GA - Chapter 17: Meeting A Demon

Grimrose academy

PARA BANG tumigil ang mundo ko. My breath caught in my throat. Hindi ako makagalaw di lang dahil sa kung anong powers ang ginamit niya sa ‘kin— kundi dahil sa presensya niya. Hindi ako makasigaw. Hindi ko rin maikurap ang mga mata ko.

His presence swallowed the room. Parang ‘yong hangin mismo natakot huminga. There are scales all over his body. It was dark and gleaming. Parang gawa pa sa obsidian. 

His arms were solid and terrifying. He has clawed fingertips that looked like they could crush skulls with a single squeeze. Yung built niya? Pang-anime villain na final boss. His body looked like sculpted stone, but alive. Heck he looks like a well-defined statue but breathing and moving.

And his eyes? Katulad ng kay Nix— blood red with pitch black whites but his is glowing like it’s burning. Parang may sariling apoy ang kaluluwa niya. He’s nothing like Trish. I could tell already that he isn’t just some Demon… He’s something ancient—primeval and terrifying.

Two massive black angel wings unfurled behind him, casting shadows that seemed to move on their own. He has horns that seem to have sprouted from his brows— they were sharp, curved back like twisted crowns. May buhok siya pero long, black, and wild, like it was caught between a hurricane and a ritual. He looked like he crawled out of a legend people were too scared to write down.

“D-Dad? What are you doing? Let… her… go,” hirap na sabmit ni Nix. Hindi rin siya makagalaw at para bang nakadikit siya sa pader.

Dad? So the one I’m looking at is their father? A demon. A dreadlord.

Hindi sumagot ang father ni Nix. Instead, he closed his fist. And just like that, I was pulled by an invisible force towards him.

He continued to close his fist as if squeezing something inside. Pero kasabay no’n, para bang nawawala ang hangin sa paligid. I can’t… I can’t breathe.

Why? Why is this happening? He’s killing me. I thought we were here to find answers. Bakit ganito…

Everything… is getting… darker…

I… can’t…

I…




HINDI KO alam kung anong nangyari, pero pagmulat ko— everything around is white and blank. At ako lang ang nandito. Nakatayo sa kawalan. Nasaan ako? Is this the afterlife?

“Greetings, Shana. Welcome to the void.”

Napalingon ako sa likod ko. Isang lalaki ang tumambad sa ‘kin. Tall, maybe around 6 feet and more. He’s slim fit and looks sophisticated. He is good-looking, well-groomed with his long black hair. He’s wearing a black suit and tie, black pants and leather shoes. Mukha siyang mayaman at maayos tignan.

“V-Void? What do you mean? Who are you?”

“Allow me to introduce myself…”

Pati ‘yong kilos niya parang proper gentleman.

“My name is Azrael Franco. Dreadlord and warden of dreadhell. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.”

As soon as I heard his name, I took three steps backward. Napalunok ako. I saw it. A sudden flash of his demonic image. It was really him.

“Y-You! A-Anong ginawa mo sa ‘kin? Bakit mo ko pinatay?”

He smirked. “You’re not dead, Shana.”

Somehow I felt it. He’s telling the truth. I’m still alive. I jump to conclusions on that one. Pero nasaan ba kasi ako ngayon?

“And I would like to apologize for what I’ve done. It was necessary,” he added.

I felt at ease. Parang pamilyar kasi ang presensya niya ngayon. He smirks like Nix, he talks like Zed, he has this charisma like Ash, and an aura that says I’m good-looking and smart like Ate Kat. Walang duda, siya nga ang Ama nila.

“I understand that you're confused. Allow me to explain… At this very moment, I am using my abilities to search your soul for answers. My wife told me everything she knew about you. That is why I had to surprise you, and render you unconscious. It was the only way.”

“O-Okay. If I’m not dead— then where— what is this…” I looked around and still… all I see is white. “...void thing?”

