SIX.

FACING TARTARUS' MONSTERS (PART TWO)

☽︎ᴥ︎︎︎☾︎

NANA STOOD motionless, her hands clasped tightly together, a silent plea for hope woven into her prayer. Heat crept into her ear, and her legs felt like they were anchored to the ground, refusing to budge even for a moment.

The unsettling notion that people were vanishing, lost to some unseen force, churned in her gut like a tempest. Confusion clouded her mind; she could no longer grasp the reality of the situation.

She could only tighten her fist in a silent expression of her frustration.

What words would she share with Saku? That Willhelmina had simply disappeared after their confrontation? That the entity they faced was something far beyond human?

A chill coursed through her, a shadow creeping beneath her skin, awakening an unsettling power she hadn't known lay dormant within her. It was something dangerous—something she had yet to fully understand. But why was it surfacing now?

What could it possibly be? She found herself utterly puzzled, completely unaware of what it was.

Dapat niyang hanapin ang kaibigan niya. Iyan na lamang ang natatanging bumabalot sa kanyang isipan sa mga sandaling 'to.

Sigurado siyang isang tao lang na makakatulong sa kanya.

With a swift motion, she entered her room, the door slamming shut behind her. A sharp sting welled up in her eyes.

"I'm to blame," she murmured softly.

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Nana was pressed for time, so she quickly chose her favorite blouse—a luxurious dark green Y2K Lantern Sleeve Cross Shirt featuring a relaxed V-neck. She paired it with sleek black khaki slacks and slipped on her sandals adorned with sparkling silver straps, ready to make an impression in no time.

As was her custom, her golden blonde bun, adorned with playful pink highlights, radiated brilliantly.

Agad siyang nagmadali upang bumaba sa hagdang-batuhan, puno ng pangungulila at pangangailangan na makahanap ng tricycle. Gusto niyang makapunta kaagad sa bahay nina Rino, kaya't nag-anap ang isang masiglang pagtakbo niya, umaasang makakahabol pa nang isang masasakyan.

Sa gitna ng gabing 'yon, umuusok ang tunog ng lumang tricycle habang dahan-dahan itong huminto sa harap ng isang magarang mansyon. Mabilis na bumaba si Nana, tila abala at may kaunting sabik, halos mahulog ang kanyang wallet sa kanyang kamay.

Dumampot siya ng 38 pesos na muntik mahulog at, sa kabila ng kanyang pagmamadali, ngayo'y matatag ang kanyang ngiti habang inaabot ang bayad sa drayber ng tricyle. "Ito po, manong. Bayad ko po," wika niya na puno ng pasasalamat.

Nang sumagi ang kanyang paningin sa mansyon, ramdam ng drayber ng tricycle ang biglang pag-akyat ng kaba sa kanyang dibdib. "S–Sigurado ka ba, iha, sa lugar na gusto mong puntahan?" tanong niya, ang boses ay may bahid ng pag-aalinlangan.

"Opo? Bakit po?" masuyong tanong ni Nana, na puno ng pagkausisa.

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"Iha..." bulong niya nang may pag-aalinlangan. "Ito ba ang tahanan ng mga Allard? 'Yung mga umuwi mula sa ibang bansa? Anak sila ng mga kilalang doktor na nagtayo ng maraming ospital sa ating lungsod. At narinig mo na ba ang mga kwento sa ospital nila? Maraming tao ang nawawala! Lahat dahil sa mga karamdaman na hindi maipaliwanag!"

Nana had long since learned the stories surrounding them. The three siblings—Saku, Rino, and the ill-fated twin brother, whose name carried a weight of infamy—were known to have a troubling past.

The news was rife with troubling reports about them, casting shadows on their already tarnished reputation. The siblings bore the scars of a difficult childhood, marred by pain; their memories of their parents were far from loving, marred by the darkness that had accompanied their adoption. They had endured more than anyone should have to, suffering at the hands of those who were meant to care for them.

It's unjust to judge others based solely on what you've heard from others. Many people carry scars, wounds that they are still trying to mend, and who are we to speak ill of them when we have never tasted that kind of suffering? She understood this deeply; her own relationship with her father had been distant, marked by mistreatment. It hurt her deeply to hear others hurling names at Saku, who didn't deserve such derision at all.

