They Become A God

I had my doubts, but I chose not to entertain them for I had a feeling it would turn out alright in the end. Other than my mind, I have my premonitions to count on, and I have always believed them without fail. But as the tip of my blade touch the edge of her neck, it made me wonder why it never felt so wrong to actually put my trust out in the open around that time.

Silence circulated the surroundings, but within that scope of stillness, I could hear the rocks starting to break underneath the soles of our shoes. The warm air was immediately replaced by an intense heat, almost as though swallowing up every bit of exygen in this closed-space area.

Sands continued to ooze down from above, flowing like a fine liquid, its small particles mixing in with the waves of light coming from the apparent sun. A drop of sweat came running down from her forehead, then another.

She was looking at the deepest part of my existence, as though she was seeing something else, as though she was staring at another part of myself that I didn't know existed.

Celeztie claimed to be my own flesh and blood, half of her existence belong to me. People may say we are alike in all sorts of ways. Like her way of speech, reasonings, behaviours, manners, and image. But we both know those were just our facade, and we also both know how we're different in all sorts of ways.

Sometimes, I do wonder who this girl's father is, sometimes I simply don't care, and somtimes I just fear knowing would change everything. I could think of several options in a few seconds instantly but when it comes to that question of who this man is, it's like everything in my mind went blank and that familiar dizziness would come to take over. So I merely forget it.

"You know I hate being deceived." I said, withdrawing my blade.

"I knew you'd figure it out soon." She let out a bitter chuckle, averting her gaze from mine. "But in the first place, I had never said I'd lead you to Cretian Plains anyway. I do understand the language written in this scroll, but it wasn't a map that would lead you to your destination."

"It was a map that would lead me to the relic, Gïzë." I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself down as I clenched my fist. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because I know you wouldn't want it." I immediately opened my eyes to see her intensely looking at me as well. "You're the kind of person who could have anything yet chooses to have none instead. You're afraid everything would backfire and then leave you in the end so you settle yourself to something less."

I smiled, bitterly so. "Don't speak as though you understand me, Celeztie."

"I'd be lying if I say I do. Because honestly, no matter which side of yours I see, I could never bring myself to truly understand you. You're selfless, but don't you think it's time for you to actually pleasure yourself a little?"

I turned myself around, making my sword disappear. The more I look at her, the more I feel like indulging myself to her words. But that's exactly why I can't. It's true that I could have anything I want if I work for it, but I rather choose to have none.

Not because I fear everything would leave me in the end, I don't care about that. They could leave me all they want and I wouldn't blame them for doing so, because I know more than anyone else that there are things that are not meant to stay. But I choose to have none simply because I'm tired of everything.

I do wish a peaceful life like anyone does, but because of this power, I can't. That's not being me selfless but being selfish instead. But then again, there's no point of thinking about these stuffs. Thinking about the things I have to do, my sense of responsibility came rushing in. Along with that exhaustion.

"Enough of this talk." I sighed, exasperated.

"How could I forget? You've always hated dramas. But isn't that only because you don't want to think about your own circumstances?" I gritted my teeth as I suddenly pulled the collar of her cloak up, my eyes were cold, and so do hers.

"You don't know me, and neither I know you." I grip her tightly. "So don't go deciding things for me."

"I don't care if you hate me." She whispered, grabbing my wrist. "But you'll need that freaking relic whether you want to or not!" Sa inis ko ay tinulak ko ito palayo kaya nabangga ang likuran nito sa may mabato na pader.

"Even my parents never decided things for me. No one dares—"

"That's because they don't care about you—"

"And you claim you do?!"

Her chest was heaving back and forth, her breathing was fast as though she's trying to calm herself down. I could sense she's mad but couldn't do anything about it. Natahimik siya sa sinabi ko at kinuyom ang mga kamao nito. Hindi ko alam ang tumatakbo sa isipan niya kung bakit pinangunahan niya ako sa mga bagay na ito.

