SIX.

FACING TARTARUS' MONSTERS (PART TWO)

☽︎ᴥ︎︎︎☾︎

NANA STOOD still, her hands clenched tightly together, a secret appeal for hope woven into her prayer. Heat crept into her ear, and her legs felt as if they were chained to the earth, refusing to move for even a moment.

The disquieting thought that people were disappearing, lost to an unknown force, twisted in her stomach like a tempest. Confusion clouded her head, and she couldn't fathom the truth of the situation.

She could only tighten her fists in quiet frustration.

What words would she say to Saku? That Willhelmina had simply disappeared following their confrontation. That the entity they encountered was something far more than human?

A chill ran through her, a shadow creeping beneath her skin, waking a frightening power she hadn't realized was dormant within her. It was something dangerous—something she didn't entirely understand. But why is it appearing now?

What may it be? She was completely confused and had no idea 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.

She rushed into her room, slamming the door behind her. A burning sting appeared in her eyes.

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

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

Nana was stressed for time, so she immediately opted for her favorite blouse—a gorgeous dark green Y2K Lantern Sleeve Cross Shirt with a relaxed V-neck. She wore it with sleek black khaki trousers and shining silver strap sandals, and she was ready to make an impression right away.

Her beautiful blonde bun, decorated with fun pink accents, sparkled beautifully, as it always did.

Agad siyang nagmadaling humanap ng tricycle dahil gusto niyang makarating kaagad sa bahay nina Rino, kaya't napilitang siyang tumakbo upang may masakyan.

Sa kalagitnaan ng gabing 'yon, huminto nang pa-ubo-ubo ang lumang tricycle sa harap ng isang malaking mansyon. Agad bumaba si Nana, halatang nagmamadali at medyo excited pa—muntik na nga niyang mabitawan ang wallet niya sa pagmamadali.

Dinampot niya agad ang 38 pesos na halos mahulog, at kahit nagmamadali, hindi nawala sa mukha niya ang matatag na ngiti habang inaabot ang bayad sa drayber. "Ito po, manong. Bayad ko po," sabi niya, may halong pagod pero puno ng pasasalamat.

Pagtingin pa lang ni Nana sa mansyon, napansin na agad ng drayber na parang may kakaiba—biglang kinabahan ito. "S-sigurado ka ba, iha, na dito mo gustong pumunta?" tanong niya, may halong kaba at pag-aalinlangan sa boses.

"Opo? Bakit po?" tanong ni Nana, mahinahon pero halatang nagtataka.

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

"Iha..." mahina niyang sabi, halatang nagdadalawang-isip. "'Di ba ito 'yung bahay ng mga Allard? 'Yung mga bagong uwi galing abroad? Mga anak ng kilalang doktor na nagtayo ng mga ospital dito sa lungsod. Narinig mo na ba 'yung mga kwento tungkol sa ospital nila? Sabi ng mga tao, may mga nawawala raw doon—at puro dahil sa mga sakit na hindi daw maipaliwanag!"

Nana has long known the stories surrounding them. The three siblings—Saku, Rino, and the ill-fated twin brother, whose name carried the weight of infamy—were known to have a troubled history.

The press was full of alarming stories about them, casting doubt on their already damaged reputation. The siblings bore the wounds of a traumatic childhood filled with pain; their memories of their parents were far from loving, clouded by the doom that had followed their adoption. They had been through more than anyone should have, suffering at the hands of people who were supposed to care for them.

It's wrong to pass judgment on people purely on the basis of what you have heard. Many people have scars and wounds that they are still trying to heal, and who are we to judge them when we have never experienced such suffering? She understood this deeply; her own connection with her father had been distant and filled with abuse. It saddened her terribly to hear others call Saku names, who deserved no such treatment.

"Kuya," mahinahong sabi ni Nana habang inaayos ang buhok niya, "kaibigan ko po 'yung pinag-uusapan niyo. Sana maghinay-hinay kayo sa mga sinasabi niyo. Oo, may mga pasaway talaga sa pamilya ni Saku, pero huwag niyo naman siyang isama doon. Hanggang ngayon, bitbit pa rin niya 'yung bigat ng mga pagkakamali niya—mga bagay na matagal na dapat niyang nalimutan. Kaya, sino po ba kayo para husgahan siya?"

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

"Mauna na ako," sabi ng drayber.

"Oo nga, Kuya! Isama n'yo na rin 'yang makitid n'yong pag-iisip!" sigaw ni Nana, halatang puno ng inis. "'Yan ang problema sa atin dito sa Pilipinas—ang hilig makisawsaw, makialam, at magtsismis tungkol sa mga taong hindi naman natin kilala! Kayo, narinig lang kung kani-kanino, pero kung makapanghusga, akala mo kung sino! Ha! Perfect ka, 'no? Sige, galingan mo pa! Kaya hindi tayo umaasenso—dahil sa mga kagaya n'yo!" Habang sinasabi niya 'yon, sinisipat niya ng masama ang mga taong nagbubulungan sa paligid.

