"PRIMUS CITY?" TANONG ni Selene nang tuluyan na silang tumungo sa mayungib na daan papasok ng sinasabi nitong syudad. "Paano magkakaroon ng syudad sa bukana ng Sierra Madre?"

Sa halip na sagutin iyon ni Stavros ay hindi na siya nito pinansin at nag-focus nalang sa pagda-drive. She wanted to know the answer pero hindi n'ya mapigilan ang sariling libutin ang labas ng kotse. Napangiti s'ya nang makita ang mga Pilipinong nagsasaka pa rin ng palay, mais at iba pa sa gitna ng kasikatan ng araw. Natutuwa s'yang makakita ng kalabaw at ilang hayup na sa probinsya nga lang makikita sa ngayon.

When the Philippines Economy boomed, she didn't expect na mapapanatili pa rin ng bansa ang ilang lugar na may kagubatan at ilang kapatagan para sa pagsasaka. Philippines' became the leading supplier of grains in the whole of Asia and has garnered awards for keeping the other parts of the country not to be colonized by advanced technologies that the Metro Manila has.

Napakunot muli s'ya ng noo nang habang natagal ay napapansin n'yang ang ilang magsasaka na napapatingin sa pagdaan nila'y bigla mapapatigil sa ginagawa at yumuyuko habang nakalagay ang isa nilang kamao sa kanilang dibdib.

Was it because of... Stavros?

"You'll know." Tugon nito sa naging katanungan ko sa kanya kanina. "We're almost there."

Truth to be told, she squinted her eyes in front when she saw a huge gate with a lot of trucks with giant containers inside. Iyon ang bukana ng mahabang bulubundukin.

Her eyes grew big upon seeing the area. Bakit may malaking pintuan ang parte ng bundok na iyon?

Sakto sa kanilang pagdating sa gate ay ang paglabas ng isang higanteng fighter jets with an insignia placed on its side. The insignia has the combination logo of four card symbols in poker. With a Lion head on top and two pairs of wings on the sides.

Spade, Heart, Club, and Diamond.

Hindi pa rin s'ya nakakahuma sa nakita ngunit agad na nawaglit ang kanyang atensyon nang buksan ni Stavros ang bintana nito.

"K-Kayo po pala, Your Majesty!" ang takot at gulat sa security guard na naka-assign sa gate ay masyadong halata at mabilis na may pinindot upang buksan ang tarangkahan.

Stavros' eyes are unreadable as they moved forward. Sa pagsara ng unang gate ay sinalubong naman sila ng isa pang gate. May pinindot ang binata sa may steering wheel nito at nagulantang s'ya na may mabilis na mga linyang ilaw ang pumasada sa kanilang kotse.

Car identified: King of Spade— Stavros Maximo Callahan

Rinig n'ya sa isang speaker ng lugar. And with that, the last gate has been opened at sinalubong sila ng ilang mga tao na nakapila sa magkabilang gilid.

Stavros' car stopped horizontally at mabilis na tumalima palabas ng kotse. Kahit na nagtataka at nagugulahan ay 'yon rin ang kanyang ginawa. She shyly went outside habang kimi ang ulo sa pagkakayuko.

Pahapyaw niyang sinilip ang nangyari nang biglang sabay sabay na sumaludo ang mga kalalakihang may pulos suot ng mga malalaking kasuotang pandigma. Ipit sa mga kili kili ng mga kalalakihan ang mga warrior helmet ng mga 'to at seryosong seryoso ang mga mukhang naka-tiger's look.

Sa haba ng pasilyo ay 'di n'ya inakala na sasalubungin rin sila ng ganitong karaming mga sundalo.

Nakasunod lang s'ya sa likuran ng binata habang nahihiyang tumitingin ang kanyang mata sa paligid.

Sa dulong parte ng kanilang nilalakaran ay may ilang mga kalalakihan na may edad mula trenta hanggang kuwarenta anyos ang nakatindig na nakatayo roon. Pito sila at ramdam n'ya ang intimidasyon sa mga 'to. Seryoso ang mga mukha at mukha talagang mga makapangyarihan.

Nang tumigil si Stavros sa kanilang harapan ang s'yang pagtigil n'ya rin at pananatili sa likuran ng binata.

"What miracle came to the seven of you at kumpleto kayo?" May awtoridad na wika ni Stavros sa mga nakakatandang lalaki na kausap nito.

