NINE.

KEYS OF THE OTHER WORLD.

☽︎ᴥ︎︎︎☾︎

WILLHELMINA remained silent, her attention riveted on the man in front of her. Despite closeness, an invisible gap stretched between them, which neither could cross. His relentless drive revealed a route that separated from her own, one she was not intended to travel.

Words blocked her, leaving her feeling powerless, as if she were a helpless bystander witnessing the war transform him right in front of her eyes.

She leaned forward, an intriguing glimmer appeared in her eyes, and asked, "So, what's our way into the Spirit Sanctum?"

The Cerberus let out a deep growl, foam collecting at its mouth, and its fur bristled with anger. Its sparkling eyes glowed with intensity. "Sir," said the dog, "you can't possibly be considering bringing the girl along, can you?"

Saku's eyes narrowed towards them, and his stares seemed even more menacing. "Sinabi ko ba na puwede niyong akong sagutin?"

A dark energy flowed into his hands, transforming into a diamond swirling with magic. Small explosions burst from its tips, followed by a rapid increase in volume and an uncontrollable stream of energy. The violet volatile created a high-temperature explosion and it abruptly discharged gasses into the environment.

The dogs recoiled not only from his magic, but also from the great power he displayed—an aura so powerful that it overwhelmed their fear.

It was a force unlike any other, one that no soul could possibly resist. A deep hush filled the room, with no words exchanged or breaths taken. They all realized with disturbing clarity that he was no normal person.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

"I suppose not," he replied, and everyone quickly followed his rules. Alam nila na kapag mas hinahamon mo si Saku, lalo lang siyang nagiging delikado.

The howling then began.

The Cerberus howled, with its voice and enormous sound, and as the mist enveloped the city, a strange shift occurred. The buildings' once-glimmering shapes vanished, and their lights went out as if a switch was turned off.

Without warning, a giant chain emerged from the darkness, coiling around one of the structures with almost unsettling precision, as if it intended to rip it down. Wilhelmina stood, confused and alone, wondering how Saku discovered what wasn't known.

What draws them here, and what mission lies ahead? This struggle would stretch them and flood their hearts with anxiety. But with cunning and a sharp mind to oppose, he'd learn to fly in this web of darkness. Whatever the challenges or suffering, he'd dance with the shadows and break free from the chain.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

From a distance, a group of figures covered in red hooded cloaks appeared, their faces enveloped in a whirling violet aura. Each of their arms carried cursed tattoos that seemed to tell the story of their tragedies. They clutched books that emitted a curving line of energy, and as they walked, they entered a magical circle.

An ethereal swirl of magic flowed around their forms, creating a captivating aura that hinted at the formidable forces they wielded as they rushed ahead, intent on their unknown mission.

"Antus, Le are vera," one of them simply spoke.

The words resonated with an age that seemed to reach back into the mists of time. They carried the weight of a lost incantation, as if made from magic strands that had long been abandoned.

Wilhelmina felt a prickling feeling along her spine, as if invisible eyes had been set on her. She couldn't help but shiver at the thought, the cold of the unknown wrapping around her like a shroud. Hindi lang sila mga bantay; sila rin 'yung mga nakakita at posibleng may pakana ng lahat.

"Perfect. The challengers have finally made their entrance," he said.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

"Just a moment," Wilhelmina said, her brow furrowing in puzzlement. "What do you mean by that?"

Hindi na siya sumagot. Nakatuon ang kanyang atensyon sa mga nilalang na 'yon—mga nakatalukbong at tahimik na nagmamasid sa kanila. Napansin din ni Willhelmina ang pagngiwi sa kanyang mukha. Kitang-kita na hindi lamang inis ang kanyang nararamdaman kundi mayroon ding takot.

Perhaps he shares that fear.

She moved her head slightly to meet his gaze. "Kung nandito sila, ibig sabihin, narito rin ang mga logosmiths."

"And just like that, one of your dreams has become a reality."

His figure darkened into shade, something she had never seen before. For the first time, she understood he was no longer concealing his true emotions. Dahil ba sa away nila kanina, kaya napaisip si Willhelmina na kung kaya naman pala niyang magpakatotoo, bakit hindi niya ito gawing mas madalas? Why can't he take a moment to tell the truth once?

He went for his pack of smokes, his usual movement nearly reflexive. As he lighted one, he looked into space, his face looking empty. Wisps of smoke curled and danced around him, forming a hazy veil that appeared to provide him a little respite from reality.

She let out a quiet sigh before looking at him and asking, "What's bothering you so much? What's really going on?"

࿇ ══━━━━✥☭✥━━━━══ ࿇

"Back off, will you?" he responded, his tone sounded so harshly. "That kind of attitude makes you an easy mark, and you don't even realize it. Don't even think about testing me, Mina."

