The Guilty Keepers' Trials

"What's your name?" Tanong ng lalaki sa unahan ko habang nakaposas parin ako na gawa sa mahika.

Simple lamang ang istraktura ng ginamit nilang mahika kaya hindi ako nababahala dito. Mas nababahala ako sa bawat segundong lumilipas at sa bawat paglipas nito ay ang pagkawala ng mga natitirang oras. Wala na akong panahon para dito. Kailangan ko siyang mahanap o magiging walang bisa ang lahat ng ginagawa namin.

"I will ask again, kid. Ano ang pangalan mo at ano ang ginagawa mo dito sa Magnus?" Naiirita niyang tanong.

Nakasuot siya ng silver armour which indicated na isa siyang Knight, may lima pa siyang kasama sa likuran niya. Nagising nalang ako na nandito na nakaupo habang nakaposas sa saradong kwarto na ito. Ni wala nga akong nakikitang bintana kaya hindi ko alam kung uamaga na ba o gabi.

"Bro, baka sinubukan siyang dakpin ng mga pirata sa Magna Sea at napunta siya dito sa isla." Sabi nung isa. Napataas naman ang kilay ko dito.

"Hindi ikaw ang kinakausap ko." Matalim na sabi niya dito bago niya ibinalik ang tingin niya sa akin. "Ikaw, huwag mo ding subukang magsinungaling gamit ang istorya na iyon. Dahil simula nung sumabog at nawala sa mapa ang Enchant Woods, nagtipon-tipon ang mga Saints para isarado ganit ng isang uri ng barrier ang isla kaya walang makakapasok dito."

"So there's a way out?"

"No, even going back outside is impossible unless you have special permission granted by the Saints themselves, at sa pagkaktaon na ito ay wala. Kaya hindi ka makakatakas sa amin bata."

"Paano nawala sa mapa ang Enchant Woods?"

"Nagka-amnesia ka ba? Balitang-balita 'yun sa buong mundo!" Sabi nung isang Knight na nakabantay sa pintuan. I sighed. There is no point talking with these Knights.

Tumayo ako at ibinuka ang mga kamay ko kaya nabasag ang posas na siyang ikinagulat nilang lahat. I smirked at their reaction. Akala ba talaga nila mapipigilan nila ako gamit lang nito? Sabay-sabay nilang sinummon ang mga spears nila. They would be pretty much boring to fight with kaya tatapusin ko na kaagad.

Hinawakan ko ang pader sa gilid ko at sa isang iglap ay yumanig ang buong lupa kasabay nito ay ang mabilis na paghati ng lupa sa iba't ibang direksyon. This action sounded an alarm which gave me the idea na nasa isnag facility ako kung saan nila palaging dinadala ang mga hindi mapagkakatiwalaang tao just to interrogate.

Nataranta sila pero nagawa parin nilang atakihin ako ng mga weapons nila. Nagpalabas din ako ng dual blades ko at mabilis silang lahat nilampasan na sa halos tatlong segundo lamang ay napuno na ang sahig ng dugo nila. Tumigil narin ang pagyanig kaya nagmadali akong lumabas sa lugar na ito.

Another batch of Knights kept chasing me around but I didn't need to turn back for I just stepped my foot on the ground and let the darkness chased after them. A moment later, I heard their painful cries as I finally found the exit. Hinati ko ang pintuan gamit ng dalawang espada ko at tumalon palabas, landing on one of my knees.

Turning my head around the big building na napapaliguran ng punongkahoy, tinaas ko ang isa kong kamay at nanonood habang isa-isang sinakop ng kadiliman ang buong lugar. Nakikita ko ang sariling repleksiyon ko sa mga espada ko, and the Cursed Mark on my neck transparently appeared over the side of my neck, maliit lang ito pero masakit.

I retrieved the shadows back and let the whole facility explode in fire. Wala ni isa na dapat makaalam na nandito ako, hindi man nila ako kilala but I fear they'd misundertsood everything if they recognize me...especially this mark. Pinawala ko ang dalawang espada ko at lumakad palayo.

