[3RD POV]

The rain started pouring. Malamig ang simoy ng hangin, na sinamahan ng paghampas ng mga dahon sa mga puno.

There was a sudden silence, enough for them to process what just happened and to catch their breaths.

Finally... the fight has ended.

Mabibigat ang mga paghinga nila, pare-parehong napako ang mga tingin sa dalawang indibidwal na tuluyang bumagsak, parehong tustado. Sunog ang mga balat, at lumabas ang dugo sa mga tenga, ilong, at mata.

Sinundan ng mga mata nila ang pagbagsak ng dalawa. Seconds passed, they haven't realized that they're staring at them for too long until one of them collapsed.

Her sclera are red because of bleeding, skin pale, and lips trembling. Cleofa immediately collapsed.

Agad na tumakbo papalapit dito ang lalaking may bahala sa mukha, nag-aalalang marahang hinawakan ang kasintahan.

"C-Cleofa!"

Marahang hawak-hawak ng babae ang kanan niyang mata na walang tigil sa pagdugo. Parang tinutusok ng karayom, sa parehong pagkakataon, binubuhusan ng alcohol. Gano'n ikukumpara ang sakit na nararamdaman ng mata niya ngayon.

"F-Fuck, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I should've prevented them in getting close to you-" Even though it's no one's fault, Helix kept apologizing, while holding Cleofa's hand.

She immediately stopped him from talking more by putting her index finger at his lips. "Hush, jerk. This is nothing..." she said, despite her bleeding eyes.

Sa parehong pagkakataon, marahang inalalayan ni Alvis ang babaeng pilit na bumabangon mag-isa sa kabila ng lasog-lasog na braso at sugatang katawan. 

Hindi maipinta ang mukha ni Alvis nang masilayan ang katawan ni Risca, pati na rin ang kalagayan ni Cleofa. Deep inside, he's blaming himself too for letting this happen. Being responsible and as the one who's acting as the leader of the group.

"I'm sorry... hindi ko napigilan 'yong mga lobo..."

Tinanggap ni Risca ang pag-alalay niya at tumayo. "Nah, I let guard down too."

Napatingin si Alvis sa kamay niya, puno ng konsensya ang mukha. Mabilis itong napansin ni Risca.

"Hey, don't mind it." Pasimple niyang tinago ang braso niya. "I can heal myself... but..." Her gaze went to one of the members of the group— to Cleofa.

"I don't think that someone can heal her."

Parehong napunta ang tingin nila rito. Nagtama ang tingin nila ni Helix na nabasa ang mga ekspresyon nila.

"There's a phoenix at Lunar Academy, right?" may tonong tanong ni Helix. "We... could ask for her help."

A picture of a woman with a red hair flashed in their minds. Fire behind her, making her glow more. She was said to be the greatest healer of this generation, some says that she can even revive the dead.

"Indeed, she might be able to heal her eyes," sagot ni Alvis. "Let's go straight there." Naglakad ito papalapit sa kanila, at tinapunan ng tingin ang dalawang tustado na nasa harapan ni Cleofa. 

"But before that, we need to finish them off... it's our mission from the start," pag-iiba niya.

Muling napunta ang mga tingin nila sa dalawang nakalaban nila, ang dalawang naging dahilan kung bakit ganito ang kalagayan nila ngayon. Hindi nakaimik ang dalawang babae, parehong nakararamdam pa rin ng lambot sa puso at awa.

"I'll do it," pag-ako ni Helix. Marahang humigpit ang pagkahahawak niya sa kamay ni Cleofa bago siya tumayo.

"You made the final blow, and I'll finish it for you," aniya.

Helix knows that Cleofa still has a soft spot, either for people or even enemies. He knows that she needs to work on that, but he doesn't want her to do things she doesn't want.

So for now, until she's ready... he'll do the dirty job.

Walang buhay ang mga mata niya habang mababa ang tingin sa dalawang walang malay. If they leave them be, they'll surely die on their own. But they need to make sure, and do the final blow.

His eyes changed.

Before setting them in fire, these are his thoughts.

'They won't feel it... because I'll burn them fast. And they will continue burning in hell.'

Without a second thought, he lit the two in purple flames. Despite the rain, the fire didn't even faint. And just like what Helix said to himself, he did burn them fast. In just seconds, the King and Queen's ashes are the only ones remained.

Hindi pa niya 'to gaanong kontrolado, kaya mas mabuting gamitin niya lang din 'to nang mabilisan. Naiwan ang init ng apoy nang maglaho 'to sa kabila ng lamig ng ulan, pati ang mga abong sumabay sa paghampas ng hangin.

Tahimik nilang pinanood ang paglaho ng abo ng dalawa sa hangin. Of course, there's guilt and conscience. They have emotions, they are people after all... and just kids.

They didn't know their stories, but they do know that if they didn't finished them... they're the ones who are dead by now.

It's 'kill or be killed'.

"Let's go." Ang boses ni Alvis ang bumasag sa katahimikan. Alam niyang mabibigat ang pakiramdam ng mga kasama niya ngayon, kaya pinili niyang ibahin na kaagad ang tuon ng mga atensyon nila.

Mabababa ang mga tingin nila. Inalalayan ni Helix sa pagtayo si Cleofa at nakahawak ang kamay niya rito sa paglakad. Sumabay rin sa kanilang dalawa si Risca at si Alvis.

Now, they completed their S Class mission. And they succeeded.

It's time to go back...

Or so they thought.

Joker said that they have at least 4 hours... 4 hours.

Yet, it hasn't even been an hour...

Ilang hakbang pa lang ang nagagawa nila, kusa na silang huminto. It's their human instincts.

Their body stopped on their own... because it knew that if they move an inch... they will die.

This rare feeling, but not unfamiliar. In just a second, the atmosphere changed. Ramdam na ramdam nila ang presensya niya hanggang sa mga buto nila. Ang mabigat na pakiramdam na sa puntong parang nakalubog na sa mga lupa ang mga katawan nila. Sinabayan pa nito ang lamig ng pag-ulan at hampas ng hangin.

"Phew."

A tiny voice of a woman passed by their ears. Rinig ang pagtapak niya sa mga tuyong dahon. Nanggaling ito sa likuran, at wala silang lakas ng loob na lumingon.

Pero kahit gano'n pa man, kilala na nila kung sino ang dumating.

A petite woman with a long red hair in a high ponytail. Has a red tattoo heart on her right eye, wearing a red gothic dress and high boots. Her arms shows chain tattoos, a symbol that she's cursed.

"What have you done... to my precious King and Queen?" She has a soft voice, almost like a kid. Has a British accent too. That makes her words ten times more intimidating.

She has a grin on her face, despite being pissed. Deep inside, her blood is boiling.

"The nerves..." Her grin widened, so as her blood boiling more.

"You think you can get away just like that? After killing my cards?" Her voice is becoming more intimidating, eyes slowly getting wide, expression getting darker.

She's here... one of the Dieners is here...

One of the cards, Heart.

"OFF WITH YOUR HEADS!"

CHAPTER 32
Kill or be Killed