CLAIRE'S POVLumipas pa ang dalawang araw na wala akong pahinga sa pag-eensayo. Ito na ang huling linggo ng pagsasanay at bilang na ang mga natitirang araw para sa gaganaping tournament at sa pagtutuos namin ni Abby. I still have a week to prepare myself. Until then, I will fight and win against my opponent.It's already afternoon and after I've taken a rest from performing the tire training, Xian told me to follow him but he didn't tell me where we were going. Until I noticed that we were heading to the academy's central training ground.Tahimik ko lang siyang sinundan hanggang sa dumaretso kami papasok ng building at umakyat sa ikalawang palapag. This is the seven-story building located at the center of the field and I have no idea why we are here. There are two staircases on both ends of the building, probably for its entrance and exit route. Napansin ko rin na bawat palapag ay may mga bakanteng kwarto na hindi ko alam kung para saan. "This is where the gangster's tournament is hel
CLAIRE'S POV"This will be our last duel, don't hold back and give all your strength to defeat me," Xian challenged and stood in a combatting position. Kasalukuyan kaming magkaharap at nakatayo sa loob ng boxing ring. Habang nakatingin sa isa't isa ay bahagya akong naghanda sa pag-opensa. This is the last day and will be the last part of our training, our last sparring and this time I'll make sure to pay him back! He looked directly into my eyes and initiated the first attacks. His movements are quick as usual but I tried to keep up my defense. Until I made the counterattack and threw an elbow strike which he failed to ward off. Sandali siyang napaatras at malawak pang napangisi sa akin bago muling pumosisyon. He almost diverted my attention when he smirked but I instantly threw punches at him. I alternately made a cross blow and hook then switched to an uppercut with full force. I hit his chin and abruptly struck a kick to his stomach."You sure know how to hold a grudge," he comme
CLAIRE'S POVDapit-hapon na nang matapos kaming maghanda ni Elaine para sa nalalapit na paligsahan mamayang alas siyete ng gabi. We are wearing our group's attire, black jeans with a white shirt and a black leather jacket, fitted with combat boots. We also have a dagger weapon holder around our thigh, just in case.Elaine also made me wear contact lenses so that it won't cause a problem for me when I engage in a fight. I was irritated at first but later on, it made me feel comfortable since it helps me see perfectly clearly. "Xian..." rinig kong sambit ni Elaine nang buksan niya ang pinto ng aming dorm."Where's my wife?" bungad nitong tanong dahilan para mapatayo ako at nagmamadaling lumabas ng kwarto. Kaagad kong nakita si Xian sa harapan ng pintuan."Wife?" nagtataka namang balik na tanong ni El sa kaniya. Nilingon na lang ako ni El na may nanghihinalang titig saka dahan-dahang ngumisi. "You're dating?" nakataas ang dalawang kilay niyang pag-uusisa. Nag-aalinlangan akong sumagot k
CLAIRE'S POV Ilang minuto na lang ang hinihintay bago tuluyang magsimula ang paligsahan. Hanggang sa naunang pinahintulutan nila Xian ang grupo ng Boys Eagle at Black Girls na pumasok sa loob ng gusali sa dalawa nitong lagusan. "The rest of the groups, you can now go back and stay at the auditorium. The next round will be held after tomorrow," Xian ordered. Nagsimula namang maglakad at umalis ang ibang grupo palabas ng central training ground. While Kuya Jared signaled our group to move into the building. Napansin ko pa si kuya na mabilis akong kinindatan saka ngumiti."Meyn..." Nagsimula akong humakbang pasulong ngunit kaagad ring napahinto at lumingon sa aking likuran.Sinundan ko ng tingin si Xian nang maglakad siya papalapit sa 'kin at bigla na lang akong hinalikan sa noo na ikinalaki ng dalawang mata ko. Pagkatapos ay bahagya siyang lumihis sa aking tainga at may ibinulong, "You look drop-dead gorgeous." Naramdaman ko na lang bigla ang pag-init ng aking mukha. He's so random
