Denis' POV

     After Christmas, my friends, parents, and I finally took the time to rest in our house the next day. A sense of serenity and tranquillity washes over our cozy state within the household as we seize the opportunity to relax from the busy day before. Within the quiet corners of my bedroom, there Harris and I settle, with me on the bed and Harris on a chair beside me. As Harris uses his phone, I utilize my laptop on the bed, which heats the mattress, but I barely care. And there, we play a horror game, connecting to the digital world and seeing each other online through our devices.

     While Harris and I navigate the obstacles in the horror game, we revel in the moment that causes our hair to rise. With every move and turn, we stumble upon something that prompts us to gasp and laugh. Amidst our gaming session, I hear knocking on our gate outside. My ears perking up, I halt from playing and listen carefully.

Chloe entered the bedroom and said, "Hey, Denis? Someone's outside your home."

"Oh?" I responded, standing up from my bed with Harris.

Michaela's POV

"Who is it?"

     I call out to the person knocking on our front door as I leave our bedroom and pass through the hallway, stumbling upon my son and some of his friends. As I walk to the living room and peek through the window, inspecting the outdoors, I see two familiar people outside. Just as my eyes land on them, I know well why they're here, and I have no choice but to entertain our guests as it is the month of Christmas. Sliding the window open, I mark my presence and wave at them, trying to catch their attention.

"Ay, sandali lang!" I told them to wait.

     Immediately, I walk down the stairs and open the gate for our guests to pass. Our expected visitors are none other than my niece and grand-niece, who are Denis' closest cousins, Lucia and Yvanna. They are ordinary people who live near our place and, in fact, the nearest relatives we have. Though I know their intentions why they're here, I will be glad to return the favor, since a decade ago, Lucia used to help me raise Denis while my husband and I were out for work.

     Lucia, who is the mother of Yvanna and the cousin of Denis, is a woman in her early forties. Shoulder-length hair, which we both sport, frames her round face and her deep brown eyes. Her skin is like a field of ripe barley, complementing her dark locks. Meanwhile, Yvanna, who is Lucia's daughter, is a more youthful version of herself. Together, they wear fancy-looking blouses and wide trousers paired with flats, showing that Christmas is yet to end for them.

"Ah, tita!" Lucia grinned, passing through the gate with Yvanna.

"Namamasko?" I asked them if they were here for Christmas donations nonchalantly with a knowing smirk.

"Opo, 'ta. Namamasko lang, hehe," Lucia affirmed, giggling timidly as we entered the home, closing the door behind us. Upon entering the house, Lucia quickly saw Harris, Chloe, Philip, Meredith, Presley, and Felix—foreign-looking people—gathered in the living room, facing us.

"Ay, bisita sila ni Denis. Mga ano sila, uh, taga ibang bansa," I said, quickly concocting a lie to hide their identities as soon as I remembered that we should hide their origins. I told her that they were just Denis's friends from a foreign country.

Lucia's face brightened with a smile. "Ay, hello," she greeted them.

"Hey," Harris, Chloe, Philip, Meredith, Presley, and Felix waved back.

Emerging from the crowd, Denis squeezed through and approached Lucia and Yvanna. "Ah! Hi, Ate Lucia! Huy, Yvanna!"

"Hi, Kuya!" Yvanna greeted Denis.

"Tara, doon tayo sa taas!" Denis suggested, telling her they should go upstairs. Turning around, Denis and Yvanna went upstairs. As Denis walked past Harris, he placed his hand on his shoulder. "Hey, wanna continue the horror game?" Denis asked.

"Sure," Harris replied.

"Can I watch?" Chloe inquired.

"We've been expecting you to do so! So come!" Denis affirmed as he hurried up the stairs.

"Yay!" Chloe trailed behind Denis, Harris, and Yvanna.

"Me, too, please!" Felix followed.

Now, it was only Philip, Meredith, Presley, Lucia, and me left in the living room.

"Sang bansa sila galing, tita?" Lucia inquired, wondering which country Denis's friends were from.

"Ay, uhh..." I glanced at Philip, Meredith, and Presley, whose faces seemed to reflect confusion and worry, though they didn't understand a word we were speaking. "Sa Amerika," I responded.

"Ah, galing, hah," Lucia replied.

"Ano, hah, teka lang, kuha lang ako ng ano," I stammered, telling Lucia I'd just get some money for her Christmas donation.