Siguro nga tama siya, siguro nga tinutulungan niya lang ako base sa mga nalaman niya sa hinaharap kung nasaan siya nanggaling. Pero ayaw na ayaw kong pangunahan ako, at higit sa lahat ay ayaw kong gumawa ng mga bagay na hindi ko manlang alam kung ano ang rason kung bakit ko ba ito ginagawa.

"Gïzë is a powerful relic, at alam kong alam mo ito." She started. "Why are you even angry in the first place? Because I didn't tell you the fact that I was leading you to the relic all along? If I weren't here, you wouldn't be able to get it!"

"I never planned on getting this damn thing."

"Don't you even understand what I'm trying to do? I'm making sure you get in that top twelve candidates for the World's Battle!"

"So you're saying I wouldn't be able to get in without your help?" Naiinis kong tanong.

"From where I came from, you weren't even part of it. Sure you were a candidate, but you weren't strong enough to pass."

"You're being too full of yourself, Celeztie. Not all futures are going to be the same." Napahilamos nalang ako ng mukha at akmang aalis na nang bigla niya nalang ako tinulak, kaya sa huli ay napaupo ako sa lupa.

"You're the one being too full of yourself!" Sigaw niya sabay suntok sa mukha ko pero nasalo ko ang kamao nito. "You aren't even that powerful...yet you always claim that you aren't weak."

"Being strong and being powerful are two different things." Ginamit niya naman ang isa niyang kamao para muli akong tamaan pero nasalo ko na naman ito.

"Being strong means having the desire to step up, to change. Being powerful means simply abandoning everything to dominate." She kneeled down, lowering her head. "But you aren't doing any of that. You're strong, you did change. Though that doesn't mean you've become powerful, why? Because you don't have the courage to abandon everything!"

"What do you even know about how I feel?"

"You choose to have none, that's why if you abandon everything...you fear you'll have nothing left if you fail. You're simply scared of trusting everyone around you, you're scared of even trusting yourself." She lifted her head up, her palest blue eyes now watering. I could feel her anguish and hatred...all directed to this world, as though it's the worst.

"Why?" I loosened my grip around her knuckles, letting them fall. "Why do you hate the world that much? Even more than I do."

"I'm tired of it, Ke'ala." She admitted, but I do know she didn't really say the exact reason. "I'm also tired of that personality of yours. When will you realize that you don't have to carry this world's burden at all?"

"I do realize that fact, Celeztie. The world could all go into destruction for all I care."

"Then why?"

"Emotions." I breathed out. "The world won't free me as long as I feel its burden."

"What kind of freedom do you want?" She asked, her voice was serious.

"Death."

"When will you come to desire life?"

The moment she asked that question, strange and yet familiar energy started to envelop the surroundings. It clouded my visions, narrowing them like a certain wave trying to engulf my line of sight. Then everything went black, like a whole image with nothing on it.

There were no sounds, no feel of air—nothing. Until red strings started to coil around my wrist, wrapping around my bare flesh as though I was a captive prisoner, that no matter how much I'd cut it off; these red strings would always reconnect. I don't hate it though. But as the strings began glow brightly, illuminating this darkness, my surroundings once again began to change. And it made me wonder if I truly don't hate it.

Turns out I do hate this fate after all.

The air had this ominous feeling carved through it, the passing winds were moist, there was that obvious scent of blood roaming every spaces. The soil I was stepping unto was hard but still, my feet would sank due to the energy being exuded.

My body feels light, as if I could move anywhere I wanted in a mere second. The heavy energy I was feeling was sinister, dark, but also pure, and pleasant. Only then I came to realize that this energy belonged to me. Blood dripped from my hand as I lifted it up.

"Y-you're...a m-monster—" the man which I hadn't noticed until just now, declared in such a surprising manner. His chest had a hole in it and that hot red liquid flowed out of it like a river. I watch in confusion as his body fell down, no longer feeling any pain for he was long dead.

I was surrounded by lifeless bodies, piling up like small pebbles. The skies were reflecting red, like this ocean of blood my feet was stepping unto. Countless weapons laid untouched on the ground, no longer in any of use as their metal slowly rust, their cold fleshes being feasted on by packs of hungry black ravens, and the smell of bones decaying finally caught up to my nose.