"Kuya," mahinahon na sinabi ni Nana habang inaayos ang kanyang buhok, "Kaibigan ko po ang pinag-uusapan niyo. Mag-ingat kayo sa mga sinasabi niyo. Oo, may mga tarantado sa pamilya ni Saku, pero sana nama'y huwag niyo siya isama sa usapan. Hanggang ngayon, siya pa rin ang nagdadala ng bigat ng kanyang mga pagkakamali—mga bagay na dapat niya nang nakalimutan. Kaya, sino ka para husgahan siya?"

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"Mauna na ako..." sabi ng drayber.

"Oo, Kuya! Isama niyo na rin 'yung bulok niyong pag-iisip, ha! Ugali natin 'yan dito sa Pilipinas—mahilig tayo sa tsismis tungkol sa mga tao na hindi naman natin kilala! Kayo, narinig niyo lang sa iba kung makahusga ka naman! Ha! Perfect ka, 'no? Galingan niyo pa, ha! Kaya hindi tayo umuunlad dahil may mga katulad ninyo!" sigaw ni Nana, galit sa mga tao sa kanyang paligid.

With a subtle roll of her eyes, she turned away and made her way to the doorbell. Pausing for a moment, she inhaled deeply, the weight of her thoughts lingering in the air. Naturally, she hadn't forgotten the plans that lay ahead.

With a cheerful grin, she resolved to ring the doorbell a few times, letting its chime echo through the air.Saku! Brad! Alam kong and'yan ka. Come out, alligator! Hindi kita ililibre, ha—seryoso ako!"

Suddenly, the curtain stirred ever so slightly.

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As she stood there, lost in her thoughts, a guy suddenly leaned in with a sly smirk dancing across his lips. He clutched a stack of books in his arms and moved closer to her, curiosity written all over his face. Moments later, with a creak of rusty hinges, he swung open the gate, revealing what lay beyond.

Rino lingered in place, a self-satisfied grin playing at the corners of his lips.

"Umuwi ka na!" sigaw niya, may halong inis. "Baka nakakalimutan mong sinungaban mo ako!"

"Ang kapal talaga ng mukha mo, Rino!" sigaw ni Nana, kunwari'y nahihirapan sa kanyang mga naririnig saka ngumiwi. "Hindi ako pumapatol sa tunog manok!"

"Manok!? Hindi pula ang buhok ko parang 'yung isang red flag d'yan. Ah, red crystal ball nga pala, gago." Ngumiti siya pabalik. Napabuntong-hininga na lang si Nana sa mga kalokohan niya.

Saka dinuro ni Rino ang sarili, "Tsaka future boyfriend ako ni Cienne. I-claim na natin, may karapatan ako doon kahit sing lamig ng yelo. Mas gwapo ako doon sa ililibre mo!"

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Dinuro pa ni Rino ang sarili. "Ako ang future boyfriend ni Cienne, kaya i-claim na natin 'yan. May karapatan ako 'no! Kahit kapiranggot lang, kahit kasing lamig pa 'yan ng yelo. At mas gwapo naman ako sa ililibre mo, 'no!"

Nana let out a quiet sigh, her eyes drifting upward in mild exasperation. "Tangina mo talaga, Rino!"

With a gentle nudge, she guided him to her side before continuing her stride towards the grand mansion ahead.

It seemed as if it had stepped right out of a postcard, a picturesque scene that captured the heart. Nestled in the countryside, these remarkable homes sprawled across expansive parcels of land, each one more enchanting than the last.

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They boasted a wealth of amenities, both indoors and out, with spacious rooms and intricate floor plans that wove together comfort and elegance in perfect harmony.

Typically, these grand estates boast a design defined by perfect symmetry, featuring sweeping arches and an abundance of windows that grace each level. Crafted from premium materials such as stone and brick, they emanate a sense of timeless elegance and strength.

Rino folded his arms tightly across his chest and let out a deep, resigned sigh. "H'wag na tayong paikot-ikot pa rito. Ano ba talaga ang totoo? What brings you to this place?"

"Willhelmina had been taken against her will."

Bumuhos ang alon ng lungkot sa mukha ni Rino, at unti-unti, naglaho ang kanyang mga ngiti.

"Are you seriously saying the savior of the Fates is gone? Fuck!" He ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "Why are you bringing this to me now?"

"Because it matters," Nana murmured softly. "She holds a special place in all our hearts."

"There's really no need for that," a voice interrupted unexpectedly.

