"Ang saya kahapon!" panimula ni Kamil, magkakasama kami sa isang mahabang table dito sa cafeteria. "Nakakatawa kasi naka couple headband parin sina Thalia at Filch, hangang ngayon," komento naman ni Lana, habang natatawang inaasar sila ng tingin. "Bakit cute naman tsaka bagay sa 'kin, kay Filch lang Hindi bumagay tsaka bakit ba gaya-gaya ka ha?! Hubarin mo nga 'yan!" said Thalia, referring to Filch.
"Hey miss beautiful, how do I look?" Filch asked the student who is walking nearby our table. "You look adorable," she answered at ngumiti ng bahagya, kung titingnan ito sa Wealthy Class siya napapabilang. Her posture is excessively formal as a Wealthy Student like her they are obligated to wear a uniform unlike sa students ng Battlers' Class na allowed ang casual clothing just exclude the revealing side. "Thank you, sweetie," kumindat siya dito at napangiti naman ito kay Filch, "See?" dagdag pa nito at inaasar si Thalia ng tingin.
"Ah basta! Ako lang ang makakapagsabi kung kailan ka cute o kailan ka mukang adik," she opposed at tinarayan lang si Filch, napapangiti naman si Filch kay Thalia.
"Lover's quarrel," I commented, and then I sip on my orange juice.
"Nasaan kaya si Thrill? Lagi nalang siyang MIA may nakakamiss tuloy sa kanya." naghalak-hakan naman sila na tila wala ng bukas nang masamid ako sa kinakain ko, the hell! "What?!" I raised my eyebrow. Lahat sila ay nakatingin sa akin. Nang mapansin naman nilang nawala ako sa mood, si Kamil naman ang pinagbalingan nila ng asar.
'It wasn't my intent to ruin the moment, okay?'
"Guys! Fix yourselves, Headmistress Loofrick, incoming." seryosong utos sa amin ni Kamil, while trying to smoothened her blouse and cardigan habang ang iba naman ay natawa sa naging asal ni Kamil including me.
"Ms. Griffin and Ms. Mikaelson, follow me, now!" she demanded, unfortunately, my smile was replaced by a mixed up reaction because based on her tone, she's angry at us? Ano na naman ba 'to? Tch. "Any idea?" Thalia whispered on my side. "Nope, not at all," I murmured. We followed her.
Sr. Imelda Loofrick, the terror Headmistress of Wealthy Class. Something's not right, swear!
"Proceed."
The moment we entered the Detention Hall, we saw a blondie little devil smirking right at us, and a beast without emotion, what the hell is he doing here?
"Do you have any idea, kung bakit kayo nandito?" Headmaster Luke commenced. "Yes," I answered in a straight-forward manner, ng hindi inaalis ang tingin kay Amanda. "She started it." Thalia defended. "It doesn't matter who started it, the thing that matters right now is you both clearly disobeyed the school policies!" he slammed his right hand on the table. "What the hell?!" I unbelievingly reacted.
"My advisory class confessed that you had her compelled, and then someone punched her stomach, so disgraceful!" Headmistress Loofrick declared. "Did she confessed to you as well that she harmed us first?" I sarcastically opposed. "There's no need, just look at the picture, you both possessed ability and she's just a normal kid. You should both learn the proper attitude training." Headmistress stated.
Seryoso lang silang nakatingin sa akin including Thrill's gaze, wala kang mababasang kahit anong reaction mula sa kanya, pero mas pinili kong wag itong pansinin dahil alam kong may hindi tama sa nangyayari ngayon. "Really? Headmistress? You should also learn how to conduct your knowledge about that proper attitude training you are trying to articulate, and then teach your students especially Amanda, dahil sa tingin ko wala siya nito," I throw a glance over Amanda, "and before you construct criticism you should also be a good example because looks like you aren't capable of doing it." I declared, her mouth gaped.
