EIGHT.

WAY TO THE DOORS OF DEATH.

ON THEIR VISIT TO THE FOREST,  Saku lends Minami a hand to help her stand up. She crossed her arms, turned away, and pouted. Wala rin siyang nagawa kundi tanggapin 'to. At sa pagsisimula nilang maglakad, nagulat na lamang sila sa mga narinig nila. 'Di sila pwedeng magkamali sa narinig nila.

That roar comes from the Minotaur. The branch of the tree beside them suddenly comes down, and a spark of magic appears in front of them, causing them to teleport.

"You two aren't Poseidon's children, so you should do the other exam. You must find where the Doors of Death are placed." 

Sa sobrang lakas ng hangin, tinangay na lang sila nito kung saan and they were both surprised to find themselves back in the Mortal Domain. And they are transported to Cavite.

Lynnhamp, Cavite.

The place where they're being brought and where we are now is on the road, and you can see the great arch behind them. The arch appeared fairly old and antique. Many car lights are now in their faces, and car horns can be heard everywhere.

It appeared to be very large and clean, with many trees and ancestral homes, which added to the attractiveness of the area. The city looked gorgeous as well, and you could see how clean it was.

"So," he whined, "Thanatos says the portal where he's imprisoned is here?"

"There's also the possibility that the Doors of Death have arrived. But is this the Philippines?" Minami asked, then placed her hands on her finger, searching for clues. clues.

"Wala tayong ibang choice ngayon kundi hanapin kung nasaan 'yon." Sabi na lang ni Saku and he flicked his hand, and sparks of magic exploded in it para magbago ang kanilang mga damit.

Minami looked at her clothing, not knowing what kind of clothes he would change into. These clothing have long sleeves, a casual crewneck, and a ribbed knit pattern that is in line with current fashion trends. It was a blend of brown and red color. She also wears a black undershirt with two disconnected buttons.

She's also wearing brown trousers pants and cream double mesh thick-soled daddy shoes. Her bag is a black shoulder bag with asian culture, dark punk, cross skull, and underarm detail.

Agad naman sinuot ni Saku kay Minami ang kanyang salamin at ngumiti 'to sa kanya, "There, all set."

Hinigit ni Minami ang kanyang damit at tsaka 'to sinamaan ng tingin and her face is flushed. She bit her lip, and now she is pouting.

"Alam ko naman na marami kang diamonds knowing that you're his son, but this disguise is too much! And these are high-end clothes!" Minami exclaimed, holding her cheeks because she was embarrassed at how she looked.

"Not my problem anymore." He gave her his typical devious smile and held her cheeks, finding her emotions quite interesting.

Minami blinked, and her eyes were filled with adoration as she looked at him. His regular black leather, grey undershirt, black pants, and black rubber shoes, as well as his skull necklace, look great on him. He also has ancient tattoos surrounding him, as well as a glowing red aura.

Nothing beats his poise. He stands out a lot.

"Titig na titig, miss. Gwapo ba?" Nagpasikat pa 'to sa kanya while brushing his hair up and smirking at her.

"Ilayo mo mukha mo!" Minami shouted at him.

Agad-agaran naman siyang tumayo, "Alam mo tara na! We need to find where's Thanatos portal. 'Di tayo dapat nag-aaksaya lang ng panahon."

Umiwas si Minami at nagsimulang maglakad palayo and she has been sulking while walking faster than him. She curled up her fist and frowned her brows, 'Kung bakit kasi ang gwapo ng lalaking 'yon!? I don't see why he allows others to step on his pride when he can just be himself.'

"It suits you though, ba't ba nagtatampo ka pa?" Napahawak na lamang sa buhok si Saku at tsaka niya sinundan si Minami.

She was always like this. She didn't particularly enjoy anything extravagant. He remembered how she used to dress elegantly, and she didn't enjoy it anymore.

He remembered vividly that she had begun to dislike wearing what she liked as a result of anything he had told her. He balled his fist and then reached out for her hand so she could look back at him. Minami was taken by surprise and bumped with his chest.

Saku turned to face his misery at having humiliated her, and his eyes lit up with regret, "Since we're the only ones who's going for the test, I want you to know something."

Minami was utterly speechless. He appears to be very different while they're at university.  'Di naman siya ganito kapag kasama niya sina Lyrica. Para bang ngayon lang siya nagsabi ng totoo. That caused her to raise her eyebrows.

He might have told her the truth, that he is still the good guy she used to know; what changed him to become this person?

Matagal na rin niyang gustong itanong  kung ano ba talaga ang nangyari at kung bakit hinahayaan lang niya na apakan ni Lyrica ang pagkatao niya? 'Di gano'n ang pagkakakilala niya rito.

And that was still vivid in her memory. How that devious small kid spoke those nasty comments directly to her face.