Nakalayo-layo na ako ng ilang minuto ang nakalipas pero sa isang iglap ay hindi ako makagalaw. I can't even use my ability, and judging from the shadows forming beneath my feet, may isang tao ang kayang-kaya akong pigilan like I'm a mere ant in front of her. I didn't even notice her following me.

"Andrei de la Valliére." I mentioned her name.

"Who are you?" Ramdam ko ang talim ng espada niya sa leeg ko. It's funny how she doesn't recognize me but oh well, that's understandable. "I came running her thinking she was finally back since I sensed a large amount of energy which matched hers, but looking at you..." she didn't have to continue.

"Woah, relax Mas—I mean Andrei." Nakataas kong kamay na sabi, it looks like her binding isn't as strong as I had expected. I can't win against her, but I might just stand a chance in this generation.

"You're telling me to relax while you're secretly pointing a flying dagger behind me?" I chuckled. She noticed it at that speed huh?

"I'd really love to fight you but now isn't the time. Several Knights will come to our direction and a Saint might just come. That would be disastrous."

"You shouldn't have had made a reckless decision of blowing the facility then."

"I don't know who I got it from, but I don't think and just go by instincts, it never failed me."

"It will now that I'm here." She slid the edge of her blade on my skin kaya tumulo ang kaonting dugo mula sa leeg ko. Hisss ang hapdi!

"You won't kill me."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because we're both looking for the same person."

"Speak. What do you know?"

"Everything. But probably more than you do." She didn't reply. "I know you know na hindi ako nagsisinungaling ngayon."

"What do you need from her?"

"I need to stop her."

"From doing what?"

"From wasting her chances." Binaba ko na ang mga kamay ko at tinignan siya. Mas bata nga ang itsura niya ngayon.

"What are you talking about kid?" Tanong niya sabay pagpapawala ng weapon niya.

"Call me Allanea."

Ke'ala

My breathing was becoming rapid, my heart was racing so fast in both exhaustion and andrenaline rush. Sweat kept building up, eventually dripping on the floor making my visions a little narrowed, they were getting blurry. The sun wasn't even rising yet but my whole body was screaming hot. And at that moment, I knew my body was refusing to cooperate.

Another blade threatened to slide through my face, the speed of it reminded me of how fast sound actually travels as though trying to compete with the light. The accuracy of the attack was spot on as well and if I hadn't forced myself to move out of the way, my face would have been done for. But that didn't mean I got away unscarred, it left a sharp pain across my right cheek as the weapon went pass by me.

I let out another heavy breath as my legs started wobbling that I had to use my scythe to support my weight on the ground to stand up. My gaze then landed on Lunox comfortably standing meters away from me checking her nails. She returned my gaze and I couldn't help but get irritated by the smirk she was producing from her lips.

We've been at this for a week now, she wouldn't even let me rest. Whenever I shut my eyes to do so, she would immediately try to kill me. I can't even let my guard down or she'd destroy ny body. It had been also two weeks since we returned here in Spirit Land, I don't even know why they brought me here. For the first week they let me do what I wanted, roaming around and discovering, until this past week. Well let's just say that I'm being locked down in this place until I actually beat her.

"I'm—I'm starting to...think you're actuallg holding a grudge against me..." I said between my heavy breaths, I was referring to our last battle where I actually defeated her because she let her guard down at the last minute.

"I didn't really care about the results from our last battle though it was impressing for you to have dealt that much damage against a Keeper. But I must say, I'm a bit disappointed now." I straightened myself up letting out a light chuckle.

"Ako lang ba o mas lumakas ka ngayon?"

"It's because I'm using half of my real strength at the moment, Ke'ala." So she's saying she wasn't all that into it from our last battle, now that's a little disappointing itself. "From how I see it, you're having a hard time controlling your power which results imbalance to the way you move."

Pinaikot ko ang scythe sa bawat kamay ko, kasabay nito ay ang paglabas ko ng limang magic circles sa ibabaw ng ulo ko, each circles have different colours with them. Kasabay nang paglabas ng iba't ibang atake mula dito papunta sa direksyon ni Lunox ay ang pagtakbo ng katawan ko papunta sa kaniya.

