UNDER THE MASK - EPISODE 32

★★★★★

“Elaina Kal?” Ursula wondered aloud

“Welcome to AOS, I’ve been expecting you for so long now, priest Kal told me you’ll be joining us but he never said it’d be so soon but it’s fine” Asher said

” Oh, the daughter of priest Kal from Samjang temple” Lett said

” Yes master” she bowed

Ursula stepped forward in her curiousity and held her by her shoulders, looking straight into her eyes and catching everyone by surprise

“Your surname is Kal?, Daughter of Lorie Kal who owns a grocery store in Seoul?, The one who just travelled to Canada?” Ursula asked curiously

“Yes she’s my mother, she’s a supernatural being who hates being a supernatural and is looking for ways to neutralize her supernatural powers so she never shows it, but when she gave birth to me and found out I’m a supernatural too, she hates me, she dropped me for my dad who’s the chief priest some months ago before traveling” Elaina explained

“You’re the only one she raised?, No other one?” Ursula asked

“Yes” Elaina replied slowly, though she wants to say more but she stopped

Ursula heaved in disappointment and walked out of the ground silently, looking sad

“We were about to start practice when you arrived, you should join us before getting to know your room” Asher said

” Yes master” she bowed

” Not like we’re in the ancient joseon era, why wearing robe like the sorceress” Rainbow said

Elaina faced her sternly. ” This is still my body and I wear what I feel comfortable with so you should just shut that garbage of yours” Elaina replied

Rainbow grunted in defeat and tried her best to calm down so she won’t cause suspicions

“Elaina” Kaitlyn waved, rushing to her, they hugged immediately they met and won’t let go till after some minutes

“You’ve grown skinny” Kaitlyn said

“The temple is full of ups and downs, more like gymnastics , I burned some calories” Elaina replied and they both laughed

” Your words came to pass and luckily I’ve met my king and we’re already on the fourth kiss, we’re left with three” Kaitlyn said

” Is he?” Elaina said, gesturing at Min behind Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn looked back and took his hand. “Yes, meet my king, Changmin Lee, he only belongs to me, only me, and I’m for only him” she introduced

” How perfect, nice to meet you” Elaina smiled

” Same here, you both know each other? ‘ Min asked

” Of course, I had a very bad time after getting chased out of the house but she sheltered and fed me in the temple, she even gave me the academy flyer” Kaitlyn explained

” Oh, thanks for that, thanks for taking care of my queen” Min replied

” She’s actually our queen so I just did the needful” Elaina replied

“She knows, speak freely with her” Kaitlyn said

” Oh .. ” Min smiled

” Father knew bad days are coming, that’s why he sent me here to protect you” Elaina said

” How kind of him, I don’t even know him” Kaitlyn said

” But he knows you, don’t be scared” Elaina replied

“Of course* Kaitlyn said

” Oh … And meet Venus, Moon, Eden and Damon, they’re all seniors too and my friends” Kaitlyn introduced

“Nice to meet everyone” Elaina greeted

“By the way, though you’re dressed anciently but it’s cool, it fits you and I like it” Eden said

” Oh, thanks” Elaina replied politely

” And I love your hair” Venus said

“Thanks” Elaina smiled

“I love everything about you” Moon said

“Oh” Elaina blushed

” You’re cool, my thoughts though” Damon said

” Thanks” Elaina replied and turned her stare to where Mika and Rainbow are standing, they glared dangerously at each other and Elaina smiled

“You haven’t received your complete kisses, that’s why you can’t sense the dark air around” Elaina said to Kaitlyn’s hearing

” I sense it, but I just don’t know where it’s coming from exactly, when one of us named Depp started associating with the demons, I saw the dark aura around him but I didn’t detect fast cos he was hateful and bitter, I thought that was what built a dark aura around him” she replied

” But now you can only feel it but don’t know where it’s coming from?” Elaina asked and Kaitlyn nodded

” That means you’ll become blind to certain things till your kisses will be completed, I mean, this is the most sensitive time of your life and you should be careful of these two” Elaina said, gesturing at Mika and Rainbow