They're both inside the mansion. Both are representatives, and she was specifically invited to one of the First Domain's hidden realms. It happened after Saku was set free by Minami and Nanako. The day he was sold.

Minami was running towards the mansion, excited to meet her new friend, which she was looking forward to. Footsteps are coming through, her taps are louder than usual, and her gasps are faster than before.

☫✠_____♆_____✡♆

SHE WAS REALLY LOOKING forward to it until he shoved her with a bucket of ice. She could recall the kinds of looks he'd given her. Dangerous. Odious. He appears to be very different after they saved him.

Pinagpag naman ni Saku ang mga kamay niya at bakas sa mukha niya ang pagka-irita habang tinitignan niya ang batang babae.

"Natapon."Ngisi nito.

"Sinadya!" Sigaw ni Nanako sa malayuan and now she placed down her cake while glaring at the kid with crimson hair.

"Why..."

Para bang litong-lito pa si Minami, she remembers that he was looking forward to this day, doesn't she? Not only are they special because they represent their Godly parents, but...

She still gave him a smile despite how cold those ice were shove on her, "Sabi mo gusto mo'ko makita—"

His smirk had gotten even more dangerous, and he couldn't help but laugh at her for being so easy to manipulate. She has no idea, right? He had no idea she was this foolish. His plans are too simple. At napahawak na lang siya sa tiyan niya at tumawa 'to ng malakas.

"At naniwala ka naman? Did you realize how much I despise rich people? And, of course, that includes you." He smirked and smiled at her, appearing deceitful.

"That gold dress you're wearing doesn't suit you, so I shove those ice because maybe you'll realize you're not a princess. You are a weak girl who is hoping for someone to save her. Mahina ka,"

'Di niya akalain na sasabihin nito sa kanya ang mga bagay na 'yon. She trusted him. Masakit sa kanya ang sinabi ni Saku. Alam niyang masama ang ugali niya pero  'di niya akalaing gano'n pala 'yon kalala. She was looking forward for this party, you know.

That left lots of scar on her heart. She was quite traumatized. But she couldn't be upset at Saku. Not at all. He was truly going through something at the moment, and she knew that he went through a lot of tragedies as well.

'But that does not justify invalidating someone simply because you're at your worst. 'Di ko alam kung may utak ba ang lalaking 'yon o wala! Akala mo siya lang 'yong nasasaktan, pati ako sinaktan niya. And the moment he fucking betrayed me, he did.' This frustrates her. Despite his rudeness, she remains hopeful that they will be friends someday.

And she couldn't quit worrying about him since she knew he was one of those Demigods being manipulated by their own Fates. She simply couldn't let go of him. She's his first friend, after all. And that's the last worst memory that she doesn't want to think about anymore.

She wasn't still gazing at him, but Minami could feel his direct gazes. And she wouldn't lie about how affected she is by this situation. They never had closure after that confrontation, and she is still upset with him for being such a jerk to her.

"Oh? Ano bang gusto mo? Na ano? Salamat dahil napipilitan akong manamit ng 'di ko naman gustong suotin at pagtawanan ng iba dahil sa suot ko, so what you want me to feel after that fucking trauma you just gave me, huh?" Minami lifted her eyebrows at him and did not turn around.

He appeared before her, softly caressing her cheeks. He took a deep breath and fidgeted his hands, saying, "I'm sorry." 

'Sorry for what? For literally becoming the cause of my trauma? Why keep pushing me away? And what frustrates me the most is how he can stay with those people when they're just using him!'These are the thoughts that came to her and she slowly bit her lip and sighed.

Sa tagal nilang magkaibigan, alam niya kung nagsasabi 'to ng totoo o hindi. At sa pinapakita niya, even without words, he wanted to apologize to her.

He continued with nothing after that, and he surprised her by taking her hand. "Let's go. We shouldn't waste time. We need to enter the portal right away to find Thanatos before the monsters catch us."

It wasn't easy to go inside the portal so quickly; he was only able to get into the portal in the Inferno Isles to cross the abyss because he was contracted with one of the seven sins, and finding that entrance in this city will be difficult.

"Well, perhaps you can tame those dogs of yours for us to fulfill this test."

"Huh. You want to use the Cereberus? You're not a princess at all."

"Not a Saintess, I know that."

She resumed walking, and a terrible power suddenly surrounded them. He called forth on the Cereberus, and a red circle formed before them at halos ikagulat naman 'yon ni Minami. These powers are known as "Beast Summoning."

"You called for us, kid."

His attitude suddenly changed, and he smirked at the Cereberus with a devious look, making the three-headed dogs even more uncomfortable in his presence.

"You're going to listen to what I say. I want you to howl and use your power to guide us to the Door of Death."