The ground shook as fireballs, lightning strikes, magic blades, paved their ways on the ground due to the fact that they were all fired randomly in all directions hoping they could hit Lunox. But of course, she's too slippery to hit that easily dahil ilag siya ng ilag. I already knew how difficult it is to catch her off-guard and I doubt she would make the same mistake na ginawa niya noon.

I attacked her with my scythe and for the past few days paiba-iba ang mga weapons na ginagamit ko but no matter how hard I keep advancing, kahit ni isa ay hindi ko siya matamaan. I lost my sense of time and I haven't had any proper sleep since this past week because we'd immediately go fighting. I only am able to sleep when I pass out from a critical damage but we would return back to action after I'm awake.

Seriously, it almost feels like she's torturing me. Pero alam ko ang ginagawa niya. There is no quick way to control this overloading energy mixing inside my body, especially that apparently, I can somehow manipulate dark energy now. Kaya sinasanay niya akong masanay sa mga bagong nangyayari sa katawan ko. She's making sure I'm using all of my power to defeat her just for me to control my energy perfectly since she wouldn't settle for anything lower.

Tumagal na naman ng ilang minuto ang palitan ng atake namin, hanggang sa tumagal pa at tumagal. My limbs felt like they were being ripped apart, my bones started nagging in pain, and my head was throbbing crazy. The minutes turned to hours before I even realized it, and the fact that my body hasn't stopped exerting huge amounts of energy minute after minute was killing me.

I screamed out of frustration, raising both of my arms releasing a huge magic circle above the sky, tapos ay isinara ko ang dalawang kamay ko ng sabay, the circle revealed a huge majestic light falling from the sky towards Lunox' direction. Hindi siya nakailag dahil sa sobrang laki ng atake, and then my sight blurried caused by flying particles everywhere.

Sa sobrang lakas ng pagsabog na ito ay kinailangan ko pang magpalabas ng tatlong ancient barrier sa unahan ko para lang mapigilan ko ang impact. Then there were smikes emitting everywhere that it was getting harder and harder to breathe.

When I thought she was done for, she appeared behind me, nakatutok ang espada nito sa gilid ng leeg ko. I stopped moving, feeling my body numb from that attack I gave. Hinarap ko siya at nakita kong may mga sugat siya sa katawan, but she was still perfecrly fine. Unlike my state na kaonti nalang at matutumba na naman ako.

Hindi ko namalayan na palubog na pala ang araw na kaninang umaga lamang ay pasikat palang ito. Pinawala ni Lunox ang weapon niya at ngumiti sa akin, pero napayukom lamang ako ng mga kamao ko. That was one hell of a powerful attack pero parang wala lang ito sa kaniya.

She called forth water which surrounded her body like snakes, erasing all of her wounds and bruises. Tapos ay lumayo siya sa akin ng kaonti, there was a satisfied smile spread across her face and I didn't know why.

"You have to move with elegance, Ke'ala. Whatever situation you may find yourself in, always move with grace and beauty." She walked forward hinting me to follow. "Always calm your mind dahil nakakaapekto ito sa paraan ng pagkontrol ng kapangyarihan mo. And one more thing, you need to learn how to summon any kinds of magic without the need of magic circles."

"It's because circles control the right amount of energy flow needed, reason why I use them."

"Well that may be true, but at the same time magic circles prevent you from totally unlocking your full potential. Like earlier, if you hadn't use a magic circle for that magic explosion, I would have escaped with broken bones."

"I know. Nasanay na talaga akong gamitin sila kaya minsan ay hindi ko mapigilan."

"Oh well, si Julius na ang bahala sa'yo." I frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh hindi niya ba nasabi sa'yo? Typical Julius Chrone. Nasa Spirit Land nga tayo, but we are currently inside my realm, Lunox Zerig's personal domain. You've been here for one week and three days already if I were to adapt the concept of time. At hindi ka makakabalik sa mundo mo hangga't hindi mo malalampasan ang mga pagsubok ng apat pang Spirit Keepers."

"Why are you doing this?"