With a discrete roll of her eyes, she turned aside and approached the doorbell. She paused for a while, inhaling deeply, the weight of her thoughts hanging in the air. Naturally, she had not forgotten her upcoming plans.

With a joyful expression, she vowed to ring the doorbell many times, allowing the chime to echo through the air. "Saku! Brad! Alam kong and'yan ka. Come out, alligator! Hindi kita ililibre sige ka, ha! Seryoso ako!"

The glass window creaked, and then several crows flew away from the tree, flapping their wings and making noise. A small creak echoed across the glass windows. A chandelier began to softly wobble as the air entered. The curtains moved gently and settled into a lovely posture.

Nana's face went even paler as she blinked a few times, shivering, and her breathing became more irregular than usual as she pondered, Habang tumatagal, lalong nagiging creepy ang bahay nila. Normal lang ba talaga 'yung tinitirhan ni Saku? Wala naman sigurong halimaw doon, 'di ba?

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

As she stood there, engrossed in her thoughts, a man leaned in, and a sneaky sneer appeared on his lips. He approached her with a stack of books in his arms, a look of inquiry on his face. Moments later, with the creak of rusted hinges, he swung open the gate, revealing what lay beyond.

Rino lingered in place, a satisfied smirk playing on the edges 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, sabay irap at kunwaring naiinis sa mga sinasabi nito. "Hindi ako  papatol sa mas maingay pa sa manok, 'no!"

"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!"

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

Nana let out a soft sigh, her gaze moving upward in slight frustration. "Tangina mo talaga, Rino!"

She gently nudged him to her side before resuming her walk towards the huge home ahead. It looked like it had stepped right out of a postcard, a beautiful scene that caught the heart. These magnificent villas, nestled in the countryside, spread across vast plots of land, each more lovely than the last.

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

They provided an abundance of facilities both inside and outside, with vast rooms and intricate floor layouts that seamlessly combined comfort and elegance.

Typically, these big estates have a design typified by flawless symmetry, with sweeping arches and an abundance of windows on each level. They exude ageless elegance and solidity, thanks to their use of high-quality materials like stone and brick.

Rino wrapped his arms securely across his chest, letting out a heavy sigh of resignation.  "H'wag na tayong paikot-ikot pa rito. Ano ba talaga ang totoo? What brought you here?"

"Wilhelmina had been kidnapped against her will."

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

"Are you really saying the Holder of the Fates is gone? Fuck!" He rubbed his hands through his hair, frustrated. "Why are you bringing this to me right now?"

"Because it matters," Nana said softly. "She has a special place in our hearts."

"There's no need for it," a voice said abruptly.

Saku emerged out of the darkness, his crimson hair twirling like flames in the dim light. He exuded a vibrant red aura, bursting with energy and life. The air around him shimmered, an almost apparent tremor rippling through reality itself, as if it were unsure of its own existence.

Finally, he let his bag slip from his fingers and softly fall to the ground.

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

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

Pagkatapos, nagbago ang paligid sa hindi inaasahang paraan. A slight shift began to happen. Shadows slithered through the windows, inching their way toward every flickering light in the house. The radiance was devoured one at a time, and an all-encompassing darkness descended.

Tapos 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 unwavering determination, he unleashed a burst of force that had been growing within him.

Nana's eyes widened in surprise, and her pulse raced with anxiety. It felt as if the fabric of the world around her was unraveling, twisting into a terrifying vision. She had always known Saku, so what was she seeing now? This was really different.

As night descended over the house, the mist transformed into a fine dust that whirled eerily. It surged forward, scattering in all directions. From the chaos emerged a violet power that blended with the shadows. It pulsed repeatedly, morphing into an inky form that solidified and spread in elongated tendrils across vast distances. Was it the shadows trying to form? What about the force within? Where does the truth lie?

In the midst of battle, they can surround the entire field in a dense, pitch-black mist, transforming the terrain into a terrifying silhouette of chains around their opponents. It's as if a vengeful world has awakened, ready to annihilate its innocent victims.

Massive columns of white and gold stood nearby. Vines cascaded about them, pulsating gently, and a golden dust of magic shimmered and spread across their surfaces.

Each pink flower stretched its petals, demonstrating the astonishing ability to release spores that could grow in size and quantity, shift and launch, and even mutate as they thrived in their environment. However, as time passed, the vibrant colors faded, making way for the impending darkness. A dense mist rolled in, bringing with it an unsettling chill that disturbed the previously familiar environment. What darkness had fallen upon this place?

