Soulstone Academy

Chapter Twenty-Three: Archives

It was pitch black.

The moment the door closed, I was engulfed in complete darkness.

Pero kagaya noong ikinulong kami ni Ruin sa dilim, I can still determine kung saan ako nakatayo sa kwarto. Nakikita ko ang daanan pababa ng hagdan at gano'n rin ang nagtataasang book shelves dito. It was both fascinating and terrifying to stand in complete darkness while seeing everything. I feel like some nocturnal animal who is out on a hunt.

Nakatitig lang ako sa pintuan. The dumb sun has locked me inside. There was no way to open the door. Hindi nakakatulong ang soul item detector sa tabi ng metal na pintuan dahil wala naman akong soulstone. Unless kunin ko palabas ang kaluluwa ko tapos gawing payment diyan sa pintuang maarte.

Why did he even lock me in here? The dumb bastard. He's just asking for even more trouble.

Matalino nga sa math, bobo naman sa mga desisyon.

I heaved a long sigh, rolling my eyes and deciding to see what this whole archives thing is about. Maliban sa mga book shelves na halos maabot na ang ceiling ng kwarto, the room looks dull and boring. Mas naging boring pa siguro nang makita ko kung gaano kalaki ang mga libro na naroroon.

Who in their right minds will even read that? Ano, inexplain na ba ng librong 'yan ang origins ng lahat ng country?

Malapit na ako sa pinakababa ng hagdan nang biglang may hanging dumaan. Agad akong napatigil sa agresibong ihip nito. I don't know why but... even an ordinary fan wouldn't blow air this strong. Particularly that fast and shortlived.1

Kinabahan ako nang marealize na baka multo 'to. Ghosts aren't rare and they're usually famous in stories, but hell if I wanted to see any of them. I can peacefully coexist with other assholes without having to see a ghost in my life, thank you.

"Kung sino ka man..." I began to whisper in the darkness, as if may isasagot ang multo maliban sa pagsira ng gamit. "I'm not afraid of the paranormal, pero baka madouble dead ka if you dare touch me. Unless may pangpalit ka sa hundred thousand dress ko, huwag kang lumaㅡ"

Halos lumipad ang kaluluwa ko nang maramdaman ang malamig na kamay. The ghost of a cold hand caressed the back of my neck, to my throat, up to my cheeks. The thumb brushed my skin so gracefully, that I almost forgot I might be killed after, when a cold breath touched my ears. I shivered as terror sank in my hearts.

Hindi lang dahil sa isang bali ng leeg na lang ako, pero baka masira din ng kung sino man ang hairstyle ko.

And because I am the best guy to surprise, I slowly muttered, "What the fu-"

"Raia..."

There's my real name again, whispered in a haunting tone.

"We miss you, Raia..."

"And who are you to miss me?"

The lack of response made me gather my courage and turn around. Ngunit ang pagwasak lang ng maitim na usok ang sumalubong sa'kin.

Inikot ko ang tingin sa paligid, but unfortunately, I did not see a thing.

Until a quick movement flashed by one of the nearby shelves.

Kaagad akong natigilan. My heart dropped for a moment before it started racing again. Hindi naman ako matatakutin sa mga ganitong bagay, but my body is unconsciously alarmed right now. Siguro dahil na rin sa hindi pamilyar ang lugar na 'to sa'kin kaya ako kinakabahan.

Heavens! Just imagining Ellis to suddenly appear is enough to terrify me. 'Yong scared shitless na may halong irita.

Napaatras ako nang may mahulog na mga libro. Mukhang plano pa ng kung sinong tao dito na manggulo. Mabilis kong hinarap ang gumalaw na shelf para makita kung ano 'yong kanina pang tumatakbo. Again, I found nothing but darkness.