"We went here as soon as we received your notice about the..." wika ng isa sa kanila tapos ay natigil ang mata sa kanya na s'yang dahilan upang tuluyang magtago sa malapad na balikat ni Stavros. "... possible reinforcement that we need to kill the Joker."

Napakunot s'ya ng noo.

"Let me handle the explanation to her, Maximillian." Anas ni Stavros na may pinalidad ngunit tila hindi 'yon hahayaan ng isa sa mga lalaking 'to.

"As one of the Ancient Ones' Guidance Counsellors and Commanding Generals of Primus. It is our duty to handle it and guide her with the information that she has to know." Maximillian interjected.

"Do you really think that I'll let you—" Stavros was stopped by another man.

"You know that we have Laws to follow, Your Majesty. Let Maximillian handle it. I'll be there to support." Tugon ng isa sa kanila.

"General Schneider..." rinig kong bulong ni Stavros.

"Just focus yourself in the battle, young King. Don't interfere if you don't want us to raise this to the higher court." Anang ng isa pa na may pilat sa mata.

"General Kingston, let's be rational. I don't think na kailangan pang paabutin pa sa mataas na korte ang bagay na 'to. The battle against the Joker is the most important." Wika ng isang may blonde na kulay ang buhok. "The number of casualties is increasing. If we can't prevent this as soon as possible then the Government won't have any choice but to publicize the attacks. They're doing their part and so do we."

Kingston? Ama kaya ito ni Patricia?

"General Vejar..." naisatinig ni General Kingston ngunit malalim itong bumuntong hininga at napapikit nang hawakan na ito ng kausap sa balikat. "Fine."

"Bring the young lady—" utos ni General Kingston ngunit agad na sumingit si Stavros.

"Let me... I'll give the task to you guys but at least let me escort her to the conference room."

Hindi na nagreklamo pa ang mga nakakatadang Heneral at nagbigay ng daan para kay Stavros. Dahil sa pangangatog ng kanyang mga paa dahil sa naramdamang tensyon at intimidasyon sa mga nakasama ay madali lang s'yang nahila ng binata.

As soon as they went inside of a transparent elevator, she saw how Stavros held his head and groaned in pain. Mabilis n'ya itong inalalayan habang bakas sa kanyang mukha ang pag-aalala.

"Not now, you demon!" Mariing bulong ni Stavros habang ito'y nakapikit at dinarama ang sakit.

He might be talking about Vikadan. What he's experiencing would be a mental problem called Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Having another person inside you who wanted to take over the body of the owner.

This must be so hard for Stavros. She doesn't know when it started pero kung ganitong madalas na nag-t-take over si Vikadan— which is the Joker ang kalaban nila ngayon, then maaaring mas higit pa ang sakit ng nararamdaman ng utak nito.

Hindi na n'ya pinansin ang pagkamangha sa imprastraktura ng pasilidad kahit natatanaw ng kanyang peripheral vision ang bawat floor na binababaan ng sinakyan nilang see-through elevator.

"Tell me if you're okay." Anas n'ya sa inaalalayang binata. Nagulat s'ya nang bigla s'ya nitong hinawi dahilan upang parehas silang matumba sa sahig.

"I don't need your pity." May halong inis at galit ang pagkakaturan ni Stavros. His heavy breathing already subsided at mukhang napigilan nitong lumabas ang katauhan ni Vikadan sa loob nito.

"Lahat kayo ay nasa gitna ng labanan ngayon? At kalaban sino? Ang Joker? Which is—" mabilis na tinakpan ni Stavros ang kanyang bibig.

"This facility is secured with a lot of parabolic devices and tech so be careful with your words. They're listening." Mariing bulong nito sa kanya. "Marami ring nakakalat na drones."

Inis n'yang tinanggal ang kamay nito sa kanya at sinamaan ito ng tingin. "Then how should we talk about your... condition?"

Sa pagtanong n'yang 'yon ay ang pagbukas ng elevator door at pagtigil nila sa naturang palapag.

"We are in the Primus City's Laboratory and Technological Facility placed deep beneath of Sierra Madre." Stavros said as if he's welcoming and touring her around when they got off from the elevator.

"It's been decades since this facility has been built to protect mankind against our one common enemy."

"Which is... the Joker." She was about to say, his other half but Stavros glared at him right away to tell her to shut up.

"Everything will be discussed about the rest of the history and folklore of Ancient Ones by the Seven Elites of Primus."

