Morning came and instead of a cozy summer light, the streets were hushed by the dove gray color of the clouds hovering across the horizon. Despite the cold morning, citizens' daily duties never changed.

"Oh my. The weather's been cold lately. My laundry won't dry at this point." saad ng isang matandang babae habang siya'y nakadungaw sa bintana. Ngunit noong makita niyang dumaan ang naglalako ng pandesal ay mabilis niya ring binalewala ito at tinawag ang tagalako.

The capital remained the same like usual. Unsuspicious with today's weather.

But unlike the others, his two silver eyes stared curiously at the dove gray soot in the sky. Nakatayo siya sa tapat ng kaniyang bintana habang pinagmamasdan ang makulimlim na kalangitan. His eyes are serious and somehow solemn at the same time.

The day's aura is heavy and suffocating. But he mysteriously feel a surge of nostalgia for the unpleasant feeling. He could still remember that this is the sensation he feels every time he was by her side; dull and strangely uncomfortable yet reassuring.

Saglit niyang pinikit ang kaniyang mga mata. "What a nostalgic atmosphere," He opened his eyes and when he did, they were already filled with a sense of foreboding. Bahagyang tumalas ang kaniyang mga mata. "She really knows how to make a declaration."

His thoughts were only disturbed by light knocks coming from the door. Aki's voice was heard from the other side. "Captain, we'll be leaving in an hour. You should eat your breakfast already." isang buntong-hininga ang lumagpas sa mga labi ng dalaga. "You eat slower than any of us so I suggest you head to the dinning hall now."

Aki heard the captain's chuckles at hinayaan na lamang niya ito noong marinig niya ang response nito sa kaniya. "Alright, I'll go down in a minute. Thank you."

Noong tuluyan ng nawala ang papalayong yapak nito, Rui's timid smile went back to a straight line. Muli siyang lumingon sa labas ng bintana at seryosong tumitig sa kalangitan. The vigorous wind is howling outside, causing for the windows to rattle.

Rui's jaw and fist clenched tightly as the gap between his eyes wrinkle. He turned his back and walked towards the door. "I'll do what I can as a soldier," hinigpitan niya ang kaniyang kurbata at determinadong pinagmasdan ang sarili sa salamin ng kaniyang pinto. "I already threw away the past. There's nothing left to gain from it."

I'll do my job. Even if it means having to slay you, the one who gave me life, with my own hands.

--

Claysen's eyes snapped open. Ang unang bumungad sa kaniya ay ang isang puting bubong na gawa sa tela. Yumayanig din ang kaniyang kinahihigaan at naririnig niya ang mga paa ng kabayo. As well as the clattering noises of wooden wheels against the unsteady path.

Before he could determine his location, a shadow casted over him and his still widen eyes stared at blue ones. "I see, you're still tough as rock. One point."

The familiar man staring back at him with the usual smile have differences from before. Ang kulay mais na buhok nito ay umaabot na sa kaniyang balikat. His features experienced a slight maturity but he knows very well. Naiiba na ang itsura nito sa dating litrato nito sa kaniyang mga wanted posters but he's certain that it is none other than Trois who gone missing for 8 years, without telling them anything.

Doon niya lamang naalala ang senaryo bago siya nawalan ng malay. Dahil sa lalaki, natigil ang malakas na paglabas ng kaniyang mga apoy. He wants to thank the man but he seems uninterested in his gratitude, the usual Trois Oxen.

Claysen blinked a few times bago niya naisipang ibuka ang kaniyang bibig. Claysen muttered. "Where are we?"

"On a wagon heading back to Centrio."

Claysen decided to move ngunit dumaing ito noong sinubukan niyang gumalaw. Akmang pipilitin niya pa ito but Trois stopped him by lightly pushing his shoulder back to the thin sheet with his foot. "If you persist, I'll throw you off on my own."

Ibinagsak na lamang muli ni Claysen ang kaniyang likod since the man seemed serious. Bumalik sa kaniyang upuan si Trois at hinayaan na ang binatang nakahiga sa gitna ng wagon.

Claysen raised his bandaged arm and stared at his hand. Ibinalibaliktad niya ito at napansing nawala na ang mga sunog sa kaniyang balat. Naaalala niya pa ang nakakadiring itsura nito noong patuloy na sinusunog siya ng sarili niyang apoy, he thought at that moment that he would look like a skinless meat right after ngunit mukhang nakaligtas siya ngayon.

It must have been his flames. Just like before, suddenly healing him unconsciously. Ang nararamdaman na lamang niya ay ang tila ba namamagang sakit sa kaniyang buong katawan. He feels sore and the prickling feeling is still there. Mukhang binigyan lamang siya ng first aid. Understandable, since he did burn many facilities. He wouldn't be considered as priority.