"We're planning to make you activate the Etherion to save multiple worlds, Ke'ala. We're fighting fire with fire, only this time you're the kind of fire that cannot be extinguished unless we do this."

"So you're trying to control me, is that it?"

"Why do you always put everything in such a twisted way, I wonder."

"Who knows."

"The best term is that we're trying to help you."

"I may see that fact but I can't help but think this is just a way for you Keepers to feel entertained." She laughed.

"I can't deny that." She stopped on her tracks and I did too.

Tinaas niya ang isang kamay niya at may nagtipon-tipong hangin sa unahan namin. Nagdala ito ng iba't ibang kulay at bumuo ng isang bilog na portal. Parang hinihigop ako nito papasok at ramdam ko kung gaano kalaki ang enerhiya na ginamit niya para makabuo ng ganito kalaki. It wasn't even that big, more like fit for only one person.

Tumingin muna siya sa akin bago niya tinuro ang ginawa niyang portal. Kanina ko pa ito napapansin pero mas lalong bumigat ang nararamdaman niya ngayon sa hindi ko alam na kadahilanan. Like her chest suddenly weighed down, almost halting her breath, yet she was showing me a smile. It was a genuine one, something she rarely shows because she's always being so sarcastic with me.

But at the same time, that smile was hiding something along with it too. May ability akong maramdaman ang emosyon ng ibang tao kaya minsan hindi na ako nagugulat kung bakit sila nakakaramdam ng ganoon, but this time I had a strange bad premonition. Like something was about to complete a huge puzzle and I was the reason for everything to be set in motion. I have never doubted these premonitions of mine but seeing her smile at me like that made me think otherwise.

"Why are you feeling guilty?" I finally decided to ask, because along with that genuine smile was a whole lot of guilt.

"There's no point in lying, is there?" She sighed. "What kind of world do you wish you're currently in, Ke'ala?" I didn't even have to think about the answer when I looked at her, she was waiting in anticipation.

We couldn't possibly have a peaceful world, so world peace is something only being dreamt by those people coated with naivety. We can't have a world which is fair for things would go out of balance if that were the case. If people think about it, isn't the answer to her question obvious?

"I've always wished for a world without people like me trying to hide, without normal humans trying to hold back just because they feel weak, a world filled with limitless possibilities."

"You want freedom for everything."

"Yes, I want people to achieve freedom without this kind of world limiting their potentials." Dahil sa mundong ito, kung paano sila ipinanganak, ganoon din sila lalaki, pupunta at pupunta sila sa mga daang itinadhana sa kanila kahit na gusto man nilang tahakin ang kabilang daan.

I wish for a world without limits, not like this. Hindi ko gusto ang ganitong klaseng mundo. Ang mundo kung saan dahil irregular ka na malakas ka na, kung normal ka mang tao ay hindi mo na kayang malampasan ang mga irregulars. They base everything on the way they were born and talk about fates and destinies.

Because the dark energy is building up different versions of New World Order is taking place. First, they want irregulars wiped out from this world, then the other one, they want irregulars to be the only beings in this world. It was conflicting in my case because I didn't know which side feels right until I realized I didn't have to choose at all when I could just stop and reset everything.

"Is that only a wishful thinking?" I asked meeting her gaze.

"That depends on you. Would you make it a reality?"

"It almost sounded like you were pleading, Lunox."

"But I am." Natahimik ako sa sinabi niya. "The world needs to be renewed, Ke'ala. I know you are aware of that fact. Everything is changing, dying...your world is slowly crumbling because of wars, dark energy. There are things you need to end."

I started walking towards the portal. I smiled at myself, bitterly. No wonder she feels so much guilt that it was almost killing. Lunox is a great Spirit Keeper, we may always see our differences, she may be a woman of sarcasm most of the time, but she is a great spirit. I wonder if that's why I don't feel any kind of hatred towards her, just pure...admiration.

"By things I need to end," I snuck out an arm towards the portal, sensing a different air on the other side before I finally looked at her for the final time. "That includes myself, isn't it?"

"I'm asking you to die, Ke'ala. We all are, yet why are you smiling?" I chuckled.