Philip's POV

     Michaela hastily went upstairs and left Meredith, Presley, and me with their visitor. At first, Meredith, Presley, and I exchanged apprehensive glances. As we looked at the guest, our eyes went on shimmering with a flicker of bashfulness.

"Hello, I'm Lucia," she introduced herself politely. "What are... uh... your name?"

A smile lit up my face as I replied, "I'm Philip."

"Presley!" my half-brother introduced himself.

"Meredith," Meredith stated.

"How long have you stayed here, hah?" Lucia inquired.

"Oh, we've been here since the early days of December," I answered.

"You're... uh... friends of my cousin, Denis, yeah? How did you, uh, ano, meet him?" she wondered aloud.

This was beginning to make my heart race as I quickly sought a lie to answer since we wouldn't want to reveal the truth just yet. But, at the same time, I found this amusing. "...Uh..."

"In a cafe!" Presley grinned.

"In an online cafe," Meredith asserted.

"Yes, we met online," I concurred with a firm nod.

"Ano kaya 'yon?" she pondered, her finger raising to her lip. She wondered what an online cafe was or whatever we just uttered. Eventually, she gave in to her innocence and said, "Ah, sige. Okay."

Finally, Michaela returned downstairs with money in her hands, which kind of saved my half-brother, girlfriend, and me.

"Ito na! Michaela smiled.

"Ay, Yvanna!" Lucia called out to her daughter upstairs.

Denis' POV

     Inside my bedroom, Harris and I continue our gaming session, manipulating our characters and navigating them through the dark paths of the horror game we're playing. Meanwhile, Chloe, Presley, and Yvanna watch on our backs, their eyes fixed on the screen. Amidst our play, we hear Lucia's voice emanating from downstairs, echoing into my bedroom.

"Yvanna! Tara na!"

"Ay, tawag na ako, Kuya," Yvanna informed me, telling me they had to go.

"Aw, alis ka na agad?" I asked, wondering if it was her time to go.

"Yeah, tara," said Yvanna.

Everyone and I went downstairs, and there, my mother handed money in an envelope to Yvanna.

"Oh, Yvanna, oh, Merry Christmas!" my mother smiled.

"Thank you po, tita!" Yvanna grinned.

"Oh, paalam ka na," Lucia told Yvanna, asking her to bid her farewells.

"Bye!" Yvanna waved. She then glanced at me and bid her goodbyes. "Bye, Kuya!"

"Alis na kami, 'ta! Merry Christmas!" Lucia also raised her hand for a wave.

As my cousins, Lucia and Yvanna, left the house, Harris inclined his face towards my ear and whispered, "So, your other name is Kuya?"

"Oh, huh?" I raised a confused brow.

"Your other cousin was calling you Kuya," Harris mused.

"Oh! Kuya. No, no! It means brother here," I clarified.

"Brother? But isn't she the daughter of your cousin?" Harris pondered aloud.

"Well, uh, it's some sort of a respectful way to address your male elders. In fact, I'm supposed to call you Kuya Harris," I smirked playfully.

With a naughty smirk, Harris whispered out loud, "I like that."

My eyes widened, and my gaze alighted to a different corner.

Philip's POV

     Soon, as the hours pass, just the time before the dusk settles, Denis, Harris, Chloe, Meredith, Presley, Felix, and I set out to find the portal once again. We failed to do it one time, but maybe the second time's the lucky charm. If we struggled to locate the portal at morning's twilight, maybe there's a better chance of pinpointing it after dusk.

     Denis and Harris pair into two and head to Biñan River near Denis' university. Presley heads to a different spot of the river, trying to skim around. Meredith, with her young siblings, Chloe and Felix, go on to another river, hoping that it will be the correct body of water where the portal will emerge this time. Meanwhile, I return to the calm shores of Laguna de Bay but in a different spot where I see fewer fishermen. In this way, it will be inconspicuous to see the portal by ordinary folks who are not part of our plan.

     Carried by the breeze, the fishy smell of the lake and the leafy scent of algae fly towards me, reaching my nose. I squint against the gust, trying to look around the darkening horizon. The sky begins to transition from a cerulean color to a deep indigo color, soon turning pitch black. The fading daylight spreads in the horizon, painting the atmosphere a blend of orange, peach, and violet and creating a vibrant tapestry in the heavens.

