*CHAPTER FORTY THREE*In the far reaches of Santa Mesa City, nestled in the North, a colossal mountain stood tall and proud, casting an imposing shadow over the land. Much like the legendary Mount Serat and the Bronze Mountain Range in the east, this majestic peak boasted rugged summits that seemed to yearn for the heavens. Adorned in a vibrant tapestry of lush greens and earthy browns, it demanded the attention and reverence of all who beheld its awe-inspiring splendor.As the sun reached its zenith, its scorching rays bathed the mountain's craggy facade, illuminating every intricate detail etched into its weathered slopes. The dance of light and shadow across the rocky terrain created a captivating spectacle of contrasting hues, captivating the eyes of any beholder.At the mountain's base, a sprawling forest thrived, its emerald canopy serving as a sanctuary for a diverse array of flora and fauna. Nestled within this verdant embrace, was a small village lay hidden from prying eyes,
*CHAPTER FORTY FOUR*"Very well, I will tell everything I know about Grant." The Master said as his gaze shifted to a distant memory, his voice filled with a hint of nostalgia as he delved into the untold story of Grant Rushton, his long-lost companion. Seated upon his majestic throne, he seemed to transcend the present, lost in the depths of his recollections."Grant, my dear friend, hailed from distant lands unknown to us. Yet, even in our closest bond, he revealed little about his origins, shrouding himself in mystery," the Master began, his words weaving a tale of intrigue and wonder.As he continued, his eyes fixed upon the grand ceiling of the hall, as if transported to another realm, the Master's voice resonated with the weight of his memories."Curiosity was Grant's defining trait. It was evident that his previous surroundings lacked the wonders and marvels he encountered here, or perhaps he was forbidden from venturing beyond his confines. The truth eluded us all.""It was on
PROLOGUE"Head Master, a well known archeologist has found an ancient codex inside a tomb somewhere in the Mediterranean Region." A man donning in long red cloak said as he kneeled with only one knee on the floor, his left elbow was resting in his other knee while his right fist is touching the floor. He bowed his head low as a sign of deep respect towards the old man in front of him. His head was covered by the red hood of his cloak making his facial features unrecognizable. "The said ancient codex carried an unknown seal, but our scout identified that it belongs to the Giles." He added with looking at the man that he's talking to."The Giles?" Kaagad namang napaharap dito ang Head Master matapos marinig ang salitang 'Giles'. Kita sa kanyang nag-aalab na mga mata ang kakaibang emosyong nabuhay matapos marinig ang huling sinabi ng lalaki.Pananabik. Pananabik dahil sa nadiskobreng codex na maaaring konektado sa matagal nang naglahong tribo ng mga Giles? O pananabik dahil sa may kaakiba
*CHAPTER ONE*"Gale, kunin mo sa labas ng gate ang package delivery para sa akin." Pasigaw na sabi ni Danny sa akin sabay kuha ng perang papel sa bulsa nya at ibinato sa akin. "Sayo na ang sukli, kung meron." Dagdag nya pa sabay hubad ng hooded jacket nya. Naglalaro sila ng basketball dito sa court ng dormitory namin."Tingnan mo muna baka sira o baka kulang, kundi ikaw ang magbabayad." Pahabol na sabi niya sabay shoot ng bola na kakasalo nya palang."Kunin mo narin yung tubig na pina-refill ko dun sa labas ng gate, bayad na yun." Sabi naman ni Jeric sabay bato ng bente pesos na perang papel sa akin."Sobra naman yata kayo. Bakit ba si Gale nalang ang palagi nyong pinag-uutusan?" Isang magandang babae na nakaupo sa bench ang nagtanong."Sanay na yan sa ganyang trabaho si Gale. Kung di namin yan inuutusan baka walang makain yan." Patawang tugon ni Jeric sa babae."Hindi mo ba alam ang kasabihan na 'When money talks, Gale will dance'? Which means kahit na anong iutos mo dyan kay Gale, b
