Finale

⋆༺𓆩☠︎︎𓆪༻⋆

WHEN ALOHI RETURNED, she informed her family and the police force that someone had managed to conceal the presence of the citizens from the Urban Legends' awareness.

They surveyed the scene of the fleeing residents and observed that the monsters were ignoring most of them, except those who accidentally bumped into them. Even when the citizens turned invisible, the monsters remained hostile and attacked them instantly after a single touch. The challenge now was to figure out a way to keep the panicked citizens away from the Urban Legends.

"Take all the citizens away from the monsters and tell them to stay at home because they will be safe there," the captain of the police force immediately ordered his troupe, including Raegan, who all diligently obliged.

Nang mailikas ang mga residente ay nagsimula na ring magpaputok ang pulisya sa mga Urban Legend. The approach they were taking to evacuate citizens may not be completely effective, as the monsters of imagination regenerate rapidly. This left them with a limited amount of time to get more people to safety.

"This is not good. They're regenerating rapidly. Kapag nagpatuloy pa 'to, mapapagod ang buong puwersa natin bukod pa sa mauubusan tayo ng bala. Kailangan nating gumawa ng paraan para tuluyang mapigilan sila," said the task force leader. Agad namang sinang-ayunan iyon ng lahat.

Keena stepped forward and shared with them the only possible solution. "These Urban Legends did not come from the Monsters Playbook. They came from something else. We have to find that source and either seal them back or destroy that very source. Am I right, Pa?"

Paglingon ng magkapatid sa banda ng kanilang ama ay wala na ito roon na siyang lubhang ipinagtaka naman nila. "Nasaan na si Papa?" tanong ni Keena sa mga kapatid niyang umiling naman.

"Ako na ang maghahanap sa kanya," alok ni Tavleen at umakyat na sa likuran ni Hanako-san. "Let's divide the task and allot more of our attention to protecting the residents."

"Mag-iingat ka, Tav," bilin ni Alohi sa bunsong kapatid nila at tinanaw nila itong lumalayo kasama ng alagang Urban Legend.

Tavleen had an idea of where to find their father. Levi knew that even with firearms, weapons, and their abilities combined, they could only hold off the attacking Urban Legends for a short time. They could never completely stop them. Levi realized that he must take action to stop all of this and restore order. He must confront the main enemy - the remaining members of the Hundred Tales Clan who orchestrated the entire ordeal.

"I specifically ordered in my live broadcast to have you dead," saad ng lalaking nakatalikod kay Levi.

Hindi nga siya nagkamali at talagang naabutan niya sa TV station ang lalaking nag-live broadcast nang magsimula ang pangkalahatang pag-atake ng mga Urban Legend kanina. Jared, the eldest son of Monogatari, looked at his father's murderer coldly over his shoulder.

"Or do you want me to kill you personally?"

Sa halip na sumagot ay tahimik at dahan-dahang lumuhod si Levi Sagrado sa tapat ng kapamilya niya. He felt guilty after realizing how all of his father's selfish decisions led to this nightmare.

"I'm sorry. Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa mga kasalanan ko at ng ama ko. Hindi kami naging makatarungan at pantay sa inyo. Ipinagkait namin ang karapatan niyo sa Library. Patawarin niyo kami," ang taos-pusong paumanhin ni Levi rito.

Pumihit paharap si Jared sa kanya, ang ekspresyon nito ay nagpupumiyos sa galit. Hindi niya maipigilan ang pamumuo ng galit at hinanakit sa dibdib niya nang muling sumagi sa alaala niya ang yumaong ama na ganoon din ang ginawa sa tapat ni Levi noon.

"Bakit ngayon pa?! Bakit ngayon pa na wala na ang ama namin?! Humihingi ka ng paumanhin sa maling tao!" galit na sigaw ni Jared kay Levi na nanatili pa ring nakaluhod. "Natatandaan mo ba ang ginawa mo sa ama namin noon? Ganitong-ganito 'yon, eh! Nagmakaawa rin siya sa 'yo! When he found out about your curse, he offered us to help you run the Library! Alam mo kung bakit niya ginawa 'yon? Gusto lang naman niya kaming bigyan ng magandang kinabukasan!"