” Huh?’ Kaitlyn said

” They’re the next tool of destruction and because they’re cursed, they’ll surely destroy before their existence ends” Elaina said

” What!, Cursed?” Kaitlyn said

Min stood behind them, listening to everything without interrupting

“So when the dean was telling us to be beware of deception, he was referring to them?, But how?” He wondered, looking at Rainbow and Mika who are busy chatting

” But Rainbow is the dean’s cousin, will he watch her die?, Oh I forgot it’s fate, it can’t be meddled with” he concluded

” Yeah they’re cursed, and are destined to bring a lot of havoc to you and this academy at large before they’ll go extinct” Elaina said

” Me?, And the academy?, Wait are you a seer?” Kaitlyn asked and Elaina nodded

” One of my Powers is the ability to see the future, I’m a seer” she replied

” I’m scared” Kaitlyn said and Min held her hand

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you, but I promise to protect you together with your king, your mother and father” Elaina replied

” Mum and dad are in Seoul what are you talking about?” Kaitlyn said

” You know nothing do you?, Well I think it’s not yet time, when it’s time it’ll get revealed” Elaina said

The bell sounded again , telling them to assemble

Min left with Kaitlyn and Elaina walked behind them, watching their interlocked hands she sighed

“Can this cruel fate please change?” She thought sadly

They sat in circles, three students per circle

It’s Min, Kaitlyn and Moon

Damon, Eden and Venus

Elaina, Mika and Rainbow

Then the juniors sitting round too

“Finger fire formation” Asher said

They all had to summon fire with their pointer fingers while pointing it up like lighter and luckily no one got burnt, they all did it perfectly

“Mouth fire formation” Lett said, walking around as they did as he commanded, blowing fire from their mouths

“Circle the enemies” Asher said and they all stood

They slanted their legs and started rounding in a slant manner, rolling their swords in a clockwise manner and it mustn’t fall though most juniors failed this and swords started falling

“Again” Asher said and they started allover again but still, the Juniors are lagging behind

“I’ll take care of the Juniors, handle the seniors” Lett said and the seniors followed Asher

*If you fail an attempt, you’ll get a cut on your throat” Asher said

” A cut on your throat means you won’t be able to eat for one complete day” Venus muttered

” And none of the healers will help” Asher continued

“Meaning we should all do well” Kaitlyn said

“Handstand” Asher said

They all had to stand on their hands with their heads upside down and it seems easy till Asher started sending air waves to then with his sword

“No swaying, don’t fall” he warned and they all tried their best to stay still but the wave seems too much for Venus cos she fell on Eden and they both fell

“Master, she fell on me” Eden said

“It doesn’t matter, if you had held your ground, even if she fell you wouldn’t be affected” Asher said and seized their throats for a while, making them choke and by the time he released them, their throats hurt

“Thanks to you, I guy throat cut” Eden said, rolling eyes at Venus

” Sorry, I didn’t mean to” she replied

They were ordered to sit in groups of threes again and were given task to carry out, you have to suffocate and choke your group members with anything you have till you’ll become the only one left in the circle

“Sounds cool” Mika said, looking at Rainbow and they both looked at Elaina who’s the third member of their group

The attempt started and they employed dark powers which gave them upper hand, they made Elaina bleed slightly from the mouth as a result of the dark force they’re using

“You think you’re smart huh?, Well watch as we teach you something unforgettable” Rainbow said in mockery, increasing the force of the push with Mika

Elaina smiled despite the blood in her mouth

“Apart from being a powerful supernatural, I’m the daughter of the great priest Kal of Samjang temple, and I’m also the chosen protector of the Supernatural queen of this birth, you think your dark powers will have the upper hand?, You’re joking” Elaina replied and dropped an hand then with just one finger, she sent a great tornado to the two of them which sent then flying to the midst of the practicing juniors

Every junior stared at her with admiration as the seniors are still busy pushing

Kaitlyn succeeded in pushing Damon from the circle but it took a lot of effort before she could make Min leave, it’s her king we’re talking about so it must be hard since he’s the closest to her heart

