[3RD POV]

It was quite a busy today at the Solar Academy, it's not an ordinary day— not a normal one. The word spreads fast, and just in a snap, with two words, their normal day turned into a big event.

Code Red.

Halos lahat ng estudyante sa paaralan ay narinig na ang balitang pinakalat ng mga opisyales. Alam nila ang ibig sabihin n'on. It's a serious case.

Guilds are instructed to stop accepting and doing missions, and those who are on their missions are ordered to come back as soon as possible.

Hindi rin magtatagal, magsisimula ng magpulong-pulong ang mga guild masters kasama ang mga Principal ng iba't ibang paaralan. Hinihintay na lang na magtipon-tipon ang lahat.

Sa kabila ng mga estudyante sa paaralan na sunod-sunod ang mga tungkulin, nabubukod tangi ang isang grupo sa loob ng paaralan na nakatayo— naghihintay.

Unlike the students who are worried because of the code red, at this very moment, they are more worried for their lives.

All of the Grim Reapers except from Gin and the rookies, their Principal, the Principal of Solar Academy, and a little girl. Nasa loob sila ng isang inside field sa loob mismo ng paaralan. Maliban sa kanila, ang ibang opisyales ay agaran ng umalis sa paaralan para gawin ang mga tungkulin na kailangan nilang gawin.

Even Principal Helena has things to do herself too, but she just can't bring herself to leave, knowing that her students are about to risk their lives at this moment.

"Nervous?" August glanced at the guy next to her. Nakapaninibago ang ginagawa. Kanina pa siya tahimik.

Nahinto sa pagkatulala si Zeldrick sa tanong niya. He faked a chuckle before looking back at August. "Nah, I'm just thinking." Patagong humigpit ang pagkasasara ng kamao niya. "This mission... it should be successful no matter what."

Napabuntong-hininga si August sa narinig. "Yeah, but make sure that you'll make it out alive." Mariing sagot niya.

"Don't be pressured." Pagsali ng isang boses. Parehong napatingin si August at Zeldrick sa batang babaeng dumaan. Nakapaninibago rin ang ekspresyon na meron lagi si Principal Helena no'ng mga nakaraang araw.

She always has a straight expression... cold and serious.

"I'm telling you this, I-won't-give-a-damn, if you didn't managed to get that ring. Just make sure, MAKE SURE, in five seconds, you'll come back, with or WITHOUT the ring."

Seryosong tinapunan ng tingin ng principal ang mga estudyante niya. With those words, it's enough to make Zeldrick a little better. He flashed a smile, thinking.

'With you saying that, makes me feel that I should be successful no matter in getting that ring.'

"Tsk, but make sure to still get that ring tho." Pagsali pa ulit ng isang batang babae na nakakuha ng mga atensyon nila.

Hindi maipinta ang mukha ni Joker habang nakatingin kay Zeldrick. Isa siya sa mga kasama sa pagpunta sa UA headquarters.

"I'm risking my life here you know, MY LIFE." Tinuro-turo niya ang sarili niya. "Compare to you guys, after hers, my life is more important!"

"So make sure to get that damn ring!" Umirap si Joker. Nalipat ang tingin niya sa paligid at doon niya napansin na kulang pa ang sasama sa kanila.

Nakasimangot at kunot noo siyang nagsalita. "The Lust guy, where the heck is he?" Inis niyang sambit.

While waiting at the field, the person they're waiting for is still inside of the academy— together with his co-guild members. Unlike the others who are also inside the open field, his team can't see him go... 

"W-Woi.... A-Ano?" 

Parang tuluyang namutla at nawalan ng dugo si Chain. Hindi pa tumatagal ng dalawang araw mula no'ng umalis sila galing sa UA headquarters, pero ibang-iba na siya kumpara sa unang pagpunta nila roon.

His dark under eyes are very visible, he also lost weight in just 2 days. Wala siya sa sarili. Wala sila sa sarili.

"Hehe... I'm going back-"

Hindi naituloy ni Kris ang sasabihin niya nang maramdaman niya ang pagkwelyo ni Chain. "Nanggagago ka ba?! Gusto mo talagang mamatay?!"

Walang magawang makapigil kay Chain. Nanatiling tahimik si Ivan na nasa loob din ng clinic at alam na, na mangyayari ito. Kris chose to tell his guild that he's going back to the headquarters just now— when he's already about to leave.

In this way, they can't stop him, he thought.

"Bakit ikaw?! Bakit ikaw pa?! Hindi mo kailangan-"

"Ito ba ang napag-usapan ng mga opisyales?"

Nahinto sa pagsasalita si Chain nang may sumingit na boses. Ang taong hindi pa magawang makaupo nang maayos sa kama ng walang tulong, at nagpapagaling pa rin.

Nyx has a cold expression on his face, mind full of thoughts... and guilt.

"If this is what the academy wants, there's nothing we can do about it." Aniya.

Napaawang ang bibig ni Chain, mas lalong nainis at nanghina sa narinig. "B-But-"

"Hehe, don't worry." Marahang inalis ni Kris ang pakakakwelyo sa kaniya ni Chain at pilit na ngumiti. "As always, I'm just their transportation... I won't do anything reckless-"

"As you should." Pagsingit ng isa sa mga Sins.

Drine— the Pride, who still can't fully walk, looked at Kris' eyes. As if they're just talking with their eyes. They have this special, relationship after all.

The two grew up together, and stayed together. A relationship more special than friends— but not lovers.

Kris expression softened as he walked closer to Drine. "Hmm, the Pride is worrying for me?" He chuckled.