Nanatiling nakayuko si Levi habang natahimik na nakikinig sa paglalahad ng binata ng kanyang mga kinikimkim na saloobin. Nais niya ring malaman ang buong kwento ng pamilyang naging biktima ng kasakiman ng kanyang sariling ama.

"Pero anong ginawa niyo? You created your so-called children using your ability to cover up the truth and selfishly claim the Library all on your own! Mas pinili niyong manloko kaysa kupkupin iyong mga batang totoong may abilidad at nangangailangan ng tulong niyo! Pero alam mo kung ano ang pinakamasakit na ginawa niyo sa amin? Alam mo?! Dahil sa inyo, nawalan kami ng ama..."

"Nawalan din ako ng asawa—" Levi tried explaining his side.

"Asawa lang ang nawala sa 'yo! Nand'yan pa rin ang mga anak na kinatha mo! Pero kami? Paano naman kami?! Kinuha mo iyong nag-iisang taong mayro'n kaming apat! Siya lang ang mayro'n kami! Apat na bata ang naulila dahil sa 'yo! Alam mo ba kung anong impyerno ang pinagdaanan namin matapos 'yon? Ha?! Nagkahiwa-hiwalay kami!"

"Kung ako lang iyong naghirap, matatanggap ko naman pero pati mga kapatid ko, nagdusa! Alam mo ba kung gaano kahirap para sa akin sa edad na katorse na itaguyod ang buong pamilya namin, ha? Alam mo ba kung gaano kasakit no'ng boluntaryong isinuko ni Sierra ang sarili niya sa mga putanginang alien na 'yon para pag-eksperimentuhan kasi may utang daw ang ama namin ng putanginang diyamanteng makatatalo sa kauri nila na asawa mo?! He became mad, and it was us who had to pay for everything!"

Despite Jared's efforts to hold back tears, memories of their tragic past consistently stirred deep emotions and fueled his resolve for revenge. "Alam mo ba kung gaano kabigat ang pakiramdam ko habang binebenta ang sarili ko para matustusan ang pangangailangan ng mga natitira kong kapatid? E, paano naman iyong bigat sa dibdib ko nang malaman kong ginagawa rin iyon ng kapatid kong si Mindy upang tulungan ako?!"

Hinilamos ni Jared ang mga palad sa mukha upang punasan ang mga luha niyang hindi na magkamayaw. "Putangina, hindi naman kami aabot sa gano'n kung... kung tinulungan mo lang kami... Putangina, mga inosenteng bata lang kami no'n, eh! Putangina! Putangina niyong lahat!"

Jared and his siblings' childhood were filled with hardships and challenges. However, their lives took a dramatic turn when Jared stumbled upon their father's diary. There, he discovered a secret section of the original Monsters Playbook that contained four powerful spells that were created from the body parts of the deceased Lord Hyakku. They could enhance the natural Bibliokinetic abilities possessed by the siblings.

As the eldest and the leader, Jared was gifted with Lord Hyakku's mouth, which gave him the power to strengthen the Urban Legends he collected and spread through his late-night show, Good Night, Westwood.

Sierra, the second and the brain of the group, possessed the ability to tame and control Urban Legends, as demonstrated by her success in taming the Slender Man and other monsters encountered by the Sagrado sisters.

Mindy possessed the gift of Lord Hyakku's eyes and the unique ability to see things with exceptional clarity, which made her the group's go-to spy and telescope. Her heightened eye ability allowed her to observe great distances and even see through barriers. They discovered the secret page in the original Monsters Playbook, thanks to her. She also had an extraordinary memory and could recall even the smallest details of everything she saw. This detailed recollection enabled their youngest sibling, Kiho, to draw the Urban Legends with precision and vivid descriptions.

Kiho could bring the things crafted by his hands to life. When the Hundred Tales Clan made a deal with Griffin, the god of disappearance proposed a trade: Kiho's right hand in exchange for stealing the original Monsters Playbook from the Sagrado Library. He believed that without both hands, Kiho would take a long time to craft a grand yet dangerous masterpiece. This gave the Sagrado sisters time to solve mysteries and amuse Griffin, the nosy god who observed events from the sidelines. He also erased the clan's memories of their deal with him.

