"The fun's over," her voice is echoing across the cafeteria. "Get yourself together, kid. Kung gusto mo makita muli si Gio, we need to survive this." I asserted.
Ito ang pinaka hihiling ni Dad.
Pagbibigyan ko siya, I will give my full effort to give him a positive outcome, but I'll make sure after this... ako naman ang magdi-desisyon para sa sarili ko.
"What's your next training," I asked her while taking a sip on my pineapple juice. "Archery, you?" She responded. "Gun firing," I replied. "Mauna na muna ako," She left, I just gave her a slight nod.
Mula sa katahimikang kinasasadlakan ko, seryosong lumapit sa akin si Zariah. "Lori, ipinapatawag ka ni Master Froyle." She said. "I still have a couple of minutes remaining bago mag-start ang training." sabi ko naman. "Urgent." She stated, and with that sumama na ako sa kanya.
Tahimik naming tinahak ang malawak na pasilyo, doon ko lamang napansin ang magandang tindig at pangangatawan na mayroon si Zariah, She's tall and slim like a victoria secret model, what a perfect being.
We entered the office quietly, I just gave them a cold and lifeless glance motioning how bored the atmosphere is.
"Ms. Griffin, from all we know you have recorded outstanding, in fighting category back before you've taken the Entrance Trial, as a result, parte na kayo ng grupo. Your abilities can be an advantage to the group." Master Froyle declared.
Dad, we've already taken the third step.
"Welcome, Ms. Griffin." I move my head sideward. "Anong meron?" bulong sa akin ni Lana. "Kasama na tayo sa grupo just like what Dad wants." I murmured, tumango-tango na lamang siya at nakinig sa taong kasalukuyang nag sasalita sa harap.
"I'll start with you one by one, Ms. Lana? As I have checked, you can cloak someone using your ability as revealed you can give protection by doing that am I correct?" My sister replied a nod. "You can contribute a big help by protecting the group, you'll be their main defense, but be careful because based on my observation a person with an ability like yours are weak during the usage." He added.
"Zariah, you can detect a person's energy and danger, even without your ability you are good at using any types of equipment, but then you can't detect the ones with mind control and cursed ability," He said while resting his hands on the back of his waist.
Cursed ability.
"Our brave, Lori, you had an enhanced pain endurance and you always hit first-rate by using any types of battle equipment. I can't say no that you are really incredible during fights, but I know you have weaknesses too, work it out," He said with an amused reaction.
'I'm not that good, trust me... I know.'
"Kamil, the group's source of energy. I think everyone's already aware of Kamil's ability she can contribute a really huge help, pero the more she gives energy nababawasan din ang lakas niya," He said while pacing back and forth.
"Filch, the group's psychic navigator, your ability is far from the average way of thinking. The too much use of your ability you'll become vulnerable," He motioned a slight smile as he stopped in front of Thrill.
"The Leader of the group, strong, excellent fighter, who had regenerative healing factor together with that cursed ability. Ikaw ang magbibigay ng gabay sa grupo, I know you can handle them very well, but using your cursed ability in an excessive way, it can weaken you." Mr. Froyle said ngunit may kasama parin itong malaking tiwala sa kanya based on his aura, he knows him too well, huh.
Thrill has a cursed ability, I wonder how much he controls himself not to get controlled by his cursed ability, because... me? I feel like dying everytime I'm about to use it.
"Our beautiful, Thalia," Thalia, smiled at him. "Compulsions is your advantage. You can make them do things you want externally, work it out often," He's now heading to Ash's place.
"Ash, the man who can weaken anything he intentionally touches, careful with the usage of it you knew how much danger you can give if you know what I'm talking about." He reasoned out.
"Everybody's already aware of each and everyone's abilities and weaknesses. I know even without your abilities, you are all good at fighting. I hope this can be a help for all of you to well-manage the group. I know you can survive this. Your training is separated from the other students here, we already prepared the group's schedule because three months from now, the Tournament will start."
"You can go now, we will discuss the forthcoming Tournament, some other time."  he gave remarks.
~~~
"Baliw kaba?!" singhal ni Thalia kay Filch, nang maagaw ni Filch kay Thalia ang canned juice nito at ininom. "It's mine now." He jested to her. "Damn you! Fortner, I'm gonna rip you into pieces." Thalia hollered
Nandito parin kami sa loob ng training dome, at wala parin, kaming planong mag start, nakakapagod kaya halos araw-araw este araw-araw nga talaga ang training feel like I want some you-can-have-your-leisure-time-now training. I'm so over everything.
"Sis, ang saya nila kasama 'no, medyo awkward at first pero makakasanayan din, nakakasakal na kasi minsan ang katahimikan para tayong nasa cold war," Lana spoke out of a sudden. "This is our life now, we have climbed this hill and now we will live upon it," I responded while crossing my arms.
Sa kalagitnaan ng usapan, pumasok ang isang taong hindi ko inaasahang makita. "Oh shit." reaction ni Lana. Lahat ng tingin namin ay nandoon lang sa taong iyon, akala ko ba hindi na siya magpapakita, kahit kailan.