His eyes squinched when the memory of being shot came back. He remembered how his flames burst out after being injected by some substance. He had control for years yet it went out of control on its own. He has trained and tested his control countless times with their guardian kaya sigurado siyang mayroon siyang complete control dito. Tumalas ang kaniyang mga mata sa isang kaisipan. An enhancer?

"It was." Trois answered his thought. The blond continued peeling the orange fruit he got from a sack. "Enhancers are not that rare nowadays but that one's different. It's a new drug being sold in the black market. The dealer's identity was still uncertain but with General Yan's encounter with Levine, the hunch has been confirmed." sinubo nito ang isang pulp ng orange. "General said there were two of them there, Levine and a woman. They're really being bold now."

Nabalot ng pagtataka ang mga mata ng nakahigang binata sa huling sinabi nito. "All these years, were you..?"

Binigyan lamang siya ng isang sulyap ng lalaki. Trois giggled and chanted. "It's a secret~" Akmang tatanungin pa ito ng binata ngunit natigilan ito noong tinuro ni Trois ang kaniyang dibdib. "General Haines left you that."

Doon lamang napansin ng binata ang maliit na papel na nakasuksok sa kaniyang bendahe. Kinuha niya ito at binuklat. It was a message from General Yan, saying that he is relieved to know about his good condition and also an order to head straight to the academy to rest. Muli siyang tumingin sa kumakain na binata. "Where is he?"

Saglit na tumingin sa kaniya ito bago iniwas ang tingin at sinagot ang kaniyang tanong. "Dealing with some things." akmang magtatanong muli si Claysen ngunit inunahan na siya nito. "Your flames swallowed up the whole town. He has to deal with it and asked me to accompany you back to the capital."

Akmang magtatanong pa siya ngunit tinikom na lamang niya ang kaniyang bibig at nanatiling tahimik. He shut his eyes and cursed himself for what happened. That silver tard would surely make an annoyed face again. How bothersome.

He heard Trois' chuckles at lalo lamang siyang nabahala sa ibinulong nito. "I wonder how much the whole damages costed~?" followed by his usual giggles.

"You've become quite talkative. Shut it for a moment."

"No way~"

--

"Ugh.." isang daing ang lumabas sa bibig ni Asta habang kaniyang tinutulak ang katawan mula sa sahig. Her right hand, wrapped in bandage, ay sapo-sapo ang sumasakit na ulo. "Pa'no 'to humantong sa inuman?"

She hissed as her one arm rest on her raised knee. Her head is pounding and the smell of the alcohol is still wafting all over the place. Hindi rin nila naitabi ang mga walang laman na lata. Nakakalat pa rin ito sa sala.

When she opened her tight-shut eyes, she immediately glared at the snoring man laying on the sofa. She didn't hesitate on throwing an empty can at the man's head. "Bwisit ka talaga! Kalalaking tao, babae yung pinahiga sa sahig!" Ero cursed under his breath as Asta push herself off the floor. "Get up and clean the mess."

Nang makatayo ay lumingon si Asta sa kusina kung nasaan ang isang maliit na bintana. Her eyes stared at the grayish sky before she looked at her right hand that has already received treatment. Habang tinititigan niya ito, her mind began to wander off to the topics they discussed yesterday.

Apparently, walang kinalaman ang lalaki sa ginawa ng hari. The reason behind Ezio's actions are still unknown and she's pissed off to the fact that the king didn't consult them regarding the matter. They do have no rights to be associated with the king, he already took care of them by preventing them from being executed at binigyan rin sila nito ng trabaho but she at the very least wants to be knowledgeable about the decisions na may kaugnayan sa walang malay na dalaga.

Mahigpit niyang ipinikit ang kaniyang mga mata at bumuntong-hininga. All the thinking along with hangover is making her head pound like a nail being hammered. She brushed back her short hair and decided to make some coffee.

Many things happened in the last eight years and most of them are troublesome. A new specie emerged, a sudden change in Southernia's ruler, Trois' abrupt disappearance after the war, Rui and Clay's situation, that guy, and many other political issues. Ero discussed these matters last night as well. Sa totoo lang ay gusto na lamang niyang magbakasyon mula sa mga problemang iyon but now's not the right time.

Especially when there's a high possibility that Ephraim is most likely conscious all this time just like what Ero has said. Zai is the only one who understands that man's way of thinking and they will be in trouble if he took control and break out on his own without them knowing what to do with him. What would they do if he acts like the vessel? That's why they also need Trois' presence right now. Siya lamang ang nakakasigurado sa pagbabago ng tauhan ng dalawa.