"Sloth, hanapin mo siya," utos ni Saku, malamig pero buo ang tono. Pagkasabi niya niyon, biglang lumitaw sa harap nina Nana at Rino ang isang misteryosong pinto—napapalibutan ng mga tuyong halaman at nilalamon ng dark magic.

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

A door appeared in front of them, seemingly out of thin air.

Then a shadowy frame emerged in front of him. It was an intricate set door frame with a mirror-like appearance, cracks in the mirror, and black metal skulls on it. Withered black branches spread like vines, full of depth and mystery.

With a creak and a slight twist, the garden's loveliness transformed into the black pits of the abyss, mirroring the problems that lay ahead. The reality about taming Sloth is not as simple as it appears, as he serves as a reminder that even the most difficult challenges can be overcome through courage and persistence.

A man appeared out of nowhere, with flowing, raven-black hair cascading over his shoulders. He wore a remarkable garment with an open slit around his mid-chest, held modestly at the neck with only two or three buttons, evoking an impression of mystery and sophistication.

The shirts were a spectacular display of geometric jigsaw puzzles, each piece precisely made from rectangles with sharp, clean edges rather than smooth curves, ensuring that every scrap of cloth was utilized to its best capacity. The sleeves were extravagantly large, extending at least twenty inches wide, delicately pleated to flow into gracefully draped shoulders and sophisticated wrist cuffs.

Sloth adjusted the reins of his horse, moving his glasses up his nose as a sparkle flashed in his crimson eyes. With a penetrating glance sweeping across the gathering, he asked, "Who has the arrogance to disturb 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 ni Saku sabay ngisi. "Hindi ka pa rin pinapansin ni Cienne, 'no?"

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

Saku nonchalantly gestured at his brother, saying, "You're just jealous."

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

Tumawa ng malakas si Nana sa pagbibiro ni Saku sa kapatid niya, habang si Rino nama'y nagmumukmok lang sa kanila.

Rino directed his glance at his brother. He always offered some advice to keep him out of trouble, but today was not one of those days. With the savior already taken away, his brother's problems appeared petty in comparison.

To be honest, if he ever finds himself in a difficult situation, he will want to talk to him right away! But right now, the first goal is to save Willhelmina, no matter what. His future has an unbreakable connection to hers, thus he must defeat Tartarus at whatever cost.

"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 why I'm going," Saku said, his face furrowed with concern. "You should stay here as well; if the scientists find all of us, things will only get more dangerous." "I mean it," he said, nudging Nana's forehead gently but firmly.

The black trees stood steadfast, creating a dense, reflecting mist. Silence filled the area, a profound silence. Then Saku took a step, gathering his courage for the journey ahead. He moved his hand, and a door opened in front of him. Particularly, it was Sloth's door. Sloths exemplified patience by spending their time poised in stillness, contemplating the secrets of existence.

Regardless of their inability to walk, a contract with them, like Saku's rings, marked a transformative decision. He needed them—the sins—as stepping stones to his ultimate retribution, a catalyst for development and growth.

So he stepped through the door, eager to learn the art of casting spells and tour the realm, determined to free himself from the restrictions of his own will. Beautiful gates welcome him. With an overwhelming darkness coursing through him, he could easily cross the realm if he chose. He would only chose to observe the rules if they benefited his larger aim.

As he approached the domain of Chaos, the enormity of emptiness became clear. He was soon drawn in, and he released his black, complicated chains, commanding Sloth to investigate his surroundings.

The woodland was buried in a tangle of twisted vines and skeletal trees, with gnarled branches reaching out like the fingers of a lost nightmare. An strange aura hung heavy in the air, shrouding the scene in a pall of danger and dread. It was a place where shadows danced and quiet whispered secrets, so it was no surprise to see creatures of the night hiding within its depths.

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

There was no light in here. There were only uncountable stars and a swirling black object intertwined with a twisted olive branch. Why, of all things, had the Athena emblem transformed into something like this? For what it's worth, he wasn't expecting to see an olive tree.

The scrolls spelled everything out, including the rivalry between Athena and Poseidon for sovereignty of Attica, which he had read about in an ancient library. The city would be called after the god who bestowed the most spectacular and priceless gift upon humanity. It was Zeus' responsibility to select one of the two.

Thus, Poseidon struck the ground with his trident, and from there he raised the horse, a powerful, swift and mighty animal, capable of winning all battles.

Athena, on the other hand, struck a rock with her spear and brought forth a beautiful tree from the earth: the first olive tree. The tree was capable of illuminating the night, dressing wounds, curing diseases, and offering well-being and peace to all who cultivated it.

Zeus decided to reward the most peaceful and useful invention for man: he thus rewarded Athena, who became the patron goddess of Athens and mistress of Attica.