     Slowly but surely, the line in the horizon blurs, melding seamlessly with the black sky, and this signifies the end of twilight. Night has bitten the land, settling over the world and blanketing everything in the lake in a veil of shadow. With a sigh of resignation, I close my eyes and grab my phone from my pocket. Tapping on the screen, I dial the others, checking up on them.

"Meredith?" I called in the phone.

"Oh, Philip, yes?" she responded.

"Did you find the portal there?" I inquired.

Meanwhile, Meredith scanned the area, only to find nothing with her siblings. "Sadly, I haven't."

"Well, let's meet up at the house," I suggested. "See you later, babe." Calling my half-brother through the phone, I said, "Presley? Did you spot anything?"

"Dude, nothing's showing up!" Presley grumbled.

"Hey, hey. It's alright. Let's all head back to Denis' house, okay?" I calmed him down. Calling Denis and Harris, I asked, "Hey, guys."

"Hey," Denis replied.

"Did you two find anything there?" I questioned.

"Nah, it's the same," said Denis.

"Plus, I think our area is too overcrowded with people. I doubt the portal will show itself somewhere brimming with... men and jeepneys," Harris added, voicing his thoughts through Denis' phone.

"Alright, let's all return home for now, okay? We'll have a brief meeting," I suggested.

***

     Later, everyone and I returned home. Inside the house, we gather in the dining room and sit around the table for our meal. Once we finish dinner, just soothing our stomachs with beverages, we start a conversation regarding the portal's location which seems elusive.

"So, we barely found anything useful this twilight. Dawn's twilight didn't work out, and neither did dusk's twilight," I asserted thoughtfully.

"I thought this time would be different," Meredith exhaled deeply.

Quenching my thirst, I grabbed a glass of water and took a sip. "Felix? Are there any more interpretations regarding the phrase 'Mirrored Grace' according to your knowledge?" I inquired, turning to Felix.

Felix furrowed his brows in concentration. "...Mirrored grace... hm... mirrored grace... all I can think about is Mirarthi Gras, which means something that reflects on water..." he said.

"Oh..." everyone sighed.

Felix's POV

Just as hope seemed to be lost, I recalled another interpretation. Swiftly, I informed the others about it, saying, "...Oh, wait! Other than Mirarthi Gras, the term 'Mirrored Grace' can also mean Resiprutus or Mutulitius... which could either mean Reciprocation or Mutuality."

Chloe thought, "Huh, that makes sense, considering 'mirrored' can mean something that reflects... and it doesn't have to be in a physical sense..."

"...But in an emotional and spiritual sense!" Presley continued, his finger pointing towards the ceiling.

"Great, we've found yet another clue," Philip announced.

"So, do we ditch looking at any body of water or...?" Denis inquired.

"Yes, ditch that idea. Now, let's focus on this new task. And we must ask ourselves this... what is something that is reciprocated or mutual between us?" Philip stated firmly with conviction.

"...Your relationship with Meredith? Or Mr Robert and Mrs Ella's relationship? Because if we take the theme out of relationships, there's mutuality... a reciprocation for care... adoration... love," Harris contemplated.

"Well, now we know that 'Mirrored Grace' can be all about relationships. So what now? How do we open the portal?" Denis pondered aloud.

"Hmm... Felix?" Philip called out to me.

"Okay, okay... everyone. Chill... I'm not an expert of magic yet... but as of what I know about opening a portal, we, uh, we... we must..." I stammered. "We must first have the key, which we do now, and with that key, through our complex emotions, we can build a portal frame and... oh! I know now! We must build a portal frame, and the pair who has a mutual bond must use the key to open the portal! It's like a true love kiss scenario! Like, whoever is right for this portal's senses, it will open it... ignite it!" I exclaimed.

"Way to go, Felix!" Philip cheered, his fist slicing through the air.

"Nice thinking, bro!" Chloe clapped.

"Great! We can try this idea and see if it will work," Michaela, Denis' mother, suggested.

I nodded. "Mhm... but... the question is... where do we build the portal frame?"

Robert's POV

     Everyone and I sink into a profound sense of silence, our mouths sealed. We all exchange glances as if trying to convey our thoughts and nuances. I gaze at my wife's glistening orbs that seem to speak of her words, and I willfully listen to everything in her heart. I know that, despite these people being strangers and residents from outside our universe, these are the very same people who have helped my dear son to return to this world, waking him up from his coma two years ago. And now, they are here to bring joy to my son, who I fear will always have that phase—that awful phase that brings him profound sadness.