Asta sighed. Too many problems and too many questions left unanswered. What they're most concerned about is how come Zai had connections with Ezio? Before, umaakto ang dalawa na tila ba iisa lamang ang naiisip ng mga ito and they also want to know what that is. Asta hissed. You owe us an explanation, Zai.

Dumaing si Ero habang siya'y umuupo. The sofa creaked with his weight. Ang sumisingkit-singkit na mga mata nito ay lumingon sa orasan na nakasabit sa dingding. Then he turned his head to the kitchen where he could see Asta's back. "Did you take a day off? Alas otso na."

"Ha!?" Lumingon ang babae sa orasan at nakompirmang nagsasabi ng totoo ang doktor. Muli siyang tumingin sa bintana na nasa kaniyang harapan and she cursed. She's late for the regular meeting, she heard that today's meeting would be about the wandering guy who's attacking numorous officials. Their headquarter was assigned with this task. It's a huge mission so she should be there. "Tangina!"

Mabilis niyang iniwan ang dalawang baso at tumakbo sa sala. She grabbed her white blazer and strode across the room with her long legs. Habang nakasabit ang blazer sa kaniyang braso ay binuksan niya ang pinto.

Before she went out, she turned her head back and yelled noong maalala niya ang ilang bagay. "Make sure you clean up then do the laundry!" Humakbang ito palabas at muling sumigaw. "And take out your trash!"

"Teka, Ast--"

The door slammed immediately, leaving him with the cold silence. Ilang saglit ay bumuntong-hininga ang lalaki at ihinilig ang gilid ng kaniyang ulo sa sandalan ng sopa. Tinakpan ng mga mahahabang buhok ang kaniyang mukha and he whispered his interrupted words. "... your injuries."

Alen Signa's Point of View

Sitting on the staircase leading to the prestigious academy that's behind me, I feel like mourning with the cold weather.

My breath was trembling as I sigh. I pressed my lips together and hopelessly looked at my exam papers. My eyes squinched and my grip on the papers slightly tightened. I hung my head low and put my forehead on my forearms.

It's hopeless. Sinubukan ko ng pakiusapan ang isa sa mga guro but in the end I was rejected. Hindi ko na pwedeng kunin muli ang combat exam kung saan sumasalalay ang career ko bilang sundalo. The summer exam is crucial. Dito tinitingnan ang overall improvements ng mga martial students sa bawat taon.

I still have a chance to graduate but that chance can't be easily grabbed by a wimp like me. Maraming beses na akong bumagsak sa mga combat exams at mabubuhat ko lang ang sarili ko kung magpapakita ako ng napakalaking improvement or an astounding performance at the last combat exam which is held at the last semester. It would take me a miracle to pass.

That's impossible. Mahina ang katawan ko, mahina ang magical capability ko, and I can't even keep up with my class in training. I had no proper training since I ended up in the commons dormitory due to my low results in the entrance exam. Ang dormitoryong binabagsakan ng mga estudyanteng sinuwerte lang sa pagpasa.

The system is unfair, that's what the common martial students say. Saying that those unskilled ones need more training and combat experiences than those who already are blessed with talents yet are receiving more special treatments. I, too, feel the same way.

Those students who has been accepted to the higher dormitories are lucky. May sarili silang mga training facilities, unlike us who have unlimited use of the public training grounds since there are many classes that uses them. Kailangan naming hatiin ang mga araw sa isang linggo. Minsan ay ginagamit rin ito ng mga higher dorms.

May sarili silang mga professional trainer and they have extra classes that involves excelium enhancement or weapon handling. Hindi katulad namin na mga asignatura lamang ang mga iyon, the time is limited for us.

The system doesn't favor the martial students who were dropped into the commons dormitory. Kaya maraming estudyante ang hindi na pinipilit ang sarili sa martial course noong pinag-fill up sila ng form kung anong course ang gusto nilang kunin. Many in the commons dormitory chose medicals, support, tech, and education.

I clenched my hands. I want to graduate as a soldier so I didn't hesitate on registering for the martial course. I want to save people like how that man saved me from the war. I want to become a person that every eyes will stare at with hope, just like how I looked at that man's back before. General Yan is the man I want to be.

"Hey." inangat ko ang aking ulo at tiningnan ang lalaking paakyat ng malawak na hagdan na patungo sa tarangkahan ng eskwelahan. He is covered in clothing that is making him look suspicious.

My brows furrowed but my eyes widened in realization of the man's identity. Before I could even stand on my feet, I gagged when in an instant his foot is already pinning my neck on the ground. He's insanely fast! Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang kaniyang bukung-bukong noong maramdaman ko ang sakit at kawalan ng hangin. What a timing to be alone!

I stared at his covered face. We have been warned about his presence in the capital just yesterday. "T..The Noteboo..k."

