GA - CHapter 4: The Secret World

Grimrose Academy

UMUPO ako sa harap ng desk ni Dean Clea Franco. Siya na din ngayon ang nakaupo sa leather executive chair. Ang elegant niya tingnan. Pero kahit graceful siya, may dating na parang ‘wag mo siyang lalabanan.

“Shana,” sabi niya, “Kamusta ka? I was told of everything that happened. You’ve been through something terrifying. But you handled it better than most would.”

I swallowed. “Hindi ko po talaga maintindihan kung ano ‘yung nangyari. ‘Yung kay Trish… sila Ms. Kat, Nix, Ash— pati ‘yung ilaw sa kamay ko… lahat po.”

Yes… I remember that white light.

“You’ll understand more in time,” sagot niya. “But let me explain the basics.”

Tumango ako.

“The world as you know it— hides a secret. There are supernatural beings who live among humans. At the same time, mysterious powers or magic exist. That light from your hand? It’s called Aether. By any chance, do you play video games? Or watch movies, Shana?”

I nodded.

“Good, it will be easy to explain. Aether is a sacred energy. Sa mga video games, I believe it’s sort of like the element of light. Aether is a sacred energy from a place called Aelythia—a realm of divine light. Aelythians, celestial beings, blessed humanity long ago with Aether to protect us. To what end? Because when there’s light there is also darkness.”

“Darkness... like si Trish or whatever that is na parang demonyo?”

“Uh huh. Yes. Tama ka rin sa pagtukoy mo sa kanya. That was a Dreamon at least that’s what it was called long ago, now it’s just Demon—a soul-devouring entity from Dreadhell or Hell, the realm opposite of Aelythia. When they cross into our world, they possess humans and twist them into monsters. Isa lang si Trish sa mga nabiktima nila.”

Napakapit ako sa gilid ng upuan. “So totoo talaga… ‘di ako nag hallucinate.”

“No. And you’re not ordinary either,” she said. “You're what we call an Aether-Blessed. Isa ka sa mga taong nabigyan ng Aether. How and why? That’s still a mystery to us. All we know is that we can use this power to fight the forces of darkness. Back then, your soul responded to danger instinctively. That’s why you were able to protect yourself and Kat.”

“Wow… Pero… I don’t even know how I did it.”

“Tama ka dyan. You’re untrained. But not powerless.”

Tahimik lang ako. Lahat ng sinasabi niya, parang sobra— but something deep in me… believed it.

Lumagok ako at nagtanong. “At si Trish po? Ano po nangyari sa kanya?”

Saglit siyang pumikit at umiling. “I’m sorry, Shana. But she’s gone. She was likely used as a host by a demon. It happens when someone— called an Evocator or Evo for short— summons one through a forbidden ritual. In exchange for a wish, the demon takes something else. A soul. Sanity. Humanity.”

Nanlamig ako. I never thought something like that could happen in real life.

“Nabanggit niyo po kanina— supernatural beings?” Kunot-noo kong tanong. “I saw… paintings. Vampires, wolves, monsters…”

She nodded. “We call them Grimborns. Let’s just say they are beings cursed by an ancient power of darkness. They exist. Vampires, werewolves, witches, ghosts, and more. Some are dangerous. Others just want to survive.”

Seriously? Akala ko Demons lang pati pala vampires, werewolves… and ghost? So totoong may multo? May white lady? No! I don’t think I want to see one. 

The thought of this place being an academy and how the demon was fought by the Francos crossed my mind.

“And kayo po? Ano po kayo? Nilalabanan niyo po ba ang mga creatures— Grim something and demons?”

“We are the Order of the First Light, we also call ourselves the Angeals— guardians trained to keep balance between this world and theirs. We protect humans from the supernatural— and sometimes, protect Grimborns from humans too.  And like you, we are also Aether-blessed.”

I can’t absorb everything yet. But this world… these things that I’ve just discovered. It’s making me curious and thrilled. I want to know more.

“Si Ms. Kat? Si Ash at Nix? May powers po sila? Iyon po ang ibig sabihin ng Aether-blessed?”

She smiled. “My sons and daughter are different. They are Grimborns but special ones. My eldest— Ash is a Morpyre— he’s half human, half vampire. Kat is a half human, half ghost— or a Morvane. People here call her the Winter Ghost.”

That explains it! Kaya pala sobrang puti ni Ash at nagkukulay pula ang mga mata niya. Si Ms. Kat naman kaya pala nakakapag-palabas ng weapons na gawa sa ice. Kasi Winter Ghost? Kung tama lang ang hula ko dahil sa mga nabasa at napanood ko na pop culture. She’s so cool!

Paano naman kaya ang mayabang na si Nix? At si Zed?

Nagpatuloy si Dean Clea. “Si Nix naman na kinukulit ka. He's half human, half Dreamon or a Mordread. While Zed is half human, half Lycan— a Morcan.”