"It's just...refreshing. I've always felt like giving up on this world...but something was preventing me not to. I wonder why...or who. But I won't die, Lunox."

"Are you saying you wish to sacrifice nothing and still achieve the result you wish for?"

"I'm Ke'ala Feyree, I can do it if I want to." I answered as I continued walking towards the portal, feeling my body tingle as I was passing through it.

"You go by many names, Ke'ala. But one will go down through history." I closed my eyes awaiting her next words as I felt the portal diminishing behind me. "Caelesti."

It wasn't that I didn't hear her, I heard the name loud and clear. For some reason, whenever I came across it, I feel some kind of turmoil inside me, begging to be out. But I don't really understand why or how. I feel trapped every time I remember the name. Caelesti huh?

"I saw it...kahit ilang saglit lang ay nakita ko ito..." I could suddenly feel it...she's feeling frustrations and anger...then pity. Hindi iyon dahil sa natalo siya, dahil iyon sa nakita niya.

"What did you see?"

"I saw a girl...despised by the world."

"At ano naman ang kinalaman niya sa akin?" I certainly don't feel her lying to satisfy her feelings of loss. And so what if she saw a girl?

"I finally understand what Julius meant when he said fate is playing a game...a reason why we all met...the reason why it had to be you...why did I decide to continue Etherion...and why is the world like this."

"Then who did you see?"

"Caelesti..." She returned her gaze to me, this time, her face contained no particular emotion, but there was a hint of sorrow there.

"I saw a girl named Caelesti."

Naalala ko noon ang pinag-usapan namin ni Lunox nung araw na natalo ko siya. Kahit ilang ulit ko mang kalimutan ang pangalang iyan, hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ko magawa.

Caelesti. A girl despised by the world.

And they're saying that's me.

Just who the hell is Caelesti anyway? No. I think the proper question is, what exactly is she that I will become?

I didn't want to think about it.

Opening my eyes, I saw a complete different sight surrounding me. Lunox' domain was a rocky platform, all flat with solid earth beneath. But Julius' was different. His was darker and eerie. The only light that served my eyes was the moonlight from the night skies, there were no stars. The wind was cold, it left a whining sound as it passed my ears.

There were mountains up above, but I decided to walk over inside a certain building. Along with my light footsteps, fire started igniting from the surrounding torches as if guiding me somewhere, they one by one rekindled, casting a silhouette whenever I pass by.

The building was rather old. It looked like a temple, a ruined one at that. Lumapit ako sa medyo nakaiwang bukas na double door, may nagmumula ding liwanag mula sa loob. Nang pumasok ako dito, ramdam ko kaagad ang malaking enerhiya na nakabalot sa buong paligid, kasabay nito ang biglaang pagsara ng pintuan sa likod ko.

The whole place was a mystery, I don't know what am I doing here or where is Julius but I could sense his presence around, I just don't see him anywhere. Lumakad akong lumakad hanggang na nakapasok ako sa isang chamber which leads to another hallway, pero sa pagkakatong ito ay wala nang mga torches, only the light emittng from the moon beside.

I came across a red carpet, and following the track has led me yo a certain room. There were glass-coloured windows with different designs and patterns. It reminded me of a church. Sa unahan ay may upuan, like some kind of a throne kung saan nakatuon ang ilaw ng buwan.

Sa isang iglay ay napuno ng usok ang paligid. May naririnig akong boses, pero hindi ko matunton kung saan ito nagmumula o kung ano ang gumagawa nito. They were short laughters and sometimes they sounded like bees buzzing around. Naging mas mahirap nang makakita ngayon because of the building fog.

I immediately shifted my body to the right sensing something had tried to hit me. It caused a scratching sound instead, pero nagpatuloy na naman ang atake na kailangan ko itong ilagan at ilagan. I can sense it but whatever it was, it's too fast that I can't exactly pinpoint its location.

"Have I mentioned I love playing, Ke'ala?" I heard Julius' usual playful tone radiating through the whole area.

"I can tell."

"Then let's play a game." This time, nakita ko na mismo ang atake na papunta sa mukha ko. "Are you familiar with Chrone's Book of Demons?"

