P. S. The character isn't mine, and everything written in Uncovered Cases belongs to the author. I don't own anything, and the author clarified our cameos in each of our stories, so let us be clear about that. We decided to do fusion fics with some of our characters for fun.

Before engaging, I want to let anyone know that I have the permission to do this. I don't have any plans on disregarding or disrespecting anyone, thank you! With that said, Uncovered Cases belong to Ms. Rainyy herself.

༻༻༻

 FOURTEEN.

LOST LIVES (PART ONE)

☽︎ᴥ︎︎︎☾︎

AS SOON as Wilhelmina stepped through Erebus' portal, a rush of dark energy surrounded her, swirling in chaotic dances around her body. When the shadows cleared, she found herself standing in front of a group of knights, their intimidating figures casting lengthy silhouettes in the weak light.

He glanced at them briefly, each knight a guardian of might and mystery, waiting for her next move.

"I would love to return to Craigsville."

Dahil may misyon pa akong kailangang tuparin. Ito na lang ang paulit-ulit na pumapasok sa isipan ni Saku habang pinagmamasdan niya ang mga black knights.

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Sa pagkawala ni Willhelmina sa kanyang harapan, alam niyang kailangan na niyang harapin ang nalalapit na araw ng judgement day.

"Those who wanted to return could do so by taking the boat."

Dahan-dahan nilang itinukod ang kanilang mga espada sa gilid ng maitim na tubig, at may kakaibang hanging bumabalot mula roon.

Sa dulo, nando'n ang isang bangkang bahagyang umaalon sa tubig—tila ba kapag sumakay ka roon, alam mong dadalhin ka nito sa isang lugar na puno ng hindi tiyak na kapalaran.

Walang alon ang tubig, dahan-dahang umaagos sa tuloy-tuloy na galaw, at may kung ano'ng liwanag ng mga alitaptap sa paligid.

Huminga nang malalim si Saku, saka siya lumingon, at bahagyang napataas ang kilay, at nagsimulang lumakad papunta ro'n. Ipinasok niya ang kamay sa bulsa, wari'y punô ng mga tanong ang isip niya—mga tanong na ni siya mismo ay hindi kayang sagutin.

Hindi na siya nag-aksaya ng oras. Tinalikuran niya ang mga 'yon at tumawid patungo sa bangka. Sa bawat hakbang niya, ramdam mong pasan niya ang bigat ng lugar na kanyang patutunguhan. At pag-akyat niya sa bangka, tila ba may sarili itong isip na sumusunod sa kanyang layon.

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Gumalaw ang bangka, kasabay ng pag-alis niya sa realm na kinaroroonan niya. Napatingin si Saku sa paligid at marami siyang iniisip, litong-lito siya, ngunit hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin niya mahanap ang tamang sagot.

Sinalubong siya ng makapal na usok na agad pumalibot sa kanya, at bago siya tuluyang mawalan ng malay, nakaramdam siya ng kakaibang init.

Kumikinang na ang marka. Kasabay nito, naramdaman niya ang pulang liwanag at hindi niya maipaliwanag kung bakit ganun.

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya, marahil ay nagsisimula na niyang maintindihan. Tuluyan na siyang nilamon ng dilim.

He was standing in front of his university's intimidating black gate before he realized what had happened. Unquestionably, something felt odd. He felt, with a deep certainty, that he had left the realm of Chaos.

Saku furrowed his brows in focus, and before he knew it, an entirely different scene appeared in front of him. His eyelids flickered with an unexpected twitch as he blinked in surprise, his fingertips automatically grazing the bridge of his nose.

Warm light filled the landscape he hated as he opened his eyes. People were moving in front of him, their bodies passing by as though he were just a whisper in the wind.

With a tinge of confusion in his voice, Saku whispered to himself, "Where am I?" He thoughtfully ran his fingers through his hair, then looked down. He reached for his glasses, put them on, and gently adjusted them on the bridge of his nose with a practiced move.

Kumurap siya. Naririnig niya ang tawanan ng mga estudyanteng labas-masok sa unibersidad, ang ugong ng mga motor, at ang mabilis na pagharurot ng mga kotse. Wala na rin dito ang dilim at mga kristal na matatagpuan sa realm ni Chaos.

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Wala na siya sa realm—nasa harap na siya ng unibersidad. Agad siyang napansin ng guard, kaya itiniabi nito ang iniinom na kape.

