Malakas na bumukas ang pinto at mabilis na nagsipasukan ang mga sundalo. Rui used the commotion to surround Trois with threads. Responding to the clutching of his hand, his threads tightened around Trois' body instantly; locking his arms and legs. Following, a huge soldier rammed his shoulder against the known criminal. Trois crashed to the floor at mabilis na idiniin ng sundalo ang sariling tuhod sa likod nito habang idinidiin niya ang kaniyang kamay sa ulo nito. Despite the unfavorable situation, Trois' shoulders are quivering as his grin only gets wider.

Rui broke the momentary silence. "By threatening the headmaster's life along with illegal usage of your magical attribution, you have committed serious violations. You, Trois Oxen, will be taken into custody." Ibinaba ni Rui ang kaniyang kamay at inangat ang kaniyang mga mata sa sundalong nasa kaniyang tabi. "For now, lock him up in the academy's prison. He'll be under interrogation before he is transferred to the penitentiary." The soldier nodded.

Isang tawa ang lumabas sa bibig ni Trois habang paunti-unting nawawala ang kuryenteng nakapalibot sa nakaupong punong-guro. "For what? Sa pagtrespass? There's no need for that since I answered your question earlier and it's clear as that silver head of yours you were my objective. Or are you going to question me about some other matters?" He then grinned. "Zai's course of action for example."

"Take him away." ngumisi lamang si Trois sa pag-ignora nito sa kaniyang sinabi. The guards pulled him up to escort him to the academy's confinement facility. Trois chuckled his way out as soldiers harshly push him by the shoulder. Noong makalabas na ang mga ito, Rui turned to the headmaster who's silently staring at him. Rui reprimanded him for his neutral behavior earlier. "Your actions could start rumors involving your position. Being unresponsive to the situation is not a befitting character for a head educator."

"Hevrion," Tumalim ang mga mata ng binata sa itinawag nito. Isinawalang-bahala ito ni Wein at seryoso lamang na tinitigan ang mga pilak na mata nito. "Narinig mo yung sinabi ni Trois, we are indeed acquaintances pero wala siyang sapat na rason para hayaan akong humihinga. You should know, Trois Oxen is no ordinary man. Our difference in skills would only throw me in a coffin." Wein's eyes squinched. "Would you rather start rumors about how incompetent the headmaster's combat skills are? Dying pathetically in the hands of a person with no official title other than a former wanted criminal?"

Rui was unable to respond to his question, even if it was a rhetorical one in the first place. Bumuntong hininga si Wein at siya'y tumayo. Lumapit siya sa isang bookshelf at tiningnan isa-isa ang mga librong naroon. After the short quietude, Wein asked a strange question. "Captain, are you aware of the academy's purpose?"

Suspicious, Rui answered nonetheless. "To educate and to train individuals on protecting and maintaining the country's peace and order, Sir."

"Yes, that is the purpose of the academy but I'm certain you know the other side of the coin." saad ni Wein habang kaniyang kinukuha ang isang libro. Binuklat niya ito at ipinokus ang mga mata sa pahina nito. "For the nobles, the academy is a treasure trove. Isa itong lugar filled with opportunities na magkaroon ng koneksiyon sa ibang household. A place where they can gain honor due to its prestigious reputation. By graduating and earning achievements, their family names will attract attention from different parts of the continent. Like an exquisite flower for bees. Are you understanding what I'm saying?"

Bumuntong-hininga si Rui at siya'y umupo sa leather couch na naroon. Itinuloy niya ang mga salita ng headmaster. "Because of these political benefits, the nobles are willing to invest on the academy. Giving us large amount of funds and donations every month." Rui clutched the cushioned armrest. "Pressuring the academy on its standard and also because of the favor we owe them, they're openly criticizing the entry of scholars who belong in the commoners faction."

"I wouldn't mind losing my career as an educator." Isinara ni Wein ang hawak na libro at lumingon sa kaniyang direksyon. "But without the king's support, the scholars will definitely be forced to drop their education if they decide to replace me with someone from their side." Isang buntong-hininga ang lumabas sa kaniyang bibig. "You should know that His Majesty has no desire to meddle in educational affairs unless necessary. So even if I don't want to, I have to satisfy those pigs' demand of having a competent principal. But you," Lumapit ito kay Rui at inilahad ang hawak na libro. "Your position is different."

Tinanggap ito ni Rui at nag-aalanganing pinagmasdan ang pabalat na walang nakasulat na pamagat. "Ano 'to?"

"Something useful and something you'll surely want, Captain."

Binuksan niya ito and for a moment, he was taken aback by the contents. After his emotions coped up with his thoughts, he shut the book and stood, turning to the headmaster who's standing with dignified posture and wearing an unsmiling expression. "I won't be returning this anytime soon, Sir."