*CHAPTER TWO*When we are in danger, something hidden inside our body will activate in order to save us. It was the flight or fight response, though temporary, it will give significant boost to our senses, strength and reflexes.I guess it was what happened to me right at this moment.I was in the brink of death, out of breath and strength. However, I guess this isn't my time yet to meet my creator. I feel a warm sensation all over my body while I was struggling for my last breath.The moment I moved my feet I was able to swim in an unbelievable speed upward. As a result, I was sent meters above from the lake water. When my feet touches the lake water again, I was already in the shallow part of the lake. I heave a huge sigh of relief as I sit in the lakeside.I can't believe I just escaped death.Iniisip siguro nina Gin na makakalangoy pa ako kaya nila ako hinagis sa lake. Or they really intends to kill me? Nang maisip ko ang ginawa nilang pambubogbog sa akin, parang mas uminit ang b
CHAPTER THREEDahil sa kakaisip na baka hindi na ako makakalabas ng selda dahil pamilyang Lopez ang kinalaban ko, tuluyan akong bumigay sa tukso na tumakas.Lumabas agad ako ng selda pagkatapos ay binalik ko sa dating ayos yung rehas na binaluktot ko. Medyo baluktot parin yun pero hindi na sya madadaanan ng tao.Pagkatapos ay humanap agad ako ng bintana na maaring daanan ko palabas nang di ako maririnig. Pero wala akong mahanap dahil lahat nang bintana ng Police Station ay gawa ng salamin at may iron grills. Maririnig nila ako kapag binasag ko ang salamin at bago ko pa mabaluktot yung iron grills, baka mababaril na ako.Kaya ang ginawa ko, naghanap nalang ako ng ventilation opening sa ceiling ng building. Nang makahanap ako, tinalon ko ito upang abutin. At laking gulat ko nang naabot ko ito. Gumamit ako ng lakas at sinira ito, nagulat ulit ako nang parang ang dali lang nitong sirain. Pagkatapos nito ay pumasok agad ako doon at humanap ng iba pang ventilation opening na nasa labas ng bu
CHAPTER FOUR"Your Sister is in the rooftop. She is safe now." Sabi ko dun sa kuya ng babaeng niligtas ko.Tumango lang sya bilang tugon, hindi parin nawawala sa mukha nya ang pagkagulat dahil sa mabilis na pangyayari. Pero maya-maya lang ay umakyat ito sa building para siguro puntahan ang kanyang kapatid.Sinundan ko agad ito, pero hindi ako dumaan dun sa hagdanan, umakyat lang ako sa building tulad nung ginawa ko kanina.Isang minuto lang ang nakalipas ay narating ko agad ang rooftop, at hindi ko inaasahang nandun parin ang babae. Nakaupo ito sa gilid na animoy takot na pusa.Nakita kong nakatali ang mga kamay at paa ng mga lalaking pinatulog ko kanina. Pagkaraan ang ilang minuto ay nakaakyat narin ang kapatid nung babae."O-oh, how come you're already here?" Gulat na namang tanong nito nang makita akong nandito na sa rooftop."A-Abi!" Sigaw nung kapatid ng babaeng niligtas ko nang makita niya ang kapatid na naka-upo sa gilid. Patakbo niya itong tinungo at niyakap."K-Kuya." Paiyak n
CHAPTER FIVE"Ahhh!!"Narinig kong sigaw ng isang boses babae.Naglalakad ako papasok ng main gate ng Lexington Academy nang maagaw ng aking pansin ang isang babaeng sumigaw. Nakatayo ito sa isang lane ng daan, twenty meters ang layo mula sa kinatatayuan ko. Nakaguhit ang takot at pagkabalisa sa mga mata nito.As if my instinct is telling me that the girl is in danger, kaya mabilis ko itong nilapitan. Hindi ko alam kung bakit sya sumigaw at kung bakit takot na takot sya.'Shit!'Pero napamura ako sa isip nang isang nakakasilaw na ilaw mula sa isang sasakyang mabilis na tumatakbo papunta sa kinatatayuan namin ng babae. It was only five meters from where we stand. It would only take a couple of milliseconds before the car hit us.Pero dahil mas mabilis ang naging reaction ko, niyakap ko agad ang babae at mabilis na iniwasan ang rumaragasang kotse. Muntik pa akong mahagip nito, buti nalang at bahagya ko itong naitulak gamit ang aking paa."You're safe now." Bulong ko dun sa babaeng tinul