[Law]

Magkakasunod kaming naglalakad. I don't know what's wrong with this tension and atmosphere, but it's freaking intimidating.

Napasulyap ako sa nauuna. The guy called Ivan, as far as I can remember, the Glutton. Next to him is none other than the brat, Joker. Kasunod ko si Red, at isang lalaki na nagpresentang sumama kanina.

He said that he should come as a representative. Ang iika-ikang maglakad, at may benda sa braso na bali. I don't know his name, but I'm sure that he's the Lust.

Maliban sa amin ay wala ng sumunod. Scarlet remained in the clinic, after all, siya ang nagbabantay sa mga lantang gulay na mga estudyante.

"Kris, why are you here?"

Nakuha ng atensyon ko nang magsalita ang lalaking nauuna, si Ivan. He glanced back at us, to the guy who's at the back rather— Lust.

"Of course, kailangang may kasama ka." Pasimple kong sinulyapan ang tinawag niyang Kris. Napaiwas 'to bigla ng tingin. "Chain should be the one coming with you... but..." He bit his lower lip. "He's not in the right state."

Pasimpleng naningkit ang mga mata ko. Chain? If I'm not mistaken, that's the blood guy— the Greed.

Ngayong napagtanto ko, hindi ko man lang naramdaman ang presensya niya kanina sa clinic. He's really different from the first time I've met him. Maybe because of his injuries?

But rather than getting hurt physically... he looks like he needs more than physical treatment— he's hurt... emotionally and mentally.

Hindi nakasagot si Ivan sa sinagot ni Kris. I can see the hint of sadness and guilt on his face before he continued moving forward. It didn't took long for us to stop in front of an unfamiliar room.

Pasimple akong napangiwi nang makita ang pinto. What's with these people? Anong klaseng nilalang ba ang mananatili sa loob ng silid para maging gawa sa makapal na bakal at maraming padlock ang pinto?

"We're here." Binuksan ni Ivan ang pintuan.

We were greeted by a room full of monitors and screens, different kinds of blueprints and maps plastered at the walls, some devices and electronics, and things that I don't know that exists.

"This is my room." Prenteng umupo si Ivan sa swiveling chair sa gitna, kung saan nakatapat ang mga monitor. Pinaikot niya ito at humarap sa amin.

With both of his elbows resting on both of the armchair, and the tips of his fingers connected, he glanced at the person in front— the kid, with a serious look.

"Now, tell me what you need from me."

Hindi siya nagpatumpik-tumpik pa, at dumeretso kaagad sa topic. Joker looked very pleased with his actions. She's showing her psychotic grin again.

"Very well, straight to the point." Joker smirked. "The Glutton, you, who inherited the God of fire and crafting, Hephaestus' gift, who has the gift of creation..."

"Created that ring, that was able to find me, am I right?"

Walang nakaimik sa sinabi ni Joker. Naningkit at tumalim ang tingin sa kaniya ni Ivan. Pasimple ko rin siyang tinapunan ng tingin.

This brat... really fucking knows everything.

"For your information, we don't share those info about us to just anyone." May tono ng pagbabanta ang boses ni Ivan. "The God that I inherited my gift from, has nothing to do with your question."

Joker chuckled. "My bad." Sagot niya kahit alam naman naming sinasadya niya 'yon.

Sumandal si Ivan sa upuan. "Yes, indeed. Ako nga ang gumawa ng singsing na 'yon. Ano? Do you want me to make you another one?"

Natatawang humakbang papalapit sa kaniya si Joker. "Then, nagawa mo 'kong hanapin, it only means that you scanned the entire area right?"

Nakuha ng sinabi niya ang atensyon namin.

"Yes... I did-"

"Then, can you make a map out of it?"

Hindi pinatapos magsalita ni Joker si Ivan. Napaiwas ng tingin ang lalaking kaharap namin.

"I can..." Muling umangat ang tingin niya sa amin. "Pero alam kong hindi 'yon ang pinunta niyo rito, hindi ba?"

Kita ko ang paglawak ng ngisi ni Joker sa narinig. "Kasama 'yon sa pinunta namin dito. Ang alamin kung kaya mo ngang gawin ang mapa."

"Pero, wala-"

Nahinto si Ivan nang matauhan siya. "Don't tell me-"

The moment he saw Joker's expression, he knew that what he's thinking is right.

"NO! Hindi niyo pwedeng balikan ang singsing!"

Bingi-bingihang naglakad si Joker. "Then, how can you make the map?" Pang-asar na sagot niya. "Kung ako sana ang gumawa ng singsing, kahit masira ang connection namin ng singsing, kaya kong panatilihin ang information na dala-dala nito sa akin."

Hindi nakasagot si Ivan. Kita ko ang paghigpit ng pagkasasara ng kamao niya.

"Don't be fucking stupid! That is suicide!" Nangungusap ang mga mata niyang tumingin sa amin. "That ring! I gave it to Erks!"

"Paano niyo makukuha ang singsing ngayon mula sa kaniya?!"

As I watch him getting eaten by his emotions, the more uneasy I felt. Hindi ko nakita ang mga nakita nila, hindi ko rin alam ang naranasan nila. Pero ngayong nakikita ko kung paano sila umakto... kinakabahan din ako.

Maybe getting the ring back really isn't a good idea-

"Brats." Biglang lumalim ang boses ni Joker. Natigilan ako nang makitang walang buhay ang mga mata niya nang tignan kami. Para bang nababasa na niya ang nasa isip ko na nagdadalawang isip na rin ako.

"Do you think I'm a fool?" Nanatiling malalim ang boses niya. Para tuloy may kung anong demonyo ang nagsasalita sa mala-bata niyang katawan. Her voice itself is enough to intimidate us.

"Anong silbi na nandito ako para hayaan kayong gumawa ng katangahan?" Tinuro niya ang sarili niya. "Principal HELENA, FUCKING TRUSTED ME WITH THIS SO DON'T RUIN MY FUCKING PLAN!"

"IT'S MY TIME TO SHINE!"

"DO I LOOK LIKE A FOOL?!"

"WHY WOULD I DO SOMETHING DANGEROUS WITHOUT KNOWING IT'S DANGEROUS HUH?!"

We were all taken aback. I was too fucking too stunned to speak when she suddenly raised her voice. She freaking said what?

She's doing this... for Principal Helena?

Mabilis na pinakalma ni Joker ang sarili niya at mariing napahawak sa ulo. As if she said something she shouldn't.

"Look, I know... okay? I know."

Kaswal na tinaas ni Joker ang hintuturo niya.

"I have a plan. So you brats shut your fucking mouths and just follow me, if you all want to live."

"We're going to get that ring back."

CHAPTER 16
The Ring