Sweats are building up, heart keeps on pounding.
Confused. Stunned. Nervous. Those are the three words that I can use to describe what I am feeling at the moment.
There are too many questions in my mind. He should be unstable, and does not know any of his power. So, how come he knew my existence?
It doesn't make sense. Unless, he wasn't the one behind this mystery note. Then, who would be?
How I wished it was the scenario, how I wished this was a different person. Just not an Abyssal Order.
I cannot be at a disadvantage right now. Definitely, they, the Erebosian, or worse the Abyssal Orders, should not know who I am and why I am here. Knowing so would put me in a bad situation. Too dangerous.
I know I can fight them. I know that. It is just that I cannot afford to fail this mission, and put harm to the innocent mortal humans. They should not be collateral damage, they didn't do anything. They don't even know about our world. That's too unfair on their side.
Now, what should I do?
Suddenly, the warning given by Alpha echoed in my mind. "We do not know if he is truly clueless or it is just a trap."
I need to know. I need to move. I need to be faster than anyone.
My mind came back to reality as Celestia called my name. "Earth to Sera?"
"Thalassa?" Hanna asked, then turned to Thala. "Isn't your second name Thalanna?"
Thala grabbed the note. "Yeah. Baka for me talaga 'yan? Maybe, nagkamali ng desk 'no?" Her eyes alternately looked at us.
I breathe in a sign of relief. Thankfully, it does look like a mistake. They wouldn't think too much about it.
Though, I know it was really for me. Thalassa is my real second name.
I innocently shrugged, trying to act like I believed it was a mistake. "Baka nagkamali lang." I gave her the water bottle. "Here, stay hydrated daw," I added, smiling sweetly at her.
"Your secret admirer gives you water, maybe you look like a dehydrated conyo girl," Freya teases Thala with her playful voice.
Thala widened her eyes, standing with hands on her hips. "Omg, that's masakit ha. You are so mean, Freya! I will iyak here, you want?" She stamps her feet in annoyance but playfully does a tongue out. "Anyway, at least I have an admirer who cares about my health."
Freya looks disgusted. "Ugh! So arte ha," Freya added while mocking Thala's voice, rolled her eyes and walked toward her seat.
We laughed while watching Thala and Freya quarrel. Then, individually go in our seats. The class started after a few minutes.
For a while, I need to forget about the mystery note. I should listen to this lesson. After all, I am enrolled and need to do my responsibility as a student.
"Samahan niyo muna 'ko sa locker room. May kailangan lang ako kunin dun," Rizzy said.
It was already class dismissed, we are packing our things.
"Let's go, I need to put something in my locker too," Celestia added, without looking at us. She's doing her make-up retouch.
"Me, tooooo!" Thala shouted, she's too energetic even after a whole class.
I decided to put some of my new books in my locker. Good thing that the university immediately provided me with my locker number and key before introducing myself to the class.
After arriving in the locker room, I rushed to my locker and excitedly checked it. I analyzed the size of it, it had two spaces, maybe it could fit up to 20 books.
Oh… maybe I should put my PE clothes here when they arrive and give them to me.
As I was focused on what I should put in my locker. I didn't immediately notice the small note.
I picked it up. "I will always watch you, Water Bearer." -from O <3"
I felt tightness on my chest. My heart began to beat fast, and my mouth became so dry.
I swallowed hard and acted normally. I hid it in my bag, I cannot afford to let them read the new mystery note since it contains an unexplainable thing.
Anyway, how did he know? Someone definitely snitched my mission and identity, who would that be?
Ms. Gale knew it, and few members that can be counted with my fingers. The other equilibrium member only knew that I am here for a mission yet they don't know the details of it.
"Sera, let's go! Uwi na us."
I smiled and followed them.
"Sabay ka na samin. What is your address, Sera?" Hanna asked.
My address?
I looked at her with confused eyes, yet I still gave her my address. "56 Dale Subdivision, Manila"
"Sakto pala, we're in the same subdivision," she stated.
Rizzy goes to my left side. "Sabay sabay kami palagi umuuwi. Yung driver ni Hanna yung naghahatid samin."
I immediately looked at Hanna, and said, ""Thank you!"
After a few minutes, a black van stopped in front of us. While in the van, they talked about a lot of things. I was on the side, listening to them.
Freya was the first one to get off. Next, Thala and Rizzy since they are in the same subdivision. Celestia's next.
"Thank you, Thala." I bid my good bye and gratitude for dropping me off.
As I got inside the house, Ms. Gale met me at the entrance. "How's the first day in university?"
"Good, it's somehow enjoyable."
"Looks like it and who is that?"
Maybe she is asking about Hanna and the van itself.
"Hmm…I already found new friends in PU."
"That's good."