Napataas pa ang kilay niya at bahagyang nanginig sa gulat. Mabilis niyang pinunasan ang labi bago lumapit sa gate.

"Okay ka lang ba d'yan!?" sigaw ng Guard kay Saku, na napatingin sa kanya. Itinapat ng binata ang kanyang kamay sa pader at humawak siya sa kanyang tuhod, dahan-dahan siyang bumangon.

He lifted his arms and reached for the rusted lock as he got closer to the gate. He took a deep breath and summoned his strength as his fingers slid through the chilly iron. The old hinges creaked in protest as he dragged the massive gate open with a forceful creak.

His pulse thumping with anticipation, he ran toward Saku while clinging to his hat to prevent it from flying away.

"Iho, ano'ng ginagawa mo diyan? Masama ba ang pakiramdam mo?" tanong niya.

"Ayos lang," matipid na sagot ni Saku habang pinapagpag ang magkabila niyang manggas, lalo na't puting-puti ang suot niyang uniporme.

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A bright flame blazed from the depths of his pants as he felt the familiar vibration in his pocket. The silence was broken by his phone's continuous ringing, which rang loudly throughout the surroundings.

He quickly grabbed the phone and answered it just in time.

Sasageyo, sasageyo. Shinzou o sasageyo. Subete no gisei wa. Ima kono toki no tame ni. He instantly recognized the nostalgic tune of the familiar bell that echoed across the air.

It was the specific ringtone of Attack on Titan, his favorite anime. His phone's main ringtone was this lively, adventurous song, which added a little thrill to every call.

 [Please note: The song is not my own; I simply used it to illustrate the MC's interests. I hope you don't mind. Thank you!]

Caller ID: L. A. V.

He joked over the phone, "Hey there, my favorite human toy," with a cheeky smile. "Now that you're on the line, I have a little mystery that needs your keen insight."

Knowing her personality, he knew that, as usual, she would jump right into the task at hand. At hinding-hindi babalik si Saku sa mortal realm nang walang mabigat na dahilan lalo na ngayong malapit na ang Judgement Day. And everything has to line up exactly for Saku.

"Has anyone told you that you're manipulative? Nasa klase pa ako ngayon, nasa lab kami. What type of games are you playing this time, Saku?" rinig na rinig ni Saku ang pagbagsak ng ilang papeles sa kabilang linya, kaya napangisi na lamang ang lalaki. Marahil nasa klase siya, o baka naman may inaasikasong kaso.

A cunning smile danced across his lips as the words echoed in his head like a melancholic tune. His eyes grew darker as he thought. Saku would surely win the title of character destined for villainy.

And before she vanished from his mind, he understood what was underlying and the whispered truth. She didn't raise her voice when she talked, but every word and tone that came out of her mouth seemed like echoes of the truth, as though they were meant to be.

His mouth curled into a naughty smile as he imagined her cheeks flushed brightly, her brows furrowed in a fierce pout, her arms crossed firmly as she shouted his name. Her actions spoke more than words during their quiet conversation, and their lighthearted rivalry was just getting started.

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"Raine," he said, his eyes flickering with shadows as his voice fell to a deep whisper. "This isn't a game, you know."

He started evaluating her at that point, as though he could see right through the mask she was wearing, like an X-ray showing every single layer under the surface.

"Me? That's not possible. Don't you recall how I worked right under your nose, handling those dangerous cases in Craigsville?" Rinig niyang sabi ni Raine sa kabilang linya, at tila napakrus ito habang nakaupo. Patuloy pa rin ang kaluskos ng mga papel doon, halatang may binabasa o inaasikaso siya habang kausap. She was gracious enough to wait for him.

He surrendered to the weight behind his closed eyes as darkness engulfed him. A melancholic symphony echoed through the air as shadows danced over his lashes and thunder pounded against the glass windows.

Bodies lay on the ground like withered flowers, a terrible reminder of the harsh hand of fate. It was June 14th, the day that had always been written in the script of fate.

He knew. June 14th had always been the date.

His mind was plagued by that vision, which left a lasting shadow.

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Kung tutuusin, sa kanilang dalawa, si Raine talaga 'yung hindi niya maintindihan minsan. She was direct, logical, and at times had an aloof demeanor. He was descended from a demigod, while she was only a mortal. They were very different. However, there was one undeniable fact that they could both acknowledge despite their glaring disparities.