The energy level I was emitting was enough to suffocate a whole island, enough to behead mountains, dry distant seas, and even call forth death. How strange though, my body was completely relaxed, I feel those same old different emotions that should affect me but they don't.

Rather, I couldn't sense mine.

"This isn't me." I whispered, looking at this pair of hand, one covered in blood that isn't mine, and the other as clean as white sheet.

"Ke'ala." My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden call.

Lifting my head up, my gaze immediately fell to his brownish-black, crystallin eyes. It was as though I couldn't see anything else but only his presence alone. A sense of familiarity came rushing back at me but at the same time, it's like something is preventing me from actually remembering him.

"You're..."

"What are you standing there in daze for?" He smiled.

And that smile...there's something different from it that makes my whole body tingle. He moved even closer, grabbing my right hand stained with blood, and now his was too.

"I smell of blood." I said. "Let go."

"It doesn't matter. I'll hold you whenever and however I like." It was a declaration that didn't make sense to me.

But walking behind this guy made everything feel worthwile, and somehow, the sensation of his hand gently wrapped on mine was warm, even though it was so cold earlier.

"Caelesti." Another voice called, but this time, it belonged to somebody I recognize well. "Shall we head back now?" Celeztie asked.

"Where?" That question made the man turn his head around to glance at me.

And with another smile, he secured my hand tighter. "Back home."

I gasped when I opened my eyes, my body covered in sweat as my breathing became ragged. Everything went like a blur and the next thing, it was all clear again. Nauseousness came to swept over me, making my head spin, blackening my view.

The shadow in front of me was huge, overlapping mine in an instant. Looking up, my eyes widened when the huge monster immediately lifted its hand to slam it towards my direction. I moved my hand to create a barrier, but to my surprise, nothing came out. My energy wasn't flowing very well, the energy fluctuations in my body is in disharmony, a mess.

"What are you even doing?!" Andrea quickly jumped in front of me, blocking the monster's attack and in an instant. It was made of hardened sands that it immediately fell back to the ground the moment Andrea touched it.

"Anong nangyari dito?" Tanong ni Iyana sabay lapit kay Celeztie na mukhang nawalan ng malay. "You should have been careful. Monsters keep spawning everywhere."

Napahawak ako sa ulo ko dahil sa sumasakit ito, pati din ang buong katawan ko ay parang sinusunog sa sakit. I heaved out a sigh, forcing my own breathing to return to normal. Hindi ko din alam kung ano ang nangyari, kanina lang ay nag-uusap kami ni Celeztie at sa isang iglap, umiba ang paligid.

"How is she?" Tanong ko kay Iyana na sinusuri ang kalagayan ng isa.

"Her energy was almost drained, she exhausted her own body up that she passed out."

I frowned. Celeztie doesn't have that much energy, she isn't particularly weak but anyone could say so due to her frail body conditions. If she's indeed of my own blood, then her energy should be larger than any average person.

Pero hindi ko alam kung bakit kaonting labas lang ng enerhiya niya ay nanghihina na siya. Hindi katulad ng iba ang enerhiya sa katawan niya, ito ang klaseng enerhiya na hindi mararamdaman ng karamihang tao unless they have my ability or they're sensitive about these things.

"Makakatayo ka ba?" Tanong naman ni Andrea.

Sinubukan kong tumayo, pero napaupo ulit ako sa buhangin. Halos hindi ko maramdaman ang mga paa ko dahil sa sobrang pagod, na hindi ko naman alam kung ano ba ang ginawa ko. Napabuntong-hininga na lamang si Andrea at kinuha ang kamay ko.

"I guess you can't." She muttered lowly as she pulled me up at nilagay ang braso ko sa kabilang balikat niya habang tinutulungan akong makatayo.

"Walang lagusan sa kabila nung pumunta kami 'dun ni Andrea. Sa isa naman ay maraming lumalabas na halimaw kaya nga kami natagalan." Paliwanag ni Iyana habang tinulungan din si Celeztie na walang malay na naka-akbay sa kaniya ngayon. "The only way out at this rate is above." She even pointed upwards.