“As I search your soul, our thoughts become intertwined. The Void is the space that lies between them. I have brought us here deliberately, so that we might speak without interruption. In essence, we are within our own minds.”

His voice was deep and clean. The way he articulates every word was precise. Demon ba talaga ‘to? Para siyang royalty.

Anyway, possible pala ‘tong ganito na parang gising ako pero ang totoo nasa isipan ko lang ang mga ito. Ang galing!

“So… kailangan lang po natin maghintay?” I asked.

“Indeed. And while we wait, you are welcome to ask me anything. I was told you possess a curious mind,” sagot niya habang nakangiti.

That sounded like music to my ears. Kapag alam ko talagang pwede akong magtanong, umiiral ang pagiging curious ko sa mga bagay-bagay. Get ready Mr. Azrael sir. I have so many questions in my mind.

I raised my hand. Parang student na gustong kunin ang atensyon ng teacher niya.

He chuckled but he was composed. He nodded. A signal that I can now start asking questions.

“Nasabi niyo na isa kayong Dreadlord at warden ng Dreahell. Ano po ang ibig sabihin no’n?”

“A Dreadlord is a title bestowed upon Dreamons whose power surpasses that of their kin. Dreadhell is a prison forged by the Aelythians, and I was entrusted with its wardenship.”

“Wait, if I understand it correctly— I thought Dreadhell is just the realm opposite of Aelythia. Pero sabi niyo po… prison?” kunot-noo kong tanong.

“The knowledge you seek is taught within the lessons of Grimrose Academy. However, do not trouble yourself, I understand you've only recently begun. I would be glad to provide the answer.”

Naghintay lang ako. I thought about changing the question because I could just wait for my teacher’s lessons. Pero sabi niya sasagutin naman niya. At baka mas madali kong maintindihan kapag galing sa demon mismo ang sagot.

"In ancient times, the Aelythians lived among humankind. But in time, darkness was born. The Dreamons sought to sow chaos and claim the world as their own. Thus began a war between light and dark— an age-long struggle. In the end, light prevailed, imprisoning the Dreamons in a realm they named Dreadhell. I was appointed as its warden."

And I wasn’t wrong. Alam ko hindi niya sinabi ang buong kwento pero naintindihan ko kaagad. Thanks to him. Somehow, I could imagine it— Aelythians versus demons, light imprisoning darkness. I know there’s more, but I believe the academy will help me with it someday.

Pero may isang tanong na bumabagabag sa isip ko…

I raised my hand again. I know I don’t have to pero kasi iyong presensya niya parang nakakahiya na bigla nalang magtanong. I mean— dapat may permission niya? Yung gano’n.

He nodded. So I made a follow up question.

“Demon po kayo ‘di ba? Bakit kayo po ang naatasan ng mga Aelythians na maging warden? And come to think of it, kakampi kayo ng mga Angeals. Ibig sabihin po ba, hindi lahat ng Demons masama?”

“An excellent question. The truth is, I was not always a Demon. I was once an Aelythian. But I committed a grave transgression against the laws of our kind: I fell in love with a human. For that, I was exiled. And so, to atone, and to protect humanity, I volunteered to become the Warden of Dreadhell. As I remained in Dreadhell, its darkness gradually changed me — I became a Dreamon. But even now, I remain steadfast in my purpose: to safeguard humanity.”

Kaya pala. Isa pala siyang Aelythian dati na naging Demon. Like a fallen angel. Mabuti na lang his purpose is to protect humanity. Parang sobrang lakas niya kasi. I bet even Midnight won’t be able to defeat him.

“Wait! So dapat nasa Dreadhell kayo? How come you’re here?” I asked. 

Naisip ko kasi na since prison ang hell at nandito sa mundo ng mga tao ang warden, baka makatakas ‘yong mga Demons?

“You ask the right questions, Shana, well done. But instead of merely answering, I shall show you what transpired… almost two decades have passed.”

