NINE.

KEYS OF THE OTHER WORLD.

HALOS MAPANSIN NI Minami ang nakikita niya ngayon, na itong lalaking 'to ang nasa harapan niya ngayon, he's someone who's nearly prepared for all-out battle.

"So, how do we get through the Spirit Sanctum?"

"Sir, you didn't mean to say you were bringing the girl with you?"

Saku's glare darkened even more, "Did I ever tell you to talk back to me? Or do you want to—" He channeled violet energy into his hands, becoming a whip made of dark magic.

"I guess not." Sumunod na lamang sa kanya ang Cereberus. Alam nila kung ano ang naghihintay sa kanila kung hindi susunod dito.

And it happened. The Cereberus howled, and the entire area began to darken; she has no idea what Saku is trying to do to figure out the entrance, but he must go his own path. Alam niyang pahihirapan sila nito sa test na 'to, so he has to outsmart them.

At sa 'di kalayuan, may nakita silang mga kakaibang mga tao. May hawak silang mga libro at iba't ibang enerhiya ang tumatakip sa kanilang katawan. You cannot see their faces quite well pero makikita mo na may mga suot na hood 'to. Their entire body was wrapped by magic.

"Antus, Le are vera,"

Ito ay isang kakaibang wika. It's as if those strange groups of magicians are watching over them, assuring that the Demigods are currently carrying out their test.

"Great, the challengers have arrived," Saku groaned, shrugging, and clearly not amused.

"Wait! What?"

He gave off the impression that they should both be looking out for this. Although he was dying to get even with them both, he was trying hard not to act unnecessarily in front of Minami. 

Hissing at them, he slowly turned away and tightened his jaw. He wasn't just angry, he was disgusted by them. Everyone should be, because isn't the Scientist at fault why their Fates are being played at?

Curiosity came to her, "Kung nandito sila, maaring nandito rin ang mga scientist, 'di' ba?" 

"And one of your wishes just came true."

His emotions are clearly obvious on his face for once. Dahil ba sa 'di nila pagkakaintindihan kanina? Ngayon lang napagtanto ni Minami na pwede rin pala siya magpakatotoo, noh? Bakit 'di niya gawing madalas?

His anger had taken over. His brows furrowed as he picked up a box of cigarettes, lit them, and now glared at them. They're definitely bad news, knowing that those challengers are around. Kaya ayaw niyang gawin ang first test na 'to.

"And why do you seem to find it so annoying?"Minami sighed, asking him to inform her. "Is there a problem?"

"It's because you tend to be a pushover that you're such an easy target. Minami, don't try my patience."

"No, it will not!"

"Says the one who got kidnapped at the abyss."

'Geez, why are we fighting over this!?'These thoughts crossed her mind. And she knew he was hiding something, which is why he was acting like a jerk again.

"Oh, seriously? And you think I will simply fucking buy that?"Minami asked, crossing her arms. "May tinatago ka kaya ka nagkakaganyan."

As if they had good options either.

"Okay, so what do you want me to say? That those challengers have come to test our Fates, to find if we're a worthy species for them in the Twilight Vale. So, what? So that they could appoint me as the military that murders you? You have no fucking idea how I wanted to avoid becoming a villain, and now you're destroying everything I want to change."

"Lahat tayo ay may choice! Lahat tayo ay may choice kung magpapagamit man tayo o hindi! And you, one of those people who continuously allowing those bastards to take advantage of you! Ano? Sa tingin mo ba lahat ng problema ay dala-dala mo?" Minami asked and she hissed at him.

Kaya naman ayaw niyang makipagkumpitensya sa lalaking 'to, dahil pareho silang sasabog kung gagawin niya 'yon.

"What are you saying?"

"Hindi ko alam kung nagmamagaling ka lang or what! I'm saying that I'm still here! Nanako is still here, Rino's here and you're not alone. Iwanan ka man nila, nandito pa rin ako..."

Minami moved closer to him, tiptoeing to approach his face, "Please don't push me away. Don't be like this. H'wag mo pilitin ang sarili mo sa mga taong paulit-ulit ka na lang sinasaktan." She murmured, felt her face tremble, and cried.

His unique set of eyes glanced directly at her, "Why do you always have to be kind to those who have only betrayed you? Kahit ano pa sabihin mo, trinarydor pa rin kita."

"It's because I'm this type of person, Saku. I don't have to make excuses for being kind to them. It's just who I am. And I know I can't do anything if they're not as kind as I am; everyone is different. People will eventually dislike you, and that's fine. I don't have to please them in order for them to like me."

She holds his hands and smiles optimistically, "And you too. I know you're a good man at heart, and I know what you're showing me is nothing more than a cold facade. I know you're still hurting, but don't give up on trusting in someone. Because I'm still here. I'll never leave you."