Ah kaya pala masama ugali ng Nix na ‘yun— half Demon pala siya. Pero si Zed… sa gwapo niyang ‘yon? Bakit? Bakit half… dog?


“Alam ko medyo nakakalito pa ‘yong ibang mga sinasabi ko. But in time you’ll learn them all,” sabi ni Dean Clea.

Tama siya hindi ko pa lubos na maintindihan. Kahit marami na akong nalaro na mga fantasy games o napanood na movies na nabanggit ang mga vampires, lycans at kung ano pa— posible na mababaw pa rin ang kaalaman ko dahil ibang usapan na ‘to— this is real life.

I took a deep breath. Iniba ko nalang muna ang usapan. “So ano na pong mangyayari sakin?”

“That depends,” sagot niya, her eyes were calm but focused. “You’ve awakened something powerful inside you. And greater power means a call from duty. But it also means… you have a choice.”

“A choice?”

She stood up and walked toward me.

“You can return to your normal life. Pretend none of this happened. But if you stay here— at Grimrose Academy— you’ll train, understand your gift, and become one of the protectors of the world from darkness.”

Tumayo rin ako, pero ‘di ko siya matingnan sa mata. Kasi kahit sobrang dami ko pang tanong sa isip… isang tanong lang ang gumugulo sa akin ngayon.

“Will I be safe?”

She smiled. “No one’s ever completely safe. But here, you won’t be alone.”

Huminga ako nang malalim. “If I stay… you’ll teach me everything?”

“Everything you’re ready to know,” sagot niya. “The rest… comes with time.”

May kung anong pakiramdam sa loob ko na nagsasabing I should enroll in this academy. Pero may takot din. Baka kasi masyadong delikado ‘to. Pero paano ko naman malalaman kung ano talaga ako? I have powers and I experience manifesting it. Excited ako para do’n.

That’s it! I’ve decided…

Biglang pumasok si Ms. Kat sa office ni Dean Clea.

“Mom! Sorry for busting in. May result na ang investigation ni Zed.”

“What is it, my dear?” sagot ni Dean Clea.

Bumaling sakin si Ms. Kat. Diretso ang tingin niya sakin na parang may sasabihin siyang sobrang importante.

“Shana… you’re being hunted.”

Tumayo ang mga buhok ko sa braso at lumaki ang mga mata ko. Parang may kung anong mabigat na bumagsak sa loob ko. Kung kailan excited akong magkaroon ng powers at ma-explore ang lihim na mundo— saka naman may huma-hunting sakin?

“HUNTED?! W-What do you mean?! Who’s hunting me?” natataranta kong tanong kay Ms. Kat.

Nilapitan ako ni Dean Clea at hinawakan niya ako sa balikat. “Don’t worry, Shana. You’re safe here.” Tapos ay bumaling siya kay Ms. Kat. “So what’s hunting her?”

“Evocators, Dreamons, and… Midnight,” sagot ni Ms. Kat.

Bumitaw ang hawak sakin ni Dean Clea. Yumuko pa siya. Si Ms. Kat naman napasandal sa pinto.

Anong meron? Bakit parang pinanghinaan sila ng loob? Is it because of the one they call Midnight? Sino o ano ‘yun? Bakit nila ako hina-hunting?

Biglang nag vibrate ang phone ko. May tumatawag. Si Mama! Patay ako! Ang dami ng missed calls.

“Hello po, Mama?”

“Shana anak, anong oras na? Nasaan ka na naman ngayon? Can you come home, please? Erin is looking for you,” sagot ni Mama sa kabilang linya.

“I uh… Ano po, Ma… ”

Shoot! Mag sisinungaling na naman ako kay Mama. Sorry, Ma. Ang hirap kasi i-explain nito.

“...Namasyal lang ako with some new friends, Ma. But tell Erin I’ll be there,” sagot ko kay Mama. I hope someday I can tell her the truth.

“Talaga?” Mama’s voice shifted— parang natuwa pa. “I am glad to know that you have new friends. Sabi ni Erin hihintayin ka raw niya, ate.”

“Pakisabi po, Ma— pauwi na si Ate. Bye, Ma,” sabi ko.

“Mag-iingat ka, Anak," sagot naman ni Mama at binaba na niya ang call.

I’m excited kung ano pa ang malalaman ko dito sa Grimrose Academy pero pwede naman sigurong bukas na lang. Mas importante ang pamilya ko.

“Dean Clea, Ms. Kat, sorry pero kailangan ko ng umalis. Bukas nalang po natin ituloy ang usapan.”

“Where are you going? Nanganganib ang buhay mo. You have to stay here,” pagpigil ni Ms. Kat sa akin.

“Sorry, I don’t know what’s going on here, but my sister needs me,” sabi ko. Dama ko naman na seryoso ang panganib na sinasabi nila sakin pero kailangan ko talagang umuwi. Lalo na ngayong nalaman ko na may mga creatures or monsters pala dito sa city na ‘to. More reason to be with them— to protect them.