     As a man of dignity, I must show hospitality to these guests who don't just provide happiness but a sense of salvation to my son. I know well this is my time to show them that I am grateful, and my genuine sense of appreciation will reveal itself to them. Eventually, as my decision crystallizes, I clear my throat, my fist rising to my lips.

"We can build the portal somewhere safe and private... let's build it here at our home," I declared.

"You sure, sir? We won't want to be so intrusive to bother your living space," Philip replied timidly.

"What's your thoughts, Michaela?" I asked my wife humbly.

Michaela beamed. "Yes, we can build the portal here," she affirmed.

Placing my hand atop my wife's palm, I repeated, "We can build the portal here."

"Ha! Great!" Denis, Harris, Chloe, Philip, Meredith, Presley, and Felix burst into exuberant cheers.

"Mom! Dad! Thanks! You're the best!" Denis grinned.

     With my deep brown orbs sparkling like the stars in the night sky, I smiled at my son and my wife. My dear spouse and I gazed into each other's eyes, peering deeply into each other's thoughts. It was as though we were silently communicating our joy to one another.

Denis' POV

     Soon comes the final day of the year, and many fireworks are already sent to ignite and cackle in the sky under the daylight, unable to wait for midnight. As the sun is yet to set, the sky blending the colors of cool blue, lustrous gold, and soft peach, Chloe, Meredith, and my mother begin to cook for the feast for New Year's Eve. Meanwhile, Philip, Presley, and Felix gather in the living room, trying to sketch out a design for the portal.

     In the meantime, Harris and I recline in the bed, with me lying on my back and Harris sitting on the edge of the mattress. As we contemplate the running days, listening to the exploding fireworks that echo across the atmosphere, we engage in a friendly conversation that brings wide smiles to our faces. Damn, think about it—I will be celebrating New Year's Eve today with Harris, his friends, and family this time. It brings a sparkly glint to my eyes as a flicker of excitement surges across my mind.

"Think about the running days," Harris began.

"Yeah, can't believe I'll be celebrating New Year's Eve with you, guys," I thought with a smile. "Wait, do you guys celebrate New Year?" I asked, sitting up.

Harris let out a faint chuckle. "Of course, we do."

"I guess we have a lot of things similar, despite being in two different universes," I nodded, absorbing the information.

"What a big coincidence," Harris pondered.

"Hey... can we... uh... you know? Can we do some deep talk? Like, I wanna know more about you," I inquired timidly.

"Hehe, why do you wanna know more about me?" Harris wondered.

"Well, cuz, despite knowing each other for years, we've only been with each other for barely a month," I muttered.

"Then, sure. What do you want to talk about?" Harris agreed, turning to face me with a smile.

Curious about Harris's past, I asked, "...Can we talk about... our past relationships and issues that, uh, involve things in more than a friendly way?"

"Why do you even wanna ask that?" Harris smirked.

"Hey, you agreed we'd do a deep talk," I laughed.

"Alright, alright. Who goes first?" Harris questioned.

"How about you go first?" I suggested.

Harris leaned back. "Huh, alright. So... past relationships... I've only been with Lyvie, to be honest. Crushes? Barely had. Romantic encounters that don't involve relationship and commitment? Nah," he revealed.

"Woah..."

"...You?"

"Okay, for me, heh... uh..." I murmured bashfully. "For relationships, I had my first one when I recently turned fifteen. He was from abroad. He was nice. But as our relationship progressed... he revealed himself to be a total jerk. Second relationship? He was from the capital city. Met him online like the previous one. I was, heh... you know? More likely forced to be in a relationship with him because he wanted to, just because we had mutual feelings. Hell, he was very immature and told me I was a freaking cheater just because I was playing with my best friend on the game we played!"

"Talk about being petty," Harris giggled.

"Yeah, yeah. For the third relationship that broke my heart heavily and... gave me the final straw with guys... it was with a guy from the States... he was funny... engaging! But... damn... he left me because I acted too fast for him... I was even considering marrying him one day in the states where gay marriage is legal. But no, he doesn't believe in gay marriage because he's a darn narrow-minded asshole," I vented out. "...I... I kept trying to go back with him, but he just kept friend-zoning me... many times. He said we're incompatible. That's when I knew I had to move on... I hate that trash. He is nothing but a toxic, selfish crap!"