"I don't need you to —actually it's better you won't." Tumalikod si Wein at naglakad patungo sa harap ng kaniyang lamesa. "After the sacred books were used by the goddess in the previous war, the pages of each book scattered in the capital. Most of them were retrieved by the royal guards pero marami pa rin ang nawawala hanggang ngayon, some are confirmed to be sold off. That record your holding contains all the reports of its locations. Make sure not to thoughtlessly reveal it to anyone, that is His Majesty's record. I only asked an acquaintance to commit theft for me a year back, I also added a few data. Stealing a king's possession is a heavy crime, so I don't want to be involved any longer. Keep it."

Rui's expression still showed a bit of suspicion. "I heard rumors about you being notoriously strict and law-abiding, it seems to be inaccurate." Pinagmasdan ni Rui ang hawak na libro at hinigpitan ang hawak dito. The only complete book was stolen but as I thought, it'll be better to focus on the other books than its retrieval. "I am thankful for trusting this matter to me but please answer my question, Mr. Riece." Tinitigan niya ang likod ng lalaki habang ibinababa niya ang kaniyang kamay sa kaniyang gilid. "Why would a high-principled man like you hand over an important record to the adopted son of a criminal? I could tell your trust do not fully lie in me."

Wein's silence made the question more enticing of curiosity. As he stands in front of his desk, his green orbs stared at the badge placed beside the stacks of documents. Pinulot niya ito at maiging pinagmasdan. He hummed in solemnity. "Trust, you say..." Saglit niyang pinikit ang kaniyang mga mata at hinigpitan ang hawak sa tsapa. When he turned his body, Rui immediately understood him through his determined look.

Wein frankly stated. "Don't be mistaken, my trust lies in no one. But right now, seeing how Trois showed himself in front of me, Zai is still in motion. And I could tell from all the events that happened in the last eight years, she's not the only gear that's moving." The bridge of Wein's nose wrinkled as he tightens his fist. "Those gears are moving without an organized and harmonious direction, they're still budging and grating against each other." His eyes sharpened in suspicion as he glances at the far palace through the window. The two gears would most likely cause a disturbance soon, this is bad.

He tossed the small item to the young man and Rui caught it single-handedly. Nagtungo sa kabilang side ng lamesa si Wein at umupo sa kaniyang silya. "Let's end the conversation here. Throw that in the trash bin on your way out." This time it would be different, I won't let you move as you please Zai. Soon, I will see your head hunged on the castle wall.

Bahagyang yumuko ang binata at tuluyan nang nilisan ang opisina nito. Nang sumara ang pinto sa kaniyang likuran, he opened his hand and stared at the badge which symbolizes the man's past captaincy. Maigi niya itong tinitigan, especially the detail which signifies the rank he was in before he graduated; the highest rank among captains. His eyes narrowed. To throw an honorable achievement...

Rui walked away and tossed the badge in the nearby trash can.

--

From staring at the commotion outside, Ezio's attention was caught by the opening sound of the door. He timidly smiled before he turned his feet and stared directly at his guest's gray orbs. "I believe this is our first proper confrontation." Nanatiling nakatitig sa kaniya ang dalaga. He began to walk to the long table in the middle of the wide room. "We met before but you lost consciousness before we could hold a conversation."

Sinulyapan ni Zai ang sundalong naghatid sa kaniya. Isinawalang-bahala niya ito at naglakad patungo sa isang silya. As Ezio pour alcoholic drinks into the goblets, nakapako lamang ang kaniyang mga mata sa mga paa ng dalaga na walang sapin. He smiled. "The servant forgot to bring you your clothes?"

Zai properly sat on the chair before she raised her sharp gaze at him. Ezio only returned her sneer with a sweet yet vexing smile. Zai smirked at the approaching man. "I couldn't possibly accept such luxury from His Majesty."

Ibinaba ni Ezio ang isang baso sa harap ng dalaga at kaniyang pinanatili ang suot na ngiti. "It's just clothes. A fine lady as yourself shouldn't walk around the palace wearing only undergarments under a thin coat." Muling umayos ng tayo si Ezio at lumingon sa nag-iisang sundalo. "Go fetch some clothes for our guest."

Yumuko ang sundalo at habang nakababa ang kaniyang ulo, he stole a glance at the back of the woman. Guest? Ngumisi ito sa kaisipang iyon at lumabas din ng silid. The moment the door clicked, the atmosphere changed dramatically.

Ezio who's still standing as he keeps his eyes on the door, curved his lips into a mischievous smile. "You're quite calm despite meeting the person who made you do all the work."