Hindi n'ya ma-digest ang mga sinasabi nito at akmang magtatanong na sana s'ya patungkol roon nang buksan nito ang isang malaking pintuan at mabilis siyang hinila papasok.

Selene held her breath when she just found herself being pinned to the wall by this man. Malapit na malapit ang mukha nito sa mukha n'ya at hindi n'ya kayang tingnan ito ng ganitong kalapit kung kaya't ibinaba n'ya ang kanyang tingin sa sahig at hinintay ang sasabihin nito. Seconds passed but what she's been hearing was his slow breathing... his damn alluring way to breathe. Sumasamyo ang maliliit nitong hininga sa kanyang pisngi at 'di n'ya inaasahan na makakaramdam s'ya ng kakaiba sa kanyang katawan.

"Huwag na huwag mong sasabihin sa kanila ang mga nalalaman mo tungkol sa'kin kung ayaw mong pati ang buhay mo ay manganib." Banta nito.

"P-pero..."

Stavros hissed that made her stopped. "I can still handle to hold this demon. My friends are still finding a way to release him from me that's why I need your cooperation. The demon might be inside of me, but this fucking demon was able to manage to build up a plan of igniting this war. Kaya kahit na nasa loob ko pa s'ya ay malakas pa rin ang pwersa ng mga kaalyansa nito sa labas."

Muli s'yang napalunok nang mapagtanto na ang gusto nitong sabihin.

"You might ruin our plan, so, please don't fucking lay any parts of your life on it or I will kill you myself."

Sa pagbigkas ng huling banta nito ay ang biglang pag-igkas ng isang malakas na sakit sa dibdib at ulo ni Stavros.

Stavros groaned in pain at tuluyan nang napaatras sa kanya. Then she was surprised when one of Stavros' eyes changed color then the other side of his lips moved upward.

"I'm still giving you a chance to do your fucking job, useless King. But don't ever lay your hands on her if you want your secret to being kept safe." It was Vikadan who spoke.

Hinahapong napahawak sa sarili nitong dibdib si Stavros at masama ang tingin sa kanya. Nagtaka s'ya kung para saan 'yon. Kasalanan ba n'ya na gano'n umasta ang isa pa nitong katauhan?

"LET'S just put it this way." Napabaling muli ang kanyang tingin sa isa sa mga Heneral na nagsasalita sa harapan. Pabalang nitong binagsak ang hawak na folder sa lamesang gawa sa glass at tiningnan naman s'ya ng masama. "Because it seems someone is not listening."

Napalingon ang anim pang kalalakihan sa kanya. Pawang seryoso ang mga mukha at tingin niya'y isang maling galaw lang ay baka malagutan s'ya ng hininga.

"S-sorry po." Paghingi ni Selene ng paumanhin at kapagkuwa'y napayuko.

She's listening to whatever story they were saying. Mas lamang ang gumugulo sa kanyang isipan nang dahil sa nangyayari kay Stavros.

How could she possibly help him?

"Just tell us if you're the Augur that supposed to be the reinforcement, the Ancient Ones being talked about." Wika na may halong inis ni General Kingston. "You're nothing but such a slut who wanted attention. Or you might be a spy! You might be a Buffoon!"

"Kingston, relax. Your melodramatic and overthinking skills are way beyond the lines. Let the lady speak." It was General Schneider who somehow saved her.

There is something in him that made her eyes squinted. His eyes... bakit parang nakita na n'ya 'yon?

"And spit us lies? This is even nonsense! Why do we need to tell her the history of the Primeval Union? She's not even a part of this!"

General Vejar interjected and looked at Kingston with a smug smile. "You might be forgetting that I can easily tell if someone is lying or not, old hag."

General Kingston snorted and scoffed. "As if it didn't fail even once, Vejar. Don't be too confident. The Joker is as filthy as we know him. We're just taking extra precaution here."

"If this lady..." napatingin ang lahat sa isang Heneral na ngayon n'ya lang narinig na nakisawsaw. "... will be proven guilty then she must be aware that her life is at stake."

"You're scaring her, General Bennett." Pagpigil ni General Schneider.

"She must be..." General Bennett said and looked at her. Sabay sabay ring lumingon sa kanya ang iba pang Heneral.

The pressure was now on her. They're all looking at her and she knew by now that they're trying to manipulate her emotion and thinking. They're all good with their words because she can sense how experienced these gentlemen are. Pero bakit ba napunta na sa buhay n'ya ang nakataya?

