FIRST RING

"SEA OF DEATH"

Serene water but tastes like dead

Thought those were fishes but those are human head

First, it was deep blue, no, it turned into bloody red

'Don't linger there' they said.

You'll get drowned if you get tempted.

The three were staying at an inn located at a small coastal town called Pearl. It was quite far from Paradise City, the capital of City of Death, but it was still within its borders. Right after they succeeded stealing the crown, they immediately went here. As to why they were here, Chanel didn't have any idea. But here they were, celebrating.

"Cheers! Magsaya! Magsaya!" sigaw ni Chersh na nakabalik na sa tunay nitong anyo. Naglakad ito patungo sa gitna at sumayaw kasama ang ibang mga tao at ibang nilalang na naninirahan sa lugar na ito. Napangiti na lamang si Chanel at napa-iling. Tumingin siya kay Night na tahimik na nakatingin sa kanya.

"What?" tanong niya sa binata.

Umiling lamang ito saka nito itinaas ang basong iniinuman nito. "Cheers," wika nito.

"Cheers," sagot ni Chanel. Uminom ng beer si Chanel at nanlaki ang mata niya sa gulat nang matikman ito. Mapait ito, walang halong katamisan, ngunit saktong-sakto lamang ang timpla na siyang nakapagpasarap dito.

"Like it?" tanong ni Night.

Tumango si Chanel. "Yes," sagot nito at muling uminom.

The three drank and celebrated their success. You could see Chanel and Chersh danced as the band inside the pub played their instruments. Hiyawan at halakhakan ang tanging maririnig mo sa loob. The two were really happy and Night silently watched as he drank his beer. After a few drinks, Night decided to go outside. Doon nagpahangin ang binata. It was already midnight and he could see the moon shining above the peaceful sea.

He let the two celebrate, just this once because they were still far from their goal. They only succeeded in stealing one out of eight relics. They were still starting. They were only at the beginning. Still, maganda pa rin ang daloy ng lahat at magandang umpisa 'to para sa kanila.

"Master." Dumating si Raven upang maghatid muli ng mensahe sa binata.

"What's the news?"

"Prince Razerus didn't inform anyone about the missing crown."

Of course, he wouldn't do that. Because if he did, he would just inform the others that he was currently weak for he just lost a part of his power. Silly, Raze. Night thought. And if Razerus didn't inform it to the public, iisa lamang ang gagawin nito.

"He dispatched the Shadows to search for the thieves and get the crown back. They are on the hunt."

Bingo.

Another thing that he discovered on the sewer, that creature was in Razerus' grip. He shouldn't have underestimated the prince. If the Shadows won't work, he would let that creature off to hunt the three of them. To use that creature against other competitors...

Not bad, but it won't still work.

"Then we'll have to move fast."

"The ship is ready. It will be the first trip in the morning, so please do wake up early," paalala ni Raven.

"Re-schedule it and make it on the second trip. They won't wake up early."

"I understand."

"Dismissed."

Yumuko si Raven at tuluyan nang naglaho. Night was about to go back inside when he stopped. He looked at the lady standing at the door. Nakakunot-noo ito sa kanya.

"Why are you speaking with a man that has a big black wing?" tanong ni Chanel sa binata.

Before Night could even answer, Chanel tried to walk to him but failed to do so. She was so drunk that she couldn't walk properly anymore.

"Ahh, lasing na ata ako. Nahihilo na ako."

Night went to her and caught her in his arms. "Don't drink too much if you know you can't handle it."

"I—I was just happy," sagot ni Chanel.

"I know."

Hinawakan ni Night sa magkabilang braso sa dalaga upang alalayan itong makatayo nang maayos. Muling nagsalubong ang tingin ng dalawa. Night just stared at her while Chanel was wondering why he won't just look away. Why was he staring?

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Like what?" tanong ni Night.

"Like you'll strangle or kill me anytime."

Night chuckled. "You are drunk then."