Saku emerged from the shadows, his crimson hair dancing in the breeze. A vibrant aura enveloped him, radiating a bold and striking red that seemed to pulse with life.

After a while, he let his bag slip from his grasp.

"Kung gusto talagang makipaglaro sa 'tin ni Tartarus, eh di tayo na lang ang makipaglaro sa kanya. He desires this game? Very well, I shall grant it to him. Just as I once did with my father."

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Mabilis niyang inilabas ang mga singsing, tatlong piraso mula sa kanyang bulsa, ngunit ang iba ay bumagsak sa kanyang mga kamay. Sa gitna ng mga 'yon, may isang singsing na kanyang dinukot na nagpakitang may itim na kapangyarihan, tila may mga nakatagong misteryo na nag-aantay na matuklasan.

Bawat isa sa mga ito ay nagdadala ng itim na kapangyarihan. Taglay niya ang kakayahang pamahalaan ang mga anino mula sa madilim na kinaroroonan.

With a fierce resolve, he unleashed a surge of power that had been building within him.

Nana's eyes widened in disbelief; never before had she witnessed anything quite like this. She had always sensed that he harbored a menacing aura, yet she could never have imagined confronting such a twisted reality. Was she dreaming? Just then, a shroud of mist enveloped the mansion, and with it, the vibrant flowers began to wither, their colors fading into a ghostly gray.

"Sloth, hanapin mo siya." Sa oras na binitiwan ni Saku ang utos, isang misteryosong pinto ang biglang sumulpot sa harapan nina Nana at Rino. Ito ay puno ng mga kakaibang patay na halaman, at ang pinto ay napapalibutan ng madilim na mahika.

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Suddenly, before them, a door began to take shape, as if it had been conjured from thin air.

The shadowy tendrils wrapped themselves around the frame, intertwining like a forgotten memory. With a creak, it swung open, unveiling a desolate garden that lay within, its once-vibrant beauty now faded and forsaken.

Out of nowhere, a figure emerged—a man with flowing, raven-black hair that cascaded down his shoulders. He donned a striking garment that featured an open slit around his mid-chest, secured modestly at the neck with just two or three buttons, hinting at an air of mystery and elegance.

The shirts were a stunning play of geometric jigsaw puzzles, each piece meticulously crafted from rectangles with sharp, clean edges instead of any gentle curves, ensuring that every scrap of fabric was used to its fullest potential. The sleeves boasted an extravagant fullness, measuring at least twenty inches wide, elegantly pleated to cascade into gracefully draped shoulders and refined wrist cuffs.

Sloth adjusted the reins of his horse, pushing his glasses up his nose as a glint sparked in his crimson eyes. With a piercing gaze that swept across the crowd, he inquired, "Who has the audacity to interrupt my precious beauty sleep?"

"Napabuntong-hininga si Rino, tapos tinitigan ng masama ang kapatid niya. "Kung makaporma ka, akala mo kung sino."

"Oh, c'mon. Selos ka na naman?" ani Saku sabay ngisi. "Hindi ka pa rin pinapansin ni Cienne, 'no?"

"Eh 'di ikaw na! Ikaw naman palagi 'yung pinapansin niya noon!"

Saku casually gestured toward his brother and said, "You're just jealous."

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"Hahaha!" Tumawa ng malakas si Nana sa pagbibiro ni Saku sa kapatid niya, habang si Rino naman ay nagmumukmok lang sa kanila.

Rino turned his gaze to his brother. Usually, he'd offer some advice to keep him out of trouble, but today wasn't that kind of day. With the savior already kidnapped, his brother's issues seemed pretty minor in comparison.

Honestly, if he ever finds himself in a tough spot, he's going to want to give him a talk pretty quickly! But right now, the top priority is to save Minami no matter what. His future is tied to hers, so he's got to take down Tartarus, whatever it takes.

"Pre, seryoso 'to. Hindi natin pwedeng hayaang si Hades pa ang maunang makuha siya. Delikado 'to para kay Minami, alam mo 'yan. Lahat nakasalalay sa kanya dahil sa mga Fates natin. At ikaw ang pinaka nakakaintindi nun." paliwanag ni Rino

That's the reason I'm going there," Saku replied, concern etching his features. "You should stay here too; if the scientists discover all of us, things will only get more dangerous. I mean it," he added, nudging Nanako's forehead with a gentle but stern gesture.