"So you want me to slit your neck? That's not difficult to arrange, Your Majesty." Zai took a sip from the given glass before giving him a sideways glance. "I'll leave the date and time to you. My drive to decapitate you won't fade even if a decade passes by."

Ezio chuckled as he pulls a chair and sits. "Your humor's not very entertaining. Rather, it can be easily mistaken as a threat." His smiling yet sinister eyes gazed at hers. "Is it indeed a mistake though?"

Smiling, she replied. "I'll leave that to your judgment, Your Majesty. After all, it's awkward to explain my own jest." The sarcasm in her voice whenever she addresses him is alarming yet Ezio didn't say a word about it.

Inayos ng hari ang kaniyang postura at inangat niya ang sariling baso mula sa lamesa. "How did you know about me? If my memory serves right, I never contacted you once before."

"I looked through the eye's perspective."

The rim of the glass stopped near the king's lips. "Eye?" He then smiled at saglit na pinikit ang kaniyang mga mata. "I see, you've become quite knowledgeable about how this whole thing works. After imaging the whole scenario, I'm certain you would also come to the realization that the ruler of the main country cannot be left unused." Zai's expression remained the same despite noticing the rage on the king's grin. "It's frustrating to move like a marionette connected to a puppeteer's fingertips, don't you think?"

Ibinaba ni Zai ang baso sa lamesa at nilipat ang topic sa ibang bagay. Itinungkod niya ang kaniyang siko sa armrest ng silya at ngumiti. "You didn't do anything back then. You left me to act the way I wanted to, letting me make decisions that resulted in the deaths of your people without saying a word. You remained to keep an eye on me in the past through one of your subordinates and never took action on stopping me despite knowing my intention." Ang mga matatalim na mata ng dalaga ay dumirekta sa kaniya. "Being silent and acting blind to what I did, you had the same objective as I hadn't you?"

Ezio's smile became sinister as his deep red orbs stare back at her in silence. Upon receiving his answer, the side of Zai's lips lifted higher. "I pity this country for having you sit on the throne." Zai's eyes had a glint of amusement similar to the king's. "A cunning madman who wished to eliminate thousands of his citizens. Yet a coward on doing the dirty work."

Zai's grin got wider. "Alright," Zai's eyes shifted to his bloody orbs. "I'll do the dirty work in this game, Ezio. Keep your hands clean as long as you want to," The clouds slowly blocked the light's path, wrapping the room in shade. In one moment, as the sunlight kisses their complexion again, Zai's hand is already clutched on the side of Ezio's face as her thumb threatens his eye. With a menacing look and tone, she warned. "... I'll bring their heads to your doorstep instead."

"Miss Zai," Isang boses ang nanggaling mula sa pinto. Nanatiling nakatayo roon si Heister habang ang hawak na baril ay nakatutok sa kaniyang direksiyon. "Please distance yourself from His Majesty. You are being extremely discourteous to the royal crown. Perhaps you wish to return to your cell?"

Zai chuckled. "Yes, I would love to."

She snatched her hand away from his face and turned to the door. Marahan na ibinaba ni Heister ang hawak na firearm habang naiilang niyang tinititigan ang madilim na ngiti ng dalaga. Zai simply walked past him and pushed the door open. "We'll proceed with our conversation later, Ezio." Zai snickered. "I'll just fetch my dog."

Nang makalabas ang babae ng silid, mabilis na nilingon ni Heister ang hari nang makarinig siya ng mahinang pagtumba ng baso sa lamesa. Ezio was wearing a smirk on his face but he looks drained after conversing with her. His hand's fingertips are touching the corners of his cheeks. "Truly terrifying."

Asta stopped on her track when she saw a black-haired woman come out of the room she's heading to. Asta maintained her poker face as she stares at the woman's face who's currently wearing a dark and sinister smile. Patungo ito sa kaniyang direksyon but her gray orbs are staring pass her figure.

Nanatiling diretso ang tingin ni Asta noong nilagpasan siya nito. Zai didn't say anything nor did she gaze at her once. Asta turned her body and stared at her back. "She got taller," she smirked before facing back in her initial direction and entering the room.

"Miss Zai just went out, Miss Cortman. Weren't you here to speak with the lady?"

"Even if I want to, I can't. I wouldn't hold a decent conversation with that girl when she's smiling like that."

--

"There's still no sign of Sir Algos' return." Lumiit ang mga mata ni Levine habang kaniyang tinititigan ang malawak na lugar mula sa bubong ng templo. Where could he have possibly gone off to?

Levine is standing on the temple's hip roof, letting the strong wind swoosh past him without budging against its intensity. The temple is resting on top of a gigantic rock formation, one similar to a mountain pillar. Ang kinalalagyan nilang lugar ay napapalibutan ng mga rock formations na ito and from the peak, the surface below cannot be seen due to the fog surrounding the mountain range.

