A Mharú

Nothing feels weirder having a cup of tea with my mortal enemy, Hideux. I've been sipping my hot tea since we decided to have a proper conversation and it probably would end into a bloody one. My colleagues are behind me, behind Hideux is Principal King, Mr. Arson, and Sir Jielo.

"So what do you want to know?" The male asked after he took a sip of his tea.

"Everything."

"From the very beginning?"

"Obviously," I answer without letting him finish even one sentence.

He crosses his legs, leaning on his chair, with the use of his powerful hands, he can move the teacups around and even take a sip on them. I'm amazed because of how powerful he is but that didn't move an inch of me.

I have successfully tasted death and was brought back to life just like him.

"Axl Ancient, he is really the original offering." He stated, taking a sip of his coffee again. "But you came back, I already spared your life by asking my left hand, King, to give you a vacation but you came back!" Smiling Hideux showed me his long fingers and I just stared at it.

"Then change of plans. I have already forgiven your parents since they are now dead, but you showed up. Tsk tsk," I smiled. "Because my friends matter to me. Wala ka bang kaibigan kaya hindi mo yan alam?" I took the handle of my teacup, after stirring it and took a sip.

"Oh, right. Wala nga pala. Look at you, surrounded with losers"

Napinmintig ang tenga ni Mr Arson sa sinabi ko pero mabilis pas isang segundo ang gumalaw nii Keith at sinakal si Mr Arson. "Keith," Tumingin sa gawi ko si Keith bago niya tiningnan ng masama ang kanyang ama at bumalik sa likuran ko.

"You have a strong bond of friendship huh?" Hideux said in surprise. "That's what we do. To protect each other. Baka hindi mo alam, one of your trusted people is sneaking to stab you from the back" I shrugged my shoulders, finishing my cup of tea.

Mukhang naasar ko ata si Hideux dahil sa sinagot ko kaya inubos niya ang tsa-a niya and I smirked when he struggled from breathing, placing his hands on his neck.

I use Z's technique just right now.

When he asked me for a cup of tea, I insisted on preparing it for him as he is our guest, and Hideux, the good wizard, trusted me. I secretly poured Z's potion on his drink para hindi niya ako pagdudahan and we started talking.

"Potion!" Sir Jielo said at tiningnan ako ng masama. They are now standing from their seats looking at me furiously.

Loud screams are what we heard outside the castle at naging hudyat yon para magsimula ang gulo. Inilabas ko ang wand ko para ambahan si Hideux na naghihingalo. He is staring right into my eyes while I'm smiling ear to ear.

"Deja vu?" I asked.

"Kami na bahala rito!" I heard Rick's voice while they were fighting with Hideux's trusted men. "I told you diba? one of your trusted men stabbed you from the back and that's me." He mumbled words and I read them as

A Mharu.

"You will never live again, Hideux." I placed the tip of my wand on his neck, pulling his hair but he is damn a good shapeshifter and now he transformed into my dad's face.

Huwag kang magpapaloko, Hazel! He is Hideux, Hindi mo siya tatay!

"Anak..."

"My father is dead!" My wand created a bright light as I placed it on his chest.

"AHHH!" He screams at the top of his lungs but it doesn't satisfy me. I WANT HIM DEAD!

***

Kinuha ako ni Destiny pagkatapos kong kitilin ang buhay ni Hideux, I did what I planned to do and that is to burn him into ashes. "Let's go." Destiny nodded her head.

Umiwas kami sa gulo na nangyayari between Wizard's, Manyeo's, and Hideux trusted people. Destiny gilded her body down and every time we encounter a Manyeo, I summoned my bow and arrow at pinagtitira ang mga iyon.

I just realized, Warren is from Victor's group, Victor's group is good at manipulating people. So It's right, Oishi is right na ang nagmamanipulate sa akin ay galing sa grupo ni Victor. And It's Warren.

Now that Hideux is dead, wala na akong naririnig na mga kung ano ano. I got focused now on killing them on sight.