What if she's not the reinforcement na ang sabi ng Ancient Ones na ibibigay nila? Saka ano ba ang magagawa ng isang tulad n'ya sa isang gyera na hindi naman aware ang ang ibang tao? They're having this war secured just between them. Kaya pala laganap sa ilang parte ng Asya ang mga balitang pagsugod ng mga militanteng hindi sang-ayon sa kapangyarihang taglay ng Pilipinas ngayon. It might be a cover up pero ang totoo, the war begins in the inside. And the Joker was the root cause.

"You better tell us the truth and we will spare—"

"A wounded eye will eventually face the gates of Hell in the midst of a big storm against a big throne."

Ang pitong Heneral ay natigil sa kanilang pag-iisip nang wikain niya ang mga salitang 'yon. Seryosong tiningnan isa isa ni Selene ang pitong kalalakihan na s'yang nakitaan na n'ya ng hinaharap.

Inangat ni Selene ang kanang kamay at pinakatitigan iyon. "I held each and every one of you a while ago and I've seen your Fates have been dictated by the Heavens."

She heard little scoffed trying not to escape from the gentlemen's lips. Nabakasan rin panandalian ng maliit na takot ang bawat isa sa kanila.

"That's preposterous! Trying to evade your own scheme—"

Mabilis n'yang pinutol ang sasasabihin ni General Kingston— ang lalaking may pilat ang kanang mata. "You've lost your first son a few years ago because of an epidemic, right?"

Kung kanina'y panandalian lang ang paglaki ng mata ng pitong Heneral, ngayon ang ilan sa kanila'y bahagyang napakibot sa kanilang kinauupuan.

"King S-Stavros might have given t-those details—"

"Claire de Lune..." biglang iniusal ni Selene na nagpatigil sa Heneral. "... ang musika na pinapatugtog mo noon sa anak mong nawala bilang pampatulog. Isang bagay na 'di alam ng ilan."

Tuluyan nang napaatras si General Kingston at napatda sa kanyang mga sinabi.

Iyon ang mga nakita n'ya nang magdaop palad sila.

"I don't know what kind of reinforcement am I. May sarili akong buhay na dapat intindihin. You guys involuntarily involved me in your world without asking my permission if I want to. So, don't threaten my life because you might think that I'm lying or creating stories. Hindi kayo maluloklok d'yan sa kinalulugaran ninyo if you don't know how to analyze the whole situation in all angles."

"How did you...?"

"I'm not sure where did I get this power but if this is something that will be helpful to beat the enemy? Then, tell me everything that I need to know."

Hindi alam ni Selene kung saan niya nakuha ang lakas ng loob upang hamunin ang mga Heneral ng organisasyong tago sa buong mundo.

If she really is The Vortex— the Curse Goddess of Time and Alternate Realities, then she has to know everything. Her parents didn't disclose everything. They just told her what she has to know but not the Primeval Union. Not a single detail about the Ancient Ones that she has heard a while ago.

At kung tama nga ang sumpang ipinataw kay Vortex ay galing sa Ancient Ones. Then she has to know how to break it. Hindi n'ya alam pero ramdam ng dalaga na hindi ang pagsakop sa Earth ang gusto talagang gawin ng Joker. Pero kung iyon nga, marahil ay iyon ang ganting na gustong makamit ng lalaking pinagkaitang makasama ang minamahal.

She has to know the real deal of her existence. Kung s'ya ang reinforcement na sinasabi ng Ancient Ones na makakatulong magapi ang Joker then they chose a wrong person.

Siya man ang reinkarnasyon ni Vortex, she is still the Cleopatra Selene Arguelles. Ang ipinangakong anak sa mga magulang n'ya. She was born here that means this is her life to rule. Not the Vortex's fate.

She inwardly promised that she would change the course of this story.

"Do I still look like I'm a Buffoon to you all? Pwede na ba nating simulan?"

The Seven Elites slowly explained their history and their organizational ladder.

From the Ancient Ones who unknowingly arrived on Earth billions of years ago to protect the Relics that they have against the war na nararanasan ng sarili nilang mundo hanggang sa pag-establish of their forces to protect the Relics at all cost by building the Primeval Union.

"Saang mundo galing ang mga Ancient Ones?" iyon ang kanyang naitanong nang magkaroon ng pagkakataong makapagtanong s'ya.