As he entered the realm of Chaos, the vast emptiness of the void became evident. No sooner was he drawn in than he unleashed his dark, intricate chains, commanding Sloth to explore the surroundings.

The forest lay shrouded in a tangle of twisted vines and skeletal trees, their gnarled branches reaching out like the fingers of some forgotten nightmare. An eerie atmosphere hung heavily in the air, wrapping the landscape in a veil of danger and foreboding. It was a place where shadows danced and silence whispered secrets; it came as no shock to encounter creatures of the night lurking within its depths.

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Ethereal, colossal eyes glimmered above, suspended in the darkness like stars turned to malevolence, watching your every breath and every step. Escape felt futile, for they were attuned to your every movement, prowling just beyond the edge of your vision.

In the depths of the forest known as "The Inferno Isles," the eyes watch intently. It is said that these eyes are the remnants of souls long departed, lingering to protect their domain. They haunt the paths of unwitting travelers, their gaze piercing and unnerving, as if evaluating your very heart and intentions. Venturing forth from this enchanted yet perilous realm will prove to be a formidable challenge.

Beneath the shimmering gaze of the moon, a silver light dances softly over those eyes, enchanting all who behold it. Its voice, the sweetest melody ever heard, carries a charm that captivates the heart. Yet, beware! For beneath that alluring facade lies a hint of darkness, echoing the haunting mystery of those ethereal eyes floating in the night.

The moon's song weaves a soothing melody that can cradle weary souls in tranquility. Yet, within its notes lies an unusual echo that has been known to leave wandering hearts spellbound and faint. Whether you choose to heed this tale is yours alone; the celestial orb may serve as a beckoning guide or an elusive trickster, leading you on a journey that dances between wonder and bewilderment.

Maingat na lumapit si Saku sa pintong itinuro ni Sloth at agad na pinihit ang seradura. Sa isang iglap, bumungad sa kanya ang tila bangin ng kadiliman. Lalong sumidhi ang tensyon sa dibdib niya nang makita si Minami sa isang madilim at mapanganib na lugar.

"Saku? Ikaw ba 'yan?" tanong ni Willhelmina, napasinghap sa gulat nang makita siya.

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"What have you done to her?" he demanded, his voice trembling with urgency.

Wilhelmina swallowed hard, her heart racing as she recognized the expression on his face. His brow knit in concentration, his jaw tensed, and his fist tightened into a formidable ball.

He cast a fleeting look at Tartarus, fully aware of the deep loathing that simmered between them. Those piercing eyes were all too familiar, a haunting reminder of past confrontations. Even in that moment, with the weight of danger looming over her, he knew he would charge forward without hesitation, driven by an impulse that transcended reason.

He's mad.

"Why don't you tell her yourself? That girl is so fixated on stepping into the realm of Chaos. And you really believe I'd allow you kids to go? Not a chance!"

Wilhelmina slowly rose from her seated position, the weight of the news settling heavily upon her. She locked her gaze with Saku's, her eyes reflecting a mix of fear and resolve. With a slight tremor, she reached out to grasp his shoulders, seeking both support and connection. Taking a deep breath, she hoped to steady herself, but the anxiety within her remained unyielding.

"Saku, what does he mean by that?" she asked, her brow furrowing with confusion. "Were you aware of any of this?

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"Monsters gain immense strength when drawn into this abyss. Now that we've arrived, there's no turning back. It's the price we pay for venturing from the Inferno Isles," Saku revealed to her.

A sly grin spread across her lips; even in the face of his caution, she showed no signs of concern. Was she aware that they were standing at the edge of the abyss? It seemed not to faze her. With an abundance of cards still in her possession, she considered the possibilities.

After all, in this place of darkness, perhaps an arrangement with Thanatos could be struck—one that might free them from their tormentors and ease the grip of those lurking monsters.

Fear did not grace Wilhelmina's face. With her arms crossed, she fixed her gaze on Saku, embodying calmness and an unwavering strength. What was going on in her mind? Why did she seem untouched by fear?

"Alright, perhaps. But only if we can track down Thanatos and strike a deal with him." Wilhelmina adjusted her grip, pulling on his hand with a spark of excitement in her eyes.

"Not a chance!"

☠︎︎༒︎☠︎︎

𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐈 𝐍 𝐄 𝐃   𝐖 𝐈 𝐓 𝐇   𝐇 𝐀 𝐃 𝐄 𝐒

Betrayal's Game Series #1

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