He hated the way she always saw through everyone. Kindness. As if it were easy for her to notice how nice everyone is. He's not, okay? He's nastier than you anticipated. He just had a flashback. Back when they were kids, she often said how good he was. That's how she believes, but he doesn't. 

"So, how about you? I've been meaning to ask you this, but why did you end up with the abyss? Something happened to your fate?"

"That's just—"

Minami's face suddenly reddened because of the sudden questions that he just asked. Kung masasabi lang niya 'to ng gano'n kadali, na kaya siya napunta na sa lugar na 'yon dahil walang alinlangan niyang sinabi na mahal niya si Saku sa harap ni Nanako. Minami's face heated from the unexpected questions he had just asked.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Well..." Minami turned aside, unable to read his expression. No childhood friends would ever cross those boundaries. Pero siya lang 'yon; matagal na rin siyang may gusto sa tropa niya. 

☫✠_____♆_____✡♆

SHE BIT HER LIP, growing more flushed than usual.

"What is it? Come on, tell me!"

"I got into a fight with Nanako and told her about someone I like!"

"You—what!?"

"Don't ask!"

Saku moved in the direction of the wall, put his hand there, and feeling down. Who's this person she seems to be into? Furthermore, why did she even stop him from telling him who he is? He controlled the heavens to cause dark thunder to begin, and all of a sudden, black bolts circled his body and the clouds turned gray.

Minami bit her lip, avoiding her gaze from him and gazing at her shoes. She grasped her hair and began to gently comb it. She turned around hurriedly, and to her even more embarrassment, Saku swiftly grabbed her shoulders.

"What's he like?" He pouted, shifting his gaze away.

She can't help but stare at him and nervously comb her hair as she says, "Well, to start with, he got some initials of S and with the last letter of D."

"At ano'ng SD!? Minami, if he's that deserving of you, tell me who that fucker is so I can see it for myself!"

Minami struck her shoes energetically, making her feel happy, and she was determined to run faster away from him, "I'm not going to tell you! We're re still on the test, so maybe after that I will tell you. Pero habang may mission pa, bawal!"

She had never been so happy before. It's like before. Before the war began. Both of them were still children. And they were the same old childhood friends who had always been together and would always be there for each other no matter what. How did she miss this? For once, she didn't even worry about what was going to happen with the Fates. Parang sa kanila lamang ang tumatakbong oras at mundo.

Tumakbo siya mismo sa ilalim ng arko at sumunod naman sa kanya si Saku. He sat down near her and observed the ice vendor approaching, so he took a few bucks and bought two ice creams. One was strawberry, while the other was mango-flavored.

"O, paborito mo."While consuming his strawberry ice cream, Saku gave her the mango-flavored flavor.

"You should eat. You're always like that, you know. Pinapagod mo na lang lagi 'yang sarili mo."

"Oo na!"

After eating, pinagpag naman ni Minami ang kanyang kamay at tsaka siya tumayo. Next thing is that Saku entwined his fingers around her and he smiled at her, "Let's go."

"What..."

And while walking, they heard a mysterious voice from somewhere. It seemed that it was calling for them. At sa bulsa ni Saku ay may pumipintig na liwanag.

At  napansin agad ni Minami ang kakaibang liwanag na 'to. 'Di nga lang niya matukoy kung ano 'to but it appears that he's hiding something from her, possibly a key.

Mas lalo lang talaga siya na naghihinala sa kanya. He knows more than she does about the Twilight Vale. At kung paano niya nalaman ang mga bagay na 'to. Ang malaking tanong ay kung bakit.

Ang tanging alam lang niya ay kung paano nga ba niya mawawakasan ang mga Fates na nakasalalay sa kanilang anim. These are the things that she wants to put at the end.

She knows nothing about it, but they did discuss something about the key in Imetheos. A key that allows you to transport within the First Domain. This is because of the First Domain's secret realm. And she had no understanding why Saku had those things. That having them doesn't need a great deal of talent.

Does it?

Or is he hiding something again?

Whatever the matter may be, she's responsible for finding the truth. She's here to change her fate, so she might as well find out the truth for herself. And she knew he liked playing a villain, so why hadn't she seen he had the keys from the start!?

"These keys are known as Keys of the Boundaries, and they allow you to open or close everything you want. However, having such powers comes with a cost. It's your life. That's why the Scientists caused our Fates to be played. And don't tell me you changed your fate for something more dangerous."

"You mean Hades' Key of Death?"

These keys have been made into dark, dangerous keys. The skull was sculpted on it, and a black serpent, an apple, and dark orbs around the keys. That thing's dangerous.

And what is this? He knew about it, and he obviously put her in danger. He then gave an arrogant smirk.

"I told you, didn't I? Ikaw ang pain ko sa lahat ng 'to, Archduchess."

That manipulative asshole!