Napakuyom si Levi ng kanyang mga kamao habang nakaluhod pa rin at nakayuko ang ulo. Hindi niya maiwasang sisihin ang sarili niya sa masaklap at mapait na karanasan ng mga batang pinagkaitan nila ng ama niya ng pagkakataong mamuhay nang matiwasay at may magandang kinabukasan. Kung pinigilan niya lang sana ang amang si Andres at hinayaang mabuhay si Monogatari ay hindi dadalhin ng mga batang iyon ang sakit buong buhay nila at humugot ng lakas doon upang gumawa nang isang kahindik-hindik na bagay na siyang nangyayari ngayon.

After hearing Jared's story, Levi's heart sank, and he saw beyond the facade of a tough and manipulative villain, an innocent child who had been through a painful experience. He couldn't help but sympathize with him and wished that he could have intervened sooner to prevent that innocent kid from being dragged into this nightmare.

Looking at young man's tear-stained face, Levi could not bring himself to harm him any further. He believed that Jared and his siblings were worthy of a better fate, one where they could heal from their past and start anew.

"Patawarin mo ako, hijo. Maniwala ka man o sa hindi, taos-puso akong humihingi ng tawad sa 'yo, sa mga kapatid mo, at maging sa ama mo. Gawin mo lahat ng gusto mong gawin sa akin. Ibigay mo ang hatol na sa tingin mo ay nararapat sa akin upang pagbayaran lahat ng mga kasalanan namin ng ama ko sa buong pamilya niyo."

Now with tears in his eyes, Levi looked up at Jared and pleaded, "Pero nagmamakaawa ako sa 'yong tama na. Tama na, hijo. Maraming mga inosenteng bata na katulad niyo noon ang nadadamay dahil sa nangyayaring ito. I deserve the punishment but they don't."

"Please, please spare everyone. Let my life be enough to heal your broken heart and soul. Huwag mo nang idamay ang mga inosente, lalong-lalo na ang mga anak ko. I never want to be like my father. I... just want to live a simple life with a family of my own. Hindi man sila totoo pero sa piling nila, nalaman at naramdaman ko kung ano ang pinakamahalaga sa mundo—hindi ang Library kundi ang mga sandaling kasama ko ang pinakamamahal kong pamilya. Kaya naiintindihan ko ang nararamdaman niyo nang mawala ang ama niyo. Kung alam ko lang noon pa, babaguhin ko agad ang lahat..." pagmamakaawa ni Levi na ngayon ay nakakapit na sa paa ni Jared upang ipakita sa binata kung gaano niya ka pinagsisisihan ang lahat. "Patawarin mo ako..."

"Bigyan mo lang ako ng pagkakataon, itatama ko ang lahat. Babawi ako sa inyo ng mga kapatid mo," dagdag pang pangako ni Levi sa binata.

Tavleen, who had been hiding nearby, heard every word that was said. Tears streamed down her cheeks as her lips quivered with emotion. She realized, more than ever, how much her father was trying to save everyone, including the members of the Hundred Tales Clan - who were also their family. Though she felt powerless to intervene, she resolved to help her father in any way that she could.

Pinunasan niya ang mga luha at hinarap si Hanako-san na naghihintay sa susunod niyang utos. She decided to confront another person who was the primary key to stop all this. "Hanako-san, may kaibigan akong ipapahanap sa 'yo ha?"

Sumakay muli si Tavleen kay Hanako-san at ipinaamoy niya rito ang panyong naiwan ni Kiho saka inutusan ang kanyang kaibigang Urban Legend na hanapin ito. Nagsimulang tumakbo si Hanako-san at nahinto sa tapat ng isang traditional Japanese-style na bahay subalit bago pa man siya tuluyang makapasok ay may lumundag na babae sa harap niya at kaagad siyang tinutukan ng baril.

"Step one more time, and you're dead," warned Mindy. However, she suddenly screamed in pain and nursed her broken wrist. "What the fuck?!"

Keena quickly conjured a protective shield, which caused Mindy's panic shot to fail as her gun dropped to the ground. Binalot din ng mana ni Keena ang mga kamay ni Mindy upang magsilbi itong posas na pipigil sa dalaga.