Tumapak si Destiny sa tubig at umungol. Later than that, we heard mermaid whispers appearing from the deepest part of the water to the surface. Ibinigay ko sa mga serena ang jar kung nasaan ang abo ni Hideux.

"Kami na bahala, ilalagay namin ito sa pinakailalim na parte ng dagat at kung gusto mo ay pwede namin itong ipakain sa aming alaga." I nodded my head.

"For as long as maiipos ang abo, it'll be good."

"Opo, mahal na prinsesa" Lumangoy na sila pailalim ng dagat kaya umayos na ako ng upo at nireload ang pana ko. "Let's go, Destiny." Lumipad na naman si Destiny kaya inihanda ko na ang pana ko.

I keep on hitting those Manyeo's who chooses to tail us. Mabuti nalang din at magaling umilag si Destiny kaya natatamaan ko yung mga Manyeo.

Napakapit ako sa leeg ni Destiny nang bumaba siya galing sa kalangitan at lumipad papunta doon sa mga batuhan.

I summon another batch of arrows and continue on hitting the Spirits. Tuwing natatamaan ko sila, they created a bright light kaya napapatakip ako sa mata ko. I turned my head and my eyes grew wide dahil pasikip na ng pasikip ang dinadaanan namin.

"Destiny, are you okay?" The griffin nodded so I placed my bow and arrow on my back hugging Destiny's neck tightly. Naipikit ko ang dalawang mata ko dahil lumipad si Destiny paitaas and all I just feel is the cold breeze of air.

I opened my eyes at nakalipad na ulit ng matulin si Destiny with no sign of Manyeo's following us. "Good, Girl." I tapped Destiny's shoulder.

Dumiretso kami pauwi sa Ancient Palace and when we arrive there, syempre hindi lang ako ang nakasakay sa griffin ngayon at inatake ang mga Manyeo. Rick too is riding on his griffin named Jin, Victor is riding Keith, Walter, and Oishi is the one who fought with the other Manyeo's.

Kinuha ko ang pana sa likuran ko at sinimulang targetin ang mga Manyeo na nagtangkang lumapit kay Oishi. Not just one, but three arrows ang kinuha ko but make sure to hit different directions.

Some of the creatures from Downtown ay nandito na rin sa Ancient Palace as they help us eliminate the Manyeo's.

Napatingin ako sa direksyon nila Lolo, with Principal Spencer. Nakipag laban sila kela Principal King kaya tumingin ako sa gawi ni Rick at tumango. "Let's go down" Tumango si Destiny sa sinabi ko atsaka siya lumipad pababa galing sa itaas.

Tumalon ako pababa kay Destiny at kinuha ang wand ko. Tumabi ako kay Principal Spencer at tinutok ang wand ko kay Principal King. Inalalayan muna ni Rick si Lolo na makalayo bago siya lumapit at itinutok ang wand niya sa direksyon ni Mr. Arson, while Principal Spencer is pointing his wand at Sir Jielo.

"Congratulations, Hazel. You just killed the Echelon." Principal King said, clapping his hand. "But you think it's over?" My eyes keep on staring at him and I can't look away because he is piercing his eyes in my direction.

"No. Because buhay pa kayo." They hissed dahil sa sunog na nangyayari ngayon sa kagubatan.

Tinakpan nila ang mga mukha nila dahil sa sunog. Mr. Arson is curling up his body hissing which gives me an idea of what their weakness is.

Something bright. Like the power my wand produces.

Tumingin ako sa direksyon ni Principal Spencer and groans when something hit me. Napahiga ako sa sahig dahil sa sakit ng dibdib ko at tumingin sa gawi ni Principal King. Kinuha ko ang wand ko atsaka ko iyon itinutok sa direksyon niya.

"Taleraete" I mumbled pointing the tip of my wand in his direction pero mabilis si Principal King kaya nakuha niyang abangan ang pwersa ko.

I stood up from laying on the ground and continued pointing my wand power against his power.

Pati si Principal Spencer ay nakipag pwersahan kay Sir Jielo pero halata naman na mananalo siya against Sir Jielo dahil una't unang palang, malakas si Principal Spencer. Malabong matalo siya ni Sir Jielo same goes with me.