"It certainly will not!" she exclaimed, her tone fierce as she faced him.

He laughed derisively and shook his head at her. "Oh, look who's talking—the one who was kidnapped from the abyss!"

She attempted to understand why they were arguing. It appeared simple on the surface, but she detected a deeper problem that bothered them, which they refused to address. Her intuition was keen and she could understand that their disagreement went far beyond the words spoken.

"Talaga ba?" She simply said, her arms crossed defiantly across her chest. "Kung puro attitude ka lang din diyan, sa tingin mo ba maniniwala ako na wala kang tinatago?"

He looked at her with an intensity that suggested a scream held inside, an unspoken fury simmering just beneath the surface. And then, in a moment of surrender, he broke.

"Alright then! You want the truth? Those challengers have arrived to test our destinies, to determine if we are worthy of belonging to the Twilight Vale. Yes, that's right. Perhaps they've come to use me as an executioner, tasked with ending your life. Do you really believe I wanted any of this? Do you think I chose to become the villain in this story?" He clenched his teeth and let out a hiss while he stared at her.

His voice trembled, a subtle shaking she had never seen in him before.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

"You're mistaken," Willhelmina said, clamping her fingers around the fabric of her garments. "Each of us has a choice. You don't have to allow them to manipulate you—not any longer. And tell me, why do you believe you're the only one bearing this burden?"

He looked at her, taken aback by the sudden passion of her responses.

"What are you trying to say?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

She took a step closer to him, her eyes fixed and unwavering. "What I'm trying to convey is that I'm right here with you; Nana is by our side, and Rino is here as well, kahit na sa tingin mo'y iniwan ka na ng lahat, nandito lang ako para sa 'yo. Though others may choose to walk away, know that I will always be at your side.

Willhelmina rose from her seat, drawing closer, her voice trembling with emotion. "Saku, please," she begged. "Don't shut me out. Don't drain yourself trying to be there for those who continually let you down."

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

As he looked into her eyes, he noticed no trace of judgment; instead, an enormous shift happened deep within him.

"Why do you always behave this way?" he murmured, his chin quivering ever so slightly. "So generous. .. .even toward someone who has wronged you. Even after I—"

"I understand," she said softly. "I know what you've done. However, I can't bring myself to shut you out; I'm still here. That's exactly who I am, Saku. I can't help but be nice, even if some people don't like it. All I want to do is offer my help, because that's part of who I am."

She gently gripped his hand, her tender grin bursting through the veil of tears streaming down her cheeks. "You're not the monster you believe yourself to be," she said quietly. "You created those walls because you are in pain, but I want you to know that I am right here with you, and I will never leave."

He despised how she could see right through him. Ang kabaitan na 'yon—hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit patuloy pa rin siyang nagtitiwala sa isang katulad niya. Mula pa noong bata sila, laging sinasabi sa kanya na may kabutihan siya sa kalooban.

However, the times have changed. He has changed into someone entirely different—a man who appears to have lost his sense of worry after going through the challenges he has.

He straightened his back, took a breath to calm himself, and shifted his sight away from hers. "What brought you to the abyss in the first place?" he asked, his tone tinted with interest.

Nanatili si Willhelmina sa kinatatayuan niya. Sa dami ng tanong, bakit 'yun pa talaga ang napili niya? At this point, she was virtually frozen in place, her cheeks a deep shade of crimson, a witness to the intensity of the discussion.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

"That's just—" she started, but the words stuck in her throat, leaving her obviously agitated.

Hindi niya puwedeng sabihin 'to dahil 'di pa siya handa. Not this, please. She'd already told Nana everything, even the fact that she loved him. Mas lalo siyang namula dahil sa mga tanong na 'yon.

"What's going on?" he asked, turning his gaze to her.

"Well," she began, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red. As she nervously twirled a lock of her hair, her attention drifted to the side. "I had an argument with Nana and ended up telling her about the guy I like."

"You—what did you say? Could you repeat that?"

"Please don't ask!"

Saku rotated on his heel, his palm touching the cool surface of the wall as he exhaled heavily. His mind whirled like a whirlwind. Who was he, exactly? Who was the person she had feelings for? Who could that person be?

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

Sinara niya ang kamao niya at hindi siya mapakali. And now lightning danced across the sky, accompanied by stunning black thunderbolts that dared rise.

Willhelmina's heart began to beat frantically as she looked down at her feet. With shaking fingers and her hair twined, she felt a flash of panic. As she attempted to flee the situation, Saku's hold drew her back, calm. His eyes were a beacon of light, steady and true, and in that instant, they held the universe anew.

"What does he look like, anyway?" he asked, his brow furrowing as he threw a disapproving glance at her. His lips formed a petulant pout, betraying a tinge of annoyance in his face.

