Winter Wonderland: The Powerful Locket (Completed | Revising)

Chapter 29: The Mirror Match

Chapter 29: The Mirror Match

AIRA

3 days later...

I saw them all in the garden. What's going on? Why are they gathering? Why do they seem to be discussing something important? They all look serious too. I immediately approached them.

"Guys, what's going on?" I asked them all. They all seemed a bit surprised when they saw me. They glanced at each other as if they were conversing. I nudged Lee.

"What are you guys talking about?" I asked him, and he swallowed hard, avoiding my gaze.

"I'll take care of Aira," Josh said to Mom. Wait, why is Josh here? He was just in his room a while ago. I was surprised when Josh suddenly hugged me, and we vanished into thin air. Now, we're here in my room.

"Josh, what's happening?" I asked in frustration. I couldn't understand what they were discussing. Josh approached the door and held it. Suddenly, white smoke appeared at the door.

"If you touch the door, you'll get burned, so stay in your room and don't even think about escaping from me," he said seriously. I furrowed my brow and approached him.

"What's going on?" I'm getting annoyed! I've been asking questions over and over again, but no one's answering me.

"There's an attack on Winter Wonderland. So, it's better for you to stay in your room to avoid getting hurt. They'll fight Kashi," I frowned.

"Josh, but we should be fighting together!"

"We can't. The queen herself said you can't fight because it's too dangerous. So, I'll watch over you here," he said. I want to curse right now, but I held myself back.

I hope they'll be safe.

"Josh, pwede ba natin silang puntahan? Nag-aalala kasi ako sa kanila. Paano kung mapahamak sila?" Napailing na lang siya dahil sa sinabi ko.

"Josh... please?" Tinitigan niya lang ako.

"Aira, huwag ka na ngang makulit. Mapapahamak ka lang kung pupuntahan natin sila. Tsaka, huwag ka na ngang mag-alala. Sigurado akong mananalo sila sa laban na 'to." Tumango na lang ako kahit na labag sa loob ko.

"Josh, mahal mo ba ako?"

***

LEE

Upon reaching the Main Gate of Winter Wonderland, we were immediately greeted by the damaged buildings, with cracks in the ground as if an earthquake had passed through. We scanned the surroundings until we saw a familiar figure standing with his back to us.

He slowly turned to face us, his eyes a menacing mix of black and red. It was chilling. He grinned at us.

"So, you're finally here. I've been waiting for you for quite some time now. Took you long enough," he said. We remained silent, just staring at him, knowing he could attack at any moment. We needed to stay alert.

"Wait, someone's missing. Where's... Aira?" I suddenly felt anxious. Thankfully, Aira was left back at the palace with Josh. I don't know why, but I felt a twinge of jealousy.

We watched as Kashi created eight portals on the ground, and our lookalikes emerged from them. He made clones of us to fight against. My clone grinned at me and attacked with blazing fire.

I immediately defended against the attack and backed away. I noticed that all of us were battling our own clones while Kashi sat perched on a rock, watching us.

Hindi ko aakalaing kaprehas na kaparehas ko ang clone ko. Ang boses ko, mukha ko at ang kapangyarihan ko. Nilabanan ko lang ang clone ko. Ang dami ko na pa lang mga sugat, hindi ko man lang namamalayan.

Lumipas pa ang ilang minuto at patuloy pa rin kaming lahat sa pakikipaglaban sa mga clone namin. Napatingin naman ako kay August, mas hirap na hirap siyang kalabanin ang clone niya dahil alam nila ang lahat ng gagawin naming atake.

Napatalsik ako. Hindi ko namamalayang inatake pala ako ng clone ko. Sumakit ang buong katawan ko. Hinang-hina na rin ako at pagod na pagod. Nauubusan na rin ako ng lakas para lumaban. Ang naiisip ko na lang na paraan ay pumunta sa sarili kong Spirit World.

"Tsk. I can't believe I have to copy you of all people. You're too weak," my clone scoffed as he approached. I ignored him and sat down on the ground. Closing my eyes, I began to meditate in silence. I created a fire shield to prevent any distractions while I entered the Spiritual State.

After a few minutes, my fire shield dissipated. I opened my blazing eyes and stood up, my whole body engulfed in flames. I stared at my astonished clone.

Summoning a powerful fire tornado, my clone was helpless as it consumed him until he turned to ashes.

"Lee! Stop that, you'll lose control!" Master Azhuro shouted. Ignoring him, I controlled the fire tornado, turning their clones to ashes. Once all the clones were defeated, I looked at Kashi, who was grinning menacingly.

Bago pa man siya mahigop ng Fire Tornado, bigla na lang itong naglaho sa ere na parang bula. Hanggang sa nawala na ang apoy sa katawan ko. Napaluhod na lang ako. Nanghihina na talaga ang buong katawan ko at ano mang oras ay bibigay na ang katawan ko.

Dahan-dahan kong ipinikit ang mga mata ko at nawalan na ako ng malay.

***

AIRA

Tahimik lang kami ni Josh. Ewan ko ba pero kanina pa siya tahimik at mukhang wala siyang balak na magsalita. Tulala lang siya sa kung saan. Minsan naman ay nagsasalubong ang tingin namin kaya umiiwas kaagad ako ng tingin. Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako, bigla na lang kasi akong kinabahan e.

May nangyari bang masama? Kamusta na kaya silang lahat? Sana naman ay ligtas silang lahat. Nakakainis kasi e! Bakit kasi bawal akong sumabak sa laban e kaya ko namang protektahan ang sarili ko. Tsaka, may kapangyarihan naman ako e. Dapat lang na kasama ako sa kung anumang laban dahil ako ang protector or support sa grupo namin.

"Josh, puntahan na kaya natin sila?" Nilingon niya naman ako at kumunot ang noo.

"Hindi nga pwede, dito ka lang sa loob ng palasyo." Aniya, napairap na lang ako. Bakit feeling ko maraming nagbago? Katulad nito ngayon, dati naman close kami ni Josh pero ngayon, hindi na.

"Bakit natahimik ka diyan?" Tanong niya, hindi ko na lang siya pinansin. Kanina pa ako nagtataka, bakit ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko? Kinakabahan na naman ako sa 'di malamang dahilan. Napabuntong-hininga na naman ako.

"Okay ka lang?" Tanong niya, nilingon ko siya at tinitigan. Nakipagsukatan din siya sakin ng titig. Ano ba ang problema niya? Kasalanan niya ang lahat ng 'to e. Bakit kasi umamin pa siya na may gusto siya sakin? Kaya iyan tuloy, naiilang na ako sa kaniya. Kung hindi niya lang sana sinabi sakin na gusto niya ako, edi sana, close pa rin kaming dalawa katulad ni Lee.

Speaking of him. Kamusta na kaya si Lee?

"Why won't you talk to me?" Josh asked, for the 3rd time. I sighed.

"Do you have feelings for Wendy?" I asked. He furrowed his brow and quickly shook his head.

"No, why?"

"Just give her a chance. Love her like she loves you." His jaw tightened.

"I don't want to," I furrowed my brow at his response. "I've told you this many times, but you just ignore it. Princess Aira, it's only you that I want."