Sir Azrael pointed his palm in front of us. Suddenly the surroundings changed. Bigla kaming napunta sa loob ng isang kweba. Madilim at para bang mabigat ang hangin. Parang may masamang presensya na nakatago sa mga anino. Sa sahig may mga bato, but they were arranged like they were purposely placed— mukha itong altar. 

May anim na tao.They were all wearing black hooded cloaks. Hindi ko sila kilala pero ramdam ko agad na masama ang intensyon nila.

“Who are they?” I asked.

“Evocators.”

They were chanting in a language I didn’t understand. Paulit-ulit at parang pinapabigat lalo ang paligid. Sa gitna ng mga Evocators, may stone table kung saan may isang lalaking tila walang malay ang nakahiga. Hindi ko makita ang mukha niya dahil nakaharang ang mga Evocators.

Sa sahig, sa paligid ng stone table, may malaking circle na may five pointed star— a pentacle. May mga sulat ito sa paligid na parang ancient script. Lahat ng iyon ay nakaguhit gamit ang… dugo?

Mga kandila ang nagsisilbing ilaw. The whole place glowed in flickering red and orange. Parang impyerno ang vibe.

At sa loob ng circle, sa pagitan ng mga points ng star… may apat na sanggol.

I wanted to rush and save them. But as I stepped forward…

“This is the past, Shana. There’s nothing we can do,” Sir Azrael reminded me.

I stopped and froze in horror. This can’t be! Bakit sila?

“Anong gagawin nila sa mga babies?”

“Their goal was to summon Chronika—a Dreadlord capable of bending time. She was imprisoned in the deepest level of Dreadhell. They believed this ritual, with four innocent souls, would release her.”

Biglang tumigil ang chanting. Four Evocators knelt down and raised their blades. Without hesitation… They killed the babies.

Napahawak na lang ako sa bibig ko. My knees gave out. Pero hindi ako bumagsak. I think wala naman akong totoong katawan dito sa loob ng void. Pero ‘yong sakit? Sobrang ramdam ko pa rin. My heart broke into pieces. It was horrifying.

“Come forth… The time-sundered one… Dreadlord Chronika!” One of the Evos shouted.

The ground trembled. The candles flickered. The summoning circle glowed bright red. Iyong lalaki sa stone tablet parang biglang nag-convulsion. Then his back arched. He floated in the air. And in a few seconds, bigla itong nagliyab.

Nagdulot ng makapal na itim na usok ang apoy. Ilang segundo pa, tumigil ang paglindol, namatay ang apoy.

Lumuhod ang mga Evos. Parang excited sila sa kung anong lalabas sa likod ng makapal na usok.

Then a voice boomed across the cave--

“You fools.”

 As the black smoke thinned out, in place of the guy on the stone table— a familiar demonic figure rose.

“Is that you, sir?” I asked Sir Azrael.

“Yes,” he answered calmly.

“Bakit po kayo ‘yong lumabas?”

“As Warden of Dreadhell, I’ve long prevented Demons from being summoned. When I sensed the Evocators’ attempt to summon Chronika, I intervened and stopped her. However, the spell was too powerful, and I was summoned in her place. Thus, my arrival in the human world.”

Sa pinapanood naming nakaraan, pinatay ni Sir Azrael ang mga Evocators. He burned them, crushed them, snapped their necks, and dismembered them. It was brutal.

Isa sa kanila ang hindi agad pinatay ni Sir Azrael. Lumuhod ito at nagmakaawa.

“Tell me. Why are you summoning Chronika?” tanong ni Sir Azrael.

“Immortality… resurrection— time. She’s the only one who can grant it. She’s the clock mother. Please… we didn’t mean to summon you.”

Itinapat ni Sir Azrael ang kamay niya sa Evo. Like a magnet, the Evo's neck was pulled towards his hand.

“You offered blood to open Dreadhell. Now I give you what you sought—judgement,” sabi ni Sir Azrael.

“No! No, please! You have to grant our wish. Or else—”

Hindi na pinatapos ni Sir Azrael magsalita ang Evo. Sinakal niya ito. Sa sobrang lakas ay naghiwalay ang katawan at ulo nito.