I'm not sure if I'll win against Principal King because he is like Principal Spencer. He is quite strong.

I maintained my eye contact with him and he just gives me a smile. "Siguro nga ay nautakan mo si Hideux, but today is your final day, Hazel Gamalo!" Principal King said giving all his best kaya napaatras ako at hinawakan ng mahigpit ang wand ko.

I should win! "Kung nautakan ko siya, mauutakan din kita!" I answered by giving my whole best.

The bright yellow light my wand produces slowly becomes white as my pearl starts to brighten up again and It helps me para mapatumba ko si Principal King.

My force and my pearl's power weren't enough to knock out, Principal King and I keep on groaning dahil sa lakas ng kanya. "HAZEL!" My face brightens dahil lumapit sa akin si Victor kasama si Oishi.

"We will die as one, Hazel." Bulong ni Victor sa akin.

Inilabas nila ang wand nila as we collided para matalo ang lakas ni Principal King. Napa-atras si Principal King dahil sa force ng kay Victor. He is a brown group President for nothing.

I heard a loud thump coming from my side kaya doon napunta ang tingin ko.

"Principal Spencer!"

"I'm fine!"

A howl coming from the forest surrounded us. Pati si Mr Arson ay nabigla when a bunch of wolves appears to have a fight with him. I watched how Keith transformed from a Werewolf into a mortal again.

Pinanuod niya ang tatay niya habang pinagtutulungan ng mga kasamahan niya. Napapaiwas na lang siya ng tingin at kinuha ang wand niya para tulungan si Rick na tumayo galing sa pagkakahiga sa sahig dahil impact ng ginawa ni Mr Arson sa kanya.

We heard a loud scream coming from Mr Arson and now, Rick, Keith, and Principal Spencer are helping each other para ipatumba si Sir Jielo.

The force from My wand, Victor's, and Oishi's created a huge impact para mapatumba si Principal King in which we did. I pants softly kneeling on the ground habang tinitingnan si Principal King na tumilapon palayo.

I lowered my gaze nang tumama ang likod niya sa isang matulis na kahoy na hawak-hawak ng mga taga Downtown which causes his downfall.

Dahil sa nangyari kay Principal King, parang nalantang gulay ang mga Manyeo ngayon at nagsimula na ring manghina. Pumwersa si Rick para patumbahin si Sir Jielo and he successfully did.

"YOU!" He screamed, pointing his wand at the male's chest, killing him without showing any sign of mercy in his eyes.

Tinulungan ako ni Victor na tumayo at dinala ako sa loob ng palasyo kung saan naghihintay sila Tita Dianne at Tita Mighty.

"Hazel! Jusko" Nginitian ko si Tita Dianne.

Pumasok rin sa loob si Tito Rico at kinausap si Tita Mighty. She nodded her head at lumabas ng palasyo, I guess her job starts now at ito ang pagalingin ang mga nasugatan.

Dinala ako ni Tita Dianne sa kwarto ni Rick at pinahiga ako sa kama. "Take a rest muna, Hazel. You are so pale. Mag-aalala na naman ang Lolo mo" I wanted to. "Pero the battle--"

"It's okay! We will win now, you already defeated the successor" Should I be happy? I don't know. "Take a rest now" Wala na akong nagawa kundi sundin si Tita Dianne.

I took a deep breath before I closed my eyes.

***

"Insan?" My brows winched when someone wakes me up and I smiled when I saw a blurred figure beside me. Oishi gives my hand a gentle squeeze kaya hinawakan ko din siya ng mahigpit.

"Nanalo tayo" He said happily kaya napangiti ako.

He gave me a tight hug and I did the same. "Nasaan ang iba?"

"Nandon sila sa labas. Nakiusap si Principal Spencer na tawagin ang mga taga Homan at yung mga estudyante sa Rogue na papuntahin dito para sa pagtitipon" We parted the hug kaya naman napaupo ako sa kama at tumingin sa pintuan.