Iyana was forced to use her space to immediately transport us there. Then once again, we were back at walking under this intense heat. I don't even know where are we anymore, everything looks the same that it's making me go crazy thinking about where's where.

"I can't even use my energy right now. I'm too exhausted as well." Then I looked at Andrea. "It would be your advantage if you kill me in this state."

"I'm not such a petty person, Keila." She slid her palm over her hair. "Plus, I rather kill you when you're at your best form."

"Suit yourself." I tried directing my energy flow around my body, but it's hard when I'm in this state. "I wonder when did the talk of death became this common for us." They both glanced at me before returning their gazes up front.

"Ikaw narin ang nagsabi, our friendship isn't like any other fairy tales out there." Iyana said.

"Ours is the kind that would only last when we kill each other. Because in death, there's eternity." Andrea continued.

"Twisted."

"True." Sabay nilang sabi.

"I hate to admit it," tumingin ako sa bughaw na kalangitan habang tinatakpan ko ang ibabaw ng mga mata ko. "But I do feel guilty sometimes. That it was my fault we got into this mess. Even now, you shouldn't be in this kind of position where you're forced to help me. Sometimes, I feel like it's better if you actually just kill me now."

"That's just your own selfishness." Iyana stated as if it was the most obvious at the moment. "We won't give you the chance to quench that guilt. If you claim you ruined everything, then take responsibility for it until the end. Then you can die."

I chuckled. "Is that something a real friend should even say?"

"I'm saying it exactly because I'm your real friend."

"I realize we were too selfsh, Keila." Andrea said beside me. "We were forcing our thoughts and emotions unto you, thinking only about ourselves. Minsan iniisip ko din na matatapos lang ang lahat kung mamatay ka. Then that thought would make me feel guilty afterwards as well."

I wonder why should my death be the solution to everything. Have I stirred that much trouble? Have I become so naturally evil that those Gods want to get rid of me? And have this world not felt even an ounce of pity towards me? But then again, ayaw kong kaawaan ako. Mas mabuti pa nga sigurong kamuhian ako ng nakararami.

"I see." I swallowed back the surfacing anger.

They admitted they were selfish. But in the end, people will always think only about their own benefits. Relationships are built solely to benefit one another, otherwise one wouldn't even bother socializing at all.

My reason for this friendship...what was it again? Because it was convenient? Because it was fun playing around? Or was it because I felt too lonely? Honestly, there were too many reasons before but now that I actually have to think of one, I'm not sure which is anymore.

It's exhausting. Life is exhausting. Sometimes, life...it's refreshing, peaceful, satisfying, fun—but sometimes life could be so pitiful too, always filled with sorrow, frustrations, problems, and even hatred. It always amazes me how one human is capable of so many emotions all at once.

But sometimes, I have this urge to make myself completely empty, so that I could graduate from being a 'human'. Because being one...is exhausting too. I could only wonder what will become of me then. Strange enough, I'm looking forward to it. That time when I'd be ready to abandon everything because I'm no longer capable of feeling fear of losing everything even if I fail.

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad at bigla na lamang natumba. Hindi ganoon kasakit ang pagtumba ko dahil sa mga buhangin. Mainit ito, pero wala na akong natitira pang enerhiya para maglakad. Parang nauubusan ako ng hininga.

"Too much energy fluctuations." Andrea said as she knelt beside my weakening body.

"I know." I breathe hastily to the point where I could literally see it. "It's making me very unstable."

Without my abundant energy, I couldn't keep my own emotions securely in check. It's making me think about the stuffs I couldn't help with. I let out another sigh, feeling my whole body turn hot as I covered my face with my arm to block the piercing sunlight.

"Your face is all red. Your skin is too." Iyana said as she looked down at me. "Weird. Ganoon din ang kalagayan ni Celeztie."