She later succeeded in pushing him off but she immediately rushed to him

“Are you okay?” She asked, bending beside him

Min sat up and smiled before placing his hand forward

She placed her hand on it and he kissed it

“I’m fine my queen, you did well” he smiled, making her blush

Moon defeated Eden and Venus and after that they had time to mock Mika and Rainbow who are still fuming with anger

They did series of tests and trials before ending it for the day and Asher left for Ursula’s room straight

****

Ursula cried for the first time in her life cos her hope of getting her daughter just crashed when Elaina said what she said earlier, it’s so heartbreaking and just sad for her

The child she has been hoping to see for years

She quickly wiped her tears when she heard a knock sounding on the door

Opening the door, she came face to face with Asher

“You cried” he said Immediately

“No” she lied

Asher came in fully and stood in front of her.

“You were really looking for our daughter?” He said and she nodded slowly

” You looked for her?” Asher asked again

Ursula never cares, she gives no damn, she kills for fun and wickedness is embedded inside her, that’s the woman he fell for, that’s the Ursula he knows but now, it seems she’s real, if she’s really looking for the child, she’s changed

“But all my hopes crashed, I don’t think she’ll be found, Asher please don’t forgive me” she said, keeping in her tears with all she has

Asher came closer and hugged her lightly

“Calm down first” he said

Ursula let out her tears in his arms and let it wet his clothes but he kept consoling her though he’s sad too if it’s true that she’s really gone forever.

***

Dinner**

It’s a moonless night so the academy is lit with lights as they all walked to the dinning Hall, chatting about different things

Moon jumped on Damon from behind and won’t leave him even after he pleaded

“Stop being a monkey” he laughed, turning around and trying to make her come down but she grasped harder

“Moon please ok?, I’m not that strong” he said and she came down but he held her hand immediately

“This much is ok right?” He asked and Moon nodded happily as they entered the hall together, she held his hand tighter

Athena is serving Rainbow’s meal when they entered and made her lose concentration and in the process when she saw their interlocked hands, she poured water on Rainbow mistakingly

Rainbow stood without hesitating and slapped her soundly

*Are you blind?” She demanded as Kaitlyn held her face hurtfully

Damon stood and made to go there but Elaina was faster, she stood gallantly and turned Rainbow to herself before slapping her too

Everyone gasped at the scene

“You did what?” Rainbow said in shock

“I know you’re the dean’s cousin so what?, I slapped you , slap me back if you want to get paralyzed, it was a mistake she made, not that she intensionally poured the water” Elaina replied

” Whoa, she’s cool” Eden smiled, staring at Elaina as Athena rushed out of the place

” That’s what you kept saying since she came, but it’s fine, if it’ll cure you of your obsession with Kaitlyn then go for her” Damon said and Eden held his throat

Since he won’t be able to eat anyways, he came here to have fun and he’s already having it

The footsteps by the door made everyone turn their attention towards that place and shockingly, Mercury is there, standing with a smile on her face

“You woke up, Mercury!” Venus screamed

“It’s not Mercury” Elaina and Kaitlyn said at a time and went for her

Immediately, it transformed into a demon

“I knew it” Kaitlyn smirked

“Mazu?” Min said

“The poison cauldron” Damon said

” Circle your enemies ” Asher said, entering through the backdoor with Asher and Ursula

The students did the formation and it kind of made it impossible for Mazi to escape

“Don’t go too near, he’s poisonous” Elaina said

” I’m glad someone knows how dangerous I can be” Mazi laughed

” That won’t stop us from destroying you, step back everyone and leave this to me” Ursula said, stepping in

“And who are you to order everyone around after throwing away your child” Rainbow said and Ursula stood frozen in her tracks at the heartbreaking words she just heard

Everyone partially forgot the danger in front of them and stared at Ursula who stopped moving

“You’ll get poisoned, don’t move closer to Mazi” Elaina said

” But only I can save them” Kaitlyn replied

“Not until you get your complete kisses and your powers get released” Elaina replied

” But what’s gonna happen now?, Someone’s gonna die?” Kaitlyn asked and that instant, Athena came in

Mazi turned his attention to her and everyone gasped as he opened his poison cauldron and poured it but Damon covered her and it all landed on him in form of frozen water…..