"First I heard of it." I caught the sharp object just before it hit my face, few inches in front of me.

"There are exactly seven Demons in that book which I had released the moment you stepped inside my domain." Narinig ko ang mahinang pagtawa niya. "Look at my seventh creation, the Demon of Love."

Isang puting buto ngayon ang hinahawakn ko, matalim at napapansin kong gumagalaw pa ito. Agad ko itong binitawan nanag naramdaman ko ang hapdi at ang kaonting dugo na dumadaloy mula sa kanan kong palad. As I averted my eyes toward it, the fog started clearing up as well.

Instead of being a Demon of Love, it was more like a Grim Reaper. The monster had no eyes, only small holes at both sudes of his face. Nakasuot ito ng isan armour na gawa mismo sa mga buto, even its whole body was made of bones, including the scythe it was holding. The demon had no feet, but pairs of sharp legs. Its overall appearance was creepy and looked like something that came out straight from a child's nightmare.

Tinaas nito ang hawak niyang scythe at akmang tatamaan sana ako nang tumalon ako palayo, pero laking gulat ko na nakaabang na pala ito sa likod at tinusok ang tiyak ko nang matalim na paa nito. I couldn't help but cough out a few blood as one of its sharp leg penetrated to the back of my stomach. Siya na mismo ang umalis sa akin mula dito at tinapon ako palayo.

Tumama ang likod ko sa pader at sa lakas ng impact ay nawasak ito. I bit my lip to prevent myself from screaming out the pain as my body slowly healed. I have lots of energy but it doesn't simply mean I could heal faster than before! Damn it.

I casted a barrier around me nang itutusok na naman sana nito ang isang paa niya, and I managed to roll away just before the barrier broke the moment its leg came in contact with it. I stood up shutting my emotion of feeling the pain, it would be a hindrance at this point.

"Don't underestimate my demons, Ke'ala. Each of my creations are as strong as Silverrium, or even stronger than he is." Of course I knew that.

Kakaiba ang enerhiyang nararamdaman ko sa isang ito, I think this demon is actually stronger than me a lot. But I wonder why I don't really feel scared about actually dying in this place. Rather than fear, I feel somewhat relieved knowing my opponent was stronger than me, that it won't hold back like Lunox will.

Ah, there it was again. That rush of my blood, he racing of my heart, the tightening of my muscles, and this unavoidable smirk. It was anticipation and excitement, something that I had never felt for a while. I wanted to feel it more, the growing will inside of me that keeps repeating and repeating whenever I am faced with something I knew I couldn't get pass through.

Mas malaki ang demonyo sa akin, sa katunayan ay para nga itong higante. Binaba niya ang scythe niya at kasabay nito ang pagsangga ko ng sarili ko ding scythe. Ramdam ko ang kaonting pagbiyak ng weapon ko sa gitna so I rolled underneath the demon and sliced up one if its leg while at it. It let out one big angry scream as it lounged itself to where I was.

"Why do you think it was called the Demon of Love, Ke'ala?" Along with Julius' question, nagpalabas ng malaking explosion magic sa ilalim ng halimaw. It escaped just before I managed to hit it though. Damn, I really should stop using magic circles.

"Answer your own question, Julius—" I was cut off abruptly by another pain shooting behind me.

Tinamaan ako ng scythe niya, it sliced up a great of my flesh that I had to cancel my sense of pain again. My stomach was already healed although it took some time, bit it still prevents me from moving faster though. Nagulat nalang ako nang nay lumabas na malaking pulang magic circle sa ibabaw ng demonyo, umiikot-ikot ito.

"Because instead of feeling pain, it feels love instead and love makes my seventh creation stronger." I can feel him smirking while saying that. "And my creations have powers of their own, Ke'ala. I suggest you plan things carefully."

I sighed and made my weapon disappear. Patuloy lang sa pag-ikot ang pulang magic circle sa itaas ng halimaw na demonyo, hanggang sa bumilis ito ng bumilis papunta sa direksyon ko. Isa-isang nawasak ang dinadaanan ng magic circle at alam kong mamamatay ako kaoag tinamaan ako ng mahikang ito. But I just raised one of my hand instead, pointing it towars the demon, not minding the magic circle heading my way.