Hindi madaling magtiwala si Saku, pero pagdating kay Raine, malaki ang respeto at tiwalang ibinibigay niya.

Saku took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair as the lighthearted tone of his voice changed to one of seriousness. With a tone that was slightly serious, he remarked, "You can always tell when I'm joking and when I'm not."

 "You're quite the monster, you realize that. But alright. What is it this time? A murder case? A locked room scenario? What kind of puzzle will I be unraveling now?" Sunod-sunod ang tanong ni Raine sa kabilang linya, at bahagya siyang napailing habang natatawa sa nagiging reaksyon ng kaibigan. Alam niyang doon at doon talaga siya magiging interesado.

Saku straightened for a while and settled into a long, deliberate blink, as his eyelashes flickering softly. He took a big breath through his nose, and as the tension left his body, his shoulders somewhat relaxed.

He said to the person on the other end of the line, "Today, they will paint me as a murderer. Someone is going to reach out to you—please, help them put the pieces together." His words were laced with desperation and his voice wavered with urgency as he gripped his phone hard.

Sandaling natahimik si Raine, saka siya huminga nang malalim at bahagyang natawa.

 "You actually enjoy this little game of yours. Alright then, submit your case. I'll take care of it and solve it for you. You have my promise, Saku." Sabi ni Raine sa kabilang linya, at tumango na lamang ang lalaki habang hawak ang kanyang telepono. Alam niyang siya lang ang kakilala niyang detective na may alam sa mga ganitong kaso. And he thought that she would learn the truth if he ever ended up behind bars.

Maingay sa kabilang linya, habang si Raine ay paulit-ulit na pumipitik sa mesa — Tok, tok, tok — mabilis at sunod-sunod, para bang may hinahabol siyang hindi niya mawari. She tends to go into this mindset whenever she finds herself thinking a lot about the case. As they say, it's a form of extreme focus—concentration at its best.

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She moves confidently through the game, letting her actions do the talking when words aren't needed.

Naalala pa niya kung paano sila unang nagkita. He was a freshman at the time, figuring out the intricacies of college life. He was holding a bottle of wine while wearing dark grey corduroy pants and a black long-sleeve shirt. He glanced sideways at a female nearby, his glasses perched awkwardly on the point of his nose. Huh?  A flash of surprise passed across his head as he questioned.

Kakagaling lang din niya sa banyo tapos heto, umiinom-inom siya ng kaunti kasi kasama rin niya mga kapatid niya. Ayaw naman talaga ni Saku na sumama sa party na 'to, napilitan lang siya at wala rin naman siyang choice kasi na-stuck siya sa pamilyang Allard na puro mangagamit at gusto lang siyang ipagyabang.

࿇ ══━━━━✥☭✥━━━━══ ࿇

Such unimportant things have already failed to concern him. Time seemed to stop as he blinked, and a soft voice whispering in his ear abruptly stopped his whole being.

He furrowed his brow in confusion and turned around, only to be met by a girl's intense look. He was drawn in by the playful ponytail framing her little face, which held his gaze with an unexpected intensity.

"He's a pharmacy student."

"Huh?"

She repeated, "You're a pharmacy student," while her rubber-soled shoes pattered gently on the ground. She gestured to him, and a radiant smile appeared on her face, as though she had solved a remarkable riddle.

"What makes you think that?"

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"The books—those hefty tomes like pharmacology and pharmaceutics—seem to be an extension of you. You carry them with a certain ease, as if they've become a part of your very being. Your white lab coat, faintly scented with chemicals from your time in the hospital pharmacy, tells stories of countless hours spent in study and practice. I watch as you examine the wine bottle, your expression focused and analytical, as if you're determining its alcohol content for a case study rather than indulging in a moment of leisure." She paused and smiled with assurance that suggested she knew him well.

Bago pa man makapagpatuloy ang babae sa pagsusuri sa lalaki, biglang lumapit ang lalaking kasama nito at binunggo si Raine.

"Tigilan mo nga 'yan! Pasensya na talaga, Kuya. Palagi na niyang ginagawa 'yan, e." sabi ng lalaki habang bahagyang natawa at ginulo ang buhok niya sa likod.

Saku's icy, calculating stare was fixated on them, carefully observing every move they made. He folded his arms confidently, leaning in closer as though he already knew who would soon fall into his trap.

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With a sly grin spreading across his face, he knew the perfect move to make. The pieces in front of him were just enough to fuel his little game.