My eyes widened when our eyes met. His orbs were cold yet hostile. Fear began to crawl its way into my system with his mere glare. Sa sobrang kabado ko ay nagitla ako noong nagsalita ito. Medyo malalim ang boses nito at nakakaalarma. "Hevrion." He pinned my neck stronger. "Nandito yung isa, tama?"

Ilang segundo akong hindi nakasagot rito, and it was idiotic of me. I trembled with his enraged gaze, causing for me to open my mouth in panic to at least respond to him but before I could even speak. My eyes widen when he kicked my chin. Napapulupot ako at aking tinakpan ang dumudugo kong bibig. Nalalasahan ko ang tila ba copper na lasa ng dugo. I bit my tongue.

With the pain, I came to realize what I was just about to do. I clenched my hand. I was just about to spit out the captain's location to an enemy. Bago pa ako makareact sa nangyayari ay hinatak nito ang buhok sa gilid ng ulo ko patayo. I groaned with the pain.

"Nakadugtong pa dila mo, hindi ba? Sagutin mo ang tanong ko." I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head. His grip worsen. "Nasaan si Rui Hevrion?"

What does he want from the captain?

"Nevermind." He chuckled before he pulled the covering off the bottom part of his face. He grinned and dragged me to the gate. "I'll see for myself." his eyes were filled with excitement. "I heard that that woman's blade still remains here. I want it."

Third Person's Point of View

"You finally came out!" Aki yelled at mahinang tawa lamang ang isinukli sa kaniya ng papalapit na kapitan. Rui whispered an apology for being the last one to leave the dinning hall. Bumuntong-hininga ang dalaga and her expression was then covered with worries. "Sir, we've received an order from the office just now. It has something to do with the immediate notice yesterday. Along with today's regular patrolling, we have also been assigned to investigate The Notebook's whereabou--"

"There's a commotion at the front gate! An intruder broke in!"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ng babae sa narinig na sigaw ng isang estudyante. Ngunit bago pa makakilos si Aki ay nilagpasan na siya ng kapitan. Rui ordered as he walk towards the gate. "Make an announcement. I'll determine the intruder's objective first."

Itinikom ng dalaga ang kaniyang nakaawang na mga labi at determinadong sumagot. "Yes, Sir." Tumango si Aki sa isang kasamahan sa kaniyang likuran at tumango rin ito bago nawala sa kaniyang pwesto.

Ilang saglit lang, an alarm blared in the hallways. A voice stated the situation repeatedly and instructed all students to remain in their respective spots. They are forbidden from rushing to the scene due to the hostage in the hands of the infiltrator.

A student clicked her tongue after hearing the announcement. "What is that student doing!? Being a hostage like an idiot!"

"Must be from the commons dormitory."

"Tsk. Can't they just break off on their own? Surely, they can do a simple thing."

"Pipe down." Nakuha ang kanilang atensyon ng guro na nakaupo sa pinakaharap ng kanilang silid. Ang mga binti nito ay nasa lamesa at ang mukha ay natatakpan ng binabasa nitong magazine. Sinner continued, "That kid is already in the scene. Hush it and go back to reading."

Sinunod nila ito at muling umupo. Nanatili silang tahimik habang nakatingin sila sa kanilang mga binabasang libro. After a moment, Sinner's sharp eyes gazed sidewards. Where are the guards?

The man's booted feet stopped in front of what he was looking for. He grinned at the sight of the metallic object. Nakatarak pa rin ito sa lupa, katulad ng sinasaad sa mga kwento at tabloid. Ginapangan na rin ito ng halaman at mukhang hindi pa nahahawakan mula noong itinarak ito ng babae.

The side of his lips twitched when a certain memory come in mind. "That woman owed me one yet before I could pay her back, she went ahead and died pathetically." nagsimula ng umangat ang kamay nito patungo sa hawakan ng espada. "Then I might as well steal from the dead instead."

Ngunit bago pa niya ito mahawakan ay isang boses ang kaniyang narinig. "I'd rather keep my hands off that thing if I were you," Rui smiled. "It's quite demonic y'see."

Nawala ang atensyon ng lalaki sa espada noong masilayan niya ang lalaki. His eyes widen in excitement and his grin got wider. "Hevrion."

Rui chuckled with the visible hostililty in the man's eyes. "That's quite some rage. A grudge? My apologies but I believe this is our first time meeting."

"It's not you I have a grudge on but since that person no longer exist, only you two who carried on her name can satisfy this anger!" Rui's smile remained. Alen groaned noong mas lalong humigpit ang hawak sa kaniya ng lalaki. "I'll pay that woman back for what she owed me!"

Tinanggal nito ang hood na tumatakip sa kaniyang ulo and it revealed his red hair. He grinned. "That woman insulted me."