I glanced at Celeztie who's still unconscious, the way she breathe is fast too, and she's sweating hard. We seriously need to find a nice place to rest, things wouldn't be good if this goes on. Kaya agad akong bumangon at hinawakan si Andrea sa balikat para makatayo ng maayos. She's taller than me which helped a lot.

"I hope you don't mind." I whispered to her as I started directly absorbing her emotions, directing her energy from my hand towards my body.

"I do mind." She stared at me. "Fine. You look like you're dying so..."

I didn't want to drain her, thus I stopped when I got the energy needed just to keep walking by myself. But the nauseous feeling still didn't disappear. Pero sa ganitong lagay, ay hindi namin alam kung saan na kami pupunta. So Celeztie lang talaga ang makakaintindi ng nakasulat sa scroll na nasa kaniya ngayon.

I walked towards Celeztie, poking her forehead using my fingers, as well as sending energy to wake her up. I don't have enough, but that should do it for her to wake up. And she did. She flinched as she gradually opened her eyes, muzzling a small moan.

"Ah my head feels like breaking..." I grabbed her when she was about to fall. "I'm tired."

"Well, we can't rest." I stated. "Now check that map of yours and get us a place to stop by."

She glared at me. "You really think I could even read at this condition?"

"Stop complaining and do it." I gripped her arm, sending another wave of energy. She suddenly let go at kinuha ang scroll na nasa loob ng cloak niya.

"The map only shows the direction of the relic, pero ngayon ay wala nang nakalagay dito. Instead, the map is showing where to find you."

"Parang sinasabi mo narin na hindi natin mahahanap ang Yillusa." Sabi ko Andrea.

"Iyan nga ang sinasabi ko." Celeztie answered which made the latter groan in annoyance. "But since we managed to passed by that underground temple, mahahanap at mahahanap din natin ang Yillusa."

Iyana, all of the sudden, stopped on her tracks and looked up, ganoon din ang ginawa namin pero wala kaming makita dito. Nagulat nalang ang lahat nang tinaas niya ang kamay niya sa gilid at sa isang iglap ay may lumabas na maraming bala sa paligid namin. The amount of energy in the area was intimidating.

"Somebody is watching us." Wika nito, ay kasabay ng pagtaas mg kamay niya ay ang pagtaas din ng mga bala papunta sa itaas.

Nakarinig na lamang kami ng mga malalakas na putok sa ibabaw, nababalot din ito ng itim na usok kaya wala kaming makita kundi ang nagliliwanag lang na mga linya. The line formed small circles bathe in golden lights, they were like tiny barriers.

Those circular yellow lines easily deflected all the incoming bullets like they were made out of a soft foam. The energy being exuded from above is even higher than that monster I fought off hours ago. I didn't want to admit it, but it's frustrating I couldn't even sense that until Iyana had said so.

"Celeztie, how bad is your energy fluctuations?" She looked at me first before sighing.

"Real bad. My meridians are blocked, my energy can't circulate well and I feel very nauseous."

"Whatever happens, don't use your energy." The explosions continued in the sky, and even Andrea joined Iyana as she also took our hundreds of her daggers.

She gave me a meaningful look. "I know. But if this goes on—"

"It'll be fine." I inisted, clenching my fist.

"You aren't looking good yourself, Ke'ala." Iyana quickly cut in our conversation.

Bumukas siya ng isang space, at sa kabilang parte ng space na ito ay puro din buhangin. Must be somewhere we passed through before. Para niya naring sinasabi na kailangan naming umalis. Binuksan ko ang dalawa kong kamay na pumupula na sa sobrang pagkayukom, at tama nga si Iyana. Ni kahit ako ay wala halos maramdamang enerhiya mula sa katawa ko.

One figure emerged from that forming black smoke, and in one swift of an arm, the smoke disappeared, replaced by countless of golden magic circles lines up everywhere behind him. Swords made out of light were pulled out of these magic circles as the figure both lifted his arms each beside him.

The figure had a long blonde hair fluttering behind him like the cape he was wearing. But he wasted no talks as the swords found their ways towards our direction. The swords were moving fast since they were literally made out of light, but Iyana simply opened up a huge space above us, letting the attacks disappear into somewhere else.

