ELEVEN.

THANATOS' HELP.

INSIDE THAT PLACE, there's a crumbling temple, twisted trees spread throughout, and branches stretched almost like skeletal limbs reaching for the dark sky. The air was heavy and spooky, and the entire environment was filled with terrifying echoes.

Minami looked around and couldn't see anything. Minami fell back and quickly grabbed for Saku's clothes. She breathes deeply at napatingin na lamang siya sa kanyang paligid.

"Scared?" he asked.

"N–no!" Minami exclaimed at halos manginig na ang kanyang mga kamay niya and she stammered, and fear showed on her face.

"H'wag kang mag-alala, kasama mo 'ko. Mas kilala ko ang lugar na 'to kaysa sa 'yo so don't worry, we have them." He pointed to the mythical creatures under Saku's hypnosis spell, who were currently walking behind them.

"May alas tayo,"

Minami could only answer by nodding towards him. So, would she even back out at this point? She had previously gone to the abyss. This shall come as no surprise.

And it only reminds her that this is where the battle starts. Kailangan niyang ihanda ang sarili dahil sa nakikita niya ngayon na 'di lang 'to ang realm na pupuntahan nila. May iba pa.

She understood what kind of challenges she was going to experience from the moment her fate was chosen. And, speaking of risks, she is already in grave danger of having her fate taken away by Hades' son.

So she bit her lip and slowly gripped her fist, hindi 'to ang tamang panahon para magpadala siya sa kanyang takot na nararamdaman.

"If you want to know something, go ahead and ask."

"Fine."

Minami furrowed her brows and sighed at him.Wala siyang choice kundi hilingin sa kanya na tulungan siya nito ngayon. Makakaasa rin siya na ano man ang sabihin sa kanya ni Saku, sisiguraduhin niyang nagsasabi siya ng totoo.Since he's most likely responsible for what's going on right now.

"Why should Thanatos help us? I don't see why he would when your father is attempting to destroy the six nations."

"Since you were aware of your previous fate, you should also be aware of this one. The reason my father intended to wipe out the six nations."

"And? What just happened?"

"The scientist attempted to gain knowledge about more than just Mount Olympus. They began destroying Zeus and Poseidon's kingdom, even taking Zeus' thunderbolt." He sighed. "And they have done terrible things to my father that they shouldn't have."

"What did they do with Hades?"

"The scientist appeared out of nowhere, in the First Domain. I only know that scientists are currently facing a major crisis in their world. So they gain power. And by entering the House of Hades, you must be prepared to declare war on my father."

To enter Hades' realm, you must first travel deeper in the pit, which will pull you down. Being stuck in the abyss is the simplest way to gain access to and inside the temple, which only you can move, and it will provide one of their greatest challenges.

The actual altar to Hades has been destroyed to make way for the Doors of Death. And once in the rockfall, you'll most likely get separated from the others, which will take you to Alastor, the high-ranking archdemon. So it was a bit delicate to claim that no outsiders could enter the realm.

"No one should have entered his throne so casually pero paano nakapasok ang mga scientists ng ganun-ganun lang?"

"Because when the gods feasted on ambrosia and drank nectar, and reveled to the tunes of Apollo's lyre; of course, from time to time, they also quarreled between themselves, mostly over the fortunes of mortal beings. Doon nagsimula maging uhaw ang mga scientists sa kapangyarihan galing sa Mount Olympus."

All of this happened without knowing about it. After all, her father, the archduke, has kept his scientific magic away from her, unaware that his actions will put her in grave danger. She does not want to be forced into this situation by having their contract to keep her safe, but she clearly has no option because of the war.

"Nakapasok lang sila dahil sa nagawa nilang sirain ang Mount Olympus and now the power has spread throughout Twilight Vale. And they didn't stop there; they definitely entered the House of Hades and stole his valued treasure. The scientist has gone too far in angering my father."

Minami put her hands around her chin and it made her even more doubtful because of this sudden events,"Hindi 'to gagawin ng mga scientist kung walang mag-uutos sa kanila. Sinong tanga ang gagawa no'n, ha!?"

"Someone who began this war."Saku clenched his fist and frowned his brow.

"The one they referred to as the Masked Man. The one who's using us as pawns in this death game. The one who is continually messing with our Fates. And don't worry, at nandito na ang oras para tigilan na ng mga scientist ang uhaw nila sa pag-angkin sa kapangyarihan."

"Now that you've come as the savior. And I'll stop them from taking over the entire Twilight Vale. And this could be our test in entering Chaos' realm."

"What has changed you, though?"Minami asked, raising her eyebrows. "You even attempted to stop me. What's up with this act of yours, hmm?"

"Who knows," he asked, grinning at her.

She just shook her head with this villainous act that he's showing again. Ilang minuto lang ay nakapasok na sila sa realm. Nagulat si Minami nang may sumulpot sa harapan niya.

And Thanatos really came out in front of her. And the misty environment becomes even scarier than it was before, with his figure wearing a hood. And the place appeared really cold because it was covered in ice. The cold binds around Thanatos and restrains him. The place was cold and dark. Unknown sounds echo across the realm, like fragments of souls.

☫✠_____♆_____✡♆

HINDI NAMAN TALAGA siya matatakutin but she was simply amazed by the turn of events concerning Thanatos right here.