"Lorraine De Verra," she said as she entered, captivating the audience with a tinge of charm in her voice.

He understood then that she was a pawn in the complex game he was playing, one he could skillfully use to his advantage.

And so the game started. He stayed in the shadows, directing her every step, while she emerged as the light of illumination, skillfully solving the mysteries he offered. It was just his strategy, a persona he willingly created, but even he was unaware of the depths of his actual motivations. She unintentionally became a pawn in his complex chess match during this dramatic chess match.

The final piece of this journey is yet to come.

Habang papunta si Rino sa klase, nabitawan niya ang mga librong hawak niya nang makita niya ang lalaking may pulang buhok sa labas mismo ng unibersidad. Ang tagal niyang nawala! Sigaw niya sa isip habang napapansin ang lungkot sa mukha ni Saku. Napakuyom na lang siya ng kamao.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

Saku wrinkled his brows, making a furrow on his forehead as though he was thinking deeply. His eyes seemed far away, as if he was unaware of everything around him, including the presence of his brother. But he felt the weight of it all, a sadness deeper than loss.

He felt lost, like though he had lost a loved one. Enveloped in a mist of his own turmoil, his gaze drifted downward as if he had lost how to view the world.

"Kuya!"

Pero nanahimik lang siya, parang walang narinig.

Harsh and clear, Rino's voice cut through the mist of recollection like a strong wind sweeping away the traces of times gone by. There was no going back now as the sound of approaching footsteps got louder, faster, and more unrelenting. With his lips pressed into a thin line and his hand gripped tightly, he closed the distance. His brow was covered in beads of sweat, a sign of the intense heat and the excitement that drove him to pursue.

"Ilang araw kang nawala!" hingal na hingal na sabi ni Rino. "Nag-alala talaga ako sa'yo, alam mo ba 'yon? Pati 'yung may gintuan ang buhok, hinahanap ka rin! Ewan ko na, ang gulo na!"

Rino opened his mouth to speak, but the words appeared to escape before they could. Saku didn't say anything either, his face a mystery. He inhaled deeply, his body squirming restlessly to reveal his feelings. He walked slowly over to his brother and pulled him in close by putting his arms around him.

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Silence reigned between them, however his movements said volumes, conveying everything that needed to be spoken.

Sobrang higpit ng yakap ng kuya niya na parang ayaw na talaga siyang pakawalan. Hindi man maintindihan ni Rino ang dahilan, isa lang ang sigurado siya. He appeared to be carrying an overwhelming weight that left him completely silent.

"Pakinggan mo ako, Rino."

With tears running down his cheeks, his voice faltered. "I love you," he said, his feelings clearly weighing heavily on him. In an attempt to lighten the tense situation, he stroked his hair and said, "More than anything in this world, I love you, brother. I'm sorry for not being the sibling you needed me to be."

Mas lalo lang nalilito si Rino sa ipinapakita niya.

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"Kuya?" tanong niya nang muli.

Tinalikuran na lang siya ni Saku at tahimik na umalis. Ayaw niyang tumingin sa kapatid niya dahil mahirap para sa kanya ang magpaalam.

He was shocked when his professor shouted out to him as he was grabbing his suitcase moments later. "Mr. Allard!"

"Nakita ko yung mga grades mo, iho." sabi niya nang may pag-aalala.I've always been really proud of you as a student. In the night sky, your grades are like stars. But tell me, are you bothered by anything? May problema ka ba sa pamilya? O sa mga kaibigan? Sa bahay niyo ba?"

He felt a warm hug from her words, which brought back memories of his home. Her words wrapped around him, calming his spirit in a way he didn't realize he wanted, even if he didn't need that comfort.

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"Yeah, I'll just go ahead and take the exams," he said bluntly.

He was more comfortable with quiet than talking. Wala siyang gustong sabihin. Wala, talaga.

With deliberate steps he made his way to the chair, softly lowering his luggage beside him. His fingers touched the cool, familiar surface of his pen as they delved deeper inside the bag. He retrieved it and skillfully zipped the bag closed, protecting its contents.

A solid conceptual understanding must be combined with efficient memorization and regular application to clinical and numerical problems in order to prepare for pharmacy exams. Doon papasok iyong parte na talagang wala nang tulugan sa pag-rereview. Sa pagre-review niya para sa test, doon mo na rin isasabay ang paggawa ng basic calculations na gagawin niya. To meet speed and accuracy targets, practice PK problems, IV rates, reconstitution, dilution, and infusion situations on a daily timed basis.