Hindi nawala ang seryosong ekspresyon ni Drine habang nakaangat ang tingin sa kaniya. Natigilan si Kris nang hawakan nito ang kamay niya.

"Ikaw ang nagdala sa 'kin dito... hindi ka pwedeng hindi bumalik at iwan ako rito. I'm your responsibility."

For a second, a part of Kris' memory flashed in his eyes, suddenly reminiscing the time he spent with Drine when they were kids. 

"Of course, I promised."

"Don't die."

He flashed a smile before nodding. Umangat ang tingin ni Kris at inilibot niya ang tingin niya sa clinic, kung saan nandito ang lahat ng Sins.

"They're waiting for me, I'll go now." He bowed like a prince. "The Sin's Lust, will go to his mission now, and swears to successfully accomplish it."

Those were the words Kris left, before leaving his guild. As soon as his eyes changed, a portal to the open field where the others are opened, and he went inside.

"Speaking of the devil! Marunong kang tumingin ng oras?! Pakiramdam ko ay hindi mo alam ang limang segundo!" Inis na bungad ni Joker sa saktong paglabas ni Kris ng portal papunta sa kanila.

Walang masagot si Kris maliban sa pilit na pagtawa at pagkamot sa batok.

"Forget that, are you ready, Kris?" Tanong ng principal na kasama nila. Principal Bora looked at him seriously.

"Yes, principal."

"Very well, then let's start this mission." Pagsali pa ng isang principal, si Helena.

"Tsk, open the portal the bridge." Utos ni Joker. Kapansin-pansin ang hawak-hawak nitong... isang megaphone.

Kris didn't wasted time, and in instant he made a portal. At the same time, since everyone was tensed and focused, they didn't noticed one of the students approaching.

A not so familiar guy. About to approach Joker who's about to go inside the portal, mistaking it as Principal Helena.

"Principal! The Lunar Acade-"

"S-Stupid!-"

Even Joker didn't expected it. The moment their eyes met and the moment they stepped inside the portal... they knew they fucked up.

Mabilis ang pangyayari na hindi kaagad naproseso ng mga saksi. Literal na nakaawang ang mga bibig nila nang makitang hindi lang isang tao ang pumasok sa portal. 

Napasinghap si Law. "Oi, oi. I'm not the only one who saw it, right? May kasama 'yong kutong lupang si Joker."

"That guy is familiar." Dagdag ni Scarlet.

Napailing na napabuntong-hininga si Principal Bora, na kilala kung sino ang tinutukoy nilang nasama. In his mind, he just thought that, 'there's nothing we can do about it now, I just hope that he won't get in trouble'.

"Let's wait for the signal, 10... 9..." Nagsimulang magbilang si Principal Helena. Doon nila muling naramdaman ang kaba.

Habang naghihintay, sa kabilang banda, ang batang babaeng nasa dulo na ng tulay ay hindi malaman kung ano ang magiging reaksyon. She's pissed, irritated, and... pissed again.

"Fuck it! You're a fucking idiot! Don't blame me when you die!" 

Sunod-sunod ang pagsigaw niya sa lalaking nakasama sa kaniya sa importante at delikadong misyon. Zeke was dumbfounded too, slowly realizing that he might die in this mission. Paulit-ulit na napaismid si Joker habang habang hawak-hawak ang megaphone.

A megaphone that she built, together with Ivan— the Glutton. The Joker's knowledge, and the Glutton's gift... 

"I don't have time for this." Inis na pumwesto si Joker sa harapan ng tulay. She's sure that by now, even though she's miles away from the island— the headquarters, they already felt her presence. "The time is already clicking, they're waiting for my signal."

She glanced at Zeke, warning him. "'Wag na 'wag kang lalayo sa 'kin kung gusto mong mabuhay." Seryosong aniya na nagpawala ng kulay sa balat ng kasama, na mukhang sumasama na naman ang sikmura.

Napatikhim si Joker bago i-on ang hawak-hawak na megaphone. Dahan-dahan niya 'tong nilapit sa bibig niya at nagkaroon ng sandaling katahimikan. The only noise are the birds that are flying in the sky and the small waves in the sea... before....

"Mic check, mic check."

Sa kabila ng distansya ni Joker at haba ng tulay, umaalingawngaw ang boses niya sa megaphone sa buong lugar. Habang papalayo nang papalayo, mas palakas nang palakas ang ingay ng megaphone.

Ito ang device na ginawa nila ng Glutton.

With that noise, she got the attention of everyone... everyone...

"T-That voice---"

Madaling nakilala ng mga gifteds sa headquarters ang boses niya. Lalong-lalo na... ni Andina.

"Hi! Did you missed me?!"

"Well, I missed you! Specially you, Andina!"

"You're the only motherfucker that I can talk to!"

Mabilis na nanggalaiti si Andina sa naririnig. She stopped doing whatever she's doing at this moment. "THAT BITCH! GET THAT BITCH!"

"B-But it might be-"

"DO WHAT I SAY OR I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU! GET JOKER!"

Walang nakaangal o makasuway sa utos ni Andina, kahit anong mangyari. With that, everyone on the association's attention are on the person who's at the end of the bridge. This is how the mission will start.

"NO MATTER WHAT! KAHIT KAILANGAN KAYONG LAHAT PA ANG PUMUNTA ROON! KUNIN NIYO SI JOKER!"

Joker's plan was a success. They intentionally took the bait.

She smirked. "What an idiot." Bulong niya. Pinatay niya ang megaphone... it's the signal.

"Now, the 5 seconds starts."

CHAPTER 19
5 seconds