'this is not good.'
"This is outrageous! I didn't even see you holding daggers nor bow and arrows, is this your training now? Laughing around like a kid in an open park?! You're all useless!" galit nitong salubong sa amin. Bukod sa amin ni Thrill lahat sila ay yumuko dahil sa pagka-pahiya. I clenched my fist.
"You don't have a right to talk to us that way. First of all, we are the ones who will represent the school, not you." I declared, he glared at me. "You're a Griffin, but the way you spill your words is like a vile commoner." He stated, look who's talking. "I'd rather be a vile commoner than become a blue-blooded arrogant like you." I spat out.
"Ms. Griffin." malumanay na awat sa akin ni Master Froyle. "What? Totoo naman ah, bakit napaka big-deal sayo ng oh-so-called-precious-griffin-bloodline damn that shitty bloodline!" I shouted, hindi ko na magawa pang magtimpi, he's the reason why Dad keeps on pushing us to the path we aren't supposed to be, he keeps on comparing Dad's capabilities to his, first of all, they are different individuals.
"You'll hold your training at the Maze Forest tonight, every one of you pays for what she did, and for how you behave, you are full of disgrace! I command you to follow!" He declared at tumalikod na sa amin. "You've changed a lot, Lolo. You never fail to disappoint us." I said at tinuloy niya nang lisanin kami kasama si Master Froyle.
"What the hell!" hindi maipintang reaction ni Thalia. "We aren't supposed to go there, it's too risky, the Maze Forest—from the word itself MAZE!" galit na tugon ni Zariah. "This is all your fault if you could have been more patient, hindi tayo malalagay sa alanganin!" she added, she was referring to me. Tinignan ko lamang siya.
Umalis ako at iniwan sila, this is too much.
ZARIAH'S VIEWPOINT
"Oh shit." gulat na tugon ni Lana, kumunot ang noo ko at nagtaka sa naging asal nito.
"This is outrageous! I didn't even see you holding daggers nor bow and arrows, is this your training now? Laughing around like a kid in an open park?! You're all useless!" napayuko na na lamang kami dahil sa pagkapahiya.
"You don't have a right to talk to us that way. First of all, we are the ones who will represent the school, not you." what the hell is she doing?!
"You're a Griffin, but the way you spill your words is like a vile commoner." kung mag-usap sila ay tila kilala nila ang isa't-isa, this is very confusing.
"I'd rather be a vile commoner than become a blue-blooded arrogant like you." Lori stated in a wrongful manner.
"Ms. Griffin." awat sa kanya ni Master Froyle. "What? Totoo naman ah, bakit napaka big-deal sayo ng oh-so-called-precious-griffin-bloodline damn that shitty bloodline!" we just looked at her confusedly, paano niya nagagawang sagutin ng ganyan si Headmaster Luke.
"You'll hold your training at the Maze Forest tonight, every one of you pays for what she did. and for how you behave, outrageous! I command you to follow." he declared at tumalikod na sa amin.
"You've changed a lot, Lolo. You never fail to disappoint us," she said, pero umalis si Headmaster Luke ng walang iniiwang salita ganoon rin si Master Froyle.
WHAT?!
Lolo?!
Ang mas nakakainis pa sa Maze Forest gaganapin ang training, goddamnit.
"What the hell!" gulat na reaction ni Thalia. "We aren't supposed to go there, it's too risky, the Maze Forest—from the word itself MAZE!" I panicked. "This is all your fault if you could have been more patient, hindi tayo malalagay sa alanganin!" I yelled at her out of my frustration.
She had a look in her eyes that made me think of what I just said, her eyes are full of emotions, but her sad gaze was dominant, she didn't spill any words she just left.
Sumapit ang gabi na lahat ay tahimik lamang, ngayon na gaganapin ang training namin, and the bad thing is papasok kami sa Maze Forest ng hiwa hiwalay. I can't go in there pero wala na akong magagawa. Hinahawi ko ang mga nadadaanan kong sanga mula sa mababang puno, at matataas, na halaman, kailangan lang namin makatagal ng isang buong gabi dito.
With only one rule: Survive.
"Pssst!"
Napahinto ako mula sa aking paglalakad, sila ba ang multo ng mga namatay dito sa Maze Forest? Full rage ang energy and danger detector ability ko kapag napapalapit ako dito sa Maze Forest, at ngayong nasa loob, na ako, wala akong magiging hint kung may papalapit na panganib dahil ang nararamdaman ko ay overflowing energy and danger, which means sobrang delikado ng lugar na ito.
Damn it!
Bakit ba hindi ko magawang mainis ng sobra kay Lori, I always ended up being sorry. Sa gitna ng aking pagiisip may isang taong nangahas na takpan ang aking bibig.
"Shhh, some creatures are eyeing us, move slowly," he demanded at hindi pa rin binibitawan ang bibig ko.