Blood, death, darkness. It was everywhere. Mabuti na lang at nasa loob ako ng isipan namin. Kundi baka bumaliktad na ang sikmura ko.

Sir Azrael, the one beside me— waved his hand and brought us back to the white space.

“Ano po nangyari pagktapos no’n?” I asked.

“Clea arrived shortly thereafter. At the time, she was but an Angeal, no more, no less. The children, as it turns out, were her nephews. She had been searching for them tirelessly. Their parents… were slain by the Evocators. A grim affair, I’m afraid.”

Nalungkot ako para kay Dean Clea. May ganon pala siyang pinagdaanan.

“Paano ‘yong mga babies?” tanong ko ulit.

“I daresay you’ve met them, and perhaps even counted them among your friends.”

“You mean they're alive? Oh thanks! Wait— I’ve met them? W-Who—”

Before I could finish my question, I realized that those four babies were… the Franco siblings.

“S-So you saved them and adopted them as your kids?”

“It wasn’t my plan. However, the summoning rite of an Evocator leaves me little choice. I am bound to grant a wish… or face the dissolution of my very being. Clea’s wish was simple—save the younglings. It was beyond my abilities but I found a solution. As Warden of Dreadhell, I sought out souls—those I could bind to the children, to sustain them. In the end… they survived. But such a thing does not come without consequence.”

“They became Grimborns,” singit ko. Tapos ay napangiti ako. Hindi lang dahil masaya ako na naka-survive ‘yong mga babies—it’s because I think I know what happened next. Kinikilig ako.

“And then, you and Dean Clea fell in love with each other. Tapos kayo na ang naging adopted parents ng magkakapatid na Franco, tama po ba?”

He laughed in his very deep voice. But he was still composed and well-mannered. 

“I shall leave the details to your imagination… though I daresay, you’re not far from the truth,” sagot niya ng nakangiti.

I think I’m right. And at least, alam ko nang hindi totoo ang chismis ni Trish sa ‘kin. I mean not entirely– kasi magkaka-iba talaga ng biological mother ang mga Franco. But not the way she made it sounds— like their Dad is a playboy or something.

Wait. Is his love for Ms. Clea the reason why he’s still here and not on Dreadhell? Or is it something else? I better ask.

“Dahil din po ba sa spell kaya di ka makabalik sa Dreadhell? I mean, to continue being its warden?”

“A thoughtful question, Shana, and one I wish I could answer. Alas, I must apologize, for the truth eludes even me. We exhausted every known method to return me to Dreadhell. The Angeals even resorted to Aether, hoping that death might send me back. But it was to no avail. Aether does not fully work on me… for I am also an Aelythian.”

A thought crossed my mind, and thought about suggesting it. Since hindi nag wo-work sa kanya ang Aether, maybe a Dreamon’s power can kill him and send him back. But then I realized… I don’t think anyone in their right mind would want a Demon that can kill him to roam around.

“If you’ve no further questions, Shana… I’ve located the source of your power. Simply tell me when you’re ready.”

Huminga ako nang malalim. Game face on.

“I’m ready, sir.”

Muling itinapat ni Sir Azrael ang kamay niya sa harap namin. In a snap, everything became black. There was nothing.

Until a few seconds…

A light burst.

It was gold and radiant.

Sa una, nakakasilaw. Pero di nagtagal, sa likod ng liwanag nakakita ako ng figure.

Babae na para bang gawa sa kulay gintong ilaw. She’s wearing knight armor. She’s holding a sword and a shield. And she has… four angel wings on her back.

I stare at her face. That’s when I realized…

Ako? Ako ‘to, ah. Anong ibig sabihin nito?

The light slowly fades. Pati ‘yong light figure na kamukha ko nawala. In a few seconds, balik ulit kami sa Void.

“So… that is the reason why Dreamons seek to consume you,” sabi ni sir Azrael.

“S-Sir? Ano po ang ibig sabihin no’n?”