"Greetings! That was a warm welcome!" He called out happily as he descended, his arrival upon the ground causing an impact which shook the earth.

"Indeed." Andrea answered, forming a ball of dark energy on her palm.

"Now, which one of you has the relic? If I understood the map rigtt, it should be somewhere around here."

"So candidates are indeed in a treasure hunt for that one relic." Iyana stated. I did tell them about Gïzë.

"It's either you're the first candidate to find this relic or the others died trying to claim it." He smiled. "So, which one of you is the candidate? The girl threatening me with her little dark energy or the girl with the spatial ability?"

"I see you have a very opptimistic character, it doesn't suit me well." Iyana sighed.

I knew candidates are after the relic, but I didn't expect one would be here so soon. We haven't even found the center land of Yillusa yet, and my current condition isn't in a good state for a battle. Most of all, I didn't expect I'd become like this now of all times. I'm very much saying luck isn't on my side today.

"Still hasn't answered my question." His voice sounded disappointed. "I've always hated being ignored."

The man shook his head in dismay, and in one snap, he was suddenly in front of me; his face inches apart from mine. His yellow-brown eyes were searching for some traces of what he's looking for in mine. He moved his hand, grabbing the dagger clutched unto the aide of his hips, but before he could pull it out, Andrea quickly kicked him from behind.

The man of course, avoided the attack the backflipping until he managed to take two of his daggers. With a smirk plastered on his face, he stood up straight as light energy surrounded his body.

"I can't smell energy from you. But it's there somehwere. You have my relic."

He crossed his arms to each side, still holding the daggers in each of his hand, then as he slashed his weapons open, light waves appeared that instantly turned the sands into black the moment that certain light passed them by.

Nagbukas ulit si Iyana ng isa pang space kaya hindi nakaabot sa amin ang atake niya. Napataas ang isa nitong kilay na para bang kinekwestiyon niya ako, pero wala muna itong sinabi. Sinubukan ulit nitong makalapit sa akin at tinaas ang isa niyang weapon para umatake sa akin, pero bago pa man niya ito mababa ay nakasalubong na nito ang hawak ni Andrea na dagger na mas maliit pa kumpara s alalaki.

Umatras ulit ito bago tapunan ang direksyon naman ni Celeztie ng isa nitong weapon, at kahit malayo ay nagawa parin ni Iyana na bumukas ng isa pang space para isangga ito. Mas lumalim pa ang kakaibang tingin na dinedirekta nito sa akin.

"I can't understand." He stopped moving. "Who exactly is the candidate here? Because unless you're all involved, I can't really kill an innocent person. It's tough holding myself back, you know?" His gaze drifted back to mine. "But I trust my gut feeling, since you have my relic, it must be you." He pointed his finger rudely at me.

"Is that so?" It wasn't meant as a provocation, but my tone indicated otherwise. But really, I am in no position to fight, so it's like I'm walking to my own traps.

"Are they your aides?" He asked, placing one of his weapon atop his shoulder. "Because it's really disrespectful for a candidate such as myself to only face another candidate's aides."

"You seem to be having a hard time getting passed these 'aides' though."

"Or are you actually very weak? Don't worry, I've met several candidates on the way here who were chosen as a mistake, so you're not the only one." He grinned, fingering his ear.

"How dare—" I stopped Celeztie who was about to say something unnecessary, by giving her a look. She averted in anger though.

This girl is usually calm, the guy must have pulled a trigger to agitate her. After all, the emotions coming from her isn't just any anger. Well, even the other two are annoyed by his presence. I wonder if it's strange how I'm not all that affected by his simple provocations.

"I still haven't gotten your name."

"Oh I'm Felix the Li—"

"On the second thought, I don't care." I interrupted which made Andrea snicker, but the man quite didn't like that though. Not that I was hoping he would anyway.

"You're a tough one, eh? But seriously, it's a bad manner to interrupt somebody else when they're talking." He grinned. "Especially when they're way above your league."

