Heart in Sacrifice

When I woke up, I started to do my rituals. I received a wake-up call from Queen of Hearts and she told me that Headmistress Pearl will be waiting for my arrival in the SS office. At first, I was curious why Head Pearl is having a wake-up call for me, then I remembered the reason why.

I guess she'll be going to test if I did practice and memorize the spells from the spellbook.

After I took a bath, I wore our school uniform and topped it with our SS coat. I fixed my hair and fixed my room before I stepped out of the room. I am holding the spellbook that Principal Spencer gave to me.

After I read and analyzed The Good and Bad Man entry last night before I went to bed, I somehow feel bad because I'm slowly doubting Principal Spencer.

I have known him as a good Principal since I stayed in Blanche and I can't just believe what I just read. I also can't say that Axl Ancient is lying because once and foremost, He's just a kid when he wrote that entry.

Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at naglakad sa hallway. Nakita kong naglalakad papunta sa direksyon ko si Oishi kaya binilisan ko ang aking paglalakad para makalayo sa kanya. Hindi niya ako pwedeng maabutan kasi alam kong maraming tanong ang bumabagabag sa kanya ngayon. Hindi lang sa kanya, Pati rin kay Victor at Walter.

But I can entertain their questions, but not right now. Masyadong delikado para sa kanila. Narinig kong tinatawag niya ang pangalan ko pero hindi ko siya nilingon. Nakarinig din ako ng mga yabag ng paa sa akin likuran at alam ko na kung kanino ang mga 'yon.

I heard Victor, and Walter's voices from afar, and I can overhear their conversation. Tinanong nila si Oishi kung ano ang nangyayari at bakit hindi ko sila pinapansin but then, Rick Mal came in.

I heard him say that "She's on a great mission and having a conversation with any of us might distract her. If you wanted to show your support for her, I advise you to just support her discreetly." Sabi ni Rick na nakapag pa tahimik kay, Walter. Thank's Rick.

"Is it a serious mission? What is it?" I got chills when I heard the voice, Victor. He seemed so puzzled. "You might not want to know it, Mr. Rough. She's not going alone and she's in good hands." Good hands? With the Bad Man? Spencer King Ancient? I heave a sigh before I continue walking heading to the office.

When I arrive at the SS office. I closed the door quietly and greeted Headmistress Pearl. She pointed to the chair beside her asking me to sit on it, which I did. "Did you have practice last night?" She said with her charming voice. "I do, but not all of it. " I answered.

I'm not confident with the spells I learned last night. When I tried to focus, either the entry about Mr. Arson or the entry about Emerita or the entry about Principal King and Spencer troubled me. I can't memorize and there's only one spell that keeps my confident self awake. Only that spell.

"That's great! You still had 6 days to prepare though. Don't be too hard on yourself." She said, Actually, the monologue I did yesterday helps me not to be too hard on myself. When I try to overthink or think a lot, I always do a monologue and it helps.

To see thoroughly, Head Pearl looks harder than me. She had a large eye bag underneath her eyes and her hair was still in a messy bun. Not her style at all. The headmistress is the kind of person who takes good care of her physical appearance no matter how busy she is.

There'll be no way she won't be wearing lipstick or blush on, because according to her.

Makeup can make up the dead. No sense at all but I don't have any intention to ruin her so-called make-up 'quote' After all, we didn't contradict it though.

"5 minutes and Principal Spencer will arrive here. He said he'll be delivering an important announcement." She said, I frowned my brows. Ano na naman kaya 'yon?

"Ano pong announcement?" I asked. Tumingin sa akin si Headmistress at umiling.

"I don't have any idea either. But, I think, it's about the Manyeo's again." Napatango nalang ako at ngumiti. Nag-intay pa kami ni Headmistress ng ilang minuto pero ni-anino ni Principal Spencer ay hindi namin nakita. Tumingin siya sa relos niya atsaka napabuntong hininga.

Nagsi-pasok na din si Rick at Keith para kunin ang mga gamit nila. Keith gave me a cheer up smile to I smiled back hanggang naisipan na din nilang umalis. "Hazel, Let's go." Napatingin ako sa gawi ni Head Pearl nang hawalan niya ang pulso ko at hinila ako patayo sa upuan ko. Wala na rin akong nagawa kundi ang sumunod sa kanya.