Pare-parehas na natigilan ang pitong Heneral at nagkatinginan pa. Then, if her brain works well, it's General Schneider who replied.

"They call it Arkadia."

Parang may kung anong boses ang biglang lumapit sa kanyang tainga at binigkas ang parehas na pangalan na nabanggit ni General Schneider. It's... familiar.

"You mean the Utopian set-up?" Selene verified dahil 'yon ang naalala niya based sa textbooks and the internet.

"No, with a letter K and not C." Anang ni General Maximillian.

Napatango tango nalang ang dilag at nagpatuloy sa pakikinig.

"Arkadia is the most civilized world where advanced technology is rising. They have this element that we are using now, well, basically just the Union, and they're calling it... Arkadium. An element of the strongest matter. It's an element where it gives life to any non-living things." Explained by General Schneider.

Under Ancient Ones, they divided the organization into three:

The Higher Court, The Seven Elite Generals, and The Order.

The Seven Elite Generals hold the ultimate power over the Military defenses especially in times of war. They are consisting of seven diplomat families in the entire world— Schneider (Australia and Oceania), Kingston (Europe), Bennett (Asia-Pacific), Vejar (Africa), Maximillian (Russia), Bradshaw (North America), and Clemente (South America). All families were assigned to be the sole leader of each continent in the Defense Department.

The Higher Court holds the solidary power over the Justice System within the entire organization. They uphold the rules and laws that all members should follow without ado. They're consisting of the most logical and educated lawyers from prominent families too.

The Order— or the Cities surrounding the Primus City. The Order is the citizen of the entire organization. The Order is divided into Four Cities where being handled by the Kings. Kings are the sole ruler of each border of the Philippines—North Clubs, West Diamonds, East Heart and South Spade. The Kings who rule are the chosen Knights of Arkadia. They have the power to rule over the Relics that are being passed down thru centuries. All Kings have the pure blood of the Elder Knights in which makes them the only person to control the Relics and its Familiars.

Relics are the ones they have to protect against their common enemy— The Joker. Sabi sa kwento, only the Joker can manifest the power of four Relics. Sa oras na mapasakamay niya ito, isang walang hanggang kapangyarihan ang matatamasa nito na s'yang maaaring gamitin laban sa kahit sino. The Relics also serve as the key to open up other dimensions aside from Earth. It can be the passageway to the Ancient Ones' real-world— Arkadia.

"Will the Joker rule the world sa oras na mapasakamay niya ang mga Relics?" isang tanong ang bumulanghit sa bibig ni Selene. Natulala lang ang dalaga sa lamesa at unti-unti iyong umangat upang makita at makinig sa kung sinuman ang sasagot.

"That effin' creature will surely do." Nagngingitngit na tugon ni General Kingston.

"Will? I sensed an uncertainty with your answer, General." She probed as she got something wrong with his reply.

"Are you belittling our judgment? How dare you even to think of that!" dagundong na reaksyon ng Heneral na ang tingin 'ata sa kanya ay kalaban. Ang lakas ng galit nito sa dalaga.

"Kingston, please, tone down your voice." Nagtitimping suway ni General Schneider na maging ito napapahawak na lamang sa sentido sa kakulitan ng kasamahan nito. "Can't you talk to her calmly?"

"At sinong bobo ang makikipag-usap sa kanya ng maayos? She's not even worth it to have that kind of power."

"At sino po ang karapat-dapat? Ikaw?" isang maanghang na tanong ni Selene sa kanya. Seryoso na ang mukha nito nakatingin sa ginoo. Walang bakas ng pagpapasensya. Sinagad na ng ginoo.

Sasagot pa sana ang ginoo sa maanghang niyang tugon nang matigilan ito at napaumid ang dilang napatingin sa kanya. "I am respecting every one of you here because I know that this is your expertise. Kung ako ang pinadalang tutulong sa inyo, respeto lang rin sa pagkakababae ko ang hinihingi ko. I am only a student. A freaking college student that has an unfortunate life in this lifetime so spare me with your angst, Generals. Or I'll change the path you chose as I see it fit if you won't stop right there."

Sinusubukan huminahon ni Selene mula sa inis na nadarama. She closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing. Tama lang ang ginawa niya. At hindi niya iyon pinagsisisihan. They're all trying to test her patience and she's not that kind of person.

"What if..." usal niya habang nakapikit. She's calming now. "... what if, he wants something aside from conquering our world?"