"Mabuti naman at naisipan mo pang gumising no? Pang limang araw mo na yang tulog" Natatawang bati ni Walter sa akin kaya napatitig ako sa kanya. "Limang araw akong nakatulog?" Tumango si Walter at tumabi kay Oishi.

"Oo! Nag aalala na nga si Lolo mo dahil baka may nangyaring hindi maganda sayo pero sabi ni Auntie Mighty, okay ka lang daw at kailangan mo lang ng pahinga!" Masaya pa talaga siya dyan ah? Tumango ako kay Walter at kinuha ang coat ng Tatay ko na nasa side table.

Lumabas kami ng kwarto while Oishi is linking his arm on mine. Nakangiti pa nga ng malapad ang loko eh! Binati ako ng tango ni Rick kaya nginitian ko siya at tumabi kay Lolo. Nagulat pa si Lolo nang makita niya ako but after a second, he greeted me with a Good Morning.

Nginitian ako nung mga creatures kaya ngumiti din ako pabalik sa kanila. We take a seat on the long chair listening to Principal Spencer's discussion. It's been five days after the battle at maaliwalas na ang sikat ng araw ngayon.

Kung dati, bubulaga sa iyo ang kulay abong kalangitan, iba na ngayon. It's like Real World now. Ang ganda ng sikat ng araw at kulay asul ang kalangitan. Ang ganda sa mata.

Ang ganda sa pakiramdam, knowing that all their plans work against Hideux, I feel that Parallel World is safer than before.

Napalingon ako sa gawi nila Victor na nagtatawanan at nagkukwentuhan. He is sitting beside Walter, and Rick, and looks at them having fun with each other. Siguro ganyan sila ka close simula pa lang dati at ngayon na alam na nila Victor ang totoo, na siya si Axl mas naging malapit silang tatlo.

My lips parted when they turned to me. Umiwas ako ng tingin at nakinig ulit kay Principal Spencer.

He announced na maghahanap siya ng bagong instructors na pwedeng pumalit kela Sir Jielo at wala namang pagdadalawang isip, itinaas ni Tito Rico ang kamay niya.

"I volunteer!" Kinurot pa ni Tita si Tito pero tinawanan lang siya ni Tito.

"Would it be okay kung may Hunters lesson din sila?" My eyes darted to Uncle Benj and smiles. "Well, sounds like a good idea!" Pati yung mga estudyante ay pumayag sa sinabi ni Uncle Benj kaya dineclare siyang professor ng Hunter Class sa Rogue.

Speaking of Hunter, I remember the day na sobrang kinamumuhian ni Victor ang mga Hunters to the point na gusto niyang patayin ang mga Hunters pero nagbago ang pananaw niya na yon when I opened up about Emerita's issue.

He was surprised because of what I have confessed, he may have concluded in his head that, the reason Hunters are hunting Wizards ay dahil sa ginawa ni Mr Arson and it is feeding Hunters their fears and those are the Manyeo's.

I remember how I got stressed dahil sa mga revelation sa journal ni Axl and it turns out na buhay pala talaga si Axl and the frame up na nangyari sa kanya. I smiled and clapped my hands as well nang tawagin ni Principal Spencer si Rick as of course, the new Principal of Rogue College.

He is the new successor of Rogue College. Not just Rogue but the Parallel World.

"Ako bahala sa inyo, walang babagsak!" Nag tawanan ang mga estudyante dahil sa sinabi ni Rick. Tumingin siya sa gawi ko kaya napangiti ako. Nginitian niya din ako bago umikot para tingnan ang lahat ng nandito sa malaking field ng palasyo.

"Pangako kong pro-protektahan namin kayo. With my friends..." Tinuro niya sila Victor kaya nagtilian ang mga estudyante. "Ang with our only girl" He pointed me kaya napangiti ako at tumango.

"We will make sure to maintain everyone's safety. A mharú! " Nagsisigawan naman sila Uncle Benj dahil sa huling sinigaw ni Rick bago bumaba sa stage.

A mharú...