“You don't understand, Shana. This is not just a normal danger. You’ve seen what we are dealing with,” giit ni Ms. Kat.

Pumasok sa office si Nix at si Zed. Nakasunod sa kanila si Ash.

“Yo, guys! What’s up? Nandito na ulit ang pogi. Anong meron?” masiglang sabi ni Nix.

Ang hangin naman nitong lalaking ‘to. Buti pa si Zed tahimik lang. Ang mysterious niya talaga.

“Sinabi ko na sayo kanina. Shana is being hunted by Midnight,” sagot ni Zed.

“Urusai! Epal ka naman, Zed,” inis na sabi ni Nix.

“Okay, listen up!” Napatingin kaming lahat kay Dean Clea. “Hindi natin pwedeng pilitin si Shana na manatili dito. Kailangan niyang umuwi kaya kailangan natin ng plano para siguraduhin na ligtas siya at malaman din natin kung bakit siya hina-hunting.”

“I think it has something to do with her power. We have to know what exactly it is. She makes the four of us thirsty. It’s not just hunger. Something about her Aether. There’s more to her power— we need to understand it,” sabi naman ni Ms. Kat. “Ako na ang bahala sa investigation. I’ll ask Dad and Grimborns around the city.”

Tumango si Dean Clea. “Good. We need someone to ambush whoever will try to hunt her. Ikaw na ‘yon Alvin. Now… who’s gonna protect her?”

“I’LL PROTECT HER!” Magkasabay na sabi nina Nix at Zed.

Nagulat ako sa sinabi nila. Bakit naman ako gustong protektahan bigla ng dalawang ‘to? Pati si Zed? Oh my god! Ang init. Bakit ang init bigla?

Nagkatinginan nang masama si Nix at Zed. Parang mag-aaway pa yata sila.

“I’m the strongest. Kaya ako dapat,” sabi ni Nix. He crossed his arms and smirked.

“Since when?” sagot naman ni Zed.

“This is fun,” nakangiting sabi naman ni Ash. May kinakain siyang kung anong finger food. Kulay red at hugis cube na maliliit. Nakalagay sa plastic ziplock bag. 

Inalok ako ni Ash ng kinakain niya. “Gusto mo? Blood cubes?”

B-Blood? Kadiri!

Kunot-mukha akong umiling. Parang bumaliktad ang sikmura ko. 

Napatingin ako kay Dean Clea, parang natatawa lang siya na makita ang mga anak niya. Si Ms. Kat naman— frowning— parang nagtataka siya sa kinikilos ng dalawa.

Pumagitna si Ms. Kat sa pagitan ni Zed at Nix. “Tumigil nga kayong dalawa. Nagtatalo pa kayo. Alam niyo naman ako ang pinakamalakas na Franco.”

“Anyway— Zed, ikaw ang maghahatid kay Shana pauwi ngayon and you’ll be with her tonight. Ikaw naman Nix dahil pasaway ka last mission, back up ka lang muna,” dagdag pa ni Ms. Kat.

“The heck are you thinking? It will be better kung ite-teleport ko nalang siya sa bahay niya,” sabat ni Nix.

Nameywang si Ms. Kat. “Bakit alam mo ba ang bahay ni Shana? Don’t tell me you’ve been there?”

“Huh? Hindi pa. Bakit naman ako pupunta do’n? Bahala na nga kayo.” sagot ni Nix na parang nainis. Tapos ay lumabas na siya ng silid.

Tama ba ‘yong narinig ko? She said Zed will take me home and guard me tonight? Be with me tonight? The rest of the night? Me and Zed? Tonight? 

Kung anu-anong mga litrato na magkasama kami ni Zed ang naiisip ko. Nawala ang takot ko sa mga nangyayari at parang na-e-excite pa ako.

Bumaling sa akin si Ms. Kat, “Shana, okay lang ba na ihatid ka ni Zed at bantayan ka niya buong gabi?”

“Sure!” Mabilis kong sagot pero bigla akong nahiya. “I mean, okay lang.”

“Thanks! Don’t worry, we'll explain everything else soon. Our main priority for now is your safety,” sabi ni Ms. Kat na humawak pa sa balikat ko.

I nodded.

“Let’s go,” pag-aya ni Zed sa ‘kin.

“O-Okay,” nahiya kong sagot.

Paalis na kami nang biglang hawakan ni Ash ang balikat ni Zed, “Bro, are you sure you can fight the urge this time?”

Tumango naman si Zed. “I have to try.”

Urge? Ano naman kayang urge ‘yon? Wait… If I recall it… Sabi ni Ms. Kat— ​I’m making them thirsty? Anong ibig sabihin no’n? Kinakabahan ako. Am I gonna be with someone dangerous?

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