THE MASTERS

Dragon VI

Someone's POV

I was in the middle of my rest when I felt strange energy surrounded the entire Kingdom. I immediately got up from my bed and went to the terrace of my room. I closed my eyes for a moment and when I opened them, my vision went different. I was shocked to see the energy surrounding the entire Palace.

There is yellow brown-colored energy that mixes with my magic that gives protection to the Palace. I didn't feel apprehension as I saw it, but rather I seemed to feel comfortable in my chest that I couldn't explain why.

I connect myself to the shield I made and I feel its strength. What's happening? Where does this energy come from? The protection I made in the Palace as well as in the rest of the world under my leadership became even stronger. It's amazing. I knew that I had only made a weak shield, but it became more durable because of the energy that suddenly appeared. It seems to help me protect the kingdom — no.

Tinutulungan ako nitong protektahan ang aking mga nasasakupan.

I smiled before regaining my sight. I'm not sure but I think it's been a big help to me. I no longer have to worry about the welfare of my constituents because of the added magic.

Whoever did this helped me a lot.

Catherine's POV

Hey there! Ako nga pala si Catherine Graspela. 18 years of age.

I have two siblings, Mary Grace the Eldest, and Rommel the youngest.

Our parents are Maximo and Marivic Graspela.

I'm currently studying at Cupid University along with my youngest sibling and my three other cousins.

I'm here at school now. We just finished our lecture with Sir Marco, our Practical Research 1 teacher. My year as a Senior High Student was just starting but this subject came to me immediately. Ate said that the thesis was really difficult but we can still do it if we strive hard.

I hope so. Sapat na rin siguro ang pagiging Achiever ko noong Junior High para malagpasan 'to 'di ba?

Fortunately, the thesis is not Individual because it's a grouping with a total of five members. If it's Individual I don't know if I can handle it. Moreover, if they do it, Individually, it is as if they have no mercy on their students. We are not ready for the thesis yet even if we were supposed to be college students by now.

Anyway, lunchtime na pala namin ngayon, last subject kasi namin 'yon every morning kaya nakaka-gutom talaga pagkatapos ng class. I have a lunch pack and dito lang ako kumakain sa room since masyadong ma-tao sa canteen.

Hindi naman ako nag-iisa rito. In fact, almost half of our class ay dito na naglalagi tuwing lunch break.

*after 5 minutes.*

*Burrp!*

I could have stopped my burp but it was too late so my other classmates who heard it, laughed. I just smiled and apologized before arranging my lunch box. I first went to our restroom just beside our classroom to brush my teeth since the sink here is nice and the water is also clean. After that, I retouched myself first and went back to my classroom.

Since thirty minutes pa before time ay bumaba muna ako ng floor namin.

By the way, 3 storey ang SHS building and we are on the third-floor kaya paniguradong mas mapapa-bilis ang pagbaba ng kinain ko.

When I arrived at the canteen there were still quite a few students eating, I even saw my two cousins eating together.

They are always together, even when entering and coming home from school. I rarely go with them since our class schedules are different. We only bond every weekend when we want to.

I just bought Vanilla Ice Cream over the counter since this is my favorite dessert and five Mentos. After that, I immediately left the canteen and headed back to the SHS Building. But, I just sat on the stairs to consume my Ice Cream. I don't mind sharing but if Vanilla Ice Cream is at stake, uhh who are they nga pala?

Nang matapos ko nang ubusin ang Ice Cream ay pumunta na muna ako ng restroom here in first floor para linisin ang kamay kong natapunan ng kaunti. It's so sticky din kasi at amoy ang tamis nito, baka langgamin ako mamaya sa room. Pagka-pasok ko ng restroom ay napaka-tahimik dito kaya napangiti ako.

"Nice. Solo ko ang CR." Natatawang sambit ko bago pinagbubuksan ang pinto ng bawat cubicle at ang mga ilaw. Ni-lock ko din ang pinto para walang maka-pasok in case may maka-kita sa gagawin ko.

I was still hesitant to do so but I slowly pulled out the cigarette case. Wait! Don't say something bad at me. It's my first time trying this and I'm just curious as to what it tastes like and if it feels good. I've witnessed my friends that they enjoy it, especially when they have just eaten. Menthol flavor din itong hawak ko and they say it's okay because it's, uhhh mild?