CLAIRE'S POV Nang makapasok sa loob ng ikalimang kwarto ay may namataan kaming isang pigura ng babae. Nakatalikod ito sa amin habang magkalakip ang dalawang kamay sa likod. "Congratulations on reaching this level..." Unti-unti itong humarap sa amin. She seems like in her late twenties. Nakatali ang kaniyang buhok at nakasuot ng itim na pants at leather jacket. "I'm the holder of the key, kailangan niyo lang makuha ang laso sa aking braso para manalo. But if I injured your target mark, you lose..." mahaba niya pang pahayag sa marahang boses bago ngumisi. Kulay puting laso ang nakatali sa kaniyang kanang braso. We can't underestimate her, she might be a good fighter that my grandfather has chosen to be part of this tournament."What are you waiting for? Let the game begin..." nangingising usal niya bago naglabas ng punyal sa dalawa niyang kamay. Kaagad kaming naalerto ni Elaine at inihanda ang aming sarili. Hindi nagtagal ay mabilis niya kaming sinugod. Napahigpit ang pagkakahawak
CLAIRE'S POVBumitaw siya sa pagkakayakap at naupo sa tabi ko. Nangungusap ang kaniyang mga mata na diretsong tumitig sa'kin habang marahang hinaplos ang aking mukha. At kahit hindi niya sabihin, alam kong talagang labis siyang nag-alala para sa'kin. Pero sa kabila no'n ay hindi ko rin maiwasang mag-alala because of his circumstance. It made me happy to see him but he's not supposed to be here. What if he suddenly experiences an anxiety attack? I held his hand away from my cheek and looked at him with a worried face. "You... You shouldn't be here, Xian. Paano kung-" he cut me off using his index finger."I'm fine. I don't know why but maybe I overcame my fear because of you..." He moved his face closer to mine and whispered, "You're the only one I could think of right now..." Nag-init ang pisngi ko sa sinabi niya at ilang beses pa akong kumurap ng mata. Ano bang sinasabi niya? That doesn't make any sense to me, is he serious?I wrinkled my forehead when I heard his soft laughter. Ni
CLAIRE'S POVDinig ko hanggang sa loob ng waiting room ang malakas at sabay-sabay na sigawan ng mga estudyante mula sa academy's arena. Ngayong araw na gaganapin ang labanan sa pagitan naming apat.Five days have passed since I learned about my mother's accident. Supposedly, the duel should be held two days after that but Lolo gave me time to fully recover. My body is fine but my mind keeps straying, I've been restless these past few days because of too much concern.Nababahala tuloy ako sa magaganap na laban ilang sandali lang mula ngayon. Unang maghaharap sina Elaine at Rachelle bago ako at si Abby. Kaya naman nakahanda na ang lahat para sa matinding pagtutuos naming apat.Kasalukuyan akong mag-isa sa loob ng waiting room ng arena dahil ayoko pang lumabas at magpakita sa maraming estudyante. Meron namang monitor sa loob ng silid. Nakikita ko mula roon ang mga nagaganap sa labas. Maraming estudyante ang nasa kaniya-kaniya nilang upuan para manood. Pati ang mga grupo at mga miyembro
CLAIRE'S POVI was looking in a daze, my eyes locked directly in my grandfather's direction. He's currently talking to someone over the telephone.Mahigit isang araw akong nawalan ng malay. Nang magising ako kanina lang mula sa hospital ng akademya, nagmadali ako para pumunta sa opisina ni Lolo. He promised to let me go and visit my mother once the duel is done. He refused at first since my body is still recovering but I insisted that I must go right away.Hindi pa alam nina Elaine na nagising na ako. Hindi ko rin alam kung nasaan sila ngayon, kahit si Xian ay hindi ko nakita nang magising ako. Pero mas mabuti na 'yon dahil wala akong balak na magpaalam pa sa kanila.Nabalik ako sa huwisyo nang maibaba ni Lolo ang telepono bago bumaling sa'kin ng tingin. He just called someone who would escort me outside the academy."May naghihintay na sa'yo sa tapat ng entrance gate ng academy. I'll give you two weeks to be with your mother and after that, you have to come back here. I will send som