[Helena]

"Then, let's start this conference."

Bora stood up, with his hands at the top of the table. 

"I'm sure that you already have an idea why we are here."

"It's because of your stupidity." Pagsingit ni Luceta. Hindi mawala-wala ang pagkakunot ng noo niya mula kanina.

"Yeah, it's your fault old man!" Pagsulsol ni Rox. "Bakit mo pinadala 'yong mga batang 'yon? Do you trust them more than your family?" Giit niya.

"Of course, the sins are your favorite right?" Rox answered her own question.

I secretly yawn. I knew that they'll start blaming Bora.

Ungrateful brats, you should be grateful that you didn't had to come. Kung sakali, baka kasama kayo nina Nyx na bali-bali ang mga buto ngayon.

"Hey, hey, there's no point blaming anyone right?" Ethan awkwardly chuckled, trying to lighten up the mood.

"Hindi ko tinatanggi ang pagkakamali ko, kung pwede ko lang akuin ang lahat, gagawin ko. Pero hindi ko kaya." Seryosong sagot ni Bora. Humihingi siya ng tawad sa aming lahat ngayon, pero sa postura at ekspresyon niya, parang ang mga kausap niya pa ang may kasalanan.

As expected to the man who never bows his head.

"So, what are we going to do?" Walang ganang sambit ni Elias. 

"What? We have no choice, right?" Sagot ng ama niyang si Lor. "We need to clean this mess."

"We should just beat them!" Masigasig na pagsali ni Rox.

I heard someone heaved a sigh. "Easier said than done." Pagsingit muli ni Elias. "How can we beat a freaking God."

"How can we even go back to the association with him there?" Dagdag ni Xilah.

There was a sudden silence after realizing what Elias and Xilah said. Someone then talked that caught all of our attention.

"We have no other choice, right?" Sambit ni Yadiel. "We should kill the vessel-"

"No one will kill the girl." Mabilis na pagsingit ko. Ang lalaking hindi ko pinatapos magsalita ay tahimik lang akong tinignan.

"What are you saying?" May tonong ani ni Luceta.

"We won't kill an innocent person."

"Innocent? She fucking killed dozens of gifted— people!" 

"And whose fault is that?" Walang kaemo-emosyong ani ko na kinatahimik niya. "We knew that something— someone, is coming. We knew that it will cause the end.... She did everything on her own, and we weren't there to help her."

"But we didn't know who it will be!-"

"It's the same as her reason. She didn't know anything."

Walang nakasagot sa sinabi ko. Everyone felt guilt, even me.

"Killing her is our last resort. If we can find a different way, then we won't let her die."

"But if it's the only way, then I can kill her myself."

I looked at them with a serious look, full of determination. Isang daang porsyento akong sigurado sa mga salitang binitawan ko.

Ayokong may inosenteng buhay ang mawala, pero kung kinakailangan at kung para sa lahat, handa akong patayin siya at harapin ang mga pwedeng mangyari.

I'm not merciless... but I'm not also a saint.

"You talk like you're sure that there's another way." Malamig na sambit ni Yadiel. He looked at me with his dead eyes. "Then what's the other way to 'kill' this God?"

Everyone waited for my answer. I glanced at the person beside me that immediately understood what I'm thinking.

"Of course, I won't speak empty words."

Tumayo ang katabi ko na nakuha ang lahat ng tingin ng nandito. "This is why the students risked their life and went to the UA... to bring her."

She looked at everyone. Then... slowly showed a grin.

"I like having the spotlight." She really looks like a psychopath when she grins. That look in her eyes... as if she's killing everyone with a look. "Not so nice to meet you, the academies' dogs."

"I'm none other than the best, smartest, most cunning gifted..."

"Joker."

As expected, except for Law and Red, all of the Portugals here were surprised. Yadiel and Bora didn't showed their reaction, but it's still visible. Rox, Luceta, and Yor, gasped. And Xilah's brows raised.

"A little kid?-"

"Are you out of your mind?!" Mabilis na reaksyon ni Luceta. Namimilog ang mga mata at nanggagalaiti siyang nakatingin sa amin. "Why did bring that person here?!"

Kita ko ang paglunok nang malalim ni Lor na pinilit na ikalma ang sarili niya. "W-Why are you with her, principal?" Naguguluhang sambit niya. "We can't trust her. Joker is-"

"Alam naming malambot ang puso mo sa mga kriminal! Alam naming puno ng kriminal ang paaralan mo, Helena! Pero hindi katulad ng Lunar and Solar Academy para dalhin mo rito-"

"Hoi old bitch." Malamig na pagputol ng katabi ko. 

I glanced at Joker, the psychotic grin she has a second ago faded. Instead of a crazy look, she has a cold expression on her face... with killing intent.

"I don't give a fuck about what you're blabbering about," Joker looked at Luceta dead in the eye. "But watch your fucking mouth."

The way that Joker talks really changes when she's in front of someone else. Iba ang tono ng pananalita niya kapag ako ang kausap niya at sa iba.

"Look," Inilibot ni Joker ang tingin niya. "I don't a give a fuck about you, you, you, all of you. Balatan kayo, sunugin kayo, putul-putulin man ang mga katawan ninyo, WALA-AKONG-PAKE."

"Only one person matters to me."

Pasimpleng nakuha ng sinabi niya ang atensyon ko.

"If I take that person with me, and beg Andina for our lives, we'll be safe. Typhon will take us and you'll all die." Seryosong aniya. "I don't have to waste my time here with you."

Suddenly, Joker's expression changed. Her face softened and she lost eye contact.

"But that person won't let that happen..." She said something under her breath, but still loud enough for me to hear it. "Because she cares too much to fools like you... you don't deserve her." There's a hint of bitterness in her voice.

Mabilis na nagbago ang ekspresyon niya nang umangat ulit ang tingin niya sa amin.

"So, I'm here to try saving your fucking asses."

"You talk too much for a wanted criminal." Pagsingit ng isang lalaki. Magkakrus ang braso ni Yadiel nang tignan si Joker. "So tell us your fucking point. How can we kill the God?"

Nagkaroon ng sandaling katahimikan. Pare-pareho naming hinihintay ang magiging sagot ni Joker. She surely took her time thinking before answering straight.

"I won't tell you."

Even I, was surprised with her answer. Literal na napaawang ang bibig ng ilan sa amin habang ang iba ay umangat ang mga kilay.

Xilah's forehead furrowed. "W-What?-"

"I told you! We can't trust that person! This is absurd!" Luceta exclaimed.

Napabuntong-hininga si Joker.

"I wont' tell you... yet."

"Fool!-"

"Why?" Mahinahon na boses ni Bora ang bumalot sa silid. Lahat ng atensyon ay nakuha niya.

Joker shrugged her shoulders. "I guess telling it to you right now is suicide."

"Kung gano'n, kailan mo balak sabihin sa amin?"

Hindi kaagad nakasagot si Joker sa tanong ni Bora. Matapos ng ilang segundo, seryosong ekspresyon ang pinakita niya sa amin at may tono siyang nagsalita.

"I'll tell you how... but first." She raised two of her fingers.

"I have two conditions."

CHAPTER 7
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