I dug the pocket of the shorts under my skirt but I couldn't find the lighter I had secretly put. Nasaan na iyon? I don't even remember taking it out earlier ah? I sighed with regret. I thought I would be able to try to smoke but it looks like God doesn't want me to. I just shrugged and narrowly threw the cigarette case in the trash near the restroom's door.

I was washing my hands and was about to leave when suddenly the four faucets in the sink turned on. Surprised by what happened, I immediately closed it all but even before I could step back, it opened again at the same time.

I want to scream out of fear. I don't think I remember this restroom being haunted. I'm afraid to say but sometimes my third eye opens and I don't know if it will work now. I shivered as I approached the door and turned it open but it would not open. Kahit anong pihit ko ay ayaw niya talagang mag-open and that made me nervous. My tears were starting to form but I can't make noise nor shout. It looks like my voice turns its back on me at ayaw nang maki-cooperate habang pinaglalaruan na ako ng multo rito.

I looked back at the sink when I heard the tapping sound of the water causing it to spill in my direction. I saw the water overflow into the sink and instead of it dripping on the floor, it suddenly floated and circled every corner of the restroom! They are like snakes swimming in the air.

I didn't know what I would react so I was left gaping as my eyes widened following their movement. Pucha! Does a ghost have this ability?!Have they improved now to adapt to this modern age?! Walanya? I shouldn't have entered this restroom if this is what will happen. I think I will die without even shouting once.

They rotated for a few minutes before clustering in the middle in a circular motion. They are like a rattlesnake that forms a circle in the air. I also noticed something forming in the middle of it and before I could even figure out what it was, it exploded with a very strong green light. I was forced to cover my eyes because it was too bright and painful to the eyes. I don't want to die blind. Hindi na nga maka-sigaw, mabubulag pa. I think my death was very unfortunate. When I felt the light disappeared, I peeked at it between my fingers.

The water is still there and is pretending to be a snake and surrounding the green object in the middle of it. It is rubbed with water as if to protect it from something. Ano iyan? It looks like the ghost intends to put me in that thing. It looks like an egg because of its shape but it is different in size. It looks even bigger than an ostrich egg. Its design is also unique because it looks like shining scales.

I don't know where I got the courage to approach it. It didn't move away from me, in fact, it even seemed to get closer to me. When I was only a meter away from it, I raised my hand to touch it. Even before I could properly place my finger to it, I felt an electric shock.

I immediately pulled my hand away and formed it into a ball. I wanted to sneer because the electricity I felt seemed to go up and spread all over my body. It felt like my blood is burning with a warm feeling. I feel the blood in my veins had life like never before. Heck? What's happening? Why did my body react like this? This is not the typical reaction when you are electrified.

My attention was caught on the side when a light reappeared on it and transformed into a human bulk. When the light went out, the human wearing the green hood exposed itself to me without seeing any part of its body. Heck! This must be the ghost!

I backed away twice when its hand came out from inside the hood and removed the leash. Slowly the veil fell into her hand and the smiling woman was exposed to me.

She has green long wavy hair, emerald eyes, a pointed nose, red lips, and a soft white complexion. Naka-suot rin siya ng dress na color green and may something dito na design na mukhang weeds sa dagat. I admit she's beautiful enough para masabihang mala-diyosa ang kagandahan. Napatingin naman ako sa reflection ko sa tubig. Napaka-layo ng itsura ko sa kaniya, nahiya ang napaka-kapal kong buhok.

"Hi Catherine. Ako nga pala si Waterina. Kinagagalak kitang makilala." Nakangiting sambit niya. Even her voice is so serene. Sheez ang daya naman!

"Ahh hehehe, hello Waterina?" Alanganing sagot ko at ginantihan ang ngiti niya.

"Wondering why I'm here?" Tanong niya pero napa-iling naman ako. It's true, I don't know why she appeared. And I was even more amazed at myself because I was calm even though there was a scary scene happening in front of me.

"Nakikita mo ba ang bagay na 'yan?" Tanong niya at itinuro ang nakalutang na tubig na pinapalibutan ang hugis Itlog na bagay. I nodded.

"Maniniwala ka ba kung sabihin kong isa iyang... Dragon Egg?" Tanong niya na ikina-rolled eyes ko.

"What? Nasa 21st century na tayo kaya wala nang nag-e-exist na Dragon! Stop joking around." Sagot ko pero napa-iling lang siya.

"Hindi porket nasa 21st century na ang mundong ito ibig sabihin ay wala na talagang Dragon." Sagot niya na ikina-creased ng forehead ko.