"Then I shall give you love." All of the sudden, I used up most of my energy turning all of them into an emotion called as love.

Love. It has such a nice ring to it, it's pleasant to hear but at the same time it isn't. The demon feels love whenever he is pained, doesn't that mean making him feel love would bring him pain? The demon screamed and screamed in such beautiful agony known as love.

Tumigil ang magic circle kaonting layo lang sa akin at bigla itong nawala na parang bula. Along with the presence of magic's disappearance, the Demon of Love started turning transparent, blending with the thin fog until there were no traces of it was left.

————————

I laughed.

I laughed and laughed and laughed.

The Demon of Love.

The Demon of Joy.

The Demon of Kindness.

The Demon of Luck.

The Demon of Dream.

The Demon of Hope.

And the Demon of Life.

Each Demons reminded me of my memories I didn't want to remember, that I was loved, I was happy, that I was shown kidness, I was lucky, I was pursuing a dream, I was hoping, and that I am living. And each time I had to kill those demons, it felt like I killed those memories over and over again...eventually killing me inside.

I didn't know why I enjoyed it, I didn't know why I kept laughing whenever I killed one...until I realized later on how I needed to let out those laughters. Because my mind wouldn't be able to keep my sanity in check if I won't. It was exhausting, tiring, sickening, I feel like I was pushing myself too hard, I feel like I was getting desperate to get out of here. I was in pain a countless times, it felt as if I died numerous tines, yet here I am...breathing.

Still alive.

Blood ran across the edges of my swords in eac of my hands. There were also many stains on my clothes. My body was filled with scars, bruises, wounds, and they were still healing. My energy was becoming more and more stable, I was getting used at controlling the flow perfectly.

May naiiwang dugo sa sahig sa bawat hakbang ko palapit kay Julius na komportableng nakaupo sa trono nito. Pinunasan ko ang tumutulong dugo mula sa ulo ko habang tinitignan siya ng derecho sa mga mata. Mine were reflected on his, they were glowing an intense pale blue among this darkness, in this silence. These eyes used to make me comfortable, now even I was starting to be wary of them.

"How long?" I asked. "How long did it take for me to reach you?" Tumayo siya mula sa kinauupuan niya at lumapit sa akin.

"About a month if I were to follow your humanely concept of time." I let our a small chuckle.

"Are we still going to battle, Julius Chrone?" I pointed one of my sword at his face, the blood on the metal glistened when touched by the moonlight. Time still runs in this domain, but not the domain itself, that is why it will always be night time here.

"Oh please," he smiled. "Neither Lunox nor I can match you even with out full strength at this point." I made my weapons disappear facing the portal he had made so suddenly. It would lead me to the next Keeper. "Ke'ala." Julous called out just before I crossed the portal.

He was looking at me with that same expression Lunox had shown when we last departed. It was guilt. They aren't guilty ahout the fact that they're asking me to die though. Because if I think about it, dying is an act given out of kindness already. What they were guilty of was that they were asking me to suffer.

"I'm sorry." He finally said. "The whole world is sorry." I smiled. It was acceptance.

"You should be." I sighed and clenched my fists. "I'm not trying to act like a hero, Chrone. I'm not trying to look like a villain as well. It just so happened that I appear as both."

"Why did you agree to do this?" I diverted my gaze from him and looked up.

"It's better for me this way."

"You do know what awaits you after all of this, do you?"

"Death."

"Even knowing that...why are you still sacrificing yourself?"

"Sacrifice?" I laughed. "This is my selfishness, Julius. I told you, it works better for me this way."

"You really are twisted." He said with a light chuckle. "Pero hindi ko parin magawang maintindihan."

"Then let me rephrase it to something you'd understand. For some people, there is only one salvation...and that is dying." I turned my head around to face him one last time. Then I smiled, something he didn't expect me to show. It was a genuine one. "I'm tired, Julius. I really am."

AN: Poor Ke'ala...but oh well, happy reading! Thanks for the support as always!