Ilang saglit lamang ay napansin ni Levine ang papalapit na higanteng ibon. Sa likod nito ay nakaupo ang isang babae. When the bird flew over the temple, Mei jumped off and landed on the roof's crest. She tilted her head to glance at Levine's back. "He crossed the borders so I don't think he merely took a stroll," she sarcastically informed. Diniretso niya ang kaniyang tingin at saglit na tumitig sa kalayuan.

Namayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan nila bago muling buksan ni Mei ang kaniyang mga mata nang maalala ang isang bagay. "Oh right," she looked back to Levine and Levine looked over his shoulder to her. Mei asked. "Yesterday's the Tempus Festival, right?"

Levine's eyes squinched in realization. "The festival for the goddess of time... shit."

"Agh!" Aethona's voice can no longer be contained after being slammed at a huge boulder. The goddess dropped on her knees and her bleeding palms followed.

Panting out of exhaustion, head bleeding, an eye missing, and fractured bones. She is well-aware that if this fight drags on, forget about dying due to diminishing time, she'll die under his foot today. Nagtangis ang panga nito habang kaniyang binibigyan ng hostile na tingin ang lalaking nakatayo ilang metro lamang ang layo sa kaniya. She spat the blood out her mouth and pushed herself off her disgraceful fall.

Nanatili ang kaniyang mata sa lalaki. They've been in continuous brawl since yesterday but the land they're standing on received far more damage than he has. His tanned skin is barely scathed, his tied curly hair has no strand out of place, and he's not even out of breath. Even her ability could barely affect him. Aethona bit the inside of her cheek. Is he truly human? If I knew I'll run into something troublesome, I should've not taken a stroll.

Mahigpit nitong kinuyom ang dumudugong kamay at mas lalong nagsalubong ang kaniyang mga kilay. They closed Heavian. The bastards are saying I should either deal with it or die, huh?

"Who was it?"

Aethona's teeth grinded after hearing the same question from the man. "I told you I have no idea what you're talking about, bastard! Stop asking me the same question I cannot give answer to--ack! AHHH!!" Her scream filled the barren place when her arm was disconnected from her shoulder. The bloody spear soon was placed beside her sweating neck. "I KNOW NOTHING!"

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ng lalaki as his temper gets shorter. He grumbled. "You do." His jaw clenched. "They say gods know everything, then why can't you answer a question that involves your very existence?" Humigpit ang hawak nito sa sibat at mas lalong naging hostile ang tingin nito sa babae. "Which one of you erased their existence?"

Aethona's irritation only rose to another level. She is being tortured for an answer she doesn't hold. A goddess as herself is being threatened by a mere human with a blade on her neck. A human dared to harm her being. A human dared to question her without being mindful of his own impudence. A human dared to exist to stand above her.

For all those milleniums where all they could do was grovel to the ground in front of their statue to request satisfaction to their greeds, now a human dares to stand and point a blade to the real existence!?

Veins almost popping and teeth producing grating noises, Aethona grabbed the spear with immense strength and created a crack on the thick wood. "ALL OF YOU EXIST FOR US! MIND YOUR FUCKING ATTITUDE!"

A huge green magic circle instantly appeared on the sky. Shining brightly and intimidatingly yet the unexistence change in Algos' expression didn't satisfy her. Aethona's face showed the distasteful loath and agitation as the magic circle expand in an instant, its perimeter can no longer be sighted. "YOU INGRATES--"

Her chance to finish her sentence was cut off by the slash of the spear from her neck down to her waist. Algos' brown eyes stared down at her with no regret as her upper body makes it fall. Until the very end, the human see no god in front of him.

Aethona's pride refused to part without seeing his eyes quiver in fear of her high existence. As soon as her shoulder hit the ground, she clenched her hand and the magic circle immediately began falling with immense pressure. Algos stared at the descending force. Kumurba sa isang ngiti ang labi ng babae habang kaniyang pinagmamasdan ang papalapit na mahika. That's right... die like an ant under my sole. Grovel like how you are suppose to. You're human after all.

Algos squinched his eyes as he fold his knees. The ground vibrated with his violent leap towards the falling magic circle. He held his spear with both hands as he blast towards the casted object. Nang makalapit dito, his muscles tightly contracted and he groaned as he fully swing his weapon. Like a scalpel cutting a flesh, his spear created an opening and him going through it.

Aethona's eye widened with what she witnessed.

Algos' figure rotated once after going through the fissure he created. The magic circle rushed past him and into the ground. Aethona's teeth grinded. This can't be forgiven! I cannot die! This...! I will not play along with your charades... AVIS!!

On that day, the squashed flesh of the goddess was imprinted on the own world they created.