Sierra saw the situation and ordered the Slender Man and the Jersey Devil to attack Keena simultaneously. Bago pa man makalapit ang Jersey Devil ay hinarang na ito ni Alohi at walang kahirap-hirap na ibinaon ito sa lupa. Sunod naman niyang hinuli ang nakainat na galamay ng Slender Man at malakas na hinila ito saka itinapon sa kung saan.

"Why don't we finish what we started before?" Alohi challenged Sierra, but the woman remained cold and composed as her tamed Urban Legends appeared beside her, ready to fight for her again.

"Ate, anong ginagawa niyo rito?" tanong ng nagtatakang si Tavleen kay Keena na nasa tabi niya.

"We were assisting the police force in evacuating residents when we noticed you passing by. You seemed worried and in a hurry. Raegan and his team already had things under control there, so we decided to go after you and help you," Keena explained to her sibling. "Now, do what you have to do. Kami nang bahala rito. Go!"

Tumango naman si Tavleen at mabilis na pumasok sa loob ng bahay upang hanapin si Kiho. Sa kabilang banda naman, sa loob nang madilim na tatami room, mag-isang umiiyak si Kiho habang inaalala ang mga inosenteng buhay na nawala at nadamay sa ginawa nila ng mga kapatid niya.

In front of him stood a grand mural that spanned the entire wall. It depicted a hundred Urban Legends, each one meticulously drawn with his left hand over many months. The artwork was undoubtedly impressive in its scale and detail, but Kiho could never bring himself to feel proud of it. He dreaded it to the core.

Hindi kinakaya ng konsensya at dibdib niya ang bigat ng buong sitwasyon. He never wanted any of these things to happen. The thought of his family finding happiness at the expense of others' lives was unbearable. The weight of everything that has happened has left him unable to bear the thought of being happy with his life and family again.

Kinuha niya ang baril na ipinuslit niya mula sa kwarto ni Mindy at itinago upang magamit pagdating ng puntong iyon.

Ito na ang pinakahihintay niya...

Habang patuloy na lumuluha ay inangat ni Kiho ang baril at itinutok sa gilid ng sentido niya.

"I'm sorry..." ang umiiyak na bulong niya at paumanhin sa lahat ng mga inosenteng buhay na nadamay.

Bago pa man makalabit ni Kiho nang tuluyan ang gatilyo ay may kamay na mariing humawak sa kanya upang pigilan siya. Nag-angat siya ng tingin dito at namilog ang mga mata niya nang mapansing ang kanyang Kuya Jared ito kasama ni Levi Sagrado na ginamit ang nakabukas na orihinal na kopya ng Monsters Playbook upang mag-teleport doon.

"Kuya..." humihikbing bulong niya sabay iling dito. "Hindi ko na kaya... Ayoko na nang ganito..."

Lumambot ang malamig na ekspresyon ni Jared habang pinagmamasdan ang bunsong kapatid niyang umiiyak. Ever since Jared stumbled upon the secret of the Monsters Playbook and began scheming their ultimate revenge, things had changed drastically for Kiho. The once-smiling and happy-go-lucky young man had become distant and aloof, which made it difficult for anyone to connect with him. He had even given up on pursuing his own dreams, all to assist Jared and the others with their revenge plans. Despite the youngest sibling's objections and pleas, no one ever listened to him. Jared only just realized the profound impact their plans had on Kiho's life, and how it had altered his personality and reasons for living.

Binuksan ni Tavleen ang sliding door at kahit na nagulat kung bakit nandoon ang kanyang ama kasama ang paborito niyang host na siyang lider din ng mga natitirang miyembro ng Hundred Tales Clan ay mas inuna niyang lapitan ang umiiyak na kaibigan. Marahan niyang kinuha mula rito ang baril at hinagis palayo saka ito niyakap at dinamayan.

"I'm sorry, Kiho. I'm sorry, nahuli ako," she tearfully apologized as she hugged him tighter, and Jared watched all of it. "Shh... Alam kong mahirap. Ramdam kong nabibigatan ka na rin pero huwag kang sumuko, please. Nandito kami para sa 'yo. Malalagpasan natin 'to."

Jared began to understand that his siblings didn't need violence or bloodshed to heal their wounds from past events. What they truly desired was the warmth of love, care, and support that he, too, had craved for so long. They yearned for a complete and happy family they could always rely on, even if the whole world turned its back on them.