"See? Look how immoral she is?!" nakikita kong napipikon na si Headmistress, she was about to hit me but I stopped her by using my words. "See, also? Words over action, I hope you're going to use this as a lesson, there are words that are more painful than action, hurting me may leave a mark, but hitting someone's ego can last a long while. You'll be triggered when you know to yourself that, what I am trying to prove here is true." I stated. Napapahiya niyang ibinaba ang kanyang kanang kamay.
"I will accept my consequences including Thalia's so that your ego wouldn't hurt that bad," I spoke out while my hands remained at my sides. "What an insolent!" she commented.
"By keeping yourself quiet, you are exempted to perform the major consequences Ms. Mikaelson." Headmaster Luke declared. I breathe in relief.
"And as for you, Ms. Griffin. You are performing the major consequences." Headmaster Luke demanded. I just gave them a bored response, what's new? I transfer my gaze to Amanda, she's smiling like a creepy psycho killer, as if she looks cute, she actually looks stupid.
"Mr. Mikaelson, I'm gonna give you all the rights to decide kung ano ang magiging parusa niya." Headmaster Luke said while fixing himself at tuluyan na silang umalis ng Detention Hall. "The aftermath of conveying your opinions to that kind of people," he put his feet up on the table. "Are you going to scold me on how the right way to behave? I'm already fed up hearing irrational insight," I folded my arms. "Where's my punishment?" I added.
"You should be careful asking a punishment from me," he stated with a meaningful look. I replied to him with a bitter laugh. "So this is my punishment, staying here with the last person I wanna be with, very nice, cause they had a good definition of punishment," I said out of my frustration. "Everything in here can punish you, but I can do the favor." he leaned back in his chair. "Talking to you is already a version of punishment to me, Thrill," I called him by his name, kakaiba pala ang outcome lalo na kapag nandito mismo ang taong iyon.
"Punishing you won't shut your mouth, furthermore I can't just sit by and do nothing but stare, while you are suffering. I'll just leave you here, go to the field by 4:00 pm the training will be held there," he stands up and then he gave a dismissive wave of his hand.
My mouth gaped.
'I can't just sit by and do nothing but stare, while you are suffering.'
~~~
"Honestly, sis, hindi ka mukhang pinarusahan," Lana affirmed. "She actually looks, disturbed haha." Kamil cuts in. "What have you been doing?" Kamil added. "I was just sitting there for hours, their version of detention does not seem so scary, I can consider that place as my quiet space," I answered.
"Move."
Nang makumpleto kami, nagsimula ng magtawag si Master Froyle. Napapansin ko rin na parami nang parami ang mga tao sa paligid.
"The last year's Prime Battlers' of Brookshire are here to give you your training for two days." Master Froyle, commenced. "No way!" I heard Thalia cursed on my side. "They are cheaters!" Kamil commented.
"But sadly, they are only seven today, their captain will be arriving sooner." Master Froyle, continued. "Meet, Callie Thompson their protector. Rovil Cleaton the deceiver. Fleur McCain their healer. Von Paior their main defense. Jimx Lux the team's main offense. Robi Lewis their vision. Quirine Servantes the manipulator." Master Froyle, declared.
"Unfair! May vision sila." Zariah hollered.
"Seven sila, eight tayo." Filch, hinted.
"For now, but we are all aware that winning this game is not about quantity, Filch." Thalia groaned.
"I already give the instructions and info about your Team, Mr. Mikaelson, we will be waiting until you finish your views and strategies." Master Froyle, announced. "What?! So nakapaghanda na sila ng mas maaga?!" Kamil gesticulated.
"So, what's our main strategy?" Ash, proceeded.
I'm partially giving my attention to them, pero hindi mawala sa isip ko ang presence nila, they won the last Tournament. The pressure is in our hands now.
"We should keep our guards alerted. I'll be targeting their team's manipulator." Thrill suggested I guess he was referring to Quirine. I'm just listening to them, without flickering my gaze unto the previous team specifically Quirine, her eyes are browsing my entire existence just to make sure I'm the one she'll be targeting later on.