"Ha? Hindi ah. Malalasing pa lang."

"Because if you are not really drunk, you'll see it differently."

Kumunot-noo muli si Chanel sa sinabi ng binata.

"Let's go," wika nito habang hawak-hawak ng binata ang kanyang kamay at hinila papasok sa loob.

They stopped walking when they saw Chersh dancing on the top of a table. He was holding two glasses of beer and singing on the top of his lungs. He was really enjoying it. Chanel again was surprised when Night pulled her again and walked to the second floor where their rooms were located. He stopped in front of Chanel's room. Binuksan niya ang pinto para sa dalaga at binilinan ito.

"Sleep and get some rest. Maaga tayong aalis bukas."

Tumango si Chanel. Bago pa man siya tuluyang nakapasok ay muli siyang lumingon sa binata na nakatayo pa rin sa labas ng kanyang kuwarto.

"Thank you..." She said it sincerely and smiled at him.

"Have a good night." She then closed the door and went to her bed. Night stood there staring at the door that Chanel just closed. He stood there for a second until he walked to his room which was just in front of Chanel's.

Both of them got some rest while Chersh partied all night until he could no longer move.

***

Chanel looked at the big ships in front of her. Napanganga na lamang siya sa nakikita. People and creatures were busy here at the dock. Some were busy collecting the goods and boxes from the cargo ships. People were in line to get to the transport ship. Some even just got here. Chanel was sitting on a wooden box while waiting for their turn to get aboard. She was just observing her surrounding, watching people as they do their own businesses.

"This is amazing," she commented.

Night, who was standing beside her, was also just silently looking at the people.

"It's peaceful here," sagot ni Night.

"Masagana ang mga tao rito."

Kumpara sa nakita niya sa Paradise City, mas masaya at maganda ang ambiance ng mga tao rito sa Pearl. This was like the countryside. It was indeed peaceful. There were some good places at Paradise City too, but it was busy, messy, and crowded. If Chanel would choose where to live, she would choose here.

"Where are we going by the way?" tanong ni Chanel sa binata.

"To the first ring," sagot ni Night.

"First ring? So, City of Death is the second ring kung tama ang hula ko."

Tumango muli si Night. Huminga ng malalim si Chanel at muling tumingin sa mga taong nasa paligid niya.

"What do you call the first ring?"

"Sea of Death."

Now that made sense. She now knew why they had to ride a ship going to the first ring of Hellas.

"Why do you call it a ring if every place is not a circle?" tanong muli ni Chanel.

"It may not look like it, but the structure of every place is a circle. What you see right now is only a façade."

"So these are not all real?"

"The structure of the underworld depends on the owner. This is what the current king wants hell to be looked like. The first God who ruled the underworld designed the structure of the underworld as rings. The severeness of the punishments depends on the level of the ring. Pababa ng pababa mas lalong pabigat ng pabigat ang parusa. Since then, people have called it rings even if the structure was already changed," paliwanag ni Night.

"Now every ring you said there are punishments. I didn't see any punishments sa Para."

"Because the first two rings are only for judgement. Punishments start on the third ring."

Natahimik si Chanel at saglit na napaisip. "What type of punishment do you do at each ring?"

"Like what I said. Pababa ng pababa, mas lalong bumibigat ang parusa." Night then looked at Chanel who was now looking at him.

"Can you die here?"

"Demons, yes. Souls are trapped here forever."

"And what happens to those demons who died?"

"Erased and gone forever."

"No more afterlife for them?"

Umiling si Night. "They can only live once."

"So you can live only once?" tanong ni Chanel. Hindi agad sumagot si Night sa dalaga. Ngumiti lamang ito sa kanya.

"Bakit ang dami niyo pa rin?"

"Dahil may mga tao pa rin," sagot ni Night.

Their conversation stopped when Chersh, who was sleeping at the side of the boxes where Chanel was sitting, woke up. Pahirapan pa ito dalhin dito sa dock  dahil wala pa sa ulirat si Chersh dahil sa kalasingan nito.