He realized that the revenge they sought would only lead to further pain and suffering. It was only now that he understood the reason why his grandfather and father had failed in their plans. They had repeatedly resorted to violent means and had chosen the hard path instead of forgiveness. Sa sobrang kagustuhan nilang makapaghiganti, hindi nila namamalayang sila mismo ang nagiging ugat ng pagkasira ng buong pamilya nila.

Sinulyapan ni Jared ang nag-aalalang si Levi sa tabi na nanonood din kina Tavleen at Kiho. "I will destroy the mural and eliminate all the Urban Legends. Susuko na rin ako sa awtoridad, pero may isang hihilingin ako sa 'yo."

"Ano 'yon? Pinapangako kong babawi ako sa inyo sa pagkakataong ito. Tutulungan ko kayo," ang determinadong tugon naman ni Levi.

Jared scoffed before smirking painfully. "Tulong? Huli na ang lahat para sa akin, pero maaari pang magkaroon ng magandang bukas ang mga kapatid ko. They still had a beautiful life ahead of them. Kaya sana bumawi ka sa kanila. Huwag mo silang pababayaan."

Maagap na tumango si Levi sa binata. "Pinapangako ko 'yan sa iyo, Jared. Hindi ko na kayo pababayaan."

"Ilabas mo na sila rito. Susunugin ko ang mural na iyan at maging ang buong bahay na 'to. My siblings deserved to live a good life after this nightmare," Jared told Levi. "Tawagan mo na rin ang kapulisan at ipaalam na nandito ako."

Levi took Tavleen and Kiho out and brought with him the original copy of Monsters Playbook. Pagkakita naman sa kanilang tatlo ng mga dalagang nasa labas ay kaagad nahinto ang mga ito sa paglalaban at nag-aalalang nilapitan sila. Levi explained everything to them, especially to Sierra and Mindy, who rushed back inside to see their Kuya Jared. Nasa tapat na rin ng pinto si Jared nang ngitian niya ang mga kapatid na umiiyak at niyakap ang mga ito.

"Kuya, what is happening?" Mindy asked. "Bakit umiiyak si Kiho?"

Jared hugged his sisters tighter so that they would not see his tears. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Maging si Kiho ay lumapit upang yumakap din sa kanila.

"What are you planning, Kuya?" nag-aalala ngunit kalmado pa ring tanong ni Sierra sa panganay na kapatid. "Sasamahan ka namin. Nangako kang hindi na tayo magkakahiwalay pa, 'di ba?"

"Shh... magiging maayos lang ang lahat. Hindi ko kayo iiwan pero itatama ko na ang lahat. Ang gusto ko lang ay sumama kayo kay Levi Sagrado at mamuhay nang mapayapa."

"Kuya!" Mindy tearfully protested. "Stop talking like that!"

"Ipangako niyo sa aking mamumuhay kayo nang mabuti, mapayapa, at masaya simula ngayon. Iyon lang at magiging okay na ako." Sa kabila ng ngiti sa mukha at tuwa sa boses niya ay hindi na napigilan pa ni Jared ang pagpatak ng mga luha sa mga mata niya na siyang nasaksihan naman ng Pamilya Sagrado, na sa puntong iyon ay may panibagong mga miyembro na.

Jared, with the help of his siblings, burned the mural and their house. Kusang sumuko na rin siya sa awtoridad upang pagbayaran ang mga kasalanan nila. Despite being sentenced to lifetime imprisonment, the man's determination to change for the better was not deterred. This was especially true after learning that Levi had fulfilled his promise to take care of his siblings. In fact, the Librarian treated them like his own children.

They all now lived inside the Sagrado Library and house. Ibinigay ni Alohi ang kwarto niya kay Kiho samantalang nagsama naman sina Keena at Tavleen sa kwarto ng panganay. Tavleen left her room to Mindy and Sierra. Hindi maiiwasan ang bangayan at alitan pero lahat ay pinagbubuklod ng respeto at pasasalamat nila sa butihing Librarian na siya ring nagsilbing haligi ng tahanan nila na si Levi Sagrado.