“Shana…” He turned to me. “You are not Aether-blessed—you are Aether itself. You have the power of an Aelythian.”

I froze. 

I swear if I’m not inside my thoughts, I would have reacted a different way. Baka hinimatay pa ko. Ako? Aelythian? How? Hindi naman ako ampon. At least that’s what I know. Teka, tama ba pagkakaintindi ko?

“You mean, sir… Aelythian ako?”

“To speak plainly, I do not know. You are human, yes—but you also carry the power of an Aelythian. Perhaps you are a reincarnation… or some forgotten creation of their kind. What I do know is this: Aether resides within you.”

“Okay… but why would Demons want to consume me? Shouldn’t they be… scared of me?” kunot-noo kong tanong.

“They should—if you are able to wield it to its fullest extent. But bear this in mind: the Aether within one who is Aether-blessed is a gift—passed down, perhaps even guided, for the sole purpose of standing against the darkness.”

He has a point. Bakit nga naman ako kakatakutan ng mga Demons kung di ko naman kayang gamitin ang powers ko.

He continued, “With Aelythians, however, it is different. For Aelythians, Aether is not merely a weapon… it is everything. That is why Dreamons desire it. It grants them strength beyond measure. Should a Dreamon consume an Aelythian, they may rise to become a Dreadlord. But if a Dreadlord were to do the same… what would emerge would be something far worse—something beyond even the Aelythians.”

Napalunok ako. I can become the way to save light from the darkness. But I can also be the key for the downfall of all. Bakit ako? Bakit ako nagkaroon ng ganito?

Gusto kong itanong kay sir Azrael kung bakit pero nasagot niya na iyon kanina. Hindi niya rin alam. And I think I’m done looking for answers. I have a feeling that answers will unfold as time goes. 

All I have to do now is to train so I can use my powers, and at the same time prevent Demons from consuming me. Speaking of consumption…

“Sir… now I know why Demons wanted me. Pero bakit pati ang mga anak niyo ni Dean Clea? They said I made them thirsty when we first met.”

“That, I’m afraid, is something I cannot disclose, Shana. My apologies. However, you needn’t worry—my sons and daughter have gained full control over their… appetite for you. They will not be a threat.”

Well at the very least, that’s reassuring. Mas magiging kumportable na ko na kasama ang mga Franco. Pero bakit nga kaya? And why keep it a secret? I guess it's their family secret. And I’m not in the position to meddle.

To more pressing concern… Ang dapat kong isipin ay ang sarili ko. Anong gagawin ko sa powers na ‘to? Sa nalaman ko?

“Sir… bukod sa pag-aralan ko kung paano ko magagamit ang powers ko—anong gagawin ko sa nalaman ko?”

“I would advise that we keep this matter strictly confidential. I shall inform Clea, of course, but beyond that, it should remain between the three of us.”

“Why? And if we do, what should I tell the others?”

“The truth, I’m afraid, would draw far too much attention. While some of it is well-meaning, much of it is not. While there may be those who wish you well, word could easily reach others with less… noble intentions. Clea will inform the Academy Council that you have been blessed with the most powerful Aether—nothing more. As for why the Demons and Evocators pursued you… we shall say it is because they saw you as a threat.”

He has a point. It’s for my own safety. Pero napansin ko lang, parehas sila ni Ate Kat na gumawa ng plano. Ang galing!

“I understand, sir. T-Thank you.”

“Well done, Shana. Let’s return to the real world.”

Hindi pa tuluyang nalalaman ang totoong pinanggalingan ng powers ko. I mean—bakit ako ang nagkaroon ng Aelythian Powers? Pero dahil sa nalaman ko ngayon, dapat ay mag-focus muna ako sa kung paano ko ito magagamit. Not just for myself, but also for the important people of my life. I will never let myself be the reason why they will be harmed. Rather, I will use this power to be the one that will protect them. 

TO BE CONTINUE... CHECK OTHER STORIES WHILE YOU WAIT!