"Seryoso ka ba talaga sa sinasabi mo?" Tanong ko. Tumango naman siya kaya napa-buntong hininga ako. "Kung totoo nga 'yang sinasabi mo, then why is it here? I mean bakit nasa harap ko ito?" Tanong ko, ngumiti naman siya ulit.

"Dahil ikaw na ang bagong nagmamay-ari sa kaniya. Sayo na siya Catherine." Naka-ngiting sagot niya na ikinalaki ng mata ko.

"Say what?! Bakit? Bakit sa akin? What did I do para mapunta sa akin 'yan?!" Gulat na tanong ko. Napa-tawa naman siya.

"Dahil ikaw ang napili niya. Matagal ring panahon ang hinintay niya para dumating ka at isa pa, hindi lang naman ikaw ang may ganiyan e. Lima kayong bibigyan ng Dragon Egg at malalaman mo rin kung sino-sino sila sa tamang panahon. Sa ngayon ay ang dapat mo munang gawin ay itago ang Dragon Egg na ito. Wala kang ibang pagsasabihan na nasa iyo ang isa sa mga ito hangga't hindi ninyo nakukuha ang mga Yin ninyo." Salita niya na ikina-kunot ng noo ko.

"Why do I need to hide it? At ano ang Yin na sinasabi mo?" Takang tanong ko.

"Sa ngayon ay mas mabuting huwag mo munang alamin kung bakit pero doon sa Yin na tinutukoy ko ay... hintayin mong sabihin ng pamilya mo ang tungkol doon." Sagot niya na mas lalong ikina-kunot ng noo ko.

"Bakit hindi mo na lang sabihin sa akin ngayon para malinaw na?" Inip na tanong ko. Ano naman kasi ang alam nila Mama sa pinagsasa-sabi niya?

"I'm sorry pero hindi ko na trabaho iyon." Sagot niya na ikina-taas ng kilay ko.

"Sa ngayon ay kailangan ko na munang umalis. Ingatan mo ang Dragon Egg na 'yan. Matagal ring panahon na nasa pangangalaga ko siya at ayokong may mangyaring masama sa kaniya." Dagdag niya.

"Ano? Aalis ka na? Paano ko ito itatago e ang laki-laki kaya nito! At nangunguryente pa!" Sagot ko.

"Ikaw na ang bahala gumawa ng paraan kung paano mo siya itatago. Nga pala, hindi siya nangunguryente dahil binigay lang niya ang tanda na nagpapatunay na ikaw nga ang napili niya." Sagot niya kaya napabusangot ako.

I was about to speak when the light suddenly engulfed her like before. I was also surprised when the Egg suddenly fell from the air along with the water that spilled on the floor of the restroom. It's a good thing I acted promptly or it might be broken now. She was right, I was not electrified again.

Ngayon problema ko na lang kung paano ito dadalhin sa itaas at ma-ilagay sa bag. I looked at my wristwatch and saw that ten minutes na lang ang mayroon ako to get back to our classroom before mag-time. Natatarantang nilibot ko ang paligid at napa-ngisi nang may makitang plastic bag na nakasampay sa gilid malapit sa bintana.

I immediately placed the Dragon Egg inside it after checking if it was broken or has a hole.

I first peeked at the door of the CR to see if there were any students hanging in the hallway and stairs but there were none. I quickly took the stairs and ran it uphill. I gasped as I clung to the railings of the stairs when I reached the third floor. When I peeked into the room, there were already many of my classmates inside. I simply walked over to my bag and quickly put the Dragon Egg in it without looking suspicious.

Later, our teacher came in and started lecturing. From time to time I look at my watch because I want to go home so I can keep it in a safer place. After a few more subjects ay uwian na so I hurriedly went out of our classroom and immediately took a ride on the jeep all the way home. When I got home I found no one in the living room so I went straight to my room and immediately took out the Dragon Egg in my bag. I took the small basin from our bathroom and filled it with clean clothes and immediately placed the Dragon Egg before placing it under the bed.

I collapsed on the bed and caught my breath a little. Hiningal din ako sa ginawa kong iyon ah. I looked like I participated in a race dahil rin sa tagaktak ng pawis ko. Hayy. Is it right for me to accept Dragon Egg? Wouldn't I face a big responsibility because of this?

At iyong mga sinabi ni Waterina kanina tungkol sa pag-kuha ko raw ng Yin ko. Ano naman ang kinalaman ng pamilya ko doon?

Nakakasiguro akong wala.

Pero... Wala nga ba?