Without even looking back, Iyana opened several spaces immediately the moment the light swords were about to come in contact near us. Along with that, Andrea summoned multiples of her daggers, and even faster than any sound, they all made their way towards our enemy.

Nakatayo lang ang lalaki na nangangalang Felix sa posisyon nito habang sinasangga ang mga daggers ni Andrea. Sa sobrang bilis ng mga galaw niya ay halos hindi ito matamaan ng kahit isa manlang. Sinamahan pa ito ng mga bala ni Iyana. Napapaatras ang lalaki, pero hindi ito nahihirapan, mahahalata naman sa naghahamong ngiti sa mukha nito.

"Haha! I could do that all day." He bragged. "So, why aren't your candidate attacking? Did I come in a bad time where she's in her weakest state?"

"Let's just say she isn't in a good condition at the moment." Iyana lazily explained.

"Great! It seems getting the relic won't be a problem as I thought it would be." Suddenly, a sword of light appeared pierced on my stomach from behind. I couldn't even sense the energy being formed!

I covered my mouth as I started coughing blood, only then I realized another sword stabbed on my back. I knelt on the ground as the three looked at me in panic. I can't breathe—another came piercing to my chest, stabbing right at the heart.

He formed his magic right inside of me, knowing that Iyana could use all the spaces around and so he avoided those spaces and came right to me. My face started losing its colour, I can't even seem to hear what they're saying, but they were moving their lips so they mist be saying something.

I closed my eyes. My spiritual energy is even messier than before, its circulation is in atray, threatening to explode if I force myself to use it. This energy fluctuations happen every once a year or two to every living Cursed Bloods. Because of my kin's large amounts of energy, fluctuations happen as a warning that one should stop using their energy.

It'll go away once the body returns to normal after a day or two by getting some rest, but if one forces their own body to generate emergy despite these fluctuations, they'll most likely die. In my case, kung hindi ko naman gagamitin ang enerhiya ko ay tiyak na mamamatay ako ngayon.

Malakas ng lalaking ito, to be able to generate energy inside my own body means he overlaps my own energy level, but that only happened because he knew I am currently in a weak state, he could feel it after all. Hindi makakaya ng dalawang ito ang kalaban, hindi siya magiging candidate kung matatalo lang siya ng ganoon kasimple.

Nang buksan ko ang mga mata ko ay pinawala niya na ang mga espada na nakabaon sa katawan ko, pero patuloy parin ang pag-agos ng dugo. Bumalik narin ang mga tumog na naririnig ko sa paligid. Napunta ang tingin ko sa unahan kung saan nilalabanan ng dalawa ang candidate.

"Ke'ala, you need to hang on there. You can't use your energy—" I placed my hand on Celeztie's shoulder while she's crouching beside me.

The man, Felix, laughed maniacally seeing my pitiful state on the ground as he easily threw the two off away from him, both wounded by his light swords. I know they can still fight though, but against this guy, they'll just die.

He lifted his hand, a chain of light binded Celeztie's arm, yanking her away from as she let our a surprise shriek. But my attention was focused on him, walking towards my direction, finally stepping on my hand, breaking my bones. I bit my lower lip, preventing a painful groan from escaping.

"Someone this weak isn't fit to be a candidate." He whispered slowly, letting me hear it. "But I understand, it's not that you wanted to be chosen as a candidate, right? The world sometimes make a mistake, it's a pity but it happens."

My eyes remained staring at his. Pinalibutan niya kami ng barrier kaya hindi makapasok manlang ang tatlo. Sa tuwing lalapit sila o umatake ay napapatilapon sila pabalik. This guy's energy is intimidating to the point that I could even feel the sands trembling underneath me, underneath that's alreadh been painted with my dripping blood.

"But there's no way out of this game. If you're a candidate, it's either kill or be killed. You can only escape through death. Do you even know how mang candidates are there? Hundreds, but only twelve could rise to the top."