'well, good luck with that.'
"Zariah, keep an eye on their deceiver." Thrill assigned. "I'll go with that red-haired kid, named Callie," Ash suggested, "You're really into targeting women, huh." Zariah disapproved. "Don't worry sweetie, you have my heart, don't be jealous." Ash, uttered. We laugh, we're just taken by the moment, lahat ng tao sa paligid ay napatingin sa naging asal namin.
Kung titingnan mula sa malayo, hindi bakas sa aming mukha ang takot o pressure.
'that's what I admired about my team.'
"That Jimx Lux, he'll be in my hands now." Kamil asserted, habang nagtatagal nakikitaan ko ng kakaibang personalidad ang bawat isa sa kanila. Nagiging iba sila kapag pumapasok na sa picture ang pakikipaglaban. Pero alam ko bukod sa strong and dangerous aura nila, their kindness is still there. Settled and pure.
"Filch, you'll be with that Von Paior." Thalia declared. "Yes, madame." Filch agreed.
"Lana, keep an eye on their vision, whatever happens, you need to keep yourself cloaked and protected, the rest it's on you. Cause I'll be targeting that Fleur." Thalia declared.
"Even if we are assigned to an opponent, it doesn't mean we don't mind the others' we must keep an eye on the others also." Thrill opinionated. "And Lori-"
"I know what I have to do," I cut in.
We formed a row facing our opponents'.
"Seems like, you're ready. The training will be held inside the Maze Forest." Master Froyle declared. Nakita ko namang nag high-five si Quirine at Fleur.
"Let's give them the dosage of their own medicine. Cause right at this moment, we are against them." Thalia declared.
Walang takot na makikita sa pagitan ng dalawang grupo, tanging pag ihip lang ng hangin at bulungan ang maririnig sa buong paligid. Kung noon takot ang namumuno sa grupo ng malaman na sa Maze Forest gaganapin ang pagsasanay ngayon tila isa nalang itong simpleng salita at kautusan.
We entered the forest.
Halos lahat kami ay nakipagunahang tumakbo papasok nang kakahuyan.
"Damn!"
I hid at the nearest tree.
I saw that brown-haired girl Fleur, she got herself stumbled in a trap.
I saw Thalia, I think she's calculating Fleur's motion. She didn't saw me, she's too focused on Fleur, unfortunately, Fleur got alarmed when she saw Thalia was about to hit her.
I engage myself in their fight.
"Don't move." Itinutok ko kay Fleur ang isang trailing-point curved dagger, kung hindi ko isinali ang sarili ko maaaring naunahan na ni Fleur si Thalia.
"Let the girls do their part." I saw a spey blade aiming at my neck.
Quirine.
"Well, she's in my team, I wouldn't let anyone took advantage and kill her." I asserted. "What about grab this opportunity and try to kill me, so that I'll have my chance of killing you also, It's okay to suffer as long as I kill the big fish of this game." she declared and then she removed the dagger from my neck.
Napansin kong, nagsimula ng makipaglaban si Thalia kay Fleur. Thalia's really good at fighting I can't say any flaw, mula sa direksyon namin palayo na sila ng palayo.
I transferred my gaze to Quirine.
She's heading to my standpoint.
I didn't move, I just watched her.
"You can't kill me if I'm the one who kills you first." I hissed.
"Oh? Then they will." She commented. "How's the letter? Dear." She added I got alarmed the moment she triggered my curiosity.
"Hindi kaba natatakot, na palaging may nakatingin sayo?" she shoved my hair away from my face. "Surviving the poison is quite extraordinary." she leaned against my back.
I grabbed the opportunity when she was facing at my back, I forcibly grab her left hand at kinuha mula doon ang dagger na hawak niya, at sabay kong itinutok ang dalawang dagger na hawak ko sa kanyang leeg.