We walk to the hallway passing by every classroom. Napatingin ako sa classroom namin and turn my head away, kasi biglang lumingon si Victor kung nasaan kami.

Napakunot noo ako kasi ang buong akala ko ay diretso kami sa office, pero, hindi 'yon ang nangyari. Hawak-hawak ni Head Pearl ang pulso ko habang naglalakad kami pababa sa school, papunta sa seven stones kung saan ako tumatambay pag hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko. Ano kaya ang gagawin namin dito? Practice? Pwede.

The sky is gray as usual pero may nakikita akong mga ibon na nagliliparan sa kalangitan. "Let's have some practice. Show me what you learn last night and I'll help you." Tumango ako at kinuha ang spellbook na nasa bulsa ng coat ko atsaka hinanap ang listahan ng spells na ginamit ko kahapon.

Ironic that a person like me who has a retentive memory can't recall the spells. The spell that I used last night. Like, I legit got distracted and this is the outcome! "Talerete." Bulong ko habang winawasiwasiwas ang aking wand sa hangin at tinutok ang tip nito sa aking bracelet.

"You said it wrong," I stopped and tilted my head to Head Pearl. "It's Taleraete, not Talerete. Do it again." I swallowed the lump in my throat as I nodded my head.

"Also, take a deep breath and close your eyes. You are shaking. Calm down." Napanguso ako kasi hinawakan ni Head Pearl ang nanginginig kong kamay atsaka ngumiti sa akin.

This is not so, me. Nasaan na ang confidence ko? Dati naman ay confident ako sa mga spells na ginagamit ko, pero ngayon, nagsisimula na akong manginig at hindi ko alam kung bakit.

Katulad ng sinabi ni Head Pearl, Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko at huminga ng malalim. "Taleraete." Bulong ko at binuksan ang mga mata ko. When my pearl creates a small light, ini-angat ko ang tingin ko kay Head Pearl and I saw her smile because of what she witnessed.

"See? You just need to take a deep breath and always wear your confidence." I nodded my head once again. My eyes followed her when she started casting spells as a lot of things appeared in front of me. She told me to turn them into pearls, so I took the spellbook again to look for the spell and cast it right away.

We are practicing under the good weather when a shadow of two men hovers over us. Sabay kaming nag-angat ng tingin sa mga may-ari nito and I also lost my balance when we saw their face. It's Principal Spencer and Principal King. Without Principal King's tag on his coat, It's hard to know who's who because they are so identical.

"Practicing?" They asked. Head Pearl nodded her head as she continued casting the things that appeared in front of me. "You two will be flying to Homan next week. The Manyeo's are attacking there again, and I want you two to stop the battle right there and then." Principal Spencer said.

"Isn't that too risky? We can lose our life in the middle of the battle kung susugod kami doon basta-basta. '' Head Pearl replied. "Well, in that case, it's better if you fought with them safely, and then if something happens, that won't be charged with the school. This is a compulsory battle with the two of you." Principal Spencer answered that makes me frowned my brows.

So if we die there, they don't care about us? I don't understand the point. If they wanted us to go to Homan and then fought with the witches' spirits, what they were supposed to do is come with us and fought with us! This makes me want to cast a spell for myself to go back to the mortal world rather than staying here with insensitive wizards.

"Spencer, that's not what we talked about." I just mentally roll my eyes. I suddenly recalled the entry. Is Spencer King Ancient a bad person? I hope that it's just a misinterpretation of his actions. I hope that what I see now, what I heard. Is just a joke. Please.

"I'm sorry for his inappropriate words, what he means is that what will happen to the battle won't carry a grudge in the name of Rogue College. We wished you nothing but to be safe there and we'll be sending groots. Thus, your safety matters more. We can't afford to lose a great teacher and an excellent student." Principal King cleared up.

Hinawakan ni Head Pearl ang braso ko atsaka ako hinila papalapit sa Kanya. "I'm sorry to disappoint the two of you, but, We can't sacrifice ourselves to a match when we know we'll lose in the end. Worse comes to worse if we are the ones who'll add fuel to the fire." Nagpalitan ng tingin si Principal King at Principal Spencer.

Principal Spencer massages his temples. "Look here, Pearl. The Parallel World is in danger and if we put a comma rather than a period, then, the Manyeo's will be causing more trouble. More than what we expected." He clicked his fingers and footage of the Homan attack appeared.

