by the water again as I spin around because of the violent gust of water. I do not know what to do. I just let the water play with my body and I was out of breath. I did everything I was taught in the swimming class I attended before but all of that had no effect.

The current was pulling me underwater and all I could do was watch the sea surface slowly move away from me. My eyes were also closing because tiredness of fighting the force of the water and I exhaled the last air I had been using to stay alive. My body is getting numb and I can't feel them any longer.

So, this is now my end? I'm sorry Mama, Papa. Hindi na ako makakabawi sa inyo. I can't make my promises any longer. I am deeply sorry.

My consciousness finally leaves my body as I closed my eyes.

"Catherine! Catherine, wake up!" I was startled by a voice that woke me up. I was dazzled even though my eyes were closed because of the sunlight. I tried to open my eyes and the clear sky greeted me. I sat up and held my head slightly aching. My eyes landed on the sand I was lying on and there I also noticed the sound of water hitting the sand.

"W-where am I?" I asked as I stroll my eyes around. My forehead creased when I found that I was on a small island in the middle of the ocean. May mga ilang puno sa gitna ng island and I can still its full area.

I woke up when my head hurt again as I remembered what had happened to me. I took a deep breath and immediately looked at the ocean in fear. I almost died!

"Hey, are you okay now?" Asked by the same voice that woke me up. I looked behind me and saw a light that was floating.

"W-who-What are you?" I asked instead. Am I hallucinating things because of the life and death experience? Is this light really talking?!

"Hello Catherine, I am your Yin. Don't worry, you're safe now." She answered that made me even more surprised.

"You are a talking light?!" I asked.

"Uhh yes, what did you expect?" She asked back.

"I thought you are some kind of a thing." I honestly said that made her chuckle.

"I see, but this is really my true form." She said that made me nod in return.

"But, what happened to me? How did I get in here?" I asked the question that was running in my mind.

"You passed out while you were under the sea. I was able to rescue you and bring you here kaya na-survive pa kita." She answered that made me sigh in relief.

I stared at her form and clasp my hands. "Did I, did I passed my test?" I asked with a hoarse voice. I doubt that I passed it since hindi ko nagawa nang mabuti iyon.

"Of course yes. You passed your test! Congratulations!" She said with a lively voice that made me looked up at her form.

"What? How?" I asked in surprise.

"Your test was to stay for long in the ocean without anything. You need to fight the strong current of the ocean. You did your best to survive but since your body was weak, you give up after a long struggle. You were brave enough to fight the water that made you passed the test." She explained.

I burst out crying and covered myself with my arms. "I... I thought I was gonna die!" I said between my sobs.

"No you won't, I won't let you." She said that made me, even more, burst into tears.

Damn it. I thought I won't see my parents again. Damn this test!

"Stop crying na, ang importante ay nakapasa ka." She said that made me nod and tried my self to stop crying.

"W-what should I do next?" I asked, still between a sob.

"I'll enter your body na para maging one na talaga tayo and for you to leave this place na rin." She said.

"Okay sige, do what you need to do," I said and readied myself for her to enter my body just like what she said.

I felt a warm feeling when she finally enters my body. I feel like my whole being is now complete. I smiled because of that and closed my eyes and held it across my chest. "We are now one," I mumbled.

"Yes, we are. I'm glad to finally unite with you, my Yang." She answered. "Now, let's go back to your world." She added that me nod.