"Go on kill me." she laughs.
"That would be an easy punishment if I kill you right away. Tell me, anong kinalaman mo sa mga sulat na iyon," I saw a small cut on her neck, caused by my raging force. "Who the hell are you?! What's your fucking agenda?!" I gave emphasis.
"Nope, not me. So the rumor has it, you're strong," she responded. "So you know?!" Isang maling galaw nalang mapapatay ko na siya still, I'm not planning on killing her.
"Lori." that voice.
The rage was slowly draining.
"Oh, Thrill." Quirine reacted. "Thanks for saving me from an absurd drama," Quirine added. "We are not going to kill them, that's enough," he stated.
"You have no control over me," I stated.
"You sure? Because the moment he arrived you're losing your rage, bad for you, weaknesses won't make you win." Quirine declared. "You do not know the value of weakness in a fight," I responded.
"Lo-"
"Can't you see Thrill?! Hindi lang sila nandito para sa training, may iba pa silang pakay!" I gesticulated. "Look closely at what's really going on, Thrill," I stated.
I dropped the two daggers down.
I left them, this training wouldn't do any better. I walk straight leaving them behind, natatanaw ko na mula sa bukana ng kakahuyan ang mga taong naghihintay ng resulta mula sa training na ginaganap ngayon, resultang makakapag-palugod ng kanilang mata at kalooban. Sugat, luha, at kamatayan, mga pangyayari na kanilang ikasisiya samantalang kami... sawang-sawa ng makipaglaban. Tila isa kaming tau-tauhan na kailangang sumunod sa kanilang mga kautusan.
Kunot ng noo ang natanaw ko mula sa aming Headmaster at walang reaksiyon naman ang makikita kay Master Froyle.
May nakita rin akong bagong mukha mula sa aking paglalakad, tila hindi siya taga dito dahil ngayon ko lang siya nakita.
Nilagpasan ko na lamang sila.
Pinili kong bumalik sa lugar kung saan itinuring ko ng 'quiet space' mag mula kanina. I saw a 'katana' nearby the frame attached on the wall, kinuha ko ito at hinawakan ng mahigpit with a strong desire na isaksak ito sa kay Quirine, sa galit ko dinampot ko na lamang ang isang magarang vase at inihagis sa isang blankong pader.
Anong kinalaman mo, Quirine?!
"Throwing fancy things won't help."
In a blink of an eye, inilapat ko ang katanang hawak ko sa leeg ng taong hindi ko kilala at ngayon ko lang nakita.
"Who are you?" I questioned, he was the guy I saw earlier when I was leaving the forest.
"Whoa, easy on that, aren't your parents told you that it's forbidden to play with sharp things?" he responded. "My parents were the one who introduced this kind of things to me, idiot," I affirmed.
"Benedict Hendrix." he introduced himself.
Another annoying Hendrix.
I removed the blade away from his neck.
"What do you want? Kapag hindi valid ang rason mo umalis kana." I interrogated.
"I'm here to meet the notorious daughter of Landon Griffin," he replied, I wrinkled my forehead. "I guess Callum's right you had this attitude of pushing unknown people away," he added.
"How on earth do you know so much about me?!" I spat out. "Hmm, you're Dad's really good at fighting and you're his daughter, that's it." ramdam kong may mali, nililihis ako ng isang 'to. "Is that so." I flowed with his falsehood. "Just a friendly reminder, mag-ingat ka sa bawat Hendrix na makakasalamuha mo. Maybe my sister's kinda stupid but you know nothing about what she's capable of, and stay away from Callum," he demanded.
Callum? The guy I met before.
"Did it ever occur to you that you are talking to a Griffin? You know nothing about what curse we can give to anyone as well." I boasted out, yabang niya eh. "We knew things that you didn't know about your clan, all I can say is just watch your back," he suggested.
"I don't need cautions," I stated.
Thalia's right The ABC's of Hendrix exists.