"This is the dilemma that Homan is facing right now. If we won't move quickly, they'll go back to Downtown after attacking Homan and another risk and loss to happen. Remember that it's been days when Downtown feels at peace after the battle. Then they'll be facing another disaster. Don't you feel sorry? " Principal Spencer said. My lips parted a bit after I heard what he said. Psh. Manipulated voice again.

But, he has a point. If we won't move now, then when? The Manyeo's don't sleep nor take a rest. Just like what I overheard yesterday, Manyeo now has the power to possess weak immortals and mortals.

There's a lot of immortals in Homan as it's a village for ordinary homies. I heard, they had elf farmers there and they provide the food that fairies eat. The foods that were sold Downtown were made by them too. It is indeed risky.

"But....." Before Head Pearl finished her sentence a lot of students were now anticipating in a circle. They are murmuring and discussing at the same time. I can barely hear them. They are talking about what Principal Spencer said and their opinions too.

I heard some agreed that I and Head Pearl should go and compete with the Manyeo's to end the dark days, and some didn't. For them, it's still too risky and we can't lose our life right there too, and no one can help us even though the groots are there because this battle was meant for the two of us. The same comment that I heard from Head Pearl.

I tilt my head and the moment I did it, I saw Victor with Walter, Rick, Oishi, and Keith. They threw anxious glances at me, I smiled a bit. They shake their heads excluding Victor and Keith. They just look directly in my eyes which makes me gulp. I know those stares. I can read that they don't want me to go alone and let them come with me.

Napabuntong hininga nalang ako atsaka ibinaling ang tingin ko kay Principal Spencer. "Okay, do or die," I said and smiled afterward. I know I'll regret this decision, but if this makes Parallel World at peace, then I can't do anything but rely on my skills.

"Hazel!" I bit my lower lip when I heard Victor's warning voice that gives shivers down my spine. "Insan..." I blink the led of my eye and smile at Oishi.

"Hindi pwede! Dapat kasama kami!" Singit ni Walter. "Indeed. They can't do it. They need some back-up. Manyeo's are still stronger than them, Principal. You know that." Napatingin ako kay Rick when he insisted to go beside, Head Pearl. "We all know that. It took a year before ''Winter and Snow Tale caused an end to them." Dagdag ni Rick. My eyes darted to Victor when he also insisted on approaching us.

"I think it is better if we wait until the Manyeo's will attack Rogue College after Downtown. Principal King, you know what to do right?" I nudged my elbow to Victor but he didn't move an inch and continued speaking. What are they trying to do? I already made up my decision. "I'm sorry but the decision has been made, Mr. Rough."

"Bullshit." I blink my eyes and pinch his arm. Tinapunan niya ako ng tingin at napabuntong hininga. "I can't afford to lose another friend. I'll be there. I promise." He mouthed and thank God, I can read his lips and it lightens me up.

Principal King and Principal Spencer escorted my two friends to go back to their place. "Let's watch their practice. The pearl and The mortal." They announced before they cast a bubble around the seven stones "abulinhaibu".

I study this bubble. You are only allowed to cast the bubble spell if there's an urgent matter. Most people in Downtown used this spell to avoid the smelling effect of every immortal.

Some of them used the bubble to avoid contact with other immortals, especially if they had a meal or eating party. In short, it has something to do about covering an anonymous smell, either it is the smell of the scepter, the smell of the food, power, and energy.

I can hear the students gasp because of the bubble and some even touched it. Curious if it pops.

"Are you sure about your decision?" Napalingon ako kay Head Pearl at huminga ng malalim. "I've never been sure, Headmistress. But if this sacrifice would produce delicious fruit, I am willing to sacrifice myself." I smiled softly.

"I mean, I would also do the same. No sacrifice, no victory." She stated. Indeed.

I hope these students, one day, they'll understand all the sacrifices that we gladly made out of love and care for them. That instead of hating us for our choices, they'll understand that what we did not do is not for a show, but to protect them from harm.

A day before, I swore to myself to not make sacrifices cause it's lame. I swallow my own words cause later, I'll be hitting it.

Binigyan kami ng senyales ni Principal King at Principal Spencer na pwede na kaming magsimula. Unang nag-cast ng spell si Head Pearl at ginawang pearl ang ballpen na ginawa niya kanina. "Taleraete." I cast as the pearl creates a light.