Her cheeks became a darker shade of red as she admitted, "To begin with, his initials are S... and D."

"What do you mean by 'SD'? If he's really that incredible in your eyes, I want to see it for myself first!"

Willhelmina, feeling a flush of embarrassment spread over her cheeks, stamped her foot in frustration before spinning on her heels and fleeing.

"Ayoko, at hindi talaga pwede! We're still on our mission! " She exclaimed, her voice full of determination. "After the test, if I have a change of heart, maybe I'll consider it! "

For the first time in eons, she felt a rush of life rushing through her veins. It was as if the tumult of war had simply vanished, leaving only the sweet, pure moments of childhood behind.

For a short split second, it was just Willhelmina and Saku, immersed in the sweet innocence of childhood once more. Walang propesiya. Walang kapahamakan. Sa kanila lang umiikot ang lahat.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

With a huge smile on her face, she rushed beneath the ancient stone arches, laughing bubbling up inside her. Agad na sumunod si Saku sa kanya at nakakita ng isang tindero ng sorbetes sa paligid. Hindi niya pinalampas ang pagkakataong 'yon at lumapit siya para bumili ng dalawang ice cream—isang strawberry at isang mango.

"O, paborito mo 'to," sabi niya habang inaabot ang mango ice cream sa kanya, habang siya'y kumakain ng sarili niyang ice cream.

"You really should eat," he said gently. "You have a tendency to push yourself too hard. Don't forget to take a break now and then."

"Oo na!" sigaw niya kay Saku na may ngiti sa kanyang mga labi.

Willhelmina took a spoonful of her mango ice cream, the bright flavor bursting on her palate. As she savored the creamy deliciousness, a rhythm began to form; she tapped her foot in tune with her pleasure.

Giggling softly, she delicately wrapped her fingers around the cone, taking care not to let it crumble under her excitement. The coldness of the creamy treat flowed through her hands, adding to the pleasure of the moment.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

After she finished eating, she quickly wiped her hands and stood up. Saku surprised her by reaching out, taking her hand and intertwining his fingers with hers.

"Come on," he said to her.

"What..."

A faint whisper drifted towards them from afar, a voice that was both familiar and elusive.

Suddenly, a faint pulse of light emerged from his pocket.

At syempre, napansin din ni Willhelmina ang bagay na 'yon. A strange glimmer flashed in the distance, like an intriguing beacon calling from the darkness.

At alam niyang sa mga pagkakataong 'to, mayroon na naman siyang itinatagong lihim sa kanya. Ulit. 

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

He always had a better understanding of the Twilight Vale than others.

In the dark shadows where fates entwine, she pondered, bewildered, on how to shine; six were entwined in destiny's thread, but deep within, a spark was fed. A recollection flickered, and a gleam of light appeared, and a Phateon key was hidden from sight.

It hinted of regions where souls could ascend, revealing the path to what lay ahead. To go through cycles, to unknown realms, and to the First Domain, where the seeds of life are planted. With courage in her heart, she opted to disobey, to seek the key, and to keep her aspirations alive.

Saku possessed it.

He didn't have to work tirelessly to gain that authority; all he needed were the appropriate connections and the hidden secrets he was desperate to find.

At ang katanungan dito ay, bakit? Ano ba talaga ang tinatago niya?

At iyon ang kailangan niyang malaman. She arrived in this place prepared to defy her fate. Yet, why hadn't she seen it before? These keys.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

He whispered softly, just above a whisper. "These are known as the Keys of Boundaries," he explained. "They possess the ability to unlock any seal, domain, or realm. Yet, such power comes at a high cost—one that demands a life in return. It's the reason the logosmiths are toying with our fates."

He fixed a mournful look in her direction.

Her breath froze in her throat as the truth hit her. "Please, don't tell me you twisted your destiny into something far darker."

"Are you seriously talking about Hades' Key of Death?"

She then examined the key, which was not a normal object. A skull was beautifully etched on top, with a black serpent twisting around it in the center. A red energy erupted from the skull's eye sockets and the serpent's jaws, throbbing like a flame desperate to escape. A hand clutched a rotten apple at the tip of the key, emitting a dark energy that enveloped it in a strange magical mist.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

Sigurado siyang may kakaibang enerhiya mula ro'n. Kaya naman, hindi siya makapaniwala sa mga nakikita niya ngayon.

"You were aware the entire time, weren't you? You knew I'd be in danger, and yet..." Her voice trembled with emotion, her forehead furrowed, and her eyes pierced his.

A sinister smirk spread across his face as his gaze shifted, becoming chilly and evil.

"I guess I haven't brought it up before, have I? You're just my pawn, Archduchess."

He's such a jerk! I can hardly believe it!