"Nasaan na tayo?" tanong nito.

"Docks," sagot ni Chanel.

"Ahhh, ang sakit ng ulo ko."

Natawa na lamang ng mahina si Chanel at kinuha ang lagayan ng tubig na nakasabit sa kanyang baywang.

"This will help. Drink."

"Salamat," sagot ni Chersh at kinuha ang lagayan ng tubig sa dalaga. Uminom ito at muling nagpahinga.

They stayed there until finally nagpasakay na ang barkong sasakyan nila. Hatak-hatak ni Chanel si Chersh nang sumakay sila sa barko. The three of them were wearing a coat and a hood so that someone would not disturb them. That was the common clothing for adventurers here in Hellas. There were no rooms here on this ship. Pinili nila ang normal na transport ship upang hindi sila mapansin ng ibang sundalo na nagbabantay dito sa Pearl. Nakaupo ang tatlo sa gilid. Natutulog si Chersh sa tabi ni Chanel. Night was also just sitting beside her and his eyes were closed too.

And then she heard the loud horn, signaling that they were now sailing off. The ship had sailed at doon na tuluyang nakahinga ng maluwag si Chanel. Finally at makakaalis na rin sila sa second ring. Chanel didn't have any idea what would be the first ring would look like. Chanel could only guess.

Chanel guarded their stuff while the two were resting. It was a long day and she could see the sun setting. She could see how beautiful the sun was while it looked like it was going under the sea.

Too beautiful, she thought. You wouldn't even know if you were in hell.

Naputol ang panonood niya sa araw nang bigla itong matakpan ng isang malaking tipak ng bato. Nagulat din si Chanel sa narinig niyang sigaw ng mga tao na nanggagaling sa itaas. Tumayo si Chanel at lumapit upang mas lalong makita niya nang malapitan ito. Tumingala siya at kumunot-noo sa kanyang naririnig at nakikita. They were fires floating at the edge of the rock. She saw a person at the top. Nakatalikod ito. Ngunit ang sumunod na pangyayari ay ang mas lalong nakapagpagulat sa dalaga.

Rinig na rinig niya ang malakas na pagsigaw ng tao nang ito'y mahulog at bumagsak sa dagat. Agad na lumakad si Chanel patungo roon at tiningnan kung okay lang ba ito. Ang mas lalong ipinagtaka ng dalaga ay wala man lang kumilos o tumulong dito sa barko. They just continued doing their things. Akmang sisigaw na siya ng tulong nang maramdaman niya na mayroong humawak sa kanyang balikat. Nang lumingon siya ay nakita niya si Night.

"Look," wika nito.

Muli siyang tumingin sa ibaba. Nakita niya ang lalaki na palutang-lutang sa dagat. Ngunit ang sumunod na nangyari ay muling nakapagpawala ng dugo sa kanyang katawan.

They were fishes that swam faster towards the guy. Rinig na rinig niya ang pagsigaw nito at damang-dama niya ang sakit na nararamdaman nito sa bawat pagkagat ng mga isdang nagtungo sa kanya. Ang kulay asul na tubig ay napalitan ng kulay pula. Nawala ang pagsigaw, lumangoy na ang mga isda papalayo, hanggang sa makita niya ang pag-angat ng ulo ng lalaki at ito na lamang ang natira.

Chanel couldn't talk.

"Look above," wika muli ni Night.

Tumingala muli si Chanel at nakita niyang sunod-sunod ang mga taong nahulog mula sa itaas. Bumaba muli ang tingin niya sa dagat at doon nakita ang iba pang ulo na palutang-lutang.

"That's the number of people who failed at the judgement field. That big rock in front of you is the judgement field where people are being tested if they worthy enough to receive Henka or if they would just be punished."

"Where will they go if they fail?" Chanel could only whisper.

"To the rings. Your punishment depends on your sins when you were alive and how you messed up the tests," sagot ni Night.