"Good job." Head Pearl approved. Napangiti naman ako. Everyone inside the bubble is covering their eyes because of the light while I and Head Pearl are emerging our wand to create more light just to see if it's enough to cast away the spirits.

"show one's face, come on the scene" I put down my wand when I heard a whisper coming from someone. Tumingala ako dahil biglang dumilim sa loob ng bula. Iginala ko ang mga mata ko sa paligid at agad na nanlaki ang mga mata ng makakita ako ng mga itim na anino na nagliliparan sa ere. Ano 'to?

"Hazel!" I snapped back to reality when someone yelled my name. Pati si Head Pearl ay nabigla din sa nangyari. "Abarakadabara!" I yell. I cast my Bow and Arrow as I ran to the first rock to put in place my arrow.

Hindi na ako nag stru-struggle sa pag-aayos nito ngayon. Mabilis akong natuto nung tinuruan ako ni Walter kung paano ko ilalagay ang arrow sa likuran ko. "You okay?" Tanong ni Head Pearl sa akin. She's hiding behind the second rock.

"Oo, po." I answer. She's pointing the tip of her wand towards the spirits and I watch how she hit multiple spirits in a blink of an eye. "Taleraete." I whispered to the tip of each of my arrows and composed myself before I start hitting the spirits.

The good thing here is that my arrow didn't bounce in the bubble. We started to run around the seven stones while we were shooting the spirits.

Napatigil ako sa pagtakbo nang makita ko si Principal Spencer na nakangiti at mukhang nage-enjoy sa pinapanuod niya. Napakunot noo ako atsaka ibinaba ang pana ko at huminga ng malalim.

Nadako ang tingin ko sa forefinger niya na winawasiwas niya sa hangin. "These are fake. Calm down, Hazel. " I tilt my head to Head Pearl and nod my head as I try to disregard what I just saw and focus on shooting the spirits.

Some of the spirits are flying towards me and some are just flying in the air. "Taleraete!" Paulit-ulit na sigaw ni Head Pearl habang tumatakbo. Ako naman ay tumatakbo sa pitong bato at pinapana ang mga espirito na sumalubong sa akin at umaatake kay Head Pearl. Sa tuwing tumitingin ako sa mga mata ng anino ay parati kong nakikita na nag-iilaw ito.

I'm hiding behind the seventh rock when I heard a familiar voice echoing in my head. My dad. "Hazel... come with me" No. No this can't be. I am getting manipulated again. Napahawak ako sa ulo ko at napapikit. My chest is aching again and I can feel it getting crumpled.

"Hazel, hold my hand" Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko at napaluhod sa lupa. I can't hear anything aside from my father's voice. Hinihili ako nito pag idlip pero sa tuwing ipinipikit ko ang aking mga mata, maitim na usok ang aking nakikita. Kusang binitawan ng kamay ko ang pana ko atsaka ko namalayan na napa-higa na ako sa lupa.

I can feel two palms tapping my cheeks and as I open my eyes, I see Walter tapping my cheeks continuously. He is saying something that I can't hear at all. "Hazel! Don't disappoint me!" As the voice starts to get wild, my chest is palpitating so fast. The same pain that I felt yesterday. Principal King and Principal Spencer also rushed towards me and started mouthing.

Napahawak ako sa braso ni Victor dahil sumakit na naman ang dibdib ko. "Don't disappoint me, Hazel. A mharu!" I close my eyes to take a deep breath but they just held me tight, pinching my eye folds so I ended up not closing my eyes. I can't say a word. Para bang umatras ang mga dila ko at hindi ako makapagsalita.

The moment I tilted my head up, my eyes widened when I saw a lot of spirits floating in the air. I screamed at the top of my lungs when I felt a pain hovering over my body the moment Principal King placed his palm in my chest. My eyes roam around the place while Rick, Keith, Walter are pushing the students away to help me breathe from suffocation.

I groan when I can slowly hear their conversation "Fucking disappointment!" I heard from my dad's voice.

"Someone is manipulating her body, Call Z." Tumango si Oishi at tumakbo paalis sa bola. Napatingala ako kay Victor na inambahan ako ng yakap bago pa nila makita ang helpless side ko.