"You gave men the olive tree, and with it you gave light, nourishment and an eternal symbol of peace," Zeus said as he blessed the silver leaves of the olive tree.

However, the olive tree looked to have lost its preservation ability with time. The leaves had been peeled from the tree, and the trunk was dropping bark, while a hazy mist drifted gently, creating a disturbing mood. Suddenly, he had a strong impression that darkness was about to descend. It appeared like a traitor had penetrated Athena's reign. If one wants to avoid penalties, such an incident can't be accepted.

The olive tree was a symbol of great prestige, and their high regard for this majestic tree made it the tree they planted in every conquered territory and developed its cultivation. For many decades, the conquered lands paid tribute, the oil they produced. But then he realized it was because of the pact he made with the gods and the scientist; their connection had devolved into something dark. It all started with Dr. Pyro, and he's now looking for answers beyond his existing understanding.

Trust is difficult to come by. He needs to find the traitor before things spiral out of control.

After hours of frustration, he began to see what was before him. The forest around him was known as the Inferno Isles, and the eyes that could see were mythical to guide one into the realm's deepest shadows.

His gaze wandered, those eyes that appeared to float above, capable of perceiving the brightest celestial objects after the sun—such as the moon, with its unmistakable presence and continuous cycle of phases.

Accompanying this was the faint hum of a siren, a sound that could transport your awareness, beguiling with a voice that had the potential to entice anybody who listened, compelling them to approach the singer or seek the source of the tune.

However, the sound may guide or deceive you. Those songs were caused by the Sirens who were three monstrous sea-nymphs who lured sailors to their death with a bewitching song.

They were formerly handmaidens of the goddess Persephone and when she was secretly abducted by Hades, Demeter gave them the bodies of birds to assist in the search. They eventually gave up and settled on the flowery island of Anthemoessa.

The Seirens were encountered by the Argonauts who passed by unharmed with the help of the poet Orpheus who drowned out their music with song. So, you can't just rely on them. No, not this one.

Maingat na lumapit si Saku sa pintong itinuro ni Sloth at dahan-dahang pinihit ang seradura. Sa isang iglap, sumalubong sa kanya ang tila bangin ng kadiliman. Lalong bumigat ang kaba sa kanyang dibdib nang masilayan niya si Willhelmina sa isang madilim at mapanganib na lugar.

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

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

"What did you do to her?" he shouted, his voice shaking with anger.

Wilhelmina gulped hard, her heart beating as she recognized the look on his face. His brow furrowed in concentration, his jaw tightened, and his hand curled into a fist. 

He shot a quick glance at Tartarus, fully aware of the tremendous animosity that existed between them. Those penetrating gaze were all too familiar, a chilling reminder of previous clashes. Even in that moment, with the weight of danger towering over her, he knew he would go forward without hesitation, motivated by an instinct that went beyond reason.

He's mad.

"Why don't you tell her yourself? That girl is so obsessed on entering into the realm of Chaos, and you think I'd let you kids go? Not a chance!"

Wilhelmina moved slowly from her sat posture, the news weighing heavily on her. She fixed her stare on Saku's, her eyes displaying a mix of fear and resolve. With little shaking, she stretched out to grab his shoulders, seeking both support and connection. She took a long breath, hoping to calm herself, but the anxiety within her remained stubborn.

"Saku, what does he mean by that?" she asked, her brow furrowing in concern. "Are you aware of any of this?"

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

"Monsters gain enormous power when lured into this pit, and now that we've arrived, there's no turning back. It's the price we pay for traveling from the Inferno Isles," Saku told her.

A mischievous smirk grew across her lips; despite his caution, she exhibited no signs of fear. Was she aware that they were standing on the verge of the abyss? It did not appear to bother her. With a large number of cards remaining in her control, she examined the options.

After all, in this land of darkness, perhaps an agreement with Thanatos might be reached—one that would release them from their tormentors and loosen the grip of those lurking beasts.

Wilhelmina's expression was not one of fear. With her arms crossed, she concentrated her stare on Saku, radiating peace and strength. What was going through her mind? Why did she appear unaffected by fear?

"Perhaps, but only if we can find Thanatos and make a bargain with him." Wilhelmina shifted her grip, pulling on his hand with eagerness 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

Kindly avoid mentioning the works of other authors in this story, as it can be seen as disrespectful. This is the sole guideline I have to share. ♡'･ᴗ･'♡

࿇If this story resonates with you, consider sharing it to connect with another reader who might enjoy it as well. Your click matters, and sharing could bring joy to the author. If you feel seen here, let's support one another! Help me spread the word about my story. By sharing it, you'll also have a chance to preview my next chapter!࿇

Votes and comments are greatly appreciated!

Thank you for taking the time to read!