Showing units and performing a quick dimensional examination on scrap paper are recommended for calculation questions. It can be good to estimate answers immediately to spot potential inaccuracies. When it comes to time management, set aside a certain amount of time for each question, mark unclear elements for further review, and refrain from spending too much time on any one computation.

Doon na papasok 'yung mga pangunahing paksa na kailangan mong pag-aralan. Clinical pharmacology and biostatistics multivariate analysis would be the subjects of the exam he was most likely to come across.

He relied on comparison charts and flashcards to help him prepare for the tests. He was frequently drawn to succinct explanations of medication categories. The two primary categories of drugs are pharmacologic and therapeutic.

Pharmacologic classification specifies a drug's mechanism of action, such as blocking beta-adrenergic receptors, whereas therapeutic classification relates to a drug's clinical application or intended effect, such as treating diabetes or hypertension.

Students and professionals can better comprehend the biological effects of drugs as well as their intended use thanks to this dual classification. One could consult basic texts, concentrating on particular portions that offer a deeper comprehension. Read books that are meant to be quickly consulted can be quite helpful for a last evaluation.

To stay up to date, finding treatment targets is made easier by studying the most recent guidelines from organizations like ASHP, IDSA, and ACC/AHA.

Pocket reference apps for medication dosage and interactions can be helpful tools during clinical rotations, but it's important to remember that these resources are not allowed in closed-book exams. Using excellent question banks and previous exams from one's own school can also improve preparation.

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It's harder than you may imagine to be a pharmacy student. Clinical rotations and laboratory work are examples of practical experiences that are important. The coursework is demanding and regularly calls for long study sessions and group projects.

His face was suddenly illuminated by a dazzling flash, and he hissed out of instinct at seeing Andri. He couldn't decide if Andri was an ally or an enemy since uncertainty tormented him. But Saku harbored a deep-seated contempt for the entire scenario.

"Alam mo ba talaga ang ginagawa mo? Si Mrs. San Diego, halos 30 na siya, tapos ikaw? Hindi ako tanga para pumatol sa kanya," sabi niya nang may inis.

"So what?"

Isang ngiti lang ang natanggap niya mula kay Andri. Dahan-dahang isinara niya ang kamao. Kung tatanungin mo siya, puno siya ng galit na parang sasabog na anumang oras.

He was filled with rage as soon as he saw him, and he felt a strong want to punch him in the jaw. The boldness of bringing up his envy to his professor pushed him beyond his comfort zone, even though he had believed he had overcome it.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

Saku took a deep breath, filling his lungs with air. What he needed right now was a moment of patience.

He glared back, saying, "Don't even think about calling me dude."

"Hey, don't be like that. We're friends, aren't we?" Yeah, in your wildest dreams.

Saku gave him a stare, and a storm building inside. He clenched his teeth and balled his fist, his forehead pinched hard as rage raced through his veins. He had always been able to see through Andri's façade; the man was really a puppet who blindly followed Lyrica's orders.

This is how he has always been. He knows deep down that his girlfriend has feelings for him, which is why he wants to avoid him.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

But after lingering long enough to irritate him, he was driven to finish the assignment. Saku threw him a sly smile, then casually unbuttoned his shirt, a teasing smirk flickering on his lips.

He remarked, "Seriously, Amethyst having feelings for me isn't exactly my issue," He said with a cocky smile on his face. He gave him a mischievous smile and exuded confidence. "I mean, just look at me—I'm undeniably handsome, don't you think? At least compared to you."

"Andri," he called out.

Lumapit si Saku sa kanya tapos hinampas siya sa dingding. Hindi 'to inaasahan ni Andri kaya tinitigan siya nito ng matalim. Iba talaga siya sa inaasahan nilang utusan. Ito kaya talaga 'yung totoong plano niya?

He leaned in and gave him a gentle smack on the cheek, a playful twinkle in his eye. "Don't worry, this won't take long," he smiled wryly. "After all, you're destined to meet your demise either way."

☠︎︎༒︎☠︎︎

𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐈 𝐍 𝐄 𝐃     𝐖 𝐈 𝐓 𝐇    𝐇 𝐀 𝐃 𝐄 𝐒

Betrayal's Game Series #1

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