Kung alam ni Minami kung bakit siya ang naging Cursed Archduchess, matagal na niyang tinakasan ang kanyang kapalaran. Isa pa, 'di madali ang kanyang hinaharap ngayon, lalo na't kaunti lang ang panahon niya para baguhin ang kanyang kapalaran.

She got herself together and walked up to Thanatos. The answer they've both been waiting for is now here. She doubted whether he would create an alliance, but she has to hear what he has to say.

"And you're finally here."

Humakbang si Saku at dinala si Minami sa isang tabi para maharap niya si Thanatos, "Thanatos, the Personification of Death. So, tell me about your game. Why do you have to take us out to the abyss?"

"You don't trust me based on how you talk to me?"

"Well, of course. Consider what you did to Poseidon's son. They are now being tested, just like us, as we go after Chaos' realm, and they appear to be in danger." 

Saku glared, his eyes darkening. When it comes to the Deities, Greek Gods, and scientists, he never believes anyone that freely, even based on their appearance. One of his strategies is to read you; this is one of his areas of expertise. Take priority knowing the enemy is the first method to discover who they are trying to hide behind. 

Lumapit na lang 'to sa kanya and dark magic suddenly surrounded his body, and his neck suddenly developed black marks, "Paano ko masisisguro na 'di mo'ko lolokohin Thanatos? You worked with my father, right?"

"Yes, more or less. And I'm very much like him. Maintaining order within the House, and Hades had no issues with me when it came to soul collection." 

This isn't that surprising anymore since Thanatos was the daemonic representation of death in Ancient Greek mythology (daemonic here is used with its classical meaning, which refers to benevolent or benign nature spirits).

Thanatos was believed to be merciless and indiscriminate, and both mortals and gods hated him. However, he could sometimes be outsmarted. 

Thanatos was told by Zeus to chain King Sisyphus in the Underworld, as it was time for him to die. Sisyphus managed to chain Thanatos in his own fetters, thus protecting all mortals from dying while the god was chained. In the end, god Ares, angry that at the wars he waged noone died, freed Thanatos and gave Sisyphus to him.

Saku's only guess at this point is whether he will help him through the war. Kaya 'di siya makapaniwala sa sinasabi o ginagawa ni Thanatos ngayon. Oo, siya ang nakatakas sa kanila sa abyss, pero paano kung may iba pang nangyayari dito na 'di niya alam? Kaya bakit walang alinlangan na tinutulungan sila ni Thanatos?

If only he could figure out what was going on. Thanatos still works for Hades, so there is a chance that they'll be in danger, especially since he's going through a rebel phase with his father right now. 

"Talaga? Ibig sabihin tinutulungan mo ang tatay ko na sirain ang buong Twilight Vale, tama ba!?"

"Saku, sandali lang!" Hinawakan ni Minami ang kamay niya, "Bakit 'di mo muna siya hayaan na magpaliwanag sayo?"

'Huh? Para saan pa? Sila ang nagsimula, tama? Kaya ano pa ang ipapaliwanag nila sa 'kin? Totoo naman talaga diba?' Ito na lamang ang iniisip ni Saku sa ngayon.

Wala siyang nakitang dahilan para maunawaan ang kasalukuyang problema. May matutuwa ba na malaman na sisirain mo ang anim na nation because it was written in your fate? Now tell him. 

He's not sure how Minami will cope with all of this, knowing that her fate is also at stake. He gripped his fist tightly, knowing how easily many of them could betray him, huh? 

Saku looked down, ran his fingers through his hair, and couldn't bear to look at anyone right now. His hands are fidgeting, and all of his fears return to him. He remained silent for a moment, his gaze becoming even colder as he stared at Thanatos.

That feeling that his friends make him believe he's a part of their circle even though he isn't, that feeling that he can't escape, was there. The feeling that everyone had used and betrayed him was fucking there!

 "How can I believe them!? Paano!? Minami, I've spent my entire life telling myself not to trust anyone, which is exactly why I can't. It's easy for people to say sweet words and say you're a part of their dreams, only to break that fucking promise! Everywhere I ended up going, I could see how the x's were written on their faces, and I couldn't believe them! Even now, I can't!"

The issue here is more than just betrayal. He didn't want it either. He does not want to doubt everyone around him, which would only make him suffer more. He is overwhelmed by his emotions. He was simply hurt, angry, and felt very alone. And he was unable to believe anyone. 

"I understand. I know you are," she whispered, simply reaching her hands to his face. 

"It must be tough to cope with all of these alone, right? You can't trust anymore, right? Pero gusto kong malaman mo na nandito pa rin ako, kahit pakiramdam mo na pinagkaitan ka na ng mundo, hinding-hindi kita iiwan. Saku, please stop this, hmm?"

"Stop trying so hard for other people. Stop pleasing them if all they do is hurt you. What's more important is who stood by your side, right?" 

"Minami, I'm alone. I'm always alone. And I regret having to push you away. I'm sorry that—"

Minami stared for a while before gently placing her fingers on his lips and smiling softly at him. Nasa gilid na ang kanyang mga luha and his tears streamed down his face. And, for the first time, he didn't have to play a villain or anything similar. What he clearly expressed in his emotions was honest.

"I also told you, didn't I? I am going to save you. So, this time, can you simply trust me with everything I have? "

Minami stared at Thanatos before glaring at him. If anything was clear to her about what she needed to do to stop the Fates, it was to save Saku's life regardless of the cost.