"Damn it, Ash!" singhal ko sa kanya ng tangalin niya ang kamay niya mula sa bibig ko. "I can handle myself, I don't need help!" I added. "Why do you keep being so feisty when you are with me?" He asked in a sudden. "Because you always kept on pestering me," I answered in motion.
"We're a team, kaya wala kang choice." ngumisi ito sa akin, at nakiramdam narin sa paligid. "Based on the information I've gathered a while a go, there's a hundred percent possibility na makaka-encounter tayo ng deadly wild animals, poisonous fog, acid forest rain, deadly traps, and a handsome person like m—" I cut him off.
"Shut up! You're not helping, just continue sighting some helpful things to use. Kesa kapilyohan ang pinapairal mo." I demanded. "Masyado kang seryoso eh," pag suko nito at sinunod na lamang ang sinabi ko.
"Well. I am not satisfied at all, I can say you are too determined to win, as revealed that you're intentionally targeting your opponent's weak part, which is the last thing you can do when you know to yourself that you can be defeated, you've shown enough efforts to have my sympathy." sa mga narinig ko, ginagaya ni Ash ang boses ni Lori which he failed to impersonate.
"You aren't that convincing Ash, save your ability in a most convenient way, you look terribly bad at impersonating her, cause no one can impersonate her cold tone and glances, para siyang si Thrill kumilos," I commented habang napapangiti. "Keep on smiling, Zariah," he stated at nauna ng maglakad.
Ash is somehow charming and weird at the same time. Kung hindi lang siya may pagka-abnormal magugustohan ko siya eh.
"Lori, had a point, but I am not being biased here, honestly Headmaster Luke is really rude to us earlier, only Lori had the full courage to voice out her thoughts to his Lolo, biruin mo Lolo niya pala si Headmaster Luke, she had a lot of surprises these days huh." Daldal ni Ash, habang sinusuyod namin ang kakahuyan.
"So you liked her by that?" I asked na may pagka dismaya. "Nope, I just admire her courageousness there's nothing wrong with that, nagiisa lang ang taong gusto ko, kaso nakakatakot eh," He said while gesturing his arms. "Nakakatakot pala eh, sukuan mo na." I responded, kung hindi niya fini-face ang takot it's useless, nagkakagusto pala ang tisoy na 'to weird. "Ayoko nga, sa ngayon easy lang muna ako." He replied and I somewhat smiled.
In the middle of our walks, one silhouette emerged from the smoke.
"Hey, little girl," said Ash, at nilapitan ito.
"Ash, don't." I gave emphasis. "I'm lost, help me." said the girl, she's holding a dirty small bear. Lumapit pa si Ash, nang bahagya sa bata, damn it! My ability is useless. "Where you from?" Ash, asked her, the little girl moved her eyes from me to Ash, I don't know what are they talking about pero alam ko talagang may mali.
Damn it!
"Ash," I walked forward.
Humarap sa akin si Ash, his brown eyes were now black as death, bone-chilling and lifeless at doon ko rin napagtanto na naglalakad na palayo sa direction namin ang batang babae.
'bakit kailangang si Ash, pa?!'
He walked forward, I know right at this moment he is not Ash Malcolm.
"It's me, Zariah. Please, you idiot! Wake up!!!" I yelled at him. "Damn it, Ash!" sa bawat hakbang niya papunta sa akin, napapaatras ako, anong klaseng training 'to?! Hindi man lang kami pinayagan magdala ng armas bukod sa isang pirasong dagger. Damn this punishment!
I am not gonna stab Ash, I wouldn't let that happen. This is difficult, I can't hurt him, I wouldn't mind killing a hunter, but for god's sake, not Ash.
I'm fucking stuck!
Hindi ko siya magawang iwan, lalo na sa sitwasyon niya ngayon pero dilekado parin dahil papatayin niya ako ng walang alinlangan, damn it!
"Zariah, come to me, we are a team." He called out, but it's lifeless I can feel it. "We're a team, Ash! Come on, wake up, don't make me do things I'd regret... please!" pagmamakaawa ko sa kanya, he grabs his own dagger at itinutok sa leeg ko ang sharp blade nito, ikinulong niya ako sa pagitan ng kanyang braso, naramdaman ko namang bumanga ang likod ko sa isang malaking puno.
'no escape.'
I just found out umiiyak na pala ako. I looked at him straight in the eye, "I know, you're still in there Ash, please... remember." I saw a tear fall from his eyes. Tinangal niya nang dahan-dahan ang dagger niya, hinablot niya ang nanghihina kong kamay at inilagay doon ang dagger niya.
"Z-Zariah, umalis kana." pinipilit niyang labanan ang sarili niya.
"Alis!!" I can feel his anger.
I don't know if I am going to listen.
"No." I gave emphasis.
"Please, before I hurt you—" I kissed him.
5
4
3
2
1
I left the kiss, tulala parin siya.
"Zariah?"
" I hugged him this time. The only way to save someone from something unnatural is to make him feel emotional.