Levi also had the opportunity to be a father to not only three daughters but also to four more adults, making a total of seven children. Sinumpa man ay nabigyan pa rin siya ng espesyal na pagkakataong maging ama sa pitong magkakaibang indibidwal.

"This is my Chanel bag. Bakit nasa sa 'yo 'to?" Keena confronted Sierra, who was calmly drinking her tea at the Library.

Sina Tavleen at Kiho naman na gumagawa ng kanya-kanyang mga assignment nila ay napapailing na lamang sa dalawa. "Hayan na naman sila," ang parehong komento nila sa isipan nila.

"Tito Levi gave it to me."

"What?!" gulat na bulalas ni Keena at sunod na kinompronta naman ang kanyang amang napabuntong-hininga na lamang. "You gave her my bag?!"

"Anak, binili ko ang regalong iyan kay Sierra. May ganyan din si Mindy na ibang kulay. Binigay ko bago siya pumuntang Hong Kong," mahinahong paliwanag naman ni Levi sa anak at binalingan si Tavleen. "Tav, ayaw mo ba talaga niyan?"

Nakangiting umiling naman si Tavleen sa ama. "Mas gusto ko po nang affordable pero durable na tote bag."

"Kahit si Alohi, ayaw din niyan. Kung may gusto kang ipabili, sabihin mo lang, anak," paalala ni Levi kay Keena. "Sierra, Kiho, huwag rin kayong mahihiyang magsabi sa akin kung may gusto kayo. Bibilhin ko."

"Maraming salamat po, Tito Levi."

Napairap naman si Keena pero hindi na nagpumilit pa at tahimik na kinuha na lang ang bag na inakala niyang kanya.

"Kindly return it to my room in an organized manner, sister," Sierra remarked with a teasing smile.

"Whatever. May utang ka pa ring iced coffee sa akin," pagpapaalala pa ni Keena rito bago umalis upang isauli ang bag. Napalatak naman niya ang dila nang may biglang maalala. "Shit, may dinner date pala kami ni Raegan! I have to prepare now baka sumama na naman ang loob niya."

Keena, Kiho, and Sierra were trained by Levi to succeed him in being the Librarian. Kahit na gustuhin man ni Keena na ipagdiinang siya ang anak kaya siya ang nararapat magmana ay alam niyang hindi niya maaaring ipilit iyon sapagkat mas may karapatan sina Kiho at Sierra na maging susunod na Librarian dahil isa silang likas na Bibliokinetic. Someone with the real ability must continue running the extraordinary Library to keep it and the world safe. Still, Levi gave each of the three contenders an equal chance to emerge as the rightful successor through a fair process.

On the contrary, Mindy chose to embrace life to the fullest by following her passion for content creation and travel vlogging. Hindi rin siyempre nakakaligtaan ng lahat na bisitahin linggo-linggo si Jared sa presinto.

"Kumusta ka na?" nakangiting tanong ni Levi sa binata na ngayon ay maaliwalas na ang mukha kung ihahambing noon. "Nakakakain ka ba nang maayos dito?"

"Opo, Tito Levi. Katunayan ay pinayagan nila akong magsulat ng mga kuwento at magkuwento sa loob ng dalawa hanggang tatlong oras dito bawat araw."

"Really? What kind of stories do you usually write and share with them? Horror stories ba na katulad noong nasa Good Night, Westwood ka pa? Tiyak kong tatangkilikin ang mga iyon."

Nangingiting umiling naman si Jared. "I'm getting heavily influenced by Paulo Coelho lately. Mas gusto kong sinusulat iyong mga spiritual allegory. Iyon po bang mga kapupulutan ng aral. Nakakagaan kasi sa loob na isulat."

"Sa susunod na pagdalaw namin, gusto kong basahin ang mga kuwento mo."

"Maraming salamat po, Tito Levi," biglang saad ni Jared. "Maraming salamat po kasi hindi ninyo pinabayaan ang mga kapatid ko."

Ngumiti naman si Levi at inabot ang kamay ng binata. "Hindi ko kayo pababayaan, Jared, dahil pamilya ko kayo."

Of course, who would forget about our heroine, Alohi? After becoming Griffin's Regalia, she took on the role of a traveling exorcist in her RV when the unknown god left her on Christmas day, just after the Westwood nightmare ended. Hindi niya pa rin makalimutan ang pamamaalam at pangako nila sa isa't isa matapos ibalik ng diyos ng paglalaho ang kanang kamay ni Kiho.