I smiled at her but didn't reply back. I walk towards the basement where I put a water barrier that will hide any communication, conversation, and anything that will happen in that room.
As we entered the basement "Someone knew my identity." I looked at Ms. Gale's face, and she looked shocked as well given that her eyes were widened.
Her brows collided, "Who and how did you know?"
In my mind, I recited the enchant for my water construct. "From the depths, I call and shape, a watery form, I will command." With my hands, two notes are forming mid-air.
"Stay Hydrated, Thalassa!" -from D <3"
"I will always watch you, Water Bearer." -from D <3"
Ms. Gale read the notes. Her breath was caught halfway, she didn't move and she didn't even blink. Just staring at the notes floating in the air. "This is impossible, how does he know and who is that O?"
I signed deep. "Unfortunately, from a traitor. And, maybe O stands for Obsidius."
I walk towards the huge circular table in the center of the basement. "From the depths, I call and shape, a watery form, I will command."
Using my water construct, I made water structures of the faces of the Equilibrium members who knew my mission. I formed it into a web. and put Ms. Gale in the center.
"Find the traitor, Ms. Gale," I uttered in a very low voice. I hate to think that there's a traitor among us. It is hurtful to even think about. But, I need to think about the mission itself. I need to prioritize the safety of the mission.
"Noted. I will find that person as soon as possible and will bring that traitor here."
I looked at her softly. "You can leave now. Focus on finding that traitor. I can manage myself here."
"Are you sure, Sera?"
I gave her a smile that assured her. "Yes, I will contact you if I need anything."
She looks like she has double thoughts of leaving or not. I can manage myself here.
It felt sad to think that I should not trust anyone about any information I can get. Hence, being alone in this basement every day just to deduce some information is the best option. Too much trust can lead my mission to failure or worse, my death.
The three Epsilons that were given to support me would not ask me anything nor even go in this basement since it had my protection.
I can see her hesitation. So, even though I don't want to, I used my authority. "This is an order from a Beta, Ms. Gale."
She was shocked, yet bowed down to me. Maybe she didn't expect me to use it. "My apologies. I will leave now, Lady Aella."
"Please, be careful. Update me as soon as you find that traitor."
"I will, Lady Aella." She completely left the room.
I looked at the water web. And, recited the enchantment in my mind and constructed another face and made a web of my newly met people in the PU, who can be my lead in finding the Obsidius.
I once again looked at the notes, and felt that I was definitely at a disadvantage. I feel that I am in the game without knowing the rules, without knowing who my enemy is
"They know more than I do," I thought.
I set aside those thoughts. I need to analyze the mystery note.
I used my water to assess it. I am right… It is made of dark energy, a dark energy from an Abyssal order.
I used my power to assess it again and too much exposure to my power, the dark energy loosened up and the result made me stunned.
It was an illusion. The paper that was made from dark energy was an illusion. The one who holds the power of illusion among the Abyssal Order is the Deceptor.
I realized something. Given by his name, he was known to use deception to mislead and trick his opponent.
That guy! He is behind the mystery notes. He uses the letter O to deceive my mind that Obsidius knew my mission and identity.
It makes sense already. But, why is he here? Are they also finding the unstable Obsidius?
Another realization hits me.
Jayson? I felt something off about him but his body is a mortal one. Definitely, he isn't Yuri. So, he is a victim of mind manipulation by the Abyssal Order. That is why he knew my name. That is why I felt something off about him, his mind is controlled by that guy.
So, the Deceptor is also in the school… as a student?
I frustratedly closed my eyes, exhaled sharply. I was too disadvantaged. Two Abyssal Orders in my blind spot, freely roaming around in my surroundings without me knowing. How lucky I am in this world.
Now, I am worried about the mortal human. I need to protect them, too much direct exposure to the dark energy of an Abyssal Order can have very extreme consequences on the mind and body of a mortal human.
I sighed hard. It's time to start my aquahealing.
Why is he even here? Hmm.. Obsidius is unstable. He doesn't know the power he holds. Is that why the Deceptor is here to find him too?
So, this is a race to find the unstable Abyssal Order. I can feel that he is just near, he is also a student from PU. I need to find him. I need to find him first before the Deceptor.
But, the Deceptor can freely watch my steps. How unfair. I need to make a move on how to make him come out in the darkness.
Obviously, I cannot give notes and such. I can't also sense them because of the foggy effect of the scattered unstable dark energy.
Dark energy is too much in this area. The density of it makes it hard to sense them. I need to lessen it or better to destroy it to track them using the sense of my water.
But, the Deceptor can also benefit from it. Without me knowing, he might go ahead of me when the foggy effect of dark energy gets lessened.
I don't have any choice. I need to get faster. I need to do it or nothing will happen.
This is a game they wanted. It is my pleasure to give it, but I will make sure I will win.