"Hey, hey. Chill. They're all in the past. And they should no longer bring you down," Harris reassured me, placing a tender hand on my shoulder. "Just look at your growth. You've managed to overcome them. You're strong... to the point, you were able to bring down a warlock that kept terrorizing my country for years... that's the Denis I know."

     My eyes shined with a lustrous sheen as emotions whirled within me, manifesting through the sparkly glint in my pupils. My eyelids flew open, and I gazed into Harris' eyes with awe and admiration. He was too sweet, and a profound sense of gratitude consumed me, urging me to hug him. But I knew well I mustn't. Instead, I flashed Harris a deep smile, indiscreetly conveying my admiration for him.

"...What will be me today without you?" I contemplated.

"What will 'I' be today without you?" Harris pondered aloud. "Possibly, I'd still be a monotonous jerk. A suplado! Hehe."

"Ah! Don't call yourself a jerk. And! You're not a suplado," I chuckled softly, giving Harris a gentle and tender slap on his arm.

"Well, I was a snobbish lad, right? And that defines suplado, hm?" Harris smirked playfully, his arms crossed.

I lowered my eyes as a smile played on my lips. "...Heh, yeah. Right. But... the real you? Is a sweet guy."

"Hehe. Me? Sweet?" Harris smiled.

"I! I, uh—" I stuttered with an awkward giggle. "I mean, you're a nice guy! That's all!"

"You're also sweet..." said Harris. Giving me a playful pinch on my cheeks, he whispered, "...Sweet little Denis."

     My eyes broadened, threatening to pop out in surprise and admiration. I felt as though my stomach was about to explode from the butterflies raging within. My cheeks flushed, moved by Harris' playful gesture and heartwarming words. In short, he is giving me what's called a sense of kilig in my country. The profound thrill churns within my body, coursing through my veins and causing electricity to spark at my fingertips.

Presley's POV

     Taking a break from the exhausting brainstorming session in the living room with my half-brother and the brother of my half-brother's girlfriend regarding the portal frame's design, I seek refuge in the kitchen, taking a glass from the dish organizer and pouring myself water from the refrigerator to drink. As I take a good sip of the fresh, cool liquid, Michaela, Denis' mother, calls out to me. Immediately, I approach her on the counter, where she cooks the hearty sauce for the pasta while Chloe and Meredith bake the cake on the other side.

"Oh! Presley!"

"Yes, Ma'am?" I responded, walking towards her.

"Try my spaghetti. Is the flavor just right or do I need to add something...?" Michaela asked, giving me a plate of spaghetti.

As I took a bite, flavors burst forth on my tongue. It was good! But at the same time, I felt that it was lacking something. "Mmm! It's so good, Ma'am! But! I suggest you add a little more tomato paste!" I recommended.

"Aw, thank you!" she replied. Immediately, she added tomato paste to the pot of spaghetti sauce, and just as I was about to turn away to return to the living room, she grabbed my shoulder, prompting me to stay by her side momentarily. "Wait!" she urged. Pouring her spaghetti sauce on the plate of pasta, she handed me food. "Try this now," she requested.

Taking a bite, I felt a sense of delight washing over my taste buds. "Wow! It's perfect! Too perfect, Ma'am!" I grinned.

"Really? Here! Take some spaghetti and let the others try it as well," she said.

Returning to the living room, I brought Philip and Felix plates of spaghetti. "Hey, guys! Let's take a break for a while from this brainstorming thing, right, right??" I smiled.

"Ooh! Spaghetti!" Felix bounced on his seat as he took the plate of spaghetti from my hand.

Philip's POV

"Yeah, could use a little break," I smiled.

As I savored the plate of spaghetti Michaela cooked, Presley pointed out to the rough sketch I made, saying, "Hey, bro! Where do you insert the key tot he portal? Add the keyhole!"

"Oh, you're right! Put it somewhere here!" Felix jabbed his finger against the paper.

"Oh, right," I responded.

     I put down the plate of spaghetti from my hands to the table. I then grab the pencil and draw a keyhole for the portal. At last, the sketch is done, I suppose.

     The portal frame stands as tall as an average doorframe, with its width extending as narrow as two people standing side by side. On the sketch, I add two pillars on each side, supporting the portal structure. The portal possesses a rectangular shape, with a keyhole on its right side. Though the sketch had no color, I shaded it with my graphite pencil, as I thought of having ordinary cloud-grey stones can be the base, preferably granite.