The ground once again shook. This time, I hear the sound of hooves echoing from a distant. My eyes scanned the area where the sudden sound came from, seeing the forming dusts being scattered almost everywhere as I hear the banging of metals.

They were soldiers with an unfamiliar crest on their armours, carrying poles with red flags swaying above. My eyes returned back to Felix who was holding another annoying grin as he stepped even more on my hand with too much force that I could literally hear my bones cracking.

"Every candidates have an army. I've already killed other four candidates along with the fall of their own armies. Do you know what I'm saying?" He laughed again. "I'm saying thay this place, is currently a battlefield. All in search for one relic, you. Don't you think it's a bit naive of you to come here without an army but only with aides? Are you looking down on candidates?!"

I looked around, seeing their worried expressions mixed with their own fears and anxiety made me sigh. I never did expect this turn of events, and what's worse? He even brought his army.

"I never had an army." I admitted, lifting my other hand and along with that action, he was thrown off.

"Heh! Are you still looking for a fight?" He asked arrogantly, regaining his balance. "And what's that? Never had an army?"

He smirked, again. "I was just a simple man living in a simple village, but when our small country found out that I was a candidate, I became a hero. A hero! Money, fame, reputation, power, you name it! I have it all! That's why I will win this damn game and get my wish granted. So don't get in my way. Since you have no army, you must don't have anywhere to belong to, or is it that no one supports you?"

"That was a long ballad." I stood up, fixing my broken bones instantly, stopping the blood, repairing my body. "Congratulations." Upon saying that, his barrier broke into pieces.

"Keila, umalis na tayo." Mabilis na sabi ni Iyana.

"Tama siya, Ke'ala. Wala tayong laban sa kanila. You've even been hurt badly!"

"Sa iyo na ang relic na hinahanap nila, wala na tayong dapat pang gawin dito." Sabi naman ni Andrea.

I closed and opened my hands a few times before looking at this said army, then I looked at the three. I said nothing thoigh, stepping forward, now my eyes were locked on the man.

"I never heard your full title, since I interrupted you earlier. I do apologize for that. It was immature for my part. But please continue." I smiled, genuinely.

He frowned. "I am Felix the Light Bearer. I have been traveling for years now looking for a relic—"

"I only asked the name." I interrupted again. "Anymore than that, I won't care."

"You—!" He angrily yelled.

"Ke'ala, what are you doing—" I cut her off.

"Am I that weak, Celeztie?" I asked seriously.

"N-no. Pero hindi mo pa kayang talunin ang ibang candidates ngayon. As long as we find other relics, I'm sure—"

"I see. So that's why you've been leading me into finding one."

"Exactly! Kaya kailangan na nating umalis."

"Felix, was it?" I asked for confirmation. "I'm not the kind of person to get riled up by simple provocations and insults. I don't feel excited the moment I saw you, that's why I never truly cared since the beginning. I was even thinking of how to avoid a direct battle with you." I continued to step forward, every step I took was heavy, my feet sinking unto the sands.

"Don't be arrogant—"

"Arrogance is far different from confidence. Arrogance is when you pretend you're better than the rest when you're really not and the latter being better than the rest and you simply know it." I said, recalling my past conversation with Father.

"You make me want to kill you off instantly."

I combed my hair using both of my hands, letting my fingers slide down to the back of my head. Strands of my hair were left falling off the side of my face. I sighed, closing my eyes, feeling the breeze that will soon become the smell of blood.

"Do you know what happens to those who force themselves to generate energy despite having energy fluctuations that could get them killed?" I smiled. "Do you know what happens when they couldn't die in the end despite having their bodies deteriorate?" I stopped a few inches in front of him and I coud feel him trembling.

I opened my eyes then, feeling them glow in pale blue. Every moments that escaped within my grip, my energy was constantly being doubled; engulfing the whole land, withering everything in sight, suffocating every form of life. Then everything became covered in mist, my voice echoing throughout the whole deserts.

"They become a God."

AN: I promised myself to update before this twelve midnight even knowing I haven't written anything yet until just this earlier evening. Reading the past comments motivated me a lot, so I wish you a happy reading!