Right after Night explained, nakalagpas din sila sa Judgement Field. Wala na ang dilim, ang mga boses ng mga tao mula sa itaas, ang pagsigaw nila sa paghulog at pagkain sa kanila ng mga isda. Muli niyang nasilayan ang araw na tuluyang nang lumubog at napalitan ng buwan.

Kanina lamang ay iniisip niya na sobrang ganda rito sa Hellas na tipong hindi mo pa mamamalayan na nasa impyerno ka. Nang makita niya ang mga mangyari kanina ay gumising siya sa katotohanan na kahit anong ganda ng nakikita niya sa paligid ay totoong nasa impyerno pa rin siya.

Huminga ng malalim si Chanel.

"Get some rest," wika ni Night. Tumango na lamang ang dalaga at muling umupo sa puwesto nila. Napatingin siya kay Chersh na tulog pa rin. Isinandal na lamang niya ang kanyang ulo sa kawayan at pumikit.

There was one thing Chanel realized throughout this journey.

Life is full of ups and downs. You can be at the top for the whole day and you can fall at the bottom the next day. Happy moments do not last, so do your loneliness. That makes life interesting because that's when you learn.

And her life right now was never boring.

***

Days they sailed. Chanel didn't move an inch right after what happened. Wala rin naman siyang ibang makita kung hindi dagat. She would only eat if it was time. But she just stayed there, with Chersh and Night, all day and night. Pagkatapos ng dalawang araw na paglalayag ay sa wakas nakakita rin ng lupa ang dalaga.

The ship went to a strait. Around them was land, soil, rocks, and trees. They continued sailing. Laking pasasalamat din ni Chanel na wala pang nangyayaring iba. The Judgement Field was the last thing that reminded her that she was in hell. Right now, as they passed through big rocks and forests, she couldn't help herself but be amazed again.

After three days, finally, nakakita rin siya ng bahay, tao, at iba pang nilalang. The ship stopped at the docks. Isa-isang bumaba ang mga pasahero. When Chanel stepped her foot on the ground, she finally smiled again. The houses were colorful. The buildings were different compare to Para. Their windows had colorful glasses. Each door had the symbol of the kingdom.

"Wow..."

Kung inaakala niyang maganda ang Para, mayroon pa palang mas gaganda doon.

"Everything is colorful," wika ni Chanel.

"Welcome to Owe!" wika ni Chersh na ngayon ay ganado at bibong-bibo na ulit.

The three of them continued moving. First, they had their breakfast at an inn. Right after that, wala nang pinalagpas pang oras si Night at muli silang umalis. The three of them ride a big carriage with other people. This served as the official transportation here in this place. From Ore, they journeyed to the capital. After a day, they finally reached their destination.

Bumaba si Chanel sa karwahe at tumingin sa kanyang paligid. If Owe was colorful, this place, was even more colorful. There were houses floating on the sky, waterfalls as decorations everywhere, statues of different creatures, and a lot of flowers. There was water floating too in the air while there were fishes swimming in it. People were smiling from ear to ear, children giggling as they played, a lady humming as she watered her plants, a man shouting to get someone to buy his products. There were ladies who jumped in a big lake in the middle of the city and turned into mermaids.

"Oh, God..."

People were walking with other creatures. Some had scales and there was octopus-creature-like selling bread. It was on a freaking bakery and Chanel couldn't believe what she was seeing right now. All of them were creatures that you could see in the sea and they were living here like this was all normal.

Everything was so breathtaking.

"Welcome to the capital of the first ring, the kingdom of Rivetia," wika ni Chersh.

"And there you see," wika ni Night at tinuro nito ang isang malaking kastilyo na nakalutang sa ere na tanaw na tanaw mula sa kanilang kinatatayuan. It was a big and beautiful castle made of stone and glass. There were big trees and at the edges where the castle stood was water falling from it.

"Is the castle where the prince lives and where we will do our next heist," dugtong nito.

Chanel almost forgot how to breathe.