Bumalay sa mukha ng mga Heneral ang kanyang naging tanong.

"What are you trying to imply?" tanong ng isa sa kanila.

"You need my... power to defeat the Joker, right?" Selene confirmed. "Where do you think, I got this power?"

It was General Schneider who replied. "There's a prophecy from the Ancient Ones before they vanish that there will be someone connected to the Relics that will come to help as soon as the Joker awakens from his deep sleep. That someone carries the bridge between the past, present, and the future... in which you were able to show with us."

"They call that someone as the Augur or Code of Vortex. Vortex is a container that has been broken when the Ancient Ones landed here on Earth. It contains the Relics and the containment chamber of the Joker. So, if you really are the Augur, if you really are the Code of Vortex then you're the only way to imprison the Joker once again." It was General Clemente who continued.

Bigla na namang sumingit si General Kingston. "But our plan is to kill him, Generals! Not to seize him!"

Si General Bradshaw ang tumugon. "Then how we are going to kill him if the only power that this girl possesses is to see the past, present and the future?"

Ngayo'y biglang ngumisi sa'kin si General Kingston. "That's what she has to prove with us. Kapag 'di niya nagawa ang role na dapat na gawin niya ay 'di ako mangingiming patayin s'ya ng walang pag-aalinlangan."

Seryosong pinakatitigan ni Selene ang ginoong may galit yata sa kanya. "You want me to see the past to know his weakness, you want me to know the future to see if we are going to succeed."

It's not a question but all statements. Sa 'di malamang dahilan 'yon ang nakikita n'yang gustong ipahiwatig ng Heneral na 'to. Na sa oras na 'di n'ya gawin ay kamatayan mula sa kamay nito ang magiging kasukdulan ng kanyang buhay.

"That's your role, right?"

Nakita ni Selene ang pagtagis ng mga panga ng ilang Heneral sa narinig mula kay Kingston.

"Paano nga kung hindi ang pagkakaroon ng walang hanggang kapangyarihan ang nais ng Joker?" She deflected the topic. "What if—"

"The decision stands still, lady. The Joker has to die."

"Is it your own decision then?" Selene smirked at him. "Parang ang naririnig ko sa kanila, they only want to contain the Joker in his chamber with the use of my power. Ikaw lang yata ang may nais na mamatay s'ya."

"Kahit pa na ikulong s'ya. Pagdedesisyunan pa ring sa Higher Court if the Joker has to die or not. At kaya kong itaya ang isa ko pang mata para lang ipusta na nakakasiguro akong kamatayan ang kanilang ipapataw."

"At kapag hindi? Kapag natalo ka sa pustahan?"

"Kapag natalo ako? Hindi mangyayari—"

"Kapag natalo ka, ipangako mo na aalis ka sa trono mo bilang Heneral at ibibigay sa mas karapat-dapat. Is it a fair game for you?" matapang na hamon ni Selene sa ginoo na nagpatangis ng galit rito.

"How dare you challenge me...?"

"Because I've already seen how you are going to die?" napatda naman si General Kingston sa kanyang sinambit. "Yes, then, I'm challenging you. Gusto mo bang ulitin ko kung paano ka mamamatay?"

"You slut—!" mabilis na tumayo sina General Schneider at General Bradshaw nang akmang susugurin nito ang dalaga.

"That's enough!" sigaw ni General Maximillian bago lumingon muli sa kanya. "You are saying something about what if it's not the power of the Relics the Joker wants to possess. What do you think his other reason then?"

Huminga muna siya ng malalim na hininga habang iniestima ang mga salitang kailangan niyang gamitin para ilathala sa mga Heneral. "Paano kung..."

Selene made a pause, sumilip siya sa kanila at nakitang naghihintay ang mga ito sa mga susunod niyang sasabihin. "Paano kung ang Vortex na alam ninyo ay hindi lang s'ya container ng mga Relics at kulungan ng Joker?"

Lahat ng Heneral ay napakunot noo sa kanya.

"Paano kung... biktima lang rin ang Joker sa 'di malamang dahilan, at ang Vortex na sinasabi ninyo ay kauri mismo ng Ancient Ones at ng Joker?"

Mas lalo niyang nakita ang pagkunot-noo ng mga ito.

"Paano kung... Vortex is a woman who possesses the power of the Relics and her lover might be the Joker? And their Fates have been cursed through time? And they just want to rewrite it."