"Bakit ka aalis? Saka saan ka pupunta?" she asked him when they were already alone at the café.

"I have to meet the Divine Council to receive my punishment."

Nabitiwan ni Alohi ang tasa ng kape na dala niya dahil sa narinig. Sinulyapan ni Griffin ang nabasag na tasa sa sahig saka kumuha ng dust pan at walis upang linisin iyon. "Ako na rito."

Nagtaka naman si Alohi kung bakit mano-manong nililinis iyon ng binata. Isang kumpas lang kasi nito ng kamay ay malinis na iyon agad. Griffin, who read her mind, smilingly replied, "I just have to practice."

"Teka nga, Griffin. Naguguluhan ako sa 'yo. Bakit ka paparusahan? At anong sinasabi mong practice? Bakit? Magko-community service ka ba ro'n sa Divine Council na sinasabi mo? Paki-explain, please," she urged him, who chuckled in retort.

"We are strictly prohibited from interfering with significant human affairs, particularly those that could disrupt the balance between the mortal world and the supernatural. However, I knowingly disregarded this rule when I stole the Monsters Playbook and handed it over to the Hundred Tales Clan. Although I was fully aware that they had something big planned, I still went ahead with the deal."

Alohi looked at Griffin intently. She knew he was telling the truth. He could read minds, so he probably knew what the Hundred Tales Clan was planning when they struck a deal with him. Ang malaking katanungan ngayon ay, "Bakit mo pa rin ginawa kung alam mong mapaparusahan ka?"

Griffin gave Alohi a meaningful smile. "I intended to be punished, Alohi. Do you know why?" Umiling naman ang dalaga. "One of the grave punishments for gods like me is mortality. Just a little convincing about my case, and I could be human."

"Bakit? You're a god, and you're untouchable. You've got the power, the immortality, and almost everything. Bakit mo gugustuhing maging isang tao?"

Griffin gently touched Alohi's face and whispered, "What's the point of immortality if I can't spend my whole life with my human love? What good is this power if we can't grow old together?"

He also held her other cheek as he smiled sincerely at her. "I don't want to be untouchable, Alohi. I want a life with you. I don't want everything, love. I just want you. I want all of you, forever and every day."

Alohi's lips quivered with emotion as she looked into his eyes, moved to tears by the sincerity of his confession. She tenderly grasped his hand, which he had brought to her cheeks earlier, and the gentleness in his every caress conveyed his love and affection. The moment felt like suspended in time as they gazed at each other with unspoken understanding and mutual feelings.

"Mangako kang babalikan mo ako. Mangako ka, Griffin, kasi hihintayin kita kahit gaano pa katagal 'yan. I don't care if it will take a year, a decade, or even when I'm old and can no longer see and hear you, maghihintay pa rin ako sa 'yo. Just promise me... promise me that you'll come back to me."

Griffin smiled and nodded his head while still holding her cheeks. "From my purpose to my feelings, who would have thought that the first five minutes of meeting you could change all of me? You made flowers grow where I cultivated dust and stones. You have my whole heart, Alohi. You always did."

He crouched down to reach her lips. As they kissed this time, she responded with passion and intensity. While her body was pressing against his, their heartbeats echoed each other's names.

At that moment, the words 'I love you' repeated themselves like a prayer in their minds. Those words were tattooed on their hearts and carved deep into their souls. However, what they felt for each other was far more powerful than words. And so, without speaking, they silently agreed that she would wait for and be with him until the very end.

𓆩◇𓆪꧁ 𓆩◇𓆪 ꧂ 𓆩◇𓆪

──✧❁ 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 ❁✧──

𓆩◇𓆪꧁ 𓆩◇𓆪 ꧂ 𓆩◇𓆪

「 ✦ 𝓛𝓸𝔀𝓵𝓪 𝓟𝓲𝓷𝓴𝓸 ✦ 」

Hello, Charmings!

Special chapters next! I'd love to ask for your help by voting on it and sharing your thoughts with me. Thank you so much for being with me and the Sagrados! ♥

It's been fun hunting Urban Legends with youuu! 🤍🤍