Wake me up in 2395

Chapter 28: This is the start of a Revolution [Part 2]

Chapter 28: This is the start of a Revolution [Part 2]

Where did they take the corpse of Cassandra? Did they burn her down? Where will her soul go, after she has also taken lives with her?

With all these questions running wild inside my head, I knew I had no choice. I had to move. Despite of my reluctance and unwillingness, I had to. All eyes were on me, but I can still feel the tension around the room, especially with the district I represent—with Tre, where Cassandra used to be at too. Alam kong magiging mainit ang tingin ng mga tao, lalo na sa mga loyalista, sa Tre. I started walking. Mabigat ang aking mga hakbang papunta sa entablado, palapit sa lugar kung saan namatay si Cassandra.

She was just right beside me a few minutes ago, but she is already gone. I was walking the same aisle that she walked through in order to get to the stage. I thought to myself that this event is absurd and that the pride of the Union is very fragile. I sighed. Everything around me was blank, but I can feel the blue light that was following me, a spotlight made by drones that were also projecting every inch of my body, every angle, and every movement. I feel so exposed, pakiramdam ko ay parang malalaman din ng mga tao ang aking nasa isip. Just how many millions are watching me? And just how many of them are starting to have their eyes opened, that they can resist?

I am not from this world, but I have to live the rest of my life here... I have to survive, to live, I have to do whatever it takes in order to achieve a world that is equal for all, where justice is not only for those who are on top of the pyramid and triangle... That is why I have to suck it in, every absurd thing, because the right time will come. I will wait for my initiation with the ROSE Society, in order to be an official member, as I was still just a recruit. I get their suspicion and caution, after all, I am the ‘sister’ of Lucius Arturius Ghani, the man that the Empress is fascinated of.

Habang palapit ako sa entablado ay may tumutugtog din na musika na ngayon ko lang napansin. My attention was elsewhere, after all. All eyes were on me, I was the center of attention. Hindi ko alam na ganito ang mangyayari dahil lang sa sinabi ko ang aking ideya kay Chun, I never thought this would happen, but it already did, and I have to live with the consequences of my action despite wanting to remain unknown and lowkey, because that is the only way that I can move freely. Now, since I was awarded and granted with one of the international titles that were deemed to only be held by the most powerful ones, I have also become a public figure—The Most Phenomenal Woman of all Time... Though all I did was tell Chun that what he was doing was wrong, that it should not be the matter being teleported but the information encrypted unto that ‘matter’.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Imperials all, the Most Phenomenal Woman of All Time is a title and award that is granted to only one person and no one shall be able to take this title anymore, we already have an occupant of this title, and here she comes, Primrose Ghani! Let us all give her a hand!” Blare announced, he was really a host and a master of ceremonies, as he was able to make the ambience and atmosphere lighter, despite of the cold tension and this heaviness that makes me want to vomit. I wanted to cry, really, for Cassandra... But I know this was not the right place or the right time.

Everyone cheered and clap, but there is something strange and different with the crowd. Parang pilit na lang, halatang lahat sila ay nasa unang pangyayari pa rin ang nasa isip—how the Champion died, and how this death meant the rise of the ROSE Society, of which she has represented and died for, despite being not a part of. With the recent events, I am sure the Union have its own foundations shaking, and I know more people shall want to be a part of the Society too.

I ascended the stairs, and while I was approaching, mas naaninag ko na ang Empress. May bakas ng takot sa kaniya, alam ko iyon, kung hindi dahil sa isang Knight na sinakripisyo ang buhay ay malamang patay na ito. She was composed, however, and she masked her feelings well with her blank expression, as if whatever happened a few minutes ago never mattered. She was the Empress, and she held her head high with the crown adorning it.

Lumapit ako kay Blare at nilahad niya sa akin ang isang titulo at trophy na may babaeng nakataas ang isang kamay. It was holding this metal torch that was carved with the Union’s insignia. It was heavy, ngumiti sa akin si Blare, “Primrose, as the holder of one of the noblest title, what is your message to your fellow Imperials?” He asked.

Akala ko ay maaawardan lang ako, may talumpati pa pala at interview? I mentally sighed. I was not able to pretend. Hindi ko rin alam kung ano ba ang sasabihin. Pakiramdam ko ay baka may masabi akong mali, lalo at mainit ang mata ngayon ng mga tao sa Tre dahil kay Cassandra.

“U-Uhm... Hi?” I smiled awkwardly, my voice was amplified by the speakers across the room.

There was a deafening silence, and then everyone started to burst out laughing, Blare did the same, and a hint of amusement was also visible on the face of the Empress.

“That’s a funny message, Primrose! Let’s give her another warm round of applause, Imperials!” Blare announced, and everyone laughed. Biglang naging magaan ang atmosphere—dahil lang sa isang salitang binitawan ko—Hi.

I guess Lag was right.

The less you speak, the less mistake.